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

Chapter 111 The Treacherous Minister Cai Jing
“Good Ling’er, we sisters are here in this mansion, and although we are pitifully treated as respectable maids serving the master, we are still unfortunate people who have been through thick and thin.” Jin Lian’er sighed, her tone carrying a touch of desolation as fellow sufferers. “Sister, you seem neat and sensible. May I ask… where are you from? How did you end up in this mansion?”

When Xiangling was asked about her background, her eyes reddened slightly. She lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice typical of people from the Jiangnan region: "I...I was originally from Suzhou. My family...my family originally had some connections. During the Lantern Festival...I was kidnapped..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, which she forced back to keep from falling. "...From then on, I left my hometown and parents, and even my real name became blurry...I only remember my nickname was 'Yinglian'..."

"Abducted?!" Jin Lian'er's peach blossom eyes widened instantly, filled with the curiosity and shrewdness characteristic of a common woman. She leaned forward, "And then what happened? Was it the first time you were sold? Or..."

Xiangling shook her head, tears finally streaming down her face. She hurriedly wiped them away with her sleeve, her voice choked with suppressed sobs: "No...it's...it was resold several times. The last time...it was sold to a passing merchant surnamed Feng, but not long after, that young master Feng...was beaten to death by a tyrant...I was then resold to the Xue family...The Xue family brought the tyrant to the capital to avoid the lawsuit, so I came along!"

"Alas! Poor thing!" Jin Lian'er's face showed a genuine sigh and a look of shared misfortune. "To tell you the truth, my life isn't much better than yours! I also grew up in bitter water!"

She leaned closer, almost whispering in Xiangling's ear: "You were abducted, but I was sold by my own mother when I was nine years old... I was resold four times in total! Ugh! It's disgusting to even mention it! If it weren't for God's mercy... I would never have been able to enter the Ximen mansion, nor would I have met such a good master!"

As Jin Lian'er spoke, she tightly grasped Xiang Ling's icy hand: "Good sister, we are all like meat on a chopping board, suffering people who are passed around from one person to another!"

Xiangling's heart trembled as she listened to Jinlian'er's tearful account of her life. A wave of sorrow washed over her as she felt a pang of sympathy for her fellow sufferers.

She had thought her own experience was already miserable, but she never expected that this seemingly shrewd and capable Jinlian was just like her! In an instant, the sense of alienation she felt towards Jinlian because of her flamboyance turned into deep sympathy and affection.

She grasped Jinlian'er's hand in return, her voice filled with genuine warmth: "Sister... Sister has also suffered..."

Two women, whose lives were filled with hardship and who had been sold from one place to another, found genuine warmth in the carved beams and painted rafters of the Ximen Mansion, in the deep courtyard of this grand mansion, because of their shared tragic fates.

Seeing the genuine affection in Xiangling's watery eyes, Jinlian'er's scheming thoughts faded somewhat, and she felt that this girl was also a bitter gourd.

She reached out and patted Xiangling's hand, saying, "Alright! Why bring up such old things! Anyway, we sisters are now being loved by our dear master and are also favored by your mistress, so we should support each other even more! You can put your mind at ease. I'll be right back and come to your study to talk to you later!"

With that, she turned and left. She'd only taken two steps when her heart skipped a beat: yesterday, she'd been so impulsive as to steal that newly made soft satin cushion from her study, intending to make her uncomfortable. Now, seeing how pitiful the girl was, it made her seem like a scoundrel… Oh well, she'd find an excuse later and slip it back to her without anyone noticing!
Thinking this, Jinlian turned back and, as if by magic, pulled a small handful of fragrant roasted melon seeds from her sleeve, stuffing them into Xiangling's palm without a word:

"Here, take this! If you get tired of reading, have some sunflower seeds to kill time!" He took a few steps and came back, handing her all the snacks in his other pocket at once: "These are all the ones I've saved up over the years, not just randomly. They're all yours."

Only then did she straighten her jacket and skirt, and facing the blurry water reflection in the lattice window under the corridor, she tidied her temples, twisted her waist, and swayed like a willow in the wind, heading alone into the inner courtyard of the deep mansion.

