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

The main hall of Rongguo Mansion.

You could hear a pin drop.

The guests looked at each other in bewilderment.

This whole affair unfolded so quickly and unexpectedly that before anyone could react, they were forced to watch this grand spectacle.

First, Jia Baoyu, being ignorant and clueless, read out the contents of the IOU in front of everyone, which greatly embarrassed Old Lady Shi (Grandmother Jia);

Furthermore, the loyal servant Wang'er would rather kowtow until he faints than let his master suffer such infamy.

So now, it's clear what everyone needs to do.

Find an excuse and leave.

Ultimately, the Great Yi Dynasty was built by us, the civil and military officials, through our own efforts and dedication.

What good are a few privileges these days?

Even if lending leads to some deaths, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, we can downplay the seriousness of the matter and treat it as a family affair.

If we just close the door, nothing will happen, right?

Everyone looked at Princess Chang Le, who understood immediately and moved gracefully with her lotus-like steps.

"The old lady is overjoyed! The wicked servant has deceived his master, and the incident has occurred on the old lady's birthday. This is a good omen of peace and order and the elimination of the traitor within the family."

"Now that we have offered our birthday wishes to the matriarch, it is getting late, and we should take our leave."

As the younger sister raised by Prince Bei Jing, she was meticulous in her words and actions.

Grandmother Jia's expression shifted between light and dark, eventually settling into a smile.

"Since you're all here, why not have a few more drinks? Well then, with autumn approaching, there's a lot to do at home, so I won't keep you any longer."

"Zheng'er, She'er, you two go and see them off."

After saying that, he gave Wang Xifeng a cold look.

"Feng girl, something happened to your subordinates, you should be held accountable for failing to supervise them properly."

"Once he wakes up, interrogate him thoroughly. If he needs to be sent to the yamen, send him to the yamen; if he needs to be charged, go and collect the debts."

"Don't worry about things in the manor these next few days."

"We'll discuss this further once the loan issue is resolved."

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Wang Xifeng's face lit up with joy.

The old lady was preparing to handle it with care.

As long as nothing else goes wrong during this period, even if we can't take down Jiao Si for a while, we can still manage to scrape together 10,000 taels of silver and smooth things over.

After causing such a huge scene in front of so many nobles, it's already quite a relief that things have come to this.

Jia Lian and Lai Da exchanged a glance, each lost in their own thoughts.

Jia Lian's plan was to completely destroy Wang Xifeng's trust in the old lady and completely collapse the image of the household; it was not something to be taken lightly.

Lai Da's plan was to prevent Wang Xifeng from controlling the internal affairs and to completely hand over the power that rightfully belonged to him.

But now that the old lady has made her decision, how can the two of them insist on intervening?

Just as the nobles led by the Princess of Changle were about to leave, only Xin Like, that ungrateful person, remained sitting there.

Even if Jia Lian and Lai Da wanted to escalate the situation, they could only lament their helplessness.

At this moment.

A sudden change occurred.

"Second Madam Lian! Please, have mercy on me!"

"Although I know I have made a mistake and deserve to be expelled, the monthly wages owed by the household over the past few years should also be settled!"

"And the money you promised when you asked me to do something for that Jiao family boy the other day, we should also settle that score!"

"I've heard that you're scattering thousands of dollars at exorbitant interest rates outside your residence. I beg you to do me a favor and settle my accounts so I can at least get a meal."

"My monthly wages have always been behind schedule, so we're already struggling to make ends meet. And then they kicked me out of the house the other day. If they don't settle the accounts soon, I really won't survive!"

A figure in a cloth skirt, wailing loudly, rapidly approached.

It's Duoguniang.

Kneeling on the steps of the main hall, she still couldn't help but cast a longing, resentful, and lingering glance at Master Lian.

Before Wang Xifeng could make any move, in the main hall, Old Madam Shi was already red-faced and breathing rapidly with anger.

How could my Rongguo Mansion, a family that has been glorious for generations, have fallen so low as to owe people monthly rent?

