The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 190 Ping'er's Courage

Wang Xin took off his clothes and entered the bathtub. The fatigue from riding horses for many days was swept away, and his mind became clearer.

Was it a good thing or a bad thing for the retired emperor to see him?

In the short term, it's a good thing, but in the long term, it's not necessarily so. So, the most advantageous situation is for the retired emperor not to see him, but to know him as a person, and to influence him through Zhang Jifu.

However, it is indeed in the best interest of him now. Once the news of the Emperor Emeritus summoning him spreads, he believes that many people will change their attitude and will no longer target him.

Others may not understand, but surely I do?

If nothing unexpected happens, the emperor will win in the end and have the last laugh. Now that I am close to the retired emperor and have even been personally summoned by him, will the emperor tolerate me in the future?
But she had no right to refuse the retired emperor, especially since meeting him would bring her far too many benefits.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Wang Xin looked over in surprise.

Sunlight streamed in through the carved doors and windows, illuminating the room.

Amidst the misty haze, a sandalwood screen was half-closed. Ping'er's knuckles turned white as she tightly gripped a plain silk handkerchief. She heard the rustling sound of water behind the screen and then saw a dark blue robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves draped over the edge of the screen, its gold-embroidered cloud patterns shimmering in the light.

Ping'er mustered her courage and asked through the screen, "Master Xin, is the water temperature just right?"

These words seemed to have exhausted all her strength; she leaned against the screen, clutching her chest.

Wang Xin looked wary, but when he heard Ping'er's voice, he didn't know how to respond.

Unable to hear a sound, Ping'er pursed her lips and bit them lightly for a moment. Now that she was already inside, how could she allow her to retreat?

Through the mist, Ping'er's rosy face was hidden. She slowly closed the door and went back inside.

Hearing the door close and footsteps, Wang Xin sighed inwardly. Years of war and battles, his masculine spirit intact—this was bullying him. Helplessly, Wang Xin looked up and saw Ping'er, her face flushed with steam, holding a gilded bronze basin filled with rose dew.

“Ping’er, what are you doing? There’s no need for this,” Wang Xin comforted her.

Ping'er walked to the bathtub, put down the golden basin, pointed to the bathtub and said, "Please trouble Master Xin to hand over the celadon jar on the table."

Wang Xin was too embarrassed to get up, so he stretched out his hand to reach the celadon jar on the table. He then handed it to Ping'er, who lowered her eyes, held the jar, filled it with rose dew, and then took out a spoon and put it into the bathtub.

This rosewater is similar to shower gel, except it's all-natural and has a fragrance.

Wang Xin used a bucket of water each time he took a bath, but in reality, he used more than one bucket, one for bathing and one for rinsing. Qingwen was a young maid and was embarrassed to be particular about these things, but Ping'er knew she couldn't be like Qingwen and served her diligently.

The Ru kiln ice-crack pattern incense burner on the desk was releasing wisps of agarwood fragrance, but it couldn't stop the fine sweat from forming behind Ping'er's ears.

Soon enough, bubbles appeared in the bathtub. Wang Xin felt embarrassed; the clear water that had been perfectly fine a moment ago had turned into black water. He hesitated and said speechlessly, "Ping'er, I can wash myself more easily."

If Wang Xin had taken the initiative, Ping'er might have felt embarrassed. However, in Ping'er's mind, Wang Xin had always been a tough guy, but now he seemed like a scholar.

"Pfft." Ping'er couldn't help but laugh out loud, and the awkward atmosphere instantly became more relaxed.

Ping'er took the initiative, serving him as she spoke, "Master Xin is a brave man who fights outside. This water is not dirty at all, and there's nothing wrong with it. We'll change the water and soak him in it again later. Since you're going to take the time to wash him, why not wash him properly?"

Ping'er was still a little worried, afraid that Lord Xin would misunderstand her.

It was only when she thought of Master Xin's character, or the Second Madam's instructions, and the disappointment in her heart, as well as Master Xin's previous attitude, that she mustered up her courage.

Wang Xin saw through Ping'er's thoughts and laughed, "You really don't need to be like this. I understand you and Qingwen. I said I would make arrangements for you and I would not change my mind because of my own happiness. Don't you believe my promise?"

