Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Ever since Xifeng became pregnant, Old Lady Lin and Lin Ruhai had been constantly checking on her well-being, fearing she might be feeling unwell. Unable to bear the rules imposed by the nurse, Daiyu ran to Old Lady Lin in tears and complained to Xifeng several times, claiming her freedom was being restricted.

Because of her pregnancy, Xifeng's character became more delicate and sensitive. When Daiyu once again made a fuss about not wanting to learn the rules, Xifeng directly placed Zhao Ma by her side. Zhao Ma was originally a capable person. Xifeng thought that they would return to the capital in a few years. Since Lin Daiyu did not appreciate it, then forget it and she would not have to care about her in the future. In this way, Zhao Ma showed her charm next to Xifeng. She was not only well-mannered, but also understood women's maintenance and even knew many palace secrets. Xifeng happily said to Zhao Ma: "Ma, I really found a treasure when I met you."

Zhao Ma Ma smiled and replied, "Madam, you are too kind. It is my honor to serve you."

From then on, Xifeng handed over some of the affairs of her courtyard to Zhao Ma.

That day, Daiyu came to Xifeng again and wanted her to return Zhao Ma to her. However, Xifeng refused Daiyu's request, saying that she needed someone to take care of her.

Daiyu was dissatisfied and thought that Xifeng was deliberately making things difficult for her, but she couldn't say it directly, so she had to return home in disappointment.

After returning to her room, Daiyu became more and more angry and couldn't help crying.

At this time, Lin Ruhai happened to come to visit her. Seeing her crying, he hurriedly asked her the reason.

Daiyu told Lin Ruhai what had happened. After listening, Lin Ruhai comforted her, "Don't be sad, Yu'er. I will talk to your mother and see if she can transfer Zhao Ma to you."

Lin Ruhai arrived at Xifeng's residence and explained his purpose. Xifeng, with a troubled expression, said, "My dear, it's not that I don't want to assign Nanny Zhao to Yu'er. It's simply that I'm pregnant and need someone to take care of me. Besides, Nanny Zhao is truly capable, and having her by my side will put me at ease."

After Xifeng finished speaking, her face became extremely serious, and she spoke in a steady tone, "My husband is truly a good father who dotes on his daughter! My daughter didn't like this nanny before, so she wanted to drive away the one I, the mistress, had sent for. If she wants something, she can come directly to me, the mistress, and ask for it. It doesn't matter if I, the mistress, am feeling so frustrated. I just wonder if after the baby in my belly is born, my well-mannered elder sister will covet something and come crying for it." After saying this, Xifeng turned and left without even a glance at Lin Ruhai. Seeing this, Lin Ruhai felt a surge of panic. He hurried after her, apologetically saying to Xifeng, "Feng'er, I'm sorry. I didn't think so much. I just thought, since it's just a nanny, there's no need to make Yu'er cry. It's not nice." However, Xifeng's anger immediately flared up when she heard this. She shouted, "Lin Ruhai, what do you mean?" "What are you doing?" "Could it be that you're picking a fight with me because I'm living such a peaceful life? Am I going to give up my things just because your daughter is crying?" Wang Xifeng's eyes widened as she shouted, "Your daughter is justified in crying, and there's no need for you to say anything, Lin Ruhai." Then, she stormed towards the gate with a group of maids and old women.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai hurried to catch up, but was blocked by the maids and servants Xifeng had arranged in advance. Furious, yet helpless, he had to ask his housekeeper, Lin Zhong, to follow behind, just in case. Lin Ruhai was filled with regret, regretting that he had driven Xifeng away in a moment of weakness, and even wished he could slap himself twice.

Lin Ruhai, looking dejected, headed for Old Madam Lin's residence. Unexpectedly, he was stopped halfway by Daiyu's maidservant. The maid anxiously said, "Master, please go and see the young lady! She's been crying non-stop since you left, and she's even clamoring to pack up and go to her maternal grandparents' home in the capital!" Hearing this, Lin Ruhai was startled and hurried to Daiyu's room. His steps were quick and heavy, as if a storm was brewing within him.

Lin Ruhai stormed into Daiyu's room and relayed Xifeng's words to her. His voice, tinged with sternness, said, "Yu'er, your mother is concerned about your unborn child. Please be understanding. I don't think you learned the proper etiquette when Aunt Zhao was around."

