The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 198 Hurry up
After leaving Grandmother Jia's place, Wang Xin passed through the garden and was almost at the main mountain. The ancient pines on both sides had gnarled branches, and the osmanthus trees had a faint fragrance. However, no matter how beautiful the scenery was, it would lose its initial amazement after a while.

I have been back in the capital for some time now, but there has been no progress in my lawsuit with Feng Yong, and I have no idea what he is doing.

In the past, when she was at the manor, she was gentle and kind. Everyone she met, whether they were women, maids, young ladies, or even the fiery-tempered Feng, treated her well.

I never expected to be humiliated today. I don't know how I offended Yuanyang. Could it be just because I glanced at her a couple of times? No way.

To be honest, I felt a little sorry for Yuanyang. She was favored by Jia She, who wanted to take her as a concubine. She refused, which angered Jia She. In the end, the matter went to Grandmother Jia, who scolded Jia She and saved her temporary peace.

Grandmother Jia is getting old, and she might close her eyes any day.

This is something most people can see clearly. Even an emperor emeritus, no matter how powerful, has his biggest weakness in age. Everyone else can think of this, but Jia She cannot. As a result, Jia She not only thought of this, but also said it in front of Yuanyang.

He threatened Yuanyang, saying that once Grandmother Jia was gone, they would see who could protect her, trying to force Yuanyang to submit to him.

Therefore, Jia She's apparent filial piety was all an act; he had no filial piety to his core. Normally, if a person doesn't even have filial piety, then such a person is definitely not someone you can cooperate with.

Short-term cooperation is possible for the sake of mutual benefit, but ideological alliances should never be formed.

Because of Jia She's wickedness, Wang Xin always felt sorry for Yuanyang. However, since there was so little description of Yuanyang's personality, he wasn't very familiar with her. But thinking about it, it makes some sense.

Such arrogance could only be cultivated by the side of Grandmother Jia. It cannot be said that Grandmother Jia was hypocritical; she was indeed good to Yuanyang until her death. As for what happened after her death, who could care?

Yes, what's so great about me? Everyone should have a good impression of me when they see me, but I was wrong. After passing the Crystal Pavilion, I came to the pool and looked at my reflection in the water.

"They seem to be in good spirits." Wang Xin breathed a sigh of relief.

He realized that he was not like Lü Bu, who was drowning in water while he was dying of thirst. He had only indulged in wine and women once and was far from being harmed by them. With that thought in mind, Wang Xin hurried back.

As for what's happening outside, Wang Xin isn't worried.

If I were to lose my military power so easily just because I was temporarily transferred away from Yanmen Pass, after all I've done and built such a solid foundation, then I certainly have no right to be arrogant. The real thing I should do is find a powerful patron to rely on as soon as possible.

Looking at the panel, Wang Xin became even more convinced that his departure was actually an opportunity for his subordinates to become independent. He couldn't keep watching them like a mother hen forever; he had to help them grow into eagles.

I went to Grandmother Jia's place in the afternoon, but it took two hours. When I returned, it was almost evening.

Ping'er was pestered by Qingwen all afternoon, who kept asking about what happened last night. It wasn't that she was investigating, but rather that Qingwen was curious about what was really like between men and women. "Did you two change your pants?"

"Why are you changing your pants?" Ping'er asked in surprise.

Qingwen asked curiously, "Isn't it just changing pants?" That was the limit of what she could think of in her little brain.

Ping'er suppressed a laugh and subconsciously imitated Wang Xin, gently tapping Qingwen's forehead. Qingwen hugged Bai Jie's forehead and cried out "Ouch!" Just then, Wang Xin walked in.

“Master Xin,” Ping’er said happily, “you’re finally back. Why did you take so long?”

Wang Xin entered with a smile and said, "The old lady is in a good mood. I chatted with her and before I knew it, it was late."

Hearing Wang Xin's words, the old lady seemed to like him very much. Ping'er was overjoyed and put her hands together, saying, "Amitabha, that's wonderful."

Qingwen deliberately walked up to Wang Xin with a wronged expression, showing him her forehead. "Master Xin, Sister Ping bullied me just now. Look, Master Xin, I have bumps all over here."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xin looked serious and leaned closer to examine it carefully.

Ping'er was startled and felt a little wronged. Qingwen was clearly joking, but he took it seriously. Did he not trust her at all and think of her as a woman who bullies others?

"Oh!" Wang Xin exclaimed, startling Qingwen. Qingwen thought something had happened and was about to ask when Wang Xin quickly asked, "How did your skin get broken and start bleeding?"

Wang Xin spoke with a serious and solemn tone, which frightened Qingwen so much that her face turned pale instantly. She turned to look at Ping'er, tears welling up in her eyes. What was just a joke had turned into fear. How could Sister Ping'er have broken her forehead?

Ping'er was startled by Wang Xin's seriousness, but after seeing Qingwen clearly, she realized that Lord Xin was just teasing Qingwen. She didn't believe Lord Xin, and she covered her mouth and laughed non-stop.

Qingwen wasn't really stupid; she immediately realized what was happening. She raised her hand and touched it, but there was nothing there. She said angrily, "Fine, Lord Xin has a new love and has forgotten the old one. They're bullying me together."

