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

Chapter 116 The Deaths of Sun Erniang and Zhang Qing

Ximen Qing saw Zhou Tong and the young Yue Fei off.

Over there, Sun Erniang, like a mother leopard driven to the brink, darted and weaved in the shadows of the alley. Her blood-soaked and mud-stained clothes clung tightly to her skin, and every step she took aggravated her unhealed wounds, causing excruciating pain.

Sweat mixed with blood streamed down her disheveled temples, blurring her vision. The hurried footsteps and crude shouts behind her grew closer.

"There she is! Don't let that wicked woman get away—! The master will reward her handsomely!" The shouts of the servants in the Ximen household were like a death knell.

Sun Erniang gritted her teeth so hard they almost broke, her eyes flashing with ferocity! She stomped her foot abruptly, no longer hiding, and with a "whoosh," drew her pair of gleaming twin swords from her back! She charged toward the city gate.

At that moment, the minor officials on duty at the city gate were huddled in the sheltered doorway, yawning listlessly. The leader was a slick old official named Wang San'er, who had managed to get this lucrative job guarding the city gate thanks to his cousin's position as a clerk in the county government.

Suddenly, they heard distant shouts of battle, mixed with cries of "notorious bandits!" The few relatives and nephews who had just been brought in from the countryside through connections had never seen anything like this before. They panicked instantly, their faces turning pale, their legs going weak. They frantically tried to move the heavy chevaux-de-frise, wishing they could immediately block the city gate.
"What the hell are you panicking for!" Wang San'er didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, a dry stalk of grass dangling from his mouth as he slowly picked at the bits of meat stuck between his yellow teeth, muttering a curse:

"Look at you cowards! You're scared into hiding at the slightest sound? In Qinghe County, every day at least ten or eight of them die, and every day at least three or five gangs of petty thieves are caught. If you catch them, the credit goes in red ink on the officials' books; if you don't, the beatings will fall on our worthless bodies, won't they? You only get a few copper coins a month, is it worth risking your livelihood?"

He spat out a mouthful of phlegm, slumped lazily in his chair, and pointed the straw stick at Qinghe City: "You bunch of clueless brats, what do you know! Those desperados are all demons on the list of the King of Hell! If you show off today and block them in the city, believe me, before midnight, someone will sneak up to your door in the dark, slit your throat with a knife, and then swagger out of the city?"

"What's the point of fighting like this? It's just for show, a bluff, don't you understand? Just show that firewood stick you're holding, shout a couple of times, that's all! If that guy really comes at you, then retreat! Just walk away, and everyone will be fine! Let them go, why would you actually fight to the death? Bah! Did a donkey kick your head, or did you get your head caught in a door?"

The young men, their faces turning purple from his scolding, nodded frantically like chickens pecking at rice. The swords and spears they had just raised drooped again, their bodies involuntarily shrinking behind the slippery old official Wang San'er, wishing they could turn into geckos and disappear into the cracks in the brick wall to hide away.

No sooner said than done! Before the words had even finished, the shouts of battle, like rolling thunder, were already upon them!

But then came a flurry of figures. A woman, her hair disheveled and her appearance like a madwoman, was covered in blood. She held two steel knives in her hands and looked like a female demon crawling out of the underworld. She charged straight toward the gap in the city gate!

Behind her, the ravenous servants of the Ximen household, their eyes bloodshot and foaming at the mouth, chased after her frantically, screaming for her life.
"Stop that wicked woman! Don't let her leave the city! This is a wanted criminal by Master Ximen! Dead or alive, a huge reward awaits her capture!"

The seven words "Master Ximen's Residence" were like a thunderbolt in the clear sky, hitting Wang San'er's protruding ears squarely!
Just moments ago, Wang San'er was sprawled on the ground, looking lazy and nonchalant, as if "the sky is falling and someone else will hold it up." Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he looked exactly like a clay Vajra statue from a temple!

Suddenly, a gleam of light, like a starving dog seeing hot excrement or a fly swarming onto rotten meat, shot from his cloudy old eyes! He let out a howl, truly like someone stung by a scorpion!

He sprang up from the ground with a "whoosh," his agility hardly befitting a seasoned official in his forties. With a backhand kick, he slammed a terrified nephew in the backside, spitting as he cursed loudly:
"Go to hell! Did you stuff donkey hair in your ears?! Didn't you hear that it's the Ximen family's mansion apprehending a notorious bandit?! And you're still standing here waiting for the King of Hell to call you?! Grab your weapons! Block the city gates—! Quick! Lower the bolts—!"

