The Splendor of the Red Chamber

Midnight.

Jia Lian carried the ox-tendon wood pole and returned home with a proud and arrogant air.

Ping'er was lost in thought on the daybed in the outer room when she heard the noise and quickly got up to greet them.

Jia Lian tossed her the mink fur covering his boots and casually ordered, "Go fetch a basin of hot water. I've worked up a sweat from all that wielding the spear and sword; I need to wash up quickly."

As she spoke, she lifted the curtain and went into the bedroom.

Upon entering, one would find Wang Xifeng already asleep, slumped over the table.

Sister Feng was obviously waiting for him to come back, but the medicine she took last night was too strong, and she was too weak to hold on.

Jia Lian picked her up in his arms and saw some marks on her pretty face, which made her look a bit weak and childlike. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

But considering she's only twenty, which would be college age in later generations, it's really tough on her to maintain such an imposing presence and manage such a large family.

Jia Lian put Feng Jie on the bed, took off her shoes and socks, pulled the quilt over her, and then lightly kissed her smooth forehead.

At this moment, Ping'er deftly brought over the water.

Although Ping'er probably already knew what was going on, Jia Lian still didn't let her help with the washing and told her to go back to the outer room to rest. Then he took off his clothes and undressed on his own.

At this moment, Sister Feng quietly opened her eyes and looked at Jia Lian, her oval face filled with mixed feelings.

She was already awake when Jia Lian picked her up.

She continued to pretend to be asleep because she wanted to see if Jia Lian would reveal his wicked face after his scheme succeeded. However, she did not expect that Second Master Lian would serve her gently and even kiss her forehead before leaving.

Jia Lian would occasionally show affection, but it was usually just kissing the cheek, and he would kiss the lips once or twice. This was the first time he had ever kissed the forehead so lightly.

This was noticeably less lustful than the previous two, but more gentle and considerate, which immediately calmed Wang Xifeng's anger considerably.

However, once Jia Lian took off his clothes, revealing a more solid and robust physique than before, Wang Xifeng suddenly sat up, pounding the edge of the bed and cursing, "What a heartless slut!"

Jia Lian turned around and saw that her fiery gaze was fixed on his shoulders and back, so he knew that she had seen the scratches that Baozhu had made.

So, while washing herself, she said, "Didn't you bite me yesterday too?"

"How can they be the same?!"

As Wang Xifeng was about to get down from the bed, she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "How is she? You won't show her any mercy out of pity, will you?"

When she said this, Sister Feng clearly had a fierce expectation in her eyes.

If even someone as straightforward as her couldn't handle it, what would happen to the delicate Qin Keqing...?

"she?"

Jia Lian didn't hide anything: "She's much more generous than you. I don't know who reminded her, but she used Baozhu as a shield in advance. She only put in a small part of the effort, so it's no exaggeration to say that she reaped the benefits without lifting a finger."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng was about to jump up again, but then she suddenly remembered her own words, "With your delicate body, I'm afraid you might not be able to be Tang Xuanzang."

Could it be that I reminded Qin Keqing?!

She was filled with remorse and angrily exclaimed, "She calls that being generous? She just doesn't take you seriously! If that bitch truly considered you her husband, how could she so easily push you away?!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian dropped the towel in his hand, sat down on the edge of the bed, put his arm around Wang Xifeng's shoulder, and laughed, "I know who truly loves me. I'm just using her for amusement now, but in my heart, I only see her as someone to step on for you."

Jia Lian was always sweet-talking, and now, having lived two lives, he talks about "love" all the time.

How could women in ancient times possibly understand this?

Wang Xifeng couldn't hide the smile on her lips, but she still habitually said something contrary to her true feelings: "Pah~ After being drained of her body by that slut, she comes here to say cheap things."

As soon as he finished speaking, he realized that the hand that was on his shoulder had turned into Lu Shan's claw and slid down his collarbone.

Wang Xifeng quickly grabbed him and scolded, "What are you doing now?!"

Jia Lian chuckled in her ear, "Of course, it's to prove that I still have plenty of courage left."

Wang Xifeng hurriedly broke free from his embrace, her face flushed red as she spat, "Pah! Don't disgust me! You're covered in that rotten flesh and its stench, and you still have the nerve to seduce me? Even if I... what are you doing? Come back!"

Halfway through the conversation, Jia Lian casually got up and walked out.

Wang Xifeng called out twice, but when she couldn't get him to stop, she quickly slipped on her shoes and chased after him.

Upon reaching the outer room, they saw that Jia Lian had already turned Ping'er down onto the daybed.

Ping'er was initially half-hearted, but when she saw Wang Xifeng chasing after her from inside, she immediately switched to rabbit-and-eagle mode, pushing and shoving with both hands and feet, calling out "Grandma" repeatedly.

