The Soldier of the Red Mansion

Chapter 258 A Shrewd Woman

Wang Xin turned around and saw Wang Xifeng alone.

Wang Xifeng wore a dark blue satin jacket embroidered with eight auspicious patterns, trimmed with silver fur around her snow-white neck, and a bright red satin undergarment.

Her hair was styled in a high bun adorned with a five-phoenix hairpin with pearls hanging from it. The pearl held in the mouth of the golden phoenix hung from her forehead, gazing at Wang Xin. Her red lips held a smile, and her fingertips held a gilded enamel hand warmer.

She strode quickly toward Wang Xin, the rose-shaped pendant adorning the hem of her pea-green palace sash tinkling with her movements.

Why are you alone?

Wang Xin asked curiously.

Although Wang Xifeng had walked alone in the garden before, such as in the Ningguo Mansion, it was when she was walking alone in the Ningguo Mansion garden that Jia Rui blocked her way and harassed her.

But they were ultimately a minority; given Wang Xifeng's status, she would most likely have people following her around.

Qingwen, who was standing beside Wang Xifeng, stared blankly at her.

Grandma Er looked exceptionally radiant today, even more beautiful than Sister Ping'er.

Ping'er is youthful and gentle, while Second Madam is plump and feisty.

When Qingwen was in the Grand View Garden, she was still a young girl. Although she said some suggestive things, it was already considered quite lewd at that time.

Later, we arrived at Tubishan Villa.

After spending a lot of time with the old women, I realized what it means to be a nobody compared to a great person.

Wang Xifeng smiled, and when she heard Wang Xin's concern, although she didn't reply, her eyes reddened and she lowered her head slightly.

They evoke pity.

Where is Ping'er?

Wang Xifeng changed the subject.

As expected, Feng is still quite formidable.

This tactic of retreating to advance is more powerful than anything else.

Although Wang Xin knew Wang Xifeng's methods, he was still willing to do so. After all, for a man, the fact that such a beautiful woman was willing to put in the effort was a form of recognition.

pity.

Wang Xifeng is a married woman.

Although Jia Lian had offended her before and even dared to make a move on Qingwen, she couldn't follow his example, since Jia Lian hadn't taken any action yet.

"Sister Ping was too tired last night and is still resting."

Qingwen spoke up.

Wang Xifeng, being an experienced woman, glanced at Wang Xin subconsciously and found him looking at her. Her heart skipped a beat, and she panicked. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look any longer.

The movements were too exaggerated and too direct.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she quickly felt a surge of resentment and deliberately raised her head to meet Wang Xin's gaze.

Wang Xin saw this and, without any intention of arguing with Wang Xifeng, smiled gently and said, "Come in and sit down. We can talk about it inside."

Wang Xifeng gritted her teeth.

She didn't refuse and followed Wang Xin into the house.

Tubi Mountain Villa is nothing more than a few broken stones and some corridors.

Wang Xifeng didn't come here often in the past.

But after Wang Xin arrived, Tubi Manor seemed to change.

The previously deathly silence transformed into a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, yet without being chaotic or disorderly. There was a slight sense of order, but not excessive, which made most people feel comfortable.

Therefore, every time Wang Xifeng came to Tubi Villa, she felt a little reluctant to leave.

Instead of going to the master bedroom, they went to an empty room next door.

The empty room contained only a kang (a heated brick bed).

Wang Xin didn't think much of it and sat down directly.

Seeing Wang Xin get onto the kang (heated brick bed), Wang Xifeng hesitated for a moment, but quickly followed him.

She removed the silver fur trim from the clothes and handed it to Qingwen, who hung it on a clothes rack and then went to serve tea. Wang Xifeng sat down on the other side. Since there was no kang table, the two were close together. At this moment, Wang Xifeng felt a little regretful.

The difference is significant without the kang table.

Wearing a skirt was extremely inconvenient for Wang Xifeng.

Only two people remained in the room.

