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

Jiao Si chuckled and remained silent.

Am I trying to trick you?

This isn't the time for you to frame me with your underhanded tactics and deceive me with your words.

Isn't this the time for you to find someone to kick the old man out in order to protect your ranking?

It wasn't the time when you insisted on fighting for the title of first place and forced Liu Rushi to make a public selection.

Should!

Qian Qianyi was furious and wanted to step forward to lash out, but the guests who were disappointed to be rejected all came forward and surrounded him.

"you......"

"What do you want?"

"My uncle is a high-ranking official of the second rank in the imperial court. If you lay a hand on me, aren't you afraid of being held accountable?"

The man who pointed out "the heart is not easy" sneered and slightly bumped his fists together.

"A high-ranking official of the second rank?"

"Let's not even talk about how many high-ranking officials of the second rank have come to this building today."

"To dare to slander His Majesty in front of everyone, and then to pledge allegiance to some other 'sage ruler'—what good is a first-rank official for that?"

"Qian Shuileng, you're not getting away with this beating today!"

As he spoke, the man suddenly punched Qian Qianyi right on the nose.

It was like setting off a string of firecrackers.

In an instant, countless punches and kicks rained down, turning the seemingly respectable young master into a shrimp-like figure curled up on the ground.

Xi Fengying and Hao Tianren had just woken up by the wall. Seeing their young master surrounded, they angrily shouted and were about to rush to his rescue.

When the crowd suddenly started throwing punches and kicks, he quickly stopped.

The two looked at each other, exchanged a glance, and then, in unison, fainted to the ground.

Jiao Si found it amusing, and then heard Liu Rushi's voice coming from behind the four layers of gauze curtains.

"Guards, help separate everyone."

"Although Young Master Qian's poem contains errors, he is still a guest of my Huai Shang Yun Lou. If something were to happen to him at Huai Shang Yun Lou, it would be bad for me."

"I beg you all to show some respect and stop here, how about that?"

Having vented their anger, the crowd felt no objection to Liu Rushi's words.

They angrily returned to their places, and then Liu Rushi spoke again.

"Since such a mistake has occurred, Young Master Qian's poem will have to be set aside for now. In that case, another person should be nominated to enter the martial arts test."

"You have all worked hard today, and now you have encountered such chaos. This is truly our fault."

"I have already sent people to instruct all the ladies that those who come to Yunlou to participate in the examination today will not be charged a penny if they stay overnight on the pleasure boat. I hope you will do me the honor of giving me this opportunity to make amends."

"As for the martial arts test... I will be waiting for you all at the top of Plum Blossom Mountain in seven days."

The girls on the Qinhuai River have always been expensive.

Liu Rushi's actions were undeniably magnanimous.

The young masters and wealthy patrons dressed up convincingly, saying they had important business at home. Once they left, they tightened their belts and went to find their lovers.

Xue Pan grinned and looked at Feng Ziying.

"Brother Feng, thanks to Brother Jiao, I, Xue Da, can finally show off in this setting today."

"Tonight, we must call up Brother Jiao and have a good time!"

"Although Xue Da's literary talent is slightly inferior, when it comes to having fun, he's definitely better than both of you!"

Feng Ziying smiled helplessly and then went to find Jiao Si to return.

But where could they be found?

Xue Pan pondered for a moment, "Forget it! This kid must have never had good food before and got too eager for women!"

"Anyway, the Qinhuai River is right here, and the girls aren't going to grow wings and fly away. We'll just wait until another day to take them out for some fun!"

Having said that, he embraced the beautiful woman beside him and headed into the inner room.

at the same time.

The Cloud Tower has four floors.

"Butterfly, are you sure?"

"Your benefactor didn't stay overnight at Yunlou?"

The little girl nodded.

"Sister Liu, I have asked many people. Ever since the Qian family's son was beaten and you announced the location of the martial arts test, our benefactor hurriedly left the boat."

"According to the guard, not long after he left, the girl named Xie Baoqin also left in a hurry."

"Sister Liu, I think... my benefactor is really not a bad person. He's much better than those rich kids downstairs."