In front of all the nobles in the city, I've completely lost face today!

In a fit of anger, Old Madam Shi smashed a teacup to pieces.

"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!"

"Do you really think the Rongguo Mansion is a place where just anyone can come and cause trouble?"

"She'er, Zheng'er, is this how you bring glory to our ancestors?"

"I was thinking of refraining from reckless killing on my birthday. But it seems I've been too kind of you!"

"Guards, drag this shrew away and beat her to death!"

Several servants, armed with guns and clubs, rushed in and grabbed Duoguniang.

A flicker of panic crossed Duo's eyes.

She hadn't anticipated this scene before she came in.

Now, let's see if what that kid says will actually work...

Looking around, one sees an old man with a white beard, with a veiled girl standing behind him, a unique sight.

Gritting her teeth, Duo shouted.

"Master Xin, you have always prided yourself on your integrity, but this is all unfounded. Now, even noble families are exorbitantly charging exorbitant interest rates to bully the people and are going to beat those who come to collect debts to death."

"I wonder if the abbot will remain 'unrepentant' or 'disregard both the safety and the world'?"

The rest of the nobles were baffled and just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

But Xin Li Ke's eyes held a strange look, mixed with a hint of surprise.

Good lad, he's asking me to vouch for someone!

I thought you had planned everything perfectly, but you didn't expect the loyal servant to take the blame.

I didn't expect there to be a backup plan!

Very well, as your prospective master, I will lend you a hand.

But that phrase "self-proclaimed high-mindedness is unfounded" needs to be properly explained later!

He clapped his hands, stood up from his seat, and slightly bent his knees.

One jump.

The main hall of Rongguo Mansion resembled a giant black roc flying by.

A figure resembling a blue rhinoceros blocked the way for the servants.

"offend."

With his strong arms, he moves from side to side as if lifting heavy objects with ease.

Before the servants could react, they were swept away and fell into the lotus pond in the courtyard.

What does "using four ounces to move a thousand pounds" mean?

Xin Li's attack suggests that she can overcome any technique with sheer force!

Prince Teng was furious and grabbed his knife.

"I am suffering from a severe illness!"

"You mad dog!"

"The old lady kindly invited you, and you shamelessly act crazy here?"

"Haven't you learned your lesson from those days of slandering and scheming in court, which led to your demotion from censor to headmaster of an academy?"

With his arms crossed, Xin Li Ke looked completely unconcerned.

"Governor Wang, you flatter me."

"The whole affair of this wicked servant taking the blame is quite suspicious. We are paid by the emperor and are obligated to serve him. How can we back down just because we are from a noble family?"

"Besides, the fire has spread to my disciple; how can I ignore it?"

Wang Ziteng clenched his teeth.

"You had eight disciples in total. Four died on the battlefield, three fought against the barbarians in the north, and one fought against the Japanese pirates on the coast. When did a new disciple emerge from Jinling City?"

"If you don't back down now, be careful the wind might destroy your beautiful tree!"

Xin Like stood still and beckoned with her finger.

It means "Come."

Wang Ziteng was speechless with anger.

Should I do it?

How did I get here?

Officialdom?

How could I possibly be a person who dared to insult Prince Zhongshun in court and wasn't killed?

force?

Putting aside his masterful use of the Greatsword to break through enemy formations, his brute strength alone is something I cannot withstand!

Muttering and cursing, Wang Ziteng sat back down in his original seat.

Beside Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng looked at Xin Li Ke, who stood alone at the main gate, with admiration, when he suddenly felt a pain in his back.

It was Grandmother Jia's walking stick.

After a moment's thought, he suddenly understood and stepped forward.

"Headmaster Xin, what are your intentions today?"

Xin Like clapped his hands, revealing two rows of slightly yellow teeth.

"No problem, no problem."

"Isn't there some hidden reason? Let's get to the bottom of it right here, in front of all you princes and nobles, and that'll solve everything, won't it?"

"As for right and wrong, I believe you will all make your own judgments."