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

Page 10

Almost an hour later, the sedan chair was finally lowered to the ground. Someone outside gave a reminder, and then it was lifted up again. Gu Yu knew that she had entered the gate.

Time was too short, and he didn't even have time to see the plaque for the Rongguo Mansion mentioned in the book.

When the sedan chair landed again, the voices of a group of maids and servants could be heard from all around, and someone lifted a corner of the sedan curtain to invite him to get out.

As soon as Zhou Rui's wife helped Lin Daiyu out of the sedan chair, she was immediately struck by Daiyu's beauty and her face lit up with a smile.

He looked her up and down carefully, and secretly admired her, thinking, "What a dashing figure!"

Turning her head again, she saw Gu Yu getting out of the sedan chair and Xiang Ling beside her, and she gasped. Are the Lin family's genes really that strong?

Today, the young master of the Lin family is here, and he is so handsome! In the past, I thought that Master Bao was already one of the most handsome men in the world. Compared to him, he looks like a big plate!

Recalling what Grandmother Jia had said to her, Zhou Rui's wife smiled and said:

"Miss Lin, Young Master Lin, you must be tired from your journey. The old lady has been waiting for you."

Daiyu blinked and subconsciously turned to look at Gu Yu, but Gu Yu winked at her and stopped looking at her. Helpless, she could only turn back and whisper a few words in response.

The group passed through the hanging flower gate and around the large screen. Gu Yu matched each description with the original text, a rather novel experience.

In his previous life, when he was researching the Dream of the Red Chamber, he also visited the Grand View Garden and Rongning Street, which were built at that time. Unfortunately, the commercial atmosphere that filled the place made it difficult for him to immerse himself in the story, which only made him feel more and more regretful.

Now that he has the opportunity to "visit in person," he naturally wants to feast his eyes on it. Although it doesn't have the same charm as his own ancestral home, the sentimental element still keeps him interested.

After passing the three halls, you will see a large courtyard with five main rooms, carved beams and painted rafters. Various birds hang on the covered walkways on both sides, and several maids dressed in red and green are sitting on the rocky shore chatting.

Seeing Zhou Rui's wife leading a few people over, they knew the main person had arrived, and hurriedly went up to greet them with a smile: "The old lady was just talking about it, and it just so happens that you've arrived."

While lifting the curtain to let them in, they also announced that Miss Lin had arrived.

Daiyu walked ahead, and as soon as she entered the inner room, she saw two people helping an elderly woman with silver hair to greet her. She knew that this was her maternal grandmother.

Just as Daiyu was about to pay her respects, Grandmother Jia suddenly embraced her and cried out, "My darling!"

Overwhelmed by genuine emotion, everyone present was moved to tears. Even Gu Yu, who was standing at the corner and had been mentally prepared, couldn't help but tear up when she thought of Daiyu's tragic life.

After everyone had calmed her down, Daiyu finally paid her respects to Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia introduced her to her sisters-in-law and aunts, and then instructed her sisters to come and see Daiyu. After that, Grandmother Jia turned her attention to Gu Yu at the back.

Gu Yu bowed respectfully to Grandmother Jia. Lin Hai had already explained the affairs of the capital to him before he set off, so he naturally knew the intricacies of the matter.

In fact, the Jia family and the Gu family weren't entirely unrelated. If we're talking about the Jia family, Gu Yu could even call her "elder sister."

However, Gu Yu was naturally not that stupid. Ignoring Lin Hai's relationship, she went and pulled out a completely unrelated "sister" title from her father-in-law, Grandmother Jia, who was practically boneless. Was she just bored out of her mind?

Grandmother Jia smiled and helped him up, then led him to pay his respects to Lady Wang and others, becoming more and more satisfied with what he saw.

"Not only is she well-mannered and proper, but she's also good-looking. Although she doesn't look as blessed as my Baoyu, she's still very good-looking!"

If Gu Yu knew what she was thinking, he'd probably be slapping his face like a crooked dragon king. I'm so grateful to God that I wasn't born as 'blessed' as your Baoyu.

Then, Granny Wang, who had followed in, led Xueyan and Xiangling forward to pay their respects. Xiangling was initially a little flustered, but when she saw Gu Yu smiling at her from the front, she immediately felt at ease.

After learning that Xiangling was Gu Yu's maid, Grandmother Jia, seeing that the remaining two, one old and one young, might not be able to take care of Daiyu, gave her second-class maid, Yingge, to Daiyu and immediately renamed her Zijuan.

After the formalities were completed, Daiyu nestled in Grandmother Jia's arms, enjoying a moment of family time and chatting about Jia Min. Lady Wang personally led him to sit beside Daiyu so that Grandmother Jia could take care of him.

