Three Wives and Four Concubines in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Page 97

At first, they were just holding hands normally. Before Baochai could even take a good look at the scenery along the way, things gradually became more inappropriate. His hand gradually moved to the other side, released Baochai's hand, but wrapped around her soft waist and slowly began to grope downwards.

"Sister Bao, are you hot? Come closer to me... Hmm, you've gotten thinner these days. Sister Bao, you must take care of yourself. It makes my heart ache."

"Hmm? Maybe it's because of the hot weather that I'm eating less, but it's not like—ah~!"

"...Brother Yu, you...hmm..."

"Sister Bao, I'm thirsty..."

"Mmm--~"

……

Chapter Sixteen: The Big One Is Coming?

After fooling around all the way, the already long journey took almost two hours to reach the destination. Standing under the shade of trees not far from the gate of Longcui Nunnery, Baochai, her face flushed, straightened her disheveled clothes, gave a coquettish scolding to the smirking villain beside her, and was about to go out when she was pulled back.

"Sister Bao, the rouge on your lips is still messy."

Baochai pursed her lips, but she hadn't brought any rouge with her. How could she apply it? Just as she was about to take out her handkerchief to wipe it off carefully, Gu Yu snatched it away.

"Sister Bao, isn't this such a waste of talent..."

"嘤~"

……

"Miss, a young master and a young lady have come to visit. Shall we go and see them?"

Inside the nunnery, a woman was kneeling on a prayer mat chanting Buddhist scriptures. However, she was not dressed in the traditional nun's robes. Instead, she wore a pale white gauze dress with simple sleeves that completely concealed her graceful curves. But just by looking at her elegant back, one could tell that she must be a cool and intellectual beauty.

Upon hearing this, the kneeling figure paused in her chanting. The woman rose and looked towards the door, revealing a young, pretty face. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and after a moment's thought, she spoke:

"It must be the daughter of the Jia family who has come here. Quickly welcome her in, and then brew a pot of Lu'an tea."

"Hey."

Baochai and Gu Yu were greeted by a maid shortly afterward. On the way, they glanced at the furnishings of the Green Bamboo Nunnery and couldn't help but nod in approval. She had always disliked heavy makeup; let alone wearing bright colors, even her own boudoir was like a snow cave.

Although women dress up for those they love, Baochai couldn't change her temporary preferences. Seeing that the Green Bamboo Nunnery was also so simple and elegant, she immediately had a good impression of Miaoyu, whom she had never met before.

Following the maid to the main room, before even entering, Baochai saw the figures inside. She subconsciously straightened her back, and her smile became even more perfect, but in her heart, she couldn't help but compare them.

Her brows were slightly furrowed, her gaze was clear yet lively, her skin was fair and delicate, she looked very young, and her features were exquisite and beautiful... Another formidable opponent!

Thinking of this, Baochai couldn't help but glance at Gu Yu beside her. Fortunately, Gu Yu was quite immune to such things and didn't look like a lecherous man. Instead, he playfully winked at Baochai.

"I don't think she's as pretty as Baochai."

This was naturally the information Baochai had deciphered. Feeling a surge of joy, she stopped thinking about anything else and stepped forward with a smile to greet her:

"I'm really sorry to bother you without any reason. I just heard that there is a lay Buddhist in Longcui Nunnery and I would like to come and visit him. I wonder if it is convenient for me?"

Miaoyu hurriedly withdrew her gaze, a slight blush rising on her fair and jade-like face. After coughing twice, she quickly gestured for the two to sit down and then went to call a maid to pour tea. Her voice was not as melodious as Tanchun and Xichun's; her slightly calm and gentle voice was quite in line with her identity as a nun.

Gu Yu pretended not to notice her frequent, furtive glances. Although it was his suggestion to come, he was now letting Baochai take the lead in talking to her, while he sat idly to the side drinking tea.

Before long, Miaoyu shed her usual pretense and chatted happily with Baochai. However, she couldn't help but glance at Baochai out of the corner of her eye. As the sun gradually set, golden light streamed into the room through the window. Gu Yu sat on the far side, and a beam of light happened to illuminate half of her face.

