The Splendor of the Red Chamber

Outside the main room.

"It can't be wrong."

Laiwang's wife, who had returned, whispered to Ping'er, "That household invited several famous doctors at once, but I heard they couldn't even prescribe a proper remedy. They're clearly useless!"

Ping'er gave a perfunctory reply and then told Laiwang's wife to go back and rest first.

Turning back into the main room, her gaze unconsciously drifted towards the bedroom, her eyes filled with both anticipation and a hint of fear, but ultimately anticipation outweighed everything else.

After a slight hesitation, she tiptoed to the door.

Amidst the blush-inducing noises, Lian Er Ye asked in a booming voice, "Didn't you call me impatient before? What do you say now?"

No one knows what the Second Grandmother said in response, but the sounds from inside the room became more and more urgent, until Ping'er's noodles were burning hot, and she unconsciously squeezed her legs together inward.

Ping'er was already quite worldly-wise. Because Wang Xifeng monopolized Jia Lian's wealth and rarely shared any with him, she would occasionally listen to the commotion and let her imagination run wild, finding some solace in it.

But what she heard today shattered all her past memories, and no matter how hard she tried to piece it together in her mind, she could hardly picture the scene.

The more unimaginable something is, the more fascinating it becomes.

So Ping'er, her face flushed, leaned against the door, gradually becoming lost in thought...

…………

One hour later.

Wang Xifeng finally led Ping'er out of the house.

She was dressed in a white fox fur-trimmed cloak, a Zhaojun headdress, a crimson brocade jacket underneath, a gold-embroidered belt around her waist, and a hand warmer in her hands, exuding an air of noble elegance and grace.

However, his gait was stiff and awkward, and his body swayed unsteadily. He could only walk a few steps before he had to rest while supporting his waist.

"That heartless thief!"

After stopping again, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but curse under her breath, but there was no anger on her face; instead, she seemed to be savoring the moment.

When Wang Xifeng first saw Jia Lian firing arrows in a chaotic manner, unlike his usual methodical approach, she thought he was in a hurry to see Qin Keqing and couldn't help but scold him a few times.

But all past experience proved useless; the thief grew stronger with each battle, surpassing even Zhao Zilong at Changban Slope and Lü Bu at Hulao Pass...

Ping'er, who was leading the way with a lantern, stopped and turned around because she couldn't hear Feng Jie's footsteps. She saw that Feng Jie's expression was both cheerful and awkward, and couldn't help but laugh to herself.

Then she thought about herself and felt a mix of fear and excitement.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng recovered and continued walking forward. Seeing Ping'er hesitate for a moment before following, she couldn't help but scold, "What's wrong? Are you drooling over what you've seen, or itching to hear it? You little hussy, I knew you were always so quiet, but you've actually been eyeing it for a long time!"

"Look at what Grandma is saying."

Ping'er had long harbored resentment about this, and now, with her lustful thoughts stirred up again, she couldn't help but retort, "How many times have I been intimate with Second Master all these years? And every single time, wasn't it with Madam's approval? When have I ever willingly touched even a single hair on Second Master's head?"

"Fine, now you're questioning me."

Just as Wang Xifeng was about to say something, a group of women on night patrol came towards her.

She quickly called out to stop them, ordering, "Don't send anyone to patrol the area near the council hall in the northwest corner at night. I need to burn incense to thank the two old dukes for their blessings and protection. Anyone who dares to disturb the ceremony, I'll skin them alive!"

After the women left to carry out their orders, she led Ping'er on her way to Li Wan's courtyard.

This time, she persisted for a few more steps before finally stopping, supporting her back. Feeling the burning discomfort all over her body, she remained silent for a long while before saying softly, "Don't worry, you'll suffer for it later!"

That's what she said, but judging from her clenched teeth and unwilling expression, she was clearly reluctant to share this "suffering".

Li Wan's Zhiwei Pavilion is actually not far from Feng Jie's Wutong Pavilion, but they are not connected and one has to go through a long detour to get there.

The master and servant walked and stopped frequently, taking a full quarter of an hour to reach Zhiwei Pavilion.

Li Wan and Qin Keqing were talking in the main hall when they heard that Feng Jie had arrived, so they hurriedly came out to greet her.

Upon meeting, Li Wan jokingly said, half-seriously, "You're such a hands-off manager! You won't even show your face until I've settled Rong-ge's wife in!"

Wang Xifeng immediately retorted, "It's a good thing you can't be an official, otherwise you'd definitely be a muddle-headed official who wrongfully kills innocent people—you think I'm really enjoying some leisure time? To tell you the truth, I've gone to take care of more important matters!"

"What could be more important than settling Rong-ge's wife?" Li Wan asked, noticing Feng-jie's hesitant movements, she took her arm and led her inside.

