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

Chapter 159 Everything is ready, the Jia family begins painting.

Ximen Da Guanren responded, and Lin Ruhai nodded, cupped his hands in greeting, and then turned and went into the carved private room on the second floor.

The official strolled back to his seat by the window, picked up the half-finished teacup, and gulped it down. His gaze remained fixed on the bustling crowd outside the window, waiting for Dai'an, the servant boy, to appear.

On the other side, the waiter, his face plastered with an obsequious smile, approached, bowing so low he almost broke: "Honorable guest, may you enjoy boundless blessings and peace! May I ask what you would like to eat today?"

The official withdrew his gaze from the window and casually said, "Having just arrived in this blessed land, I am unfamiliar with your ways. Tell me about your specialties."

Upon hearing this, the waiter perked up even more, straightened his back slightly, and, as if his tongue were coated with honey, rattled off a string of words, each one exuding the refinement and sophistication of a chef:
"Oh my! Sir, you've come to the right place! The first dish must be our Fanlou restaurant's signature 'Handwashing Crab'! The crab must be the largest and fattest one with green back and golden claws from the depths of Taihu Lake in Suzhou! Each one is lively and jumping around, steamed to order, and immediately served by our special servant with silver skewers and scissors to dismantle it while it's still hot."

"The accompanying ginger and vinegar dish is made with the tenderest ginger shoots, and the vinegar must be aged for more than ten years in Zhenjiang Old Cellar. When poured out, it is clear and bright. If you drop a drop into the jade dish, it can reflect your image and shimmer with an amber-like light!"

"The second dish is 'Lotus Flower Duck Skewer'! It uses the tenderest piece of meat from the breast of a stuffed duck. The chef who slices the meat has such exquisite knife skills that it's as thin as a cicada's wing! It's sliced ​​so thinly that it's almost invisible, then coated with a thin batter made of egg white and secret ingredients, and deep-fried."

"The heat control is absolutely crucial. If it's too hot, it will burn; if it's too cold, it will be soft. It must be fried until it's crispy layer by layer, shaped like a golden lotus just beginning to bloom in a pond, exactly eight petals, each petal distinct. If it's even one petal short, this dish is free for our distinguished guests!"

"The third dish is 'sheep's head skewers'! The sheep's head must be from a freshly slaughtered lamb, steamed until thoroughly cooked. The butcher slicing the meat must have a knife as steady as Mount Tai, slicing the meat so thin that light can pass through it and you can even see the ink marks underneath when it's laid on rice paper!"

"Especially the sheep's eyeballs, they must be removed completely, like crystal jelly, trembling slightly, without breaking a single bit of the skin! The dipping sauce is freshly roasted Sichuan peppercorns, finely ground into powder in a stone mortar, mixed with green salt transported from beyond the Great Wall, that's what really enhances the flavor!"

He spoke with spittle flying, swallowed hard, and continued, "The fourth course."

"Alright, alright, alright!" The official waved his hand dismissively. "Bring me these three dishes! And the wine? What good wine do you have?"

The waiter smiled and said, "Wine—for honored guests, it must be the best! 'Meishoutang' has been aging 'Qiongsu' for a full twenty years! I'll go get it myself and use our official kiln-fired celadon-glazed wine warmer to warm it in water until it's piping hot, so it's easy to swallow!"

Listening to the waiter's eloquent and skillful description, Master Ximen slightly raised his eyelids and said, "Come on up, all of you!"

Before long, delicacies were laid out before the table:

A large, shallow Ding ware white porcelain plate holds two large, translucent, orange-red crabs with overflowing roe. The crab shells are glossy, the roe is like solidified red gold, and the crab meat is as white as snow.

Beside it was a dish of tender yellow ginger shreds with deep amber-colored vinegar, and silver skewers, silver hammers, and silver scissors were all present, gleaming coldly.

Ximen Da Guanren stretched out his slender fingers, picked up the silver stick, and gently flicked it. A large piece of trembling, creamy crab roe fell into the small dish. He dipped it in ginger vinegar, put it in his mouth, closed his eyes to savor it, and let out a satisfied hum.

On a jade plate, eight golden lotus flowers bloomed. Ximen Qing picked one up with silver chopsticks, bit into the crispy crust, and found tender, juicy duck breast inside. The rising steam carried the aroma of duck fat and wheat, filling his nostrils. He chewed slowly, the crispness and tenderness intertwining in his mouth—crispy without being burnt, the duck meat incredibly fresh!

