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

Chapter 130 The Mastermind Behind the Scenes in Beijing
Seeing several people crying and sobbing, unable to explain themselves clearly.

"What kind of skills are you practicing? What kind of weapons are you using?" Wu Song's leopard eyes widened, his sharp gaze piercing the three on the ground.

"They have everything, but mostly sticks!" Wu Song's shout startled the three men, who nearly cried out as they gestured at their weapons, exclaiming in unison, "Thick hardwood sticks! They've broken our bones!"

The few who were less seriously injured struggled to their feet and gesture, so Yue Niang quickly had several servants hand them sticks.

A few others also mentioned a bit of an artsy, intellectual style.

"This kind of Korean technique... and literary youth..." Wu Song looked at Master Ximen.

Ximen Da Guanren raised an eyebrow: "What's your explanation?"

"Hey! Sir!" Wu Song clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, but his tiger-like eyes flashed like cold lightning, and a sneer played on his lips. "Judging by this style, the cudgels he holds are made of hard, sinewy wood. When he wields them, he advances like a venomous snake flicking its tongue and retreats like a wild dog contracting its anus. He's clearly a seasoned veteran, probably one of those old hands from the Qinghe County militia!"

"And if you look at their wrists, they're covered in dark blue tattoos—dragons, snakes, ghosts, knives, axes, skulls—nothing is off-limits. Nine and a half out of ten are convicts who've been to prison and beaten with sticks! Aren't all the militias like that these days? I, Wu Er, spent ten or fifteen days there myself. It's full of people from all over the country, speaking in all sorts of accents and slang. Lots of hairless scoundrels and good-for-nothings. You'd better be careful, sir!"

"This is no ordinary robbery! It seems someone has taken advantage of your property to stage a 'collusion between officials and bandits'! When did the local militia leaders of Qinghe County start doing this kind of risk-free business? And what kind of hooligans have they teamed up with?"

Upon hearing this, Master Ximen's face instantly darkened to a depths that could drip water. The Qinghe County militia! These soldiers who usually fawned over him and called him brother! And that scoundrel who appeared out of nowhere! How dare they set their sights on Master Ximen?

This is not just robbery; it's a slap in the face to Ximen Qing, an attempt to undermine the Ximen family's foundation! Right under his nose, such a treacherous ingrate has been raised! They're treating the Ximen household like a fat sheep to be slaughtered!

The official paced back and forth a couple of times, then thought for a moment and became suspicious again: What kind of place is this Qinghe County? His family has been operating here for many years and has deep roots here. Even that militia leader Zhang often drinks and makes merry with him. Whenever he sees you, he always bows and scrapes and flatters you.
Besides, these people in the militia camp receive a considerable amount of rations and pay each year, most of which are subsidized by Ximen's household. He knows exactly what these idlers are capable of, what their ulterior motives are, and how they can ride horses with such skill.

Hmph! We'll see what it's like tomorrow by going there ourselves.

Having made up his mind, Master Ximen called out loudly, "All of you, step back!" After everyone obediently withdrew, he left only his trusted steward, Lai Bao, and instructed him, "Although these few are not particularly brave, if there are indeed well-trained militia members among the enemy, then we can't blame them. Tomorrow, go to the account and get ten taels of silver, distribute it among them, and let them rest and recover properly. Take good care of them and keep outsiders quiet."

Lai Bao bowed and replied, "I understand, sir. Please rest assured."

After everyone dispersed and all matters were settled, Wu Yueniang gracefully followed Ximen Qing into the inner room.

Eight hundred taels of silver! I've never even heard of such a sum, let alone seen it before! Pan Jinlian and Xiangling both witnessed this momentous event. The official looked solemn, and Yue Niang also composed herself, knowing that there must be something important to discuss. So she obediently stood guard at the door, her head bowed, holding her breath.

In the inner room.

Moon Maiden approached and gently loosened the master's belt and robe, serving him as he washed his face and hands. As soon as she drew near, a warm, fragrant scent of perfume, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible body odor that made her blush, drifted into Moon Maiden's nostrils. The fragrance was sweet and alluring, like ripe fruit, yet also carried a hint of something else entirely—a touch of sensuality that was hard to define.

