The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Jia Jue had already woken up in the study, while Jia Baoyu was slowly waking up in Qin Keqing's boudoir.

-

Just as the Ningguo Mansion had hosted a banquet for Grandmother Jia and her entourage, another incident occurred.

What's wrong?

It turned out that Qin Keqing, Jia Rong's wife, had suddenly fallen ill.

Her illness was unusual; she lay in bed feeling weak in her limbs, her body was limp, she was sweating profusely, and she was seeing stars.

Although the family never stopped providing three meals a day, Qin Shi often felt nauseous and could hardly swallow after only one or two bites.

In just a few days, he has become incredibly thin.

Her illness greatly worried her father-in-law, Jia Zhen.

He took it very seriously, constantly arranging banquets to invite famous doctors to treat Qin Keqing, regardless of the consultation fees, he just kept inviting people.

In just a few short days, the Ningguo Mansion has spent far more than a few thousand taels of silver.

Not only was Jia Zhen anxious, but Grandmother Jia in the mansion was also quite concerned about this matter.

It was simply because, among all her granddaughters-in-law and great-granddaughters-in-law, apart from Wang Xifeng, Grandmother Jia's favorite was Qin Shi. She liked her beauty, her gentle nature, her slender figure, and her dignified and generous demeanor.

Upon hearing that Qin Keqing was ill, Grandmother Jia sent someone to the Ningguo Mansion to tell Jia Zhen and You Shi, "If you need anything, just come and find me!"

However, despite this, Qin Keqing's condition did not improve.

That day, she seemed to feel a little better, and was able to eat a little something.

Since Qin Keqing and Wang Xifeng had a good relationship in the past, Keqing sent someone to the Rongguo Mansion to invite Wang Xifeng to sit there for a while.

Just then, Wang Xifeng was chatting and laughing with Grandmother Jia.

Also present were Baoyu, Jia Jue, and others.

At this moment, when the young maid came to find Wang Xifeng, she naturally couldn't avoid the old lady's eyes.

Having no other choice, Wang Xifeng had to tell the old lady about it.

To everyone's surprise, the old lady was overjoyed and said, "Since you can eat, it means you're almost better. You're usually on good terms with her, and it's convenient for you young people to be together. Why don't you go and talk to her? Maybe that will help you recover faster!"

When Jia Baoyu heard about this, he also insisted on going.

Hearing this, Wang Xifeng had no choice but to consult with Grandmother Jia before taking Jia Baoyu and Jia Jue with her.

-

When the three arrived at Ningguo Mansion, maids, wives and servants who had been arranged to wait for them were already waiting. They led the three to Qin Keqing's boudoir.

As soon as Baoyu entered, he felt as if he had returned to the day when he admired the flowers in the Huifang Garden. The gentle, sweet fragrance was still wafting towards him. He couldn't help but recall what he had done with Qiuwen after waking up that day. It was truly unforgettable and had a lingering aftertaste.

However, the three of them were in the outer room, which was separated from the inner room by a thin wall.

At this moment, Qin Keqing was on the bed in the inner room. When she heard the maid outside say that Wang Xifeng had brought Master Jue and Master Bao, she quickly sat up, did not bother to do her hair and makeup, and simply dressed before coming out.

Jia Jue looked up at Qin Keqing.

Although she was already extremely thin and had not dressed up, there was an indescribable charm hidden in her eyes and brows; she was beautiful despite her illness.

When Wang Xifeng saw Qin Keqing arrive, she quickly asked her to sit down, saying, "You're not an outsider, why did you have to come out in person?"

When Baoyu saw Qin Keqing like this, he felt a pang of sadness for some reason, and two streams of hot tears rolled down his cheeks.

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Why are you crying again?"

Qin Keqing sat down as instructed, took Wang Xifeng's hand, and the two began to chat.

Just then, Madam You arrived. The three of them were of similar age, so they naturally had something to talk about.

After chatting for a while, Qin Keqing noticed that Baoyu and Jia Jue were sitting awkwardly to the side. Then, as if she had just remembered something, she said, "I have a younger brother who came to see me today. He is about the same age as my second and third uncles, but he is a bit dull."

As she spoke, she ordered someone to bring her younger brother over.

Before long, a handsome young man was indeed pulled over.

This young man had beautiful features, was gentle and refined, and just standing there made people feel sorry for him.

Wang Xifeng looked him over carefully, then smiled and said to Baoyu and Jia Jue, "Look at him, he's completely outclassed."

She then turned to Qin Keqing and asked, "I don't know your name?"

"Qin Zhong," Qin Keqing replied.

Looking at Qin Zhong's face, Bao Yu was filled with countless emotions—there really were men in this world so handsome, almost like women, truly a person of exceptional talent and beauty! How regrettable that I was not born into a poor family, and could not have met him earlier!

Qin Zhong was also looking at Jia Jue and his brother. He saw that both of them had extraordinary bearing and handsome appearance, and he felt a pang of regret in his heart. It was a pity that he was born into a poor family and was not born into a wealthy and noble family. He could not get to know such young talents. It was a real pity!

With these thoughts in mind, their eyes met without them noticing, and upon that single glance, their hearts skipped a beat—could this person be my confidant?

Baoyu then said, "You three can chat here. We'll go inside and talk. If you want anything to eat, we'll have someone come out and tell you, okay?"

Wang Xifeng pondered for a moment, then glanced at You Shi and Qin Shi, and nodded, saying, "You two better not go too far!"

Upon hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Jia Baoyu immediately pulled Qin Zhong into the inner room.

Jia Jue had no choice; he didn't want to go, so he had to find an excuse to escape first.

After Jia Baoyu pulled Qin Zhong into the inner room, he asked him all sorts of questions, such as what books he had read, how old he was, and where his home was.

After their conversation, both of them were overjoyed, because Baoyu had thought that no one in the world understood his heart and mind, but he never expected that Qin Zhong was actually one of his kind!

While they were chatting, Jia Jue accidentally took the wrong turn, which led him to see someone he shouldn't have seen.

Who is this person?

This person is Jiao Da.

Jiao Da was an extraordinary man. He had followed the late Duke Ningguo on the battlefield. When his ancestor was in danger, Jiao Da carried him out of a pile of dead bodies. Therefore, if you really count it, he was a benefactor to the entire Jia family.

He also has a strong sense of belonging to the Jia family.

Therefore, he was very dissatisfied with the current situation of the Jia family.

When Jia Jue saw him, he was drinking.

He looks drunk.

Jia Jue saw Jiao Da, and Jiao Da also saw Jia Jue.

Then Jiao Da pointed at Jia Jue and said, "You're Jue-ge'er, the son of the Duke of Rong! I recognize you; you're one of the few promising young men these days!"