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

Chapter 141 So What if it's the Jade Kirin? Encountering Madam Lin Again,

The steward took the heavy, brand-new silver notes, and his face immediately blossomed into a peony-like smile. His waist went weak and his bones felt like they were melting. He hurriedly bowed and led Ximen Qing, Lu Junyi, Yan Qing, and Dai'an up to the third floor.

Unexpectedly, an official suddenly emerged from the shadows at the stairwell. He wore a black gauze hat and a parrot-green round-necked official robe. He had a thin, long face, slanted eyebrows, and his chin was held so high that he seemed to want to pierce the top of the head. He reached out and stopped Lu Junyi and his companions.
"Wait a minute! Gentlemen! Forgive my poor eyesight. May I ask... do you hold any official rank or title?"

Lu Junyi laughed and said, "What's the reason that going up to the third floor requires not only money but also official rank? And who are you?"

The official's voice was shrill as he said, "I am Cui Shiqing, and I am honored to serve as a Hanlin Painting Academy Attendant! I am in charge of the etiquette and rules for today's 'Elegant Gathering for Appreciating Paintings'! This third floor is different from the usual 'Appreciation Gatherings' because, today, with the presence of Li Shishi, the head of the Li family, all those seated here are incomparably noble Hanlin scholars, literary masters, and even some of the capital's nobility! The focus is on refined manners and elegant calligraphy; commoners are not permitted to enter!"
Lu Junyi suppressed his displeasure. Having traveled the world, he knew the saying "money can make the devil turn the millstone."

A smile, characteristic of those in the martial arts world, a smile that carried three parts boldness and seven parts tact, appeared on his face. He clasped his hands in a fist salute again, his voice loud yet respectful:

"Please come in. My name is Lu Junyi, from Hebei. I have never been destined for officialdom. However, I have come here today because of your reputation, just to admire your famous paintings, see Li Xingshou, and broaden my horizons."

As he spoke, his large, fan-like hand, which was used to wielding guns and clubs, reached into his robes again with an air of natural ease and undeniable weight.

This time, what he pulled out was a brand new banknote with a larger denomination and a thicker lining, its surface clearly defined and its silver sheen subtly visible.

With a flick of his wrist, the silver note appeared as if by magic, steadily and with a slight breeze, right in front of Cui Shiqing's eyes. His words remained polite: "This is just a small token for tea, nothing more than a little something to add to your good fortune, sir. Please make an exception."

The thin, long-faced official named Cui Shiqing lazily opened his eyelids a crack, glancing sideways at the dazzling silver note in front of him—enough to buy ten years' worth of food for an ordinary family. His lips curled downwards, forcing out a cold, disgusting sneer, as if what was being offered to him wasn't money, but some filthy dregs.

Not only did he refuse, but he abruptly pulled the finger back, tucking it tightly into his parrot-green sleeve. His chin was held even higher, and his nostrils practically flared as he exhaled two streams of cold air.
"Ha! Master Lu? What a prestigious title! What a generous man!" He shrieked, his voice sounding like a night owl in heat, dripping with sarcasm.

"I, Cui Shiqing, am a Hanlin Academy Painting Attendant! I am in charge of the etiquette and rules for today's 'Gathering of Painting Appreciation'! It is a gathering of refined manners and elegant calligraphy and painting! How could such vulgar, money-grubbing, and crude brutes tarnish this noble place with a few coins?"

He spouted a string of self-aggrandizing and pretentious terms like "Jade Hall and Golden Horse," "Important Duties," "Upholding Ritual Standards," and "Refined Elegance," making the once upright "Jade Unicorn" Lu Junyi feel as if he had swallowed ten pounds of aged vinegar, causing his internal organs to twist and a surge of turbid air to rush to the top of his head.

His handsome face instantly turned from red to purple, then from purple to black, turning as red as a pig's liver! His titles of "Jade Kirin" and "One of the Three Wonders of Hebei" made him a figure who could shake the mountains and rivers of the martial arts world with a stomp of his foot!
He was unparalleled in spear and staff fighting, and unmatched in fist and foot techniques, having defeated all opponents in Hebei! He had never suffered such humiliation before, especially since the other party was merely a lowly official with no rank, doing odd jobs and listening to shouts in the Hanlin Academy of Painting!
The brand-new silver note that had been handed out earlier was still frozen in mid-air, unclaimed, but it was like a red-hot iron slap, slapping hard back at Lu Junyi's own face!
A searing pain shot through him! A surge of inexplicable rage erupted from the soles of his feet, shooting straight to the top of his head, burning his eyes until they were bloodshot and his temples throbbed! How dare this vile scoundrel be so arrogant and disrespectful?!