Looking at that radiant, perfect profile, Miaoyu's voice slowed down a couple of seconds, and she was momentarily stunned. Baochai followed her gaze, smiled helplessly, but couldn't help but take a few more glances.

Gu Yu was here to sell her beauty; otherwise, why would she be so bored as to let the sun beat down on her? With the most gentle and warm smile on her lips, she tried her best to find the perfect side angle to take a picture, so that the two girls could enjoy it to the fullest.

In this unspoken understanding, after an unknown amount of time, the sound of a maid's footsteps came from outside the room, startling Miaoyu awake. Her heart pounded, and she quickly turned her head away to hide it. Baochai pretended to be nonchalant and said a few more words before taking her leave.

After the two left, Baochai looked at the smug Gu Yu beside her and couldn't help but ask:

“You said you were coming to visit Miaoyu, but why haven’t you said a word since you arrived? If I hadn’t introduced you, she probably wouldn’t even know your name.”

Gu Yu suddenly sighed out of the blue:

"Desiring purity, yet never truly pure; the empty sky, yet not necessarily empty... Sister Bao, you and Miaoyu had quite a long conversation just now, what did you think?"

Baochai rolled her eyes inwardly, but upon hearing this, she couldn't help but laugh:

"What can I do about it? In my opinion, it would be better if you brought Lin Daiyu over next time. Otherwise, I think—hahaha~"

"I think Sister Bao's mouth is just as good as Sister Lin's; they're both eloquent. Perhaps it would be better if I stopped using this skill."

Gu Yu laughed and was about to tickle her when Baochai, her girlish nature stirring, couldn't help but laugh and run forward. She ran, he chased, she couldn't escape—oops, the two of them playfully returned the way they came.

At the Longcui Nunnery, after seeing Baochai and the other two off, Miaoyu returned to the Buddhist hall. However, she knelt on the prayer mat but had no intention of chanting scriptures. She couldn't help but think back to the person she had just seen.

"Such a wonderful person still exists in the world..."

Although she lived in a nunnery, she was not isolated from the world. She had heard of Gu Yu's reputation, but since they had never been in contact, she had not paid any attention to it.

Upon seeing him today, she was surprised to find him to be so young and handsome, with both talent and good looks. He also seemed to have a gentle and refined personality, which immediately made her take a second look at him.

Looking at the Buddha statue in front of her, Miaoyu suddenly felt a sense of shame for no reason. After thinking for a moment, she stood up and went back to her room.

"Gu Yu... is truly a rare talent..."

After sending the disheveled Baochai back, Gu Yu stretched contentedly. He had finally finished this matter today, and it seemed that Miaoyu was also easily won over.

After all, for a young and beautiful girl like her, whose heart is not at peace, the first outstanding young man she meets will undoubtedly add a vibrant touch to her dull and tedious life as a nun. At that time, all he needs to do is move his fingers, and this canary, kept in a cage and yearning for the sky, will become his possession.

He had been thinking about it before, but once Baoyu was imprisoned, he suddenly relaxed and forgot about it again. Now that he's remembered, shouldn't he visit more often these days? After all, a young lady's youth shouldn't be wasted...

Gu Yu nodded in agreement, finding the idea more and more reasonable. He decided on a quick and decisive strategy to resolve Miao Yu's life-changing issues in one fell swoop. However, before he could go back and celebrate with Xiang Ling, he was stopped by a maid at the door.

"Young Master, a message came from outside saying that Young Master Li has urgent business to attend to and is still waiting at the shop. He wants you to come over for a chat no matter how long it takes for you to return."

"Oh?"

Gu Yu was startled, not knowing why only Li Wensong had come. A sense of foreboding rose in her heart, and she quickly walked towards the side gate.

"Go back and tell Xiangling and the others that they don't need to wait for me."

"Yes."

……

Chapter Seventeen: Quite a Big Scene

Riding her beloved little mare led by a servant, Gu Yu galloped all the way, no longer caring about keeping a low profile by taking back roads. She overtook countless carriages and horses along the main road, and in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she had traveled from Rongning Street to the east of the city.

