Another History of Dream of the Red Chamber

A seductive trap is laid, sullying Baoyu's reputation to seize power and secure control of the household.

Barely half a month after marrying into the family, Wang Xifeng uses "producing an heir" as a pretext to set a seductive trap with Ping'er, ensnaring Baoyu. She spreads rumors through maids serving as her eyes and ears, then uses a sweat-soaked handkerchief as proof. At a banquet, she artfully establishes Baoyu's reputation as "debauched," achieving two aims at once: ruining his good name and cutting off his path to a marriage alliance. She also takes advantage of Baoyu's illness to gain initial control of the inner household at the Rong Mansion, laying the groundwork for her power grab.

A ruthless wife purges her rivals under the guise of enforcing rules, while a grieving mother watches power slip away.

When confronted by Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng turns the tables, claiming she is "putting the family back in order" as she summons a midwife to examine the maids. She eliminates all the maids Lady Wang had planted by Baoyu's side, and even exposes an unruly daughter-in-law, completely clearing out the old power base around him. With her closest confidantes gone and her power slipping away, Lady Wang is left powerless, while Wang Xifeng uses her image as a "virtuous wife" to secure her position as mistress of the household. The reshuffle of power in the Rong Mansion's inner household is complete.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.