Chapter Six (Disdain from the Big-Faced Treasure) (1)

Shi Yi smiled cheerfully, whistling as he walked naturally toward the side room with his hands behind his back.

“Ah!”

No sooner had he lifted the curtain and entered than a faint fragrance struck him, accompanied by a clear, crisp cry.

Shi Yi’s quick eyes and hands caught the maid who he nearly knocked to the ground. He looked closely, a hint of surprise in his voice: “Qingwen, is that you?”

Qingwen’s pretty face flushed, she twisted to free herself but failed, pouting as she scolded, “Madam sent me here. Master Yi, please let go!”

Shi Yi’s eyes sparkled, but he did not release her hands, teasing, “Do you dislike me so much?”

Qingwen hesitated, her lips pursed as she looked away. In a low voice, she replied, “I’m just a little maid—I wouldn’t dare dislike you, Master.”

Shi Yi was stirred by her words, testing, “How about coming to my side as my chief maid?”

At once, panic flashed across Qingwen’s face, and she shook her head hurriedly, “Master Yi, please let go. I’m just a little maid, not blessed enough to serve by your side.”

Her words were polite, but her tone betrayed deep reluctance.

Shi Yi was left speechless—was his reputation truly so rotten?

He lost interest in teasing her and finally let her go.

Luckily, it was only a scare. Qingwen patted her small chest in relief, lowered her head, and darted out of the room.

Shi Yi shook his head helplessly, strolling into the room and sprawling comfortably on the bed, arms and legs wide.

He brooded over the disgraceful, foolish deeds done by the original owner of his body—every vice imaginable: drinking, gambling, womanizing. A true wastrel. Now, all those debts and infamy rested on his shoulders... The more he thought, the angrier he became.

He recalled arriving in this Red Chamber world last month. Upon awakening, he endured a harsh beating meant for the original owner—all because he’d drunk too much “cat’s pee” and, in a drunken haze, tried to stop and seize a bridal sedan.

But it turned out this was no ordinary wedding—it was the grandson of Marquis Jing Tian, marrying a wife, named Qiu Liang, now deputy commander of the Five City Horse Guards, a real post of authority, overseeing a thousand men, under the Ministry of War and beyond a magistrate’s reach.

Drunk and outnumbered, facing dozens of club-wielding brutes, he had no defense—inevitably, he was beaten soundly.

After being ransomed from the guards’ office, he returned home, only to receive another thrashing from his “cheap” father, Shi Ding. It was during that beating that Shi Yi, as he now was, miraculously transmigrated.

Enough of digressions.

Until dusk, Shi Yi remained sprawled on his bed in comfort.

“Master Yi?”

Half-awake, he heard a melodious voice beside him, sweet as a singing bird, and a waft of fragrance drifted close. Shi Yi frowned.

Timing his move, he rolled sideways and grabbed for whatever was nearby, catching a handful of clothing and pulling the owner into his arms, accompanied by a sharp cry.

Shi Yi’s lips curled in a smile as he hugged the soft, fragrant figure tightly.

“Master Yi, please... please let go.”

“Qingwen, let’s see where you’ll run this time!”

He chuckled smugly, opened his eyes to look at the woman in his arms—and was suddenly dumbfounded. “Uh... you’re... Jin Chuan?”

Jin Chuan’s face was crimson as she quickly said, “Master Yi, please let go, I’ve come to deliver a message from the Old Madam. Madam sent me to call you for supper.”

Shi Yi paused, realizing he had made a mistake.

But since opportunity knocked, he couldn’t resist—he gave her a bold squeeze and released her, grinning sheepishly.

Jin Chuan’s face burned as she hurriedly rose, standing quietly in the corner, deeply shaken by the surprise.

Shi Yi paid it no mind, donning his boots and straightening his coat, glancing at her.

He laughed, “Why are you the one delivering the message? Where’s Qingwen?”

Jin Chuan’s anger flared, and she snapped, “That girl is getting bold these days, protected by Second Master Bao. She’s growing unruly—never seen all day.”

She didn’t spell it out, but her tone clearly targeted Qingwen.

Shi Yi joked, “So you’re covering her duties now?”

Jin Chuan lowered her head, staring at her embroidered shoes.

He didn’t know Jin Chuan well, unlike Qingwen. As for the rivalry among the maids, he had no intention of getting involved.

Shi Yi understood well and said nothing more.

He was more concerned about Big-Face Bao, so he urged, “Let’s go! If we’re late, we’ll miss supper.”

“Oh.”

Jin Chuan, disappointed her little scheme had failed, pouted and shuffled ahead to lift the curtain, following him out of the room.

...

By the time Shi Yi arrived, the meal in Rongqing Hall had already begun. The women gathered in the warm chamber around a table, flanked by four empty chairs.

Grandmother Jia sat alone on the couch, Daiyu, as a guest, sat to the left, Yingchun to the right, Tanchun left second, Xichun right second.

“Master Yi has arrived!”

The maid announced, lifting the curtain, and Shi Yi entered with casual grace, greeting the Old Madam on the couch and the ladies seated—Lady Wang, Li Wan, Lady Feng.

Grandmother Jia smiled kindly, “Monkey, hurry and eat!”

“Of course, Ancestor!”

Shi Yi accepted without hesitation, stealing a glance at Daiyu quietly eating, then followed Yanyan to the side room.

On the kang was a table laid with delicacies, flanked by maids holding basins and towels for washing.

Shi Yi dutifully performed the pre-meal rituals. Yanyan served him a bowl of white rice, “Master Yi, enjoy your meal!” She smiled gently and left.

Shi Yi shrugged and began eating heartily.

Soon, he finished. The maids cleared away the dishes and withdrew.

He patted his now round belly, drank fragrant tea, and let out a satisfied burp.

“Hurry up, Sister Lin is waiting for me!”

“Second Master Bao, slow down or you’ll fall!”

As Shi Yi pondered what topic to chat about next, a burst of excitement sounded outside.

He looked up to see a young boy burst through the curtain.

He wore a purple-gold crown, his face bright as the autumn moon—a decent-looking youth, none other than Jia Baoyu, followed by a pretty maid.

Shi Yi couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, “Worried all day, and now I meet him at just this moment.”