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

Page 142

If it were about doting on grandchildren, there would be no reason for an ancestor to save his own privileges for them; if people knew this, they would gossip about it behind his back.

Even if the old lady was so confused, and Daiyu and the others were so unfilial, if they dared to agree to it, Lady Wang and the others below would certainly not agree to such a thing.

Seeing that this matter could not be hidden from Baoqin, who was standing beside the old lady, Tanchun glanced at the two people sitting awkwardly above, sighed inwardly, and could only suppress her shame as she stammered, "..."

"Actually...actually, this has nothing to do with the old lady. Ah! It's because Brother Yu felt bad about taking advantage of living in this garden, and since Sister Lin is in poor health and needs careful care, he took care of us as well."

Tan Chun's voice grew louder and louder as she spoke, and when she finished, she couldn't help but nod in conviction, feeling that her explanation was perfectly reasonable. She didn't see the embarrassed and angry look in Daiyu's eyes above her.

You can make excuses all you want, but why single me out? When Yu-gege comes back, I'll definitely have him teach you a lesson!

Chapter Nine, New Play Debut

"..."

Baoqin looked at Daiyu's slightly thin body and recalled what she had seen and heard these past few days, and reluctantly believed the story.

With so many people sitting comfortably in the pear blossom spring rain, including her intelligent and always proper cousin, there must be something she doesn't know.

After the meal, everyone else was fine, but Baoqin, who was eating this kind of food for the first time, leaned back in her chair without regard for her image and it took her a while to recover.

"This is absolutely delicious! I doubt even the legendary Yingkexuan Restaurant, which is said to be the best in the world, can compare to this!"

She had traveled all over the country since she was a child, and her family was quite wealthy. Her father and brothers never mistreated her, and she had tasted all kinds of delicacies.

But today's meal was so delicious that she ate until she was stuffed, and she didn't even care about her manners anymore. It's unbelievable!

"What kind of seasonings are these? The taste is really unique; I've never tasted them before."

Baoqin touched her belly and casually remarked that she was surprised that someone could actually answer the question.

"These were all brought from the barbarians. The red ones seem to be called chili peppers, and they taste different from dogwood. As for the seasonings, there's too much, like refined salt and snowflake sugar, I can't tell them apart."

Baoqin looked up in surprise and saw that it was the youngest Xichun who spoke. She couldn't help but laugh:

"I never expected that Sister Xichun was so knowledgeable. I had never even heard of her. I must have been a frog in a well."

Xichun glanced subconsciously in the direction of the main house, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, then shook her head shyly and said:

"I only know a little bit because Yu-gege introduced it to me. How can I be considered knowledgeable? The older sisters all know it too."

Baochai couldn't bear to see her silly younger sister continue to act foolishly, and said with a helpless smile:

:

"Go to Yingkexuan and book a table of food tomorrow, and you'll know everything. Apart from the ingredients and cooking techniques being more refined, there's nothing different about this garden."

Baoqin looked up at Baochai in a daze, and then suddenly realized:

"Could it be that the Yingke Pavilion belongs to Young Master Yu's family?"

Baochai smiled and nodded, but did not intend to continue explaining that Yingkexuan was entirely a business started by Gu Yu alone.

Make a fortune quietly!

Even so, Baoqin couldn't help but cover her mouth and gasp.

Although she didn't say much before, Yingkexuan's reputation was known throughout Ping'an Prefecture. It was a business leader, so how could she not be interested?

Unexpectedly, his boss was now so close to him. Thinking of this, Baoqin suddenly became very interested in Gu Yu. She shifted in her chair, unable to resist asking:

"Speaking of which, so many days have passed, and Young Master Yu still hasn't returned. What has he been busy with?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xichun and Xiangyun secretly looked up and stared at her, suddenly becoming wary.

After all, there were too many variables in Baoqin's trip to the capital for betrothal. Before everything was settled, Baochai couldn't announce it. She only briefly told Daiyu and the others, while Xichun and the others were still unaware of it.

Xiangyun and the others were still young and usually absent-minded. It wasn't until Baoqin directly asked about Gu Yu that they finally realized what was going on.

Xing Xiuyan sat quietly to the side watching the battle, keenly noticing the changes in the women on the field. A hint of surprise and confusion flashed in her eyes, and then she lowered her head even more silently, trying to minimize her presence.

"Brother Yu went to Jiangnan to visit Lin's father. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he must be at the Lin residence."

After briefly explaining the relationship between Gu Yu and the Lin family, Baochai, seeing that everyone had almost finished eating, urged them to return to Rongqing Hall to keep Old Madam Jia company before Baoqin could continue to pry.

At the same time, she couldn't help but curse Baoqin inwardly for being such an idiot. Didn't she see that Xichun and the others were pouting? Why was she, a grown woman, asking them all these questions?

Even though she already knew about her second uncle's arrangements, Baochai still didn't want to see Baoqin and Gu Yu involved. You just need to know that he is very outstanding!

Gu Yu's treasure is something you can look at but not touch!

