Red Mansion: Incense and God Road, starting from the City God of Shenjing

Chapter 73: Jinling Mansion Baochai Awakens the Dragon Vein
Jiangnan is a beautiful place, Jinling is the imperial city. It is surrounded by green water and has red buildings in the distance. Roofs are lining the roads, and weeping willows shade the imperial ditch.

The city of Jinling is surrounded by mountains and rivers. To the east, Mount Zhongshan is majestic and winding like a dragon. The mountains are shaded by green trees and are like a fairyland when surrounded by clouds and mist.

When Daqian was first established, its capital was established here.

Later he moved north to Shenjing.

To this day, Jinling City is still a secondary capital.

With a population of over one million, it is the most prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River.

"General, what are we doing in Jinling?"

“Solve the salt road problem.”

This time Jia Cong came to Jinling City with light luggage.

He only brought two personal guards, Ma Ruyue and Hou Jingyun, with him.

They set out at night and, riding on the bright white clouds, arrived in Jinling City by daybreak.

It has been more than half a month since Jia Cong came to Jiangnan, but this is the first time he goes out.

Feel the prosperous folk customs of Jiangnan.

Men, women, young and old, people of all kinds shuttled through the streets and alleys. Young men from wealthy families waved their folding fans and strolled leisurely with their followers; ladies in gorgeous clothes, accompanied by their maids, carefully selected jewelry.

The streets and alleys are bustling with people, shouting, hawking, bargaining and laughter.

"You are so unreasonable, scholar. It is obvious that this woman was bought by your uncle Xue half a month ago."

"I've already paid the deposit, how come it's yours now!"

"Nonsense, three days ago I made an appointment with this young lady's father to welcome her to be my concubine today, and now I have paid all the money."

"What happened to the Xue family? Can the Xue family just take advantage of others and rob others?"

"That's right. All my classmates from Qushui Academy are here today. We will not let Brother Feng be bullied!"

"Everything in the world cannot escape the word 'reason'."

"If that doesn't work, we, the students, will go to the Yingtian Prefecture government office and beat the drum to report the incident!"

As I was walking, I saw a large group of people gathered in front of me watching the fun.

There was a faint sound of quarreling in the middle of the crowd.

"Let's go over and have a look!"

After listening to a few words, Jia Cong suddenly became interested.

He came forward with two personal guards.

A little divine power surged.

The people who were watching the excitement in front of them unconsciously parted to the left and right, making way for a path.

When I got closer, I could see clearly the two parties arguing.

Three parties to be exact.

In the middle is a middle-aged man with a girl.

He has a square face and seems honest, but his narrow eyes are constantly moving around, looking around.

The little girl looked a few years older than Jia Cong.

There was a dot of rouge the size of a grain of rice between the eyebrows.

She is pretty and smart.

On the left are a dozen students wearing cotton Confucian robes.

This Qushui Academy is also one of the forces of Bailu Academy.

The man on the right has thick eyebrows and big eyes, a sturdy build, and is wearing a fur coat, looking very wealthy.

You can tell at first glance that he is a rich young man.

He was followed by four servants.

At this point, he had been left speechless by the arguments of more than a dozen students.

He looked angry and was about to roll up his sleeves and take action.

"It's like searching everywhere for something but still not finding it."

When Jia Cong saw this scene, he immediately thought of the scene in the original novel where Xue Bawang beat Feng Yuan to death.

A divine light flashed in his eyes.

Sure enough, the girl who looked a little silly had the talent of top-level Xuanmen Qi training.

It was Xiangling, the first of the second volume of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling.

She was originally Zhen Yinglian, the only daughter of Zhen Shiyin, a prominent family in Suzhou.

When he was four years old, he was abducted by a kidnapper while watching the fireworks during the Lantern Festival because the family servant Huo Qi did not take good care of him.

Ended up here.

"Is he your father?"

Ignoring everyone's puzzled looks, Jia Cong walked straight up to Xiangling and asked.

