Chapter 2

Li Wan, unaware of Jia Heng's thoughts, seeing that he had his own mind, no longer said much. She was by nature a person who preferred to keep her wisdom hidden and not meddle in others' affairs.

After a few more casual exchanges, she was about to take her leave.

Jia Heng walked to the eaves, watching Li Wan depart, and shook his head. How to deal with the Jia family's sinking ship, he was momentarily at a loss.

"The only concern is that if I enter the imperial examinations and become an official, I might be seen as a member of the Jia family."

This was perhaps the sad part; political struggles were always cruel. Unless he, like Second Master Jia Yun, was content to be a commoner, he might remain unscathed after the Jia family's downfall.

Otherwise, once he entered the imperial examinations and became an official, even if he did not wish it, he would inevitably be seen as a symbol of the Jia family.

Of course, there were also examples in history of people hedging their bets.

"Fortunately... there is still time to make arrangements."

Jia Heng thought for a moment, and he already had some plans in mind.

Li Wan, carrying the books, left Jia Heng's residence, got into the carriage, and returned to Rongguo Mansion. She was about to head to her living quarters when, not far away, she saw two people standing under the hanging flower gate, and she paused.

The leader was a woman in a light yellow robe, with arched willow-leaf eyebrows and a pair of phoenix eyes that revealed a sharp and fierce gaze. Beside her stood a woman in a green robe with a high collar, with arched eyebrows, a delicate nose, and rosy lips, and her skin was fair and smooth.

"Big Sister Li, where have you been?" Wang Xifeng asked, her voice clear and pleasant, like the sound of jade. As she spoke, her eyes, half-smiling and half-serious, fell on the books in Li Wan's hands.

Well, she didn't know many characters, so she couldn't recognize what books they were.

"Xifeng, why aren't you serving the Old Lady?" Li Wan smiled and walked forward. Seeing Wang Xifeng's puzzled gaze, she explained, "I got these from Jia Si'er's place on Willow Lane in the front street."

Jia Heng's father was the fourth in the clan, hence the reference.

A flash of thought crossed Wang Xifeng's beautiful phoenix eyes, and she said, "Oh, it's his place. Jia Si'er passed away early, leaving a widow and an orphan. I heard that Lady Dong is quite ambitious, always urging her son to study, but Jia Heng prefers martial arts, which makes his mother very upset."

As the manager of Rongguo Mansion, Wang Xifeng, on behalf of Lady Wang, handled all the big and small matters of the mansion. Even though Jia Si'er, Jia Heng's father, was no longer closely related to the Jia family, she was not entirely unaware of such family matters.

In this era of limited entertainment, neighborhood gossip was a common topic of conversation.

Li Wan paused and said, "Oh, I didn't know that. I didn't see Lady Dong when I left his place."

Hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Li Wan couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy.

Since Jia Zhu's passing, she had been raising a child alone at home. How was this situation different from Jia Si'er's?

Thinking of the young boy, who, despite his age, already acted like a little adult, she couldn't help but think of Lan'er, wondering if he would be able to support her in the future.

Wang Xifeng said, "He lost both parents at the beginning of the year, and his life is very hard. His mother wants him to study, but Jia Heng prefers martial arts. Now he serves as a servant to Rongge, just to earn a living."

Because Rongge often hung out with Jia Lian and frequently visited Wang Xifeng's room, she was somewhat familiar with Rongge's attendants.

A hint of doubt crossed Li Wan's mind. He didn't like reading, yet he could write beautifully, which was quite surprising.

However, the young woman was not the type to worry excessively about others' affairs, so she smiled and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll go back now. Lan'er should be out of school by now."

Wang Xifeng smiled and watched Li Wan leave.

...

...

"Is Master Heng at home?"

Jia Heng was about to go back inside when he heard a call from outside. He looked up and saw a servant in a short silk robe, not very tall, with a slanted gaze and a submissive demeanor.

"Master Rong heard that you are much better. He is going to the theater to drink and listen to music today and needs someone to serve him. He specifically asked for you," the servant said.

Jia Heng furrowed his brow, recalling his past interactions with Jia Rong.

Jia Rong was sixteen years old, and he used to enjoy hunting, visiting brothels, and often got into fights with the sons of powerful families in the capital.

Jia Heng, having grown up with his cousin, had learned some martial arts and often helped Jia Rong.

