Three Wives and Four Concubines in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Page 90

Ying'er suddenly let out a soft moan, her two jade-like legs tensed tightly, her face flushed, and she could no longer pretend. She quickly covered Baochai's hand and begged for mercy:

"Girl, please stop teasing me, I'll tell you..."

Baochai's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously glanced at the closed door. After thinking for a moment, she blushed, got out of bed, blew out the lamp, and decided not to go to her own bed. She would sleep on the bed beside her and whisper in Ying'er's ear tonight.

"...They should all be inside by now, I didn't dare look..."

"...Master is very gentle. Although it hurts, it will feel better after a while..."

"Ouch! Miss, stop touching me... It's all swollen from Daddy-Grandpa's touch... It hurts..."

……

Chapter 123 The Good Days Are Over

After the commotion that day, Baoyu was carried back and lay in bed for two days. He thought that as usual, he would be beaten and that would be the end of it. However, Jia Zheng specially ordered him to stay at home.

Baoyu fears no one but his father. Yesterday, he took the opportunity to rush to Grandmother Jia's place to act cute, since only this ancestor in the entire Jia family could keep Jia Zheng in check.

Unexpectedly, the tricks that had always worked were ineffective this time. I don't know what happened these past few days. No matter how much pity Grandmother Jia showed, she could only tell him not to practice and hurt his health, and to take more rest.

Upon hearing this, Baoyu was struck dumb. To make matters worse, Lady Wang, who had been so distressed the other day, also forced herself to stand on the same side today, and for once, everyone was united in wanting Baoyu to improve himself.

When he returned to Yihong Courtyard in a daze, the servants had already put the books that Gu Yu had used to exorcise evil spirits for him back on display. Looking at the books that filled three whole bookshelves with Jia Zheng's personal collection, and hearing the order that he was not allowed to leave until he had finished reading them, Baoyu felt dizzy and almost sat down on the ground, causing another chaotic scene.

Even though another incident of smashing jade and having a fit of hysteria occurred later, Fengjie, who had been instructed to do so beforehand, blocked the news, and the virtuous Xiren calmed things down. In addition, Grandmother Jia pretended to be ignorant, and the incident was quickly resolved without any trace.

He had just finished breakfast not long ago, and Baoyu was lying on the couch with a look of utter dejection, unaware that Xiren had suddenly heard the noise, gone out, and returned with a beaming smile, saying:

"Baoyu, Young Master Yu has come to see you."

Baoyu was initially delighted, but upon hearing that only Gu Yu was present, his excitement subsided somewhat, and he felt a little regretful that his sisters hadn't come. However, since a guest had indeed arrived, he quickly rose to greet him and instructed Xiren to pour tea.

"Brother Yu, what brings you here?"

Today, Gu Yu was casually dressed in a blue-collared brocade jacket with green lotus patterns, and a plain wooden hairpin of indistinguishable material adorned her hair. The simple attire gave her an air of ethereal elegance. Upon seeing her, Bao Yu's anger dissipated considerably, and a smile appeared on his face for the first time in days.

Gu Yu smiled as she accepted the tea Xiren offered, took a sip, and then, upon hearing this, put down the teacup and looked at Baoyu with a half-smile, said:

"I heard that Brother Bao has been studying these past two days, and I shouldn't disturb him. But Xiren noticed that Brother Bao seems distracted and was worried that he might develop some health problems, so she came here specifically to ask me for some guidance. The old lady is very fond of you and has granted you half a day off. Brother Bao, would you like to go out for a walk with me now?"

Baoyu's round face lit up with joy, and he immediately stood up, forgetting all formalities, urging him to go out. He had been feeling terrible these past two days, and now that he could go out for a walk, how could he stay cooped up any longer?

Xiren was still calling for him to slow down. He had just reached the courtyard gate when he saw that the two of them had already gone far away. Thinking about his conversation with Gu Yu a few days ago and what he had seen and heard at Bao's place yesterday, he stood there unconsciously for a long time until a few old women led a maid over and he was startled out of his daze.

“Xiren—, Madam has instructed that since Second Master Bao is currently studying at home, she is worried that you may not be able to take good care of him, so she has specially sent Jin Chuan over. You can settle her in. We will go back to Madam now.”

Xi Ren's heart tightened. She glanced at Jin Chuan'er, whom she hadn't seen much before, and noticed that Jin Chuan'er seemed a little dazed. She could only force a smile and greet her, then slowly led her into the courtyard.

……

After Gu Yu led Bao Yu out, she didn't say much and went straight to Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Bao Yu followed for half the way, and finally couldn't help but ask:

"Brother Yu, where are you taking me?"

Gu Yu said without turning her head:

"You ran back in the rain that day, how many people saw you along the way? You were so distraught when you got back that Xiren was worried about you and made a special inquiry. Today, I've allowed you to come out and relax, so I naturally want to put your mind at ease."

