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

Page 41

That small, soft, fragrant tongue inexplicably reminded him of another little girl, but he wondered if that girl tasted just like Xichun…

Xi Chun was led by Gu Yu and gave up all the territory in her mouth. She was even invited to visit the new territory.

As the kiss intensified, Xichun even forgot how to breathe for a moment, until she could barely breathe herself before she breathed heavily onto Gu Yu's face, making the fragrance in his nose even stronger.

After an unknown amount of time, Gu Yu finally ended his first round of attacks, still feeling unsatisfied. By this time, Xi Chun was so weak from his kisses that she leaned back, breathing heavily.

Nestled in Gu Yu's arms for a while, Xi Chun finally came to her senses. Only then did she understand why Ying Chun, who was usually so dull, had been quite 'lively' when she saw her that day.

So this is how comfortable Yu-gege's kiss is! Xi Chun felt a little hot all over, a tingling and numb sensation that was both comfortable and uncomfortable, and unconsciously began to rub against Gu Yu's chest.

Gu Yu was also a little angry. Although she had vented her anger several times last night, how could she be a young person if she wasn't hot-tempered?! But even in ancient times, Xi Chun's age was really inconvenient to pass the test, so Gu Yu could only take advantage of her small tongue and bully her.

……

When Daiyu and the others arrived, they didn't say anything when they saw that Xichun had come ahead of time.

Although they hugged each other closer than usual and laughed more heartily, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

After looking her over several times, Daiyu finally felt relieved.

Despite receiving the unexpected joy of Xichun today, Gu Yu did not forget the main event of tonight. After telling Xiangling and the others in the evening that she might not be back tonight, she went out alone.

A few days ago, the imperial decree finally arrived, appointing Yuan Chun as the Minister of the Phoenix Palace and bestowing upon her the title of Virtuous Consort. The entire Jia family was overjoyed by this news and devoted even more effort to the construction of the garden.

Therefore, Gu Yu's departure did not cause any disturbance. However, late at night, a commotion suddenly broke out at the Ningguo Mansion. Feng Jie was asleep when she heard the news from the servants.

"Madam Rong of the Eastern Mansion is gone!"

Not only that, but several houses also caught fire. Fortunately, because of the garden renovation, many of the treasures and furnishings in the empty rooms had already been removed, leaving only the most basic pieces of furniture.

After everyone extinguished the fire, they pulled out two charred corpses from inside. Jia Zhen shouted and then fainted on the spot.

For a time, those who were replying to Grandmother Jia, those who were reaching out to help Jia Zhen, and those who were still tidying up the charred wood were all in a chaotic mess.

Jia Zheng and Jia She, who finally arrived, helped stabilize the situation. Since they couldn't tell which body was Jia Qinshi's, they had to put both bodies in a coffin.

When Jia Zhen woke up, he burst into tears again, as if his own father had died, which puzzled Jia Zheng and the others.

After all that commotion, it was almost dawn, so everyone had to go back and rest. They told the servants to hurry up and set up the mourning hall so they could send messages to various places.

……

Qin Keqing sat in a small sedan chair, still feeling inexplicably nervous. Ever since Gu Yu's visit, her life seemed to have taken a turn, rushing headlong into the unknown.

When the maids explained their purpose and took out a packet of medicine, Qin Keqing thought that someone from the Jia family had discovered her and was testing her. It wasn't until she found an opportunity to ask Gu Yu that she realized it was indeed her young lover's trick.

Since taking that medicine, Qin Keqing has become visibly weaker, her face looking sickly so that no one could see any flaws. Even the doctor they invited could only shake his head helplessly.

Qin Keqing herself felt somewhat powerless, but didn't feel much, which she found quite amazing.

Tonight, those old women suddenly brought her a simple dress and asked her to change into it, and also asked for some personal accessories.

Qin Keqing had a jade pendant that she had carried with her since childhood, usually hanging on her waist, as many people knew. Although somewhat reluctant, Qin Keqing still gave it to them in order to escape this filthy place.

