Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 92 The Legendary Grandpa Rui

Because Qin Shi was ill, Wang Xifeng came to the Ning Mansion to visit her.

Upon arriving at the door, she saw Madam You sitting on the couch talking to Madam Qin. She stopped the maids who wanted to announce her arrival and listened for a while.

You Shi comforted her, saying, "You got this illness because you're overthinking it. What good things can those drunkards say? If you hold onto that in your heart, how will you get better?"

When Sister Feng overheard this from outside, she thought to herself, "It really is because of this illness."

She had heard what Jiao Da said that day. Of course, few people would dare to spread such nonsense openly. Only some petty people would gossip behind her back. She didn't believe it.

Or rather, she believed that Jia Zhen might indeed have such thoughts, but Qin Shi certainly wouldn't be happy about it.

As a young woman herself, she knew perfectly well that there was no reason to abandon a young and handsome husband for an old and frail father-in-law.

It wasn't good to stand outside for too long, so after listening for a couple of minutes, I went inside.

When Madam You turned around and saw her, she immediately laughed and said, "When did you arrive? You didn't even let anyone know, and you were just standing there eavesdropping on our conversation."

"If I didn't eavesdrop outside, how would I know if you, as her mother-in-law, were abusing her position?"

Wang Xifeng and You Shi both managed the household on their respective sides and often interacted. They were both quick-witted and often joked and teased each other.

When Qin Shi saw Wang Xifeng arrive, she called out "Auntie" and hurriedly tried to get up to greet her, but Wang Xifeng went over and held her back.

Madam You continued, responding to Wang Xifeng, "Oh, did you hear that clearly? Did I bully her? Are you going to stand up for her?"

Wang Xifeng didn't respond to that, but instead took Qin's hand and repeatedly inquired about her condition.

Seeing that some of the maids who came in to serve tea and tidy the table were unfamiliar to her, she asked Madam You, "When I came in earlier, I noticed that there were many more maids and servants inside and outside the room than before. Were they all arranged by you?"

Madam You nodded and sighed, "She is frail and has always been in poor health. I was worried that the original caregivers wouldn't be able to take good care of her, so I added a few more for her."

Upon hearing this, Sister Feng thought to herself that taking care of someone was just a pretense; she was probably just worried that more eyes would be watching Qin Shi.

Madam Qin quickly replied, "It's all because of my mother-in-law's love and care for me that I feel uneasy."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "What's there to worry about? Even if she puts a hundred of them in for you to do, you can just accept them. Anyway, she won't make you pay for their monthly wages."

Madam You gave a brief instruction, then turned to Wang Xifeng and said, "Knowing that you two are close and have something to say to each other, I'm entrusting her to you. Please help me persuade her. I'll be going out now."

"Go quickly."

Sister Feng casually replied, then turned to look at Madam Qin.

I saw that her hair was half-disheveled, her head was high and her eyebrows were thick, and her face was haggard. I felt sorry for her and sighed, "You are a clever person, unlike those who mumble and can't understand the ways of the world. Why did you make yourself sick this time?"

People can say whatever they want, so who can control what others say? Even emperors are talked about behind their backs, let alone you and me?

As long as we act uprightly and behave honestly, why should we care so much? Are we going to let someone else's words ruin our lives?

Upon hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Qin Shi knew that she had also guessed the cause of her illness.

Although he knew she meant well and had no intention of belittling him, he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed and sighed softly, "Auntie has always been upright and has a strong conscience. She is not afraid of being harmed by villains."

There are some things my aunt doesn't know, I...

I was born this way, which is bound to bring misfortune to others. Sometimes, I'd rather I were dead.

"That's a foolish statement."

Qin was keeping something to herself and wanted to confide in someone, but she had no one to turn to, which is why she spoke in a somewhat evasive manner.

However, Wang Xifeng misunderstood her meaning, cursed, and then leaned closer to whisper, "Could it be that you really did it?"

Qin's face turned bright red, and she said, almost angrily, "Auntie, you're talking nonsense. It's not true at all. If it were, I would die right now."

Wang Xifeng awkwardly shut her gossipy mouth and looked at Qin Shi nonchalantly, saying, "That's settled then. Since that's the case, what are you afraid of? Next time someone brings this up, just have them beaten to death."

