Chapter Three: The Fiery Maid Qingwen!

Shi Yi was still somewhat confused and was about to speak up to stop them. After all, he had come today especially to see Daiyu—how could he spare the time to join that Jia Zhen in his senseless revelry?

Just then, Jia Lian chuckled amiably and stepped closer, saying, “Brother Yi, look at this—no sooner have we arrived at the gates than Brother Zhen is already impatiently sending people to wait for us. That’s the sort of camaraderie we brothers share. If it were outsiders, they’d never be treated so.”

“Uh... camaraderie?” Shi Yi was caught off guard. His memories were still scattered, and upon hearing Jia Lian’s words, he couldn’t help but wonder what on earth the original owner of his body used to get up to with these people.

Yet he’d only agreed to come along as a temporary measure. His main purpose today was to see Lin Daiyu; no matter what, he shouldn’t waste this golden opportunity drinking and carousing with the others.

After a moment’s thought, he found an excuse and said, “Second Brother Lian, let’s gather another day. Today I finally have a chance to come out—I really ought to visit Grandmother first.”

Jia Lian paused at that, then laughed and waved his hand. “No need to worry, Brother Yi. Grandmother has been longing for this day, and now that Cousin Lin has finally arrived, she’ll certainly want a heartfelt reunion. There won’t be much room for you to stay around then.”

His candid words, upon closer consideration, were not without reason, and Shi Yi was a bit surprised. In just a few exchanges, they had already reached the back street of Ning Mansion, and he was still searching for another polite way to refuse.

Jia Lian glanced at him meaningfully, then tugged the reins to the left, drawing their horses closer together.

He clapped Shi Yi on the shoulder and lowered his voice, “Brother Yi, didn’t you ask me the other day to introduce you to some business? There are a few merchants from the south here today, especially seeking out Brother Zhen for a collaboration. Isn’t this a perfect opportunity?”

“There’s such a thing?”

Shi Yi was taken aback, glancing over doubtfully at Jia Lian, who gazed back with those sincere, alluring eyes—though there was something sly in them. Shi Yi involuntarily shivered, goosebumps rising on his skin.

He suddenly remembered that in the original novel, Jia Lian was considered quite the libertine. A wave of revulsion came over him, and he brusquely shoved Jia Lian’s hand away.

Jia Lian only laughed heartily, unfazed.

By now, they had reached the rear entrance of Ning Mansion, and Shi Yi could hardly insist on refusing any further, so he dismounted and followed them in.

At this time, the main hall of the Tianxiang Pavilion was resplendently set for a banquet. A red carpet adorned the floor before the tables, and a few opera singers were already singing in lilting voices.

Jia Zhen and two portly merchants in brocade robes lounged at the table, each with a coquettish woman draped over his arm. The fat merchants groped the seductive women with one hand while puffing on long brass pipes with the other, occasionally pressing a smoky kiss on the women’s lips.

The mingled scents of tobacco and perfume filled the air, making the women giggle and pout. The entire hall was steeped in decadent merriment, flirtatious laughter blending with the strains of opera.

Jia Lian, utterly familiar with the place, led Shi Yi straight inside. The maids waiting downstairs didn’t so much as bat an eye—he clearly came here often and was treated as if he were in his own home, making his way unimpeded to the second floor.

Jia Lian stepped forward and greeted with a cupped-fist salute, “Brother Zhen!”

“Brother Lian, Brother Yi?—Come, come, take your seats. The show’s already started, and we’re just waiting for you two.” Jia Zhen beamed and rose to welcome them.

Shi Yi barely set foot in the hall before his brows knitted in distaste. The pungent mixture of smoke, wine, and heavy perfume assaulted his nostrils, making him queasy.

Jia Lian, for his part, seemed used to it, sliding into his seat with practiced ease, immediately pulling a serving maid into his lap and making free with her.

Shi Yi, however, took the opportunity to study those at the table. He recognized Jia Zhen at once, but as for the two greasy, gold-bedecked fatties, he guessed they must be the southern merchants Jia Lian had mentioned.

Yet they hardly looked like businessmen at all.

Just as he was pondering this, a heavily made-up woman slipped habitually into his lap, pouting, “Master Yi, you’ve finally come. I’ve been longing (aching) for you these days.” With that, she tried to guide his hand to her chest.

“Get away!” Shi Yi’s face darkened, and he stood up, shoving her off. With a squeal, the woman crashed to the floor, staring up at him in shock—the coldness in his eyes made her feel as if she were facing a stranger.

Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and the two merchants were all startled by this outburst.

Jia Zhen glanced at the dazed woman on the ground, then at Shi Yi’s gloomy expression, his eyes flickering.