Ximen Qing, who was observing coldly from the sidelines, couldn't help but sigh inwardly. This was the state of the world today!
No matter what your "Three Wonders of Hebei" are, you are unparalleled in horsemanship, the best in staff fighting, and a hero renowned throughout the martial arts world!

In Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital, without a title or an official robe, even a dragon must coil up and a tiger must lie low!

A lowly, unranked official from the painting academy, relying on the air of being a "Hanlin" (a high-ranking scholar in the Hanlin Academy), dared to block a powerful and wealthy man like you, a leader of the martial arts world, from going upstairs, making you lose face and unable to even go upstairs!
Dr. Mi Yuanzhang upstairs was originally just a commoner, but because of his good calligraphy and a few wonderful paintings, he gained the favor of the officials. He was first awarded the honorary title of Doctor of Calligraphy and Painting of the Ninth Rank, and then he was transformed into a Sixth Rank Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Although their actual power may not be as great as that of those regional officials, they have the advantage of being close to the emperor and being able to walk in front of the emperor every day! This favor of accompanying the emperor sometimes carries more weight in the emperor's heart than those first- or second-rank officials in the outer court!

This is the real ladder to heaven!
The thought flashed through the mind of the official, but Lu Junyi was already seething with anger.

"Hey! You scoundrel..." Lu Junyi roared angrily, making the floorboards vibrate. His large hand, fanned with palm leaves, was bulging with veins. He had clenched the silver notes into a fist, and it looked like he was about to smash them into that hateful thin face!

Yan Qing, the rogue standing nearby, twitched his eyelids, knowing that his master was as fiery as fire, and that if he made a move, he would definitely smash this skinny little official into a meat patty! This was Bianjing, the capital city under the emperor's nose! He moved slightly, his inner strength already reaching his fingertips, and was about to step forward to grab Lu Junyi's arm.

At this critical moment, when sparks were flying, Ximen Qing, like a gust of wind, took half a step forward and grabbed Lu Junyi's bulging, ready-to-strike arm, his face still bearing that warm smile as gentle as the spring sun in March.

Standing beside him, Dai'an was incredibly clever. Seeing the official's meaningful glance, he immediately became quick-witted.

He slid forward and shouted at the arrogant Cui Daizhao, "Tai! Look carefully! My master Ximen may not have any official rank, but he is indeed the adoptive father of a third-rank military officer, and has a distinguished status!"

"A third-rank military officer!" Cui Shiqing's arrogant, thin donkey-like face instantly turned ashen, like a pig's bladder drained of blood, draining all color and becoming as white as paper! The pedantic arrogance of a "pure official awaiting imperial orders" just now, like a fish bladder punctured by a steel needle, leaked out with a "whoosh"!

Cui Shiqing said with a forced smile, "So...so you are a esteemed relative of a third-rank official! I spoke rashly and offended you, sir. But...but today, the gathering upstairs is filled with literary giants like Dr. Mi and Scholar Chen, all of whom are extremely distinguished and value their status and dignity...That's the rule...Without official rank, it's really...really inconvenient to go upstairs. I beg you, sir, to be so kind as to not make things difficult for me..."

The official raised an eyebrow, just as he was at this stalemate, caught between a rock and a hard place—

Suddenly, a woman's voice, languid yet authoritative, sweet and alluring, drifted down the stairs, carrying a cloying scent of perfume that hooked into the ears of everyone below.
"Oh! What's all this noise downstairs? It's making all the distinguished guests upstairs frown and disturbing their enjoyment of the painting!"

The official was taken aback.

The voice had been calling out "Daddy" and "Mmm" all over him, so how could he not recognize who it was?

Just as the standoff had been taking place downstairs, a group of elegantly dressed ladies, adorned with jewels, were seated around a table in a private room separated by a screen not far from the third-floor staircase. They were the families of the nobles, members of the imperial family, and civil officials who were accompanying the gathering that day. Seated at the head of the table was none other than Madam Lin, a third-rank imperial consort.

At this moment, Mrs. Lin had a pair of earrings on her earlobes that were the size of longan, perfectly round and flawless, with a shimmering halo!