Upon seeing the younger members of the clan, he said in a bewildered tone, "Uncle, didn't you just say..."

Wang San'er slapped her hard across the face, screaming at the top of his lungs as he frantically grabbed the iron ruler and the thick iron chain leaning against the wall. The greasy laziness on his face had long been replaced by madness, and oily sweat mixed with spittle sprayed all over his face.
"You stupid fools! How many times in life do you get to gamble? If not now, when? This is a petty thief from Master Ximen's mansion! If we catch this thieving woman, the Master will spare some silver and silver from between his fingers, enough for you poor bastards to build a bright, spacious five-room house with brick walls in your hometown, and marry a beautiful young woman. And you're still cowering back?! Go for it! If you catch her, everyone gets a share, and I'll take you to a brothel for three days and three nights of fun!"

Before he finished speaking, Wang San'er, as if he had been injected with chicken blood, brandished his iron spear and charged forward, howling, to meet the blood-soaked Sun Erniang!

Those few village relatives who had been timid just moments before suddenly had a buzzing in their heads, their eyes turned red, and they forgot all their fear. They howled and raised their simple knives, spears, and clubs, following Wang San'er in a chaotic rush to surround the blood-red figure that was about to rush into the city gate!
When Sun Erniang saw that the soldiers, who were usually lazy as mud, were now all like wolves and tigers, brandishing their gleaming swords and spears, and rushing towards her with glaring eyes, she was first startled.

Looking back at the city gate, one could see that the two heavy vermilion doors had been pushed shut tightly, and several soldiers in full armor were holding the bolts shut, leaving no gap whatsoever!
Sun Erniang spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, but dared not slacken her pace in the slightest. Seeing that the soldiers' iron-clad formation had been completed, blocking the long street completely, she had no choice but to twist her waist, perform a somersault, and crash into a narrow alley to the side.

The alley was very deep, flanked by high walls that blocked out the scorching sun, leaving only a cold, shadowy trail. She ran as fast as she could, hearing only her own heavy breathing and the chaotic footsteps and shouts of the soldiers behind her, echoing and buzzing through the narrow alley walls.

She weaved and twisted, deliberately choosing the filthy, winding corners piled high with broken baskets and rotten buckets to squeeze into. She didn't know how long she had been crawling around, but the agonizing sounds behind her finally began to fade. Sun Erniang leaned against a damp, cold brick wall, panting heavily, her heart pounding like a drum.

She raised her hand to wipe her face; her hands were sticky, covered in blood splattered from the fight, carrying a metallic, metallic stench. Sweat mixed with blood streamed down her face, stinging her eyes. As her breathing calmed slightly, she prepared to find a safe way to escape. Just as her mind relaxed slightly, a sudden gust of wind swept up from behind her!
Sun Erniang, a woman accustomed to the dangers of life, sensed something was wrong and tried to twist and dodge, but it was too late. With a muffled thud, a heavy, wet, hard object, reeking of a mixture of rotten wood and stinking sewer, struck her squarely on the back of the neck!

The force of the blow was extremely strong, like a thousand-pound hammer hitting her, making her see stars and hear a buzzing sound in her ears, as if a million flies had exploded in their nest.

She stumbled, her vision blurred, and her body went limp as she collapsed forward. In her dazed state, she vaguely sensed several dark figures leaping out like hungry dogs from the filthy shadows of the walls on either side, snarling and swearing:

"Finally found this woman! Quick! Tie her up!"

"Brother's 'hit' technique is getting better and better. Look at this woman, she's as soft as dough!"

"Hurry up and tie it tightly! This is for Master Ximen's residence!"

Several rough hemp ropes, reeking of mildew, coiled around her like venomous snakes, digging into Sun Erniang's blood- and sweat-stained flesh, causing both tightness and pain. Several men worked together roughly, their hands heavy, pulling and binding her, their rough knuckles deliberately pinching and squeezing her body with a filthy, indecent manner.

Sun Erniang struggled with her last shred of consciousness, trying to break free, but her body felt as if it had fallen apart, limp and powerless; she tried to curse, but only a few muffled sobs escaped her throat before her vision was completely swallowed by thick darkness.

