The destiny of all heavens begins in the Red Chamber

His interactions with Jia Cong were extremely limited. If Xue Pan hadn't known of such a person existing in the main branch of the Rong Mansion, he probably wouldn't have recognized him even if Xue Pan mentioned his name.

"If it's so powerful, why doesn't the Rong family take it seriously?"

Aunt Xue realized what was happening and asked curiously, "From what you're saying, Cong-ge'er's abilities are quite remarkable!"

"Heh, how could the Rong family possibly value any of their other sons besides the one born with a jade in his mouth, especially an insignificant illegitimate son?"

Xue Pan sneered, "Cong-ge'er's situation can be found out with a little investigation!"

"Has anyone, whether it's Master She or the Old Madam, paid attention to the fact that Lian Erge can leave the mansion?"

Aunt Xue nodded; she was quite familiar with the Rong family's situation.

He spent almost every day either holed up in Rongqing Hall or whispering with Madam Wang, so he naturally understood the personalities and ways of doing things of these two bigwigs of the Rong family.

"Your aunt said that Baoyu and Baochai..."

"Mother, stop talking nonsense. Do you really think that's possible?"

Xue Pan chuckled, interrupting his mother, and said irritably, "I guess in Aunt's mind, if Baochai wants to marry Baoyu, she'll need at least a million taels of silver as a dowry!"

"Of course, if I could really become the legal wife, my family could afford a million taels of silver. As the elder brother, I'm willing to take the gamble!"

"The key point is, Auntie certainly didn't say that my sister should be Baoyu's legal wife, so let's not mention it!"

These words were quite direct, revealing the truth that Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai least wanted to face.

Aunt Xue's face was very unpleasant, but she did not blame Xue Pan for speaking without thinking.

This was also what she was most worried about. Did she really think she couldn't see that her sister, Lady Wang, was treating her daughter, Xue Baochai, as a backup plan? She was just clinging to wishful thinking.

Xue Baochai swayed slightly, her head lowered, and no one could tell what she was doing.

"Mother, sister, please don't be angry. I'm just telling the truth!"

Xue Pan belatedly realized something was wrong, gently patted his mouth, and said with a wry smile, "After all, my sister is older, even older than Baoyu!"

“Baoyu can afford to delay, but my sister’s reproductive years are only a few years long, we really can’t afford to wait!”

"Don't listen to what your aunt says about how the marriage between the two families will bring me all sorts of benefits. That's just something she says to fool my mother and sister!"

At this point, Xue Pan lowered his voice and said, "If Consort Yuan were truly capable, Second Master Zheng wouldn't have remained silent until now. He is her own father!"

"Next up are Baoyu and Lian Erge, then it'll be my turn. By then, it'll be too late!"

"But right now, our family business and the imperial merchant business are both fine. With Brother Lian's help at the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Household Department can directly contact Dai Quan, the Grand Chancellor of the Ming Palace, through the Ning Mansion!"

"All our Xue family needs to do is pay silver. Do we lack silver?"

"As for restoring our ancestors' glory, isn't there still Huan-ge'er to help guide us? If it weren't for that bastard Jia Shifei last time, I might be a Ziwei Sheren by now!"

"Really, Mother, when you're considering my sister's marriage, don't think about how to do what's best for me. My connections are already strong enough. I can't possibly get involved with those Yangzhou salt merchants and high-ranking officials in the court. They might just be finished at the slightest sign of trouble!"

Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Seeing Xue Pan's confident expression, it was clear that what he had just said was not a lie, and he immediately felt relieved.

Xue Baochai's eyes immediately reddened, but her head was lowered and no one noticed.

Ever since the mother and her two children arrived in the capital in a state of panic, the heavy responsibility of maintaining and continuing the family line has been on their shoulders.

Sometimes, she felt so overwhelmed that she could hardly breathe, but she could only grit her teeth and persevere.

Back in Nanjing, she was a favored daughter of heaven, and she didn't even respect the daughter of the prefect.

But once they arrived in the capital, they fawned over the Rong family in every way, just to make the Xue family more secure in the capital.

She had thought her brother was still so confused, but to her surprise, he knew everything and told her not to work so hard anymore. She was overwhelmed with emotion and couldn't express it.

"Then what you said before, is Cong-ge really that suitable?"

Aunt Xue still cared about her daughter. After she calmed down, she asked curiously, "Why did you suddenly want to arrange a marriage for your sister? I've never seen you so enthusiastic before!"

"To be honest, Mother, it was Huan-ge who asked me to inquire!"

Xue Pan bluntly stated, "Once Cong-ge'er passes the military examination, his marriage will no longer be his own decision; Lord She will definitely interfere!"

"According to Huan-ge'er, to avoid future trouble, it's best to make a decision in advance!"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue's displeasure vanished, and she nodded, saying, "Huan-ge'er's consideration is quite realistic, but is Cong-ge'er really confident in passing the military examination?"

