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

Chapter 119 Debt Collection, Seeking Medicine
Ximen Da Guanren arrived at his own herbal medicine shop.

The open space on the side of the shop, which was specially set aside for merchants to tether their horses and park their cars, looked quite different from usual.

Three meticulously crafted carriages, exuding the air of a noble family, came to a steady stop. The lead carriage was particularly exquisite, its body made of fine nanmu wood with a serene lacquer finish. The carriage railings were made of thick, fine, dark blue silk, lacking any dazzling patterns, yet the materials and workmanship were superb. The windows were draped with plain brocade curtains of the same color, providing complete privacy.

The two carriages behind were slightly smaller and more simply decorated, but still maintained the proper dimensions, clearly belonging to the accompanying servants and maids.

All of the dozen or so horses had smooth coats and well-proportioned bodies, clearly indicating that they were carefully raised, top-quality steeds.

Several servants stood around the carriage, maintaining an orderly fashion.

A few steps away from the carriage stood a dozen or so burly men dressed in uniform servant's attire. Though they carried no swords, their backs were straight, and their eyes calmly scanned the street. They were clearly trusted servants of the household who regularly accompanied their masters on outings and were responsible for their safety. Their posture was not deliberately ostentatious, but their composed demeanor deterred ordinary bystanders from approaching them easily.

A few steps from the shop, he sensed something was amiss. The shop, usually bustling and noisy, filled with loud voices and the pungent smell of medicine, now exuded an unusual solemnity and discipline. It was as if the shop assistants had been transformed overnight, from rough men struggling to make a living in the marketplace into refined and elegant lecturers on duty in the Hanlin Academy, even their breathing carrying a hint of restraint.

He stepped inside, and the feeling intensified. The shop assistants stood ramrod straight, their usual slick smiles completely gone, replaced by utmost deference. One assistant was gently wiping the counter, his movements so delicate as if afraid to disturb the dust in the air.

The weight was placed lightly, the abacus was turned gently, and even the mulberry paper used to wrap the medicine made only a very faint rustling sound. A cautious silence permeated the entire shop, the source of which was the figure sitting upright in the only elm wood armchair.

The woman sat with her back to the door, her posture serene and graceful, like a lady stepping out of a painting. A veil covered her head completely. The long, thick veil hanging from the brim draped down to her waist, its shadowy form appearing as if veiled by a thin mist, making her figure all the more mysterious and enigmatic.

Although her face and figure were obscured by the veil, her overall demeanor was gentle and serene, exuding an indescribable air of nobility. Behind her, on either side, stood two slender maids, both with their hands at their sides and their eyes lowered, holding their breath in concentration.

But then a very soft, gentle voice came from under the veil, speaking gently to a shop assistant: "Young man, that old man coughing by the door just now sounded quite pitiful. If your shop has any honey pills that nourish the lungs and replenish qi, could you please pack a few for him?"

The voice paused, becoming even softer and more melodious, "...There's no need to mention me, just say it's a new recipe we're trying out in the shop, please have a taste, sir."

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant's face immediately lit up with utmost respect. He bent his back even lower and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "Oh my, Madam, you are truly a compassionate woman! I kowtow and thank you on behalf of old Li! That poor old man coughs like a shrimp, he can't even breathe properly, what a pitiful fellow! Madam, you have done a great service!" With that, he turned to go to the counter to get the medicine.

At this moment, a maid standing to the side glanced at him and quietly slipped her hand into a slightly worn blue satin pouch she carried with her.

She deftly picked out a small ingot of silver with her fingers, and without a word, silently handed it to the shop assistant. Her movements were swift and precise, showing that she was experienced in serving others and knew their intentions well.

The woman under the veil seemed to tilt her head slightly, her voice still soft as willow catkins brushing the water: "Ruizhu, Baozhu, you must be tired from the journey. After standing for half a day, can your legs still hold up? Go sit on that bench over there and rest for a while."

Upon hearing this, Ruizhu and Baozhu shook their heads vigorously, saying in unison, "Replying to Grandma, we are not tired." "Wherever Grandma is, we will serve her there, and we would never dare to shirk our duties."

The woman, through layers of light veils, seemed to sigh silently and very softly. In that sigh, there was a deep sense of pity, and also a hint of helplessness.

She didn't insist, but said gently, "You got up with me at dawn. The journey has been bumpy and tiring, and your bones must be about to fall apart. How could you not be tired? You're just forcing yourselves to keep going... Since you're unwilling... for now, I'll have to make you stand for a little longer."

