Dream of the Red Chamber: Rising from Refugees to Sweep Across the Land

Chapter 90 Reunion with the Xue Family

"Brother Liu..." Liu Feng was startled by the greeting.

"What's wrong?" Jia Lian asked as he walked over.

Having just flirted with someone's wife, Liu Feng felt uneasy and coughed, saying, "Well, I suddenly remembered that the Qianhu Office still has some official documents to approve, so I'll skip the meal for now."

Jia Lian didn't think much of it and nodded: "Okay, come to my house for a couple of drinks when you have time, and let your sister-in-law have a drink with you too."

""

Liu Feng almost choked on his saliva, quickly said "okay" a few times, and then slipped away like oil on grease.

Watching his retreating figure, Jia Lian frowned and muttered, "Why does he act like he's done something wrong?"

"Second Master! Second Master..."

An old woman came running from the road Liu Feng had just come from. "Second Madam requests your presence."

Jia Lian felt a pang of panic and hurriedly asked, "What is it?"

The old woman said, "They said they wanted Second Master to go with Miss Ping to check the items on the gift list and send them to the Liu family as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian was overjoyed. His mind flashed back to the items he had kept, and his eyes lit up.

Just as they arrived in front of Ningguo Mansion, they saw a large convoy of cars approaching from the archway.

Leading the procession was a young man in a brocade robe, followed by two sedan chairs and a row of large carts filled with luggage.

Liu Feng took a closer look and immediately burst out laughing. Wasn't that the domineering Xue Pan?

The murder case in Nanjing isn't even over yet, and this guy just swaggered into the capital like that?!

Liu Feng glanced at the two sedan chairs, blinked, and decided to stay put and join in the fun to see what Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue really looked like.

On horseback, Xue Pan looked around at the scenery of Ningrong Street.

Although the capital city was far more prosperous than Nanjing, he was extremely reluctant to come. As for the murder case, he didn't take it seriously at all; a down-on-his-luck gentryman could settle it with a few coins.

(Please remember the website ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ for the fastest chapter updates)

With his uncle Wang Ziteng and aunt Wang Furen sending letters in quick succession, and his mother and sister nagging him all day long, Xue Pan reluctantly went north to the capital.

As Xue Pan was walking, he caught a glimpse of someone blocking his way and immediately cursed, "Who's the blind fool who dares to block your path, Master Xue?"

Before he could finish speaking, his eyes suddenly widened like a duck being choked. He would recognize the person opposite him even if they were reduced to ashes.

The Xue family had businesses in the capital, and they were well aware of many things happening in the capital, especially the appointments and transfers of officials.

Therefore, Xue Pan knew that Liu Feng had now become a high-ranking official in the Northern Garrison Command.

Xue Pan stole a glance at the menacing officers behind Liu Feng—these were the Embroidered Uniform Guards?! He couldn't help but swallow hard, cold sweat pouring down his back.

Liu Feng smiled.

Half a year has passed, and this guy still speaks without thinking. Just that one sentence he just said deserves at least fifty strokes of the cane according to the law. Moreover, as a royal merchant, he belongs to the category of royal servants. Liu Feng, on the other hand, is an official of the court, representing the dignity of the court and the majesty of imperial power.

This is no longer a personal grudge; it is "using business to bully officials," an act of insubordination, a blatant provocation against the hierarchical order, and a serious violation of the law. The crime is aggravated and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, including one hundred strokes of the cane and being paraded in shackles for a month.

Before Liu Feng could speak, the team leader waved his hand and shouted, "Take it down!"

Several Imperial Guards immediately rushed forward, dragged Xue Pan off his horse, pressed him to the ground, and forced him to kneel.

Xue Pan was in so much pain that cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he kept crying out in pain.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Aunt Xue hurriedly peeked out and, seeing her precious son being held down on the ground, immediately became furious. "Which government office are you from? What right do you have to beat people up in broad daylight?!"

Xue Baochai didn't recognize the Imperial Guards either, but she did recognize Liu Feng. She quickly put on her veil, got out of the sedan chair, first stopped her incessantly chattering Aunt Xue, and then slowly walked towards Liu Feng.

Liu Feng raised his hand to stop Zongqi, who wanted to step forward to stop her, wanting to see how this controversial young girl would handle the matter.

Xue Baochai secretly clenched her hands in her sleeves, glancing at the young man on horseback as she walked.

For the first time, she doubted her own judgment and felt a little regretful. Why hadn't she thought of trying to win him over back in Jinling?