If you can't bring yourself to do it, just ask me for help. I want to see how many fearless people dare to gossip like that.

Seeing how sincere Wang Xifeng was to her, Qin felt even more guilty.

If we judge by her intentions rather than her actions, she has already lost her morals. However, even in front of Wang Xifeng, she could not bring herself to say such a thing.

So, she changed the subject: "I heard from my mother-in-law that the Second Master has already submitted a memorial to the court, and the court has granted permission for Uncle Lian to return to the capital ahead of schedule to serve the First Master. So, Uncle is coming back soon?"

As expected, Wang Xifeng's attention was diverted, and a look of joy appeared on her face, stretching from the corners of her mouth to her eyebrows.

"That's true, but it's still uncertain when he'll be back."

Although Wang Xifeng didn't intend to show it, Qin Shi still saw it clearly, and her face couldn't help but become even more gloomy. "Uncle and Aunt are a harmonious couple, they are truly enviable."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "What harmony? You didn't see us fighting to the death over trivial matters before. If you had seen it, you wouldn't be saying this."

Qin entered the household late and had only heard some things from others. She originally thought it was just gossip, but now that she heard it seemed to be true, she couldn't help but ask. Fengjie couldn't refuse, so she could only tell her some things, half true and half false.

The aunt and niece-in-law talked for a long time until Sister Feng saw that Qin Shi was in much better spirits before they separated.

Leading the old woman, maids, and others out of the hanging flower gate, they walked forward for about a hundred steps and were about to turn towards the ceremonial gate when suddenly a young boy darted out from the side, bowed, and said, "Greetings, sister-in-law."

Wang Xifeng was startled when she saw him and took a step back. Then she recognized the person and said with a smile, "Isn't this Master Rui?"

"My sister-in-law doesn't even recognize me. Who else could it be but me?"

"It's not that I don't recognize you, it's just that I didn't expect it to be you when I suddenly saw you. What brings you here, sir?"

Wang Xifeng managed the household, and she probably remembered almost everyone in the clan who had a name.

This man was Jia Rui, the grandson of the Confucian scholar in the family school. He would come to pay his respects to Grandmother Jia during the New Year holidays, so Feng Jie naturally recognized him.

"Brother Zhen asked us to collect some things here, so I came."

When Jia Rui heard Wang Xifeng ask him a question, he was already so excited that he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet. After explaining why he had come, he leaned forward and said with a smile, "It's as if I'm destined to meet you, sister-in-law. I had just arrived here when you came out. What else could this be but fate?"

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Wang Xifeng. He saw that Wang Xifeng had red lips and white teeth, beautiful features, and exuded a charming and alluring aura. He felt his heart melt.

Wang Xifeng was an extremely clever person. Seeing his expression, she could easily guess what he meant, and she felt so nauseous that she almost died.

He looked at Jia Rui with a forced smile and said, "No wonder your brother often mentions you, saying you're very good. Now that I've seen you and heard you speak, you're indeed quite good. It's just that I'm busy today; I'll tell you more when I have time."

Wang Xifeng initially didn't want to deal with such a person and was about to leave after speaking, but Jia Rui seemed to have become infatuated with her simply because he had listened to her for a few more words. Seeing her about to leave, he instinctively stepped in front of her, shamelessly saying, "Since you say so, sister-in-law, I would like to come in and talk to you more often, but I'm afraid you're young and wouldn't want to see people..."

Wang Xifeng's heart had already turned cold, but firstly, there were maids and servants behind her, making it inconvenient for her to lash out, and secondly, she didn't want to be harassed by this beast for no reason. Therefore, she put on a smile and said:

"We're all family, so don't talk about being young or not. If you want to come, just come."

"Alright, since Grandpa Zhen wants you to collect your things, hurry up and go, or they'll have already taken them all."

When Jia Rui heard that Sister Feng had agreed, he was already overjoyed and never expected that today would be such a wonderful encounter!

Fearing that lingering too long would displease Wang Xifeng, he obediently headed towards the other courtyard, but still reluctant to leave, looking back as he walked.

Seeing Wang Xifeng standing there watching him, he felt that happiness had come so suddenly that he stood there frozen for a long time before finally disappearing from sight.

If you could only read one historical novel in your lifetime, it would probably be "The Second Master Lian of the Dream of the Red Chamber".