Gu Yu sat quietly to the side. Before long, she saw three or five maids and servants escorting the three sisters in.

Just as described in the book, she was a woman with slightly plump skin, a medium build, cheeks like fresh lychees, a nose like goose fat, gentle and silent, and approachable to behold.

She was a woman with slender shoulders and a narrow waist, a tall and graceful figure, an oval face, beautiful eyes and delicate eyebrows, a captivating gaze, and refined elegance that made her unforgettable.

There was another one, still quite small and adorable, though not yet fully grown. All three wore the same hairpins, skirts, and jewelry, making them a pleasing sight to behold.

Although the three had not yet fully matured, they already displayed remarkable talent, prompting Gu Yu to secretly admire them.

"Of all the beauty in the world, if we were to use a single bushel, the women of the Red Mansion over the past twenty years could account for eight-tenths of it!" He dared not speak too definitively, for fear of being struck back and losing out big time.

Daiyu quickly got up to greet them, and after exchanging pleasantries, they all returned to their seats.

When Tan Chun and the others saw a rather handsome little boy appear next to Grandmother Jia, they were quite surprised.

Gu Yu took the initiative to greet them and then sat down obediently. The three of them quickly returned the greeting before taking their seats.

The maids brought up the tea and then withdrew, their movements quite orderly, which earned Gu Yu's nod of approval.

The Jia family hadn't reached the point of what it would be ten years later, so not all the servants were that outrageous.

When the topic of Jia Min's funeral came up, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but hug Daiyu and cry again. It took a lot of comforting from everyone before she stopped.

Daiyu lowered her head to wipe away her tears, and looked up at Gu Yu somewhat embarrassedly. She thought Gu Yu would tease her for being a crybaby again, but to her surprise, Gu Yu's eyes were full of pity and comfort, which moved her deeply.

After crying twice in a row, Daiyu coughed a few times, and her sister-in-law Li Wan came forward to help her by patting her back.

Just as Li Wan was about to offer some words of comfort, she suddenly heard laughter coming closer and closer from outside the door, drawing everyone's attention.

Chapter Seventeen Wang Xifeng

"I'm late, I haven't been able to welcome my guests from afar," came the voice before the person even got close. Gu Yu's eyes lit up and she looked up.

Just as described in the book, her attire was different from that of the other girls, with dazzling and colorful embroidery, making her look like a goddess or fairy.

On her head she wore a gold-threaded, eight-treasure, pearl-encrusted bun, tied with a five-phoenix, pearl-dangling hairpin; around her neck she wore a red-gold, coiled-dragon necklace; at the hem of her skirt she wore a pea-green palace sash with two fish and rose pendants; on her body she wore a narrow-sleeved, bright red satin jacket embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, over which was a five-colored, carved-silk, dark blue, silver-fox fur coat, and below that a jade-green, flower-sprinkled crepe skirt.

She has almond-shaped eyes with triangular corners, and arched eyebrows that curve like willow leaves. She is slender and has a charming figure. Her face is fair and radiant, yet her presence is not overtly demure. Her smile precedes her words.

"What a fiery Feng!"

Gu Yu admired it in her heart, and got up with Daiyu, but did not go to the front, but just watched the show from the back.

Grandmother Jia then introduced the visitor to Daiyu as Wang Xifeng, the second sister-in-law of Lian. Wang Xifeng was truly eloquent, praising people and showing off her power in managing the household, which Gu Yu listened to with great interest.

Seeing that Daiyu was graceful yet timid, Wang Xifeng knew that she had some kind of deficiency, so she quickly asked a question, interrupting Li Wan.

When Daiyu saw everyone asking about this, she subconsciously glanced at Gu Yu, then remembered that she had happened to sleep with him when she was being treated. Feeling shy, she could only vaguely say that it was medicine prescribed by an old doctor.

At this moment, Madam Wang casually made a few sarcastic remarks to Wang Xifeng, and the rounds of witty banter were truly satisfying.

After the commotion over there was over, Wang Xifeng turned her attention to Gu Yu. As soon as she came in, she noticed the little girl sitting next to Grandmother Jia, who was as lovely as a porcelain doll.

Before Wang Xifeng could speak, Grandmother Jia, taking advantage of the presence of the key figures, reintroduced them:

“This is a good boy from your son-in-law’s family. Just call him Yu-ge’er. He’s only two months older than your sister Lin.”

“From now on, treat him as a proper master, just like Baoyu and the others. You sisters don’t need to be shy, just treat him like a brother.”

Grandmother Jia's words contained a hidden agenda, but no one knew it.

