Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

Hearing such flattery, Wang Xifeng was overjoyed.

She gave him a reproachful look, her eyes sparkling with a flirtatious charm: "You just know how to talk!"

After speaking, Wang Xifeng straightened her slightly disheveled clothes. The movement made her waist sway, making her chest and hips appear even more defined.

"Oh, right, we also need to set up a VIP system."

When Wang Xifeng heard Jia Yun utter a strange new word, she finally realized what it meant: "That... what... what's with the 'wei' you just mentioned?"

Jia Yun chuckled, realizing she had overlooked something: "It's VIP. Simply put, it's a distinguished guest, the most important guest."

He continued to paint a rosy picture: "The theater we'll be watching won't be in this main building. There's a spacious courtyard behind the main building, right? We'll build a separate 'small theater' there, decorated elegantly. Only guests with our 'VIP' cards will be allowed to enter the back courtyard to watch the show. There will be viewing pavilions directly opposite the stage and on both sides, strictly separated by sheer curtains or movable carved screens, with separate seating for men and women to ensure no clashes and protect the reputation of the women in each household. This show is the core of our strategy to attract top-tier customers and build our reputation."

Wang Xifeng finally understood the wonder of this "VIP" system: it was about securing the most profitable and prestigious business for top-tier customers.

She clapped her hands and laughed, "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! This way, we both earn money and save face!"

Jia Yun then said something that made Wang Xifeng's heart skip a beat: "Second Madam, according to our previous agreement, our business is split 30% each, with the public company taking 40%. I'm thinking of taking out another 20% of my 30% as a special share. One 10% should be given to His Highness Prince Xin, and the other 20% should be given to other influential people. With these powerful figures secretly supporting us, our business can operate steadily and for a long time."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng gasped.

But after she pondered for a moment, her eyes gleamed even brighter.

She knew all too well the treacherous waters of the capital; without a powerful backer, this lucrative business would be nothing more than a child carrying gold in the marketplace. Jia Yun's actions, seemingly relinquishing profits, were in reality a way of securing the strongest protection!

"Alright! Whatever you say!"

As she reached the doorway, Wang Xifeng suddenly turned back, her eyes narrowed slightly, and added with a half-smile:

"Yun-ge'er, you are a wise man... From now on, just go for it, your second aunt will support you."

The way she called out "Second Aunt" was soft and gentle, lingering and tender.

Hearing this made Jia Yun's heart skip a beat, but before he could think of anything else, the woman in red had already gracefully disappeared into the distance.

A commercial extravaganza combining tea ceremony, gambling, beauty treatments, and novel theatrical performances is about to quietly unfold in this bustling capital city.

Wang Xifeng enthusiastically began arranging the renovation of the clubhouse.

However, beneath the surface of prosperity lies a turbulent undercurrent in this important capital region; it is not so easy to have a smooth journey.

Sure enough, trouble came knocking a few days later.

That day, Wang Xifeng was in the mansion listening to Lai Sheng's wife report on the progress of the purchasing when Lin Zhixiao's wife rushed in to report: "Second Mistress, something terrible has happened! Our garden in the west city has been blocked by a group of people!"

It turned out that a group of street thugs had gathered at the entrance of the garden and were obstructing the craftsmen's construction on the grounds that they were "disturbing the neighbors" and "disrupting the feng shui".

Those guys were vulgar and aggressive, even shoving and threatening the craftsmen, saying that if they didn't pay several hundred taels of "appeasement money," the garden wouldn't be allowed to continue operating.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's eyebrows shot up, her phoenix eyes flashing with rage, her ample bosom heaving violently: "This is outrageous! Where did this scoundrel come from, daring to provoke the Jia family! Go, tell Second Master Lian to gather all the servants in the manor, bring their clubs, and chase them away!"

However, Lin Zhixiao's wife looked troubled upon hearing this, and stammered, "Second Madam... Second Master Lian... he said that it's beneath his dignity to show his face and argue with scoundrels in the marketplace, and... and he's afraid that the other party has something to rely on, so he wants us to just pay up to avoid trouble..."

Wang Xifeng was so angry she almost couldn't catch her breath!

She then truly realized that although the Jia family seemed to be in good shape, it was actually weak inside and out.

Among the men in the mansion, Jia She was a pleasure-seeking man who didn't care about anything; Jia Zheng was upright but pedantic and clueless about practical matters; Jia Zhen was barely able to protect himself; and Jia Lian was even more timid and irresponsible!

The so-called Duke's Mansion now relies entirely on the influence of her, a woman confined to the inner quarters, and the lingering prestige of the old lady, who holds the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady. In the eyes of outsiders, a Second-Rank General, a Third-Rank General, and a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works—in the current situation where the Emperor no longer favors the old noble families, they indeed do not wield much real power that inspires fear.