After a series of words, some true and some false, Baoyu lowered his head in embarrassment, but his thoughts drifted back to the garden from that day, and before he knew it, he had arrived at his destination.

"I heard that Lingguan, the young female lead in this troupe, is the best singer. Later, just look for her and ask her to sing a set of 'Niao Qing Si,' and it will help resolve your inner conflict."

Before Baoyu could ask, the two entered Pear Fragrance Courtyard, where they saw Baoguan and Yuguan already inside. Although they didn't recognize Gu Yu, they were very familiar with Baoyu's face and greeted them with smiles, offering them seats.

With Gu Yu's words still on his mind, Bao Yu quickly asked, "Where is Ling Guan alone?"

The others told him she was in her room, and Baoyu walked straight into the room. He saw Lingguan lying alone on her pillow, but she didn't move when he came in.

Baoyu was used to playing with other girls, so he assumed Lingguan was just like everyone else and didn't pay much attention. He came over and sat down beside her, then smiled and begged her to get up and sing the "Niao Qing Si" song.

Seeing him sit down, Lingguan quickly stood up to avoid him and said seriously:

"My voice is hoarse. The other day, the Empress summoned us, but I haven't sung yet."

Seeing that she had sat up straight, Baoyu took a closer look and realized that she was the one who had drawn the character "蔷" (qiang, meaning rose) under the rose bush that day. Seeing this situation again, he had never been rejected like this before, and he blushed with embarrassment and had no choice but to leave.

As soon as he came out, Baoyu saw Gu Yu and the other girls laughing and talking. Feeling embarrassed, he walked over. Before he could speak, Baoguan and the others, seeing that Baoyu had come out so quickly, hurriedly asked him what was going on, and Baoyu then told them.

Bao Guan and his companion exchanged a smile and said, "Just wait a little while. When Second Master Qiang arrives, we'll ask him to sing. He'll definitely sing."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu was puzzled and asked in confusion:

"Where did Qiang-ge go?"

Bao Guan said, "He just went out. He must have gone to get something from Ling Guan, and he went to make something up."

Baoyu was about to ask another question when Gu Yu interrupted him:

"Brother Bao, please be patient, you'll see in a moment,"

Baoyu had no choice but to shut up for the time being, standing there somewhat bewildered with Gu Yu, listening to him and Baoguan chat about operas they had never heard before. Normally, he would have been interested, but now his mind was in complete turmoil, and he had no idea where his thoughts had wandered off to.

After a short while, they saw Jia Qiang coming from outside, carrying a birdcage with a small stage and a bird on it. He was walking excitedly inside looking for Lingguan.

Unexpectedly, upon entering the courtyard, he saw Gu Yu and Bao Yu in the corner and had no choice but to stop and approach them with a slightly restrained manner to pay his respects.

Baoyu had no time to pay him any attention, and dismissed him with a few casual words. However, unexpectedly, after Jia Qiang had passed, Gu Yu suddenly patted his shoulder and chuckled softly:

"You just asked Lingguan to sing, and she gave you the cold shoulder. Why don't you go and see her again?"

When Baoyu heard what he said, he became curious and quietly followed him over, standing outside the door to examine him carefully.

Jia Qiang entered and said with a smile, "Get up, look at this thing." Lingguan got up and asked what it was. Jia Qiang said, "I bought a sparrow for you to play with, so you won't be bored and have no fun every day. Let me play with it for you first." As he spoke, he took some millet and coaxed the sparrow to run around on the stage, carrying a ghost-face flag in its mouth.

The girls in the room all laughed and said, "Interesting!" Du Lingguan chuckled coldly twice, then went to sleep in a huff. Jia Qiang continued to smile apologetically and ask him how he was doing.

Lingguan said, "Your family brought perfectly good people here, locked them up in this prison to learn this nonsense, and now you've brought a sparrow here, and it insists on doing the same thing. You've clearly brought him here to make fun of us, and you still ask me if it's good or not."

Upon hearing this, Jia Qiang panicked and quickly swore an oath, saying, "Today I was blinded by the perfumes and oils! I spent one or two taels of silver to buy this bird, originally just to relieve my boredom, but I never thought of this. Fine, fine, release it to avoid your illness." As he spoke, he indeed released the bird and dismantled the cage in one go.

Lingguan continued, “Although that sparrow is not as good as a human, it still has an old sparrow in its nest. You can tolerate taking it and using it for this nonsense! Today I coughed up blood twice, and Madam called the doctor to take a look, but instead of asking me about it properly, you brought this to make fun of me. Unfortunately, I am neglected and ignored by everyone, and I am also sick.” As she spoke, she started crying again.

