The Red Mansion

Chapter 188 Phoenix's Broken Wings

Jia Rui was a member of a collateral branch of the Jia family and the eldest grandson of Jia Dairu, the family tutor. This fellow was greedy for money and women and indulged in pleasure.

From the moment Jia Rui first saw Wang Xifeng, he was fixated on her like a fly to blood. However, because Wang Xifeng was the head housekeeper of the Rongguo Mansion, and he had heard that she was a formidable person, he dared not act rashly despite his intense desire for her.

Who would have thought that Feng Lazi would be divorced from Rongguo Mansion and live in a secluded house in the eastern suburbs.

Upon hearing the news, Jia Rui was secretly delighted, thinking it was a golden opportunity.

So, in just one month, he had come to her door three times. Wang Xifeng saw through his wicked intentions the first time she met him, and then claimed to be ill to avoid seeing him the next two times.

That afternoon, Jia Rui went to the eastern suburbs to find Wang Xifeng once again.

He was dressed in a brand-new royal blue satin robe with floral patterns, a fake Hetian jade hanging from his waist, and his hair was slicked back with oil.

Upon arriving at Wang Xifeng's residence, he saw that the black lacquered door was tightly closed, so he raised his fist and knocked on the door.

Before long, Wang'er lazily opened the door. Upon seeing Jia Rui, he immediately frowned: "Why is Master Rui here again?"

Jia Rui put on a smile: "Good Wang'er, is Sister Feng feeling much better today? I have an important matter to discuss with her."

Wang'er said, "What important matter could Uncle Rui possibly have to discuss with our grandmother? Tell me about it."

Jia Rui rubbed his hands: "This... is really inconvenient to tell you. I have to talk to Sister Feng about it in person."

Wang'er said impatiently, "Our grandmother isn't feeling well today and can't receive guests. Please leave!"

He was about to close the black lacquered door when he said that.

Seeing that things were not going well, Jia Rui slipped through the crack in the door like an eel, bracing himself against the door with his body, and said with a fawning smile, "Good Wang'er, please do me a favor. I really have something important to do, concerning Sister Feng's future!"

Seeing his shamelessness, Wang'er's face grew even uglier: "Uncle Rui, it's not that I'm being nosy. Although you are Second Master Lian's cousin, there is still a difference between men and women. What kind of talk will it be if word gets out that you've come to bother me like this time and time again? Please don't make things difficult for me anymore, it's best to go back as soon as possible!"

Unexpectedly, Jia Rui suddenly exerted brute force, forcefully pushed open the black lacquered door, and stumbled into the courtyard.

Caught off guard, Wang'er exclaimed, "You... what are you doing! Why are you forcing your way in..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Rui had already lifted the hem of his robe and dashed into the inner courtyard. His sapphire blue satin robe billowed in the wind, and in the blink of an eye, he had darted into the inner courtyard.

Wang'er hurriedly chased after him, shouting as she went, "Stop this shameless bastard..."

Several maids and servants in the inner courtyard were alerted.

Wang'er's wife hurriedly tried to stop Jia Rui, but Jia Rui pounced on his prey like a hungry wolf, rushing straight towards the main room, the fake Hetian jade at his waist clanging loudly.

Jia Rui rushed into the main room and saw Ping'er emerging from the bedroom. He quickly put on a smile, bowed, and said, "Good Ping'er, I have an important matter to discuss with Sister Feng."

Ping'er's eyebrows furrowed, and she said coldly, "Uncle Rui, what do you mean? Who gave you permission to barge in?"

Wang'er chased in breathlessly, pointing at Jia Rui and saying, "I told him that Grandma wasn't feeling well, but he just barged in!"

Upon hearing this, Ping'er's pretty face flushed with anger: "Master Rui is a scholar, how can he be so rude? Get out of here right now!"

In the midst of the argument, Wang Xifeng's languid voice suddenly came from inside the bedroom: "Who's making such a racket outside?"