Moreover, after his mother's passing, his family's finances were strained, and he wanted to find a job in Ningguo Mansion, so he had been very attentive to Jia Rong.

In fact, the reason his soul had been taken by the other was because of this.

According to the original plot of "Dream of the Red Chamber," he was eventually given a second-class position in the Jia family and appeared at the funeral of Jia Rong's wife, Qin Keqing.

However, at this moment, Jia Rong was not yet married, and his engagement to Qin Ye's daughter from the Imperial Kitchen was not yet finalized.

"Qin Keqing... It is said that all the Jia family's misfortunes began with Ningguo Mansion, and Qin Keqing, this extraordinary beauty, marked the beginning of the Jia family's downfall."

According to the original text of "Dream of the Red Chamber," Qin Keqing died when Jia Rong was twenty, and according to Leng Zixing, Jia Rong was sixteen when he described Rongguo Mansion.

"Master Heng..."

The servant called out, seeing that Jia Heng was lost in thought.

Jia Heng didn't really want to go. He had been lying in bed for ten days, and Jia Rong hadn't even visited him. Now that he was better, Jia Rong, while strolling on Ningrong Street, suddenly remembered to send for him.

Thinking of this, he said, "I'm still not feeling well. The doctor said I shouldn't drink. I'll come over in a few days."

The servant said, "If that's the case, I'll report back."

Jia Heng nodded and watched the servant leave.

Qingfang Garden

Jia Rong and Jia Lian were sitting around a round table in a private room. It was already autumn, and the saying goes, "One autumn rain, one chill." Both were wearing cotton shirts, looking elegant and refined.

Jia Lian, in a blue and white silk robe, with a face like powder and thick eyebrows, had a pair of almond eyes that exuded charm. He held a wine cup, took a sip, and smiled, "Rongge, how is the marriage proposal going?"

Jia Rong, absentmindedly putting a fruit in his mouth, said, "A few families have been decided, but the negotiations are still ongoing."

"You, why do you look so unhappy? Are you afraid that after marriage, you'll be restricted and can't go out to play?" Jia Lian guessed Jia Rong's thoughts and laughed, "Look at me, your second uncle. After marriage, I still go wherever I want."

Jia Rong didn't want to expose Jia Lian's true nature and forced a smile, "Second Uncle, you are right."

"Don't you believe me? I am the one who has the final say at home," Jia Lian said, seeing Jia Rong's strange expression, his face turned serious, and he lectured in a senior's tone, "Getting married early is a good thing. You're not young anymore. Hanging around in the capital every day doesn't look good. What happened the other day? I heard that the only son of Jia Lao Si in your clan was injured."

"Ah, it was over a courtesan with Liang Gongzi from the Ministry of Rites. Those bastards attacked me from behind, and Jia Heng, who was nearby, tried to help and got hit," Jia Rong said, still feeling resentful.

"Was the courtesan beautiful?" Jia Lian asked with a half-smile, clearly not very concerned about Jia Rong or Jia Heng.

"Second Uncle, how could I see her? She was taken by Liang Yuan, the Minister of Rites," Jia Rong's face fell.

"Offending the son of the Minister of Rites, Brother Zhen will break your legs," Jia Lian teased.

Jia Rong's face turned grim.

"Alright, let's not talk about that. When Brother Zhen beats you, just come to me," Jia Lian, seeing Jia Rong's bitter expression, felt a bit satisfied and then comforted him gently.

Jia Rong's worries turned to joy, and he smiled, "Second Uncle, Feng Ziying invited us to go hunting tomorrow. Will you come?"

Jia Lian waved his hand and laughed, "I won't play those games. I think you're just trying to make fun of me."

The founding nobles, the four kings and eight dukes, after nearly a hundred years, their descendants were mostly unremarkable, neglecting military training and living a life of luxury.

"However, I heard from the Old Master that your uncle is about to be promoted," Jia Lian said with a smile.

Wang Ziteng was Wang Xifeng's uncle, and the four families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue were closely connected. If his uncle was promoted, he would have more support in the capital.

At this moment, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were newly married and in the honeymoon phase, deeply in love and trusting each other.

The two of them laughed and joked, and after a while, a servant interrupted, "Master Rong, Master Feng is here."

"Second Uncle, Feng Ziying is here. I'll go welcome him," Jia Rong said, getting up and heading out.