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

Outside the gate, a crowd of onlookers had gathered on the street, pointing and whispering about the woman kneeling and crying at the entrance of the Qin residence.

The woman was none other than Lian'er.

She was dressed in worn-out clothes, her hair was disheveled, and she knelt on the ground, crying her heart out.

"Master Rong! You can't treat this servant like this!"

"I've given you my body! How can you turn around and marry another woman as your wife?!"

"How am I supposed to live now?!"

She cried and wiped her tears with her sleeve, looking utterly miserable.

Jia Zhen's face turned ashen.

He strode over and angrily shouted at the onlookers:

"What are you looking at?! Get out of the way!"

Several guards also stepped forward to drive the crowd away.

Jia Rong rushed up to Lian'er and slapped her hard across the face!

"Snapped!"

The crisp sound of a slap silenced the surroundings for a moment.

Lian'er was hit so hard that her body swayed, her cheeks instantly swelled up, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

"You bitch!"

Jia Rong's voice was hoarse as he glared fiercely at Lian'er.

"You unexpectedly received an incredible opportunity the other day!"

"My father personally promised that you would become my concubine! That's a blessing that countless people would kill for!"

"You're not satisfied at all; you actually dare to come here and cause trouble?"

"How dare you even mention 'being the legal wife'?"

"Are you worthy?"

He got angrier and angrier as he spoke, and raised his hand to hit him again.

Lian'er covered her face, tears streaming down her face even more fiercely, but she just lowered her head and cried without saying a word.

As Mrs. You had said, if we did as she instructed, and made a scene in front of the Qin residence today, we could solidify Jia Rong's reputation as a "heartless man" and a "womanizer"...

She said she would keep herself safe and sound.

She said that Jia Zhen was concerned about his reputation and dared not do anything to her in public.

But now...

Jia Rong's slap really hurt.

What if Mrs. You is just using me?

What if she doesn't care about her own life or death at all?

Wouldn't I have been beaten for nothing, and might even... lose my life?

No... we can't just accept it like that.

If Mrs. You is really just using me, then before I die, I will expose her and drag her down with me!

Thinking of this, Lian'er raised her tear-filled face, looked at Jia Rong, and choked with sobs.

"My lord, I know my status is too lowly, and I am unworthy to be your principal wife..."

"But I gave myself to you, my lord, with a pure and innocent body. I was thinking that once I saved enough money to redeem myself, I would go to a respectable family, even if it was poor and hard, to be a proper wife. But you, my lord..."

Before she could finish speaking, she covered her face and wept bitterly, her shoulders trembling violently.

His pitiful appearance moved some kind-hearted people around him to show their sympathy.

Jia Rong, however, only felt even more furious!

That vile woman!

How dare they say these things in public!

"you!"

He cursed angrily and raised his foot to kick!

"That's enough!"

Jia Zhen gave a low shout and reached out to stop Jia Rong.

Jia Rong looked at her father, puzzled.

"Father! That bitch..."

"Shut up!"

Jia Zhen glared at him, her eyes filled with warning.

Then, he turned to Lian'er and looked her up and down for a moment.

This maid... was fairly pretty, but now, with tears streaming down her face, she looked even more delicate and pitiful.

If this matter escalates, it will indeed be detrimental to the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Zhen was quickly calculating in his mind.

Is there someone behind this maid?

Is someone trying to take this opportunity to ruin the reputation of the Ningguo Mansion and sabotage Jia Rong's marriage?

Or is this maid just delusional, hoping to make a fortune?

The anger on Jia Zhen's face gradually subsided, replaced by a deep and unfathomable expression.

He took two steps forward, bent down slightly, and softened his voice.

"Lian'er".

He called her name gently.

"You're a good girl."

"The other day, Rong'er was in trouble and wasn't feeling well... As soon as I asked, you didn't hesitate to help him out of his predicament."

"This kindness is evident to everyone in the household."

"You are an extremely well-behaved and sensible girl."

As he spoke, he sighed softly, as if he truly regretted it.

"But why are you so confused today?"

"Coming all the way to the Qin residence to spout such nonsense?"

