A Dream of Red Mansions: A Fairy Tale of Dreams (Complete) - Part 4

Chapter 72 Xue Pan Leaves the

Capital "Fake" Bao Yu broke out in a cold sweat. This sounded like he had joined a gang of thieves. He had only ever heard of joining Liangshan to do a risk-free business, never to pass the test by telling jokes!
Although he smiled bitterly to himself, such a small matter was of no difficulty to him. He could easily pick a joke in the 21st century and make these guys dizzy!
"Alright! Since everyone's so interested, I'll give you something a little risqué!" Baoyu cleared his throat and began mysteriously, "Tell me about a time when a teacher was lecturing at a private school. He asked,
'What was the name of the horse ridden by Lü Bu, the fiercest warrior of the Three Kingdoms period?' None of the students knew the answer, so the teacher had to call on student A to answer. Student A racked his brains but couldn't come up with a solution, so he gritted his teeth and answered, 'Diao Chan!' Upon hearing this, the teacher was furious and said, 'I asked about the one she rode during the day!'" As soon as Baoyu finished speaking, everyone was slightly taken aback, not finding it funny. Feng Ziying pressed on, "And then?" "There's no 'and then.' It ends with the teacher saying, 'I asked about the one she rode during the day!'" Baoyu leisurely took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, inwardly sighing, "These ancient people really have low IQs!"
"Riding it during the day?!" Someone murmured, and the bewildered group of young men immediately realized what was happening and burst into laughter. Xue Pan laughed the loudest, "Brother, do you think this teacher rides his wife every night? I never thought this schoolteacher liked this riding style, ha, ha..." "Brother Liu, please don't laugh at my shallowness. We brothers can speak freely among ourselves!" Bao Yu saw Liu Xianglian sitting alone. Because he greatly admired the "Liu Xianglian" in "Dream of the Red Chamber," the "fake" Bao Yu naturally felt close to the real person. Liu Xianglian's
slightly furrowed brows relaxed. "Second Master Bao, you worry too much. I am a man of the Jianghu, and I don't have such pedantic views. A man of the Jianghu should abandon worldly views and not be bound by trivialities; that is true nature!" Bao Yu was even more delighted to hear this. Seeing that Liu Xianglian was indeed a chivalrous man as described in the book, he couldn't help but want to befriend him and chatted happily with him.
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, those with unrestrained personalities sang and clapped their chopsticks with abandon. Xue Pan, emboldened by the wine, began to indulge in frivolous revelry with the beautiful women beside him. Suddenly, someone started a swarm of lecherous men,
each taking a woman into a room for their own pleasure. Only Baoyu and Liu Xianglian politely declined the "invitations" of the women beside them. Liu Xianglian remained completely oblivious to the woman beside him, his coldness deterring even seasoned courtesans from approaching. Baoyu, though not actually engaging in any intimate acts with the woman beside him, laughed and joked without restraint, his large hands taking full advantage of her until she was panting heavily. She resisted Baoyu's insistence, only turning her anger into delight after he casually tossed her a silver note. She then happily kissed Baoyu on the cheek before swaying away!
"Brother Liu is truly a gentleman!" Baoyu sighed from the bottom of his heart. He felt utterly like a lecherous wolf in his presence, and indeed, he didn't sleep with these prostitutes simply because he looked down on their vulgarity! Otherwise… heh heh!
"Brother Jia is quite good too, passing through a garden of flowers without a single petal clinging to you—isn't that your ideal?!" Liu Xianglian kindly poured Baoyu a cup of tea.
Time slipped away unnoticed as the two chatted, until Xue Pan entered with light, swaggering steps. Only then did Baoyu and Liu Xianglian, whom they considered close friends, realize how much time had passed.
Liu Xianglian bowed and took his leave first, and Baoyu saw him off. Feeling as if they had known each other for a long time, the two happily agreed on a future meeting. Liu Xianglian then rode off in a cloud of dust!
Watching his figure disappear swiftly, Baoyu leisurely returned to the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion to find Xue Pan, secretly thinking to himself, "I never expected to run into Liu Xianglian like this!" " To make such a friend is truly a joyous occasion!"
"Brother, you've only just met Brother Liu, why do you value him so highly? This isn't like you at all!" Xue Pan, though fierce in nature, was straightforward and couldn't hide his doubts.
Bao Yu chuckled, managing to gloss over the situation. He didn't know how to explain; could he say he knew of Liu Xianglian from a book?
"Brother, I've come to tell you something extremely important." Bao Yu's expression was serious, his heavy words creating an atmosphere of tension.
"How could this be? Wasn't the case already closed?" Upon hearing this, Xue Pan slumped into his chair, pale-faced. Had he come to the capital only to find himself unable to escape? The fearsome Imperial Guards were about to reopen old wounds—what was he to do?!
“Zhao Quan is determined to deal with us. With his power, he can easily overturn the case and reopen the trial,” Bao Yu’s mind raced, and a flash of inspiration appeared. “Moreover, I think it’s not just Zhao Quan and Zhongshan Wolf involved. There must be someone even more powerful behind them plotting against us!” “There’s more?!” Xue Pan, who was already at a loss, was even more terrified, as if he could already see the tragic scene of his family being raided and his head being
beheaded! “To be honest, elder brother, the rumors circulating in the streets are actually 90% true,” Bao Yu told Xue Pan about Zhou Bapi’s affair. “That ‘Lord Xiongshan’ has a mysterious background. Such an extraordinary person cannot be commanded by Zhao and Sun. Based on this, my deduction is probably correct!” “It’s over, it’s over…!” When Xue Pan heard that sorcery was involved, he was immediately terrified, and cold sweat poured down his back.
"Brother, don't be afraid! Shi Yu has his own way of dealing with the sorcerer. You just need to leave the capital as soon as possible and hide for a while. It would be best to secretly return to Jinling and make sure the deceased's family is properly settled with a large sum of money." Seeing Xue Pan's puzzled expression, Bao Yu cursed him as an idiot in his heart!
"When the aggrieved party is gone, I'll find a way to bring down Zhao Quan in the capital. Then you can come back
openly and proudly!" Bao Yu finished explaining his plan lightly and then let out a long sigh of relief! "That's all we can do!" Xue Pan didn't expect that he had just started to make some progress in the capital, but he would have to secretly escape again. He looked disappointed and dejected. "After I leave, Mother and Sister will have to go to the Jia Mansion to hide!" "We're family, I will definitely take good care of Aunt and Sister Bao!" Bao Yu couldn't help but picture two stunning beauties, one big and one small, and his heart was filled with ripples that lingered for a long time!

Chapter Seventy-Three: A Heart Filled with Jealousy and Hatred.

In the outskirts of Kyoto, nestled among a cluster of bamboo, a serene courtyard came into view. Upturned eaves, vermilion walls, and green tiles—silver bells hanging at the four corners tinkled softly in the breeze, their clear sounds echoing in the tranquil air.
Liu Xianglian respectfully pushed open the door to the meditation room. "Disciple Liu Xianglian greets Master!" With these words, his tall figure knelt respectfully on the prayer mat at the doorway.
"Come in and answer!" The powerful words, though calm, carried an irresistible authority. The venerable and refined Master Tingfeng looked at his disciple at the door, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. The young man before him possessed a talent rarely seen in a century, second only to Miaoyu, the most outstanding genius disciple of the Great Wilderness Mountain's Wuji Cliff.
"I have met Jia Baoyu, whom you mentioned in your letter, Senior Sister," Liu Xianglian said, a hint of disdain in his eyes. "In my opinion, Jia Baoyu is nothing but a dissolute young man. He not only lacks any spiritual energy, but is also greedy and lustful. I really don't understand why you value this fellow so much!" Master Tingfeng looked puzzled. He had great confidence in Miaoyu's judgment. "Could you be deceived by his appearance?" "I tested him under the guise of offering him wine, and my magical power had no effect whatsoever!" Liu Xianglian changed the subject, his tone becoming flattering. "Unless one possesses extraordinary magical power like you, Senior Uncle, he certainly cannot escape my spiritual sense!" "How could this be?" Master Tingfeng unconsciously stroked his black beard, his mind lost in thought. Could Miaoyu be wrong? Judging from Jia Baoyu's situation, he could not possibly possess magical power comparable to his own!
No matter how hard the two people inside racked their brains, they would never understand the mystery. The five-colored divine stone, which was born with heaven and earth, was far beyond the reach of these mortal cultivators. They could only be described as frogs in a well, arrogant and conceited!
"Uncle-Master!" Liu Xianglian lowered his eyelids, concealing the burning desire within them. "Jia Baoyu is absolutely a good-for-nothing, but the 'Spirit Jade' on his chest is truly a divine artifact. Even with all my magical power, I cannot get close to it!" "Oh!" Upon hearing this, Tingfeng Jushi's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Could it really be the Five-Colored Divine Stone descending to the mortal realm?!" "Uncle-Master, divine artifacts belong to those with virtue. The divine stone is not only useless in Jia Baoyu's hands, but it is also easy for it to fall into the hands of evil spirits. At that time, our righteous path will be in danger. It would be better to let a righteous master like Uncle-Master keep it in his hands, so as not to betray the will of heaven that the divine stone descended to the mortal realm!" "This..." Tingfeng Jushi had cultivated for nearly two hundred years. He wouldn't care about ordinary treasures, but the temptation of this divine stone was indeed too great! The old Taoist secretly pondered that if he obtained the divine stone, he could not only break through the final barrier between humans and immortals in one fell swoop, but might even leap to become a Golden Immortal in the Upper Realm, then live as long as heaven and earth, carefree and happy!
As Tingfeng Zhenren's greed arose, just as he was about to agree, his senior brother Mangmang Zhenren's solemn instructions before his departure flashed before his eyes: "Junior brother, the chaos in the Three Realms began with 'Precious Jade,' and it will surely end with 'Precious Jade.' I hope you will go down the mountain and do your best to help it. Then your path of cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds!" What a close call! A thunderclap exploded in the old Taoist's heart. He regained his senses, feeling drenched in sweat and his heart pounding. His mind had almost been controlled by demonic possession; otherwise, he would have been condemned to not only fail to attain immortality, but would have fallen into the wrong path, descended into demonic ways, and never be reborn!
"Lian'er, let fate decide. We just need to do our best to protect the 'Spirit Jade.' As long as it doesn't fall into the hands of evil spirits, everything is up to fate!" Before Master Tingfeng finished speaking, he closed his eyes and began to silently recite the Heart-Cleansing Mantra in his heart, trying to completely erase the shadow from just now!
"Disciple will follow Master's teachings!" Liu Xianglian bowed and took his leave with a calm expression. As soon as he stepped out of the wooden door of the meditation room, he could no longer hold back his anger. He thought that this foolish old man, who was so easy to manipulate, would not fall into the trap this time. What should he do next?
Liu Xianglian subconsciously walked towards his bedroom, his mind churning with countless thoughts and emotions. Undisguised jealousy and hatred flashed in his eyes. "Senior Sister, oh Senior Sister, in what way am I, Liu Xianglian, inferior to that good-for-nothing Jia Baoyu?! You actually chose him to cultivate with you! Don't you care about my feelings for you at all? Is it just because that guy has a divine stone?" A barely perceptible black glint flashed in Liu Xianglian's eyes as he roared inwardly, "Divine stone, I must seize you! Only I, Liu Xianglian, am worthy of possessing this divine treasure! Then Senior Sister will surely fall into my arms!" But how could he succeed? Torn between jealousy and hatred, Liu Xianglian was in agony. He couldn't openly steal it, so he could only try to take it secretly! But keeping it from the old fogies of his sect was incredibly difficult. Otherwise, even if he managed to seize it, he wouldn't live to enjoy it, let alone reign supreme over the world!
"Senior brother, you're back!" A graceful figure blocked Liu Xianglian's path. The newcomer's bright voice was clear and melodious. "Have you seen our senior sister? She's been gone for over a year now, and I miss her so much!" Liu Xianglian was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that he had unknowingly walked to the backyard. Looking at his beautiful junior sister before him, a brilliant idea flashed into his mind.
"Junior sister, do you miss our senior sister very much?" Seeing the burning adoration and admiration in the girl's eyes, Liu Xianglian felt a pang of reluctance, but for the sake of his ultimate goal, he forcibly suppressed that last trace of pity.
"Yes!" The girl smiled happily. "I joined the sect late, and only you and our senior sister have been the kindest to me. Of course, I want to see our senior sister!" As she spoke, the girl unconsciously moved closer to Liu Xianglian. Her exquisitely sculpted face revealed a hint of affection, and within her beauty, a rare fortitude appeared.
Liu Xianglian's heart fluttered, but he immediately thought of the peerless beauty Miaoyu, whom he had been pursuing with all his heart. His passion instantly died down. Although he also harbored feelings for his junior sister, he knew that if he strayed even once, he would forever lose the chance to pursue her.
Chapter 74: Third Sister You! The poor fellow doesn't even know that his "goddess" has already been taken advantage of by the good-for-nothing he sees!
Liu Xianglian naturally stepped back slightly, not daring to make any move on the girl. Otherwise, given his junior sister's cheerful and straightforward personality, Miaoyu would surely find out.
Thinking of this, he sighed inwardly. Things had to be prioritized; he should wait until he had won over the great beauty before "devouring" the little beauty before him!
"Junior Sister You, I remember you're the third child in your family, right?" Seeing the girl's eyes dim, the shrewd Liu Xianglian quickly changed the subject.
Seeing her senior brother paying so much attention to her, the girl couldn't help but smile happily. "Yes, everyone at home calls me Third Sister You!" "Junior Sister You, your eldest sister is currently cultivating at the Jia Mansion in the city. Have you heard of the Jia Mansion?" Liu Xianglian had a friendly smile on his face, definitely a genuine "wolf in
sheep's clothing." "The Jia Mansion? Is it the Ningguo Mansion?" Third Sister You laughed happily, "My eldest sister married Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion. Speaking of which, we're relatives! What a coincidence!" Upon hearing this, Liu Xianglian's face lit up with joy. It seemed to be fate, that fate was decreed to let him obtain the divine stone and the wondrous jade!
Thinking of this, the man's voice softened even more, "Although it's not the Ningguo Mansion, the Rongguo Mansion where Senior Sister lives is practically family to the Ningguo Mansion. It seems sending you to the Jia family was the right choice!" "To the Jia family?!" The junior sister's rosy lips parted slightly, her bright black eyes flashing with confusion. "Senior brother, who sent me to the Jia family? What's the matter?" Liu Xianglian lowered his voice seriously, "Junior sister, this trip to the Jia family is at the behest of our martial uncle. He has a secret mission to entrust to you!" "A secret mission?!" The girl's beautiful eyes widened, a hint of excitement hidden beneath her astonishment. "But my magic power is weak; how can I possibly help?" "This mission isn't about magic, it's about this," the hypocrite pointed to his head, desperately trying to convince her. "With your intelligence and beauty, Junior Sister, this mission will be a piece of cake!" Before the girl could respond, he embellished his prepared statement, adding the crucial point at the end, "Uncle-Master said you must obtain the 'Spirit Jade' at all costs to prevent it from falling into the hands of evil spirits!" "If Jia Baoyu was born with extraordinary abilities, why is he now a useless piece of trash?" Although the girl believed her senior brother's words, she was straightforward and resolute, with her own opinions.
Liu Xianglian was slightly taken aback, as he himself hadn't considered this question. Seeing his junior sister's hesitant expression, he said without hesitation, "I met Jia Baoyu today, and he really is a lecherous and incompetent playboy. Perhaps Heaven is just using him as a vessel to send down this divine object, and only a truly virtuous and destined person is worthy of possessing it." "What Senior Brother says makes sense. I will definitely do my best to snatch it!" the girl made a quick decision.
"It's not about stealing, it's about using cunning!" Liu Xianglian sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his voice, a renewed surge of jealousy rising within him. "The immortals of Wuzhuang Temple have decreed that naturally formed treasures choose their destined owners; no one can forcibly seize them or harm Jia Baoyu!" "Oh! I understand!" The delicate young woman nodded slightly, but her next words made even the cunning man blush. "Isn't that just 'deception'?!" Seeing her senior brother's displeasure, the girl immediately added, "For the sake of all living beings, I will deceive them to obtain the divine treasure. Senior brother, don't worry!" Liu Xianglian felt as if he had heard divine music, his heart filled with boundless joy. "Junior sister, if you succeed, it will be a great honor for our sect..." "A hero, a savior of the human world!" Upon hearing this, the girl showed no smugness, but instead said with a hint of resentment, "Will my senior brother come to see me? I don't care about being a great hero, as long as my senior brother is happy!" "Don't worry, my senior brother will definitely not forget your kindness!" Liu Xianglian's words were vague and evasive, but then he hardened his heart and said in a solemn tone, "Junior sister, remember, you must get your hands on the divine object. If necessary, you can... you can use your beauty to seduce him. Lust is Jia Baoyu's greatest weakness!" "What?" The girl stood frozen on the ground, feeling a jolt in her mind, as if a giant hammer had struck her sea of consciousness. Her mind went blank, and she was speechless!
Thinking the girl was merely overly shocked, Liu Xianglian didn't pay much attention. He carefully patched up the last flaw in his plan, saying, "Remember, don't tell Senior Sister about this. You know her character; it will only ruin things! Otherwise, Uncle-Master will blame us!" "Okay!" the girl replied blankly, a deep sadness flashing in her eyes. The smug
Liu Xianglian had no time to care. Having achieved his goal, he smiled at the girl with a pleased expression, then turned and left, leaving behind only a seductive utterance: "Junior Sister, the billions of lives in the mortal realm depend on you! I'll leave a secret mark outside the Jia Mansion to arrange a meeting!" Watching her senior brother disappear, You Sanjie, who had stood there for a long time, finally recovered from her shock and sorrow. Two streams of uncontrollable tears gushed out, silently streaming down her cheeks, carrying endless bitterness as they drifted into the void.
"What should I do? What should I do..." The girl looked up at the twilight sky, muttering to herself, "Is this the man I love?!"
Dark clouds drifted towards the Jia family's residence; Liu Xianglian was not the only greedy person.
Outside the capital, atop a solitary peak towering into the clouds, two strange figures appeared in a place rarely visited by humans.
