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

The next morning.

Jiao Si was holding a broom and slowly sweeping the floor under the corridor in the backyard of Ningguo Mansion.

Several young maids were gathered around, chattering and laughing.

Jiao Si would occasionally chime in with a few words, simple and direct, yet always managing to make the maids giggle and tremble at the right moment.

"Brother Jiao, you're really interesting to talk to," a round-faced maid said with a smile. "You're quite different from those taciturn people in the manor."

Jiao Si swept the floor and casually remarked, "Interesting? Is sweeping interesting?"

"It's not sweeping that's interesting," another maid with an oval face interjected, "it's you, Brother Jiao, who's interesting!"

As they were talking, Jiao Si suddenly felt a light slap on his back.

He was startled and turned around abruptly.

I was just about to ask who was so rude.

But what I saw was a reproachful, peach-blossom-like face.

And those familiar, shrewd, and scrutinizing almond-shaped eyes.

It's Wang Xifeng.

Today she wore a pomegranate red brocade dress with a silver fur coat over it, and her hair was adorned with a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin. Her noble and shrewd demeanor was completely out of place in this simple backyard.

"Oh my, who do we have here?"

Wang Xifeng waved her fan, her phoenix eyes glancing sideways at the few maids who had instantly fallen silent.

"So it turns out to be some of the 'diligent' young ladies from our Ningguo Mansion."

"Instead of taking care of your own household chores, you have time to... entertain people with jokes and banter?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

The maids turned pale with fright and quickly curtsied.

"Lian...Second Madam Lian."

"We servants...we servants will go and get to work now."

After saying that, he didn't dare to look up and ran away hurriedly with his head down, like a frightened rabbit.

Wang Xifeng watched their retreating figures as if they were fleeing, and let out a soft snort.

Then, she turned around and looked Jiao Si up and down.

My gaze went from the broom in his hand to his simple servant's clothes, and then to his calm, expressionless face.

"Master Jiao..."

She drew out her words, her voice carrying its usual sarcastic tone.

"I feel so light and carefree lately."

"Having taken on the task of escorting Rong'er's bride, you're not only unhurried, but... you even have time to flirt with the maids here?"

"Isn't this job a bit too easy? Should I talk to Brother Zhen and ask him to give you some more work?"

Jiao Si looked at her, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

What is this woman doing here again?

His tone was simple and direct, with a clear sense of detachment.

"Butler Feng, you flatter me."

"I was just sweeping the floor. The maids passed by and exchanged a few words; it was nothing more than 'flirting'."

"As for the task... no need for Steward Feng to worry about it, I will do my job well."

Wang Xifeng was taken aback by his cold attitude.

I felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

She bit her lip, suppressing her discomfort, and softened her voice.

"Jiao Si, have you... encountered any difficulties at Ningguo Prefecture lately?"

"Rong'er's wedding is a very complicated affair. If you need any help, you... can tell me."

She looked at him, a hint of concern in her eyes.

Jiao Si shook his head.

"No. Everything's fine."

"Grandpa Zhen is quite considerate of me."

That's a dry, dismissive statement; it's clearly just a perfunctory response.

Undeterred, Wang Xifeng took another step closer and lowered her voice.

"Then... is there any news to bring out?"

"Ping'er? Liu Rushi? Or... Miss Qin?"

She counted the names one by one, her eyes fixed on Jiao Si's face, not missing a single change in his expression.

Jiao Si's heart skipped a beat.

Ping'er, Liu Rushi, Qin Girl...

He really hadn't contacted them for a long time.

Liu Rushi... He entered the mansion in a hurry without even saying goodbye.

Will she be worried? Will she... resent him?

And then there's Qin, that intelligent woman who always wears a veil and is also a little jealous.

Ping'er... that gentle and kind girl who always cared for him silently.

He did want to bring the message.

Can……

He looked up and glanced at Wang Xifeng in front of him.

This is the noble and enigmatic Second Madam Lian.

She was the housekeeper of the Rongguo Mansion and Jia Lian's wife.

He was now in Ningguo Mansion, in an awkward and delicate situation.

Having too much contact with someone like Wang Xifeng will only bring more unnecessary trouble and suspicion.

If they really wanted to deliver a message, they should have asked Jiao Da for help, or thought of another way.

Instead of... through her.

Thinking of this, Jiao Si shook his head again.

His tone became even colder.

"Thank you for your kindness, Steward Feng."

"I have no message to deliver."

Wang Xifeng's face paled instantly.

She gritted her teeth, wanting to say something more.

But seeing Jiao Si's unyielding and aloof demeanor, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

The frustration and anger in my heart were churning violently.

Just then.

A slightly frivolous male voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Feng'er? Feng'er, are you inside?"

Before the words were finished, a handsome young man dressed in a royal blue silk shirt, with a somewhat lewd air about him, staggered in.

It was Jia Lian.

As soon as he entered, his gaze fell on Wang Xifeng.

Then, he turned to Jiao Si, who was standing opposite Wang Xifeng.

Upon seeing Jiao Si, Jia Lian immediately frowned.

Especially noticeable was that although Jiao Si was dressed as a servant, he was tall and handsome.

His wife was standing quite close to the young male servant, seemingly speaking in hushed tones.

A feeling of displeasure welled up in Jia Lian's heart.

Although he himself was usually a womanizer and it was common for him to have affairs outside the home.

But that only applies to himself.

He would never allow his wife to have an affair!

Which department are you from?

Jia Lian walked up to Jiao Si, his tone unfriendly, carrying a condescending reprimand.

"Why are you just standing there instead of working properly?"

"Didn't you see your master was speaking? Don't you have any sense of propriety at all!"

Jiao Si lowered his eyes, cupped his hands and said, "I am Jiao Si, and I am here to serve in the manor on the orders of Master Zhen."

"Second Master Lian".

Jia Lian snorted.

"Jiao Si? Never heard of him."

"If you're going to be in a position of authority, you should act like one! Get to work!"

He waved his hand, as if shooing away flies.

Then, turning to Wang Xifeng, his tone softened somewhat, but still carried a clear warning.

"Feng'er, what are you doing here?"

"The old lady is still talking about you. When you have time... go visit the Qin family more often. You should also help keep an eye on Rong'er's new daughter-in-law."

Jia Lian is no fool.

His words were ostensibly a message for Wang Xifeng to go to the Qin residence, but in reality, they were a reminder for her to be mindful of her status and not to get too close to unrelated men.

Wang Xifeng forced a smile.

"Second Master is right, that's exactly what I was thinking of going."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Jiao Si.

That look in his eyes was complex.

There was anger, helplessness, and a hint of... indescribable resentment.

Jiao Si kept his head down, pretending not to see.

Jia Lian keenly caught Wang Xifeng's glance, and his displeasure deepened.