The Red Mansion

Chapter 120 Jia Rong drags Jia Lian down with him

After overhearing Jia Rong and Jia Zhen's concubine exchanging such outrageous words through the window, Lady You was so enraged that her spirit was thrown into chaos, and she was filled with great distress and sorrow.

As a result, Lady You tossed and turned all night, sighing deeply under the covers. She finally drifted off to sleep around four in the morning, only to be awakened by a nightmare less than an hour later.

I got up and dressed in front of the mirror, and there I saw my reflection:
The traces of autumn frost still linger on her eyes.
Her brows held a deep sorrow that was hard to untangle.

A light rain began to fall in the capital that day. Despite the drizzling spring rain wetting her clothes, Lady You took a carriage to the Rongguo Mansion.

She thought it over and over last night, and decided that even if she had to swallow her anger, she couldn't continue to turn a blind eye to Jia Rong's outrageous behavior. So she came up with a plan: to ask Grandmother Jia to arrange a marriage for Jia Rong. She reasoned that if Jia Rong got married, perhaps he would behave himself a bit.

When Lady You arrived at Grandmother Jia's courtyard, she saw Yuanyang standing under the eaves, giving instructions to the maids.

When Yuanyang saw Madam You arrive, she hurriedly went to greet her: "It's raining today, why has Madam You come?"

Madam You forced a smile: "I have something to say to the old lady. Has the old lady had breakfast?"

Yuanyang smiled and said, "I just had breakfast and I'm chatting with Second Madam, Madam Zhu, and Madam Lian right now."

Madam You forced a smile and said, "It was my presumption."

As she spoke, she followed Yuanyang into the hall.

Sure enough, Grandmother Jia was chatting with Lady Wang, Li Wan, and Wang Xifeng.

Lady You stepped forward and greeted everyone.

When Grandmother Jia saw that Madam You's eyes were slightly swollen and she looked haggard, she couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What's wrong? Why did you come here in the rain so early in the morning? Has something happened at home?"

Lady You then forced herself to remain calm and said to Grandmother Jia, "I am worried about Rong-ge'er's marriage. Rong-ge'er is already eighteen this year, but his father is far away on the coast, and his grandfather is practicing Taoism at Xuanzhen Temple outside the city. After thinking it over, I have no choice but to come and ask you, Grandmother, to make the decision."

A mocking smile played on Wang Xifeng's lips. She had already heard about Jia Rong's scandalous affairs, and being a shrewd person, she immediately guessed You Shi's thoughts upon seeing her current state. She knew that You Shi's eagerness to arrange a marriage for Jia Rong was probably to make him behave himself.

After a moment's thought, Grandmother Jia said, "How can I possibly make this decision? Rong'er's grandfather doesn't care about this, but Zhen'er certainly does. Although Zhen'er is far away on the coast, I think he might come back in the future. If I presume to arrange his son's marriage before him, won't he complain when he returns?"

Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Madam You's eyes: "But if he doesn't come back for a year or two, are you suggesting that Rong-ge'er will be over twenty and still not be married?"

He then wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.

Wang Xifeng couldn't help but speak up, "Grandma, what Sister-in-law Zhen said makes sense. Rong-ge'er is indeed of marriageable age."

Her agreement with Lady You wasn't primarily to help her, but rather for her own benefit. She thought to herself, Jia Rong in that household is far too outrageous; the matter has even reached her ears. He really should be made to restrain himself, otherwise it will tarnish the Rongguo Mansion's reputation, and consequently, it will affect her as well.

After another moment of contemplation, Grandmother Jia sighed and said, "How about this, let Second Master write a letter to the coastal region to ask Zhen-ge'er's opinion, and then we can proceed with the arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Madam You knew there was no turning back, and could only agree with tears in her eyes. She thought to herself, "Waiting for the Second Master to write a letter to the coastal region, and then waiting for a reply from there, will probably take several months. Who knows how far that wretched child's scandal will go during this time!"

