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

The recitation was clear and resonant, yet it was like a bucket of ice water suddenly poured over Xun Gui's head downstairs.

"This is outrageous!"

"We have gathered here out of respect for the talent and reputation of Lady Liu, but who would have thought she would insult us with such a poem about the downfall of a nation?"

"Exactly! A mere courtesan, even if she possesses some talent, is far too arrogant!"

"Even if all these men in the room cannot attract the favor of Master Liu, isn't it rather arrogant to mock us like this?"

The crowd was immediately outraged, and accusations, complaints, and sneers filled the air.

These people considered themselves the backbone of the Great Yi Dynasty and were used to being fawned over. They had never been so openly mocked by a courtesan as "not one of them is a man".

Qian Qianyi stood in the crowd, his face looking rather grim.

Others may not know who Liu Ru is referring to, but how could he not know?

When I entered the building, I had already been ridiculed by a group of scholars, wealthy merchants, and intellectuals.

Now, Liu Rushi is mocking him with a poem in front of everyone.

Even with his thick dough, it was a little difficult to hold on.

But when he thought of Liu Dajia's slender waist and delicate flesh, a surge of passion welled up in his heart.

Being able to steal someone else's reputation is also a skill.

Otherwise, why would I be the only one among the million people in Jinling City to become a model scholar?

Today, even if I have to rely on someone else's influence, I will still marry this beautiful Liu and bring her home to enjoy myself.

As for whether she's willing or not, well... nobody cares...

Qian Qianyi was so engrossed in his laughter that he didn't notice that several figures were staring intently at him from a short distance away.

In the elegant seat by the window in the southeast corner, Wang Xifeng leaned against the window frame, slowly peeling a purple grape.

She, who usually dresses up in a way that might cause trouble, deliberately wore a low-key casual outfit today.

She wore a lotus-colored satin dress embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, and a moon-white cloak embroidered with plum blossoms. Her hair was simply adorned with a kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin, yet it still couldn't conceal her shrewd and noble air.

She narrowed her phoenix eyes, glancing down at the excited, flushed men below, a mocking smile playing on her lips.

"Second Madam," Ni Er whispered to Wang Xifeng, "this Miss Liu is far too audacious; she's incurred the wrath of many."

Wang Xifeng smiled slightly, a hint of indifference in her eyes, and said in a low voice.

"This is the real Liu Rushi."

"If that weren't the case, why was she the only one on Plum Blossom Mountain who accompanied Jiao Si to that life-or-death banquet?"

"She didn't die with Jiao Si on Plum Blossom Mountain; she must have had other plans. If Jiao Si were still alive, he certainly wouldn't want to see such a strong-willed and virtuous woman put to death."

Therefore, I still need to help her.

"Besides, the waters are murky here today. She dares to sing like this, she must have something to rely on."

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she looked towards another corner of Yunlou.

Beside a table in the northwest corner sat a robust old man with a body like a blue rhinoceros.

It was none other than Xin Like, the headmaster of Chongzheng Academy.

Opposite the old man was Qin, whose face was covered by a white veil and was still wrapped in gauze, indicating that she was still recovering from serious injuries.

When Qin was descending the mountain, she heard Jiao Si's dying poem and shed several lines of tears that wet her veil. Wang Xifeng saw this clearly.

Furthermore, the fact that she came despite her serious injuries today makes her purpose self-evident.

I fear she, like myself, will have to protect Liu Rushi...

Wang Xifeng looked at Qin with a smile, and their eyes met.

The girl blushed slightly, nodded, and quickly looked away.

Wang Xifeng shook her head and chuckled a few times, then looked at a private room on the second floor.

Outside the private room, the beaded curtain was half-rolled up, and two people could be vaguely seen sitting inside.

The man in the main seat was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a jade crown, and had a refined and noble demeanor.

Beside him stood a charming young girl, wearing a silver-white floral jacket. She was lively and spirited, with a stubborn curiosity in her eyes, yet also a hint of anger.

Who else could it be but Princess Shuiyun?

"Yun'er, I've told you many times, I'll handle this, but you insist on doing it yourself. Do you know what this is...?"

