Red Mansion: I am Jia Lian

Chapter 274: Secretly Adding Fuel

The character of Qin Keqing is inconsistent in the original novel.

Jia Lian remembered very clearly that when he first read the original novel, there was a chapter titled "Qin Keqing's Death in Tianxiang Tower", but it had no content, only a chapter title. Because of this, Jia Lian was deeply impressed.

After her death, Qin Keqing still appears in the original text, but she is always portrayed in a positive light.

This is very contradictory! All I can say is that the original work was revised again and again, and the deleted content was not added.

There are many interpretations about Qin Keqing by various experts. They start with the layout of her bedroom and focus on the chapter where Jia Baoyu takes a nap in her bedroom and interpret it repeatedly.

It can only be said that in the minds of the interpreters, the author of "Dream of Red Mansions" does not understand "Dream of Red Mansions", just as Zhou Shuren does not understand Lu Xun.

The original author was Hu Shi, and Jia Lian believed it when he was young. But as he got older and read more books, he knew that the original author was still controversial. It's just that Hu Shi was famous, had many disciples, and had official certification.

(PS: Some time ago, a group of writers from Shanghai held an event. One of the authors talked a lot about Hu Shi. As a non-voting person on the reception side, I sat in the corner and listened to the female author's speech. I couldn't cover my ears. It was too painful.)
There is one thing that is indisputable about Qin Keqing, that is, she is beautiful. As for whether she had a relationship with Jia Zhen, there are many interpretations, but there is no solid evidence. Judging from Jia Zhen's behavior at her funeral, is it possible that he was just asking for it but couldn't get it?

Different people have different opinions. In short, the number of people supported by "Dream of Red Mansions" is so large that it has become a vested interest group.

When I was young, I thought there was nothing to study about a crappy novel. But after I entered society, I realized that I was shallow.

Youshi and Qin Keqing appeared together, and their mindsets were different. Youshi wanted to see Jia Lian, but she couldn't be too proactive. So Jia Zhen provided assistance and asked her to bring Qin Keqing to see Jia Lian. As the head of the family, Jia Zhen certainly knew who was the pillar of the Jia family. There were some things that Jia Zhen couldn't say, so he had to let Youshi say them.

As for Qin Keqing, she had met Jia Lian before, and her initial impression of him was very deep: an uncle who wiped his nephew's butt. He had a kind and steady face, and was handsome and elegant. Later, she continued to learn about Jia Lian's deeds. After marriage, when she saw Jia Zhen and Jia Rong talking about Jia Lian, they also spoke with great respect. The image of this second uncle, whom she had only met once, developed in a tall direction.

When she was standing outside the door just now, watching her mother-in-law's reaction, Qin Keqing realized that something seemed amiss. She didn't think much about it, but thought of some of the things Jia Zhen said before she left, such as "That fellow has always respected you..."

"Thank you for troubling me, sister-in-law. I was thinking of paying you a visit." Jia Lian stood up and clasped his hands with a very good attitude.

When Youshi saw Jia Lian, she smiled and said, "Your elder brother Zhen drank too much yesterday and is still drunk, otherwise he would have come in person. This is Rong'er's new wife Qin. I've brought her here to introduce herself to you."

Before Jia Lian could say anything, Wang Xifeng took the initiative to step forward, took Qin Keqing's hand, and said in a very affectionate manner: "Master, after Qin came into the family, grandma praised her almost every day. She is the one who pleases grandma the most."

Qin Keqing quickly said modestly, "I wish you all the best for my second uncle. Second Madam, you are too kind. I am just taking advantage of my seniority. The words of the old ancestor should not be taken seriously."

Jia Lian felt something was not right when he heard this. What did it mean that the ancestors should be sympathetic to him because he was younger than him?
Although he had this thought in mind, Jia Lian did not say much. After a few polite words, he made an excuse to go to the study, leaving the other women alone.

How can I say this? Even if he is a junior, Jia Lian has to avoid suspicion.

Wang Xifeng was the most flexible person. Seeing that Jia's mother liked Qin Keqing very much, she naturally had a very good relationship with her. In comparison, Youshi was a little lacking in front of Wang Xifeng. In theory, Youshi and Wang Xifeng were of the same generation.

"Oh, I forgot to tell Lian'er about what the master asked me to do." Yu Shi waited for a while before she left.

Wang Xifeng was not surprised by this. She already knew some of the troubles in the East Palace. She looked down on Jia Zhen to some extent, and she also knew that Jia Lian looked down on him. It was for the sake of the Jia family that Jia Lian reluctantly dealt with him. On weekdays, he would not get involved if he could. Wang Xifeng felt that she understood and felt quite sympathetic to Youshi. Qin Keqing had just entered the house and was handed over the power of the housekeeper.

At the door of the study, Xiangling was curled up in the fire bucket, holding a book in her hands and reading it very attentively. When she heard the noise, she immediately got up and saw that it was Jia Lian. She immediately came out, patted her skirt, and said, "Second Master, is the Second Madam out busy again?"

