Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Sunlight streamed into the room through the window, and Wang Xifeng slowly woke up. She slowly opened her eyes and found Lin Ruhai sitting beside the bed, staring at her quietly. A blush crept onto her face, and she shyly asked, "My husband, why are you staring at me like that?"

Lin Ruhai smiled faintly, his voice low and gentle, "My lady, last night was a time of passion." Wang Xifeng's cheeks flushed even more red at this. She thought to herself that Lin Ruhai wasn't the delicate scholar he'd been portrayed to be in his past life. They'd spent the previous night together, Lin Ruhai spending most of the night in bed with her, letting her experience his passion and charm.

However, Wang Xifeng didn't know that, before this, Lin Ruhai hadn't had much interest in sex. He had viewed it as a duty, simply to continue the family line. But everything changed after he met Wang Xifeng. Her beauty, intelligence, and passion brought him unprecedented joy and satisfaction. From that moment on, Lin Ruhai truly understood what "woman" meant and why the nights of love were fleeting.

Wang Xifeng's appearance brought a new light to Lin Ruhai's life. He began to look forward to sleeping in her arms every night, enjoying the sweet warmth. Wang Xifeng gradually adapted to this intimate relationship, and their affection grew deeper and deeper.

Xifeng raised her head slightly, her gaze settling on a nearby Western-style clock. She turned to Lin Ruhai, who stood beside her, and said gently, "My dear husband, the time has come. We should go and pay our respects to Mother." As she spoke, she slowly rose, the brocade quilt sliding off, revealing her fair, delicate skin and patches of bruises. Xifeng lowered her head somewhat shyly, wearing only a loose apron embroidered with a lotus flower. She whispered softly, "My dear husband, please leave first. I'll have the maid help me get dressed."

Lin Ruhai's lips curled up slightly, a sly smile on his face. He embraced Xifeng and teased, "Madam, is there any part of your body that I haven't seen? Let me help you change your clothes." He began to dress Xifeng. During this process, Lin Ruhai kept rubbing Xifeng's body, causing her to blush. She coquettishly pinched the soft flesh of Lin Ruhai's waist a few times, and only then did he calm down.

Lin Ruhai enthusiastically helped Xifeng with her eyebrows and makeup, taking care of all the tasks a maid would have done. There was a sweet moment between the two of them. Afterward, the couple went to Old Lady Lin's residence together.

Wang Xifeng quickly stepped forward, then knelt on both knees, performing a full bow before Old Lady Lin. She then carefully handed the cup of hot tea she was holding to Old Lady Lin, saying respectfully, "Mother, please have some tea." Old Lady Lin quickly reached out to help Wang Xifeng up, a loving smile on her face as she gazed tenderly at her charming and beautiful daughter-in-law, feeling deeply satisfied. Then, she turned to look at her son, who was standing nearby, grinning innocently at her, and suddenly felt much more at ease.

After receiving her tea, Wang Xifeng took out an exquisite dress and handed it to Mrs. Lin, saying softly, "Mother, this is a dress I made myself. I hope you like it." Mrs. Lin took the dress and examined it carefully. The fabric was the priceless brocade, the buttons were embroidered with golden pearls, and the cuffs and hem were meticulously embroidered with blooming peonies in silver thread. The stitching was neat and meticulous, revealing the exquisite craftsmanship. Mrs. Lin looked at the dress with great joy and said to Wang Xifeng with a smile, "Feng'er, you have worked hard. This is the jade bracelet that Ru Hai's grandmother gave me. Now I give it to you." Then she took a crystal-clear jade bracelet from her wrist and placed it on Wang Xifeng's hand.

At this moment, Lin Daiyu, who was sitting nearby, suddenly began to sob softly. Wang Xifeng, seeing this, felt a little overwhelmed, not knowing how to comfort her. She thought, how could she be a young lady from an aristocratic family? How could she be so fragile and sensitive? Lin Ruhai awkwardly said, "Madam, this is Daiyu, now a young lady from the Lin family's side branch." Wang Xifeng immediately understood what was going on and hurriedly took out a gift she had prepared in advance - a set of exquisite ruby headpieces. She smiled and said to Lin Daiyu, "You are so beautiful! This headpiece is perfect for you."

However, the maidservant serving behind Lin Daiyu noticed that her mistress neither stood up to greet nor spoke, but simply lowered her head and silently shed tears. The maidservant hurried forward, took the gift from Wang Xifeng, and thanked her on behalf of Lin Daiyu: "Thank you, Madam, for your gift. I, your servant, would like to thank you on behalf of my mistress."

At this moment, Lin Daiyu suddenly raised her head, stared at Wang Xifeng fiercely, and shouted loudly: "This bracelet should have belonged to my mother. She is the mistress of the Lin family! It's all because of you..."