As if hearing celestial music, Jia Rui hurriedly said towards the bedroom, "Good sister-in-law, it's me. I have something important to discuss with you."

After a moment of silence in the bedroom, Wang Xifeng said slowly, "Since it's something important, you may come in."

Jia Rui was so happy that he scratched his head and rushed into the bedroom.

Ping'er, Wang'er, and Wang'er's family followed closely behind.

Wang Xifeng was reclining on the chaise longue, wearing a silk jacket and her hair loosely tied up. Although she was not adorned with pearls or jade, she still possessed a natural charm.

"Oh, what brings Master Rui here again?" Wang Xifeng suppressed her anger and forced a smile.

Jia Rui, however, glanced at Ping'er and the other two with a sly look in his eyes, rubbing his hands together and said, "I have something important to discuss with my sister-in-law, so you should all leave."

Wang'er laughed in anger and was about to retort when she heard Wang Xifeng say calmly, "In that case, you may all leave now."

Ping'er and the other two looked at each other and had no choice but to retreat dejectedly. Before leaving, Wang'er glared at Jia Rui.

Once everyone had left, Jia Rui's eyes seemed glued to Wang Xifeng, darting around constantly. He grinned lewdly, "Sister-in-law, won't you offer me a seat?"

Wang Xifeng lightly tapped the embroidered stool beside her with her slender finger: "Please, Master Rui."

As Jia Rui sat down, his eyes became increasingly restless. First, he stared at the section of Wang Xifeng's snow-white wrist peeking out from her sleeve, then he glanced erratically at her slightly open neckline, his whole body feeling as if he had no bones left.

Seeing that Jia Rui was only staring at her without saying a word, his thieving eyes seemingly fixed on her, Wang Xifeng felt extremely disgusted, but she forced a smile and slowly asked, "Master Rui just said he had something important to discuss. What is it?"

Jia Rui then seemed to wake up from a dream and suddenly pretended to be indignant, saying, "Second Brother Lian is truly heartless! How could he bear to divorce such a heavenly woman as my sister-in-law? If my sister-in-law had married me, I would have cherished and loved her dearly and would never have let her suffer the slightest grievance."

Wang Xifeng said with a half-smile, "You used the same excuse when you came last time. Did you force your way in today just to repeat this cliché?"

Seeing that Wang Xifeng did not directly reprimand him, Jia Rui became even bolder and said with a lewd grin, "It's not entirely because of that. I was thinking..." He looked around and lowered his voice, "Sister-in-law has been living alone for more than a month. She is so young and beautiful, and also a very flirtatious person. How can she bear the loneliness?" As he spoke, he even reached out to touch Wang Xifeng's sleeve.

A cold glint flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes, but she pretended to ponder and said, "That's right, but I don't know what to do?"

Jia Rui hurried over to Wang Xifeng's side, his greasy hair and sweaty odor hitting her nose: "That's why I've come to cheer you up, sister-in-law. I'm idle every day, so I'll come every day to cheer you up, wouldn't that be wonderful?" As he spoke, he reached out to hold Wang Xifeng's soft hand.

Wang Xifeng said, "Show some respect! This pulling and tugging is unbecoming of the servants!"

Seeing Jia Rui withdraw his hand in fright, she softened her tone and said, "It's broad daylight, and it's not convenient for you to be here. You should go back and come back tomorrow night at the beginning of Hai hour. Come in quietly through the back door and wait in the small room next to the back door."

Jia Rui was overjoyed, but then he asked suspiciously, "Good sister-in-law, you're not trying to fool me, are you?"

Wang Xifeng scoffed and glanced at him sideways: "Why am I trying to fool you? Come if you want, or don't come if you don't want to..."

"Come! Even if it kills me, I'll come!" Jia Rui eagerly agreed before she could finish, scratching his head with delight. He almost tripped over the threshold when he took his leave.

After Jia Rui left, Ping'er hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in, asking with concern, "What exactly did he say to Grandma?"

