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

Chapter 7 A Gentleman

Those who can pass the county and prefectural examinations are certainly not stupid.

Therefore, the fool can only be someone else.

Jiao Si sighed softly.

"Second Madam Lian, I have studied diligently for over a decade, and I am just a step away from earning the title of Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations)."

"At that time, I'll be exempt from corvée labor and taxes, have my punishments reduced, and be able to enter officialdom—all sorts of benefits will be mine to enjoy. What, do you expect me to exchange my meteoric rise for the status of a servant in the Duke's mansion?"

Wang Xifeng feigned embarrassment, but secretly felt smug.

The plan to lure Jiao Si into the mansion with money was never intended to succeed.

If he really agrees, wouldn't I lose ten thousand taels of silver for nothing?

After all, the Book of Love and Sin clearly states that "sending someone to seduce or bribe" leaves only one White Phoenix Pill!

The real killer move is still your own body.

Having witnessed the absurd behavior of the men and women in the Jia family, Wang Xifeng was confident that with her charm, she could easily manipulate a man!

It's a pity that she was originally a very thoughtful woman, but she was confined to the small world of the Jia family all day long, which narrowed her vision.

Little did they know that in this vast world, there is no shortage of women who fawn over women, but also men of unwavering integrity with hearts of stone.

Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered, she pondered for a moment, and then her cherry lips parted slightly.

"Fourth Brother... if you don't care about those benefits, there will naturally be even greater benefits for you."

"Come closer... I'll tell you..."

"Come closer... You're a grown man, are you afraid I'll eat you up?"

Wang Xifeng gave a coquettish laugh and beckoned with her jade-like fingers;

Jiao Si looked wary and took a small step.

"Second Madam, this is good enough. Any closer, and I fear it might damage...Second Madam!"

A pair of jade-like legs coiled around her waist like snakes, hooking Jiao Si onto the bed. Then, two hands pressed Jiao Si into a suffocating position.

He seemed to smell the fragrance of that handkerchief again, and struggled a few times in his anxiety, sinking deeper and deeper into the quagmire.

A few slender fingers slipped through her outer garment and gently caressed her back.

A slight warmth touched her ear as Lady Lian breathed softly, her alluring fragrance captivating.

"If you want to participate in the provincial examination, you'll need a government-subsidized student to act as your guarantor. Given your current situation, I'm afraid you haven't found a guarantor yet, have you?"

"I can help you find that person!"

"Fourth Brother, as long as you're willing to come to the manor, everything is negotiable!"

"Even if you wanted me, Grandma... it's not impossible! How about... we give you some benefits right here in Fengping Courtyard?"

As she spoke, Wang Xifeng tightened her embrace even further.

Poor Jiao Si was caught off guard and was now suffocating in his arms, his face turning red and his breath becoming labored.

How enviable is Jiao Si's good fortune! At this moment, he is surrounded by soft, fragrant women, his body filled with sweet aromas and alluring cosmetics!

Whether it was to escape or for some other reason, Jiao Si waved his arms left and right, grabbing wildly with his large hands, touching everything he should and shouldn't touch.

As her fingertips traced a narrow passage, Wang Xifeng let out a soft moan, loosened her legs and arms, and curled up into a ball.

Chad, in a panic, managed to escape, scrambled off the bed, and turned his back to the wall.

If the bait is too strong, the intention must be great.

The more this is the case, the less likely you are to take the bait.

What's more, there's a Miss Lu hiding under the bed right now.

With a few cold laughs, Jiao Si no longer cared about saving face.

"Wang Xifeng, you use sweet words and harbor ulterior motives, what exactly are you after!"

"It was you who sent people to lure me into gambling and ruin my imperial examinations; it was you who lent me money; it was you who framed the master; and if I'm not mistaken, it was you who sent many girls to seduce me!"

"Why are you suddenly looking out for me and even offering to find a guarantor for my college entrance exam?"

"To be honest, I've already found a guarantor, so there's no need for you to worry!"

"Even if we find a guarantor, what good will it do if we're reinstated as slaves? We won't be able to take the imperial examinations!"

Wang Xifeng gritted her teeth, her heart burning with rage.

Even if Sister Duo were to intervene, it wouldn't work.

Even if I take matters into my own hands, it still won't work.

Previously, he was clearly a weakling who couldn't resist temptation, but suddenly he's become like Jiao Da, a stubborn and unyielding rock in a latrine!

If I really push myself too far, I'll just give up the top reward.

I'll get someone to break your legs, I bet you'll still be so tough then!

Feeling annoyed, Wang Xifeng's face was full of anger, but she ultimately couldn't lash out.

She was indeed a remarkable woman with a name in the Dream of the Red Chamber, and the head of the Rongguo Mansion.