Wang Xifeng chuckled again and said, "I thought only the children of the old lady's family were handsome, but now that I see the Lin family's children, I realize that my Lin sister's beauty is not without reason!"

His eyes swept across the room, and he deliberately feigned injustice:

"It's a pity that the old lady is too stingy. She only cares about doting on her beloved granddaughter. I guess I'll have to spare two of them to serve my brother."

It turned out that she had seen several unfamiliar maids in the corner of the room, and when she arrived, she had heard that Grandmother Jia had given the parrot to Lin Daiyu.

Hearing that Grandmother Jia valued Gu Yu so highly, Wang Xifeng's heart stirred, and she asked a few words to test the waters.

Grandmother Jia rolled her eyes inwardly. She did want to make arrangements for Gu Yu, but after hearing some inside information from Lin Hai's confidant, would she still dare to put someone in there?

However, this hesitation led to a misunderstanding. An old woman following behind Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up, and she stepped forward and said:

"It must be that the old lady couldn't find a suitable person for the time being. It just so happens that I brought Qingwen over today. The old lady knows this child. She is very good at needlework and is also very beautiful. She is just what the old lady wants!"

Originally, she intended to present Qingwen to Grandmother Jia as a filial offering, but seeing how much Grandmother Jia and Wang Xifeng valued that young master, she was happy to come out and gain some goodwill.

“This…” Grandmother Jia subconsciously looked at Gu Yu, and seeing that he had no objection, she readily agreed and looked at Granny Lai with approval.

Granny Lai was overjoyed, knowing she had done the right thing. Without further ado, she immediately ordered her servants to fetch Qingwen.

After speaking, Grandmother Jia asked Daiyu to go with the two nannies to see her two uncles, and Madam Xing volunteered to go along.

Although she knew she wouldn't see anyone on this trip, Gu Yu insisted on going to visit out of courtesy, but was unexpectedly stopped by Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia glanced at Xiangling, whom Gu Yu had brought, who was still standing in the corner. After thinking for a moment, she asked Wang Xifeng if there were any vacant courtyards nearby.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yu quickly declined, saying, "What a joke! How could I feel comfortable living next to Grandmother Jia?"

Fortunately, there was no vacant land nearby. Seeing that Gu Yu was unwilling to stay next to her and not wanting to make it too obvious, Grandmother Jia asked Wang Xifeng to tidy up the Pear Fragrance Courtyard in the northeast corner so that Gu Yu could move in.

Pear Fragrance Courtyard will be the Xue family's residence when they go to the capital. Gu Yu also wants to see Xue Baochai, the pure and elegant scholar from the mountains.

Although he had taken Xiangling away beforehand, it didn't really affect the Xue family's trip to the capital, because their main purpose in going to the capital was to select a princess's companion.

However, Gu Yu probably didn't expect that, given Da Ba Wang's personality, although he managed to avoid the Feng family's young master, he would still kill someone in a fight over a woman a few days later, returning to the original storyline.

Gu Yu had no choice but to continue to decline: "I will be entering the Imperial Academy soon. Besides, Pear Fragrance Courtyard is where Rong Gong spends his retirement years. It occupies a considerable area. Why waste manpower for me, who can only stay there for less than two days a month? Wouldn't it be more convenient to just find a small courtyard in a street-facing location?"

Grandmother Jia tried to persuade him twice more, but seeing that Gu Yu was determined, she stopped insisting.

After asking Wang Xifeng, they learned that there was a small courtyard next to Lixiang Courtyard that had been uninhabited for three to five years, with seven or eight rooms in total. It wasn't too bad, so they instructed her to take Xiangling and the others down to tidy it up.

They happened to run into Qingwen on the way, so they simply took her along. Gu Yu waited for Daiyu to return, but never saw the lively, passionate, and charismatic Qingwen.

Upon seeing Daiyu arrive, Grandmother Jia instructed the servants to serve the meal.

Gu Yu's family consisted of only a few people. After going to the Lin family, she rarely saw her two concubines, except when the four of them ate together.

Therefore, it was still somewhat unusual for them to be served meals while Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and the other masters could only stand and wait on them.

Daiyu sat beside Grandmother Jia, noticing that many things were different from what she had seen at home, and she had originally planned to change them accordingly.

But when he looked at Gu Yu next to him, he saw that she was just going through the motions and was actually doing the same old thing. She just raised the teacup that was brought over and then put it down.

With Gu Yu taking the lead, Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief and followed suit, feeling much less pressure.

Wang Xifeng happened to be standing next to Daiyu and, noticing Daiyu's actions, quickly stepped forward and whispered with concern:

"Little sister, do you not like the tea at home? If there's anything you like, just tell me, no need to be polite."