In the delicate porcelain dish, thin slices were neatly arranged. The sheep's face was white with a hint of pink, and its tongue was tender red. Most eye-catching were the few complete, crystal-like sheep eyes.

Ximen Da Guanren picked up a slice of meat with the sheep's eye still attached, dipped it in salt and pepper, and put it in his mouth. The sheep's face meat was soft and tender with a slight chewiness, and when he gently bit the sheep's eyeball between his teeth, it burst out with a "pop" sound, releasing a little bit of slippery juice.

Sun Xue'e's dishes are good, but compared to her refined skills, they are really like the coarse food of a country bumpkin.

While they were eating, they saw a skinny boy downstairs, who looked like a half-grown monkey, with a roll of something tucked under his arm and his eyes darting around. He nimbly climbed up the outer pillar of Fenglelou like a monkey!
Through the carved wooden window, he lowered his voice and called out, "My lord! My lord! The new 'Happy Forest' tabloid!"

"The freshest 'entertainment news' in Tokyo! Who did Lady Li meet at Fanlou last night?"

"For whom did Lady Zhao Yuannu compose her new piece?"

"For whom were the nine gates of the capital sealed off?"

"Wang Jingnu's wife and that imperial student... hehe, sir, would you like a share? Only fifty coins."

Mr. Ximen found it amusing and took out a copper coin to hand over.

The child swiftly stuffed a roll of rough mulberry paper into the paper, then cautiously looked around before sliding down the pillar and disappearing into the crowd as if he had never been there.

The official unfolded the tabloid, which was covered in ink and contained vague yet extremely erotic stories about the scandals of the top business leaders.

The calls of "Excuse me!" from downstairs drew the man's attention back to him. He saw a "loafer" wearing a blue headscarf and a short-sleeved shirt despite the cool weather, with bulging muscles on his arms.

He steadily carried a huge red lacquered food box, stacked three or four layers high, in one hand, and a wine jar in the other, yet his steps were swift, and he shouted:

"Excuse me! Excuse me! The 'Hundred Flavors Soup' and 'Roasted Deer Roe' from 'Huixianlou' are being delivered to the Li residence! Don't block the way!"

He moved nimbly through the traffic and crowds, as if walking on flat ground. This was none other than the famous "door-to-door courier" of Bianjing.

It was already night, and the noise at the foot of the building was like a boiling pot, with people all around, just like these two, taking in the myriad aspects of city life.

Food stalls and vendors of all kinds were packed together, and shouts rose and fell, vying to reach the ears of the distinguished guests upstairs.

"Fragrant candy and fruit! Honey-glazed and carved!" "Freshly roasted pork skin and meat! Crispy tendon!" "Iced cold dumplings!" "Crispy crystal sashimi!"
The air was filled with a mixture of smells: the aroma of fat, the sweetness of fruit, the fishy smell, and the sourness of sweat. The afternoon sun made the smell even stronger and more intense.

A little further away, the rainbow bridge spanning the Bian River was bustling with activity, like an anthill that had come to a boil.

Pedestrians thronged the bridge, while carts, horses, donkeys, and mules were packed together.

Beside the bridge railing, an artist performing "medicine-infused puppetry" was about to light a fire; the puppets, adorned with brightly colored costumes, hung from bamboo poles.

The person next to them, who was using a "water puppet," activated a mechanism inside the wooden enclosure, and the wooden puppet moved swiftly on the water, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The Bian River flows beneath the bridge, where hundreds of boats race against each other.

The government's large transport ships, the wealthy merchants' passenger and cargo ships, and the small boats used for fishing and transporting goods weaved through the gaps like shuttles.

Several pleasure boats laden with courtesans slowly passed by, their gauze curtains half-rolled up, revealing the beautiful figures inside, their hair adorned with flowers, their faces painted with brocade and embroidered robes. Their laughter and the sound of pipa rippled across the water, causing the idle men on the bridge to crane their necks, wishing they could transform into water birds and fly over to get a closer look.

It's truly a case of being blinded by the dazzling prosperity and having one's mind wandering!
Before long, Dai'an was seen leading his horse over from a distance.

