The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 693 Mid-Autumn Moonlit Night
A bright moon slowly rose from behind the Tianshan Mountains, shining brightly, round and large, spotless, like a white jade plate gleaming, pleasing to the eye and refreshing to the soul.

Today is the 15th of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival. The army is treating the soldiers to extra food. Jia Huan specially ordered mooncakes and dumplings to be made, and even organized a unique "Mid-Autumn Festival Gala". Local dignitaries from all ethnic groups were invited. In addition to eating and drinking well, they also had the opportunity to watch the powerful new flintlock musket shooting demonstration by the Jin army up close.

When they saw with their own eyes the row of melons hanging a hundred meters away being smashed to pieces by a barrage of lead bullets, the faces of the tribal leaders became noticeably more submissive. They even sent out talented young men and women to sing and dance around the bonfire, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Jin soldiers.

After the party, Jia Huan, slightly tipsy, walked under the moonlight to the outside of Lin Daiyu's residence.

Although Lin Daiyu still holds the title of Princess Kangle, the marriage alliance has fallen through, and it's only a matter of time before the court revoks the princess title. Therefore, Duan Yong no longer guards against Jia Huan like a thief, allowing him free access to Lin Daiyu's residence, and is happy to do Jia Huan this favor.

Just as Jia Huan was about to step into the courtyard, the melodious sound of a flute suddenly rang out. The plaintive tune, coupled with the cold moonlight, stirred up endless homesickness in his heart.

Jia Huan paused, stood outside the door and listened quietly for a moment before gently pushing the door open and entering the courtyard. Looking up, he saw two square tables set up in the courtyard, covered with various fruits and pastries.

The young women, some slender and some plump, dressed in vibrant colors, sat in a circle, listening intently to Xue Baochai playing the flute under the moonlight. Jia Huan was somewhat surprised; he had assumed it was Daiyu playing, but it turned out to be Baochai. Baochai was indeed a hidden talent; he hadn't known she could play the flute, and so well at that, her skill was no less than his own.

Tonight, Xue Baochai wore a honey-colored, slightly worn palace dress. Her slender waist was cinched, and under the moonlight, her skin appeared even more like snow and her eyebrows as black as ink. An antique-style flute rested between her lips, exuding an indescribable elegance and grace. With each stroke of her jade fingers, melodious flute music flowed out.

At this moment, a gentle melody from the zither joined the ensemble, like a mountain stream, birdsong in a spring brook, tinkling and tinkling, instantly diluting the unique desolation and melancholy of the flute's sound.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai exchanged a smile and instantly reached a tacit understanding. The melody, which was originally filled with homesickness and sorrow, immediately became light and cheerful, like colorful clouds chasing the moon, making people feel happy.

When the piece ended, all the women clapped and giggled. Ayina, who was also present, said with eyes full of admiration, "It was so beautiful! Her Highness the Princess has already taught me to play the zither. Sister Baochai, please teach me to play the flute too! Please, Amitabha!"

Ying'er and the others chuckled, laughing at her for actually praying to Buddha.

Lin Daiyu said with a smile, "You are greedy. You have only learned the zither for two days and you want to learn to play the xiao. You should know that you can't bite off more than you can chew. In the end, you probably won't learn anything."

Ayina said somewhat embarrassedly, "Forget it, learning the zither is too difficult. I'm clumsy, and after playing for two days, my fingers are so sore. It's even more tiring than riding a horse or shooting arrows. It's much easier to learn the xiao (vertical flute)."

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "Learning to play the xiao is indeed easier than playing the qin. Since you want to learn, I will teach you. Breath control is crucial for playing the xiao..."

Lin Daiyu chuckled softly, while Xue Baochai asked in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and smiled, "No!"

"Then why are you laughing, Daiyu?" Xue Baochai asked, even more puzzled.

Lin Daiyu pointed charmingly and said with a smile, "I laugh at Ayina for choosing the wrong teacher. If she wants to learn to play the flute, wouldn't that person be the most suitable?"

Following Lin Daiyu's gaze, everyone saw Jia Huan standing not far away. In the moonlight, the young man was dressed in white, as white as snow, gentle and refined, with a kind smile.

When Ayina saw that it was Jia Huan, she immediately tilted her chin and snorted, "I don't want to learn from him."