Little did she know that her benefactor was simply overly cautious about poisoning.

But then Liu Rushi blinked.

Pulling Die'er closer, Liu Rushi lifted her chin with her slender fingers, her eyes filled with intimacy.

"Butterfly, do you like him?"

"Are you trying to get me to go easy on you so I can take you with me to marry your benefactor?"

Butterfly avoided eye contact, not daring to speak.

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

In Fengping Courtyard.

Lu Yanping wielded a feather duster in her left hand and a broom in her right, making a whooshing sound.

However, a hint of hesitation and worry lingered on his face.

She hadn't actually thought about what Brother Jiao had said the other day about helping her get rid of her slave status.

To be honest, her feelings towards Lian Er Nainai were somewhat complicated, a mixture of love and hate.

She claimed to love him, but on the night of Lian Er Ye's accident, Lian Er Madam's beatings landed squarely on her body. Despite her unwavering loyalty, she was branded a "harlot," which drove her to a moment of madness and suicide by jumping off a cliff.

Furthermore, Second Madam Lian is usually ruthless and cruel, and she instigated the servants to follow suit. The injuries on Granny Zhou's body and the damage to the house are the best proof of this.

But as for hatred... the bond built up from childhood, the daily interactions, and the exceptional kindness shown to her by Second Madam Lian in the past—these feelings couldn't simply disappear.

Moreover, according to Granny Zhou, Second Madam Lian has built a cenotaph for herself outside the city.

Several times when Granny Zhou went to deliver money to her husband and son, she encountered Second Madam Lian standing in a daze in front of the grave.

If they were truly freed from slavery, wouldn't that completely sever the bond between them...?

Her facial expression was conflicted several times, almost turning her pretty face into a big bitter gourd.

But then there was a loud "bang".

The courtyard gate opened at your feet.

Jiao Si rushed into the courtyard in a great hurry.

He ran back to his residence, grabbed a bag of clothes, and rushed outside.

The words he left behind as he left the hospital finally reached Lu Yanping's ears.

"Miss Ping, I'm going to learn martial arts from someone, and I won't be back for a while."

"Seven days from now, you'll come with me to the top of Plum Blossom Mountain, where I'll help you clear your name!"

Lu Yanping was taken aback.

After a while, she threw the broom in her hand onto the ground.

"What a lousy broom! How come it can't even sweep such a small yard properly!"

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

Chongzheng Academy.

Xin Li Ke looked impatient, swinging the two stone locks back and forth.

News came from the imperial court that on the northern front, the barbarian donkeys had broken through another pass.

He had not received any news from his three disciples for a long time and did not know their fate.

Despite possessing great martial prowess, he was suppressed by the imperial court and could only serve as the headmaster of Chongzheng Academy.

He was determined to kill the traitors, but he remained trapped in the academy.

This is roughly what is meant by "being narrow-minded and inflexible."

Just then, Jiao Si came running over hurriedly, carrying a bag of clothes.

"Master, your disciple has come to learn your skills!"

"Oh? Judging from this, it seems you've already passed the first hurdle?"

"Of course! How could my disciple's actions be in vain? With ease, I subdued all those talented scholars and princes!"

As he spoke, Jiao Si recounted the events at the Cloud Tower on the Huai River in detail.

From being scammed while selling poetry to losing billions in embarrassment.

Xin Like listened with great enjoyment.

"good!"

"The Qian family should have been taught a lesson long ago!"

"What kind of uncle is this 'Water-Cold Young Master'? He only rose to the second rank by virtue of his 'single-minded adherence to peace' and the help of those worthless bastards in the Eastern Depot. And now he dares to come out and boss people around!"

Xin Li Ke clapped his hands and looked at Jiao Si with appreciation.

"Good disciple, I originally only intended to teach you a set of Chuojiao (a type of footwork). But since you've entertained your master, I'll also teach you a set of Nanqiao (Southern Woodcutter) Knife Technique."

Jiao Si was taken aback.

"Master, the martial arts exam isn't a melee; learning this swordsmanship won't be useful!"

Xin Li Ke's eyes looked strange.

"It works, why can't I use it? Come with me!"