"I……"

Xiangling had been beaten and scolded by human traffickers over the years, so she became a little timid when she heard this.

"How dare you! Who are you?"

Feng Yuan, on the other hand, had lost both his parents and his family had some small property.

He had just obtained the title of scholar and was preparing to take the provincial examination to become a juren.

I accidentally discovered the fragrant lotus in the human trafficker's hand and was shocked by its beauty.

He paid the money happily and all that was left was to marry her as a concubine.

Who would have thought that first there would be Xue Pan, the dull bully, and then there would be Jia Cong.

After so many twists and turns, I suddenly became anxious.

"I am Marquis Jia Cong!"

Jia Cong turned his head and said lightly.

People are like books and titles are like shadows!

Jia Cong's reputation has spread over the past half month.

It's even more terrifying than in Shenjing City.

Among the officials in the south of the Yangtze River, he is known as an expert in stopping children from crying at night.

Especially after the eight major salt merchants were wiped out and the Jingguan was built outside the city of Yangzhou.

This is a bad reputation created by piles of human heads.

"Meet Mr. Jia."

A dozen scholars were shocked when they heard this.

There is no priority in learning, those who master come first.

Confucianism attaches great importance to etiquette, regardless of one's stance.

When a young scholar meets a great scholar, he should maintain the minimum courtesy of respect.

"This man is not the girl's father."

"He is a human trafficker. Go to the Yingtian government office tomorrow to get the money you were cheated of."

Jia Cong pointed at the middle-aged man who looked honest and loyal.

Daqian does not prohibit the human trafficking, and people engaged in this industry are called renya.

You must obtain permission from a pimp to engage in legitimate trafficking. It is strictly prohibited to force women into prostitution, sell prostitutes privately, etc.

As for human traffickers, they are also called kidnappers.

Kidnapping decent girls and selling them.

Anyone found guilty of this will be executed immediately without mercy, and even those who have had business dealings with them will be investigated and held accountable.

"Mr. Jia broke through the realm of great Confucianism with his gentlemanly and magnanimous teachings of sages and classics. We students admire him very much."

"But now, without any evidence, they are saying that the girl's father is a human trafficker based on what one family said."

“How can we convince people?”

Upon hearing this, a good friend of Feng Yuan immediately stepped forward to argue.

The words just fell.

I saw a sword energy flying by.

It sunk into the scholar's forehead, his eyes widening.

The scholar who was speaking righteously just now fell to the ground and died.

"Brother Wang!"

"Brother Wang, are you okay?"

The remaining scholars suddenly felt their scalps tingling and their bodies running cold.

It wasn't until this moment that I reacted.

Is the person in front of me reasonable?
"convince?"

"I am in a good mood so I want to talk to you for a few more words."

"Qushui Academy is also a part of Bailu Academy, right?"

"Go back and tell your dean that I am coming to Jinling. Tell him to get ready!"

"roll!"

The scholars looked at each other, and this time no one dared to say even a word of no.

He hurriedly carried the corpse on the ground and ran away in shame.

The crowd outside who were watching the excitement didn't expect that they would see someone die.

The noisy discussions suddenly fell silent.

"That... Brother Cong... Brother Cong, no, Lord Marquis!"

"I am Xue Pan, and I am here to meet the Marquis!"

Also feeling depressed was Xue Pan, the well-known dull bully in Jinling City.

On weekdays, Xue Pan would just bully ruffians and playboys.

When has anyone ever been killed?

Not to mention killing people in the street over a disagreement.

The one killed was a scholar from Qushui Academy who had achieved great success.

At this moment, Xue Pan no longer cared about the young lady.

I just want to get this matter straightened out quickly and then move on.

Speaking of which, the Xue family and the Jia family are related.

But this relationship is really complicated.

Xue Pan's mother was from the Wang family and was the younger sister of Wang Ziteng and Jia Zheng's wife, Lady Wang.

But my uncle's family was wiped out by Jia Cong himself.

There is no question of us being relatives.

"My Lord, I was also deceived by this human trafficker."

