The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 109 A Storm Brews in the Inner Court [Long Chapter! More to Come Tomorrow]

Meanwhile, Madam Lin's sedan chair landed steadily in front of the newly painted black gate of the Ximen mansion.

Four servants in blue robes were already standing at attention. When the sedan chair arrived, Dai'an stepped forward, lifted the curtain, and said, "Please get out of the sedan chair, Madam." His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and he was very proper.

Mrs. Lin, with her personal maidservant by her side, gracefully stepped out of the sedan chair. As she looked up, her heart skipped a beat. The gate tower stood tall, with a pair of newly chiseled stone lions crouching on either side, majestic and imposing. The large brass studs on the vermilion gate gleamed brightly in the sunlight.

The several servants leading the way were all dressed in brand-new blue satin vests with sashes around their waists. They were meek and obedient, and moved silently, showing that they were well-bred and had a distinguished air about them.

Mrs. Lin, supported by her maid, walked gracefully inside. After passing through several ceremonial gates and rounding a newly built, whitewashed screen wall, the view suddenly opened up before her.

The courtyard was deep and the corridors were winding. Everywhere there were newly painted beams and pillars, newly paved square brick floors, and even the railings of the covered walkways were polished to a smooth shine, exuding a brand-new and luxurious atmosphere.

Although her own house was decent, it had been neglected for years and had never been properly maintained, so it always had a musty smell. How could it compare to this place, which was bright and clean, and even the air seemed to smell of new wood and paint?

As Mrs. Lin walked, she clicked her tongue in amazement, thinking to herself, "What incredible wealth! This Mr. Ximen is indeed incredibly rich and powerful; even his mansion exudes prosperity and splendor. My place... sigh, it's a bit old and too small."

As soon as this thought arose, another, more secretive idea began to entwine around her like vines: "But now that I've secured this powerful backer... with my 'dear father's' methods, wouldn't it be just a matter of time before my house is renovated and furnished?" Thinking of this, her heart warmed, and her waist unconsciously softened a bit, even her injuries seemed to have lessened considerably. The way she addressed him unconsciously became more and more familiar with it.

Walking along the bluestone path and through the hall, you will see two rows of maids and servants standing like geese wings in the courtyard in front of the main hall.

Upon seeing Madam Lin and her entourage enter, the maids all bowed respectfully, their voices melodious and sweet as they greeted, "Greetings, Madam!" Their voices were perfectly synchronized, their movements impeccable. These maids, though not all stunning beauties, were all neatly dressed, their hair and faces clean, and their manners refined. Madam Lin nodded with a smile, but her gaze swept over them like a comb, her mind already calculating:
"Even the servants are so well-behaved, which shows that the mistress manages the household effectively. This Yue Niang... is not to be underestimated." Half of her words "manages the household effectively" were tinged with sourness, as her own household only had a few servants, which could be counted on one hand.

A quick-witted servant boy ran in to announce their arrival. As Madam Lin led Wang Sanguan to the entrance of the flower hall, they heard the tinkling of jade pendants and the sounds of laughter coming from inside.

The curtain was drawn high, and Ximen Qing, the wealthy official, had already risen from the daybed and was being greeted at the entrance of the hall. He looked even more energetic today, wearing a dark blue robe with cloud patterns, a jade belt around his waist, and a smile on his face, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Beside him, his principal wife, Wu Yueniang, stood smiling, supported by her maid.

Mrs. Lin's alluring eyes fell upon Yue Niang the moment they met.

Yue Niang also smiled as she looked at Mrs. Lin.

Throughout history, when two women meet, it's like putting two golden roosters in a cockfighting arena!

From noble ladies to street prostitutes, from grand mansions to riverbanks, any woman, upon meeting someone, would have her eyes like hooks, scrutinizing them from head to toe, skin to skin, within three sentences!
You've got a new red gold hairpin in your hair? I'll definitely get one inlaid with gemstones made tomorrow!

Your waist is a finger's width thinner than mine? I'd rather go three days without eating than tighten it!

Your man bought you a new piece of satin yesterday? Humph, I'll pester that jerk to buy me two even better ones tomorrow!

Even the closest of sisters and sisters-in-law, holding hands and speaking affectionately as "sisters," their subtle glances and probing words are like a needle hidden in honey—sweet yet poisonous!
This is the nature etched into a woman's very bones!
If we don't compare, how can we demonstrate our own capabilities?
How can you capture a man's heart without comparing?
If you don't compare, how can you win a little more favor, a little more clothes, or a little more dignity?
As the saying goes, "Three women make a drama, but ten women can break the sky!"

Now, the two mistresses of the mansions have been secretly comparing themselves to each other since their first meeting.