Xiangling held the handful of melon seeds, still warm from Jinlian'er's palm, and watched her graceful figure disappear into the distance. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Three parts were gratitude for her sudden warmth, three parts were the bittersweet feeling of shared misfortune, and a few more were an indescribable mix of emotions—was it envy of her alluring beauty? Or admiration for her shrewd and resourceful methods? Or regret for my own clumsy and inarticulate nature?
These days, the master hasn't even bothered to step into the study, nor has he touched her. Could it be... that he really doesn't want her anymore? As soon as this thought arose, her heart felt as if it were immersed in ice water, cold and empty.

She hurriedly shook her head, forcing herself to cheer up: Since the master has placed me in the study, he must be hoping that I can read and write and help him with documents. How can I give up on myself? I must study hard so that I can be of some help later.

She rubbed her eyes, which were already sore and tired from reading, took a deep breath, and turned to walk back to the study. But she was still brooding over it: How strange, where did that cushion go yesterday? It's made me afraid to sit properly these past few days, only daring to sit on the edge. The hard chair is hurting my bottom, and I can't even read in peace…

At this moment, inside the side room next to the back garden of the Ximen Mansion.

Mrs. Lin practically melted into Ximen Qing's arms. She tilted her head back, her watery eyes gazing at him dreamily, her hot breath brushing against his neck, her voice sweet and seductive, with a hint of seduction: "My dear father! You have no idea!"

She suddenly tightened her arms around his waist, like vines binding a tree. "Ever since you left my courtyard, my heart feels like it's been scratched empty by cat claws! I count the hours on my fingers, and even though the sun is only just beginning to set, I... I can't sit still! My mind is filled with thoughts of you!"

She gasped for breath, pressing her burning cheek against his chest. "Tell me, this half-day has been harder to endure than ten years of widowhood! I... I'm going crazy!"

Ximen Da Guanren looked down at the pheasant embroidered in gold thread. The bird was upright and dignified.

Mrs. Lin trembled at his deliberate reminder of her status and blatant humiliation. Far from being angry, she didn't loosen her grip; instead, she twisted even tighter like a snake, looking up at him with tears welling in her eyes, her voice both seductive and trembling:
“Gone. All decorum, dignity, and majesty vanish in this world. There’s only you and me, melting into the water, dissolving into the mud.” “I am just a young lady. Only after meeting my father did I realize how much I had wasted my life. Being a young lady is good, being a young lady is joyful!” She chuckled, with a reckless abandon. “In front of you, this living devil, this official robe is a burden! What imperial title? It’s nothing compared to a spark from your fingertip! I recognize you as my ‘lord’! I will be your vanguard officer, Your Majesty Ximen!”

At this moment, the imperial ladies were deeply in love.

Meanwhile, in the capital city...

Gao Qiu, dressed in a brand-new purple imperial robe, was led by the head steward into Cai Jing's study.

Looking at the study filled with antiques and calligraphy, and permeated with ambergris incense, the once dignified and imposing Grand Commandant seemed somewhat uneasy. Every time he came to the Grand Tutor's mansion, he felt as uncomfortable as a country bumpkin who had never seen the world before.

He glanced at Grand Tutor Cai Jing, who was leaning against a rosewood couch, being served by two handsome servants who were peeling a large Yangcheng Lake crab. The crab roe was golden yellow, and Cai Jing slowly dipped it in ginger vinegar, without even lifting his eyelids.

"Grand Tutor, I am sorry to bother you today, but I have two thorny issues that require your guidance before I can feel at ease." Gao Qiu said with a smile, leaning forward slightly.

Cai Jing grunted in acknowledgment, picked out a strand of snow-white crab meat with a silver skewer, and then lifted his eyelids, his gaze cloudy yet unfathomable: "Grand Commandant Gao is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, what could possibly stump you? Tell me."

Gao Qiu swallowed hard, lowering his voice as if afraid of disturbing the luxurious tranquility of the room: "The first thing is that the Salt Commissioner Lin Ruhai has been ordered to return to the capital to report on his duties. This man... is very tough! He's probably going to expose the secrets of the salt administration in Jiangnan."