The bird-headed, human-bodied demon pointed to the distant, faintly visible bustling capital, "Reporting to General Yin, that's our destination!" The burly man, a tiger spirit in disguise, his true tiger eyes widened, "Excellent! Watch me fly there immediately to get the divine stone, so I can present it to the King as soon as possible!" "General Yin, don't forget the King's instructions! We must not attract the attention of Wuzhuang Temple, lest we expose our demon realm!" Although the bird demon's magic was weak, his mind was quite sharp, and he still couldn't understand why King Jinniu would send this brave but reckless General Yin to handle such an important matter!
Chapter Seventy-Five: Rebirth of the Soul "Damn it, this is troublesome! I know! I'll act at night; alright, go back and report to the King that I will definitely return in triumph soon!" General Yin glared, startling the bird demon who was about to speak. "Aren't you leaving yet! What, trying to stay and steal my credit?!" "I wouldn't dare!" The bird demon hurriedly and humbly expressed his loyalty, inwardly cursing the other's tiger father, tiger grandfather, and tiger ancestors.
A hawk pierced the void, swiftly flying into the distance.
"Second Palace Master, isn't that the bird demon under Taurus's command?" In a clearing in the dense forest, a little flower demon pointed upwards with slight surprise.
The beautiful and voluptuous peach demon looked up, her heart secretly startled. It seemed that Taurus's subordinates had arrived first, and she had to speed up her journey; unfortunately, she dared not use her magic power casually, for if discovered by mortal cultivators, it would only bring endless trouble and obstacles. For the sake of the greater good, she had no choice but to endure the hardship!
The alluring peach blossom fairy touched the "Mirror of Love and Lust" in her arms, her slightly anxious heart immediately calming down. With this treasure given by her sister, unless the other three kings of the demon realm personally came, she would see who could rival her. Those human cultivators were utterly insignificant!
Dark clouds gathered over the Jia mansion, and a group of wicked people and demons with ulterior motives made their grand entrances.
But our Second Master Bao remained leisurely and carefree, perfectly embodying the saying—ignorance is bliss!
It was late autumn, and the weather was getting colder. Due to a sudden cold snap overnight, Xue Baochai, who had moved to the Jia mansion, unfortunately caught a cold, which greatly worried everyone in the Jia family.
Baoyu walked briskly along the flat avenue of the Grand View Garden, his tall figure appearing and disappearing among the trees and flowers.
During this period, although the production of "cigarettes" was slightly hindered by Xue Pan's departure, all the difficulties were easily resolved thanks to his diligent efforts as Shi Yu. They were just waiting for a sufficient stock of "Red Mansion" brand cigarettes to be produced, at which point they would become famous throughout the land! With
a relaxed mood, Baoyu was naturally carefree and spent his days mingling with the girls in Yi Hong Courtyard. Although he also admired Baochai and Daiyu, the most beautiful women in the Grand View Garden, he had no opportunity to visit them. These two peerless beauties usually only played with their sisters, showing him, the only man in the Grand View Garden, far more politeness than affection! With
the beauties ill, such a heaven-sent opportunity was not to be missed by Baoyu! Sure enough, he hurriedly went to the beauties' residence early in the morning, without even having breakfast.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a graceful and elegant figure stopped before the gate of the refined and grand Hengwu Courtyard. Just as Baoyu was about to knock, the gate creaked open first, revealing a lively and pretty young woman.
"Baoyu, it's you!" the girl exclaimed cheerfully. "Are you here to visit our young lady too?" "Ying'er, is someone here before me?" Baoyu stared at Huang Ying'er with slight surprise.
"Hehe..." Huang Ying'er laughed before speaking, her slender body turning away with a light laugh. "Why don't you come and see for yourself!" Baoyu smiled bitterly to himself. Was he really that kind and approachable? How could even Baochai's personal maid be teasing him?!
The poor fellow consoled himself with a self-satisfied smile, "Hehe... making a beautiful woman happy is a great deed!" A moment later, Baoyu's eyes lit up; the boundless beauty of spring was intoxicating! Not only were Tan Chun, Ying Chun, and Xi Chun present, but Dai Yu and Li Wan were also there. All the women greeted him with captivating smiles, making Bao Yu feel as if he were still in a beautiful dream.
"Greetings, Second Master Bao!" The charming Xiang Ling was quite unfamiliar with Bao Yu, unlike the other women in the Grand View Garden who were always laughing and chatting freely. She bowed slightly, appearing somewhat reserved.
The beautiful woman's clear voice startled the bewildered Bao Yu from his reverie. Even though he was thick-skinned, his handsome face still flushed under the gaze of these stunning beauties of various shapes and sizes. The flustered fellow hurriedly returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, Sister!" "Greetings..." Before Xiang Ling could respond, the women, seeing Bao Yu's pitiful state, burst into laughter. The sweet laughter echoed in the small space, naturally dissolving the awkwardness between Bao Yu and Xiang Ling caused by their unfamiliarity.
A warm and harmonious current transformed into vibrant life in Xiangling's heart, which was filled with sorrow. The unique radiance of a young beauty finally broke free from its long-suppressed constraints, and her lively nature, imprisoned by childhood orphanage, was reborn! Xue Pan's departure did not bring her heartbreak; rather, Xiangling felt as if she had seen the light of day again after leaving the tyrant. The happy life in the Jia family and the kind hearts of the women finally brought her a turning point in her destiny. Just a moment ago, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, she broke free from the "prison of her heart." A firm will flowed within her, and the new Xiangling secretly vowed: from this moment on, she would no longer be a submissive woman suffering injustice. She would seek a happy life with unparalleled courage, to find her home, her true home that she had lost since childhood!
The sudden transformation of the beautiful young woman made Baoyu's heart tremble. At this moment, Xiangling's gentle and charming beauty was no less than that of the other women!
"Brother Bao, you've come too!" Baochai, leaning against the bed, spoke with a voice as beautiful as heaven. Though pale from illness, her unparalleled elegance was still undeniable. "Look at how sick I am, I've made you all worry!" "You're wrong about that!" Daiyu, seeing Baoyu's dazed gaze sweeping over everyone, couldn't help but tease him, "Judging by his expression, he probably hopes you'll be sick every day, so he'll have an excuse to come see you!" "Sister, you're just guessing," Baoyu said calmly, but his heart was pounding. "What a clever Daiyu! Her casual remark has guessed my thoughts perfectly. How could I be that kind of person?" "Sigh!" Daiyu sighed deeply, her beautiful eyes smiling as she looked back at the three sisters. "Don't you think I'm right?" Yingchun, being gentle by nature, couldn't bear to ridicule Baoyu, while Xichun, always cold and taciturn, wouldn't respond. Only Tanchun, not only intelligent and beautiful but also straightforward and lively, wholeheartedly agreed. "That makes sense. I think Brother Bao is just like that." "I want to!" Seeing everyone making a fuss, Li Wan, a mature and composed beauty, spoke up to stop them, "Alright, stop fooling around. Have you all forgotten that we're here to visit a sick person? Don't disturb her!" Chapter 76 Bored Jealousy "It's alright!" Baochai smiled, generous and proper, "Let's all have some fun. The laughter makes my illness better!" "Sister Bao is so considerate of us. Let's all let Brother Bao off the hook!" Yingchun's gentle words were undoubtedly a great blessing to Baoyu. Her alluring charm was faintly visible in her every move. When she saw Baoyu, her eyes were fixed on him, and her heart was burning with desire!
Baoyu forced himself to wake up from his dream of the women's beauty. Seeing that the women who had arrived earlier had finished chatting with Baochai, he stepped forward and carefully observed Baochai's face. He then touched Baochai's forehead lightly without any hesitation.
After a few actions, Baoyu's tense mood finally relaxed. Baochai only had a common cold, and a few doses of traditional Chinese medicine would naturally cure her!
"Brother Bao, when did you learn to diagnose illnesses?" Tanchun couldn't help but wonder, giving Baoyu a strange look as she looked him up and down. "You're pretending to be a doctor, and you're doing it quite convincingly. I wonder if you've figured anything out?" Baoyu smiled confidently and rattled off the common knowledge about colds without hesitation, ending with a feigned humility: "These are just common knowledge in the West, nothing special." "Brother Bao, what you say is almost indistinguishable from what a doctor would say." Baochai's eyes revealed a hint of admiration and appreciation, which made Baoyu overjoyed. Could it be that this peerless beauty had fallen for him? Lost
in his daydreams, Baoyu hadn't even grasped the crucial point when Baochai's next words shattered his beautiful dream completely, leaving the resentful man only to regret that he had trapped himself, suffering in silence and unable to seek redress!
"You learned all this from your friend Shi Yu, right?" Upon mentioning the name "Shi Yu," Baochai's slightly pale face flashed with a strange radiance, and she blossomed like a peony. "Could you tell me more about him? My elder brother can never say anything!" "Ah!" Baoyu froze, gasping in shock. He saw immense curiosity in Baochai's eyes, and a sense of impending danger surged within him. It was all Xue Pan's fault! Why did he have to mention Shi Yu's name at home?! Even though she had never met him, the beauty was already filled with curiosity about him!
True affection between men and women often begins with curiosity! Understanding this deeply, he felt a pang of bitterness. Was he, a living, breathing person, less appealing than a conjured "fake" person?!
"Sister Bao, is the 'Shi Yu' you mentioned the one who taught Bao Yu how to make 'running water'?" Tan Chun couldn't help but ask, her eyes gleaming with envy, which only fueled Bao Yu's jealousy. When did all the credit for his work become Shi Yu's?!
In Baoyu's mind, the "illusory Baoyu" kept kicking Shi Yu, yelling wildly as he hit him, "You bastard, you stole my woman! I'll stomp you to death, I'll strangle you, I'll flatten you..." The jealous guy, not wanting anyone to mention Shi Yu's name again, quickly changed the subject, "Sister Bao, I'll tell you about Shi Yu when you're better. I wonder if Brother Xue has any news?" "Brother sent a letter back a few days ago, asking me to tell you that the matter in Jinling has been settled," Baochai's deep, intelligent eyes revealed a deep suspicion, "What are you hiding from us? How come Brother and you have become so close?!" "This..." Baoyu didn't know how to answer, a thousand thoughts flashing through his mind as he struggled to find a suitable excuse.
Before Baoyu could think of a way to cover it up, Baochai's calm and gentle words rang out first, hitting the nail on the head and making Baoyu even more "angry." "I know even if you don't say it, brother must be talking about that 'cigarette' factory that he and Shi Yu were running, right?" The beauty asked Baoyu with certainty, and then a look of joy appeared on her jade face. "It's all thanks to this young master Shi. After you started dating him, brother finally knows how to do some serious things!" It was "Shi Yu" again! Baoyu was so angry that he gritted his teeth. How could Xue Pan tell Baochai such a secret?! A sour feeling of amusement instantly filled his heart. Before his sour sea of emotions could calm down, he heard the exclamations of the other girls, which made him feel a mix of emotions and regret.
"What?!" To everyone's surprise, the first to exclaim was Xiangling, usually quiet and reserved. Her beautiful eyes widened, revealing a youthful charm amidst her mature allure. "The mysterious 'incense' circulating in the city was actually created by that Young Master Shi?!" Tanchun looked at Xiangling with slight astonishment. Her naturally straightforward nature immediately made her feel a sense of closeness to the "changed" Xiangling. Her jade-like hand unconsciously took Xiangling's arm, and her clear voice echoed, "Brother Bao, tell us quickly, was it created by that Young Master Shi?" Yingchun's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Brother Bao, your friend is truly amazing!
I've never seen anything attract so much attention in all these years!" Xichun remained silent, her face still expressionless, but a barely perceptible twitch appeared on her snow-white face—a truly astonishing sight for someone with such a solitary personality!
Li Wan was the most unmoved woman in the room. This mature and beautiful woman, devoted to upholding her chastity, paid no attention to those strange and unusual trinkets. Her eyes were only on her young son, Jia Lan, and perhaps also on her long-deceased husband, Jia Zhu.
"Baoyu, when did you meet this stranger? Be careful what you do outside!" Li Wan's concerned gaze lingered on her younger brother-in-law. In her heart, Baoyu was still the adorable child she had been when she first married into the Jia family!
The beauty's wariness of the stranger "Shi Yu" in her words pleased Baoyu. There was still someone who disliked Shi Yu and only cared about him. "Sister Wan, he's a friend I met outside. He's a good person!" Even though he was secretly jealous, he still needed to maintain his own shining image.
"The friend you've made might not be so great. Could he be a frivolous person who only wants your food and drink?" Daiyu, as expected, was naturally suspicious; a hint of doubt was clearly visible in her beautiful, watery eyes.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: Flirting with Aunt (Part 1) Before Baoyu could even respond, Baochai unexpectedly chimed in, agreeing with Lin Daiyu, "Sister is right, Baoyu, you'd better be careful!" Her beautiful voice paused slightly, extinguishing the joy in Baoyu's heart before it could even surface. "I have a good idea," she said. "Invite that Young Master Shi into the manor, and let us observe him from the shadows to see if he's worth befriending. Otherwise, you might make a bad friend, and then it will be too late to regret it!" "Yes!" Tanchun readily agreed to Baochai's suggestion. "Sister Bao is so thoughtful, just agree! We're doing this for your own good!" Baoyu was both angry and amused. How could he, a seasoned womanizer, miss Baochai's girlish thoughts?! Seeing the expectant looks on the girls' faces, he secretly thought to himself, "I absolutely cannot let them meet 'Shi Yu.' If I reveal a flaw, it will be disastrous. Besides, I don't have a clone technique; how can I have two versions of myself at the same time?!"
Lost in thought, Baoyu smiled slightly. "You're all right, but he's been very busy these days. I'll definitely invite him to the manor when I have the chance!" The women all looked disappointed. Baochai, being so perceptive, noticed Baoyu's slight hesitation. Although she didn't understand Baoyu's true intentions, a plan quickly formed in her mind, and a bold idea was born, lingering there!
"Sister Bao, please rest well. I'll take my leave now!" Seeing the women's eager expressions, clearly interested in the "Shi Yu" matter, Baoyu sensed something was amiss and quickly excused himself.
"Second Master, Madam said that all the young ladies who came today, including you, shouldn't leave until after lunch." Before Baoyu even reached the door, the charming figure of the maid Huang Ying'er, standing by the door, blocked his path!
The image of Aunt Xue's plump and alluring figure involuntarily appeared before Baoyu's eyes. The gloom brought on by Shi Yu instantly vanished, replaced by a warm current that swirled and surged in his heart.
"Brother Bao, Aunt has already gone to prepare the banquet, so please stay!" Tan Chun stepped forward and took Baoyu's hand. Her sweet words finally made him decide. He had to face it eventually; running away would never solve anything!
Tan Chun happily pulled Baoyu back to his seat. Ever since Baoyu spoke well of her mother last time, the young girl had felt grateful to this half-brother, regarding him as a close friend, and often fantasized about finding a husband as outstanding as him in the future!
Amidst the blooming flowers, vibrant with color and fragrance, Baoyu was overwhelmed by the beauty of spring. He spent the entire morning in a daze, secretly marveling at how Jia Baoyu, a seemingly unambitious effeminate man, would have fared much better if he had grown up surrounded by such beauties. Looking at this one, gazing at that one, he felt content!
"You little maids, I heard your laughter from afar!" A gentle laugh came from outside the door. The curtain was lifted, and a mature, alluring woman stepped in with a smile.
"Aunt, why were you gone for so long?" Yingchun was closest to Aunt Xue. Despite their generational difference, they shared similar temperaments—gentle, kind, and unassuming.
A beautiful woman, holding Yingchun's jade-like hand, walked towards the crowd. Beneath her calm face lay a turbulent mind. Hearing that Baoyu had arrived, she had been hiding in the backyard, her heart trembling with worry. Unexpectedly, the scoundrel refused to leave. With noon approaching, the beautiful woman, unable to escape, had no choice but to enter with trepidation.
"Your son greets Aunt!" Baoyu lowered his eyes, avoiding eye contact with the beauty, but the fleeting intensity in his eyes still caught Aunt Xue's gaze.
A strange feeling drew them together, and in that instant, their hearts pounded wildly. After that "ambiguous" encounter, the two had deliberately avoided each other, but months of forced restraint had not eradicated the illicit love in their hearts; instead, the thrilling, soul-stirring sensation had only grown stronger!
Overwhelmed with emotion, Bao-yu and Aunt Xue could only feign calm, their guilty consciences lurking, and exchanged polite greetings.
Aunt Xue, surrounded by the three sisters, gracefully sat down on the kang (heated brick bed). The awkwardness between her and Bao-yu had finally passed, and the beautiful woman's tense nerves relaxed slightly. However, before she could even exhale, the next development plunged her into turmoil once more.
Seeing the awkwardness and unfamiliarity between Bao-yu and Aunt Xue, the kind-hearted young woman, wanting to ease the stiff atmosphere, smiled and teased Bao-yu, "Brother Bao, what's wrong with you today? Why are you so distant with Aunt?! In the past, you would rush into her arms the moment you saw her, insisting on being pampered by her. When we were little, Bao-chai was even jealous of you because of that!" "Heh, heh..." Lost in his own thoughts, Bao-yu felt a surge of warmth at her words, his body stiffening, and he could only manage a silly laugh to get away with it.
Aunt Xue's heart was pounding with anxiety, but seeing that Baoyu didn't take any action, she felt a little relieved.
Unfortunately, the kind-hearted Li Wan wasn't about to give up. A warm smile appeared on her charming face, and she gently nudged the stunned Baoyu, saying, "Why are you acting so strangely today? I remember last year you called your aunt 'Mom'!" Seeing the surprise and amusement in the eyes of the other women, Baoyu, feeling guilty, felt as if they were guessing his secret. He immediately became uneasy, and his heart pounding. He quickly forced a cute smile, half-whining like a child, "Auntie, it was my fault just now, please don't blame me!" Aunt Xue, feeling the same way... As usual, she affectionately embraced Baoyu, who stepped forward, and patted his back gently with a doting tone, "How could I blame you? We haven't seen each other for so long, so it's natural to be a little estranged. Auntie is also at fault!" Baoyu's cheerful words trembled slightly, "Auntie, you're so good!" Their skin touched again, and due to the change in their feelings, the original warmth turned into a romantic ambiguity. The beautiful woman's body trembled slightly, and beneath her natural expression, boundless waves of emotion surged. Her breathing became involuntarily rapid, and the mature fragrance wafted directly into Baoyu's heart, who was so close to her.
