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

"What else?!"

Jia Zhen threw the snuff bottle he had just finished handling onto the ground, seemingly annoyed at having lost face in front of the servants.

"Lord Qian Chou clearly instructed me to 'take good care' of Jiao Si."

"He's a high-ranking official of the second rank, a powerful minister. If we do him a favor, it will be easier for our Ningguo Mansion to speak in court in the future."

"And you, you come right up here and start labeling me, treating him like some kind of ancestor?"

"What is he anyway! A stripped-of-his-rank slave!"

Seeing that Jia Zhen was truly angry, Wang Xifeng's beautiful eyes darted around, and she put on a slightly apologetic smile.

She approached Jia Zhen and bowed slightly.

"Brother Zhen, is money all you care about?"

"Gaining favor with a high-ranking official of the second rank is worthwhile. But if you could gain favor with a princess, which would be more worthwhile, that?"

Jia Zhen was taken aback: "The Princess Consort? A noblewoman from the palace? Who?"

Wang Xifeng lowered her voice, her eyes gleaming.

"The important person I'm talking about is someone Brother Zhen also knows."

Jia Zhen smiled.

"Sister Feng, you must be joking."

"The Princess Consort lives deep within the palace, and ordinary people are not even allowed to see her. I merely hold a sinecure position due to my family's influence; how could I possibly know the Princess Consort?"

Wang Xifeng winked mysteriously.

"How could I not recognize you?"

"Why were they commissioned to draw up plans and build a garden on that large area behind the two mansions?"

"That older sister in our palace... didn't Brother Zhen know her when we were little?"

Jia Zhen shuddered, his drunkenness instantly dissipating, and cold sweat poured down his back.

"You mean, Sister Yuanchun?"

"No, no, no... Consort Yuan? She... how could she..."

Why would I care about such a small matter?

Wang Xifeng took over the conversation slowly and deliberately.

"Brother Zhen, do you really think Jiao Si is just a simple 'sin slave'? Let me tell you about the people and things behind him."

She counted on her fingers, telling Jia Zhen about everything one by one, as if reciting a familiar story.

"First, he was the last disciple of Xin Like, the headmaster of Chongzheng Academy."

"Who is Xin Like? He was once a renowned scholar and military strategist in Jinling, a censor! The one who dared to criticize the emperor and stand up to Prince Zhongshun without ever escaping unscathed! Although he has been demoted, how many protégés and old friends does he still have in the court and the army? Can you afford to offend him?"

"Secondly, on the summit of Plum Blossom Mountain, he single-handedly fought against the Japanese pirates and saved Princess Chang Le. The Prince of Beijing's mansion owes him an enormous debt of gratitude! Even scions of military families like Feng Ziying and Liu Ting now regard him as a brother!"

"Thirdly, at the Cloud Pavilion on the Huai River, he and Liu Rushi, the foremost of the Eight Beauties, publicly pledged their love. If Liu Rushi truly championed him, how much turmoil could she stir up?"

"Not to mention..." Wang Xifeng deliberately adopted a respectful expression, "He also possesses that inexplicable 'Yellow Dragon Mandate Talisman'!"

"Although His Majesty doesn't seem to be giving him much importance now, that thing is still related to the old story of the evil monk. It's a hot potato, but also a protective charm!"

"Anyone who touches him should think twice before getting themselves into trouble!"

"Now that Consort Yuan has sent a private letter instructing you to protect Jiao Si, it's possible that... that person has something to say about it!"

As she spoke, Wang Xifeng pointed to the sky with both fingers.

As Jia Zhen listened, his face grew paler and paler, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He only knew that Jiao Si had offended the Qian family and was punished by the emperor to become a slave. He never imagined that there were so many twists and turns behind it all!

Consort Yuan, the Prince of Beijing's mansion, military families, upright officials, and that damned so-called demonic monk's token...

This isn't like taking in a servant; it's like inviting a plague god into the house!

"This... what should we do!" Jia Zhen felt a splitting headache. "Qian Chou has ordered us to deal with him, but Consort Yuan wants to protect him. This puts me in a dilemma!"

Wang Xifeng looked at his pathetic appearance and chuckled inwardly, but her face showed a look of shared hatred.

