A stew of the Red Chamber

Chapter 38 Showing Off at Jinxiang Courtyard

Jinxiang Courtyard.

Outside, the wind was biting cold, but inside, it was as warm as spring.

The fat, big-eared Xue Pan put his arm around the elegantly dressed courtesan beside him and asked, "What happened? The roads are all clean, but there's so much snow in front of your house?"

Nestled in Jia Lian's arms, a mature woman dressed as a madam, quite attractive, quickly interrupted, coquettishly saying, "Oh, sir! ~ How can there be such a cheap thing in the world?"

The new magistrate of the West City Military Command is a ruthless man who eats people alive. He only has to sweep the snow, yet he has to pay a large sum of money every month.

But he was incredibly domineering, saying it would dirty the streets they had swept, and forbade me from having the snow piled up outside; it was only allowed to be piled up in front of our own door. If this snow continued for another two days, there probably wouldn't even be a road left to clear.

Shop revenues vary, so Wang Qing naturally couldn't make a one-size-fits-all approach.

Although the amount of money collected from brothels is not small, given the size of Jinxiang Courtyard, it is only a few taels of silver per month, far from a large sum.

"Oh? Is that so?" Xue Pan scratched his head and looked at Jia Lian. "Could it be that Brother Qing from the manor? I heard that the thief almost met his end at his hands. I thought he was a good man and was willing to befriend him. How come he wouldn't even let go of money for a body?"

He was a good-for-nothing, and the shopkeeper and employees would never turn to him for help.

Jia Lian was furious when he heard the words "Brother Qing," but he was too ashamed to say it, so he ignored Xue Pan and drank a mouthful of wine in silence.

The madam, nestled in his arms, chimed in, "Indeed! I work hard with Yun'er and the others to earn our meager wages; how can we withstand such exploitation? Since he is a distinguished guest of our household, why don't you two gentlemen plead for me and ask him to be lenient..."

The Great Xia Dynasty stipulated that officials were not allowed to frequent brothels.

However, where there are policies, there are countermeasures. Some people specifically cater to those who want to have fun but cannot afford to go to brothels, providing them with services.

They operate as a family business and do not cater to individual customers. Although the madam and the prostitute are not related by blood, they address each other as mother and daughter, sisters, etc., and can also provide door-to-door services if needed.

Jinxiang Courtyard is one of them.

As the saying goes, "every profession has its own secrets." The madam, surnamed Feng, was originally the most beautiful courtesan in the capital. After earning enough money, she redeemed herself and found an honest man to live with.

Unwilling to let his skills in charming men go to waste, he bought several girls and carefully taught them, thus starting his second business.

A while ago, Jia Lian took advantage of a thief's false report of financial deficit to make a fortune. Now that he had plenty of money, he used small favors to seduce Bao Er's wife.

However, even though Wang Xifeng had broken off relations with him, she kept an even closer eye on him. Fortunately, there was a distinction between inside and outside the household, so he often accompanied Xue Pan to Jinxiang Courtyard for leisure.

Unlike Xue Pan, Jia Lian showed no interest in young prostitutes, but was quite fascinated by Madam Feng, who was in her early thirties and still had a charming appearance.

He was dashing and charming, and quite attractive, so Ms. Feng was happy to return to her old profession.

Jinxiang Courtyard was originally a business catering to officials and wealthy families, and knowing that Wang Qing was a relative of the Rong family, it felt even more secure.

Seeing that Jia Lian remained unmoved, she flirted a couple of times and said in a coquettish voice, "If it's inconvenient to ask him to make an exception, please ask him for me if he could be lenient. I'm willing to repay him with my body."

Although Jinxiang Courtyard is open for business, Feng Shi is not Jia Lian's secret agent, so there's no need for her to be jealous.

However, Wang Xifeng praised her highly, and the woman in his arms, under duress, forced herself to offer herself to him.

Jia Lian's pitiful pride suddenly had nowhere to go, and he angrily slammed his fist on the table.

"What kind of bullshit relatives are these!"

He picked up his wine glass, swallowed a mouthful of bitter wine, and briefly introduced Wang Qing's background, saying, "The old lady only let him stay in the mansion because she felt sorry for him. Not only does he not think of repaying her, but he also causes trouble. He doesn't understand any social etiquette. Last time, some old relatives and friends came to me, but I was too lazy to bother with their business."

At this point, he glanced at Xue Pan and sneered, "It's better that you don't know him, so you won't get into any trouble later and end up with a sore bottom!"

Xue Pan was brave and fierce. Hearing that Wang Qing was exceptionally skilled, he originally intended to take the opportunity to befriend him, but after hearing Jia Lian's words, he gave up the idea.

The courtesan in the arms of the woman on the first floor laughed, "Yun'er is almost of marriageable age, and we have to support her. How can we have time to bother with any Tom, Dick, or Harry?"

Just then, a commotion erupted outside, followed by a loud shout: "Room check! Wang Qing, Commander of the Western City Garrison, is ordered to apprehend the thief. All bystanders, make way immediately!"

Jia Lian hadn't expected that speaking of the devil would bring him to his feet; he was startled by Wang Qing's outburst.