Wang Xin also felt it was inappropriate, but since things had already come to this, he couldn't bring himself to speak up. He could only smile and ask, "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Wang Xifeng specifically asked Ping'er to tell her, so she must have something on her mind.

As long as it's not something immoral or unethical, it's not that we can't help.

Wang Xifeng hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

At this time.

Qingwen brought in a tea tray. Since there was no kang table, Wang Xin had it placed on a side tea table. Qingwen knew that the Second Mistress had something to discuss with Xinye, so after bringing the tea, she took the initiative to leave.

In the empty room, only Wang Xifeng and Wang Xin remained.

Wang Xifeng put on makeup.

She's beautiful even without makeup, and with makeup, she exudes an even more captivating aura.

Just like the fairy princess described in the book.

Not only is she outstanding in appearance, but she also has a remarkable temperament.

Such a strong woman, now displaying a shy demeanor in front of him, biting her lip and pursing her teeth, Wang Xin could only say that any man would be unable to resist.

Wang Xin had his own principles for doing things.

That is controlling desires.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, when slavery still existed, people treated others as slaves, with their lives and deaths at their disposal, and their desires were rarely controlled.

During the Tang and Song dynasties...

The law has begun to protect the lives and property of ordinary people, and the desires of the powerful and wealthy towards ordinary people have been controlled. This is also called controlling desires.

They arrived in the Ming Dynasty.

The laws of the Ming Dynasty were even stricter for the common people, stipulating that if officials bullied the people, the people had the right to arrest the officials and file a complaint with a higher-level government office.

Although it became mere empty words after several generations, on a spiritual level, the overall control over desires was indeed strengthened considerably.

What about Wang Xin himself?

Having experienced the new era, the overall control over desires is more stringent compared to the Zhou Dynasty.

Therefore, be kind to soldiers and have moderate expectations of others, etc.

Wang Xin didn't think it was anything special.

But in the eyes of many in the Great Zhou, he was already a moral gentleman.

However, human desires still exist.

A desire ingrained in our genes.

Regardless of men and women.

Therefore, there are also women like Duo Gu Niang, who, unable to control their desires, simply let go.

therefore.

Even though Wang Xifeng is so unpleasant to him, he will still stick to his principles and will not take advantage of the fact that no one is in the room or that Wang Xifeng has the opportunity to ask him for a favor.

Wang Xin looked at Wang Xifeng with an appreciative gaze.

Wang Xifeng was speechless.

Everyone says that Lord Xin is a righteous gentleman, but now he's so open and unreserved in his judgment of people.

However, Wang Xifeng was not angry at all; in fact, she was quite pleased with herself. She sat up straight and subconsciously puffed out her chest.

But with this action, Wang Xifeng, realizing what had happened, wanted to scold herself.

A lonely man and a widow.

Even though Wang Xifeng was powerful, she was still a woman she admired.

Although Jia Rong of Ningguo Mansion was timid and incompetent, he was handsome, and even Wang Xifeng was willing to talk to him, let alone Wang Xin in front of her.

The atmosphere inside the room was ambiguous.

Neither of them spoke, but their faces grew increasingly flushed.

Wang Xifeng felt suffocated, but ultimately dared not cross the line, dared not stop talking, and said aggrievedly, "This family treats me like an enemy. If this continues, I will not be able to live."

Wang Xin guessed why Wang Xifeng wanted to see him.

It's nothing more than asking for help.

Wang Xifeng wasn't wrong; they really did seem like enemies.

Jia Lian chasing and slashing Wang Xifeng with his sword—this was no small matter.

Even nobles need a reason to commit murder.

This is no longer the era in which nobles could commit murder in the street and escape punishment.

We can only do it secretly.

Moreover, Jia Lian's pursuit and attack on his legal wife was not only seen as a great humiliation to Wang Xifeng, but it would also damage his image within the family and attract outside criticism and condemnation.

Jia Lian's behavior was considered immoral and irresponsible in the Great Zhou society. No matter how virtuous one appeared, one could not afford to lose face on the surface.