What's even more eye-catching is the jadeite bracelet of excellent quality and vibrant green that loosely adorns her fair wrist, which complements the several gold rings with cat's-eye and emerald emeralds on her slender fingers.

This air of wealth and nobility was wrapped around a body as ripe as a peach. Though her waist was slender, her hips were round and full, which made her fine silk robe and horse-face skirt undulate in a captivating way, exuding a seductive charm. Yet, her eyes and brows also carried a touch of the reserved nobility of a noblewoman. She was both alluring and aristocratic, captivating and mesmerizing.

The ladies of the noble families at the same table were all shrewd and experienced, with incredibly sharp eyes! The wife of the Right Councilor of the Court of Judicial Review, the second mistress of the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion, the concubine of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices... several pairs of eyes had already scrutinized Madam Lin from head to toe, from jewelry to clothing, seventy or eighty times!

"Oh my," the second mistress of the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion said in a high-pitched voice, half-covering her mouth with a round fan, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for Madam Lin to hear, "Madam Lin, these South Sea pearls, I'm afraid they weren't tributes bestowed by the palace the other day, were they? Judging by their quality and size, they must be worth... over a thousand taels of silver?"

Her voice trailed off, carrying an undisguised bitterness.

“Indeed,” the wife of the Right Councilor of the Court of Judicial Review interjected, her eyes fixed on the jade bracelet on Mrs. Lin’s wrist, which was as clear as a pool of blue water. “Sister Lin’s bracelet is truly rare! The clarity and the color of the jade, it must be imperial green of the glass type, right? The few pieces we have in our storeroom look like stones compared to this one!”

While she flattered him verbally, she was quickly calculating in her mind: Although her husband was a third-rank official, it was a lowly and incorruptible government office. Even if he paid all his annual allowances, it probably wouldn't be enough to buy the few items Mrs. Lin was wearing! How much salary did a third-rank military officer with such a nominal title receive? Where did his wife get such extravagant wealth?

Could it be... I heard that he made his son, Xiao Wang Zhaoxuan, take a godfather, a wealthy landowner?
The group exchanged knowing glances, their eyes filled with a mixture of envy and disdain.

How could Mrs. Lin not know what these gossipy women were thinking? She just smiled lazily, her eyes sparkling with a hint of smugness and disdain. Her own woman knew her own woman.

Don't be fooled by their seemingly disdainful attitude. If you were to ask them if they were willing, and even one of them said no, they would jump off this building. All their bitterness comes from what they themselves lack, and the more bitter they are, the more they feel this way.

Mrs. Lin picked up a chilled grape from the Western Regions with her slender fingers, parted her red lips slightly to reveal her pearly teeth, and said slowly, "My sisters are too kind. These are just ordinary trinkets, nothing to be proud of..."

Before she could finish speaking, the sounds of arguing could be faintly heard from downstairs. Mrs. Lin frowned slightly, listened intently for a moment, and then her watery, alluring eyes suddenly lit up.

And so, this moment came to be.

The high-ranking official looked up, and the image of that voluptuous and alluring figure, those captivating eyes, immediately appeared before him. He instinctively looked up—

At the top of the stairs, a woman in a silver-red and gold-embroidered robe and a pale yellow and gold-embroidered skirt stood like a cloud of opulent wealth and alluring charm. Her voluptuous figure and broad, full hips were none other than Madam Lin, a third-rank noblewoman. Madam Lin's eyes darted around, first giving Ximen Qing's handsome face a playful, almost reproachful, flick, then her gaze fell on Cui Shiqing, whose face was ashen and who trembled like a leaf. Her lips parted slightly, her voice still languid, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:
"Cui Daizhao, what a big deal! You even dare to block my family's close friend, Master Ximen, from eating dust downstairs?"

She emphasized the words "close family ties" with great emphasis, her breasts slightly thrust out, and the pearl tassels on her gold and kingfisher hairpin trembled wildly, making Cui Shiqing dizzy.

"thump!"

Cui Shiqing could no longer hold on. His knees buckled, and he collapsed heavily to his knees in front of the stairs, his forehead thumping against the hardwood floorboards. His voice was trembling and choked with sobs: "Mrs. Lin...Mrs. Lin! I was blind! I deserve to die! I deserve to die!"

"Fine, then show me my family connections!"