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Teasing Auntie (Part Two) The subtle change was imperceptible. Apart from the two people whose feelings were stirred, none of the other women noticed. After all, it was common knowledge that Baoyu had relied on his aunt since childhood. If he were to act as distant and polite as before, it would only arouse suspicion. No wonder Li Wan kindly acted as a mediator!
Baoyu nestled "obediently" beside Aunt Xue, feigning calm as he chatted and smiled lightly with everyone. As time passed, perhaps out of habit, or perhaps out of necessity under the watchful eyes of others, the tense Baoyu and Aunt Xue relaxed simultaneously, and the heat between their skin-to-skin contact subsided.
Influenced by the cheerful atmosphere in the room, even the usually aloof Xichun and the melancholy Daiyu were unusually cheerful and laughing. Add to that Baochai's melodious voice, Yingchun and Tanchun's radiant smiles, and the mature charm of Li Wan and Aunt Xue—it was a scene of a thousand different styles and a thousand different beauties gathered together. Those present were dazzled and overwhelmed, marveling that even the most beautiful scenery in the world could not compare!
As everyone chatted, someone brought up the topic of Qiao Jie. Tan Chun was the first to stand up, mimicking the little witch's tone and mannerisms, "Second Uncle, what story are you going to tell me today?" Her words filled the small space with laughter, and the comical scene of Bao Yu being chased and dodged by Qiao Jie flashed before the women's eyes!
Dai Yu followed Tan Chun's lead, also imitating Qiao Jie's mannerisms, and told everyone a story that Bao Yu had told to a young girl. The women, hearing it for the first time, listened with rapt attention, their minds filled with wonder.
Bao Yu, naturally, wasn't very interested in his own fabricated story of "Sanmao Fighting the Japanese Devils." His thoughts drifted back to the beautiful woman beside him. Seeing her captivating smile, her alluring charm only growing stronger with age, far surpassing that of a naive young girl, his heart began to burn with desire. How could his large hands remain still?!
Closely nestled beside the beautiful woman, Baoyu's large hand naturally reached behind her, subtly tracing her soft waist from an angle unseen by the other women.
The beautiful woman trembled, suddenly realizing the ominous situation from the unexpected "attack." Her heart raced with a thousand conflicting emotions, perhaps out of shyness, perhaps… She didn't move much, only glancing nervously at the other women, pretending not to notice Baoyu's subtle action, her stiff body remaining motionless.
When the beautiful woman's body suddenly trembled, the lustful man was startled, jolted awake from his swirling fantasies. Good heavens! He had actually committed such a "feat" in broad daylight, in front of everyone! His hand froze, filled with trepidation, awaiting his doomed judgment.
A moment later, Baoyu didn't see the thunderous rage he had imagined. The beautiful woman merely shifted her body slightly and continued chatting and laughing with the other women as if nothing had happened.
Flowers bloomed, birds sang! Baoyu felt that everything in the world was so beautiful! A hint of shyness in Aunt Xue's eyes made him ecstatic, as if drinking sweet dew. His wooden hands instantly regained their agility, roaming endlessly over the beauty's smooth skin.
Baoyu's body, nestled close to the beautiful woman, blocked the movement of his hands. After enjoying his unrestrained "devilish hands" for a while, seeing that the beauty only blushed and didn't offer much resistance, the emboldened man grew bolder. His greedy hand slid down and moved to Aunt Xue's plump, round buttocks. His five fingers tightened, kneading and squeezing, using every trick in the book, venting all his passion on the beauty's pert, round body.
Good heavens! Aunt Xue exclaimed in shock. How could he do this?! It's so shameful! His own daughter was right there, and he was acting so recklessly!
"Stop him! Curse him!" "Let him be! Didn't I let it happen myself?" Two conflicting voices tore at the beautiful woman's heart, leaving her confused and bewildered.
While she struggled with this internal conflict, the lustful young man, consumed by passion, had already thoroughly explored her soft, fragrant body. His insatiable fingers slid along the crevice between her buttocks and the bed, probing deeper and deeper until his wrist could go no further. Bao Yu's nimble
fingertips brushed against the edge of the beauty's smooth, secluded valley, and boundless heat flowed from his fingers into her mysterious paradise, irresistibly melting the ice in Aunt Xue's heart. The shackles of worldly constraints, after a weak resistance, silently melted away under Bao Yu's heat, transforming into a surging spring tide that rushed down, finally bursting forth from the long-closed, red jade gate, washing away the dust that had accumulated on that lovely "pearl" for many years. This
cannot continue! The beautiful woman's heart screamed wildly, but the tingling sensation and overwhelming pleasure throughout her body prevented any resistance. A touch of sorrow crossed her face as she thought, "Why can't I muster the will to resist?! Is my chastity destined to be lost in the hands of this wicked young man?" Just as Aunt Xue was feeling lost and helpless, Ying'er's voice from outside the door finally "rescued" the gradually sinking beauty!
"Madam, the banquet is ready!" Ying'er, with her girlish heart, was overjoyed to see everyone chatting and laughing happily. "Should I tell the kitchen to wait a little longer?" "No need!" Aunt Xue hurriedly refused. "It's getting late, let's start the banquet now!" The beauty said as she quickly left the heated kang, her long, jade-like legs slightly closed due to the muddy depths of her private parts.
Seeing the beautiful woman's slightly awkward posture, Bao Yu's heart surged with renewed passion, ripples of desire instantly filling his mind.
"Brother Bao, don't just stand there! It's been so long since we've had a drink together!" Tan Chun, seeing everyone at the door while Bao Yu remained seated, urged him on, showing her concern for him.
"Oh! I'm coming!" His true nature, revealed by his burning desire, dared not stand. Seeing the women turning to look at him, he quickly mustered his strength, using unwavering willpower to banish his lustful thoughts. His magical power was truly versatile—except for practical matters, it was incredibly effective. A clear stream swirled from Bao Yu's sea of consciousness, circling his body in a mysterious trajectory before disappearing back into his sea of consciousness.
Chapter Seventy-Nine: Calamity Approaching. In this instant, the once-erect "Little Bao Yu" obediently fell into a deep sleep. Now back to normal, he stretched out his limbs, his tall figure carrying an elegant aura as he walked towards the women.
Fine wine and delicacies, a gathering of beauties—if it weren't for Baochai and Tanchun's occasional mention of that hateful "Shi Yu," Baoyu would surely have sighed with deep emotion, wondering what more could one ask for in life?!
In the afternoon, the women whispered amongst themselves in Baochai's room. This "fake" Baoyu felt too embarrassed to remain in such a setting. Aunt Xue, having just finished the banquet, excused herself and left, clearly avoiding Baoyu's ardent gaze.
Faced with the world's beauty, Baoyu was mesmerized. Even he, who could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, finally experienced a dizzying, floating sensation. Seven parts drunk, he drifted away from Hengwu Courtyard, his legs weak as if floating on clouds, his slightly unsteady figure wandering aimlessly through the Grand View Garden.
Rarely does Baoyu get drunk, and fueled by the alcohol, he wanders off in a daze. Looking up, he finds himself deep within the woods of the Grand View Garden. The afternoon sun filters through the layers of leaves, casting sparse, brilliant spots of light on the quiet
, rarely visited ground. Baoyu stretches out his arms and lets out a large yawn. The afternoon drowsiness and the soothing feeling of drunkenness wash over him simultaneously. The lazy fellow doesn't want to move an inch, so he lies down on a large rock nearby, not even bothering to brush off the dust, and falls asleep fully clothed, drifting off to sleep.
In the endless void, Baoyu looks around in surprise, then down at the empty space beneath his feet. When a golden light suddenly appears before him, he finally realizes he's dreaming again—dreaming of this illusory realm!
The unfazed Baoyu chuckles. He hasn't dreamt of this place in a long time; it's not bad to take a stroll here sometime! A bored fellow, with a thought, flicked his hand, and a folding fan appeared out of thin air. With a "whoosh," Baoyu, fanning himself and smugly shaking his head, thought, "That's the advantage of dreaming—you can have whatever you want! So satisfying!"
Just as the "shameless" fellow was about to try conjuring up a naked beauty, the elegant and serene voice of the Fairy Disenchantment emanated from within the illusionary building!
"You've come!" The calm words resonated directly in Baoyu's mind, dispelling all his wicked thoughts.
Why did you disturb me at this time?! Baoyu, slightly annoyed, put away his daydreams. "Fairy, I fell asleep and naturally ended up here." "I brought you here," the calm fairy voice finally showed a change, disappointment and worry were faintly visible. "Heaven sent you back six hundred years, not so you could spend your days only on love and romance. You should focus on your cultivation; you have a heavy responsibility on your shoulders!" The fairy knew everything about him, which didn't surprise Baoyu. He just loudly retorted,
"What heavy responsibility? I don't know anything about it! Can't you tell me?" Inside the building shrouded in golden light, Guanyin Bodhisattva's thoughts were in turmoil. She was trapped here by the Golden Cudgel, and the reincarnated Wukong was becoming increasingly addicted. Although it was not advisable to tell him the inside story so as not to affect his cultivation, she should still give him some advice.
Thinking of this, the female bodhisattva sighed heavily, "Alas! I never imagined this reincarnated Wukong would be even more mischievous than the little monkey from his previous life. He's truly difficult to discipline!" "Human love is but a fleeting dream in this mortal world; you must not become immersed in it. It will only harm your cultivation and hinder your path to enlightenment!" Her caring words, spoken with deep sincerity, lingered in Baoyu's heart. "Beautiful women are nothing but rosy skeletons; only roaming the sun and moon, and living as long as heaven and earth, is the ultimate achievement!" Baoyu felt his magical power surge, and boundless pride welled up within him. The Wukong consciousness, deep within his sea of consciousness, stirred within him, constantly cleansing his fascination with the mortal world.
To ascend to heaven and descend to earth, to be omnipotent! Such immense temptation wildly assaulted Baoyu's heart. A vague realization flashed into his mind: love and affection are the trivialities of mortals; only standing tall and upright is the true domain of a man!
"No!" Another heartfelt cry plunged Baoyu into confusion. "What's the point of being a god if you can't even be a decent human being?! Love is the most genuine and precious instinct in the world. Without love, what's the point of immortality? You're just a walking corpse!" Guanyin's peerless beauty was solemn, her exquisite eyes fixed on Baoyu's contorted face. She was conflicted, unsure whether to continue.
Just as Guanyin hesitated, a sudden change occurred where Baoyu's true form lay, and danger descended from the sky! Guanyin sighed sadly. Perhaps this was fate! Everything should be left to nature. Even if she forcibly transformed him back into Wukong, he still wouldn't be a match for the Demon Ancestor Hun Dun!
With a wave of her hand, the female bodhisattva withdrew the magic power that had affected Baoyu's mind. Then, with a thought, she sent the dazed fellow back to the real world, carrying her last words of advice on the wind: "A calamity is coming, be careful! The 'Spirit Jade' must never leave your side more than ten feet away!" Suddenly, a chilling wind swept up from the place where Baoyu's body was sleeping.
The eerie wind dissipated, revealing a vengeful ghost indistinguishable from a mortal. Drawn by the multicolored light of the divine stone, the ghost chuckled, "I never thought I, the Ghost King, would be so lucky. I found my target as soon as I arrived." The Ghost King's tone shifted, his green eyes gleaming with boundless greed and savagery. "Hmph! The Ten Kings of Hell, you actually joined forces to seal me away for a thousand years! And that old codger Ksitigarbha! Once I absorb the divine stone, I'll make you taste the eighteen levels of hell!" Seeing Bao Yu smiling and sleeping peacefully, the Ghost King licked his lips. "Boy, don't blame me, I'll make you the first sacrifice for my reappearance in the Three Realms!" Before the words were finished, the Ghost King transformed into a cloud of black mist, accompanied by a sharp, eerie wind, and swept towards Bao Yu. Confident in his power, the ghost, seeing Bao Yu's weak and almost nonexistent magical abilities, intended to devour his soul, consume his spirit, and seize his treasures!
Chapter Eighty: The Ghost Realm of Evil Spirits Just as the eerie wind and mist were about to envelop the precious jade, the "Spiritual Jade" lying quietly on his chest suddenly trembled, instinctively retaliating against this powerful hostility. Silently, it erupted with ten thousand rays of five-colored light, a stark contrast to its usual gentle comfort, becoming incomparably dazzling and blinding.
In an instant, the irresistible light spread throughout the entire space at an unbelievable speed, trapping the terrified black mist that tried to flee.
The light barrier began to shrink, and the Ghost King's figure, already reverted to its original form, began to fade under the light. The Ghost King was utterly terrified; even the Ten Kings of Hell couldn't completely disperse him—who would have thought the power of this "Five-Colored Divine Stone" was so terrifying?!
Seeing the situation growing increasingly dire, the Ghost King had no choice but to steel his resolve. He instantly concentrated all his magical power and charged forward with all his might. With a muffled boom, the Ghost King, worthy of being a spirit who had cultivated for thousands of years, managed to escape despite being severely injured and losing nearly a thousand years of magical power.
Amazing! No longer daring to linger, the Ghost King glared at the divine stone and the precious jade with a mixture of hatred and fear, etching their faces into his heart. Without daring to stay any longer, he fled like a stray dog.
Baoyu awoke leisurely from his deep sleep, his drunkenness gone, feeling refreshed and invigorated. Completely unaware that he had just brushed with death, he muttered to himself with amusement, "I dreamt of that 'Fairy Disenchantment' again. I wonder what she looks like? Is she too ugly to show herself? But fairies are all supposed to be stunningly beautiful, so she probably wouldn't be too bad! I really want to see her sometime, hehe..." His thoughts shifted slightly. The Fairy Disenchantment's final warning echoed in his ears again, and a chill ran through him. He pondered, "Could it be that Zhao Quan and Sun Shaozu have a new conspiracy? Or have demons and monsters already entered the Jia mansion?" Completely perplexed, Baoyu subconsciously looked around. Although he was no longer the same as before, his fear of ghosts and monsters was deeply ingrained in his heart, and not easily erased!
No more thinking about it! Unable to understand, he simply put it aside—a fine habit of Bao Yu's. Feeling a chill, the fellow quickly left the desolate depths of the dense forest. Just
as Bao Yu's figure disappeared, a whisper suddenly echoed in the empty space: "Senior brother, this divine stone truly lives up to its reputation. It seems we don't need to protect it!" "Junior brother, according to Zhenyuan Immortal Ancestor, the divine stone will attack any creature that harbors ill will towards its master, but it cannot stray more than ten feet from its master. We don't need to worry about those who try to seize it by force; instead, we must be wary of demons who use trickery to take it!" "Should we continue following Bao Yu, or go track down the Ghost King from before?" "Our invisibility talisman is about to expire; let's go eliminate the ghosts!" Before the calm words of Wuzhuang Temple disciple "Jingchen" had even finished, the empty forest clearing returned to silence, with only the faint dust swirling in the wind revealing what had happened.
A chilling wind howled through the desolate ghost realm, where evil spirits roamed freely, a veritable concentration camp of malevolent spirits, beyond the reach of the Ten Kings of Hell!
"Congratulations, Ghost King! Congratulations, Ghost King! We pay our respects!" A group of lesser ghosts knelt respectfully at the feet of the Ghost King, who had just returned to the evil ghost realm!
The Ghost King, severely injured by the divine stone, had his already pale face turn even more frighteningly white. Frustrated, he impatiently waved his hand dismissively. "Speak quickly, I'm not in the mood today!" "Ghost King, I specially snatched a great beauty from the Underworld for you today!" A ghost general kneeling in the front row crawled up to the Ghost King with a fawning smile, a lewd grin on his face. "She's an absolute beauty! I didn't even touch her after I caught her; I've come specifically to present her to you, Ghost King!" "Oh!" The Ghost King's lust was well-known, and he had no interest in hiding it. "Bring her up so I can see her. After a long, humiliating day, venting my frustration on this beauty is a good idea!" The ghost general was overjoyed. He had no guts to snatch someone from the Underworld; he'd only luckily encountered a wandering ghost who had escaped the Underworld and was roaming the Ghost Realm.
"Let me go!" With a soft, struggling cry, a graceful and alluring figure came into the sight of the ghosts. Pulled by several rough female ghosts, the incomparably beautiful woman was brought into the ghost palace's main hall.
Seeing the beauty's eyes, brimming with tears, shimmering and sparkling, her smooth, jade-like skin glowing, and her perfect features presenting an exquisitely beautiful and gentle face, the Ghost King was instantly captivated, his heart itching uncontrollably.
"Beautiful! So beautiful! Guards, bestow a generous reward upon the ghost generals!" The Ghost King swallowed hard, his eyes fixed on the struggling beauty. "From this day forward, you are my queen! Ha, ha…" At the height of his triumph, the Ghost King threw his head back and laughed wildly.
"Don't even think about it!" The beauty struggled to break free from the grasp of several female ghosts, angrily shouting,
"I'd rather die than submit to you, you evil spirit!" The Ghost King remained unmoved, his eyes fixed on the beauty's high, firm breasts and shapely buttocks. "Hehe... beauty, don't forget, you are a spirit of the dead, otherwise you wouldn't have fallen into my hands! Just obediently submit, and you can walk sideways in this ghost realm from now on!" "Pah!" The alluring beauty spat fiercely. "What does it matter if I die again? What if I'm reduced to ashes?! I died of melancholy in life because of my cowardice, how can I suffer the bullying of you, you evil spirit, after death?!" Seeing the beauty's resolute expression, which did not seem to be lying, the Ghost King frowned deeply. In the underworld, any ghost has the ability to self-immolate, and even with his profound magic, he could not stop it.
"Ghost General, what is the background of this woman you captured? Why is she so determined? Does she have any relatives in the underworld?" The ruthless Ghost King, worthy of being an old ghost of thousands of years, instantly devised a clever plan to deal with the beauty; old people are cunning, and ghosts are wise; his method was indeed ingenious!
Chapter 81 The Fragrant Soul of Qin Keqing Upon hearing this, the Ghost General immediately understood that the Ghost King intended to use the beauty's relatives as leverage, and deliberately reported loudly:
"Reporting to the Ghost King, this woman is named Qin Keqing, originally from the Jia family in the capital. She died at the beginning of the year, and now has a younger brother, Qin Zhong, who is also waiting to be reincarnated in the underworld. I will go and capture Qin Zhong to attend the Ghost King and Queen's wedding!" Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing's face changed drastically, and fear flashed in her eyes. Her heart was filled with panic. Just as she was about to speak to stop him, the Ghost King unexpectedly spoke first to stop her.