Her heart skipped a beat. Considering the grand spectacle at the manor today, the mobilization of manpower, and the moving of furnishings to decorate Wang Zhaoxuan's residence—everything was arranged by her own hands—how could she not know where her husband had just returned from his social engagements? The mature and alluring scent emanating from him, along with a hint of indescribable sensuality, was undoubtedly from that third-rank noblewoman, Madam Lin.

The Moon Goddess's expression remained gentle as she carefully folded the fragrant robe and placed it aside. Her gaze softly turned towards the doorway, her voice low yet clear:
"Jinlian, Xiangling. Master has worked hard today and is covered in dust from socializing outside. Go to the kitchen and tell them to boil a pot of hot orchid soup so that Master can soak in it to relieve his fatigue and refresh himself."

Her tone was calm, pausing only slightly on the words "socializing outside" and "clean and refreshed," seemingly unintentionally, yet also containing a subtle, unnoticed meaning.

Xiangling and Jinlian obeyed the order and soon directed the servants to bring in a bucket of steaming hot orchid-scented water. Yueniang tested the water temperature and personally helped Ximen Qing immerse himself in it. The warm steam rising up finally dispelled some of the annoying smell clinging to him.

Moon Lady rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her snow-white, lotus-root-like arm. She sat on a low stool by the tub, extending her slender fingers to massage Ximen Qing's shoulders and neck with just the right amount of pressure.

Her finger technique was more steady and powerful than Jinlian's and Xiangling's, clearly a skill honed from years of managing household affairs. Ximen Qing's livid face, which had been tense from the day's troubles, gradually relaxed under the warm water and the just-right massage, and the gloom between his brows dissipated somewhat.

Seeing her husband's expression soften slightly, Yue Niang considered her words carefully before speaking in a gentle and calm tone: "My lord, there is a very important matter in the household right now, and after much thought, I have decided that I must mention it to you." Her hands did not stop moving, but her voice became even softer and gentler, as if afraid of disturbing the moisture in her eyes, "The silver in the treasury at home... is visibly running low."

The official closed his eyes and only made a "hmm?" sound through his nose, signaling her to continue.

Yue Niang paused, then spoke more calmly and cautiously, "My lord has withdrawn more than 1,500 taels of silver from the public account for the arrangements at Wang Zhaoxuan's residence. These days, expenses are flowing out like water, but income is less than in previous years. The newly acquired farmland and the silk shop are still in the investment stage, and we haven't seen any returns yet."

Moon Lady paused, her fingertips clearly feeling her husband's shoulder muscles tighten even more. She softened her grip, but her voice remained clear, "Right now, aside from the daily cash flow from the various shops, the large sums of cash we can actually use in our household... are probably less than a thousand taels left in our coffers."

The Moon Maiden stopped what she was doing, turned her head slightly, and her gentle gaze fell on the face of Master Ximen, carefully observing the changes in his expression. She noticed that although he hadn't opened his eyes, his brows had furrowed again. She hesitated for a moment, swirled her tongue in her mouth, and continued:
"In a few days, it will be the major solar term of winter. According to the old rules of our manor, we should celebrate it in a grand and lively manner for a few days. I am secretly considering the current situation... should we... tone it down a bit? That way, we can give the money a breather and a break."

She spoke very tactfully, in a tone of negotiation, without any hint of accusation, simply handing the choice gently to the man.

The high-ranking official soaked in the warm bath, listening to Yue Niang's gentle explanations of the family finances. Though his brow remained furrowed, the tension in his shoulders eased somewhat under her steady massage. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply, "Alas... this is rather troublesome. As the saying goes, no matter how high a mountain of gold and silver is built, a tiny hole can still cause it to burst."

Amidst the rising steam, the official shook his head, his eyes still closed: "The grand celebrations at the manor this winter cannot be stopped." He tilted his head slightly and continued, "Look at these servants in the manor. No matter how strictly you discipline them, and they may seem well-behaved, deep down, they all admire the prosperity and glory of our Ximen manor. Being a servant in the Ximen manor is an honor in Qinghe County, a source of pride and prestige."

