The Red Mansion

Chapter 267 A divorced woman, a widow

The sun blazes high in the sky.

Inside the Xue family mansion, the banana leaves were curled up and the cicadas chirped incessantly, making the courtyard seem even more secluded and quiet.

Accompanied by the warm breeze and heat, Xue Jin followed Xue Pan through the covered corridor and into the flower hall.

Aunt Xue was sitting in a chair in the hall, her hair neatly styled and adorned with a jade hairpin. When she saw Xue Jin and Xue Pan enter, she quickly put down the celadon teacup she was holding.

Xue Jin stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Aunt Xue smiled and nodded, first inviting Xue Jin to sit down, but not in a hurry to talk about the important matter. Then she dismissed the maids and servants standing in the hall.

For a moment, only Aunt Xue, Xue Jin, and Xue Pan remained in the hall.

Aunt Xue then smiled at Xue Jin and said, "On such a hot day, and at noon, I'm so grateful to have you come all this way. What I learned today is truly astonishing. I never imagined that he was actually a prince, now recognized as a member of the imperial family and even granted the title of Duke. Such an encounter is something even a play wouldn't dare to fabricate!"

Xue Jin laughed and said, "This is a great joy, and sister-in-law should celebrate. The Duke is of such noble status that even though Baochai is a concubine, she is now much better off than the wives of ordinary people. It is not a grievance at all."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue's lips curved slightly, seemingly with relief, yet also with other thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, she suddenly said, "I've been thinking about taking Pan'er to the capital again."

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan immediately clapped his hands in agreement: "Absolutely right! Absolutely right! The prosperity of the capital is incomparable to that of Jiangning! We should have gone there long ago!" His eyes shone as he envisioned the bustling taverns and entertainment venues of the capital, looking utterly delighted.

Xue Jin asked, "Why did you have this idea again, sister-in-law? Your last trip to the capital was quite difficult."

Aunt Xue's expression calmed down, and she slowly said, "You know, two years ago I took my family to the capital, and the journey was fraught with danger. First, on the Grand Canal, we encountered fierce river bandits. Our boat was surrounded, and they held swords to our necks. We almost lost our whole family and were swallowed by the fish. Fortunately... fortunately, the Duke happened to pass by at that time and saved our lives. It was because of this connection that I gave Baochai to him as a concubine."

She paused slightly, as if still shaken, and continued, "Who knew that misfortune would come in pairs? After arriving in the capital, I lost my job as a royal merchant, and my brother was also demoted and couldn't take care of our Xue family. Instead, he asked me for money. I was truly terrified at the time, feeling that every step in the capital was dangerous. That's why I hurriedly packed up and brought Pan'er back to Jiangning."

At this point, her tone changed: "But times have changed, and things are very different now. Thanks to the Duke's good fortune, our status as imperial merchants has been restored, and Baochai is in charge of all the businesses in the family in the capital, managing them very well. When Pan'er and I go to the capital, we can look after each other with Baochai."

Her brows furrowed slightly, revealing her distress: "Furthermore, those collateral relatives in Jiangning have always been quite restless, eyeing our family's foundation as a widow and her orphan, their ambitions are very active. My maternal family... the Wang family, has even suffered a devastating disaster, utterly ruined. What's the point of Pan'er and me staying in Jiangning, having to constantly guard against people's schemes?"

She turned her gaze to the restless Xue Pan beside her, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke frankly: "Besides, I privately think that with the talent and status of the Duke, now that he has returned to his clan, it is not impossible for him to be enfeoffed as a prince in the future. If I go to the capital, I can help Baochai a little... As for the position of concubine, it is not impossible for her to compete for it. Baochai is all alone in the capital, without even a family member to support her, which is ultimately not proper."

Aunt Xue spoke these words with remarkable clarity and foresight, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the family's situation and Baochai's future.

After listening to Aunt Xue's explanation of her plans for going to the capital and the key points involved, Xue Jin lowered her head in silence. After a long while, she raised her head and said slowly, "Sister-in-law's insight is very good, and her planning is far-sighted. However, the capital is an important place, and every move must be made with caution. In my opinion, although going to the capital is a good idea, there is no need to rush, and it is even more important not to act rashly. Sister-in-law, you should first write a letter and send it to Baochai in the capital. Firstly, you can tell her your intentions and get her approval; secondly, you must sound out the Duke's opinion. If you get the Duke's approval, then it will be the best course of action. If the Duke is not willing, it would be unwise for you to go rashly."

Aunt Xue nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, unconsciously clenching her handkerchief tighter: "That's exactly right! I had been thinking the same thing. We must first write a letter home, explaining to Baochai in detail the reasons for our trip to the capital, and also ask for the Duke's favor. That's the right thing to do."

