The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 103 Mrs. Lin Has Someone in Her Heart

A strong sense of disgust and powerlessness instantly gripped her, making her feel that the world was truly a place where everyone pushes a wall when it's down and beats a broken drum when it's broken.

She was upset and felt a tightness in her chest; she just wanted some peace and quiet and didn't want to see anyone.

But the words "there is a way to solve the current predicament of your household" were like a faint firefly drifting in the darkness, giving her a jolt.

Knowing the odds were slim, a fighting spirit involuntarily arose in her withered heart.

What if... what if there really is a turning point?

"That's enough!" Mrs. Lin sighed heavily, her face revealing her exhaustion and haggardness. She waved her hand, her voice hoarse, "Please...please let her in." Her tone was strained, as if even the word "please" had exhausted her last bit of strength.

Li Guijie gracefully entered and greeted Madam Lin with a deep bow, saying, "May Madam be blessed with good health and happiness! It's been so long since I last saw you. You look so thin! I suppose you've been overworked with many affairs at home." Her almond-shaped eyes, however, darted around Madam Lin's face, noticing her worried and weary expression. She also secretly glanced at Madam Lin's attire.

People in the world of pleasure have such sharp eyes that they can tell where the satin came from just by looking at your clothes, how new or old it is just by looking at the pattern, and what your social standing is just by looking at your clothes!
Seeing that the pattern on Mrs. Lin's clothes was still the old Hangzhou satin style, and the cuffs were old and patched, he was delighted and felt that the task that Master Ximen had entrusted to him had been accomplished.

Mrs. Lin forced herself to offer her seat and sighed, "Miss Gui, as you know, our family has suffered a misfortune, an undeserved calamity. Those damned scoundrels block the door every day, spewing foul language and shouting threats of violence!"

"They say my son stole the Ximen family's treasure to patronize prostitutes, and that he owes gambling debts in the capital! My son has always been obedient and filial, and he studies diligently and makes progress. How could he patronize prostitutes, owe gambling debts, or steal? The Wang family has been a family of high-ranking officials for generations. We have never suffered such filth!"

Li Guijie said in a low voice, "I've heard some of your grievances, Madam. I won't say any of those empty flattering words today! I've come today to bring you the antidote!"

Mrs. Lin was taken aback by her sudden bluntness. She subconsciously clenched the slightly frayed brocade at her cuff and forced herself to remain calm, saying, "Antidote...? Miss Gui, I don't understand what you mean."

"Oh dear, my lady!" Li Guijie curled her lip. "That 'chaotic dance of demons' in front of your mansion, with its deafening gongs and drums, was heard throughout half of Qinghe County! If they come again tomorrow to block the gate of the dignified Zhaoxuan Prefecture and the third-rank imperial lady, shouting and cursing, and if we don't give them what they want, they'll block the gate for a whole day. That feeling... is probably not as good as swallowing a fly, is it?"

Mrs. Lin's body trembled slightly as she recalled the outrageous insults and deafening banging on the door not long ago, as if she were back in that nightmarish moment. She could almost see her son trembling and utterly pathetic before her eyes.

Seeing Mrs. Lin's expression, Li Guijie knew the time was right and revealed her true colors: "Madam, tell me, besides Master Ximen, who else in Qinghe County can clean up this mess for you, this humiliation that is beyond measure? Who else dares to clean up this mess for you?"

Mrs. Lin's heart pounded wildly, but she forced herself to remain calm: "You...you should explain yourself more clearly!"

Seeing that the time was right, Sister Gui simply dropped the pretense, her face plastered with utmost sincerity: "Madam! I truly care about you. In this world, widows often face gossip and trouble, especially with such a large family fortune and a young official like you. Without a strong backer, even a piece of fat meat would attract a bite."

"Today it's a ruffian demanding a debt, who knows what trouble he'll cause tomorrow! I, Master Ximen, have some respect and pity for you, Madam. If you're willing to humble yourself and offer a way out, and we can establish this marriage, not only will the ruffians at our door disappear in an instant, but you'll also have a secure future for Sanguan'er and support in your later years."

She paused, noticing Mrs. Lin's ever-changing expression, and added fuel to the fire:

"Madam, your chastity and virtue are known to all; you are a living Bodhisattva. But even a Bodhisattva needs a Vajra protector, right? Master Ximen is that Vajra protector! Just think about it, he's clinging to that empty reputation, listening to hooligans cursing in the streets every day, living in fear, and not even daring to leave the house?"