"This winter solstice is the banner of our household! If we show any weakness this year, if we hesitate or stifle our efforts, even if we only save the cost of a single lamp wick, believe me, within three days, the entire Qinghe County will be gossiping about it—'What a fine young master Ximen, what a fine mansion of Ximen, they can't even afford to put on a good show for winter!'"

He sneered, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the rim of the bucket: "If this kind of news reaches the ears of those officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants in the county... hey, they're the most snobbish. As soon as they feel that the Ximen family's fortunes have declined slightly, my words will carry less weight in their eyes tomorrow! Without this 'power' to back us up in Qinghe County, many things will be impossible to do."

Hearing this, Yue Niang's heart tightened, and she massaged the fabric with even more care, saying softly, "My lord is right, I was short-sighted. But..." She hesitated slightly before finally voicing her deepest concern: "The silk shop's original purchase funds have been robbed, and they're about to receive a new batch of goods. How are we going to raise the money for this stock that's tied up?"

She raised her eyes, her gaze gentle yet firm as she looked at the man: "In my opinion, it would be better if I secretly took some of my treasured jewelry and a few usable gold and jade items to a pawnshop or a familiar shop to sell them, raising a thousand or so taels of silver to tide me over. I think that should be enough."

Ximen Qing was taken aback by these words, then laughed heartily, his laughter echoing in the rising steam. He reached out and patted the back of Yue Niang's hand as she massaged his shoulders: "Don't worry, I'm not so destitute as to need to touch the bottom of your dowry chest or sell my wife's savings!"

A glint flashed in his eyes: "Don't worry. If things go as I've planned, and we're lucky, we might get some 'reward' tomorrow to solve our immediate problem."

He deliberately paused on the word "feedback," his words carrying a deeper meaning: "Even if our hopes are dashed tomorrow, I have my own plans. Let all the stockpiled goods in the silk shop, new or old, go! Prices slightly lower than the market rate are fine, the only thing to do is speed! Small profits but quick turnover, little by little, can build a fortune. As long as we're quick, we can still grab a sum of cash to tide us over in a short time."

Upon hearing Ximen Qing's plans for the silk shop, Yue Niang felt far from relieved. Instead, her delicate eyebrows furrowed even deeper, and the pressure of her massage unconsciously eased, her voice filled with genuine worry.
"My lord, silk is not like firewood and rice, but something we can't live without every day. The housewives in Qinghe County all know exactly how many feet of silk they need to buy and how many new clothes they need to make each year. Even if we offer a discount and lower the price, it might not be enough to make everyone scramble for it... This method is probably not going to be effective anytime soon; it's like trying to quench a thirsty fire with a distant solution."

She worried that the stockpiled silk was not a means of survival, as it had limited market potential and could not alleviate her current predicament.

Ximen Qing, however, didn't take it to heart. He laughed and said confidently, "Don't worry, I have a brilliant plan. I guarantee those silks will sell like hotcakes!" As he spoke, he raised his wet hand and casually brushed the petals on the water's surface. His gaze, however, followed the mist and landed on Yue Niang, who was standing right next to him.

To make it easier for her to massage him, Yue Niang had already removed her outer robe and padded jacket, now wearing only a light green soft silk bodice. The bodice was half-transparent from the steam, tightly wrapping her ample figure. Below, a section of her snow-white and delicate waist was exposed. Although not as slender as a young girl's, her skin was full and smooth, soft and fragrant, exuding the unique snowy flesh and softness of a mature woman.

Speaking of which, although Yue Niang has been the head wife of the Ximen family for many years, managing everything inside and outside the household and handling countless matters of money, grain, and human relationships, she looks like a calm and composed deputy head wife. In reality, she is only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, which is the prime of a woman's life, when she is at her most mature and juicy.

Her face was rosy and smooth, her eyebrows naturally dark, and her lips naturally red. Especially her almond-shaped eyes, which were usually gentle and dignified when she looked at people, were now misty with moisture, and her eyes unconsciously revealed a sweet charm like ripe fruit.