At this point, she paused slightly, her eyes fixed on Xue Jin's face, her gaze filled with consideration and a deeper meaning. She said softly, "There is another matter I wish to discuss with you. I intend to take Baoqin with me to the capital. Firstly, she was already betrothed to the Duke, and she will have to go sooner or later, so it would be convenient for her to travel with me now; secondly, having her accompany me on the journey will prevent me from being lonely. What do you think?"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Xue Jin with eager anticipation.

Although she said this, she had another unspoken plan in her heart: she could tell that the Duke's feelings were different towards Baoqin. If only she and Pan'er went to the capital, the Duke might not be happy; however, if Baoqin were to accompany them, the Duke would surely agree because he cared about the girl.

Xue Jin hesitated, but seeing his aunt staring at him expectantly, he finally nodded after a moment's thought and said, "Sister-in-law, you have thought things through. Since Qin'er has already been betrothed to the Duke, it is only right that she go to the capital soon. You can decide this matter as you see fit."

Aunt Xue was overjoyed when she saw him agree, and a smile spread across her face as she repeatedly said, "That's wonderful! That's wonderful!"

Seeing his mother and uncle chatting incessantly, Xue Pan grew impatient and quickly stood up, saying, "Mother and Uncle, please continue your discussion here. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

Before he finished speaking, he had already vanished in a flash, presumably rushing off to find his cronies to brag to.

Seeing that Xue Pan had left, Xue Jin felt it inappropriate to sit alone with his sister-in-law for long, so he also got up to take his leave.

Aunt Xue saw Xue Jin out of the flower hall, then went to her own courtyard. She instructed her maid to grind ink and prepare paper, and she couldn't wait to write a letter to Xue Baochai herself.

The pen moved swiftly across the paper, sometimes writing rapidly, sometimes pausing, pouring all her thoughts and expectations into the words. She didn't even notice the summer heat, only hoping that the letter would soon reach the capital and fulfill her painstaking plans.

……

……

On May 23rd, the sun blazed down over the capital.

At noon that day, a carriage drove out of a secluded house three miles to the east, followed by only two or three servants.

The horses pulling the cart were listless, their hooves clattering on the scorching official road, showing signs of fatigue.

Sitting inside the carriage were Wang Xifeng and Ping'er.

Wang Xifeng had dressed up carefully today; though not in her finest attire, she looked extremely neat and tidy. Ping'er stood beside her, gently fanning herself with a peony-patterned fan. She could see beads of sweat on Wang Xifeng's nose, and a small dark stain on the back of her own silk robe. Wang Xifeng had already heard the earth-shattering news: the former Jiang Nian had been recognized as a descendant of the emperor, now honored as a prince and granted the title of Duke, with the name Yuan Yi.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng was so shocked that her mouth agape. She pulled Ping'er aside and said, "I had long suspected that he was no ordinary person, but I had always mistaken him for the Thirteenth Prince's son. Who would have thought that he was actually His Majesty's offspring! No wonder His Majesty had shown him such great favor in the past..." Ping'er, who was usually composed, couldn't help but change her expression and exclaim in amazement, "This is truly a story that even plays wouldn't dare to tell!"

Wang Xifeng, being so quick-witted, immediately felt the urge to curry favor with him. However, she knew that it would be difficult to curry favor with this newly noble Duke before he returned to the imperial family, let alone now, so she decided to still try to get in through Yuan Chun's connections.

When the Jiang family moved to Ningguo Mansion before, she had already sent a congratulatory gift. Yuan Chun had politely said that even if she couldn't come on the day of the housewarming banquet, she would choose another day to host a banquet for her.

She waited anxiously for several days, but there was still no news.

This morning, she heard another shocking piece of news: Jia She had been stripped of his title and arrested for plotting to seize the eldest son's family property and for letting his servant commit murder that led to Jia Qiang's death.

She could no longer contain herself and decided to go to the Duke's mansion in person today. Ostensibly, it was to congratulate Yuan Yi on his return to the family, but in reality, she had three purposes: first, to curry favor with Yuan Chun; second, to hope to meet the Duke; and third, to inquire about the Jia She case.

Because she was a divorced woman, she had no face to see the people of the Rongguo Mansion again, so she specially chose to come to Ningrong Street at noon, where she was less likely to run into them.

The carriage rumbled along, first arriving at Chaoyang Gate on the eastern outskirts of Shenjing. After entering the city, it continued westward, meandering to Ningrong Street, entering from the east entrance, and stopping outside the gate of the Duke's Mansion.

