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

Chapter 225 Butler Zhai Delivers a Message; Pretty Widow Comes to Ask for Help
Meanwhile, in the capital city of Tokyo, the residence of Grand Tutor Cai was imposing and solemn, and even the residence of Zhai Qian, the steward who was well-regarded by him, was magnificent and luxurious.

Lai Bao, weary from his journey and after many twists and turns, finally delivered Han Aijie to the gates of the Zhai residence.

This Han Aijie was still young, about the age of a teenager. She was fair-skinned and lovely, and although she was not yet fully grown, she already exuded a graceful charm, with a shyness that came from being inexperienced in the ways of the world.

At this moment, she lowered her head, her eyes downcast, her mind focused on her thoughts, following closely behind Lai Bao. She was like a delicate living thing wrapped in brocade, waiting to be sold, being led through several courtyards until they finally arrived at the flower hall where Steward Zhai was resting.

Inside the flower hall, Steward Zhai was sitting upright in the rosewood armchair at the head of the table.

He wore a brand-new dark blue silk robe with cloud patterns, over which he wore a matching vest, making him look even more presentable.

He slightly lifted his eyelids, his two sharp, hook-like eyes slowly scanning Han Aijie.

"Hmm," Butler Zhai let out a long, drawn-out snort, acknowledging the situation. His gaze then shifted from Han Aijie to the travel-worn Lai Bao, a warm smile playing on his lips.
"Brother Laibao, you must be tired from your journey. Master Ximen is indeed efficient and meticulous in his work! Please convey my gratitude for this gesture."

The servant immediately stepped forward and brought out a heavy, bulging blue cloth bag. Anyone with eyes could tell from its shape and weight that it was filled with gleaming silver, probably no less than thirty taels.

"Just a small token," Steward Zhai casually pointed his withered finger at his satchel, his tone nonchalant, "I bought you a bowl of tea and wine to soothe your throat after your journey, as a small token of my gratitude. When you return, please be sure to give my regards to your master, Master Ximen, and tell him that I will never forget this kindness!"

Lai Bao's face was already plastered with an extremely respectful smile, and he repeatedly pushed the object away with both hands, saying:

"Master Steward Zhai! You flatter me! I'm just running errands for my master and doing my duty. How could I possibly accept such a generous reward from you?"

"Steward, you are so kind and understanding of my difficulties. This reward is absolutely unacceptable!" he said earnestly, with a hint of fear, and his refusal was extremely firm.

Seeing that his refusal was sincere and genuine, without any pretense, a knowing glint flashed in the eyes of the worldly-wise steward.

"Hehe," Butler Zhai let out two dry laughs and waved his hand casually.

The servant immediately understood, and like a cat, he silently put the heavy satchel away and retreated into the shadows.

"Very well, since Master Ximen's household has strict rules, I can't force him to do something, or I'll seem heartless. I've seen and appreciated Brother Lai Bao's loyalty."

He took a sip of fragrant tea, his throat bobbing slightly, but as he put down the teacup, his tone suddenly changed:
"When you return and meet Master Ximen, please pass on a message for me: tell him that I am very grateful for his hard work this time. In our previous correspondence, due to the haste, many crucial points could not be explained in detail on paper. Now that you have come to the capital, it is a good opportunity to explain things in person, which will also make it seem more solemn."

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and stared intently at Lai Bao, clearly stating each word:
"The prefect of Jizhou Prefecture sent someone to deliver a message to me the other day, pleading with me to put in a good word for him with the Grand Tutor and clear his name. Humph!"

Butler Zhai snorted disdainfully, "The mess he made has angered both heaven and man. How can a few kind words cover it up? I have already firmly rejected him!"

He paused, a shrewd calculation flashing in his eyes, and lowered his voice even further:
"Tell Master Ximen that this birthday tribute case must fall to the Shandong Provincial Judicial Commissioner! Tell him to be on his best and handle it impartially! Investigate what needs to be investigated, punish what needs to be punished, and strive to get to the bottom of things and make the case ironclad! As long as this job is done well and satisfies the Grand Tutor... and satisfies the court, hehe."

Steward Zhai revealed a meaningful smile, "A bright future awaits, all depending on this lucrative position! Tell him to be extremely careful! You must convey every word, making sure not a single word is missed! Also, Zhou Wenyuan, the Prefect of Jizhou, is a member of the Crown Prince's faction, so tell your master to be very careful."