Jia Qiang hurriedly said, "I asked the doctor last night, and he said it was nothing serious. He said to take two doses of medicine and come back for a check-up the day after tomorrow. Who knew he would vomit again today? I'll ask him to come over now." As he spoke, he was about to invite him over.

Lingguan shouted again, "Stop! It's scorching hot under the sun right now. Even if you go and invite him yourself out of spite, I won't see him."

Upon hearing this, Jia Qiang had no choice but to stop.

Upon seeing this scene, Baoyu was stunned, and only then did he understand the deeper meaning of the stroke "蔷" (qiang). Gu Yu observed his expression, smiled coldly, knowing that he understood, patted his shoulder to signal him to come back to his senses, and then walked away.

Jia Qiang was so focused on Lingguan that he didn't care about giving her anything, while other girls were the ones who were given gifts.

Chapter 124 A Higher Dimension of Resentment...

The two left Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Baoyu was preoccupied with calculations and schemes, completely lost in thought, his mind filled with images of Lingguan painting roses and Jia Qiang trying to please her. After a long while, he finally sighed:

“I was wrong in what I said before. No wonder the master said I had ‘a narrow view.’ I was wrong to say that your tears were only for my sake. I cannot receive them all. From now on, each of us will have our own tears.”

"The fates of people in life are all predetermined; I wonder who will shed tears at my funeral in the future?"

Gu Yu glanced at him disdainfully, a hint of amusement flashing across his face, and replied:

"Of course, she will be Brother Bao's future wife. We will share the same bed in life and the same grave in death. How could I not shed tears for you? Xiren is loyal and devoted, and I'm sure she can't bear to part with you either."

Baoyu was startled. Hearing his wife's sudden flutter in his heart added to his irritation, and he unconsciously uttered the following:

"Wife...which one should I marry in the future?...Sister Bao...Sister Lin..."

Although he was so angry with Lin Daiyu that he wanted to cut off his sleeves and robes a few days ago, when he thinks of his wife now, he can't help but compare her to the equally beautiful Baochai in his heart, and even subtly surpasses her.

Just as he was struggling with this dilemma, Baoyu suddenly cried out in pain, feeling his entire face go numb with pain. He stumbled and almost fell to the ground, trembling as he looked at the culprit with a mixture of anger and grievance:

"Brother Yu! Why are you hitting me!"

Gu Yu withdrew his outstretched hand. His handsome features looked somewhat cold at this moment. He had not originally intended to make a move, but for some reason, a great anger and resentment welled up in his heart, and he involuntarily reached out and slapped Bao Yu hard twice.

Fortunately, he used a clever trick at the last moment, only managing to breathe a good sigh of relief without sustaining any serious injuries, thus avoiding any unnecessary trouble.

"I thought that by making Bao understand the love between men and women, he would be able to pull himself together and study hard, but I didn't expect that he would still only know how to talk about his sisters. How can I live up to the expectations of the old lady, the master, and the madam?"

"Sister Bao and Sister Lin are all relatives of the Jia family. It's one thing that you've loved eating the maids' rouge since you were little, but now that you understand matters between men and women, why are you still thinking about your sisters? Do you want to ruin the reputation of the Jia family?"

Baoyu clutched his cheek, which was numb with pain, trembling with anger. Realizing he couldn't possibly defeat Gu Yu, he could only stomp his foot angrily and say:

"When did I ever think about such dirty things?"

Gu Yu stared directly at Bao Yu and sneered, bluntly stating:

"Do you think you can keep your affair with Xiren a secret from the Madam and the servants in this garden? The whole capital knows that Jia Bao, the second master of the Jia family, is a dissolute and good-for-nothing. If it weren't for the fact that you're getting old, would the old lady have allowed Master Zheng to keep you in line and help you improve?"

Baoyu panicked, not expecting his affair with Xiren to be exposed. He quickly waved his hands and said:

"I didn't harbor those feelings for my sisters! As for Xiren... I was unaware of it at the time, and Xiren was also—"

"Enough! I don't want to know about your affair with Xiren. Now that you understand that everyone has their own tears, you should listen to your master's teachings and stay in the courtyard to study. In the future, when you get married and start a family, you can protect Xiren and Jinchuan."

Baoyu was stunned, wondering what this had to do with Jin Chuan. But the thought of being confined to his quarters, never seeing his beloved Sister Yun, Sister Bao, or Sister Lin again, and even getting married in the future, caused him a pang of pain. He no longer wanted to argue with Gu Yu and just wanted to take the opportunity to see them.

Unexpectedly, he had barely taken a step when Gu Yu subdued him as easily as an eagle snatching a chick. Bao Yu struggled a few times but couldn't break free, and finally couldn't help but get angry:

"Let me go! Since the master has granted me half a day off, what's wrong with me going out for a walk?"

Gu Yu remained unmoved, slowly pointing to the wooden hairpin in her hair, and asked him:

"Baoyu, do you know what this is?"