Her jet-black hair was loosely tied into a simple bun, with a gold and kingfisher feather hairpin inserted at an angle. A few strands of hair were damp from the moisture and clung to her snow-white neck, adding to her languid and elegant charm.

Her figure was perfectly rounded and supple, soft and smooth, as if it could be squeezed to release a drop of water. Connecting to her round, plump buttocks, it formed a captivating curve, the kind only a fully mature woman possesses. The official suddenly reached out and gently stroked Yue Niang's rounded chin, teasingly saying, "The silk matters are none of my concern. But you... seem to have lost some weight these past few days? I see your body isn't as soft and plump as it used to be."

Moon Lady was taken aback by his words. She subconsciously looked down at her pale body, even reaching out to grab and pinch it, muttering blankly, "Lost weight? No...no? I feel the same..."

"Hahaha!" Seeing her bewildered yet earnest expression, Ximen Qing laughed loudly and suddenly exerted force with both arms! Yue Niang felt a great force coming at her, and before she could even cry out, she was picked up by Ximen Qing around the waist and fell into the large bathtub with a "plop"!

Warm water splashed everywhere! Caught off guard, Yue Niang found herself soaking wet, lying face down on Ximen Qing's bare chest. Embarrassed, she struggled and cried out, "Oh dear! My lord! What...what are you doing! How can you judge a person's weight like that!"

Ximen Qing held her smooth, plump waist tightly to prevent her from breaking free and climbing out, while teasingly saying, "Good Yue Niang, you don't understand! Haven't you heard of Cao Chong weighing an elephant on a wooden boat? Now I, your humble servant, am supporting my wife in a bathtub."

The following morning, at Wang Zhaoxuan's residence.

Lin Daiyu awoke from her pillow. The first light of dawn shone through the carved windowpanes, casting a cool glow. She was a light sleeper, but even in this new place, she had slept more soundly last night than at the Jia mansion. Just as she was pondering this, her personal maid, Zijuan, quietly entered to attend to her.

Daiyu sat up and let Zijuan help her put on her outer robe, while she asked softly, "Did you sleep well last night? Are you getting used to this mansion...?"

As Zijuan deftly made the bed, she replied, "Don't worry, Miss, everything's fine! Madam Lin is so considerate. The mansion is spacious, but there aren't many maids, yet she gave me a small, clean room all to myself. I don't have to stand guard at night, and I can sleep soundly until dawn. My bones feel so relaxed." Her tone carried a rare air of ease.

Upon hearing this, Daiyu nodded slightly, smoothed a strand of hair at her temple in front of the mirror, and her eyes, which were filled with understanding, shone with a clear and melodious voice, like pearls falling onto a plate. She sighed softly, "That's exactly what I meant. Although I was a bit light-headed last night and tossed and turned a few times, I felt... less of my eyes and ears watching me. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my heart, and I felt much lighter."

As the mistress and servant were talking, soft footsteps came from outside the door. A young girl dressed as a maid stopped outside the curtain and respectfully curtsied: "Greetings, Miss Lin. Madam has prepared breakfast and sent me to invite you to come and have some."

Daiyu replied, "I understand, I'll go right away." Then, taking Zijuan's hand, she gracefully stepped out of the room.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, Daiyu saw Madam Lin already seated at the round table. Several exquisite breakfast dishes were laid out on the table, steaming hot. Daiyu glanced at them and her heart stirred slightly—they were all Suzhou flavors: a small, delicate dish of shrimp roe noodles with a clear broth; a dish of glistening, oily dried tofu; and a steaming basket of crab roe dumplings, accompanied by rose-flavored fermented bean curd and a dish of finely shredded ginger. These familiar flavors of home added a touch of warmth to the unfamiliar mansion.

Daiyu stepped forward and gave a graceful bow to Madam Lin: "Greetings to Madam, thank you for waiting for me."