Jia Lian was not an assertive person.

Such behavior shows that he doesn't respect Wang Xifeng at all, and also indirectly indicates that the Wang family has completely lost power.

There's also the incident where Madam Xing, Wang Xifeng's mother-in-law, scolded her in front of everyone.

Wang Xifeng's tragic fate was indeed predetermined, unless the Wang family regained power.

The Wang family has no heir. Only one of its members, Wang Ren, is capable of running errands, and that's about it. The only hope lies with Wang Ziteng, but Wang Xin is not interested in whether Wang Ziteng can make a comeback.

There is no room for two tigers in one mountain.

Both he and Wang Ziteng followed the path of the military.

If Wang Ziteng had a mild personality and could have compromised a bit, there might have been room for cooperation between the two. However, Wang Ziteng is an autocratic person, so the two of them could never get along.

I will not do things the way Wang Ziteng does.

This is a dead contradiction.

"What do you want?"

"What does Uncle think I should do?"

“Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes. Ultimately, you have to make your own decision, but I can support you,” Wang Xin promised.

Even in the Great Zhou Dynasty, there were divorces.

The cost of divorce is too high, and Wang Xifeng has no grounds for divorce.

Her family will not agree.

Perhaps in Wang Ziteng's mind, even if Wang Xifeng were to die, she would die in the Jia family mansion.

Without the support of her maternal family, how could Wang Xifeng propose a divorce?

The world is what it is now.

Even most men can't find a way to make a living.

Even a job like an apprentice or waiter in a restaurant is something that villagers desperately want, and it might require a favor to get the chance to obtain, so it's not something that ordinary people can get their hands on.

Otherwise, the community would be filled with gangs.

So-called gangs, food stalls, and the like.

It's nothing more than the common people fighting for their livelihood; they're risking their lives just for a bite to eat.

Especially a woman like Wang Xifeng.

Even if Wang Xifeng had a dowry, what difference would it make?

People from all walks of life, from the treacherous to the deceitful, are everywhere. It's easy for men, let alone women, to die far from home.

But it's different when you have your own.

Wang Xifeng dared to propose a divorce, and he was willing to take care of her and prevent anyone from disturbing her, even though this would offend the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion and even displease Wang Ziteng.

But would Wang Xifeng agree?

She gave up her status as the second mistress of the Rongguo Mansion and lived as an anonymous person, spending her life in an ordinary house behind closed doors.

I have seen women who would rather commit suicide in the city than abandon everything, take their remaining wealth, and return to their small county town to live a life that ordinary people can only dream of, or at least a comfortable one.

Wang Xifeng was a clever woman and guessed Wang Xin's meaning.

Wang Xifeng picked up the teacup, held it to her chest, and remained silent.

This is what it means to be powerless to help.

Wang Xin also silently drank his tea.

When Xue Pan returned from Ningguo Mansion, he met his cousin Xue Ke.

"I told you to wait for your cousin, but you disappeared first thing this morning," Aunt Xue complained.

Wang Xin is coming back, bringing Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin with him; it should be within the next couple of days.

Logically, Xue Pan should have stayed at home, but given his personality, it was impossible to keep him there, and he didn't really care.

Xue Pan explained, "How was I supposed to know it would arrive today? I thought it would be tomorrow."

Xue Ke didn't care, knowing his cousin's character.

Xue Pan asked somewhat embarrassedly, "Where's my cousin?"

Aunt Xue pointed inside and said, "Your cousin is in the inner room, talking with your sister."

Xue Ke's main purpose was to send his younger sister to his aunt's place.

After taking his younger sister to his aunt and seeing his cousin, Xue Ke took his leave.

Aunt Xue and Xue Pan stayed for a while, but Xue Ke said he had official business to attend to, so Aunt Xue let Xue Ke leave.

Xue Baoqin disliked this cousin.

Unwilling to stay with her cousin, Xue Baochai took Xue Baoqin to the Grand View Garden.

After his younger sister and cousin left, Xue Pan hurriedly began to speak.

