At least three updates tomorrow.
Now, to another thread.
Since the Bamboo Forest was not far from Rongxi Hall, Jia Zheng simply led everyone to the courtyard where Rongxi Hall stood.
However, they did not go into the main hall, instead waiting in the three Side Rooms at the northeast corner.
Jia Zheng and Aunt Zhao took one room, the young masters and ladies took another, while the last naturally went to the servants of some standing in the household.
Leaving aside the rooms at either end, in the middle Side Room, Wang Xifeng had yet to wake from her drunken stupor, while Madam Wang and Madam Xing had not shown themselves either. Thus, Li Wan alone occupied the Soft Couch against the north wall.
For some reason, her slightly swollen eyes were half-closed. Her left hand was tucked into her sleeve, while half of her right hand showed as she counted and recounted a string of rosewood prayer beads. Yet not a word passed her lips.
Below her, the Maidens' Army sat in a row against the wall. Some twisted their handkerchiefs, some rested their cheeks in their hands, and some rolled their eyes about restlessly. All remained silent.
Of them all, Jia Baoyu was the worst—or rather, if he had not hung his head in such a lost and despondent manner, the atmosphere in the room would not have been so utterly frozen.
Suddenly, the door curtain was lifted, and Sheyue and Qiu Wen entered, each carrying several cups of tea to distribute on either side.
At that very moment, Shi Xiangyun abruptly sprang to her feet, her honey-colored little lips pouting at Baoyu. "Second Brother, you..."
Crash!
Before she could get any further, a sharp sound rang out beside her. Qiu Wen had accidentally knocked over a