When it was time to light the lamps, Phoenix went through her makeup removal and reported to Lady Wang. "I have received the items that arrived from the Jia family today. The items we are sending were placed on the Jia family's ship carrying fresh produce for the end of the year." Lady Wang nodded. Phoenix continued, "The birthday gift for the old lady of Lin'an Earl has been prepared. Who should I ask to deliver it?" Lady Wang replied, "Look for someone who is free; send four maids. You don't need to ask me every time." Phoenix then asked, "Today, Sister Zhen invited me, saying that she might come over tomorrow. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" Lady Wang said, "Whether or not I have business, it doesn't matter. Every time she invites you, you worry about us having to go along with you. This time, she didn't invite us and only invited you; she probably wants you to relax. Don't let her thoughtfulness be in vain; please go." Phoenix acknowledged this. The sisters Li Zai, Yingchun, and Tanchun also greeted their parents and returned to their rooms. That concluded the conversation.

The next day, Lady Feng prepared herself and first greeted Wang夫人 before going to Jia Mother's place. Baoyu also said he wanted to go along, so Lady Feng agreed. They waited for her to change clothes, then got into the carriage together and immediately arrived at Ningguo Mansion. Lady You, the wife of Jia Zhen, and Lady Qin, the wife of Jia Rong, along with their respective mothers-in-law and a large group of concubines and maids, came out to greet them at the gate. When Lady You saw Lady Feng, she said something humorous as usual, took Baoyu's hand, and entered the inner room, where they sat down. As Lady Qin was serving tea, Lady Feng said, "Why did you call me here? If there are any gifts for my hospitality, please bring them out. I still have things to do." Before Lady You and Lady Qin could answer, several of the other wives laughed and said, "Second Madam, it would have been better if you hadn't come. Now that you're here, we won't let Second Madam get her way." Just then, Jia Rong came in for a greeting. Baoyu asked, "Is Big Brother not at home today?" Lady You replied, "He went to pay respects to his grandfather outside the city walls today." Then she said, "You must be bored sitting here. Why don't you go and look around outside?"

Qin said with a smile, "Today is just right. Remember how Baoshu mentioned wanting to see his younger brother? He should be here today. I think he's in the study, so Baoshu, why don't you go and visit him?" Baozhu immediately got off the kang and was about to leave. Yu said to her attendants, "Please accompany him carefully and make sure not to embarrass him. It's different from when he came with his grandmother." Phoenix Lady said, "In that case, please bring that child here. I want to meet him too. Are you saying I can't?" Yu laughed. "Oh, it's nothing. You don't have to see him. Our children haven't been raised like those from other families who are always running around and bumping into things. Children from other families are all well-behaved. It would be embarrassing for them if they were seen by someone as assertive as you." Phoenix Lady laughed. "I won't laugh at anyone. Just bring him here quickly." Jia Rong said, "That child is shy and hasn't been in front of many people before. He might get upset if he meets his aunt." Phoenix Lady spat out the words, "No matter what kind of child he is, I want to meet him. Don't talk nonsense. If you don't bring him here, I'll give you a good beating." Jia Rong laughed and said, "I won't force it. But I will bring him."

Soon, Jia Rong brought a young man. He was slightly thinner than Bao Yu, but his eyebrows were well-shaped, his eyes clear, and he had fair skin with red lips. His appearance and demeanor were beautiful, even seeming superior to Bao Yu. However, he seemed shy like a girl, fidgeting and bowing respectfully to Lady Feng. Lady Feng pushed Bao Yu aside with a smile of pleasure and said, "You lost." She leaned forward, took the young man's hand, and sat him down next to her, slowly asking about his age and studies. It was learned that the young man's name was Qin Zhong. The maids and wives who served Lady Feng noticed that there were no gifts prepared for a first meeting, so they went to inform Ping'er. Knowing that Lady Feng was close to Miss Qin, Ping'er decided on her own to prepare one piece of silk fabric and two small gold pendants with the words "状元及第" (first place in the imperial examination) and had them delivered by a servant. Lady Feng said it wasn't enough. The Qin family members expressed their gratitude. After dinner, Mrs. You, Lady Feng, and Miss Qin played a game of bone cards. I will not describe this further.