Mrs. Lin's words, "Put it up here," were like a pardon, or even a steel whip, striking Cui Shiqing so hard that he dared not hesitate for a moment. He scrambled to the side.

The frost on Ximen Qing's face instantly melted into a spring breeze. He nodded almost imperceptibly to Madam Lin, his eyes gleaming with an ambiguous spark that only the two of them could understand.

The four of them went up to the third floor. He turned to Lu Junyi, whose face was still purple and who was still angry, and whispered, "Senior brother, please come and sit in the private room next door for a while and have a cup of tea to calm your nerves. I will chat with this Madam Lin, who is a close friend of mine, for a few minutes and then come over."

At this moment, Lu Junyi was so ashamed that he couldn't put his sword back in its sheath. He had nowhere to vent his anger and felt that he had lost face today.

Hearing Ximen Qing's arrangement, he was too lazy to argue with the sycophantic Cui Shiqing any longer and strode towards an empty space to the side. His footsteps thumped on the floorboards, clearly showing his pent-up resentment.

Mrs. Lin's eyes were glued to Ximen Qing, and when he dismissed the others, her watery, seductive eyes were filled with even more lust.

She swayed gracefully, like a willow in the wind, and led the way to a secluded corner under a window deep in the corridor. Ximen Qing understood, a smug yet slightly wicked smile playing on his lips, and followed at a leisurely pace.

How clever was Dai'an? Seeing the two heading towards that secluded spot, he immediately stood like a doorman, silently blocking the entrance to the passageway.

At the end of the corridor, near the window, the light was slightly dim. Outside the window was a lush clump of green bamboo in the back garden, its branches and leaves adding to the sense of seclusion. The sounds of people were separated by the music and laughter from the front hall, with only the soft rustling of bamboo leaves.

Just as Mrs. Lin turned a corner piled with several paint jars, ensuring her figure was completely hidden—

Ximen Qing suddenly stretched out his long arm, like an iron hoop, and tightly embraced Madam Lin's plump, soft, and fragrant waist! The force was so great that he almost mashed her into his arms!
"My dear father!" Mrs. Lin let out a soft moan as she was caught off guard by the sudden embrace. Instead of being angry, she seemed to lose all her bones, and her soft, fragrant body went limp in Ximen Qing's arms.

Her face was flushed, her breath was shallow, and her hot, red lips eagerly pressed against the man's face. Her words, like a floodgate bursting open, poured out in a hurried and seductive murmur: "You want to kill me! My dear father! You heartless, short-lived wretch! How many days has it been since you last set foot in my house? Have you abandoned me after Lin Ruhai left?"

She pouted coquettishly, her eyes gleaming with seductive allure, her breath coming in soft, watery tones: "How did I end up at this damned gathering today? Could it be... that you knew I was here? As the saying goes, fate brings enemies together, and even a vixen like me can't escape your monkey's club!"

After a while.

Mrs. Lin returned to her table of family members, her face beaming and her eyes sparkling. Her cheeks still held a faint blush, as if she had applied the finest rouge, her temples were slightly damp, and a few strands of hair clung to her delicate neck, adding to her languid and alluring charm.

As soon as she sat down, several elegantly dressed women, adorned with jewels and sparkling jewelry, crowded around her, whispering but unable to hide their sour, gossipy air.
"Oh my, my lady! I saw you go out just now. Did you see your 'family friend' Ximen Qing?" A round-faced, slightly plump woman covered her mouth with a round fan and smiled mischievously.

Mrs. Lin proudly raised her chin, her eyes sparkling with desire: "That's right! He also came to deliver a painting to Dr. Mi, and we just happened to run into each other." Her voice was sweet and crisp, deliberately raised a few decibels, as if she wanted the people at the next table to hear.

Another woman with slightly high cheekbones and thin lips scoffed and curled her lip: "Sending paintings? Ha! A herbal medicine shop owner from Qinghe County knows how to appreciate paintings? Could it be that he dares to send some cheap stuff to fool country bumpkins to the third floor? Dr. Mi's eyes are sharp and discerning, they can spot vulgar money!"

These words drew snickers from the women at the table, their eyes filled with disdain.

Mrs. Lin's face flushed red and then turned pale from the barbed words. Her eyebrows stood on end, her almond eyes widened, and she slammed her gold-flecked fan on the table with a "bang" before standing up abruptly.