Wang Xifeng snorted coldly and slammed her teacup down: "What else could it be? It's just that toad trying to eat swan meat!"

Ping'er said, "Now that Grandma is in trouble, he comes to take advantage of the situation! Why should Grandma see him? Just have Wang'er kick him out!"

A cold glint flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes: "Just you wait and see, I have my reasons for dealing with this shameless bastard."

If she were still the powerful and influential Second Mistress Lian from the Rongguo Mansion, given her ruthless and decisive nature, Jia Rui would have been dealt with long ago. However, now that she has been divorced from the Rongguo Mansion and her family has suffered misfortune, even punishing a lecherous man requires careful consideration.

Seeing Jia Rui becoming increasingly arrogant today, she finally couldn't suppress her anger and decided to take action!

"Go and call Wang'er here," Wang Xifeng said to Ping'er in a voice as cold as ice.

Ping'er soon led Wang'er in. "You may leave now," Wang Xifeng said to Ping'er.

Ping'er had no choice but to quietly leave.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's gloomy expression, Wang'er quickly bowed and asked, "What are your orders, Grandmother?"

Wang Xifeng took a handkerchief and slowly wiped the tea stains from her fingertips: "Go and contact a few ruffians today." Her voice was soft, but every word was like a knife.

Wang'er's eyes darted around: "Are you going to teach Master Rui a lesson?"

Wang Xifeng's lips curled into a cold smile, gesturing for Wang'er to come closer. Wang'er hurriedly leaned in, but a faint fragrance wafted over, followed by Wang Xifeng's hushed voice: "Find a few quick-witted men, tomorrow night... remember, make sure it's done cleanly!"

Wang'er said, "Grandma, don't worry, I understand."

Wang Xifeng then took out a packet of silver and gave it to Wang'er.

Watching Wang'er's retreating figure, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but recall her former power in punishing people in the Rongguo Mansion, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

The phoenix embroidered on the handkerchief now seems somewhat ironic...

……

……

The following night, a light winter rain began to fall.

Unable to contain himself, Jia Rui sneaked to the back gate of Wang Xifeng's residence before 9:40 PM. However, he dared not go in rashly. He huddled under the eaves for half an hour, his lips turning blue from the cold, before he dared to push open the half-closed back door and slip into a small room next to it.

The small house was dark, damp, and smelled musty.

Jia Rui paced anxiously in the room, rubbing his hands together. Suddenly, he heard a flurry of footsteps outside the door. Before he could react, the wooden door was flung open with a bang. Wang'er, carrying a flaming lantern, led four ruffians in. The lantern's light made their faces look ferocious, like ghosts from the underworld.

"Well done, Uncle Rui!" Wang'er sneered. "What's the punishment for trespassing on private property late at night?"

Before he could finish speaking, several thugs swarmed him, raining blows upon him. Jia Rui clutched his head and wailed, "Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! Please stop!"

Wang'er waved his hand, and the ruffians stopped. He suddenly took out paper and pen and slammed them on the table, saying to Jia Rui, "Either write down a hundred-tael IOU, or we'll ask your grandfather to judge this matter, and we'll also ask the masters of the Rongguo Mansion to judge this matter. We'll just say that you, you scoundrel, have had scoundrel thoughts about our grandmother!"

Jia Rui, who was always afraid of his grandfather Jia Dairu, was naturally also afraid that the Rongguo Mansion would find out about this matter. He collapsed to the ground, his face bruised and swollen, and begged for mercy. When his pleas failed, he said helplessly, "This... how am I supposed to write this?"

“What’s so difficult about that?” Wang’er said. “Just write that I lost money gambling and need to borrow one hundred taels of silver from the landlord.”

"One hundred taels is too much..." Jia Rui said with a mournful face, "How about fifty taels?"

Wang'er said, "Stop arguing! Just write down one hundred taels!"