"Wait!" The Ghost King stared at the beauty with slight tension. "You are from the Jia family in the capital, aren't you the Jia family that Jia Baoyu belongs to?!" The beautiful young woman was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected this evil ghost to know the name of Baoyu's second uncle. She had died before the "fake" Baoyu was reborn, so she knew nothing about Baoyu's changes.
"This humble woman is indeed a daughter-in-law of the Jia family. Baoyu is my second uncle. Please, Ghost King, spare this humble woman," Qin Keqing silently prayed that this evil ghost was a friend of Baoyu, not an enemy, and that she could escape this calamity.
"Ha, ha... This is truly the will of Heaven!" The Ghost King laughed excitedly, a brilliant idea arising in his mind. Hearing
the laughter, Qin Keqing's joy hadn't even reached her jade-like face before she plunged into an icy abyss once more.
"My beauty, it's not difficult for me to let you go. You only need to return to the Jia family and retrieve one item for me. Then I will not only spare your brother, but also send you back to the underworld so that you can be reincarnated sooner. How about it?" "Your Majesty, this humble woman's spiritual power is weak, and I cannot leave the underworld's barrier. Moreover, I am a spirit of the dead, how can I help the Ghost King?!" Qin Keqing politely declined the Ghost King's "kindness."
A cunning smile appeared on the Ghost King's lips. "I have a golden pill from the Tushita Palace here, which I originally used to increase my power. Now I bestow it upon you. After you eat it, your magical power will increase dramatically, and you will be able to freely travel between the Yin and Yang realms!" Seeing that the beauty was indifferent and unmoved, the Ghost King's expression changed, and his eyes flashed with a sinister green light. "Ghost General, you must immediately..." "No!" Qin Keqing hurriedly interrupted the Ghost King's order. The beauty's knees buckled, and she knelt before the Ghost King. "Ghost King..." "I would never harm my family just to survive. They are my flesh and blood. If you insist on coercing me, I will immediately set myself on fire and die, out of sight, out of mind!" "My beauty, don't worry. I don't want you to hurt Jia Baoyu. If I wanted to use force, why would I need you to do it? You only need to use your identity to obtain it by trickery. It's just a piece of jade. Is it worth more than the souls of you and your brother being scattered and never to be reincarnated?" The Ghost King's tone was extremely cold by the last sentence.
"This..." The beautiful woman hesitated slightly upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flickering in her watery eyes. Would the Ghost King spare her after the deed was done?
The ancient ghost, thousands of years old, was naturally shrewd; the doubt in the woman's eyes did not escape his notice. The cunning fellow smiled coldly and gave a wink to the ghost general beside him.
The ghost general, understanding immediately, stepped forward and loudly requested, "Ghost King, I am willing to immediately lead men to capture Qin Zhong!" Although Qin Keqing was somewhat prepared, her heart still tightened upon hearing this.
Seeing the beauty's sudden change in expression, the Ghost King then extended an olive branch with a benevolent expression, "I swear in the name of the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts that as long as you fulfill the agreement, I will definitely keep my promise; otherwise, I will be struck down by heaven and earth, and abandoned by all ghosts!" All the ghosts trembled in unison. They knew that the "Oath of Ten Thousand Ghosts" was the most solemn oath in the underworld. Even fierce spirits dared not swear lightly; once broken, they would lose their credibility in the ghost realm and be abandoned by all ghosts!
A hint of doubt arose in the hearts of all the ghosts. They hadn't expected the Ghost King to make such a solemn vow. Was the "divine stone" really that important?!
"Then this humble woman will do as the Ghost King says!" With no other choice, Qin Keqing's jade-like face darkened, and she sighed silently. Alas! She hadn't expected that she wouldn't be able to rest in peace even after death! Thinking of the despicable Jia Rong and his son, the beauty couldn't help but wonder
if she should seek revenge on them. But then she thought, "What's done is done. I'm already a living soul; why bother myself with more trouble?" The kind-hearted and gentle beauty sighed softly, completely abandoning the grudges of her past life. At the moment of her death, she regarded her despicable husband, Jia Rong
, as a stranger! The crackling of firecrackers resounded throughout the capital. Amidst the attention of everyone, all of Xue's shops were simultaneously decorated with lanterns and streamers, bustling with activity. Just like the advertising for "Dream of the Red Chamber" brand cigarettes, its official opening was also extraordinary and astonishing.
Neatly dressed young women, hired at great expense, stood at the entrances of various shops, marking the birth of China's earliest "greeting ladies." This immediately caught the eye of the eagerly awaiting gentlemen, making them spontaneously more generous.
The mysterious "Red Mansion" cigarettes had already whetted everyone's appetite, and today they could finally see them for themselves. Furthermore, the Xue family announced that for the first month after opening, each person could only purchase ten cigarettes per day with their identification documents. Although the procedure was cumbersome and perplexing, the sheer bargain price of only 20% for the month made them flock to the shops without complaint.
As the saying goes, what you can't have is always the best! This unusual way of selling cigarettes only fueled people's desire to buy. Buying cigarettes was no longer just out of curiosity; it had unconsciously become a way for the public to compare and show off. Wealthy young men went to great lengths to obtain the special cigarettes that were only for display and not for sale, so they could appear incredibly prestigious among their friends and significantly increase their social standing!
Looking at the endless stream of people before him, Bao Yong looked at Shi Yu standing in front of him with a puzzled expression. "Master Shi, why did you set such low prices? You only sell a little each day, and some of the best ones are only for viewing, not for sale. Don't you want to make money?" "Heh, heh..." Shi Yu laughed with satisfaction, not explaining to Bao Yong in detail, but just vaguely saying, "You'll understand in a month!" He paused slightly, then turned to Ni Er and asked, "Have the gifts I asked you to prepare been ready?" "I have packed one hundred of each of the three best cigarettes as you requested, and even specially put in a top-quality jade cigarette holder that you ordered!" Since following Shi Yu, Ni Er's hooligan habits had gradually disappeared, and he had become more and more composed.
Chapter 82 A Trip to the Prince's Mansion "Good!" Shi Yu patted Ni Er's shoulder with satisfaction. "These are all gifts that Master Bao is going to give to Prince Bei Jing. You did a great job!" Shi Yu, who was skilled in managing subordinates, would not neglect Bao Yong, otherwise it would be terrible if the two of them became jealous. "Bao Yong, you are not bad either. Most of the guard team's success is due to you, right? Tomorrow, you and Ni Er will lead the team to transport cigarettes to various prefectures and counties. Remember, everything must be done as I say, understand?" Bao Yong saw that although the task Shi Yu gave him was heavy, it was undoubtedly a huge and lucrative position. He excitedly knelt down. "I will definitely not let down Master Shi and Master Bao. I will definitely find the biggest merchants in each place to be the agents..." Although it was not the first time Bao Yong had heard those strange Western names from Shi Yu, he still found them very difficult to pronounce and did not understand why his master insisted on letting others earn a share of the profits!
Baoyu changed the subject, his voice tinged with excitement, "After you've finished your business, bring the brothers back as soon as possible. I've hired ten martial arts masters at great expense to be their instructors, and I'm preparing to thoroughly transform the brothers!" "Thank you for your guidance, Master Shi!" The two men were moved to tears. True martial arts were undoubtedly an unattainable dream for these thugs and ruffians!
Shi Yu, having no intention of explaining further, comforted and encouraged the two men once more. Seeing that everything was settled, he leisurely left the shop, heading alone with the gifts towards the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion. Now it was up to Second Master Bao!
The "fake" Baoyu, now reverting to his original Baoyu appearance, arrived at the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion with light steps.
The servants guarding the gate, seeing that Baoyu had come alone without carriages or attendants, noticed his fine clothes—made of silk and satin—and the understated air of nobility emanating from his every move, had long since developed a keen eye for such things.
"Excuse me, sir, are you here to pay your respects to my master, the Prince?" The gatekeeper, not daring to be negligent, bowed respectfully and inquired about Baoyu's purpose with neither servility nor arrogance.
A hint of admiration flashed in Baoyu's eyes. From childhood to adulthood, it was clear that this Prince Bei Jing was indeed as rumored—virtuous, generous, and extraordinary. Otherwise, how could he have raised such a humble servant?!
"Please trouble this elder brother to inform him that Jia Baoyu of the Rongguo Mansion has come to pay his respects to the Prince." Baoyu, with a friendly smile, handed over a ten-tael silver ingot.
"Thank you for your generous reward, Master Jia!" Those who frequented the Prince's residence were all wealthy and noble, and the gatekeepers were accustomed to such rewards. Without the slightest hesitation or refusal, they happily pocketed the silver. "Please, Master Jia, have some tea in the side hall. I'll inform you right away!" Inside the grand and elegant study, a young man in his twenties was wielding his brush. With each stroke, a lifelike landscape painting appeared on the paper, seemingly created by nature itself.
Hearing the servant's message, Prince Bei Jing did not stop his brush. With a few final strokes, a bird, almost within reach, took shape, set against a backdrop of a distant, rushing waterfall, its rich and clear texture captured with exquisite precision!
When the name "Jia Baoyu" reached Prince Bei Jing's ears, his wrist, which was about to inscribe a poem beside the painting, paused. A hint of surprise appeared on his handsome face. "Jia Baoyu?! Is he the one rumored to have been born with a jade in his mouth?" "Your Highness, it is indeed Young Master Jia of the Rongguo Mansion!" The gatekeeper, having received a bribe from Baoyu, naturally didn't forget to say a few good words for him. "I found Young Master Jia to be as extraordinary as the rumors say. In this capital, besides Your Highness, he is the most important person!" "Ha," "Heh..." Prince Bei Jing was delighted by his subordinate's flattery. "You're quite the smooth talker, lad. Hurry up and invite Young Master Jia in!" Prince Bei Jing's gentle eyes pondered for a moment, then he added, "Let him come here to see me. I want to test him and see if he is truly as the rumors say—a person born with a jade in his mouth must be exceptionally talented!" When Bao Yu entered the study under the servant's guidance, he saw the tall and slender Prince Bei Jing frowning and deep in thought, staring at the ink painting on the table.
"Jia Bao Yu, son of Jia Zheng of the Rongguo Mansion, greets Prince Bei Jing!" Seeing that the other party was still lost in thought, Bao Yu had no choice but to introduce himself.
"Oh!" Prince Bei Jing "awakened" from his reverie, warmly helping Bao Yu to his slightly bent-over posture. He said amiably, "Although this is our first meeting, our ancestors and your Jia family have a long-standing friendship. Let's address each other as brothers, what do you think, my dear brother?" Bao Yu, naturally unpretentious, smiled casually, his slight awkwardness vanishing instantly. "Brother, you are absolutely right! I also feel it's a pity we haven't met sooner!" "Come, come..." Prince Bei Jing affectionately grabbed Bao Yu's wrist and pulled him towards the painting table. "I've long admired your talent, my dear brother. Today, I suddenly felt an urge to paint a landscape, but I couldn't think of any poem to accompany it. It's fortunate that you've arrived at this moment; it must be fate. Now it's up to you!" Bao Yu felt a chill run down his spine. He feared nothing but these so-called poetry and prose writing tasks! It seemed he couldn't escape them today. What should he do?
Forced into a corner, Bao-yu followed Prince Bei-jing to the table. His mind in turmoil, he only heard the prince gesturing wildly at the painting, unable to understand a word he was saying. He only caught the last sentence: "Brother, have you thought of a suitable poem?" "This…" Beneath Bao-yu's calm surface, his mind raced. A thousand thoughts rushed through his mind as he desperately tried to find a poem that suited the painting. Unfortunately, how could a 21st-century man be well-versed in Tang and Song poetry? No matter how hard he searched his memory, he couldn't think of anything suitable.
After a moment, Prince Bei-jing, seeing Bao-yu's continued hesitation, felt a pang of disappointment. He hadn't expected such a simple question to stump him. There were hundreds, even thousands, of Tang and Song poems, and countless suitable ones for this painting. It seemed Bao-yu's reputation was undeserved!
Unable to find a solution, Baoyu, unwilling to embarrass himself further, was about to admit he didn't know when his peripheral vision caught sight of the lifelike birds in the painting. A flash of inspiration struck him, and the man, now reassured, secretly regretted forgetting this five-character poem that everyone had learned. Although simple, it could barely handle his current predicament.
Chapter 83: The Smoke Alliance. Prince Bei Jing forced a smile, not wanting to embarrass Baoyu too much. Just as he was about to change the subject, Baoyu spoke first: "I've thought of a suitable seven-character quatrain, but it's rather simple. Please don't laugh at me, brother!" "Oh! Tell me about it!" Prince Bei Jing smiled encouragingly at Baoyu. Although it was a little late, it was better than being completely clueless!
Baoyu cleared his throat, carefully recalled the poem in his mind, and then, pretending to gaze at the painting, recited it aloud in a melodious tone: "From afar, the mountains are colorful; up close, the water is silent. Spring has gone, but the flowers remain; people come, but the birds are not startled!" "Excellent! Excellent!" Prince Bei Jing was instantly delighted and couldn't help but praise him repeatedly. "Brother, this poem is not only apt, but it's also the first time I've heard it. It must have been something you were thinking of just now. I underestimated you. How can copying the works of predecessors compare to the admirable quality of impromptu inspiration!" "Brother, you flatter me. I don't have such skill!" Baoyu sincerely told Prince Bei Jing the truth. Although he hadn't copied the works of predecessors, he had cleverly taken inspiration from the works of "later generations"—a masterpiece that only appeared in the Qing Dynasty.
"Brother, although these lines are a bit straightforward, they are even more vivid. Truly 'wonderful'! Ineffably wonderful!" Prince Bei Jing was also a man of deep feeling. At this moment, he was moved by Baoyu's extraordinary "talent" and excitedly murmured to himself.
An excited Prince Bei Jing earnestly invited Bao Yu to personally inscribe this "world-shaking line" on the painting. Writing cannot be faked, and Bao Yu, of course, made every excuse to decline. Prince Bei Jing mistakenly thought it was Bao Yu's modesty, not wanting to steal his limelight, and thus liked him even more.
"Then I'll make a fool of myself!" Prince Bei Jing moved his wrist, and his elegant handwriting made Bao Yu, who was pretending to be an expert, secretly blush with shame.
"Brother, I wonder if you have any important business to discuss today?" The two, chatting amiably, sipped tea across the table. Prince Bei Jing, being a seasoned official, quickly realized that Bao Yu must have a reason for visiting. "Tell me," he said, "as long as I can do it, I won't refuse!" "Brother, you are so generous, then I won't be pretentious either," Bao Yu said with a carefree smile. His unrestrained manner made Prince Bei Jing, Zhu Shui Rong, feel a sense of kinship. Bao Yu casually handed the gift box beside him to Zhu Shui Rong. Before him, "Brother, please take a look at what I have brought. Is it to your liking?" Seeing Bao Yu's solemn expression, Shui Rong guessed that the box must contain something extraordinary. He quickly tore off the packaging and gently opened the box. "This is..." Prince Bei Jing was astonished to see a small, rectangular silver box lying quietly inside. Although the box was made of pure silver, it held no value for royalty and even seemed somewhat shabby!
"Brother, please open it!" Bao Yu had already anticipated Shui Rong's surprise, and his handsome face remained calm and composed.
Shui Rong gently opened it as instructed. Two neat rows of cigarettes inside the small silver box immediately came into view, and a scent he had never smelled before wafted into his nostrils, making him instantly feel a surge of excitement.
"Brother, is this the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' cigarettes that's been popular in the city lately?" Shui Rong's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt. "To be honest, I had my servants buy a few yesterday to try. The taste was good, but the aroma was different from the ones you gave me." Bao Yu smiled before speaking, saying warmly, "Of course they're different. The ones sold outside are for ordinary people, but the ones I gave you are special cigarettes made for princes and ministers to keep them alert. Just one of these is enough for a family of three to live on for a month!" "Really?" Shui Rong laughed happily upon hearing this. "Then why haven't I seen these cigarettes sold in any shops?" Bao Yu thought to himself, it seems this Prince Bei Jing is quite observant. "To be honest, brother, these cigarettes are practically priceless. If it weren't for the fact that the shopkeeper Shi Yu is a friend of mine, I would only have heard about them!" As he spoke, Bao Yu took out an identical small silver box from his pocket and skillfully pulled out a... He inserted a cigarette into the jade cigarette holder, then took out his specially made "matches," and lit one with a "snap." "Brother, try smoking like this, how does it feel?" Shui Rong did as he was told, taking out an exquisite jade cigarette holder from the gift box and imitating Bao Yu, puffing away. Seeing how well the "strange thing" in Bao Yu's hand worked, he was even more amazed. "Brother, what is that in your hand? It lights so easily!" "Hehe..." Bao Yu chuckled and handed the match to Prince Bei Jing. "This thing is called a 'match,' which Shi Yu learned from the West. Its original purpose was to be sold alongside cigarettes. Seeing how useful it is, I brought it here for you to examine and see if it has any great use!" "Brother, you mean…?" Prince Bei Jing looked at Bao Yu with a knowing look, then quickly asked, "Excuse me for asking, but with the Jia family's power, you could easily accomplish this, so why…?" Although Shui Rong didn't explicitly say so, how could Bao Yu not know? The man, with a calm and natural expression, took a sip of tea and then leaned back leisurely in his chair. "How can my Jia family compare to you, brother? Besides, you must have heard the saying that unity is strength. If you and I join forces, we can definitely exert the power of three people. That's why I've come!" "This..." Prince Bei Jing was a shrewd man, and he naturally saw the huge benefits involved. Who doesn't love money? Although he was a prince, how could his meager salary cover the expenses of such a large palace? Beneath Shui Rong's calm face, however, was a turmoil of thoughts as he pondered the pros and cons.
Baoyu leisurely surveyed the luxurious furnishings in the living room, not feeling particularly worried. Before coming, he had already learned everything about the Prince of Bei Jing's mansion through the city's ruffians. Although the Prince of Bei Jing was an upright man, like other princes and ministers, he lived a very extravagant and ostentatious life. Even though his salary was generous, it was never enough to cover his expenses. Shui Rong was unwilling to lower himself to engage in favoritism and corruption. The Prince of Bei Jing's mansion was now in dire straits, which was why Baoyu had delayed his visit until now.
