Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 97 Let’s run!

The maid helped Lady Jia to the west room to change her clothes. Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang and Mrs. You also urged the maids and old women to go back to their rooms and put on their makeup according to their ranks.

Jia Zheng, Jia She and Jia Zhen went to the study room outside to discuss matters, and everyone in Rongqing Hall naturally dispersed.

Chen Siyuan watched the women chattering and laughing as they were about to leave, and after a moment's thought, he followed them to avoid any disturbance. He glanced about seemingly without meaning to, first seeing Li Wan, then Baoyu, Xiren, and Qingwen.

For some reason, everyone in the East and West Palaces was excited and talking and laughing, but Baoyu had a frown on his face, looking like he had a lot on his mind.

Seeing Baoyu wouldn't leave anytime soon, Chen Siyuan simply left Rongqing Hall first. He was late, and since most of the girls had probably left through the corridor behind Rongqing Hall, he didn't run into anyone since he left through the Chuihua Gate. After passing through the corridor and around Mengpo Zhai, he ran into Baochai coming out of the corner gate.

When the two met, Sister Bao frowned slightly.

Chen Siyuan smiled and bowed, saying, "We meet again, Sister Xue."

"Greetings, Brother Yuan." Sister Bao's expression immediately returned to her composure and she bowed according to etiquette.

The two of them walked side by side again, half a step apart. The maid Ying'er followed half a step behind, stealing glances at Chen Siyuan angrily.

Chen Siyuan ignored Ying'er's thoughts and only whispered, "Is Sister Xue all right?"

Sister Bao gritted her teeth secretly, thinking that she must have believed your nonsense last time. How could she swing on such a rubbish swing that she fell off and couldn't see anyone for several days?

Seeing that she didn't answer, Chen Siyuan said, "Everyone was so happy just now, but Brother Pianbao looked so sad. I don't know why."

Baochai whispered, "Brother Yuan, you're asking the wrong person... I'm not the roundworm in Brother Bao's stomach, how could I know so many?"

Chen Siyuan paused for a moment and said, "I did hear that. It seems that Qin Zhong angered the Minister of Works to death, and he himself is bedridden. Oh, no wonder Brother Bao is worried about you. It seems that Brother Bao is also a man who values ​​friendship and loyalty."

Who doesn't know what's going on between Baoyu and Qin Zhong?
At first Baochai didn’t care, but ever since Chen Siyuan compared Yu Xuanji to Caiping last time, Baochai felt disgusted whenever she thought about it!

Although Chen Siyuan didn't mention a word at this time, he was so picky about the meaning of "valuing love and righteousness". How could Baochai not think too much about it?
Suppressing her discomfort, Baochai squinted at him and said with a smile, "Brother Bao is only in a bad mood for a few days. He will be fine in a couple of days. Big sister has just chosen Fengzao Palace. Who knows, brother Bao may become the emperor's uncle in the future."

Chen Siyuan was silent for a long while. When he reached the gate of Lixiang Courtyard, he suddenly said, "Flowers are blooming and brocade is blooming, and oil is boiling on the blazing fire."

This is not a good thing to say! Baochai looked over in surprise and asked, "Is this how Brother Yuan sees it?"

Chen Siyuan said, "Respect is important, but it is not as important as substance. Sister Xue is intelligent and will definitely gain something if she thinks carefully. Sister Xue has arrived, so let's say goodbye now."

After saying this, he bowed slightly, then walked away with his hands behind his back.

He left without hesitation, leaving Baochai stunned. What is the face, and what is the substance?

Yuanchun's promotion to Consort Xian De was a great honor, but could it be that in this person's eyes it was just a matter of face?
Although Baochai was smart, she was not familiar with court politics. She thought about it for a long time but still couldn't figure out what Chen Siyuan meant.

It was not until Ying'er reminded her that Baochai came to her senses and walked back to Lixiang Courtyard. However, she couldn't help wanting to find Chen Siyuan to find out what was going on.

On the other side, Chen Siyuan entered his own courtyard, waved his hand to let the happy little maid Yunxiang leave, and went into the main room with Hongyu.

