Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Xifeng cursed inwardly, "This old fox is truly calculating!" She maintained a smile on the surface and responded, "Aunt, our Lin family's wealth didn't come out of thin air. Besides, this villa was originally built to welcome your Jia family's queen, so the Jia family should have borne the expenses. If you're truly short of funds, why not build it smaller? Furthermore, His Majesty has shown mercy, requiring only capable individuals to build the villa. If funds are insufficient, the existing house can be renovated. As long as the intention is there, I believe His Majesty and the queen won't be too critical."

Mrs. Wang's face instantly darkened. She had never expected Xifeng to reject her request so decisively. With a cold snort, she said, "Since you're unwilling to help, the future glory of the Empress will have nothing to do with you. You'd better be careful about your Lin Ruhai's official position!" She glared at Xifeng angrily, waiting for her to yield.

Xifeng said speechlessly, "Aunt, are you mistaken? Your wife is a concubine in the harem, and Lin Ruhai was an important official in the previous dynasty. Women in the harem cannot interfere in government affairs. And how could the current emperor, who is wise and wise, wrongly accuse a loyal minister because of the gossip of a concubine?"

After hearing what Xifeng said, Mrs. Wang was so angry that her face turned ashen, her lips trembled and she couldn't speak. She stared at Xifeng with wide eyes, as if she wanted to eat her alive.

At this time, Jia Baoyu suddenly interrupted and said, "Sister Feng is right! Madam, please don't make things difficult for Sister Feng." He looked at everyone with an innocent face, his eyes clear and bright, as if he was full of curiosity and kindness about the world.

When Mrs. Wang heard this, her eyes widened and she glared at Baoyu fiercely, her heart filled with dissatisfaction. She wanted to scold Baoyu, but before she could open her mouth, Xifeng interrupted her with a smile.

Xifeng smiled slightly, a hint of cunning flashed in her eyes, and she said in a soft voice: "Brother Bao is sensible. No wonder Old Lady Jia loves you the most!" Her voice was crisp and pleasant, with a bit of coquettishness, which made people couldn't help but like him.

When Jia Baoyu heard Xifeng praising him, he couldn't help feeling a little proud. Just as he was about to say something in response, Mrs. Wang took the lead and said, "Baoyu, if you keep talking nonsense, be careful that your father will check your studies." This sentence was like a basin of cold water poured on Jia Baoyu's head, making him sober up instantly.

When Jia Baoyu heard this, his face turned pale. Thinking of his father's stern face and the heavy workload, he shuddered and trembled, rubbing his buttocks. He lowered his head, not daring to look at anyone. His pitiful appearance made people feel pity.

Seeing this, Mrs. Wang grew increasingly furious, but she was helpless. She knew that she and Wang Xifeng had finally fallen out today, and she had to get the money from here. She was the mother of the Empress in the palace, and only when the Empress was well could she and Baoyu be well. Suddenly, her eyes rolled and she said, "Feng'er! Why don't you see your Jiaojiao? I've loved that child since I first saw her. Now Daiyu is alone in our Jia family without any brothers or sisters to accompany her, and she often feels lonely. Why not send Jiaojiao over to play with her for a few days?"

Xifeng sneered inwardly after hearing Mrs. Wang's words. Her aunt was truly calculating. Did she really think she was a fool? But outwardly, she remained calm and replied, "Aunt, it's kind of her, but Jiaojiao is still young and needs someone to take care of her. She also has homework to do, so it's really inconvenient for her to go elsewhere."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's face darkened and she said in dissatisfaction, "What do you mean? Are you afraid that I'll suffer a loss for Jiaojiao?"

Xifeng quickly smiled and apologized, "Aunt, what are you saying? You naturally have good intentions towards Jiaojiao, but Jiaojiao has been spoiled by us since she was a child and has a stubborn temper. If she offends you in any way, it will be my fault."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang was furious. She thought Wang Xifeng was deliberately shirking her responsibility and didn't want Jiaojiao to go to the Jia Mansion at all. So, she sighed in mock resignation and said, "If that's the case, then so be it. But I see Daiyu is so lonely and helpless in the Jia Mansion. It's really pitiful. Why not let Jiaojiao stay with her more, so she can have some companionship?"

After hearing this, Xifeng sneered inwardly. This old woman really would not give up until she achieved her goal! However, she couldn't refuse directly. After all, Mrs. Wang was also an elder. So she said tactfully, "Aunt, you are absolutely right. It's just that Jiaojiao is still young and naive. I'm afraid she can't take good care of Sister Daiyu. Besides, Daiyu is the granddaughter of Old Lady Jia. You have many sisters in your family. I believe she must be living a very happy life."