Mrs. Lin had changed into a casual emerald-green jacket today, her hair loosely tied up. She looked less dignified than yesterday when she was entertaining guests, and more relaxed and content. She smiled and raised her hand to help her up: "Good child, don't be so formal. Get up and sit down. It's quiet here, and there are fewer rules. I just don't know if you prefer to eat quietly in your own room, or would you like to join me for a lively meal? Anyway, it's just the two of us in this house now, so please make yourself at home."

She spoke gently and looked at Daiyu with loving eyes.

Daiyu sat down as instructed, feeling a warmth in her heart upon hearing this. She then suddenly realized her rudeness, and two blushes suddenly rose on her cheeks, as if she had applied rouge, showing the shyness of a young lady. She picked up her silver chopsticks, glanced around the hall, and asked softly, "I am grateful for Madam's kindness. But... why is Brother Sanguan not eating with us?"

At the mention of her son, Mrs. Lin sighed, "Don't mention that good-for-nothing! He's nowhere to be found until the sun is high in the sky. Seeing him so early in the morning makes my heart ache, and I can't eat anything." She paused, then said, "Good child, let's eat our food and not spoil the mood. Here, try these steamed buns; they were specially made by the kitchen according to the southern method."

Seeing that Madam Lin's words were sincere, Lin Daiyu no longer held back and began to eat as instructed. The familiar flavors of Suzhou entered her mouth—the sweetness of shrimp roe, the richness of crab roe, and the fragrance of dried tofu—each bite subtly evoking a deep-seated homesickness and memories of her mother. Unconsciously, she ate more than usual.

After putting down her chopsticks, she realized her rudeness. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and with a touch of girlish shyness, she softly apologized to Mrs. Lin, "Please forgive me, Madam. The taste of home today has whetted my appetite, and I... I ate a few more bites than usual. I'm not usually this greedy."

Mrs. Lin saw this and, although she wanted to get close to and win her over, the girl in front of her had an unparalleled charm in every move she made. Her frail appearance was endearing, and her slight lapse in manners only made her seem more charming and sincere. Where in Qinghe, or even in the capital, had one ever seen such a stunning beauty!
She was genuinely delighted and hurriedly smiled:
"Oh, my dear girl! There's nothing to apologize for! You should eat more! Look how thin you are, you look like you'd be blown away by the wind. Eat more, get some weight! Health is important, and I don't stand on ceremony here!" She spoke warmly, her eyes full of an elder's affection.

Just then, a maidservant entered quietly, bowing her head to report: "Madam, the young master says in his room... he hasn't gotten up yet."

Mrs. Lin snorted, "He only knelt in the ancestral hall for two days at his godfather Ximen Da Guanren's place, and he's already back to his old ways? I think he's itching for a beating! Unrepentant wretch! Go, tell him that if he doesn't get up, tie him up immediately and send him back to his godfather to kneel! Let's see how tough he is!"

Lin Daiyu listened quietly, and only after Madam Lin's anger subsided slightly did she raise her clear, watery eyes, with a hint of curiosity and inquiry, and softly ask, "Madam, is Third Brother... so afraid of Master Ximen?"

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lin recalled the alluring glint in her eyes last night. She picked up her teacup again and took a sip: "Of course! What kind of person is Master Ximen? He is extremely disciplined, values ​​relationships, and is fair in his rewards and punishments. He genuinely cares for Sanguan, hoping he will amount to something. In front of his godfather, he doesn't even dare to breathe loudly, behaving impeccably. Only Master Ximen can keep his rebellious nature in check!"

Lin Daiyu listened quietly, then replied in a soft but clear voice, "What Madam says is true. Master Ximen is indeed a man of deep affection."

Mrs. Lin was speaking with great enthusiasm when she was suddenly startled to hear the word "deep affection" come from Daiyu's mouth. She paused, her hand holding the teacup still.

She was momentarily confused; where did this "deep affection" come from? But seeing Daiyu's serious expression, which didn't seem like a joke, Madam Lin, ever quick-witted and tactful, though unaware of the situation, immediately followed up with a slightly ambiguous smile:

"Oh! Who says otherwise! In this day and age, someone as wealthy as Master Ximen would have three wives and four concubines, and a whole bunch of maids. But look at our Master Ximen, he only has one wife in his household!"