The more he thought about it, the more depressed and melancholy he became, and he even forgot to accept the hot tea that Yuanyang offered him.

……

……

The rain is as light as silk.

In Fengjie's courtyard, Jia Lian was having breakfast, enjoying a bowl of rice porridge with four side dishes. Suddenly, Ping'er carefully helped Wang Xifeng in. Wang Xifeng, five months pregnant, walked with her hand on her waist, yet still maintained her usual agility.

"Second Master certainly knows how to enjoy life." Wang Xifeng took off her rain-soaked blue satin cloak and sat down opposite Jia Lian. "Do you know what interesting things Sister-in-law Zhen got up to this morning?"

Jia Lian put down his chopsticks, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "What news is there so early in the morning?"

Wang Xifeng then recounted in detail how Lady You had come to the Rongguo Mansion early that morning in the rain to ask Grandmother Jia to arrange a marriage for Jia Rong.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian suddenly sneered, "Sister-in-law Zhen is in such a hurry; I'm afraid there's more to it than meets the eye!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng narrowed her phoenix eyes, leaned closer to Jia Lian, and lowered her voice, saying, "So you also know about Rong-ge'er's sordid affairs?"

Jia Lian feigned ignorance: "What sordid matter?"

"Pah!" Wang Xifeng spat lightly. "Stop pretending to be confused in front of me! If you didn't know the truth, why would you have said those things just now?"

Seeing that he could not hide it any longer, Jia Lian said, "Tell me what you know."

Wang Xifeng covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Tell me what you know first."

Jia Lian looked around and saw that the servants had all retreated to the outer room, leaving only Ping'er in the room. He then whispered, "I heard that Rong-ge'er has some unclear relationships with the maid in Brother Zhen's room, and even... his concubine."

Wang Xifeng said, "So you know about this sordid affair too! That Rong-ge'er is too audacious, actually doing such a despicable thing. If his father comes back, he'll skin him alive!"

Jia Lian shook his head and sighed, "I'm afraid Brother Zhen won't be coming back."

Wang Xifeng's eyebrows shot up: "Sister-in-law Zhen is useless, weak and easily bullied, letting that little beast run wild. If it were me—" As she spoke, a cold glint flashed in her eyes, "those vile hussies should all be killed, and Rong-ge'er would never dare to run wild like that again!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian couldn't help but sneer, thinking to himself, "So I'm doomed to be cursed by the 'Yaksha Star' and end up with a shrew like you. If I had married You Shi, how wonderful that would have been..." Just as this thought arose, he suddenly saw Wang Xifeng's phoenix eyes sweep over him with a fierce look, and he quickly lowered his head to drink his porridge.

After taking a sip of porridge, Jia Lian asked Wang Xifeng, "According to you, does the old lady know about Rong-ge'er's outrageous behavior?"

Wang Xifeng picked up a piece of pine nut and goose fat roll, and while eating it, she said slowly and deliberately, "The old lady probably doesn't know anything about it. Although this kind of sordid matter has spread to our household, and you and I both know about it, how could it possibly reach the old lady's ears? Who would dare to gossip about this to her?" She then sneered, "Even someone as wronged as Sister-in-law Zhen, didn't she have to swallow her pride and bear the pain in front of the old lady?"

Jia Lian pressed further, "What would happen if the old lady found out?"

"So what if they know?" Wang Xifeng sneered. "It's ultimately a matter for the eldest son's family. No matter how angry the old lady is, she can't interfere. She has to consider the reputation of our household and help cover it up. Are we supposed to spread it around and let outsiders laugh at our Jia family?"

These words, when they reached Jia Lian's ears, were just like:
The parched seedlings received timely rain.

A guiding light suddenly appeared in the dark room.

