novelraw Chapter 710 - 287 This Time It’s Swindler Again (3)
Chapter 710 - 287 This Time It’s Swindler Again (3)
He Tiantian:...
Indeed, an epitome of cold indifference and selfishness.
With such a father and Jia Zhen as an older brother, one would expect the daughter of Duke Mansion to live comfortably in her own home, yet she resides with relatives. It’s not quite being at others’ mercy, but it’s certainly less pleasant than being in her own home.
No wonder Xichun developed a habit of being solitary, cold-hearted, and sharp-tongued.
"It’s okay, Tiantian, you’re here now, aren’t you? You will help Xichun and the other pitiful women of the Red Building, right?"
Student Xiao D sensed He Tiantian’s emotional turmoil and could not help but chime in.
"Yes!" He Tiantian answered decisively.
The reason she had accepted this mission was to assist the group of women in the Dream of the Red Chamber.
There were no perfect individuals there, each person seemed to have flaws.
Yet these flaws appeared to be minor.
Basically, aside from a few individuals, the vast majority were not vile villains.
Especially those girls, whether they were lively, intelligent, energetic, or calm, each had her own characteristics, unique personality, and shining points.
He Tiantian favored Daiyu, but she didn’t dislike Baochai or Xiangyun either.
Perhaps due to her vast experiences and having aged several times, she had become more open-minded and tolerant when considering people and events.
She wouldn’t hate someone without reason, let alone blindly vilify and demonize them.
If possible, she too would save those "rightfully pitied" girls.
Only—
The moment He Tiantian time-traveled was neither good nor bad. Having merged with the original occupant’s memories, she confirmed this and couldn’t help but sigh.
If only it had been a bit earlier.
And now, they had arrived!
The sound of hurried footsteps approached rapidly.
He Tiantian repositioned herself into a cross-legged seated posture, eyes slightly closed, lips moving.
She appeared to be chanting scripture but was actually continuing her cultivation of the Wuji Technique.
Bang!
The door flew open.
A servant tumbled in, then knelt properly before He Tiantian.
"Grand Master! Grand Master! Disaster has struck; Granny Rong has passed away!"
The servant cried out with a sob in his voice.
Jia Rong’s wife, the main lady of Ningguo’s Mansion, Qin Keqing had died.
As one of the major mysteries in the Dream of the Red Chamber, Qin Keqing’s identity was the subject of much speculation.
Whether she was the illegitimate daughter of the Abdicated Crown Prince or some lost royal scion, one thing many fanfictions agreed upon was that Qin Keqing’s real status must have been very high, far above the Jia family.
Firstly, the Jias were "a family with a heart for wealth and eyes for prestige," even the daughters from minor official families like Lady You and Lady Xing would be looked down upon if they became secondary wives in the Jia family.
Yet, Qin Keqing, an orphan adopted by the Health Cultivation Hall, could marry the legitimate son and grandson of Ningguo’s Mansion to be the matron of the family.
This in itself was strange.
Secondly, the decor in Qin Keqing’s room, though possibly embellished for artistic effect, could still offer clues through the exaggeration.
Items like Empress Wu’s precious mirror, Zhao Feiyan’s golden plate, and Princess Shouchang’s treasure bed—rare and noble.
And these people were almost all from the royal family, which hinted at Qin Keqing’s identity.
Thirdly, there was Qin Keqing’s extraordinarily lavish funeral.
Jia Zhen used a coffin tailored for Prince Yizhong for Qin Keqing, which, while certainly highlighting Jia Zhen’s extravagance,
the royal family’s acquiescence to Jia Zhen’s folly also sufficiently indicated Qin Keqing’s esteemed status.
In the Little World of the Red Chamber that He Tiantian had traveled to, the prevailing speculation was adopted—Qin Keqing was the daughter born of the Abdicated Crown Prince’s concubine.
And Qin Keqing’s death wasn’t due to any "secret liaisons" but because she had been sold out by the Jia family.
This was the Jia family’s first step towards doom!
He Tiantian:... Thus, I still arrived a bit late.
However, unable to change the moment of time-travel, He Tiantian could only inwardly heave a sigh.
"Grand Master! The main lady has died! The lady has fallen ill again, the lord is also, also heartbroken, the Mansion needs someone to take charge of affairs!"
Seeing that He Tiantian had not spoken, the servant thought the old master hadn’t heard him clearly and urgently repeated himself.
He also emphasized the chaos in Ningguo’s Mansion and hoped that Grand Master Jia Jing would give a command.
Really, this was also a test from Jia Zhen.
Others might not know Qin Keqing’s real identity, but would Jia Jing?
With Qin Keqing’s passing, even though Jia Jing was not at the Mansion, his astuteness should allow him to guess.
Jia Zhen sending people to announce the death served as respect for his father, but also to gauge Jia Jing’s reaction.
If Jia Jing took it seriously, then there would be problems with Qin Keqing’s matter.
If even Jia Jing didn’t care, wouldn’t it imply that this issue could be covered up?!
He Tiantian still kept her eyes half-closed, not lifting her eyelids even slightly, and spoke calmly, "I’ve already told you lords before, I’ve always preferred tranquility, yet you insist on troubling me with these mundane matters!"
"You’d rather spend your time preparing the herbs necessary for my Alchemy properly!"
He Tiantian’s attitude was clear; her priority was her Cultivation and Alchemy, leaving the funeral affairs to Jia Zhen’s discretion!
He Tiantian tossed a list of herbs towards them and then resumed her posture of closed-eyed contemplation...