Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

In front of the Qin Mansion.

Jiao Si took a deep breath and went to knock on the door.

He still harbored a sliver of resentment and wanted to find Qin Keqing again to get to the bottom of things.

Were those words spoken yesterday sincere, or were they just said out of spite?

The same old doorman opened the door.

Upon seeing him, the old doorman showed a slight surprise on his face, then shook his head.

"Brother Jiao, you're here again?"

He bowed anxiously.

"Please inform him that I wish to see Miss Qin again."

The old doorman sighed.

"Please wait a moment."

He turned and went into the mansion, but returned shortly afterward, with Baozhu by his side.

Baozhu walked to the door, looked at Jiao Si, and wore a polite but distant smile.

"Manager Jiao."

She curtsied, her voice clear and melodious.

"My young lady asked me to tell you this."

"The young woman said that she has been feeling unwell lately and needs to rest and recuperate in order to prepare for her wedding."

Therefore, it is inconvenient to receive guests during this period.

She paused, then became more polite.

"If Steward Jiao has any details regarding the marriage that need to be discussed, he can go directly to my master."

"The master will handle it according to the circumstances."

Jiao Si was stunned.

Feeling physically tired?

Is it inconvenient to receive guests?

It was fine yesterday, but it's gone today?

This is clearly... a pretext.

Baozhu felt a pang of pity seeing his silence, but remembering how heartbroken the girl had been yesterday, she hardened her heart.

"Manager Jiao, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"The young lady... still needs someone to serve her."

Jiao Si snapped out of his daze.

He nodded, his voice a little hoarse.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Baozhu."

"Please tell Miss Qin... to take care of yourself."

Baozhu replied "Yes," and turned to take her leave.

The vermilion gate slowly closed in front of Jiao Si.

He stood outside the door, looking at the tightly closed door, a strange and indescribable feeling of loss welling up inside him.

She... wouldn't even see him anymore.

Jiao Si couldn't understand it.

But he knew that Qin Keqing was not an option for the time being.

He turned around and slowly walked towards the Ningguo Mansion.

As soon as I entered the mansion, I heard a loud argument.

Jiao Si was already in a bad mood, and hearing this noise only made him more agitated.

He just wanted to get back to his room quickly and have some peace and quiet.

I was just about to go around it and walk through the side corridor.

"Jiao Si!"

An angry female voice suddenly called out to him.

It is the You family.

Jiao Si paused, sighing inwardly.

There's no escaping it now.

He turned around and looked in the direction the sound came from.

In the center of the front courtyard, You Shi and Jia Rong stood facing each other, both with grim expressions.

Lady You looked angry, while Jia Rong looked resentful.

Beside it, there was an extremely luxurious carriage.

The carriage was made of the finest sandalwood and carved with intricate auspicious cloud patterns.

Gold bells hung at the four corners of the carriage, and the curtains were made of Suzhou brocade embroidered with peonies symbolizing wealth and prosperity.

The two horses pulling the cart had glossy coats and were exceptionally fine.

It's obvious at a glance that this is Jia Zhen's most valued and treasured vehicle.

Anyone who wanted to use a carriage of this caliber had to first ask Jia Zhen for permission.

At this moment, Lady You and Jia Rong were clearly arguing over the right to use the carriage.

"Jiao Si! Come here!"

Yu waved to him, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Jiao Si had no choice but to bite the bullet and walk over.

"Madam, Master Rong."

He bowed in greeting.

Yu looked at him, a hint of barely perceptible smugness flashing in her eyes.

Today, she wants to take this opportunity to make Jiao Si "choose sides" in public.

Let him state his opinion on whose opinion to follow.

This also made it clear to Jia Rong that Jiao Si was now one of You Shi's people.

"Jiao Si, you've come at the perfect time."

Lady You raised her chin and pointed to the carriage.

You be the judge.

"Tomorrow, I will go to the Shuiyue Nunnery outside the city to pray for the old lady and fulfill her vow. This was arranged long ago and is also the most important matter in our household."

She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"But Rong'er said that he also wanted to use this car tomorrow to visit a classmate, saying it was to... 'renew their friendship'."

When Yu mentioned the phrase "building relationships," his tone was clearly sarcastic.

