After the rebellion was successful, I realized that this place was the Red Mansion

Chapter 121 Leng Baochai politely declines past affections
Upon entering the garden, Wang Xifeng did not rush to Hengwu Garden, but instead headed east, making a detour to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to visit Lin Daiyu.

He took a sip of tea before saying, "Your second brother Lian has returned from outside the city."

Daiyu seemed frozen in place, staring at her.

Seeing her delicate eyebrows furrow again, looking worried and sad, Wang Xifeng quickly said, "Don't worry, Baoyu is doing well outside the city, and your second brother Lian is taking care of him too."

Daiyu asked, "Is Qi Guan, whom he redeemed, still in the military camp?"

"I didn't ask about that."

Wang Xifeng chatted with her for a while, and seeing that Daiyu was feeling alright, she said, "Baoyu asked your Second Master Lian to come back this time because he wanted some money."

Daiyu frowned and asked, "What does he need money for? How much silver does he want?"

Zijuan clearly saw the changes in the girl from the side.

Not long ago, when the young lady heard that Master Bao had sent someone back to ask for money, she first cried her eyes out, and then, without a second thought, sent people to collect clothes and money and send them all outside the city so that Master Bao could spend them however he pleased.

But after returning from the palace, the young lady no longer spent money casually, nor did she spend money on Master Bao.

Was it because they used money to redeem Jiang Yuhan?
Wang Xifeng said, "He wants five hundred taels, not to beg you, but to beg Miss Bao."

"Ask Sister Bao for money?"

Daiyu was first surprised and doubtful, then sneered: "It's good that he didn't come to beg me. I gave him several hundred taels of silver, but he didn't cherish it and used it to buy actors. Now that he's spent it all, he's too ashamed to come and beg me."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "He probably doesn't know you've returned yet."

Daiyu's expression softened a bit, and she said, "Sister Feng, you can go now. Since he asked Sister Bao for it, I won't interfere too much. It's his skill that he was able to get the money. But the Emperor once told me that everything has a price. When you give the money to Brother Lian, please tell him this for me."

"What did the emperor say?"

Wang Xifeng was taken aback. So, Lin Daiyu must have paid a price in the palace to repay the expenses of sending gifts to Baoyu twice.

"Don't worry, I'll pass that message on to your second brother Lian!"

Wang Xifeng agreed, took her leave, and headed north from Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

She was thinking about the words the emperor had said to Daiyu.

Passing by Daoxiang Village, I could see in the distance, beside the peony garden behind it, in the Peony Pavilion, that my sister-in-law, Li Wan, was sitting in the pavilion, lost in thought.

Wang Xifeng did not go over to greet her, assuming that she was thinking of Jia Lan in the palace again.

After passing the northwest corner of the garden, crossing the mountain path, and passing the red-railed plank bridge, we arrived at Hengwu Garden, where Baochai and Baoqin lived.

Upon entering, the maidservant in the corridor saw her and hurried inside to report.

Soon, Xue Baochai, with her fair skin and plump figure, and Baoqin, a beautiful and lively young woman, came out to greet her.

"Why is Sister Feng here?"

Baochai smiled.

Baoqin also smiled and said, "I suppose you've come about the matter of managing the household. Sister Feng handles everything inside and outside the mansion, so we're not really of any use."

She was an unexpected part of the imperial decree. She guessed that the emperor originally wanted Lin and Xue to manage the household, but since she also had the surname Xue, she ended up managing the household in a daze.

Logically, if Baoqin were to ask for money from the government or to punish any maid or servant, no one would object.

But Baoqin has been quietly observing these past few days, not getting involved in household affairs even less than Daiyu.

Wang Xifeng glanced at the Xue sisters, noting their stunning beauty and unparalleled talent and looks, and smiled, saying:
"You're right to neglect your family!"

Everyone was puzzled.

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Both Bao and Qin are destined to become imperial concubines in the palace. How can they stay in the manor for long?"

Both Baochai and Baoqin blushed.

Baochai smiled and said, "Feng'er really knows how to make people laugh; we can't possibly match her."

Wang Xifeng also laughed and said, "While the girls haven't entered the palace to become concubines yet, we can still joke around with you. Once they enter the palace, joking around with the Imperial Concubine will be a grave offense!"