He was panting heavily, with a fine layer of sweat on his forehead, his face flushed red, and his hair was somewhat loose, clearly indicating that he had just struggled to squeeze through the crowd.

He rushed upstairs, catching his breath and wiping his sweat, and spotted Master Ximen immediately. He ran inside and whispered, "Father! I'm back! I bribed some local militia and found a few thugs in the local government office. I managed to find out more about them..."

He then recounted in detail all the information he had received.

Ximen Da Guanren nodded slightly, and gently touched the scarlet felt tabletop with his finger, which was covered in crab oil, to clean the grease off his hand.

"Good, Dai'an, you've improved, well done!" Master Ximen turned to the side, gesturing for Dai'an to come closer.

Dai'an hurriedly pressed his ear closer, and the master carefully explained how to do it.
Dai'an nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Uncle! I'll go right away."

Ximen Da Guanren pointed to the table: "What's the rush? You've been running around all afternoon, how can you go without food? Sit down, I'll order you two more dishes to fill your stomach before you leave."

Dai'an waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head like a rattle drum: "Father, I appreciate your kindness! But... but once the food and wine are in my stomach, I feel warm and sleepy, which makes me drowsy! This task is related to your important business, so even if I'm starving, I have to keep my spirits up!"

"If I fail to fulfill my father's plan, I would rather die a hundred times than forgive myself! I'll go right now!"

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Ximen Da Guanren, then turned around and slid down the stairs as silently as a cat, instantly blending into the bustling crowd and lights below.

The official himself felt completely satisfied, the richness of the crab roe mixed with the warmth of the wine in the crispy pastry coursing through his veins.

He lazily raised his chin, and the waiter slunk over to him, saying, "Honorable guest, are you satisfied? I'll bring you the bill!"

The official hummed an "hmm" through his nose.

The waiter immediately perked up, his voice low but shrewd, like the beading of an abacus: "Reporting to our honored guest, two pairs of 'washing crabs' from Taihu Lake, priced at two taels of silver at market value."

“A dish of ‘Lotus Duck Skewers’ costs eight qian of silver.”

“A dish of ‘sheep’s head sticks’ costs five qian of silver.”

“Two baskets of ‘crab roe buns’, each basket weighing six qian, totaling one liang and two qian.”

“A pot of ‘Qiong Su’ aged twenty years from ‘Mei Shou Tang’ is a precious cellar-aged product, worth three taels of pure silver.”

"The tea and charcoal service fee for the 'Star-Picking Pavilion' private room is three qian of silver. The total is... seven taels and eight qian of snowflake-patterned silver!"

Without even lifting an eyelid, Ximen Da Guanren slowly untied a heavy, dark brocade pouch from his waist. He pulled the gold-threaded drawstring at the opening, pouring out several neatly cut, gleaming silver ingots. He then picked out a few loose pieces of silver and pushed them onto the scarlet felt, producing a pleasant clinking sound.
"Here, eight taels of official silver. The rest is for you to buy wine."

The waiter's voice changed, and this two coins were quite a sum: "Oh my god! Thank you so much for your generous reward, sir! You are truly the reincarnation of the God of Wealth! I kowtow to you! I wish you a swift promotion, daily riches, a harmonious marriage, and a bountiful family..."

Flattery poured out like it was free. Clutching the pile of gleaming silver, he bent over so low he almost broke, and shuffled backwards down the stairs.

Ximen Da Guanren straightened his collar, strolled out leisurely, checked the time, and led his horse toward the Rongguo Mansion.

As dusk settles, the daytime clamor not only remains undiminished, but is instead ignited by countless lights, fueling the sea of ​​human desires.

The roadside signs were adorned with colorful lights.

The shop signs, such as "Liu Family's Stained Sandalwood and Incense Shop," "Grandma Cao's Meat Pie Shop," "Wang Family's Brocade and Silk Shop," and "Zhao Taicheng's Pharmacy," were layered with shimmering light, resembling a burning pagoda from afar.

Various vendors carried "gardenia lanterns" and sold "plum soup" and "iced licorice water" from shoulder poles, their small copper cups jingling.

The stalls selling "crispy crystal slices" and "spicy skewers" were surrounded by layers of customers.

There were also puppet shows and shadow plays, with gongs and drums beating loudly, eliciting screams and laughter from the children.