Unexpectedly, after years of wandering the martial world and evading countless pursuits by government troops, he was unexpectedly defeated and killed by a few scoundrels who had treated him like dirt.

In front of the Ximen Mansion.

Ximen Qing stood under the dripping eaves, watching Zhou Tong and the young Yue Fei gradually disappear into the crowd at the street corner, leaving only the long shadows of the sun.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Wu Song behind him. The man stood as straight as a javelin, his tiger-like eyes gleaming, constantly scanning the shadows of the trees and walls around the mansion gate, his muscles taut.

Ximen Qing smirked, revealing a hint of amusement. He turned around and tapped Wu Song's tense shoulder with his fan, saying, "Wu Song, you're being too careful! This is Qinghe County. Relax a bit, don't be as tense as a taut crossbow."

Upon hearing this, Wu Song's taut jaw did not relax in the slightest. He bowed slightly, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable ruthlessness: "My lord, please allow me to speak. Since I, Wu Er, have received your favor, I am now a servant of your household! As the saying goes, one who eats the master's food must do the master's work! This duty of guarding cannot be relaxed for a moment!"

He paused, lowering his voice slightly: "...Moreover, the hopes for our Wu family to continue its lineage and flourish now rest entirely on your shoulders, Master. My elder brother's marriage depends entirely on your decision. This is a matter of utmost importance; how could I, Wu Er, dare to be negligent in the slightest?"

Upon hearing this, Master Ximen laughed heartily and patted Wu Song's hard arm heavily: "Why didn't you plead for those two notorious thieves just now?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Song forced a bitter smile, the lines of which were thick with bitterness: "My lord, you jest. We outlaws live a life of constant danger, risking our lives for a living. We never know what tomorrow will bring. If it weren't for your kindness in pulling me out of that quagmire of the Yanggu County case and giving me some semblance of dignity, how would I, Wu Er, be any different from them now? In any case... we would all have to face this day."

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, his eyes dimming: "Besides, what use would my pleading be? I, Wu Song, may be a rough man, but I'm not a fool! What am I now? Just a guard in the master's mansion, and I naturally have to follow the master's orders in everything I do."

Wu Song suddenly raised his head, his tiger-like eyes staring straight at Ximen Qing, with a hint of pleading: "If... if their corpses are dragged to the execution ground and displayed to the public... I beg you, sir, to have mercy and allow me, Wu Er, to collect their bodies! I'll buy two thin coffins, find a mass grave, and bury them there, so that our past brotherhood can be preserved and they won't be eaten by wild dogs! I... I, Wu Er, kowtow to you!" As he spoke, he began to bow down.

Ximen Qing quickly reached out to help him up, saying, "It's nothing, just a small matter. I'll take care of it!" He patted Wu Song's hard arm and said, "Don't be too sad. When a person dies, it's like a lamp going out. Those who are alive must look forward!"

"Tomorrow I'll call that matchmaker from Qinghe County over to find a good wife for your elder brother, Wu Da. The world is in such a state of decline; there are many impoverished scholars. If she can't find a suitable match, I'll pay for one myself. Your brother's pancake business needs someone to support him! Dai'an—"

"I'm here!" Dai'an emerged from behind the pillar like an eel.

"Take Director Wu to that newly renovated fine room in the west courtyard to rest! Use freshly fluffed cotton from the storeroom for the bedding, and scent it with benzoin! When the younger ones return, let them meet Director Wu, and they can train under his guidance from now on."

“Yes!” Dai’an replied.

late at night.

Inside the hall, the candlelight flickered red, casting a dim glow on the carved beams and painted rafters, with light and shadow crawling erratically across the gilded and painted surfaces.

Ximen Qing sat casually on a large mother-of-pearl inlaid armchair, with a gold-threaded satin pillow beneath him. His robe was open, revealing a section of Songjiang silk undergarment, and his fingers tapped idly on the sandalwood armrest.

Kneeling on the ground, Sun Erniang was bound like a dumpling with thick hemp rope, bearing no resemblance to her former "she-devil" prowess. She looked like a wandering soul dragged from the deepest hell. Her once black hair was disheveled like withered autumn grass, covered in mud, sweat, and dark purple blood clots, sticking wetly to her sallow face.

