The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 3 Catching Adultery and Adding Fuel to the Fire
"That's Rong'er's wife."

Ms. You stopped talking at this point.

After all, it would be incredibly shameful for her husband and daughter-in-law to be having an affair if it were exposed.

Thinking of this, I felt a little uneasy, and my pace slowed down.

At this moment, another woman timidly interjected, "Sister-in-law, what Feng girl said is absolutely right! Uncle is always very busy with official business!"

"It's late and cold now, and the wind is getting stronger. Why don't we...why don't we go back to our rooms first? We can send a servant to the door to ask when it's light tomorrow..."

This woman had a fair and delicate face, and looked like a flirtatious young widow; it was none other than Li Wan.

She was wearing a light-colored cotton-padded jacket with a plain silk surface, the color of which was neither new nor old.

Even the tightly bound padded jacket couldn't hide her voluptuous figure.

"Tomorrow at dawn, I'm afraid everything will be coughing up." Wang Xifeng's tone changed abruptly, her face now showing a look of surprise and helplessness, and her voice becoming urgent and high-pitched:

"Oh my! My sister-in-law is the kindest and most virtuous person. She always treats Rong'er's wife with care and concern, and cherishes her like a precious treasure. I don't think Rong'er's wife would ever do such a thing."

"In my opinion, dear sister-in-law, Sister-in-law Zhu is right. Let's go back first! Perhaps... perhaps Brother Zhen went to check where the Tianxiang Tower is leaking? Or perhaps... there are rats in the building that disturbed the patient?"

"In short, it's definitely not what you think."

"If such a large group of us goes there and... what if nothing happens? Wouldn't that damage Brother Zhen's reputation? And it would be embarrassing for Rong'er's wife too!"

"If Brother Zhen gets angry later, I, the one who tried to mediate, will also get in trouble!"

She kept saying "go back," but her feet didn't budge.
Instead, it pushed Lady You a few more steps toward Tianxiang Tower.

These words from her completely extinguished any lingering concerns and shame in Madam You's heart.

"By tomorrow morning, it will be too late!" She abruptly shook off Wang Xifeng's hand, her voice hoarse and trembling: "Go back?! No! I insist on going to see!"

"Look at my good husband who's the 'pillar of the family'! Look at my 'virtuous' daughter-in-law! Look at them in this 'secluded' place... what kind of headache and rat infestation are they 'treating'!"

"They've all lost all shame! What right do I have to save face!"

"This whole family should just give up! I'm thinking of hanging myself with a rope, rather than making a fool of myself here!"

Wang Xifeng held You Shi's arm tightly, her voice sweet as honey: "Sister-in-law, calm down! Brother Zhen respects you the most... he would never do such a thing."

Behind this group of people.

In a dimly lit corner of the corridor.

A petite figure was wrapped in a cloak made of white fox fur under the armpits. Her waist was so slender it was almost unbelievable, loosely tied with a pine-green handkerchief, as if a slight gust of wind could break it in half.

Lin Daiyu leaned against a vermilion pillar, her long cloak trailing down.

A sliver of green satin shoe tip peeked out from under the skirt, creating an alluring and enigmatic effect.

"To die beneath the peony blossoms, to grow withered on the earth, to add filth to this foul place." Lin Daiyu wiped her snow-white neck with a handkerchief and said sadly, "What's so interesting about this spectacle? Let's go."

He turned and left with his maid.

A group of women stormed into Tianxiang Tower.

Instead of seeing the wooden door tightly closed, I saw it wide open, lying on the ground.

This place is so open and aboveboard, it doesn't seem like a place for illicit affairs.

Yu rushed in first.

On a large, lacquered, carved bed, Jia Zhen lay with his brocade robe open, his face slightly flushed, a damp cloth covering his forehead, his eyes closed, fast asleep.

On the other side, Jia Qiang was lying on the ground.

Qin Keqing, dressed in a plain silk jacket, her hair slightly disheveled, stood to one side, her face pale with lingering fear. Holding a handkerchief, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, her posture anxious and apprehensive.

There was not a trace of spring fever in her eyes; she was clearly a dutiful daughter-in-law caring for her ailing elder.

Sitting on the round stool by the bed was none other than the rogue doctor named Ximen Qing from the banquet just now!

He was dressed neatly, his face calm, and he placed one hand on Jia Zhen's wrist, concentrating intently.

The murderous aura that had filled the room instantly froze.

Yu rushed to the front, one foot still raised, like a fighting rooster with its neck being choked, speechless.

The sound got stuck in his throat, and after a long pause, it finally escaped in a sharp, shrill voice:
"...You! Mr. Simon?! You...how are you still here?!"

His eyes darted suspiciously back and forth across the faces of Ximen Qing, Qin Keqing, and Jia Zhen.

Having already played the role of a doctor, Master Ximen slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the group of women who looked as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

His gaze lingered for a moment on Wang Xifeng's radiant face, then he lowered his eyes, calmly withdrawing his hand, his voice deliberately mellow like warm wine:

"Replying to Madam. After I took my leave, I intended to find my way out of the mansion, but the mansion is deep and the paths are complicated. In addition, I drank too much yellow wine and became confused, so I got lost in the garden."

"Upon reaching the artificial rockery in the northeast corner, we suddenly saw a man lying on the ground, unable to get up. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Master Jia from your esteemed family!"

"It's cold and the dew is heavy, how can we leave him lying in this cold and damp place? I used all my strength to carry you to this bright spot, which is where Madam Rong lives."

"Fortunately, the eldest mistress was very understanding and kind, and opened the door to allow me to temporarily enter and treat Master Jia."

Ximen Da Guanren spoke slowly and clearly.

The way he described saving people so casually actually revealed his kind and compassionate nature.

As soon as these words came out.

The fierceness on Madam You's face vanished almost instantly.

"And what about Jia Qiang?" Madam You asked again.

Ximen Da Guanren replied, "This man was kind enough to help me on the road, but he was knocked unconscious by this falling door frame as he entered the door."

Although Madam You still had doubts, it was true that her husband was lying unconscious on the bed at that moment.

Besides, there are four people in this small room; they can't possibly be so heartless, shameless, and audacious.

She then rushed to the bedside in a panic.

Her voice was weak and trembling with fear as she cried out, "Master? Master? What's wrong with you?"

"Mr. Simon, is my master... alright?"

Ximen Da Guanren stood up and cupped his hands to You Shi: "Madam, please don't worry. It was just a sudden attack of anger, coupled with a cold, and the turbid wine damaged his spleen and stomach, causing a sudden rush of blood to the head and resulting in fainting."

"Your pulse has gradually returned to normal, so there should be no major problem. Rest well for the night, drink some calming and warming soup, and you will wake up in time. Do not get angry again and harm your health."

"However, this Brother Qiang may have some aftereffects from being hit on the back of the head by the door frame, so we should be careful."

"It's hard to say," sighed Master Ximen. "He might be unconscious for many days."

Madam You's face flushed red and then turned pale, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Shame and relief mingled together, and all she could manage to mutter was, "Thank you... thank you, Mr. Ximen! It's all thanks to your kindness! Otherwise, my master would be lying in that thicket of grass."

A wave of fear washed over me.

She ignored Wang Xifeng, who was coldly watching all of this from behind.

(End of this chapter)