His sudden shudder did not escape the notice of Feng Shi in his arms. Jia Lian felt he had lost face, and his expression became even more unpleasant.

Madam Feng seemed quite frightened as well, her body trembling as she said, "Alright, alright, sir, calm down. We can't afford to offend them, but we can avoid them. I'll go and pay the money right away, and then properly apologize to that gentleman!"

As she spoke, she made a move to get up, but her legs went weak and she fell headfirst into Jia Lian's arms.

Seeing this, Jia Lian felt even more ashamed. He grabbed Feng Shi's slender waist, pressed her down on his lap, and slapped her buttocks. He shouted, "Be a good girl and serve me well. With Second Master here, how could I let you suffer such grievances?"

Send someone out to tell him that Second Master Lian is relaxing here, and that he should go find somewhere cool to stay!

"Master!" Madam Feng called out sweetly, her eyes filled with both respect and admiration as she looked at Jia Lian.

Having frequented brothels, she knew very well that once a man got carried away, he was easy to manipulate.

Seemingly intimidated by his domineering aura, her body went limp, and she hung limply on Jia Lian's legs, acting coy and aroused, while giving a wink to the courtesan who was playing the zither to entertain them.

Wang Qing outside only shouted once, but did not rush in.

He simply wanted to discourage Jinxiangyuan from doing anything; there was no need to offend the customers who came to patronize the establishment.

Unexpectedly, not only did they run into Jia Lian, but the latter was also arrogant and rude.

If we suffer a crushing defeat, not only will we fail to win over the people, but the hard-won progress will also be ruined.

Jia Yun, who had come with him, said with a grim expression, "How about I go inside..."

Wang Qing's face darkened, and he kicked the door open.

Jia Lian was feeling quite smug after being teased by Madam Feng when suddenly the door was kicked open, and a gust of cold wind rushed into the room, almost knocking him off balance.

He was never one to be aggressive or violent; even Wang Xifeng could easily outmaneuver him. Seeing Wang Qing's robust physique and gloomy face, he immediately displayed the weakness of a petty bourgeois to the fullest extent.

"What...what are you doing?"

Wang Qing glanced around, his gaze lingering briefly on Xue Pan's face, before turning to Jia Lian with a slight bow: "So that Second Brother Lian knows, it is my duty to hunt down thieves, and I'm afraid there can be no exceptions!"

You can go to extremes in doing things, but you shouldn't say things that are too absolute.

Jia Lian, however, was eager to save face. Seeing that his tone had softened, he became even more defiant and sneered, "Stop trying to flatter yourself. Who is your Second Brother Lian? The old lady kindly took you in, but you've only brought hatred to the household..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qing frowned slightly. He had thought that Jia Lian had received instructions from Grandmother Jia and that the gambling den owners had reluctantly asked Jia Zhen to act as a mediator to avoid causing him trouble.

Now it seems that this does not match the speculation.

He patiently sneered, "The old lady specifically instructed me the other day to follow the rules and not to worry too much. Doesn't Second Brother Lian know that?"

Grandmother Jia had previously told him to act according to the rules, so she was using this as a pretext to test Jia Lian's reaction.

Jia Lian scoffed, "You really think you're..."

"Someone come here!"

Before Jia Lian could finish speaking, Wang Qing interrupted, "I suspect there are thieves hiding here. Please ask all bystanders to leave!"

He spoke of the person who had arrived, but before his men could enter, he strode forward, grabbed Jia Lian by the collar, and lifted him up like a chick.

Seeing that he was serious, Jia Lian was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he said in a fierce but cowardly tone, "You...you dare..."

When Xue Pan saw him grab Jia Lian, he suddenly jumped up from his seat and reached out to grab Wang Qing's back.

Wang Qing tossed Jia Lian toward Xue Pan, who was preparing to launch a sneak attack. Once the two were embracing, he sneered, "If Second Brother Lian has any complaints, he can go and complain to the Old Madam! I just wonder what Second Sister-in-law will think if she finds out how tough you are outside!"

Jia Lian was immediately filled with grief, as if he had lost his parents.

It's not that he feared Wang Xifeng more than he feared Grandmother Jia.

The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart.

He was already jealous because Wang Xifeng praised Wang Qing highly, and he always felt that the word "assertiveness" had a hidden meaning.

Not only did she suspect that Wang Xifeng might have revealed something, but she was also worried that Wang Qing would expose her to Wang Xifeng. So, the fiery Wang Xifeng steeled her heart and retaliated.

Ignoring the prospect of losing face in front of Madam Feng, he pulled Xue Pan to the door. Upon seeing Jia Yun standing there, his face stiffened, and he hastily uttered, "You're ruthless! Just you wait!"

He then slunk away in disgrace.

Seeing Jia Lian's humiliation, Jia Yun not only did not sympathize with him, but actually felt an inexplicable sense of pleasure.

In ancient times, soldiers and bandits were not separate. Once Jia Lian left, Madam Feng lost her support and trembled like a leaf.

She hastily forced a smile and said obsequiously, "Let's talk this out, let's talk this out! Please, sir, have mercy. I was blind to your greatness. I'll help you calm down..."

Wang Qing didn't even glance at her, only saying, "The cleaning fee will be doubled!"

He turned and left.

……