After hearing Lin Ruhai's words, Daiyu burst into tears and cried even harder. She sobbed, "As expected, a stepmother also means a stepfather. You all despise me. Now not only have you adopted me out, but you are also joining Wang Shi in criticizing me. I want to go to the capital to find my mother."

Seeing his daughter's excited reaction, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but feel helpless and irritated. He tried his best to suppress his emotions and said, "How can you talk like that? You are becoming more and more ignorant!"

However, Daiyu ignored her father's rebuke and continued to cry out her grievances and dissatisfaction. Her voice was full of resentment and anger, filling the whole room with a sad atmosphere.

Lin Ruhai finally lost his patience. He slammed the table and roared, "That's enough! Stop messing around! Since you're so disobedient, I'm not going to care about you anymore."

After saying this, he turned around and instructed the maid beside him: "Pack the young lady's things and send her to the capital. Tell everyone that she is no longer a young lady of our Lin family."

Lin Daiyu was stunned when she heard this, and she forgot to shed tears. She stared at her father blankly, her eyes full of shock and disappointment. She had originally thought her father was just talking, but she didn't expect him to actually make such a decision.

At this time, Zijuan on the side hurried forward to persuade him: "Master, please don't be impulsive! The young lady is still young and doesn't understand. Please don't chase her away!"

Lin Ruhai snorted coldly and said, "No need to say more, I've made up my mind. If she continues to be so willful, who knows what kind of disaster she'll cause in the future."

Daiyu's heart was completely chilled. She realized that her father was really angry this time, and there was no room for maneuver. Her eyes became dim and her heart was filled with despair and helplessness.

Though she felt resentful, Daiyu understood that no amount of crying would change the situation. So, she silently lowered her head, saying nothing, letting the maids pack their belongings and prepare to leave this once warm home. She quickly apologized, "Father, I was just a little emotional. Please forgive me..." Lin Ruhai snorted coldly and strode away. Recalling his mother's words about her daughter being unworldly, Lin Ruhai dismissed them. He knew it was simply because she hadn't met someone who could willingly submit to her. However, a chill washed over him as he recalled how Daiyu had always cleverly exploited his affection for her to achieve her own ends. He realized this wasn't simply selfishness, but a characteristic shared by Jia Min: you reap what you sow.

With a heavy heart, Lin Ruhai arrived at the old lady's residence. He almost cried and said, "Mother, Feng'er is angry and ignoring me now. I know I was wrong. I didn't mean to favor Daiyu and bully her!" As he spoke, his voice even choked.

Seeing her son in such a state, Mrs. Lin felt deeply distressed, but she didn't immediately inquire about what had happened. Instead, she turned to the servant beside Lin Ruhai and asked for the details. The servant was also quite astute and immediately told him everything that had just happened. Lin Daiyu had tearfully begged her father to go to her mother and ask for Zhao Mama back, but Jia Min had refused and explained the reason to her husband. However, Lin Ruhai couldn't understand his wife's heartless behavior, so Xifeng left in anger.

After hearing the servant's narration, the old lady became extremely anxious and asked hurriedly, "Where did you go, Madam? Did you send anyone to follow you?" The servant quickly replied, "The head steward has already followed you." Hearing this, the old lady finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After learning that Wang Xifeng was safe and sound, Mrs. Lin could not help but tremble with anger. She raised her hand and slapped Lin Ruhai twice, cursing bitterly: "You fool! Are you really so obsessed with that little girl born to Jia Min? To help her vent her anger, you are willing to abandon the wife and child you have worked so hard to marry? Do you know what kind of person your wife is? She is a very strong and upright person. If her heart is really hurt, there is no way she will turn back. What are you going to do?"

Lin Ruhai responded innocently, "Feng'er has always been incredibly caring towards Yu'er, doing everything with all her heart and soul, so I don't think she would mind a nanny's business." Old Madam Lin angrily rebuked her, "Lin Ruhai, you're deceiving yourself. You need to learn to put yourself in her shoes. Feng'er treats your daughter so well because she's doing it for your sake, but look at how your precious daughter treats Feng'er? She's been lukewarm and indifferent to her all day long, and yet you, knowing full well that your daughter is doing the wrong, still go to Feng'er and accuse her. How can you expect her to manage household affairs in the future? How can she be worthy of the responsibility of being the Lin family's mistress?"

Lin Ruhai returned to his residence in a state of despair, lying like a walking corpse on the bed between him and Xifeng. He tossed and turned in bed, his mind racing, but he could not fall asleep.