"The previous transaction was completely unintentional. I don't want the money anymore."

"This trafficker and this girl are entirely up to you, my Lord."

It's hard for Xue Pan, a rough guy, to say such flowery words in a hurry.

"Mr. Xue."

Jia Cong nodded and was about to continue speaking.

When you notice something, point your finger a little to the right.

A sword energy flew past. The trafficker had just seen his identity exposed, and was about to blend into the crowd and escape while the two were chatting.

But how could it be hidden from the perception of gods?

His life was taken away directly by the sword energy.

"Ma Ruyue, send the body of this human trafficker to the Yingtian government office."

"I obey my orders!"

……

After dealing with the human traffickers, Jia Cong turned back.

Xue Pan was so frightened that his face turned pale.

In less than half an incense stick of time, two lives were taken.

The rumors about this bloodthirsty man are really more than just rumors.

"I just happen to have something to do and need to visit Madam Xue at her residence. Today is convenient for me."

Xue Pan, who wanted to run away, froze when he heard this.

A smile appeared on her face that was uglier than crying.

"Convenient, of course!"

As he spoke, he winked at a servant next to him.

The latter understood, and hurriedly mixed out of the crowd and ran back home.

Jia Cong didn't take it seriously after he noticed it.

He turned around and came to Xiangling.

"I have killed this trafficker. What are your plans for the future?"

"I am Jia Cong, the second-class purple-robed marquis granted by the emperor, and the second-rank commander of the Beijing camp."

"Now I am ordered to leave the capital to inspect Jiangnan."

"Will you follow me in the future?"

It would be fine if I hadn’t met him.

Now that he has met her, there is no reason for Jia Cong to let go.

The talent for top-notch Xuanmen Qi training.

You don’t even need too many resources, as you will definitely need a third-level spirit-refining assistant in the future.

Xiangling was abducted by the human trafficker when she was four years old, and her earliest memories have long been blurred.

But he also remembered that the human trafficker would beat and scold him at every turn.

Now the human trafficker was beaten to death by Jia Cong.

Subconsciously, I felt grateful and dependent on Jia Cong.

It took me a moment to react.

"It's all up to you, my dear!"

"From now on, you will be called Xiangling. When I finish my work in Jinling, I will send someone to look for your mother!"

"Thank you, my dear!"

……

Xue Family
There is a line in the official protection talisman: "In a good year, there will be heavy snow, pearls will be as plentiful as dirt, and gold will be as plentiful as iron."

I am talking about the Xue family in Jinling.

The descendant of Ziwei Sheren Xue Gong, is currently in charge of the inner treasury and banking business.

This is what is commonly known as the Imperial Merchants of the Imperial Household Department.

The business was spread all over Daqian, even after the previous head of the family passed away.

Only Mrs. Xue and her two children are left in the Xue family, and their influence has shrunk.

His wealth still cannot be underestimated.

There is a large courtyard with five entrances and exits. If you go in and observe carefully.

Luxurious decorations are everywhere.

At this time in the back house.

The air is filled with water vapor and mist, like clouds.

Mrs. Xue walked into Baochai's boudoir.

Looking at his daughter on the bed, his face was filled with worry.

Noticing someone coming in, Xue Baochai slowly opened her eyes.

"Daughter, how is your practice going?"

"Meet the mother!"

"It still doesn't work. The hot and dry qi in my body is coming on more and more frequently."

"It is impossible to suppress it by relying solely on this Linglan Heart Technique."

She had a shiny black bun on her head, a honey-colored cotton jacket, a rose-purple and silvery sable coat, and a light yellow silk cotton skirt.

Her face is like a silver basin, and her eyes are like water apricots.

The lips are red without being dotted, and the eyebrows are green without being painted.

There were two pointed horns on its head that looked like deer antlers.

It adds a bit of beauty.

Just like a dragon girl, her strength has already reached the second level.

His brows were also slightly furrowed at this moment.

"Alas, your father once told me that the Xue family's ancestor had dragon blood in his body."