"The second wife is now currying favor with Wang Xin."

"What have you heard outside?"

Aunt Xue didn't care much about other things, but she was particularly concerned about the second wife's affairs.

The Xue family's businesses overlapped between the two branches.

Since her husband's death, Aunt Xue had been wary of her brother-in-law, fearing that he would swallow up the business of the eldest son's family. However, her brother-in-law was clever and capable, and Aunt Xue knew she was no match for him. That's why she came to the capital to seek refuge with the Jia family.

"Mom, please think about it."

"My second uncle is so busy with his business in the southeast that he has to personally handle every business. But now he's been staying in Datong for a long time and can't even take care of his business in the south. If it weren't for a huge profit, would my second uncle do this?"

Hearing her son's analysis, Aunt Xue frowned.

After thinking for a moment but still unable to figure it out, he asked worriedly, "Will this affect our family?"

"How could it not have an impact?"

Xue Pan said to himself, "Our family is also doing the same business as Second Uncle. If Second Uncle's business is doing well in the North, our business will suffer. Business rivals are enemies."

Xue Pan had no business experience and was just making things up based on his imagination.

Aunt Xue had also heard the saying that rivals are enemies, which was why she brought her family north. She was willing to let the separation greatly weaken the two branches of the family, but she wanted a clear division of power.

Hearing her son's words, Aunt Xue panicked and anxiously asked, "What should we do?"

Xue Pan, however, was an irresponsible person.

His words just now were rambling and uninformed, spoken without much thought. Now, hearing his mother's question, what could he possibly do?

He was simply enjoying his mother's worries and making her more dependent on him.

The restless Xue Pan quickly forgot about it and went out again under the pretext of meeting with a friend, leaving Aunt Xue alone and suspicious.

It wasn't until Xue Baochai returned that this happened.

Where is your cousin?

"I went to my great-grandmother's place."

When Xue Baoqin first stayed at the Jia family mansion, Grandmother Jia entrusted her to Li Wan's care. Now that she has returned, Xue Baoqin is quite sensible and takes the initiative to see Li Wan.

Xue Baochai stayed for a while, but knowing that Li Wan disliked crowds, she took the initiative to say goodbye.

After learning the whole story, Aunt Xue told her daughter what Xue Pan had said.

Xue Baochai, on the other hand, remained calm.

Aunt Xue held her daughter's hand, looking at her with dependence, "Daughter, do you have any ideas?"

Aunt Xue was secretly pleased with herself for having her own daughter.

She was first-rate in both appearance and character, only comparable to Daiyu.

Xue Baochai said slowly, "Brother's words are never reliable, so don't take them too seriously. They are mostly just rumors."

Although she was pleased with her daughter, Aunt Xue was displeased when she heard her daughter speak ill of her son.

Before her mother could speak, Xue Baochai continued, "Everyone says that Wang Xin is distant from his uncle and unwilling to associate with the four great families. In fact, Wang Xin is only distant from his uncle, but he does not avoid the four great families. This shows that he is not pedantic, but rather very shrewd."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Aunt Xue thought she had heard about the conflict between her elder brother and Wang Xin, but she didn't expect her daughter to have a different opinion.

Xue Baochai recalled that she had met Wang Xin a few times before, noting his mannerisms and speaking style, but unfortunately, she hadn't had much contact with him.

"I'm not sure either. My daughter just has a vague idea. Since he wants to use the power of the four families, with his shrewdness, he will definitely not let the second branch of the family become too powerful. If I were him, I would definitely use the first branch of the family as well."

Xue Baochai did not finish her sentence.

My brother only knows how to mess around and play.

They just want a big house, but where do they even begin to use it?

Talk about it.

Wasn't it their eldest son's family who first cooperated with Wang Xin?

In the end, it was the second branch of the family that had deeper and deeper contact with Wang Xin, which was not the eldest brother's fault.

Xue Baochai dared not say these words aloud.

Not only is it useless, it will only make your mother angry.

(End of this chapter)