[{"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-912":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},2311710,4515,"Chapter 912: The Many Strange Passions of a Beauty","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-912",912,"\u003Cp>Shenjing, Qingyu Fang, Xia Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl was reveling in delight over Jia Cong’s promotion, her heart brimming with admiration and joy, when she heard that Lady Wang had sent over some damned bridal silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like boiling broth poured into ice water—her spirits shattered instantly, her thoughts fixating on Jia Cong’s association with Baoyu, as if fine cuisine had been smeared with dog dung, making her recoil in nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia family was immensely wealthy; what fine fabric could they not buy? Why must a foolish, dirt-eating old hag come to deliver it, crawling out just to disgust her? Truly the height of bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jia Cong’s brilliance shone like the most dazzling dream, and the Xia girl was already hopelessly ensnared in obsession—even if it meant drinking poison to quench her thirst, she would not turn back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she loathed this marriage, it was the only path her private desires could ever hope to fulfill; with the wedding date drawing near, she could not afford to rupture relations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frowning, she ordered her maid to bring the silk inside. Soon, several inner-quartet old women entered, carrying five or six bolts of superior red fabric, their brilliance dazzling upon the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger maid said: “Miss, the woman who delivered the silk, Aunt Wang, is the chief stewardess of the in-laws’ household. Lady Wang asks you to meet her, so you may get along better in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl, her mood ruined by Lady Wang, was already boiling with rage: “What Aunt Wang? Why should I meet her? A servant dares to demand such an audience!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go tell Lady Wang I’m unwell—I can’t risk spreading my sickness. Say whatever you like to make it sound right, but if you twist a single word, I’ll peel your skin off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maid, startled by the Xia girl’s sudden outburst, remembered how the girl’s moods had grown increasingly erratic since her betrothal was arranged, and she quickly bowed, fleeing the chamber without delay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl muttered under her breath: “A dog servant comes to my door, and my mother still has to entertain her? Now she wants me to meet her too? I’ll remember this—someday I’ll peel your skin off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan was the Xia girl’s personal maid and knew why she was furious: the girl had been daydreaming about Jia Cong, lost in sweet fantasies, when Lady Jia had sent over red silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her grand fantasy had been punctured—of course she flew into a rage. Poor Aunt Wang had picked the worst possible moment to offend her; the girl would surely torment her to death later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan looked at the fine red silk on the table, its vivid hues shimmering, and felt envy rise within her: “Miss, since the silk’s been delivered, why not take a look?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re so beautiful—you must wear the finest red bridal gown when you enter the Jia household, so they can see what a prestigious catch you are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl had been deeply uneasy about Lady Wang’s gift, but hearing Baochan’s words—“so they can see”—she realized “they” included Jia Cong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help glancing at the bolts of silk: all deep crimson, woven with intricate hidden patterns—peony, lotus, bat, bamboo leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan picked up the lotus-patterned red silk, remembering how Baoyu loved to wear crimson robes with golden lotus embroidery, and smiled: “Miss, this lotus-patterned silk is the most beautiful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Xia girl picked up a bamboo-leaf-patterned bolt and said: “Unrefined girl—this golden lotus is vulgar beyond words. This bamboo-leaf crimson is elegant and refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haven’t you noticed how Cong-ge wears moon-white robes with silver bamboo patterns? Only a pattern worthy of a great talent like him can be truly graceful. I want this one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan felt a shudder of revulsion. The girl was truly addled—she was to marry Baoyu, yet chose a pattern to suit Jia Cong? She was growing more unhinged by the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t help saying: “Miss, though the bamboo pattern is lovely, it’s too plain for a wedding. The peony or golden lotus are brighter, richer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl snapped: “Baoyu? That effeminate waste. He always wears crimson golden lotus—like a whore flaunting herself. I’d rather die than wear golden lotus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s a foolish, base creature. Must I cater to him? The Jia household is now a scholarly lineage, a family of literati and officials—showing off wealth is laughable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan fell silent. She couldn’t read more than a few characters and had no argument to match the Xia girl’s logic. Besides, she dared not press further, lest suspicion arise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled apologetically: “Miss is right—the Jia household is a scholarly family. Last time we visited the Duchess, she even said Baoyu would enter the Imperial Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Jia Cong who arranged the favor, securing Baoyu’s admission. Baoyu is clearly clever and eager—he’ll surely pass the exams after a few years of diligent study.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he’ll take the provincial and metropolitan exams. By then, you’ll be a magistrate’s lady, and Baoyu and Jia Cong won’t differ much. Our Xia family must maintain dignity too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl burst into laughter, her voice like silver bells, yet filled with mockery and disdain: “You’re a brainless fool, a true idiot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though I’ve visited the Jia household few times, I’ve long seen how Cong-ge looks at Baoyu—his contempt is plain. He must despise him even more than he shows.