Before Daiyu could come up with a reason, Gu Yu spoke up after hearing it:

"Lin Daiyu is not in good health. The old doctor has given special instructions that she should pay attention to her diet. He even brought several cooks from Suzhou for this purpose. Later, we will have to trouble Sister Feng to set up a kitchen in the courtyard."

Wang Xifeng was taken aback. Even if she brought a cook, he should have brought him to the back kitchen to cook together. Why did they need to set up a separate stove?

Moreover, as a guest, it would be somewhat disrespectful to expect special treatment on the very first day.

Wang Xifeng subconsciously looked at Grandmother Jia, who was seated at the head of the table. Unexpectedly, Grandmother Jia nodded slightly. Wang Xifeng was shocked and gained a new understanding of Gu Yu's status.

You should know that even though Baoyu was so favored, all he got was a few more old women to guard the kitchen and serve him!

Wang Xifeng agreed without showing any emotion. The meal was quickly finished, and then Grandmother Jia dismissed Madam Wang and the others, leaving only a few of the sisters to chat for a while.

As they had just discussed Jia Min's matter, Grandmother Jia inquired about Daiyu's studies.

Looking at her sisters, Daiyu wanted to be modest, but then she saw Gu Yu sitting to the side, and a strange feeling of not wanting to be outdone welled up inside her, so she answered honestly.

"He only studied the Four Books and learned some poetry."

During their time on the ship, when they had nothing to do, the two of them would read together and both gained a lot, feeling much more fulfilled. Daiyu's problem-solving skills were becoming increasingly difficult to surpass Gu Yu's.

When asked about the fact that the sisters only knew a few characters, Daiyu did not look down on them. She could tell from the three sisters' demeanor that Grandmother Jia was being modest, but she could also vaguely see Grandmother Jia's attitude towards her daughters' learning, so she let the matter pass.

Before he could finish speaking, footsteps were heard, and the maids came in laughing, "Baoyu is here!"

Daiyu couldn't help but recall what Lady Wang had told her before, and then she remembered the arguments Gu Yu had made on the boat. She happened to make eye contact with Gu Yu and looked at the newcomer with curiosity.

Chapter 18 Sleeping with Baoyu? No way!

He appeared to be a young gentleman, about the same age as Gu Yu: he wore a purple-gold crown with inlaid jewels, a gold headband with two dragons playing with a pearl, a bright red arrow-sleeved robe with two colors of gold butterflies and flowers, a long tasseled sash with colorful silk flowers, a dark blue brocade jacket with eight floral patterns and tassels, and light blue satin boots with pink soles.

His face was like the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, his complexion like the flowers at dawn in spring, his sideburns as if cut by a knife, his eyebrows as if painted with ink, his nose like a hanging gall, his eyes like autumn waves. Even when he was angry, he seemed to be smiling, and even when he glared at someone, he was affectionate.

Around her neck was a golden dragon-shaped tassel, and a five-colored silk ribbon tied to a beautiful jade.

Upon seeing him, Daiyu was startled, thinking to herself, "How strange! It's as if I've seen him somewhere before; he looks so familiar!"

Baoyu greeted Grandmother Jia, who then told him to go see his mother and then return.

Suddenly, Daiyu remembered what Gu Yu had said, and she breathed a sigh of relief. "So that's how it is!"

She didn't know what she was afraid of, but seeing Gu Yu next to her suddenly gave her a sense of security, and she quickly put the feeling she had just had out of her mind.

When Baoyu returned, he had changed his headdress and belt. The short hair around his head was now tied into small braids, tied with red silk, and gathered together at the top of his head from his baby hair. The braids were then made into a single large braid, black and shiny like lacquer, with four large beads strung from top to bottom, and adorned with a gold eight-treasure pendant.

She wore a worn, silver-red floral-patterned overcoat, still adorned with a necklace, jade pendant, a name-engraved lock, and amulet. Below, half-exposed were pine-green floral-patterned silk trousers, brocade-edged socks with ink-splashed edges, and thick-soled bright red shoes. This made her face appear even more powdered, her lips as if painted with rouge, her gaze full of affection, and her words like laughter.

If Gu Yu hadn't spent so much time with her from the beginning, Daiyu might have taken a second look at her. But Gu Yu, dressed simply in plain clothes, was able to rival Baoyu, who was dressed in red and green, in terms of appearance alone.

Considering the rumors surrounding the other party, Daiyu decided to simply deal with it casually and avoid associating with such纨绔子弟 (spoiled young men from wealthy families).

Wouldn't it be better to study with Gu Yu?! There are plenty of new and interesting things to make her happy, why bother with this frivolous girl?