So, taking advantage of the late hour, Qin Keqing was carried out by these maids, with several servants assisting from the outside. They carried her out in one go, so smoothly that Qin Keqing was still in a daze when she got into the sedan chair.

Chapter Nine: Keeping a Beauty in a Golden House

The sedan chair circled around for an unknown amount of time before finally entering through a side gate. When the sedan chair stopped, Qin Keqing's heart skipped a beat.

From the moment she boarded this sedan chair, everything in the Ningguo Mansion became irrelevant to her. From now on, she was just an unknown woman, possessing nothing but her chastity.

Just as she took a deep breath and prepared to get out of the sedan chair, the curtain was lifted. Qin Keqing looked up and saw Gu Yu looking at her with a smile. She couldn't help but lower her head shyly.

Gu Yu's breath hitched as he looked at the shy, downcast woman. Qin Keqing was the most charming woman he had ever met; every smile and frown seemed to easily stir a man's emotions.

The thought of taking her into his household filled Gu Yu with excitement. Besides Qin Keqing's stunning beauty, her status as a "beauty of the Red Chamber" gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

After the servants had all left, leaving only the two of them in the courtyard, Gu Yu no longer held back. He went straight in, picked up Qin Keqing, and carried her into the room, laughing loudly.

Qin Keqing gasped softly, her face flushed as she nestled in Gu Yu's arms. She had never been so intimate with a man before, and now that she was on this dangerous path, she was truly helpless.

The room was ten times more luxurious than the one Jia Zhen had prepared for her at the Ningguo Mansion, yet it wasn't as ostentatious and extravagant. The shelves were filled with antique furniture, and the table was covered with rare and authentic works of art. From a distance, Qin Keqing didn't immediately recognize it.

However, she didn't care about those things. As long as Gu Yu could have a home to shelter him from the wind and rain, she was willing to stay by his side. If she coveted wealth and luxury, she wouldn't have developed a mental illness due to Jia Zhen's coercion, nor would she have willingly abandoned her status as the eldest mistress of Ningguo Mansion and run away.

Although Gu Yu was extremely envious, he had no intention of devouring this delicate flower today.

If it were just about lust, with so many courtesans in Jiangnan and Shenjing, there were bound to be a few with good looks. What position couldn't he have? But he wasn't interested in a physical relationship without feelings.

Although Qin Keqing was willing to submit to him, their feelings for each other weren't actually that deep. Therefore, Gu Yu wanted to cultivate their relationship before they could reach a point of complete harmony.

Gu Yu carried Qin Keqing behind the screen, where two maids had already prepared a bath tub. He put Qin Keqing down, kissed her cheek, and then left.

Qin Keqing felt a little relieved; she had thought Gu Yu was going to...

Although she had been mentally prepared for this for a long time, the fact that something so big happened today still made her a little sensitive.

Seeing Gu Yu's gentleness and thoughtfulness, Qin Keqing felt a surge of emotion and had even greater expectations for the future.

Gu Yu also took a bath. When he returned to his room, Qin Keqing was already sitting on the bed, wearing clothes provided by the maids.

She left the Jia family mansion completely naked and without any worries, not even bringing a handkerchief. After realizing this, Qin Keqing kept thinking of the phrase "keeping a mistress in a golden house," which made her even more shy.

Seeing Gu Yu enter with her hair half-wet, Qin Keqing blushed, but still got up and picked up a towel to wipe Gu Yu's hair.

Gu Yu noticed that Qin Keqing's bare feet were particularly striking on the mink carpet. Since the servants had infiltrated the Ningguo Mansion, they had also provided Qin Keqing with a copy of Gu Yu's beauty regimen.

Qin Keqing was already exceptionally beautiful, with a pair of flawless jade feet. After receiving Gu Yu's prescription, she became even more stunning.

If it weren't for taking Gu Yu's medicine and developing a sickly complexion, Jia Zhen would probably have been unable to resist making a move on Qin Keqing when he saw her increasingly perfect face.

Both of them had just taken a shower, and their bodies smelled quite strongly of perfume. They were also dressed lightly. Gu Yu's breathing became a little rapid, and he couldn't help but pick up Qin Keqing and sit on the bed.

