Chapter 721: Ripples in the Storage Room

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, East Courtyard, Inner Courtyard Storage Room.

A slender, graceful senior maid was directing junior servants from the outer courtyard to carry dozens of rice sacks to the second gate.

Then she dismissed the servants beyond the second gate, and had the inner courtyard's old women and rough maids carry the rice sacks into the storage room.

Because the East Courtyard was much smaller than the West Courtyard, during Jia She's residence, the vital storage rooms were placed within the inner courtyard.

Jia Cong renovated the East Courtyard, altering many layouts, but kept the storage room's location unchanged.

Cai Xia, as Wang Fu-ren's senior maid, routinely assisted her with household affairs; such inter-household material transfers were always handled by Cai Xia.

After the old women and maids finished unloading the rice sacks, she dismissed them and returned to her duties, then entered the storage room to inventory and record accounts.

Only moments into her tallying, she heard footsteps behind her, felt the light dim, and the storage room door creaked shut.

Immediately her slender waist tightened as someone seized her from behind; in the inner courtyard, only one person would dare such playfulness.

Not to mention the familiar figure pressed against her back, and that unmistakable scent—she knew perfectly well who was being so bold.

Cai Xia's body flushed hot; she wriggled and struggled slightly, whispering reproachfully: "Cong Sanye, if you have something to say, say it—what's the meaning of all this touching?"

It's broad daylight—what if someone sees? Do you think I'll still have any dignity left?"

…

Jia Jia Huan laughed: "Don't scare me. We sneak around in the rooms already, always afraid someone might catch us gossiping.

No one ever comes here, I've locked the door, just the two of us playing—no ghost would think of it."

As he spoke, his heart warmed, and he grew bolder; his hands clasping her waist slowly slid upward, gripping her full, firm curves.

Cai Xia let out a sharp cry, then instantly realized her mistake and clapped a hand over her mouth.

Seeing she dared not scream, Jia Jia Huan grew even more triumphant and took advantage by groping wildly.

He chuckled softly: "We've played with these things in our rooms before—why can't we do it here?"

In the dim storage room, the two wrestled and tussled, accompanied by Jia Jia Huan's laughter and Cai Xia's panting complaints.

They lost their balance and tumbled onto the soft rice sacks.

Cai Xia panted: "Jia Huan-ge'er, if you keep this up, I'll scream. Don't you see where we are? What time is it?

If you go on like this, I might as well die—once Madam finds out, she'll flay you alive!"

Jia Jia Huan shuddered at her final words, instantly freezing his hands—he had an innate fear of his stepmother, Wang Fu-ren.

…

Though Jia Jia Huan was two years younger than Jia Baoyu, as a son of a great household, he was surrounded by young maids from childhood, far earlier than ordinary youths in understanding matters of the flesh.

As a son born of a concubine, he received none of the boundless doting Jia Baoyu enjoyed.

Compared to his sister Seeing Tan Chun, who had always shone brightly and been raised by Jia Mu with great favor, he was far inferior.

He had been raised since childhood by his mother, Zhao Mama, who was originally a household-born slave of the Jia family; though she rose to become a second-floor concubine, her nature remained unchanged.

She was coarse, cunning, foolish, quarrelsome, always gossiping and stirring up trouble.

Thus, everyone in the Jia household disliked Zhao Mama.

Yet Zhao Mama was not without merit: she was naturally beautiful and excelled at pleasing Jia Zheng, winning him great favor in the bedroom.

Otherwise, she and Zhou Mama, both household-born slaves who rose to second-floor concubine status, would have been equal—but Zhou Mama bore no children for years, while Zhao Mama bore two.

With her temperament and scheming nature, raising two children to adulthood in a great household was exceedingly rare.

The reason? Simply because Jia Zheng's protection and tolerance of her were extraordinary.

…

Raised and coached since childhood by Zhao Mama, Jia Jia Huan naturally developed no good disposition—he was cunning, unruly, spoiled, deceitful, and gossipy, very much like his mother.

Because he was far less favored than Jia Baoyu, he never had outstanding maids attending him.

But in great households, as stepmother, Wang Fu-ren bore the duty of raising her stepson.

So she often summoned Jia Jia Huan to her chambers, either lecturing him directly or having him copy scriptures, always playing the role of a proper lady to earn public praise.

Thus, Jia Jia Huan grew up familiar with Wang Fu-ren's maids.

Maids like Jin Jin Chuan and Yu Jin Chuan, repelled by his sly, lewd behavior, disliked him and avoided him whenever possible.

Yet for some reason, only Cai Xia got along well with him; they had been close since childhood.

A few years ago, when they were still young, their private play involved only innocent, shy gestures—they barely understood matters between men and women.

