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

Jia Lian said no more, stepped forward, and grabbed Wang Xifeng's arm.

"Alright, let's not linger here, let's go."

After saying that, without further ado, he pulled Wang Xifeng and walked out.

Wang Xifeng stumbled as he pulled her along.

He turned around and gave Jiao Si another deep look.

The resentment in his eyes was almost overflowing.

Then, reluctantly, she followed Jia Lian out of the backyard.

Jiao Si stood there, watching the direction where the two had disappeared, his heart completely unmoved.

Wang Xifeng...

He was increasingly unable to understand her thoughts.

I...don't want to understand it.

He looked around, wanting to call back the maids from earlier so they could continue chatting and pass the time.

But after searching for a long time, I couldn't find a single trace of it.

Those maids were clearly terrified by Wang Xifeng and kept their distance, not daring to come again.

Jiao Si sighed.

Although it is unclear why, since he entered the mansion, apart from a few people such as Jia Rong and Lai Er, everyone in the Ningguo Mansion seems to treat him, this "newly arrived sinner slave," with great courtesy and even some fear.

Jia Zhen treated him with great courtesy, and the servants dared not offend him easily.

With this inexplicable "convenience" available, why not take advantage of it?

But now, even that little bit of fun is gone.

After thinking about it, he decided to go back to his room and take a nap.

I had just turned around and hadn't taken more than a few steps.

Then someone blocked his way.

It's Jia Rong.

His face was still a little pale, and he walked unsteadily, but he seemed to be in much better spirits.

A malicious glint shone in those eyes.

"Jiao Si!"

Jia Rong grinned, revealing a hint of the laziness and lewdness typical of spoiled young masters.

"Staying in the mansion is so boring!"

"I can't go to the Qin residence, and I can't see Qin Keqing. I'm feeling incredibly restless!"

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"Come on! I'll take you to a great place!"

"The Qinhuai River! The pleasure boats! The beauties there are far more charming than the maids in the mansion!"

"Let's go have some fun and have a good time!"

Jiao Si frowned, instinctively wanting to refuse.

What Jia Rong saw just now wasn't good intentions; it was clearly a scheme to trick someone.

But when it comes to the Qinhuai River, the pleasure boats, and the Cloud Towers on the Huai River...

These places only remind him of one person.

The woman who accompanied him to his death atop Plum Blossom Mountain;

That woman who set up a scheme in Huai Shang Yun Lou for him, to expose Qian Qianyi's ugly face;

That woman, who kept sending him letters, was warm and generous yet thoughtful, and who prepared his bed for him every day.

Liu Rushi.

The emperor's order for him to become a slave in the Jia family was given hastily.

He was barely able to save himself at the time, and didn't even have time to say goodbye, let alone inform Liu Rushi.

Looking back now, it's been a long time... since I last contacted her.

How is she?

Is it still at Huai Shang Yun Lou?

Could it be... that he thought she had forgotten him? Or, has something happened?

A strong impulse suddenly surged within Jiao Si's heart.

He wanted to go and see.

Even just a glimpse from afar is enough to know she is safe and well.

Yeah.

He was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"it is good."

Jia Rong was overjoyed.

"That's right! Let's go!"

The two left Ningguo Mansion together and headed towards the Qinhuai River.

As luck would have it, the place Jia Rong was taking him to was the Huai Shang Yun Lou.

Jiao Si looked at the familiar ship, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

The two entered the Cloud Tower and found a window seat in the lobby on the first floor.

The hall was still bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of traditional instruments and laughter.

But Jiao Si felt that something was missing.

Just then, I heard the guests at the next table talking and nodding their heads.

"Alas, speaking of Huai Shang Yun Lou, although it is still the best pleasure boat on the Qinhuai River, the girls are also top-notch."

"But it always feels like... something's missing."

"Yes," another person chimed in, "Ever since Lady Liu stopped showing up, and even stopped playing the zither on the fourth floor, this Cloud Tower... feels so empty."

"What a pity! Master Liu's guqin playing and her voice... were truly unparalleled, a rare talent in heaven and earth!"

"I wonder what's wrong with Lady Liu. Could it be... that she has someone she loves and is now refusing to see anyone?"

As he spoke, the man looked up, still seemingly unsatisfied, and gazed at the heavy white veils hanging on the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower.

Jiao Si's heart stirred slightly after hearing this.

Liu Rushi... no longer plays the zither?

Is she... waiting for him?

Just then, Jia Rong impatiently slammed his hand on the table.

"Waiter! Where the hell are you?! I want to order!"

A waiter quickly jogged over.

"Sir, would you like to order...?"

Before he could finish speaking, the waiter's gaze inadvertently fell on Jiao Si, who was sitting opposite Jia Rong.

He was suddenly stunned, his eyes widened instantly, and an expression of unbelievable surprise appeared on his face.

"Jiao...Master Jiao?!"

He cried out in surprise, forgetting even that Jia Rong was ordering food. He turned around and ran towards the stairwell.

That speed was astonishing.

Jia Rong was stunned for a moment, then burst into a tirade of curses.

No, I called you to order the food, but we haven't even ordered yet, so why have you run off first?

He couldn't help but burst into a tirade of curses.

"Hey! What a lousy place! How dare they call themselves the best pleasure boat on the Qinhuai River? They have no manners at all!"

"Sir, you're taking my order? No one even gave me a heads-up, and the waiter's already run off!"

"What the hell is that?!"

He was furious, hands on his hips, cursing incessantly.

Suddenly, a clear, resonant sound of a zither came from the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower.

The sound of the zither was crisp and melodious, like jade striking against jade.

Immediately afterwards, the clear and melodious sound of the zither poured down like flowing water.

Accompanied by the sound of a zither, a melodious and plaintive song drifted down from the fourth floor.

The singing was clear and moving, carrying a deep sense of sorrow and longing.

The song being sung is an ancient poem.

The soldier went away and all news was cut off.

I hesitate before going to the netherworld.

This morning, I suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves.

Why are you hesitating and not approaching?

The song was mournful and tender.

Every word and phrase seems to be questioning and complaining, yet it also reveals endless longing and anticipation.

Jiao Si listened quietly.

A gentle smile unconsciously crept onto her lips.

He could tell.

This is Liu Ru resenting him, resenting that he hasn't come to see her or given her any news for so long.

Now that he's here, he's still sitting downstairs, not going upstairs to see her.

Jiao Si smiled and no longer hesitated.

He stood up and said a few words to Jia Rong, who was still cursing.

"Uncle Rong, please order first. I'll be back in a moment."

After saying that, without waiting for Jia Rong's response, he turned around and walked towards the stairwell.

Jia Rong was stunned.

"Huh? You...where are you going?"

But Jiao Si had already gone upstairs without looking back.

Walk through the familiar corridor.

They arrived at the door draped with heavy white gauze.

The sound of the zither came from inside.

The singing gradually stopped.

Only the lingering sound remains.

Jiao Si stood in front of the door and took a deep breath.

He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

"Tap, tap, tap."

There was a moment of silence inside.

Then, a soft, yet slightly trembling voice came from behind.

"Who?"

Jiao Si remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"it's me."