A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 63 Heart Knot

East Courtyard.

After hearing Madam Xing's report, Jia She frowned and asked, "Did he really say that?"

"It's absolutely true! I wouldn't dare to make things up. If you don't believe me, you can ask me when you have the chance."

"Indeed, that kid has scoured the place thoroughly; he's probably made quite a bit of money!" Jia She remarked, his lips twitching slightly. "Did I ask for too little, sir?"

Madam Xing, understanding the implication, looked troubled and said, "My lord, I've already told him the truth. It wouldn't be appropriate to change my mind now!"

"That's true!" Jia She hesitated slightly, then grinned mischievously, "Luckily, this kid didn't agree right away. When Lian Er comes back, we'll use him as an excuse to squeeze more money out of him."

"I hope... I didn't mess this up?"

"You jinx!" Jia She scolded angrily, then added, "Even when buying things, you have to follow the market price, let alone something as important as marriage! Shouldn't you give something to your brother and sister-in-law?"

At this point, Jia She seemed to suddenly remember something, paused, and said, "Oh right, send a letter to Lian Er later, asking him to bring your brother and sister-in-law along when he returns to the capital! Your maternal uncle is also an elder, we can't just leave without showing some appreciation. We used them as an excuse yesterday, perfect, let's go all the way!"

"Won't he think we're asking for too much?"

"Too much? Asking for an exorbitant price, then negotiating. We can always talk it over!"

Jia She blew on his beard and said, "You'd better talk to your brother first; the master will take the lion's share of this."

……

Wang Qing's backyard.

The sound of rushing water was incessant, creating a sensation of ebb and flow within the small bathroom.

The three members of the Liu family, who were not far from the bathhouse, had different expressions.

Granny Liu's face was solemn. She glanced at Sister-in-law Liu and Liu Wu'er from time to time, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Liu Wu'er stared in disbelief, her face a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Sister Liu felt a mix of emotions. In order to treat her daughter's illness, she had knocked on that door with a heart full of heroic sacrifice, carrying a bucket, but to no avail and had to return disappointed.

Although the misunderstanding had long been resolved, especially that night in the study when he fought alongside Ping'er, Wang Qing's attack on him was clearly even more aggressive.

She even felt that she had figured out Wang Qing's preferences.

Even though he knew that Xiangling was young, beautiful, and charming, wasn't he also blessed with good fortune?

But the sound of rushing water shattered her confidence.

In particular, that door that one seeks but cannot enter has become an insurmountable obstacle in one's heart.

Even knowing that the force of the water might make things more bark than bite, I still couldn't help but imagine Wang Qing's spear flashing like a dragon, thunderous and powerful, charging in and out seven times.

Sister Liu unconsciously swallowed, put her legs together, took a deep breath to calm her agitation, and exchanged a glance with her mother-in-law.

Fang looked at Liu Wu'er beside him and slowly said, "Last time when Madam brought you here, she specifically told me to teach you the proper etiquette for serving others. Now that you've recovered enough, it's time for you to come inside and serve."

At first, she felt ashamed when faced with Madam Wang's orders, but now she was glad that she still had this shield.

Liu Wu'er, oblivious to her sister-in-law's complex feelings, instead said with some eagerness, "Master has been incredibly kind to me, I've long wanted to serve him. Mother, please teach me more!"

Granny Liu quickly nudged the two of them, saying, "Go on! Go on! I'll call someone to clean up after the master is done washing."

Liu Wu'er happily pulled Liu's sister-in-law back to the temporary house in the front yard.

After closing the door, Sister Liu then imparted all her experience and recent insights to Liu Wu'er.

I thought it would be some rules about dressing, eating, making the bed, etc., but I didn't expect it to be this kind of service.

Liu Wu'er blushed deeply upon hearing this.

After absorbing all of Sister Liu's experience and insights, the mother and daughter went to bed to rest. However, each of them carried a quilt and tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well.

……

That night!

Xiangling slightly parted her lips, gently bit her lower lip, and carefully sat up from the bed, taking out a brocade handkerchief.