Grandmother Jia's statement, "We are a middle-class family," is a stark reality!

Unable to rely on the men in the mansion, Wang Xifeng gritted her teeth and had no choice but to twist her voluptuous waist like a water snake to discuss the matter with Jia Yun.

Upon hearing this, Jia Yun was not as angry as Wang Xifeng; instead, he remained unusually calm.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Second Madam, don't be anxious. These thugs are just pawns; someone must be behind them, either jealous of our business or wanting a share. Forcibly driving them away might succeed temporarily, but it could lead to endless trouble. If they keep harassing us every few days, how can we continue doing business?"

"Then what's your opinion?" Wang Xifeng asked eagerly.

"Let me think about it," Jia Yun said, already having made up her mind.

Instead of returning to the Jia family mansion, he went to the bustling streets in the west of the city and found Ni Er, the "Drunken Vajra," who had connections with all sorts of people.

Ni Er was very welcoming to Jia Yun's visit.

Jia Yun didn't beat around the bush and told them about the blockade at the clubhouse, asking them where the gang of thugs came from.

Ni Er took a sip of his drink and chuckled, "Second Master Yun, you've come to the right person! These guys are from the 'Black Tiger Gang,' led by Chen Biao, the 'Mountain Tiger.' They usually collect protection money and bully the locals around here, nothing too big a deal. But..."

"Chen Biao has a cousin who works in the palace. It is said that... it is said that he can talk to a steward in the household of Eunuch Wei, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. It is through this roundabout relationship, using Eunuch Wei's name as a banner, that ordinary merchants and even some low-ranking officials dare not easily provoke them."

After hearing this, Jia Yun felt enlightened.

So that's where the problem lies! It wasn't that Eunuch Wei himself wanted to make things difficult for them; in fact, Eunuch Wei might not even know that such a person existed. It was just that his subordinates were using his name to commit evil deeds.

He thanked Ni Er, already having a plan in mind.

Back in the small courtyard under the west corridor, he said to the anxiously waiting Wang Xifeng, "Second Madam, we've found out what happened. It's the 'Black Tiger Gang' behind it, led by Chen Biao. They are indeed using Eunuch Wei's influence."

Upon hearing the name "Eunuch Wei," Wang Xifeng's heart sank: "What should we do? We're just trying to bribe Eunuch Wei, and now we've offended his men first?"

Jia Yun smiled, a smile tinged with coldness and certainty: "Second Madam, don't worry, not only will we not offend you, but perhaps... this is also an opportunity for us to 'pledge our allegiance'."

He explained, "The relationship between Chen Biao and Eunuch Wei is very superficial, several layers deep. Eunuch Wei is a man of great stature; why would he risk his future 'money bag' for such a minor character? If we back down and give in, we'll truly show our weakness and be treated like a fat sheep, exploited at every turn. If we fight back forcefully, we'll appear ignorant, and if someone speaks ill of us to Eunuch Wei, that would be troublesome too."

"Then what should we do?" Wang Xifeng pressed.

"It's simple. I'll go and meet with Chen Biao. I'll explain the situation to him and clarify the stakes. I'll let him know that Wei Gonggong will soon be a major shareholder behind this club. He's a smart man; he'll know what to do. Maybe we can even recruit him and his men to run the place for us, using evil to fight evil."

Looking at Jia Yun's calm and confident demeanor, Wang Xifeng felt somewhat relieved.

But then he couldn't help but sigh, this young Yun-ge is so much more experienced and decisive in handling these dirty matters than the men in the manor!

She nodded and said, "Okay, as you wish. How many men do you need? I'll have Laiwang and the others go with you."

Jia Yun knew that dealing with these street ruffians wouldn't be effective with reason and status alone; some unconventional methods were needed.

He didn't bring many people with him, only having Ni Er lead the way, and he also specially invited Wang Xifeng to accompany him—she was not only a partner, but her Wang family background was also an important deterrent.

Although Wang Xifeng felt it was inappropriate to personally venture into such a dangerous place, seeing Jia Yun's resolute expression and considering that it concerned her own business, she mustered her courage and followed him.

Ni Er led them to a chaotic alley in the southern part of the city, and into a gambling den with a shabby sign and noisy crowd.

Upon entering, a wave of stale air, mixed with the smells of sweat, smoke, and boisterous shouting, hits you.

Wang Xifeng had never been to such a place before, and she couldn't help but frown and cover her mouth and nose with her handkerchief.

She was strikingly beautiful and dressed in luxurious clothes. Although her face was covered by a veil, she was still too eye-catching. As soon as she entered, she attracted countless gazes, some greedy and some lewd, and there were also frivolous whistles and foul words.

"Hey, which young lady has wandered into the wrong house? Want to play a couple of rounds with us?"

"That figure, that face...tsk tsk, those breasts, that ass, they're fucking ripe fruit!"