Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

After the wedding ceremony, Qin Keqing was escorted to the back hall by the matchmaker and maids, while Jia Rong stayed behind to continue entertaining the guests.

With a ruddy complexion, Jia Zhen walked around the tables, frequently raising his glass to thank the guests, making the atmosphere even more lively.

After a few drinks, Feng Ziying became more talkative: "Have you heard? If nothing unexpected happens, Governor Wang should be promoted soon."

His words stunned everyone present. Gu Jinhong's pupils constricted sharply: "Wang Ziteng?"

Han Qi looked at Feng Ziying in surprise. Their Jinxiang Marquisate had not received any news, nor had the others.

"Where did you hear that from?"

Feng Ziying smiled and said, "You've all forgotten, my father is in the Beijing Garrison."

Then the group realized that the current commander of the Five Armies was none other than Feng Ziying's father, the Divine Martial General Feng Tang. As Wang Ziteng's deputy, it was not surprising that he knew some of the news in advance.

Can……

The position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison is basically the pinnacle of military officers; how much higher can one rise?

Gu Jinhong asked, "Do you know where you'll be promoted to?"

"His Majesty seems to feel that the borders have been peaceful for too long, and many generals have become complacent. He intends to appoint Lord Wang as the commander of nine provinces and order him to inspect the borders. Of course, this is all from what my father mentioned casually, and it may not be accurate."

Although he said this, everyone understood that since it came from Feng Tang, it was basically true.

As a time traveler, Gu Jinhong knew that Wang Ziteng would be promoted to a provincial post, but it seems that due to his own reasons, he made a big difference, bringing the time forward.

Jiang Zining, quick to speak, blurted out, "This is not Ming Sheng..." He seemed to realize something was wrong halfway through his sentence and quickly covered his mouth.

The others didn't say anything, but they all agreed with Jiang Zining. In their eyes, being transferred from a power center like the capital was a demotion in disguise.

But Gu Jinhong understood that this matter was a mixed bag, entirely dependent on the Emperor's will. If he didn't win the Emperor's favor, it would be a covert demotion. If he did win the Emperor's favor, it would be a way to build up his seniority.

As a relative by marriage to the Jia family, Wang Ziteng was clearly not favored by the emperor. However, as the representative chosen by the four great families, it would be difficult to get him to obediently give up his position as the military governor of the capital garrison.

Gu Jinhong recalled Wang Ziteng's original trajectory: first, he was sent to a post outside the capital, then he was transferred back. Emperor Yongxi had clearly promised him a position as Grand Secretary in exchange for control of the Beijing Garrison. As for whether Wang Ziteng would actually get into the Grand Secretariat, that would depend on his abilities.

Thinking of this, Gu Jinhong's eyes suddenly lit up. Last time he accompanied his mother to the palace, Emperor Yongxi said he would find a way to recall Gu Jincheng, and now the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Capital Garrison was about to become vacant…

Feng Ziying had sobered up a bit by then and realized that there were too many people around, so he quickly raised his glass to change the subject: "These things have nothing to do with us. Today is Rong-ge'er's big day. Let's not talk about anything else, let's drink."

Everyone raised their glasses and tacitly agreed not to say anything more.

As dusk fell, the hustle and bustle of Ningguo Mansion gradually subsided, and the guests began to take their leave one after another.

Gu Jinhong and Feng Ziying did not linger. They went out together, got into their own carriages, and left.

In the inner courtyard of Ningguo Mansion, red candles burned brightly.

Jia Rong was helped into the bridal chamber by several servants. He reeked of alcohol and his steps were unsteady, clearly having been given a lot of drinks. The door to the bridal chamber creaked shut, leaving only the two of them inside.

Qin Keqing sat on the wedding bed. Although the bright red veil covered her face, it could not conceal her figure. In the flickering candlelight, her bright red wedding dress accentuated her graceful figure.

Jia Rong swallowed hard, rubbed his hands together, stepped forward, picked up the ceremonial scale, and lifted the veil from Qin Keqing's head.

The moment the red veil fell, Jia Rong felt his breath catch in his throat.

Qin Keqing was already exceptionally beautiful, and now, illuminated by the red candlelight, her features appeared even more exquisite, her beauty as radiant as peach blossoms. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her lips, lightly coated with lip rouge, were glistening and inviting.

Jia Rong stared wide-eyed, and was overjoyed, especially when he sensed the restlessness in the air.

Lately, he's been carrying a heavy burden on his mind, and he hasn't dared to tell anyone. For the past two weeks, he hasn't been feeling well, and despite taking many tonics, there's been no improvement.

Seeing his bride's stunning beauty, he felt much better about his health, which made him extremely happy.

He chuckled, sat down on the wedding bed, and reached out to put his arm around Qin Keqing's waist.

"My wife."

"My husband, we haven't drunk the nuptial wine yet."

"Yes, yes, yes, nuptial wine." Jia Rong quickly withdrew his outstretched hand, deftly poured two cups of wine, handing one to Qin Keqing and keeping the other for himself.

As the wine went down his throat, and looking at Qin Keqing's stunningly beautiful face, Jia Rong felt increasingly parched.

Qin Keqing felt his burning gaze, her cheeks flushed, and her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible: "Husband, I... I will help you change your clothes."

"What's wrong with changing clothes? I'll do it myself."

Jia Rong hurriedly undressed, her hands trembling with excitement.

Qin Keqing lay on the bed with her eyes closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly, quietly waiting for what was to happen next.

Jia Rong hurriedly unbuttoned his outer garment and was about to rush onto the bed when his body suddenly froze.

He looked down in disbelief, and the feeling of excitement suddenly vanished.

Jia Rong's mind went blank for a moment.

How could this be?

Just moments ago, his mind was filled with all sorts of romantic thoughts, so why did he suddenly become impotent when it came to actually doing it? Looking at the beautiful figure lying on the wedding bed, dressed in a bright red wedding gown, his heart suddenly felt like it was being scratched by a cat.

Qin Keqing waited on the bed for a long time, but when there was no movement, she could only hear Jia Rong's heavy breathing. She opened her eyes in confusion and saw Jia Rong standing by the bed, gritting his teeth, his brows furrowed, and his face extremely ugly.

"Husband?"

Jia Rong's face turned pale and then flushed, but he forced a smile and said, "I drank too much today, and I'm a little tipsy. Don't worry, my wife, let me calm down."

He tried to close his eyes, his mind racing with those joyful scenes, trying to calm himself down, but the more he thought about it, the more agitated he became, and he couldn't muster any energy.

Cold sweat beaded on Jia Rong's forehead.

Seeing that he hadn't moved for a while, Qin Keqing assumed he was really drunk and said softly, "Since you're not feeling well, my husband, you should rest early today."

Qin Keqing's words, when they reached Jia Rong's ears, were more painful than a slap in the face. He, the eldest grandson of the Ningguo Mansion, a seasoned womanizer, had failed on his wedding night. If word got out, how could Jia Rong ever face anyone again?

He gritted his teeth, put on his coat, and dared not look Qin Keqing in the eye again. He staggered and turned to leave quickly.

"You rest first, I'm going to lie down in the study."