Dream of the Red Chamber: Rising from Refugees to Sweep Across the Land

Chapter 107 Wang Xifeng: Isn't this pushing me into a fire pit?

If you're in a bad mood, a good night's sleep will make you feel better.

Liu Feng climbed out of the small bed in the warm room, got dressed, and patted the person curled up in the quilt like a cocoon: "I won't be back for lunch, you two eat by yourselves."

"Okay," came a muffled reply from under the covers.

"Don't fight!" Liu Feng said, lifting the curtain. When he looked up, he met a pair of eyes staring straight at him.

His lips twitched. Why did this girl get up so early today?

Xiangling glanced at the person curled up on the bed again, said nothing, turned around and walked out, only leaving behind the words: "I'm going to fetch water for Second Master to wash his face."

Liu Feng touched his nose, feeling a little embarrassed. However, he was always thick-skinned, so he turned around and went into the bedroom, waiting for Xiang Ling to help him wash up.

Aside from brushing his teeth, which he had to do himself, Xiangling took care of everything else. Finally, he stuck the jade hairpin into his hair bun, looked in the mirror, and wow, another day of looking dashing.

Xiangling stared at Liu Feng in the mirror for a long time before suddenly saying, "Second Master, don't go to Miss Lin's place these next few days."

"What's wrong?" Liu Feng asked, puzzled.

Xiangling reached out and pulled down his collar, revealing a red mark. She straightened his collar and then said, "Let Qingwen cut those nails."

Liu Feng coughed and said, "If she wants to stay, then let her."

Xiangling pouted and didn't say anything more. She picked up the hat and put it on him, then said, "Yesterday, Aunt Liu went to deliver some snacks to Miss Lin. She heard that Second Master Bao is studying at the school there, and he even brought his foot warmer and hand warmer. Although our family can't compare to the Duke's mansion, we can't let Second Master get cold. I discussed it with Aunt Liu, and we've also prepared some silver frost charcoal for Second Master. We went out of our way to buy it."

What a sweet little darling! Liu Feng smiled and pulled Xiangling into his arms, gently patting her back: "I'll bring you something delicious when I come back tonight."

Today, the classroom didn't teach those dry, boring things; instead, it analyzed a real battle example.

When the Duke of Ningguo led his northern expedition to Liaodong, the weather suddenly changed when he reached the banks of the Daling River. The army was caught off guard and was ultimately defeated there.

Liu Feng was lost in thought, the image of Jiao Da flashing through his mind—the old drunkard who wanted to "go in with a white knife and come out with a red knife."

This old man is a heavy drinker, and when he's drunk, he doesn't hold back his words and will blurt out all sorts of nonsense. Maybe we can get some information about the Ningguo Mansion from him.

"Ding ding 7"

As soon as the old man stepped out, a group of "second uncles" rushed out in a flurry.

Liu Xianglian didn't come, so Liu Feng had no one to talk to. He slung his schoolbag over his shoulder, grabbed his hand warmer, and headed outside.

This is a "noble school," and the charcoal in the foot warmer is cleaned up by someone else.

As soon as Liu Feng stepped out of the courtyard gate, Jia Yun approached him: "Sir, are you going home?"

"Go to the Thousand Household Office." Liu Feng walked straight towards the entrance of the alley.

Ever since giving Xue Baochai the advice she had that day, Liu Feng had secretly instructed Li Shoutian to keep a close eye on the major pawnshops in the city to see if any officials would come to cash out their money. Unexpectedly, there really was someone who wasn't afraid of death, and that very day they eagerly came to cash out their money.

Liu Feng planned to go back and flip through the booklet to see if those few scoundrels from Xue Baochai's letter were there.

Once we've shorted my father-in-law's stock, we'll start by taking down these few scoundrels and making a fortune.

Then we'll figure out a way to buy that courtyard house on the west side as well. One courtyard for each of the three of us, that's fair and just.

"Sir, Master Zhen has arrived."

Liu Feng looked up and saw Jia Zhen standing at the entrance of the alley, smiling like a chrysanthemum.

Liu Feng, carrying a hand warmer, walked over and asked, "Why aren't you at Xuanzhen Temple serving medicine and offering soup? What are you doing here?"

Jia Zhen nodded to Jia Yun and said with a smile, "I asked your sister-in-law to prepare some wine and dishes at home. Let's eat and talk."

"What's up?"

"...Something's wrong," Jia Zhen stammered.

"I'm leaving without saying anything."

Jia Zhen quickly stopped him, saying, "We're not outsiders, why do we need an excuse to have a meal together?"

Liu Feng pushed him away, saying, "I really have something to do."

"And what about tonight?" Jia Zhen persisted.

"No time!" Liu Feng had only taken two steps when he suddenly remembered something, so he turned back, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Go tell your father quickly that his old friend has reunited with his family and his newly accepted disciple has been promoted. Tell him to rest assured." After saying that, he left without looking back.

"What can I do if he doesn't come!"

After returning from Xuanzhen Temple, Jia Zhen paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back, sighing incessantly.

