Chapter 715: Serving in Bed as Intimates

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's Courtyard.

Baoyu's expression was a mix of sorrow and indignation. He stood by the window, head tilted slightly upward, in the posture of one speechless before the heavens. A lingering melancholy and faint resentment hung upon the face of Autumn Moon.

A gentle breeze blew from outside the window, causing his sleeves to flutter and giving him an air of carefree elegance. He indulged in self-pity, failing to notice how the breeze played tricks, revealing the bulge of his belly.

Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue, accompanied by young maids, bustled back and forth, cleaning and tidying the chaotic room. It took half an hour to restore it to its original state.

Yet, the curio cabinet was more than half empty, and many exquisite ornaments were missing from the writing desk, making the entire room feel somewhat hollow and unsettling.

As Sister Xi Ren straightened the chairs in the room, she said to Sheyue, "That Feng'er is no simple character; there's no telling how she'll spin this to the Second Young Mistress."

"I worry she'll stir up trouble. If the Bao Er Ye gets dragged into it again, it will truly be impossible to stay in the West Prefecture."

"In case something does happen, we must have our excuses ready. We cannot let the Bao Er Ye lose face and suffer again."

At this moment, Qiuwen entered the room to serve Baoyu hot tea, fawning, "Bao Er Ye, have some tea. Don't be angry over such unworthy matters."

She then said to Sister Xi Ren, "Sister, you are also a top figure in the Bao Er Ye's room, praised by all for your virtue and wit. Why fear a mere errand-running maid like Feng'er?"

"Just a lowly maid, yet she can keep our Bao Er Ye in check? It would be a laughingstock if others heard."

Sheyue sneered, "You'd best mind your own loose tongue. Even if she is just an errand-running maid, she has ten times the influence you do."

"Ping'er has gone to serve Cong Sanye Jia Cong in the East Prefecture, and this little maid is increasingly favored by the Second Young Mistress. I advise you to stop spouting nonsense."

"Do you think the people under the Second Young Mistress are all like you, only good for gossiping? If these words reach her ears, just wait and see how she deals with you!"

Stung by Sheyue's mockery and ridicule, Qiuwen felt she had lost face in front of Baoyu. Though she was flushed with anger, she was left speechless.

Sheyue was famous for her sharp tongue, and Qiuwen had always feared her somewhat. When it came to arguing, two of her wouldn't be a match for Sheyue.

Sister Xi Ren, hearing Qiuwen's sarcastic remarks, felt deeply annoyed, even though she was gentle by nature, quite calculating, and rarely clashed with others openly.

She had originally intended to keep the delay of the monthly allowance quiet, but Qiuwen had leaked it to Lady Wang, leaving both her and Sheyue in a difficult spot.

After these events, Sister Xi Ren grew increasingly disgusted with Qiuwen. She said coldly, "Qiuwen, you go out first and let the Bao Er Ye have some peace."

"If you feel uncomfortable staying in the courtyard and find us all displeasing, I will speak to the Mistress myself and find you a place more to your liking!"

……

Hearing this, Qiuwen's expression changed. She hadn't expected the usually gentle Sister Xi Ren to speak such cold words.

Yet, she didn't think Sister Xi Ren was just bluffing. Sister Xi Ren was now a woman in Baoyu's room, a prospective concubine with status, and could be considered half a mistress.

Now that there was a gap in their status, she naturally felt more wary of Sister Xi Ren.

Qiuwen's desire to climb into Baoyu's bed was a secret she could hide from others, but not from Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue in the same courtyard.

Sheyue was one thing, but would Sister Xi Ren ever be willing to have another person competing for favor in the future?

If Sister Xi Ren were determined to deal with her while she still lacked status, Qiuwen knew she wouldn't be able to withstand it.

So, as soon as Sister Xi Ren spoke coldly, Qiuwen wisely shut her mouth, muttered a few words under her breath, and slunk out of the room.

Seeing this scene and recalling the day's setbacks, Baoyu felt more than ever that the world was difficult, human affairs were filthy, and purity was hard to preserve.

He looked up and sighed, "Vulgar. Don't you find this backstabbing and petty scheming uninteresting? You've abandoned even a shred of the refined grace of a young lady."

