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

When Second Madam Lian saw that even his earlobes were red and translucent, she found it amusing. She slowly fiddled with the gilded hand warmer, her mind already racing with all sorts of thoughts.

This young man is brave and resourceful; the seeds he sows today will surely bear good fruit tomorrow. Suddenly, seeing his slender yet upright kneeling figure, and remembering his own useless elder brother Wang Ren, his heart softened even more.

She then thought that the Ninth Prince was someone she couldn't afford to offend, but if Jia Yun hadn't lied, then Yang Shen wouldn't be able to identify her as the suspect.

In such a large restaurant, with people coming and going frequently, it's impossible to directly pin the blame on the Jia family, right? The Jia family is a noble family, neutral between the eunuch faction and the Donglin faction, and even Wei Zhongxian is unwilling to easily start a war.

Wang Xifeng stared at him, her mind racing. Jia Yun's explanation was indeed a clever way to escape unscathed.

Investigate further? Who would investigate further? How would they investigate? According to Jia Yun, the woman must be the widow of that general. If things escalate, who knows who might suffer the consequences?

The risk was that if the Yang family found evidence, she would be guilty of perjury. However, she had a different explanation, stating that it was fine to be deceived by a villain, and then she would simply hand him over. After all, Jia Yun wasn't a direct descendant of the Rong or Ning families.

Moreover, he had an uncle who was at the height of his power...

But what are the benefits? She looked at the young man before her. Jia Yun was studious and ambitious, and now he had shown extraordinary courage and quick wit; he was no ordinary person. If she showed him kindness today, he would surely be a great help in the future.

This investment is worth the risk.

Then, the young woman's beautiful eyes filled with allure, and a subtle, enigmatic smile appeared on her face as she slowly said, "You certainly have courage, wisdom, and loyalty. You dared to touch the tiger's backside to save someone. Well then..."

Wang Xifeng covered her cherry-like mouth with a handkerchief and suddenly chuckled. The beauty mark at the corner of her eye seemed to overflow with spring water as it rippled slightly: "I often say that those men under your Uncle Lian's command are all talk and no action, but when it comes to real matters, they are no match for you, a young man."

She picked up her teacup and gently stirred the foam. "Get up. I agree to this. Just as you said, I'll tell you that you'll come back to see me after dinner, and then go and buy the spices as I instructed."

As Jia Yun stood up, he stumbled a step and just then saw Wang Xifeng turn around, her waist swaying slightly. Her crepe skirt outlined her voluptuous curves, which were indeed as round as a millstone.

He lowered his eyes hastily, embarrassed, but then heard a laughing voice above him: "Just remember, Yun-ge, keep this matter of the young master a secret from now on. Study hard at home these next few days, and we'll see how you fare in next year's imperial examinations..."

Jia Yun felt a great weight lifted from his heart and kowtowed heavily, saying, "Thank you so much, Second Madam! I will remember your kindness and would never dare to cause you any more trouble!"

Before she could finish speaking, Ping'er rushed in to report, "Grandma, Madam Zhen from the East Mansion has sent someone to inquire about the upcoming ancestral worship ceremony."

Wang Xifeng responded and then gave Jia Yun a wink.

The boy understood, bowed repeatedly in thanks, and then withdrew.

As he walked through the corridor, the autumn wind brushed his face, and he realized that his undergarment was already soaked with cold sweat.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Jia Yun got up early again to wash and dress.

The room was still bitterly cold; breath turned to frost, and the chill inside the blankets seemed no less intense than outside.

Although Aunt Li Wan had sent some silver frost charcoal, it wouldn't last until next spring. Good steel should be used where it's needed most, so he planned to save the charcoal for New Year's Eve so his mother could have a good New Year.

At this moment, he rubbed his fingers, which were stiff from the cold, carefully ground the ink, spread out the Xuan paper sent by Jigutang, and began to copy it stroke by stroke.

This was a job that Jia Yun had managed to get by volunteering himself. It was only because of his sincere request and the fact that his handwriting was neat, elegant, and unique that the manager of Jigutang agreed to let him do the book copying work.

Of course, this pay-per-volume system only stipulates that he must not delay the delivery of the books.

Therefore, apart from his daily studies, he devoted almost all his free time to this, which amounted to about six hundred coins a month.

From the other room came the soft snoring of the mother, Ms. Bu.

Jia Yun felt a pang of sadness. Yesterday, his mother had spent the entire day washing clothes and was exhausted. Surprisingly, she hadn't gotten up yet today.

Thinking of the nearly untouched exquisite dishes he had brought back from Zuixianlou the night before, and how his mother, Madam Bu, ate them while her eyes were filled with tears, repeatedly saying, "Delicious, my son is so filial," Jia Yun felt a tightness in his chest.