These words struck a chord with Lin Daiyu, instantly elevating her opinion of Ximen Qing. The goodwill she felt for him, born from his "deep affection and devotion," became incredibly genuine.

She lowered her eyes slightly, her voice as soft as a sigh:

“What you say makes sense, Madam…Master Ximen and my father were originally the same kind of people. My father… originally had some concubines. After my mother married into the Lin family, my father dismissed them all with dignity. In the years that followed, my father… only had my mother in his heart and eyes.”

After she finished speaking, she thought to herself: This Mr. Ximen... he can actually maintain a pure heart of 'one heart until old age' in this turbid world. It seems that I was still unrestrained and frivolous yesterday, and I underestimated him.

Light, respectful footsteps sounded outside the door. A servant stood with his head bowed at the entrance of the flower hall and announced loudly, "Madam, Master Lin has come to visit."

Everyone was taken aback. Mrs. Lin reacted quickly and said with a smile, "Please come in! Please come in!" Soon, the curtain was lifted and Lin Ruhai, dressed in a simple sky-blue robe, walked in with a gentle smile and unhurried steps.

He immediately spotted his daughter sitting beside Mrs. Lin. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, softly bathing Daiyu in its glow, illuminating her slightly flushed cheeks from their earlier conversation, and... the several exquisite bowls and plates in front of her, clearly mostly empty. Lin Ruhai's gaze lingered on the empty bowls, a flicker of unbelievable surprise crossing his eyes.

He first turned to Mrs. Lin slowly and gracefully and gave a proper bow: "Your humble servant Lin Ruhai greets Madam Lin."

Mrs. Lin had already stood up and smiled as she offered him a seat: "Mr. Lin, please rise, you're too kind. Please sit down, Yu'er is having breakfast right now."

Lin Ruhai finally focused his gaze entirely on his daughter, his joy no longer concealed, the smile almost overflowing from his eyes. He pointed to the empty bowls in front of Daiyu, his voice tinged with unbelievable delight:
"My son! You ate all of this?" He knew his daughter's usual appetite all too well. She was usually a "cat eater" and would be full after just a few bites. This scene today was something he had never seen before.

When Daiyu was publicly exposed by her father, especially after admitting to being "greedy" in front of Madam Lin, her cheeks instantly flushed crimson, as if she had applied the finest rouge. Her head drooped so low it was almost buried in her slightly heaving chest, and her voice was soft and weak, tinged with a sob of shame.

"...It was...Father...all thanks to Mrs. Lin's kindness in preparing hometown delicacies...I got carried away for a moment and...I indulged myself a little." Her appearance was delicate and timid, embarrassed and distressed, truly pitiful to behold.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai burst into laughter, a hearty and loving laugh that expressed a long-lost sense of ease and joy: "Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, his eyes shining brighter than the sun outside. "It's good that you can eat! This is more than what we eat at home in Suzhou! As your father, I am so happy to see this!" He walked to Daiyu's side and patted her shoulder affectionately, as if the fact that his daughter ate a few more bites of food was the greatest joy.

Immediately, Lin Ruhai turned to Madam Lin, bowed deeply, and said with sincerity and gratitude, "Madam, I am extremely grateful! My daughter is weak and has always had an irregular diet. Today, she was able to eat more at your esteemed residence, all thanks to your thoughtful care and suitable diet. Moreover, the elegant and comfortable atmosphere of your residence has made my daughter feel at ease."

Mrs. Lin quickly waved her hand, her face beaming with a warm smile, her tone so affectionate that it was as if Daiyu were already her own daughter:
"Lord Lin, what are you saying! We're relatives, so please don't stand on ceremony! Look at Yu'er, she's such a wonderful person, so well-educated and reasonable, I love her so much! My mansion is big, but it's too desolate, I don't even have anyone to confide in."

As she spoke, she affectionately took Daiyu's hand, patted it gently, and looked earnestly at Lin Ruhai:
(End of this chapter)