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

One day, Jia Yun finished telling the girls the story of Huang Rong cleverly cooking "The Moonlit Night on the Twenty-Four Bridges" from "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and announced the end of school amidst a chorus of admiring exclamations that they wanted more.

He was tidying up his desk when he noticed that Xue Baochai had not left immediately, but was walking gracefully closer.

"Young master, please wait a moment." Baochai's voice was gentle. "My birthday is coming up in a few days. I wonder if you have a gift for me?"

The young girl's words carried a subtle hint of expectation, yet they were measured and appropriate, not at all abrupt.

Jia Yun was taken aback. He had never thought of preparing a birthday gift for any girl separately.

But since Baochai brought it up, it would be too tactless for him to refuse directly, and it would also betray the respect she usually shows him for teaching.

Jia Yun hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "It is naturally my pleasure to congratulate Miss Bao on her birthday. However, I haven't yet decided what small gift to prepare. I hope you won't find it offensive and allow me to think about it."

When Baochai saw that he agreed, the smile in her eyes deepened: "It's good that you have the thought, young master. It doesn't matter what it is, it's all the thought that counts."

Having said that, he leisurely left with Ying'er.

Jia Yun stood there, her mind racing.

What should I give as a gift? It shouldn't be too expensive and cause gossip, nor should it be too ordinary and seem perfunctory.

Suddenly, Jia Yun had a flash of inspiration and remembered that there seemed to be a game called "Dou Pai" mentioned in "Dream of the Red Chamber" that was similar to mahjong, but the rules were simple and it was far less popular than mahjong in later generations.

A thought flashed through my mind like lightning—why not "invent" real mahjong? It would not only be a novel and interesting gift, but also a way to make money!

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

If you can make mahjong sets, you can not only give them as gifts, but also open a dedicated mahjong room, or even combine them with a restaurant!

In an era of scarce entertainment, this easy-to-learn game, which combines strategy and luck, is bound to become a sensation once it's popularized. Moreover, if it can be strictly managed, with male and female areas completely separated...

Men go through the front door on the first floor, and women go through the back door on the second floor, so they don't see each other. This might shut up those moralists.

This idea excited Jia Yun, but to realize it, the first step was to need start-up capital and a capable partner.

Among all the people in the Jia family, and even among all the people he knew, the most suitable candidate was undoubtedly Wang Xifeng!

He could no longer restrain himself and didn't care about avoiding suspicion anymore. After school, he went straight to Wang Xifeng's courtyard.

Jia Yun knew that at this time, Master Lian was most likely not around, so this was the perfect opportunity to speak.

When he arrived at the courtyard gate, a maidservant came out and went in to announce his arrival.

A short while later, Ping'er lifted the curtain and came out, her expression somewhat subtle. She said in a low voice, "Why is Yun-ge'er here at this hour? Grandma is inside. You... go in."

Her tone carried a hint of reminder.

Jia Yun nodded, lifted the curtain, and entered the main room.

Wang Xifeng was reclining on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window. Her body was slightly turned to the side, and her summer silk dress outlined her full curves.

With her slightly rapid breathing, her chest swayed and bulged, which inexplicably reminded Jia Yun of freshly steamed white steamed buns.

The leather is delicate and has a warm feel.

She was holding an account book, but judging from her expression, she didn't seem to be paying attention to it.

She only looked up when Jia Yun entered. But the moment their eyes met, a barely perceptible hint of panic and embarrassment flashed across her face.

Immediately, Sister Feng forced herself to calm down and resumed her usual shrewd and capable demeanor. However, the corners of her eyes and brows were not as natural as before.

"Oh, what brings you here today, Yun-ge? Is there something wrong with the girls' studies?" Wang Xifeng put down the account book, her tone as calm as possible, yet there was still a hint of tension that she herself didn't realize.

Jia Yun bowed respectfully, suppressing the ripples in his heart caused by the previous accident, and got straight to the point.

"Greetings to Second Madam. I am not here today for the school, but because I have an idea that I think might benefit the household and Second Madam, so I have come to report it."

"Oh? What's on your mind? Tell me." Wang Xifeng raised an eyebrow, seemingly showing some interest, but her body remained aloof.

Jia Yun then explained his idea for mahjong in detail, from its production and gameplay to the operational model of combining it with restaurants to open mahjong rooms, especially emphasizing strict separate management for men and women.

"Second Madam, just think about it, once this thing is made, it will definitely be novel and interesting, attracting many high-ranking officials, noblewomen, and ladies-in-waiting. What we're opening isn't just a restaurant and a card room, but a club where we can hear news from all over the place and make connections... Yes, a club!"

Our household may seem prosperous now, but where is our true backer? Those so-called old friends and acquaintances probably just want us to fall so they can share the spoils! Wouldn't it be far better to build our own network of relationships than to be at the mercy of others?

