The Cloud Feather of the Red Chamber: A Marriage Arranged with Gong Yuanzheng at the Start

The palace gates outside the painting brought comfort to everyone's hearts.

Inside the painting, Grandmother Jia felt a sharp pain in her chest. She clutched her chest and looked at Jia Min, crying, "Min'er! Min'er!"

Jia Min sighed inwardly, helped up Grandmother Jia, and said to Gong Yuanzheng, "Yuanzheng, let your maternal grandmother take a look and see if there is anything seriously wrong."

Upon hearing this, Gong Yuanzheng walked to the soft couch. When Grandmother Jia tried to avoid him, she stopped abruptly when she met the young man's gaze.

Yuanyang watched as Gong Yuanzheng approached Grandmother Jia, her heart leaping into her throat. "Wait!"

Gong Yuanzheng looked at her with a half-smile, and Yuanyang, in her excitement, swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

She already knew that the young man in front of her was no good. Don't be fooled by his gentle and harmless smile; his heart was definitely black!

Yuanyang, feigning composure, took out a handkerchief and placed it on Grandmother Jia's wrist, her smile impeccable.

"Uncle-in-law, please."

Gong Yuanzheng gave a soft snort and took Jia Mu's wrist.

"Mother, Grandmother is fine; she was just extremely angry."

"She's a little weak. I'll prescribe a remedy for her in a bit. After drinking a few doses, she'll be fully recovered."

After saying that, he immediately returned to his seat.

Jia Min smiled and said, "You've had a hard journey, Mother. Just take the medicine according to Yuanzheng's prescription, and you'll definitely recover quickly."

Grandmother Jia thought to herself: I dare not take the medicine he prescribed.

Upon further reflection, she learned that even the Emperor was drinking the conditioning formula prescribed by Gong Yuanzheng, and she was immediately caught in a dilemma.

As people get older, they cherish life more, and she really couldn't refuse the prescription that Gong Yuanzheng gave her.

After this commotion, Grandmother Jia lost all interest in bringing up the marriage between Daiyu and Baoyu again.

He simply mustered his energy to introduce Jia Min.

"This is your elder brother's second wife. You had already gone to Yangzhou by then and hadn't met her yet."

"This is Zhu'er's wife."

Jia Min's expression was indifferent; she simply smiled and nodded at the two of them.

Lin Qingyue led Gong Yuanzheng to greet the two, and Li Wan hurriedly returned the greeting, not daring to look in Gong Yuanzheng's direction at all.

With only one lady remaining, Grandmother Jia looked somewhat embarrassed, but still said, "This is your second sister-in-law's sister-in-law, the current mistress of the Xue family, who is currently staying at our home."

Jia Min gave a half-smile and didn't respond to Grandmother Jia's words.

Lin Qingyue and Gong Yuanzheng remained completely still.

Lady Wang has now shaved her head and is practicing Buddhism in the family temple. Unexpectedly, Xue Baochai still entered the Jia family.

The downfall of Wufeng exposed too many corrupt officials, and the Xue family was naturally implicated as well.

The patriarch of the Xue family was also a man of great courage, donating most of his wealth to the national treasury in exchange for the safety of his entire family.

Although his net worth has shrunk considerably, at least his life has been saved.

Compared to Lady Wang, Aunt Xue was just an ordinary housewife who knew nothing about court affairs.

She thought that Jia Min was treating her so coldly because of Madam Wang.

Madam Wang mentioned more than once in her letters that she and Jia Min did not have a good relationship.

Given that Jia Min's attitude towards her sister-in-law's younger sister, whom she dislikes the most, is perfectly normal.

Aunt Xue seemed oblivious to anything amiss and remained as enthusiastic as ever.

"These are some little trinkets we brought from Nanjing. We hope you like them."

Looking at the gift from Aunt Xue, Lin Qingyue smiled slightly. Such a valuable gift was no small trinket.