Lin Daiyu asked curiously, "Why? He is very good at teaching people to play the flute. You already have a talented student. If you don't believe me, ask Sister Bao. He can also compose music and write lyrics. The song you like the most, 'Dong Feng Po,' was written by him. Being able to become his student is a great blessing for you!"

Jia Huan broke out in a cold sweat; this little jealous girl was jealous of Chen Yuanyuan again. He stepped forward and said with a smile, "Sister Lin, please don't mislead Princess Ayina. I'm tone-deaf; how could I have such an ability?" Ayina had spent nearly a month with Baochai and Daiyu and already knew Lin Daiyu's true identity—she wasn't of royal blood. Therefore, she wasn't surprised at all that Jia Huan addressed Princess Kangle as "Sister Lin." She only asked Baochai suspiciously, "Sister Baochai, did he really compose the song 'Dong Feng Po'?"

Xue Baochai smiled and nodded. Ayina couldn't help but think to herself, "This greedy and cunning fellow can actually compose such a romantic and beautiful piece of music. It's outrageous!"
"Your Highness, Sister Baochai, it's getting late, I need to go back and rest now, farewell!" Ayina rolled her eyes at Jia Huan and left the courtyard in a hurry.

Jia Huan awkwardly touched his nose. This little wench doesn't understand any social etiquette. It's just that she took some of your family's gold and silver treasures. Is it really that big of a deal?

"Cough... Why are you all looking at me? Do I have flowers on my face?" Jia Huan watched Ayina's angry back disappear. Just as he turned his gaze away, he saw that Daiyu and Baochai were scrutinizing him suspiciously, while Zijuan, Ying'er, Xiangling and Xueyan also had strange expressions. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty for some reason.

Lin Daiyu said with a half-smile, "Huan-di may not have flowers on his face, but I'm afraid flowers are growing in his heart. He's quite the heartless radish."

"No, Sister Lin, don't wrong an innocent person." Jia Huan protested, "Even if I'm in love, it's for my two good sisters. I'll send each of you a bouquet later." After saying that, he put his arms around the two women's slender waists, one on each side.

A blush crossed Lin Daiyu's and Xue Baochai's faces, while the maids turned away shyly, covering their mouths and giggling.

Xue Baochai, being rather timid, gently broke free from Jia Huan's embrace, playfully glared at him, and softly asked, "Has Huan-di offended Princess Ayina in some way?"

Jia Huan said casually, "It was just a little money I took from her family."

Both Daiyu and Baochai were taken aback. The latter asked in surprise, "Brother Huan, are you short of money? Why would you take her family's money?"

Jia Huan said in a serious tone, "Of course we're short of money. We need to cover the expenses of over a thousand brothers, and money is needed everywhere. I wish I could turn stones into gold."

Daiyu and Baochai exchanged a glance and asked, "So how much money did you take from her?"

"Not much, worth about two million taels. It would have just gotten moldy if it had been sitting in the palace storeroom, so I kindly helped her move it," Jia replied shamelessly.

"Pfft!" Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai were speechless. No wonder Ayina looked so bitter and resentful. It turned out that you had confiscated all of her family's wealth.

Lin Daiyu was at a loss for words. In the end, she could only reach out her slender finger and gently poke someone's forehead, saying with a playful smile, "Huan-di, you've become naughty."

Xue Baochai said, "As the saying goes, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. I think Huan-di did a good job. If you don't take what Heaven has given you, you will suffer the consequences. If this money is left to Ayina, who knows what kind of trouble will arise in the future."

Lin Daiyu said with a hint of sourness, "I didn't say he was wrong, but you're so quick to defend him, Sister Bao. It's clear that he's becoming more and more shameless, all because of your indulgence."

Xue Baochai's pretty face flushed slightly. She pointed to Daiyu, who was still leaning against Jia Huan like a little bird, and laughed, "Who exactly was indulging her?"

Lin Daiyu's face flushed, but she was reluctant to leave someone's embrace, so she buried her pretty face in someone's arms like an ostrich and giggled.

"There's no need to argue. Just indulge both of you, sisters. Anyway, I'm lucky enough to handle it." Jia Huan grinned mischievously and reached out to pull Baochai close, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek, which immediately drew playful spits from the two women.

Both Daiyu and Baochai were exceptionally intelligent and talented women. Although they quite liked Ayina, a cheerful girl from another ethnic group, they were still able to distinguish between what was important and what was not. In matters of national importance, they naturally stood on the side of the interests of the Great Jin Dynasty and on the side of their own men.

(End of this chapter)