Ximen Da Guanren overheard this as he walked. Judging by the time, Lin Ruhai should be waiting there.

He then roused himself, mounted his horse, and strolled toward the magnificent Rongguo Mansion. Upon reaching the vermilion-lacquered gate with its beast-head design, several haughty servants stood beside the stone lions, their chests puffed out and bellies protruding.

Da Guanren Qing straightened his clothes and stepped forward to announce his name: "Please inform him that I am Ximen Qing from Qinghe County, and I have come to pay my respects at the invitation of Lord Lin."

Upon hearing the names "Lord Lin" and "Ximen Qing," the gatekeeper's arrogance immediately turned into utmost respect.

One of the quick-witted ones ran in to announce the arrival, and soon a well-dressed steward came out quickly, bowing deeply: "Master Ximen! Master Lin has already given instructions, please come in quickly! My master is also waiting inside."

The steward led Ximen Qing through corridors and courtyards, past several courtyards with carved beams and painted rafters and lush flowers and trees, until they arrived at a small pavilion by the water, named 'Mengpo Studio'.

The interior of the pavilion is furnished in a simple and elegant style, with bookshelves full of books and the faint scent of ink. Several landscape paintings and calligraphy hang on the walls.

Inside the pavilion, Lin Ruhai was sitting opposite a middle-aged official who wore a dark blue robe, had a dignified face, and sported a neat three-pronged beard, enjoying tea.

The official had an air of scholarly refinement about him, yet also a hint of the reserve and rigidity of a noble son; he was none other than Jia Zheng, an assistant minister in the Ministry of Works.

Upon seeing Ximen Qing enter, Lin Ruhai rose with a smile: "My lord has arrived! Please, please come in!"

He turned to Jia Zheng and introduced him, "Brother Cunzhou, this is the man I often mention, Ximen Xianmo of Qinghe! He is the 'Painting Champion' personally bestowed by the Emperor, and he is currently enjoying great favor from the Emperor!"

Upon hearing the words "Xianmo," Jia Zheng felt as if his heart had been struck by a small hammer!
He studied diligently for decades, and even with his hair turning gray, he was only a fifth-rank official in the Ministry of Works.

Entering the "Pavilion" was the lifelong dream of a scholar like him, something even Lin Ruhai envied, let alone him.

A fleeting, barely concealed bitterness crossed his eyes, but he dared not be negligent. He quickly rose from his seat and respectfully performed the "equal official's salute" to Ximen Qing.
"Oh dear! My apologies! It turns out you are Ximen Xianmo! Brother Ruhai has indeed mentioned many times that Qinghe has produced an extraordinary figure, who is well-versed in both government affairs and economics, and also possesses superb artistic skills. He is a man of both literary and military talents, and is favored by the Emperor!"

"To see your esteemed face today, I realize that Xianmo is such a young and outstanding talent, with inner brilliance and potential! I admire you greatly!"

Jia Zheng's scholarly pride was being scratched by a cat's claws. He had always ridiculed poetry, saying, "It's a trivial skill, not something a strong man would do."

But I would never dare to mock someone's drawing skills.

Grand Tutor Cai Jing was a master of calligraphy and painting, and the Emperor was particularly fond of it, praising it highly.

Even if Jia Zheng had a hundred times the courage, he wouldn't dare show the slightest disdain for such derogatory remarks about painting skills.

The official had already noticed the fleeting envy in Jia Zheng's eyes, and humbly replied, "Your Excellency is too kind! I am but a humble scholar, and I am deeply humbled by Your Majesty's favor in bestowing upon me this minor post. My skills are merely for amusement and entertainment; how could I possibly deserve such praise?" "It is truly a great honor to meet you both today, and I eagerly await your instruction." With that, he bowed again to Lin Ruhai, his posture extremely humble.

Jia Zheng and Jia Cunzhou coldly sized up this newly promoted "Ximen Xianmo".

He was extremely respectful to me, and his words were humble and measured. He was well-mannered and his responses were appropriate. He showed no trace of the vulgarity or greed of a common merchant, nor any arrogance or conceit that one might have gained a high position.

His gentle and refined demeanor, and his measured manner of conduct, subtly revealed a scholarly air of being well-read and deeply cultivated!

He felt even more solemn and invited Ximen Qing to take the seat of honor. He then diligently ordered a servant to replace the tea with freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea, addressing him as "Xianmo" with utmost respect.

