The Splendor of the Red Chamber

The crown prince died so hastily?

Jia Lian was stunned for a long time before he accepted this reality.

Then he began to consider what impact this matter would have on the imperial court and the Rongguo Mansion.

The crown prince is the emperor's only son, and the emperor is already forty-six years old this year. His youngest daughter is also over ten years old, so it is highly likely that he will not be able to have a son in the future.

Theoretically, the two people closest to becoming heir apparent are the emperor's two half-brothers: the Prince of Yong and the Prince of Yan.

Both princes were seven or eight years younger than the emperor. The Prince of Yong was the eldest and had many children; the Prince of Yan was known for his virtue, and his maternal uncle and brother-in-law were quite powerful.

Both men have their own strengths and weaknesses, and it's hard to say who will win or lose. Moreover, it's also possible that the emperor might have other ideas.

Betting at this point is too risky. Given the cautious approach of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes in recent years, they will probably choose to remain neutral and wait until the outcome is decided before pledging allegiance to the new emperor.

Back when the current emperor was vying for the throne with the old Prince Yizhong, the four princes and eight dukes did the same thing, while the Wang and Xue families, who were of lower status, entered the fray one after another.

Wang Ziteng won the gamble and was promoted to the position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison.

The Xue family lost the bet, and Xue Pan and Xue Baochai's father died of worry and fear as a result—luckily, he wasn't deeply involved and died quickly, otherwise the Xue family would probably have been expelled from the family long ago.

The Four Kings and Eight Dukes remain the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

Based on this experience, not participating seems to be the safest option.

But Jia Lian knew that the Rongguo Mansion would eventually suffer the calamity of having its property confiscated and the entire family wiped out, and that even Prince Teng might be implicated...

Could it be that the Rongguo Mansion ultimately took to the side, or that it was precisely because it refused to take sides that it faced annihilation?

It's so confusing, so very confusing!

Jia Lian originally thought that by working backward from the result, he would have a clearer understanding than others, but instead, he felt even more uneasy.

After thinking and thinking but still unable to come up with a solution, Jia Lian simply decided to stop thinking about it for the time being.

He wrote two letters directly back to the capital: one hinting to his uncle Jia Zheng to investigate further and report back; the other continuing to warn Wang Xifeng to be extremely careful and not to misbehave.

…………

at the same time.

The living room of the west wing of Zhiwei Pavilion in Rongguo Mansion.

In early March, the weather was still chilly despite the fluctuating temperatures, but Wang Xifeng was restless and started waving her Xiangfei fan.

Li Wan, standing nearby, also seemed somewhat absent-minded.

However, the two's distress had nothing to do with the current situation in the court. According to Sister Feng, no matter how chaotic things are outside, how could they possibly reach the Rongguo Mansion?

The two sisters-in-law remained silent until an elderly man carrying a medicine chest came out from the inner room. They then stood up simultaneously and asked, "Physician He, how is the pulse?"

Congratulations on your esteemed household.

Physician He cupped his hands and said, "Madam Rong is indeed pregnant, about three months along. Her pulse is steady and the pregnancy is strong."

"really?!"

Li Wan was overjoyed. She had gotten along well with Qin Keqing these past few months and often worried about Qin Keqing's future. Now that she heard that Qin Keqing was pregnant with her posthumous child, she finally felt relieved.

After thanking the imperial physician profusely and seeing him off, she was about to enter the room to share her joy with Qin Keqing when she found Wang Xifeng sitting there blankly, her pretty face showing a mixture of anger and uncertainty.

"What's wrong with you?"

Li Wan had long felt that Wang Xifeng was acting strangely lately. She used to be as close as Qin Keqing, but now she wouldn't visit her even once every ten days or half a month.

Now that they hear Qin Keqing is pregnant, they're putting on this face with mixed feelings again.

Could it be that the two had some kind of conflict in secret?

"It's nothing."

Wang Xifeng was upset because Qin Keqing was pregnant with Jia Lian's child.

But she certainly couldn't say this reason outright, so she stood up, touched her lower abdomen, and sighed, "Qiaojie is almost four years old, but my belly is still not cooperating."

This was also what displeased Wang Xifeng.

Qin Keqing, who was sickly in the saline-alkali land, became pregnant after only a few days of casual sex.

But how come her fertile land, which she has diligently cultivated for many years, is still barren to this day?

Could it really be as that nemesis said, that I was overworked from managing the household affairs?

"He's back to life!"

