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

Shock, doubt, guilt, repentance.

A variety of complex emotions played out in Wang Xifeng's eyes.

In the end, it all came down to a long sigh.

Wang Xifeng's eyes were a little red.

"Fourth Brother, how did you meet her? Is she alright?"

Jiao Si remained silent for a moment.

"I am from the same hometown as Miss Lu. A few days ago, I suddenly dreamed that she was covered in water stains and cried to me. She said that she was still a slave and was suffering all kinds of bullying in the underworld."

"She...didn't want to see you, so she appeared to me in a dream, asking me to come find you and get back the contract of indenture."

"Furthermore, she advised Steward Feng, 'If you have enough money left, then withdraw; if you have no way out, then turn back early.'"

Wang Xifeng covered her face with her hands.

After a moment, she released her grip, a flash of wild joy and calculation in her eyes, but she immediately put on a sorrowful expression.

"Fourth Brother, it's easy for you to want a contract of servitude."

"However, I want to make a bet with you."

"If you can pass through Wuguan and advance into Heguan, then you'll be considered the winner. At that time, not only will you receive the indenture, but you'll also get 50% of the profits."

"If you fail to pass the martial arts test, you must grant me one 'not unreasonable' request, how about it?"

A small request that isn't too much... that's not difficult at all.

The two reached an agreement.

Overjoyed, Wang Xifeng skipped and hopped as she walked outside.

Jiao Si was in high spirits. He stretched and was about to take out paper and pen to recall poems.

He then noticed a mocking gaze fixed on him.

"Master, since you like shooting randomly so much, why aren't you shooting arrows yourself? What are you doing here staring at me?"

Xin Liqi stroked his short beard and gave a cold laugh.

"That Miss Lu, I'm afraid she's not dead, is she?"

"They've seen right through your underwear, and you're still happy?"

Jiao Si was taken aback.

Miss Lu is indeed not dead.

Not only did he not die, he also spent his days cleaning his Fengping Courtyard.

Having lived two lifetimes, totaling several decades, I have never lived in such a clean and tidy house.

But how did Master know that Miss Lu was not dead?

"Master, what...what do you mean?"

Xin Li spat angrily.

"Have you ever seen a businessman who offers a discount before the other party even asks?"

"Saying you 'not keeping a single penny' is just your own guilty conscience; you're afraid that Second Madam Lian won't agree!"

"They saw right through you. They were just putting on that act to trick you into agreeing to the bet!"

"Think about it, how many martial arts families in the Great Yi Dynasty possessed exquisite and unique family skills? How could they possibly survive so easily?"

"It's obvious they want you to agree to their conditions!"

Jiao Si slapped his forehead.

Great!

This time, I'm afraid we're going to fail!

But then Xin Like spoke again.

"It's alright."

"Although you've never practiced martial arts, you did have some strength when you 'sparred' with me the other day."

"I happen to have a few martial arts techniques, nothing too complicated, just 'breaking through a thousand troops with force.' After the written exam, you can come and stay at the academy. I'll train you for a few days, and you might just master them."

"Even if things really don't go well, this Second Madam Lian shouldn't make any particularly harmful requests of you."

Jiao Si looked at Xin Li Ke with suspicion.

"Master, how do you know that? I just thoroughly humiliated the old lady of the Jia family at her birthday banquet."

Xin Li glanced at Jiao Si with a mocking look.

"Haven't you noticed? This Second Madam Lian is investing money and calling you 'Brother Si' all the time; she's probably got her eye on you!"

"As for saying earlier that 'it's too dangerous and I won't let you go to Wuguan,' but then making a bet with you and letting you go to Wuguan, it's clear that she learned about this Miss Lu and harbors a little resentment towards you. She wants you to experience some beatings so she can vent her anger!"

impossible!

He collapsed to the ground, his face filled with horror.

"Master, she's deliberately trying to disgust me! How dare she, a married woman, make suggestive remarks in front of you?"

"Unless, you, sir, also..."

Jiao Si's words were suddenly cut off.

He glanced at Xin Like a few times, his tone somewhat disbelieving.

