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

Chapter 40 The High-Ranking Official Worries About Giving Gifts
Jin Lian'er closed her eyes, her red lips slightly parted, her hot breath brushing against the master's back. His manhood was light and seductive, like a honey-soaked poison, seeping straight into the bones: "I can't bear to leave Father... Father's embrace... is so warm and firm... leaning against him... I feel at ease... I love Father's vigorous power so much... I'd rather die from the pain... Don't go."

Ximen Da Guanren's gaze was deep, and he pinched her chin with his fingers: "You little slut! Do you still remember the pain of the family punishment you received last night?"

Pan Jinlian trembled as a searing pain shot through her body.

Tears welled up in her eyes instantly. She bit her lip, twisted her slender waist, and whimpered softly, "It hurts...it hurts so much...Father is so cruel...that bamboo strip feels like a knife cutting my flesh...I can't sit or lie down properly...I can only hang here."

As she spoke, she stole a glance at Ximen Qing's expression, then climbed her small hands up his neck, snuggled into his arms, and breathed softly, "But...but my heart is sweet...Father hit me...but it's because he loves me...I know I was wrong...I won't do it again..."

She rubbed her pink face against his chest, whimpering like a kitten, "Daddy, don't go... please hurt me a little more... rub my wound... and it won't hurt anymore..."

Ximen Qing sneered and pressed his large hand lightly on her swollen buttocks.

Pan Jinlian cried out in pain, and tears streamed down her face like a broken string of pearls.

The official's voice was as cold as ice: "Remember this pain! If you dare to have that illness again, I won't just whip you with bamboo strips... I'll have a water-dipped horsewhip waiting for you, you slut."

"After I beat you, I'll sell you to a brothel. Not only will I, Ximen Qing, not tolerate even a trace of cuckoldry, but if you even have the slightest romantic thought, I'll kick you out of the house."

Pan Jinlian was terrified, trembling all over. She clung tightly to his arm, sobbing uncontrollably, "I won't dare! I won't dare again! My life belongs to Father... my body belongs to Father... my heart belongs to Father! If you dare to look another man in the eye again, Father, you may beat me to death!"

"I've got it!" Master Ximen pulled himself out of bed, grabbed a Songjiang cotton Taoist robe, and said without turning his head, "Rest well and recover from your injury! I'll have someone bring you food."

Having said that, he slipped on his shoes and strode into the front hall.

The letter of recommendation written by Scholar Wen lay spread out on the large sandalwood table, the ink already dry.

He had already watched it last night, and then watched it again this morning.

Zhai Qian was Cai Jing's most trusted steward, wielding real power. Getting through this connection would open the door to Cai Jing's favor, essentially securing a path to advancement.

There has always been an art to giving gifts.

It's not just about having money.

Etiquette must be observed seriously, but it must be done subtly!

As the saying goes:
Ten taels of silver can't buy a clever word!
A hundred bolts of Hangzhou satin are light, but how can they compare to the subtle fragrance of three inches of silk carried on the breeze?
Even when giving gifts of gold and silver, there should be a reason behind it!
In official circles, the "ice and charcoal tribute" had to be presented in a box woven from bamboo strips from the Xiangfei Temple. The top layer was filled with translucent ice slices, while the bottom layer secretly contained gold ingots wrapped in red silk.

He also said, "The summer heat is stifling; please prepare some coolness."

The person receiving the gift touched the ice, and his eyes had already caught a glimpse of gold, but he didn't point it out. He just stroked his beard and smiled, "What a thoughtful touch! It's actually a wonderful crystal box for holding hot coals!"

When sending tributes to the Grand Eunuch in charge of the palace, silver had to be melted down to the size of a goose egg, sealed with beeswax, and carried away mixed in with baskets of fresh loquats.

She said, "This is a sweet fruit from our ancestral home; please, Father-in-law, have a taste."

When the father-in-law pinched open the wax ball with his fingernail, revealing a glint of silver, he was seven times happier than if he had simply held the gold ingot directly. These are what we call "refined names"!
Just as he was pondering, the curtain was lifted and Wu Yueniang came in carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.

She wore a casual honey-colored jacket, tied with a pine-patterned silk skirt, and only had a plain silver hairpin in her hair. Her whole demeanor was elegant yet composed.

Seeing Ximen Qing's furrowed brows, his outer robe draped over his shoulders, and the crisscrossing scratches and bite marks on his neck and chest, one could easily tell what had happened.

Last night I was worried that Jinlian'er was too seductive, and that my husband would be up all night and then back to night again.

Although it was already late in the day, he had at least gotten up and had not become infatuated with women.

She said gently with relief, "My lord, you've risen early. Have a bowl of ginseng soup to warm your stomach."

Ximen Qing grunted, took the bowl, his eyes still fixed on the letter, and suddenly said, "You've come at the right time! There's something I want to discuss with you. Do you still have any treasures hidden away in your storeroom? Gold, jewels, antiques, jade, rare silks—tell me the most valuable ones!"

Moon Lady's heart stirred, but she didn't show it on her face. She only said, "What does my husband need these for? We've already prepared all the gifts for the New Year's celebrations."

Ximen Qing tapped his fingers on the letter: "I intend to get acquainted with Steward Zhai of the Cai family in the capital. He may not hold a high position, but he wields great power. This is a crucial connection. I must be extremely careful in making arrangements for him."

Upon hearing the words "Grand Tutor Cai," Yue Niang's gaze narrowed slightly.

Born into an official's family, she was well aware of the intricacies of officialdom. She pondered for a moment and said, "What you say is true, sir. A man like Steward Zhai would hardly be interested in ordinary gold and jade. However, there are a few pieces in the treasury."

"A white jade Guanyin statue of Guanyin giving a child, extremely translucent, with a warm and lustrous texture, and an elegant and antique carving, perfectly matching the taste of nobility; a pair of red gold filigree hair ornaments inlaid with rubies, with exquisite workmanship and ample material; and four pieces of gold-woven brocade with floral patterns, the patterns of which were made in the imperial workshops."

"Furthermore, there is that Duanxi Old Pit Inkstone, with a stone texture as fine and smooth as a child's face. Since Steward Zhai has any sons or nephews studying at the Imperial Academy, this item would be a perfect elegant object for the scholar's studio."

Ximen Da Guanren rubbed his temples.

It’s not enough!

You only realize how little you know when you need it, and you only regret not having given enough when it's time to give a gift.

The guard dog's bones are barely enough; the tiger inside probably needs plenty of flesh and blood.

Yue Niang glanced at her husband's face and said softly, "The new batch of old ginseng from Liaodong that arrived at our herbal medicine shop is quite a good item."

“I examined them the other day. There was a pair of ‘human-shaped’ ones with long, dense beards and distinct beaks. They weighed at least seven or eight ounces and had a yellow, lustrous skin like beeswax. They were indeed rare. These things can sustain life and replenish vital energy. Even the Grand Tutor’s mansion would value them highly.”

"If that's not enough, we also have top-quality bird's nest and white bird's nest in our herbal medicine storehouse."

[Jinlian is begging for two monthly tickets from you all!]

(End of this chapter)