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

Chapter 82 The Deceit and Intrigue of the Jia Family
The people inside coaxed him a few times before finally calming this troublemaker down.

After being coaxed and persuaded, Baoyu put the jade back down, his anger subsided considerably, but his eyes involuntarily darted left and right.

She looked at Baochai again, then at Daiyu.

The two of them turned away from him, ignoring him.

After a brief reunion, the group went to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia.

After meeting with Grandmother Jia.

Lady Wang then settled the Xue family members in Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

Although the courtyard is not very large, it is a detached house with about ten rooms, a front hall and a back house, and a small garden!
It has another gate that leads directly to the market. The servants and maids brought by the Xue family can come and go to buy things, or the Xue family can go out to do business. It is very cheap and there is no need to disturb the main gate and ceremonial gate of the Jia family.

There is a side gate in the southwest corner inside, which leads to the Rong Mansion, allowing for easy access.

Jia Zhen, from the neighboring Ning Mansion, was entertaining the Xue family at his own residence. Xue's mother and Baochai attended briefly and then left, leaving Xue Pan at the table.

Xue Pan stepped into this luxurious and indulgent world, his extravagant spending and undisguised love of pleasure perfectly suiting the tastes of Jia Zhen and his son Jia Rong. A banquet was laid out, laden with delicacies and fine wines. After a few cups, Xue Pan's boorish nature was unleashed like a wild horse, his words rife with vulgarity and jokes. Though crude and unpleasant to hear, his lively and entertaining manner drew continuous laughter from the guests.

As the wine flowed freely, Xue Pan pulled out some novelties and trinkets he had brought from Jinling—exquisite erotic paintings, Burmese bells for entertainment—and recounted strange and unusual tales he had "seen." He was especially animated about the "ins and outs" of brothels and theaters, his spittle flying everywhere, his eyes gleaming with lust, eager to reveal every pleasure of the pleasures of the world. He made no mention of the treasures he had obtained from Ximen Qing, which he planned to use to scare them and save face later.

Jia Zhen stroked a few strands of his beard and smiled with narrowed eyes as he listened; Jia Rong, on the other hand, was itching with desire, as if the romantic pleasures in those words could make up for his physical deficiencies. His eyes shone with a light, and he wished he could try it out for himself right away, but alas... he could only suppress it and put on an envious smile.

After the banquet, Xue Pan felt completely at ease in the Ning Mansion, becoming increasingly uninhibited and relaxed. Several like-minded people from the Rong Mansion joined him. Jia Zhen, enjoying the meal, patted Xue Pan's broad shoulder and said to everyone with a smile, "This young man from the Madam's family is a truly forthright and interesting hero! We must visit each other often in the future, and not be strangers!"

This was the token personally granted by the clan chief. From then on, Xue Pan became a frequent visitor to the Ning Mansion, spending his days with Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Rong, and others, engaging in cockfighting and dog racing, and gathering for drinking and revelry at night.

Meanwhile, things were bustling on this side.

After leaving her seat, Madam Xue went to Madam Wang's room.

Inside Madam Wang's room, wisps of tea smoke curled from a Ru ware celadon teacup on a rosewood kang table, while a faint fragrance of aloeswood wafted from a Boshan censer. Madam Xue sat regally in a huanghuali armchair, holding a teacup, her demeanor dignified. Madam Wang leaned against a cushion, dismissing those around her.

Madam Wang sighed softly, a long sigh carrying an unspeakable weariness and worry: "Only with your arrival have I felt a little more at ease. You don't know, this mansion, though seemingly prosperous and splendid, is like a fire burning with oil. Being in it, I often feel like I'm standing on thin ice, with no foothold." Madam Xue put down her teacup, leaned slightly forward, and showed concern: "Sister, I don't understand what you mean. You are the proper mistress of the house; everyone in the mansion respects you."

"Respect?" A faint, almost imperceptible chill appeared on Madam Wang's lips as her gaze fell on the rising steam of the tea. "The one who truly holds sway in this mansion is the Old Madam. Her word is law. I am but a servant, and many things... are ultimately beyond my control."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth rim of the cup. "Leaving aside everything else, just look at the people in Baoyu's room... The maids that the old lady personally assigned, especially the one named Qingwen, are clever and pretty, with a natural air of charm in her eyes. Who can't see through the old lady's intentions? She was prepared long ago to be placed in Baoyu's room."

Madam Xue understood, but on the surface she only offered words of comfort: "The old lady loves Baoyu dearly, so naturally she has thought things through. As the legal mother, it is naturally up to you to decide how to arrange things for him in the future."