It turns out that after Jia Zhen was exiled to the coastal frontier, Jia Lian harbored improper thoughts about one of Jia Zhen's beautiful concubines named Qinglian. However, unlike Jia Rong, he was able to restrain himself. He was mindful of his relationship with Jia Zhen, the possibility of Jia Zhen's return, and also the presence of You Shi, Jia She, and Grandmother Jia.

He recently heard that Jia Rong had actually made a move, and this thought began to grow wildly like weeds.

Now, after chatting with Wang Xifeng, Jia Lian "figured it out," thinking to himself, "Brother Zhen is probably never coming back, and You Shi is a weak and submissive person. As for Master..." Thinking of Jia She's usual licentious and shameless behavior, he couldn't help but sneer, "He himself is not clean, how can he control me? And even if the old lady finds out, it's not a big deal; she will definitely help cover it up for the sake of appearances..."

Thinking of this, Jia Lian sighed inwardly: "Brother Zhen, if you hadn't been unable to come back, and if your own son hadn't struck first, I would never have done such a thing to betray you. Qinglian was just a concubine you bought for a thousand taels of silver."

Seeing Jia Lian's strange expression, Wang Xifeng immediately became alert. She glared at him with her phoenix eyes and said, "Lian Er, I'm warning you, you must not get involved with the women in Brother Zhen's room. That Rong-ge'er is already audacious enough; if you were to get involved in such sordid affairs, it would be utterly absurd and would bring disaster upon yourself!"

Jia Lian agreed verbally, but because he was very disgusted by Wang Xifeng's threat, he decided to go find Jia Rong today.

A fine spring rain is falling outside the window...

……

……

This morning, the spring rain intensified, turning from a light drizzle into a downpour. Raindrops, like pearls and jade, pelted a magnificent oil-paper umbrella. The umbrella surface was painted with cloud patterns, the ribs were exquisitely carved, and the handle was inlaid with jade.

The person under the umbrella was Jia Lian.

Jia Lian, holding an umbrella, entered a large mansion located near Ningrong Street, which was the residence of You Shi and Jia Rong.

Upon hearing the news, Jia Rong hurriedly came out to greet him, forcing a smile and saying, "Second Uncle, why did you come in the rain? Please come in and sit down."

As Jia Lian walked inside, he asked Jia Rong, "Where is my sister-in-law?"

Jia Rong said, "She went back to her parents' home to visit relatives."

It turned out that Lady You, overwhelmed with sorrow and grief, did not return to the Rongguo Mansion after leaving, but instead went to visit her parents. Her family lived in the outer city of Shenjing, not far from Ningrong Street.

Jia Lian came today with ulterior motives, so he was inevitably a little nervous. But when he heard Jia Rong say that You Shi had gone back to her parents' home to visit relatives, he immediately relaxed a bit.

After Jia Lian entered the room, he asked Jia Rong to set out wine, wanting to drink with Jia Rong.

So the uncle and nephew started drinking together.

Jia Lian took the seat of honor, with Jia Rong sitting beside him, and two maids serving him a wine pot.

After several rounds of drinks, Jia Lian suddenly waved to the two maids and said, "You may leave now."

The two maids exchanged glances, and only after Jia Rong nodded did they leave.

Jia Rong asked in confusion, "What is it that you want to talk to me about privately, Second Uncle?"

Jia Lian suddenly leaned forward and lowered his voice, saying, "I've heard that you've been having affairs with your father's beautiful maids and even concubines?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jia Rong's wine cup trembled, and the wine spilled onto his robe.

"Second Uncle... what are you talking about?" Jia Rong forced a smile, but his face had already turned pale.

Jia Lian took a sip of wine and smiled, "I don't know how many people know about this. Even your aunt has heard about it, and your sister-in-law probably knows about it too. That's why she came to our house this morning in the rain to see the old lady, eagerly asking her to arrange a marriage for you. I guess she wants to keep you in line."

Jia Rong asked anxiously, "Does the old lady know?"

Jia Lian said, "The old lady probably doesn't know. Even if she did, so what? This is a family matter for your branch of the family. The old lady can't interfere. For the sake of appearances, she will only help cover it up."

