Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

The women of the Wang family gathered together after dinner to chat. Madam Wang Er suddenly spoke to Wang Xifeng, saying, "Feng'er, although I don't know why you were given a marriage with Lin Ruhai, now that it has happened, you should live a good life. Before I came to Suzhou, your aunt came to me to inquire about the reason for your marriage. I want to tell you, never trust your aunt again. She has a very dark heart."

As Wang Xifeng listened to Madam Wang Er's words, memories of her past life surfaced. Back then, her second aunt had warned her to stay away from her eldest aunt, but she hadn't listened. She remembered the time when she was a guest at the Jia residence, her eldest aunt had someone push her into a pond, only to be rescued by Jia Lian. Normally, if the master forbade such talk, how could a servant dare to? Yet, in just half a day, rumors were circulating throughout the capital, leaving her second aunt so enraged that she hugged herself and cried bitterly.

Thinking of this, Wang Xifeng quickly responded, "Second Aunt, I understand. My eldest aunt always tells me how glorious the Jia family is and how good Jia Lian is. Whenever I refute her, she always gets a fierce look in her eyes, thinking I can't see it."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang Er said to Madam Wang Da, "Sister-in-law, have you told Feng Er about our family's troubles?"

Madam Wang said, "No, I thought he was an elder after all."

Madam Wang Er snorted and said, "What elder? You're grown up now, little girl Feng. Let me tell you why he's said to be so cruel. When your first and second aunts were still in the boudoir, it was your second aunt that the old lady of the Jia family chose when she came to propose marriage. Your second aunt was beautiful, sweet and innocent, and your grandmother doted on her, so she had no ulterior motives. But your first aunt was plain-looking, deep-minded, and calculating, so naturally, she wasn't favored by the old lady of the Jia family."

Wang Xifeng couldn't help but sigh after hearing this, "So that's how it is. No wonder the eldest aunt always harbors resentment towards the second aunt."

When the Jia family was about to arrange a marriage for your second aunt, the eldest son of the Xue family also approached to propose. Due to the close ties and mutual support among the four major families, they decided to marry your eldest aunt to him. However, your eldest aunt felt that the Xue family, as a merchant family, was of lower status and unworthy of her. Therefore, she ran to your grandparents and cried, saying that as the eldest daughter, she should have the first chance to choose her marriage.

Your grandparents loved her dearly, fearing to hurt her pride. They kept her in the dark about the Jia family's lack of interest, suggesting instead that the eldest son of the Xue family might be a good candidate. However, she had the audacity to push your second aunt into the water, deceiving him into rescuing her. Ultimately, he rescued her, sparking rumors of their sexual intimacy that spread throughout the capital. Desperate, your grandmother betrothed your second aunt to the eldest son of the Xue family. She personally visited the Jia family, offering apologies and promising valuables and connections. Only then did she secure a promise from the Jia family not to spread the story of the Wang family's eldest daughter pushing her younger sister into the water to compete for a man. Otherwise, the rumor would make it difficult for all the girls in the Wang family to find a husband.

Madam Wang Er continued, "That's not all. After your aunt married into the Jia family, she wasn't liked by her husband and mother-in-law. Meanwhile, your aunt's sister-in-law, the eldest lady of the Jia family, gave birth to a son, Jia Hu. Your aunt felt her position in the mansion was inferior to her sister-in-law, so she began to scheme. She first took advantage of the fact that the old lady of the Jia family favored Jia Zheng to sow discord between Madam Jia and the old lady, causing Madam Jia to feel resentful of her. Then she spread rumors in the mansion, saying that Madam Jia was disrespectful to her parents-in-law and wasn't on good terms with her sisters-in-law, damaging Madam Jia's reputation. Finally, she pushed Jia Hu into the lake and drowned him. She also poisoned Madam Jia's food and drink, causing Madam Jia's health to deteriorate and eventually she died in childbirth."

Wang Xifeng's eyes widened after hearing this, and she exclaimed in disbelief, "How could my aunt do such a thing? It's horrible!"

Madam Wang Er nodded and said, "Yes, that's why we say she's ruthless. Now you understand why you can't believe her, right?"

Wang Xifeng nodded, secretly thanking herself for not trusting her aunt, as the consequences would have been disastrous. At the same time, she felt anger and disgust at her aunt's behavior and decided to be wary of her in the future. "I never thought my aunt would be such a person," Wang Xifeng said indignantly.

"Fortunately, you now know her true identity. Stay away from her in the future." Mrs. Wang Er advised.

