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

Now, Jia Yun's tearful accusation in front of Mengpo Studio that day not only went unpunished, but he also received the monthly allowance promised by Jia Zheng himself. This matter quickly spread among the servants of the Jia family.

Those servants and maids who were used to judging people by their status would look at Jia Yun with an indescribable expression in their eyes, and even their private discussions changed.

"I really didn't expect that Yun-ge'er, who is usually so quiet, would have such a spirit!"

"Exactly! For his mother's sake, and for the sake of his family's reputation, he dared to risk everything in front of the master and mistress. That's a real man!"

"From now on, we must not underestimate these orphans and widows."

The women in the inner quarters were also impressed by his filial piety and courage. Even Zhou Rui's wife, who was the strictest, sighed when talking about it behind his back: "Although he made a scene, his unyielding spirit is somewhat reminiscent of our ancestors."

However, those who had been in the household for many years and were meticulous in their thinking, such as Lin Zhixiao's wife, or knowledgeable masters like Tan Chun, tasted a different flavor.

Tan Chun once privately remarked to Shi Shu, "Yun-ge'er's actions, though seemingly impulsive, are actually perfectly justified at every step. First, he invoked Sister Feng's guarantee, then he defended himself with filial piety, and finally, he directly addressed the safety of the family, hitting Master's sore spot with every word. Such quick wit and courage are beyond the reach of ordinary brutes."

Lin Zhixiao's wife was even more direct, whispering to her husband, "This kid used this evil fire to pull himself out of the mud. He's not to be underestimated."

However, his daughter, Lin Xiaohong, became even more concerned about him because of this matter, after all, Jia Yun's appearance was indeed top-notch.

These private conversations in the corridors naturally reached Wang Xifeng's ears.

Although she was illiterate, she was born with a keen and insightful mind, and was most adept at reading people and weighing pros and cons.

Jia Yun's theatrical demeanor that day further convinced her that this young man was no ordinary person. Moreover, after this incident, she had essentially brought him under her wing, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

For Sister Feng, this was like a pillow for a sleepy person. Although she, Second Madam Lian, seemed to be very powerful in the mansion, she actually had to deal with the thoughts of Madam Xing, Madam Wang, and even Aunt Zhao, and had to deal with many stewards, estate managers, and even officials. She had never been short of open and covert attacks, and now she needed a capable arm.

That afternoon, Wang Xifeng lay reclining on the kang (a heated brick bed), while her maid Feng'er gently massaged her legs. Having made up her mind, she called Feng'er to fetch someone: "Go, call Yun-ge'er here."

Jia Yun's head wound had scabbed over, and although it was still somewhat bruised, he was in much better spirits.

Hearing that Second Madam had summoned him, he knew there must be more to come, so he quickly tidied his clothes and followed Feng'er to Fengjie's courtyard.

Upon entering the room, one is immediately enveloped in a warm, fragrant scent. There, one sees Wang Xifeng reclining on the kang (a heated brick bed), dressed in a honey-colored silk jacket and covered with a dark blue silk cloak embroidered with gray squirrel fur.

Although she was wrapped in silk, the undulations of the fabric subtly outlined her plump and voluptuous figure.

Her neckline was slightly loose, revealing a section of her smooth, pink neck, which gleamed with a pure white luster in the dim light.

Although Jia Yun bowed his head in greeting, he couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the full curves beneath the silk robe rising and falling slightly with her breath.

The subtle fragrance wafting through the air stirred even his heart, a man who had lived two lives, causing him to inwardly berate himself: "What a waste of your extra life! How could you lose your composure at the sight of someone like this?"

"Greetings, Second Madam."

Wang Xifeng didn't tell him to get up, but instead looked him up and down before slowly saying, "Get up. Is your injury any better?"

"Thank you for your concern, Second Madam. I'm much better now."

"Hmm," Wang Xifeng snorted, her phoenix eyes slightly raised, and her red lips parted to cut to the chase, "I underestimated you when you risked your life to cause trouble the other day. Tell me, where did you get such audacity?"

Jia Yun knew that this was both a test and a chance to open up to each other.

He raised his head and met Wang Xifeng's gaze frankly: "Replying to Second Madam, I am not recklessly audacious. It's just that in that situation, taking a step back would have meant falling into an abyss, not only unjustly implicating myself but also potentially dragging down the entire family. I thought that rather than being slaughtered, it was better to fight to the death and perhaps forge a way out. Besides..."