Madam Wang picked up her teacup, gently skimming off the foam with elegant movements, but her tone was as calm as ice: "She's just a maidservant. No matter how clever she is, she's still a servant. The old lady's favor towards her is her good fortune, but if she loses her sense of duty and forgets where she belongs... the manor has its own rules and regulations, and it won't tolerate arrogance. I have my own ways to make sure she doesn't even know how she died." Her tone shifted, and a deeper layer of solemnity settled between her brows. "Qingwen is not a concern. The one who truly worries me... is Miss Lin."

"Miss Lin?" Madam Xue asked at the opportune moment.

Madam Wang put down her teacup, lowering her voice even further, with a cautious apprehension: "Sister, you may not know this. Miss Lin's father comes from a noble family. He is not only the Salt Commissioner personally appointed by the Emperor, wielding significant power over the salt affairs of Jiangnan, but he is also a graduate of both the Imperial Examinations, having once been the third-ranked scholar at the Qionglin Banquet! As the saying goes, 'The third-ranked scholar is the most talented and handsome among all beauties.' This third-ranked scholar is even rarer than the top scholar, a protégé of the Emperor, extremely noble, with limitless potential. With such a father, how could Miss Lin's status be ordinary?"

Upon hearing this, a genuine look of surprise flashed across Madam Xue's eyes, quickly turning into deep contemplation. She gently touched the corner of her lips with her handkerchief: "She's actually the daughter of a marquis, the third-ranked scholar! This... The old lady cherishes Miss Lin so much, keeping her by her side every day, could it be..."

"That's exactly what she meant!" Madam Wang interjected with a cold laugh. "The old lady's intentions are crystal clear. She's determined to strengthen the family ties by betrothing Miss Lin to Baoyu! The Lin family is of noble birth, and Lord Lin is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. If this really happens... it's hard to say who will be in charge of this household in the future."

She looked at Madam Xue with burning eyes: "So, only now that you've brought Miss Bao here have I truly felt at ease. I like Miss Bao from the bottom of my heart. She's dignified and generous, thoughtful in her actions, and well-mannered in her dealings with others. She has the natural bearing of a great family. These are the qualities that make her capable of managing a household and a perfect match for Bao Yu! The saying 'golden and jade' is no exaggeration. This is truly a match made in heaven!"

Madam Wang took a deep breath: "Regarding Qingwen's matter, I know what I'm doing. I'll make sure she understands her place and can't cause any trouble. She'll have her own life and death to live. As for Miss Lin..." She paused slightly, a faint yet chilling smile playing on her lips, her voice as soft as a whisper, "She's of noble status, so naturally we must respect and defer to her. But as time goes by, things are unpredictable... With your help here, we sisters can work together to find the most appropriate and beneficial path for Baoyu. I've already decided on this 'golden and jade marriage'."

Meeting Madam Wang's gaze, Madam Xue nodded slowly, her face showing deep agreement, and her words were full of solemnity: "Sister, your thinking is profound, and I admire you. It is Baochai's blessing to be valued so highly by you. Since my daughter and I are in the manor, we will naturally prioritize your and Baoyu's future. This 'golden and jade' match is destined by Heaven and will surely come to fruition."

After speaking, he merely frowned slightly, revealing a hint of deep thought and hesitation.

She set down her teacup, her fingertips lightly tracing the smooth sandalwood armrest, and carefully chose her words: "Sister's foresight is truly admirable. However, I still have some questions... Since Lord Lin enjoys the Emperor's favor, holds an important official position, comes from a noble family, and is a distinguished scholar, wouldn't this marriage, if it were to succeed, be... greatly beneficial to Baoyu's future and the Jia family's reputation?" She glanced at Madam Wang, a hint of barely perceptible probing in her eyes, "Why not..."

"Foolish sister!" Madam Wang abruptly interrupted Madam Xue before she could finish speaking. Her voice was not loud, and the usual gentle smile on her lips vanished without a trace, leaving only a cold pool in her eyes.

Madam Wang sat up straight, her demeanor still dignified, her gaze fixed firmly on Madam Xue: "You only see the Lin family's noble lineage, but have you ever considered that he is helping the Jia family, not our Wang family! How can the Wang family's foundation be placed on outsiders? Our foundation naturally lies with our eldest brother!"

Madam Xue's heart skipped a beat; the power represented by that name struck her like a hammer blow. Their eldest brother, Wang Ziteng, was the true backer of the Wang family!
(End of this chapter)