Xiangling had gained some baby fat from eating at the Jia family's house, and she looked very likable. Jia Lian stretched out his hand and pinched her cheek: "You are too nosy!"

Jia Lian entered, and Xiangling hurriedly followed him, following him step by step, and was a bit chatty: "When the Second Master is not at home, Sister usually comes to sit in the study for a while every day. Sister Guixiang always asks me to sleep with her at night and asks if I miss the Second Master."

Jia Lian sat on the chair with a smile on his face. Xiangling sat on it as if she was familiar with the place, twisted her waist a few times, and found a comfortable position.

Seeing Xiangling's movements like a stray cat trying to rub against the trouser legs of passers-by, Jia Lian knew that Xiangling lacked a sense of security. He did not dislike her actions, but rather enjoyed them. The study was a forbidden area, and the maids who could stay in the study were all Jia Lian's forbidden delicacies. This was the rule in the Jia family.

"No one will bully you when I'm not at home, right?" When Xiangling took his hand and put it in front of him, Jia Lian had to find something to say. This little maid's charm was all natural and came out unconsciously, and she couldn't suppress her evil thoughts.

"Who dares? Second Madam has never scolded me." Xiangling answered very naturally, as if it was as natural as eating and walking.

"Hey, what kind of rule is this?" The voice coming from behind was so sour that Jia Lian knew who it was without turning around.

Xiangling slid down and stepped forward to say, "Hello, Grandma Zhen!"

Jia Lian waved his hand, Xiangling went out, and closed the study door.

Looking at Youshi's resentful expression, Jia Lian smiled and said, "Are you jealous of a child?"

Youshi came over and sat down unceremoniously, saying, "I can't compare to her, nor do I have the qualifications. There is one thing you'd better warn Jia Zhen about. It's fine for a new daughter-in-law to serve her father-in-law, but if she stays alone, there will be too much gossip."

Jia Lian narrowed his eyes and reached out his hand to explore through the gap in the front of his clothes. Yu Shi's body immediately softened and her voice became nasal: "Then Qin Shi didn't dare to resist, so she could only ask me for hints. What can I do? The most I can do is to stay and not leave every time, or go in every once in a while. For this, I was scolded several times."

Hearing this, Jia Lian could not help but straighten his back and sneered, "It seems that the situation in the East Palace is good recently. Brother Zhen has more money. The dowry that Qin brought seems to be quite generous."

Youshi struggled to get up, holding onto the table and said, "I'm neither here nor there. People will see it later. When Qin came to serve tea the next day, Jia Zhen asked her to be the housekeeper. I'm happy to have some free time. I went to her room and saw that the decorations were unusual." Well, the East Palace still has some wealth. It is estimated that Qin Keqing did not take a lot of dowry after she entered the palace. No wonder Jia Zhen did not send anyone to cause trouble in Shandong this time, and he did not mention it or write a letter. It is estimated that he got back the money from Qin's dowry.

Jia Lian also stood up, found the package that had been put away separately, opened it, took out a pair of gold and jade tables, and handed them to Youshi.

"You go back first, I'll go to the East Palace later." Jia Lian didn't dare to keep Youshi for too long, fearing something might happen. This pair of bracelets was a fine piece of trophy, and Jia Lian brought back a lot of similar jewelry.

You took it and looked at it, she was very happy, she carefully put it into her sleeve and said, "That's it, I'll go over first."

After taking a break and regaining her breathing, You slowly walked back.

In the main hall, Wang Xifeng was showing off to Qin Keqing, and Youshi heard it all in the yard.

"Second Master has done a great deed this time, and he has sent back a lot of things. The things are all in the public warehouse, and I don't know who will get the cheapest in the future." Although she said so, Wang Xifeng actually went through them in the morning and carefully selected a batch of valuables and put them in the bottom of her box first. Ping'er and Guixiang also took some, but there were only a few.

Although Qin Keqing had not been here for long, she could see the configuration of the West Mansion. The eldest son of the first house lived in the East Cross Courtyard. No one else would play this way. It was because Wang Xifeng and Mrs. Wang were aunt and niece, otherwise they would have fought long ago.

"I'm afraid that my second uncle will be promoted, and your imperial title will also be promoted. Speaking of which, my second uncle is a family man. He has been away from home for half a year and has not brought anyone back with him. I really envy the relationship between the two of you. It's really great."

Qin Keqing also said things that Wang Xifeng liked to hear. Wang Xifeng's mouth curled up almost ninety degrees when she heard it, and her words were so hypocritical: "This is the truth. Other men can bring back a new woman every three days, let alone half a year away from home."

When Youshi came in, Wang Xifeng stood up and asked, "Sister Zhen is back. What did she say?"

