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

Jia Zhen, with his hands behind his back, paced around the study a few more times.

Then, he turned and walked towards Madam You's courtyard.

Lady You was sitting in her room, being helped by her maid to remove her makeup.

Upon seeing Jia Zhen enter, she immediately put on a gentle smile and stood up.

"The master has arrived."

"It's so late, is the master still busy with official business? Don't overwork yourself."

As she spoke, she personally poured tea for Jia Zhen and instructed the maid to prepare hot water for washing up.

His manners were attentive and considerate, just as they always have been.

Looking at her virtuous and docile appearance, Jia Zhen felt his complex emotions churning even more intensely.

He silently accepted the teacup, but did not drink it.

It was just placed on the table.

Then, he raised his head and looked sharply at Madam You.

Those eyes were like knives.

Yu felt a slight chill in her heart, but still maintained a smile on her face.

"What's wrong, sir? Why do you look so pale?"

"But... what happened?"

Jia Zhen stared at her and said, word by word:

"Lian'er is dead."

The smile on Madam You's face froze instantly.

Her eyes widened, revealing an expression of disbelief and shock.

"What?!"

Her voice rose, carrying just the right amount of shock and "concern".

"Lian'er is dead?!"

"How is this possible?!"

"Didn't she say she was going home to visit her family? How... how could she..."

Her voice trembled, as if she had truly been greatly frightened.

"Master, what on earth is going on?!"

"How could a perfectly healthy person just die?!"

She stepped forward and grabbed Jia Zhen's sleeve.

"Who did this?! How dare they commit murder in broad daylight?!"

"Master, you must investigate this thoroughly! We must seek justice for Lian'er!"

She spoke with such sincerity, as if she were truly heartbroken and angry about Lian'er's tragic death.

Jia Zhen sneered inwardly, but he didn't expose him.

"check?"

"How do I check?"

"The body wasn't found, only a pool of blood and a few pieces of clothing."

"There are also three masked men who are tied up."

He emphasized the word "tied up" when he said it.

His gaze was fixed on Yu's face.

Yu's heart skipped a beat.

Tied up?

Didn't they kill him?

Could it be...?

She suppressed her panic, but her face revealed a deeper sense of shock and anger.

"No body found? Only bloodstains?!"

"This...this is utterly lawless!"

"Master! This matter cannot be left like this!"

"Lian'er was a member of our Ningguo Mansion! To die so inexplicably like this, if word gets out, people will think that the servants of our Ningguo Mansion are easy to bully and kill!"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke.

"We must report this to the authorities!"

"Order the Yingtian Prefecture to conduct a thorough investigation!"

"The culprit must be found and brought to justice!"

Jia Zhen looked at her indignant expression and remained silent for a moment.

Then he suddenly laughed.

"yes......"

"We must find out the truth."

"Otherwise, people would think that someone in the Ningguo Mansion has connections that allow them to commit murder flawlessly."

Lady You felt a chill run down her spine.

But on the surface, he still appeared innocent.

"The master is right!"

"This kind of person must not be tolerated!"

Jia Zhen looked at her and slowly stood up.

He walked up to Madam You and looked down at her.

We've been husband and wife for many years.

"The Ningguo Mansion may seem glamorous, but in reality, it is full of traps and dangers at every turn."

"To survive here, you really can't do it without some cunning and resourcefulness."

He paused, his tone becoming even more serious.

"but......"

"In the end, sincerity should be the most important thing between husband and wife."

What do you think?

Yu was stunned.

She rarely heard Jia Zhen say such things.

He rarely uses such a heartfelt tone.

Looking into Jia Zhen's deep eyes, she felt a moment of hesitation and wavering for the first time.

Was Jia Zhen testing her?

Or are we giving her a chance?

If she admits it now...

Do not!

No!

Once you admit it, it's all over!

Jia Zhen has no evidence at the moment; he is merely testing the waters.

As long as she stubbornly denies it, he can't do anything about it!

A hint of struggle flashed in Yu's eyes.

But soon, things returned to calm.

She lowered her head, her voice soft and gentle.

"The master is right."

"Husbands and wives should be honest with each other."

"I... will always keep this in mind."

Jia Zhen looked at her lowered head, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

But soon, things returned to calm.

He nodded.

Just remember that.

"It's getting late, let's rest."

After saying that, he turned around and left Madam You's room.

His back view showed a hint of fatigue.

Jia Rong soon learned that Lian'er had "died".

Lai Er told him this secretly.

Upon hearing this, Jia Rong was taken aback.

Then, he burst into laughter!

"Good riddance!"

He slapped the table, his face flushed with excitement.

"That bitch! She dares to cause trouble in front of the Qin residence today and ruin my wedding!"

"They deserved to die!"

"Serves you right!"

He felt more and more relieved as he talked.

"A mere maidservant dares to dream of becoming the principal wife?"

"Pah! She doesn't deserve it!"

"Now that he's dead, it saves me a lot of trouble!"

He stood up and paced back and forth in the room, gesturing excitedly.

"Good riddance! Death is clean!"

"Without this stumbling block, how can I..."

A lewd glint flashed in his eyes.

"Time to go find new beauties!"

"On the Qinhuai River, how many pleasure boats, how many slender horses..."

"I was worried about that bitch Qin Keqing before, but now that the marriage is off, what do I have to worry about?!"

"I'll play however I want!"

The more he thought about it, the more wonderful it seemed, as if he could already see himself living a life of pleasure, surrounded by beautiful women and indulging in sensual pleasures.

"Someone come here!"

he shouted.

"Go! Prepare the car!"

"I'm going to the Qinhuai River! I'm going to have some fun!"

The servant quickly responded and was about to leave.

Jia Rong called out to him again.

"etc!"

His eyes darted around, and he put on a pitiful expression.

"Let's go to my dad's first."

"I need to go and have a good cry."

"Just putting on an act."

-----------------

Jia Zhen's study.

Jia Zhen was sitting in a chair, resting with his eyes closed.

My mind is in turmoil.

Lian'er is dead.

Ms. You is acting.

Jia Rong... is still a good-for-nothing.

This Ningguo Mansion...

I was just thinking about it.

A mournful cry came from outside the door from Jia Rong.

"Father... Father..."

Jia Zhen frowned.

Open your eyes.

Jia Rong stumbled in and knelt down in front of him with a thud.

"Father! Your son is innocent!"

He cried so hard that snot and tears streamed down his face, and he looked "heartbroken".

"Lian'er is dead, and my heart is heavy with grief!"

"Although she caused trouble at the Qin residence today and ruined my son's marriage, she is still one of my son's women!"

"Now he's died so mysteriously, his son is heartbroken..."

As he spoke, he forced out a few tears.

Jia Zhen felt even more disgusted by his hypocritical act.

"Alright."

He said coldly.

Stop pretending.

"Lian'er is dead, you must be secretly very happy, right?"

Jia Rong was taken aback.

Then she cried even harder.

"Father! How could you say that to your son?!"

"My son is really...really in pain!"

"Qin Keqing's marriage fell through, and Lian'er is dead... Now, her son has nothing left!"

He looked up and stared longingly at Jia Zhen.

"Father...you won't abandon your son because of this, will you?"

"My son really knows he was wrong this time!"

"Please give my son another chance!"

Jia Zhen felt both angry and helpless looking at his pathetic state.