Saying this, he shook his head and walked into the inner chamber with a desolate expression.

……

Hearing Baoyu's words, Sheyue frowned slightly. She was used to hearing such ramblings from him and had long since turned a blind eye, but today they sounded exceptionally grating.

She had been close to Ping'er since childhood. Thinking of how the Bao Er Ye had recklessly provoked trouble several times because of Ping'er entering the East Prefecture, making a laughingstock of himself, she felt troubled.

She had never encountered such things before, and Sheyue had never known Baoyu to act this way.

But having been by Baoyu's side for many years, after a little thought, she guessed his hidden intentions clearly.

It was nothing more than Baoyu having been spoiled since childhood, always the phoenix of the Rongguo Prefecture. He spoke of cherishing young ladies, but in his heart, he felt all good things should belong to him.

Seeing Ping'er's beauty now given to Cong Sanye Jia Cong, it was as if Cong Sanye Jia Cong owed him something, and he always had to find roundabout ways to pick a fight and stir up trouble.

In his heart, he was likely looking for a righteous excuse, feeling that everyone else was impure and had wronged him.

Now that he had smashed a room full of antiques, and she and Sister Xi Ren were worrying about how to handle it, he was still spouting nonsense on the side. Was all their effort for him in vain?

But the Bao Er Ye acting this way was useless and only invited ridicule. If he continued to fool around like this, who knew what trouble would arise next...

……

As Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were worrying in their hearts, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, as if many people had entered the courtyard.

Both felt a bit alarmed; such a commotion inevitably made one feel uneasy.

Soon, they saw Lin Zhixiao's wife enter like a whirlwind, followed by six matrons carrying three wooden chests, looking quite aggressive.

Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were both shocked and suspicious, not knowing what this scene meant.

Sister Xi Ren's expression stiffened as she asked, "Lin Da Niang, what brings you here, and with so many people? What is this for?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife's expression was indifferent as she said, "Bao Er Ye Baoyu got angry and smashed a room full of West Prefecture antiques to vent. The Second Young Mistress already knows about this."

Hearing this, Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue's faces changed drastically. Feng'er had returned less than half an hour ago, and the Second Young Mistress was already making a move—what fierce methods.

Lin Zhixiao's wife said to the matrons beside her, "Why aren't you doing your work? Why are you just standing there?"

The matrons put down the wooden chests and swarmed forward, carefully taking down the remaining antiques from the curio cabinet.

Among them was the exquisite and precious hollowed-out jade incense burner of the "Three Friends of Winter," which Caiyun had desperately snatched from Baoyu's hands.

The matrons used soft silk and cotton to wrap each antique they took down and placed them into the wooden chests one by one, their movements very light and nimble.

Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were both terrified and stood there stunned for a moment.

Finally, Sister Xi Ren came to her senses and hurriedly stepped forward to stop the matrons.

With a terrified expression, she said, "Lin Da Niang, what is the meaning of this? Why are you moving the Bao Er Ye's belongings? If the Old Matriarch finds out, she won't allow it."

Lin Zhixiao's wife sneered, "The Second Young Mistress has already spoken: since you don't cherish the things left by the ancestors, there is no need to display them."

"All remaining antiques in the room will be collected and stored in the treasury. It can be considered saving some family assets for future generations, lest you ruin them all."

"You say the Old Matriarch won't allow moving Bao Er Ye Baoyu's things, but would the Old Matriarch allow Bao Er Ye Baoyu to smash the West Prefecture's family assets?"

"The six antiques smashed by Bao Er Ye Baoyu were all registered in the West Prefecture's public records; they were top-tier items, rare treasures passed down by the elders."

"These are all family assets inherited by Cong Sanye Jia Cong; you can't just smash them and be done with it. There is no way to gloss over this."

"Sister Xi Ren, you are also an old servant of the West Prefecture. Now that the Bao Er Ye and Mistress of the second branch have moved to the East Courtyard..."

"Cong Sanye respects the brotherhood of the same clan. Even if Bao Er Ye Baoyu remains in the West Prefecture, he never says a word of complaint."

