A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 37 Buddha’s Heart

Sister Feng's Courtyard.

After hearing Zhou Rui's message, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but complain, "Isn't Brother Qing addicted to making money? He's imposing all these exorbitant taxes in the capital. Isn't he afraid of causing trouble?"

"This..." Ping'er looked worried, hesitating to speak.

On the one hand, she was genuinely worried that Wang Qing would cause trouble.

On the other hand, although Lady Wang asked Jia Lian to handle it, the couple's discord, which was caused by Wang Qing, meant that the matter would likely fall on his own shoulders in the end.

She was sent by Wang Xifeng to gain favor with Wang Qing, but unexpectedly, she ended up owing favors one after another, and there was also money hanging over her head from the gambling den.

Thinking that whether she faced the danger or not, she might as well say, "Second Master probably won't ask Master Qing for leniency. What does Madam plan to do?"

"What should we do?" Wang Xifeng said, pursing her lips. "This is Madam's order; does he have any say in whether he likes it or not?"

"Huh?" Ping'er was taken aback.

But Wang Xifeng had already ordered, "Go quickly to the front and tell the Second Master that Madam has something to tell him to come over here!"

Upon hearing this, Ping'er was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized, "Grandma is trying to give Second Master a way out!"

"Bah!" Wang Xifeng retorted stubbornly, "We'll have to see what his attitude is. Hurry up and go!"

Although she kept a close watch, she couldn't prevent the distinction between insiders and outsiders.

Jia Lian wasn't a young lady who rarely left the mansion; once she did, Wang Xifeng would be completely helpless.

Recently, she learned that Jia Lian often hung out with Xue Pan, and she felt increasingly remorseful. She wanted to take this opportunity to give Jia Lian a way out so that he wouldn't get himself into trouble.

Unexpectedly, after waiting for a long time, Ping'er returned alone.

"Where is he?" Wang Xifeng asked coldly.

Ping'er stammered, "Second...Second Master is doing accounts up ahead, and said he'll go home once he's done."

"Pah! Don't give me that nonsense. He's probably busy calculating all day with his abacus in his pants."

Wang Xifeng angrily shouted, "Speak! Is he coming or not?!"

Ping'er quickly said, "Grandma, please calm down. Second Master just went out with Master Xue. I've already sent people to look for him."

Wang Xifeng sneered, "Fine! Fine! You've really made something of yourself now, daring to help him deceive me!"

"This servant wouldn't dare! This servant was just thinking that Madam had gone to great lengths to give Second Master a chance, and if he missed it because he wasn't home, wouldn't that be letting Madam down? That's why I took the liberty of making the decision..."

If Ping'er really wanted to hide it, why would she act so hesitantly?

Knowing that Wang Xifeng valued her reputation, he thought of finding a reason to give her a way out.

Unexpectedly, Wang Xifeng mistakenly believed that Jia Lian refused to go home.

I have no choice but to tell the truth.

"You actually feel sorry for him!"

Wang Xifeng, already feeling remorseful, glared at Ping'er and immediately seized the opportunity to back down, saying, "Fine, for your sake, let's see how he behaves when he gets back!"

……

Lady Wang's Courtyard.

Madam Wang, who was having her meal on the kang (heated brick bed) in the outer room, suddenly heard the maids' excited voices from outside: "Master!"

Madam Wang's heart tightened, and she unconsciously clenched her fists and pressed them against her chest, causing her breasts to swell and deform under the pressure.

Since turning thirty, the couple has rarely shared a bed. Even when Aunt Zhao was unwell, he would often rest at Mengpo Studio.

Jia Zheng was always law-abiding and would send someone to inform him in advance if he had something to do. He would never visit suddenly at such an ambiguous time.

Lady Wang thought to herself, "Could it be that some informant overheard the conversation and is now gossiping to Jia Zheng, trying to get me to come and interrogate him?"

Although it was just sisters confiding in each other and venting their frustrations, it still carried the suspicion of cursing Jia Zheng to die.

Just as she stood up nervously, she saw Jia Zheng walk in with a beaming smile.

Lady Wang felt a sense of relief and was about to bow when she saw Jia Zheng glance at her, his brows furrowing as he coldly said, "Dressed like this, what kind of decorum is this!"

"Ah?" Madam Wang looked down in surprise following his gaze, only then realizing that in her nervousness, she had actually stretched open the collar of her peach-colored silk nightgown, revealing a large expanse of her fair breasts.