Xue Baochai never expected that this person would have so many opportunities and rise so high in rank, transforming into a high-ranking official in the Embroidered Uniform Guard and becoming a great figure that the Xue family had to look up to.

Liu Feng was also observing Xue Baochai. She was still wearing the same veiled hat that reached halfway down to her waist.

It was cold, and she was wearing thick clothes, but Liu Feng could still tell at a glance that the girl had grown taller and had a more voluptuous figure.

Seeing a crowd of onlookers gathered around, Liu Feng frowned and said, "Disperse, everyone."

The captain seemed to sense something and whispered to his men, "Seal off the front and back, and don't let anyone get close." With that, he waved his hand and led his men away.

Xue Baochai stopped about three steps away from Liu Feng's horse and curtsied slightly, saying, "Prisoner Liu."

Liu Feng raised an eyebrow. This girl's got some nerve; she's trying to get close right away. But are we even that close? Xueyan calls me "Prison Warden Liu," that's affectionate. You? Heh...

Also, why are you standing so far away? Are you afraid I'll eat you?

Seeing that Liu Feng did not respond, Xue Baochai secretly clenched her hands in her sleeve, took two steps forward, walked to the side of the horse, and curtsied: "Liu Siyu".

Liu Feng subconsciously looked down, and wow, the angle was perfect. Through the gap in the gauze curtain, he could just catch a glimpse of Xue Baochai's face and upper body.

He had to admit that Xue Baochai's beauty was no less than Lin Daiyu's. She possessed a dignified and elegant bearing, with rounded and full features, and skin as white as jade—truly a first-rate beauty. And the curves of her chest...tsk, even Wang Xifeng, dressed in a tight-fitting jacket, would likely pale in comparison.

Xue Baochai seemed to have noticed, so she quickly took a step back and reached out to adjust the veil of her hat, covering the gap completely so that he could not see anything at all.

Pshaw, who cares about looking like that!

Liu Feng curled his lip and said, "This is the capital, under the emperor's nose, not Nanjing. The emperor is far away, so you can bully the people however you want."

Xue Baochai quickly bowed and replied, "Yes," and added, "When we arrive at the Rongguo Mansion, I will definitely ask my uncle to strictly discipline my brother and prevent him from causing trouble again."

Liu Feng raised an eyebrow. The last guy who brought up Jia Zheng as his backer still had a slap mark on his face that hadn't completely faded yet, and now another one is coming? Anyone who didn't know better would think Jia Zheng was some kind of high-ranking official!

Seeing that Jia Zheng's influence was ineffective, Xue Baochai resorted to emotional appeal: "Has Prisoner Liu just come from the Rongguo Mansion? How has Lin sister been these days? I haven't seen her for several months, and I've been missing her terribly. By the way, I brought some local products from Jinling... If Prisoner Liu doesn't mind, once we've settled in, I'll have my brother personally deliver them to you."

He paused for a moment, then said, "I'll come to your door to apologize. Whether you punish me or not is entirely up to you."

Liu Feng's lips twitched. His words were perfectly measured. He played the Lin Daiyu card without making anyone uncomfortable. For a girl of only ten years old to have such composure was truly remarkable.

Alright, let's give Lin Daiyu some face!

Liu Feng glanced at Aunt Xue, who was peeking in. She looked somewhat like Madam Wang, but her eyes revealed a kindness that Madam Wang could never fake.

His gaze then fell on Xue Baochai: "According to the law, your brother should receive one hundred strokes of the cane and be displayed in shackles for a month."

Xue Pan's face turned pale with fright, when Liu Feng suddenly changed the subject: "However, considering you're new to the capital, I'll let it go this time. Remember this: if you fall into my hands again, I'll settle all scores, old and new."

Xue Baochai quickly curtsied and thanked her respectfully.

Liu Feng smiled and said, "From now on, I hope Miss Xue will take good care of Miss Lin."

Xue Baochai quickly smiled and said, "Even if Prisoner Liu doesn't tell, I definitely will. After you left Jinling, I often went to the yamen to keep her company and relieve her boredom."

Liu Feng smiled and nodded: "That's good."

Suddenly noticing someone coming out from the Rongguo Mansion, Liu Feng said, "I won't keep you from visiting your relatives any longer." He spurred his horse forward.

I've seen everything I needed to see, so I won't bother with that pointless nonsense, especially with Madam Wang's sour face...