Ximen Da Guanren watched coldly, waving his gold-flecked fan, secretly praising her: "What a wonderfully clever and insightful person! She's meticulous, compassionate towards the poor and weak, and acts so thoughtfully, never taking advantage of anyone. Tsk tsk, in just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, she's transformed this pharmacy into a place of solemnity and order, like a Buddhist temple. It's truly an honor to have her humble abode shine! No wonder Wang Si'er called her a fairy descended from heaven."

Just as he was internally evaluating the situation, the shop assistant and the manager, both with sharp eyes, spotted him standing at the door. They hurriedly dropped what they were doing, put on fawning smiles, and bowed as low as shrimps, chanting in unison, "Greetings to the esteemed sir!"

This sound startled the figure seated like a Bodhisattva. Upon hearing it, she paused slightly, then gracefully and unhurriedly turned around. Through the long, hazy veil, Ximen Qing could only vaguely make out an extremely graceful silhouette, like viewing a flower through clouds and mist.

Behind the sheer veil, it seemed, lay a pair of beautiful eyes, like pools of spring water, their gaze, though seen through the veil, held a captivating allure, softly "looking" in his direction. She did not rise; her demeanor remained composed and elegant. However, her previously gentle voice suddenly held an undisguised, lively, and genuine surprise, even trembling slightly.

"Oh my! Miracle doctor! You...you've finally arrived!"

A miracle doctor? The official was taken aback; he hadn't heard that title in days.

In this whole world, the only ones who could call him a "miracle doctor" are the two from the Jia family. Fengjie, who is constantly busy collecting and checking accounts, would never conceal her identity like this. So, besides that stunningly beautiful, graceful woman, especially with her magnificent, heavy breasts that could be described as "the most magnificent breasts in the world"—Qin Keqing—who else could it be?

"So it's Madam Rong!" Master Ximen cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for not welcoming you properly! It's too noisy outside, this is not the place to talk. Please come into the private room and we'll have some tea."

He stepped aside to lead the way, guiding Qin Keqing and her two servants into a small consultation room behind the herbal medicine shop. This room was originally set up specifically for women who were not comfortable showing their faces in public, and it was clean and elegantly decorated, with a table, two chairs, and a medicine cabinet against the wall, filled with a faint fragrance of herbs.

Qin Keqing nodded slightly, her lotus-like steps light as she entered with Ruizhu and Baozhu. She took her seat as a guest, while Ximen Qing sat in the host's seat. Qin Keqing then stretched out her slender hand and gently lifted the long-standing, hazy veil, slowly removing her veil.

This act of picking it seemed to dispel the last wisp of dust and mist that shrouded the pearl.

Last time, at the Tianxiang Pavilion in Ningguo Mansion, in the hazy night with its dim lights, I caught a glimpse of Qin Keqing, and she captivated me. Now, in broad daylight, so close at hand, I truly witness the unparalleled beauty that combines the charm of Daiyu and Baochai!

She possesses the delicate, pitiful melancholy and ethereal beauty of Daiyu, seemingly otherworldly and unlike any mortal.

Furthermore, she possessed the dignified and graceful demeanor of Xue Baochai, with a gentle and elegant bearing that far surpassed the poised and noble air of a typical young lady from a prominent family.

Daiyu's spirit is too aloof, Baochai's beauty is a bit too dignified, but Qin Keqing perfectly blends her ethereal beauty with worldly riches, her melancholy with her gentle charm. Her furrowed brows are pure, her gentle smile is mature and alluring, a natural perfection that neither Daiyu nor Baochai can match!
Just now in the study, the official was holding Xiao Xiangling, who resembled Qin Keqing by a large margin. She was already an unparalleled beauty, with delicate skin and a graceful figure. He found it hard to part with her after the first time he tasted her. But now, the vibrant and beautiful woman before him was truly captivating and enchanting.

Yet, she also possessed a peculiar fragrance, neither floral nor musky, but rather a warm, sweet fruity aroma emanating from her skin, with a faint hint of milky goatyness.

The official put the gold-flecked fan aside: "I wonder if Madam Rong has graced Qinghe with her presence today? Is there anything wrong with your health? I will certainly do my best to serve you."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but glance at her stunning face and breathtaking curves, and sighed inwardly: Such a beauty is truly the ultimate delicacy!
Qin Keqing took her seat as instructed in the guest chair made of elm wood. Her movements were extremely elegant and composed; with each graceful step, her silk skirt swayed slightly, exuding boundless charm.

The official looked at her with concern and asked, "Last time we met briefly at your Tianxiang Pavilion, Madam, you seemed to have some health issues, and your pulse was weak. I wonder if you've been feeling better these past few days? Are you here today to recuperate?" He then looked at Qin Keqing, whose face was so pale and whose brows were furrowed with worry, clearly indicating that she was suffering from a severe heart ailment and was in a state of extreme depression.