Qin Keqing's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she still resisted the urge to run away and pretended to be calm as she cut Gu Yu's hair.

Gu Yu held Qin Keqing's curvaceous body in his arms, his hands unconsciously caressing her waist. Before he knew it, his hands had parted her undergarments and were directly touching Qin Keqing's slender waist.

The atmosphere in the room gradually heated up, and a hint of passion flashed in Qin Keqing's eyes. A faint sob came from her throat, as if she were crying and pleading, which made Gu Yu completely lose control.

After somewhat roughly conquering her cherry lips, Gu Yu was about to mount her and remove Qin Keqing's underpants when a sudden clarity came to his mind.

He bit his tongue hard and struggled to turn to the side. He couldn't just go through with it; a man's word is his bond, and if he said he wouldn't do it today, he meant it!

Qin Keqing was so engrossed in Gu Yu's kisses that she suddenly felt Gu Yu leave her. Still dazed, she pressed herself against him, offering her cherry-like lips in a plea for more pleasure.

Gu Yu was so aroused that she couldn't help but knead her breasts with a little force, shaping them into various forms. Qin Keqing's body tensed up instantly, her arches arched high, and her ten nipples slightly spread apart, giving her an indescribable air of lewdness.

The newly laid mat was covered in slickness in no time. Gu Yu had an idea. He reached out and took some honey from the source, then presented it to Qin Keqing in her mouth like a treasure, letting her lick it clean.

Seeing Qin Keqing's beautiful face flushed with desire, and her obediently sucking on his fingers, Gu Yu kissed her fiercely until they were both almost suffocating before letting go and then fleeing in a panic.

He was really afraid that if he didn't leave soon, someone would die. This Qin Keqing was like a bewitching little enchantress who could make people fall in love with her without them even realizing it.

Fortunately, he was resolute, like a saint reincarnated, otherwise he would not have been able to subdue this demon.

That evening, Gu Yu returned to the courtyard. Xiangling and Qingwen were caught in the crossfire and their voices were almost hoarse from shouting. Their cries even faintly reached Daiyu's room through the heavy curtains.

Fortunately, Daiyu ate and drank well during this period, and her sleep quality improved a lot; otherwise, she would have caused some trouble again.

The next morning, Gu Yu was invited out by Kong Chengli.

Each Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) was selected from the Juren (successful candidates in the provincial examination) of each year. Although Kong Chengli obtained the Tan Hua (third-ranked scholar) position, it only means that he was ranked in the top ten, and it does not mean that he was truly able to surpass the other seven.

Li Wensong ranked sixth in the second class, almost getting lost in the vast sea of ​​people. Even with his carefree and easygoing nature, he was still quite scared. After all, his own father was all smiles, but if he had failed the exam, he would have secretly hung him up a tree.

Both of them now serve as editors and probationary scholars in the Hanlin Academy, and their daily tasks consist of simply checking in and going about their duties; their lives are quite leisurely.

They are young, but they still have to spend at least three years in the Hanlin Academy before being transferred to the Ministry of Revenue and other places to observe politics. The advantage is that they will have a much higher starting point when they become officials.

Now that it's a day off, Gu Yu thought the two of them were going to come and eat at the dog's house again, but she was wrong.

After a few drinks, Kong Chengli showed some hesitation on his face.

"I have a good friend..."

"..."

"..."

Gu Yu and Li Wensong exchanged a knowing glance and began subtly urging Kong Chengli to drink, then pressed him for details.

Unexpectedly, Kong Chengli, flushed from drinking, refused to say much, only asking them to think of any little trinkets to please the girls.

Li Wensong considered himself the most knowledgeable about women among the three, so he readily accepted the important task. After pondering for a while, his eyes lit up.

"I've got it! These young ladies either love cosmetics or admire talented men and beautiful women. Why don't you express your feelings through poetry, Brother Chengli? Or buy some of the finest cosmetics and send them over; it'll definitely work!"

"Brother Chengli is the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination, and unlike the top scholar, he is over thirty years old. He is a young and talented eligible bachelor. Which daughter wouldn't be tempted? Go ahead and do it!"