This time, she was truly aggrieved, and tears streamed down her face.

"I was just teasing you, why did you take it so seriously? I won't do it again, don't cry, be good." Wang Xin quickly comforted her, and Ping'er also came forward to comfort her.

Amidst the laughter and playfulness, and with the added effort of coaxing Qingwen, the sun was already setting. Ping'er and Qingwen dared not delay any longer and went to the old woman to collect the food boxes. Wang Xin offered to go himself, but Ping'er and Qingwen were unwilling. There was nothing to do on the estate, and the two food boxes containing four dishes and a soup could easily be carried by one person. It wasn't far for each of them to carry one, and there was also the idea that men should be responsible for external affairs while women should be responsible for internal affairs. The two of them refused to agree no matter what.

The meals are still the same. From the time he was a junior general to the current guerrilla general, the standard of the meals has not changed. He can eat well, but he cannot waste food.

After finishing the meal, I had to wash up, and before I knew it, it was dark.

Normally, Qingwen wouldn't feel anything and would go back to sleep with Ping'er. But today, she felt a little depressed, as if she were superfluous. Should she stay and wait for Ping'er?

Wang Xin didn't want Ping'er to leave either, because he didn't know when he would have to leave the capital.

The court's decision may be delayed or made quickly, and in many matters, one cannot speak out as the person directly involved.

For example, if a separate route is established in Datong, even if it's something that brings joy to everyone, the person directly involved cannot speak out. They can only rely on their allies, such as Lu Zhongheng and Jia Zheng, to speak out. This is why patience is required.

Because you can't be impatient; you have to wait. The more anxious you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes.

So Wang Xin sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) and chatted with Ping'er, asking her about her family. Ping'er answered all her questions, which Qingwen couldn't stand. Being immature, she left in anger.

As soon as Qingwen left, Wang Xin immediately sat up straight, while Ping'er shyly moved away, still feeling a little scared.

"Why are you avoiding me?" Seeing Ping'er's expression, Wang Xin found it amusing and reached out to pull her along.

Ping'er had just taken a bath, and beneath her delicate clothes, she looked like a lotus emerging from the water, her skin smooth and supple. She looked up at Wang Xin, her eyes slightly darting away, as if afraid of being devoured.

"Master Xin, please stop." Ping'er couldn't say the rest. Thinking back to the madness of last night, Ping'er felt as if she were dreaming, and she couldn't believe it.

The woman before him, with her red lips and white teeth, her emerald hair and moth-like eyebrows, was a delicate and frail woman, shy and powerless. Wang Xin felt that Ping'er was like a fairy.
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The next morning, Qingwen yawned widely and went out to fetch water.

Wang Xin was practicing his sword in the courtyard early in the morning. When Qingwen saw Wang Xin, she was shocked. The noise from next door had been going on for most of the night. She didn't understand why Ping'er was crying and thought that Master Xin had bullied her.

"I don't believe Master is that kind of person," Qingwen thought slowly. Suddenly, she realized it must be something between a man and a woman. She felt strange about why she was crying. Later, she was so sleepy that she finally fell asleep.

I woke up this morning thinking that Master Xin and Sister Ping'er would get up late, but I didn't expect Master Xin to get up even earlier than me. Is he made of iron? Doesn't he need to sleep?

Qingwen looked around, as if searching for someone.

Wang Xin understood Qingwen's intention and explained with a smile, "Your sister Ping'er is still sleeping."

Qingwen glared at Wang Xin and went out to fetch water.

Ping'er had been exhausted for two nights in a row and slept until late morning. When she opened her eyes and saw Qingwen, she was no longer as shy as she had been yesterday, but her voice was still very soft.

Upon hearing Ping'er's voice, Qingwen exclaimed dramatically, "Ping'er, you can really sleep! Do you even know what time it is?"

Knowing the time, Ping'er was startled and dared not stay in bed any longer. She quickly got up to change her clothes and asked nervously, "Have the old ladies come in yet?"

"No." Qingwen shook her head.

Ping'er had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Qingwen say, "But Ping'er's voice was so loud last night, the mothers-in-law must have heard it. They even asked me about it this morning, but I didn't say anything."

Ping'er was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear into the ground.

After getting dressed, Ping'er dared not go out, afraid of seeing the people in the village. She didn't know how she would face them. She thought of how she had endured for so long last night, but she couldn't hold back anymore and hadn't cared about anything else. Ping'er covered her face again, crying out in her heart, "Heavens, how can I face anyone now?"

"You're all here, but where's Master Xin?"

Two maids suddenly burst in from outside.

Qingwen and Ping'er were startled, but seeing their expressions, they knew something urgent had happened. Qingwen quickly said, "Master Xin is at the Aojing Pavilion. What's the matter?"

"Someone from the palace has arrived. The master has sent someone to invite him. Hurry and go find Lord Xin."

Upon hearing this, Qingwen and Ping'er dared not delay and went out to search together. They soon found Wang Xin by the pool in the Concave Crystal Pavilion. When Wang Xin heard that someone from the palace had come, he was shocked. They had finally arrived.

Not daring to delay, he immediately went back to the village and changed into a military officer's uniform.

(End of this chapter)