Jia Rui, his hands trembling, wrote down the IOU, pressed his fingerprint on it, and then limped out of the courtyard. The cold rain poured down on his face, mingling with the blood at the corner of his mouth. Only then did he realize—he had fallen for Wang Xifeng's trick! Looking up at the sky, he saw only a thick, cold rain and an inky darkness.

The back door of the house creaked shut, as if mocking his wishful thinking.

……

……

After suffering a great loss, Jia Rui, though still thinking about Wang Xifeng, dared not visit her again.

But his fate was better than in the original novel, where he was killed by Wang Xifeng!

However, given Wang Xifeng's different status and situation, it is inconvenient for her to kill Jia Rui now.

Who would have thought that among those hooligans, there was a leader named Gu Peng who, seeing that Wang Xifeng was a fallen phoenix, harbored evil intentions.

On this day, the sky was overcast. Gu Peng led a few ruffians and swaggered to Wang Xifeng's residence, demanding to see her.

Left with no other choice, Wang Xifeng met Gu Peng in the main hall, with Wang'er standing by her side.

Gu Pengsheng had a hooked nose and hawk-like eyes, and a sharp knife was tucked at his waist. He sneered at Wang Xifeng, "You're quite cunning! But if you want this matter to stay quiet and not reach the Rongguo Mansion, you'll have to pay a thousand taels of silver to keep quiet!"

Wang Xifeng's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm and said, "You must be joking. Where would I get so much money right now?"

Gu Peng suddenly leaned forward, his breath reeking of alcohol, and said to Wang Xifeng, "If you don't have any money..." He smiled and looked Wang Xifeng up and down, "you can serve me for a year or two."

Wang Xifeng trembled with rage, her nails digging deep into her palms. Finally, she suppressed her anger and took out a packet of silver from the inner room: "Here is one hundred taels. Take it for now, and the rest... come back for it in a few days."

Gu Peng took the silver and sneered, "Just how many days?"

Wang Xifeng said, "Ten days."

Gu Peng snorted: "At most three days!"

He led a few ruffian henchmen and drove off.

Wang Xifeng couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "I am now truly a tiger fallen into the plains, bullied by dogs; a phoenix with broken wings, mocked by sparrows!"

Immediately, Wang Xifeng, Ping'er, Wang'er, and Wang'er's family discussed countermeasures.

Wang'er spoke first, saying, "In my opinion, we should ask Second Master Lian for help."

"Foolish!" Wang Xifeng interrupted him sharply before he could finish, "Given my current situation, if the Rong family finds out about this..." Her voice trembled slightly as she said this.

In truth, she still harbored a sliver of hope, hoping to one day return to the Rongguo Mansion. If such a sordid affair were to spread to the Rongguo Mansion, wouldn't that extinguish that sliver of hope?
The room fell silent for a moment.

Suddenly, Wang'er's wife whispered, "I just remembered someone—didn't Mr. Jiang return to the capital recently?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng looked at Wang'er.

Wang'er said, "Young Master Jiang is on good terms with Lieutenant General Ma of the Left Battalion of the Patrol. As long as Lieutenant General Ma gives Gu Peng a word, this matter will be settled."

Wang Xifeng tightened her grip on the handkerchief. Since the downfall of the Wang family, she harbored deep resentment towards Jiang Nian, but if she could get Jiang Nian's help with this matter, things would indeed be much simpler.

“But…” Wang’er rubbed his hands together and said, “I’m afraid he’s unwilling to help.”

Wang Xifeng's gaze wandered around before finally settling on Ping'er.

She had always thought Jiang Nian was lustful, but upon closer reflection, she realized that Ping'er was now the only one who could help her curry favor with Jiang Nian.

However, she still held onto a sliver of hope of returning to the Rongguo Mansion, and she couldn't let Ping'er help her curry favor with Jiang Nian right now.

After much thought, Wang Xifeng decided to go and ask Jiang Nian herself. Perhaps Jiang Nian would be willing to help without asking for any benefits?

(End of this chapter)