Those eyes were fixed on Ximen Da Guanren's face like a venomous snake's tongue, as if they wanted to tear two pieces of flesh off him. Their resentment was also wrapped in a kind of madness that disregarded life and death and wanted to perish together with him.

"Ximen Qing! You damned scoundrel! You shameless beast!" Sun Erniang suddenly struggled, the veins on her neck bulging like earthworms, her voice hoarse like a broken gong scraping the bottom of a pot, yet sharp enough to pierce the eardrums: "You will die a horrible death! May you be struck by lightning! May you never be reincarnated! May you be boiled in oil! May you be rolled on a bed of nails! May you be skinned alive!"

She struggled frantically, the thick hemp rope digging deep into her flesh, rubbing against her open wound, causing blood to seep out, but she was completely unaware, like a live fish being scaled on a chopping board, desperately jumping and thrashing about.

"Come on! If you've got the guts, just kill me now! Give me a quick death!" She spat out spittle mixed with blood and screamed hoarsely, "Don't you dare? You spineless castrated donkey! You coward! Are you afraid of my worthless bones? Come on! Hit me! Kill me! Slice me! Go ahead and do it—!"

Master Ximen clapped his hands and laughed, "Well said! You really know how to provoke me! Are you trying to provoke me? Are you hoping that I'll get angry and give you a good beating? Or at the very least, that I'll whip you and brand you with a hot iron, tearing your worthless skin to shreds so you can use the pain in your body to cover up the pain in your heart? Is that it?"

Sun Erniang's frantic screams were abruptly cut off by his words. She suddenly raised her blood-red head, her eyes, filled with spiderweb-like blood vessels, and stared intently at the official's face.

The official snorted coldly and said slowly:
"You're acting like this, throwing a tantrum, all because Zhang Qing is dead! It feels like a huge chunk has been ripped out of your heart with a dull knife, and the pain is so intense you wish you could go with him right now, isn't it?"

The official laughed, "I won't! I'll keep you alive! So you'll think about how Zhang Qing died in front of you day and night! You dragged him down! You killed him!"

Sun Erniang was struck where it hurt most, her whole body trembled violently, her blood-stained face contorted with muscles, and she made a "hoarse" sound in her throat as she opened her mouth to howl again.

The official didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, only letting out a soft "hmm?" through gritted teeth.

Lai Bao, who was standing nearby, was very quick-witted. He immediately rushed forward, pulled out a greasy, smelly rag from somewhere, and stuffed it into Sun Erniang's mouth. She choked until her eyes rolled back and she could only groan "woo woo".

The official chuckled again: "Do you feel that shouting it out makes the excruciating pain in your heart a little easier? I—will not allow it to be shouted out!"

He pointed at Sun Erniang: "You know heartache today, do you even deserve it? Those merchants who were chopped into mincemeat and used to make human flesh buns, didn't they have parents waiting anxiously at their doors? Didn't they have wives who cried until they went blind? Did you see them crying their hearts out, wishing they were dead?"

The official shook his head: "If you can't see it, you can't imagine it either. If you can't imagine it, then think about it slowly."

He asked Lai Bao lazily, "Where are the yamen runners?"

Lai Bao replied with a smile, "Reporting to you, sir, they are all waiting outside the ceremonial gate. They dare not come in and make a fuss. The leader, Zhang Yashi, said that you should take your time and not rush. As long as they are given a whole body to carry back and report, they will be eternally grateful and will kowtow to you!"

Ximen Da Guanren waved his hand: "Drag them out to them! So as not to defile the master's territory!" "Yes, Uncle!" Lai Bao responded loudly, turned around and gestured towards the door.

Immediately, two fierce guards rushed forward. One grabbed Sun Erniang's disheveled hair, and the other grabbed the tight rope behind her back, dragging her away like a dead dog.

As they spoke, Dai'an led in seven or eight burly, clumsy men who had been waiting outside for a long time. Each of them had their chests exposed and their headscarves askew. This group of ruffians entered the hall, and upon seeing Master Ximen sitting high above them, they hurriedly knelt down with a series of thuds, kowtowing repeatedly and shouting incoherently, "We kowtow to our master!" "May our master be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace!"

Ximen Da Guanren slightly raised his eyelids and said slowly, "Today's matter has been handled by you few, which can be considered a meritorious service."