After a moment, Prince Bei Jing looked at Bao Yu with slight hesitation. "Brother, although I am willing, you know that the court has explicitly prohibited officials from engaging in commerce. This matter will be difficult!" Chapter 84 Princess Tianyi "Brother, you are overthinking it!" Bao Yu smiled, his sincere words making Shui Rong feel incredibly close to him. "Actually, I didn't directly intervene. Everything was handled by Shi Yu. You and I won't have any trouble!" "No reward without merit! Isn't it wrong to take the benefits for free?" Shui Rong wasn't being pretentious; being upright by nature, he genuinely felt bad. "I think we should forget about it!" Bao Yu was both admiring and amused. There really were such people in the world! He said with a slight helplessness:
"How could you be without merit, brother? We still need your help with the official travel documents!" "Travel documents?!" Prince Bei Jing couldn't help but ask in surprise, "What do you need travel documents for, brother? They're only needed to cross borders. Could it be..." Bao Yu interrupted Shui Rong, "You guessed right. I plan to sell these cigarettes to foreign lands and try to earn some money from them." "Good idea, brother. This is a great honor for our Ming Dynasty," Prince Bei Jing readily accepted the "stepping stone" Bao Yu had set for him, "As your brother..." "I agree! But one last thing, everything must be done according to the law. If anything is prohibited, don't blame me for turning against you!" "Don't you trust me, brother?!" Baoyu changed the subject, bowing solemnly to Prince Bei Jing. "From now on, the Jia family will rely on Your Highness's favor." "Don't worry, brother, if anything happens, I will do my best to help you," Shui Rong said boldly, revealing his open and honest heart. "Besides, you don't need to worry too much. The Jia family is a family of scholars and officials, and your father is an upright official whom we greatly respect. There will be no major disaster!" Is there such an adorable "fool" in this world?! Baoyu thought to himself, but that's what makes him so precious!
The two, feeling a deep mutual appreciation and regret for not having met sooner, chatted and laughed for a while longer. As Baoyu, seeing it was getting late, was about to take his leave when a servant knelt outside the door and respectfully reported, "Your Highness, the Imperial Medical Academy has replied that the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' cigarettes appearing among the common people do indeed have a refreshing effect and are harmless. You gentlemen can enjoy them without worry." "Brother, why is that?" Baoyu was astonished, his eyes filled with endless confusion as he looked at Prince Bei Jing.
"Don't you know?" Shui Rong asked in surprise, then patiently explained, "Whenever a new product appears among the common people, the court investigates it thoroughly. This is to prevent those with ill intentions from taking advantage!" Baoyu's heart skipped a beat, and cold sweat silently trickled down his back. He hadn't expected such strict regulations in ancient times! He secretly breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, the scientific level of this era was low, otherwise, if the nicotine in the cigarettes had been detected, he would have been finished. Although he had tried everything, he still couldn't eliminate the nicotine.
The first cigarette manufacturer in China felt no shame. While cigarettes were harmful, the damage was negligible; most people could smoke them their whole lives without any problems! He wasn't a pushover; all he could do was minimize the harm through the ingredients, and his plan to export half of his cigarettes to the West stemmed from this intention.
A flustered and trembling Baoyu forced himself to remain calm, thankfully not being labeled as "having ulterior motives"! Unable to calm his racing mind, the man immediately bowed to Shui Rong and took his leave.
Although it was the first time Prince Bei Jing had met Baoyu, he found his temperament very agreeable and took a liking to him. Shui Rong, who considered Baoyu a close friend, naturally wouldn't let him leave so easily. After some polite exchanges, Baoyu had no choice but to agree to stay until after the banquet. The
forthright Prince Bei Jing also enjoyed drinking, and as the saying goes, "a thousand cups are too few when drinking with a bosom friend." The two toasted and drank, and amidst the clinking of glasses, Shui Rong, known for his immense capacity for alcohol, finally met his match. The outcome was predictable.
"Brother, alright...go on, I...I won't see you off!" Shui Rong, his eyes blurry with sleep, saw Bao Yu off with the help of servants.
"Brother, please return. We brothers will have our chance to meet again!" Bao Yu nimbly mounted his horse, bowed to Shui Rong, and then, his mind clearing, spurred his horse and rode away.
Just as Bao Yu was about to disappear from the sight of Prince Bei Jing and the others, a graceful sedan chair suddenly appeared around the corner.
Caught off guard, the sedan chair bearers and their entourage cried out in alarm at the sight of the charging horse, their souls nearly leaving their bodies, and they froze on the ground.
Seeing the impending tragedy, Bao Yu felt a surge of anxiety. Ignoring whether his strange magical power was working, he focused his mind and activated the Gate of Power spell at full speed, opening the gate wherever his heart desired! Enveloped in the magical power, Bao Yu felt as if his horse and he were one, a mysterious feeling of flesh and blood connecting them, a connection of mind and spirit between them.
"Ah!" A clear whistle rang out from nowhere. Baoyu pulled the reins up, and at the critical moment, the horse, which was almost touching the sedan chair bearers and attendants, leaped into the air. With the help of magic, the horse exceeded its limits, like a celestial horse, leaping over the top of the sedan chair.
With a low thud, the horse landed and galloped away. Baoyu glanced back leisurely as he galloped, giving the receding sedan chair an apologetic smile. Then, he bent slightly and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Wow!" A moment later, the sedan chair bearers and attendants, who had been standing there dumbfounded, finally came to their senses, exclaiming in amazement as if a pot had been boiled over.
The luxurious sedan chair quietly opened a crack, and two gleaming eyes followed the departing figure of the horse and rider until Baoyu's smile caught their eye. Only then did the curtain close abruptly in embarrassment.
Prince Bei Jing, still slightly drunk, didn't see the dangerous scene in the distance. Swaying, he turned and headed back to his residence to rest.
"Your Highness, Princess Tianyi's carriage has arrived!" A servant helped Shui Rong up, respectfully reporting to him.
"Is that so?" Shui Rong struggled to open his eyes and finally saw the approaching sedan chair. "My sister is here! Aren't you going to greet her?" Under the afternoon autumn sun, Bao Yu returned to the Jia mansion.
He dismounted, paused, and looked at the two roads before him—one leading directly to the Grand View Garden, the other to the Jia mansion's backyard. He hesitated.
Chapter 85: Immoral Desire. Sister Feng had agreed to visit those loan sharks with him, but he had been too busy these past few days, causing his secret departure from the mansion to be delayed again and again. Thinking of this, Bao Yu couldn't help but picture Sister Feng's alluring face. His heart warmed, and he no longer hesitated, quickly heading towards the backyard!
"This servant greets Master Bao. My mistress is taking a nap," the maidservant guarding the gate greeted Bao Yu as soon as he arrived at Feng Jie's residence. "Mistress doesn't receive guests during her afternoon nap. Please come back later, Master Bao!" A pang of disappointment rose in Bao Yu's heart. How could he have forgotten his beloved's habit of taking a nap?
"Master Bao, should I inform her?" the maidservant asked, her voice flattering. This Master Bao was no ordinary man; he was the young master of the Jia family. It would be disastrous if he displeased him!
"No need, I'll come another day!" Bao Yu didn't want to disturb Feng Jie. He turned away dejectedly, a long sigh escaping his lips. Alas! When would his love with his beloved finally blossom and bear fruit?
A listless Baoyu wandered aimlessly through the backyard, his steps unconsciously leading him to Lady Wang's residence. The image of another young woman, holding a significant place in his heart, surfaced in his mind. A surge of longing and a touch of guilt instantly made him forget his unhappiness. As he walked, he thought, "It's been so long since I've seen my dear Jin Chuan! Today, I must speak my heart to her no matter what!"
The courtyard was quiet, devoid of people, save for a gentle breeze rustling the swaying leaves, adding a touch of life to the desolate high walls and courtyard.
Slightly surprised, Baoyu didn't call out, but instead lifted the curtain and entered. He saw several maids serving his mother huddled together on the kang (heated brick bed) in the outer room, fast asleep, but Jin Chuan was nowhere to be seen.
So they were also taking a nap; no wonder it was so quiet! Was "Mother" also sleeping? A wicked thought uncontrollably arose in the young man's mind, and he imagined a voluptuous woman, alluring and slumbering, in a dreamlike state.
"It's no big deal to take a look!" Baoyu instantly found a plausible excuse for his sneaky behavior, and driven by his own will, he swiftly and silently walked towards the inner hall.
Everything was exactly as he expected. Lady Wang was reclining on the couch in the inner room, her alluring curves causing the "fake" Baoyu, with his "Oedipus complex," to feel a surge of emotion. Ripples of desire quickly spread through his heart, instantly filling his entire being.
"Why are you here?!" A soft, surprised whisper, brimming with shyness, pulled Baoyu back from his boundless "desire."
The startled man was filled with self-reproach; why couldn't he shake off this wicked feeling?! Only then did he notice a "third wheel" serving Lady Wang beside the couch—and this "third wheel" was none other than the beautiful young woman he had been searching for, Jin Chuan.
Baoyu forcefully suppressed his illicit desires, his eyes fixed solely on the joyful face of Jin Chuan. Under Baoyu's burning gaze, a blush quickly rose to the girl's smooth, delicate face. Unable to withstand Baoyu's fiery passion, she lowered her head, almost burying it between her firm breasts.
"Chuan'er!" His affectionate call caused the girl to involuntarily raise her head. Their eyes met, and a deep, overwhelming love surged between them. Baoyu could no longer contain his surging love and strode towards the girl. The hidden resentment in Jin Chuan's eyes did not escape his notice. A deep sense of guilt welled up within him. He spent his days surrounded by beauties, each night accompanied by a lovely companion, while his beloved remained alone, inevitably feeling lonely and resentful.
"Ugh!" The girl forced back the tears in her eyes and threw herself into Bao Yu's arms like a swallow returning to its nest. In the instant the two embraced passionately, Jin Chuan could no longer hold back the churning sorrow in her heart and began to sob softly!
The two, lost in their emotions, forgot everything in the world. In their eyes and hearts, there was only the other person. Naturally, they did not see the beautiful woman's slightly moving body and trembling eyelids on the bed.
"Chuan'er, my dear Chuan'er!" Seeing the girl still sobbing, the sentimental Baoyu felt a pang of heartache. Understanding everything, he disregarded everything else, steeled his resolve, and gently nibbled at the girl's delicate earlobe, saying, "I'll ask Madam for you to come to my room today, okay?" His whispered words struck the girl like a thunderclap. With a "boom," all her endless sorrow and bewilderment vanished, the ice in her heart melted instantly, and spring flowers bloomed, birds sang, and the romantic sunlight, accompanied by a gentle breeze, made Jin Chuan'er feel refreshed and happy. She felt that the world was so beautiful!
Although the girl's face was full of joy, she couldn't help but worry, "But what about Master? Will Madam agree?" "Don't worry, I've got you covered!" Baoyu's solemn and confident expression immediately put Jin Chuan'er at ease. Suddenly
enlightened, Baoyu sighed inwardly with infinite emotion. Why had he thought so much, made things so complicated? To do whatever one wants—that's true freedom and unrestrained joy!
In high spirits, the man tightened his grip on the beauty in his arms, pressing her youthful body even closer to his. Enjoying the soft, intimate contact, he teased Jin Chuan'er in her ear, "You haven't agreed yet, my darling Chuan'er. Would you like to share my bed?" "How dare you!" A stern refusal came from Jin Chuan'er—behind her, the frosty-faced Lady Wang abruptly threw off the thin quilt covering her and sat bolt upright, forgetting even that her barely-there undergarments revealed her curves.
"Ah!" Bao Yu and Jin Chuan'er were both startled. The young girl turned ashen-faced, her frantic hands instinctively grabbing Bao Yu's arm, seeking strength from him to keep from collapsing!
"You little slut, how dare you seduce your master!" Madam Wang pointed her jade-like hand directly at Jin Chuan, her breath coming in ragged gasps, her rosy cheeks turning pale. "You've already seduced Bao Yu at such a young age! Do you want him to be a good-for-nothing and ruin the Jia family's fortunes?" Jin Chuan was already terrified, and hearing Madam Wang's unprecedentedly harsh rebuke, she was even more horrified. The girl's knees buckled, and she knelt before Madam Wang, daring not to utter a single word of complaint despite her thousand grievances before her thunderous rage.
Chapter 86 Deceiving Mother for Love: The "Fake" Bao Yu, after all, was no ordinary person. After a moment, he regained his composure from his initial panic. A flash of inspiration struck him: Could this be the scene in "Dream of the Red Chamber" where Jin Chuan met her demise? At this moment, the "Jia Bao Yu" seemed to have fled in terror, and that very night, Jin Chuan threw herself into a well and committed suicide!
Thinking this, the young man secretly pondered, "Thank goodness I'm a 'fake' Baoyu; I'll never let this tragedy unfold!" He might as well take this opportunity to break the ice and give Chuan'er an explanation!
But how could he smoothly get his livid "mother" to agree?
In the brief moment of Lady Wang's furious scolding, countless thoughts raced through Baoyu's mind as he racked his brains for a brilliant idea!
Seeing Lady Wang growing increasingly angry, while Baoyu stood motionless beside her, not uttering a single word, Jin Chuan'er's young heart was filled with fear and sorrow. Endless bitterness and sorrow welled up within her, transforming into a heavy depression that enveloped her entire being. Ashamed by Lady Wang's scolding, she felt that everything in the world was so bleak, and she no longer wanted to face this unbearable reality. A terrible thought quietly sprouted in the young woman's heart: perhaps death would be better than this!
Just as the young girl was heartbroken and filled with despair, the "heartless" and "unfaithful" man finally spoke, "Mother, please don't be angry, please hear what I have to say!" With a solemn expression, Baoyu put away his usual playful demeanor, his eyes gazing at Lady Wang with endless sincerity, "If Mother is still not satisfied after hearing my words, then I will naturally let Mother deal with me as she sees fit!" Before he finished speaking, Baoyu had already knelt before Lady Wang, his slightly sorrowful face revealing a flash of inspiration, a plan forming in his mind!
Lady Wang, who doted on Baoyu, sighed softly. "It's not that I'm being unreasonable, but your father has high expectations for you. Before he left, he repeatedly instructed me to urge you to be upright and honest. Besides, you're so young, how can you indulge in romantic feelings?!" Her emotionally charged words paused slightly. Seeing Baoyu kneeling before her with a look of grievance and sorrow, Lady Wang's beautiful face, which had been slightly pained, softened. "Alright! I'll listen to you, but if you're pleading for Jin Chuan, then forget it. I'm going to kick her out no matter what!" "I'm not pleading for Jin Chuan!" Baoyu's unexpected words surprised both Lady Wang and Jin Chuan. The joy that had just risen in the girl's eyes froze instantly, and the tears that hadn't yet disappeared climbed back onto her cheeks!
Baoyu abruptly changed the subject, plunging the two women, still reeling from their initial shock, into deep confusion and bewilderment once more. "I'm begging Jin Chuan to save my life!" "What?!" Lady Wang, incredulous at Baoyu's sudden words, blurted out, "What nonsense are you spouting?" Jin Chuan was equally puzzled; what power did she possess to save this troublesome man's life? A surge of curiosity made the beauty temporarily forget her inner turmoil!
"Mother, what do you think of me now compared to before I fell ill?" Baoyu changed the subject again, leaving everyone wondering what he truly intended to do!
Lady Wang couldn't understand Baoyu's intentions, so she could only go along with him, saying, "You've completely transformed compared to before, and I naturally like you even more now!" "That's it!" Baoyu cheered from the bottom of his heart, "Mother knows that my illness was strange, and my recovery was also bizarre. Actually, there's something else I haven't told you in detail!" "Baoyu, don't try to fool me with nonsense!" Lady Wang was, after all, a clever woman, and a hint of doubt arose in her heart. Her soft, charming eyes gazed at Baoyu. His words were filled with intense distrust. "Today I will definitely expel Jin Chuan from the mansion!" Kneeling on the ground, Bao Yu was not discouraged. With a change of heart, his handsome face showed an extremely sincere expression. He solemnly pointed to the sky and swore, "If I utter a single falsehood, may 'Jia Bao Yu' suffer a terrible death!" "No!" Lady Wang and Jin Chuan cried out in alarm at the same time. People in ancient times valued oaths and believed in ghosts and gods. Not understanding the mystery in the "fake" Bao Yu's words, their jade faces changed color, but they couldn't help but believe a little in their hearts!
The beautiful woman sighed, "Foolish child! Just tell me, why was Jin Chuan able to save your life?" "To tell you the truth, Mother, what I had was not an ordinary illness, but an invasion of evil spirits. You should both know that, right?" Bao Yu looked around at the two women who were listening attentively.
Seeing Madam Wang nod slightly, Baoyu's tone changed, his voice becoming mysterious and low, "My lifespan was originally over, but in my unconscious state, I dreamt of an immortal. The immortal used his magic to save me from the road to the Yellow Springs, allowing me to escape danger!" "Is that so!" The two beauties, one big and one small, immediately showed joy and envy in their eyes. Not everyone can meet an immortal!
Baoyu chuckled inwardly, and seeing that the time was ripe, he said in a resounding tone, "In my dream, the immortal pointed at me, and I immediately felt all nine orifices open, realizing my past mistakes. That's why I can now properly serve the Jia family!" "I'm naturally happy that you can do this!" Madam Wang, thinking of Baoyu's change, couldn't help but soften her icy expression a little more. "But what does this have to do with Jin Chuan?" "Mother, please listen to what I have to say," Baoyu's handsome face showed a look of recollection, "After the immortal gave me some guidance, he said before leaving: ' "Your lifespan was originally over, but since I have met you at this moment, it is a kind of fate. Therefore, this immortal has made an exception and brought you back to the mortal world!" Baoyu, mimicking the tone of an "immortal," changed the subject, "The immortal also said: 'This is going against the will of Heaven. Even if you return to the mortal world, you will not live for long.'" "Ah!" Lady Wang and Jin Chuan'er, who had been listening intently, were startled upon hearing this. The two women, who exclaimed in surprise again, rushed to Baoyu's side, their jade hands firmly grasping his shoulders, as if afraid that he would suddenly disappear.
