[{"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-75":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},2310873,4515,"Chapter 75: The Gentle Hand","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>Ping’er’s face flushed red as she retorted, “Lady, that’s nonsense—just a child, what’s there to care about or not care about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng teased a few more words, then added, “No one ever expected the family would produce someone like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The old lady’s heart holds only Baoyu; even our Second Master is pushed aside. But with Baoyu’s habit of dawdling in the inner quarters, it won’t be easy for him to ever hold up the family name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ping’er was sharp; though Wang Xifeng spoke only half, she understood the meaning—she looked down on Baoyu and was resentful on behalf of her husband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she dared not take up the thread; her nature was gentle, and she only wished for a quiet life—those tangled matters were not for someone of her station to meddle in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng went on, “Cong-ge is also a blood brother to Second Master—this bond is the closest; he’ll surely be a help in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ping’er knew Jia Cong had suffered terribly in the Eastern Courtyard as a child, and had only recently found peace in the Western Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were used as a pawn and dragged into those affairs, his future in this grand household would be perilous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ping’er had always been kindhearted; though she lived beside the sharp and ruthless Wang Xifeng, she treated others with goodness and was well-regarded in the household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had no deep bond with Jia Cong, she felt sympathy for this illegitimate son who had been despised since childhood, and knew he was a diligent, striving boy—she didn’t want him caught up in these affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, take it over today and tell Zijuan the recipe—when Lin Meimei wants to eat it, she can ask Zijuan to have the kitchen prepare it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She added, “I see Second Master holds him in high esteem—more so than Baoyu. Cong-ge clearly feels grateful to him, yet we’ve had little contact on our side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng sneered, “You’re right—Second Master esteems Cong-brother so highly, and Cong-brother is grateful to him; in time, he’ll surely favor Baoyu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong’s freshly washed hair was glossy black, faintly scented with herbal leaves; Qingwen combed it gently, one hand steadying the comb, the other smoothing the strands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong thought of how Zhi Shao had once combed his hair this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu’er’s face flushed as she told Jia Cong, “Third Master, I’ve prepared the snow lotus root and herbs—today I can still brew a pot of White Jade Soup, but tomorrow when we go to Luocang Mountain, we won’t be able to make it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early that morning, Qingwen had boiled a pot of soapberry water, washed Jia Cong’s hair thoroughly, dried it with several cotton cloths, let it air-dry, then carefully combed it with a fine-toothed comb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All because Baoyu was struck a few times with the ruler, they persuaded the old lady to excuse Cong-brother from filial rites, barring him even from Rongqing Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her own aunt had been foolish enough to drag Second Master down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingwen gazed at Jia Cong’s refined face in the mirror—his eyes bright with a smile—and her movements grew even gentler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingwen, blushing, stuck out her tongue at Wu’er: “As if you’ve never been infatuated with Third Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jia Cong learned the truth, Second Master’s favor might halve—and then her husband would gain a true brother as an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xifeng left the rest unsaid, for it was unfit to speak aloud to Ping’er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tomorrow Jia Cong would register at Qingshan Academy; all their luggage was packed, and five or six trunks stood neatly arranged in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu’er entered the courtyard, saw Qingwen’s expression, and burst into laughter: “Just comb his hair properly—why are you staring into the mirror like a fool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Jade Soup was Wu’er’s name for the medicinal dish—not elegant, but vivid and memorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong smiled as if he hadn’t heard—just the tender musings of two girls newly come of age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiazhao Year, fourth day of the fourth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lately, when you’ve gone, has Lin Meimei’s complexion improved?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since that time he’d visited Daiyu with Tanchun, Jia Cong had not gone again—he couldn’t enter Rongqing Hall—and it had been some time since he’d seen Daiyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main reason: he didn’t want to stir up trouble before heading to the academy, causing unnecessary hardship for himself and Daiyu—there would be plenty of time ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Meimei’s complexion has improved greatly—she looks better now than before she fell ill. Third Master’s White Jade Soup truly has such miraculous effects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White Jade Soup nourishes the lungs and yin, and helps with coughing up blood—but it’s no miracle pill. It’s not some divine remedy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How has Lin Meimei’s mood been lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Meimei’s mood has been quite good—she smiles every time she sees me, talks a lot, and I always find her writing; her desk is piled high with sheets.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White Jade Soup is made with herbs and snow lotus root—it replenishes qi. You deliver it every evening; Lin Meimei is always frail, and evening meals are most nourishing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or perhaps Lin Meimei’s mood has improved—mind is the root of all illness; when the mind is well, the complexion naturally improves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside in the courtyard, Juan’er’s voice called: “Lin Meimei, Zijuan-jie, hello.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Third Master at home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong hurriedly told Qingwen to secure his hairpin and stepped out to find Daiyu standing gracefully in the courtyard, followed by a pretty maid in green dress and red jacket—Zijuan, Daiyu’s personal maid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu’er was right—Daiyu’s complexion had indeed improved greatly; her cheeks glowed with a warm hue, like jade bathed in sunset, moonlight haloed in radiance, exquisitely lovely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Meimei, why have you come? Are you fully recovered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Third Brother Cong, for sending Wu’er with the medicinal dishes every day—I’m fully recovered now. Zijuan, bring the things.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong saw Zijuan holding a small book box of Xiangfei bamboo; Daiyu took out two newly bound books with blue covers and silk threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daiyu smiled, her eyes bright: “I loved the calligraphy you gave me last time—these two hand-copied volumes are my gift in return, Third Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are my father’s personal annotations on the Four Books, written from his own insights. When I was young, Father taught me the Four Books; when I came south, I brought his handwritten notes with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my free time, I’d open them to feel close to him. Third Brother is about to enter the academy—these will be useful to you. I copied them out for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So that was why Wu’er said Daiyu was always writing when she came with the dishes—she’d been copying this very thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hand-copied volumes were thick; opening them revealed dense, delicate script—Daiyu must have spent much effort on them; Jia Cong’s heart warmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Jing’an had once given him a copy of the Four Books: Collected Annotations—precious, but as one of his stature, it was written from a scholarly perspective, not tailored for imperial exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong had read through it yesterday; it offered profound, high-level guidance for the exams, deeply enlightening—perfect as a foundation for learning, yet not fully adapted to exam needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this hand-copied volume from Daiyu was Lin Ruhai’s personal reflections from his own exam preparation—every word, every phrase rooted in the path of the imperial examinations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Ruhai had once earned the title of Proclaimer of the Third Rank—proof of how refined and brilliant his insights were; this copy was practically a secret key to passing the exams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daiyu, raised by her father and steeped in poetry and classics, understood perfectly how valuable this gift was to Jia Cong—and she had given it straight to his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Cong’s face filled with gratitude: “Jia Cong deeply thanks Lin Meimei for this generous gift—I will treasure this copy with all my heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daiyu smiled: “Third Brother Cong, no need for formal thanks—I only hope you make progress every day, and soon pluck the osmanthus from the Moon Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Jia family, though clearly in decline, remained lost in dreams of wealth and luxury—only Jia Cong would value this gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it been Baoyu or Jia Lian, they’d have treated it as the babbling of a money-grubber or mere paper to pad a table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Qingzhi Studio, bamboo rustled gently; spring sunlight warmed the courtyard, illuminating the two slender, jade-like figures—time itself lay still and sweet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1402,"2026-06-20T12:19:54.434Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","2145457819506c099b9bbf5db14e83bd3e897e22952c1487cbbc136ba2392d4d","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-76","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-74",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]