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

Three days later.

Chongzheng Academy, residence for students.

After causing a scene at Rongguo Mansion last time, we finally had a few days of peace and quiet.

Duo Guniang was taken away by Xin Like, supposedly to be handed over to Yingtian Prefecture, but in reality, she was taken away by the veiled girl on the way and her whereabouts are unknown.

In the words of the veiled girl, leaving her in Jinling City would most likely mean certain death;

Going out with the veiled girl might lead to a whole new career.

After returning to the academy, he was dragged to the training ground by Headmaster Xin for being a sparring partner for half a day, on the grounds that the wording "self-righteous" was inappropriate.

I don't know why an academy would have a martial arts training ground...

Even more perplexing was the fact that an old academy headmaster could wield a wooden sword with the same ferocity and power as an iron blade...

In short, although he had to lie in bed for a whole day and night before he could get up after the training session, he was eventually accepted as a disciple by Master Xin.

In this way, the matter of the student acting as guarantor would no longer be a problem.

Of course, there's another minor issue that's arisen...

With the debt collection turmoil temporarily resolved, I thought about moving forward with the tasks on the "Chronicle of Love Affairs".

But little did I know, it would have been better not to ask;

Upon inquiry, it was discovered that Miss Lu's indenture was in the hands of Wang Xifeng.

Why?

Why would such an important item end up in Wang Xifeng's hands?

Why didn't you say so sooner?

Why did he only reveal it after he had already caused a scene at the Rongguo Mansion?

What leverage would he have to negotiate with Wang Xifeng?

Miss Lu...

You really screwed me over!

I really don't want to deal with that spicy phoenix anymore!

Jiao Si frowned and sighed heavily.

Then, a knocking sound came from the wooden door.

"Jiao Xiaozi~"

"Jiao Si~"

"Fourth Brother~"

Again.

Jiao Si looked annoyed and made up his mind that no matter how long this vicious woman shouted, he would not utter a sound!

I showed mercy that day to resolve our grievances and settle our score, not to cause any further trouble with you!

Jiao Si buried his head deep in the blanket and didn't utter a sound.

"Get out of the way! I'll have to step in!"

With a "crack," the already dilapidated wooden door, unable to withstand the heavy blow, shattered.

Amidst the dust and wood chips, Xin Li Ke's lizard-like body crashed straight in.

"Didn't you hear me tell you to open the door? Are you forcing me to take action?"

"You'll have to pay for the door repairs yourself!"

Nobody told me that the violent old man was there...

Jiao Si, on the verge of tears, climbed off the bed.

Then a red figure flashed in through the crack in the doorway.

Graceful and elegant, slender and graceful.

If it's not Wang Xifeng, the Second Mistress of Lian, then who is it?

"It's no big deal, just a door. I'll pay for it!"

Jiao Si sighed in despair.

I recalled the thought that crossed my mind the day Sister Duo first came to my door: "Women who actively pursue you are the first troublemakers you'll encounter."

He glanced at Xin Like, then at Wang Xifeng, his face full of helplessness.

"Second Madam Lian, tell me, why have you come to my master's place again?"

"What trouble are we in this time?"

Wang Xifeng ignored his impatience and maintained her charming smile.

"Brother Si, I'm not here to cause trouble this time, I'm here to discuss business!"

"Don't forget, that pile of IOUs from last time is now in the old lady's hands."

"In there, is there still an IOU for one thousand taels of silver?"

"I'm afraid that in another three to five days, the debt collectors sent by the old lady will be coming to your door!"

Suddenly, Jiao Si was speechless and choked with emotion.

孽 孽!

At the time, all I was thinking about was bringing down Wang Xifeng, so I had to make the amount on the IOU higher.

Unexpectedly, after the matter was over, Old Madam Shi still came to collect the debt!

I thought I'd have a few days of peace and quiet, but now I'm going to be chased around by people again.

But then Wang Xifeng chuckled.

"Brother Si, don't be so discouraged. As I said, there's a business deal I want to discuss with you..."