Just as she folded the handkerchief and placed it on the bedside table, she felt a tightness on her back, as if a body as hot as a branding iron had tightly wrapped around her.

Good things come to those who wait. Wang Qing knew that women these days valued certain things highly, so he gently washed her in the bathhouse without rushing things.

Although they had only spent a few hours together and she was still somewhat unfamiliar with Wang Qing, Xiangling had long been accustomed to obedience after being abducted for so many years.

In those days, maids were considered the private property of their masters, and she was at the age when she was just beginning to experience romantic feelings.

Faced with Wang Qing, a handsome and gentle master, Xiangling naturally melted under his charm.

In a daze, I felt a warm breeze penetrate from my ears into my heart.

Wang Qing's domineering yet gentle voice rang out: "Now that you're mine, this place is your home!"

"Home?"

Xiangling turned around somewhat blankly, only to meet Wang Qing's sincere gaze. She trembled involuntarily and said in a soft voice, "This servant is Master's person, so Master's home is naturally this servant's home as well."

Wang Qing did not question her for changing the subject, and said gently, "Then from now on, you will take good care of the house for me."

As he spoke, he turned Xiangling's chin and pointed to several boxes in the corner, saying, "The old man's entire fortune is in there. Once you've rested, gather them together, and you'll be in charge of the monthly allowance and expenses for the backyard."

"Ah!~"

Those who hand out money are the bosses. Xiangling wasn't naive; she opened her mouth in surprise and murmured, "This servant...this servant is new here, should we let that older sister..."

"Which sister?" Wang Qing subconsciously thought of Ping'er.

Xiangling blinked and said, "It's the sick sister in the old man's room."

Wang Qing suddenly realized, "You mean Wu'er? She's not even as old as you!"

He recounted, in a simplified manner, how he had helped Liu Wu'er alleviate her long-term illness.

This undoubtedly increased Xiangling's sense of security, and her eyes showed even more trust and gratitude.

Wang Qing continued, "We don't care about seniority here, so just do your job without worry. Although she entered the courtyard earlier than you, she is still recuperating and hasn't come inside to serve you yet. Besides, she's not as literate as you."

Reading and writing were the privileges of young ladies; even the head maidservants could only learn a few more characters.

Although Wang Qing had not asked Liu Wu'er, the Liu family was struggling to scrape together money for medicine, so it was clear they couldn't possibly have any extra money for her to study.

Of course, Wang Qing entrusted the task to her not only because Xiangling was literate.

Although Sister Liu did not steal, theft and misappropriation cannot be equated.

Moreover, people change, and human relationships are complex and intertwined.

Even Ping'er, who was influenced by Wang Xifeng from a young age, probably couldn't avoid the inescapable human relationships.

On the contrary, Xiangling was all alone.

Letting her do it would not only eliminate certain unavoidable favors, but also give her a sense of security and prevent her from being ostracized or bullied by the servants.

Wang Qing had intended to prevent her from being ostracized, and since the conversation had come to this point, he had no choice but to reveal his intentions.

Hearing his tender care, Xiangling was moved and felt even more at ease. She struggled to her feet, looked at Wang Qing, her red lips parted, and said affectionately, "Master! This...this servant can still hold on."

Wang Qing raised his hand to wipe the fine sweat from the tip of her nose, and then hooked her pointed chin, scrutinizing the beautiful face in front of him.

Her features were exquisite and three-dimensional, and her dark eyes were like a bottomless pool, shimmering with alluring spring passion.

Her snow-white skin was like solidified cream, with a jade-like luster. The flush on her cheeks was like paint spreading out, making her even more beautiful and charming. The rouge mark between her eyebrows seemed to be about to drip blood.

Compared to Qin Keqing's deep-seated charm that irresistibly draws people to possess her, Xiangling's charm seems less pure, mixed with a hint of docility and girlish naiveté.

Although she lacked that captivating mature and alluring spring passion, she possessed a touch of girlish shyness, making her all the more endearing.

Looking at that alluring face brimming with the stirrings of spring, Wang Qing's heart skipped a beat. He gently picked up Xiangling, laid her flat on the bed, and turned her over, saying, "Then, Master, be gentle!"

……