"Brother Zhen, don't worry," she said, feigning concern. "This matter is actually quite easy to handle."

"We can't openly offend Lord Qian. But we absolutely cannot disobey Consort Yuan's orders."

"In my opinion, we should stay in the manor and 'protect' Jiao Si. As to the outside world, especially to Lord Qian, we should tell him that he has already been severely punished and made to suffer."

"Actually, we should treat him well and make sure he doesn't suffer any real grievances. That way, we won't offend either side."

She paused, a hint of barely perceptible smugness flashing in her eyes, and said with feigned consideration, "It sounds simple, but it's actually quite troublesome to carry out in practice."

"How about... you let me take charge of this chaotic situation?"

"I'll take him to the Rongguo Mansion and tell them I need someone literate to help me. Having him under my watchful eye will keep him out of trouble and ensure his safety. Brother Zhen, you'll have peace of mind, what do you say?"

Wang Xifeng was a master strategist.

She took Jiao Si to her side partly because she genuinely wanted to protect him.

Secondly, they also had the intention of "taking advantage" of the nearby location.

This man, who always thwarted her plans yet inexplicably stirred her emotions, was better off under her control than in the den of wolves and tigers that was the Ningguo Mansion.

She thought that, given Jia Zhen's aversion to trouble and his love of pleasure, he would surely agree without hesitation.

To everyone's surprise, Jia Zhen listened to her words, squinted his drunken eyes, pondered for a moment, and then shook his head.

"inappropriate."

Jia Zhen said that although he still had a lisp, his eyes were clearer.

"Sister Feng, I appreciate your kindness. However, now that Jiao Si has come to my Ningguo Mansion, he is one of our people. Sending him back to your Rong Mansion would only make it seem like my Ningguo Mansion can't even manage one person, and we'd just become a laughingstock."

"Besides, since this kid has some education and is quick-witted, he might be of some use."

Jia Zhen smiled, a shrewd calculation flashing in his eyes.

He thought about his shady dealings and realized he needed a shrewd and sensible helper.

Jiao Si may seem like a tough nut to crack, but now he's fallen on hard times and become a servant. If we teach him a lesson and manipulate him, he might just be able to be used for our own purposes.

Moreover... Jia Zhen glanced at Wang Xifeng and sneered inwardly.

This Sister Feng is so attentive; I'm afraid she and Jiao Si have some kind of ambiguous relationship.

Keeping her in my own hands might allow me to control this overly shrewd sister-in-law in the future.

"How about this," Jia Zhen said, having made up his mind, "let him stay in the manor for now."

"Perfect timing. Rong'er is getting married soon, and there are a lot of miscellaneous things to do in the manor. Let him take over some of the work first and see if he has any real skills or is capable enough."

Wang Xifeng was startled, not expecting Jia Zhen to refuse.

She was about to try to dissuade him again, saying, "Brother Zhen, I'm afraid..."

Jia Zhen, however, waved his hand impatiently, interrupting Wang Xifeng, and turned to shout towards the door, "Someone! Go and fetch Jiao Si for me!"

He was determined to keep Jiao Si by his side for "observation and use," and also to put an end to Wang Xifeng's hopes.

Wang Xifeng watched his retreating figure as he turned to give instructions, her red lips pressed tightly together, a hint of annoyance and worry flashing in her eyes.

She knew Jia Zhen's character all too well. Jiao Si was in his hands, and even if she wouldn't be severely punished for the time being due to various considerations, she would definitely not have a good life.

Moreover... that inexplicable feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

Jiao Si seems to have been born with the quality to attract women.

Ping'er, that mysterious zither player, Liu Rushi... and myself.

To speak frankly and disrespectfully, it is still unknown whether Consort Yuan's concern is actually the Emperor's intention.

Now that I've entered the Ningguo Mansion, how many young ladies live there?

Who knows if this chaotic situation isn't a tiger among sheep?

Jia Zhen himself was a lecherous scoundrel, and his son Jia Rong was no better...

Wang Xifeng sighed inwardly.

This matter is probably not over yet.

Meanwhile, Jiao Si was led by the steward to the accommodations assigned to him.