This woman:
Having status but no adornment, he was like a clay Buddha statue in a temple with a thin layer of gold plating!

Dressed up but lacking in appearance, she's like a golden bell hanging on an old plum branch!

Having good looks but no figure is just "a pretty face, like Xi Shi in a painting"!
Mrs. Lin looked at Yue Niang and felt that she had an air of grandeur about her!
He wore a brand-new agarwood-colored silk jacket. The silk was so fine and lustrous that it was clearly a top-quality tribute item, something that even the rich could not easily buy.

She wore a satin skirt covered in gold brocade, the gold threads woven so tightly that they seemed to flow subtly in the light, exuding an air of opulence.

She wore a fashionable topknot, with a heavy, shiny gold filigree hairpin inlaid with rubies in the center, kingfisher feather hairpins on the sides, pearl earrings on her ears, and a mutton-fat jade bracelet on her wrist.

Every piece of this outfit is of the finest quality. Not only is it valuable, but what's even more remarkable is its pristine condition—so pristine it's dazzling, so pristine it's devoid of any worldly wear, as if it had just been taken out of the warehouse, still carrying the fresh scent of camphor wood chests.

Mrs. Lin had dressed up carefully for the day, bringing out all her finest attire for the trip to the capital, determined not to be inferior. She wore a silver-red jacket with gold trim, over which she wore a brocade satin vest, and her hair was adorned with numerous pearls and jade ornaments; she felt she was already quite presentable.

But compared to Yue Niang at this moment, she suddenly felt that her own clothes were covered with a layer of dust, and the jewelry on her head seemed to have lost its luster.

Especially the gold filigree and gem-encrusted hair ornament on Yue Niang's head—the craftsmanship and the quality of the gemstones were clearly the work of a skilled craftsman from the capital, and it was quite valuable. None of the few hair ornaments I had hidden away could compare to it!
A sour, jealous feeling suddenly surged up from the bottom of my heart! Where did all this come from? Of course, it came from Master Ximen.

As long as I take good care of this 'dear father,' I'll definitely pester him to get me a set of top-quality jewelry and clothes like this next time I go to the capital!

Mrs. Lin quickly put on a beaming smile, took a few steps forward, and gave Ximen Qing a deep curtsy: "I am so grateful for your kind welcome, sir and madam!"

As she stood up, her almond-shaped eyes, filled with affection and a smile, gazed directly at Master Ximen's face. Her eyes sparkled with a captivating charm, as if she had a thousand words to say, yet hesitated to speak them.

The official laughed heartily and offered a helping hand: "Mrs. Lin, you're too kind. Please come in, please come in!"

Yue Niang accepted Madam Lin's solemn bow with a smile, feeling a warmth in her heart sweeter than honey. Although Yue Niang came from an official family, she felt that since the other party was a dignified third-rank lady, she should naturally go to the door to greet her.

But her husband stopped her, saying, "You sit down and let her in." She felt it was improper, so she got up in the hall to greet her.

At this moment, seeing the noble Mrs. Lin bowing so respectfully before her, addressing her as "Auntie" and speaking with utmost flattery, Yue Niang finally understood the deeper meaning behind Ximen Qing's arrangement—it wasn't just about welcoming guests; it was clearly about establishing authority!

Moon Lady's gaze inadvertently swept over Madam Lin's slightly unnatural posture and gait as she bowed. Her steps seemed more cautious than usual, with a subtle hesitation. As an experienced woman, and a woman of the inner chambers, how could she not be perceptive? Connecting this to her husband's abilities, and considering Madam Lin's currently awkward and inconvenient posture, and the almost watery, seductive look in her eyes as she gazed at her husband…

Yue Niang's heart skipped a beat, and in an instant, everything became crystal clear! Her face still wore a dignified and virtuous smile, but in her heart, she knew perfectly well: "Bah! So that's how it is! No wonder my husband stopped me... This Madam Lin didn't simply bring her son to pay respects to her godfather; she's clearly using her son's name to meet her lover!"
Mrs. Lin then turned to Yue Niang and gave her another warm bow: "Sister, I am very grateful to you! I have long heard of your virtue and skill in managing the household. Today, I have witnessed the grandeur of this mansion and the orderly conduct of the servants. Your demeanor and elegance have truly broadened my horizons, and I admire you greatly! From now on, my son will be under your patronage, and we will be as close as blood relatives. If you do not mind, I will definitely come to visit you often and learn from you how to manage a household."

She spoke with genuine sincerity, showing real admiration and envy. Yue Niang returned the greeting with a smile, repeatedly saying "I dare not," her tone displaying the composure and calmness of a matriarch, even more confident than before: "Sister, please don't stand on ceremony, please sit down. Just come and visit often in the future, no need for formalities among family."

