Dream of the Red Chamber: From a Border Ruffian to a Capital Tyrant

The capital city is bustling and prosperous, but little do people know that the border is already rife with bloodshed and violence.

Inside the Rongguo Mansion, it was at its peak of prosperity, with extravagant feasts and lavish decorations, and the entire mansion exuded a peaceful and decadent atmosphere.

In Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia sat high in the main seat, her face full of kindness, like an old chrysanthemum in full bloom, but her eyes concealed shrewdness and enjoyment.

Lady Xing, wife of Jia She of the eldest son's family, Lady Wang, wife of Jia Zheng of the second son's family, along with the shrewd and ruthless Wang Xifeng, and a group of young ladies including Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun, all surrounded her.

Inside the hall, glasses clinked and laughter rang out like silver bells, seemingly able to cover up all the gloom in the world.

As the lifeblood of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu, born with a jade in his mouth like a phoenix egg, has just returned from fulfilling a vow at the temple and has not yet appeared.

At this time of year, the melancholy Lin Daiyu has not yet arrived in the capital, and Pear Fragrance Courtyard remains vacant.

Xue Pan, who had killed someone, was never exposed, and Aunt Xue's family disappeared without a trace.

Inside Rongqing Hall, there was truly a scene of singing and dancing in peace and prosperity.

It must be mentioned that Wang Xifeng's clever tongue was indeed endearing. With just a few words, she could hit Jia Mu's sore spot, making the old matriarch laugh heartily, her eyes filled with joy.

Before long, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Jia Baoyu swayed as he walked in.

He wore a jeweled purple-gold crown that shone brightly in the sun, and a gold headband with two dragons chasing a pearl, which gleamed brilliantly.

Wearing a bright red arrow-sleeved dress with two colors of gold butterflies and flowers, a five-colored silk sash with long tassels tied around the waist, a dark blue brocade jacket with eight floral patterns and tassels, and light blue satin boots with pink soles, she was truly a woman of wealth and elegance!

Looking at her face, it was like the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, her complexion like the flowers at dawn in spring, her sideburns as if cut by a knife, her eyebrows as if painted with ink, her face like peach petals, and her eyes like autumn waves.

Even when angry, she seemed to smile; even when glaring, she appeared affectionate. Around her neck was a golden dragon necklace, with a five-colored silk ribbon tied to the magical jade, which dazzled the eye under the lamplight.

If Jia Lang were here, he would surely sneer:

With his rosy cheeks and round, wealthy-looking face, isn't he exactly the type of "young and handsome man" that's most sought after in Chengdu's Taikoo Li?

Unfortunately, beneath that beautiful exterior lies a bunch of scoundrels!

At this moment, this "Second Master Bao" had just stepped into Rongxi Hall when he went straight to the center of the hall, knelt down on both knees with a "thump," his movements were quite standard, and he said respectfully:

"Grandmother, your grandson is back."

Upon seeing her beloved daughter, Grandmother Jia's eyes instantly narrowed into slits with laughter, and the wrinkles on her face seemed to be ironed out. She exclaimed repeatedly:

"Oh my, my Baoyu is back!"

"Were you tired from the journey?"

"Quickly, get up and sit down!"

Having said that, he turned and instructed the head maid behind him:

"Yuanyang, what are you standing there for?"

"Go quickly and pour a cup of maple dew tea for Baoyu to moisten his throat."

"Grandmother, your grandson isn't tired at all!"

Jia Baoyu responded, but did not get up. Instead, he burrowed into Grandmother Jia's arms like a boneless eel and began to wriggle and act coquettishly.

His endearing, simple-minded appearance drew another round of laughter from the women in the room, making the atmosphere even more lively.

A moment later, Yuanyang brought in the tea. Wang Xifeng, quick-witted and agile, immediately stood up to take it, handing it to her with a beaming smile.

"Come on, Brother Bao, have some tea."

"Your complexion is rosy; you must be exhausted from walking so fast."