A few patrolling soldiers who didn't recognize him thought they had finally caught a dumb and fat fish and were excitedly preparing to pass on the message. They thought that if the brothers from any place stopped them, they would also get a share of the spoils.

Before he could even utter a sound, he saw several figures dressed in goose-shaped hats and brocade robes rushing past him, which startled him so much that he quickly turned around and scattered.

"Could this be some notorious bandit?! My goodness, they even have two captains leading the team..."

"Stop talking about things that aren't our business! Your grandpa doesn't want to go down there..."

...

As Gu Yu arrived at the entrance of Yingkexuan, he was about to get up and dismount when Li Wensong, who had been pacing anxiously inside, spotted him immediately. He quickly called out to him, grabbed Gu Yu's hand, and led him to the carriage beside him, without even putting down his whip.

"Brother Yu, you've finally arrived! Hurry and come with me to the Confucius Mansion, or Brother Chengli will be beaten to death!"

Gu Yu was taken aback. This young man had stopped calling her "Beautiful Yu"; he must be someone extraordinary. She quickly stopped and asked:

"Since it's so urgent, why not ride a fast horse there?"

Li Wensong rolled his eyes helplessly and then pulled him into the car:

"You should at least let me finish explaining why, otherwise are we just going to rush over there and collect Brother Chengli's body?"

"..."

The two boarded the carriage. After instructing the coachman to set off quickly, Li Wensong finally let out a sigh of relief. Looking back at Gu Yu's probing gaze, he twitched his lips in exasperation and still began to explain on his behalf.

"This matter has caused quite a stir..."

After Gu Yu finished listening to Li Wensong's brief explanation, she couldn't help but twitch her lips and point to her nose in disbelief, saying:

"So this is all my fault?"

Li Wensong nodded without hesitation:

"If you hadn't been lusting after your cousin Lin's body and hadn't consulted us so many times, Brother Chengli wouldn't have thought of doing this in a moment of excitement."

Gu Yu opened her mouth, suddenly wanting to curse. What had she done to deserve this? These two scoundrels had silently pinned the blame on her. Thinking of this, Gu Yu suddenly jolted awake and quickly asked:

"Could it be that Duke Yansheng already knows?"

"Brother Chengli didn't say, only that he acted impulsively and is now kneeling in the backyard, waiting for Patriarch Kong to return. Patriarch Kong must have already returned to the mansion by now."

Li Wensong shook his head, his eyes filled with worry. After all, this matter was neither too big nor too small. However, the Kong family were descendants of the sage, and even for the sake of their reputation as role models of virtue, they would make an example of them.

"Has word of this already spread?"

"Probably not yet. Only his cousin's mother went and saw it at the time. After that, the Duke Yansheng closed his residence. Now, all the direct descendants of the Kong family should know about it. If this matter isn't dealt with quickly..."

Gu Yu's heart sank. Although he didn't need to experience the infighting within such a large family firsthand, he knew how terrifying it was just from watching "Empresses in the Palace" several times in his previous life. If word got out from any branch of the family, even if the Duke Yansheng doted on his eldest grandson, he would have no choice but to execute Ma Su with tears in his eyes.

The only way for the two of them to save their friend now is to go there and devise a plan to protect the reputation of the Kong family. Once someone can't hold back and tries to cripple this eldest grandson, it will be too late.

The two remained silent the entire way. When the carriage stopped at the back gate of the Confucius Mansion, Gu Yu took the lead and went to greet them, instructing the servant to open the gate.

Over the years, he had a close relationship with the Duke Yansheng. The two were both teacher and friend, and he was considered half a disciple of the Duke Yansheng. He visited the Confucius Mansion more often during the autumn examinations than he returned to the Jia family. Naturally, the servants all recognized him.

As for Li Wensong, he was much the same, but his face wasn't as effective as Gu Yu's. Now that the two of them had come together, the servants didn't dare to be negligent. They awkwardly stepped forward to apologize while hurriedly calling someone to let him go in and announce their arrival.