After all, it concerned Xue Baochai's lifelong happiness, so she dared not be careless in the slightest.

"That's for sure!"

Xue Pan chuckled and said, "Didn't I say that Cong-ge'er is practicing the martial arts techniques passed down from the Duke of Ningguo? Mother doesn't think this is as common as cabbage, does she?"

"Putting everything else aside, as long as Cong-ge'er has even a tenth or a twelfth of the abilities of the late Duke Ningguo, he will be able to establish himself in the army and have a good future!"

"Why is it the succession of the late Duke Ningguo, and not the succession of the late Duke Rongguo?"

Aunt Xue asked instinctively, but as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she had asked a silly question.

She knew the situation in the Rong family all too well; how could they possibly give a son like Cong-ge'er, who was born out of wedlock, much in terms of resources?

Sure enough, Xue Pan chuckled and said, "I do know about this!"

"At first, Huan-ge contacted Lian-er-ge, but there was no news for a long time!"

"Later, having no other choice, he had to seek help from Jia Rong of the Ning Mansion. Unexpectedly, Jia Rong was very easy to talk to and generously gave Huan-ge'er all the military legacy of the late Duke of Ning and his battlefield experience notes!"

"If he hadn't mastered martial arts, how could Cong-ge'er have grown so tall and strong at such a young age? He's almost as big as me, and those muscles are no joke!"

"Sister, you'd better give me an answer as soon as possible. Huan-ge'er has only given me a very short time to consider it!"

Chapter 239 Turning the Tables (Please Subscribe)

Xue Pan personally arranged the marriage, and both Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were very interested.

But it's unlikely they'll make a quick decision.

No matter how you look at it, Madam Wang's promise was quite tempting.

Both Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai harbored some hope in their hearts.

With the strong support of the old lady, Lady Wang, and Consort Yuan, Jia Baoyu might even become the head of the Rong Mansion in the future. This alone is something that even a general in the army cannot match.

It's just a pity that this guy is only here to live a carefree life. He doesn't care how much others expect of him, and he always manages to make people feel disappointed.

Two days after the Mid-Autumn Festival, Jia Baoyu was sold by his friend again.

This guy was incredibly stubborn; somehow, he got involved with Jiang Yuhan, the top courtesan kept in the Prince Zhongshun's mansion. He perfectly exemplifies what it means to be 'blinded by lust'.

It's only been a few years?

When Lord Zheng was the ambassador for collecting debts, he was severely humiliated by Prince Zhongshun.

Jia Huan even led his brothers to fight with the guards of the Prince Zhongshun's mansion at the gate of the former Prince's mansion, causing a sensation at the time.

It seems that Jia Baoyu was watching from the street corner at that time.

They were well aware of the conflict between the Rong family and the Prince Zhongshun's family; it was practically a fight to the death.

Only someone with a brain full of water would get involved with actors and famous performers from the Prince Zhongshun's mansion!

So, even the reputation of one's own father, Master Zheng, is less important than that of a dashing actor?

As Jia Baoyu's friends outside, Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan were not exactly good people either!

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, these guys, including Xue Pan, often ate and played with Jiang Yuhan at the restaurant.

Of course, the conflict between the Rong family and Prince Zhongshun in the original novel was not made public, so it is understandable that they had no scruples.

Sure enough, as soon as he sensed something was wrong, he immediately reported it to Jia Huan!

boom!

The table in front of him was overturned by Jia Huan, spun around a few times, and then crashed to the ground.

Everyone present, including Feng Ziying who delivered the message, was startled.

"What is Brother Bao trying to do?"

Jia Huan didn't fly into a rage, but everyone knew he was genuinely angry at that moment.

"Brother Huan, please calm down. Brother Baoyu was probably just confused for a moment!"

Feng Ziying felt immense pressure, swallowed hard, and said cautiously, "Just try to persuade them more!"

"What advice are you giving me?"

Jia Huan sneered, "Given Brother Bao's temperament, if I were to try to persuade him, he would definitely see me as a bad guy!"

Feng Ziying was speechless. Based on his understanding of Jia Baoyu, it was indeed possible that this was the case.

"Hehe, these peaceful days have been too long, I bet some guys have forgotten how powerful I used to be!"

Jia Huan stood up, glanced at Feng Ziying, and said calmly, "Do you have the guts to go to the Prince Zhongshun's residence?"

"Huan-ge'er, what are you trying to do?"

Feng Ziying was startled by these words, her face changed, and she said urgently, "Don't do anything reckless!"

Although we don't know Jia Huan's fighting prowess, he dared to lead a group to attack the guards of the Prince's Mansion when he was not even ten years old, and he was able to escape unscathed. His current strength must be considerable.

"After something like this happens, the first thing we'll do is go and cause trouble!"