"Okay, I understand. Second Aunt, I will be careful." Wang Xifeng nodded in response.

At this point, Madam Wang interrupted, "Alas, after all, this is all fate. If it weren't for your eldest aunt's interference, perhaps your second aunt's marriage would have been happier."

Wang Xifeng snorted coldly, "Good deeds will be rewarded and evil deeds will be punished. Aunt is so vicious, she will suffer the consequences sooner or later."

Madam Wang Er sighed, "I hope so. It's just a pity for your second aunt, who suffered this misfortune innocently."

Wang Xifeng held Madam Wang Er's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, Second Aunt. I will pay more attention to Second Aunt's situation in the future. If Eldest Aunt dares to harm Second Aunt again, I will never let her off easily!" "But, Feng'er," Madam Wang Er said earnestly, "we can't take the initiative to provoke her. After all, she is now the head lady of the Jia family."

Wang Xifeng knew that she couldn't openly go against her aunt and had to think carefully about the matter.

"I understand, Second Aunt. I will try my best to avoid direct conflict with her," said Wang Xifeng.

Madam Wang echoed, "That's right. We just need to do our part and leave the rest to God."

Wang Xifeng nodded in agreement. She knew that in this complicated family, the most important thing was to protect herself.

At this moment, a little maid came running in and reported that someone from the Jia Mansion had come. Everyone was stunned, not knowing what it was.

When Jia Lian arrived at the main hall, he saw the two wives of the Wang family were there. He hurriedly bowed and said, "The old lady and the mistress of the family were very happy to hear that Sister Feng was getting married, so they sent me here to give her some gifts." After that, he handed the gift list to the maid next to him, and then followed the servants to rest.

The two wives of the Wang family exchanged a glance, both knowing that this was the Jia family's intention, but they didn't point it out. They just smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries. After Jia Lian left, Mrs. Wang called the housekeeper and said, "Send more people to accompany the young master of the Jia family to go out for a walk these few days. It doesn't matter where, as long as it can make the young master of the Jia family happy and not have time to think about other things. Remember, all expenses will be paid by us." After saying this, she waved her hand and sent the housekeeper away.

Madam Wang Er looked at Madam Wang Da with some concern and said softly, "Sister-in-law, this...isn't it too obvious?"

Madam Wang sneered, "Hmph, how can we not do this? The old lady and the mistress in the mansion are both shrewd people. If we act too stingy, won't they look down on us?"

Madam Wang nodded in agreement. Then, remembering something else, she frowned and said, "Also, sister-in-law, we must be careful of Madam Jia. We've all seen her methods before. Although they're vile, they're hard to guard against."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang's face darkened, and a fierce look flashed in her eyes. She gritted her teeth and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I've already made arrangements. I'll have my most trusted nanny check on the gift for Miss Feng. She won't have the chance to tamper with it."

After discussing these matters, the two men went about their business. Meanwhile, Jia Lian was led around the capital by the Wang family's servants, enjoying the Wang family's hospitality. He had no idea that his arrival was actually part of a carefully planned conspiracy.

Seeing that it was getting late, Mrs. Wang pulled a thick stack of banknotes and land deeds from her sleeve, handed them to Xifeng, and said, "Feng'er, I didn't expect you to be so eager to get married. The dowry we prepared for you in the capital is too far to transport, and it's too large. Your uncle and I have discussed having it shipped to you slowly after your wedding. These banknotes and land deeds are for you to keep as a treasure. As women, we have money and confidence."

Wang Xifeng looked at the pile of banknotes and land deeds, her eyes filled with surprise and emotion. She said, "Aunt, this is too much..."

Mrs. Wang smiled, looked at Wang Xifeng tenderly, and said, "Not much. Your uncle and I don't have any children. We raised you from childhood as if you were our own. Your uncle was afraid of wronging you."

After hearing this, Wang Xifeng's eyes turned red and tears welled up in her eyes. She held Mrs. Wang's hand tightly and called softly, "Aunt..."

After Wang Xifeng returned to the courtyard, she recalled the fact that Lady Wang and Wang Ziteng had no children, and a strange sadness welled up in her heart. She knew that she had given them plenty of spiritual spring water, but it had never helped them conceive. Later, after examination, it was discovered that Wang Ziteng was born with a kidney water deficiency, which had prevented him from conceiving. This left Wang Xifeng feeling helpless and powerless, and she could not help but lament the fickleness of fate.

Wang Xifeng fell asleep while thinking.