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

The next day.

Outside the side gate of Ningguo Mansion.

A slightly worn-out horse-drawn carriage was parked by the roadside.

Lian'er, dressed in newly made silk clothes, with a few simple silver hairpins in her hair and rouge on her face, carefully boarded the carriage.

The carriage was cushioned, and although it wasn't luxurious, it was much better than the oxcarts or donkey carts she had ridden in before, or even those she had never ridden in.

The coachman cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly began to move.

Lian'er sat in the car with her back ramrod straight.

She gently touched the silk fabric of her body, feeling its smooth and cool touch.

A smug smile crept onto his lips.

Come back home.

She can finally go home.

It's not like before, sneaking back and looking disheveled.

Instead... she went back as "half a matriarch"!

Lian'er thought of her parents.

I remember that impoverished little village.

She recalled the villagers who always looked at her strangely and called her a "money-loser".

She remembered the helpless and disgusted looks on her parents' faces when they sold her to the Ningguo Mansion for a few taels of silver...

Her heart suddenly hardened.

She used to be the laughingstock of the village and a burden to her parents.

What about now?

She is the "person in the household" of Master Rong of Ningguo Mansion, and will be his "concubine" in the future!

Even though she was just a concubine, she was still a mistress!

It's a branch that those villagers could never reach in their entire lives!

This time when she goes back, she wants to see how her parents react.

How did the villagers who mocked and bullied her react?

Lian'er became more and more excited as she thought about it, her face turning slightly red.

Just then.

The carriage suddenly lurched and came to a stop.

Lian'er swayed and almost bumped into the carriage wall.

She was startled.

Then, he calmed down.

What are you afraid of?

She's the "master" now!

She took a deep breath, lifted the curtain of the car window, and peered out.

"What happened? Why did it stop?"

She deliberately raised her voice, carrying a hint of her master's authority.

The driver quickly explained.

"Miss Lian, there's a carriage blocking the way ahead, we can't get through."

Lian'er looked in the direction the coachman pointed.

Sure enough, a carriage was parked not far ahead.

That carriage was much more luxurious than hers; it clearly belonged to a wealthy family.

Lian'er was wondering, who was the blind fool who dared to block her way?

But then they saw that the curtain of the carriage opposite them had also been lifted.

A gentle and beautiful face was revealed.

It was Lady You.

Lian'er was startled and quickly shrank back, trying to pretend she hadn't seen anything.

But it was too late.

Lady You has already seen her.

"Lian'er?"

Yu's gentle voice came through.

"It's you. Are you going home?"

Lian'er could only peek out again, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Yes... Madam, this servant... wishes to go home and see my parents."

Her tone was respectful, with a hint of ingratiation.

Madam You smiled.

"Perfect timing, I also need to go out of town on some business, let's travel together."

"Is your car uncomfortable? Come on, get in my car, let's chat on the way."

Lian'er's heart stirred.

Is Madam You trying to... curry favor with her?

Right.

She is now part of Master Rong's household, and although she is only a concubine, she is practically a mistress.

As the matriarch of the household, it was normal for Lady You to try to win her over.

Lian'er was secretly pleased, but dared not show it on her face.

"This...this is too much trouble for you, Madam..."

"No trouble at all. Come on over."

Mr. You spoke gently, yet his tone left no room for refusal.

Lian'er no longer refused. She got off her own carriage, lifted her skirt, and carefully boarded Madam You's magnificent carriage.

The carriage started moving again.

The interior of the car is spacious, covered with thick carpets, and there is a heater in the corner, making it warm and cozy.

Madam You sat in the main seat, holding a hand warmer in her hands.

Lian'er sat to the side, looking somewhat reserved.

"take it easy."

Madam You looked at her and smiled.

"From now on, we're family, so there's no need to be so formal."

She paused, then asked casually:

"How did last night go?"

Lian'er blushed, lowered her head, and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"It's...it's alright."

"Uncle Rong... is so brave."

Madam You hummed in agreement, a meaningful glint in her eyes.

"Does your body... still hurt?"

Lian'er nodded, her face turning even redder.

"It still...it still hurts a little."

Madam You picked up the teacup beside her and took a small sip.

"How does it feel to go from a lowly maid to someone in the master's household?"

Upon hearing this, Lian'er could no longer contain her pride.

She looked up, her eyes sparkling.

"Reporting to Madam, this servant...this servant feels like I'm dreaming!"

"Back in my village, I was always looked down upon, called a 'money-losing burden.' My parents sold me for a few taels of silver..."

"But things are different now!"

"This servant belongs to Master Rong! From now on... from now on, I'm practically his mistress!"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke.

"I'm going home this time to show them!"

"Let's see who's the real 'money-loser'! Let's see who's truly successful!"

"This servant will make sure she gets her revenge and vents her anger!"

She finished speaking in one breath, only then realizing that she had said too much and too bluntly.

She quickly covered her mouth and glanced timidly at Madam You.

Yu Shi still wore a gentle smile on her face.

She nodded.

"Of course."

"A person lives for their pride, just as a tree lives for its bark. If you've been wronged, it's time to vent your anger."

Hearing this, Lian'er felt even warmer inside.

She thought that Ms. You was a really good person.

But then...

Lady You suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"well......"

Lian'er was taken aback.

"Madam... what's wrong?"

Madam You shook her head and remained silent.

Seeing her like this, Lian'er felt uneasy.

"Madam, did I say something wrong?"

Madam You glanced at her, a hint of pity in her eyes.

No. You're right.

"only......"

She paused, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"Just what?"

Lian'er pressed for an answer.

Lady You sighed again.

"It's just... a pity."

Lian'er's heart skipped a beat.

"What's a pity?"

Lady You looked at her and spoke slowly.

"It's a pity being a concubine is difficult."

Lian'er was stunned.

"What...does Madam mean by that?"

Ms. You put down her teacup, her words sharp and precise.

"A concubine, to put it nicely, is half a mistress; to put it bluntly... she's just a servant, one rank higher than a maid."

"He has a principal wife above him, and maids below him watching over him."

"Without power or status, if you have a child, you have to take it to the wife's room to raise."

"If you're not careful, you might displease your wife. At best, she'll beat you; at worst, she'll sell you off, or even..."

She didn't finish speaking, and gently shook her head.

But Lian'er's face had turned pale.

"No...no way?"

Her voice trembled.

"I've heard that the eldest daughter of the Qin family is kind and generous... she shouldn't... she shouldn't mistreat her concubines, right?"

Lady You smiled.

The laughter carried an undisguised mockery.

"Generosity? Kindness?"

"Lian'er, Lian'er, you are still too young."

"A daughter who stays at home and a daughter-in-law who gets married are two different things."

"At home, with parents who pamper you and brothers who protect you, you can naturally be kind and generous."

"But once you're married and in charge of the household, that's a different story."

"Especially... when facing the husband's concubines."

Yu looked at her with icy eyes.

"You haven't seen the methods used in the inner quarters."

"Today you're being punished for offending her, so you're forced to kneel."

"Tomorrow we'll say you didn't serve me well enough and I'll give you a beating."

"The day after tomorrow they'll say you seduced a guy and lock you in the woodshed..."

"Over time, without her having to lift a finger, you'll..."

She didn't finish speaking.

But Lian'er already understood.

Her face turned from white to green, and then from green to white again.

My whole body was shaking.

Half an hour passed.

"Wife, save me!"

With a "plop," she knelt down in the carriage and kowtowed repeatedly to Madam You.

"This servant...this servant doesn't want to die!"

"Please, Madam, show this servant a way to survive!"