Hearing Master Xin's words, Ping'er felt much more at ease. It was strange, really. She had only known Master Xin for a short time, barely a few days in total, yet she trusted him completely. Thinking of this, Ping'er said, "I believe Master Xin."

"Then why make things difficult for yourself?"

"Master," Ping'er stopped what she was doing, looked at Wang Xin with a blushing face, and said, "I did it voluntarily."

Wang Xin was most afraid of this kind of thing.

If it were facing Qingwen and the others, no matter how beautiful they were, she could control herself. This was a matter of principle. But it was Ping'er who could only say in a hoarse voice, "Miss Ping, please add a few more spoonfuls of cold water."

Wang Xin attempted to cool things down.

"Pfft." Ping'er saw through Wang Xin's intention, covered her mouth, but couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Qingwen, who had just returned from outside after instructing her maid to come back, was curious when she didn't see Ping'er. But after hearing the laughter from next door, she stood there for a while, and finally spat out, "They're shameless."

Wang family.

Upon hearing the news brought by Jia Zheng, Wang Ziteng was shocked and confirmed, "The Emperor Emeritus wants to see Wang Xin?"

After much deliberation, Jia Zheng decided that he should not keep it from Wang Ziteng. Wang Xin might tell him himself, so it would be better for Jia Zheng to tell him first and gain favor. Therefore, he took the initiative to go to the Wang residence.

"Yes, it was Grand Secretary Zhang who told Wang Xin," Jia Zheng reminded him.

Upon confirming this, Wang Ziteng was overjoyed. If Wang Xin had caught the eye of the retired emperor, would he still have a chance? He had failed to bring down Feng Yong back then, but unexpectedly, he had been overthrown by Wang Xin.

This was a great opportunity. If Wang Xin could speak on his behalf to the Emperor Emeritus and ask him to allow him to govern Datong, Wang Ziteng became more and more excited. He couldn't help but ask urgently, "Why didn't Wang Xin come?"

Jia Zheng was unsure about other matters, but he knew Wang Ziteng inside and out, having grown up together since childhood. How could he not know what Wang Ziteng was thinking? He shook his head and said, "You plan to use Wang Xin, but Wang Xin may not agree."

"what?"

Wang Ziteng doubted that he had heard correctly.

Jia Zheng couldn't help but smile bitterly. Wang Ziteng had been domineering since childhood, but the Jia family was very powerful back then, and his father often suppressed him. Now that no one was suppressing him, he was somewhat afraid of him.

Wang Ziteng demanded, "I am the patriarch of the Wang family, how can he disagree?"

Fearing that Wang Ziteng would get angry at him, Jia Zheng quickly explained, "He is a man who always has his own ideas. When he was in my household, he was very distant from me. If it weren't for Ru Hai's request, he probably wouldn't have come to live in the Jia household at all. It was the same later. He was given the Convex Jade Villa, and he has his own set of rules."

Wang Ziteng couldn't understand and looked at Jia Zheng, saying, "How much benefit has he taken from us? Without Lin Ruhai, would he be where he is today? Not to mention how smoothly he's fared all these years. Try it with someone else, and besides, he's surnamed Wang. Do you think others will tolerate him? Is he an ungrateful and heartless person?"

Jia Zheng shook his head. "This man is indeed sentimental, but being sentimental is one thing. He has a strong sense of self and is not one to be easily swayed by others. So, Brother Ziteng, you shouldn't get your hopes up too high."

Wang Ziteng disagreed with Jia Zheng's words, "His surname is Wang, and I am his clan leader. Would I harm him? We are not related by blood. Even if he distances himself from me, outsiders will not recognize it. Isn't it because Fatty Feng is so eager to attack him that he is also surnamed Wang? You all say that he is a smart man. If he is smart, how could he not understand this simple principle?"

As a guerrilla general, he was only twenty-four years old and could not become a military governor. Even if he were promoted to the rank of assistant general, he would not be qualified to govern Datong. Therefore, he would naturally do his best to support his return to Datong.

With me stationed in Datong, whether he stays at Yanmen Pass or returns to the Beijing garrison, with me looking after him in Datong, he'll certainly benefit from it.

Wang Ziteng instructed in an unquestionable tone, "Go back and tell him to come see me."

Jia Zheng was speechless. He regretted making the trip. He was somewhat afraid of his brother-in-law and returned home in a sedan chair, feeling dejected.

(End of this chapter)