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

Chapter 69 The Butterfly Wings That Changed the Jia Family
"Who feels the chill of the west wind alone? Rustling yellow leaves close the sparse window, I stand in the setting sun, lost in thought about the past."

"Serving medicine quietly with warm pear soup, gently massaging and smelling the fragrance of a young girl, at the time I thought it was just an ordinary thing."

This…this word! Xue Baochai’s eyes, which were as calm as an ancient well, were now filled with a raging storm! She had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood and had a profound understanding of poetry and lyrics. How could her eyes be so sharp?
What a desolate and lonely autumn scene! With just a few strokes of the pen, the author vividly portrays the profound loneliness and desolation that permeates to the bone.

The profound artistic conception and concise writing style are beyond the reach of ordinary people who merely pretend to be cultured! In particular, the word "closed" in "closed windows" is a stroke of genius, vividly depicting the state of being isolated from the outside world and chewing on loneliness alone, carrying a sense of desolation and helplessness after seeing through the ways of the world.

The skill with which the first stanza conveyed the loneliness and desolation of autumn had already impressed her, leaving her deeply moved.

Did he write this while standing by the window in the setting sun, thinking of me?
The second stanza takes a sudden turn, with brushstrokes that are exquisitely delicate and beautiful!

Serving medicine quietly, the pear soup is warm; massaging gently, I smell the fragrance of my daughter!
The scene of him massaging me and feeding me pear soup is still vivid in my mind!
As he massaged and kneaded, their skin touched, a subtle fragrance wafted through the air, and she felt shy, his hot, rough hands... their many shy gestures were unspoken and unrestrained!
Then wait until you read the last sentence.

With a loud 'boom,' it felt like a thunderclap had struck from nowhere, and all I could see was a blank screen.

Baochai's two brightly painted lips were slightly parted, as if she had lost her mind, and she rolled and chewed the seven words "At that time, I thought it was just an ordinary thing" on the tip of her tongue.

At first, the whispers were barely audible, with only a slight tremor escaping from between their lips and teeth, like the finest porcelain being gently scraped by fingertips.

After chewing it twice, it felt as if an invisible hand was squeezing out the stale, bitter juice from my heart and liver.

This isn't poetry at all; the last line is clearly a pair of dull scissors covered in green rust and with a chipped blade!

Without haste or delay, they forcefully tore open the thin veil that had covered their old heart.

How much warmth under the lamplight and moonlight is revealed in this simple act? How much familiar companionship is shared? How much simple food and ordinary courtyard are taken for granted, letting them slip by day after day without a second thought?

When you finally wake up to find the place deserted, you realize the true weight of the word "ordinary".

That object, which had become a habit and was taken for granted, was actually a precious gem inlaid with gold, jade, and wrapped in ten layers of soft silk!

It was just lost like that, becoming a reflection in the water, a flower in a mirror, that can never be retrieved or found again!
Xue Baochai's knuckles turned slightly white from gripping the letter tightly.

Was he trying to enlighten me?
The words on that letter were like his burning hot hand, reaching deep into her heart and tearing away the thin veil of her daughterly reserve.

She gazed at the deepening twilight outside the window, murmuring over and over again: "At the time, I thought it was just an ordinary thing... At the time, I thought it was just an ordinary thing..."

Who would have thought that a merchant who had made his living in the marketplace would possess such penetrating insight and reach the deepest secrets in his writing? He boldly yet subtly expressed her hidden feelings, which she herself dared not even ponder.

"I, Xue Baochai, am unwilling to accept this as merely ordinary! I refuse to accept this as simply ordinary!"

With a "whoosh," the curtain of the sedan chair, adorned with jewels and jade, was suddenly ripped open by her!

Baochai leaned half her delicate body out of the sedan window, her pink neck twisting backward, her almond-shaped eyes piercing through the deep night, fixed on the few dim lights in the distance—Qinghe County had become a blurred shadow.

That person is right there! What is he doing right now?
Is there even the slightest... thought as heart-wrenching as mine?

Have you ever, for even a moment, thought of him with such utter disorientation as I have?

The bitterness and grievance in her heart almost broke through the dignity of a well-bred young lady. She really wanted to ignore everything and shout out those burning words in her heart like a whirlwind!

Let them ride on this howling, rolling autumn wind, sweep across the wilderness, rush to his side, burrow into his ears, and burn into his heart!
I want to shout out loud, what do you mean by flirting with me like this, you lecherous scoundrel?
You heartless bastard! You teased me like that, but why did you just abandon me?!
The burning, infatuated thought in my heart lingered on my tongue, almost bursting from my lips, as if I wanted to shout: "Come and chase me! Is this all you can write to make me cry?"
You go ahead and—grab your fan and ride your horse, hurry up and chase after me!
If you were to come after me right now, I would abandon this facade of Xue Jiabao and leave with you!
Whether I'm a wife or a concubine, I'll indulge myself this once in my life!
But this mournful autumn wind!