"He treats it as him staying by the Old Matriarch's side to show filial piety—brotherly love and respect, the etiquette between branches—Cong Sanye has done everything he should."

"Yet Bao Er Ye Baoyu doesn't appreciate Cong Sanye's kindness at all. He gets angry and vents on Cong Sanye's family property. If you can justify this, I, this old woman, will admire you!"

……

Lin Zhixiao's wife's words were sharp and overbearing, her logic impeccable and unassailable. Sister Xi Ren's face turned pale.

Although she had some cunning, she lacked Sheyue's quick wit in speech. Under Lin Zhixiao's wife's questioning, she was left speechless.

Sister Xi Ren instinctively looked at Sheyue. In such a situation, only Sheyue's eloquence could handle a few words; they couldn't just watch the room be emptied.

But Sheyue's face was also ugly, and she shook her head slightly at Sister Xi Ren's pleading gaze.

Sister Xi Ren realized that Sheyue, being shrewd and quicker-witted than herself, felt it shouldn't be opposed, which was why she remained silent.

Not to mention Sheyue responding, even if Bao Er Ye Baoyu himself came forward, he couldn't stop it. Only the Old Matriarch's word would have any effect in the West Prefecture.

But Lin Zhixiao's wife had brought such a large force, even bringing chests—this was the Second Young Mistress being ruthless, clearly intending to catch them off guard.

But how could they notify the Old Matriarch in time? Even if they really let the Old Matriarch stop it, they would have offended the Second Young Mistress to death.

She was the mistress in charge of the West Prefecture, while she and Sheyue were just slave maids. An arm cannot twist a thigh; it would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

Even if she had become the Bao Er Ye's woman, for now, it was just an empty title. The Second Young Mistress had many ways to ruin her...

……

Sister Xi Ren hesitated for only a moment, and seven or eight antiques from the curio cabinet, the green jade brush washer from the writing desk, and the ebony-carved marble table screen were all collected by the matrons.

Several antiques displayed in plain sight were all cleared out.

One of the matrons held an account book, pointing at various items in the room and directing others to take the corresponding objects.

Soon, the ancient sword hanging on the wall, the ancient zither, and the jade vase embedded in the wall were all taken down and packed into chests by the matrons, their movements as smooth as a house raid.

Once all visible antiques and utensils in the room were scavenged, Lin Zhixiao's wife waved her hand, and two matrons brought out another chest.

Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "This chest contains newly purchased items to be given to Bao Er Ye Baoyu for display. They aren't worth much, so it won't be heartbreaking if they get smashed."

Sister Xi Ren felt her face burning. The Second Young Mistress was insulting the Bao Er Ye to his face, taking away the valuable things in the room and leaving no room for argument.

Every word pinched the Bao Er Ye for ruining things, and filling the room's vacancy with a chest of cheap goods seemed very thoughtful but was actually meant to shut people's mouths.

Even if the Old Matriarch knew about the matter and felt resentful or dissatisfied, she couldn't find much fault with the Second Young Mistress.

……

Lin Zhixiao's wife said again, "Feng'er passed on the word that because you provoked Bao Er Ye Baoyu's anger, he smashed these things. Did she misrepresent you?"

Sister Xi Ren hurriedly said, "That is true. It was all our fault for provoking the Bao Er Ye's anger."

Lin Zhixiao's wife sneered, "Since that's the case, none of you can escape responsibility. The matter should fall on your heads."

"Cong Sanye is charging into battle in Liaodong, his life hanging by a thread, fighting for the title and rank he earned from piles of corpses."

"The annual income from the Liaodong estates is only five thousand taels, and that silver alone supports the entire East Prefecture population."

"I asked about the market price at the antique shop; these six antiques are worth at least three thousand taels of silver. If they weren't smashed and were kept for a few more years, they would be worth far more."

"You people served poorly, provoking Bao Er Ye Baoyu's displeasure, and smashing things worth three thousand taels—enough to feed the East Prefecture for more than half a year. You are truly sinful."

"Even if all you maids were sold, you couldn't compensate for this silver."

"Rongguo Prefecture is a top-tier noble household in the Divine Capital, with a large family and great industry, but it cannot withstand such waste. If everyone acts this way, it will be ruined sooner or later."