At first, Wang Xifeng listened casually, especially when she heard words like "mahjong" and "chess and cards," which she thought were just frivolous pursuits. Moreover, she was distracted by Jia Yun and didn't believe that this could make money at all.

But when she heard the words "club," "intelligence station," and "managing a network of relationships," her eyes instantly changed!

As the person in charge of the household affairs, how could she not know the Jia family's current predicament—outwardly strong but inwardly weak, fraught with crises? The masters are unreliable, and the eldest daughter of the palace, Yuan Chun, has yet to bring any further good news. If only there were a place that remained unassuming yet allowed for gathering information and secretly building connections…

Second Madam Lian was smitten! Completely smitten!

Sister Feng sat up straight, temporarily putting aside her previous embarrassment: "What you said... makes some sense. But is mahjong really as fun as you say? Talk is cheap."

Seeing that she was interested, Jia Yun was overjoyed and quickly said, "If Second Madam doesn't believe me, I can make one first, and you and the ladies in the mansion can try it out. If you like it, we can discuss the follow-up."

"Hmm," Wang Xifeng nodded thoughtfully, "then why don't you make one and let us see?"

Jia Yun immediately seized the opportunity, feigning difficulty: "Second Madam, this... making this requires some capital—wood, carving, paint... I'm currently short of funds, it's really..."

He rubbed his hands together sheepishly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Her smile caused her full breasts to tremble slightly, which somewhat eased the awkward atmosphere between the two.

Her eyes darted around with a hint of mockery: "You little rascal, Yun-ge! After going through all this trouble, you've come here to beg for money! Didn't the Ancestor just give you fifty taels of silver the other day? You've already spent it all?"

Jia Yun replied solemnly, "Second Madam, the money bestowed by the Old Ancestor is for studying and advancing in one's career. I dare not touch it. I have already asked my mother to deposit it in the treasury for unforeseen needs and future expenses for the imperial examinations. This business is business, and studying is studying. I can tell the difference."

Hearing him say that, Wang Xifeng looked at him with newfound respect and laughed, scolding, "You always have so many reasons! Fine, fine!"

She turned to Ping'er, who was standing to the side, and said, "Ping'er, go and fetch twenty taels of silver for him."

Ping'er responded and left.

The two of them were left alone in the room, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward again.

As Jia Yun looked at the delicate, pink lines of Wang Xifeng's profile, his gaze involuntarily drifted to her full, rosy lips, which were slightly moist from her earlier words and soft laughter.

He absurdly wondered if this Second Madam Lian, who was accustomed to using the finest rouge, also had a sweet fragrance on her delicate tongue.

Jia Yun recalled that fleeting glimpse in the bathtub that day, and her heart skipped a beat.

He hesitated for a moment, and before Ping'er returned, he lowered his voice and said, "Second Madam, that day... I was reckless, I'm truly sorry..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's cheeks flushed red, the blush spreading all the way to her ears.

She interrupted him hastily, both embarrassed and annoyed, her voice trembling slightly: "You good-for-nothing! What nonsense are you talking about! Oh... I'm not sorry at all! I've already forgotten about it! Don't mention it again!"

That's what she said, but at this moment, Feng Jie'er's flustered eyes revealed her girlish nature, though she dared not look at Jia Yun.

Seeing her reaction, Jia Yun understood. He also knew that she didn't want to recall that embarrassing incident, so Jia Yun readily agreed, nodding quickly, "Yes, yes, Second Madam is right, there was nothing there, I was just confused and remembered it wrong."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xifeng glared at him fiercely, seemingly both coquettish and reproachful.

Her eyes were watery, carrying three parts anger and seven parts indescribable embarrassment.

Jia Yun was annoyed. Had he said something wrong again?

Just then, Ping'er came in with the silver. She sensed that the atmosphere in the room was a bit strange, especially the abnormal blush on her grandmother's face. She wondered to herself: Could it be that Grandma is feeling unwell, or is upset because she's having her period?

She didn't dare ask any more questions, and simply handed the silver to Jia Yun.

Jia Yun accepted the heavy twenty taels of silver and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Thank you very much, Second Madam! I will make the item as soon as possible!"

Wang Xifeng was in a state of utter confusion, wanting only for him to leave quickly. Her tone was clearly irritated: "Alright, alright, I know, just get out of here! Just seeing you makes me angry!"

Jia Yun hurriedly took his leave, almost fleeing from Feng Jie's courtyard.

Ping'er watched Jia Yun's flustered back, then looked at her grandmother sitting on the kang with flushed cheeks and uneven breathing. She was filled with doubts, but could only guess in her heart: Grandma's temper was really inexplicable.