Grandmother Jia couldn't stand the atmosphere any longer, so she quickly introduced the girls next to her to Jia Min one by one.

Jia Min presented the gift she had prepared beforehand.

Jia Lan's gift was given directly to Li Wan.

The gifts that Jia Baoyu and Jia Huan exchanged were handed over by Grandmother Jia on their behalf.

After receiving the gift, Li Wan immediately took her leave.

The reason was readily available: Gong Yuanzheng was an outsider, and it was really not suitable for her, a widow, to stay here for a long time.

All eyes fell on Xue Baochai at the same time.

Boys and girls are not allowed to sit together after the age of seven, and among the girls present, she was the only one who was older than that.

Moreover, she is a true outsider.

Xue Baochai's smile was somewhat stiff, but she still slowly rose and bowed.

"Madam, Madam Lin, I'll be going now."

Lin Qingyue's eyes flickered slightly; Xue Baochai had already moved into the Jia family mansion.

It's impossible for Daiyu to live in the Jia family now.

Without Daiyu, I wonder how her relationship with Jia Baoyu would have developed.

As I was pondering, a hearty laugh came from outside the door. "I'm late, I haven't greeted my distinguished guest."

Then a lady who looked like a goddess or fairy entered the house.

Upon entering, he bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam and Aunt!"

Before anyone could answer, she stepped forward and took Lin Qingyue's hand, "This must be Sister Lin, right? Aunt is so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter!"

Looking at Gong Yuanzheng, his eyes were filled with undisguised admiration, "This must be my brother-in-law. He is indeed a handsome man! He and Sister Lin are a perfect match!"

Gong Yuanzheng, who had initially been somewhat averse to the visitor, instantly became like a cat whose fur had been stroked, and his face showed the most genuine smile he had had since entering the Jia family mansion.

"I see that you seem to be a bit weak and have a cold spleen. I'll prescribe a remedy for you in a bit."

Wang Xifeng was taken aback, then overjoyed. She was no ignorant housewife, especially after being reprimanded by Jia She, she had carefully investigated everyone in the Gong family.

She knew her body well; it was more than just a matter of being weak and having a cold spleen. If Gong Yuanzheng were to help her, she could definitely give birth to a younger brother for Qiao Jie'er.

"I had long heard of my brother-in-law's remarkable medical skills, and seeing them today, I can confirm that the rumors are true! With just one glance, he detected my abnormality; he's truly a legendary doctor!"

Under her influence, the atmosphere in the room was no longer as oppressive as before.

Grandmother Jia smiled again, "This is Lian'er's wife, you can call her Feng Lazi!"

Jia Min's eyes flickered slightly, but she did not show any displeasure because Wang Xifeng was Madam Wang's niece. Instead, she praised her:

"He's capable."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's expression shifted. If Min'er didn't mind Wang Xifeng's background, would she also not mind Baoyu's background?

Gong Zishang looked at Wang Xifeng in the painting and stroked his chin. "I like her bold and forthright spirit."

If there's an opportunity in the future, perhaps we can get to know each other.

Young Master Xue was getting a little bored. What he really wanted to see was himself, Da Xue, his younger brother Qing Yu, and his younger sister Yu'er. Why wasn't the painting showing them today?

Amidst the laughter and chatter, a young man with a face as bright as the Mid-Autumn Moon and a complexion as delicate as a spring flower ran into the house.

As soon as I entered, I saw Gong Yuanzheng.

Jia Baoyu was taken aback; he had never seen such a man before.

He was exceptionally handsome, and his demeanor was unique, unlike that of a scholar or a warrior.

It's a feeling that's both righteous and evil.

Just like now, he is clearly smiling in a simple, harmless, warm and gentle way.

But it makes people feel that he will kill someone at any moment.

What a peculiar person!

Meeting Shanggong Yuanzheng's gaze, he blurted out, "Brother, do you have any jade?"