"No, that's not right. It's not even a discussion; it's practically a freebie, an incredible bargain!"

"If you can get this done, your thousand taels of silver will be nothing at all!"

Jiao Si looked on warily.

A woman who actively pursues you is a huge bargain, practically given away for free...

With so many elements included, it's clearly a trap...

After thinking it through, I let out another long sigh.

With a sharp rap on the head, Jiao Si cried out "Ouch!" and quickly jumped back a step.

But Xin Li Ke looked unhappy.

"You were careless in your work, leaving such a loophole. And you still have the nerve to sigh here!"

"Sigh, sigh, sigh, sigh for your grandmother!"

"Before even passing the imperial examination, he's already learned the art of sighing and complaining from those good-for-nothing idiots in the court!"

"Even if you must sigh, listen to what others have to say before you sigh!"

Who exactly is this old man, and why does he like to beat people so much?

If it weren't for my respect for my teacher, would you really think I wouldn't dare to fight you?

Jiao Si glared angrily at Xin Li Ke's arm, which was as thick as a tree stump, and shrank back.

I really don't dare...

But Wang Xifeng, seeing him humiliated, covered her mouth and giggled incessantly for a long time before finally stopping.

A charming and mature beauty, with this smile, revealed a hint of girlish playfulness.

Jiao Si stared blankly.

What disease is this poisonous woman suffering from?

What is this childish behavior all about?

Just as he was wondering, he heard Wang Xifeng stop laughing.

"Stop laughing, stop laughing. If you keep laughing, you'll really mess things up."

"Brother Si, this is a real opportunity to make a lot of money. To be honest, I'm also counting on this to plug that mess of debts."

"Let's make this clear first, I'll cover all the costs of this operation. But I'll take 80% of the profits."

"how?"

What kind of big business is this that it involves shareholders and dividends?

Jiao Si was somewhat puzzled, but then he saw Xin Li Ke extend a finger from his right hand, which was behind his back.

One thousand taels?

No, that's not right...

He owed the Rongguo Mansion a full thousand taels of silver.

If it were a thousand taels, and Wang Xifeng took eighty percent, the remaining amount wouldn't be enough to pay off her debts.

Could it be...?

Ten thousand taels?!

That's quite touching!

He rubbed his hands together, then expertly put on a fake smile.

"Second Madam Lian, what do you need me to do? Just tell me!"

"Just don't let it be like the previous times!"

Wang Xifeng rolled her eyes at her.

"Stop calling me 'Second Madam Lian,' I have a name too."

"If you really want to call her that, you can call her Steward Feng."

I was so anxious and disgusted that I almost couldn't hold back.

To be honest, he still prefers the haughty and arrogant Second Madam Lian from before, rather than the girlish Wang Xifeng of now.

But for the sake of money... I had no choice but to endure it.

"What exactly is Butler Feng's business?"

After changing her address, Wang Xifeng was visibly much happier.

She clapped her hands, stretched her arms, and began to speak in a gentle and detailed manner.

"Brother Si, do you know what's most famous in our Jinling City?"

Jiao Si pondered for a moment.

"Kin-ki?"

"This...this doesn't count, Xun Gui can't be included..."

"emperor?"

"Um... even the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the land, can't be counted here..."

"Emperor? Concubines? Imperial Palace?"

Dululu made a long, rambling guess, which frightened Wang Xifeng so much that she blushed, broke out in a sweat, and trembled with fear.

Xin Li Ke gave Jiao Si a sharp rap on the head, shutting him up in time.

"You beast, stop guessing! If I let you guess any longer, the Imperial Guards will probably be knocking on our door!"

Wang Xifeng laughed again and picked up the conversation.

"Brother Si, to tell you the truth, the most famous things in Jinling City are the pleasure boats on the Qinhuai River and the girls on those boats!"

"Among these girls, eight are the most famous for their beauty."

These eight people were given a nickname by everyone, called—

The Eight Beauties of Qinhuai.