[{"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-48":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},2310846,4515,"Chapter 48: Forced by Circumstances","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-48",48,"\u003Cp>Yingchun heard that Jia Cong had been badly beaten but was carried out of the East Wing Courtyard and was recovering in the western mansion’s study; though saddened, she sighed with relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daiyu learned that Jia Cong had burned his writing brush over the dead maid, preferring to be beaten to death by his eldest uncle rather than write another word in the East Wing Courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her eyes gleamed with unusual light—this Third Cousin Cong could write exquisite characters and compose fine verses, and yet he was so deeply loyal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since childhood, she had been raised under her father, a top imperial examination graduate, steeped in poetry and classics, her insight far surpassing that of ordinary young ladies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout history, those of great talent, seeing more clearly than others, often grew cynical and resentful—Daiyu was no exception; though she held notions of filial piety, she was not blindly obedient or rigid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she did not think Jia Cong’s refusal to write for Jia She was treasonous—look at what his eldest uncle had done first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng had settled Jia Cong in the outer study, then went to Rongqing Hall to inform Jia Mu; just as she entered the ornate gate, she met a messenger maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid said a servant at the second gate had delivered word: Wang Dong, the Chief Eunuch of Jia Shun Prince’s Mansion, had heard Jia Cong was freed and had come specially to visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng’s expression stiffened—wasn’t this Wang Dong the one who had delivered the New Year’s gift to Jia Cong on New Year’s Eve? He truly knew how to pick his moment, showing up now to see Third Cousin Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time Wang Dong delivered the New Year’s gift, Jia Mu had taken notice—eunuchs of Wang Dong’s rank in the capital were no ordinary men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng entered Rongqing Hall and quickly told Jia Mu the news; Jia Mu’s head throbbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the New Year, when relatives of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes had visited, Jia Mu had casually mentioned Jia Cong—and learned Wang Dong had once been a personal attendant to the Retired Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu felt as if someone had punched her chest, each breath a dull ache—how had this wretch developed such a nature? He never let a day pass without stirring up trouble—was she to have no peace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she ordered servants to first escort Wang Dong to Songxuan Hall to wait, then sent a maid to summon Second Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lady, Wang Xifeng, and others exchanged uneasy glances—had all these people conspired together to come and watch Jia Family’s humiliation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Wang Dong’s timing was far too convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A eunuch with such imperial connections, now repeatedly associating with her grandson—though supposedly acting on the Jia Shun Prince’s orders—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now a young Daoist from Xuantian Temple, claiming he came on Zhang Tianshi’s orders, also came to visit Third Cousin Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, a physician was called to the outer study to examine Jia Cong’s injuries; he said the beating had been brutal—though no bones were broken, he needed a full month of rest to recover even barely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely he would continue to be entangled with such figures; Jia Mu already had many thoughts forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First the Jia Shun Prince’s Mansion, then the literary master Liu Jing’an—and what connection did the Daoist patriarch have? How had he even appeared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of these people carried great weight; meeting even one was difficult—why had they all come knocking today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they learned why Jia Cong had been beaten, Jia Family’s honor would be trampled underfoot across the entire capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished speaking, another maid arrived with word: a scholar named Liu Bi, hearing that Third Cousin Cong had returned unharmed, had come specially to pay his respects, claiming to be Jia Cong’s close friend and the grandson of Senior Minister Liu Jing’an of the Ministry of Rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they still had to be received—none were ordinary people; one could not simply dismiss them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dong had been transferred to the Jia Shun Prince’s Mansion only after the prince came of age and left the palace; if he weren’t the Retired Emperor’s trusted confidant, why would he be placed beside his own younger son?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jia Zheng entered Rongqing Hall, his face pale and weary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man had just been half-killed by his own father—what meaning would it hold to go see him? Had Jia Family lost even the ability to hide its shame?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, when Jia Zheng had gone to the East Wing Courtyard to rescue him, his elder brother had been drunk—after drinking, he had beaten without restraint, striking as if to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu asked: “How is your nephew settled? Has the physician seen him? Now many important people have come—no one knows how to end this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recounted all the visitors to Jia Zheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Zheng replied: “Grandmother, it’s not just me saying good things about Cong-ge; look at who has come—every one of them holds him in regard. Are they all blind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet we ourselves treat him so cruelly. You didn’t see his wounds—his flesh was torn to shreds. Why? Why must it come to this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Jia Zheng spoke, tears of grief and fury welled up; Jia Mu’s head throbbed again—her son had read too many books, seeing only the surface, never thinking deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said: “Enough of that now. I see he’s gaining some momentum—how many outside treat him with respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve seen clearly—he and his father will never see eye to eye. If he stays in the East Wing Courtyard, disaster is inevitable—and then it will be beyond repair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll speak to his father and mother myself. That woman’s affair was his own doing—he has no one to blame but himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son is grown so large now—how can you not tolerate him? Must you grind him to death? It would make the whole capital laugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since you like his reading and writing, keep him under your care. In a few years, when he’s older, arrange for him to leave the mansion and set up his own household—then everyone will have peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he truly excels in his studies, he’ll remember your kindness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Zheng felt joy—he was more than willing to raise Jia Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always favored learned scholars; Jia Yucun had no relation to Jia Family at all, merely recommended by his sister’s husband, yet Jia Zheng still used Jia Family connections to secure him an official post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultimately, it was because Jia Yucun was a genuine top-rank jinshi and an outstanding scholar, with refined speech and manners that deeply pleased him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Jia Cong, at such a young age, had already shown promise—his future prospects may even surpass Jia Yucun’s; if raised by me, his success will reflect on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, after Jia Zhu’s death and with Baoyu unfit and Huan even worse, Jia Zheng had long been gloomy—now that the grandmother had spoken, it healed his inner wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu added: “I see he still listens to you. But there is one thing you must tell him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what happens within this family, it remains our private matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there is truly something wrong, we will speak among ourselves—but he must never air our dirty laundry. If he damages the reputation passed down by our founding Duke, I will not forgive him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here Jia Mu’s tone turned unusually stern—clearly, the prestige of Rongguo Mansion meant everything to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She added: “I won’t speak of how he quarreled with his father over a maid—since he lost one he cherished, I’ll give him another. But let him remember my words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those perceptive enough—Wang Xifeng, Daiyu, Tan Chun—understood Jia Mu was warning Jia Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She feared he might tell these officials or noble youths about the maid’s death and the abuse of his own son, tarnishing Rongguo Mansion’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Know this: those who came today to see Jia Cong were no ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If these stories spread, how many would point fingers and laugh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu was both warning him and rewarding him with a maid—silencing him while soothing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong’s former maid was said to be exceptional—otherwise, why would the eldest master have taken notice? But no one knew which maid Jia Mu would give him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng saw deeper still—she knew the grandmother’s most urgent concern was Jia Yuanchun, the lady-in-waiting in Fengzao Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Rongguo Mansion’s reputation was ruined, Yuanchun—chosen for her “virtue, filial piety, talent, and virtue”—would shame the imperial family, and her chance to climb the imperial ladder might vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be an unbearable blow to Jia Family; Jia Mu, with her foresight, must prevent it before it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This point was beyond the reach of Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other young ladies—even Jia Zheng had not thought of it—but Wang Xifeng and Wang Lady, the pinnacle of the inner quarters, understood perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1491,"2026-06-20T12:19:54.434Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ba6f3fc1d029e868d8f9a70bb29fabbbe14afe28b67a42774fa36484717e5203","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-49","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-47",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]