With the addition of the Li sisters and Xing Xiuyan, it was naturally inconvenient for men and women to sit together as in previous Mid-Autumn Festival banquets. So, Grandmother Jia specially arranged for them to sit separately at the back with a curtain, and asked Li Wan to look after them.

With Jia Zheng gone, Jia She became much more talkative. Today was also a festive day, so Grandmother Jia was naturally in a good mood. For a time, the main hall was filled with cheerful voices and was very lively.

"Ancestor, today I must ask for credit!"

Just as the atmosphere at the table was lively, Wang Xifeng went down to get the opera book and handed it over, but she smiled and first put it behind her back, then asked Grandmother Jia for a reward.

"Oh? You little rascal, are you perhaps asking me for a reward at this banquet? You're getting lazier and lazier, always thinking about my treasured possessions, so unambitious!"

Grandmother Jia, laughing and scolding, pointed at Wang Xifeng, intending to reward her with a prize, but unexpectedly, Wang Xifeng proudly pulled out a booklet from behind her and said:

"Our ancestor really didn't keep an eye on people! Without some real skills, who would dare to join the Liangshan bandits? I specially invited our ancestor to see two new plays; wouldn't that count as a contribution?"

"Okay! Okay! Hahaha~ What are these two new shows?"

Grandmother Jia took the playbill with a smile, skipped over the familiar titles at the beginning, flipped directly to the last page, and softly read the words aloud:

"Borrowing an umbrella while boating on the lake...stealing silver from the treasury...this is truly a spectacle I've never seen before. Where did you get all this, Feng girl?"

Wang Xifeng, however, kept everyone in suspense, only praising the product:

"This play is still based on Kunqu opera, but it's different from other Kunqu operas; it's more lively. I guarantee our ancestors would want to hear it again!"

As she said this, Wang Xifeng was also inwardly impressed by Gu Yu's abilities. Who had ever seen such a talent? He was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations, and he could even write a unique play.

She had witnessed it several times during the troupe's rehearsals, and it was already extremely wonderful. But later, when the topic came up, Gu Yu casually mentioned that there was still a matching singing arrangement that hadn't been followed, which made her even more eager to see it.

Who in the world doesn't like watching a play? Especially an old lady who loves excitement. Grandmother Jia kept giving orders to prepare quickly, but she didn't notice the little heads that Daiyu and the others were raising behind the curtain.

"Is this the new play written by Brother Yu? I can finally see it!"

"It seems to be the Legend of the White Snake! I wonder if the Butterfly Lovers have been staged yet; I prefer that one."

"You little rascal, what, you want to hear about the eighteen farewell scenes? Hehehe~"

"..."

Watching Daiyu and the others whispering and smiling, Baoqin and the others listened quietly for a while and finally figured out what was going on. They were even more surprised.

Could these new plays also have been written by that young master Yu?!

Before Baoqin could ask anything, the stage outside was finally set up, with many unfamiliar items added.

A fake bridge, a long ink painting, the wave pattern on it placed under the bridge makes its meaning instantly clear.

This is much more elaborately set up than any other opera I've ever seen before!

A clapperboard silenced the noise, and under the watchful eyes of the crowd, a melodious operatic voice emanated from behind the curtain, instantly capturing the attention of everyone in the audience.

"Leaving Emei for Jiangnan..."

"it is good!"

With just one line, the skillful Kunqu opera made Grandmother Jia unable to help but softly praise it, and she listened with even greater enthusiasm, making Wang Xifeng, who was standing next to her, feel very pleased.

"It wasn't for nothing that I sent Brother Yu two concubines; I deserve this credit today!"

Having enjoyed life to the fullest and having heard countless plays, Grandmother Jia naturally recognized the brilliance of this particular performance. Compared to those performed by scholars and young ladies, it was refreshingly original, and she was immediately captivated.

"Well sung! Feng girl, give her a reward!"

Sister Feng smiled and agreed. After the play was over, she gave the old lady a reward in person and received compliments in return.

Chapter Ten: Letter from Mid-Autumn Festival

After listening to four new plays, and waiting for the martial arts scene of stealing the treasury silver to finish, Wang Xifeng carefully observed Grandmother Jia's expression. Seeing that although her interest had not diminished, she looked tired, and knew that the old lady couldn't stay awake any longer, she smiled and stepped forward to persuade her:

"Grandpa, it's getting late. We can't expect to get fat in one bite, can we? Why don't we continue listening tomorrow?"

"Besides, look at the martial arts performance they just did. They were exhausted after it was over. Let's be kind and let them rest."

Grandmother Jia glanced up at her with a hint of annoyance, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, waving her hand and saying:

"Getting old! Getting old! I can't even sit still after watching a few shows. You fiery Feng, you always speak in riddles, you're really asking for a beating!"

"Oh dear! Ancestor, you've misunderstood me. I was almost at my limit just now. Ancestor is much healthier than me. How could I have thought of coming here? I just thought that Ancestor is a bodhisattva and would never let anyone suffer."

After the group laughed for a while, the scene became much quieter after the play ended. After Jia She and the others took their leave, Grandmother Jia was about to turn around to greet Daiyu and the others when she suddenly patted her forehead and remembered something.

