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

Chapter 50 Liu Feng's First Visit to Rongguo Mansion

Liu Feng was awakened by the cold.

If someone were to say that they were woken up by the cold on the hottest day of summer, who would believe them?

"Achoo!"

Liu Feng walked out of the gauze-covered wardrobe shirtless, and a gust of cool air blew in his face, making him sneeze.

"Second Master, put on your clothes quickly, lest you catch a cold!"

Xiangling quickly caught up with Liu Feng, carrying a gauze shirt, and helped him put it on.

Liu Feng glanced at the two large copper basins of ice in the living room and shook his head slightly: "Even if you're rich, you can't waste things like this."

Xiangling smiled and tied his belt for him. "Now that Second Master has been promoted, our family is benefiting too. Those ice vendors in the outer city are sending cartloads of ice to our house. This ice can't be stored for long, and it would be a waste to let it melt if we didn't use it."

Liu Feng retorted irritably, "Well, you can't just put six or seven blocks of ice in the bedroom!"

Xiangling blushed slightly and whispered in defense, "I... I was just worried that Second Master would get hot."

Liu Feng didn't bother to talk to her. He walked to a chair, sat down, picked up the chilled plum juice on the table, and gulped it down.

Xiangling instructed the old woman to carry the bathwater out of the gauze-covered cabinet, and then took a towel, standing behind Liu Feng to wipe his hair.

After drinking a bowl of chilled plum juice, Liu Feng felt refreshed and comfortable all over. He closed his eyes, leaned back, and lazily rested his head in Xiang Ling's arms, letting her wipe and fuss over him.

I didn't wash my hair; it just got a little wet when I took a shower. I can dry it off easily.

Xiangling put down the towel, reached out and massaged his head, asking softly, "Second Master, is the pressure just right?"

"Hmm, not bad, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

Xiangling smiled smugly, about to say something, when Liu Feng suddenly exclaimed, "Huh? What's that in your arms?"

As he spoke, he shook his head and rubbed it gently twice.

Xiangling's cheeks instantly burned, and her ears turned bright red with embarrassment.

Liu Feng then realized what was happening and sighed inwardly at how much a girl can change as she grows up.

In just a few months, Xiangling's body, which was previously thin and only slightly rounded, now has a clear outline, and feels soft and supple against you...

Nonsence!

Liu Feng shook his head slightly, shaking off all the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

Behind him, Xiangling's cheeks grew increasingly hot. She lowered her head and gently pressed Liu Feng's head with her fingertips.

At this moment, Aunt Liu lifted the curtain and came in, holding a letter in her hand: "Second Master, this was personally delivered by Commander Li."

"Where is he?" Liu Feng took the letter, opened it, and began to read.

"They're sitting in the gatehouse, drinking tea and waiting," said Aunt Liu.

Liu Feng grunted in acknowledgment and looked down to examine the document carefully. It was intelligence that had just been sent from the Rongguo Mansion, detailing events in Grandmother Jia's room.

After reading it, Liu Feng snorted coldly and said to Liu Ma, "Let Li Shoutian in." As he spoke, he raised his hand and patted Xiangling's hand.

Xiangling picked up a towel from the side, turned around, and went into the bedroom.

A moment later, Li Shoutian strode in.

Liu Feng got up and walked to the guest chair against the wall, gesturing for him to sit down.

Li Shoutian hurriedly waved his hands: "No, no, this is not the way it used to be. You are now a high-ranking official of the fourth rank in the imperial court. We subordinates must abide by the rules... Ouch, why did you kick me!"

Liu Feng kicked him again: "Stop talking nonsense, sit down!"

"Thank you for offering me a seat, Your Excellency!" Li Shoutian bowed respectfully before sitting down, smiling as he said, "The Rongguo Mansion is far inferior to the Ningguo Mansion. Every little private matter in the inner quarters is leaked out. All matters, big and small, are decided by the women of the Wang family. Gold and silver are all being transferred to the Wang family in various ways. Even Jia Lian..."

Even getting intimate with the maids in the main room requires watching your wife's expression... By the way, I heard that Jia Zheng is also afraid of his wife. He usually puts on a tough and dignified appearance in public, but who knew he was such a spineless coward!

Liu Feng smiled and said, "Once you figure out the ins and outs of the East Mansion, you'll be astonished!"

"Isn't Your Excellency going to a banquet at the Rongguo Mansion? I've prepared a generous gift for you."