Lin Daiyu recalled the letter Jia Min had written to her, asking her to cry and make a scene when the bride offered tea. She knew that her father, Lin Ruhai, had always loved her, and if she did so, he would definitely blame Wang Xifeng.

The more Lin Daiyu thought about it, the more she felt wronged, and tears welled up in her eyes. She secretly made up her mind to do as her mother asked.

Just as Wang Xifeng was about to explain, Lin Ruhai suddenly shouted, "Shut up! How dare you be so rude? This is the Lin family. She's the head of the Lin family. We won't tolerate your nonsense here! Humph, don't think I don't know that the Jia family secretly sent you a letter. You really listen to them!"

Lin Ruhai glared at Lin Daiyu, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. He had hoped that Lin Daiyu would be more sensible, but he hadn't expected her to be so stubborn and willful. Lin Ruhai gently said to Xifeng, "Madam, are you angry? If you don't want to see this troublemaker in the future, let her learn the rules in the courtyard." Xifeng shook her head and smiled, saying, "The girl is still young and can be taught slowly. Although she's adopted, she's still our daughter. How about I ask Second Aunt to find a maid from the palace in the capital to teach Daiyu the rules?" Lin Ruhai and Old Lady Lin nodded in agreement, becoming increasingly satisfied with Xifeng.

As a new bride, Xifeng naturally had to serve Old Lady Lin at mealtime. Standing at the table, ready to help Old Lady Lin wash her hands, Xifeng was stopped by her, saying, "We don't do that in our family. With a houseful of servants and old women, how can we expect the master to do this herself?" Hearing these words, Xifeng felt a surge of warmth and comfort. She recalled her past life, when, even pregnant, she still had to go to Rongxi Hall to set the rules for Old Lady Jia. Meanwhile, her own aunt, despite her advanced age and grandchildren, still personally served Old Lady Jia at mealtimes. In comparison, her current life was truly blissful. The more Xifeng reflected on this, the more convinced she was that her plan was the right one. She secretly resolved to be even more respectful to Old Lady Lin.

Old Lady Lin instructed Xifeng to return home after three days and begin managing the Lin household's affairs, assuming the responsibilities of the head mistress. Returning to Xifeng and Lin Ruhai's courtyard, Lin Ruhai named it "Wutong Courtyard." Lin Ruhai privately teased Xifeng, saying, "My wife is a phoenix, and the phoenix lives in the Wutong tree. Ruhai's home must have a sacred Wutong tree to invite the Phoenix Goddess to stay!"

When Xifeng heard this, she was very happy and said to Lin Ruhai with a smile, "My husband is really good at talking. He makes me sound so precious." The two smiled at each other, full of affection.

Since Lin Ruhai had been newlywed and had three days off, Wang Xifeng returned to the courtyard and asked Baozhu to bring her the dowry list. She began to sort it out. She carefully examined the list, secretly considering how to use it. Lin Ruhai also came over and sat beside her, looking at it with Xifeng. Upon seeing Xifeng's dowry, he exclaimed, "My dear, you are truly wealthy!"

After hearing this, Xifeng smiled sheepishly and said, "No, no, they are just some treasures from home." Lin Ruhai looked at Xifeng seriously, his eyes full of affection, and continued, "My lady, you are so rich, you won't despise me, right?"

Xifeng laughed heartily at his amusement and said, "How could that be? I'm your wife now. From now on, we'll work together as husband and wife, managing this household." As he spoke, Lin Ruhai pulled out a bunch of keys from his bosom and handed them to Xifeng, saying gently, "This is my private treasury account book and the keys. I'm giving them to you, my lady."

Xifeng took the keys and was deeply moved. She knew that Lin Ruhai's act was a sign of complete trust in her, entrusting her with the management of her wealth. Wang Xifeng tightly grasped Lin Ruhai's hand and said, "Don't worry, my husband. I will take good care of these properties and will not let you down."

Lin Ruhai nodded gently, expressing his confidence in Xifeng's abilities. The two smiled at each other, and a sweet, warm atmosphere filled the room. They both understood that this trust and love would accompany them through the years to come. At dinnertime, the family gathered around the dining table. Old Lady Lin, looking at the well-behaved and sensible Wang Xifeng, grew fonder and fonder, constantly serving her dishes.

"Mother, you eat too." Wang Xifeng considerately served the dishes to Mrs. Lin.

Lin Ruhai looked at this happy scene and felt extremely satisfied.

After dinner, Lin Ruhai and Wang Xifeng strolled together in the courtyard. The bright moonlight shone on them, casting a shadow of happiness on them.

"Madam, thank you." Lin Ruhai suddenly spoke.

Wang Xifeng looked at him puzzledly, "Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for making this home warmer." Lin Ruhai held Wang Xifeng's hand and said emotionally.

Wang Xifeng smiled, her eyes twinkling, "This is what I should do. We are a family."

The two of them snuggled together, enjoying the quiet night.