He gestured to Dai'an, who was standing beside him, and said, "Dai'an, bring that bag of silver and give it to them to buy some wine to calm their nerves." Dai'an replied, "Yes," and deftly pulled out a heavy silver bag sealed with red paper from his pocket.

The hooligans kneeling on the ground immediately shook their heads upon hearing this.

The leader, a weasel-faced ruffian, crawled half a step on his knees, looked up at him with a fawning smile, and said, "Father, please forgive me! What happened today is infuriating! It's all that Zhang Erlu's fault! He was drunk and couldn't control his loose tongue, so he revealed the place where you were staying to that tigress! That's why this whole mess happened!"

"By the time we get sober and go settle the score with him, that bastard will have vanished without a trace! He's probably hiding in another county!" He got angrier and angrier, spitting everywhere, and the hooligans around him joined in the cursing: "Zhang Erlu deserves to be torn to pieces!" "Traitorous dog!" "We'll skin him alive when we catch him!"

Master Ximen waved his hand, silencing the crowd: "Alright, let's keep things separate. He leaked my information, that's his fault; you guys were credited for reporting the news. As for the silver," he gestured with his chin to the purse in Dai'an's hand, "it should still be rewarded."

He abruptly changed the subject, his eyes turning cold: "But that Zhang Erlu... Hmph! You all keep an eye out for me. If he runs back to Qinghe County, use whatever means necessary to 'bring' him here! I want to ask him what kind of audacity he's got!"

Upon hearing this, the gang of hooligans were overjoyed. Not only would they receive a reward, but they would also be able to do errands for the high-ranking official and arrest people—it was an incredible honor! They were so happy that they scratched their heads and kowtowed even more enthusiastically, their foreheads thumping against the blue brick floor. They eagerly patted their chests and pledged their loyalty: "Don't worry, Master! We've got it covered!" "We'll dig three feet into the ground and find that bastard for you!" "We'll cast our nets right now, and he won't be able to escape!" "We'll make that ungrateful thief kneel before Master and kowtow to confess his crimes!"

Looking at the group of ruffians who were overjoyed and swearing oaths, Master Ximen gave a soft "hmm" to indicate that he understood. Dai'an, understanding, stepped forward and tossed the silver pouch to the leader. The ruffians caught the silver, kowtowed several times in gratitude, and then happily shoved and jostled their way out.

It was already late at night when I finished dealing with all of this.

The scene from the daytime was churning in the official's mind, especially the two "featherless arrows" that had proven so useful. Thinking of this, his heart pounded like boiling water, and he went alone through the corridors and courtyards, heading straight for the martial arts training ground in the back garden.

The area was completely silent, save for the chirping of insects. The pale moonlight cast long shadows of the weapon racks and stone locks.

The wealthy man quickly ripped off his outer robe, revealing a muscular physique. He grabbed a white waxwood staff and began to wield it with practiced ease. The staff flashed and whistled through the air, shattering the pale moonlight. After completing a set of staff techniques, he was slightly sweaty, his muscles and bones felt loosened, and he was drenched in sweat. His sense of pride and excitement were now barely contained.

Just as he was about to practice his two featherless arrow techniques, he suddenly caught a glimpse of the top of the wall out of the corner of his eye!
Under the pale moonlight, a small, white hand, like a pink dumpling, was clinging to the blue bricks on the wall. Then, a small head peeked up furtively, its dark eyes peering into the field—who else could it be but Li Ping'er from next door?

Ximen Qing was both amused and exasperated; Li Ping'er was truly suppressing her emotions quite severely. He grinned, flicked his wrist to pluck a grape, and with a slight effort, sent it hurtling towards the pink, round arm with a "whoosh!"

"Ouch!" A short, sharp cry of pain came from outside the wall, followed by a muffled thud, as if something had fallen heavily to the ground. Then, there was silence.

The smile on Ximen Da Guanren's face froze. He never expected... that the blow would be so real. The deathly silence outside the wall made his heart sink.

"Oh no! Did I miss and hit a vital spot?" The official rushed to the base of the wall, moved a stone weight used for strength training, dragged over a low stone table for weapons, slammed the weight onto the table, and, standing on these shaky "stilts," anxiously peered over the wall—

On the path in the back garden of the Hua family outside the wall, the moonlight shone like quicksilver. There, Li Ping'er's small body lay limply on the bluestone slab, her eyes closed, her exquisitely beautiful face as pale as paper, completely still and silent!