Madam You couldn't help but ask, "Why do you insist on inviting Liu Feng to our home for a drink?"

Jia Zhen shook his head: "You don't understand what's going on here."

Jia Rong's eyes darted around, and he said with a smile, "Just because Uncle Liu doesn't accept Father's wine doesn't mean he won't accept other people's wine."

Jia Zhen was taken aback, then turned to look at Jia Rong. The father and son exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly.

Madam You saw this and understood that the father and son were plotting against someone again, and it was a woman.

Jia Zhen turned around and sat down next to You Shi, crossed his legs, and said with a smile, "I'd like to trouble you to go to the West Mansion and invite my younger sister over."

"Feng girl?" Madam You was taken aback and quickly reminded her, "Feng girl is not someone to be trifled with."

Jia Zhen had clearly learned his lesson from her before, and the smile on his face froze instantly. But remembering Jia Jing's instructions, he gritted his teeth and said, "Go and invite them!"

After Lady You tried to persuade Jia Zhen but he wouldn't listen, she stopped talking and went with her maid to the Rongguo Mansion to invite Wang Xifeng.

Jia Rong was also a little apprehensive. He stepped forward and whispered, "Mother is right. Everyone in our two households knows that Second Aunt is a heartless and sour-faced person. If you really anger her, she won't hesitate to turn on you..."

'

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen felt even more uneasy. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Let's go to the study!"

The father and son had barely returned from the study when Wang Xifeng's signature loud laughter rang out from outside the door: "If you have anything good to offer me, just bring it up... I'm still busy!"

Jia Zhen gave Jia Rong a wink.

Jia Rong understood and quickly went out to greet her: "Greetings to Auntie."

"Hey, Rong-ge'er."

"Auntie, please come inside."

The curtain was lifted, and Wang Xifeng walked in. Seeing Jia Zhen standing up, she was taken aback at first, then smiled and pointed at You Shi: "So that's why you invited me here at this time of year! You've been up to something!"

Jia Zhen smiled somewhat awkwardly: "I invited you here, my dear sister, because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Wang Xifeng chuckled softly before stepping forward and giving a slight bow: "Big brother."

Jia Zhen quickly returned the greeting with a smile, glancing at Madam You out of the corner of his eye.

Just as Madam You was about to make an excuse to leave, Wang Xifeng grabbed her, saying, "Hey, don't go. It's not like it's anything shameful, why are you hiding?"

Left with no other choice, Jia Zhen had to send the maids and servants away. After chatting idly for a while, he finally revealed his true intentions.

"You want me to treat Liu Feng to drinks?" Wang Xifeng's face darkened.

Jia Rong quickly smoothed things over: "Auntie, don't misunderstand, I was just using your name..."

"Bullshit! What's the difference between borrowing someone's name and me going to invite them?" Wang Xifeng cursed as soon as she opened her mouth.

Jia Rong gave an embarrassed smile and dared not say another word.

Jia Zhen coughed dryly, forcing a smile, "I was forced into this situation, which is why I dared to ask you for this favor, elder sister..." Before Wang Xifeng could react, he quickly pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over, "Of course I won't let you work for nothing. I've written a document here; if you can get the person here, half a percent of the pawnshop's profits will be yours. If you can also get the person drunk, the remaining half a percent will also be given to you."

Wang Xifeng's eyes lit up at first, then she realized what she was doing: "Getting me drunk? What exactly are you trying to do?"

Standing to the side, Madam You's face also looked like she was saying, "What do you want to do?"

Jia Zhen was somewhat embarrassed: "What are you thinking? I... to tell you the truth, this is the old master's order, to find a way to verify his guess."

Upon hearing that it was Jia Jing's idea, Madam You's expression softened slightly.

Wang Xifeng glanced at the document and asked, "The person has been invited; are you going to drink with them?"

Jia Zhen said with a forced smile, "Well... naturally, I'll have to trouble you, little sister..."

'

Wang Xifeng: "Aren't you pushing me into a fire pit?"

Jia Zhen's eyes darted away, and he said vaguely, "This is just a matter of having a meal; how could it be a living hell?"

'

Wang Xifeng laughed in exasperation: "When you men get drunk, do you really think you can keep your hands and feet still?"

Jia Zhen coughed awkwardly: "My dear sister knows Brother Liu's character well; he is a true gentleman."

"A gentleman?" Wang Xifeng sneered. "Then why don't you let your sister-in-law go and drink with him?"

Madam You's face stiffened, thinking to herself: What does this have to do with me!

Jia Zhen's expression also darkened, and he pulled out another document from his sleeve: "This is the remaining ten percent. Little sister, go back and think it over carefully. If you're willing to help, this ten percent will also be yours."

He paused, then added, "This is our own home. How can we let outsiders take advantage of our family?"

Jia Rong felt confident again: "Auntie, don't worry, Father and I will guard the side hall and will never let you suffer any losses..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Xifeng pointed and yelled, "You heartless bastard! Why don't you tell your wife to go and drink with you!" After cursing, she flung her sleeves and stormed out.