Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

March 9th, Yangzhou Wharf.

A fleet of official ships docked at the shore, led by a massive three-story warship, about ten feet high, with the flags of the Jiangnan Grand Camp fluttering in the wind around its hull.

At the dock, armored soldiers stood on both sides, while maids and servants drove carriages between them, continuously loading valuables onto the ships.

In the innermost room of the three-story ship, Wang Mama, Jia Min's dowry maid, also accompanied Lin Daiyu back to the capital. She is currently directing the servants and maids to decorate the cabins with Chunxian.

At this time in Hanoi, due to the large number of boats moored on the banks, some were unable to pass. Those that arrived later to moor and enter the city had to wait in line. Those who wanted to go north could only travel through the empty waterway left on one side, which inevitably caused some congestion.

Behind them, a medium-sized merchant ship moved slowly in a line. In a room on the second floor, a gentle woman with fair skin, white teeth, red lips, and eyes like water apricots was painting. Her profile was breathtakingly beautiful in the sunlight.

Beside them was a still-attractive middle-aged woman, reclining on a soft couch, taking a nap with her eyes closed.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor. A rather tall, slightly clumsy-looking man rushed in, shouting, "Mother, sister, I've found out! They say the daughter of the governor of Lianghuai is going to Xianjing to visit relatives, and she's currently carrying valuables, which is why it's so crowded."

The middle-aged woman opened her eyes impatiently and scolded, "Pan'er, why are you shouting so loudly? What if you disturb your sister?"

The girl beside him had already helplessly put down her brush, rubbed her temples, and remained silent.

Seeing this, Xue Pan smiled sheepishly and didn't care. He shouted, "Xiangling, where is that brat? She knows I'm coming but doesn't even offer tea."

A short while later, a petite and adorable girl with rouge on her eyebrows walked in carrying a tea tray to serve the three of them tea.

Seeing this, Xue Pan was about to tease Xiangling when Madam Xue slapped his hand away, angrily saying, "Xiangling will be with your sister from now on. You are not allowed to lay a hand on her again, do you hear me?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan was greatly surprised, and then looked at Xue Baochai with a mournful face.

Xue Baochai gazed quietly out the window, like a solitary orchid blooming alone in a secluded valley.

A moment later, when the Xue family's merchant ship passed the Yangzhou dock, it saw the armored soldiers on duty, the servants of the Lin family moving like ants, and the huge three-story ship in the middle.

Xue Pan seemed captivated, and murmured, "What a magnificent ship."

"This is a large ship, a vehicle used by military generals, and one must have a powerful background to own one."

Xue Baochai introduced it casually, and everyone looked a little puzzled. Wasn't the Governor of Lianghuai a civil official?

Before long, the ship passed the dock and sped off northward.

On the other side, inside the city, at the Lin residence.

Having eaten early, Jia Tang led his personal guards in front, followed by the Lin family's sedan chair, and the group headed straight for the dock.

After a short while, as Lin Ruhai stood on the shore waving goodbye, the huge warship sounded its horns and turned to sail north.

···

On the ninth day of the fourth lunar month, at 1:15 AM, at Tongzhou Bay Wharf.

The Xue family's merchant ships were moored at the back of the river, proceeding in an orderly fashion to anchor.

On the second floor of the ship's cabin, the Xue family mother and daughter stood by the window, looking at the bustling scene at the dock. Madam Xue couldn't help but sigh, "We've been adrift in Hanoi for so long, but we've finally arrived. Looking at this prosperous scene, it truly lives up to its reputation as the center of the nation."

Xue Baochai, however, remembered that she would have to wait to be selected when she arrived in the capital, and couldn't help but frown slightly and sigh softly.

"Mother, it's almost our turn. We can finally get off the boat."

Xue Pan rushed in from the deck, wondering what the brothels in Xianjing were like. He had heard that the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district) housed the legitimate daughters of high-ranking officials and nobles, which was truly exciting.

"Xianjing, your Uncle Xue from Jinling is here."

"Pan'er, don't be so talkative. There are countless high-ranking officials and nobles in this capital city, not to mention powerful families in the cultivation world. Don't offend them."

Suddenly, a loud horn sounded from behind. A large, majestic three-story ship was sailing at the head of the fleet, with armored soldiers standing on it, exuding a fierce aura.

On the mast in the center of the ship, a tiger-head flag bearing the words "Xianjing Jia" was hung high. Around the hull, there were also flags with words such as "Ministry of War", "Military Government", "Jiangnan Grand Camp", "Earl of Wuying", and "Governor of Lianghuai", which fluttered in the wind.

It was Jia Tang and his companions who were traveling and stopping along the way, enjoying the scenery.

"Quickly, quickly, evacuate all ships and allow the tower ship to pass."

The soldiers and yamen runners on the shore were all horrified and quickly pushed everyone to park on both sides, making room for the best spots.

After the ship docked, the gangplank was lowered, and then two teams of soldiers in full armor, led by military officers, began to deploy defenses.

A young military officer waved to the side, and Lai Sheng, who had been waiting for a long time, quickly boarded the ship with his servants and loaded the goods onto the carriages.

The mother and her two children aboard the Xue family's merchant ship were astonished upon seeing it. Madam Xue asked, "Is this the Jia family's ship?"

"Why does it look just like the one we saw at the Yangzhou dock?"

Xue Pan, who was standing to the side, was also somewhat puzzled.

Xue Baochai nodded. There was no mistake; the ship with the flag of the Governor of Lianghuai flying high above was the one from Yangzhou Wharf.

"It's that one."

Looking out the window, Xue Baochai saw soldiers on the deck surrounding a young man in brocade robes and adorned with gold and purple. He stood at the bow of the ship, gazing into the distance. People would come up to him from time to time to bow and report, but he would only nod slightly, displaying great authority.

Suddenly, the gaze from the other side shifted, and sharp eyes looked directly in their direction. Xue Baochai was startled and quickly hid to the side, gently patting her chest. She thought to herself, "What a fierce look."

Upon seeing this, Madam Xue asked, "What's wrong, my son?"

"It's alright, Mother, I just got a gust of wind."

On the ship, Jia Tang sensed someone watching him from the side. He looked over and saw that the person had flinched like a startled rabbit. He couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

However, just by looking at her eyes, you can tell that she is an extremely beautiful woman; those big, almond-shaped eyes are truly stunning.

"My lord, everything is ready."

"Have someone draw back the curtain and welcome my sister into the sedan chair. Jia Kang, you lead the group back with her and tell your sister-in-law to take my sister to pay her respects to the old lady."

Jia Tang thought for a moment and added, "You stay here and wait. If Baoyu dares to cause trouble, just hit him."

"only!"

Then, a curtain was drawn on the shore, and Lin Daiyu came out of her room, followed by her maids and servants, as she disembarked and boarded a sedan chair, looking somewhat flustered and nervous.

Jia Tang smiled and reassured him, "Don't be afraid, I'll take care of everything. I'll come over as soon as I get out of the palace."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu smiled faintly, nodded, and entered the sedan chair. Then, the curtains were removed, and the journey began.

The convoy headed towards Ningrong Street, while Jia Tang, along with his household guards and personal guards, rode towards the palace to report back.