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

Once she calmed herself down, Wang Xifeng had already made up her mind.

She returned to her courtyard and summoned her trusted confidants, Laiwang and his wife. With a cold face, she ordered, "Go and 'invite' that Master Rui to the empty room in the back and keep him under guard. Don't disturb anyone else. Once the master's anger has subsided, I will deal with him accordingly."

Laiwang and his wife accepted the order and left.

Wang Xifeng sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), slowly pondering. She needed to teach Jia Rui a lesson while also saving face for Lady Wang; this was a matter that required careful consideration.

That evening, feeling the time was right, she was about to report to Jia Zheng when a maid from the main room quietly came to report: "Second Madam, Madam is crying in front of Master. Perhaps you should go later."

Wang Xifeng understood, so she deliberately delayed for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before going to Jia Zheng's courtyard.

As soon as they reached the corridor, they heard Madam Wang's voice, choked with sobs, coming from inside: "...How could I not know he deserved to die? But think about it, sir, if someone really dies, what will outsiders say about our family? Besides, Master Dairu only has this one grandson..."

Wang Xifeng lifted the curtain and went in at the opportune moment, only to see Madam Wang wiping away tears with a handkerchief. Although Jia Zheng still had a stern face, his expression was no longer as frightening as before.

"Master, Madam," Wang Xifeng bowed respectfully, "Master Rui has been brought here and questioned."

Jia Zheng snorted coldly: "Did you get any information out of them?"

"He said he was confused and blinded by greed," Wang Xifeng carefully chose her words, "because he had some disagreements with Yun-ge at school, and when he saw Yun-ge get into school, he was so jealous that he did such a stupid thing."

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang sobbed even harder: "It's all my fault as the head of the household; I haven't managed the clan's children well..."

Jia Zheng waved his hand impatiently and said to Wang Xifeng, "Now that you've investigated, tell me how to handle this?"

Wang Xifeng lowered her eyes and said, "In my humble opinion, this kind of fool is a disgrace to the place, even if we beat him to death. We should give him ten lashes and make him pay twenty taels of silver. This will both calm Yun'er down and teach him a lesson. We can just say to outsiders that he disrespected his elders and that it has nothing to do with the imperial examinations."

"Ten strokes of the cane?" Jia Zheng frowned. "Too lenient!"

Lady Wang hurriedly grabbed Jia Zheng's sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears: "Master, just ten strokes of the cane, any more than that might be... Feng'er is right, we must consider the bigger picture..."

Jia Zheng glanced at his wife, whose face was streaked with tears, then at his niece-in-law standing respectfully by her side, and sighed deeply, sitting heavily back in his chair: "Fine! Do as Feng'er says. But the beating must be severe; there must be no favoritism!"

"Don't worry, sir, I'll make sure he's ripped to shreds and never dares to do it again." Wang Xifeng curled her lips into a cold smile and retreated.

Ten strokes of the cane and twenty taels of silver were a devastating blow to a collateral descendant like Jia Rui.

Wang Xifeng thought to herself, this not only fulfilled Madam Wang's request and quelled the incident, but also truly taught that disgusting thing a lesson, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

Now, Jia Rui was detained in an empty room at the back of the Rongguo Mansion. At first, he stubbornly denied everything, saying that he was only there to uphold the integrity of the imperial examinations and could not tolerate the cheating.

It wasn't until Lai Wang's family sneered at him, saying that the master had given his permission to take him directly to the Shuntian County government office to confront the county magistrate and the Hanlin compiler in court, asking him a crime of "falsely accusing a virtuous person and disrupting the examination," that he truly panicked.

The cane used in the courtroom is ten times more severe than the family discipline in the mansion; if not handled properly, it could lead to exile or military service!

Jia Rui was so frightened that his soul almost left his body and his face turned ashen. He then stammered that he had only admitted that he had been blinded by greed and was jealous of Jia Yun, and that no one else had instructed him to do so.

The executioners were two observant servants who, while pressing him down onto the bench, whispered among themselves, their voices just loud enough for Jia Rui to hear:

"Young master, you'd better be more careful! Master Zheng originally wanted to give you thirty strokes of the cane, but it was only because Second Madam Lian was kind-hearted and, out of consideration for our kinship, knelt before the master for half a day and begged for your life that it was reduced to ten strokes!"

"That's right! If it weren't for Second Madam, you'd probably be half dead!"

These words were like sweet dew sprinkling on Jia Rui's parched and twisted heart.

The board slammed down with a "crack," making a crisp sound as it hit his flesh. He winced in pain, cold sweat pouring down his face, but the filthy thoughts in his mind grew wildly like weeds.

Thirty strokes... reduced to ten... Second Madam Lian pleaded for me...

The moment that thought arose, the excruciating pain seemed to change its flavor.

He lay on the stool, his vision blurring, but the image of Wang Xifeng was clearly visible in his mind: her slender and graceful figure, her bright and beautiful face, especially her two red lips that were naturally rosy and full of charm... She actually pleaded for me?