Lai Bao understood immediately and bowed, replying, "Yes, yes, yes! I've memorized every word! I will report everything to my master without missing a single detail!"

"Hmm, that's good." Butler Zhai nodded in satisfaction, leaned back in his chair, and resumed his composed and elegant demeanor.

He glanced at Han Aijie, who was kneeling on the ground, barely daring to breathe, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, you must be tired from the journey. We still have to get back to Qinghe. Let's go early."

"Thank you, Steward Zhai! I'll take my leave!" Lai Bao bowed deeply again before carefully backing out of the flower hall.

He dared not delay, immediately mounted his horse, and repeated Steward Zhai's words in his mind over and over again, rushing towards Qinghe County at lightning speed.

Just as Lai Bao's figure disappeared beyond the beaded curtain at the entrance of the flower hall, the carved moon curtain leading to the inner courtyard was gently lifted, and Steward Zhai's wife slowly walked out.

The woman was around thirty years old, dressed in a casual Hangzhou silk jacket, with a sandalwood-colored vest over it. Her hair was neatly combed and adorned with a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin. Her face was lightly powdered, and her eyes and brows revealed the shrewdness of a matriarch.

She had clearly heard everything from behind the curtain.

She sat down next to Steward Zhai, took the tea offered by the maid, took a sip, her eyes sparkling, and gestured with her lip in the direction Lai Bao had left, a playful smile playing on her lips.

"Master, the steward of the Ximen family is quite an interesting fellow. When presented with piles of silver, he refuses it without batting an eye. Such a servant who doesn't love money is a rare find."

Steward Zhai, who was stroking his beard, chuckled upon hearing this, patted his wife's hand, and slowly said:
“If he really accepts that small reward from me, what is that? In the past, I would have just taken it, but now his master is a respectable person.”

“Take it. He’ll be nothing more than a steward in the household of the great Ximen Qing, forever inferior to me, Zhai, a mere servant waiting for a tip and orders!” He put down his teacup, his voice low and resolute.
"But his push today was well done! Although he called me a scoundrel, it was out of respect! It was on behalf of the Ximen family that he showed me, Zhai, respect! The people of the Ximen family are still half guests here, respectable people! This respect is much more valuable than a few dozen taels of silver! Do you understand?"

After listening to her husband, Madam Zhai pondered his words carefully, then nodded as if suddenly understanding, her eyes filled with approval: "I see! This steward, though seemingly rough and uncouth, is so clever and perceptive, knowing how to maintain his own and his master's dignity. It's truly rare!"

"That's exactly right!" Steward Zhai stroked his beard and nodded, a hint of appreciation on his face. "If a servant knows how to advance and retreat and is so tactful, then the master... must be an even more discerning and adaptable person! It seems that my bet on this Master Ximen was right! This man is capable, and even more capable of great use!"

Madam Zhai's gaze shifted and landed on Han Aijie, who was still kneeling on the cold floor tiles of the hall, shivering like a leaf in the wind.

The little girl kept her head down, her slender neck curving into a fragile arc, and she didn't dare to breathe loudly.

Madam Zhai looked her up and down a few times. Her gaze wasn't harsh, but it was also devoid of warmth, as if she were assessing a newly acquired item.

She turned to her husband and asked, "My lord, when do you plan to choose an auspicious day to bring this young lady into the house? I'd like to start making preparations as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Steward Zhai burst into laughter, his voice echoing across the rooftops. He suddenly reached out his well-maintained hand and grasped his wife's soft hand, which rested on the table, gently stroking it with affection. His eyes, filled with tenderness, fixed on his wife as he spoke loudly:

"My dear wife! What are you saying? We are husband and wife, and we have supported each other through thick and thin all these years. Don't you know my heart?"

His tone was sincere, tinged with just the right amount of emotion, "In this life, I, Zhai Qian, am already content to have you by my side, managing the household and relieving my worries. I have no other desires! As for taking concubines or elevating the status of wives, that's just for show! In my heart, having you alone is enough!"

After comforting his wife, he released her, casually waving at Han Aijie on the ground. His tone became indifferent, as if giving a trivial instruction: "This girl... she's still young, not yet fully grown, and her features haven't fully developed. She looks like just a little girl. But, well,"

He paused, glancing at Han Aijie's meek and obedient demeanor, "She seems quite clever and well-behaved, and knows how to behave."