She deliberately put a little more effort into the word "family".

Madam Lin then raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the two pretty maids standing behind Ximen Qing. These were indeed her 'father's' personal maids, and they certainly had the air of someone who was favored by the emperor.

The girl on the left, carrying the tea tray, was younger and not yet fully grown, but she was still pretty with delicate features and snow-white skin. Her eyes were lowered and obedient, clearly a newcomer. A red mole between her brows added to her scholarly air. Where in Qinghe County could one find such a refined maid? Even after searching through countless noble families in the capital, she had never seen anything like it. The girl on the right… the moment Madam Lin's gaze met hers, it felt as if a needle had pricked her heart. She secretly gasped. Those phoenix eyes, with their shifting gaze, seemed to hold a mixture of anger and joy, rippling like water, possessing a natural allure—truly a born beauty! Wasn't that the maid she had sold to Master Zhang? She hadn't expected her to be here; it showed how cunning her 'father' was.

Her fingers, which were holding the handkerchief, tightened even more in her sleeve as she smiled and said, "My lord is so lucky, and my sister is so lucky. Even the maids serving you are so beautiful and well-dressed. It's truly like a fairyland."

Pan Jinlian was incredibly clever. She had already noticed the lingering, seductive gaze that Madam Lin gave her "dear father." Back when she was a maid in Madam Lin's house, she had often punished herself for this. She felt resentful: "This dry well is parched to the point of bursting with thirst, and even the old tree has blossomed with new, alluring flowers!"

Then everyone took their seats, distinguishing between host and guest.

The maids served fragrant tea and pastries, and the flower hall was filled with laughter and chatter, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Master Ximen, seated in the main seat, glanced at Madam Lin and Wang Sanguan with a mixture of scrutiny and amusement.

Wang Sanguan had been keeping his head down since he entered. The moment his gaze fell upon Ximen Qing, who sat upright in the main seat with a half-smile, he recoiled as if stung by a scorpion! He instinctively tried to hide behind his mother, but Madam Lin secretly pinched his arm, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and walk forward.

Wang Sanguan's face was covered in bruises, with several bruises still visible. His left cheekbone was particularly dark purple and swollen. One of his eyes was also bruised, as if he had been punched hard.

He walked with a slight limp, clearly still recovering from injuries. At this moment, he kept his head down, his eyes darting around, avoiding eye contact with Ximen Qing. His body trembled slightly, and he was timid and hesitant, showing none of the dignity expected of a son of an official, but rather like a frightened quail.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, Ximen Qing merely glanced at him indifferently, his gaze like a cold knife, making Wang Sanguan's scalp tingle and his knees go weak.

Jin Lian'er remained silent behind him, but lowered her head and pursed her lips, a shallow dimple appearing on her cheek. She was pleased to see Wang Sanguan suffering like this.

Suddenly, he felt much more grateful to Mrs. Lin for selling him. If she hadn't sold him, he probably would have been ruined by this Wang Sanguan, and how could he have met his dear father? Thinking of this, his hatred for Mrs. Lin lessened considerably, and he felt a bit of luck in the face of fate.

Xiangling watched from the side. She was always gentle and respectful, and had been disciplined to be extremely polite. She was just a little surprised that this person had been beaten like this.

Only Yue Niang, seeing Wang Sanguan's fearful look towards her husband, guessed what was going on, and maintained her stern expression.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Mrs. Lin nudged Wang Sanguan beside her, her face full of eager smiles: "My son, why don't you go forward and pay your respects to your godfather? From now on, your godfather will be like your own father. You must be filial to him and listen to his teachings in everything you do!"

Wang Sanguan quickly and respectfully knelt on the red carpet in front of Master Ximen, saying, "Son Wang Sanguan greets Godfather! Godfather, may you enjoy good health and longevity!" After saying this, he respectfully kowtowed three times.

The official nodded: "Good! Good! Get up! From now on, we're family!"

He gestured, and Dai'an immediately presented a vermilion lacquered tray covered with a bright red brocade cloth. Ximen Qing personally unveiled it, revealing a set of fine writing implements: a Huzhou brush, Huizhou ink, Duan inkstone, and a jade paperweight. Beside it was a gold-inlaid jade Qilin lock, exquisitely carved and gleaming with gold.

Ximen Qing picked up the gold lock and personally hung it around Wang Sanguan's neck, saying, "This Qilin lock is a good omen for good health! The pen, ink, paper, and inkstone are for you to study diligently, understand principles, and not disappoint your mother's expectations, nor my good intentions!"

