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

Chapter 109 Three Women Make a Drama

Xue Baochai kept her head down, her steps hurried and disordered, her handkerchief clutched in her hand, pressing her eyes with it every few steps.

"Miss Bao..."

'

Xue Baochai was startled and hurriedly looked up. Seeing that it was Zhou Rui's wife, she quickly wiped her face with a handkerchief: "Sister Zhou..."

Zhou Rui's wife came over and sighed, "Miss, there's no need to be too anxious. Although your aunt's words were harsh, they made sense... Let's think of a way slowly; who knows, we might actually be able to rescue her someday."

Xue Baochai's lips twitched, and she forced a smile: "Then I'll take Sister Zhou's auspicious words as a sign."

"You're teasing me again, young lady." Zhou Rui's wife chuckled. "Why did you return so quickly, young lady? Didn't you discuss it with Madam?"

Xue Baochai's eyes flickered: "I haven't entered the courtyard yet... I think I'll take another look."

Zhou Rui's wife glanced back at Jin Chuan'er and the others who were slowly walking over, and lowered her voice: "This shouldn't be said to the young lady... but having a child isn't something that can be done in a day or two. Madam Rong of the East Mansion, and Madam Lian of our mansion, Xue Baochai understood her meaning and said softly: "Thank you for reminding me, Sister Zhou. I will discuss it with my mother when I get back." After saying that, she bowed slightly and left in a hurry.

Zhou Rui's wife shook her head: "What a pity. Bad luck, born into a merchant family, and then stuck with such an older brother..."

My whole life is ruined.

Xue Baochai did not return to Pear Fragrance Courtyard, but instead went to Lin Daiyu's courtyard.

She originally thought that her good uncle and aunt were only after money, but she never expected that they wanted to swallow the whole Xue family business and even the people in one gulp. They were trying to wipe out the entire family!

After hearing the conversation between Lady Wang and Lady Wang Teng, Xue Baochai no longer dared to ask them for help in arranging a marriage for Xue Pan, who was in prison.

After thinking it over carefully, the only person who can help the Xue family now is Liu Feng.

But if we want Liu Feng to help, we have to ask Lin Daiyu for help. Her word is more effective than any amount of gold or silver.

Coincidentally, Wang Xifeng was also with Lin Daiyu.

As Wang Xifeng left the East Mansion, she felt both angry and frustrated. What kind of person did they take her for? But after her anger subsided, she couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Those who make a 20% cut in pawnshop profits far more in a month than those who lend money at exorbitant interest rates, and they don't have to live in constant fear.

Wang Xifeng was increasingly reluctant to give up the 20% benefit, but she was also unwilling to let Liu Feng take advantage of her. After much deliberation, she set her sights on Lin Daiyu.

"...This white ginseng, a tribute from the West, was brought back from my maternal home. It's different from the kind we usually use. This ginseng is cooling in nature, and it's excellent for nourishing yin, clearing heat, generating fluids, and benefiting the lungs. Even if you eat it during the hottest days of summer, you won't get a sore throat." Wang Xifeng said, putting down her teacup and casually lifting the lid of the box.

Zijuan quickly came over and said with a smile, "This ginseng is perfect for our young lady."

Wang Xifeng smiled and handed the ginseng to her, then looked at Lin Daiyu and teased, "If we weren't close, I wouldn't be willing to give this to you."

Lin Daiyu looked at her and smiled, "Then how should I thank you?"

Wang Xifeng's smile froze instantly, thinking to herself: This girl is too shrewd; she's not easy to fool.

But she immediately laughed again, her tone warm: "Why are you thanking me? Don't be so formal."

Lin Daiyu didn't expose her mistake, but simply smiled and replied, "Then thank you very much, sister."

Wang Xifeng was momentarily speechless. Just as she was about to speak again, a maid outside the door called out, "Miss Bao is here."

The curtain was lifted, and Xue Baochai walked in. She was slightly taken aback when she saw Wang Xifeng in the room. She then nodded slightly to her as a greeting.

Wang Xifeng remained seated, only nodding back with a smile.

Lin Daiyu stood up to smooth things over: "I was just telling my second sister-in-law that we were going to pay our respects to Aunt, and then, coincidentally, you arrived, sister. How is Aunt?"

Xue Baochai glanced at Wang Xifeng with some surprise and shook her head slightly.