He stepped forward, pulling Shi Yi back to his seat with a forced smile. “Brother Yi, are you tired of this one? No matter, Brother Zhen will find you another. You must eat and drink your fill before we talk business, right?”

At this, the two fat merchants burst into laughter.

Jia Lian also gave a knowing smile. “Brother Yi, I had to persuade you to come, and now you’re finally interested? Never mind, I’ll let you have this one—let’s get back to our fun and drinking.” As he said this, he shoved the woman on his lap toward Shi Yi.

“No need!” Shi Yi frowned, suppressing his disgust. He stood, cupped his hands, and said, “Brother Zhen, I only came because Second Brother Lian said there was business to discuss. I didn’t expect... this. If there’s nothing serious to attend to, you’ll have to excuse me.” I’ve no interest in wasting time with you lot.

He truly couldn’t endure such a repugnant atmosphere any longer. Without waiting for a reply, he turned on his heel and strode out.

“Brother Yi! Brother Yi!” Jia Lian called after him, startled, then hurriedly tried to rise and follow.

But Jia Zhen caught him with a mocking sneer, holding him back. “Forget it, Brother Lian. Let’s carry on with our discussion.”

“But...” Jia Lian hesitated, wanting to say more, but Jia Zhen’s cold glare stopped him.

In a low voice Jia Zhen said, “You shouldn’t have brought him here today. Can’t you see he’s not one of us anymore?”

“Brother Zhen, what do you mean?” Jia Lian asked in surprise.

Jia Zhen held his gaze for a long moment, then his expression suddenly softened and he smiled. “Old Master asked you here to talk business, and yet you invited Brother Yi—why? You know as well as I he has no capital to invest.”

Jia Lian, seeing the sense in this, shook his head with a helpless sigh. “Ah, forget it! I didn’t think it through.”

...

Once outside Ning Mansion, Shi Yi drew a deep breath of fresh air, instantly feeling much better. He mounted his horse, turned its head, and set off for Rong Mansion.

“Master Yi, you’re here!” The footman at the gate of Rong Mansion grinned and hurried forward to take his reins.

Shi Yi dismounted without a word and strode in through the western side gate. The servants and maids he passed all greeted him respectfully.

His forceful stride drew no particular attention; no one came to meet him or announced his arrival—he was treated as if he were one of the household, so accustomed were they to his presence.

Two quarters of an hour earlier, Daiyu’s sedan had already entered through the west gate, heading straight for the old lady’s quarters.

Shi Yi likewise went in through the side gate, down the covered walk, and soon arrived before the Chuihua Gate. The two old women guarding the door bowed to him and let him pass, and he made his way unimpeded through another corridor to the spacious courtyard before Rongqing Hall, the old matron’s bedchamber.

Corridors flanked both sides, and as Shi Yi stepped into the courtyard, he saw several young maids in brightly colored dresses sitting on the terrace, whispering and laughing together.

When they saw him, they quickly stood to greet him. One of them turned and hurried inside to announce his arrival.

Shi Yi paused, then skirted the left corridor to stand beneath the window of Rongqing Hall, peering in.

He was eager to see if that round-faced fellow was inside as well.

His plan had been to get there first, to claim the privilege of meeting Lin Daiyu before anyone else.

But the detour to Ning Mansion had delayed him considerably.

He only knew the general outline of Dream of the Red Chamber; the finer details, he’d long since forgotten.

“Please, sir, would you move aside? You’re blocking my way—I need to feed the birds!”

Lost in thought, Shi Yi was startled by a melodious girl’s voice behind him.

He turned, puzzled, and was taken aback.

Standing before him was a strikingly pretty maid, her delicate features framed by clever eyes, her figure tall and willowy, with slim shoulders and a slender waist.

He clearly remembered her from his frequent visits to the Jia residence—the old matron’s maids were all familiar to him, and this one was the most unforgettable of all. Who else could she be but Qingwen?

“You usually avoid me—you’re afraid of me—so what makes you so bold today?” Shi Yi said with a faint smile, studying her fine, dewy face.

A blush flickered across Qingwen’s cheeks. She shot him a glare, then pouted, “I’m just a little maidservant—how could I dare be bold with you?” With that, she lowered her head, skirted past him, and went to the birdcages hanging under the eaves.

Her spirit was as lively as ever—such was Qingwen’s distinctive character.

Shi Yi’s lips curled in amusement as he watched her slender figure, thinking to himself, “What a pity—a servant’s fate in a mistress’s body.”

Soon another slender maid, with a delicate oval face and dressed in a rose-red short jacket and a long flower-embroidered vest, lifted the curtain and came out to say, “Master Yi, the old lady invites you in.”