A Dream of Red Mansions in Autumn, by nxam (Those Ambiguous Relationships)

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Author: nxam (Those Ambiguous Relationships)

Chapter 1: The Virtuous Xiren's Words, the Twelve Beauties, and the Clever Qingwen's Guidance of the Grand View Garden

"Young Master Bao... Young Master Bao... Get up quickly!" A woman's voice faintly reached my ears.

At this moment, I was fast asleep, and as someone who always lingered in bed, how could I get up so easily? Besides, there was no one else in my
room ; could it just be a hallucination?

"Young Master Bao... You can't stay in bed... Get up quickly!" The annoying woman's voice persisted,
and it was very clear.

Thus, I had no choice but to get up and see who was calling so loudly. After opening my eyes,
I saw a slender woman with a long face, a woman who could be described as beautiful, holding a basin of water and serving by the bedside. She said, "Young
Master Bao, you're awake!"

Upon closer inspection, I was startled. She was wearing a silver-red jacket, a blue satin vest, and a white silk pleated
skirt. This was not the kind of clothing that should exist in my era. But what was truly terrifying was far more than that.
I glanced around casually and found myself in a completely unfamiliar place. A flicker of panic crossed my face as I
looked at the woman and asked, "Who are you? Where is this?"

At first, the woman seemed unfazed by my alarm, giving me a careful look. Seeing that I wasn't joking, she
said suspiciously, "Young Master Bao, have you lost your mind again? I'm Xiren..." She immediately
put down the basin of water and reached out to touch my forehead.

My forehead wasn't hot; it was just that this sudden turn of events had left my mind a bit muddled. I'd only
taken a nap , and how did I end up here? My mind raced, searching for similar scenarios, finally
settling on two words: time travel. Could I have encountered the legendary time travel? However,
the reason was rather ridiculous.

Thinking about these two names, "Master Bao" and "Xiren," reminded me of that book, only this one was even
more ridiculous than time travel. To confirm it again, I tentatively asked, "Where's Qingwen?"

"So Master Bao hasn't lost his mind after all. He still remembers Sister Qingwen. You were just teasing me again." Xiren
laughed , "Sister Qingwen was called away by Yuanyang early this morning. I guess she's with the old lady."

I gave a faint reply, pondering whether I could truly accept this reality, accept that I was
this so-called Master Bao.

Seeing me lost in thought, Xiren hurriedly said, "Young Master Bao, aren't you happy? Madam and the rest of the family have
returned today. Get up quickly and go pay your respects!"

How could I go in my current state? Even if I did, I wouldn't recognize them. I quickly replied, "I'm
not , so I won't go."

Xiren exclaimed in surprise, "Ah! Is it serious? Should I go find Doctor Hu to take a look at you?"

I quickly said, "No need for that, sister. It's nothing serious. I'll be fine after a rest
. Why don't you sit here and chat with me to relieve my boredom?"

Xiren smiled and said, "I think Young Master Bao is trying to slack off again." Despite her words, she sat down beside the lacquered bed to keep me company.
At that moment, I thought of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling, whom I most wanted to understand. I thought I'd ask Xiren first, so I
asked, "Sister Xiren, how long have you been in our Jia family?"

Xiren seemed lost in thought before slowly replying, "Now that you ask, Master Bao, I realize it's been ten years.
When I was little, my parents had nothing to eat, and I was the only thing they had left worth a few taels of silver, so they sold me. Luckily, I ended up in the Jia family,
where I've always served the old lady. I also served Miss Shi for a few years. After Miss Shi left, the old lady sent me
to serve you, Master Bao. I'm so lucky to have such a good master like you."

I smiled and said, "I'm also lucky to have such a good maid like you, who has been taking
care ." Praise doesn't mean much to me, especially since it might be the truth.

I continued, "Sister, you've been in the Jia family for so long, let me test you and see
how much you know about the people and affairs of our Jia family."

Xiren replied, "Having followed Master Bao for so many years, I haven't made much progress, but I do know a little about the people and affairs of the Jia family."
Hearing Xiren say this, I asked, "Do you know where Lin Daiyu lives?"