But over the past year, Cai Xia had begun to grow tall and slender, transforming into a graceful, alluring young woman, reaching the age of coming-of-age.

Though Jia Jia Huan had just turned thirteen and was not yet of the age for martial training, he had long been close to maids like Cai Xia and had already awakened to the ways of desire.

Not to mention Cai Xia, whose body had grown so alluring—this green youth found her deeply fascinating and curious.

He constantly felt a stirring urge, always seeking chances to explore her softness.

…

Cai Xia's closeness to Jia Jia Huan stemmed merely from opposite attraction and a desire for companionship to pass the time.

Besides, though Jia Jia Huan was cunning and unruly, he was clean-cut and handsome—pleasant to look at.

This was no surprise: his mother and sister were both exceptionally beautiful—how could his looks be poor?

Since the second branch lost its main-line status and moved from Lady Rongguo Main Residence to the East Courtyard,

the servants and maids of the second branch had grown restless. Cai Xia, as Wang Fu-ren's senior maid, knew more than most and could not escape the trend.

Among Wang Fu-ren's personal maids, Jin Jin Chuan had already left to become Bao's senior maid; Cai Xia too had climbed onto Jia Baoyu's high branch—both had secured their futures.

Now only Yu Jin Chuan and she remained, but Yu Jin Chuan was younger and less anxious; Cai Xia, having passed her coming-of-age, was now at the age for being assigned a husband.

This filled her with dread—she had served Wang Fu-ren for years, broadened her horizons—how could she bear to be given to some outer-court junior servant?

She knew the second branch was now fallen, with only one person thriving: Third Young Lady Seeing Tan Chun, whom both households knew was Jia Cong's favorite.

Jia Zheng permitting Seeing Tan Chun to settle in the East Courtyard was clearly meant to let Jia Cong elevate her status, securing her a glorious future.

Thus, the second branch's future prospects lay entirely with Seeing Tan Chun—and Jia Jia Huan was her own brother.

Others looked down on Cong Sanye Jia Huan, but Cai Xia believed he would prove more useful than Jia Baoyu in the future.

…

She had always been close to Jia Jia Huan since childhood and had always harbored feelings for him; such convenience, she would not let slip.

This year, when Jia Jia Huan came to play, she became more attentive and compliant; when alone, she half-resisted, letting him take many liberties.

This stirred Jia Jia Huan's burgeoning blood, making him even more infatuated with her.

Jia Jia Huan was still a boy, but Cai Xia, having passed her coming-of-age, understood matters of the flesh better than he did.

So whenever they met privately, Cai Xia always stopped short—except for full consummation, they had done every intimate act.

…

Though others knew nothing of their secret affairs, Zhao Mama was well aware.

Zhao Mama, seeing Cai Xia was Wang Fu-ren's senior maid yet had been close to her son since childhood, took it as a great honor.

The household had so many flirtatious maids chasing Jia Baoyu—but here was a fine maid who favored only her son, proving her own blood was no worse than others'.

She also admired Cai Xia's cleverness and diligence; if she became Jia Jia Huan's, she would gain another ally, no longer alone in the great household.

Moreover, this past year Cai Xia had blossomed into a seductive figure; Zhao Mama, a woman of experience, was certain she would be fertile.

If her son won her, no matter who his lawful wife turned out to be, his heirs would never be lacking—and she herself would gain future support.

Though her son was a concubine-born, he was still a son of Lady Rongguo Prefecture; his lawful wife would surely be a proper lady's daughter.

Proper ladies' daughters would likely look down on a concubine born of a slave.

Only a maid like Cai Xia, of similar origins, could truly value her and grow close to her.

Thus Zhao Mama grew fonder of Cai Xia, resolved to make this match happen.

But Jia Jia Huan had just turned thirteen; if she now petitioned Jia Zheng, given his stern, rigid nature, he would surely refuse.

Worse, if she deliberately requested it, he might grow suspicious and harm her son.

She decided to wait another half-year or year, until Jia Jia Huan turned fourteen, then ask Jia Zheng—by then, even in taking a woman, her son would beat Jia Baoyu to it.

With this plan settled, she now did not hinder Cai Xia's meetings with Jia Jia Huan; she even facilitated them.

It was almost as if she hoped rumors would spread, so when she later raised the matter with Jia Zheng, the deed would be done—common enough in great households.

…

So though Jia Jia Huan had been bold just now, Cai Xia was not truly afraid—such flirtatious teasing had happened before.

But now, in broad daylight, in a storage room—this was too absurd, and somewhat shameful.

Seeing her words had frightened him into stopping, she let it go and no longer threatened him.

Yet the scene had been so heated and stimulating; seated on the rice sacks, neither wished to rise.

