Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

After the dock, things gradually returned to normal. Soon, the Xue family disembarked, and Madam Xue said, "Let's go to your uncle's house first and then into the city."

Once inside the city, everyone learned that Prince Teng had been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of Nine Provinces and was ordered to travel out of the capital to inspect the border. After thinking for a moment, Madam Xue said, "Let's go to your aunt's house in Rongguo Mansion."

So the caravan, now bearing the banners of "Jiedushi-Wang" and "Yingtianfu-Xue," turned around and headed towards Ningrong Street.

When the Xue family's convoy reached Xisi Archway, they encountered a deputy commander of the Xicheng Military Command, who was leading his soldiers on a patrol and inspection.

When he spotted the convoy's flag from afar, his eyes lit up, and he quickly came over to investigate.

"Dismount immediately and await inspection. If you dare to resist, you will be detained on the spot."

"Your uncle is a military governor? Even if your father is a military governor, it won't matter."

Xisi has always been the private territory of the founding lineage, and this deputy commander named Wu Fang is one of them, a member of the Chuanning Marquis's mansion, one of the twelve marquises.

In the vast capital city, who didn't know about the conflict between the Jia family and the Wang family?

Now that they still dare to flaunt the Wang family's name in Xicheng, who else would we target if not them? So they speak very casually.

At the front of the convoy, Xue Pan, riding a tall horse, was both surprised and furious as he protected the sedan chair behind him.

Inside the sedan chair, the Xue family mother and daughter listened to the conversation outside with some panic. The other party kept demanding that they get out of the sedan chair for questioning.

If they go down there and are surrounded by these soldiers, their reputation as young women will be ruined.

Madam Xue asked, somewhat puzzled, "My child, why is it that even your uncle's great reputation is of no use?"

Hearing this, the dignified and serene Xue Baochai sighed, "Perhaps the other party has a rift with my uncle. Why don't we try using my aunt's name?"

Madam Xue nodded with a wry smile, gently lifted a corner of the sedan curtain, and called her son Xue Pan to give him a few words of advice.

Upon hearing this, Wu Fang waved his hand helplessly and let them pass. The Wang family's name could be checked, but the Jia family's name couldn't, even if the other party only mentioned a name.

···

The Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Jia Tang first recounted the events in Yangzhou, then took out a pair of first-tier Yuan Dynasty jade pendants from his pocket and presented them to the emperor.

This jade pendant only has the effect of calming the mind and condensing energy. I found several pairs in the secret realm, so it's really useless.

Emperor Changwu took the jade pendant and examined it for a while, then teased, "You even gave me a first-tier jade pendant, buddy. It seems there are quite a few good things in the secret realm. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

"Your Majesty, what you say is unbelievable. I am Wu Xun, who shares weal and woe with the Great Zhao Kingdom. I am the descendant of the Duke and the Marquis of Wuying of the Great Zhao Kingdom. It is my duty to be loyal to the country and serve Your Majesty. I do not need any reward."

Upon hearing this, Jia Tang immediately stood up straight and spoke loudly with righteous indignation.

Emperor Changwu smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying: "You cunning fellow, you reward those who have merit and punish those who have made mistakes. I am not a foolish ruler who cannot distinguish right from wrong."

After a moment's thought, he continued, "Xia Shouzhong, draft the decree: Wu Yingbo Jia Tang has rendered meritorious service in the southward campaign to collect salt taxes, has been adept at military command, and is loyal to the country. He is hereby promoted to the rank of Zhaoyi General and transferred to the Northern Camp of Xianjing City, where he will serve as the Commander-in-Chief, with three battalions under his command, and will be responsible for recruiting and training young men into his own army."

"only!"

Just as Xia Shouzhong was about to leave after receiving the order, he heard Emperor Changwu say, "By imperial decree: The Dowager Lady of Rong Mansion is commendable for her excellent education of her children and her skillful management of the household. She is hereby granted a jade ruyi and two pairs of jade pendants. Also, a jade ruyi is hereby granted to Jia Tang's younger sister."

"only!"

"This humble general thanks Your Majesty."