This Duke's mansion was formerly the Ningguo Mansion, built by imperial decree. Now, its lintel is renovated, its atmosphere completely different. The three large gates with beast-head designs are gleaming, the vermilion lacquer so red it seems to drip blood, and many gilded copper nails are neatly nailed on them, gleaming in the blazing sun. High above the lintel hangs a large plaque with the golden characters "Duke's Mansion," written in a vigorous and powerful style. The guards at the gate are not ordinary gatekeepers, but several personal guards of the mansion, all carrying swords. Together with the two fierce-looking stone lions at the gate, they exude an imposing and awe-inspiring presence, making one dare not look directly at them.

As the carriage came to a stop, Wang Xifeng lifted the curtain and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar gate of the mansion. Seeing the newly hung golden plaque and the guards with swords, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Things are really different now! Although the Ningguo Mansion was grand in the past, it never had such power." Comparing herself to her current situation, she felt both bitter and pained.

At this moment, Wang'er's wife spoke through the carriage curtain to Wang Xifeng inside the carriage: "Grandma, we have arrived. Please give us your instructions."

Wang Xifeng quickly composed herself and instructed Wang'er's wife to invite the guards at the gate to come inside and announce her arrival.

After Wang'er's wife agreed, she straightened her clothes, walked to the main gate, bowed deeply to the guards, and respectfully explained her purpose. A guard then turned and entered through a side gate to report. Wang'er's wife then stepped aside to wait quietly, not daring to stand under the eaves, but standing in the sun, fine beads of sweat quickly forming on her forehead.

Wang Xifeng and Ping'er waited quietly in the carriage. Wang Xifeng felt that time was passing slowly and that she was feeling restless and anxious.

Just as they were getting anxious, they suddenly heard the rumble of a carriage behind them. Another carriage, which was neither new nor old, also stopped in front of the Duke's mansion.

The person sitting in the carriage was none other than Madam You.

At this moment, Madam You lifted the curtain, her gaze falling on the large plaque with the golden characters "Duke's Mansion," and a complex expression immediately appeared on her face. This mansion was originally her home; she had once managed the household affairs here, and was the mistress of the house, living a life of luxury and ease. Now, however, everything had changed, and she was now shamelessly coming here to beg for help.

Thinking of this, she felt an indescribable bitterness in her heart, as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been spilled, and tears involuntarily fell down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away with a handkerchief.

Lady You also ordered her trusted maid to go to the gate. The maid was taken aback when she saw Wang'er's wife waiting at the gate.

Madam You also saw Wang'er's wife from inside the carriage and was surprised and suspicious: "Isn't this Wang'er's wife who is with Feng'er? What is she doing here?" She quickly stuck her head out of the carriage window and looked at the carriage in front.

Just then, Wang Xifeng recognized You Shi's trusted maid and was also leaning out of the carriage window to look back.

In an instant, Wang Xifeng and You Shi locked eyes, and both were taken aback.

Wang Xifeng was surprised: "Isn't this Sister-in-law Zhen? What's she doing here?"

Madam You, in the carriage behind, was also surprised: "It really is Feng-ge'er! What brings her here?"

In the past, Wang Xifeng and You Shi were the stewardesses of the Rongguo Mansion and Ningguo Mansion respectively. Being of similar age, they were frequent visitors and were quite familiar with each other. Today, however, they unexpectedly met again at the gates of the Duke's mansion, both finding themselves in an awkward situation. One was a divorced woman who had lost her support, and the other a widow who had also lost her support; both were now seeking pity from this once-familiar household.

Yu shrank back into the car, feeling her face burning with shame and indignation.

Wang Xifeng also lowered the curtains, pondering why Lady You had suddenly come to the Duke's mansion.

After a moment's thought, she deduced the truth. She reasoned that now that Jia She had been stripped of his title and interrogated for plotting to seize the wealth of the Jia family's eldest branch, which was managed by You Shi, and for allowing a servant to commit murder that led to Jia Qiang's death, the old lady of the Rongguo Mansion would inevitably resent You Shi and become even more hostile towards her. You Shi had most likely shamelessly come to the Duke's mansion today to seek Yuan Chun's help.

Having deduced this, Wang Xifeng felt a mix of emotions, thinking to herself, "Now I've become someone who shares her plight. How laughable, how lamentable!"

Although they were in different carriages, they both knew that the other was nearby, and each was lost in thought, filled with mixed feelings.

The air outside the carriage seemed to freeze, with only the hoarse chirping of cicadas in the trees.

The sun seemed to grow even more scorching, shrinking the shadows of the two carriages into tiny clumps, which looked as if they were about to be swallowed up by the blazing ground.

The vermilion gates of the Duke's mansion remained tightly shut, the copper nails on the gate reflecting a blinding light, like indifferent eyes looking down at the two carriages in front of the gate, and seemingly able to penetrate the two carriages to look down at the two uneasy women.

For a time, the gates of the Duke's mansion were as deep as the sea, and the two disgraced women, each harboring their own thoughts, awaited the call of fate...

(End of this chapter)