Everyone laughed again, but Baochai didn't say anything and went into the house with her.

Baoqin, however, was a step slower, her expression showing some hesitation.

The three sat down in the room, and a maidservant brought tea.

Wang Xifeng didn't hide anything and directly told Baoyu about asking her for money.

"Brother Bao is asking me for five hundred taels?"

A look of surprise appeared on Xue Baochai's plump, fair face as she looked at Wang Xifeng.

The people inside the house were also somewhat surprised.

They knew that Miss Bao was always careful with her money and would never be as extravagant as Miss Lin.

How could Master Bao, who was being punished to do corvée labor, possibly ask Baochai for money?
If it were a loan, or perhaps it was to repay a favor given that the Xue family had lived in the Jia family's residence for many years, then it would be understandable.

But it's not up to Master Bao to ask for repayment of favors; it requires the Old Madam or Madam to speak up and have Wang Xifeng ask for the money.

“It’s Baoyu who wants it.”

Wang Xifeng laughed and said that if it weren't for that, she wouldn't have been so embarrassed to ask Baochai for money.

Baochai looked very troubled.

Baoqin had only been in the capital for a year. Although she had some contact with Baoyu, she had never spent time alone with him. She only chatted with him with her sisters. Now that she saw her sister like this, she didn't know how to speak up.

Wang Xifeng said, “I know your difficulties, Bao’er. In principle, the money in the mansion belongs to the public and no one can easily use it. But your second brother Lian told me that Baoyu is not doing well outside. He has been pampered by the old lady and the madam since he was a child. The madam is so afraid of him melting in her mouth that she would not even let him do heavy work.”

After glancing at Baochai's expression, Wang Xifeng continued, "Your second brother Lian told me that Brother Bao said you two usually get along well, and he didn't know that Sister Lin had just returned from the palace, so he came to ask you."

Baochai was still hesitating.

Wang Xifeng said, "If you are in a difficult position, I will not stay any longer. Just tell your second brother Lian to return to the military camp."

Baochai finally spoke up: "Baoyu, my brother, and Qinmei's brother are all serving in the military camp outside the city. We hope for their well-being every single day. They come to ask us for some money, and we should give it to them in the first place."

Wang Xifeng knew something was wrong.

Sure enough, Baochai changed the subject and said, "But things are different now than they used to be, so my family has to cut back on everything we can."

Baochai smiled at her and said, "We had previously agreed to give five taels of silver a month to the girls who entered the palace and managed the household. Last month's wages were just paid out, and my sister Qin and I didn't use a single penny. We gave it all to our brother outside the city." When her brother Xue Ke was mentioned, Baoqin couldn't help but look downcast.

Baochai said, “We don’t have any money on hand right now. If we give it away again, we can only use the government’s money. But we can’t use the government’s money easily. Men don’t manage the household and don’t know how to spend money. The money just flows through their fingers like water.”

Wang Xifeng nodded in agreement, unable to say anything; it was indeed true.

Baochai, who was in charge of the household, only gave her brother five taels of silver, but Baoyu easily asked Daiyu for several hundred taels. Less than half a month later, he asked for several hundred more taels. How could this be allowed?

Baochai is not like Daiyu, who would casually spend money and then go to the palace to apologize afterwards.

Wang Xifeng asked her, "What do you think we should do?"

Ping'er stood aside, thinking to herself, "Grandma has been wronged."

She has been married for several years, but now she has to ask a young woman who is not yet married for advice. Her grandmother has been managing the household for many years, so how could she not know what to do?
She had no choice but to prioritize Baochai and treat her like a mistress!

Baochai said, "In my opinion, if we want to use the government's money, we need to report to the old lady and the madam, and then have Lian Erge explain to the masters and magistrates outside the city where the five hundred taels of silver will be spent and draw up a plan. That would be the right thing to do!"

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "It's amazing that you came up with this idea. Even I can't do it. That's exactly what we should do. Otherwise, if Baoyu spends another five hundred taels to buy an actor, wouldn't Master break his legs if he found out?"

Baochai also smiled and said, "That five hundred taels was what Baoyu asked Miss Lin for, so it should be his money."

"That's hard to say," Wang Xifeng said dismissively.

"Shall we proceed using this method?"

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Baoqin couldn't help but smile and ask.

