The Splendor of the Red Chamber

Outside the council chamber.

Wang Xifeng squatted in front of the door, straining her ears to try and hear what was being said inside.

The reason she pretended to lock the door and leave was so that she could hear a few words of "truth".

However, the doors and windows of this side hall were specially sealed for winter heating, so there were no gaps to peek through, and even the sounds were muffled and indistinct.

Wang Xifeng was filled with resentment and secretly regretted choosing this place.

…………

Inside the council chamber.

Jia Lian unconsciously frowned, because he noticed that Qin Keqing's entire demeanor had changed in a short period of time.

Originally just a delicate and fragile flower, she now seems to have sprouted thorns. Her tearful eyes have slowly become calm and frost-like, and the sorrow between her brows has gradually turned into determination.

"My lord."

However, as soon as she spoke, she regained her original gentle and charming demeanor: "You once promised that if I submitted to you, you would protect me for the rest of my life. Was that true?"

"Of course it's true!"

At least that's what Jia Lian thought at the time.

Qin Keqing took a deep breath and said again, "Then do you know why I said those heartless and hurtful things the moment I walked in?"

"this……"

"Because I'm scared!"

Before Jia Lian could respond, Qin Keqing excitedly gestured to her body, saying, "This afternoon, my aunt held scissors to my throat and to my heart, threatening to cut several slits in my chest and leave hideous scars if I dared to get close to my husband!"

That woman has some pretty ruthless methods!

Jia Lian finally understood why Wang Xifeng was so distrustful of Qin Keqing; it turned out that she had secretly stabbed her.

Then Qin Keqing continued her accusation: "That's why I was afraid. After all, she is my husband's lawfully wedded wife, while I am just..."

Why didn't you tell me sooner?

Jia Lian interrupted her, saying sternly, "If I had known, I certainly wouldn't have let her act so recklessly!"

really?

Qin Keqing sneered inwardly, but maintained a pitiful expression: "Of course I trust my husband, but how can one be a thief for a thousand days without being on guard against him for a thousand?"

"this……"

Jia Lian couldn't refute this, but he secretly resolved to teach Wang Xifeng a lesson.

Now that woman dares to use a knife. If we don't find a way to subdue her as soon as possible, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause in the future!

and many more!

Could it be that the Rongguo Mansion's utter destruction was actually brought about by this fiery woman, Feng?!

Jia Lian's early warning radar went off again.

At this moment, Qin Keqing said solemnly, "Therefore, I hope she can also give me a pledge of loyalty, to ensure that she will behave herself in the future."

"You want her to prove her loyalty to you?"

Jia Lian could understand Qin Keqing's thoughts, but that fiery Feng...

After hesitating for a moment, he decided to first hear what Qin Keqing really wanted: "What kind of pledge of allegiance do you want?"

"Make her put it in writing!"

Qin Keqing gripped her skirt tightly with her jade-like hands, her knuckles turning white, and said, word by word, "I guarantee that my son will inherit the Ningguo Mansion's business in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was first stunned, then shocked and abruptly stood up: "You...you're trying to fake Jia Rong's posthumous child?!"

Qin Keqing had no sons.

Making this request now is clearly an attempt to fabricate a posthumous child!

"right!"

Qin Keqing also stood up, nodding slightly: "Since she wants to use my innocence as leverage, then I might as well offer this pledge of loyalty completely!"

Wang Xifeng's earlier mention of praying for offspring was merely to silence Li Wan, but it unexpectedly awakened Qin Keqing.

Now she has nowhere to retreat. If she doesn't want to spend the rest of her life lonely and dependent on others, the only way is to get pregnant with Jia Rong's posthumous child!

But Jia Lian found these words absurd.

Let alone whether Wang Xifeng would agree or not, even if she did, how could she guarantee that Qin Keqing would get pregnant in a short time? And even if she did get pregnant, how could she be sure that she was carrying a boy?

Besides, even if she were pregnant, what if Jia Zhen didn't approve?!

"That's why I made her put it in writing."

Qin Keqing no longer cared about feigning weakness. She met Jia Lian's gaze without hesitation and repeated, "I guarantee that my son will inherit the Ningguo Mansion's business in the future."

After saying that, she added, "If she can conceive your child, it would be a blessing from heaven. If not... I also want her to promise that I will give birth to a son in the Rongguo Mansion."