Jia Jia Huan took a cake from his sleeve and said: "Lately I've had no appetite. Third Sister knew and sent a box of red date and Chinese yam cakes.

The servants in the East Courtyard were bought from the south—they're the only ones who can make these southern pastries; you rarely get to taste them.

I saved one piece especially for you. Such kindness, and you still resist playing with me? You've no heart at all."

Cai Xia was merely a slave maid; their private mischief delighted Jia Jia Huan, who loved teasing her.

She had never heard such sweet words; flattered, her face flushed as she took the cake, bit into it—it was sweet and fragrant.

She smiled, broke off a piece, and fed it to Jia Jia Huan; they teased each other, exchanged bites, hearts entangled, desire rising.

Jia Jia Huan cupped Cai Xia's lovely face, ignoring her soft protests, and kissed the rouge on her lips, clinging together, unwilling to part.

One hand tugged open her outer robe and slipped beneath her undergarment, groping her most intimate spot.

In the dim storage room, muffled, rapid breathing echoed.

…

Since the second branch lost its main-line status and moved into the cramped East Courtyard, Wang Fu-ren's living quarters had shrunk, and so had her heart—narrow and petty.

Hearing the West Courtyard had bought large quantities of rice and allocated some to the East Courtyard, she suspected the second branch received inferior goods, fearing deception by the West Courtyard's central household.

She took Yu Jin Chuan to the storage depot to inspect the newly arrived grain; the depot, being a place for storing goods, was located in a sheltered, shaded area within the inner courtyard, some distance from the usual living quarters.

Lady Wang walked a stretch with Yu Jin Chuan until they neared the storage depot, where they saw from afar that the door was tightly shut but not locked from the outside.

She felt a pang of displeasure, thinking Cai Xia had grown increasingly careless—after filling the depot with grain, she hadn't even locked the main gate; how utterly foolish.

Lady Wang took two more steps and suddenly spotted a green silk sachet by the roadside; her heart skipped a beat.

Since Jia Jia Huan had been copying the Diamond Sutra in her chambers these past two days, Lady Wang recognized it as his personal item—she could not possibly be mistaken.

She looked again at the tightly shut door of the depot, and doubts began to swarm in her mind.

Born into a wealthy clan, she had married into the Duke household and spent her entire life immersed in the inner quarters, having heard countless scandalous tales of men and women in grand households.

How could she not imagine what lewd scene might be unfolding behind that locked door?

Her face darkened instantly; she halted unconsciously and said, "Yu Jin Chuan, go back and ask Chen Lin Dama for the depot's ledger—I need to review the inventory."

Yu Jin Chuan promptly agreed and turned back to fetch the ledger; only after she had walked far away did Lady Wang step forward and pick up the sachet from the ground.

She carefully examined its style, stitching, and the scent of the herbs inside, confirming beyond doubt that it belonged to Jia Jia Huan.

Just as Cai Xia had come to the depot on errands, and Jia Jia Huan's sachet had been lost nearby—there was no such thing as mere coincidence in the world.

…

The maid Cai Xia and Jia Jia Huan had long been in close contact; how could a woman as sharp as Lady Wang have remained oblivious?

She had never exposed the matter, pretending ignorance—she had deliberately allowed it.

Although Jia Jia Huan was a son born of a concubine, he was still a legitimate heir of the Lady Rongguo household, his husband's own flesh and blood.

Though the household strictly distinguished between legitimate and illegitimate heirs, Jia Jia Huan was the only one who could challenge Bao Yu for a share of the family estate.

Even if an illegitimate son received only a meager portion, the Lady Rongguo household was no inexhaustible treasure trove—every bit taken away was one bit lost; even a mosquito's leg was meat.

Moreover, Zhao Niang was deeply favored by Jia Zheng; though Lady Wang showed little outward sign, she had long since grown wary.

The best way to ruin a young master in a grand household was to lure him into early sexual indulgence—it would not only weaken his body but also corrupt his character early on.

In a household like the Lady Rongguo estate, where young maids served everywhere, such acts were easiest to arrange and hardest to detect.

Lady Wang had long seen through Cai Xia's intimacy with Jia Jia Huan, yet she had watched coldly, letting them secretly entangle themselves in their reckless affairs.

She had four senior maids; sacrificing one for this purpose was well worth it to her.

…

Even when she was still the mistress of the Lady Rongguo household, she had nurtured this malicious scheme, planting this covert pawn within the inner quarters long ago.

She waited only for Jia Jia Huan to grow older, so that he might bring about a scandal in the inner chambers—a charge of seducing his mother's maid would be enough to ruin him utterly.