The three of them took their seats as host and guest, and exchanged pleasantries about the customs of the court and anecdotes in the capital.

Seeing that the atmosphere was harmonious, Lin Ruhai put down his teacup and smiled at Ximen Qing, saying, "Xianmo, the reason I invited you here today is that I have a favor to ask of you."

The official didn't exchange many pleasantries: "Please speak! I will do my utmost to repay your kindness."

Lin Ruhai was delighted to see Ximen Qing's straightforwardness and said, "After the morning court session ended hastily, I heard Mi Yuanzhang praise Ximen Xianmo in front of us, saying that his portraits were 'lifelike, with every hair seemingly moving, as if they could steal one's soul!' He is far inferior to Ximen Xianmo!"

"I am itching to get my hands on a small portrait by Ximen Xianmo. I wonder if Xianmo would be so kind as to grant me this request?"

Upon hearing this, the official paused slightly, then smiled and said, "There's nothing wrong with that, but... I came in a hurry today and didn't bring my usual set of painting tools! I'm afraid it won't be perfect..."

Lin Ruhai was overjoyed upon hearing this. Although he maintained a composed demeanor, the smile in his eyes was impossible to hide.

He was overjoyed and thought to himself, "Heaven has mercy! The salt business in Jiangnan is very complicated and I may not be able to return for many years. I also fear other unexpected events. My Yu'er will be left here, and father and daughter will be separated by distance, with no one to think of her! If I could get this skillful hand of Ximen Xianmo to paint this portrait of me and leave it for Yu'er, it would comfort her suffering of living under someone else's roof and ease her longing for her son... Wouldn't that be better than a thousand words?"

Thinking of this, he smiled and pointed to the desk: "Xianmo, don't worry! There's pen and ink here."

Master Ximen shook his head and explained, “My lord, you are unaware of the truth. My clumsy method of painting portraits is different from ordinary ink wash. The most important thing is to use charcoal made from the finest pine wood, which is finely ground into strips. Its dark and sparse color, as well as its ease of rubbing, are the only way to capture subtle charm and outline the bone structure and texture.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai and Jia Zheng exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with surprise and realization.

Jia Zheng stroked his beard and praised, "Wonderful! Wonderful indeed! Ximen Xianmo truly understands the nature of things and has come up with a unique idea! Such a wonderful method must be a secret he has discovered alone! How could ordinary writing fully reveal Xianmo's skills?"

He turned to his trusted servant Li Gui, who was standing to the side, and solemnly instructed him with the air of witnessing a miraculous skill: "Li Gui! Did you hear what Master Xianmo said? Hurry up and go."

Li Gui, having received Jia Zheng's strict order, dared not delay and rushed to the kitchen to fetch charcoal.

Just as they passed through a moon gate, they bumped into Lian Er Nai Nai Wang Xifeng, along with Ping'er and several wives and servants. They had just finished inspecting the gates and checking the safety of the fires and candles, and were standing in the drafty passageway, fanning themselves with a handkerchief and giving instructions on tomorrow's shopping chores.

Li Gui quickly stopped, bowed respectfully, and said, "Greetings to Second Madam."

Wang Xifeng raised an eyebrow, noticing his hurried manner, and casually asked, "Why are you running like your pants are on fire?"

Li Gui dared not hide anything and recounted everything in detail.

"The esteemed official of Qinghe County, Ximen Xianmo?" Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's eyebrows furrowed suddenly, and a glint of light flashed in her phoenix eyes. Her previous languid demeanor was instantly replaced by surprise and suspicion.

Her heart skipped a beat, then exploded with an alarm: "It's him again?!"

That face immediately appeared before her eyes: sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards, a pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling, with a hint of wickedness, and yet he was also born with a high nose bridge, red lips and white teeth, truly a handsome face! She could never forget it!
"This Ximen Qing master... who exactly is he? How many layers of skin does he wear?" Wang Xifeng's mind was in turmoil, filled with doubts.
"At first it was 'Qinghe County's Hua Tuo,' then it turned into a merchant. Yesterday at the poetry gathering, he even came up with two crooked and pretentious poems, which made the women in this mansion feel weak in the knees."