Seeing that Jia Rong's expression had softened slightly, Jia Lian changed the subject and deliberately mentioned Jia Zhen's concubine, Qinglian. He said that he had met Qinglian and praised her for being beautiful, gentle, and respectable. He added, "Everyone says your aunt is good, but in my opinion, she is not even as good as Qinglian."

Jia Rong, ever as astute, quickly deduced Jia Lian's intentions with a flick of his eye. He leaned closer to Jia Lian and whispered, "Since Second Uncle loves Qinglian so much, how about I act as your matchmaker and let her serve you?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian's eyes lit up, and he was delighted. He secretly praised his nephew for being sensible and, without feigning refusal, quickly said with a smile, "That's wonderful! But I wonder how you will act as matchmaker?"

Seeing that Jia Lian was interested, Jia Rong whispered, "Second Uncle, you've come at just the right time. My stepmother has gone back to her parents' home to visit relatives. If you're interested, I'll go and talk to Qinglian and offer her some money. I'm sure she won't refuse. Once she agrees, you can just go to her room."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was overjoyed and could no longer refuse. Disregarding seniority and etiquette, he quickly poured a cup of wine and toasted Jia Rong, saying, "Good nephew, your second uncle has plenty of money! Not to mention two or three hundred taels, even eight hundred or a thousand taels would be fine!"

Jia Rong raised his wine cup and accepted Jia Lian's toast.

As soon as Jia Lian put down his wine cup, he hurriedly took out two hundred-tael silver notes from his pocket and stuffed them into Jia Rong's hand, saying, "I only have two hundred taels on me right now. If it's not enough, you can pay for it first and I'll pay you back later."

Jia Rong took the silver note and said with a smile, "Two hundred taels is more than enough for today."

The rain was pouring down outside the window, the raindrops pattering on the banana leaves, but this couldn't mask the two of them's quiet laughter. Indeed:
The rain pattered urgently on the banana leaves.
A secret plot unfolds, fraught with peril at every turn.

It turned out that Qinglian was Jia Zhen's favorite concubine. She was beautiful and charming, but also frivolous and greedy for money and power. Jia Rong had already become involved with her and knew her character well. In addition, Jia Lian was handsome and of noble status. Jia Rong thought that if he persuaded Qinglian and gave her two hundred taels of silver, Qinglian would agree to the matter.

Jia Rong's help to Jia Lian was not out of good intentions. He thought that since his own outrageous deeds had already spread, he might as well drag Jia Lian, the second uncle of the Rongguo Mansion, into this mess as well, which might be beneficial to him.

Immediately, Jia Rong went to Qinglian's room and returned to Jia Lian a moment later.

Jia Lian asked impatiently, "How did it go?"

Jia Rong smiled and squinted, "It's done! Nephew will take Second Uncle there now."

Feeling guilty, Jia Lian asked again, "What if my sister-in-law suddenly comes back..."

Jia Rong waved his hand and said, "Second Uncle, don't worry. She's going back to visit her parents, and she probably won't be back until the afternoon. I'll keep watch outside, and even if she suddenly comes back, I won't let her know."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian felt even more that his nephew was considerate, and patted him on the shoulder, saying, "Good nephew, your second uncle will remember your kindness."

The two walked one after the other through the corridor. Through the rain, one could see:

One was blinded by lust and lost his usual rationality;

One with ulterior motives, only interested in dragging others down with him.

Upon reaching Qinglian's room, Jia Rong gave her a wink and then withdrew.

Jia Lian straightened his clothes and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside the room, Qinglian was already waiting. Seeing Jia Lian enter, she feigned shyness. She then...
Eyebrows like willow leaves in early spring

Her face was as beautiful as a peach blossom in March.

Jia Lian was so captivated that he went up to Qinglian and exchanged a few gentle words with her, then forgot everything else and wished he could melt into this woman.

(End of this chapter)