[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber":3,"chapter-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Life as a Rising Force in the Red Chamber",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2310815,4515,"Chapter 17: The Illegitimate Brat Causes Trouble Again","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Jia Cong saw off Wang Dong, and Tan Chun and Ying Chun returned to Rongqing Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu had lost her appetite for the New Year’s feast because of that illegitimate brat; seeing Tan Chun and Ying Chun return, she hurriedly asked whether Wang Dong had properly delivered the New Year’s offering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over these two days, he’d come to realize: this grandson he’d always despised was unlike the others—seemed like a troublemaker, even managing to stir up trouble on New Year’s Eve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun, quick-witted and articulate, recounted every detail of Wang Dong’s delivery of the New Year’s offering, and mentioned how Jia Cong had been taught the Prajna Heart Sutra by a leprous monk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng, seated nearby, looked both startled and mocking: “Oh? This Brother Cong is strange—he keeps running into bizarre incidents. So it wasn’t just the Prince who took notice; even that leprous monk had his eye on him long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu spoke coolly: “He writes good calligraphy—that’s a good thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But those monks and Daoists teach people to abandon family and children; they corrupt the mind most effectively. If he’s drawn to them, that’s unacceptable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark carried clear implication: back then, Jia Jing of the Eastern Mansion had been the most capable youth in the Jia clan—young, brilliant, passed the imperial examination, so dazzlingly illustrious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, he fell under the influence of these monks and Daoists and abandoned his vast estate to become a Daoist recluse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jia family was no impoverished, fallen clan; they didn’t need such nonsense to elevate their sons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun added: “The Director of the Imperial Secretariat said Brother Cong is a man of great fortune, and that there exist great Buddhist sages who possess secret methods like crown-initiation and heart-transmission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had grown up in a noble household, her whole life steeped in dignity and luxury; she cherished wealth and stability above all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun smiled inwardly: just now, Sister Feng’s words had been sarcastic, and Grandmother’s face had been grim—but her usually silent Second Sister had unexpectedly burst into righteous anger, defending her brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun’s words left everyone at the table stunned—Buddhist sages, crown-initiation, heart-transmission—it was turning into a supernatural tale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet so many strange things keep happening; no matter what, they can’t overshadow my Baoyu. His birthright is too low—he’ll never rise, no matter how hard he tries. Thinking of it, he’s pitiable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baoyu, seeing this whole crowd reacting with shock and fuss over Jia Cong, felt uneasy again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange, eerie tales were fine in operas—they could be amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that monk recited a sutra right beside his ear, and he remembered every word perfectly; since then, his memory improved greatly, and he no longer feared memorizing texts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Wang’s expression was calm; ever since her eldest son Jia Zhu died, she had never been without her prayer beads and sutras—she knew more about Buddhist matters than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This grandson’s continual oddities were giving Jia Mu a headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, her mind churned: if fortune were measured by divine favor, who in this world could rival her Baoyu, born with a jade in his mouth? Jia Cong’s appearance certainly didn’t suggest any such blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was remarkable how smoothly she’d spoken—unlike her usual silence, this outburst was truly unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet if such a thing appeared in this wealthy household, it felt out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daiyu, though intrigued by Tan Chun’s tale, thought: though Brother Cong was disliked by Grandmother, he had good standing among the sisters—Second Sister and Tan Chun both defended him so fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Xichun sat curled in her armchair, her clear, bright eyes darting about; hearing talk of high monks and heart-transmission, she was deeply curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ying Chun, who rarely spoke, suddenly said: “Brother Cong said his memory used to be terrible—he couldn’t memorize the Children’s Rules even after two months of study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the Buddha, seeing Brother Cong’s kind heart, used secret sutra methods to awaken his intellect—it’s possible. Otherwise, how could a boy his age produce such masterful calligraphy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That incident had left a lasting scandal; Grandmother strongly resisted such strange matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, he was the center of attention for the Old Ancestor, the Ladies, and the sisters—what’s happened these past few days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, Jia Cong appears, stirring up all this commotion—everyone talks of him, even the New Year’s feast is spoiled. Does he even deserve to be granted crown-initiation by a great sage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Baoyu was naive in worldly matters, he could see that Second Sister and Tan Chun were both siding with Jia Cong; he felt a pang of loss, like a child who’d lost his favorite toy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Lin Meimei; at that moment, Daiyu turned back, their eyes met, and she smiled at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baoyu’s heart melted—Lin Meimei was wise and clever, untouched by these vulgar distractions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past two days, Jia Cong’s oddities had surprised and impressed Daiyu, like everyone else—but only to that extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had no blood tie to Jia Cong as Ying Chun did, nor shared his interests as Tan Chun did; he was merely a cousin she’d met once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since arriving at the Jia household, Baoyu had been the kindest to her, always giving her the best treats and toys; when they quarreled, he was always the first to apologize and soothe her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She naturally cherished all his kindnesses; though she had Grandmother’s favor in the Jia household,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>such genuine warmth from someone her own age was irreplaceable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her mind was sharp and perceptive; seeing Baoyu’s expression, she knew he was jealous of Jia Cong, and found it amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she knew Baoyu was childish; she didn’t tease him openly, only wished to ease his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu noticed Tan Chun standing there, hesitating as if wanting to speak. Today, this granddaughter had skillfully preserved the family’s dignity before outsiders; now, she looked at her with favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing she seemed to have more to say, she asked gently: “Third girl, do you have something else to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun recalled the sneering look on Wang Dong’s face when he entered the granary where Jia Cong lived—how could a legitimate grandson of Rongguo Mansion reside in such a place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Wang Dong spread this gossip outside, rumors would spread, and Grandmother and Lady Wang’s faces would be ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered whether she should mention it to Grandmother—first, to preserve the household’s dignity; second, to secure a better residence for Brother Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though sharp and decisive, she was still a secluded noble maiden; though the idea seemed sound, actually acting on it made her nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she heard Daiyu cough; instinctively, she turned—and her gaze swept past Lady Xing beside Jia Mu, and her heart tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she spoke now, she’d be slapping Lady Wang’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t care if Lady Wang hated her—but if that hatred turned against Brother Cong, and she punished him later, she’d have brought disaster upon him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Chun steadied her nerves, silently returned to her seat, and said: “Grandmother, I have nothing more to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu cast a skeptical glance at Tan Chun; Lady Xing seemed to sense something, and looked over too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they saw Ying Chun beside Tan Chun, her face flushed, as if wanting to speak but unable to—then Tan Chun tugged her sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu, old and sharp-eyed, saw clearly that the two granddaughters still had more to say—but she said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That bastard had been acting strangely these past two days; it’s the New Year—we need joy, not trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Xing, though narrow-minded and greedy, was no fool; she’d already realized the Director of the Imperial Secretariat had gone to the granary—and Tan Chun and Ying Chun had personally led him there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she not guess what Tan Chun and Ying Chun had wanted to say? Her face stiffened—this silence wouldn’t fool Grandmother forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just a lowborn illegitimate brat—why shouldn’t he live in the granary? Grandmother hadn’t cared about him for years; it didn’t matter anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now this lowborn brat has caused a stir these past two days—Old Second seems to value him, and even says he brings honor to the family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold hearth may be burning hot again; they dare not touch Old Master, so any fault or oversight would land squarely on her as his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Lady Xing felt as if her embroidered stool had sprouted horns—she could no longer sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still typing fast—another chapter tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1417,"2026-06-20T12:19:54.434Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4e8b49b79276026bae1cbc328b908458341e940a2633129af1e17c0ac2324296","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-18","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-16",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]