As someone who's been through it all, she could see it clearly. Regardless of whether the women in the household were unmarried or young widows, they all looked like they'd taken aphrodisiacs after reading those two poems of longing. Even Li Wan, who always strictly adhered to etiquette, looked like a widow in love.

And now look what's happened! This Mr. Ximen has suddenly transformed into a distinguished guest whom both the master and the young master want to receive with great respect at 'Mengpo Studio'? And he keeps calling me... 'Xianmo'?
Wang Xifeng was completely baffled by this official title. Although she was shrewd and capable in managing the household affairs, she knew little about these formal, literary titles bestowed by the imperial court. She pondered to herself:
"Xianmo? What is Xianmo? I know what a steamed bun is, it's filled with white flour! This so-called 'Xianmo,' can it be eaten or used as money? It doesn't sound like a proper official!"

She waved for Li Gui to hurry up, but she herself seemed rooted to the spot, rooted to the spot.

Her rosy cheeks were furrowed, and her head began to throb with a sharp, needle-like pain.

I wanted to ask that Master Ximen for advice, but... that day was in full view of everyone, with all the women of the household present, so it would be reasonable to ask him for medical treatment.

It's completely dark now, and all is quiet. A lone man and woman, going to look for him in the dark? Bah! If word gets out and someone sees us, it'll tarnish my reputation!

Thinking of this, the little scheme in his mind churned around like oil being boiled. In the end, unable to bear the headache any longer, he gritted his teeth and beckoned Ping'er over.

Indoors at this moment.

After receiving the charcoal stick, Ximen Qing, under the curious yet scrutinizing gazes of Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai, said nothing. He took a sheet of fine Xuan paper, spread it out, and, holding the dark charcoal stick, actually concentrated and began to sketch Lin Ruhai's face.

His wrists moved swiftly, sometimes lightly, sometimes heavily, sometimes with a rubbing motion, sometimes with a brushing motion, the charcoal stick seemed alive on his fingertips, rustling softly. In less than half an hour, a portrait appeared on the paper!

After Ximen Qing put down the charcoal, Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai took a closer look and couldn't help but gasp in shock!
On the paper, Lin Ruhai was depicted with a clear and sharp gaze, revealing the depth of an official and the worry of a loving father. Even the fine lines on his forehead and the slightly protruding cheekbones were vividly portrayed!
The black and white tones of the charcoal stick perfectly captured the tightness of the skin and flesh, and the rise and fall of the bones, as if a real person had been shrunk down and embedded in the paper!

"Incredible skill! Truly incredible skill!" Jia Zheng exclaimed, clapping his hands in amazement. Although he didn't understand painting, the realism of this portrait far surpassed any meticulous portrait he had ever seen. "It perfectly captures the form and spirit! Just as Mi Fu said, it's truly captivating!"

Lin Ruhai was so excited that his fingers trembled slightly, and his voice was choked with emotion: "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Ximen Xianmo's skill is truly divine! No wonder! No wonder the Emperor appointed you as the 'Painting Champion'! Seeing you today, I know that your reputation is well-deserved! Such superb skill is truly worthy of it!"

At this moment, they had no more doubts, only shock and admiration for the "painting skills" themselves, and even suddenly realized that the Emperor must have bestowed the title of "Xianmo" upon Ximen Qing because he valued this amazing portrait-making ability! What other reason could there be?
Lin Ruhai carefully held the drawing paper in his hands.

Jia Zheng watched from the side, and found that Lin Ruhai's refined and elegant demeanor in the painting was even more graceful than that of the living person.

He had always prided himself on being a virtuous gentleman, a man of refined manners and a family tradition of poetry and propriety, and he disdained such "craftsman-like" things.

But at this moment, looking at the almost breathing image outlined by the charcoal stick, a thought gripped his heart like a vine: "I have studied poetry and books diligently, restrained myself and followed the rites, and been a diligent official, but alas, I have been adrift in the officialdom and have only ever been a minor official."

"What will I leave to my descendants a hundred years from now? Not even a lifelike portrait! If... if I could obtain the skillful brush of Ximen Xianmo to preserve this true image of me, to hang in the ancestral hall, so that future generations could admire it... wouldn't that be the greatest comfort of my life?"

Once the thought arose, it spread like wildfire, impossible to suppress. Jia Zheng felt his face flush slightly and his throat become dry.