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t get Baoyu into the Imperial Academy to help him—he did it only to save face for his father, just to fool ghosts. Does everyone in the Imperial Academy become a juren or jinshi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time I sent him the Four Books and Five Classics, look at his behavior—he hasn’t read a single proper text, yet he fancies himself a wild, unrestrained Wei-Jin scholar. How dare he wear that face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s just pretending. He’s too stupid to read, yet you think he’ll pass the exams? If he does, every scholar in the Imperial Academy must be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be fooled by his act. He’s the same age as Cong-ge—has he ever accomplished anything? If not for the Old Ancestor’s favor, he’s nothing at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never speak again of him passing exams or becoming an official—it’s laughable and nauseating. He has no destiny—he’s destined to be a useless waste, a Liu Shan who can never be lifted up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan, hearing her mistress’s cruel words, felt a chill crawl up her spine. Baoyu was so handsome, so blessed, so charming—how could the girl speak of him so vilely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl had secretly set her heart on Jia Cong, and in her madness, she saw all other men as trash. Poor Baoyu—how unfortunate to be saddled with such a ruthless cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl sneered: “The Jia household’s two branches haven’t split yet, but they must—this is an unbreakable rule among great clans. If the second branch lacks support, it will collapse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Baoyu’s behavior, he can’t even support himself. But the Xia family has endless silver—feeding a useless waste is easy. Then I’ll see how he dares to call others ‘parasites.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she rambled, she unfolded the crimson bamboo-patterned silk, wrapping it once around her slender frame, then gazing into the mirror, turning and adjusting it repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to recall something—her pale cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes shimmered with dewy light, her entire being glowing like fire, as if ready to burn all before her, stirring an inexplicable tremor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She added: “Lady Jia hates Cong-ge most—she’s a shameless fool—but for once, she has some taste. This bamboo pattern truly suits me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan’s back prickled with cold sweat. The in-laws had kindly sent bridal silk, yet the girl chose a pattern favored by her lover—didn’t she fear lightning?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Lady Jia found out, she’d surely die of rage on the spot…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl continued: “Send back the other bolts. Mother will surely send a return gift. On my desk are two copies of the Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean—I’ve read them carefully and annotated them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take them to Mother. Say they’re my gift to Baoyu—he’s now studying at the Imperial Academy, and as his future bride, I must show proper respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baochan trembled: “Miss, Baoyu doesn’t like books. Last time you gave him a long lecture, he threw a tantrum. Isn’t this… unwise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xia girl said: “The Jia household is now a scholarly family—reading is proper conduct. Since I’m about to enter, I must follow the family’s customs, regardless of his preferences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remind Mother to deliver the gift at sunset to Rongqing Hall—when Baoyu’s father returns from court. I want the Jia household to know I’m a girl of principle. Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall, at sunset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun dipped westward, its glow painting the vermilion pillars and carved beams of Rongqing Hall in golden-red light, the whole scene radiant and splendid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the imperial edict granting Jia Cong his official post, the Jia household’s two branches had been flooded with visitors for days—until today, the crowds finally subsided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Zheng, under the patronage of Minister Li De, had hosted guests at the western mansion for two days. The favor from his superiors brought him mixed joy and anxiety—the old case in Jinling remained murky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Female guests came and went frequently; beyond familial warmth, Yingchun, as the eldest daughter of the eastern branch, drew attention from many noble families, with marriage talks quietly circulating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Mu welcomed this—Yingchun had passed her coming-of-age, and it was time to arrange a match. But the timing was unfortunate, caught in mourning, so nothing could be finalized yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yingchun had been merely a concubine-born daughter of the main branch—she could never have been a noblewoman’s principal wife. But with Jia Cong as her brother, suitors now included not just wealthy clans, but the eldest legitimate sons of noble houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This filled Jia Mu with pride. Though Lady Xing was effectively sidelined, Jia Mu still held partial authority—but she never committed to any match, using the mourning period as temporary cover.\u003C\u002Fp>",1676,"2026-06-20T12:19:58.587Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5dde8436f825b81b6117941b46e715c966bf8f0ef03dc23b567d15a7bcb5d17e","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-913","my-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-chapter-911",920,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-life-as-a-rising-force-in-the-red-chamber-cover.jpg"]