"Young Master Yu, Young Master Wen, it's not that I dared to stop you, but Master ordered the manor to be closed, and we really dared not let them pass..."

Gu Yu didn't bother arguing with him and walked straight ahead. The servants quickly surrounded him and tried to block him, but Gu Yu simply pushed them away. Five or six people were sent flying and fell to the ground, some even rolling several times. For a moment, groans echoed from the ground.

Li Wensong stood there dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. He glanced at the group of people lying on the ground like gourds, only to see them glaring and yelling, refusing to get up. Realizing what was happening, he sighed inwardly and quickly walked over to catch up with Gu Yu.

As soon as they left, the servants who had been screaming and groaning got up quickly and took their places properly. Apart from the presence of a carriage and a coachman with his mouth agape at the door, it was as if nothing had happened.

Gu Yu and her companion arrived at the Zhengyanzhai of the Duke of Yansheng with ease. A servant had already informed them that they had broken in, so they did not encounter any maids along the way and simply strode in.

Passing through the courtyard, before even entering the backyard, one could hear the sounds of bamboo shoots being stir-fried with pork:

"Slap! Keep reading!"

"...In ancient times, the greatest principle of governance was loving the people, and thus governing the country was achieved. The greatest principle of governance was propriety, and the greatest principle of propriety was reverence. And the greatest reverence, of all, was a grand wedding..."

"Slap! Keep reading!"

"...In ancient times, the greatest principle of governance was to love the people..."

"Snap! Keep reading!"

"..."

Gu Yu took a breath, and her previous aggressive demeanor immediately deflated. She exchanged a glance with Li Wensong, and even her steps became lighter as she tiptoed closer and stood still.

Only then did they see the scene clearly. The Duke Yansheng had his eyes closed and his back to everyone, his head slightly tilted back, which only accentuated his aged and hunched figure. The head of the Kong family was holding a rattan cane, his eyes red as he was reprimanding Kong Chengli, who was kneeling on the ground, with each blow.

Kong Chengli's upper garment was stripped off, and he was beaten countless times. His inner garment was torn to shreds, covered in large patches of blood. You could vaguely see the numerous bloodstains on his body underneath. Although you couldn't see his face, judging from the increasingly weak voice as he recited, he was probably frighteningly pale.

"Master Kong, please have mercy!"

"Master Kong, please have mercy!"

Seeing that the head of the Kong family was still gritting his teeth and lashing out with the whip, Gu Yu and Li Wensong hurriedly stepped forward to stop him. They didn't dare to pull him away, but instead bent down to block Kong Chengli, who was kneeling on the ground.

Li Wensong had gritted his teeth and mentally prepared himself to be whipped, but to his surprise, as soon as they arrived, the Kong family head took the opportunity to drop the bamboo whip, snorted fiercely, and then left without looking back.

"???"

Gu Yu looked up, somewhat stunned. He had really been beating his son to death earlier, so why did he suddenly stop? But now was not the time to dwell on that. Seeing that the Duke Yansheng was still motionless, Gu Yu quickly took over and ordered the remaining maids in the courtyard to carry the semi-conscious Kong Chengli away for treatment.

When there was no further movement in the courtyard, the Duke Yansheng, who had been standing there like a statue, finally made a sound.

Chapter 18 What to do when there are only two cobblers?

"Hmm—huh? Finished?"

Duke Yansheng stretched and turned around, slightly surprised to see only Gu Yu and Li Wensong remaining. He rubbed his sleepy old eyes and casually waved his hand, indicating that the two should follow him inside.

"You call this an extremely urgent situation???"

Gu Yu silently tugged at Li Wensong's sleeve and winked, wanting to punch this unreliable jerk. His grandfather was about to fall asleep, not in any way what he described as being on the verge of death.

Li Wensong looked completely innocent. That was indeed the news he had received, and it was even the servant from the Kong family who came to deliver the message in person!

After the Duke Yansheng entered the study and sat down, his face finally darkened, and he snorted heavily: