Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

That day, Wang Xifeng accompanied Lady Xing and Lady Wang to a play at Tianxiang Tower, and then everyone dispersed. However, after Wang Xifeng's hypocritical treatment of Jia Rui in the previous chapter, the lecherous Jia Rui mistakenly believed he was about to succeed with Sister Feng. From then on, he became obsessed and repeatedly visited the Rongguo Mansion, eager to meet Sister Feng. Unfortunately, each trip was filled with excitement, but he returned disappointed, never to see Sister Feng as he had hoped.

That day, Wang Xifeng once again visited Qin Keqing, who had been ill for a long time. When she entered the room and saw Qin Keqing lying in bed, she was startled. She looked even worse than when they last met. Her face was as pale as paper, her breath was barely moving, and she looked like she was on her last legs. Seeing this, Wang Xifeng knew that Qin Keqing's time was running out.

The two sat in silence for a moment, until Wang Xifeng finally broke the silence, softly inquiring about Qin Keqing's recent health. Qin Keqing shook her head slightly, responding weakly, her words filled with helplessness and desolation. They then chatted for a while, like mother and daughter, about trivial matters, but the topic always revolved around her illness, and the atmosphere was particularly heavy and depressing.

Not long after, Wang Xifeng saw Qin Keqing's increasingly weak spirits, so she stood up to take her leave. Leaving the house, she went straight to the upper room where Youshi was staying and sat down. Upon seeing Wang Xifeng arrive, Youshi hurried forward and asked with concern, "Sister Feng, you went to see Keqing today. What do you think of her?" Wang Xifeng lowered her head in thought for a moment, then slowly raised her head and replied with a worried look on her face, "Alas! Sister-in-law, I think Keqing is truly beyond help this time..." She sighed softly.

Upon hearing this, Youshi's eyes instantly turned red, tears welling up in them. She choked back a sob and said, "I know her situation is not good, but I still have a lingering thought in my heart. In that case, I can only quickly prepare all the necessary funeral supplies for her, even if it's just to make her happy." Wang Xifeng nodded, agreeing with Youshi's approach, and comforted her, "Don't be too sad, sister-in-law. Things have come to this point, we just need to do the best we can. I wonder if you have started preparing yet?" Youshi wiped away her tears and replied, "I have already had people secretly preparing them. However, I haven't been able to find good wood for the most important item - the coffin, so for now I can only take it slow."

Wang Xifeng pondered for a moment, then took a sip of the tea from the table to moisten her throat. She continued, "If that's the case, then there's no need to worry too much, sister-in-law. However, this matter must be handled as quickly as possible. I have to hurry back to report to the old lady." Yu Shi hurriedly said, "Sister Feng, be careful with your words when you report to the old lady. Don't frighten her." Wang Xifeng replied, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I won't worry." With that, she stood up, straightened her clothes, and headed out the door. Arriving home, Wang Xifeng hurried straight to where Lady Jia was. After seeing Lady Jia, she bowed respectfully, then said with a smile: "Brother Rong's daughter-in-law asked me to pay her respects to you, old lady, and kowtow to you. She said that she is already much better, please don't worry too much. When she feels better, she will come to pay her respects to you in person. "After hearing this, Lady Jia frowned slightly and asked with concern: "Take a closer look at her. What is her condition?" Sister Feng quickly replied: "In my opinion, there should be nothing serious for the time being. Her spirits are pretty good. I think she will recover after some rest." After hearing this, Lady Jia felt a little relieved, but she couldn't help but ponder for a moment. After a while, she turned to Sister Feng and said: "You, you have been busy for a long time. Go change your clothes and take a rest."

Feng Jieer quickly agreed and went to pay her respects to Mrs. Wang. After completing all the formalities, she finally returned to her own room. As soon as she entered the door, Ping'er came to greet her. She swiftly took out a piece of homely clothes from the drying basket and handed it to Feng Jieer to change into. Feng Jieer then slowly sat down, took a sip of the hot tea handed to her by Ping'er, and asked, "Has anything happened in our family recently?" Ping'er was busy massaging Feng Jieer's legs while softly answering, "It's nothing particularly big. It's just that the interest on the three hundred taels of silver that was lent out has been collected. It was just delivered by Wang'er's wife. I have put it away for grandma in the accounting office. Also, someone from Master Rui came to ask if grandma was at home. He said he wanted to come and pay his respects and have a few words with grandma." When Feng Jieer heard this, her face instantly darkened. She snorted and said, "This ignorant guy actually dared to come to our house! Let's see what tricks he can play when he comes!"

Ping'er asked, "Why did Master Rui come here?" Sister Feng then told her about their encounter in the Ning Mansion garden in September and what he had said. Ping'er said, "A toad dreaming of swan flesh, a jerk with no one to turn to, has such a thought. I wish he would die a miserable death!" Sister Feng replied, "When he comes, I'll have my reasons."

That day, Fengjie was chatting with her personal maid Ping'er in her room about family matters when she suddenly heard footsteps outside and a voice announcing, "Madam, Master Rui is here to visit!" When Fengjie heard this, a barely perceptible smile flashed across her face, and she quickly ordered, "Hurry and invite Master Rui in!"

Before she had finished speaking, Jia Rui hurried in. Seeing Sister Feng's warm invitation, his heart instantly blossomed with joy, and he couldn't help but hasten his pace into the house. As he approached, Jia Rui beamed, hurriedly bowed to Sister Feng, and repeatedly asked her how she was. Sister Feng, on the other hand, feigned a warm and attentive air, offering her tea and a seat, displaying her utmost attentiveness.

