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

Page 143

Thinking back on the opera she had heard and the food she had eaten, Baoqin was completely numb. But judging from Fengjie's tone of unfinished business, there was clearly a lot she didn't know, not to mention the details hadn't even been explained yet!

Now that she was inside Rongqing Hall, she felt embarrassed to pester Fengjie with questions. After paying her respects to Grandmother Jia again, Baoqin raised her bright and pretty face and asked Grandmother Jia for permission:

“Grandmother, it’s not too late yet. I want to go and keep my mother company a little longer.”

"Go away, hehe, today is a good day. You're a poor child, an orphan and a widow, so keep your mother company, okay?"

"Hey."

Her mother couldn't go out because of phlegm, and her brother must be with her. After all this time, he must have been to Yingkexuan in the city. She could use this opportunity to find out more about her.

Unexpectedly, just as she was asking about Yingkexuan, Xue Pan, who had just returned earlier that day, surprised her with a message.

“Sister Baoqin, I know this place well. Brother Yu and I are very close! As for Yingkexuan, let me tell you, it’s really…”

"..."

Looking at Xue Baoqin, who was engrossed in her silly son's words, Aunt Xue's eyes flickered. She knew the inside story of Xue Ke's family's trip to the capital, and she had just been talking about it with Baoqin's mother who was lying in bed.

Chapter Eleven: The Inside Story of the Xue Family

The two families are now in a somewhat awkward situation – all because of a letter from Aunt Xue back then.

In recent years, since the death of the Xue family patriarch, his businesses have declined rapidly, giving the impression that the family is on its last legs.

Xue Pan, the only legitimate son of the Xue family's eldest branch, was a good-for-nothing who not only idled away his days but also got into a murder case.

Left with no other choice, Aunt Xue took her two children to the capital to seek refuge with the Jia family, never forgetting to revitalize the Xue family's reputation.

Soon, Aunt Xue set her sights on her beloved daughter, hoping that Baochai would marry Baoyu, the most favored son of the Jia family, so that she could help the Xue family.

As for her beloved son Xue Pan, she considered it for a long time and finally decided to write to the second wife's family to ask them to help manage the family business.

There was no other way; if this family business wasn't handed over to the second branch of the family to manage, it would be ruined sooner or later by that wicked Xue Pan and the stewards outside. It was better to hand it over to the second branch to save it!

Moreover, Xue Ke's father is gone, and the second wife has no one to rely on now, so it's perfectly reasonable for her to bring him in.

To everyone's surprise, not long after the letter was sent out, Xue Pan and Gu Yu got involved in a business deal that was quite successful and involved a large business!

That perfume was all the rage among the upper class of the capital, and Aunt Xue had naturally bought it as well. Seeing her son "turn over a new leaf" and the family's revival was just around the corner, she naturally regretted inviting Xue Ke here.

After all, no matter what, a nephew is never as close as a son!

She had previously thought that this account was ruined and she would have to switch to another one, but now that there was still hope, she was naturally extremely reluctant to give it up.

These days she often visits her sister-in-law who is lying in bed, but she remains silent about the matters mentioned in her previous letter, only temporarily appointing Xue Ke as the steward, already feeling deeply guilty.

Now, looking closely at her niece Baoqin's bright and beautiful face, and recalling the worries that Xue's mother had just mentioned, Aunt Xue's heart stirred, and she calmly picked up where her silly son left off.

"Not only is Yu-ge'er knowledgeable and capable, but he is also extremely handsome. I have never seen such a good-looking person before!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Brother Yu is truly... uh... a handsome man! A handsome man!"

"..."

Listening to her aunt's description, Baoqin's beautiful eyes were filled with curiosity and a touch of admiration.

Is there really such a perfect person in the world? He's good-looking, talented, and gentle and considerate in his dealings with others. Is there anything he can't do?

Aunt Xue harbored her own thoughts, exaggerating what was originally a perfect performance to a perfect 12. Although Baoqin found it somewhat unbelievable, seeing her silly cousin nodding happily, she immediately believed most of it.

Moreover, having witnessed it firsthand from the sisters and inquired about it from Sister Feng, with both sides confirming each other's claims, what else could there be to doubt?

"I wonder what it looks like..."

...

“Pan’er was able to get in touch with this because of Bao’er, but for the sake of the Xue family… Now that Baoqin is here, this girl’s looks are no less than Bao’er’s. Why not let her pester Yu’er? It would be a good thing.”

In that case, I would not only repay Xue Pan's favor, but also gain the favor of Xue Ke's family, and I could also get the Jia family's help as I wished. Wouldn't that be killing three birds with one stone?

Aunt Xue thought about it more and more and felt that this method was feasible, and her smile became brighter and brighter.

As for Yu-ge'er wanting Baochai but not Baoqin? Impossible! A young boy that age wouldn't understand so much. He'd always be attracted to looks. Baoqin is so beautiful and has such a proactive personality; she'd make Yu-ge'er forget all about love.

