Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

Only then did Xue Pan come to his senses. "What did you say?"

The servant was almost in tears, pleading, "Master, please come back with me first!"

"Brother Xue, you can go back first. You can rest assured about your sister's situation for now."

With the nation in mourning and elders behind, now is not a good time for marriage, both professionally and personally. Remember to discuss it with your younger sister.

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan, an impatient man, immediately showed a look of joy on his face and turned to leave.

Seeing this, Deng Zechen felt somewhat helpless. "Brother Xue, it's better to be sad, so as not to cause trouble if others see it."

"Oh...oh! Brother Deng is so thoughtful! Hehe."

Xue Pan's face twitched, and he forced back his smile. He then made faces and finally looked somewhat pained.

Deng Zechen: "..."

That's good, at least I didn't laugh out loud.

After seeing Xue Pan off, Deng Zechen finally had time to think carefully about Madam Wang's death.

That night, after being drugged by Jia Zheng, Lady Wang lay on the bed like a pile of rotten flesh, only able to stare at Jia Zheng with angry and terrified eyes.

After Jia Zheng took action, he coldly watched Lady Wang go through the entire process of suffocation, convulsions, and finally becoming unable to move or speak.

That look wasn't like looking at a person, it was like looking at an inanimate object.

Deng Zechen, who witnessed everything from the shadows, also felt a chill run down his spine. After many years of marriage, Jia Zheng showed no trace of affection for him.

Looking at Madam Wang, who was living in a state of utter misery and fear, Deng Zechen felt that this form of punishment was much better than his own.

Moreover, I didn't have to lift a finger and got to watch a great show.

But after hearing the news of Madam Wang's death today, Deng Zechen had a new question:

"If the reason for dealing with Madam Wang in this way was because of the Wang family behind her, then is Madam Wang's death today an accident?"

Is there really such a coincidence?

"If it wasn't an accident, why did it have to happen at this time? What benefit does this bring to the Rongguo Mansion?"

Deng Zechen became so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Xiangling until she had already entered the room:

"Brother Deng?"

"Um?"

Xiangling shuddered for some reason when she thought of the person who had just left.

When Deng Zechen saw Xiangling's appearance, his thoughts drifted away:

"What's wrong?"

Xiangling bit her lip. "I don't know either. I was just a little scared when I saw that person."

Upon hearing Xiangling's words, Deng Zechen said gently:

"In that case, if he needs anything in the future, I'll find a place outside to talk to him."

You're a grown woman now; it's really inconvenient for strange men to come and go from your home.

"No need, that's too much trouble. Next time I have guests, I'll just go back to my room beforehand." Xiangling was very touched, but also felt a little guilty, thinking that she had been spoiled by Deng Zechen.

"It's okay. We're more comfortable outside. He also likes to be around people, so he's bound to feel a bit constrained at home."

Xiangling's eyes flickered slightly. "Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"You said last time you'd be back within a month..."

Deng Zechen shut his mouth and abruptly changed the subject: "Ahem... Do you have anything else? I haven't finished my homework yet. If not, I'll be going now."

"That's all, Brother Deng, you should go now. Studying is the most important thing."

Deng Zechen didn't delay for a moment, got up and left. It wasn't until he returned to his room that he felt the mournful gaze behind him gradually disappear.

After closing the door, Deng Zechen gently patted his face.

"Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about!"

Deng Zechen opened his panel, and Xue Baochai's progress remained unchanged:

Xue Baochai's favorability rating: 7/100

Its appearance and the things Xue Baochai is currently experiencing have left Deng Zechen completely baffled. According to the plot of "Dream of the Red Chamber", didn't Xue Baochai always want to marry Jia Baoyu?

The saying "a perfect match" was known to everyone in the Rongguo Mansion, so why does Xue Baochai now seem unwilling to marry?

"A woman even more difficult to understand than Lin Daiyu has appeared."

Deng Zechen sighed inwardly.

If there were no favorability progress bar, Deng Zechen could simply pretend he knew nothing and proceed with his own affairs as usual.

But this thing is hanging right here, and yet we can't get close to Xue Baochai.

How can we improve progress without making contact?

Currently, apart from Lin Daiyu, no one else has connected to the dream world of the Land of Illusion.

Even with Lin Daiyu, Deng Zechen was unable to speak with her through the Land of Illusion for a very, very long time...

"I don't care about Xue Baochai, but the attribute points gained from increasing favorability are real!"

It's a pity I don't have much standing to go to the Rongguo Mansion to offer condolences, otherwise this would have been a perfect opportunity.

……

At this moment, the Rongguo Mansion was filled with weeping. As the eldest son, Jia Baoyu knelt before the coffin, dressed in heavy mourning clothes.

She cried so hard she almost fainted, and the women present were also in tears, wiping away their tears with handkerchiefs.

The smell of paper money and incense lingered in the Rongguo Mansion, and the servants who came and went all had their heads down and walked hurriedly.

Jia Zheng's face was also filled with grief, and anyone who saw it would say that the couple had a deep love for each other.

However, Jia Zheng had a different thought in mind:

"Why now of all times! That medicine is clearly not lethal!"

Even so, Lin Ruhai still won't budge...?"

The rest of the plan was completely disrupted by Lady Wang's death, which greatly angered Jia Zheng, but he could not show any abnormality.

This undoubtedly made Jia Zheng extremely frustrated, and his face became even uglier.

Logically speaking, given Lady Wang's status in the Rongguo Mansion, her funeral should not have been so simple.

However, due to the national mourning period, the Rongguo Mansion not only had to keep a low profile but also could not hold a grand celebration.

Few people came to pay their respects. Even those who were close to the emperor could only eat simple meals to avoid offending the deceased emperor.

All of these factors made the funeral exceptionally shabby.

Meanwhile, a few old women who were slacking off in the corner were gossiping:

"My wife was a devout Buddhist who practiced vegetarianism. Why did she have to pass away at this time? Could it be retribution for some bad deed she did?"

"That's right! First, you get prickly heat, such a terrible disease, and you won't even die with dignity."

"Sigh... I see my wife suffering too, maybe it's a good thing she's going..."

……

Suddenly, Jia Baoyu, standing before the coffin, coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, startling everyone into a panic.

Although Grandmother Jia had some complaints about Lady Wang, the sudden death of such a person greatly diminished her anger.

However, seeing Jia Baoyu vomit blood and faint from excessive worry, Grandmother Jia and the others were so anxious that they felt dizzy and were about to faint themselves.

Two more people collapsed in the mourning hall. Seeing this, the servants were even more convinced that the people of the Rongguo Mansion must have done something terrible and this was their retribution.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng once again managed to save the situation:

What's the panic!

Yuanyang quickly called a few strong old women to help the old lady inside to rest, and then hurriedly went to fetch a doctor to examine the old lady and Baoyu.

Xiren and Qingwen, you should also take Baoyu back to rest. Do as the doctor says, and come to me directly if you need anything.

Tell me immediately if anything happens, okay?

Jia Zheng ignored these mundane matters and tacitly accepted Wang Xifeng's arrangement. Once the servants had received their instructions, they dispersed as if they had found a pillar of support.