"I've heard that he's holding something in his hand, pointing directly to... pointing directly to the three-year shortage of salt tax in Jiangnan. If he really gets this reported to the Emperor, I don't know how many heads will roll, and I'm afraid even... even the roots will be shaken!" He emphasized the word "roots" very lightly, but his eyes were fixed on Cai Jing's face.

Cai Jing paused for a moment, the oily roe glistening on his well-maintained fingertips. He slowly sucked on it before saying, "Lin Ruhai? The salt administration's corruption is not a recent phenomenon. He wants to 'clean up the source and rectify the root'? Heh, he'll have to see how muddy the water is and how deep the bottom is. 'Clean' is a word with a knife on its head; don't cut your own hand first."

His tone was calm, but every word carried a chill: “Let him investigate, the more ‘clear’ the better. Only when the waters are murky can one’s ability to fish be revealed. The clearer the investigation, the more afraid he will be. The Grand Commandant only needs to remember that which way the wind blows in the capital is not up to him, a mere censor.”

Gao Qiu understood immediately, knowing that Cai Jing intended to use this situation against him, and might even make Lin Ruhai a target of public criticism. He nodded hurriedly, "Grand Tutor, you are wise! I understand!"

He rubbed his hands together, a genuine sense of indignation on his face: "This second thing... is truly frustrating for me! That scoundrel Wang Ziteng, relying on his current military power as the military governor of the capital, has become increasingly arrogant! Along with his relatives and friends from princely and noble families, they run rampant in the capital, completely disregarding the law!"

“Yesterday…yesterday his scoundrel nephew, Xue Pan of the Xue family in Jinling, rode his horse recklessly in the street and not only knocked my son Gao Kan down, but also…he punched my son and beat him up!”

"My poor son was beaten so badly he was barely human, and he's still bedridden. Grand Tutor, tell me, how can you swallow this insult? If this continues, these nobles who rely on their ancestral privileges will have no respect for the laws of the court, and no respect for your authority."

By the end, Gao Qiu's voice was trembling with tears; three parts were genuine love for his son, and seven parts were an excuse to vent his frustrations.

Cai Jing finally put down the crab shell and wiped his hands with a warm, damp cloth. He stared at Gao Qiu, a cryptic smile playing on his lips: "Wang Ziteng? Ha, he's nothing but a monkey in a crown, relying on his ancestors' legacy. A mere military governor of the capital, does he really think he's the emperor of the capital?"

He picked up a warm, smooth jade Pixiu from the table and played with it, his tone turning cold. "Grand Commandant Gao, your son has been wronged. But... even when beating a dog, you have to consider its owner. Xue Pan beat your son, Grand Commandant Gao, but whose face did the slap hurt more?"

He paused, looking at the anger burning in Gao Qiu's eyes, before slowly continuing, "This capital city may look glamorous, but underneath there are turbulent undercurrents. Prince Teng wants to be 'King'? He'll have to ask who sits on this dragon throne and whether the entire court agrees."

"There are too many monks and not enough porridge. The Wang family's foundation is shallow. The higher they jump, the harder they'll fall... As for those nobles who rely on their seniority, their ancestral legacy won't last many generations." Cai Jing gently placed the jade Pixiu on the table, making a crisp sound.
"For now... let them make a fuss. The more they make a scene, the more some people will seem... an eyesore, and they should be moved. Grand Commandant, you just need to keep a firm grip on what the Ministry of War should be holding and keep a close eye on what it should be keeping an eye on. When the time comes, it will naturally come."

Hearing Cai Jing's instructions, Gao Qiu straightened his back slightly and bowed deeply to Cai Jing: "This humble official is dull-witted, but after the Grand Tutor's guidance, I have suddenly understood! Everything is up to the Grand Tutor to decide!"

Cai Jing waved his hand, as if brushing away some dust: "Go on. The crab will get cold and won't taste good." He picked up another crab, as if the conversation had been nothing more than idle gossip. Gao Qiu bowed and carefully withdrew.

[Mrs. Lin is begging for your monthly votes, Your Majesties!!]

(End of this chapter)