"Think about it carefully..."

Jia Zhen's voice was softer and slower.

"Did...someone say something to you?"

"Did someone deceive you, making you, such a good girl, act foolishly and do something so damaging to your reputation?"

He paused, his eyes fixed on Lian'er, observing every subtle change in her expression.

"Don't worry."

"Just tell me who's behind you."

"I promise I will never wrongly accuse you, my good girl!"

"I will only severely punish the person who plotted behind the scenes and had malicious intentions!"

He spoke with such sincerity that he seemed like a truly good master who could distinguish right from wrong and cared for his servants.

Hearing Jia Zhen's gentle words, Lian'er felt alarm bells ringing in her heart!

This Grandpa Zhen... is amazing!

His words seemed to be a way of comforting himself and giving himself a chance.

Actually... they were just trying to get information out of me!

They were pressing him to reveal who was behind it all!

She didn't know if Mrs. You would be in trouble if she really said that she was the one who instructed her.

But Lian'er, this maid who "betrayed her master and made false accusations," is definitely doomed!

Madam You is the mistress of the house. Would Jia Zhen really punish his wife for the sake of a mere maid?

I'm afraid that when the time comes, Mrs. You can easily find some excuse to clear herself, while I... will become the wicked servant who "falsely accused the mistress" and "tried to disrupt the mansion"!

Lian'er was struggling intensely inside.

She recalled what Lady You had said in the carriage.

"What you want is the position of the legal wife."

What you want is for no one to dare to look down on you in the future.

"Do as I say, and I'll keep you safe."

Yu's eyes seemed to indicate that she had everything under control.

Lian'er gritted her teeth.

Now that things have come to this... she has no way out.

Since she chose to trust the You family and chose this path, she can only go all the way!

Lian'er raised her head, looked at Jia Zhen, her eyes glistening with tears, but shook her head.

"Reporting to Master, no one instructed me."

"It was my own momentary lapse of judgment and wishful thinking."

"I heard that Master Rong is coming to the Qin residence today to propose marriage, and I was so upset that I was bewitched and followed him here, saying all this nonsense..."

As she spoke, she lowered her head and began to sob.

"This servant knows she was wrong, please forgive this servant, sir..."

Hearing this from the side, Jia Rong became even more furious!

"Stubborn to the end!"

He cursed and was about to rush up and hit someone again.

"You bastard!"

Jia Zhen suddenly kicked Jia Rong in the shin!

Jia Rong cried out "Ouch!" and staggered back a few steps, looking at his father with a mixture of shock and anger.

"Father! You..."

"Shut up!"

Jia Zhen sternly stopped him, then turned to Lian'er, his face returning to its kind expression.

"Alright, Lian'er, stop crying."

"Rong'er is young and impetuous, and doesn't know any better. Don't take it to heart."

He reached out and gently helped Lian'er up.

"This matter... you were confused for a moment, it's understandable."

"You should go back to your residence first."

"For everything... I, as your father-in-law, will take care of it for you."

"Go back and rest well, and stop overthinking."

Lian'er felt a little relieved and quickly kowtowed.

"master......"

"This servant will go back now."

She stood up, wiped away her tears, lowered her head, and walked quickly towards the Ningguo Mansion.

As Jia Zhen watched her figure disappear around the street corner, the gentleness on his face vanished instantly.

Instead, a gloomy atmosphere prevailed.

Jia Rong rubbed her sore calf and came closer, full of confusion and resentment.

"Father! Why are you being so polite to that lowly servant girl?!"

"She should be beaten to death! As a warning to others!"

Jia Zhen glanced at him sideways.

His eyes were filled with disappointment and helplessness.

This son is hopelessly stupid.

Jia Zhen sighed inwardly.

It seems I really need to consider having another child.

He stopped looking at Jia Rong and instead beckoned to one of his trusted guards.

The guards rushed forward.

Jia Zhen lowered his voice and quickly whispered a few instructions in his ear.

The guard listened, his eyes narrowing slightly, before nodding.

He moved swiftly and silently followed in the direction Lian'er had left.