After washing his hands, Chen Siyuan sat down and pondered. What is the inner meaning? I'm afraid Sister Bao can't figure it out clearly at the moment.

Qin Ye was a doctor in the Ministry of Construction, a collusion between a noble family and a public display of his power, specifically to embezzle project funds! It's unclear whether Qin Ye was truly pissed off to death by Qin Zhong due to his age, or whether he was secretly plotted against. In any case, if he dies, I'm afraid the Jia family's finances will be in jeopardy!

Once Qin Ye dies, the various families will undoubtedly compete for the position of Langzhong of the Ministry of Works and Construction. If the Jia family wins, it's fine, but if something goes wrong, do you think the newly promoted Langzhong of the Ministry of Works and Construction can take responsibility for the mistakes of his predecessor?
Even if you accept it, will you be willing to share the profits with each family?
That's why Chen Siyuan said, "Flowers are blooming, and oil is boiling in a raging fire." Yuanchun's title as imperial concubine seemed significant, but in reality it was just a matter of appearance; with Qin Ye's death, the Jia family most likely lost its substance.

Which is more important, face or substance?
It's like someone who graduated with a master's degree from a prestigious university, works as a white-collar worker in an office, and earns 2,500 yuan a month, which is not even enough to pay the rent; another person who graduated from a technical secondary school, has a rare skill, gets dirty every day, and yet earns 30,000 to 50,000 yuan a month.

Haha, which is more important, face or substance?
There's an old saying that goes, "A gentleman's grace is cut off after five generations," and another that says, "Wealth doesn't last beyond three generations." The Jia family, with its four princes and eight dukes, has been passed down to this day, and while the title has been passed down to the third generation, the family's descendants are already in their fifth generation. In reality, they've already entered a period of decline.

Judging from the book alone, the Jia family's decline took a sharp turn after Yuanchun came home to visit her parents, and later even Grandmother Jia could not afford to eat rouge rice.

Until this life, Chen Siyuan actually believed what was said in the book. It was probably because of the successive years of famine that the income of farms everywhere continued to decline.

But after living in this life for all these years, looking back now, I'm afraid those words are just nonsense!
In a year of famine, even noble families can’t afford to eat? What a joke! Noble families are hoping for years of famine. How can they get rich without famine?

At that time, there was a phrase called "killing the poor." What did it mean? During years of famine and poor harvest, wealthy families would give out porridge and rice to gain a good reputation, while at the same time reselling grain at high prices and buying up land at low prices.

How much money does a farm earn each year? In a year of disaster, a wealthy family can make a fortune by "killing the poor"!
Taking a step back, even if the Jia family is honest and abides by the rules and disdains to do things like "killing poor ghosts", the Rongguo Mansion is so big, with Daiyu's rich family property in front, Fengjie lending money and handling lawsuits in the back, and Jia Mu's extremely generous personal money, how could they be so poor that they can't even afford rouge rice in a few years?
Now that I think about it, I'm afraid it has to do with Qin Ye.

As the saying goes, "Success and failure are both due to Xiao He." The Jia family made a fortune from the projects of the Construction Department. I am afraid that no matter how much they have swallowed in the past, they will have to pay it back with interest in the future!

However, if Chen Siyuan wanted to gain power at this time, he had to rely on the Jia family. As for the future, I am afraid it would be difficult to cut off.

While thinking, I suddenly heard someone calling Hongyu from outside.

Hongyu dropped the feather duster and went out to greet the general. After a while, she brought in Mrs. Liu and a girl of about twelve or thirteen.

Hongyu said, "Master, Wu'er is fine now. Come over and kowtow to me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Siyuan came out of the study, glanced at Mrs. Liu, nodded slightly, and then turned his gaze to the girl.

She was wearing a light blue cross-collared long vest with an embroidered collar on a green background, an ivory cross-collared jacket underneath, a copper green long skirt, and a light blue sweat towel tied around her waist.

The eyebrows are delicate, the eyes are smart, there is a hint of sadness between the eyebrows, the face is pale, and there is a bit of sick Xizi character. She is really delicate and soft, like peach shy of apricot; delicate and weak, with soft branches and tender leaves.