He turned to his wife and instructed her in a tone as if he were arranging household affairs: "Wife, since you find her agreeable, take her to the back and keep her by your side as a maid. Settle her in properly. If she's a good prospect, nurture her slowly; if she's not, how to deal with her is up to that Master Ximen."

With just a few words, Han Aijie's fate was sealed.

Her value lay solely in the future prospects of Ximen Qing.

"Yes, sir." Madam Zhai finally showed a satisfied and completely relieved smile, and obediently agreed.

Her husband's public declaration and actions gave her, as the legal wife, ample dignity and control.

She stood up and said gently to Han Aijie, who was lying on the ground, "Girl, get up and come with me to the back."

Han Aijie felt as if she had been granted a pardon, but also felt endless confusion. She stood up shakily, her knees already aching from kneeling.

She dared not raise her head, only responding softly with "Yes," and like a frightened little quail, followed closely behind Madam Zhai, disappearing through the moon gate leading to the inner courtyard.

Ximen Da Guanren sat in the hall, carefully considering what Lai Bao had relayed.

As expected, there was no written explanation; it was easy to understand.

However, Steward Zhai's words, seemingly an explanation of official business, also concealed some other meaning.

The word "inevitably" is quite interesting, referring to the fact that the case "inevitably" fell on the Shandong Provincial Criminal Investigation Department.

Logically, since the Prefect of Jizhou was dismissed for ineffective investigation, the Vice Prefect of Jizhou should have taken over. Why was it "inevitable" to involve the Shandong Provincial Judicial Commissioner? And why did it require the involvement of both the Chief and Deputy Commissioners, with Lord Xia and himself personally getting involved?

Therefore, the word "inevitable" is worth pondering, indicating that it was indeed a test given to him by Grand Tutor Cai.

Steward Zhai was afraid that he hadn't understood the letter he wrote last time, so he made a point of reminding him again.

The phrase "handle it impartially" is even more intriguing. His head steward is earnestly instructing himself to be "impartial"? Hidden within that word "impartial" is probably a swift, bloodless blade! It's clearly an implication: Go all out! Don't hesitate to cut off the roots and remove the seedlings—don't be lenient with any of those entangled personal relationships!
Perhaps it was a reminder to himself that Grand Tutor Cai disliked those who were soft-hearted.

"The truth will come out, and the case will be ironclad," which naturally means that the case must be handled well.

"The Grand Tutor is satisfied, the court is satisfied"—this was naturally a reminder that the case might very well fall into the eyes of the authorities again.

The phrases "a cushy job" and "a bright future" are the most common and straightforward, simply meaning that doing well as the Grand Tutor will inevitably lead to more opportunities. The power struggles within the officialdom are all contained within these few words.

Just as she was pondering this, she heard the curtain rustle and a fragrant breeze waft in; it was Yue Niang who had gracefully stepped in.

The official looked up and saw her, a smile spreading across his face. He teased, "Oh, my dear wife! Why are you still dawdling at home? Didn't we agree to go to the banquet at Master Qiao's house? If you don't go soon, the fine wine and food on the table will go cold!"

Moon Lady walked closer, smiled, and said, "My lord, don't be in a hurry, we'll be leaving now. But before you leave, there are two things I need to tell you."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the man's face, before continuing, "The first thing, of course, is to attend the ceremony and join in the fun. But attending the ceremony is just a side trip..."

Her voice softened a bit, "I was entrusted by my sister-in-law to go to the Qiao family mansion today to ask for a marriage proposal for her son, my nephew."

"Oh?" The official was slightly surprised and leaned forward. "Your brother-in-law's son? When did that kid get these ideas?"

“That’s right!” Yue Niang laughed. “It was fate, really. Last year on the Lantern Festival, the two of them went to the Jade Emperor Temple to burn incense. I don’t know how, but they just happened to catch each other’s eyes in the crowd.”

"My sister-in-law was overjoyed and asked people to plead with them several times, but the Qiao family always gave vague answers and no definite answer. Today, my sister-in-law came to me with tears streaming down her face, begging me to do this for the young master and let these two lovebirds be together!"

Upon hearing this, the official laughed heartily and tapped his finger on the table: "I thought it was something difficult! With my wife personally taking charge, and such a perfect match of a talented man and a beautiful woman, how could that wealthy man Qiao possibly refuse? It will surely be a swift and easy success!"