Mrs. Lin angrily ripped off her shimmering South Sea pearl earring and tossed it onto the white jade fruit plate in the center of the table with a clatter. The kingfisher feathers and gemstones glittered under the lamplight.
"Since you ladies are so interested in Master Ximen's paintings, why don't we sisters play a little game to add some enjoyment? Let's use this as a stake. If Dr. Mi takes a liking to the painting sent by my child's godfather, I will shamelessly ask each of you here for an equally exquisite one. If... it doesn't meet Dr. Mi's standards..."

She paused, her eyes sweeping over the crowd, "This one, please, sisters, choose one that is destined to receive it, so that we may complete the gathering today. What do you say?"

Her chest heaved violently, her voluptuous body trembling slightly with excitement, adding a touch of fierce shrewishness to her alluring demeanor.

The women at the table were stunned by her reckless attitude. They looked at each other, and for a moment, no one dared to respond. Mrs. Lin sneered, raised her head, and sat down again like a victorious hen.

The master and his servant returned to the brightly lit and bustling main hall on the third floor. Upon closer inspection, even someone as accustomed to the wealth of Qinghe County and the prosperity of Dongjing City couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in his heart!
The third floor of Shufang Pavilion is truly the epitome of elegance!
Beneath our feet was a thick velvet carpet woven with gold peony patterns, soft and silent underfoot. Above us hung dozens of octagonal glass palace lanterns, their shades painted with landscapes and mist personally inscribed by Mi Fu.

There are large sandalwood painting tables arranged in an L-shape along the four walls, and the walls are covered with original calligraphy and paintings! The tables are covered with snow wave Xuan paper, and there are Hetian jade Pixiu statues on them. There are also bundles and rolls of paintings, some casually spread out, some rolled up and waiting to be appreciated.

Several court painters carefully carried the newly delivered scrolls, moving among the distinguished guests.

On the low couches and brocade stools, some sat, some leaned, all were people of extraordinary bearing.

An elderly prince of the imperial family, wearing a traveler's hat and a python robe, was stroking his beard and carefully examining a painting titled "Autumn Mountains and Travelers".

There were scholars and officials, dressed in gauze hats and round collars, with a refined and elegant air, quietly commenting on another painting, "Fishing Alone on a Cold River."

In the center of the hall, a circular area covered with a scarlet carpet was set aside, clearly intended for performance. It was currently empty, but a zither with a sandalwood base and a pair of jade and ivory clappers were quietly placed on it, hinting at the upcoming celestial music and dance.

Mi Fu, also known as Mi Yuanzhang, sat high in the main seat, his robes fluttering wildly, his beard and hair bristling. He sat cross-legged on the prestigious rosewood couch, displaying no proper posture whatsoever, as if he were squatting on his own kang (heated brick bed) scolding his children and grandchildren.

"Bring it all here! Let this old man see what 'treasures' have come to offend my eyes today!" His voice was hoarse, filled with undisguised irritation.

The first painting is a landscape.

The painting by the Imperial Painting Academy had only been half-unfolded when Mi Fu glanced at the foot of the mountain and sprang up from his couch, pointing at the painting, his fingers trembling like withered branches in the wind:
"Hey! This...this brushwork! It's all muddy and limp, like an old woman's foot binding cloth! The hilltops are even more laughable! The ink dots are piled up without any order, looking like a bunch of toads fighting over mud! How dare they pretend to be from Fan Zhongli's school?"

"Pah! If Fan Zhongli were here, he would be so angry that he would jump off Zhongnan Mountain! Vulgar! Vulgar to the bone! Take it away! Take it away now! If I look at it any longer, my eyes will get sores!" He covered his eyes, looking disgusted, as if the painting would emit foul odors.

The second painting is a meticulous and colorful "Peony and Butterfly" painting, with vibrant colors and exquisite brushwork.

Mi Fu wrinkled his nose and leaned closer: "The painting is indeed detailed, but what's the use of such detail? It's lifeless! Utterly devoid of any interest! Look at this peony, its petals are stiff as paper, and its colors are as gaudy as a village woman's blush! And this butterfly, its wings are as heavy as sheet metal, and its antennae are as stiff as steel needles!"

"Craftsmanship! Utterly craftsmanship! This kind of painting is only fit to depict patterns on coffin lids! Low-grade! Lowest grade! Roll it up! Don't let this vulgarity offend my refined spirit!"

(End of this chapter)