Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

The next day, in front of the Qin residence.

The gatekeeper already knew about the banquet he had hosted for Jiao Si yesterday. Seeing that Jiao Si looked pale and unsteady on his feet, the gatekeeper couldn't help but laugh at him.

"Brother Jiao, you're here again? Didn't you have enough to drink yesterday?"

"Young master, you have quite a high alcohol tolerance. You drank so much with my master, yet you can still get up today."

Jiao Si rubbed his throbbing temples and gave a wry laugh.

Seeing that he was really unwell, the old doorman made way for him.

Inside the main hall.

Qin Ye was half-reclining on the couch, his brows furrowed, clearly still suffering from the effects of yesterday's alcohol.

Hearing footsteps, he barely opened his eyes and saw Jiao Si, his expression immediately turning even more grim.

"Jiao Enren?"

"Why are you here again?"

He assumed that Jiao Si had come as a guest "as a benefactor" again, and struggled to get up to give instructions to the servants.

"Someone, go and prepare some more wine and food—"

Jiao Si quickly stepped forward and reached out to stop him.

"Lord Qin, there's no need for you to trouble yourself!"

He took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.

"I have come today not to bother you as a 'benefactor'."

"Instead... they came on behalf of the Ningguo Prefecture."

As soon as he finished speaking...

The air in the main hall instantly turned cold.

Qin Ye suddenly sat up straight, his eyes sharp as knives, staring intently at Jiao Si.

"Representing Ningguo Prefecture?"

"If you are representing the Ningguo Mansion... then please return."

"The doors of my Qin residence are not open to the Ningguo residence."

Jiao Si had anticipated this and remained calm.

"Lord Qin, please wait! Let me have a word to say!"

"Although I am here today representing the Ningguo Mansion, I am not... representing Master Rong."

"She is Madam You, the matriarch of the Ningguo Mansion."

"Mrs. You?"

Qin Ye's expression softened slightly.

Jiao Si continued.

"It is Mrs. You."

"Mrs. You invited Miss Qin to enjoy the scenery at the top of Plum Blossom Mountain last time. It was a kind gesture from an elder who wanted to get to know her better beforehand."

"Unexpectedly, such an unpleasant incident occurred, which frightened Miss Qin."

Mrs. You felt deeply guilty and uneasy.

"Therefore, I have come here today to apologize to Miss Qin and Lord Qin on her behalf."

"And we extend our sincere invitation once again..."

Three days later, Fengyou Temple outside the city was bustling with worshippers and its scenery was serene and beautiful.

"Mrs. You has acquired some fine agarwood from the south and would like to invite Miss Qin to go with her to offer incense and pray for blessings, and to enjoy the fragrance and calm her mind. This would also be a way to... express her apologies and make up for the regret of last time."

After listening, Qin Ye remained silent for a moment, but still slowly shook his head.

"Steward Jiao, I appreciate your kindness and Mrs. You's sentiments."

"But the lessons of the past are still fresh in our minds."

"Qing Ke has been through that incident and is frightened. She needs to rest and is really not suitable to go out again."

"Moreover, Fengyou Temple is outside the city, and it's not a short distance away."

"I am really worried."

He paused, then his tone became even more resolute.

"There's no need to mention this matter again."

"Go back and tell Mrs. You that I understand her feelings."

"Let's drop the invitation."

Jiao Si felt a slight unease.

Qin Ye's attitude was even more resolute than expected.

It seems that the incident at Wangyue Pavilion has truly made him extremely wary of the Ningguo Mansion and any invitations to go out.

He tried to persuade him again.

But Qin Ye simply refused.

The stalemate continues.

The beaded curtain leading from the main hall to the inner courtyard was suddenly lifted gently.

A graceful and gentle figure walked in.

It was Qin Keqing.

She was wearing a light blue dress today, with simple makeup, and seemed to be in much better spirits.

She turned to face Jiao Si and bowed deeply.

"Brother Jiao, thank you so much for your help on the top of Plum Blossom Mountain last time."

She adopted an extremely humble posture, directly placing Jiao Si in the high position of a "benefactor".

In this way, Qin Ye's cold attitude would seem somewhat inhuman.