Yue Niang smiled and said to Madam Lin, "Sister, you are so lucky. Your husband has put a lot of thought into this gift. San Guan is a child with a bright future. With your husband's support, his future will surely be very promising."

Mrs. Lin pinched the wooden figure beside her: "Aren't you going to thank your auntie!"

Wang Sanguan quickly kowtowed three more times to Yue Niang.

The hall was filled with an atmosphere of "filial piety and harmony in the family," with people clinking glasses and laughing and chatting.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Mrs. Lin's eyes sparkled as she softly said to Wang Sanguan:

"My son, it is a great joy to have become your godfather today, but do not get carried away. Have you reviewed the lessons your teacher assigned the other day? Do not linger here playing. Go back early and write down your thoughts on today's meeting with your godfather in a policy essay. Present it to your teacher tomorrow and let him know your godfather's expectations for you."

These words sounded grand and dignified, showcasing both good upbringing and elevating Ximen Qing's status.

Wang Sanguan was already terrified of Ximen Qing and couldn't wait to get away. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and took his leave from Ximen Qing and Yue Niang. Ximen Qing naturally nodded in agreement and instructed his servant to escort the "young master" back to his residence properly.

After Wang Sanguan left, Madam Lin sighed, "That wretched child! I worry about him day and night. I had hoped he would study hard and bring honor to our family. Who would have thought he would spend all his time wandering around, associating with disreputable young men, indulging in brothels, gambling, and drinking, ruining our family's reputation! I am just a woman, and I don't know how to discipline him. To put it bluntly is wrong, but to put it simply is also wrong. It truly worries me to death!" After saying this, she sighed deeply again.

The official laughed and said, "San Guan is an excellent young man, but he is too young and lacks restraint. That's easy to deal with. He now holds a nominal title and is considered to have a solid foundation. It won him over, so it won't be difficult."

"As the saying goes, 'Settle down and start a family.' San Guan is at the age where he is full of vigor and energy. He is causing trouble outside, mostly because there is no one at home to keep him in check."

"Now that he has this status and title, I will find him a daughter from a good family in the capital, a suitable match, so he can marry her and have her as his principal wife. Once a young man has a family, he will know to care about his reputation and future, and he will naturally be much more obedient. What do you think, Madam?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin's worried expression vanished, and her eyes lit up. A thousand thoughts swirled within her as she looked at her 'own father,' and she longed to be in his arms. However, with Yue Niang present, she could only express her joy:
"Oh my! My lord! You've truly awakened me from my dream! There couldn't be more right! I've been worrying day and night, thinking I had no way to help him. If you could spare some effort to find a good marriage for this little rascal in the capital, so he could have a virtuous wife to keep him in check, I would finally be at ease!"

After speaking, her smile became even more charming, her eyes glued to the man as if soaked in honey, and her voice became soft and sweet:
“My lord…this mansion is full of wonders today. When I first came in, I felt like I couldn’t take it all in. Especially the garden at the back, the scenery looks so beautiful in the shadows…I wonder if my lord would have the time to show me around? That way I can broaden my horizons and learn how to decorate my humble abode.”

Upon hearing Madam Lin's words, Master Ximen understood perfectly. He smiled and agreed, offering no refusal.

Having spent so much effort to acquire this Xuanfu technique, I can't just let it go like this.

Although this Zhaoxuan Mansion is just a shell, it still carries the Wang family's name and is a ready-made brand. Now that the mother and son in this mansion are under our control, how can we treat them as mere playthings and add unnecessary burdens?

We must treat it as a phoenix's nest and manage it well—that's the right thing to do! By borrowing the old branches of the Wang family, we can climb up to the new elites in Tokyo and form a strong marriage alliance—that's the long-term solution.

Think of this.

The official laughed heartily and stood up. "What's so difficult about that? Since Madam Lin is in such a good mood, I'll gladly oblige. Yue Niang, you rest here while I accompany Madam Lin for a stroll in the garden." He said this to Yue Niang, but his eyes were fixed only on Madam Lin's charming and affectionate face.

Moon Lady stood up and smiled in agreement, while only Golden Lotus stared wide-eyed.

Unable to contain herself any longer, she approached Yue Niang and lowered her sweet, coquettish voice:

“Auntie, listen to this! ‘Touring the mansion’? Bah! What a joke! What’s there to ‘touring’ a pretty widow is coming to? I bet that shameless old woman is using her faded beauty to keep the master in her place and lure him to her boudoir to do those shameful things! Godfather and godson? It’s just a pretext for her to steal the master! If this continues, the Zhaoxuan Mansion will probably become Father’s second mistress! We can’t just stand by and watch that old harlot get away with it!”

(End of this chapter)