"Your elder brother Zhen invited Brother Lian to have a drink. I'm afraid he has something to ask for, and he is embarrassed to come, so he has to make things difficult for me." Youshi did not cover up for Jia Zhen, and Wang Xifeng was very credible in her heart. If it were not for Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng would look down on the Jia family. After all, the second wife forced the first wife to do what she wanted. Now her mentality is different. My man is the face of the Jia family. Why should the second wife live in the main house?
As for the East Palace, it was such a mess that Wang Xifeng would not get involved if she could. If she was not afraid of what people outside would say and Jia Lian would lose face, she would have wanted to seal the door between the two houses.

"We shouldn't get involved in a man's affairs. It's time to go serve the old ancestor. Let's go together."

Wang Xifeng invisibly occupied the dominant position among the three people. The other two had no objection and followed her out, heading towards Lady Jia.

In Youshi's eyes, Qin Keqing tried her best to please Grandmother Jia after entering the house, and at the same time, she had a very good relationship with Wang Xifeng. Although she seemed to have a low family background, Youshi actually didn't feel that. Grandmother Jia thought highly of Qin Keqing, so what else could others say? It was Youshi who had a normal heart, and Mrs. Xing was also an old numb person, otherwise how could the Jia family's backyard be peaceful?
Jia's mother didn't bother to ask yesterday, and Jia Lian didn't get up early today, as he was always worried about the Shi family. Just after lunch, someone from the Shi family came to deliver a letter saying that the two masters had found a job and were sent to other places to serve as prefects. Compared with their previous jobs in the Ministry of War, they were not Beijing officials, so their status was not as good, but they were more lucrative.

So when she saw Wang Xifeng again, Grandmother Jia enthusiastically asked her to sit next to her and asked about her well-being, leaving aside Qin Keqing, her most proud granddaughter-in-law. Wang Xifeng was a little confused. Usually she played crazy and stupid to please Grandmother Jia, but today was not the case. Grandmother Jia's usual approachable attitude was only for Jia Lian and Baoyu.

"My dear grandson is so capable, the baby must be a boy." Lai Dajia was also a flatterer, and with just one word, he made Jia Mu and Wang Xifeng smile. Wang Xifeng was even prouder and said, "The master said that sons and daughters are the same, and I said it must be a boy, and he also said it must be a boy."

Everyone laughed along, and praised Jia Lian, praising him without asking for money. Wang Xifeng was rarely the center of attention. Wang Xifeng, who knew what was going on, stood up and resumed her previous seat, not continuing to sit in front of Jia's mother.

Grandmother Jia then talked about the news of the Shi family, and mentioned Jia Lian: "It's all the fault of the Shi family for not living up to expectations. It's hard for my good grandson."

Wang Xifeng's smile froze slightly after hearing this. If these historians had settled the matter, wouldn't they have lost something? No wonder! I was kept in the center for a while just now. What happened?

Jia Lian went out a little later, without anyone with him, and walked slowly towards the East Palace.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the East Palace, I saw Jia Rong coming towards me.

"Second uncle is here, I was just about to invite him." Jia Rong's gloomy expression instantly turned into a smile.

Jia Lian saw it clearly, raised his hand and knocked on his head: "What are you doing? Are you wronged?"

Jia Rong sneered, "What else can you say? You think I'm an eyesore. I don't understand, what's the meaning of always leaving Qin alone?"

Things are different now. The Jia Rong who was scared to death of Jia Zhen is no longer the kind of person who would tremble in fear when Jia Zhen glares at him.

Jia Lian remained silent. The two of them walked forward quietly for a while before Jia Lian spoke up: "Yes, we should avoid suspicion!"

Jia Rong opened his mouth and chuckled twice, but did not continue the topic. He changed the subject and said, "Yesterday he asked me to deliver money to Xuanzhen Temple. Now he has caught me. I will not go to Xuanzhen Temple if I can."

When it comes to Xuanzhen Temple, Jia Lian becomes interested: "Why, Uncle Jing scolds you too?"

"He didn't scold me, and he didn't even see me. He asked a female nun to see me, and every time she only asked about the money. I went there a few times, and the female nun always stopped me to talk."

Jia Lian knew that the look in his eyes when he heard this must have been very interesting, otherwise Jia Rong's expression would not have been so awkward.

"Uncle, don't think too much. I always leave behind money and go. It's good to spend some money, but I'm afraid his appetite will grow. I heard from Qin that Ningguo Mansion's income is not enough to cover expenses. Although the family seems to have a lot of money, there will always be a time when they run out of money. He spends a lot of money every month to buy cigarettes, and he asks me to bring them back every now and then, but he doesn't give me any money."

Jia Lian sensed Jia Rong's deep resentment, but he did not intend to continue to instigate him. Instead, he advised him: "Every family has its own problems. You, just bear with it. My father still lives in the East Cross Courtyard, so I have no choice but to bear with it, right?"

The secret attempt to add fuel to the fire was obviously very successful. Although Jia Rong said nothing, his face was full of resentment.

(End of this chapter)