Qin Ye immediately felt embarrassed.

He coughed lightly, glanced at his daughter with a complicated expression, and did not immediately urge Jiao Si to leave.

Qin Keqing then straightened up, her gaze shifting between Jiao Si and Qin Ye, her eyes filled with just the right amount of doubt.

"Father, Brother Jiao, what were you arguing about just now?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Ye's expression darkened again.

He snorted coldly and recounted, with embellishments, the process of Jiao Si inviting You Shi to the invitation and his repeated refusals.

"Qing, tell me, is this place safe to go?"

"The Ningguo Mansion, especially Jia Rong, acts outrageously and without any decorum! Who knows what they're plotting this time?"

"Father will never let you take any more risks!"

Qin Keqing pondered for a moment.

"I understand Father's concerns."

"only......"

"We are already engaged to the Ningguo family. Although we have had a disagreement, it would be detrimental to both of us to become completely hostile and deadlocked."

"As an elder, Mrs. You took the initiative to express goodwill and apologize, and invited her daughter to go on a trip. If we refuse her all the time, I'm afraid that if word gets out, outsiders will say that our Qin family... is narrow-minded and has no clear understanding of the past grievances."

"Furthermore, regarding the incident at Plum Blossom Mountain last time, Mrs. You meant well, but it ended up like that, so she suffered an undeserved misfortune."

"Now that she's put aside past grievances and invited us again, if we don't even give her this much face..."

She sighed softly.

"I'm afraid that in the eyes of his colleagues in the court, Father will also be seen as heartless."

"This might harm Father's reputation as an official..."

As Qin Ye listened, the anger on his face was gradually replaced by hesitation.

He finally let out a long sigh.

"Qing, do you really want to go?"

Qin Keqing nodded.

Qin Ye waved his hand helplessly.

"That's enough...that's enough..."

"Since you have made up your mind, your father will grant your wish."

Qin Keqing smiled gently.

With the matter settled, Jiao Si got up to take his leave.

Qin Keqing got up to see him off, but Qin Ye hurriedly stopped her.

"This is improper for a young lady!"

Qin Keqing replied, "Brother Jiao is my savior. It is only proper for me to see him off and express my gratitude."

Qin Ye wanted to say something, but as soon as he stood up, the intense dizziness and headache from the hangover made his vision go black, and he fell back onto the bed.

They could only watch helplessly as Qin Keqing and Jiao Si left the main hall together and headed towards the gate of the mansion.

It's not far from home.

Qin Keqing tilted her head slightly and looked at Jiao Si.

"Brother Jiao..."

Aren't you going to thank me?

Jiao Si was taken aback.

"Miss Xie?"

He thought for a moment, then cupped his hands in greeting.

"Of course I thank you. Thank you so much for helping me out of that awkward situation in front of Lord Qin."

Qin Keqing shook her head.

"wrong."

Jiao Si thought about it again.

"Then... Miss Xie, last time on Plum Blossom Mountain, you pretended to faint to help me out of a predicament?"

Qin Keqing shook her head again, her smile growing even stronger.

"That's not right either."

Jiao Si was somewhat puzzled.

"Then... what does the young lady mean?"

Qin Keqing took half a step forward, getting closer to Jiao Si.

She looked up at Jiao Si's confused eyes and suddenly burst out laughing.

"Brother Jiao..."

"You used me and Aunt You as pawns, setting up a clever scheme to completely outwit that fool, Uncle Rong, only to have him end up shooting himself in the foot..."

"Shouldn't you... thank me for being... an 'obedient pawn'?"

Jiao Si was startled and terrified.

She actually figured it all out?!

From Lady You presenting the hairpin, to the confrontation at the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, to Jia Zhen's fury and Qin Ye's annulment of the engagement...

She was completely aware of all the intricacies and schemes involved?!

He opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Should we deny it?

Should we admit it?

Qin Keqing looked at his unusually stunned expression, and her smile grew even wider.

She said no more and walked towards the inner courtyard.

After taking a few steps, he stopped again.

She turned around and smiled sweetly.

"Three days later, at Fengyou Temple."

"Brother Jiao, remember to... protect me, your 'pawn'."