That "side dish," which was looked down upon by others, was a delicacy that the mother and son could only enjoy once every few months.

In this world, poverty is the original sin.

If someone becomes rich, then people will fight to lick even the soles of their shoes. Jia Yun, who has lived a second life, is only now beginning to understand those principles that he didn't fully grasp in his previous life.

He rubbed his sore wrists, his mind racing, when a loud "bang" came from outside the courtyard gate.

Then Jia Qiang's teasing voice pierced through the thin paper window: "Well done, Second Master Yun! Working so diligently in this freezing weather, do you really want to be the top scholar?"

Before the words were finished, Jia Qiang and Jia Qin entered uninvited, lifting the thin cotton curtain and bringing in a chilly breeze and the lingering smell of wine and meat.

"I thought you were studying, but I never imagined you'd be holed up at home making a living as a copyist?"

Jia Qiang, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed the decorations on the table.

Jia Qin also joined in the fun. Seeing the still-wet ink on the Xuan paper on the table, he sneered, "Oh, so you're really copying books! I say, Yun-ge'er, you're supposed to be someone who wants to pass the imperial examinations and advance your career, how come you're learning from those poor scholars, earning a few pennies for writing materials? You're disgracing our Jia family!"

Jia Yun was annoyed, but knew that he couldn't afford to offend these two people for the time being.

He had no choice but to put down his pen, force a smile, and stand up to bow, saying, "You're joking. I was just helping a friend out and practicing my calligraphy. My mother takes care of everything at home; there's no need for me to worry about this."

His words were cleverly flattering, saving face for himself while subtly implying that Jia Qiang and Jia Qin were wealthy idlers who didn't need to worry about money—of course, Jia Qin was actually in a similar situation to him, and this flattery was just a convenient way of including him.

Jia Qiang, however, was not pleased. His peach blossom eyes lingered on Jia Yun's face for a moment before he lowered his voice, which carried a hint of mystery and schadenfreude.

"Practicing calligraphy? Alright, I'll believe you for now. But, hehe, Yun-ge'er, didn't we go to Zuixianlou yesterday? Do you know what a terrible thing happened there after you left!"

Jia Yun's heart skipped a beat, but he feigned ignorance and shook his head, saying, "A big deal? Although I was the last to pack up yesterday, I went home early after getting the food and know nothing about what happened afterward. What big thing could have happened at that restaurant?"

"You really don't know?" Jia Qin leaned closer, staring intently into his eyes. "It was on the third floor! Yang Shen, the only son of Judge Yang, happened to be drinking at Zuixianlou that day, when some audacious thief beat him up in a private room! I heard his head was split open, blood was everywhere, and he's still unconscious! There are rumors that he's not very capable, but I don't know if it's true..."

Jia Qiang exaggeratedly chimed in, "That's right! Manager Yang Huan is a favorite of His Majesty the Ninth Prince! Now that his precious son has been beaten, this is outrageous! A warrant for his arrest has been issued, and the entire city's military and imperial guards are searching for him! Anyone who showed up at Zuixianlou yesterday has to be questioned!"

As he spoke, his gaze seemingly casually swept over Jia Yun's slightly pale face, and his tone became meaningful: "Yun-ge'er, I know you were... the last to leave yesterday, weren't you? Didn't you really hear anything on the third floor? Or... did you see any suspicious people?"

Jia Yun knew perfectly well that these two weren't there to tip him off; they had clearly sensed something and were testing him, or even trying to manipulate him.

As for arrest warrants? The entire city's military command? That's pure nonsense. You don't even have any evidence, how can you arrest someone?

Of course, they probably just wanted to take the opportunity to give him a warning and show off their connections and influence.

Jia Yun steadied himself, his face displaying just the right amount of surprise and lingering fear: "Such a thing happened? On the third floor? Oh dear, I was busy packing in the private room on the second floor and didn't hear a sound. Who would dare to provoke someone like that? It's truly terrifying."

Jia Qiang and Jia Qin exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a sly mix of "as expected" and "not entirely true".

They naturally didn't believe that the bean sprouts in front of them could crack someone's skull; they just wanted to scare them and then manipulate them later.

Jia Qiang suddenly chuckled, a hint of mischievous intimacy in his eyes, and put his arm around Jia Yun's shoulder: "Yun-ge'er, we're brothers, tell us honestly, did you really not see anything? We know that from where you left last, you might have actually seen something... If you know something and don't report it, you'll be in big trouble!"

Jia Yun's anger was rising, but he still suppressed it: "What are you saying, Second Brother Qiang? I really didn't know. If I had known, I would have told you already."

This guy actually wants to use this to control me? If Yang Shen really recognizes me, I'm afraid I'll lose my life!