Given her husband's stern nature, even if he did not beat the beast to death or expel him outright, he would surely despise him forever.

From then on, no one among the Yu generation of the Jia second branch would ever rival her Bao Yu—and that was precisely what Lady Wang desired.

…

Now, circumstances had changed drastically: the second branch had fallen into ruin, reduced to a minor offshoot of the Lady Rongguo household; Lady Wang felt the second branch's disgrace had reached its nadir, and she could not sleep for worry.

Jia Cong had seized all the family assets; the portion her Bao Yu would inherit had become painfully meager, leaving their wealth hanging by a thread.

Worse still, she had broken with her illegitimate daughter, Tan Chun, and for the past two months, Tan Chun had not returned to the Eastern Courtyard—the mother-daughter bond had turned to enmity.

Jia Jia Huan was Tan Chun's own brother; after this, would she not side with her own flesh and blood rather than aid Bao Yu?

If she leveraged Jia Cong's position as head of the household to elevate her own brother, Jia Jia Huan might one day rise above her Bao Yu.

Lady Wang could not bear to see such a result—her Bao Yu must never sink to such a fate!

Thus, her secret machinations from the days of the Lady Rongguo household now weighed heavier than ever in the Eastern Courtyard; she waited for the day the scheme would unfold, to remove this threat from her Bao Yu's path.

Clutching Jia Jia Huan's sachet in her hand, Lady Wang's face grew darker still, a twisted satisfaction rising within her; she quietly stepped into the guest chamber.

…

Inside the depot, Cai Xia, lured by Jia Jia Huan's jujube-paste yam cake and soft words, bit her lip and kissed him, entangled in sensual play.

She had never known a man before; how could she withstand such a scene? The spacious, dark depot stirred wild thoughts, and in moments, her resistance melted.

Though still a boy, Jia Jia Huan had long mingled with maids and had long vaguely understood the ways of the bedchamber.

While attending the clan school, older spoiled students enjoyed whispering stories of their illicit affairs, treating them as private entertainment.

Jia Jia Huan had heard countless such lewd stories; he had even seen the illicit spring palace sachets circulated in the marketplace.

Seeing Cai Xia's resistance weaken, he grew bolder, following what he had heard—he panted heavily, loosened his belt, and lifted her skirt.

Ignoring her whispered pleas, his blood surged; trembling yet daring, he pinned her against a sack of grain.

Cai Xia was paralyzed with fear, her limbs limp; she had no strength left to resist his ravaging.

All she could do was press her hands tightly over her mouth, terrified of uttering even a whisper—any sound might bring discovery and cost her life.

Both were inexperienced, like children lost in a dark wood, unaware of the path, clueless in their ways, blindly charging forward.

As they were lost in passion, oblivious to the passage of time, neither noticed a shadow slowly approaching the window paper of the guest chamber.

…

Lady Wang had hesitated at first, but finally her wicked desire overcame her; she longed for her scheme to come to fruition at last.

As she neared the depot door, though Cai Xia stifled her breath and Jia Jia Huan dared not raise his voice, Lady Wang still heard the muffled panting and stifled sobs.

She was a woman who had lived through such things—she knew instantly what they were doing; her heart burned with shame and fury.

Her Bao Yu had suffered from impotence for months, taking countless tonics, yet still showed no improvement—he remained barren, unable to perform.

How could this illegitimate beast dare to act so brazenly, secretly defiling his own maid? It was utterly outrageous!

Lady Wang's jealousy and rage seemed to drive her mad; she raised her hand to shove open the door and expose this inner courtyard disgrace.

She would then make a public outcry, demanding her husband impose severe punishment.

According to household rules, Cai Xia the maid would surely be beaten to death.

Jia Jia Huan, guilty of seducing his mother's maid and violating human decency, would have his future and life destroyed; sacrificing one maid would be a fair price for her long-planned victory.

Just as she raised her hand to push the door, her palm still inches from the wood, she suddenly shuddered—as if struck by a thought—her hand froze midair.

Her eyes flickered, lost in thought; the hand raised in the air slowly clenched, then lowered.

She stepped back several paces and quietly left the depot, as if afraid of startling the illicit pair inside—her demeanor was strangely peculiar.

…

Lady Wang had not walked far when she saw Yu Jin Chuan hurrying toward her, clutching a ledger.

"Madam," she said, "I've brought the depot's ledger."

Lady Wang said, "I'm feeling unwell. Help me back to my chamber to rest—we'll inspect the depot another time."

Yu Jin Chuan found this strange—Madam's face glowed with color; how could she be unwell?

But she was a servant; if Lady Wang said to return, she dared not question.

The two turned and walked far away; behind them, the depot door remained tightly shut, as if nothing had happened.

(End of Chapter)