The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 186 Women’s Heart

After leaving Lady Wang's courtyard, Jia Zheng stopped at the gate.

As the saying goes, one should know one's destiny at fifty. Thinking of bowing to the lady again today, and her seemingly eternal attitude, Jia Zheng felt as if a stone was pressing on his heart. He had thought he could lift it, but it was just a dream.

"Sigh." With a sigh, Jia Zheng walked eastward.

Madam Wang's main courtyard was very large. Across an alley, there were three more large courtyards and two pavilions. The small east courtyard was empty, and the other two courtyards belonged to Concubine Zhou and Concubine Zhao.

Jia Zheng arrived at Aunt Zhao's place with ease, without even glancing in the direction of Aunt Zhou next door.

Upon learning that the master had arrived, Aunt Zhao happily came out to greet him and urged the maids to serve tea and snacks. She busied herself with preparations, while Jia Zheng, like a lord, sat down on the kang (heated brick bed) without moving an inch.

Aunt Zhao took the tea brought by the maid, but worried that it was too hot, so she took a sip herself first. Only after she felt it was okay did she give it to Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng didn't move at all, and was fed by Aunt Zhao.

After serving him tea, Aunt Zhao offered him snacks and inquired about his well-being, but it was all just empty talk. Jia Zheng paid little attention to her; he would say something if he was in a good mood, but if he wasn't, he would pretend not to hear it. Aunt Zhao, on the other hand, seemed to be having a great time.

Aunt Zhao was only in her thirties, more than ten years younger than Jia Zheng. She was quite beautiful and had a slender figure. Watching Aunt Zhao bustling around, Jia Zheng's mood immediately improved.

"Where did you come from, sir?"

Aunt Zhao knelt down and moved her legs over, speaking as she gently rubbed Jia Zheng's head. She knew that the master was in a bad mood after she had said those things.

"Hmm," Jia Zheng replied with an irrelevant "hmm."

Aunt Zhao was used to it and didn't press the matter. She then said, "Master didn't go to work today. Will he stay for dinner?"

"Ah."

Seeing Jia Zheng's appearance, Aunt Zhao smiled, gently rubbing her fingers as she pulled the master's head closer to her.

Aunt Zhao had a daughter and a son, and was only in her thirties. She was young when she gave birth, so she recovered quickly. She also had more than ten years of peace and comfort. Although she was often mistreated, she had no worries about food and clothing and did not have to do any work.

Jia Zheng hummed in satisfaction again.

Speaking of which, Baoyu does resemble me, but unfortunately he was born to my wife, which makes me unable to like him. Yet, this child does indeed resemble me.

I realized I was the same way, until I got married.

The women of the Wang family are too domineering. Whether it's the Ningguo Mansion or the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion, they are nowhere like me, being suffocated by the madam. Finally, the daughter-in-law of the main branch is also a woman of the Wang family, and she has also experienced what it's like to be like her.

The older brother was too ashamed to talk about himself anymore. He didn't even dare to say a word to his own daughter-in-law, so how could he have the face to mock him?

Indeed, we all prosper together and suffer together. No matter how much dissatisfaction we feel, we must think of the family. The family is more important than ourselves. We must never let our ancestors be disgraced. So we can endure anything.

The women of the Wang family were indeed capable, able to communicate with the women of other families, manage both internal and external affairs, and were competent in everything they did.

For families like theirs, maintaining good relationships with other families is of utmost importance. They can't just send Aunt Zhao; other families wouldn't accept her, and she wouldn't be able to live up to the standards of a woman from the Wang family.

It requires maintaining both intimacy and dignity, as well as preserving the family's prestige, and most importantly, ensuring that guests are not dissatisfied. These are requirements that ordinary women cannot meet.

Just when everyone thought the Wang family was finished, the men of the Jia family could finally relax. Jia Zheng opened his eyes and earnestly reminded them, "Recently, Huan'er has offended Baoyu. Madam may not say it, but she is unhappy about it. You must keep an eye on Huan'er and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."

Aunt Zhao was taken aback, her hand paused, and she said in a panic, "The children were careless, what's the big deal? Does the master have to come and tell me personally?"

Aunt Zhao was very nervous because it involved her child.

She's been through so much over the years, whether it's beatings or scolding, she's never afraid to risk it all. Even if she, an adult, were to fight with a little girl, Aunt Zhao wouldn't be afraid. The only thing she can't let go of is the children.

Some time ago, Jia Zheng was quite pleased with himself and showed off to Aunt Zhao.

Aunt Zhao was secretly pleased. She knew her status was lowly and dared not think about such things. However, even though her son was born to a concubine, she only wanted him to be treated like a proper man in the mansion, not to be treated so casually by the maids.

So he happily gave instructions to Huan'er and talked to a few maids. Perhaps because of this, Jia Huan became bolder. When he saw Bao Yu flirting with his maids, Jia Huan actually pushed over the oil lamp and burned Bao Yu.

She had been living in fear and anxiety for many days, enduring scolding and humiliation. She never expected that the master would bring it up again today. Aunt Zhao was already afraid of the mistress, and she was like a frightened rabbit.