"I also want Second Madam to know that I, Jia Yun, am not a hopeless case, but a capable person."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's lips curled into a slight, ambiguous smile, a smile that seemed to overflow like spring water, making one's heart itch with desire.

These words were blunt, yet they struck a chord with her. What she needed was someone intelligent, courageous, and willing to serve her.

"You're quite a discerning person." She then changed the subject, seemingly casually mentioning, "The borneol and musk you sent last time were of excellent quality; it must have been difficult for you to find them. I just wonder where you got the money to purchase these?"

Jia Yun's heart skipped a beat, knowing this was an inquiry into his background. He dared not conceal anything and answered truthfully, "I dare not deceive Second Madam, it was...it was a loan I made from our neighbor, Ni Er, at exorbitant interest rates."

Wang Xifeng frowned slightly. She had heard of Ni Er's reputation; he was a scoundrel who lent money at exorbitant interest rates on the streets. She pondered for a moment, then gave Ping'er a meaningful look.

Ping'er understood, turned around and took out a small blue cloth bundle from the inner room and handed it to Jia Yun.

"Here is twenty taels of silver," Wang Xifeng said calmly. "Take it and settle Ni Er's accounts. Those people's money is a bottomless pit, it's better to get rid of it sooner rather than later."

As Jia Yun took the heavy silver, she felt a surge of warmth flow from her palms to her heart, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

This was more than just twenty taels of silver; it solved his immediate problem and was a clear signal that Wang Xifeng considered him one of her own.

He knelt down with a thud, his voice choked with emotion: "I, Jia Yun, will never forget the great kindness of Second Madam!"

"Get up," Wang Xifeng waved her hand. "Now that you're with me, you don't need to kneel all the time. Tell me, what are your plans for the future? Since Master Zheng has promised you a monthly allowance, the right thing to do is to focus on your studies."

Jia Yun stood up and replied cautiously, "I certainly dare not slack off in my studies. However... I also want to find some work to gain experience, firstly to supplement the family income and put my mother at ease, and secondly to broaden my horizons and share the burden for Second Mistress."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng chuckled with a hint of mockery: "Oh, I just praised you a few times, and now you're thinking of flying to the heavens and disappearing into the earth? Do you think the chores in the manor are so easy to take on? It's almost the twelfth lunar month, and the land rent accounts at the estates outside the city need to be settled and checked. Can you handle that? The New Year's goods and tributes sent from all over the place need to be stored, kept safe, and counted. It's all so tedious and complicated. Can you handle that? And after spring arrives, can you handle receiving and distributing the supplies sent from the estates?"

Her barrage of questions rained down like hail, leaving Jia Yun utterly defenseless.

Jia Yun was speechless when asked the question, and felt a flush rise to her face.

He had indeed never encountered these things before, and although he had the idea, he had no experience. He could only lower his head and stammer, "It was my mistake, Second Madam. You are right."

Seeing his reaction, Wang Xifeng softened her tone: "Alright, you're still young, and you can't handle such important matters right now. However, there is indeed a task that you might be able to do."

Jia Yun immediately looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Wang Xifeng slowly said, "Twenty miles outside the city, at the Iron Threshold Temple, they need a deputy manager. The main responsibilities include contacting the various branches of the clan who frequently visit, receiving, registering, and distributing the temple's daily offerings, and supervising the monks and Taoists to properly offer incense. The work isn't extremely difficult, but it requires meticulousness and reliability. Being literate and good at accounting is especially important. I see your handwriting is neat, and you're quite clever. Your starting monthly wage is one tael. Are you willing to go?"

Deputy steward of the Iron Threshold Temple! One tael a month! Jia Yun was overjoyed! But then he realized that this was the same job Jia Qin had done before. How did it come full circle and end up back on his own?

Jia Yun suppressed his excitement and was about to kowtow in gratitude when he suddenly remembered something.

A hint of hesitation crossed his face, and when he raised his head, he said earnestly, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Second Madam! But... if I go outside the city, I will be worried about leaving my mother alone at home..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng glanced at him with a half-smile and said, "Now that you have a notorious reputation, you even dare to defy the Imperial Guards and fight to the death in front of the master and mistress. Who in this mansion would dare to be so foolish as to provoke your mother?"

"Sending you outside the city is for two reasons: first, to give you some experience and allow you to save some money; second, to let you lay low for a while. Although you were in the right, you still slapped the East in the face, so how could they not harbor resentment? The farther you are, the fewer reasons they will cause trouble, and over time, their anger will naturally subside."