"Hehe, second sister-in-law, I'm really not tired!"

Jia Baoyu chuckled as he took the cup, tilted his head back, and gulped it down in one go. He then casually handed the empty cup to the maid beside him and wiped his mouth.

"He's just a mischievous monkey, how would he know what tiredness is?"

Grandmother Jia smiled and playfully scolded him, then reached out to straighten his clothes.

"In my opinion, coming back so late, he's probably out having fun somewhere again."

"Look at you, your clothes are all dirty. You don't even know how to take care of yourself."

Looking at Jia Baoyu's smiling, handsome face, Grandmother Jia smiled so broadly that her eyes disappeared, full of doting affection.

Upon hearing this, all the maids and wives in the room covered their mouths and giggled, their laughter as clear and crisp as shattered jade.

Hearing everyone teasing him, Jia Baoyu wasn't annoyed. Instead, he snuggled even closer into Grandmother Jia's arms, drawing out his words in a coquettish tone:

"Ancestor~"

Just as the room was filled with warmth and joy, an untimely announcement abruptly shattered the false tranquility:

"Grandma, the Second Master is back."

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu, who had just been inseparable from his mother, suddenly sprang up from her arms like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, standing obediently to the side, eyes downcast and not daring to even breathe loudly.

He feared neither heaven nor earth, except for Jia Zheng, who was like a strict father and a cruel official.

In an instant, the laughter in Rongqing Hall stopped abruptly, and the air seemed to freeze, becoming oppressive and heavy.

This demonstrates Jia Zheng's overwhelming power in the Rongguo Duke's Mansion.

This is not surprising, as the eldest master, Jia She, inherited the title but did not manage household affairs, leaving the second master, Jia Zheng, as the sole pillar of the entire Jia family.

The fact that he lived in the main room of Rongxi Hall, while Jia She could only live in the old house in the East Courtyard, reveals the underlying reasons.

Jia Zheng was the supreme ruler of the Jia family.

His return made everyone put away their arrogance and become trembling with fear.

"……master!"

"Greetings, sir!"

"May you be well, sir."

Amidst the rising and falling greetings, Jia Zheng, dressed in official robes, strode slowly into the hall with a steady, mountain-like gait.

His gaze swept quickly across the room, and seeing that all his wives were present, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"I hope you are well, Madam!"

When Jia Zheng walked to the front of the hall, he did not sit down directly. Instead, he bowed and clasped his hands, his expression respectful but revealing a rigidity.

Grandmother Jia's previously relaxed brows furrowed instantly, and she said with displeasure:

"Zheng'er, didn't you already come for your morning and evening greetings today?"

"Why are you here again now?"

As soon as Jia Zheng entered the room, he completely extinguished the joyful atmosphere, which greatly angered Grandmother Jia, who was enjoying the happiness of family life.

Jia Zheng shook his head helplessly, his face showing a hint of solemnity:

"I did not mean to disturb your enjoyment, but there is a matter of utmost importance that I must inform you of immediately."

After saying this, he bowed deeply once again.

Grandmother Jia glared at him, then turned to look at Jia Baoyu, who was cowering to the side, with eyes full of affection. Seeing Baoyu with his head down like a frightened quail, she felt even more sorry for him. Only then did she turn to Jia Zheng and say in a low voice:

"Fine, what's the rush to say this now?"

"If it's not urgent, go back and rest early."

Jia Zheng forced a smile, cupped his hands, and asked:

"Madam, do you still remember Lang-ge'er?"

Grandmother Jia was taken aback upon hearing this. Her cloudy old eyes darted around, and after a moment, she hesitated before saying:

"Lang-ge'er? You mean... the one who caused a scene in Ningguo Prefecture and later joined the army at Yanmen Pass?"

"Madam has a good memory; it is indeed this person."

Jia Zheng immediately offered his support.

Grandmother Jia remained unmoved by the praise, merely giving a slight shrug.

"What happened to him? Could it be that he couldn't endure the hardships of the frontier and came back?"