"Don't be afraid, I'm fine, aren't I?" Baoyu was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart. A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and a surge of tenderness instantly reddened his eyes.
"Did the immortal say how to save you?" At this moment, Lady Wang no longer cared about punishing Jin Chuan'er. She pulled Baoyu into her arms and asked with concern and anxiety.
Chapter 87 Oedipus Complex "This is what I meant earlier," Baoyu nestled happily in his "mother's" arms, the warm affection filling his heart with purity and warmth. "The immortal said that if I want to live, I not only need to expend his thousand years of magical power, but I also need to find a woman to accompany me for life to borrow her lifespan. Only in this way can I escape death!" "Why Jin Chuan? Could it be someone else?" The intelligent and mature woman immediately understood who Baoyu was referring to. At this moment, she was not doubting what Baoyu said, but rather feeling extremely surprised.
"The immortal said that Chuan'er's ancestors had been kind to him, and he came to repay that kindness. Unexpectedly, by chance, he saved my life. Immortals value fate above all else, and the immortal saw that my character was quite good, so he entrusted Jin Chuan'er's future to me," Bao Yu paused slightly, then turned and gazed affectionately at the girl.
"But it will shorten Chuan'er's life by ten years. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing!" "I'm willing!" Jin Chuan'er's beautiful eyes sparkled with endless affection, and her firm words echoed in the room. "Don't say ten years, even twenty or thirty years, I'm willing to die right now!" "Alas!" A heavy sigh from the beautiful woman broke the tenderness between the two young lovers. "In that case, Jin Chuan'er, come to your room tomorrow!" Madam Wang said apologetically to the girl, "It's hard on you, my girl, for being so devoted. I misunderstood you before. I'll inform the old lady one day and let you become Bao Yu's concubine!" "Thank you for your kindness, Madam." Jin Chuan'er blushed deeply upon hearing this, her face instantly turning red. Her previous fear and helplessness were replaced by endless joy.
Baoyu felt a sense of relief. The "illusory Baoyu" in his mind sat leisurely on the comfortable sofa, legs crossed high, muttering smugly, "Hehe... Done! Heaven, you want to kill me? No way! I am the 'fake' Baoyu, and I will definitely change the tragic fate of the women in the Red Chamber!" Once the deed was done, Baoyu's tense nerves returned to normal, and his lecherous nature once again took over. Only then did he realize that he was nestled tightly in the arms of a beautiful woman, who, in her haste, was only wearing her undergarments. The warmth of the bedroom had left her still unaware of what was happening.
Her thin clothing couldn't conceal her prominent breasts, the clearly defined nipples even more alluring. Below her full, shapely waist were firm, fragrant mounds, their tempting roundness striking Baoyu's heart with a resounding thud.
A thrill a hundred times greater than usual surged through Bao Yu's heart. His mind, brimming with lust, burned with desire. He shrank back, his cheek "accidentally" falling between her full breasts. His large hand slid down, naturally landing on her soft, fragrant flesh.
Madam Wang, unaware of her "son's" inappropriate actions, assumed he merely wanted to relive childhood memories. The unsuspecting woman tightened her grip, pressing the "lecher" even closer to her delicate body.
The intoxicating, mature fragrance irresistibly penetrated Bao Yu's heart, transforming into an endless heat that "scalded" the sleeping "little Bao Yu." His passion surged, and he slowly moved his cheek, carefully savoring the woman's astonishing smoothness and fullness. His fiery lips deliberately brushed lightly against her nipples, and at the moment of contact, his hot breath sprayed directly onto the protrusions.
Lady Wang's body trembled suddenly. A strange heat surged from her chest, penetrating deep into her heart and stirring up ripples of desire. Because Jia Zheng was often away, this long-absent woman, who had to suppress her passions, was easily aroused. Suddenly stimulated, she realized the inappropriateness between "mother" and "son"—her son's large hands were caressing and roaming over her buttocks.
Lady Wang's heart tightened, and she quickly pushed Baoyu away. Seeing his bewildered expression, she relaxed. She had watched her son grow up; he wouldn't become so bad! Unfortunately, the beautiful woman could never have imagined that the person before her was not the real "Jia Baoyu," and it wouldn't be surprising if he harbored wicked intentions
! Baoyu, still in a daze, was "awakened" by the woman's push. Outwardly calm, he was inwardly startled. Had his strange habit relapsed?!
Deep guilt swirled in Baoyu's mind, and the remorseful man repeatedly reminded himself how abnormal these thoughts were! How morally reprehensible! Tormented by his conscience, he made a firm resolution: he would eradicate this "terrible" bad habit no matter what!
"Mother, if there's nothing else, I'd like to go for a walk with Jin Chuan." Having calmed down, Bao Yu finally returned to "normal" under self-hypnosis, respectfully bowing to Madam Wang to take his leave.
Seeing Bao Yu's natural expression, Madam Wang's slightly tense heart completely relaxed. It seemed she had truly misunderstood. "Alright, tomorrow after informing the Old Madam, you can come and take her away!" "Thank you for your kindness, Madam!" Jin Chuan had served Madam Wang for many years, and although she had now found a good husband, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken. The young woman once again kowtowed deeply to Madam Wang with heartfelt sincerity.
"Alright!" Madam Wang helped Jin Chuan up with pity. "Don't kowtow anymore, or Bao Yu will feel sorry for you!" Her teasing words dissolved the previous awkwardness between the two, and the tense atmosphere transformed into a warm spring breeze that lingered in the hearts of the three.
"Congratulations, Second Master! Congratulations, Sister Chuan'er!" As soon as Baoyu and Jin Chuan'er stepped out of the inner room, a group of maids immediately surrounded them, congratulating Jin Chuan'er with envy. Some even cast flirtatious glances at Baoyu, their eyes seemingly saying, "Baoyu, take her into your room too!" Seeing this, Jin Chuan'er dared not delay. Now she had a legitimate reason to act, grabbing Baoyu's wrist and pulling the dazed boy out of the "surroundings"!
"Chuan'er, why are you walking so fast?" Baoyu asked, his face full of surprise, but his feet obediently followed the girl's pace.
Just as they stepped out of the residence, Jin Chuan'er, seeing no one around, abruptly shook off Baoyu's hand, turning her back to her beloved and ignoring him.
"Are you angry?!" Although Baoyu was exceptionally intelligent, he still couldn't fathom the girl's heart. As the saying goes, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea!
Chapter Eighty-Eight: Changing Fate and Destiny. Seeing Jin Chuan'er's still frosty expression, he gently explained, "I have nothing to do with them, why are you so jealous?!" "Am I such a petty person? They are all my good sisters. I would be even happier if you could bring them all into your room!" The girl's tone shifted, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction, "Are you only with me to save your life?" So that's why! Bao Yu secretly rejoiced. The beauty believed his lies, but she doubted his sincerity. This was truly shooting himself in the foot. It seemed he would have to waste some more words! Alas! It's so hard to be a man, always having to coax women! Gender inequality!
Baoyu chuckled and whispered something in the girl's ear. Finally, he pulled Jin Chuan'er's hand to his chest, his deep affection flowing from his lips. "Feel my heart carefully; it doesn't lie. Now you understand my feelings for you, don't you?" "Mmm!" Jin Chuan'er nestled happily in Baoyu's arms. Just as Baoyu, overcome with emotion, leaned down to kiss her, the shy girl suddenly giggled. "You naughty boy! You even dared to lie to your wife; you'll definitely lie to me in the future!" Before Baoyu could deny it, the girl added, " "Tell me honestly, how many girls have you deceived already?" Bao Yu's playful heart was instantly extinguished. He feigned fear, "My dear wife, have mercy! I'll never dare to do it again!" "Wife?! What does that mean?" The girl was not quite clear about the "fake" Bao Yu's slip of the tongue. After thinking hard, she chased after him relentlessly, "You bad guy, are you saying I'm old and have become a haggard old woman?" "Wife, you're going to beat your husband to death!" In a good mood, Bao Yu "fled" forward. Since he had already let it slip, he might as well pair them up.
"Wife? Husband?" The girl chased after her beloved while pondering these two strange words in her mind. The delicate Jin Chuan'er's heart trembled. The words "husband and wife" suddenly magnified in her heart. Didn't that mean husband and wife?! The beauty who understood was both ashamed and happy. Her joy far outweighed her shame. Her jade hands quietly changed from pounding to kneading, making Bao Yu's heart happy and relaxed!
"Chuan'er, is this your home?" Baoyu insisted on taking Jin Chuan'er back to her home in the lower courtyard of the Jia family. It turned out that Jin Chuan'er's parents were servants of the Jia family, and the girl was a so-called "household servant." "Go to sleep early, I'll come to pick you up early tomorrow morning." "Okay!" Jin Chuan'er nodded slightly, her face flushed with shy joy. She squeezed Baoyu's hand tightly and turned to walk into the courtyard.
"Isn't this Second Master?!" A surprised voice rang out from behind them, and a middle-aged man with a dignified appearance walked over carrying two buckets of water.
"Father, you're fetching water!" Jin Chuan'er greeted her father with a cheerful smile.
Upon seeing his future father-in-law, Baoyu immediately stepped forward and bowed.
Jin Chuan'er's father, Jin Fu, hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Second Master, please don't be so polite. What brings you here?" Bao Yu wanted to tell Jin Fu about his relationship with Jin Chuan'er, but the girl's shy gaze stopped him. Unsure how to answer, Bao Yu made small talk, asking, "Is it far to fetch water?" "Not far!" Jin Fu, though puzzled as to why his master was concerned with such a trivial matter, answered respectfully, "There's an old well in the corner of the courtyard. It never dries up, and we fetch water and do laundry there." "Oh!" Bao Yu echoed, and as he was about to leave, a sudden thought struck him, and his heart churned. An old well! Wasn't Jin Chuan'er in "Dream of the Red Chamber" the one who drowned herself in a well? Could it be the old well Jin Fu mentioned?
Thinking of this, a thousand thoughts rushed through Baoyu's mind. Although he had successfully changed reality, it was still better to be cautious so as to completely change Chuan'er's fate!
"By the way, the reason I came here is to seal that well!" Seeing the puzzled looks on Jin's father and daughter's faces, Baoyu didn't want to waste any more words and comforted them, "I will have someone dig another deep well nearby as soon as possible. As for the next two days, you don't need to fetch water. I will arrange for the steward from the outer mansion to bring water carts in for you." "Yes, I will find someone to seal the well right away!" The servants dared not disobey their master's orders, and since Baoyu had thought things through for them, Jin Fu would not feel dissatisfied.
Seeing her father walk away, Jin Chuan stared at Bao Yu with deep doubt in her beautiful eyes. "What are you up to?
Why did you seal the well out of the blue?" She paused slightly, then said shyly, "If you wanted to get my father away, you didn't need to seal the well!" "Hehe, I have my reasons," Bao Yu didn't know how to explain, so he quickly shifted his thoughts and attributed everything to ghosts and gods. "Last time I visited the Master at Xuanzhen Temple, he was very accomplished in his cultivation and calculated with his fingers that the well was in an inauspicious location, so he specifically instructed me to move it. Today I happened to be here, so I thought I'd take care of it while I was at it!" "I see!" The girl nodded slightly upon hearing this. "That well is quite frightening, sealing it is good! Every time I draw water, I always have a feeling that I'm going to fall in." Less than an hour later, Jin Fu found Bao Yu and Jin Chuan playing together. Seeing his daughter and the Second Master playing together so openly, Jin Fu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. What parent wouldn't want their children to have a good future?!
"Second Master, I've sealed the well as you instructed!" The honest and upright Jin Fu's attitude remained unchanged despite his daughter's presence; he was still extremely respectful.
A wide and thick bluestone slab completely covered the well opening. Bao Yu was secretly amazed. It's true that many hands make light work! This slab probably weighed no less than a thousand pounds, yet they finished it so quickly!
"Chuan'er, now you don't have to be afraid!" Bao Yu murmured to himself. "With such a heavy slab, let's see how Heaven makes you lift it and throw yourself into the well! Hehe... Now it's foolproof! I can change fate!" After generously rewarding the servants who had worked, Bao Yu left, seeing off the girl's reluctant gaze.
A moment later, the overjoyed servants of the Jia family dispersed with their reward money, and the area around the ancient well returned to calm.
Could fate truly change things?! Had destiny already chosen Baoyu as its favored darling?!
Chapter Eighty-Nine: A Passionate Journey of Four The poignant night descended, the sky dotted with countless stars, a breathtaking sight!
Baoyu looked up at the deep night sky, stretching lazily with a relaxed air, his thoughts drifting far away. After tonight, Chuan'er would be with him. This should be his first action to change the tragedy of the "Dream of the Red Chamber." It seemed he truly was a genius! Hehe… A smug smile appeared on Baoyu's handsome face. Overwhelmed with emotion, he stretched out his arms and embraced Xiren and Sheyue.
"It's still early, Qingwen and the others haven't gone to sleep yet!" The conservative Xiren blushed deeply, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of panic amidst the tangled emotions, afraid that her good friend would discover their "illicit affair."
"Good Second Master, can you wait a little longer? Didn't we already serve you last night?" The charming Musk Moon nestled affectionately in Bao Yu's arms, not wanting Qiu Wen and the others to see them!
"What are you afraid of?!" Bao Yu smiled lewdly, quickly kissing the two women's cheeks lightly. "My darlings, they'll find out sooner or later; Jin Chuan'er is coming to my room tomorrow, how about we have a 'four-person party' then?" "What does 'four-person party' mean?" The innocent and beautiful Musk Moon couldn't help but ask, her mind filled with doubt.
The clever and perceptive Xi Ren, though equally confused, sensed something amiss in Bao Yu's ambiguous expression. She wanted to stop Musk Moon, but her hesitation was too late!
"Hehe..." Upon hearing this, Baoyu's lust was aroused even more, and his laughter made the two women feel uneasy at the same time. "We call this a threesome, what do you think 'foursome' means?!" "Ah!" Musk Moon finally understood Baoyu's words, and her jade face flushed red with heat, and her fair neck turned red as well, making this "lecher" swallow even harder.
With a sudden tightening of his arms, the two women were lifted off the ground. The lustful man, his arms around them, strode towards the bedroom, his shameless, lecherous words carried on the wind: "The sage said: 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' Now that we're three together, I am naturally your teacher. Let your teacher teach you two good disciples what true bliss is! Hehe…!" While Baoyu was lost in the throes of passion, in a nearby room, Qiuwen tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Seeing that Musk Moon and Xiren's rooms remained unlit, Qiuwen felt a surge of jealousy and resentment. "These two are truly shameless, going to Baoyu's room every night..." "Running away like that, how shameless!" A thought flashed through the girl's mind, her eyes gleaming with jealousy and hatred. "They only return to their rooms at cockcrow every day, thinking they can fool everyone. Only Qingwen would be deceived by you!" The narrow-minded Qiuwen saw the recent joyful expressions of Sheyue and Xiren before her eyes. Blinded by jealousy, she mistook the two women for showing off, her heart filled with even more resentment. "I, Qiuwen, will not be subservient to you for life! The man I love must be mine!" "Sigh!" The girl sat up helplessly. She wondered if the news she'd heard today was true or false. Would Jin Chuan from Madam's room really come here tomorrow?! Qiuwen's fingers involuntarily gripped the cotton wadding tightly. Impossible! Qingwen was prettier than Jin Chuan, and she herself was no less beautiful. Baoyu hadn't even wanted either of them, how could he want Jin Chuan first?!
This heartless and fickle Baoyu, couldn't he see how good she was to him?! Qiuwen's heart was in turmoil, a thousand emotions swirling within her, a surge of bitterness, jealousy, and resentment welling up within her. The agitated girl dressed and strolled out of the courtyard.
Those who are heartbroken often suffer from insomnia, and even the triumphant ones toss and turn! Jin Chuan'er, bathed in the moonlight filtering through the window, was filled with excitement, a mixture of shyness and joy, unable to fall asleep.
Happiness would arrive at dawn! The beautiful woman's wide-open eyes gazed repeatedly out the window, her heart filled with an unprecedented eagerness, hoping the night would pass quickly so the bright sunshine could bring her lifelong warmth.
"Sister, what's the rush? You and your lover have a long life ahead of you, why are you in such a hurry to get into his bed?" Yu Chuan'er, also overjoyed for her sister, couldn't help but tease her with a laugh at her anxious appearance.
Although the two sisters were twins, their personalities were completely different; Yuchuan was frank and lively, while Jinchuan was gentle. When the two sisters bickered, Jinchuan was never a match for her younger sister. Feeling both ashamed and pleased, Jinchuan blushed and had no choice but to retaliate by reaching out and rubbing her younger sister under the armpit.
"Hehe..." Laughter eased Jin Chuan'er's anxiety. She grabbed her sister's hand, which had been reaching out to her, her eyes gleaming with a playful glint. "Sister, do you remember our vow?" Yu Chuan'er's calm heart skipped a beat. She feigned ignorance. "What vow? I can't remember. Children's words shouldn't be taken seriously. Sister, you remember!" Although the sisters had different personalities, the mysterious connection between twins was remarkably accurate. Jin Chuan'er sensed her sister's nervousness in her words. "Good sister, you may have forgotten, but I won't. I will definitely find a way to make this happen!" "I don't even know what you're talking about!" Yu Chuan'er's heart raced with a thousand thoughts, unsure of what to do! "I'm not going to talk anymore, I'm going to sleep!" After a long while, in the quiet bedroom, Jin Chuan'er still had her beautiful eyes wide open and was wide awake. She looked at her younger sister beside her, who was probably not really asleep. Then, the girl's thoughts turned to the matter of the "vow".
Alas! Will Baoyu accept his sister? Jin Chuan'er, increasingly troubled by her thoughts, didn't want to wake Yu Chuan'er again. Full of energy, she quietly dressed and went out, as if possessed, ending up by the deep well that had been sealed during the day!
The bright moon hung high in the sky, and the Jia mansion was utterly silent. Except for a few people on night watch, everyone else was sound asleep.
In different courtyards, the two girls, each lost in their own thoughts, gazed up at the night sky, letting out long sighs, yet still unable to dispel their turmoil. A hint of doubt flashed in their upward-looking eyes: Where had the moon gone?!