"Praying for blessings and fulfilling vows are important matters concerning the well-being of the household. Visiting fellow graduates is merely a matter of social obligation."

"So, who do you think should use this car?"

She stared intently at Jiao Si, waiting for his answer.

Upon hearing this, Jia Rong immediately flew into a rage.

"What do you mean it's just a matter of social obligations?!"

He stiffened his neck and raised his voice.

"My classmate, born in the same year, is the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue! He's destined for a career in government!"

"The more I interact with him now, the better it will be for the Ningguo Mansion in the future!"

"Besides, you can go to pray for blessings and fulfill vows any day. Why does it have to be tomorrow?"

He turned to Jiao Si, his eyes filled with threat.

"Jiao Si! You'd better think this through before you speak!"

"Don't forget who brought you into this mansion!"

"Who gave you the authority to handle my wedding arrangements?!"

Both of them stared intently at Jiao Si.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

The servants around him all lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

Jiao Si stood in the middle, feeling a splitting headache.

Before we could even figure out what happened with Qin Keqing, this other thing happened.

He was in a terrible mood today and didn't want to get involved in this mess at all.

What kind of carriage? Whoever wants to use it can use it.

What does it have to do with him?

He took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress his agitation.

"Madam, Master Rong."

His voice was calm, with a deliberate air of detachment.

"I'm feeling a bit unwell today... I have a headache and a throbbing head."

"Such an important matter is beyond my humble position and limited influence; I dare not presume to offer any judgment."

"I suggest that Madam and Master Rong discuss this amongst themselves, or perhaps consult Master Zhen."

He wanted to find an excuse to get away as soon as possible.

But how could Lady You let him go?

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Lady You raised an eyebrow.

"I'm just asking you to speak the truth, why are you making such a fuss?"

She took half a step forward, her eyes fixed on Jiao Si.

"Jiao Si, you know how I've always treated you."

"Even over something as trivial as this, you won't speak up for me?"

After saying that, he glared down at Jiao Si.

Jia Rong followed immediately.

"Jiao Si! You're one of my people!"

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, pressed closer and closer.

Words are like knives, trapping anxiety in the middle.

Jiao Si could no longer suppress his anger.

I was already in a bad mood for no reason today, and you guys are still pushing me like this...

All the frustration, anger, and resentment erupted at this moment!

He suddenly raised his head!

His eyes, sharp as knives, swept across the faces of You Shi and Jia Rong, carrying an intensely suppressed, icy rage.

"Madam, Master Rong."

"I will make things clear today."

"I was brought into the Ningguo Mansion by Master Zhen."

"The task that Grandpa Zhen assigned was to 'be responsible for communicating Grandpa Rong's marriage.'"

"Apart from that, I know nothing about, and I have no interest in, any other matters concerning the household!"

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping across the two faces.

"As for who should use this carriage..."

"That's a matter between Madam and Master Rong, and it's also something Master Zhen should decide."

"I am but a lowly outsider, a lackey, and have no right to interrupt, much less to judge."

"If Madam and Master Rong really can't reach an agreement..."

The anxious voice suddenly turned cold.

"Why don't we go find Grandpa Zhen now?"

"Let him be the judge of this."

"It also saves us from making a scene here and becoming a laughingstock for the servants."

After he finished speaking, he stopped looking at the two men's suddenly changed expressions.

He bowed deeply.

"I am feeling unwell and must take my leave now."

Then, he turned around.

He strode away.

His back was straight, exuding a resolute and cold hardness.

You Shi and Jia Rong were left standing there, looking at each other in bewilderment.

The servants around them lowered their heads even further, and even their breathing became softer.

-----------------

Qin Mansion.

Qin Keqing lay on her bed in the bedroom, feeling troubled and agitated.

She heard everything when Jiao Si arrived.

But yesterday's conversation really broke her heart.

Why did he ask that question?

Could it be that this fool Jiao really can't understand my sincere feelings?

Am I really going to marry that good-for-nothing Jia Rong?

Suddenly, an idea struck her.

I have heard that Jiao Si has a lover at the Cloud Tower on the Huai River.

Since that's the case, why not go and ask her?