She hurriedly straightened her collar, trying to cover up her embarrassment, and took Jia Zheng's arm while explaining, "The charcoal fire was burning brightly in the room, and I was enjoying myself. Master arrived in such a hurry that I didn't have time to tidy myself up..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Zheng swung his arm and scolded, "Pulling and tugging like that, aren't you afraid the servants will see?"

"Please forgive me, sir. I have acted improperly."

It was Jia Zheng's usual practice to act one way in public and another way in private.

However, Lady Wang had been out of practice for a long time and was eager to hunt, so she was momentarily at a loss for what to do.

She withdrew her hand sheepishly, apologized, and, adopting the demeanor of a principal wife, politely invited Jia Zheng to sit on the kang (heated brick bed). She then sat down opposite him at the kang table before changing the subject, saying, "Master, has something joyous happened?"

As she spoke, Madam Wang deliberately leaned over the kang table, hoisted the heavy load in front of her onto her arms, leaned forward, raised her neck, and struck a pose of great interest.

In his early years, Jia Zheng was very fond of her soft and supple body; otherwise, she wouldn't have given birth to three children in succession.

Lady Wang naturally knew how to please him.

Jia Zheng glanced guiltily at the curtain before looking away, giving the deep gaze before him a long, thoughtful look, and asked, "Is Qing-ge'er, the son of Brother Wang Meng, living in our mansion?"

Lady Wang was no stranger to Wang Meng. In fact, her brother Wang Ziteng, who was then the military governor of the capital garrison, was able to rise to the position of commander of nine provinces by taking advantage of Wang Meng's success.

She wondered to herself, why was Wang Qing involved in this happy occasion?

Remembering what Aunt Xue had entrusted to her, she became cautious and said, "Yes, I saw him when he came to visit the old lady last month. Why is the master suddenly asking about this?"

"You don't know this..."

Jia Zheng quickly recounted Wang Qing's actions, embellishing the story.

Considering the possibility of him being implicated in a political scandal, he concealed this from important court officials and submitted a series of memorials requesting commendations for Wang Qing.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang suddenly realized, "Could it be that someone asked you, sir, to pull strings?"

It's not surprising that Lady Wang misunderstood. A while ago, Wang Qing went to Grandmother Jia to apologize and mentioned that Jia Zhen had helped mediate. Today, Aunt Xue asked her to smooth things over again.

She couldn't help but connect the two matters, and was hesitating whether to mention the Xue family's affairs as well.

Jia Zheng's face turned cold. He said, "Smooth things over? Smooth things over what? He's doing good things for the country and the people by preventing thieves and apprehending bandits. I think highly of him and support him. Why would I trip him up or give him special treatment?"

"Yes, yes, yes! I am but a humble servant, how could I possibly be as concerned about the country and its people as you, sir? It was just that he went to see the old lady the other day and mentioned that Zhen-ge'er was mediating between them, which is why I misspoke. Please forgive me, sir!"

Jia Zheng frowned and said, "Oh? Is that so?"

Lady Wang hurriedly recounted Wang Qing's apology, and Jia Zheng finally understood.

I thought that Grandmother Jia was just being prepared, but I never expected that this would happen.

He frowned and said, "Zhen-ge'er has never been serious about his work, so we can't get involved in any crooked or unethical practices!"

"Qing-ge'er is very much to my liking. Go ask him when he's available, and keep an eye on him. Although San-ya-tou isn't old enough to be married yet, it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on her."

"Hey! Hey!"

Lady Wang was surprised that Jia Zheng valued it so much, and hurriedly responded, then flattered him, saying, "To be honest, sir, I also think that Qing-ge'er is kind-hearted and steady in his work. A while ago, when he went to the old lady's place, he even asked for a doctor's consultation for a servant..."

She told Jia Zheng about treating Liu Wu'er's illness, but concealed her concern about her daughter's tuberculosis.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng praised, "Excellent! It's commendable that you have such a kind intention!"

Madam Wang quickly replied modestly, "Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda! I spend my days fasting and chanting Buddhist scriptures; how could I not understand this principle?"

At this point, she deliberately folded her arms tightly in front of her, pressed her palms together, and said solemnly, "I have just made a Buddhist robe, and I was thinking of wearing it when I chant sutras to show my sincerity, but I don't know if it will fit. If you have the time, sir, could you please take a look?"

People are in high spirits when they have a happy occasion. Lady Wang had been unwell for a long time, so she naturally wanted to seize the opportunity while it was still fresh in her mind.

Jia Zheng glanced at the soft, white flesh held in his arms, almost spilling out, and swallowed hard. He then looked away with difficulty, hunching over as he rose and said, "Then I, your master, will reluctantly do this and see if you have any compassion!"

……