Seeing that her eyes were red, as if she had just been crying, Lin Daiyu went over and pulled her to sit down: "What's wrong?"

Xue Baochai did not hide anything and told the whole story of what happened outside and what Lady Wang had said.

As she spoke, Xue Baochai pressed her eyes again, "Right now, we can't worry about any elaborate solutions. Let my brother get married in the Shuntian Prefecture prison first, so that at least the Xue family's main branch will have an heir..."

Lin Daiyu sensed the underlying meaning in her words and asked, "Why don't you try to find a solution from the Wang family?"

Not wanting to openly discuss how she and the Xue family had been framed, Xue Baochai resorted to Zhou Rui's wife's version of events, adding at the end, "Sending more people in will increase the chances of success."

Wang Xifeng smiled inwardly, not worried about exhausting that fool Xue.

"Sister..." Xue Baochai looked at Lin Daiyu with anticipation.

Lin Daiyu was silent for a moment, then said, "Write a letter, and I'll have someone send it to you."

Xue Baochai could not hide her disappointment, but she could only nod.

Wang Xifeng's eyes darted around, and she quickly interjected, "How can you explain things clearly in a letter? In my opinion, it would be better to invite them over, set up a table for a meal, and chat while we eat. If there's anything else, it's easier to discuss it face-to-face..."

77

Lin Daiyu was unaware of her scheme, but felt it was inappropriate: "Inviting guests to dinner at this time, if word gets out, it won't sound good on our reputation..."

'

Wang Xifeng flung the handkerchief in her hand, looking just like a pimp: "Pear Fragrance Courtyard is a secluded courtyard. After dark, once the gate is closed, if you don't say anything and I don't say anything, who will know? Besides, they're not outsiders."

Looking at Wang Xifeng, Xue Baochai always felt that she wasn't so kind-hearted.

"To be honest, since you all came to the manor, I haven't really been able to help much. Brother Xue isn't home, and it's inconvenient for the concubine to step in. It's even more inconvenient for you, an unmarried young lady. How about this, Sister-in-law Zhen from the West Mansion and I will help you out. If the three of us sisters join forces, are we afraid we won't be able to get him drunk?"

Wang Xifeng smiled broadly, her face full of warmth and sincerity.

But Xue Baochai felt something was amiss, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it. With her brother in prison on her mind, and with Wang Xifeng and You Shi keeping her company, she gritted her teeth and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Second Sister-in-law Lian, to take care of him."

"Of course, of course, don't worry." Wang Xifeng smiled brightly, her eyes shining.

She truly had no good intentions; she planned to shift the blame, using the Xue family's name to invite Liu Feng to drinks, get him drunk, and then seize Jia Zhen's two-tenths of the inheritance. Her deeper motive was that she hoped Liu Feng would lose control while drunk and take advantage of Xue Baochai.

In that way, she could finally vent her anger at being looked down upon by Xue Baochai, and see if she would still pretend in the future!

Lin Daiyu suddenly coughed softly.

The two then realized that there was an "official wife" sitting in the room.

Xue Baochai felt a little uneasy, but wanted to have Lin Daiyu by her side to keep things in order, so she smiled and said, "Sister, come along too, it'll be more lively with more people."

How could we let Lin Daiyu get involved? If Lin Daiyu were present, Liu Feng would be just as hypocritical as the Second Master!

Wang Xifeng quickly stopped her: "In the dead of winter, the night wind can seep into your bones. Lin Daiyu has only just recovered and can't withstand any more stress... You hurry up and write the invitation, and try to get it done tonight."

Xue Baochai was also anxious, so she said to Lin Daiyu, "Sister, may I borrow your study?"

What else could Lin Daiyu say? She could only let Ziju lead Xue Baochai to the study.

As soon as the person left, Lin Daiyu approached Wang Xifeng and asked, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Wang Xifeng blinked: "Never mind that."

She paused for a moment, then said, "He's a grown man, what's there to worry about? With me here, he won't suffer any losses."

Lin Daiyu was about to say something more when Wang Xifeng immediately used her trump card: "Oh, it's not even a hint yet, and you're already interfering? If they really get married, you'll be in for a world of trouble..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!" Lin Daiyu hurriedly covered her mouth, her face turning red to her ears, and glared at her fiercely.

Wang Xifeng laughed triumphantly, then suddenly seemed to remember something, her smile widening.