Dream of the Red Chamber: Eating, Sleeping, and Angering Baoyu

Jia Heng felt like he was being torn apart.

Just when he was about to give up, a black, viscous liquid with a fishy smell began to seep out from his pores.

These are... impurities in the body!

The marrow cleansing has begun!

Jia Heng felt a chill run down his spine. He forced himself to muster the last bit of his strength and silently endured the excruciating pain of this transformation.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly at that moment.

After an unknown amount of time, the violent energy finally began to soften and slowly flowed into his dantian.

His entire body was completely covered by a layer of black grime, emitting an unpleasant odor.

Jia Heng lay exhausted on the bed, not wanting to move a single finger.

the next day.

As dawn broke, Jia Heng woke up.

He felt an unprecedented surge of power throughout his body, and the feeling of being drained of energy from yesterday was completely gone.

Looking down, I saw that my body and the bed were covered with a layer of dried, black, hard crust, emitting a nauseating stench.

Jia Heng shifted his body in disgust, and the grime began to fall off with a "rustling" sound.

He was about to call someone when he heard footsteps outside the door.

It's Qingwen and Qiuxiang.

Two maids pushed open the door and entered, ready to help their master get up.

"Ugh, what's that smell?"

A clear yet slightly sharp female voice rang out; it was Qingwen.

As soon as she entered the room, she smelled the strong stench and instinctively pinched her nose, making no attempt to hide her disgust.

"Why does it smell so bad? It's like falling into a stinking ditch!"

Qiu Xiang, who was following behind, also smelled it, but she just frowned silently and didn't say anything. Instead, she carefully looked around the room.

Jia Heng remained motionless on the bed.

Just like in the original story, Qingwen is fiery and outspoken.

"Qingwen".

Jia Heng spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable calm.

"Third...Third Master?"

When Qingwen heard him call her that, her heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"If you don't like the smell in my room," Jia Heng slowly sat up, more black grime falling off his body, "then get out of my room."

Get out!

These three words were like three heavy hammer blows, striking hard into the hearts of Qingwen and Qiuxiang.

Qiu Xiang was so frightened that she knelt down on the ground with a "plop" and didn't dare to lift her head.

Qingwen was also stunned.

She stood there dumbfounded, completely unprepared for Jia Heng to say such harsh words.

She only complained that the house smelled bad, so why was she being kicked out?

If she were kicked out, what would happen to her? Would she be sold off? Or assigned to do menial work elsewhere?

The thought of such consequences made Qingwen's body tremble uncontrollably.

"Third Master, I..."

She wanted to explain, but found herself unable to say anything.

"It seems you're not convinced."

Jia Heng's voice remained calm, yet it sent a chill down Qingwen's spine.

He's trying to establish his authority.

If you transmigrate into this hierarchical aristocratic family, and want to live well and plan big things, the people around you must be absolutely obedient.

Qingwen is a promising talent—clever and beautiful—but the thorn in her nature must be removed.

"This servant wouldn't dare! This servant knows she was wrong! Please, Third Master, forgive this servant this time!"

Qingwen finally realized what was happening, her legs went weak, and she knelt down as well, tears streaming down her face.

"I hope you remember this lesson." Jia Heng looked down at the two maids kneeling on the ground. "My house has no place for servants who act on their own initiative."

"This servant remembers! This servant will never dare to do it again!"

Qingwen kowtowed repeatedly, her forehead hitting the bluestone bricks with a soft "thump-thump" sound.

Jia Heng stopped looking at her and instead ordered, "Go, bring hot water. I want to take a bath."

"Yes, yes!"

Qiu Xiang felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly got up from the ground, pulled Qing Wen, who was still in a daze, and the two of them ran out in a panic.

Soon, a huge bathtub was carried in, and buckets of hot water were poured in, instantly filling the entire room with white steam.

Qingwen and Qiuxiang bowed their heads and served her swiftly.

When they removed Jia Heng's nightgown, which was stuck with dirt, both of them gasped in shock.

That black stuff was actually seeping out from Third Master's skin!

Too scary!

Ignoring their fear, Jia Heng stepped straight into the bathtub.

The warm water enveloped my body, washing away all my fatigue and grime.

He let out a long, comfortable sigh.

As he moved, the clear water in the bucket became murky at a visible speed, eventually turning into a bucket of black water with a layer of greasy impurities floating on top.

Qingwen and Qiuxiang were dumbfounded, but dared not ask a word. They just kept adding hot water to the bucket and scooping out the dirty water basin by basin.

The water in the bathtub was changed three times before it finally became clear again.

When Jia Heng stood up from the bathtub, both maids were stunned.

"Third Master...your skin..."

Qiu Xiang was the first to gasp softly in surprise.

The boy before them was now completely free of dirt. His skin, which had been ordinary before, was now as white and smooth as the finest mutton fat jade, and even had a faint luster in the misty air.

"So white..."

Qingwen stammered, her beautiful eyes filled with shock.

Jia Heng picked up a cloth from the side and wiped the water droplets off his body.

He walked to the bronze mirror in the room.

Although the figure in the mirror was still somewhat blurry, its outline was already clearly visible.

His facial features have become more distinct than before, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes, a straight nose, and perfect lips. He has shed some of his childishness and gained a refined and handsome appearance that is somewhere between a teenager and a child.

Especially his eyes, so clear and bright, with black and white that they seemed to see right through people's hearts.

Handsome!

This guy's looks are even better than all the top male idols from my previous life combined!

The Marrow Cleansing Pill truly is a miraculous medicine!

"He's become... he's become handsome..."

Looking at Jia Heng in the mirror, Qingwen subconsciously muttered to herself.

She suddenly felt that she couldn't look directly at the Third Master in front of her.

Jia Heng was very satisfied with their reaction.

He changed into a clean, moon-white brocade robe, making him appear even more refined and otherworldly.

"Serve the meal."

He gave the order in a calm tone.

Breakfast was served quickly.

Crystal-clear braised pork, crab roe soup dumplings, glutinous rice porridge, and several delicate side dishes filled the table.

Jia Heng ate slowly and deliberately, while Qingwen and Qiuxiang stood by, not daring to make a sound.

The atmosphere in the room was quiet and somewhat oppressive.

Jia Heng ate very little, taking only a few bites of each dish before putting down his chopsticks.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin, then pointed to the almost untouched food on the table and said to Qiu Xiang, "You can have this."

Qiu Xiang was taken aback, then overjoyed, and quickly curtsied to express her gratitude: "Thank you for the reward, Third Master!"

To be rewarded with food by one's master is an immense honor!

Qingwen stood aside, looking at Qiuxiang with envy, and a hint of anticipation also crept into her heart.

However, Jia Heng's next words plunged her into an icy abyss.

"As for you," Jia Heng's gaze fell on Qingwen, "you spoke recklessly and rudely today, so you are not included."

Qingwen's face turned pale instantly.

This hurt her even more than if she were beaten up!

In front of Qiu Xiang, he said she was wrong and refused to give her food!

This is not just punishment, it's humiliation!

Her pride was shattered by Jia Heng at that moment.