Gu Yu also provided timely assistance:

"I still have several perfume formulas that haven't been leaked. They're only available in the palace. If Brother Chengli were to send these out, it would be a great way to express my feelings!"

"Your perfume is from your family?!"

Gu Yu was taken aback. Hadn't she told them?

Li Wensong was provoked by his unintentional mention of Versailles, his face filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. With such a powerful tool, this guy was still asking him how to pursue girls?!

Even a shrew like her own mother could be completely charmed by her father's tricks, let alone those little girls.

"It seems that Brother Chengli's matter is almost settled. By the way, how is the matter with Consort Yu?"

"Um...it should be soon..."

Gu Yu thought about how Daiyu had been eating and drinking well lately and seemed to have grown up a bit, so it was time to put her plan into action.

Chapter Ten: The Mischievous Heart

When Gu Yu returned, he was surprised to find that his sisters were still in his study. When Xi Chun saw Gu Yu come in, her eyes lit up, and she smiled as she tried to throw herself into his arms.

With so many older sisters present, Xichun managed to hold back, only tugging at his sleeve and pouting:

"Where did Brother Yu go so early in the morning? We came here and didn't see him. Xiangling and Qingwen were also dawdling and didn't come out. It was Zijuan who opened the door."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Gu Yu's face. She laughed it off, saying that Xiangling and Qingwen barely had the strength to open their eyes. How could they open the door for them?

"Then it is my fault. How about I serve tea and water to Aunt Xichun to apologize?"

Gu Yu affectionately touched Xi Chun's delicate nose, and then greeted Daiyu and the others one by one.

Daiyu was standing in front of the desk, holding a book and pretending to read it. Gu Yu greeted her, but Daiyu gave a cold smile, showing no trace of the closeness they had shown in recent days.

"Cousin Yu seems quite busy. My studies have fallen behind, and I've forgotten some of the historical allusions. Could you perhaps offer some guidance?"

"What are you saying, Lin Daiyu... I—"

"I wonder what allusion is used for 'keeping a mistress in a golden house'?"

"!!!"

Gu Yu's pupils dilated slightly, his heart churning with turmoil. If he couldn't even keep this from Daiyu, how could he possibly hide it from the Jia family and the others? Thinking of the consequences, Gu Yu's heart sank, and he began to consider how to handle the situation.

Seeing Gu Yu standing silently, as if he had tacitly agreed, Daiyu's eyes reddened, and she became sad again.

She had thought that Gu Yu's words that day, "Let me let you know my heart," would bring her peace of mind, but she never expected to see this in his study today...

"What a well-educated and reasonable Baochai! What a beautiful woman, like a pear blossom in spring! It seems we sisters are getting in your way here!"

"Um???"

Baochai, who was just standing in the background, was inexplicably dragged into this and looked puzzled. Gu Yu was even more stunned. Wasn't she talking about Qin Keqing?

"Pear blossoms surpass the beauty of spring..."

Suddenly remembering something, Gu Yu quickly walked to the desk, where a piece of paper was laid out, and a short poem appeared on it.

"..."

Gu Yu breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that it wasn't about Qin Keqing. Then, realizing what was happening, she looked towards Baochai.

Baochai was indeed quick-witted; she had already realized what was happening and turned away, her face flushed, not daring to look at anyone.

Although she had some thoughts in her mind and vaguely sensed Gu Yu's feelings, the two had never spoken openly to each other. Only their occasional glances and subtle gestures hinted at their feelings.

The ambiguous atmosphere between the two was suddenly broken by Daiyu. Even Baochai, who was usually calm and collected, couldn't help but feel flustered, wondering what had happened to Gu Yu.

Tan Chun's eyes darted around, and she tiptoed over, then grabbed the paper and ran off, waving the flimsy 'love letter' in front of Bao Chai with a mischievous look on her face.

"I wonder what she praised Baochai about that made Lin Jie get jealous?"

"But what is Sister Lin angry about? Is she perhaps upset that Brother Yu didn't praise you?"