Liu Wu'er looked at him, lowered her head hurriedly, and a red cloud suddenly rose on her pale face.

After greeting her, Mrs. Liu quickly pulled Liu Wu'er and said, "Why don't you pay your respects to the master?"

Liu Wu'er stepped forward and kowtowed. Chen Siyuan gave her a slight hand, then gestured to Hongyu to help her up. He then said with a smile, "Sister Liu, you're too anxious. I heard Wu'er is ill. Why don't you wait a little longer before coming back?"

Sister Liu smiled and said, "If she continues to be taken care of, it will be the twelfth lunar month. Wu'er is old enough now, so we can't delay any longer. Seeing that she is well today, I rushed to bring her here. Master, you don't know that Wu'er has been weak since she was a child, and this is her first time serving others. If there is anything wrong in the future, please be more tolerant."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "There aren't many rules in my house. Has Wu'er ever been able to read?" Wu'er nodded and said in a whisper, "I did learn a few words from my brother and sister."

Chen Siyuan said, "In that case, you will take care of the study from now on. How about the monthly allowance... three strings of cash for now?"

Most of the new maids started out as third-class maids, like Hongyu. Some were so pretty and favored that they would stay in Lady Jia's room for two years before being assigned to other places as second-class maids.

When Liu Wu'er came to Chen Siyuan's room, she didn't take the monthly allowance from the Jia family. It was already quite good to have 750 coins at the beginning.

Mrs. Liu thought Hongyu had said something nice, and immediately said happily, "Oh, thank you, Master Yuan."

Some things were hard to say directly, so she thanked him profusely. After he left, she said to Hongyu, who had escorted him out, "You don't have to come early in the future. I'll definitely prepare Master Yuan's allowance in advance."

Hongyu immediately understood and thought to herself that not only her master's portion, but even the food for them, the maids, would need to be more sumptuous.

After seeing off Mrs. Liu, Hongyu returned to the main room and saw Liu Wu'er standing in the study at a loss, while Chen Siyuan had gone to the west room at some point.

Hongyu moved into the western room and saw that Chen Siyuan had not closed his eyes yet, but was just resting in the warm room. She walked up to him and said, "Master, people outside say that the Second Mistress is going to give out a reward."

Chen Siyuan responded, then realized he'd have to pay most of the reward himself. Xiangling wasn't a Jia servant, and Liu Wu'er, a recent arrival and a Jia-born daughter, wasn't part of the Rongguo Mansion staff. Hongyu and Yunxiang were previously third-class maids, so they could certainly receive a reward, but he'd already secretly increased their monthly wages.

I'm afraid that the Jia family will only give rewards according to the previous rules for third-class maids.

Chen Siyuan said, "We'll also offer a reward, but I don't know what the rules are for this reward."

Hongyu then said, "In a year, there are usually four rewards: Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the master's birthday. According to the rules, the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the master's birthday are all rewarded at the bimonthly rate. Spring Festival is a bit more important, so according to the rules, the rewards should be distributed at the four-monthly rate... For such a happy event as the eldest daughter of the mansion being promoted to the virtuous concubine, I don't know what rules should be followed." (Note 1)

Hongyu said she didn't know, but in fact her words clearly pointed it out. Such a happy event must be rewarded according to the customary Spring Festival rewards.

Since it was Chen Siyuan, he said, "In that case, let's follow the Spring Festival rewards." After a pause, he added, "The rewards you and Yunxiang received from the mansion don't count."

Hongyu felt that she had become quite close to Chen Siyuan recently. Upon hearing this, she frowned and said, "Master, this... isn't it too much?"

"That's it, don't worry about anything else." As he spoke, Chen Siyuan rummaged in his sleeve pocket and pulled out a hundred-liang silver note. He handed it to Hongyu and said, "You'll have time to exchange it for the silver. We'll wait until the government gives out the reward and then give it out as well."

Hongyu took the banknote and said, "Master, if you are so extravagant, how are you going to build up your family fortune in the future?"

Chen Siyuan laughed playfully upon hearing this, pulled Hongyu to his side and whispered, "Are you feeling sorry for me now?"