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing managed a faint smile, a smile as delicate as a night-blooming cereus in a thin mist, beautiful yet carrying a hint of fragility and subtle bitterness.

She shook her head slightly, her voice still soft, but with a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment: "Thank you for your concern, Doctor. My health is a bit weak, it's an old ailment, and I can't rush things. Today... today isn't for my own sake."

"Oh?" Master Ximen raised an eyebrow, his face displaying just the right amount of surprise. "Not the madam? Then who is..."

Qin Keqing did not answer immediately. Her beautiful eyes, which were like autumn waters, were filled with a hint of pleading and shyness as she glanced at Ruizhu and Baozhu standing behind her.

Both maids were shrewd and perceptive; how could they not know who Grandma was asking about? Who else could it be but that utterly absurd Master Rong, Jia Rong? However, to save face for Jia Rong and the Ningguo Mansion, Grandma was determined not to reveal such a family scandal.

Ruizhu and Baozhu understood immediately and curtsied, their voices clear and melodious: "While you are talking to the divine doctor, we will wait in the outer room and also have a drink of water." After saying that, the two of them quietly withdrew and carefully closed the door of the consultation room ajar.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Seeing the maid leave, Ximen Da Guanren stopped beating around the bush, leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and stared intently into Qin Keqing's evasive eyes: "After last time... have those two filthy bastards, Jia Zhen and Jia Qiang, both caused you any more trouble? Since we parted, I've often thought of you."

The master's blunt concern, while not considered abrupt by those accustomed to romantic encounters, was nonetheless a blow to the usually impeccably proper Ke Qing. It struck a chord deep within her, causing her heart to skip a beat! Her exquisitely beautiful face instantly flushed a deep, fiery red.
The blush was unusual; it didn't spread evenly, but rather it quietly seeped out from under her delicate, fair earlobe, like the finest Suzhou rouge, applied by a jade finger and blended onto a flawless piece of warm, mutton-fat jade. It was breathtakingly alluring, captivating the soul!

In an instant, shame, embarrassment, a vague sense of grievance, and a touch of abruptness at the direct concern shown by the person in front of her—all these feelings mingled together and melted into her shimmering, peach-blossom eyes.

With a single glance, her eyes exuded a captivating charm, yet remained so innocently pure that they seemed to melt one's heart; she was utterly alluring and mesmerizing, leaving one weak in the knees.

How could she dare to raise her head? She lowered her head, her delicate neck bowed, and her slender, white hands, as tender as lotus sprouts, helplessly twisted the water-red sash around her waist.

Qin Keqing spoke in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper, "Thank you... thank you for your concern, Divine Physician. That Qiang-ge'er... he and Master Zhen... had some connections and leverage over each other, so for the time being, they didn't dare to cause too much trouble... but Master Zhen ultimately... ultimately found a shady pretext to send him far away from the manor..."

She paused, her eyelashes drooping, seemingly trying to suppress her emotions, "As for Master Zhen... perhaps he's afraid of revealing his whereabouts, or perhaps he's been distracted by a new, like-minded guest in the manor, these days... he seems to have calmed down a bit, becoming somewhat more well-behaved..."

She suddenly raised her eyes, quickly giving the man a flirtatious wink without him even realizing it, before hurriedly lowering them again: "Your household... a few days ago, a young master from the Xue family came to visit, named Xue Pan. This young master has become very close with the others in the household, and the group of them are out all day and night, so... so they're practically never home."

When she mentioned not being home, a hint of relief crept into her voice.
Qin Keqing, suppressing her emotions, recounted one by one the sordid and shameful affairs of the Jia family. She felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her heart, mixed with boundless gratitude for the person before her.

She rose gracefully from the chair and walked slenderly to the official. With a slight bend of her willow-like waist, she was about to bow deeply, her words filled with utmost solemnity and earnestness: "The divine physician's life-saving grace at Tianxiang Tower that night is a debt I could never repay, even if I were to be shattered to pieces! Today, I have nothing else but this deep bow to express my heartfelt gratitude!"

Who is Ximen Qing? His beautiful wives and maids all fawn over him, wishing they could stick to his body. Not to mention the prostitutes and thirsty women. He is used to being close to women and having physical contact with them. How could he remember that the woman in front of him is the noble and well-mannered Madam Rong from Ningguo Mansion?
Seeing that she was really about to kneel, the official hurriedly said, "You mustn't!" Before he finished speaking, he had already rushed forward like a leopard, and with his two large hands, he grabbed Qin Keqing's two jade-like arms with an undeniable force!
This grip is no big deal!