She actually felt somewhat guilty. Although the Jia family didn't say anything, the Xue family was living in the Jia family's house and owed them a favor.

The elder sister thought so too, which is why she agreed to give the Jia family outside the city five hundred taels of silver.

Wang Xifeng then became troubled: "After reporting back to the old lady, this money will no longer be Baoyu's money."

Baochai laughed and said, "I have no choice. Five hundred taels is no small amount."

Looking at the smile on her fair and radiant face, Wang Xifeng suddenly realized that not only she, but even Baoyu had been mistaken.

From the very beginning, Bao-gyu had no intention of giving him any money!
Otherwise, she wouldn't have remained completely silent about what Baoyu wanted the money for. Even though Wang Xifeng clearly stated that the money was for Baoyu, Baochai still didn't ask and simply smiled and refused.

Baoyu mistakenly believed that he had a close relationship with Baochai, but little did he know that Baochai might not have taken him seriously.

"Brother Bao..."

Baoqin was about to speak when her sister Baochai gave her a look that stopped her.

Baoqin had no choice but to shut up.

She didn't actually want to give Baoyu the money; she wanted to know what the money was for.

Wang Xifeng said, "I won't go to tell the old lady for now. I'll think of another way to see if I can raise this money."

Baochai asked with a smile, "Have you gotten back the money you lent out?"

The question is about lending banks.

Wang Xifeng was immediately stumped by the question and could only smile and say, "Please give me a few more days!"

Baochai said, "I will enter the palace in a few days, and then..."

"I'll definitely pay you back then!"

Wang Xifeng left in a hurry.

He led Ping'er straight to the second gate.

"Is Second Madam going to find Miss Yun?" Ping'er asked.

"Who else can we turn to besides her? Although the second and third sisters have entered the palace, they have not been appointed by the emperor to manage the household. It is only said that the sister in charge of the East Mansion can come up with the money."

"In my opinion, Miss Bao is right. We can't just give Second Master Bao whatever he wants."

"It's not like I'm paying him money, I'm just helping him pass on a message!"

When Wang Xifeng arrived at the second gate, she ordered the eunuchs to prepare a sedan chair for her.

"Is this lady going to the palace?" the eunuch asked with a smile.

"I'm going to the East Mansion."

"That won't do. Except for sending the young ladies into the palace, the palace sedan chairs are not allowed to be used anywhere else!"

The eunuch's previously friendly expression vanished.

Wang Xifeng glared at her and said, "I have plenty of sedan chairs at home. Just bring one over!"

The eunuchs leaned lazily against the wall, basking in the sun, pretending not to hear her words.

One of the eunuchs made a gesture of extending his hand, meaning, "Don't even think about ordering them around if you don't have money!"

"A turtle without eggs, what's the point of sunbathing? You deserve to be childless!"

Wang Xifeng was furious, but naturally, she didn't dare say it aloud; she only cursed in her heart.

There was nothing she could do but ask Ping'er to call a few strong old women over.

Unexpectedly, the old women replied, "Second Madam, the imperial decree sent back by Miss Bao says that things are different now than before. We are not serving anyone and are eating the rations of the young maids. We haven't eaten meat except for yesterday. We really don't have the strength to carry you. Please take your time and walk to the East Mansion yourself!"

Wang Xifeng's beautiful phoenix eyes widened in surprise.

Ping'er smiled helplessly, took out her newly received monthly salary, and, reluctant to give more, gave each of the old women thirty coins, asking them to carry the sedan chair to take the Second Mistress to the East Mansion and then back.

In the past, thirty coins per person wouldn't even be enough to fill their teeth; young ladies could easily grab a handful of reward money for more!
But now the situation is beyond our control. Although it's only thirty coins, the old women are overjoyed and hurriedly bring the sedan chair over.

After finally getting into the sedan chair, Wang Xifeng closed her eyes to rest: "I finally understand, you can't move an inch without money."

Ping'er couldn't help but laugh.

Grandma has always valued money more than life itself. Second Master would feel worse than if he were killed if he spent her money, and they would argue for half a day every time.

Now, the second grandmother, who is penniless—or rather, only has last month's allowance—complains that she knows it's impossible to get by without money.

Wouldn't that be laughable?

(End of this chapter)