Before Shui Rong could finish speaking, her younger sister interrupted her.

"This is the biggest brothel in Jinling City, not a place for a girl like me! Brother, you've said that countless times!"

"But didn't you always teach me to be grateful and repay kindness?"

"Jiao Si intercepted the smoke bomb from that woman atop Plum Blossom Mountain. Doesn't that count as a favor? He stopped the Japanese pirates, giving me a chance to escape. Doesn't that count as a favor?"

"Now that he's dead, only Miss Liu was with him before he died. Now that Miss Liu is hated by villains, what do you say, should we come and help her?"

Shui Rong wanted to explain, but faced with his own sister, he could only sigh helplessly.

Outside the door stood Da Mao, Er Mao, and their four younger brothers, their towering figures like iron towers.

Da Mao was whispering instructions to his younger brothers.

"That day at Plum Blossom Mountain, with the county princess present, we servants had no choice but to prioritize her needs. Therefore, we could only leave Brother Jiao to cover the rear alone."

"Now that the county magistrate is safe, if we cannot avenge Brother Jiao, we will have ruined our integrity for nothing."

"Brother Jiao is dead, leaving only Lady Liu. The two of them pledged their lives to each other at the Moon Gazing Pavilion that day. Although they didn't go through the full ceremony, she can still be considered... a widow."

"If anyone makes a move at Huai Shang Yun Lou today, we'll stand shoulder to shoulder and protect her at all costs!"

As they were talking, they suddenly sensed something was amiss.

Looking up, I saw a fat, burly man at a nearby table, holding a wine cup and drinking heavily.

It was none other than Xue Pan, the "Foolish Tyrant".

Beside him stood a young man, his head still wrapped in gauze, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit with his hair tied up, a dark-skinned and muscular man, who was Feng Ziying, the son of the Divine General Feng Tang.

The other man was a burly figure with leopard-like eyes and a bear-like back. Just sitting there, he exuded a powerful killing aura. He was none other than Liu Ting, the top martial arts champion of the current dynasty.

At the pleasure quarters today, the three of them showed no sign of intimacy whatsoever.

Even Xue Pan, who usually loved visiting prostitutes, chased the girls who had gathered around him away today.

All the hateful gazes were focused on one person—Qian Qianyi.

Qian Qianyi felt uncomfortable being stared at by the three men, so he simply walked over and stood in front of them.

"Brother Feng, Brother Liu, I had no choice back then. Now that you two are serving in the same court, and I, Qian, am honored to be a model scholar in Nanjing, I will soon be entering officialdom myself."

"Shouldn't we set aside our past prejudices and work together for a brighter future?"

"And then there's Brother Xue. The Xue family are imperial merchants, and my Qian family is also a merchant family, only we're about to undergo a transformation. Why don't we put aside our past grievances and mend our old ways?"

Having said that, he opened his robe and was about to sit down.

Xue Pan didn't answer, but just kept rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Feng Ziying remained unfazed, kicked the bench aside, and sent Qian Qianyi sprawling face-first to the ground.

Liu Ting glared angrily at Qian Qianyi.

A foot stomped heavily on the ground beside him, kicking up clouds of dust.

"You scoundrel! You stole Brother Jiao's fruit and dare to bark like that! If you linger even a moment longer, I'll stomp you to death!"

Qian Qianyi fled in a sorry state, but when he turned back, he didn't forget to utter some harsh words.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

"My uncle has already taken care of everything for me. Let's see if I can make you all furious when I marry Lady Liu!"

Xue Pan jumped up, ready to give chase.

Suddenly, Liu Rushi spoke again from upstairs.

"Smoke shrouds the cold waters, moonlight veils the sandbanks; moored on the Qinhuai River near a wine shop."

"Never inquire about the fall of the nation in Jinling, still lodging in the Cloud Tower and playing among the flowers."

Suddenly, silence fell over the Cloud Tower.

Then a fierce barrage of curses erupted.

"How dare you!"

"Why is the Great Yi Dynasty suddenly talking about 'the fall of a nation'?"

"Guards, tie up this arrogant scoundrel who has no loyalty to his sovereign and take him to Yingtian Prefecture!"