Through the thin jacket, my fingers immediately sank into a warm, soft embrace! It was truly a handful, and even though it was covered by sleeves, the smooth, soft flesh inside was still clearly visible.

"Oh dear—!" Qin Keqing had never been so abruptly treated. It was as if her skin had been burned by a red-hot iron, and she was so shocked that her soul seemed to fly out of her head!
The stranger's hot, large hand and breath, so close together, sent chills down her spine, and a shame seeped into her very bones! She was terrified out of her wits, and in her fright, she struggled backward with such force that her body fell backward like a withered lotus in the wind!

She was already wearing soft satin embroidered shoes, which made her unsteady. With this all-out struggle and the momentum of leaning backward, she instantly lost her balance and fell backward with a scream! Her originally slender waist bent backward!

The official was quick-witted and agile. Before he could withdraw his hand from Qin Keqing's arm, he saw her about to fall. He no longer cared about avoiding suspicion. In a moment of urgency, he stretched out his arm and suddenly pulled her forward! This time, it was a solid arm with a protective force that passed under Qin Keqing's lower back and tightly embraced her entire upper body!
Qin Keqing froze completely! She could clearly feel the heat and strength emanating from the man's strong arms and chest behind her. This unprecedented intimate contact left her mind blank, filled with shame and indignation!

Ximen Qing instantly came to his senses and immediately released his arm, saying, "I was rude! Please forgive me, Madam! I was just in a hurry and was afraid that Madam Rong would fall and get hurt!"

The inner room fell into a deathly silence, so quiet that the heavy breathing of the two people and the trembling of Qin Keqing's teeth could be heard.

Qin Keqing mustered all her strength to barely steady her trembling legs and stand. Her slender waist, like a willow branch, trembled incessantly like a reed in the wind, clearly still shaken. She buried her head deeply, her face as if painted with ten layers of the finest rouge! The burning shame not only stained her peach-blossom cheeks and hibiscus-like face, but also burned down her fair neck.

Qin Keqing wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground right now! Her delicate hands trembled like fallen leaves in the autumn wind. She didn't have the slightest courage to lift her eyelids and look at that lecherous man. She wished she could turn into a wisp of smoke and vanish in an instant!

The only sounds in the inner room were the two men's heavy, uneven breathing and the soft rustling of incense ash falling from the burner. The master coughed, the sound particularly abrupt and jarring in the deathly silence, finally breaking the suffocating tension:

"Ahem... Madam Rong, which of your noble ladies is unwell?"

Upon hearing his question, Qin Keqing's heart, which had just calmed down, jumped into her throat again. She kept her head down, her pink neck drooping, the exposed nape of her neck dazzlingly white, and the blush that had finally faded from her ears suddenly burned up again.

She forced out a faint, almost inaudible "hmm" from deep within her throat, her voice trembling, carrying lingering embarrassment and an unspeakable bitterness. After a long pause, she finally murmured, her voice barely audible, in an almost tearful tone:

"It's...it's...my husband...Jia Rong..." She seemed to have used all her strength to utter the name, her voice trembling uncontrollably, "He...he...has some hidden ailment..."

Qin Keqing bit her lower lip, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress, almost tearing the fine fabric to shreds.

“The Jia family… How could a family of such high rank and wealth not have offspring to carry on the family line?” Her voice trembled with a barely perceptible sob, carrying a deep despair and resignation. “Throughout the entire household, countless eyes are watching me, openly and secretly… With that heavy burden on my shoulders, I… I cannot sleep at night, and during the day I feel like I am being pricked by thorns. Wherever I go, I feel cold, piercing gazes down my spine.”

She suddenly raised her head, her watery eyes filled with pleading and hope as she looked straight at Ximen Qing. "Even the old doctors at the Imperial Hospital couldn't cure Lian Lian's headaches, which were so persistent and agonizing. But you, the divine physician, brought her back to life in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea!"

"Divine doctor... Your family has profound knowledge, surely... surely you also possess secret methods to bring men back from the dead for such... such hidden 'illnesses' that secretly plague men?" This last sentence was already tinged with a desperate cry.

Ximen Da Guanren was stunned when he heard this!
Thinking to himself, "Where would I get a family secret recipe? I'm not a goddess granting children. I can help, but where would I get the prescription?" He could only look around and ask, "Oh? So it's that Master Rong is unwell? This ailment... cough, it's not uncommon. But... Madam needs to explain in detail, is Master Rong's 'hidden ailment' that he can have intercourse but lacks the stamina, making it difficult for Madam to conceive? Or..."