"Alright, I've heard so much about you making a name for yourself in the south while I'm in the palace. Let's go to the training ground and have a little martial arts demonstration, you and I."

"this..."

"Don't worry, it's just a contest of martial arts. I've practiced martial arts for many years and know a little about fighting, so don't hold back."

After Emperor Changwu finished speaking, he got up and led the way out, walking towards the drill ground with his hands behind his back.

Jia Tang shrugged helplessly at Xia Shouzhong, who was winking at him, spread his hands, and quickly followed.

On the other side, Lin Daiyu entered Ningguo Mansion first and saw the five large characters "Imperial Decree Ningguo Mansion" on its vermilion gate, and realized that this was the residence of her brother Yu Yin.

After passing through the side gate and the hanging flower gate, they found Yindie and a group of maids welcoming them. Lin Daiyu, along with Granny Wang, Xueyan, and Chunxian, came down and followed them. They saw a plump and beautiful woman standing in front of the hall.

After greeting and exchanging pleasantries with Madam You, Lin Daiyu followed Madam You to the Rongguo Mansion.

At the Rongguo Mansion, Zhou Rui's wife and Wang Shanbao's wife, accompanied by a group of young maids dressed in red and green, were waiting at the hanging flower gate. Upon seeing Madam You, they first addressed her as "Madam," and then bowed to Daiyu, saying, "Greetings, Miss Daiyu, we've been waiting for you."

Then, leading the way, we passed through the ceremonial gate, with covered corridors on both sides and a passageway in the middle. After turning past a small three-room hall, behind the hall was the main courtyard.

Lin Daiyu followed behind the two housekeepers, her demeanor meticulous and refined, only glancing around her out of the corner of her eye.

Several young maids dressed in red and green were seen bending down to carefully wipe the carved window frames on the gatehouse. When they saw the group approaching, they quickly stepped aside to greet them.

The tranquil atmosphere in the air grew stronger and stronger, interspersed with a few wisps of sandalwood. The courtyard in front was surrounded by lush bamboo and dense vegetation, making it quite elegant.

A beautiful woman stood in front of the courtyard, wearing a gold-threaded eight-treasure beaded bun on her head, a red-gold dragon-patterned necklace around her neck, and a narrow-sleeved crimson satin robe embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, over which was a five-colored carved silk dark blue silver-fox fur coat.

She had a pair of almond-shaped eyes, arched eyebrows, a slender figure, a graceful physique, a face that held a gentle, unassuming air, and a dazzling, radiant beauty, like a goddess or fairy.

Yu, who was standing nearby, laughed and joked, "Oh, it's too much trouble for our Spicy Phoenix to come and greet us."

"Greetings, Sister-in-law Lian."

Lin Daiyu gave a curtsy, and Wang Xifeng, seeing Jia Kang waiting beside her, dared not be presumptuous and quickly returned the greeting.

Then she led Lin Daiyu and Madam You inside, saying, "Grandmother, we've been waiting day and night for you, and now our little sister is finally here."

Upon entering the main hall, they saw two maids supporting Grandmother Jia, whose hair was as white as silver, as she came to greet them.

Just as Lin Daiyu was about to pay her respects, she was pulled into Grandmother Jia's arms and burst into tears, crying out "My darling!"

Those standing around were all weeping, and Lin Daiyu couldn't stop crying either.

It took a lot of persuasion from everyone to calm her down, and only then did Lin Daiyu pay her respects to Grandmother Jia.

After Grandmother Jia introduced everyone, Lin Daiyu greeted them and then said, "Quickly go and invite the young ladies over."

Before long, three wet nurses and five or six maids came, surrounding the three sisters.

"Sister Lin, you've finally arrived! I've missed you so much, it's been over two years!"

As soon as the three sisters entered the room, the youngest, Xichun, ran over, grabbed her hand, and said, "We've been waiting for you, sister! Brother praised you so much in his letter."

A blush immediately rose on Lin Daiyu's delicate face, her watery eyes curved into crescents, and she pulled Xichun and said with a smile, "I often hear your brother mention you. He says you are the most mischievous and clever, and that you are the one he is most afraid of."