Jia Rui looked up at the graceful, gorgeously dressed Feng Jieer, and for a moment he was dazed, as if frozen in place. After a long moment, he finally came to his senses. He swallowed his saliva, staring at Feng Jieer with a dazed look, and asked vaguely, "Second... Second Brother, why... why hasn't he come back yet?" Feng Jieer frowned slightly and replied casually, "Well, I don't quite know the reason."

Upon hearing this, Jia Rui immediately raised a sly smile and said playfully, "Hehe, let me tell you, could it be that Second Brother got tripped by some beauty on the road and couldn't bear to come back?" Upon hearing this, Sister Feng first glared at Jia Rui coquettishly, then responded with a half-smile, "Maybe it's just as you said. But it's common for men to fall in love with every woman they meet." Jia Rui hurriedly shook his head and waved his hands, eagerly defending himself, "Sister-in-law, you're wrong. I'm not that kind of fickle-hearted person!" Sister Feng pursed her lips and smiled, saying charmingly, "Oh, a man as loyal as you is really hard to find even with a lantern. Even if you choose from ten men, I'm afraid you may not be able to pick one!"

When Jia Rui heard this, he was so happy that he kept scratching his head and cheeks with his hands, and his excitement was beyond words. Then, he shamelessly approached Fengjie and said flatteringly, "Sister-in-law, you stay at home all day. I guess you must be bored." Fengjie sighed softly and replied with a feigned complaint, "That's right. I look forward to having someone close to me to talk to me every day, so as to relieve these boring days."

Jia Rui said with a broad smile, "I have nothing to do all day long. I'm so idle. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could come to your place every day, chat with you and relieve my boredom?" Wang Xifeng's lips curled up slightly, and she replied with a coquettish smile, "Oh, you can make people happy with your words, but who would believe that you would really come to my place every day?" Upon hearing this, Jia Rui slapped his chest and swore, "Sister-in-law, if I dare to tell you a lie, may the thunder strike me! I've often heard others say that you are a powerful person and that you won't tolerate any mistakes in your presence. So I was really scared at first. But seeing you today, I realize that you are actually a kind person who likes to talk and laugh and loves others very much. How can I not be happy to come here more often? Even if it costs me my life, I would be willing to do it!"

After hearing this, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but chuckle, then she said, "Well, if that's true, then you can be considered a sensible person, much better than Jia Rong and the other two. I saw that they were both quite handsome and I thought they were very smart and should understand the ways of the world. I didn't expect them to be so clueless, unable to understand other people's thoughts at all."

Upon hearing these words, Jia Rui's heart grew even happier, as if they had struck a chord with him. For a moment, he leaned closer, his eyes fixed on the purse at Wang Xifeng's waist. After a moment, he even asked what kind of ring she was wearing. Wang Xifeng, observing this, lowered her voice and quickly warned, "You better behave yourself and be respectful. Don't be so impertinent. If the maids see you, they'll surely make fun of you."

Jia Rui hurriedly backed away, as if hearing the Buddhist teachings. Wang Xifeng raised her lips slightly, saying with a half-smile, "You, it's time to leave now." Jia Rui, however, looked fascinated and muttered, "I... I want to sit for a while longer. Ah—what a cruel sister-in-law!"

At this moment, Fengjie chuckled again. She leaned close to Jia Rui's ear and whispered softly, "Look at the broad daylight, with so many people coming and going. It's not very convenient for you to stay here. You'd better go back first and come find me at night. Remember to wait for me quietly in the west hallway."

When Jia Rui heard this, he was so excited that he felt like he had found a rare treasure. He hurriedly asked, "Please don't try to deceive me! There are so many people coming and going in that place. How can I hide?"

Sister Feng rolled her eyes at him coquettishly, then said confidently, "Just put your mind at ease. I've already made all the arrangements. I've given the night shift boys a day off, and then I've locked the doors on both sides, so there won't be anyone else here."

Jia Rui was overjoyed after hearing this and hurriedly took his leave, thanking her profusely. Along the way, his mind was filled with the beautiful scene of his secret meeting with Fengjie. The more he thought about it, the more excited he became, believing that this time he would definitely get what he wanted and win the beauty.

After finally waiting until nightfall, Jia Rui couldn't wait to sneak into the Rong Mansion under cover of darkness. Seeing the main gate about to close, he dodged into the hallway. Inside, he found it pitch black, with not a single soul in sight. He looked again and saw that the gate leading to Jia Mu's side was already firmly locked, leaving only the east door open.

Jia Rui was not one to be careless. He carefully listened to the sounds around him. Time passed by, and half an hour passed, but still no one came. Just as he was getting impatient, there was a sudden "click" sound. It turned out that the door to the east had also been ruthlessly closed.

Jia Rui was terribly anxious, but he dared not make a sound, so he could only tiptoe out of the room. He reached the door and shook it hard, but it was as solid as an iron barrel, showing no sign of loosening. At this moment, getting out was harder than climbing to the sky, because the house was surrounded by tall, thick walls on both sides. Even if he wanted to jump out, he would find no place to climb.

The room was emptied by the cold draft, and since it was the twelfth month of winter, the nights were long and bitterly cold. The biting north wind howled and swept in, seeming to penetrate the skin and split the bones, leaving one feeling chilled to the bone. Thus, Jia Rui endured the entire night in this icy and snowy night, nearly freezing to death several times.

Finally, in the early morning hours, Jia Rui saw an old woman approaching. She first opened the east gate, then went inside to open the west gate. Seizing the moment the old woman had her back to him, Jia Rui, clutching his shoulders like a frightened rabbit, bolted out. Fortunately, it was still early, and most people were still asleep, so he encountered no one to stop him. He ran all the way out the back door, finally returning home breathless.