"Just now, the sisters said they wanted to go for a stroll in the garden. Feng-ge, send someone to call Baoqin back. The dew is heavy at night, and she can't play any longer."

"Don't worry, Grandmother! Baoyu, how about I take you back to the garden and then bring Baoqin back?"

Baoyu raised his head listlessly and agreed, looking somewhat bored.

He hated these kinds of gatherings the most. Not only did he have to accompany his uncles and elders, but this year he couldn't even sit at the table with his sisters and could only stay outside with Grandmother Jia.

God knows how restless he was when he finally managed to steal the treasury silver; such vulgar martial arts scenes were really annoying to the ears!

"Then Feng'er, hurry up and go. Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there is no curfew. Be careful to prevent fires and thefts. Once you leave the garden, lock the gates early for peace of mind."

"Hey."

Fengjie smiled and agreed, then led several maids to escort Baoyu into the garden.

Inside the garden, Baoqin and the others, who had just entered, were bewildered as they watched their sisters' incoherent and delirious expressions, their minds in complete chaos.

They were all fine on the way, talking enthusiastically about the play, occasionally mentioning parts of the play they hadn't seen, giving Baoqin and the others spoilers.

But when several maids ran over laughing, holding a stack of letters that were supposedly sent back by that young master Yu, Baoqin was stunned.

Her own dignified cousin, the fairy-like, aloof and intelligent Lin Daiyu, the straightforward and generous Tan Chun and Xi Chun... even the usually taciturn Ying Chun, each of them was a beauty that could topple kingdoms, but at this moment they seemed to have transformed into aunties in a vegetable market, rushing forward one by one and surrounding the maid who was carrying the letter.

"Let me see it!"

"Take it out quickly!"

"Hey! That's mine! Second sister sent it to me by express!"

Xing Xiuyan stared blankly at the magnificent scene before her, and coincidentally, she exchanged a glance with Baoqin and the others, all of whom were filled with disbelief and shock.

Who could have imagined that these once stern and unsmiling ladies would now be making a ruckus like shrewish women fighting over vegetables?

Calling them shrewish would be a huge exaggeration, but the contrast between their behavior before and after was so astonishing that their minds couldn't process it. They could only stand there dumbfounded, watching as the group of women opened the envelopes and performed their amazing face-changing act of joy and sorrow.

"...The second difficulty remains unresolved...Let me entrust my feelings to the drifting clouds, which rustle in the autumn wind. I know not where to send this message, so I will keep it hidden in a letter. My dear brother Yu..."

Pressing the delicate plum blossom note to her chest, Daiyu couldn't help but gaze southward with teary eyes. Her heart had already flown back to her mansion in Yangzhou, as if she could already see her old father... and the figure beside him.

Looking at this poem, Daiyu seemed to see Gu Yu's loneliness and solitude on the road, but because he had no choice, he could only write this poem with a face full of longing under the candlelight, his heart almost crumpled into a knot.

Baochai, standing beside her, looked at the letter in her hand, her face filled with uncontrollable longing. Lost in thought, she turned and gazed in the direction of Jiangnan, speechless with reverie.

"...This life has been long and desolate, but upon waking, let us not forget our love..."

Thinking about Gu Yu's background, Baochai wished she could fly to his side instantly to hug him and comfort him. She also felt a deep sense of kinship with him.

Gu Yu wasn't the only one who dreamed about the other person...

……

Baoqin and the others, not knowing the deeper meaning, recovered quickly. Taking advantage of the opportunity to pretend to help Baochai, they peeked around and saw that everyone's letter seemed to contain a poem, each one different.

Just as she was about to take a closer look, the women finally calmed down and cautiously tucked the items into their bosoms so that no one else could see them, which made Baoqin feel even more uneasy.

"Whose poems were those just written by Young Master Yu? They all seem different, and I wonder what they're about, and how talented the poets are?"

Having wasted some time, Wang Xifeng quickly found the group of people in the pavilion. She glanced at the strange atmosphere on the ground, smiled as usual, and told them about the old lady's arrangements, telling them to go back to their respective courtyards. She then led Baoqin out of the garden.

Not far along, Baoqin could no longer contain her curiosity. Seeing that the old woman below was a little far away, she moved closer to Fengjie beside her and whispered:

"Sister Feng, are you familiar with that young master Yu in this garden? What kind of person is he? I heard that he wrote today's play."

Halfway through her sentence, Baoqin realized her mistake and quickly added another half sentence, but it only made things worse.

Sister Feng turned her head, raised an eyebrow, and sized her up. After considering her options for a moment, she smiled warmly with her usual expression:

"Of course I'm familiar with it, otherwise how would I have gotten this thing from Yu-ge to make the old lady happy?"

For the next short stretch of the journey, listening to Sister Feng's calm words, Baoqin's mind went blank, and she didn't react until she returned to Rongqing Hall.

"Younger than my second brother? A scholar who passed the imperial examination? A top poet? Received the Emperor's praise?..."