The Splendor of the Red Chamber

[PS: If you haven't watched the TV series "The Story of Minglan", ignore this. This is just an explanation for book readers who have watched the TV series.]

In the original novel, Sheng Minglan actually returned to her hometown of Youyang twice.

One time was when her father, Sheng Hong, was about to be transferred from Dengzhou to the capital, and Minglan accompanied her grandmother to attend the wedding of the eldest branch of the Sheng family; the other time was three years later when the old lady of the eldest branch of the Sheng family fell seriously ill.

The TV series version merged the two trips back to their hometown into one, and also deleted the scenes of the Sheng family befriending the Duke of Qi in Dengzhou and Qi Heng entering the Sheng family school.

To better connect the plot, this book adopts the timeline of the original novel's first return to the hometown, which is on the eve of the Sheng family's move to the capital, when Sheng Minglan was 12 years old.

Of course, the subsequent plot will still be based on the TV series, with some reasonable modifications to the details.

Furthermore, all the necessary background information will be provided, so those who haven't watched the TV series won't be affected.

…………

Upon receiving the report, Jia Lian first summoned the old steward of the mansion to inquire about it.

According to the old steward of the Lin family, Lin Ruhai did have dealings with Sheng Hong, but they were only nodding acquaintances.

Moreover, since Sheng Hong was transferred to Dengzhou four years ago, the two sides have basically lost contact.

Although he couldn't understand why the old lady of the Sheng family would suddenly come to visit, since she was an old friend of Lin Ruhai and an elder, Jia Lian was bound to go and meet her.

So he left Daiyu to serve him at his bedside and went to the front hall to receive guests.

The two elderly women were both in their sixties or seventies; one looked dignified and noble, while the other had a kind and gentle appearance.

Behind the dignified and noble old lady stood a little girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, with delicate features and fair skin, clearly a beauty in the making.

As Jia Lian observed, he stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "This junior is the nephew of Imperial Censor Lin, but may I ask which one is Madam Sheng?"

The dignified and noble old lady stood up and said, "This is I. I apologize for my intrusion today, young man."

"You're too kind, Madam."

Jia Lian bowed slightly again and said, "When the old lady comes to visit, my uncle should personally greet her, but unfortunately he has been bedridden since last winter, so I can only do it on her behalf."

I wonder what brings the old lady to our home today? If it's convenient, could you please tell me? Even if I can't make the decision myself, I can at least inform my uncle on her behalf.

"Hehe~"

Old Madam Sheng smiled slightly and said, "So that the young master may know that I have taken the liberty of visiting you because of Lord Lin's illness."

He paused, then asked, "I hear you speak with a Beijing accent, young master. Have you ever heard of Physician He, who comes from the He family of Baishitan in southern Jiangsu?"

"Of course I've heard of it."

I've heard so much about it. Physician He is a senior member of the Imperial Medical Academy and is often invited by the Rongguo Mansion for consultations. Wang Xifeng even asked him for a health regimen a while ago.

Then, Old Madam Sheng pointed to another old lady and said, "This old lady of mine is Physician He's wife. Her medical skills are not much inferior to her husband's. I heard that Lord Lin was seriously ill when I passed through Yangzhou, so I specially invited her to treat Lord Lin."

"I see!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian hurriedly instructed Xing'er to invite Lin Daiyu over, and then bowed solemnly to Old Madam Sheng, saying, "On behalf of my uncle, Jia Lian thanks Old Madam for your kindness. The Lin family will be forever grateful for this favor."

Upon hearing Jia Lian's name, Old Madam Sheng carefully examined him for a couple more times before rolling up her sleeves and waving her hand, saying, "My husband was also a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations back then, but he also died young. I was just meddling because I was moved by the scene. I dare not accept any favors or kindness."

The more the other party said this, the more enthusiastically Jia Lian wanted to treat them.

So he hurriedly invited Old Madam Sheng to take a seat, and then sat down beside her to talk.

It turns out that this old lady Sheng also came from a noble family; her maternal family was the Xu family of the Marquis of Yongyi.

The Marquis of Yongyi's mansion was once one of the most outstanding second-rate noble families, but it seems that it was involved in a legal case, which severely damaged its vitality and led to its gradual decline.

As she reminisced about the past, Grandma Sheng couldn't help but laugh, "Back then, I even won the polo tournament organized by Sister Shi. It's been over fifty years since I last saw her."

"Does the old lady know my grandmother?"

The "Sister Shi" mentioned here undoubtedly refers to Grandmother Jia.

"When I was sent to the palace to be raised in my early years, I had some dealings with Sister Shi, but I was a few years younger than her, so we weren't very close."

Just then, Lin Daiyu burst in, disregarding all formalities, and asked directly, "Which one of you is Madam He?!"

"That is I."

The kind-faced old lady He stood up.