Meanwhile, the "culprit" causing Qiu Wen and Jin Chuan'er's sleepless nights was having a sweet dream, their arms and legs intertwined. The warm, multicolored light of the "Spiritual Jade" once again enveloped the entire Yi Hong Courtyard.
Chapter Ninety: Life and Death on the Brink A dark cloud appeared out of nowhere above the Jia Mansion with incredible speed. Standing atop the cloud, General Yin stared at the courtyard shrouded in divine light. His true tiger eyes suddenly flashed with an incomparably fiery light, and a greedy smile appeared on his face.
The tiger demon looked around at the seemingly harmless surroundings and couldn't help but laugh triumphantly, "Haha... that cowardly bird demon, I'll capture him with ease. What's so scary about a few mere mortals?!" Before he finished speaking, the dark cloud beneath General Yin's feet churned and transformed into a whirlwind, rushing towards the Yi Hong Courtyard. The brutal tiger demon was full of confidence and wanted to forcibly seize the "Five-Colored Divine Stone"!
"Big sister, let's go too!" Not far away, on a hidden dark cloud, Peach Demon and several of her subordinates stood side by side. One of them, a flower spirit who had transformed into a young girl, saw that the tiger demon had made the first move. Fearing that the treasure would fall into its hands and the flower spirit would unleash its magic, she was about to fly out and chase after it.
A slender, smooth jade hand halted the flower spirit's movement. The stunningly beautiful peach demon calmly gazed down. "Don't rush, things won't be that simple! If the tiger demon manages to get it, we can snatch it from him again." "Ah!" The peach demon's words were barely out of her mouth when a scream rang out, the piercing cry echoing endlessly, awakening several sleeping mortals. Lacking magical power, they listened intently for a moment, then mistook it for a hallucination and mumbled as they drifted back to sleep. The
arrogant tiger demon, though possessing considerable magical power, was no match for the "Five-Colored Divine Stone"! An irresistible force hurled him high into the air. Struck by the radiant light, the tiger demon lost the protection of its magical shield and was instantly forced to reveal its true form. A trail of blood, trailing in the air, followed the tiger's trajectory.
"Ah!" Qiuwen's scream was exceptionally clear in the silent night sky. Drawn by the scream, she looked around and saw a large black shadow flying through the air. By the light of the bright moon and stars, she could vaguely make out that the shadow was actually a striped tiger! Such a bizarre and terrifying sight immediately terrified the young girl.
Qiuwen's delicate body trembled, and she dragged her weak legs towards the Yihong Courtyard.
A sudden gust of wind arose, and a strange change occurred. As Qiuwen fled for her life, she felt an invisible hand suddenly grab her waist. Before she could even cry for help, a force swept over her body, and she fainted instantly.
Peach Blossom Fairy, standing on a cloud, raised her jade hand in the air, and the unconscious Qiuwen floated up and slowly flew towards the cloud where the demons stood.
At the same moment, not far away, Jin Chuan'er also encountered a terrifying event.
A scream pierced the night sky. Startled, Jin Chuan'er's heart trembled. She instinctively looked around. The once serene and deep night had instantly become eerie and shadowy. Even the seemingly unchanged eaves and treetops now appeared incredibly sinister to the girl. Pale-faced, Jin Chuan'er hurriedly ran towards her bedroom.
She had only taken two steps when a dark shadow suddenly descended from the sky.
With a loud bang, a tiger landed in front of the girl amidst the flying dust. After a roll, the tiger's body shrank—it really shrank—transforming into a burly middle-aged man with bulging eyes and a gaping maw, appearing before Jin Chuan'er!
"Demon...demon..." Jin Chuan'er trembled with fear, unable to speak coherently. Her beautiful eyes widened in terror, and she finally managed to utter a coherent sentence, "A demon!" The tiger demon, stunned and coughing up blood, was enraged. In a fit of rage, he aimlessly swung his fist forward. The massive fist, by sheer luck, grazed past Jin Chuan'er by a hair's breadth, striking the large stone slab sealing the well with a deafening "boom." The slab, sealed for less than a day, was instantly destroyed. The tiger demon, his anger slightly appeased, heard the girl's cry and finally noticed the presence of a human woman before him.
"Ah!" A deep roar, coupled with the tiger demon's fierce eyes, sent Jin Chuan'er's soul tumbling out of her body.
"Don't come any closer! Help!" The girl, terrified as the monster approached, retreated in terror. Overwhelmed by fear, she lost the strength to escape, and even her cries for help were weak and feeble.
"Ah!" The tiger demon roared, its once human-like mouth suddenly becoming enormous, its sharp teeth gleaming coldly, a truly terrifying sight!
Jin Chuan'er's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. Her heart breaking, the girl's mind flashed with the image of her beloved in this most dangerous moment, and she subconsciously murmured, "Baoyu, save me, Baoyu, save me..." "Eek!" A surprised exclamation came from the gaping maw. The tiger demon, about to devour the girl, shook its head, returning to its normal human form. "Is the Baoyu you're talking about Jia Baoyu?!" Overwhelmed by terror, the girl's mind was in disarray; she nodded blankly.
"Aren't you that boy's lover?!" Seeing that the girl couldn't forget the name "Baoyu" even in her dying moments, the tiger demon naturally guessed their relationship!
Upon hearing the word "lover," the dazed girl couldn't help but show joy on her face, as if Baoyu were right beside her, her scattered eyes radiating intense love!
"Ha, ha..." The tiger demon laughed excitedly, "Great! I never thought I'd stumble upon Jia Baoyu's lover; little girl, I'll exchange you for that boy's magical jade, let's see if he'll agree!" "Ah!" A scream came from Jin Chuan'er's mouth. Hearing that the other party was going to harm her lover, the infatuated girl instantly regained her senses and her mind returned to normal.
Supported by boundless love, the girl's courage surged, and she retorted in a shrill voice, "What do you, you monster, intend to do to Baoyu? You won't succeed!" The tiger demon, in high spirits, saw the girl's beautiful face and his lust was aroused. His eyes burned with desire as he grinned lewdly. "Hehe...that depends on how important you are to him, little lady. Why don't you let me weigh for him whether you're worth exchanging?" The tiger demon spoke as he approached Jin Chuan'er. Although he was severely injured, dealing with a mortal woman was still no problem for him!
Chapter Ninety-One: The Change of Qiu Wen Under the mysterious cover of night, above a thick cloud, the unconscious Qiu Wen's eyelids fluttered open, and she awoke. Her bewildered eyes looked around. The girl, who had just awakened, was not yet fully conscious.
"Ah!" The churning white clouds finally reminded Qiu Wen of the terrible reality. The several dark figures in front of her terrified her, and she fainted again before she could even utter the words "Help!"
"Hehe..." Several little flower fairies laughed at the same time. "Big sister, this woman is so timid, why did you grab her up here?" One of them, who was on good terms with the peach fairy, joked, "Could it be that big sister is tired of the fine wine and delicacies and wants to try some human flesh?!" "You little girls!" The peach fairy was very kind to her subordinates and gently scolded them with a smile:
"Stop talking nonsense, I have my own plans!" The peach fairy waved her jade hand, and a cold wind blew towards Qiuwen. The bone-chilling cold forced the girl to wake up from her unconsciousness and face this terrifying "dream" without any escape! "
Help!" This time, Qiuwen did not faint, but her jade face was pale and she was extremely panicked. Her body kept retreating on the cloud.
A little flower fairy "kindly" reminded her, "Don't back down anymore, or you'll fall!" "Miss, you don't need to be too afraid. We mean no harm; we just want to ask you for a small favor!" The peach fairy smiled sweetly and gently comforted the frightened Qiuwen.
Qiuwen was not pleased by the other party's kindness. She remained nervous and stammered, pleading, "Great Immortal, I...I'm just a...maid, I can't help at all!" "How dare you!" a little demon stepped forward and shouted angrily, "You'd better obey our Grand Palace Master's orders, or else..." The sinister words didn't need to be explicitly stated; the little flower demon's feigned ferocity spoke volumes!
"Great Immortal, spare me!" Qiuwen cried in terror, repeatedly kowtowing to the "kind" peach demon, begging for mercy. "
Don't frighten her!" Seeing that her combination of soft and hard tactics had broken down the woman's psychological defenses, the peach demon waved her hand, satisfied, and dismissed her "fierce" subordinate.
"Thank you for your mercy, Great Immortal!" The quick-witted Qiuwen hurriedly kowtowed again, her face showing a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. "Great Immortal, can you let me go back?" "Of course," Tao Yao's tone shifted, becoming slightly solemn. "But you must first agree to one condition!" Before the doubtful and anxious Qiuwen could respond, Tao Yao spoke first: "As long as you help us retrieve something from the Yihong Courtyard, we will forgive you this time!" "What does Great Immortal want me to retrieve?" Qiuwen couldn't help but ask, her tense nerves easing slightly. Stealing wasn't a big deal; as long as she apologized to Bao Yu afterwards, he wouldn't make things difficult for her.
"The—Spirit—Jade!" Tao Yao said each word solemnly, her watery eyes flashing with sharp light as she stared intently at Qiuwen, increasing her pressure to force her to agree.
"Ah! No!" Qiuwen exclaimed in surprise, refusing without hesitation. The "Spirit Jade" was not only a treasure, but also Baoyu's lifeblood. Everyone in the manor knew that without the Jade Second Master, his life would be in danger!
"What did you say?!" The ferocious little flower demon roared again, transforming into a terrifying creature with a blue face and fangs, and approached Qiuwen.
Unexpectedly, the peach demon did not stop her subordinate from "forcing" the attack. She couldn't believe that a mere mortal woman could be so bold and fearless of death.
As the demon approached, Qiuwen's delicate body trembled violently. The girl, her lips turning purple, pleaded incessantly, "Great Immortal, I really can't do it! Please spare me! Please..." After several attempts by the Peach Demon and the Flower Demon to use both soft and hard tactics, they saw that although Qiuwen was terrified and on the verge of madness, she refused to agree to the demon's condition of harming Baoyu. Helpless, the Peach Demon sighed. Although she was a demon, she was also a female demon, and she possessed the unique compassion of a woman. With a change of heart, a hint of appreciation flashed in the Peach Demon's eyes. "Miss, since that's the case, I won't force you!" "Ah!" Qiuwen's mind jolted. She stared at the Peach Demon's kind face in disbelief. After a moment, she realized she hadn't misheard. A huge surge of joy instantly filled the girl's terrified heart, and her taut heartstrings relaxed.
Although Qiuwen was narrow-minded, she wasn't inherently malicious. She harbored feelings for Baoyu that went beyond those of a mistress and servant; otherwise, she wouldn't have been so jealous of Xiren and Sheyue. "
Baoyu, I've finally done right by you! But what about you?" The danger had passed, and the bitterness that had vanished from the shock returned to the girl's heart.
"Thank you so much for sparing my life, Great Immortal!" Qiuwen suppressed her chaotic thoughts and sincerely thanked the peach demon. Her heart secretly churned; it was best to leave as soon as possible. "Please, Great Immortal, let me return to the ground!" The little flower demon asked quietly, her eyes filled with confusion, "Big sister, are you really going to let her go like this?" The peach demon didn't answer the girls' questions. Seeing the girl's repeated pleas, she smiled mysteriously and gently helped Qiuwen up.
The girl, her wariness of the peach demon greatly diminished, assumed she had come to ensure her safe landing. Her eyes welled with gratitude, "Thank you, Great Immortal!" A glint of ulterior motive flashed in the peach demon's eyes. She answered Qiuwen, seemingly out of context, "Look at this." With that, the peach demon's soft, rosy hand reached into her robes and tossed something into the air.
Qiuwen instinctively looked up and saw a delicate little bronze mirror magically floating in mid-air. A beam of light shone from the mirror, striking the girl's delicate body.
"Ah!" The sudden change caused Qiuwen to cry out involuntarily, then stand there dumbfounded. After a moment, a strange, sweet smile appeared on her face.
The bronze mirror, after emitting the light, began to tremble slightly. After a series of subtle changes, Qiuwen's deepest dreams appeared in the mirror—joy, anger, sorrow, love, and hate—all transformed into a series of images reflected in the eyes of the female demons.
Chapter Ninety-Two: Sorrow and Melancholy "This girl is still a lover, but she's a bit narrow-minded!" The Peach Fairy, well-versed in the ways of the world, couldn't help but sigh, her heart filled with memories of her beloved younger sister, Queen Luomei's tragic love story.
"Great Palace Master, the King has lent you the 'Mirror of Love and Lust' too!" Several flower fairies gazed enviously at the magical treasure in mid-air.
Another flower fairy interjected, "Can this treasure really control the seven emotions and six desires?" Before the Peach Fairy could answer, another quick-witted subordinate blurted out, "Of course! Who doesn't know how powerful our King's treasure is? Otherwise, why would the other three kings be so wary?!" Seeing that the "Mirror of Love and Lust" had reached a crucial moment, the Peach Fairy joined two fingers together, casting a burst of magical power into the mirror, which vanished without a trace.
Lost in her "dream," Qiuwen was enjoying the bliss of being alone with Baoyu when a celestial voice suddenly rang in her mind: "If you remove the jade pendant from Baoyu's neck and give it to the deity sent by Heaven, Baoyu will stay with you for life, and you will become the glamorous mistress of the Jia family!" These inexplicable words were deeply etched into Qiuwen's consciousness. The infatuated girl murmured them over and over again before her body trembled and she regained her composure.
"Fairy, I understand!" Qiuwen calmly and naturally bowed to the "deities" and took her leave, flying back to the ground with their help.
Controlled by the "Mirror of Love and Lust," Qiuwen walked happily towards the Grand View Garden without a second thought, smugly muttering to herself, "Xiren, Sheyue, how can you compare to me?! My fate with Baoyu is ordained by heaven, and with the help of immortals, we will surely be able to live happily ever after. As for you?
Sigh! For the sake of our sisterhood, I'll let you be my bedsheets!" Qiuwen had just escaped danger, but the situation was still critical for Jin Chuan'er, who was facing a ferocious tiger demon!
As the demon approached step by step, the light in its eyes made Jin Chuan'er's jade face turn pale. Although the young girl had never experienced such a major event in life, her innate female sensitivity allowed her to see the burning lust in the demon's eyes.
Jin Chuan retreated step by step, the face of Bao Yu appearing before her eyes. Her heart cried out repeatedly, "Bao Yu, save me! Bao Yu, save me!" "Heh, heh... Little lady, looking at your delicate skin, you'd better obediently submit to me! Otherwise, I'll eat you up!" Although the lustful demon's threatening words seemed powerless, the meaning behind them filled Jin Chuan with despair.
Her retreating steps tripped over the broken stone slabs, and the girl fell to the ground with a thud. "You monster, I'd rather die than be humiliated by you!" "Little lady, you're quite stubborn, but I like that!" The tiger demon couldn't believe that the beautiful and delicate girl before him had the courage to commit suicide. He lewdly laughed and said, "There's an ancient well behind you. If you jump in, you'll become a cold, lifeless corpse. Being a wandering ghost isn't fun!" Jin Chuan'er glanced at the corner of her eye and saw that she was indeed not far from the well. Ignoring everything, the girl gritted her teeth and crawled to the edge of the well with all her might. Seeing the monster slowly approaching without a care, Jin Chuan'er thought to herself, "If I don't jump now, I'll never have another chance. No matter what, I can't let Bao Yu down!"
Ignoring the lewd-looking demon, Jin Chuan'er raised her head and gave a final, affectionate glance towards the direction of the Grand View Garden. A wisp of thought flashed from her sea of consciousness, transcending the boundaries of time and space, flying straight towards the direction her gaze fell. "Baoyu, farewell!" Jin Chuan'er's delicate body, clinging to the well's edge, lunged forward with all her might , and the charming young girl plunged swiftly into the well. After a splash of water, only layers of sorrowful ripples remained,
and her beautiful soul vanished in sorrow. "Damn it, what bad luck!" Caught off guard, the tiger demon instinctively reached out his large hand, trying to pull his suicidal prey back. However, severely injured, he had lost his usual agility. Unwilling to waste his magic power, the demon could only glare hatefully at the deep, ancient well, then flicked his hand and soared away on a cloud.
A cold wind howled, swirling clouds, casting a desolate and bleak light upon the world. The bright moon, unable to bear witnessing such human tragedy, silently pulled aside the dark clouds, hiding itself in bitter darkness.
"Chuan'er, don't go!" Just as Jin Chuan'er was about to throw herself into the well, Bao Yu saw the girl float past him in his dream, her bright eyes glistening with tears, an endless sorrow causing a dull ache in his heart. Bao Yu reached out his hand, but could not hold back the ever-moving Jin Chuan'er. In his desperation, he cried out in alarm.
The moment the words left his lips, Bao Yu awoke from his nightmare with a start. Startled, he wiped his face, finding himself covered in cold sweat.
"What's wrong?" Xi Ren and She Yue, sleeping on either side of him, were simultaneously awakened by Bao Yu's cry, forcing open their hazy eyes and asking with concern.
Baoyu gently patted the two women's smooth, fragrant shoulders, comforting them to avoid worrying them, "It's nothing! Just a strange dream!" "Sleep! I'm exhausted!" Hearing Baoyu's barrage of words, Musk Moon's heartstrings relaxed, and an irresistible drowsiness washed over her, causing her to fall into a deep sleep again.
"You sleep too!" Seeing Xiren struggling to stay with him, Baoyu tenderly kissed her cheek and lovingly pulled her into his arms.
"Mmm!" Xiren gently nodded her head; in truth, she wasn't much better off than Musk Moon. Unable to withstand the onslaught, Xiren lay in her lover's arms, closed her eyes, and soon drifted into a sweet dream.
While the two women were soundly asleep, Baoyu remained uneasy, unable to fall asleep.
How could this be? Had something truly changed? A sense of unease crept into Baoyu's mind; he realized this was a world of ghosts and spirits, and his anxiety intensified, a sense of foreboding rising within him.
Never mind, this kind of wild thinking won't solve anything! Lost in thought, Baoyu acted on his impulse. Ignoring the fact that it was already midnight, he tiptoed out of bed between the two women's arms and legs, casually threw on an outer robe, and headed out the door. Only seeing Jin Chuan with his own eyes could calm his anxious heart!
Just as Baoyu stepped out of the Yi Hong Courtyard gate, several strange figures flew towards the Grand View Garden from different directions.