As for whether Jia Zhen will admit it or not—he accidentally killed Jia Rong this time, and the people in the West Mansion should have some idea of ​​his intentions towards him. As long as the young master intervenes, he won't have time to question it!

Jia Lian finally understood that Qin Keqing's core purpose in making Wang Xifeng sign the agreement was not to plot against the Ningguo Mansion, but to ensure that she would "give birth" to a boy.

If she could conceive Jia Lian's son, that would be the best outcome. In the future, Jia Lian would definitely stand on her side, and her plot to seize the Ningguo Mansion might very well come true.

If it's a daughter, then they'll switch her with a baby.

If you can't get pregnant in a short time, pretend to be pregnant first, and then secretly adopt a baby boy.

Only Wang Xifeng, the head housekeeper of the Rongguo Mansion, could accomplish the latter two scenarios without anyone noticing.

With this boy, this agreement serves as proof of the good sisters helping each other. Others may criticize Wang Xifeng for overstepping her bounds.

But if there were no boy, then this agreement would be evidence of the two women's scheming to seize the Ningguo Mansion, and a deadly weapon that would lead Qin Keqing and Wang Xifeng to their deaths!

That's incredibly calculating!

Jia Lian felt a chill run down his spine. He had only thought of Qin Keqing as a delicate beauty, but who knew she was a wolf in sheep's clothing... uh, was she a wolf or a fox?

In truth, Qin Keqing was never a foolish woman; otherwise, she wouldn't have been praised by everyone in the Rong and Ning mansions and become a close friend of Wang Xifeng.

Previously, she was only bound by the rule of "family scandals should not be aired in public," which is why Jia Zhen forced her into a corner.

Now that her will to resist has finally been aroused, her mind has naturally opened up.

But her path of resistance had only just begun.

Seeing that Jia Lian did not respond immediately, Qin Keqing silently took off the handkerchief tucked into her waistband, unfolded it, and laid it on the embroidery stool. Then, with a determined heart, she bit her finger, dipped it in blood, and wrote on it:

Secretly keeping their rendezvous under the brocade curtains, their fragrance lingers; her heart, like sandalwood, has long been pledged to Lian Erlang.

I secretly went to Wushan in my dream at night, and secretly removed my silk robe to get drunk on the frost of jade.

A tender heart is bound by parting sorrows; half a night of lingering affection betrays moral principles.

I am willing to follow you in this life, secretly vowing our love as we enter the bridal chamber.

After writing this love poem, she pressed her fingerprint at the end, leaving her maiden name and the date.

Then Qin Keqing handed the handkerchief to Jia Lian with both hands and said softly, "Please keep this handkerchief carefully, my lord. If you have any pity for me, please don't let that fiery Feng know about it."

This is tantamount to voluntarily entrusting their lives and fortunes to Jia Lian—with this leverage in hand, no one would believe that the two of them are truly innocent.

Jia Lian took the handkerchief and examined the poem closely.

Qin Keqing said tenderly, "My lord, you only need to do your best. Whether that fiery Feng agrees or not, I will belong to you for the rest of my life."

"Qingke~"

After reading the poem and hearing her words, even though he knew she had ulterior motives, Jia Lian couldn't help but reach out to hold her soft hand.

To everyone's surprise, Qin Keqing took a half step back and dodged.

"Please forgive me, my lord."

She bowed and gave a deep bow, then turned to look in the direction of the Ningguo Mansion and said softly, "Although Jia Rong is heartless and ungrateful, he is still my husband in name only. No matter how unfaithful I am, I would never do something like that with another man when my husband is dying."

As she said this, Qin Keqing secretly observed Jia Lian's expression out of the corner of her eye. Seeing his complicated and thoughtful expression, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

That fiery Feng thought she could force him to obediently comply, but he just wouldn't do as she wanted, and even tried to sow discord between her and Jia Lian!

As for the plot to seize Ningguo Mansion, Qin Keqing didn't rely on Wang Xifeng at all, but instead placed her bets on Jia Lian.

Na Feng's biggest problem is that she is competitive and jealous.

As long as you do the opposite and try to please Jia Lian, whether the East Wind prevails over the West Wind or the West Wind prevails over the East Wind in the future will depend on your methods!