Lin Daiyu instinctively reached out to pull him away, but Jia Lian quickly stopped her and apologized to the old lady of the He family, saying, "My uncle's condition has worsened recently, and my sister is just worried and confused. Please forgive her, Madam."

"It's alright."

Grandma He shook her head and said, "The bond between father and daughter is a natural law and a matter of human nature, so what's so strange about it? I'll trouble Miss Lin to take me to examine your father."

At Jia Lian's prompting, Lin Daiyu gave a deep bow to Old Madam Sheng, saying "Excuse me," before leading Old Madam He back to the inner quarters.

"Young Master."

Seeing this, Old Madam Sheng smiled and said, "Your younger sister is still young, and besides, concern can cloud judgment. Why don't you go and take a look too, so that I can enjoy the tea in our house in peace?"

Jia Lian was indeed a little worried, so he also said "Excuse me" and followed Lin Daiyu.

"Young Master?"

The young girl, who hadn't spoken until now, immediately asked curiously after Jia Lian left, "Is he also a young master from the Duke's mansion?"

"right."

Grandma Sheng took the little girl's hand and explained, "He should be the future master of Rongguo Mansion, and his status is similar to that of Young Master Qi, whom you know."

"So this is how polite the young master is."

Moreover, this one is even more handsome than Young Master Qi.

The little girl muttered to herself, then couldn't help but sigh, "That little girl just now must be the Lin family's young lady. She looks like a fairy descended from heaven. Everyone says our sister Mo Lan is beautiful, but compared to her, she's probably much less stunning."

"She is indeed a girl of exceptional talent and beauty."

Grandma Sheng nodded, then turned back and teased, "Minglan, how do you know she's your younger sister? Maybe she's even older than you."

Sheng Minglan playfully stuck out her tongue and whispered, "Grandmother, haven't you always disapproved of the Sheng family currying favor with the powerful and wealthy? Why is it like this time..."

"Alas, the world is changing."

Grandma Sheng sighed and held her granddaughter's hand, saying, "If your father had stayed in Dengzhou as an official, that would have been fine, but there's news that he's going to be transferred to the capital."

Entering the officialdom of the capital is like stepping into a whirlpool; it's better to build relationships beforehand than to scramble for help at the last minute when trouble arises.

…………

While the Sheng family grandparents and grandchildren chatted in the front hall, Madam He completed her medical consultation in the back courtyard.

She called Jia Lian and Lin Daiyu to the outer room and solemnly said, "Lord Lin's illness is beyond the reach of medicine. Even if I were to personally intervene, I'm afraid I could only prolong her life by two or three months."

"Even one more day is good!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu, with tears in her eyes, bowed and said, "Please, Madam, have mercy and use your skillful hands."

Lin Ruhai looks like he's not far from dying. If he can live another day, it's like he's snatched away from the King of Hell, let alone two or three months.

"Get up, get up quickly."

Grandma He quickly reached out to help her up, saying, "Now that I'm here, I certainly won't stand idly by."

As he spoke, he went back into the house, first giving Lin Ruhai acupuncture, and then prescribing two prescriptions for a combined approach of medicine and medicine.

As expected, Old Madam Sheng was not exaggerating; Madam He's medical skills were indeed no less than her husband's, and Lin Ruhai's condition improved that very night.

Not only did he drink half a bowl of rice porridge, but he also mumbled a couple of sentences.

Daiyu excitedly thanked Madam He repeatedly, and the next day at noon, she specially hosted a banquet to entertain her.

Seeing that the young lady from the Sheng family was very reserved in front of him, Jia Lian suggested to the two old ladies, "Why don't we let my younger sister entertain Miss Sheng alone, so that she won't feel too shy?"

"Haha~"

Grandma Sheng smiled and said, "My sixth daughter is good in every way, but she is too shy and always a little reserved in front of people. It would be good to have the young ladies sit at a separate table so that they won't feel uncomfortable with each other."

The five people sat at two tables and enjoyed the meal to the fullest.

After they returned to the inner quarters, having eaten and drunk their fill, Lin Daiyu was even more delighted to see that Lin Ruhai had eaten half a bowl of porridge.

So he took the initiative to suggest to Jia Lian that he should give generous gifts to thank the two old ladies.

"I remember there are still over a hundred acres of paddy fields near Baishitan that haven't been sold. Why not give them to Old Madam He as a token of our appreciation? As for the Sheng family..."

Lin Daiyu hesitated, clutching her handkerchief, and said, "The Sheng family is said to be the richest family in Youyang County, Yangzhou Prefecture. I can't think of a way to repay them for now."

"Hehe~"

Seeing her frowning and deep in thought, looking like a little adult in charge, Jia Lian couldn't help but find it amusing.

He reached out and rubbed her little head, saying, "That's easy to handle. The old lady of the Sheng family is returning to her hometown of Youyang this time to represent the second branch of the Sheng family to attend the wedding of the eldest grandson of the first branch. I will personally pay my respects and give the Sheng family the respect they deserve."