His gaze lingered futilely on her burning cheeks, gathering a few strands of her disheveled hair, but he couldn't carry them into his own body, nor could he take his words with him.
The lights of thousands of homes in Qinghe County are getting farther and farther away, and not a single one has ever been lit for me!

She clung desperately to the cold window frame, her nails almost digging into the hard wood. Her full breasts heaved violently beneath her tightly bound coat, and finally, hot tears broke through her defenses, falling in large drops onto the back of her hand that was leaning out of the window.

When she slumped back onto the scarlet brocade quilt, the heavy sedan curtains fell, and her tears, which had been flowing like a broken string, fell in a continuous stream, unstoppable!
If I were truly chosen to enter the palace and become a close attendant in the Empress's quarters, I would be locked away in the nine-layered palace, facing the cold moon of the Phoenix Palace every day, accompanying the golden branches and jade leaves... In this life and the next, even in the netherworld, I would never be able to find you again!

Thinking of this, he muttered to himself.
Her small hands pressed against her snow-white belly, and she could almost still feel the burning heat from that big hand that day, which made her heart tremble and melt.

Only the phrase "at the time, it seemed so ordinary" was held on her tongue, chewed over and over again, until her mouth was filled with bitterness and tears streamed down her face.

Little did they know that Baochai, whose heart was filled with love, would enter the Jia family and ruin the perfect match.

Inside the Ximen Mansion.

After checking and instructing the kitchen staff on the preparation of the evening's dishes and soups, Yue Niang, estimating that it was almost time, dusted off the moisture from her clothes and returned to the front courtyard. She was directing the servants to set out the tables and chairs and arrange the cups and chopsticks.

Then they went to the front hall to look for it.

Just as he stepped through the threshold, he saw Ximen Qing come out from inside, with a shadowy figure following behind him, head bowed, standing closely behind Ximen Qing's chair.

Moon Lady was puzzled, but she put on a smile and walked closer to ask, "My lord is back." As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily fell on the young woman, scrutinizing her closely.

The woman's graceful figure was already evident. She wore a new light blue silk blouse and a light green silk skirt. Although the colors were not particularly vibrant, they made her skin appear exceptionally fair and smooth, truly like the cheeks of fresh lychees and the nose of goose fat. Her eyebrows were naturally dark green, her lips naturally red, and there was a small red mole on her forehead. Her eyes, like autumn water, were filled with sorrow and timidity, and she looked down shyly, not daring to look at anyone.

Her entire being possessed a natural, delicate charm, and her movements subtly revealed a scholarly air, unlike ordinary, rough maids. Looking at her, Yue Niang felt a surge of pity and goodwill.

"And who is this...?" Yue Niang asked Ximen Qing with a smile.

Ximen Qing laughed and said, "This is a maid given to me by that tyrant Xue, named Xiangling. She's quite clever, and her handwriting is pretty good."

Upon hearing her name mentioned, Xiangling hurriedly stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Yueniang, her voice barely audible and trembling: "This servant, Xiangling, kowtows to you, Madam. May you be blessed with good fortune and peace."

Seeing that she was well-mannered and had a dignified appearance, it was clear that she had been raised in a wealthy family. She was also very lovable and had a scholarly air about her. Yue Niang was even more pleased and reached out to help her up, saying, "What a well-behaved child. Get up quickly. Look at your demeanor. You are like a young lady from a family of scholars and gentlemen."

Xiangling's eyes were slightly red as she said softly, "My original surname was Zhen. I studied poetry and books for a few days when I was young. But I was kidnapped at the Lantern Festival and have been drifting like duckweed in several places ever since." As she spoke, she wiped the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.

Hearing this, Yue Niang sighed, turned to Ximen Qing, her face as gentle and submissive as ever, and tentatively asked, "My lord, this girl seems quite good, and quiet. Since she was given to us by Master Xue, why not keep her in my room? That way, she won't be left without a place to stay."

Ximen Da Guanren laughed and said, "I see she knows a few words and is a refined person. Let her follow me to the study as a 'study companion'. In her spare time, she can also help me organize the books and writing materials."

"A study companion?" Upon hearing this, Yue Niang's smile faltered slightly, and a strange, indescribable look flashed across her eyes.

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(End of this chapter)