Baoyu snorted angrily and didn't answer. Gu Yu didn't mind and smiled lightly:

"That Qiang-ge'er is not as favored by the manor as you, so why does Ling-guan happen to be fond of him but disdain you? It's because he is willing to put in the effort, willing to buy sparrows, willing to seek medical treatment, and willing to swallow his pride and beg for mercy."

"You are now lazy and ignorant of farming, and you have accomplished nothing in your studies. You can't even concentrate on your studies. If the old lady or the madam were to ask you for a wife in the future, would you do it just because you are the young master of the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion?"

Baoyu's hand, which he had been struggling to break free from, loosened, and he unconsciously froze. Gu Yu then pointed to her wooden hairpin, a smile playing on her lips:

"This was made for me by Lin Daiyu."

Baoyu was startled, a sudden pain shooting through his heart, as if he had heard some terrible news. He stared blankly at the wooden hairpin in Gu Yu's hair, and after a long while, he suddenly glared at her and said angrily:

"You actually have improper thoughts about Lin Daiyu! Gu Yu, you even studied the classics!"

Gu Yu glared back without backing down:

"What do you mean by improper thoughts? A gentleman's feelings should be expressed within the bounds of propriety. Lin Daiyu will get married one day. Can you stop her? As a third-ranking scholar, Uncle Lin should choose a son-in-law who is both talented and virtuous in the future."

“I have been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, and I have known my sister for a long time. Why can’t I go when the Lin family holds a marriage contest? Besides, what business is it of yours?”

"I--!"

Baoyu was panting heavily, his eyes reddened from Gu Yu's provocation, but in the end, it was just impotent rage.

Yes, the sisters will eventually get married, how can he stop them? Baochai and Lin Daiyu will both leave, what does it matter to him if they marry Gu Yu? But why does something still feel off?

The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. He couldn't help but take out his precious jade and was about to smash it, but Gu Yu, who was quick-witted and agile, didn't give him the chance. She raised her hand and stopped him, slapping him twice to bring him back to his senses.

"You're always smashing jade and throwing tantrums. Is this all you'll rely on to get married and start a family? I'm not Xiren, so I can't offer you any advice. Baoyu, don't blame me for hitting you today, and don't blame the old lady and master for locking you up. Just think about what you're capable of!"

After saying that, she ignored him and dragged him to Yihong Courtyard. When she saw Xiren waiting there, she let go of his hand, no longer caring about Baoyu, and went straight back to her own courtyard.

If you think that Gu Yu was just being kind by saving Jin Chuan'er and even sending her to Yi Hong Courtyard to serve Bao Yu, then you've misjudged him. None of the maids in Bao Yu's courtyard are simple.

Musk Moon and Autumn Trace were naturally charming and alluring to Baoyu, but they were quite different when dealing with other maids. The clever and capable Little Red was scolded for overstepping her bounds by pouring a cup of tea. Afterwards, they repeatedly made trouble for her and suppressed her, just in case there was another maid who could stand on equal footing with them.

Now that we've planted this spark of Jin Chuan'er, Bao Yu will be in for a world of trouble in the Grand View Garden.

Jin Chuan'er was clearly not someone to be trifled with. As a maid, she dared to instigate Bao Yu to catch Jia Huan cheating, which shows that she was also a proud person who dared to make fun of even a proper young master who was not born of the main wife.

Now, on one side is a long-serving, domineering maid, and on the other side is a proud servant of high status. The fight between the two sides is enough to drive Baoyu, with his indecisive nature, to the brink of ecstasy.

As for Xiren, although she is virtuous, that is only towards Baoyu. She is also quite shrewd and can keep the battle within the Yihong Courtyard amidst the chaos, without worrying about Grandmother Jia and the others finding out. She is simply the best way to torment Baoyu.

Gu Yu, who was getting happier the more she thought about it, felt even lighter on her feet. The thought of Bao Yu, the biggest third wheel, being kept in the Grand View Garden as a pigpen by her made her feel incredibly itchy.

"It seems like I can spend more time with my younger sisters now~"

As for whether the fact that he had just hit Baoyu would be exposed? He trusted Xiren's intelligence...

Chapter 1, hurry up and I'll give you a break.

The next two days were indeed peaceful, and no other disturbances were heard from the garden. On the first day of the fifth month, the young ladies, accompanied by their maids, left the garden to visit Grandmother Jia and follow her to the Qingxu Temple for a religious ceremony, leaving only the newly ailing Yingchun to recuperate.

Ying'er was still a little immobile after lying down for three days. When Baochai took her by the pear blossoms in the spring rain, she saw that Ying'er's steps were a little unnatural. Gu Yu smiled awkwardly and coaxed her in front of Baochai. Unexpectedly, before she could finish speaking, the two girls were so embarrassed that they covered their faces and left.