Xiren smiled and said, "I thought Master Bao was going to ask me a difficult question, but it seems you're just teasing me. Miss Lin
lives in Xiaoxiang Pavilion, which is across from our Yihong Courtyard. She chose to live there because she loved the bamboo stalks
and liked that it was quieter than other places. Master Bao, are you perhaps thinking of Miss Lin again?"

Hearing Xiren say this, I suddenly realized that Daiyu might have already passed away, and I quickly asked, "
What ?"

Xiren smiled and said, "Master Bao, have you forgotten? Miss Lin had to go back to her family a while ago to take care of some matters,
and she should be back in a while."

"Oh! My mind hasn't been working too well lately, I keep forgetting things." I breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "Then
tell about Sister Bao."

"Actually, those of us who serve here prefer to be with Miss Bao." The implication was that Daiyu was difficult
to get along with , which I understood perfectly. Xiren continued, "Miss Bao lives in Hengwu Garden, northwest of Grand View Tower.
She always thinks of us, and everyone hopes to have such a mistress in the future."

Xiren was kind and gentle, and her last sentence, though seemingly unintentional, revealed her true feelings. Perhaps
she hoped that her future mistress would be similar to her in temperament, or at least able to tolerate her, something
Daiyu couldn't do.

After asking about Baochai, the first person I thought of was Yuanchun, who was connected to the rise and fall of the Jia family.
So said, "I like to hear you talk about your sisters. Tell me about Sister Yuanchun."

Xiren said, "Second Master Bao, how could we servants know about the Imperial Concubine? Even if we did, we wouldn't
dare to gossip. At the beginning of the year, when the Imperial Concubine visited her family, you were the one who was closest to her."

"Sister Yuanchun came at the beginning of the year?" I muttered unconsciously.

Just as Xiren was overhearing this, she laughed and said, "Second Master Bao, you're being silly. This
Grand View Garden we're living in now was built as a villa for the Empress's visit home during the Lantern Festival. Back then, only you in the entire mansion could freely come and go
from here . Later, it was only after the Empress lifted the restriction that the other masters were allowed to move here."

I chuckled twice and said, "That's exactly why I asked, please don't be offended, Sister!"

I saw Xiren's cheeks flush red, and she murmured softly, "How could I dare to blame Second Master Bao? It's rare for Second Master Bao to have a chat with me;
I'm overjoyed!"

I smiled and said, "If I say anything silly later, please don't laugh at me, sister."

Xiren quickly replied, "No, Second Master Bao, please ask away. It's very interesting chatting with you."

"Then I'll ask again." I paused, then said, "Tell me about Sister Tanchun?"

"Third Miss lives in Qiushuangzhai next to Xiaocui Hall. She loves calligraphy, and her studio has several calligraphy
rubbings by famous masters," Xiren said slowly. "Not long ago, didn't she, along with Second Master Bao and the other young ladies, establish a 'Begonia Poetry Society' in Qiushuangzhai
to compose and recite poems?"

After saying the whole thing, Xiren murmured to herself, "If Miss Shi were here, she would be delighted to see this atmosphere."
Hearing Xiren's low murmur, I asked in confusion, "Isn't Xiangyun here in the mansion?"

Xiren sighed softly and said, "Miss Shi is naturally open-minded, but unfortunately, Master Shi and Madam Shi passed away early, and she was raised by her uncle and
aunt . However, her uncle and aunt didn't treat her well, which is why she often comes to the mansion. I've been serving her for the past few years. Counting
the days, Miss Shi hasn't come for several years now. I wonder how she's doing. The old lady even left a room for her in the Aojing Pavilion
, and has it cleaned regularly, just so she'll have a place to stay when she comes."

When Xiren spoke of Xiangyun, it was as if an older sister was caring for her younger sister, seemingly with pity, but even more so with deep affection.
I then asked, "Tell me more about Miaoyu!"

But Xiren asked in confusion, "Second Master Bao, who is Miaoyu?" Xiren didn't recognize Miaoyu,
paused and then said, "Could you be referring to the nun who lives in the Longcui Nunnery north of our Yihong Courtyard and practices Buddhism while still keeping her hair?"
I replied, "That's right!"

"I don't know her very well. The nun is rather aloof and doesn't like to associate with people. I have heard that Fourth Miss
is quite close to her." The Fourth Miss that Xiren mentioned must be Xichun.