"You, sir, surely haven't been with any women from the Duke's mansion..."

"Of course." Xin Liqi stroked his short beard, quite certain.

"I'm not as useless as you, only able to undermine the interests of some fallen dukes in Jinling City."

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

Half a month later, the Qinhuai River.

Talented scholars abound in the region, arriving in an endless stream;

Nobles and dignitaries were everywhere, shoulder to shoulder.

Countless painted boats lined up one after another, filling the entire Qinhuai River and seemingly reaching the sky;

Among them, the four-story ship in the very center is the most eye-catching.

The sandalwood pillars exude a unique fragrance, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and mica, and when the moonlight shines through, they shimmer with rings of fire.

The roof is gleaming with glazed tiles, and copper bells hang from the eaves, occasionally tinkling as the wind blows.

If the ship is already like this, then the people sitting inside the multi-story ship must be even more amazing.

A scholar with a Hetian jade pendant at his waist, gently waving a folding fan with jade-like ribs;

The nobleman, dressed in a red robe, carried a jug of fine wine and exuded an air of officialdom in every gesture.

What a solemn and dignified gathering of lovers!

As the eldest son of the wealthy Qian family in Jinling, Qian Qianyi sat at the table, surrounded by two beautiful women who served him wine and food.

His gaze was fixed on the seventh floor of the ship.

Countless white veils separated the fourth floor, and behind the veils, a door was tightly closed.

Inside the room was Liu Rushi, hailed as the foremost of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai and the most beautiful among them.

If he could win over this woman, not only would he be able to enjoy a life of luxury, but the entire Qian family would also be looked up to in Jinling City... no, in the Great Yi Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Qian Qianyi couldn't help but chuckle a few times.

Beside him, a beautiful woman in a gauze dress gazed at him with adoration, her breath hot as she gently breathed into his ear.

"Young Master Qian, by the time Lady Liu emerges, the moon will likely be high in the sky. It's still early; why not find a quiet spot for the two of us to enjoy ourselves?"

"Although Lady Liu is wonderful, I have something that is a hundred times better than her. Come, I'll show you..."

"presumptuous!"

With a furious shout, Qian Qianyi's face turned serious.

"Today, I, Qian, have come to this Huai River Cloud Tower solely for the sake of Lady Liu!"

"If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll have someone replace you!"

The beautiful woman gave him a resentful wink, and dared not utter another word.

The people at the table were all retainers of the Qian family.

Seeing his young master looking so serious, one of them quickly stood up to offer a toast and showered him with flattery.

"Since the Billionaire Young Master is so serious, in my opinion, he is the only one who can comb the hair for Lady Liu today!"

"I, Hao Tianren, humbly offer you a toast, wishing you a blissful night and a swift victory!"

"I, too, shall have a cup! May your life be as beautiful as the golden autumn breeze and the jade dew, and may your wealth overflow like a mountain of gold!"

The crowd chimed in with their praise, making Qian Qianyi seem like a celestial being, as if they had already flown to the fourth floor of a luxury ship and were whispering sweet nothings to Liu Dajia.

Just then, Qian Qianyi suddenly felt a tightness on his back, and someone gently patted him.

"Brother, I have some good stuff here, would you like some?"

"I guarantee that after you buy this, your back won't ache, your legs won't hurt, and you can climb straight up to the second floor in one breath!"

Qian Qianyi was jolted awake, plummeting from his lofty fantasies.

Turning his head, he saw a young man dressed as a scholar standing behind him.

The man was wearing an oversized outer garment that didn't fit his body properly, and he covered himself up tightly with both hands, as if afraid of being seen by others.

"How dare you!"

"Who are you, you petty thief, daring to offend me without permission?"

"Do you know that the person before you is the eldest son of the Qian family—the billionaire young master known as the 'Cold-Blooded Young Master'?"

"Get out of here at once!"

The guests hurriedly tried to stop them, but then a shout rang out.

"Wait a minute."

Qian Qianyi pulled his hands out from under the table and gently wiped his pale fingertips on the gauze dress of the beauty beside him.

"I want to see how this 'good stuff' was 'packaged up to the second floor'."