Yue Niang blushed slightly at his flattery, knowing in her heart that even if she succeeded, it would be thanks to her husband's official position.

But her man's glory is also her own glory, isn't it? And being able to show respect and competence in front of her brother and sister-in-law, she couldn't help but feel a bit of joy and pride in her eyes.

Her lips moved slightly, as if she had something else to say, but a hint of hesitation crept into the smile on her face, and her hands unconsciously twisted the handkerchief in her hands.

The official immediately noticed something amiss, and a mischievous smirk appeared on his lips: "Oh? My dear wife. We are husband and wife, what can't we say to each other?"

When Yue Niang was exposed by him, two red clouds rose on her face. She glared at him reproachfully, but then her expression softened into a gentle smile.

She sat down next to the high-ranking official, her voice even softer and more gentle, tinged with caution:

"Since you have asked, I dare not hide anything. But... if I say this, I'm afraid you'll think I'm being nosy."

"Here's the thing: it shouldn't be my place, a woman confined to the inner quarters, to plead for someone. But that Chef Jiang... does my husband remember him? Over the years, whenever there's a wedding, funeral, or a large banquet in our household, we've always invited him to cook."

“He worked tirelessly for our family, both at home and in the kitchen. There's always some bond we have. But now…” She sighed, her brow furrowing slightly, “His death the other day was so unjust and mysterious! His wife, a simple woman, lost her support and had nowhere else to turn, coming to our door in tears and sobs…”

Upon hearing this, the official frowned slightly: "Chef Jiang? The Chef Jiang who cooks pork head with a single piece of firewood?"

There is such a person.

That fat Jiang guy, his hand skills are really good!

Sweet in the south, salty in the north, spicy in the east, sour in the west—there's nothing he can't handle.

Especially his unique skill of braising pig's head with just one piece of firewood is truly exceptional! He controls the heat so precisely that the braised meat has a trembling skin, tender and juicy meat that melts in your mouth, rich but not greasy, and full of fragrance!

Two days ago, the manor held a banquet to invite Magistrate Xia and Garrison Commander Zhou. Yue Niang even specially called him to the kitchen and made this signature dish.

Even the two seasoned ministers, who had seen it all, ate with beaming smiles, their chopsticks never stopping, praising, "Excellent technique! Delicious taste!"

Moon Lady nodded hurriedly in agreement, a genuine sense of indignation showing on her face: "It's him! That Fatty Jiang, with his skills, could easily support his whole family. But he just couldn't escape misfortune!"

"I heard that after the banquet that day, he drank a few too many cups of wine, and on his way back, for some reason, he got into an argument with someone. Both of them have fiery tempers, and the argument quickly escalated into a fight."

"Who would have thought... that the other party was ruthless, pulling out a dagger from somewhere and stabbing Fatty Jiang in the heart! Poor thing, he died on the spot!"

Moon Lady sighed, "This grown man was so grateful to me for the reward money just two days ago, and now it's all gone. I'm afraid he won't be able to eat this pig's head meat again."

She paused, "What's even more infuriating is that I heard the murderer's family has connections and spent a fortune to bribe Magistrate Li! Now they're turning around and accusing Chef Jiang of starting the attack, claiming he was only 'forced to defend himself,' and he's been convicted of 'mutual fighting resulting in death, which is understandable'!"

"His wife, only a few days after marrying him, her husband died, and she was branded a 'troublemaker.' Her belongings were confiscated to pay for the 'victim's' medicine. She was truly destitute and had no one to turn to! In desperation, she came to our door crying, kowtowing until her head bled, begging you, sir, to remember our past relationship and say a word to seek justice for that unjustly killed soul..."

The official raised an eyebrow as he listened: "Fight to death? Since both sides were involved, there must be some complicated cause and effect involved. Since the Li parents made this judgment in the yamen, they must have their reasons."

He glanced at Yue Niang and, seeing the reluctance on her face, changed his tone: "Alright! Since you are soft-hearted and can't bear to see it, and you also think of that Fatty Jiang who worked in our kitchen for a few years, so there's some kind of bond between us... If I stand idly by, it would make our family seem heartless. It's just a matter of a word."

Hearing that he had relented, Yue Niang felt a weight lifted from her heart, and a smile immediately spread across her face as she hurriedly said:
“That’s exactly right! You’re right, sir. After all, he’s a familiar face who’s been burning incense at the Kitchen God’s altar for five or six years, and his wife is a young widow, which is truly pitiful. Now that you’re working in the Judicial Commissioner’s Office, you hold a high position and great power. If you were willing to ‘pass the word’ or even just offer a word of advice, that would be an immense favor, enough to keep that poor man alive!”