Thinking this way, Aunt Xue was relieved for the first time that her daughter was aloof. She figured the two young people were probably still flirting, and now that someone else had interfered, their relationship would fall apart in a few days!

……

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, several new popular novels quietly appeared in bookstores in Beijing, and within a few days, they became wildly popular as they were spread by storytellers.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the teahouse changed. Anyone whose storyteller couldn't tell a couple of excerpts from "The Flood of Jinshan Temple" or a few pages of "The Eighteen Farewell Scenes" would be considered low-class!

Before anyone could react, a piece of news suddenly spread throughout the opera world, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

There will be a theatrical performance tonight!

It was at this opportune moment that other ambitious troupes in the Peking Opera world were dumbfounded as they looked at the novels in their hands. They hadn't even figured out two words of their own plays yet, how could someone else be able to start performing?

"Old Tang, are you even capable? You haven't written a single scene in two days, and tomorrow you'll be watching someone else stand out from the crowd?"

After gulping down a cup of tea, Zhao Jia, the most famous troupe leader in the Peking Opera world, couldn't help but grumble a few words.

Beside him sat an old man with graying hair, a small mustache drooping on his chin, his hands stubbornly resisting. His once bright eyes, though gaunt, were now bloodshot.

"This shouldn't be... how could it be so fast?"

He is a master who has been renowned in the industry for nearly forty years. At least three out of ten acts in the operas he performs today are lyrics written by him.

Now that these novels have been published, his keen business sense quickly spotted the business opportunity – they're perfect for being adapted into new plays!

Such a dramatic and well-structured story is perfect for being adapted into a play!

But before he could even begin to prepare for his masterpiece and reach the pinnacle of his career, reality delivered a harsh blow.

He casually tossed the half-act script he'd painstakingly come up with over the past few days onto the table. He no longer cared about keeping it a secret; he simply let out a weary sigh and asked the troupe leader, who had been out inquiring for half the day:

"Have you found out exactly which company it is?"

Zhao, the foreman, shook his head with a wry smile, poured himself another cup of tea, gulped it down, glanced at the door, and then lowered his voice to sigh:

"I think the head of the Li family troupe seems to have some connection with that family. I just saw him walk in. I wonder if they have a private troupe."

The Li family troupe also came from the Prime Minister's residence. If the two families knew each other, it was indeed possible, but in that case, it would still be impossible to find out the details.

This opera troupe not only has those who are rooted here, but also those raised by other families, those who take a break while they're just passing through, and even those who come from the palace to collect folk songs. It's a mixed bag, so we can't easily cause trouble.

Old Tang could only purse his lips in regret, but he was determined to go and see tonight to see just how good the play he had written in such a short time really was!

If he rushed out just to ride on the coattails of this company, then he still has a chance to build his own new glory by riding on their coattails.

If you actually succeed... if you have that kind of talent, why don't you come out and make a name for yourself instead of staying in someone else's house as a lowly family man? You have no ambition!

"Let's get a good spot and go tonight!"

……

On the other side, Li, the head of the troupe, walked out of the courtyard excitedly with the booklet in his arms, rushing towards his troupe, his mind filled with nothing but the few sheets of paper in his arms.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

He never expected that the favor he had done for the young master last time would bring him such a great return gift.

These days, the most popular books in the market have been adapted into plays, and reading them is so enjoyable that he forgets the taste of meat for three months.

When performing new plays, timeliness is crucial. He already foresaw the massive crowds that would flock to these plays, so he needed to hurry and learn them as quickly as possible.

While other production teams weren't even sure about the quality of their new play tonight, he learned it early so he could ride the wave of success.

Once the audience has been drawn in by the new play, the remaining troupe will only have a few old fans to keep them going. How many more can they attract after they learn the new play?

One step first, every step first!

Chapter Twelve: Granny Liu's Second Visit to the Rongguo Mansion

……

Grandmother Jia was completely unaware of the turmoil outside. However, for some reason, several close relatives from the Marquis's mansions heard that her family's troupe would also be performing new plays, and the once quiet backyard suddenly became lively again.

As for the middle part, after Grandmother Jia realized that this was all thanks to Gu Yu, she suddenly discovered that the pair of jade ruyi that Gu Yu had sent on Mid-Autumn Festival were somehow placed in front of her, and no one told her. She then vented her anger on her eldest son in private, and no one knew about it.

Since returning that day, Baoqin has become even more attentive to Pear Blossom Spring Rain. She always tries to get to know more about it by following the conversations of her sisters, which annoys the vigilant Daiyu after a few days. Finally, she can't help but go to Hengwu Garden to confront her.

"Sister Bao, you didn't say that back then, why are you saying it now..."

Baochai exchanged an embarrassed glance with Xiangyun, then quickly told Ying'er to serve tea. She then sat down and tried to explain herself:

"I don't know either... That's what my mother told me before, so it can't be false."

