Chapter 6: Alienation

Only Lady Wang and Jia Zheng remained in the room for dinner. Though the couple had long maintained a respectful and courteous relationship over the years, this meal revealed their differing thoughts.

“Baoyu has been quite restless these past few days. If you truly can’t manage him, perhaps you should send him to Mother for discipline. That way, your household duties might be lighter,” Jia Zheng said, having recently come to understand how exhausting caring for a child could be. The constant crying and fussing had shown him the boundless energy of a three-year-old.

“Master, Mother is advanced in age. If Baoyu were sent over, it might disturb her rest. Besides, Yuan Chun is here, dutifully attending to Mother. There’s no need for this little three-year-old to trouble her peace,” Lady Wang replied, nearly losing her composure upon hearing Jia Zheng’s suggestion. She had invested so much effort into keeping Baoyu close within the estate; the mere thought of him being taken away threatened to shatter her resolve.

“I only meant to ease your burden, but if you’re unwilling, so be it!” Jia Zheng, seeing his well-intentioned advice met with such resistance, lost interest and left the room.

With a sudden crash, Lady Wang shattered the cup she held to the floor, releasing her frustration once Jia Zheng had departed.

“Madam, please calm yourself! The master surely meant no offense; his concern shows he still cares for you,” Zhou Ruijia, overhearing the commotion, quickly stepped forward to soothe her.

“Yuan Chun was taken from my side because she was born under an auspicious star—a noble fate, as the fortune-tellers say. The old lady used that as an excuse. Now Baoyu, born with jade, is almost taken from me as well. I’ve struggled so hard to keep him close; the master’s words feel like a knife to my heart!” Lady Wang’s pain ran deep as she thought of Yuan Chun, who had always been favored by Grandmother Jia.

“The old lady only acts for the young lady’s benefit. Madam must not show resentment before her. The old lady favors the second branch; even the first branch cannot win her over. The young master is still small, and the estate has many places needing her care. Madam, please endure this for the sake of the young lady and young master,” Zhou Ruijia, loyal to the principle of shared fortunes and losses, stood firmly by Lady Wang’s side, fearing she might reveal discontent in front of Grandmother Jia.

“Nanny, I know well the old lady’s importance to the second branch, but I am angry with the master. How could he say such things so lightly? He indulges that cunning woman, but why take our son from me as well?” Lady Wang vented her anger before regaining composure, though her displeasure toward Jia Zheng lingered.

Jia Zheng did not return to his study after leaving Lady Wang’s side; instead, he went straight to Qin Mingyue’s quarters. Hearing this, Lady Wang’s temper flared anew.

“Master, what brings you here today?” Qin Mingyue rose to greet him.

“It has been many days since I visited Huan’er. Why is it so cold in this room?” Jia Zheng noticed the chill upon entering, scarcely warmer than outside.

“The household’s coal supplies are insufficient, so the warmth is prioritized for Huan’er. The little one is frail. Please, master, come inside Huan’er’s room,” Qin Mingyue explained, knowing Lady Wang would find many excuses to shirk responsibility. With Jia Zheng involved, the household dared not blatantly withhold their share.

“I’m sorry for the trouble. These days, I will have some coal transferred from my own quarters,” Jia Zheng said, usually indifferent to such mundane matters but unwilling to see his children suffer the cold. Having fathered two children, he felt responsible.

Though he did not blame Lady Wang directly, the idea of sending Baoyu to Grandmother Jia’s care resurfaced in his mind. He suspected Lady Wang’s limited time and energy for the household contributed to the situation.

Little Jia Huan could not yet recognize faces but was lively and cheerful with everyone. Jia Zheng, unlike his disappointment with Baoyu, found his paternal affection finding room to flourish here, and he stayed through mealtime.

“What’s this? Have these been the dishes served recently?” Jia Zheng’s earlier good mood vanished.

“I forgot to tell the kitchen that the master would dine here today. Xiao Que, go to the kitchen and have them resend the dishes!” Qin Mingyue said with a troubled look, inwardly delighted. The servants in Jia Mansion were so careless they didn’t even know Jia Zheng had come over, making things easier for her.

Soon, Xiao Que returned empty-handed, crying.

“Auntie! They treat us so unfairly! They say our dishes weren’t mixed up. The estate is tight on resources now; even the masters don’t complain, but how can we servants not be allowed to eat these dishes?” The girl, just over ten, blushed from crying after being mocked by the older maids.

“Enough crying. Didn’t we eat these same dishes before? The estate is short on coal and food alike—probably struggling financially. Trust that this is to cut costs. Quickly warm the dishes; we can’t be seen as delicate!” Qin Mingyue said as she urged Jia Zheng to sit.

Jia Zheng’s face flushed with embarrassment. His own meals in Lady Wang’s quarters were always exquisite, far from the chill and meager fare here. If the prestigious Rongguo Mansion could not afford decent food, it would be a laughingstock.

“Don’t worry, I will see to it,” Jia Zheng promised before turning to leave, unable to stay any longer.

Qin Mingyue, having achieved her purpose, made no effort to detain him. To her, Jia Zheng was merely a tool.

What transpired that night remains unknown, but the next day, Jia Baoyu was brought to Grandmother Jia’s quarters for care. Lady Wang’s room received two rounds of new furnishings, and the rations for Qin Mingyue’s quarters were no longer cut.

“Auntie, Uncle is here!” Xiao Que’s voice came from outside, and soon Zhao Guoji entered.

“Auntie, how have you been these days?” Since being freed from servitude, Zhao Guoji had come to appreciate his improved status, no longer feeling inferior. His confidence had grown, yet he knew all he had now came through Qin Mingyue, to whom he had grown increasingly close.

“All is well, big brother. How are Father and Mother? How old is Huzi now? Shouldn’t he be starting school?” Qin Mingyue asked.

“Father and Mother remain strong. Huzi has just begun school. It’s hard to tell how he’ll do, but it’s good he can at least recognize some characters,” Zhao Guoji said, filled with energy. If his son had a talent for study, he was prepared to sell everything to support him in the imperial examinations, hoping to bring honor to the Zhao family.

“Good. Big brother, I have a favor to ask. Do you know of any secret channels to sell rare and extraordinary items while concealing one’s identity?” After sending her maids and elder women away, Qin Mingyue asked Zhao Guoji directly.

“I do, but it depends on what you want to sell,” Zhao Guoji replied. Having grown up as a servant-born child in Jia Mansion, he naturally had connections.

“Come take a look. What do you think of this?” Qin Mingyue unveiled a red flower, immediately catching Zhao Guoji’s eye.

“This… this isn’t a camellia? How can it bloom in winter, and look so vibrant?” Zhao Guoji rubbed his eyes, afraid he was mistaken, checking several times before speaking.

“I’ve carefully tended it indoors for some time. As for its winter bloom, there are other methods involved. Tell me, can this flower fetch a high price?” Qin Mingyue asked again.

“It can! It must! Even in spring, this camellia would be remarkable, let alone blooming in winter. Don’t worry, big brother will make sure this deal is done right!” Zhao Guoji was thrilled, disregarding formalities, eager to take the flower away.