"The Second Young Mistress has already spoken: if such matters are not punished, won't everyone below act recklessly in the future?"

"Starting from Sister Xi Ren, the seven maids in Bao Er Ye Baoyu's room will have three months of their allowance deducted starting next month, and this month's will not be issued either."

"This is only a small punishment to warn you. The deficit you've left will be recorded in the accounts. If you cause trouble again in the future, the Second Young Mistress will not be so merciful!"

……

Hearing this, Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue's faces were very ugly. Having four months of allowance deducted at once was something never heard of in the prefecture.

But seeing Lin Zhixiao's wife coldly eyeing them, as if waiting for them to make a scene, it seemed she was eager for the matter to blow up.

Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue were not fools. Who couldn't see that Wang Xifeng wanted to strike hard? Naturally, they wouldn't fall for it, and both remained silent.

Suddenly, Qiuwen walked into the room and said, "Lin Da Niang, we serve the Bao Er Ye by lighting lamps and burning oil; we never dare to be lazy."

"Four months is half a year's allowance. How are we supposed to live? Please, Lin Da Niang, plead with the Second Young Mistress. If the Second Mistress knows..."

Hearing Qiuwen mention the Second Mistress, Sister Xi Ren knew it was going to be bad. That idiot Qiuwen, mentioning the Second Mistress at this time—wasn't that adding fuel to the fire?

She couldn't help but blurt out, "Qiuwen, shut up!"

Lin Zhixiao's wife's gaze was like a knife as she said to Qiuwen, "This is the West Prefecture's family business. Cong Sanye is the head of the household, and the Second Young Mistress is in charge. I dare not trouble the Mistress of the second branch."

"If you want to drag the Second Mistress out, then feel free to do so. I won't stop you."

"I dare not plead with the Second Young Mistress. You'd better go plead with her yourself and see if the Second Young Mistress won't peel your skin off!"

Hearing the other's eerie words, Qiuwen shuddered all over, not daring to say another half-word.

Lin Zhixiao's wife glared at Qiuwen, waved her hand, and her matrons carried the chests out of Baoyu's courtyard like a whirlwind.

At this moment, Baoyu came out from the inner room, dissatisfied, "Why is it chaotic again? Can't a person have some peace? What are you making a scene about now!"

Qiuwen said with a bitter face, "Bao Er Ye, hurry and help us speak up. The Second Young Mistress is too heartless; she wants to deduct four months of our allowance..."

Sheyue couldn't help but step forward and fiercely spat at Qiuwen, scolding, "Shut your stinking mouth! If you want to die, don't pick such a bad time."

"What time is it now, and you're still inciting the Bao Er Ye to cause trouble? Why don't you try it yourself? Just don't splash blood on us!"

……

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

Night fell, the cool breeze blew, and in the deep blue sky, a bright moon gradually rose, scattering its clear radiance across the courtyard.

A small banquet was held in the main hall, filled with the sounds of orioles and swallows, light and lively, occasionally interspersed with laughter like silver bells.

Today was the day Ping'er entered the room. Jia Cong returned to the prefecture after work at sunset and set up a small banquet in the courtyard to welcome her.

Limited by clan etiquette, there were no guests filling the seats, no phoenix coronet or embroidered robes, but from now on, there would be one more person to share life's journey.

Moreover, this person was beautiful and graceful, with a gentle and pure temperament, having long enjoyed a good reputation in the West Prefecture.

Last October, Ping'er was promised to Jia Cong by Wang Xifeng, and both prefectures knew of it.

Wang Xifeng could be considered to have put in great effort. Since settling the status, whenever she needed to go to the East Prefecture, she would have Ping'er run the errands to familiarize her with the relations.

Ping'er and Wu'er were both managing the West Prefecture, making their relationship even closer and more tacit.

Over the past half year, due to various chores, Ping'er had long been coming and going in Jia Cong's courtyard as usual.

Hearing Zhi Shao, Qingwen, Zhen Ying Lian, Lingguan, and others were all accustomed to her presence.

To them, Ping'er was now just moving into the East Prefecture to live.