The official didn't care about anything else. He braced himself against the wall, and his strong body flipped over like a cat.

It was already late autumn, the moon was cold, and the chill seeped into my skin.

Li Ping'er lay on the ground with her eyes tightly closed, wearing a slightly worn, moon-white Hangzhou silk jacket over a green Lu silk skirt. Strangely, the jacket was not tied tightly and was half-open at an angle.

Her skirt hung loosely at the waist, making her waist appear even more supple and boneless, winding like a water snake on the ground. She was naturally very fair-skinned, unlike Qin Keqing's milky white, and had a voluptuous figure. Lying there, she shimmered in the moonlight, looking exactly like a fine Ding kiln white porcelain Guanyin, delicate and smooth, without any flaws, yet with a hint of pink showing through her veins. She truly had ice-like skin and jade-like bones, so white it was dazzling.

The official rushed to Li Ping'er's side, squatted down, and reached out to check her breath. Finding it barely perceptible, he quickly bent down and placed his large hand on Li Ping'er's chest for CPR.

After pressing several times, his wide mouth covered hers, almost touching her slightly parted, cherry-like lips. Just as their breaths met and their lips were about to close, the official suddenly felt a soft, warm, and sweet-smelling lilac. He couldn't resist and, without thinking, timidly and slyly peeked out from her mouth to touch her.

The official immediately realized he had been tricked! He abruptly stood up and was about to leave without a word.

Upon seeing this, Li Ping'er panicked and could no longer pretend. She hurriedly opened her large, watery, and affectionate almond-shaped eyes, disregarding her disheveled clothes, and stretched out her two jade-like arms to hug the master who was about to take a step forward. She cried out in a pitiful voice, "Master! How cruel you are! You hit me and then you're going to abandon me? Touch my face, is it your grape?"

Ximen Qing felt her soft body pressed against his calves as she hugged his legs, a smooth, warm sensation washing over him. He looked down at Li Ping'er's upturned face, glistening with tears, her breath coming in soft gasps. Her bodice was half-concealed, revealing a glimpse of her voluptuous figure. A few drops of purplish-red grape juice, thick as honey, stood out starkly against her almost translucent white skin. He hardened his heart, forcefully pulling his legs away, and shouted, "Let go! I don't have time for your games!"

Li Ping'er refused to let go, clinging even tighter. Seeing her persistent embrace, Ximen Qing became even more ruthless. He stomped his other foot on the ground and, taking advantage of the moment when Li Ping'er loosened her grip in pain, forcefully pulled his leg away. Without turning his head, he strode to the base of the courtyard wall, aimed carefully, and with a leap, his agile figure scaled the wall like a cat, disappearing into the deep night in the blink of an eye, leaving only a few withered leaves fluttering down from the top of the wall.

Li Ping'er collapsed to the ground, the cold stone bricks digging into her delicate buttocks. She watched helplessly as her nemesis scaled the wall and disappeared, leaving not even a glimpse of his back. All her tender feelings and carefully planned romantic encounters had vanished without a trace.

She stomped her foot angrily, ignoring the cold ground beneath her delicate feet. Pouting her still-moist and rosy lips, tinged with the scent of her master, she turned towards the direction he had disappeared, her voice a mixture of grievance and coquettishness as she muttered, "Pah! That cowardly, heartless master! He wouldn't even dare to eat the meat offered to him, the red apricot that had climbed over the wall… He's such a useless, intimidating figure!"

Early morning of the second day.

The frost was heavy in late autumn, and the sky was gray.

The two vermilion gates with beast-head designs of the Ning and Rong mansions creaked open, rolling over the doorposts and scattering a few withered sycamore leaves.

The first to emerge was the frail and sickly Qin Keqing. She wore a plain white crane-feather cloak lined with silver fur and covered with brocade, the wide cloak unable to conceal her voluptuous and alluring figure.

Her face was as pale as snow, adding to her delicate, willow-like charm. Yet, her breasts were towering and astonishingly full, hanging heavily, making her slender waist appear even more fragile, as if she were cradling two restless rabbits in her bosom. Beneath her skirt, a pair of small, jade-like feet, clad in thick-soled embroidered shoes, swayed precariously on the cold stone steps.

Following closely behind, a fragrant breeze carried her brisk and energetic appearance as she emerged—it was Wang Xifeng. She wore a gold-embroidered satin jacket, paired with a dark green skirt sprinkled with gold chrysanthemums, and her gold hairpins swayed in the dim light of the day, still shining brightly.