He glanced at Ximen Qing, who was exchanging pleasantries with Lin Ruhai, cleared his throat, and tried his best to maintain his "dignity," but his tone already carried a hint of imperceptible urgency and pleading.

Before he could even utter his earnest plea, the wealthy Ximen official's eyelids drooped, and he raised a hand to rub his temples. Before Jia Zheng could speak, his voice, slightly languid and hoarse, said:
"I have troubled you both for quite some time today, and I am very tired and my head is spinning. Please forgive me, and I will take my leave now and visit you another day to apologize!"

Jia Zheng's fervent hopes, his already fervent pleas and flattery, were abruptly cut off by this sudden farewell. The words stuck in his throat, unable to come out, leaving him speechless and unable to utter a single word. He could only watch helplessly as Ximen Qing made a move to leave.

Unable to let go of any hope, they both stepped forward at the same time as Lin Ruhai, each vying to personally escort the Master Ximen out.

His manner was so attentive, it was as if he were seeing off a high-ranking official who was traveling incognito, leaving the servants of the Jia family looking at each other in bewilderment.

Ximen Da Guanren bid farewell to Jia Zheng and Lin Ruhai, who then escorted him to the ceremonial gate with great courtesy.

They walked unhurriedly towards the gate of the Jia family mansion. A cool evening breeze blew by, carrying away some of the smell of alcohol.

Leading Chrysanthemum Green Horse, they had only taken a dozen or so steps, just rounded the screen wall, and reached the dimly lit alleyway on the west side, when suddenly they heard a woman's voice, low and tearful, urgently calling from a corner: "My lord! My lord, please wait!"

Ximen Qing paused, looking in the direction of the sound. He saw Ping'er huddled in the deep shadow of an old locust tree beside the side door, her pretty face pale in the dim light, her eyes filled with anxiety and pleading.

"Miss Ping'er?" Ximen Qing raised an eyebrow and strode over, his tall figure almost completely enveloping Ping'er in shadow.

The mixture of alcohol and masculine odor emanating from him made Ping'er's heart beat even faster.

"My lord, save me!" Ping'er disregarded all formalities, hastily curtsied, and said in a trembling voice, "It's our second mistress... she... she's had another headache! These past few days, she's been writhing in pain on the kang (heated brick bed), her clothes soaked with cold sweat!"

"She...she really couldn't bear it any longer, so she sent this servant to boldly wait here for you, sir, to beg you to have mercy and save our grandmother!"

As Ping'er spoke, her eyes reddened, and her fingers twisted the handkerchief tightly.

The official raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Second Mistress Lian has suffered so much? A doctor's heart is like a parent's; I shouldn't refuse. But..."

"It is late at night, and there are many women in your household. If I were to go there rashly, it might damage the reputation of the Second Madam, which would be unwise."

Ping'er immediately said, "My lord is right! Second Mistress also thought of this. She said... she said that if my lord were willing to lend a helping hand, she would never dare to trouble you to come to the mansion."

"Tomorrow...tomorrow afternoon at three-quarters past noon, please go to the 'Water Moon Nunnery' in the north of the city. It will be the most suitable and quiet place, with no idlers! Second Madam will go there in advance under the pretext of offering incense and praying for blessings! Please, sir, agree!"

Ping'er finished speaking in one breath, staring expectantly at Ximen Qing, afraid that he would shake his head.

But Ximen Da Guanren thought that if everything was settled by tomorrow and the city gates reopened, he could just pass by Shuiyue Nunnery on his way back to Qinghe. So he nodded.

Upon hearing this, Ping'er felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She was so excited that she was about to bow down again: "Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir, for saving my life! I will go back and report to my grandmother right away!" After saying this, she looked around warily, and then, like a frightened rabbit, she quietly shrank back into the side door and disappeared into the darkness.

Ping'er ran back to Fengjie's room, her heart still pounding. She lifted the curtain and went in, only to see that Second Mistress Wang Xifeng was about to fall asleep, lying on the kang (heated brick bed) wearing only a close-fitting undergarment!

Her upper body was clad in a light red crepe gauze top with silver trim, so thin it was almost see-through. Two thin straps hung loosely on her rounded shoulders, revealing a large expanse of her snow-white skin. Below, she wore only a pair of moon-white silk trousers with scattered flowers. The trouser legs were wide, but they couldn't conceal the outline of her two plump, white thighs, especially her large, round breasts, which pressed heavily and trembled on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Grandma! It's done!" Ping'er gasped for breath, her voice low, her face beaming with joy.