Could it be that I hold a place in her heart too? But she can't say it out of politeness?

Once this self-delusional thought takes root, it's impossible to shake it off.

Jia Rui even felt that the board falling on his body carried an indescribable intimacy, as if it were Feng Jie'er's delicate hands "scolding" him, his good-for-nothing "beloved".

The more she hit him and punished him, the more he felt it was a special kind of attention and affection.

This is what a true scoundrel looks like.

After being beaten with ten strokes of the cane, Jia Rui was so badly injured that he couldn't move. He was dragged back to his shabby, empty room like a dead dog.

He lay on the cold bed, his buttocks burning with pain, but his heart felt like it was on fire, making him dizzy.

Although the ten taels of silver fine hurt him, what was it compared to Sister Feng's "deep affection and loyalty"?

He smacked his lips as if still savoring the illusion, feeling that the beating he received was... worth it!

Second Madam Lian, you really do care about me!

This thought, like a poisonous vine, tightly entwined his despicable heart, sowing the seeds for his future reckless and suicidal entanglement.

On the other side, Jia Yun was not blinded by this small victory. He knew that this was only the first step in a long journey of the imperial examinations, and the real test would come from the prefectural examinations, the provincial examinations, and the provincial examinations.

After calming down, he repeatedly studied his own exam paper and secretly inquired about the answer strategies of other outstanding candidates, gradually gaining an understanding of their approach.

My seventh-place ranking is certainly due to the solid foundation and rigorous format of my essay, but it is probably more due to the unconventional and original ideas in my policy proposal.

This made Jia Yun realize that while county-level examiners might tolerate a bit of innovation, the examiners at the higher-level prefectural examinations were mostly more conservative and even conservative academic officials and prefects. If he were to try to "take shortcuts" and rely on some out-of-the-time insights in his writing, the risk would be extremely high!

"In the end, it's because I haven't read enough and my foundation is insufficient," Jia Yun sighed as he looked at the flickering candlelight.

This time it was just good luck, but what about next time?

He thought of Li Wan's husband, the young and deceased Master Zhu—Jia Zhu.

I have heard that Jia Zhu was diligent and studious during his lifetime. He entered school at the age of fourteen and was the most promising candidate for advancement in the imperial examination among Jia Zheng's generation. His study notes and insights must be an invaluable treasure trove of experience.

I borrowed several books from Aunt Wan last time, and I truly benefited greatly. If I could borrow some more to study her approach to scholarship and her writing style, I'm sure it would make up for my lack of foundational knowledge.

Once the thought arises, it can no longer be suppressed.

But... thinking of the unspeakable awkwardness between Jia Yun and Li Wan a few days ago, which ended in a bad mood, Jia Yun felt his face burning.

I was indeed abrupt and rude at the time, which displeased Li Wan. Now, if I go to her for help again, wouldn't I be making a fool of myself?

His inner turmoil and worry about the future ultimately outweighed the embarrassment on his face.

The path to fame and success allows no room for hesitation or coyness.

Jia Yun gritted his teeth and decided to go again, even if it meant swallowing his pride.

That afternoon, Jia Yun found an excuse to come to Li Wanku's courtyard again.

He didn't dare to go in directly, but lingered outside the courtyard gate for a while, just in time to see Li Wan's personal maid, Su Yun, coming out with a needle and thread basket.

"Sister Suyun." Jia Yun quickly stepped forward and bowed.

Su Yun was slightly taken aback when she saw it was him.

After Jia Yun left that day, Grandma sat alone in the room for a long time, her face looking very unwell.

Those who served her closely all noticed something was wrong, but they didn't dare to ask any questions.

Seeing Jia Yun arrive again, he couldn't help but feel a little wary, but he remained polite on the surface: "So it's Second Master Yun, what brings you here...?"

Jia Yun put on a flattering and obedient expression, then said in a low voice, "I apologize for bothering you, sister. I offended you with my words and actions the other day, which displeased you, and I have been feeling uneasy ever since. I have come today, firstly to apologize to you, and secondly... I do have a request, and I hope you can convey it to me."

Seeing that his attitude was sincere and not feigned, and considering that he was now a promising candidate for the county examination, ranking seventh, Su Yun did not want to offend him easily. So she said, "Second Master, please wait a moment. This servant will go in and inform Madam."

Inside the room, Li Wan was sitting by the window doing needlework when she heard Su Yun whisper that Jia Yun was outside requesting an audience, saying he wanted to apologize and ask for help.

Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the needle, and the irritation and shame she had managed to suppress resurfaced.

"What's he doing here?" Li Wan's voice carried a barely perceptible hint of coldness. "Wasn't what I said the other day clear enough?"

Su Yun said cautiously, "Grandma, Second Master Yun looked...very ashamed, saying he came to apologize. Besides, he has now passed the fourth-seventh round of the imperial examination, and if in the future..."