Sister Feng was voluptuous, and her movements carried a fiery and spirited air. What was most eye-catching was the round, heavy bosom wrapped under her skirt! The thick and stiff fabric of the horse-face skirt was stretched to be round and full, with a distinct outline, weighing down the hem and exuding a robust and sensual charm.

When she walks, it's truly like lotus leaves swaying in the wind, her hips creating ripples.

Wang Xifeng immediately noticed Qin Keqing, supported by a maid, her face deathly pale. Her usually captivating almond-shaped eyes had lost their luster, replaced by a weary, dull look. Xifeng's heart skipped a beat. She hurried forward, grabbing Qin Keqing's cool, smooth arm. Her touch revealed a limp, weak arm; even through her clothes, she could feel its underlying fragility. She furrowed her delicately drawn willow-leaf eyebrows and spoke rapidly, her voice clear yet urgent:

"Oh my little darling! Why does your face look more and more like a snowman? Are those imperial physicians all useless? Look at your hands, they're so cold! Don't stand in this draft, or you'll get more cold air in!"

As she spoke, she led the limp Qin Keqing towards her own ornately decorated carriage, which was already waiting for her. "Quick! Get in my carriage! Let's squeeze in together, it'll be warm! We can part ways once we get to the city gate anyway! Your body can't take any more bumpy rides alone!"

Supported by her, Qin Keqing felt the warm, fragrant scent of perfume emanating from Feng Jie, a blend of vibrant life force and her own medicinal scent and gloom, wafting towards her. She smiled and nodded, her pale lips slightly parted: "It's not that serious yet, thank you for your trouble, Second Aunt!" She then let Feng Jie practically carry her into the warm, comfortable carriage, which was covered with thick brocade.

The wheels rumbled, rolling over the leaf-strewn streets. Inside the carriage, the warm glow of the stove shielded the carriage from the bleak autumn chill outside. Wang Xifeng sat close to Qin Keqing, her full, rounded buttocks pressing a deep indentation into the brocade quilt. She turned to the side, carefully tucking in the edges of Qin Keqing's crane-feather cloak, then touched her still-cold hands. She let out a long sigh, her sharp, capable demeanor fading considerably, replaced by genuine weariness and resentment.

"Ke'er," Wang Xifeng lowered her voice, her clear voice now tinged with a hint of hoarse sorrow, "Tell me about our lives. To outsiders, it looks like we're living a life of luxury and prosperity, but only we know what it's really like inside! I have a fire burning inside me, and a block of ice blocking my throat, with nowhere to tell!"

She paused, then continued, "You have no idea, those lawless scoundrels in the manor, those short-sighted lackeys, and those...those heartless bastards!" Her voice suddenly rose as she said "heartless bastards," filled with gnashing hatred, her full breasts heaving with anger.

"All they do all day is steal chickens and dogs, or scheme to make money and keep mistresses! Am I, Wang Xifeng, made of iron? Managing such a huge mess, inside and out, up and down, which part doesn't require my attention? If anything goes wrong, isn't it my fault? If I loosen my grip even a little, those scoundrels will tear a hole in the sky! What am I working so hard for? I end up with nothing but complaints, pleasing neither side!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, her eyebrows furrowed, her phoenix eyes practically spitting fire, and her round buttocks tensed with agitation.

Qin Keqing leaned against the soft pillows, listening to Feng Jie's complaints. Looking at her face, made even more vibrant and radiant by anger, a pang of shared sorrow welled up within her. She reached out her still-cold hand and gently placed it on the back of Wang Xifeng's hand, which rested on her lap, her knuckles white from the pressure, and softly said:
"Don't be angry. Everyone in the household knows how capable you are. The matriarch and the ladies value you highly. Those foolish and heartless people are ultimately worthless; they're not worth getting upset over."

"Auntie, you're like a burning coal fire—too strong, and you're easily broken. It's most important to take care of yourself when you need to rest."