Upon hearing this, two lively blushes instantly appeared on Sister Feng's pale cheeks, as if she had applied the finest rouge. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn upwards, and even her headache seemed to ease a bit.

Before the joy had even subsided, Sister Feng's mind was racing faster than a windmill, and a thought suddenly popped into her head:
"That day at the Guanyin Temple... that smell on Ke'er... sticky, clearly the smell of someone who has just cheated on their lover! Is it really this Ximen Qing, and what is the relationship between the two of them?"

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Sister Feng felt a surge of sour and spicy heat, mixed with the heat of discovering a secret, rushing from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head! That excitement even seemed to have relieved her headache considerably.

"Ping'er!" Feng Jie's voice rose, waving her hand, twisting her waist and swaying her plump buttocks, she was already rushing to the ground: "Go to Tianxiang Tower! Tomorrow, find Ke'er to go to Shuiyue Nunnery together!"

Sister Feng, wrapped in a thick, orangutan-felt cloak, stormed into Tianxiang Tower.

The building was cold and empty, with only a few dim, ever-burning lamps casting a bleak and desolate glow on the walls.

Qin Keqing, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, was kneeling on a prayer mat, her hands clasped together, her eyes closed, and she was muttering incantations.

The mourning clothes were loose, yet they couldn't conceal her innate graceful charm, not to mention her enormous breasts. Her stunning face exuded a unique, ascetic yet alluring allure characteristic of a widow.

The dim light shone on her pale, almost transparent profile. Her long, thick eyelashes cast faint shadows, making her look even more pitiful and highlighting the bloodlessness of her thin lips, like withered petals.

Feng Jie's footsteps startled Qin Keqing. Her body trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. A hint of panic flashed in her affectionate eyes. When she saw that it was Feng Jie, she managed a weak smile: "Auntie... why are you here so late? Is your headache any better?"

"My headache comes in gusts, it won't kill me!" Sister Feng laughed and got straight to the point. "Tomorrow you'll come with me to the Water Moon Nunnery!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing visibly stiffened, her round buttocks on the kneeling cushion tensed slightly, and a troubled expression appeared on her face: "Aunt... this... is probably inappropriate. I am still in mourning, and according to the rules... it is really not appropriate for me to leave the mansion at will."

Sister Feng sighed, "Going to the nunnery to offer incense and pray for blessings, to accumulate some good karma for Rong-ge'er, is a matter of utmost importance! Before Buddha, who dares to gossip?"

"Besides," Sister Feng changed the subject, "we're not going sightseeing! When we get to the nunnery, you should just give Rong-ge'er more money for incense and invite more monks to sincerely recite a few scrolls of the Rebirth Mantra to help him ascend to the Pure Land as soon as possible! That's the proper way to be filial!"

"Just come with me. Once we get there, you'll see what's good for you! I'll put in a good word for you with Brother Zhen."

“Auntie…you’re right…” Qin Keqing sighed and nodded, “I’ll go with you, Auntie.”

"Now that's a smart person!" Sister Feng's face blossomed into a radiant smile.

Ximen Qing rode his horse and soon arrived at Li Shishi's secluded yet luxurious and exquisite villa.

From afar, a dark figure could be seen huddled beside the stone lion at the courtyard gate, stamping his feet and rubbing his hands from the cold. Who else could it be but Dai'an?
Upon seeing Ximen Qing, Dai'an hurriedly ran up to him, his face beaming with a fawning smile tinged with a hint of self-satisfaction: "Uncle! You're finally back!"

"Is everything settled?" Ximen Qing dismounted and let Dai'an take the saddle from him.

Dai'an immediately straightened his back, his obsequious smile fading and replaced with a shrewd and capable expression. He lowered his voice and replied quickly, "Father, it's all settled! As you instructed, we used both kindness and force, employing both soft and hard tactics!"

"Fifty taels of silver, full weight and quality! I personally handed it to his wife, and she gripped it so tightly her nails were almost digging into her flesh!" He chuckled, a hint of mercenary smugness in his voice.

"Let me make this clear: if you handle things cleanly and efficiently, I will present you with an additional hundred taels of silver upon completion!"

(End of this chapter)