As they were talking, they heard light footsteps and a soft voice outside the curtain. It was Pan Jinlian who lifted the curtain and peeked halfway in.

She first addressed Yue Niang, but her eyes darted around towards the official, and she said in a clear, crisp voice:

"Auntie! It's getting really dark outside, and the snowflakes are falling down in a flurry. It looks like it's about to turn into a snowball! Sister Li Gui kept muttering in the sedan chair, 'The snow is getting heavier! The snow is getting heavier!' 'Why isn't it here yet? Why isn't it here yet?' She kept complaining like that until everyone's ears were calloused!"

Before Yue Niang could speak, the official waved his hand and said with a smile, "I understand, I understand. Go on, I have my reasons."

Fearing she would be late, Yue Niang quickly got up, straightened her clothes, and went out with her maids.

As soon as Yue Niang left, Jin Lian'er, like a butterfly, twirled and gracefully flew into the arms of the master.

She sat on his lap like a twisted taffy, her two jade-like arms encircling the official's neck, her little mouth pouting so much it could hang an oil bottle, and complained in a coquettish voice:
“Father! This is so unreasonable! When Aunt and the others went to the Qiao family, they all prepared impressive and generous gifts, with fine silks, satins, gold and silver jewelry that dazzled everyone! But I am penniless, my trunk is emptier than my face, and I can’t even afford a decent dowry. If I go, won’t people laugh at me? Father, don’t you have any pity on me?”

As she spoke, her watery almond-shaped eyes misted over, and she rubbed her face against his neck, spitting out cloves as she did so.

The man was so aroused by her rubbing against him that his bones felt weak and he couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and pinched her smooth cheek: "You little slick talker! You're always teasing me!"

As he spoke, he casually pulled out a few loose silver coins from his sleeve and stuffed them into her soft little hand. "Here, take this. Quietly pick out a couple of novel and clever little trinkets and buy them. Don't tell the whole world that they know."

Jinlian'er received the silver and immediately leaned over to give the official a loud "kiss" on the cheek, leaving a wet rouge mark.

She clutched the silver coins tightly, as if they were precious treasures, and said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "I knew Father loved me the most!" With that, she twisted her body and slid off the man's arms, skipping lightly as she went out, her waist swaying like a willow in the wind.

Just then, Jin Lian'er left the house, accompanied by a fragrant breeze.

The official closed his eyes and regulated his breathing with the Hua Tuo Five Animal Frolics guided by Zhou Tong. No wonder Zhou Tong hesitated for a long time before teaching him this technique. It was indeed amazing. That night, he fought against several people without feeling tired.

Soon after, the servant Ping An hunched over and stepped through the snow to deliver the message.

He rubbed his hands together, his breath steaming in the air, and reported, "Sir, there's a woman outside... she says... she says she's the wife of the deceased cook Jiang, she's crying and insisting on seeing the old lady, and I couldn't stop her..."

He didn't even lift his eyelids, but he knew perfectly well what was going on: this woman must have been desperate and had nowhere else to turn, and she couldn't wait for Yue Niang's reply, so she came here in a fit of rage.

He said in a flat voice, "Let her in."

"May Your Excellency enjoy boundless blessings and peace!" Song Jinlian shuffled in and timidly gave a curtsy.

When she raised her head, the official was suddenly struck by a sudden realization—another beauty!

Then he raised an eyebrow.

This woman wasn't wearing coarse linen mourning clothes; instead, she was wearing a light red silk jacket tightly wrapped around her body. It seemed she had gained a few pounds during the winter, and the jacket was barely holding her up!

Her chest bulged, stretching the buttons tightly, and her face was streaked with tears, yet it was like fine mutton fat jade covered with a thin layer of ash, revealing the warm and smooth luster beneath!
Her waist was slenderly cinched, tied with a worn, light green handkerchief that accentuated her gourd-shaped, alluring figure.

A dark blue cotton skirt, which should have been loose-fitting, was stretched out so prominently by her hips.

As she knelt down with a thud, her forehead touching the ground, the crooked five-colored lotus blossoms on her skirt seemed to come alive as her plump buttocks arched and swayed gracefully with the waves of her hips.

(End of this chapter)