“Ke’er, this isn’t even the worst part! You have no idea what my situation is like right now, I’m truly like a rat in a bellows – suffering from both sides! Those two upstairs…” Wang Xifeng gestured towards the roof of the carriage, indicating the highest level of the Rongguo Mansion, “The old lady’s side, of course, is all about being perfect, everything has to be respectable, grand, lively, and festive! Only when the old lady is happy can the whole mansion have a good life. But the madam’s side…”

She paused, "Madam is particular about 'frugality,' 'rules,' and 'propriety'! She'd rather split every penny in half, and she'd scrutinize the accounts with her eyes wide open! If you mention anything, Madam's gaze would turn cold, and her words would subtly imply that 'you don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household.'"

Wang Xifeng sighed heavily: "Tell me, how am I supposed to live, being caught in the middle? The old lady wants to see plays, throw banquets, and give gifts, and the money just flows out like water. Can I say nothing? Then when the madam checks the accounts, her brows furrow so deeply they could trap a fly, and she says, 'How come this month's expenses are over again? Feng'er, you should be more careful with your spending,' which leaves me speechless!"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke: "As both a granddaughter-in-law and a niece-in-law, I can't afford to offend either side! I have to listen to both sides, understand their intentions, and do things in a way that leaves no room for criticism from either side! If I'm not careful, either the old lady will think I'm not filial enough, or my wife will think I don't know how to manage the household!"

Wang Xifeng's voice trembled with a barely perceptible sob, and her usually shrewd and sharp phoenix eyes were veiled with tears, making her appear exceptionally vulnerable: "My heart is... so bitter! It's like a mute eating bitter melon, I can't express my suffering! Who can I tell? To that heartless Lian Er? He'd love to see me make a fool of myself! To Ping'er? She's just a maid after all, some things... sigh!"

She took a deep breath and moved even closer to Qin Keqing:

“Ke’er… that’s not all… the worst part is…” She glanced nervously at the tightly closed carriage curtain, as if afraid there were ears behind it. “A few days ago… Madam called me in alone… her face was ashen… saying that my uncle was in trouble at his post and urgently needed money to tide him over, and the amount was not small! Madam’s intention… was for me, the head of the household, to do whatever it takes to get a sum of money before the end of the month and secretly send it to the Wang family…”

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Qin Keqing's pale face, and her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly.

Wang Xifeng grasped Qin Keqing's icy hand, her palm burning hot and slightly sweaty, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "My dear Ke'er! Listen to this! This...this is going to kill me! Madam repeatedly warned that this matter must not be mentioned to the Old Madam even slightly!"

She spoke more and more urgently, her words coming out like popping beans, filled with unvented anxiety: "Tell me! What am I supposed to do?! The manor has just had a few big events, and the accounts are already tight! The old lady is still thinking of ways to make things lively and add more things!"

"But what can I do? The Wang family is my maternal family! Can I say no? If the Wang family falls, what foundation will I have left in the Jia family? That heartless Lian Er, can I count on him?!"

Keqing leaned against the soft pillows, listening quietly to Wang Xifeng's heartfelt words. Looking at Feng Jie'er's cheeks, slightly flushed with excitement and grievance, her tightly furrowed brows, and her fingers, white from tightly twisting her handkerchief, and thinking of her usual shrewd and powerful demeanor in front of others, a strong feeling of bitterness and pity welled up in her heart.

She knew all too well the dangers and intrigues lurking within this grand mansion, especially the position of the matriarch, a place where one treads on thin ice. She extended her still-cold hand and pressed it even closer to Wang Xifeng's trembling hand, softly offering words of comfort:

"Second Aunt, please stop talking, I understand! You're like that umbrella at the very front... shielding us from the rain above and the wind below... all the wind, frost, rain, and snow fall on your shoulders... you've suffered so much..."

"Take my advice: sometimes you have to play dumb. Don't take on everything yourself. Delegate what needs to be delegated. At least you can catch your breath! It's your own body. If you overwork yourself, who will really care about you?"

Wang Xifeng felt the cool, soft touch on the back of her hand, and listened to Qin Keqing's gentle words of comfort, which made her feel much better.

She looked at Qin Keqing's pale, sickly face, yet still undeniably beautiful, and grasped Qin Keqing's cold hand in return, sighing, "Only you... can still say something comforting. My heart..." She shook her head and didn't finish her sentence.

The wheels rolled on, crushing the official road before the start of winter. One man, with a heart full of ambition, was frail and sickly. The other, with a heart brimming with ambition, was restless and restless. The wealth and elegance within this grand mansion were ultimately shackles wrapped in brocade.

(End of this chapter)