The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Chapter 75 Wang Xifeng's Good Idea

It was late at night, but the lights in Rong Xi Tang were still brightly lit.

The sound of sniffing and swallowing tears came from Mrs. Wang's room.

I saw Xue Baochai supporting Aunt Xue and standing by the kang, crying.

Mrs. Wang was sitting on the kang on the west side, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Suddenly, the maid Jin Chuan'er's voice came from outside: "Master Lian is back!"

Before he could finish his words, Jia Lian hurried in.

Xue Baochai supported Aunt Xue and went over to greet him. They asked, "How is it?"

Mrs. Wang was still sitting, also looking at Jia Lian.

Jia Lian: "Madam, Madam, Brother Xue's case is a bit troublesome. The Censorate has intervened. I'm afraid it's going to be bad!"

Mrs. Wang was surprised: "Ah? Where is the master?"

After hearing this, Aunt Xue was crying so hard that she couldn't speak.

Xue Baochai also panicked and started crying.

Jia Lian: "I went to Jia Yucun to see if I could find a way to get the Censorate to stop. As long as the Censorate doesn't make this matter public, Brother Xue's case can be covered up."

Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai stopped crying and looked at Jia Lian.

Jia Lian continued, "The eldest master said that this matter has been reported from Jinling Prefecture to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, and a large group of people are involved. As long as it doesn't get out of hand, no one is willing to stir up this hornet's nest. The current emperor will also turn a blind eye for the sake of the uncle."

Xue Baochai opened her eyes with tears in her eyes: "But will the Censorate stop?"

Jia Lian smiled bitterly: "The Censorate is the territory of civil officials. The Jia family has no dealings with them. We can only ask Jia Yucun to go and find out early tomorrow morning."

Suddenly, Jin Chuan'er's exclamation came from outside: "The Second Madam is here!"

Jia Lian hurried to the door: "Why are you here?"

"How can I sleep when something so serious happened?"

Wang Xifeng came in, holding Ping'er's hand, and asked, "Wang'er said that if things go wrong, this matter might implicate our uncle. Is that true?"

Jia Lian held Wang Xifeng's other arm and said, "Don't worry too much. Your uncle has just done a great deed. Even if there is a commotion, I guess he will be reprimanded by imperial decree."

Wang Xifeng felt relieved when she heard this. Her belly had already become somewhat visible at this time. Supported by Jia Lian, she supported her waist with her other hand and walked towards Mrs. Wang who was still sitting on the kang.

Mrs. Wang glanced at her slightly bulging belly and said, "Sit down and talk."

"Yes."

Wang Xifeng sat down on a chair beside the kang and asked Jia Lian again, "What did the master say?"

Jia Lian briefly recounted the incident.

Wang Xifeng thought about it and said, "What's so difficult about this? In my opinion, 'nine out of ten officials are greedy'. There is no official who doesn't love money. If there is, it's because the money is not enough!"

Everyone was shocked.

Wang Xifeng's lips curled up slightly, a hint of pride flashed in her eyes, and she said to Aunt Xue: "At this time, Aunt, don't feel sorry for your possessions. Take out all the gold, silver, round and flat things."

Aunt Xue nodded.

Xue Baochai came to her senses and said to Aunt Xue: "Let's wait for my uncle to come back first, so as not to spoil things. Besides, giving gifts is a science, and if you don't do it well, you may offend people."

Aunt Xue looked at Mrs. Wang, and Mrs. Wang nodded.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said to Mrs. Wang: "Madam, it's all right. I will go back and rest now."

Mrs. Wang: "Go ahead." Then she said to Jia Lian, "Send Feng girl back first, then wait in front. Come back as soon as you get any news."

Jia Lian: "Yes." He answered and walked out with Ping'er and Wang Xifeng. The footsteps soon disappeared, and Xue Baochai spoke: "Mom, stay here with Auntie, I'll go back to prepare things." At this point, she hesitated and looked at Mrs. Wang: "Auntie, those civil servants like to collect calligraphy and paintings by famous people, and there are also rare Song editions that are worth 'one page of Song edition and one tael of gold'."

Mrs. Wang was silent. The Jia family had calligraphy and paintings by famous people, as well as quite a few Song Dynasty books. There were also several rare poetry collections printed in the Song Dynasty. She could make the decision on the first two, but not on the rare Song Dynasty book, which was Jia Zheng's lifeblood.

Xue Baochai: "Tan girl has two copies."

Mrs. Wang sat up straight suddenly. "That was a gift from the palace to the Li family."

Xue Baochai: "There is one that Miss Lin brought from home."

Lin family’s stuff?
Mrs. Wang was silent for a moment, then said, "Let's wait until your uncle comes back."

This is Xue Baochai. She is meticulous in etiquette. She bowed to Mrs. Wang very calmly, said a few words to Aunt Xue, and then walked out.

Seeing Aunt Xue still wiping tears, Mrs. Wang spoke: "Don't worry, everything will be fine." She shouted outside: "Jin Chuan'er, tell the kitchen to make a pot of rock sugar lotus seed soup."

The five-courtyard courtyard is spacious and expansive, and when the sun comes out, the whole yard is filled with sunshine.

Not wanting to move after finishing his meal, Li Hu took Lin Daiyu to bask in the sun under the eaves.

The sun was warm on her body. Lin Daiyu stretched comfortably, turned around, and looked at Li Hu lying on a recliner beside her: "Let's go fishing in the waterside pavilion."

Li Hu turned around and looked at her: "You don't want to read anymore?"

Lin Daiyu blinked her eyes a few times and said, "You said that we should combine work with rest."

Li Hu smiled and nodded at her: "You are becoming more and more naughty."

"Then I'll take that as your agreement!"

Lin Daiyu sat up happily and shouted, "Zijuan, take out my fishing gear. I want to go fishing at the waterside pavilion."

Li Hu looked at her with a smile and asked, "Are you happy fishing or are you so happy because I am with you?"

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes at him and ignored him.

Li Hu smiled. This girl has become bolder and no longer blushes and gets shy easily. She is in a good mood and has a good appetite. Her little face has become rounder and rosier, which makes him always want to pinch her.

Well, find a chance and give it a pinch.

"What are you looking at!"

Lin Daiyu felt a little frightened by his stare and let out a tender cry.

At this time, Zijuan called a few maids to come from the west wing, carrying fishing rods, boxes and cages, and holding small porcelain jars.

Li Hu stood up and opened the box. Inside were silk ropes, hooks, reeds, and a porcelain cup.

Li Hu was curious: "What's in it?"

Zijuan smiled and said, "It's bait." Then she opened the lid.

Li Hu took a look and said, "Isn't it a bug?"

Zijuan: "Corn steamed bread is made of cornmeal, corn residue, white flour and eggs, with a few drops of honey added, then kneaded into steamed bread and steamed."

Li Hu was slightly stunned. Can it be played like this?
"You can use my fishing rod."

Lin Daiyu handed the fishing rod to Li Hu and said to Zijuan, "Send someone to the storehouse to get another fishing rod."

Li Hu quickly stopped her: "No need, I'll just watch you fishing." Then he took her hand and said, "Let's go."

Lin Daiyu smiled and let him pull her to the back garden.

Zijuan looked at the backs of Li Hu and Lin Daiyu walking away, and said to the maids, "You guys go and serve them, I'll go prepare tea and snacks."

Several maids responded and chased after him, carrying boxes and small porcelain jars.

(End of this chapter)