"Sigh." Jia Zheng sighed and said, "Isn't Wang Xin living in the mansion? This man is becoming more and more outstanding. Never mind, you wouldn't understand if I said more. Just remember what I told you."

Aunt Zhao nodded, feeling wronged.

A son is a son, and he's still young. But a daughter's marriage is decided by the wife, so Aunt Zhao has never dared to get close to her daughter all these years. It's true that she and her daughter don't get along.

How could Aunt Zhao not be heartbroken that her daughter was being raised by someone else and wasn't close to her?

If the other half is fake, and the daughter is with him, will his wife be happy? What if his wife is unhappy and deliberately marries their daughter to a bad family?

As for the master, Aunt Zhao had known for a long time that he and his son Jia Baoyu were of the same temperament and were both unreliable. It was just that the master was older and had experienced more things.

"Would Lord Xin really target us, this poor mother and son?" Aunt Zhao asked worriedly.

Her maternal family was meant to be her support, but unfortunately, her brother Zhao Guoji was of low status, merely a servant in the Jia household. If her maternal family had been more successful, she wouldn't be in this predicament.

“No, that won’t happen,” Jia Zheng affirmed. “Although Wang Xin is young, he is honest and kind, and has always had a good reputation. He is extremely benevolent to his subordinates, so how could he possibly bully you and your son?”

Hearing the master's words, Aunt Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but ask about Master Xin.

Jia Zheng became interested. If it were the Wang family's personality, Jia Zheng would have avoided them as soon as possible. But Wang Xin was completely different from the Wang family. He was not aggressive at all and was very gentle. In particular, he was very capable.

After Jia Zheng explained, Aunt Zhao realized how formidable this guest in the mansion was.

"Master." Aunt Zhao hugged Jia Zheng's head again, gently rubbing his forehead, and tried to say, "This Master Xin has a good temper and is very capable. Do you think Huan'er could learn some skills from him?"

Jia Zheng was surprised that Aunt Zhao would make such a request, and subconsciously said, "Aren't you afraid that he might have the surname Wang?"

Aunt Zhao said, "If Huan'er goes to learn skills with someone else, even if Master agrees, I wouldn't dare to give in. But this person's surname is Wang, and he is a kind person. He is the only place Huan'er can go."

Jia Zheng understood what Aunt Zhao meant and objected, saying, "People are too busy with their own affairs to teach Huan'er for no reason."

Aunt Zhao made up her mind. She had always trusted Jia Zheng. The master and Baoyu were both soft-hearted and timid, but they were good in one way: they were smart. The master said that Xinye was a good person, and she trusted the master's judgment.

The key point is that this person's surname is Wang, and he is a member of the maternal family of the lady of the house. He is the only opportunity she sees. Her own son is also intelligent, but he has never been able to get a good teacher. The scholars in the mansion teach Baoyu. They are very worldly-wise and know that Baoyu is arrogant, so they go along with Baoyu's words and flatter him.

Baoyu, with his temperament, could speak eloquently and fluently. Besides his talent, at least three-tenths of it was due to the family's influence. Everyone said he was good at studying, and even if he didn't want to study, he had to do so to save face and avoid embarrassment.

Adding it all up, with his personality, how could Aunt Zhao not know that he could speak eloquently even at only a teenager?

She didn't expect her son to become a high-ranking official, but he should at least learn some skills so that he could support himself even after leaving the Jia family, instead of being treated like a useless person.

“If Master doesn’t speak up, how will he know the other person won’t agree? Perhaps out of respect for Master, they will agree,” Aunt Zhao insisted.

In the past, if he disagreed, Aunt Zhao would not speak again. But this time she insisted on it. Although Jia Zheng was annoyed, he couldn't bear to let Aunt Zhao suffer. She had already suffered enough over the years.

The master did not refuse again, and Aunt Zhao served even more diligently, her hands moving lower and lower.

Jia Zheng frowned, but in his heart he was looking forward to it. Aunt Zhao liked to hang out with the old women outside and often learned some low-class actions, which were really disgusting and should be criticized. He wanted to see what tricks she would play this time.

Wang Xifeng's face lit up. After listening to her aunt's words, she not only felt at ease, but also all her previous worries vanished, and she felt an indescribable joy. She hurried to Tubi Mountain Villa.

"Second Grandma."

Ping'er and Qingwen greeted Wang Xifeng immediately upon seeing her.

Wang Xifeng glanced at Ping'er and suddenly laughed, "This Convex Jade Mountain Villa is indeed different from other places."

"Why do you say that, Second Madam?" Qingwen asked with a smile.

"You were the only one at first, but after you came to this manor, it became so colorful. I didn't expect that Ping'er's skin would also improve so much after only a short time here. Look how smooth and tender your skin is, it's so soft you could squeeze water out of it."

Wang Xifeng wiped Ping'er's face, and Ping'er took a step back embarrassedly, complaining, "What's wrong with you, Grandma?"

"It's not that the manor nurtures people, it's that Sister Ping'er is naturally beautiful," Qingwen said with a smile.