Li Shoutian pulled a leather envelope from his sleeve, took out several sheets of ink-stained paper, and handed them over. "You instructed me to investigate Jia Lian's servant, Wang'er, and you were right. He is indeed lending money at exorbitant interest rates. Not only him, I also found out that Zhou Rui is doing the same thing!"

"Oh?"

Liu Feng took the document and looked through it. He immediately understood that Zhou Rui, like Wang'er, was secretly lending money at exorbitant interest rates for his master.

What a vegetarian and Buddhist housekeeper she is!

As expected of daughters from the Wang family, none of them are easy to deal with.

Thinking of this, Liu Feng picked out Zhou Rui's photos and sneered inwardly: Didn't you keep saying that this matter couldn't be left like this? Then I'll give you a big gift and strip away your hypocritical mask and your false true face.

"when--"

The clock in the corner struck; it was getting late, time to go to the Rongguo Mansion for the banquet.

......................

The original text says that the Ning and Rong mansions occupied most of the street. Liu Feng didn't really understand what that meant at first, and just thought it was an ordinary street.

It wasn't until I arrived at the place in person that I realized how short-sighted I had been.

The Ning and Rong mansions stand side by side, both being three-section, five-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard houses) built according to the highest nobility standards. Both mansions have three-bay gates with animal-head carvings, and each gate is flanked by two large stone lions, making them look particularly grand.

The main gate of Ningguo Mansion was tightly closed, with only the east and west side gates allowing people to enter and exit.

The main gate of Rongguo Mansion was also tightly closed, with only the side gate open.

Jia Lian was already waiting at the bottom of the stone steps with Jia Baoyu, who was dressed in a flamboyant red outfit, and a young gentleman in fine clothes with slicked-back hair.

Rongguo Mansion is the residence of a Duke of the highest rank. It only opens its main gate to welcome guests when there are important events such as weddings or funerals, imperial edicts, or when members of the royal family, princes, nobles, or high-ranking officials of the cabinet come to visit.

The side doors are only opened when important guests arrive. Ordinary guests and family members all use the east and west side doors.

Before Liu Feng could even dismount, Jia Lian quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Brother Liu, on your promotion to Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! It's truly a cause for celebration!"

Liu Feng dismounted, casually handed the riding whip to the Imperial Guard behind him, and returned the greeting with a smile and a cupped hand: "It's just that I was fortunate enough to get this official position thanks to the Emperor's grace."

He then pointed towards the cart and said, "This is my first visit, and I don't know what the Madam usually likes. These are just some ordinary things, please don't find them offensive!"

Jia Lian quickly exchanged a few polite words of deference, then instructed the steward to deliver the gifts directly to Grandmother Jia's room.

Liu Feng smiled. It wasn't that he was deliberately trying to curry favor; it was just the etiquette and rules of this world.

As a disciple of Lin Ruhai, and by seniority a junior to Grandmother Jia, he couldn't possibly arrive empty-handed. Besides, Jia Min had always treated him well; both out of courtesy and consideration, he had to be perfectly respectful and considerate.

Besides, Liu Feng also had his own ulterior motives.

He first made sure to observe proper etiquette and lay the groundwork, so that if Lin Daiyu were to be taken to the Rongguo Mansion later, he could legitimately intervene and take care of her—a strategy of courtesy before force.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jia Lian introduced Jia Baoyu to Liu Feng.

When Liu Feng saw the handprint on Jia Baoyu's face, he almost couldn't help but laugh. A whole day and night had passed, and the mark was still so obvious. He would definitely have to give that kid a few more taels of silver later.

He showed no sign of surprise, pretending that he had just recognized Jia Baoyu, and quickly cupped his hands and said with a smile, "It's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple..." He added, "Back when we were in the south, I often heard Madam mention him. Today, seeing him in person, he is indeed exceptionally handsome, a dragon among men."

Jia Lian, suppressing a laugh, quickly introduced Jia Rong: "This is Rong-ge'er, the only son of Master Zhen of the East Mansion."

Liu Feng nodded with a smile. He truly looked down on this man. His own wife had been ruined by his father, yet he still pretended to be a dutiful son and grandson, showing no backbone whatsoever.

Liu Feng didn't like Jia Baoyu, but he didn't hate him either, since he had no vested interest in him.

As for Jia Lian, he's not exactly a good person, but he still has some conscience and bottom line. It's just that his private morality is terrible and he's a womanizer.

However, he is truly capable, and it would be worthwhile to make his acquaintance.

"It's so hot outside, don't stand at the door, the gentlemen are waiting in Rongxi Hall."

Jia Lian then instructed the steward to treat the accompanying Imperial Guards well, and then led Liu Feng into the mansion.