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

Chapter 8 A good wife at home
She didn't look at Wang Xifeng; her gaze passed over Ximen Da Guanren's shoulder and landed in the direction of the mansion gate. Her cherry lips moved silently and very quickly, the shapes of her mouth as distinct as if carved by a knife.
"Qinghe County is looking for you for treatment!"

cure?

Ximen Da Guanren was taken aback.

What illness did Qin Keqing have?

He could only bow and clasp his hands in a respectful manner to Wang Xifeng, saying, "Don't worry, Madam! Master Ximen will certainly serve you with utmost loyalty!"

However, the phrase "to serve like a dog or a horse" had not yet been uttered.

But he looked toward Qin Keqing.

In response.

Qin Keqing felt that gaze was burning hot, like a red-hot iron branding her face all the way to her heart. She shuddered and her pink cheeks flushed instantly!

She hurriedly lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

Wang Xifeng was immersed in the fear of the pain recurring, and only felt that Master Ximen's words were sincere. How could she catch the storm raging right under her nose?
"Thank you so much, sir!" Wang Xifeng forced a smile.

"Farewell!" Master Ximen did not linger any longer, turned around briskly, and strode out of the two heavy, vermilion gates with beast-head designs.

The moment I stepped out the door.

The rich and luxurious atmosphere inside the Jia mansion was largely dissipated by the evening breeze on the street.

Master Ximen squinted and looked towards the old elm tree with its gnarled branches beside the mansion—

really!

His personal servant, Dai'an, was leaning crookedly against the tree trunk, holding a riding whip in his arms.

Its little head bobbed up and down like a chick pecking at rice, glistening drool hung from the corner of its mouth, and its snoring was deafening!
The plump, sturdy blue horse snorted impatiently, its hooves pawing restlessly at the loose soil on the ground.

Ximen Da Guanren rushed over in three steps, aimed at Dai An's protruding fleshy buttocks, picked up his whip, and delivered a fierce "crack" with the whip handle!

"It's not late yet, are you incubating eggs? Get up now!"

Dai'an let out a miserable howl, clutched his buttocks, and bounced high into the air, instantly waking up!
He opened his sleepy, gleaming green bean eyes, and upon recognizing his master, he was filled with a mixture of pain, fear, and grievance: "Father! You've finally come out! I... I thought you were going to be having a good time in that luxurious bedchamber tonight..."

"Bullshit!" Master Ximen leaped onto his horse, then kicked Dai'an, who was still rubbing his backside, in annoyance. "What are you doing, huh? Get back!"

He mounted his horse and gave it a sharp jerk. The steed let out a long neigh and carried him into the deepening night of the city.

Dai'an, clutching his burning backside, limped onto the donkey beside him, muttering under his breath, "So what if you're going back... You didn't lose out on this trip anyway. Look at that beaming face, you've probably already tasted that 'pleasure'..."

He stole a glance at Master Ximen's dashing figure on horseback, then clicked his tongue and added, "Master Ximen's prestige... this time it's going to resound throughout the four great families of the capital!"

The child's mutterings mingled with the clatter of hooves, dissipating into the cool autumn night air of the capital.

Meanwhile, Ximen Qing rode at breakneck speed, leaving behind all the chaotic and decadent atmosphere of the Jia family, the silent and fleeting glimpse of Qin Keqing, the gloomy and miserable atmosphere under Wang Xifeng's plump buttocks, and even the servant Dai'an's complaints after being whipped, all in the dust kicked up by his horse's hooves.

By the time they reached Qinghe County, it was already late at night.

From afar, one can see the grand gate of one's own mansion located on Lion Street in the center of the county town, with red lacquered lanterns hanging high, reflecting the three golden characters "Ximen Mansion".

Only then did the restlessness in his heart, stirred up by the capital city and mixed with a mixture of pride and lust, subside a little.

The horses' hooves clattered on the bluestone pavement, and sharp-eyed family members opened the gate.

Ximen Qing dismounted, haphazardly tossed the reins to another servant, Laiwang, who came running up to him. Without asking about the situation at home, he strode through the three courtyards and headed straight for the main house in the back.

Dai'an followed closely behind, baring his teeth.

The house was quiet, but the main room was lit. The curtain of the small Buddhist shrine in the west wing was half-rolled up, letting in warm yellow candlelight and a faint scent of sandalwood.

Ximen Qing lifted the curtain and went in, where he saw his wife Wu Yueniang, who was dressed in a simple navy blue soft silk jacket with a white silk skirt. She had just finished her evening prayers in front of the gold-inlaid Maitreya Buddha statue and was now getting up from the prayer mat with her plump body.

The candlelight was soft and warm.

The light made the woman appear even more fleshy and soft.

She had an oval face, perfectly proportioned, and while not stunningly beautiful, her skin and flesh were plump and lustrous, giving her a blessed appearance.

Her cheeks were soft and white, like freshly steamed snowflake cake. She had delicate eyebrows and eyes, and her lips were naturally slightly upturned, making her look very kind.

Although her neck was not very long, it was round and full, and its high peaks were faintly visible beneath the high collar of her gown.

Her movements revealed the unique, weighty charm of a mature woman.

Compared to the group of beautiful women in the Tianxiang Pavilion of the Jia Mansion, who were all covered in perfume and sweat, this was truly flawless white jade and pure dew, possessing a unique, simple, and profound charm.

He coughed lightly and stepped inside.

Hearing the noise, Wu Yueniang paused in her bead-pinching motion and slowly opened her eyes.

There was little surprise in her eyes, only her usual gentle tranquility.

She put down her prayer beads, stood up, and gave Ximen Qing a slight curtsy.
"My lord is back. It's already so late. Was the journey safe? Have you had dinner yet? There's still some ginseng soup warming on the stove."

The voice was soft and calm.

Ximen Da Guanren hurriedly stepped forward to help him up, and then sat down on the rosewood chair next to the offering table. He poured himself a cup of warm tea from the table and gulped it down.

He finally caught his breath.

"Don't worry, don't worry! It was just that Brother Zhen from Ningguo Mansion invited me to a banquet, and I drank a few too many cups. The wind was blowing hard on the way back, and I'm a little tipsy."

"I encountered a patient with an acute illness during the meal, and I hastily used a family remedy, which exhausted me and made me return late."

This was half true and half false, but it was a pre-planned explanation.

Moon Lady smiled and said, "My lord, you've worked hard. Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda; it's always a virtuous deed. But if it takes so much energy, you should be more careful next time. I'll have the maid make a calming soup for you."

Having said that, he was about to get up and call someone.

"Wait a minute, it's late! Why are you calling them?" Master Ximen was furious.

He grabbed Wu Yueniang around the waist and carried her into the inner room.

"My husband and I are doing what we should do as a couple."

Wu Yueniang was somewhat surprised.

Although my husband and I have treated each other with respect over the years, we no longer have that feeling of being inseparable.

It's been so many years since we've had sex.

Her husband was a womanizer, often returning home late at night after drinking with women.

He had long been devoted to Buddhism and lived and ate in the Buddhist hall.

Suddenly, Ximen Da Guanren carried him in his arms and carried him into the inner hall, leaving him somewhat bewildered.

(End of this chapter)