Bao Yu and Qin Zhong talked while sitting or standing as they pleased. From the moment Bao Yu saw Qin Zhong's character, he felt a sense of loss in his heart and remained dazed for a while. Soon, another strange thought occurred to him, and he said to himself: "There are people like this in the world. Seeing someone like him makes me feel like I am a muddy pig or a dog covered in scabies. Why was I born into a marquisate or dukedom? If I had been born into a poor scholar's family or a low-ranking official's household, I could have become close to him early on. Then this life would not be wasted. Even if my status is higher than his, wearing fine silks like brocade and thin silk will only cover me, a withered tree. Drinking good wine and eating lamb meat will only fill the cesspool and mud ditch. Because of me, even the word 'wealth' is ruined!" Qin Zhong also saw that Bao Yu looked exceptionally beautiful, was gentle in demeanor, wore a golden crown and embroidered clothes, and had beautiful maids and adorable attendants attending him. He thought: "It's natural for everyone to love him. But I was born into a family of simplicity, and I cannot become close to him. It is truly regrettable that the two words 'poverty and wealth' can separate people." The two were thinking various things at the same time. Bao Yu asked again what kind of books he was reading. Qin Zhong answered honestly. After exchanging about ten sentences, they became even closer.

Soon, tea and sweets were brought out. Bao Yu said, "Since neither of us drinks alcohol, please put the sweets in the small alcove in the back room. We'll be sitting over there. That way we won't bother everyone." The two went to the back room to drink tea. While Qin Shi arranged for fruits and wine to be served to Feng Jie, she quickly came over to where Bao Yu was and said, "Bao Shu, this child is still young, so she might say things without thinking. Please forgive her if that happens, and don't take it to heart. She's shy, but also stubborn, and not very good at adapting to others." Bao Yu smiled and said, "I understand. You can go back now." Qin Shi told her younger sister the same thing again before returning to Feng Jie.

After a while, Phoenix and Lady Yu sent someone to inform Baoyu. "If you desire anything to eat, there are options available. Please do not hesitate to ask."

Baoyu responded, but he was more concerned about the situation at Qin Zhong's house and asked various questions.

Qin Zhong said, "Last year, our teacher passed away. My father is getting older and has his own health issues, and he also has a lot of official duties. We haven't yet found a replacement teacher. For now, we are just reviewing what we have already learned. However, studying is more effective when you have one or two companions to discuss things with from time to time..."

Baoyu replied impatiently, "I understand. Our family has a private school where children from families who cannot afford teachers can attend, and even relatives' children are welcome. My own teacher also returned to his hometown last year, so my studies have been neglected. My father said that I should go to the school for a while to review what I know, and then when a new teacher returns next year, I can resume studying at home. However, my grandmother is worried that if there are too many children together, they will cause trouble and not learn properly. I haven't gone yet because I have been sick for a few days. If your father is also concerned about finding a teacher, perhaps you could talk to him today, and we can both go to our family school. It would be beneficial for both of us."

Qin Zhong smiled. "My father mentioned the possibility of having a private school when he was discussing replacing the previous teacher. I intended to ask my sister's husband, who is in a position of influence, to help arrange it, but I hesitated because it seemed like a small request to burden him with. If you think that I could be someone who can practice calligraphy or use an inkstone and water tray together, please let me know quickly. It would allow us both to avoid neglecting our studies, we could meet whenever we want, your parents would feel relieved, and we would also have the joy of companionship. That sounds wonderful."

Baoyu said, "It's okay. Let's talk to your sister and brother-in-law, as well as Lian's wife. You should tell your father today. I will ask my grandmother when I return home, so it should be decided soon."

By the time their discussion was concluded, it was time to light the lamps. They left the room and watched everyone continue playing cards. It turned out that Phoenix and Lady Yu had lost again, meaning they would have to cover the expenses for the performance and banquet. The gathering was scheduled for two days from now, after which they finished dinner.

It was already dark, so Mr. You said, "Send two young people to escort Qin-san home." The wives went outside and relayed the message, and after a while, Qin Zhong thanked them and stood up. When Mrs. You asked who would be sent to accompany him, the wives replied, "The ones from outside..."

