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

Baozhu chased after her, carrying two packets of medicinal herbs wrapped in plain paper.

She was slightly out of breath as she handed the medicine packet to Jiao Si and Jia Rong respectively.

"Manager Jiao, brother," Baozhu bowed slightly.

"The young lady said that the master's actions today were somewhat presumptuous. It's hot and dry in autumn, so she brought two packets of medicine to calm the mind and reduce internal heat, so that you two can relieve your restlessness."

Her voice was soft, and her gaze was gentle.

Jia Rong took her bag, glanced at the medicine packet in Jiao Si's hand, and her face under the gauze twitched noticeably.

But he held back and tried to respond in a calm tone.

"Please, Miss Baozhu, give my regards to your young lady."

Tell her that I appreciate her feelings...

When Baozhu was in front of him, Jia Rong was relatively polite.

After Baozhu walked away and disappeared from sight, Jia Rong's expression immediately changed.

He snatched the medicine packet from Jiao Si's hand!

"The one surnamed Jiao!"

Jia Rong glared fiercely at Jiao Si, her tone filled with incomprehension and anger.

"Why did Qin Keqing send you medicine?"

"It's only right that I deliver it to her! I'm her future husband!"

"But why...should I give you a pack too?"

He held up two packets of medicine and waved them in front of Jiao Si, his eyes behind the gauze full of suspicion.

"You're just a servant... why should she treat you differently?"

Jiao Si looked at him calmly.

The tone was simple and direct.

"Miss Qin is kind-hearted. Seeing that I was traveling with Master Rong, she gave me medicine as well. She had no other intentions."

"snort!"

Jia Rong clearly didn't believe it.

"Alright! I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you!"

He put both packets of medicine into his pocket.

"I'm...very angry right now!"

"We need to hurry back and use these two doses of medicine to cool down the fever!"

After saying that, he ignored Jiao Si and strode towards Ningguo Mansion.

Jiao Si watched his retreating figure, his heart unmoved.

He never wanted to have too much to do with Qin Keqing.

Jia Rong's reaction, though unreasonable, was convenient.

He silently followed behind and returned to Ningguo Mansion.

Ningguo Prefecture.

As soon as Jia Rong entered his courtyard, he slammed two packets of medicine onto the table.

"Someone come here! Prepare the medicine!"

He ripped off the gauze from his face, revealing a livid complexion.

"I'll fry both packets! I'm really irritable today, I need to drink more!"

The maids were terrified and quickly took the medicine packet away.

Jia Rong sat in the chair, panting heavily, still cursing under his breath.

Jiao Si then returned to his room.

I was just about to rest.

Lai Er's sarcastic voice came from outside the door.

"Jiao Si, Grandpa Zhen wants to see you."

"Immediately, right now."

Jiao Si frowned slightly.

Why did Jia Zhen look for him at this time?

He stood up, straightened his clothes, and followed Lai Er toward the main hall.

The main hall of Ningguo Prefecture.

The hall is brightly lit.

Jia Zhen sat in the main seat, his expression somewhat complicated.

There were two people sitting in the guest seats.

Two people who were extremely familiar with each other.

Qian Chou.

And... Hong Chou, who has changed his name to Hong Chengchou.

Enemies meeting are bound to be filled with hatred.

As soon as Qian Chou saw Jiao Si enter, his gloomy eyes instantly flashed with deep-seated hatred.

He stared at Jiao Si, a cold, mocking smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Hey, isn't this our great hero Jiao?"

Qian Chou's voice wasn't loud, but it was as sharp as a knife.

"Atop Plum Blossom Mountain, he single-handedly fought off a horde of Japanese pirates and rescued Princess Chang Le—what a glorious feat!"

"At the Cloud Tower on the Huai River, wielding the 'Yellow Dragon's Mandate Talisman,' he slashed with a single stroke..."

When he mentioned "Huai Shang Yun Lou", his voice suddenly stopped.

The muscles in his face twitched uncontrollably a few times.

Pain, anger, and... intense killing intent surged in his eyes in an instant.

He thought of Qian Qianyi.

The son on whom he had placed so much hope, yet was beheaded by Jiao Si.

The figure lying in a pool of blood, head and body separated.

Qian Chou gripped the armrests of the chair tightly.

The knuckles turned white from exertion.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his rage, and continued speaking in a mocking tone.

"In the Eastern Depot prison, you overcame all the barbarians, and even Cao Shaoqin couldn't do anything to you."