When the small banquet began, it was Ping'er's shy expression that made the atmosphere slightly awkward.

But the familiarity among everyone soon dispelled the strange atmosphere, and before long, they were chatting and laughing.

When the banquet ended, two servants from the kitchen came to clear the dishes and chopsticks, and the others, having a tacit understanding, laughed and returned to their rooms to rest.

Jia Cong, on the contrary, felt slightly awkward and said, "Sister Ping'er, let us also go back to rest."

Saying this, he rose and headed toward his room. Ping'er felt slightly at a loss but soon followed behind Jia Cong.

The night wind blew gently, and the two walked along the long veranda. The lanterns hanging from the eaves stretched their shadows, gradually overlapping.

Jia Cong smelled the alluring scent of a young lady behind him, thinking in his heart that it was just for night duty.

The two had never been intimate for a day; some things were too stiff or too hasty. There would be plenty of time in the future, so it was better to let things take their natural course.

Once they entered the room, the candles were burning bright and clear. Ping'er blushed slightly and turned to close the door.

It was the first time in her life she was in the same room with a man. Although he was her destined partner for life, her heart couldn't help but flutter, and her body felt somewhat weak...

……

When the candles in the room were bright, and overlapping shadows of people moving appeared on the window lattice, two figures also appeared at the other end of the veranda.

Under the illumination of the lanterns on the eaves, the two figures were very slender and graceful. They walked to a place not far from the window, stopped, and acted somewhat sneakily.

Zhen Ying Lian whispered, "Sister Qingwen, why did you drag me here?"

Qingwen blurted out, "To build up courage—oh no, aren't you even a little curious about what Cong Sanye and Ping'er are doing in the room?"

The young ladies around Jia Cong, Hearing Zhi Shao and Wu'er, had already entered the room, which had somewhat stirred the imagination of others.

However, Lingguan was only at the age of budding youth and hadn't fully opened her mind; she was ignorant and would forget after thinking about it, not taking it to heart.

Zhen Ying Lian was a year older than Lingguan. She had followed Jia Cong for several years, entering and leaving the study at home and the Liu residence when going out; she was the one who followed him everywhere.

She was the one who spent the most time with Jia Cong, and since she hadn't reached the age of pinning her hair, she was relatively content with the status quo.

Only Qingwen was over fifteen, exactly the same age as Jia Cong. Her mind was active, her heart was beginning to stir, and her curiosity was very strong...

Hearing Qingwen's words, Zhen Ying Lian's small face flushed inexplicably, and she said softly, "What's so curious? It's just night duty. Which of us hasn't done that?"

Qingwen gave a light hum and said, "Sister Ping'er paid her respects at the Rongqing Hall today. Is she here just for night duty? You little girl have no insight."

Zhen Ying Lian, being mocked by Qingwen for having no insight, immediately became unconvinced.

She said, "Who says I have no insight? I naturally know. It's either night duty or serving in bed."

Qingwen was confused and asked, "What is 'serving in bed'? I haven't heard of it before; it's a new term."

Zhen Ying Lian's pretty face flushed, and she almost laughed out loud. She said softly, "You've been with Cong Sanye for many years and are also someone who can read and write. Usually, you don't read many books."

"Every day you only know how to mess with needlework. You don't even know what 'serving in bed' means. I don't know who has no insight."

Qingwen's big eyes widened, "You're the same—just a bookworm. Every day you only know how to soak in the study, and you don't even distinguish left from right when making socks for Cong Sanye."

Zhen Ying Lian, being mocked by Qingwen, didn't get angry at all and covered her mouth to giggle.

Qingwen whispered, "You'd better explain clearly what 'serving in bed' means."

Zhen Ying Lian's pretty face heated up, even in the night, it appeared intoxicatingly flushed.

She hesitated and said, "Serving in bed is... it's when two people are intimates."

Qingwen's face was full of thirst for knowledge and curiosity, muttering to herself, "Serving in bed means being intimates? Which book is this written in? Bring it for me to see tomorrow."

At this moment, the window was suddenly pushed open, and Jia Cong laughed, "Which of you two wants to serve in bed?"

A suppressed giggle from Ping'er came from the room... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 716 =====