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

Jia Rong's face was ashen.

After Jia Zhen finished speaking, he seemed to feel that it wasn't enough.

He glanced at Madam You beside him, whose eyes were slightly red and who was silently shedding tears. The estrangement that had always existed in his heart because of his remarriage was magnified by his irritability and resentment.

He deliberately spoke to You Shi in front of Jia Rong, his voice not loud, but loud enough for everyone to hear:

"As you can see, Rong'er is so unworthy and incapable of shouldering great responsibilities."

"Perhaps... it's time for my Ningguo Mansion to consider adding another member to the family."

These words struck Jia Rong like a bolt from the blue.

Is my father completely disappointed in me?

She even entertained the idea of ​​having another son to replace her?!

Jia Rong collapsed to the ground, forgetting even the pain, only a chilling despair remained.

With their own thoughts, everyone returned to Ningguo Mansion.

Jia Rong was carried back to his room, his body aching, and his mind in agony.

Half a month... to salvage the marriage...

How is that possible?

Qin Ye's resolute attitude at that time clearly showed that he hated the Ningguo Mansion and Jia Rong to the core!

He lay in bed, like an ant on a hot pan, desperately trying to think of a solution.

Should I ask my father for help?

My father is furious; it would be a miracle if he didn't beat him to death.

Seeking help from my mother (Ms. You)?

It's already merciful that Madam You didn't kick him while he was down; how could she possibly help him?

Moreover, today Father said in front of everyone that he wants Madam You to have another son to replace him.

Jia Rong was absolutely certain that Madam You was regretting not finding a reason to kill him during the day!

Seeking help from other stewards or retainers in the manor?

But those people, who were good at flattering and fawning on others in ordinary times, became tongue-tied and unable to explain themselves when faced with such a matter that concerned the reputation of the mansion and was extremely difficult to handle.

The only one who could give him some insidious ideas and was familiar with the situation inside and outside the mansion was Lai Er...

He was still lying unconscious, with only a few teeth left in his mouth. It was said that Jia Zhen had temporarily taken away his position as steward, and he was in dire straits.

Jia Rong grew increasingly desperate.

Could it be... that I'm really going to be driven out of Ningguo Mansion and exiled to the estate, just like my father said?

What's the difference between that and rendering it useless?

Jia Rong tossed and turned in bed.

The pain from his wounds and the heavy burden in his heart almost made it hard for him to breathe.

But after thinking of everyone, there wasn't a single one who could be used.

Just when he was disheartened and almost resigned to his fate.

Suddenly, a figure flashed into his mind.

Wang Xifeng!

Second Madam Lian of the Rongguo Mansion, my own aunt!

She was known for her shrewdness, cleverness, and skillful methods; she could solve almost any difficult problem in Jinling City.

If I were to ask her for help, with her intelligence, she might actually be able to come up with a way to save the marriage.

This thought was like the last straw a drowning person grasped at.

Jia Rong could no longer lie still.

He struggled to his feet, ignoring the pain, quickly tidied himself up, and then, with a limp, headed towards the Rongguo Mansion.

In Wang Xifeng's courtyard at Rongguo Mansion.

Jia Rong waited for a long time before he saw Wang Xifeng slowly emerge from the inner room, fanning herself with a round fan.

Today she wore a pomegranate red dress, which made her skin look even whiter than snow, and her eyes still held that shrewd and ambiguous expression.

Seeing Jia Rong's bruised and battered face, looking utterly disheveled, Wang Xifeng raised a slight brow, a hint of undisguised mockery flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

"Hey, isn't this Rong-ge'er?"

Her voice was drawn out, with her usual sarcastic tone.

"What brings you here today?"

"Look at you... tsk tsk, where have you been 'making a name for yourself' this time?"

Jia Rong's face burned with embarrassment, but since he needed someone's help, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and bow.

"Nephew greets Aunt."

Wang Xifeng, fanning herself, sat down in the main seat, refusing to let him sit.

"Speak, what do you want from me?"

"I'm busy right now, I don't have time to listen to your idle chatter."

Jia Rong licked his chapped lips and recounted the events that had occurred at the Moon Gazing Pavilion that day, omitting the important details and downplaying the crucial aspects.

Naturally, he portrayed himself as a victim who was "framed by a wicked servant" and "caught off guard," while Jiao Si was described as a wicked servant who "harbored evil intentions" and "plotted against his master."

Finally, with a mournful face, he pleaded:

"Aunt, you are the most intelligent and capable, with connections everywhere. Please, please help your nephew think of a way to salvage the marriage with the Qin family!"

"If the engagement is really called off, my nephew will truly have no way out!"

Wang Xifeng listened quietly, her ambiguous smile remaining unchanged.

She chuckled softly only after Jia Rong finished speaking.

The mockery in that laughter was undisguised.

"Rong-ge'er, this matter of yours... is not easy to handle."

She fanned herself and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Qin Ye is a rigid and strict man who values ​​his reputation above all else. By making this scene, you've essentially slapped him in the face in public and tarnished his daughter's reputation."

"His desire to annul the engagement is both reasonable and justifiable. Even if the matter were to be brought before the Emperor, he would likely still be in the right."

Jia Rong's heart sank little by little.

Wang Xifeng glanced at him, then suddenly changed the subject.

"However..."

Hope immediately ignited in Jia Rong's eyes: "But what? Aunt, please tell me! As long as you can help me, your nephew... your nephew is willing to do anything!"

Wang Xifeng smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"However, this is an internal affair of your Ningguo Mansion. As a daughter-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion, it's probably inappropriate for me to interfere too much, isn't it?"

"Those who know me say I'm just being affectionate towards my nephew; those who don't might think I'm meddling in my brother's room."

These words are clearly a rejection.

Jia Rong grew anxious and wanted to plead again.

Wang Xifeng, however, had already stood up, gesturing as if to see the guest off.

"Rong-ge'er, you should go back and think carefully about how to apologize to your father and how to appease the Qin family."

"I... really can't help you with this."

Jia Rong was struck dumb, standing there frozen in place.

The last glimmer of hope has been extinguished.

He turned away, dejected, ready to leave.

His steps were unsteady, his figure desolate.

Just as he was about to step out of the room.

Suddenly, Wang Xifeng's lazy yet playful voice came from behind.

"Actually... if you really want to solve this problem, it's not entirely impossible."

Jia Rong turned around abruptly, her eyes gleaming with renewed hope.

"Auntie! You...you have a way?!"

Wang Xifeng waved her fan, paced a few steps, and looked out the window, as if deep in thought.

"Well... there is a solution."

"However... this choice is a bit unexpected."

Jia Rong said urgently, "Auntie, tell me quickly! Who is it?! I'm willing to spend any amount of money as long as he can help me!"

Wang Xifeng turned her head to look at Jia Rong, her red lips parted slightly, and she uttered two words.

Absolutely clear.

"Jiao Si".

Jia Rong was stunned.

He suspected that he had heard wrongly.

"......who?"

Wang Xifeng repeated it, her tone resolute.

"Jiao Si".

"Right now, the only one who can help you save this marriage is him."