"On the examination papers, he even dared to directly criticize the ills of the time and satirize...the current emperor."

He recounted Jiao Si's "glorious" deeds one by one.

With each remark, the sarcasm in his tone grew stronger.

"Having done so many attention-grabbing things, that's really... impressive."

Qian Chou stared at Jiao Si, his eyes like those of a venomous snake.

"But what about now?"

"Now, you can only be a... lowly servant in this Ningguo Mansion."

"Serving tea and water, sweeping the floor and chopping firewood."

"Jiao Si, I have a question for you..."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice low, yet carrying a malicious pleasure.

"Falling from the clouds to the mire, from hero to servant..."

"What...are you thinking?"

Hong Chengchou immediately chimed in.

He stood up, facing Jiao Si, his tone "righteous and stern," and hastily and forcefully pinned the hat on Jiao Si.

"What Lord Qian said is absolutely right!"

"This boy's past actions, seemingly heroic, were in reality acts of contempt for the laws of the court and a challenge to the majesty of the imperial family!"

"His Majesty is benevolent and virtuous. Considering his youth and ignorance, and the fact that he possessed a token of Emperor Taizu's trust, he has shown leniency by punishing him with slavery. This is already an act of boundless grace from Heaven!"

"To be able to serve as a servant in the Ningguo Mansion and atone for his sins through meritorious service is truly an opportunity given to him by His Majesty to reform himself!"

"He should have been grateful and worked diligently to atone for his past sins!"

Hong Chengchou spoke with great enthusiasm, his words constantly referring to "His Majesty" and "the Imperial Court."

His eyes would occasionally glance at Qian Chou, with a fawning and obsequious look.

Jiao Si listened quietly.

After the two of them finished speaking, he raised his head and looked at Qian Chou.

His tone was calm, simple, and direct.

"Being a servant is better than being dead."

He paused, then added.

"At least, he can still breathe."

These words were clearly aimed at Qian Chou's sore spot.

This implies that Qian Qianyi is already dead, without even a chance to "breathe".

Qian Chou's face instantly turned ashen.

He jumped up, pointed at Jiao Si, and was trembling all over.

"You...you have such audacity!"

He turned sharply to Jia Zhen, his voice hoarse with anger.

"Grandpa Zhen! You heard everything!"

"What audacity this lackey has! How dare he publicly ridicule an official of the imperial court and curse a deceased person!"

"This is utter disrespect! It is insubordination!"

Qian Chou stared intently at Jia Zhen, his tone forceful.

"According to family rules, such an arrogant and unruly person should be beaten to death on the spot! As a warning to others!"

"I beg you, Master Zhen... to carry out the execution immediately!"

Hong Chengchou quickly chimed in.

"Lord Qian is right! This boy is incorrigible, arrogant and unruly, and is truly a scourge to the Ningguo Mansion!"

"If this is not severely punished, it may cause even greater trouble in the future, and implicate your entire household!"

"Uncle Zhen, you should make a clean break!"

The two men worked together to pressure Jia Zhen into dealing with Jiao Si.

Jia Zhen sat in the main seat, his expression shifting constantly.

He glanced at Qian Chou, whose face was full of murderous intent, and then at Hong Chengchou, whose face was full of "righteousness".

Finally, their gaze fell upon Jiao Si.

The young man stood ramrod straight, his face expressionless.

Jia Zhen recalled what Wang Xifeng had said before.

"He was Xin Like's last disciple..."

"The Prince of Bei Jing's mansion owes him an enormous favor..."

"The Imperial Concubine Yuan in the palace... specifically sent a message to protect him..."

"And that 'Yellow Dragon Mandate Talisman'..."

These voices buzzed in his head.

Qian Chou was a high-ranking official of the second rank, and it was not easy to offend him.

But Consort Yuan... is even more untouchable!

There's also Xin Li Ke, the Prince of Bei Jing's Mansion...

Which of these people is easy to mess with?

It's easy to kill Jiao Si.

But what happens after you kill him?

When Consort Yuan asked, what would he say?

Xin Li's illness has come knocking on his door. What should he do?

How should we deal with the situation at the Prince of Bei Jing's residence?

Jia Zhen felt a splitting headache.

He took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said to Qian Chou.

"Lord Qian...please calm down, please calm down."

"Jiao Si is a hot-blooded young man who speaks without thinking and has offended the adults. He certainly deserves to be punished."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"But... killing him... is a bit too harsh."