"Isn't it better to find a powerful patron to rely on, ensuring a stable, wealthy, and prestigious life, so that even the Third Master will be looked up to? With your wisdom, Madam, do I, a fool, need to pry into the implications? As the saying goes, 'A favorable wind makes for a smooth journey, but a headwind makes for a difficult one.' Madam, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Li Guijie's words were like a sudden awakening, yet also like boiling oil poured on her heart. At first, Mrs. Lin found them harsh and unbearable, her face burning with embarrassment, but as she listened, every word—"rascal," "cursing," "fearful"—hit her sore spot.

And the concepts of "backing," "future prospects," and "wealth and honor" are like honey, seeping into the heart bit by bit.

She twirled the prayer beads in her hand, her knuckles turning white, her heart teetering between the ideals of "chastity" and "peace and wealth." Her other hand gripped the handkerchief tightly.

Her heart was like a peach scratched by a cat's claws in the sweltering heat of summer, both itchy and tingling, with juice about to spill out. Yet, she insisted on maintaining the dignified image of a noblewoman, forcibly wrapping her burning desire in a layer of icy reserve.

The scene of that fleeting glimpse of Ximen Qing at the temple fair immediately flashed before my eyes: a tall and imposing figure, with long arms and a slender waist. His face, though not that of a pale-faced scholar, was angular and well-defined, with eyes beneath thick eyebrows that held a captivating charm.

Mrs. Lin felt a surge of heat rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and she hurriedly lowered her eyes. Now, with Sister Gui's reminder, the image became even clearer.

She couldn't help but recall the long, sleepless nights she had spent tossing and turning, accompanied only by the cold brocade quilts and curtains, the dripping of the copper water clock making her restless and uneasy.

Countless sleepless nights, listening to the insects chirping outside the window, gazing at my still-attractive face in the mirror, the emptiness seeping from the very marrow of my bones, like countless tiny insects gnawing at me, I longed... I longed for a strong, masculine man to fill this boundless loneliness!
But the thought was quickly suppressed by the words "Third-Rank Imperial Concubine". Thinking of this, Mrs. Lin's face became even more tense, and her fingers gripped the piping on her cuffs so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

She turned slightly to the side, only giving Gui Jie a half-hidden profile. Her full breasts heaved violently due to her turbulent emotions. Underneath her thin, plain spring dress, the outline of her pomegranate-red bodice, embroidered with mandarin duck wings, was faintly visible.

She deliberately lowered her voice: "Gui-jie, stop... stop talking nonsense! I... I may be a widow, but I was granted an imperial title! The four characters 'chaste, virtuous, and gentle' written in vermilion ink on that golden book are enshrined in the ancestral hall, and our ancestors and spirits are watching! 'Starving to death is a small matter, but losing one's chastity is a huge matter'! This... this word 'remarriage' must never be mentioned!"

"If people find out and report me to the authorities, I'll lose my official robes in an instant, and I'll have to suffer that...that disciplinary rod! Wouldn't that make the three officials lose face too?"

The handkerchief was pressed gently against her chest, as if to suppress the plumpness that seemed about to burst forth, about to betray her and fall into the hands of another.

Li Guijie was a clever and perceptive woman. Having grown up in the world of romance, she had long understood Mrs. Lin's desire to "have her cake and eat it too."

Seeing that she clearly had "rejection" on her lips and "welcome" etched in her heart, and that her body was telling "I am willing" in every way, she insisted on using the law and her ancestors to weave a robe to cover her shame.

She first feigned surprise with an "Eh," then burst into laughter, a crisp, bright laugh with a hint of mischief, making her laugh so hard she trembled.

"Oh dear! My good wife! You're thinking way too far ahead! Who said you should remarry? That would only tarnish your reputation! My Mr. Ximen is a man of unparalleled dignity, and he deeply respects a chaste lady like you!"

"He has a kind heart, and he saw that San Guan'er was born with the appearance of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, a promising young man, but unfortunately lacked the support of his father. That's why he took pity on him and wanted to take a step up and become his godfather! He wanted San Guan'er to become his adopted son!"

"How could Madam ever think of remarrying... Tsk tsk tsk, it's really... completely unrelated! You, hehehe, are overthinking it!"

"Hehehe!"

The words "adopted son" and the "hehehe" laughter were like a red-hot branding iron, scalding Mrs. Lin's heart with a "sizzle"!
(End of this chapter)