As soon as she stepped over the threshold, she felt Sister Feng stagger and her body go weak, and she gasped for breath.

"What's wrong with you?"

Li Wan asked in bewilderment, her gaze inadvertently falling on Feng Jie's neck, and she suddenly froze.

"Oops, I tripped and fell in the dark."

Wang Xifeng made up a lie on the spot. When she saw Li Wan staring at her neck with a strange expression, she remembered something and quickly adjusted her collar to cover the mark.

At the same time, he cursed Jia Lian inwardly for being so narrow-minded and absurd, knowing full well that he was going out, yet still leaving such an obvious kiss mark.

At this moment, Qin Keqing finally adjusted her mindset and tentatively asked, "Auntie, you've come so late, is there something else you need to tell me?"

She felt uneasy when she heard that Sister Feng was visiting, but she couldn't quite put her finger on why.

After all, Sister Feng was the head housekeeper of the Rongguo Mansion. It was only natural for her to come and visit her niece-in-law who had moved in to recuperate.

"There really is something that my daughter and I need to do."

Wang Xifeng turned to Qin Keqing and said with a smile, "Your second uncle's good fortune in this misfortune is not only due to the blessings of our ancestors, but I also deserve some credit for it."

I've already prepared the ritual to pray for his well-being and ward off misfortune. Come with me to offer your prayers, and I guarantee his illness will be completely gone in just a few days!

"this……"

Qin Keqing felt something was amiss upon hearing this. This fiery Feng had threatened her with scissors that afternoon, and now she wanted to help her ward off misfortune and pray for blessings that very evening. It all seemed rather strange.

Li Wan then came to her senses and hurriedly said, "Do we really have to go now? It's the middle of winter, and so late. She's still sick; how can she withstand such an ordeal!"

"Don't worry, sister-in-law."

Wang Xifeng patted her wrist and said in an unquestionable manner, "Would I harm her? Rong-ge's daughter-in-law, this auspicious time cannot be delayed. Quickly put on your cloak and come with me."

Qin Keqing didn't understand what she was up to, but she was definitely unwilling to go out with her.

So he turned to Li Wan for help.

Upon seeing this, Li Wan hesitated for a moment, then said to Wang Xifeng, "Then I'll go with you to take a look."

"Haha~"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng suddenly burst into laughter, shaking her head and slapping her handkerchief, saying, "Anyone can go into this room except you."

"Why is that?"

"Because~"

Wang Xifeng drawled out the words, pointing at everyone with her slender white fingers, and said playfully, "Because this ritual, besides warding off disasters and praying for blessings, also has the effect of praying for offspring—what if you get pregnant?!"

"You shameless scoundrel!"

Li Wan was so angry that she raised her hand and slapped Feng Jie twice.

Wang Xifeng, with her legs and feet injured, could not dodge and could only raise her arms to defend herself.

After Li Wan finished beating her, she instructed Qin Keqing's maids Ruizhu and Baozhu, "What are you standing there for? Quickly put a cloak on your mistress!"

Ruizhu and Baozhu, unaware of the situation, assumed that Wang Xifeng and Qin Keqing were still close friends, so without asking Qin Keqing's opinion, they took out a sable-trimmed cloak and wrapped it around her.

Seeing that Li Wan was no longer interfering, Qin Keqing did not dare to directly refuse this fiery woman.

Then she thought that she had only just arrived at the Rongguo Mansion and hadn't even met Jia Lian yet, so she figured that this fiery Feng had no reason to persecute her anymore.

So he reluctantly followed Wang Xifeng out of Zhiwei Pavilion.

Li Wan personally escorted her to the gate. Seeing that Wang Xifeng tried her best to hide it, but her steps and back view still showed some difficulty, she couldn't help but curse inwardly as absurd.

Even if absence makes the heart grow fonder, it shouldn't have escalated to this extent...

But this fiery Feng still has the nerve to show her face in public!

"Second Madam is really riding high this time."

At this moment, Su Yun, the head maid beside him, said sourly, "Now that Second Master Lian has received the blessing of the ancestors, his strength has increased tenfold. He will surely be a tiger general in the army."

Biyue chimed in, "It's not just about getting stronger; I've heard there are other benefits too."

Other benefits?

Li Wan suddenly realized why Feng Lazi had been dealt with so badly; it turned out that Jia Lian's transformation also included...

"grandmother."

At this moment, Suyun suddenly advised, "Let's go back. Look, Grandma's face is all red from the cold."

Li Wan subconsciously raised her hand to touch it and felt that the dough was scalding hot.

It definitely wasn't from being frozen, but as for the real reason, she dared not think about it any further...