Upon seeing this, Wang Xifeng instinctively stepped forward to stop her.

But Jia Lian, amidst his busy schedule, turned around and said confidently, "Don't worry, I'll give you a proper bath and treat you well when I get back tomorrow!"

These words themselves were fine, but Jia Lian's unprecedented wildness and confidence made Wang Xifeng unconsciously lose her composure.

When they came to their senses, they saw that the two people on the Luohan bed were already charred and curled up together, no longer distinguishable from each other.

Wang Xifeng muttered a curse under her breath and turned to go back into the inner room.

Hearing the commotion outside, Sister Feng felt secretly worried.

In the past, there was some justification for keeping Jia Lian in check, but now she felt like she was made of paper in front of him, easily broken.

Even the combined efforts of the master and servant couldn't feed him enough.

What can be used to stop this?

I'm afraid that if I take this to the old lady, I won't be in the right.

…………

at the same time.

Qin Keqing was also troubled.

When Feng Lazi said that she "might not be able to become Tang Xuanzang", she thought there would be some twists and turns in the process. But it turned out that she was talking about the difficulties of the journey to obtain the scriptures!

Fortunately, Keqing saw that things were not going well and pushed Baozhu out as a shield early on. Of the 120 long chapters, 80 were dedicated to Baozhu.

Otherwise, they would have been killed or injured by that magic needle long ago.

only……

Looking at Baozhu beside her, whose face was still scrunched up like a bitter gourd even in her sleep, Qin Keqing became even more worried.

This shield is clearly badly injured, and it probably won't be able to recover for two or three days. How can I bear it all by myself?

Qin Keqing was originally worried that there wouldn't be enough time for the first seven days after her death, but now she's worried about how to get through it.

At this moment, Baozhu turned over in her sleep and woke up in pain.

She cried out a few times, and said to Qin Keqing, "Grandma, I'm useless now. I'm afraid you'll have to think of another way."

Other methods?

We can't drag Ruizhu down with us, can we?

She's straightforward and headstrong, so I'm afraid she might not be willing to give in obediently. Besides, she's very expressive and can't keep her feelings to herself. If someone notices something...

"If Sister Ruizhu is willing to help, that would be great, but I'm afraid she might not be as self-deprecating as I am..."

Baozhu had long suspected that she would be dragged into this mess, but she didn't expect it to happen so quickly, so urgently, and so ruthlessly.

She certainly harbored resentment, but she was a sensible person who knew that the master and servant were now in a situation where their fates were intertwined, so she only complained a couple of times and then stopped there.

Then she offered another suggestion: "Grandma, have you ever heard that...?"

As he spoke, he whispered a few words in Qin Keqing's ear.

Qin Keqing blushed deeply and said shyly, "This...this won't do! Where did you, a young girl, hear such nonsense?"

"I overheard the mothers gossiping; they wouldn't dare be so unrestrained in front of Grandma, but they have no such inhibitions in front of me and Ruizhu..."

"Me... this... can it really work?"

"Why don't you find something similar to try first, Grandma?"

…………

The next morning.

As Su Yun helped Li Wan wash and dress, she noticed Li Wan's rosy complexion and radiant spirit, and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What good thing happened to you yesterday, Madam? How come you look so radiant this morning?"

Li Wan, unwilling to reveal a single word, immediately changed the subject, asking, "Is everything alright with Rong-ge's daughter-in-law?"

"this……"

Su Yun frowned and said, "Madam Rong looks alright, but Baozhu caught a chill last night while on night duty. Just now, Ruizhu asked the kitchen to send over some white radishes, saying she wanted to slice them and make radish water for Madam Rong."

When Li Wan heard that Baozhu was sick, she didn't pay much attention.

Before leaving, she made a special trip to visit Qin Keqing.

For some reason she couldn't quite explain, as she looked at Qin Keqing's features and demeanor, a sense of déjà vu welled up in her heart.

But for a moment I didn’t know where this feeling came from.

When they came out of the west wing, they saw Ruizhu leading a maid to wash radishes. These white radishes were top-quality goods specially supplied to wealthy families, and each one was as thick as a child's arm.

Strangely, there was a freshly washed mourning cloth hanging next to it, with several rows of slightly curved holes on it, looking as if it had been bitten by someone.

What is it used for?

Li Wan, being an experienced woman, quickly conjured up a scene in her mind:

In the stillness of the night, Qin Keqing held her mourning handkerchief, overwhelmed with grief and longing for her loved one. Afraid that her crying would disturb others, she bit the handkerchief and wept silently.

Hey~

I remember being just as heartbroken back then, but now my husband's image and voice are becoming increasingly blurry, and last night it was replaced by...

I don't know if I'm an exception, or if most young widows in the world are like this.