Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Mrs. Wang returned to her residence with a rosy complexion. Mrs. Zhou Rui hurried to greet her and said, "Madam, I am relieved to see you back. It's like a stone has been lifted off the ground." Mrs. Zhou Rui said in a flattering manner, "I have prepared hot water."

Mrs. Wang nodded in satisfaction and finished washing up with the help of the maids. She leaned back on the couch and looked out the window thoughtfully, as if the scenery outside the window was a beautiful painting, attracting her attention.

"Madam, do you have anything else bothering you?" Zhou Ruijia asked cautiously.

Mrs. Wang sighed and said, "Although this incense burning and vow fulfillment went quite smoothly, my good-for-nothing son Baoyu is always idle and unemployed. How can I feel at ease with him? It's like a huge rock weighing on my heart, weighing me down and making it hard to breathe."

Zhou Ruijia hurriedly comforted him, "Second Master is still young after all. He will naturally become sensible when he grows up."

Mrs. Wang shook her head. "I hope so. By the way, has anything happened in the mansion recently?"

"It's nothing serious. It's just that Lin Daiyu has been ill for a few days and has not yet recovered." Zhou Ruijia answered truthfully.

Madam Wang frowned slightly. "This child is already weak and needs to be taken good care of. Send someone to give her some supplements. Don't be negligent."

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, and Mrs. Wang slowly awoke. She felt a sharp pain all over her body, as if crushed by a heavy object. She rubbed her eyes, and when she saw the ambiguous marks on her body, her face flushed. Recalling the passionate lovemaking under the tree last night, she couldn't help but feel a wave of shyness, her body softening.

At that moment, a slight noise came from outside the door. Zhou Ruijia, hearing the movement inside, guessed that Mrs. Wang had woken up. She gently pushed open the door and stepped inside. At a glance, she saw Mrs. Wang reclining on the bed, her eyes hazy and shimmering, her eyebrows full of charm. Her collar was slightly open, revealing a trace of love that was heart-stirring.

Mrs. Wang noticed Zhou Ruijia's gaze, a blush appeared on her face, and she coughed lightly, trying to hide her shyness.

Seeing what was going on, Zhou Ruijia immediately stepped forward and carefully served Mrs. Wang, as if she didn't notice the marks on her body at all.

"Madam, are you feeling better today?" Zhou Ruijia asked softly, her tone full of concern.

Madam Wang nodded, "I'm still a little tired."

"Then Madam, you must have a good rest and take care of yourself. I heard from the doctor before that these marks will gradually fade away in a few days." Zhou Ruijia comforted her.

Mrs. Wang felt a little relieved. "Well, ask someone to prepare some nourishing soup."

"Yes, ma'am." Zhou Ruijia responded and slowly left the room.

Mrs. Wang blushed as she recalled the joy of last night. She prayed that this incident would not be discovered by others, otherwise her reputation would be ruined. At the same time, she decided to be more cautious in the future.

After breakfast, Madam Wang joyfully entered the Great Hall and knelt devoutly in worship. She silently prayed to the Buddha, hoping that her son, Jia Baoyu, would be granted a title of nobility and a chancellorship, and that her daughter, Yuanchun, would become a noble concubine, enjoying wealth and prosperity. Just as she was about to leave, a monk quietly approached her and whispered, "Amitabha, your face is rosy, suggesting auspicious events are imminent." These words were like a thunderclap, shocking Madam Wang to the core. She hurriedly lowered her head and left the hall, not daring to look back. She didn't want anyone to know her deepest secrets and hopes.

Before she knew it, Mrs. Wang had returned to the temple's back hill. From afar, she spotted Jia Yucun sitting in the pavilion, seemingly waiting for someone. When Jia Yucun spotted Mrs. Wang, he immediately stood up, a look of surprise on his face. He quickly walked up to her, bowed respectfully, and then said with a smile, "I thought I wouldn't see you today, Jinzhi!" Mrs. Wang glanced around cautiously, seeing the occasional pilgrim passing by. Realizing she couldn't reveal her relationship with Jia Yucun, she feigned unfamiliarity and politely replied, "Oh, it's Mr. Jia! What a coincidence! I didn't expect to see you here. Are you here to worship as well?" "Yes, Madam, you've arrived at the perfect time. Why don't you sit down with me?" Jia Yucun invited with a smile.

Mrs. Wang hesitated for a moment, looked around, and nodded in agreement.

The two walked into the pavilion and sat down. Jia Yucun looked at Mrs. Wang with a hint of ambiguity in his eyes. "After not seeing you for a night, Jinzhi has become even more beautiful."

Mrs. Wang blushed slightly. "Mr. Jia, you're joking. I just come here to burn incense occasionally."

Jia Yucun approached Mrs. Wang and whispered, "I have something to say to Jinzhi alone."

Mrs. Wang was a little nervous. "If you have anything to say, feel free to say it."

Jia Yucun smiled and said, "This place is crowded with people and eyes, it's not a good place to talk. I'll set up a banquet in my other courtyard outside the city some other day, and we can talk in detail then."

Mrs. Wang felt a pang of anxiety. She understood what Jia Yucun meant, but at this moment she just wanted to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. "Well, we'll talk about it later."

After saying this, Mrs. Wang stood up and said goodbye. Jia Yucun looked at her departing back, with a barely perceptible calculation on the corner of his mouth.

Madame Wang hurriedly left the temple, her thoughts to herself. She knew Jia Yucun had ulterior motives, but she also felt that their dull lives needed a spice. As long as Jia Yucun didn't lose his chance of restoration, then the two of them could maintain this relationship. Thinking of this, Madame Wang couldn't help but smile triumphantly.

On the carriage back to the Jia Mansion, Mrs. Wang, with the help of Zhou Rui's wife, changed into an old-fashioned dark purple round-necked gown and put two or three silver hairpins on her head, revealing the image of a resentful woman in the boudoir.

The sedan stopped in front of Rong Xi Tang. Mrs. Wang held Zhou Ruijia's hand and slowly got out of the sedan. She straightened her clothes and hair before stepping into Rong Xi Tang.

In Rongxi Hall, Old Lady Jia was sitting on the couch with her eyes closed. When she heard footsteps, she slowly opened her eyes and saw Lady Wang come in. There was no expression on her face.

Mrs. Wang walked up to Mrs. Jia, bowed, and said softly, "Madam, your daughter-in-law is back."

Madam Jia nodded, motioned for Madam Wang to sit down, and then asked, "Have you been having a good time these past two days?"

Mrs. Wang replied, "Everything is going well, but the journey is quite long, and I am very tired."

Madam Jia frowned slightly and said, "In that case, you should have a good rest."

Mrs. Wang nodded in agreement, then took out a string of Buddhist beads from her bosom and handed it to Mrs. Jia, saying, "Old lady, these are the beads I obtained from Daxiangguo Temple. They say they should be offered to the Buddha for 49 days!"

Madam Jia took the beads, examined them carefully for a moment, then smiled and said, "Thank goodness you're so thoughtful to come all the way back."

Mrs. Wang said quickly, "This is what a daughter-in-law should do. I only hope that you can bless our Jia family with peace and prosperity."

Madam Jia nodded, then placed the Buddhist beads on the table beside her and said to Madam Wang, "Well, you should go and have some rest. You don't have to wait on me for dinner tonight."

Mrs. Wang thanked Mrs. Jia and left Rongxi Hall. Returning to her room, she lay exhausted on the couch, thinking about how to keep in touch with Jia Yucun...