Mrs. Wang was somewhat displeased and dissatisfied after hearing Xifeng's words, but she also knew that if she continued to force her demands, it would probably make their relationship even more rigid and tense. Therefore, she chose to remain silent, only secretly cursing Wang Xifeng in her heart. After all, for her, money was the most important thing.

Mrs. Wang had always been a person without rules. She followed up on Xifeng's topic and said, "The sisters in our Jia family get along very well, as you should know. Besides, your two children are stuck at home, unable to leave. And since you're about to give birth, why don't you stay with us for a while so that everyone can look after you? Our children are all very talented and knowledgeable, and we often organize poetry clubs together!"

Upon hearing this, Xifeng's lips curled up slightly. She neither readily agreed nor directly refused. She smiled and replied, "Aunt, you're absolutely right. Of course I believe everything you say is true. Your family's poetry club is so popular, and if I had the chance, I would definitely go and join in the fun. Unfortunately, I've been getting heavier lately, so it's not convenient for me to go out. I'll visit you after I give birth. I heard that the poems written by your daughters are very popular among the scholars in the capital. They have become the topic of conversation after dinner! Some people even like them from time to time! I don't know who spread these poems."

At this time, Jia Baoyu finally recovered from Mrs. Wang's threats. Hearing Xifeng's words, he immediately said with a smile: "Sister Feng, you also think that Sister Lin and the others write good poems! We really have a tacit understanding. I really hope that more people can see these good works. Then my previous efforts will not be in vain."

After hearing Jia Baoyu's words, everyone looked at him as if he were a fool, secretly thinking that it was really interesting. In today's world, it would be normal to share good articles, but in this feudal society, the writings of women in the boudoir could not be easily shown to outsiders.

When Mrs. Wang heard this, her heart tightened and she quickly changed the subject, fearing that Baoyu would say something shocking again. She said hastily, "Feng'er, after you give birth, you must bring Jiaojiao to join our poetry club. But how did these poems get out? If the master knew about it, I'm afraid he would be furious again."

Xifeng's eyes rolled, and with a sweet laugh, she replied, "Aunt, is there any need to guess? With so many servants in your house, perhaps one of the maids or servants was careless and accidentally leaked the news. However, this concerns the reputations of the young ladies, so Aunt, you must find a way to resolve this matter as soon as possible."

Mrs. Wang waved her hand nonchalantly and said with a smile, "Since it's already spread, let it be. Besides, those poems are indeed well written, so it wouldn't hurt to let more people appreciate them."

Seeing that Lady Wang was about to turn the topic to money again, Xifeng felt annoyed and really didn't want to waste any more time talking to her. So, she suddenly had an idea and shouted to the nanny next to her, "Nanny! My stomach hurts so much! I'm afraid I'm going to give birth!" After saying this, she deliberately frowned and kept complaining about the pain in her stomach.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Wang's face turned pale. She stared at Xifeng nervously, fearing something might have happened. After all, this was the Lin residence, and she couldn't bear the responsibility if something happened while asking Xifeng for the money. After much deliberation, Mrs. Wang gritted her teeth and decided it was best to leave. She pulled Baoyu up and hurriedly turned around and left, not even daring to look back.

Xifeng watched them depart, secretly breathing a sigh of relief. This farce was finally over, and she didn't want to be taken advantage of by Lady Wang. However, she also knew that this matter wouldn't end so easily. Given Lady Wang's character, she would definitely try to extort money from her again. Thinking of this, Xifeng couldn't help but frown. It seemed that she would have to be more cautious in the future and not let Lady Wang succeed again.

The nanny knew Xifeng was really about to give birth, and a look of joy appeared on her face. She asked with concern, "Madam, how do you feel? Do you need a sedan chair to carry you back?"

Xifeng frowned, felt her body condition, and then replied while suppressing the pain: "No, I can still hold on. Let's walk back slowly!" After that, she gently stroked her belly, her heart full of anticipation.

Then, Xifeng turned her head, looked at Baozhu firmly, and ordered: "Baozhu, go to the delivery room and check again carefully to make sure everything is ready. At the same time, ask them to prepare all the items needed for delivery." Baozhu nodded in agreement and quickly left the room.

Then, Xifeng said to another maid, "Go and inform the master and the old lady quickly, and tell them that I am about to give birth." The maid took the order and left, while Xifeng slowly walked towards the room with the support of the nanny.

With every step, Xifeng's stomach ached more, but she persisted, her forehead already covered with beads of sweat. Finally, they returned to the room. Xifeng lay on the bed, clutching the quilt tightly, her face as pale as paper.

Baozhu and the other maids were busy, some bringing hot water, some preparing clean towels, and some bringing some precious medicinal herbs. The whole room was filled with a tense and excited atmosphere.