He paused slightly, his gaze falling on Qin Keqing's pale yet still stunning face: "Or... was it simply that you were never able to consummate your marriage, that you never had... the harmony of a harem with your wife?"

Qin Keqing trembled with shame at his blunt, almost humiliating question! She abruptly lowered her head, her neck flushed red, wishing she could bury her face in her chest. After a long silence, she finally managed to squeeze out a faint, mournful sound from between her teeth:
“He…he…never…never touched even a single hem of my clothes…” The voice was light and airy, yet it struck the hearts of the two like a heavy hammer.

She paused, as if gathering her courage to reveal the ugly scene in the mansion: "Master Zhen often berates my husband because of this. The father and son both use going out to drink and sleep with prostitutes as an excuse to cover up this hidden ailment... Sometimes they deliberately go out in a group, intentionally getting others drunk, muddying the waters to make a show, all just to... to cover up the shame of his hidden ailment!"

Qin Keqing remained silent for a moment: "As the saying goes, the husband is the head of the household, and this is the foundation of human relations. Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I would... die ten thousand times over to cover up such an unspeakable secret for my husband!" Her words carried an almost tragic resignation.

"But the continuation of the Jia family line! The legacy of our ancestors! How... how could I possibly bear this burden alone, even if I were to be shattered to pieces?"

Here, Ke Qing reveals her true feelings.

Wang Xifeng led a large entourage to inspect several of the Jia family's outlying estates.

Village head Wu Jinxiao had been waiting for a while. He came out with small, hurried steps, his back almost touching the ground, and his old face showed extreme fear.

“Oh, my dear Second Madam! In this chilly season, the autumn wind in the mountains is like a knife scraping your face. How could you, with your precious body, have stepped into this mud pit? I will come to Uncle Zhen's house at the end of the year to report this. How could I dare to trouble you with even a fraction of your wealth for such a clumsy task?”

Wang Xifeng helped Ping'er out of the carriage, raised her phoenix eyes, and frowned, pretending not to hear the words "Master Zhen," and walked straight to the relatively tidy main room.

After entering the room, she didn't sit down, but instead quickly unfolded a scroll of gold-flecked paper listings from her sleeve.

“Head of Wuzhuang,” Wang Xifeng said in a low voice, her feet stomping on the blue bricks, “open your old eyes and take a look! On the list, these top-grade sable, bear paws, deer antlers, tiger bones, seven ounces of old ginseng, and golden thread lingzhi are all extremely precious! Last year, they were less than 30% less than the year before! And this year, they’ve cut it in half again!”

"The other coarse goods are one thing, but these gold nuggets are what the manor has been using to bribe officials and curry favor with superiors during the holidays! And right before our eyes, they've turned to smoke? Along with the estate's income, it's less than half of what it used to be! All these sources of income add up to nearly three thousand taels of silver less this year! Do you think the manor's silver is like leaves that will just scatter in the wind?"

Wu Jinxiao's smile froze. He rubbed his hands, which were as dry as tree bark, and bent over even more. "Second Madam is wise! Wise! Even if I had the guts of a bear and the courage of a leopard, I wouldn't dare to play tricks under your nose! It's just... it's just..." He glanced up quickly and saw Wang Xifeng's phoenix eyes filled with sternness, her face ashen. He swallowed hard, and his voice suddenly became tearful. "It's just that the estate has been struck by a plague, misfortune after misfortune, an inescapable jinx! We are in a difficult situation!"

"Oh?" Wang Xifeng raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on her lips. "Tell me, what kind of jinx is this, that only picks on this gold nugget to cause trouble?"

"Second Madam, please forgive me!" Wu Jinxiao, as if grasping at a lifeline, spoke rapidly, like popping beans: "The first matter is that damned Zhu Family Village! Relying on their numbers, they insist that the boundaries of those old forests west of our village, passed down from our ancestors, are unclear! They started making trouble last autumn, and this year they've gone even further! They send people to harass us every few days, forcibly occupying the mountain area and cutting down the ancient trees passed down from our ancestors! Second Madam, think about it..."

He spread his hands, his face almost dripping with bitterness. "Sable, bear paws, ginseng—aren't they all grown in those pristine, deep mountain forests? The forests have all been fenced off and occupied. We farmers can't even get a glimpse of them. We have all that strength, where are we supposed to find them for you? Golden thread lingzhi? That's even more so on the spiritual veins of cliffs. Now that the Zhu Family Village flag is flying on the mountaintop, who dares to go up there? Going up there would just get you a beating, your legs would be broken!"

(End of this chapter)