Chapter Ninety-Three: The Beginning of Chaos. Miaoyu was extremely anxious, her magical power surged, and the flying sword beneath her feet instantly accelerated forward. The tiger demon's screams awakened Miaoyu from her meditation, and the surging demonic energy made the beauty tremble violently. Without hesitation, she rushed out the window, only managing to say to the spirit bird that had just returned, "Quickly report to my uncle, the demon has appeared!" "Fellow Daoist, stop!" Just as Miaoyu was about to reach the Yi Hong Courtyard in her anxious haste, a figure suddenly appeared in mid-air, blocking her path.
"Get out of the way!" With no time to explain, Miaoyu mistook the other for a treacherous thief trying to steal the "Spirit Jade" and charged forward without hesitation. The flying sword beneath her feet pulsed with light, instantly forming a dense net of magical sword energy.
"Break!" The one blocking her path swept his whisk, shredding the net like sharp scissors. The Taoist, prepared, moved with lightning speed, unleashing mysterious incantations with a single hand. He, too, had mistaken the other for a treasure hunter and showed no mercy.
Two radiant protective shields simultaneously formed around Miaoyu and the Taoist, each neutralizing the other's deadly attack.
Two figures suspended in mid-air were locked in a fierce battle, exchanging blows. After a moment, Miaoyu, who had been attacking with all her might, suddenly retreated and asked in utter astonishment, "Who exactly are you? Why do you know the Wuzhuang Temple's signature technique?" "This humble Taoist is Wuyai of the 'Wu' generation of Wuzhuang Temple. I am here to guard the sacred stone on the orders of my uncle, Jingchen!" Seeing that the other party had stopped, the Taoist, who had already intended to do so, clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect and asked somewhat uncertainly, "May I ask if you are a disciple of Wuji Cliff of the Great Wilderness Mountain? Please forgive my haste just now!" "So we are kindred spirits! This humble woman is Miaoyu, a lay disciple of the Immortal Miaomiao!" Miaoyu returned the greeting with a slight apology, after all, she had acted too hastily earlier.
Miaoyu paused slightly, then said anxiously, "Daoist Master, I have a connection with the Jia family. The situation is critical, and I must go and investigate. We'll meet again another day!" "It is I who have delayed you, fellow Daoist," Wuyai Daoist hurriedly said. "Since you are a righteous person, I will not stop you. Besides, my two senior uncles went to capture the Ghost King and have not returned yet. I don't know if my fellow disciples and I can handle it. With your help, things will be much easier!" Miaoyu flew away swiftly, her polite words carried on the wind, "It was only a short time, Daoist Master, you need not worry about it!" Neither of the two Daoist cultivators with extraordinary abilities could have imagined that this short delay would cost the life of a beautiful young girl!
Who can say this wasn't an arrangement of fate?!
Baoyu had just pushed open the door when he saw a figure heading towards the side room in the distance. He couldn't help but wonder why Qiuwen was returning so late. Could it be that she couldn't sleep either?
Still reeling from her earlier shock, Qiuwen, the dazed girl, didn't notice Baoyu's presence. She mechanically entered her bedroom, immediately slamming the door shut behind her. Only in this self-deceptive act did her tense nerves begin to relax slightly.
A sense of unease arose in Baoyu's mind. He wanted to call out to Qiuwen, but before he could utter a word, an uneasy feeling surged within him, urging him to leave. His mind raced with anxiety, and in that brief moment, the girl had vanished inside. Baoyu sighed helplessly and strode towards Jin Chuan's quarters. A strong
sense of foreboding gripped him; only seeing Jin Chuan standing before him would put his mind at ease.
The distance closed rapidly with his hurried steps, and after a short while, Baoyu arrived in the courtyard of the servants' quarters.
Looking around, the newly sealed ancient well was suddenly wide open, with broken stone slabs scattered everywhere. A deafening roar echoed in Baoyu's mind, his upright figure stiffening abruptly, his limbs so tight he couldn't move an inch!
How could this be?! Stunned and frozen, Baoyu's mind reeled with shock, repeatedly questioning himself. A terrifying thought prevented him from delving deeper: Could it be that Chuan'er had jumped into the well?!
No! Tomorrow Chuan'er will be with me forever, how could she commit suicide?! His thoughts were utterly absurd!
In an instant, Baoyu had found countless reasons in his mind for Jin Chuan'er to live happily ever after, but despite his efforts to convince himself, he couldn't move his heavy steps. The truth prevented him from seeking it, his anxious heart stretched to its limit.
Don't be afraid! The broken stone slabs must have been an accident! Baoyu roared inwardly to calm himself, remembering that he too was a "strange and extraordinary person" with magical powers. He finally regained a sliver of strength and, with heavy steps, moved towards the ancient well, his mind involuntarily flashing with the image of the beautiful woman throwing herself into the well.
As Baoyu moved "quickly" like a snail, his unsettled mind failed to notice the subtle changes.
A wisp of multicolored light silently shot out from the "Spirit Jade," entering the ancient well at an unbelievable speed; moments later, the light, carrying wisps of smoke, swiftly returned to the divine stone. Everything happened so mysteriously and quickly that even the eyes secretly watching from a distance couldn't see it clearly.
Behind a cluster of flowers, in the dark shadows, the fox spirit, who had witnessed the tiger demon forcing Jin Chuan to her death, smugly pondered, "It was truly the king's brilliant strategy! He knew General Yin was a fool who was more trouble than he was worth, only interested in fighting. If I hadn't been careful, this heaven-sent opportunity would have been wasted!" The weak-witted fox spirit, seeing the true culprit appear, and having witnessed the power of the divine stone, knew that force wouldn't work.
While making love with the golden ox in bed, she managed to extract a greater secret from him: the divine stone possessed a spirit, launching a powerful attack against any hostile attempt to steal it. Only if Jia Baoyu willingly offered it up, or if the stone left Baoyu, could the stealer remain unharmed.
It seemed that deception was the only way! The alluring fox spirit couldn't help but think of her innate abilities. Even "Taurus" was fooled by her, let alone this mere mortal. A confident smile immediately appeared on her plump jade face. As long as she obtained the divine stone, the fox demon immortal clan would no longer need to rely on their bodies to survive!
Step by step, Baoyu finally reached the well. His heart pounded, his throat dry, his fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly, unable to bring himself to peer down. Just as he steeled himself, ready to face the truth, a sweet, delighted voice pulled him from his agonizing torment.
Chapter Ninety-Four: Seduction of Baoyu "Baoyu, why are you still here so late?" A graceful figure approached quickly, her clothes fluttering in the night breeze, like a beautiful sprite in the darkness.
"Ah!" Baoyu turned sharply, rubbing his eyes in ecstatic joy. Yes! The smiling woman approaching was none other than Jin Chuan, the Jin Chuan who had tormented his soul!
"My dear Jin Chuan, I've missed you so much!" Bao Yu instantly regained his boundless energy, rushing towards the girl and pulling her tightly into his arms. An uncontrollable surge of emotion welled up in his eyes, and overwhelmed by the powerful impact, tears of joy instantly streamed down his cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Jin Chuan, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a garment and tenderly draped it over Bao Yu, saying softly, "It's so chilly, yet you're dressed so lightly. Put this on quickly!" "Yes!" Bao Yu nodded heavily, his eyes still brimming with tears. The overwhelming joy of finding her again made him cherish and love the girl even more, and he wouldn't refuse her kind request.
Jin Chuan didn't press Bao Yu about why he was there in the middle of the night. A blush of shyness crossed the girl's delicate face, and her beautiful, watery eyes shone with a captivating allure that drew Bao Yu in.
"You're so good to me!" The young girl gently stroked Bao Yu's handsome face with her delicate hand, her body naturally nestled into her lover's arms, her firm breasts intentionally or unintentionally brushing against his chest; her half-body body was even more passionate, her soft, fragrant buttocks sometimes tightening and sometimes loosening, rubbing against his vital parts.
Pure affection instantly transformed into a raging fire of desire. Bao Yu, suddenly "attacked," could not resist the heat emanating from his body, even on a cold autumn night. The fire of passion in his heart ignited wildly, spreading rapidly throughout his entire being!
The lustful man could not wait even a day, and with a swift movement, he wanted to carry the girl into the room for their own pleasure.
At this crucial moment, Jin Chuan'er's nimble body swayed, dodging Bao Yu's embrace. Bao Yu was slightly stunned, and before he could withdraw his hands, the beauty nestled against him again from the side.
"Baoyu, I want to see the jade on your chest, is that alright?" The beauty whispered in his ear, her breath hot and alluring, making Baoyu even more aroused and unable to distinguish right from wrong!
Seeing Baoyu's expression falter slightly, the beauty immediately intensified her efforts, her soft, boneless hands sliding down Baoyu's chest, finally reaching between his legs, gently kneading and soothing his proud "little Baoyu." "Good man, let me see it, okay? If you see it, I'll give in to you!" Although Baoyu felt uneasy, he was so dizzy that he couldn't find anything wrong with it. The beauty's actions only made him more confused, and he obediently nodded, reaching out to take the "spiritual jade."
A hint of excited joy flashed in Jin Chuan'er's eyes, her wide-open beautiful eyes involuntarily staring at the approaching "spiritual jade," her trembling hands eagerly reaching out to meet Baoyu's large hand.
"Baoyu, be careful!" Just as their hands were about to meet, a frantic, ethereal voice stopped Baoyu's outstretched hand.
"What's wrong? Give it to me!" Jin Chuan urged Baoyu urgently, her voice sharp and piercing. She could only watch helplessly as the jade stone lay so close, too afraid to even reach out and grab it!
Baoyu's muddled mind jolted, and he snapped back to reality. Looking at the girl's outstretched hand and the burning light in her eyes, a sense of unfamiliarity crept into his heart. This familiar face held no warmth or connection. Lost in thought, Baoyu instinctively pulled his hand back, his body retreating.
Jin Chuan's expression changed drastically. The sharp swirling air currents in the void grew closer; if she didn't act now, she would miss her chance! The girl gritted her teeth and desperately reached for the divine stone.
"You audacious demon!" A furious shout rang in their ears. Before the words had even finished, Miaoyu had already appeared out of thin air not far away, her three-foot-long sword gleaming with light, as if she were about to unleash it to slay demons and evil spirits!
Before Miaoyu could even make her move, the "Spirit Jade" suddenly burst forth with a brilliant burst of light, and an irresistible force sent Jin Chuan'er flying.
Jin Chuan'er hurriedly rallied her spirits in mid-air, managing to land and regain her footing, but she could no longer maintain her transformation technique. After a slight sway, she had transformed from a youthful and charming girl back into a seductive and alluring vixen!
Hu Ji glanced at the divine stone in Baoyu's hand with lingering fear, secretly relieved that she hadn't harbored any murderous intent towards Baoyu, so she, whose magical power was much lower than the tiger demon's, was unharmed. The cunning fox spirit's eyes darted around, and seeing that the opportunity had passed, she, being adept at judging situations, immediately decided to leave.
"Who are you? Where is Chuan'er?" Having regained consciousness, Bao Yu, oblivious to his perilous situation, stared anxiously at the unfamiliar woman before him.
Seeing Bao Yu's infatuation, Hu Ji, being a woman herself, softened. Her lingering kindness even made the demon feel a sense of kinship.
Before Hu Ji could respond, Miao Yu, determined to eradicate evil, flew towards him. Her sword unleashed boundless sword energy, weaving a deadly net of swords that swept towards the fox demon.
Hu Ji's sleeves fluttered, hastily using her fur-covered sleeves to block Miao Yu's deadly force.
A series of explosive sounds rang out. After a brief struggle, Miao Yu gave a soft shout, and her three-foot-long green sword hovered in the air. Driven by a magical incantation, one sword multiplied into two, then three, and in an instant, nine longswords formed a fan shape, aimed at the fox demon's vital points.
Although Hu Ji had been cultivating for four or five hundred years, she was still slightly inferior to human genius cultivators due to her innate talent. Fighting was not Hu Ji's forte. When she saw her opponent use a killing move, the surging magic power made her feel cold. She couldn't help but think to herself that even if she could dodge this killing move, she would definitely be seriously injured!
Just as the nine longswords trembled and hissed, poised to strike, the cunning fox demon once again turned her gaze to Baoyu. "If you want to know the whereabouts of your little lover, then tell her to withdraw the sword formation, otherwise I'd rather die than tell!" Chapter Ninety-Five: Unpredictable Mood. At this moment, Baoyu, overwhelmed by fear, had long lost his usual composure. Not wanting to bargain with the demon, he turned to Miaoyu and said, "Let her go! Killing her won't help. I just want to know where Chuan'er is. Something must have happened to her!" Seeing Baoyu's gloomy face, devoid of his usual leisurely demeanor, Miaoyu felt a slight pang in her heart. For the first time in over twenty years, she betrayed her belief in slaying demons. With a flick of her jade hand, the nine swords merged back into one and returned to her grasp.
With an expectant look, Baoyu said to the hesitant fox demon, "Tell me! You can leave as long as you tell the truth!" Having experienced such a drastic change, Baoyu was filled with endless anxiety. His former confidence in the future began to waver after tonight's events. Could he still control everything? Was the tragic ending unchangeable? Had all his scheming only altered the process? Endless shadows shrouded Baoyu's mind. Having lost his wisdom, he was like a lost child standing at a crossroads, unsure which way to go. He was filled with nothing but bewilderment and gray despair.
All the answers lay in the fox demon's words. If Chuan'er was still alive, it meant he had succeeded. If Chuan'er had died in the ancient well behind him, was all his effort even worthwhile? What meaning did his existence hold?
"I'm begging you!" Helpless, Baoyu's eyes pleaded desperately. If not for his masculine pride, he might have even knelt down.
A complex expression flashed across Miaoyu's calm face. Her heart was in turmoil as she couldn't believe that Baoyu would care so much about the life and death of a mere maid. While admiring Baoyu's deep affection and loyalty, a strange pang of sadness rose in her heart. It seemed that Jin Chuan was the most important person in his heart! How could she truly understand why Baoyu felt this way?! Perhaps few in this world could truly understand the feelings of the "fake" Baoyu at this moment.
Hu Ji, who had been feigning hesitation, was overjoyed. She hadn't expected Jia Baoyu to act this way. Originally, she only wanted to find a way to escape unscathed, but now, seeing his anxious state, a greedy thought surfaced in the fox demon's mind. What if she took the opportunity to get him to hand over the divine stone?
Just as Hu Ji was about to speak and try, the exhausted Baoyu spoke first.
His previously lowered face suddenly changed. Baoyu's eyes widened abruptly, his sinister gaze fixed on the fox demon. His chilling words, dripping from between his teeth, struck her heart with each syllable: "Listen! If you dare utter a single falsehood, I swear to heaven I will exterminate your entire clan! No matter what you are, I will make sure your people vanish from this world!" The weak Baoyu disappeared, his frenzied aura surging skyward. Even Miaoyu, standing nearby, was startled, secretly wondering about his strange transformation. Upon closer inspection, the beauty felt no joy, only worry. For Baoyu's form was now emanating a faint, hazy glow, neither black nor white, neither good nor evil, but merely a chaotic, grayish color!
The fox demon, overwhelmed by Baoyu's concentrated aura, was utterly helpless. Her knees buckled under the immense pressure, and she barely managed to regain her footing. Her heart pounded wildly; this aura was even more terrifying than when she first faced the Golden Bull King! This Jia Baoyu was clearly no ordinary man; how could she have forgotten his identity as the master of the divine stone?!
"Speak!" Baoyu's expression suddenly turned ashen, a fierce glint in his eyes, leaving no doubt that he was ready to unleash his full power at the slightest provocation.
Although Hu Ji hadn't sensed the change in his power, she dared not be careless any longer. Faced with the capricious Jia Baoyu, she only wanted to escape as quickly as possible, let alone try to negotiate a higher price.
When the fox demon succinctly revealed the truth, Baoyu didn't erupt in fury or wail; instead, he remained calm—absolutely calm, a suffocatingly oppressive calm!
"Is everything you said true?" Miaoyu stood by the well, gazing into its deep depths, then turned to stare at the fox demon, trying to find any sign of lying on her face.
"Believe it or not!" The fox demon was unusually honest, and Miaoyu's suspicion only fueled her anger. Without Baoyu's intimidating aura, she couldn't help but feel a pang of resentment. She regretted not telling the truth; perhaps they would have believed her if she had just made something up! It was strange, though; why had she been so honest before?
With a flick of her magic, the three-foot-long sword, its blade gleaming, transformed back into a jade hairpin and pierced Miaoyu's hair. The celestial beauty didn't look at the fox demon again, simply remaining quietly by Baoyu's side. The taciturn beauty didn't know how to comfort the erratic Baoyu, and instinctively protected him from harm.
Ignored by everyone, the fox spirit flew away. Before leaving, her eyes, filled with resentment and a thirst for revenge, cast one last, deep look at Miaoyu, instantly etching the face of her "enemy" into her heart. The fox spirit silently vowed that she would not be a fox if she did not avenge this!
Long after the fox spirit disappeared, Baoyu remained standing there, expressionless and silent. His extreme calm made the space between them incredibly heavy.
"Ah!" Suddenly, Baoyu trembled, and without warning, roared to the sky, his voice resounding through the heavens, filled with boundless rage!
The roar abruptly stopped, and a spurt of blood gushed from Baoyu's mouth, dispersing into a mist that filled the desolate courtyard. The faint smell of blood sent chills down everyone's spine, leaving them deeply saddened.
Miaoyu's calm expression changed; her chaotic "Daoist mind" could no longer conceal her deep worry. Sincere concern flashed in her elegant, deep eyes, and she reached out her jade-like hand to heal Baoyu's injuries with her internal energy.
"No need!" Baoyu swayed slightly as he refused Miaoyu's kindness. Only the stabbing pain in his internal organs could alleviate his current sorrow and confusion!
If he hadn't foolishly tried to "rescue" Chuan'er, wouldn't she have survived her tragic death?! Lost in his own thoughts, Baoyu was filled with self-reproach. If it weren't for this broken "stone," the demon wouldn't have come to the Jia family to wreak havoc, and Jin Chuan'er wouldn't have died so tragically. Ultimately, it was all his fault. Could it be that the tragic ends of all the beauties in the Jia family were due to his arrogance and ignorance?!

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