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

Ping'er felt a chill run down her spine, and her expression turned serious. She then led the old woman away.

Jiao Da was originally a servant in the Ningguo Mansion, but Jia She took him in to help train the mansion's guards.

Now he can be considered Jia She's right-hand man.

Now that Wang Xifeng has sent her guards to find the people, it's clear how determined she is to punish those servants.

The young ladies in the room were all stunned by Wang Xifeng's move, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Wang Xifeng quickly went into the inner room and saw that Qiao Jie'er had been comforted by Jia Xichun and was now leisurely painting.

Relieved, he gave Jia Xichun a grateful smile.

"Fourth sister, you've really had a hard day."

Jia Xichun shook her head, not taking the matter to heart, and stepped forward to help Wang Xifeng.

"Sister Feng, what happened just now? It sounds like it involved my cousin-in-law?"

Wang Xifeng's eyes were filled with doubt; she didn't know what had happened either.

"Fourth sister, let's go to the old lady's place first. I'll ask someone else for details on the way."

Jia Xichun didn't press the matter further, but instead looked at Jia Tanchun and Jia Yingchun with suspicion.

The two men also looked confused and puzzled.

Only Shi Xiangyun's expression was strange.

There was confusion and bewilderment, but even more so, there was fear and worry.

Just as Wang Xifeng was about to lead a few people to Rongxi Hall, she heard Jiao Da requesting an audience.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Xifeng did not let Jia Yingchun and the others return to the inner room.

Jiao Da came to see her, probably because it was related to what the old woman had said.

Since this matter involves the Jia family, the Lin family, the palace, and the Xue family, Yingchun and the others should know the truth.

Jiao Da entered the room, first bowing to everyone, then lowering his head slightly and respectfully speaking to Wang Xifeng:

"The master said that since Second Madam Lian is now pregnant, she doesn't need to get involved in these matters; he will let Second Master Lian handle them."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng immediately sat back down on the soft couch. It was just as well; she really didn't want to get involved in such sordid matters.

After Jiao Da finished speaking, he prepared to leave, but Shi Xiangyun stopped him and asked with a hesitant expression:

"Brother-in-law, he... he really killed Master Xue?"

Jia Xichun's eyes widened instantly, her face filled with disbelief.

Jiao Da nodded, "That's true."

Shi Xiangyun's face turned pale instantly, and she said in a trembling voice, "Why...why? How could he kill someone so casually? That...that was Sister Bao's father."

Jiao Da had no intention of covering up for the Xue family's disgrace; "The Xue family's young master was disrespectful to his cousin and his daughter."

"The son-in-law only took action because he could no longer tolerate it. Master Xue died because he was protecting Young Master Xue from the knife."

An eerie silence fell over the room.

I never expected the truth to be like this.

It's just unknown what the young master of the Xue family did to anger Gong Yuanzheng to the point of drawing his sword.

Shi Xiangyun opened her mouth again and again, but finally only managed to say, "That doesn't warrant killing someone..."

Wang Xifeng was no naive young lady; recalling Xue Pan's past behavior, she immediately guessed what he had done.

She frowned in disgust. "That Xue Pan has really done something terrible! He's a scourge that lives on for a thousand years, needlessly dragging Uncle Xue down with him!"

Shi Xiangyun's eyes widened in disbelief that Wang Xifeng would say such a thing.

"Sister Feng, the Xue family's young master is your own cousin, while Gong Yuanzheng is just..."

Wang Xifeng looked at her coldly, her right hand lightly stroking her abdomen, "But what? All I know is that he is my benefactor!"

"I'm too lazy to talk to you about the Xue family's affair, lest you think I'm trying to sow discord between you and your sister Bao."

"Since you're not happy here, you should go find your sister Bao!"

Having been in the Jia family for so many years, this was the first time Shi Xiangyun had been treated like this by Wang Xifeng.

Her eyes reddened and immediately filled with tears, but seeing Wang Xifeng's indifferent expression, and the other two showing no intention of persuading her.

He stomped his foot and ran out of the house.

Gong Zishang slowly put down his teacup, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at Wang Xifeng.

When she first saw the old woman come in, she was afraid that Feng Lazi would be frightened and it would affect the baby in her womb.

As it turned out, this fiery Feng really opened her eyes. Faced with such a situation, she regained her composure so quickly and didn't forget to seize the loopholes in the mansion.