"I thought he was just joking with me, but I didn't expect it to be true..."

Mrs. Xue gently touched the dragon horn that had just emerged on Baochai's head.

"This time when I returned to the ancestral home, I looked through the clan's ancient books again."

"I found a record left by the ancestors of the Xue family in the secret compartment."

"The Xue family's dragon vein was not legitimate in the past, so there is a hidden curse."

"Anyone whose bloodline is awakened will be plagued by heat poison, and the attacks of heat poison will become more frequent and more intense each time."

"Unless you can break through to the third level within three years of your bloodline awakening."

"otherwise……"

"Daughter, wasn't the Lengxiang Pill able to suppress the heat poison?"

"Why don't you just say you don't need it?"

"Mother, the origins of that monk and Taoist priest are too mysterious."

"I have a vague feeling that the other party seems to be planning something..."

"If you can avoid using Lengxiang Pills, then don't use them."

Xue Baochai shook her head calmly.

"Then there is only one way now..."

Mrs. Xue sighed softly.

"According to our ancestors, the ruler of the dynasty has dragon energy."

"The more prosperous the dynasty, the stronger the dragon energy."

"If we can be in the palace, we can rely on the dragon energy to suppress the heat poison."

"Until my daughter breaks through the third realm and completely stimulates the transformation of her bloodline, and expels the heat poison."

"But the Imperial Palace is not a good place to stay. Even if you are a third-level realm, you will be in danger of death if you rush in..."

"Mother, needless to say, please add my name to the palace selection list."

As a woman, Xue Baochai is more talented than most men.

In modern times, she would definitely be a strong woman with a decisive character.

As soon as I heard that there was a way to solve the heat and toxins in the body, I made up my mind immediately.

"It's not just a fight for my daughter's future."

“If I can break through the third realm and stimulate my bloodline, I will be able to achieve a half-dragon body, and my strength will be comparable to that of the top spiritual masters.”

"Our Xue family also needs a third-level master to take charge and protect our family property."

"Alas, I really can't find a solution..."

"Your heat poison... I once spent 100,000 taels of silver to send people to Longhu Mountain to seek medicine... but it still couldn't cure it."

"I'm afraid the only way is to enter the palace."

Mrs. Xue sighed.

Just then, a report from a servant came from outside the boudoir.

"Madam, Master Xue just sent someone back with a message."

"It is said that Purple-Robed Marquis Jia Cong is coming to visit your house..."

After hearing the report, the mother and daughter immediately got rid of their previous sadness.

Looks solemn.

"Purple-robed Marquis Jia Cong?"

"We just slaughtered the eight major salt merchants, and now they come to your house again."

"Is it because of my uncle's family that I came here this time..."

"No, Marquis Ziyi is now the commander of the Beijing Camp, and he is also the imperial envoy who was ordered to inspect Jiangnan."

"If you really regard our Xue family as a thorn in your side, just send someone over here."

"Why do you need to come in person..."

Mrs. Xue shook her head.

"Shall we meet then?"

"The Jia family and our Xue family have been relatives for generations."

"It's unreasonable to refuse a distinguished guest."

"Your uncle's family is your uncle's family, and the Xue family is the Xue family. They cannot be confused."

Aunt Xue explained.

In this era, it is normal for powerful families to favor boys over girls.

Brothers often scheme against each other and fight over family property.

Not to mention that they are siblings, they only have some friendship when they played together when they were young and ignorant.

When they get older, they hide in their boudoirs. How can there be any brother-sister relationship between them?

In the original work.

As the commander of the Beijing camp, Wang Ziteng was a second-rank military general with real power.

In terms of the power in their hands, they are much stronger than the Jia family, which is strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

The Wang family is also Mrs. Xue’s maiden family.

But Mrs. Xue still refused to return to her parents' home.

He chose to live in Rongguo Mansion.

The only time we interact with the Wang family is during the New Year holidays.

The relationship between the two can be imagined.

You have to know that it is not legitimate for Mrs. Wang to be the head of the second branch of the household.

(End of this chapter)