"Oh, so Xichun and Miaoyu are close friends." I asked again, "Then tell me about Xichun?"
Xiren said slowly, "Fourth Miss lives in Nuanxiangwu next to Ouxiang Pavilion. She usually stays indoors. I
once heard Ruhua say that when Fourth Miss is indoors, she devotes almost all her energy to painting. The last time I saw Fourth
Miss was a month ago when Second Miss got married."

I know a bit about the Twelve Beauties of the Dream of the Red Chamber. I should have sighed that Yingchun was ranked second.
I was afraid of making a mistake, so I asked, "Sister Yingchun is already married?"

"This is a happy event that our Jia family held just last month. Second Master Bao, you..." Xiren was about to say something to me, but then, probably
afraid that I would think she was making fun of me, she slowly continued, "Second Master Bao's surname is Sun. He is from Datong Prefecture. His ancestors were military officers
and he now holds the position of commander. However..." Xiren hesitated.

I pressed, "But what?"

Xiren sighed, "But a few days ago I heard from Siqi that Second Miss has been married for over a month, and her husband often
abuses her Second Miss is timid and unwilling to tell her family. So, taking advantage of this visit, she made an excuse not to go back and
has been staying at her old residence, Zhuijin Tower in Zilingzhou, playing chess every day to relieve her boredom."

Hearing that Yingchun had been abused like this, I could only sigh along with Xiren. After all, it was a matter between husband and wife, and
outsiders shouldn't interfere.

After a while, I asked again, "Is Fengjie living in the Grand View Garden?"

"Second Mistress Lian? She doesn't have the leisure to live in the Grand View Garden. She's busy with the affairs of the mansion from morning till night.
The Jia family needs her to manage things in an orderly manner. However, occasionally when she has free time, she will go to
Hanfang Pavilion on the west side of the Grand View Tower to stay for a day or two, since Qiaojie lives there." Once she started talking about Wang Xifeng, Xiren became very talkative.

I said, "Feng Jie's shrewdness and competence are well-known. It's precisely because of her shrewdness that she has to do so much.
On the other hand, isn't your sister-in-law much more relaxed?"

Xi Ren said, "What you say is absolutely right, Second Master Bao. The eldest mistress lives in Daoxiang Village in the garden. If she weren't relaxed,
how could she be the president of your 'Begonia Poetry Club'? Lately, she's been focusing her attention on Lan Ge'er."
Finally, I asked, "Sister Ke Qing..."

Before I could finish my question, Xi Ren exclaimed in surprise, "Second Master Bao, please don't tease me anymore! This is
no laughing matter. Rong Nai Nai of the Ning Mansion passed away last year. When you heard of Rong Nai Nai's death, you were so anxious that
you vomited a mouthful of blood and fainted, causing everyone in the Jia Mansion to lose their appetite and sleep. Fortunately, Heaven was merciful and you
woke up. Have you forgotten such a big thing?"

So Ke Qing had already passed away. How could I have known? I'm not Bao Yu. I said sadly, "I was really confused!"
Xiren looked at me with a questioning gaze for a while and said, "Second Master Bao, it feels like you've slept
for years."

I confessed, "When I woke up this morning, I suddenly forgot some things. It was only after you told me, Sister, that I remembered. In the future, Sister,
you can often tell me about things in the manor. Also, to avoid worrying the Old Madam, this matter must not be known to anyone."

"Hmm!" Xiren responded.

"What matter must not be known to anyone?" Suddenly, a clear female voice came from outside the room, with a
slightly sour tone. I looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman walk past the green gauze curtain. A crimson cotton vest
was draped over her body, paired with a bright red jacket and skirt and a handkerchief, which made her look graceful and clever. Her appearance was slightly better than Xiren's.

I heard her sneer, "What is it that Second Master and Sister are hiding from everyone?" Her words were sharp and sarcastic, and
they hit Xiren hard.

Xi Ren hurriedly said, "No, it's nothing, it's just that Master Bao..."

I quickly interrupted Xi Ren, saying, "There's nothing to hide. I just discussed with Xi Ren that I'm
being lazy so no one will know, lest Mother scolds me." Actually, I wasn't afraid of Qing Wen.
Xi Ren was kind and honest, while Qing Wen was clever. I said this just so as not to put Xi Ren in a difficult position. Compared to Xi Ren, Qing Wen
should be better at keeping secrets.

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