Calm, decisive, courageous, and resourceful—it's a pity that such a talented person is confined to the inner quarters.

Gong Zishang sighed, realizing that the version of herself in the painting clearly did not know Feng Lazi.

I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to get to know this fiery woman, Feng.

The Rongxi Hall was in chaos, and Aunt Xue fainted upon hearing the news.

Xue Baochai sat beside Aunt Xue with a blank stare and a lost expression, holding her hand tightly.

No matter how mature and composed she may be, she is still a young girl who has not yet reached marriageable age.

In this situation, the fact that she managed to stay calm and not faint is already far superior to her mother's.

As Grandmother Jia watched, even though she was annoyed that her birthday celebration had been ruined, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

She whispered to Yuanyang, "Have Lian'er and his wife help deal with the Xue family's affairs."

Yuanyang hesitated for a moment, but still reminded Grandmother Jia, "Grandmother, even the Second Madam is currently pregnant."

Grandmother Jia's face was somewhat unpleasant; she had only just remembered this matter.

Thinking of the unborn child in Wang Xifeng's arms, and then of Baoyu, her expression changed unpredictably.

When Physician Wang arrived at the Jia family, Master Xue's body was already cold.

He naturally knew that today was the old lady's birthday, and couldn't help but feel a little strange.

"Is Young Master Zheng also at the manor? If he intervenes, perhaps he can save this master's life."

Jia She raised an eyebrow, asking with some curiosity, "Such a serious injury, can it be treated even during a distant expedition?"

Physician Wang explained to Jia She with a serious expression, "Young Master Zheng is a person from the martial arts world. People from the martial arts world cultivate their internal strength from a young age."

“Young Master Zheng’s internal strength is undoubtedly top-notch. If he were to make a move, he could completely protect Master Xue’s heart meridian with his internal strength.”

"Then we can administer acupuncture and stop the bleeding, and we will be able to save this gentleman."

"I see," Jia She nodded. "What a pity."

It was Gong Yuanzheng who intervened; how could he possibly save anyone?

Xue Pan naturally heard what Physician Wang said, and he was shocked.

She threw herself onto Master Xue's body and burst into tears once again.

Since they were already there, Physician Wang took the opportunity to check the pulses of Aunt Xue, the old lady, and all the other women of Rongxi Hall, as they had all been frightened.

After Physician Wang left, the women who had come to offer their birthday wishes looked at each other, unsure whether they should take their leave now.

The Grand Eunuch Xia Li, who serves the Emperor, has come to wish the old lady a happy birthday. If they leave now, wouldn't it seem too impolite of them?

Ignoring the gazes of the many women, Xia Li stepped forward and looked at Grandmother Jia with a smile.

Grandmother Jia forced a smile; how could she not be furious that a birthday banquet had turned into a tragedy?

But in front of Xia Li, she dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction.

The Emperor specially sent people to congratulate her on her birthday; this was a sign of her dignity and respect.

Xia Li first wished Grandmother Jia a happy birthday, and then explained the main purpose of his visit.

"Madam, we have another mission here."

Grandmother Jia's expression changed slightly; her intuition told her that what Xia Li was about to say was not something she wanted to hear.

A sharp gaze swept over Jia She, who simply returned a smile.

But there was no smile in his eyes, only a hint of madness and indifference.

Grandmother Jia's heart began to race, and her unease grew stronger.

"The Empress Dowager has received the old lady's memorial."

"She was deeply gratified by your understanding and righteousness, and specially requested an imperial decree from the Emperor."

As he spoke, Xia Li took out a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve.

Grandmother Jia hurriedly knelt down to receive the imperial decree, and the many women in the family also dared not delay and knelt down one after another.

Xia Li's voice slowly rang out, but for Grandmother Jia, it was like a bolt from the blue.

She couldn't remember the exact contents of the imperial edict, only the general outline.

The Jia family is preparing to repay the silver they have borrowed from the national treasury over the years.

When the public funds were insufficient, she used her private savings to make up the difference.

Grandmother Jia opened her mouth, as if to say that she had never written such a memorial before.

But she dared not say it. The Emperor had already issued an edict of commendation. If she denied it now, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the royal family?

She suddenly looked at Jia She. It was him! It must be him! He forged her handwriting to write the memorial!