Hongyu quickly glanced outside and was relieved to see that Liu Wu'er hadn't looked at her. Then she turned her head away in shame and said, "Although the master is generous, he shouldn't indulge us too much."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "It's because you've worked so hard that I'm letting you go." Suddenly, his face turned stern and he said, "If you try to be cunning and treacherous in the future, I'll make sure you're punished!"

Hongyu chuckled and said, "I wouldn't be sneaky or cunning." After thinking for a moment, it seemed that Yunxiang was a girl who was always sneaky and cunning, so she added, "Anyway, I wouldn't."

Just at this moment, Yunxiang screamed outside. Hongyu quickly broke free, straightened her clothes guiltily, and then went out with a sullen face to take a look.

Liu Wuer had just arrived that day, and Chen Siyuan had not spoken much to her, so Hongyu was still on duty at night.

The next morning, Yunxiang, the maid, could be heard chattering about how the old lady and the other ladies had just returned from their trip that night and had gathered together to discuss the distribution of rewards. As Hongyu had guessed, for such a grand occasion, the Jia family followed the customary Spring Festival rewards, giving out four months' worth of monthly allowances to everyone.

For a moment, the whole house was filled with joy.

At 9 o'clock in the morning, Miao'er came to invite him again. Chen Siyuan was puzzled, wondering what Mrs. Xing wanted to see him about again. He packed up his things and went to the east wing.

At this moment, Jia She was still in Jia Zheng's outer study, discussing matters with the Jia family's relatives. Only Mrs. Xing was in the east wing.

Chen Siyuan entered, greeted, sat down, and chatted with Madam Xing for a while. After about a cup of tea, Madam Xing sent the maid away.

As soon as the man left, Mrs. Xing said, "I received a letter today saying that Lian'er will arrive in about ten days. It's a coincidence that Jia Yucun is returning to the capital to fill his vacancy, and Lian'er is traveling with him.

The master sent a servant to meet them early this morning. I'm afraid Lian'er and the others will have to ride as fast as they can after receiving the news. We estimate they'll arrive in eight or nine days."

Chen Siyuan blinked, gasped, and blurted out, "Or I'd better run!"

"Ah?" Madam Xing asked in surprise, "I've already said Lian'er only heard about it and didn't actually go looking for it. Why are you running around?"

Chen Siyuan said in distress: "Don't forget the marriage certificate!"

"What does it have to do with the marriage certificate?"

"Tsk! It's true that Jia Yucun filled the vacancy, but I'm afraid it's also true that he escorted Daiyu all the way! Don't forget that Daiyu and Jia Yucun had a master-disciple relationship! It's possible that Lin Ruhai entrusted Daiyu to Jia Yucun's care before his death.

To be honest, to Daiyu, Jia Yucun is probably closer to her than the old lady.

Thinking about it this way, Lin Ruhai was ill last year. Even if he had written the marriage certificate to the Chen family at the beginning of the year, how could he not have told Jia Yucun about it? If I had met Jia Yucun, wouldn't the whole story be exposed?

　Note 500: There are records from the Prince Gong Mansion in the late Qing Dynasty that the monthly salary of a maid was one hundred taels, and the food allowance was 500 wen. There was also a regular reward of about ten taels every year. The monthly salary of a maid was 300 wen, and the food allowance was wen. The regular reward was half of that.

　　This record was probably from the Daoguang period. One thousand five hundred copper coins were equivalent to one tael of silver. It can be inferred that the regular reward was equivalent to ten months' monthly salary.

　　In addition, regular rewards are mostly given out during the Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and the master's birthday. The Spring Festival is slightly more important and is counted as two parts. Therefore, it is estimated that each regular reward is two months' monthly reward.

　　Yuanchun's title of Consort Xian De was considered a great joyous event, and according to the Spring Festival rules, she was given a four-month reward.

　　Therefore, a second-class maid in Rongguo Mansion received at least twenty-two taels of silver every year, not including expenses such as food and clothing. The actual annual income was more than twenty taels, almost thirty taels.

　　At that time, a family of five could live well with thirty taels a year. So now you understand why the Jia family was so eager to have their children in Rongguo Mansion and become servants, right?
　　I spent more than an hour looking up this example, tsk...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)