Just then, Li Wan waved her hand in front of her eyes and teased, "Let's go congratulate Rong-ge's wife. You can share in her joy, and maybe you'll have one in a few days."

"Pah!"

Wang Xifeng slapped Li Wan hard on the backside: "If anyone's going to get pregnant, it should be you first! Everyone praised you for being a fertile woman!"

Feeling that rich, deep texture, Sister Feng felt a pang of jealousy.

Li Wan had the perfect figure for a smooth delivery; her ample hips looked like two honeydew melons wrapped in silk.

Not to mention that she has few rivals among her peers, even if we include a few elders, perhaps only Aunt Xue can compare to her.

The two sisters-in-law pushed open the door and entered the inner room, only to find Qin Keqing sitting on the edge of the bed, secretly shedding tears.

"Why are you crying?"

Li Wan quickly stepped forward to advise, "Even if you're crying tears of joy, you must try to hold it in. Otherwise, what if it affects the baby in your womb?"

"Auntie!"

Qin Keqing stopped crying, stood up, took Li Wan's arm, and made as if to kneel down before Wang Xifeng.

Li Wan quickly pulled him back forcefully, saying anxiously, "What are you doing? Get up, get up! Be careful not to harm the baby!"

Acting, acting again? Why don't you become an actor?!

Wang Xifeng cursed inwardly, but could only support Ke Qing on the other side, feigning panic, and said, "Rong-ge's daughter-in-law, what are you doing now? Why don't you sit down and talk!"

As she spoke, she pinched Qin Keqing's arm, reminding the little harlot not to overact.

Qin Keqing seemed oblivious to the situation. As the two men helped her sit back on the bed, she sobbed, "I know that Aunt Lian is upset that I dragged Ronglang into this mess, which is why she avoids me like the plague."

My niece-in-law felt ashamed to face her aunt before, but thankfully, heaven has taken pity on me, and I've become pregnant with Ronglang's posthumous child. I beg you, aunt, for the sake of the child, please help me this once more!

These few words not only connect Wang Xifeng's cold attitude with Jia Rong's death, but also lay the groundwork for the subsequent plea to the old lady and Madam Wang.

He truly excels in every aspect of singing, recitation, acting, and martial arts!

Wang Xifeng was both furious and disgusted, wishing she could kill Qin Keqing and her unborn child with a bloody knife.

But Qin Keqing still had the contract, and although that thief might not take Qin Keqing seriously, he certainly wouldn't want to see himself harm his own flesh and blood.

It's really not worth taking such a big risk for a bastard child who is destined not to enter the Rongguo Mansion.

So, facing the questioning look from Li Wan, Wang Xifeng followed the script and said, "Actually, it was Rong-ge'er who took the initiative to come to me and beg me..."

Li Wan had long harbored suspicions, and now, listening to Feng Jie's detailed account, she felt that her thoughts and beliefs were being confirmed one by one, so how could she doubt that Feng Jie was lying?

His impression of Jia Rong changed drastically in an instant.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "I used to think that Rong-ge was just a stubborn and blindly filial son, but I never expected that at the critical moment, he would risk his life to protect his wife. It's truly a case of a prodigal son returning home, which is more precious than gold."

Although this was an image deliberately created by Wang Xifeng and Qin Keqing, both of them found it difficult to remain composed when they heard Li Wan's sincere praise for Jia Rong's willingness to risk his life to protect his wife.

Qin Keqing composed herself, then feigned a weak and pitiful demeanor, saying, "Whether it's for Ronglang's sake or for Ronglang's posthumous reputation, I dare not return to Ningguo Mansion for the time being. I only beg my aunt to protect me for a few more years until this child grows up a bit..."

"I can't stop them by myself."

Wang Xifeng, somewhat impatient with her acting, skipped over the line and said, "We need the support of the old lady or the madam to withstand the pressure from the East Mansion."

As she spoke, she stood up and said, "I'll talk to the old lady about this when she returns from the palace."

When the Crown Prince died, the women of the fourth rank and above in the capital had to go to the palace every morning and evening to mourn and pay their respects. The old lady and the first wife, Madam Xing, were no exception.

Lady Wang, however, was not included because her rank was too low.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan also stood up and said, "Count me in too! Let's go together and beg the Old Madam and Madam for mercy!"

These words greatly surprised Wang Xifeng. After all, when something happened at home, Li Wan would try to avoid it, so how could she have ever taken the initiative to help others?

Qin Keqing also looked surprised and delighted.

He thought to himself, "This Aunt Zhu is truly a great bulwark; I'll have to rely on her a lot in the future."