In his daze, Lin Ruhai felt a pair of gentle hands groping him. He suddenly woke up, his eyes wide open, and realized that the person standing in front of him was Concubine Xiang.

Xiang Yi Niang was the concubine Jia Min had specially prepared for Lin Ruhai after years of infertility. She wore a white gauze dress that half-covered her figure, and her slightly open neckline revealed her fair, slender neck, exuding a captivating charm. However, at this moment, Lin Ruhai had already calmed down and had no interest in such a vulgar woman.

Without hesitation, Lin Ruhai raised his foot and fiercely kicked Concubine Xiang out of the room. He quickly put on his coat and asked sternly, "Why are you here?"

Concubine Xiang sobbed with a look of grievance, tears streaming down her cheeks. She choked out her words and explained, "I miss the master so much. Today, I heard that the mistress and the master were angry. I was really worried, so I came to visit."

Lin Ruhai looked at her coldly. "You don't need to interfere in the affairs between me and my wife. From now on, you are not allowed to step out of the courtyard without my permission." After saying this, he slammed the door shut, leaving Concubine Xiang crying outside. Lin Ruhai walked to the window in a state of distraught and stared at the night sky in the distance.

He knew that Jia Min's people were still in the family, and he had previously acquiesced to this matter in order to protect Lin Daiyu from being bullied. Xiang Yi Niang's incident was a heavy blow to him. It was incredible that a concubine could come and go freely in the mistress's courtyard. It was unbelievable that there was no one to support Lin Ruhai.

Lin Ruhai, realizing there was a traitor within the mansion, decided to investigate. A few nights later, while secretly watching, he spotted Concubine Xiang sneaking out of the courtyard again. He followed her, only to witness a startling scene—Concubine Xiang whispering with a mysterious man. Furious, Lin Ruhai immediately confronted the man.

Seeing the situation was dire, the mysterious man attempted to escape, but was subdued by Lin Ruhai's men. After interrogation, Lin Ruhai was astonished to discover that the mysterious man was actually Jia Min's confidant, having been communicating with him through Daiyu. It turned out that Jia Min, harbouring jealousy towards Xifeng, had instigated Daiyu to sow discord between them and, in turn, had arranged for Concubine Xiang to approach Lin Ruhai in an attempt to undermine their relationship. Upon learning the truth, Lin Ruhai was overcome with remorse and resolved to expel Concubine Xiang from the mansion and return her to Jia Min. He also thoroughly investigated any other spies within the mansion. He also reflected deeply on his own indulgence of Daiyu, further strengthening his resolve to send Lin Daiyu to the Jia family...

Xifeng returned to the Wang family after her departure. Wang Zisheng and his wife had been living in Suzhou since Xifeng's marriage. Seeing their daughter's heartbroken return, Wang Zisheng and his wife learned that Xifeng had been wronged by the Lin family, and they were furious. They decided to support their daughter and not let her suffer in vain.

He had not expected Lin Ruhai to be so heartless and disregard their marital relationship, so he sent a few capable servants to the Lin family to ask for an explanation. However, Xifeng stopped them, as she knew that this matter could not be made too big of a deal, otherwise it would be disadvantageous to her.

Xifeng turned to look at Wang Zisheng and said, "Dad, are you going to break up with the Lin family completely? Of course you don't care, but my daughter is pregnant now. Do you want to abort the child?" Wang Zisheng was stunned after hearing this. He was so angry that he completely forgot the fact that Xifeng was pregnant.

Xifeng continued, "Originally, this wasn't a big deal. I just made a scene so everyone in the Lin family would know. There are many people left behind by Jia Min in the Lin family. Before I became pregnant, I didn't care about this, but now it's different. As the saying goes, it's easier to guard against thieves for a thousand days than for a single day. If I were to get rid of those people myself, there's no guarantee Lin Ruhai wouldn't think I was narrow-minded and intolerant. So it's best to let Lin Ruhai clean things up himself before asking me to return."

Wang Zisheng, upon hearing Xifeng's words, suddenly realized that Xifeng had already devised a plan. Being a clever man, he immediately grasped the rationale. He looked at Xifeng and soothed her, "Feng'er, don't worry. Just focus on your pregnancy. I'll take care of everything else!" Xifeng nodded, a flicker of relief in her eyes. She was confident that her father would handle this matter.