The matter of Xue Ershu's marriage proposal to the Mei family's Hanlin scholars had been communicated beforehand, so Baochai didn't think it was a lie. She also mentioned it to Daiyu to prevent her from getting jealous.

Who knew that in the past few days, Baoqin hadn't done anything else but kept asking Gu Yu questions. Not to mention Daiyu, even her cousin was getting restless.

"Why don't you go and ask her about the marriage arrangements? Sister Qin is a smart woman. If you bring it up, she might change her mind."

Daiyu frowned and secretly urged Baochai to give that pretty Qin-jie a nudge.

If she were petty and jealous, she was already mentally prepared to treat the Li sisters and Miss Xing as sisters.

After all, the other person was good-looking, innocent, and of good character. Qingwen and the others had even started laying the foundation. They would definitely not let the bad guy go when he returned, so her expectations were quite high.

What about Ke Baoqin? Although it was just a verbal agreement from her father, he probably wouldn't go back on his word if he got a daughter-in-law as beautiful as an angel. So she naturally had to break things off cleanly. Such a "married woman" definitely couldn't have anything to do with Brother Yu.

"This... okay..."

Baochai reluctantly agreed, but a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes; she felt that something was not right.

Her cousin and she had never gotten along since childhood. One was gentle and polite, while the other was lively and outgoing. "You think I'm a pretentious person? I think you're a tomboy."

Even so, she knew that Baoqin was not unconventional at heart, and would never do something like this, which would make her want more. How could she change her mind just because she encountered someone more powerful?

"There must be something else I'm unaware of..."

It just so happened that there were few people around at that moment. After hesitating for a moment, Baochai told Daiyu and Xiangyun her thoughts and asked them what they thought.

Unfortunately, the three girls couldn't come up with an answer after thinking for a long time. They were all stuck there racking their brains, their heads spinning.

Finally, Zijuan, who had come to seek help, couldn't help but offer some words of advice after a long time:

"Miss, don't overthink it! Who wouldn't want to be close to someone like Young Master Yu? Miss Baoqin is still young, so it's natural that she's very curious."

"Didn't you tell me a story about someone who lost an axe and suspected his neighbor? In my opinion, it's the girls who are hiding something, that's why they see everyone as someone trying to steal Young Master Yu!"

"Zijuan—! I'm going to tear your mouth apart!"

Daiyu, her face flushed red, jumped off the chair, eager to teach this outspoken maid a lesson, her heart pounding.

Her words, spoken by an outsider with clearer insight, immediately awakened the girls caught in the situation, but unfortunately, none of them were grateful to her.

Baochai blushed deeply, abandoning her usual composure, and stood up to stop Zijuan with Xiangyun, determined to teach her a lesson.

What nonsense are you talking about?

After a while of playful fighting, things returned to normal in Hengwu Garden. Zijuan stood behind Daiyu, her face flushed and looking aggrieved, thinking that she would definitely complain when her master returned.

I kindly tried to comfort them when I saw they were getting stuck on a fuss, so why did they get so angry? Miss should really give them a good talking-to!

……

As the days passed, the sisters were busy planning Gu Yu's journey and even took out a map to compare it. Before they could meet him, they were greeted by another unexpected person.

That day, while the sisters were serving Grandmother Jia, Ping'er suddenly led a pair of people in from outside the room. It turned out to be an old woman and a child.

Upon seeing this person enter, she greeted Grandmother Jia. Fengjie also seemed unsurprised. Daiyu and the others exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond.

Tan Chun, who was closer to Sister Feng, quietly explained to the other sisters:

"It must be Granny Liu—you don't know her, she seems to be some kind of relative of Second Madam Fengjie. Last time she came, Second Madam even gave her twenty taels of silver as a favor. I've only heard about her once."

As they were talking, Daiyu and the others overheard Liu Laolao's purpose for coming: to bring some fruits and vegetables as a token of respect. They then paid no further attention to her.

Grandmother Jia originally only asked her to tell stories to pass the time, but she didn't expect that Granny Liu, a mere village woman, would talk about what she had seen and heard in such an interesting way, which made Grandmother Jia more and more interested, and even the sisters were gradually attracted.

Even after Baoyu arrived and they had dinner together, Grandmother Jia was still in high spirits. She even took Granny Liu to change her clothes, and when she returned, they were still talking.

Daiyu and the others had heard Gu Yu tell stories before, so they thought this was something new and interesting. But it was the first time Baoyu had heard such stories told, and his curiosity was piqued. He kept pestering Granny Liu to ask what happened next.

"What happened to the old man later? Did his grandson ever come back?"

"This...this...hehe, even if you insist I make it up, I can't. It was something that happened in another village, and there was no follow-up."

"That's it..."

Baoyu pouted regretfully, but soon became engrossed in Granny Liu's next story.