After a few moments, she took a few deep breaths and calmed herself down.

I was in too much of a rush today.

Not all men in this world are lecherous; there are some self-righteous guys out there.

To subdue this kind of man, you must first cut off his support and force him into a predicament.

Then, things will proceed slowly and deliberately, without being impatient.

Thinking of this, Wang Xifeng tidied her hair, got out of bed, and walked behind Jiao Si.

Jiao Si had just been teased by a beautiful woman, and now his heart was fluttering and his blood was surging.

Suddenly, I felt a soft body behind me wrap around me.

"Brother Si, the most important thing for a person is four words: judgment, timing, assessment, and situation."

"Your obsession with the imperial examinations and your fear of retaliation from Second Master Lian are understandable. But have you ever considered that you are still a commoner, yet you frequently give a disrespectful attitude to a young mistress of a Duke's mansion?"

"Do you think I'll be unhappy?"

After saying that, she loosened her arms, covered her mouth, and giggled.

"You're talking too much! You're talking too much!"

"I was abrupt today and startled Si-ge'er. In half a month, it will be the old lady's birthday. At that time, Second Master Lian will definitely be in the manor trying to please the old lady and will not leave."

"I just made up an excuse to sneak away and come here."

"We'll see how you perform then..."

He was deep in thought, head bowed, and did not answer.

Completely unaware of the footsteps fading into the distance.

"My benefactor..."

"My benefactor?"

"My benefactor!"

A heavy slap landed on his back, startling Jiao Si and bringing him back to his senses.

Before anyone knew it, Miss Lu had crawled out from under the bed.

"My benefactor, Second Madam Lian has already passed away, what are you still standing there for!"

Oh, they've left.

While letting out a sigh of relief, Jiao Si felt a faint emptiness in his heart.

But then Miss Lu covered her mouth and laughed.

"My benefactor is indeed upright. The Second Mistress of Rongguo Mansion, such a delicate and charming beauty, threw herself into your arms, yet you were able to remain unmoved. You are truly a reincarnation of Liu Xiahui."

"But after all that commotion just now, I've regained some of my memories."

"I vaguely remember that Second Madam Lian was self-serving, greedy, and unscrupulous. Today, her goal failed, and her words before leaving had a hint of 'forcing a good woman into prostitution' and 'a smile hiding a knife.'"

"My benefactor, why don't you go and hide for a while?"

"Or, let's think of a way to pay back the money we owe her?"

Jiao Si pondered for a moment.

This Miss Lu, a courtesan, seems to know a lot about Second Madam Lian?

If I remember correctly, Miss Lu was hiding under the bed just now, so she shouldn't have been able to see Wang Xifeng's face, right? How did she know that she was such a beauty?

Could it be...?

"Miss Lu, you were hiding under the bed, so you shouldn't have been able to see Second Madam Lian's face, right?"

"And how...how did you know about Second Madam Lian's character?"

Miss Ping was taken aback and stammered.

"Oh, this..."

"Second Madam Lian... I... Qin Huaihe..."

After talking for a long time, he only mumbled and repeated a few words back and forth.

But then Jiao Si clapped his hands, suddenly realizing what was going on.

"So that's how it is! This is utterly ridiculous!"

"Even the Second Mistress of the Rongguo Mansion goes to the Qinhuai River to have fun!"

"Miss Lu, tell me the truth. Wasn't it Second Madam Lian who seduced you and then abandoned you?"

Ah, this...

Strictly speaking, it should be considered... right?

Hearing Miss Lu's vague but not explicit denial, Jiao Si became even more certain.

In a moment of excitement, I turned around.

A powerful slap landed heavily on Miss Lu's shoulder.

"Wang Xifeng, that vicious woman, first seduced you and then abandoned you, then coerced and seduced me into going astray. Such a wicked person is truly hateful!"

"Miss Lu, we don't need to hide from her anymore. You can stay here with me in peace! From now on, we'll stand together against this common enemy and help each other out. We're determined to punish this wicked woman properly!"

"At that time..."

"Hey, Miss Lu, why are you blushing?"

Before Jiao Si could finish speaking, he saw the girl in front of him avoid eye contact, and her cheeks were flushed red.

Just as they were about to ask further questions, Miss Lu cried out "Oh dear!" and fled through the door.

Strange, I'm not some kind of monster, why am I running away...?

Jiao Si looked down and saw a patch of bright red on the front of his long robe, with two streams of hot blood still flowing from his nostrils;

The hem of the long robe was slightly bulging.

Ah, I see!

Jiao Si had a nosebleed and looked innocent.

Miss Lu, you really can't blame me for this!

Although she was a femme fatale, she was truly beautiful!

What's more, she's a stunningly beautiful woman with a venomous side...