Jiao Da.

shōdai

"I asked him for help, but he's drunk and is already starting to complain." Yu said. "Why did you have to ask that man? Surely there are other young men who could have helped. You just provoked him again." Phoenix said. "I always tell you, it's because you're too lenient that the people in this household become so spoiled." Yu replied. "You know about Jiao Da. Even Master and Elder Brother don't bother with him. When he was young, he fought for our family three or four times, carrying Master out from piles of corpses. He would steal food to feed Master when he himself was hungry. Once, they were without water for two days, and when he finally managed to get half a bowl of water, he made Master drink it and drank horse urine himself. Because of his merits and kindness, he has been treated specially since the time of our ancestors. How can anyone be harsh with him now? He's old now, doesn't care about appearances, just drinks all day long, and when he gets drunk, he insults everyone. I always tell the servants not to ask for his help anymore, to treat him as if he were already dead, but today you asked him again." Phoenix said. "I know about Jiao Da. But you people have no foresight. If you just sent him far away to a distant estate, that would solve everything." Then she inquired about the preparations for their carriages. The wives replied, "Everything is ready." Phoenix also finished her farewells and stood up, taking Baoyu's hand and starting to walk out.

When the Yues accompanied him to the entrance of the main hall, the lights were brightly lit, and young servants stood waiting in front of the red-painted floor. Taking advantage of Jia Zhen's absence, Jiao Da, emboldened by alcohol, approached the head gatekeeper.

Tabisuji.

raiji

He started to berate them. "You unfair bastards! You bully the weak and fawn over the strong. You give good jobs to others, but make me do things like this in the middle of the night. Ungrateful fools! Don't act like servants. This Jiao Da, if I raise one leg, it would be higher than your head. Twenty years ago, who did I have in mind? Not even people like you mixed-breeds!" Just as his scolding voice was gaining momentum, Jia Rong came out to see off the carriage of Auntie Feng. Everyone tried to stop him, but Jiao Da didn't relent. Unable to bear it any longer, Jia Rong said something and ordered, "Tie him up! Tomorrow, when he sobers up, I'll ask him if he still intends to do such reckless things!" Jiao Da ignored Jia Rong and continued shouting even louder, chasing after Jia Rong. "Jia Rong, don't act like a master in front of me. You, your father, and your grandfather would all have been humiliated in front of Jiao Da! If it weren't for this Jiao Da, how could you have become officials and enjoyed wealth and prosperity? Your ancestors built this family business with their lives, but now you don't even repay my kindness and act like servants. I won't say anything more if that's all. But if you continue to cause trouble, I will pierce you with a white blade and pull it out, making you bleed red!"

"Sister Feng said to Jia Rong from inside the car, 'Someone who doesn't understand such basic rules should be driven away immediately. Keeping them in the house is harmful. If relatives and friends find out, they will laugh at us for not having any standards in a household like ours.' Jia Rong replied, 'I understand.' Because Jiao Da was causing so much trouble, several servants stepped forward, grabbed him, restrained him, and dragged him to the stable."

Jiao Da became increasingly agitated and started ranting, even bringing up Jia Zhen. "I will go to the ancestral hall and beg our ancestors. I never imagined that such despicable creatures would be born! Every day they are doing lewd things. Some men touch their wives, while some women seduce a man's brother. Do you think I don't know anything? We keep these things hidden in our sleeves, even if it means breaking an arm!" The servants were so terrified by the inappropriate things Jiao Da was saying that they felt as if their souls would fly away. They tied up Jiao Da and stuffed his mouth with mud and manure.

To Fengjie and Jiarong, the voice of Jiaoshan could be heard from a distance, but both pretended not to hear. Baoyu, who was in the carriage, asked Fengjie, "Sister, what does that person mean by 'touching one's wife'?"

Fengjie immediately scolded him, "Don't say such foolish things! It's just a drunkard rambling nonsense. What status do you have? Not only should you ignore it, but you actually ask about it in detail! If your mother hears this, she will beat you!"

Baoyu was startled and quickly said, "Okay, sister, I won't say such things again."

Fengjie comforted him and said, "You are a good child. That's enough. When we get home, let's ask Grandma to arrange for someone from the family school to come and talk to you, and it would be better if you could study together with Qin Zhong."

The two of them talked like this as they returned to Rongguo Mansion. The rest will be told in the next episode.