If Wang Xifeng was nice to someone, she could speak so sweetly that it would kill them. She smiled and said, "You are even more beautiful now. In two years, I'm afraid Master Xin will be unable to leave you all day long."

Qingwen blushed, knowing that the Second Mistress must have something to say to Ping'er, so she spat and took the opportunity to slip away.

"Qingwen is so sensible and so beautiful." Wang Xifeng sighed after Qingwen left.

Ping'er nodded and asked, "Grandma, what is it?"

Wang Xifeng announced, "Master Xin is coming back."

Ping'er was stunned.

Unlike Qingwen, who was given to Xinye with his approval, Qingwen was officially accepted as his person. Although he was also given to Xinye, Xinye was unaware of it.

When Ping'er suddenly realized that Lord Xin was coming back, she felt not only ashamed, but also panicked and fearful.

If Lord Xin refuses her, how will she face people, and where can she go? She has been a maid since childhood. Although Ping'er is very opinionated in the mansion, she cannot leave it.

Wang Xifeng thought Ping'er still couldn't accept it, so she laughed and said, "Of all the men I've met over the years, none can compare to Master Xin."

Ping'er lowered her head and did not respond.

Wang Xifeng didn't care about Ping'er's reaction; instead, she thought Ping'er had gotten a great deal.

At first, she was disappointed in Jia Lian, thinking he was just a good-for-nothing playboy. She thought she had married the wrong person. Later, after getting to know her father-in-law, she realized that like father, like son. He constantly cursed Jia Lian. In fact, what difference was there between her father-in-law and Jia Lian?

After learning about the second branch of the family and the Ningguo Mansion, all that remained was contempt.

So over the years, it's still the men of the Wang family who have achieved success. What an amazing man Master Xin is! He's only a year older than me, yet he has achieved what he has today.

To be honest, even Uncle might not be as capable as Master Xin. Master Xin was an orphan, unlike Uncle who had a family inheritance. Now that Master Xin has made it in the world, with his abilities, his future prospects are bound to be great.

"Don't be fooled by the Jia family's current prestige. You know what kind of person you, Second Master Lian, are. Things are different now. The decline of noble families is a foregone conclusion. On the contrary, military generals like Lord Xin will become more and more glorious in the future. I just hope you won't be heartless and forget your benefactor after you've gotten what you deserve."

"How could I forget Second Mistress?" Ping'er hurriedly explained, but as soon as she said that, she was implying that she wanted to follow Master Xin, and the more she explained, the more confused she became.

Wang Xifeng came today not only to inform Ping'er, but also for another purpose. Seeing that Ping'er had accepted it, she said, "Don't underestimate that maid Qingwen just because she is young now. If you really compare her to her, you may not be able to beat her. If you don't take advantage of the fact that Master Xin's mind is still unchanged, you will regret it later."

The second mistress became increasingly explicit in her words, and Ping'er kept her head down without answering.

Wang Xifeng knew that Ping'er had heard her, so she continued in a gentle tone, "Master Xin doesn't have many rules. The most important thing is that Master Xin is a man of deep feelings. If you go to his bed early and have a son for him, how could he treat you coldly? If it's your own future, and you don't fight for it, then you've wasted your time following me."

He had been earnestly trying to persuade Ping'er, hoping she wouldn't let him down.

Ping'er grew up in the Wang family and then married into the Jia family. Even if she didn't understand these principles before, she still understands them now.

Some time ago, I was in a precarious situation in the manor. I saw the indifference of my aunts and the others. Therefore, someone like Master Xin cannot rely solely on the affection of his aunts and the others. I must take the initiative.

Ping'er was her personal maid, and after so many years of friendship, only after Ping'er was taken in by Master Xin did Wang Xifeng believe that Master Xin would truly take care of her. After all, no cat can resist stealing fish.

The last time she was on the mountain, and the other time in the garden, Wang Xifeng felt a tingling sensation in her heart, and a wave of shame washed over her. No man is immune to lust.

Having seen through the true nature of men, Wang Xifeng did not believe any empty promises from men. Once he took in his personal maid, he couldn't very well refuse her. His behavior of taking advantage of her and then leaving her was not like that of Master Xin.

Once the money has been received, how can it be returned? There's no such logic.

Wang Xifeng said everything that should and shouldn't have been said. Finally, she gave Ping'er some instructions and left satisfied.

After Wang Xifeng left, Qingwen returned a while later.

Qingwen didn't ask, but Ping'er took the initiative to say, "Master Xin is coming back."

"Ah, really?" Qingwen looked surprised, then overjoyed. She had no other thoughts, but since Xinye returned, she felt that the manor was very lively and time was passing quickly.

Looking at Qingwen's innocent face, Ping'er felt increasingly annoyed.

At night, Ping'er and Qingwen went to sleep. Qingwen was still restless in her sleep, and the two women hugged each other. Ping'er, however, couldn't sleep. Her mind was filled with the words of the Second Mistress, and she would think of Master Xin from time to time.

(End of this chapter)