Dream of the Red Chamber: A Refined and Elegant Young Man in a Turbid World

Although Madam Xing didn't say much, she still craned her neck to look at the porcelain vase, her eyes filled with a hint of curiosity.

Seeing this, Wang Xifeng became even more smug. She picked up a bottle of rose-flavored drink and handed it to Madam Wang, saying, "Madam, please try this. It's richer and more suitable for evening use. This is a method that Brother Cong came up with; it's quite remarkable that he has such ingenuity."

Madam Xing's expression changed. Jia Cong was her son born out of wedlock and was usually not favored. These past two days, she had heard that he wanted to learn martial arts. Fortunately, Jia She pretended to be poor and didn't interfere, otherwise she, as his stepmother, would have had to pay for it.

But now that she heard that the perfume was made by the other party, it was a slap in the face. It was clearly telling others that the stepmother was unwilling to pay, forcing a thirteen-year-old child to be self-reliant.

Grandmother Jia was incredibly astute; she clearly saw through the situation and, before Madam Xing could speak, pulled Wang Xifeng over.

"Feng'er, you're so thoughtful. I think this perfume thing is even better than the incense in the manor. Since it was made by Cong'er, then the expenses for this martial arts training should be covered by the public funds..."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng raised her delicate eyebrows slightly. Grandmother Jia nodded, indicating that she wouldn't have to pay, and she quickly sat down next to her to take over the massage from the two maids.

"Our ancestor truly loves his son. Brother Cong is a man of both literary and martial talents. If he receives instruction from a renowned teacher, his future official career will surely bring honor to our family, won't it?"

Grandmother Jia pinched Wang Xifeng's cheek and said, "You little rascal, you're always so clever. Well, now that we've got so many rare things, we should let these good things benefit the whole household."

Wang Xifeng immediately seized the opportunity, her massage becoming even gentler, and her mouth never stopping: "Grandmother is right! This perfume is refreshing and elegant. It pleases the old lady, and it makes the ladies and young ladies look presentable. It would be a waste of Brother Cong's good idea if it were only for our own family. In my opinion, why not open a small workshop in the unused east wing of the mansion and produce it in batches? Firstly, all the ladies and young ladies in the mansion can use it year-round, without having to buy those gaudy perfumes from outside; secondly, if it is made with fine craftsmanship, some of the best porcelain bottles can be used as gifts for the ladies in the palace, or distributed to relatives, which would also enhance the mansion's image; furthermore, any surplus can be consigned to shops outside, which will surely bring in more income, just enough to supplement the public expenses."

She paused, then added the most poignant remark to Grandmother Jia's heart:

"Besides, this was personally developed by Brother Cong. Opening a workshop will provide this child with a legitimate source of income, preventing gossip and upholding our family's reputation for cherishing its children."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia nodded slowly, picked up a candied fruit and put it in her mouth: "What Feng said makes sense. In that case, the workshop is approved. You will be in charge of the site, manpower and purchasing. If anything goes wrong, you'll be in for a beating."

Wang Xifeng quickly agreed, her smile widening: "How could I dare to neglect the orders given by the Old Ancestor..."

Madam Wang, who was standing to the side, nodded in agreement: "Feng'er is reliable and capable. We can trust her completely."

Madam Xing sat to the side, her expression softening slightly. Seeing that both Grandmother Jia and Madam Wang had agreed, she didn't dare to object anymore. She simply picked up her teacup and took a sip, secretly thinking that her careless stepson had gotten away with it.

Grandmother Jia nodded, which meant that this business could be legitimately funded through public channels. In the future, a portion of the perfume workshop's revenue would also be given to Jia Cong. This money was beyond the reach of Jia She and Madam Xing. Large families have their own rules, and each household is responsible for its own expenses.

This is the rule of large families: those with ability can eat meat, while those without ability can only drink soup and have to be subservient to others.

Since it was Grandmother Jia who gave the order, Wang Xifeng acted swiftly and efficiently. Before the weather had even gotten fully hot, she recruited craftsmen to set up sheds near the east courtyard. The brewing equipment in the mansion was all readily available; all that was needed was to procure the raw materials.

有道是

Petals gather morning dew to pick up pure fragrance, dew brews subtle aroma to store in jade jars. No need for incense burner to burn the embers, a wisp of faint fragrance permeates the painted hall.

The martial arts instructor that Jia Cong had been longing for was finally invited by Wang Xifeng after the Dragon Boat Festival. It is said that this master was the head instructor of the four princes and eight dukes, named Sun Tai.

This man was around forty years old. He wasn't particularly burly, but he had broad shoulders and a thick back. When he stood there, he was as upright as a pine tree. His eyes had a shrewd, understated glint. He looked ordinary, but it seemed as if he could see right through people's hearts.

He was wearing a slightly worn blue cloth shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing bulging muscles in his forearms covered with tiny scars, clearly indicating that he was a trained fighter.

When Wang Xifeng led him to see Jia Cong, she specially said with a smile, "This Master Sun followed the Prince of Yizhong's Mansion in battles across the country in his early years. His skills were truly honed in the midst of sword fights, not just some fancy tricks performed by people in the martial arts world."

Upon hearing this, Sun Tai simply clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice booming yet unassuming: "Third Master, rest assured, I will impart all my knowledge to you. I only hope that you can endure hardship and toil."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong quickly performed the master-disciple greeting.

"I've met Master Sun..."

"Of course, how old is Third Master now...?"

Seeing that Sun Tai had entered the mansion, Wang Xifeng did not linger and let the master and disciple leave on their own. She then turned and walked leisurely towards the east courtyard.

The first lesson was Sun Tai introducing Jia Cong to his entire martial arts training process. Only then did Jia Cong realize that the martial arts in the world of Dream of the Red Chamber were actually quite unique and profound.

Sun Tai first stood still, his gaze sweeping over Jia Cong, and said in a deep voice: "Since you wish to learn martial arts, Third Master, you must first understand the essence of martial arts in this world. It is not about fancy moves, but about the nine levels of mastery. Each level is vastly different. Crossing over is a complete transformation, while failing to do so will only keep you stuck in the same place."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong was startled and quickly focused his attention to listen carefully.

Sun Tai continued, "The first level is the entry point, which trains the muscles, bones, skin, and flesh, strengthening the body and improving strength. An ordinary strong man can reach the threshold after three to five months of diligent practice. The second level is to open the meridians and learn to guide the qi back to its source, so that the fists and feet can have a lasting force, and it is no longer a contest of brute strength. The third level is to condense the internal energy, which can gather the qi in one place, so that the weapons and fists and feet have the force to cut through the wind. Only then can one be considered to have truly stepped into the door of martial arts."

He paused, his tone growing increasingly solemn: "As for the fourth level and above, it's a completely different world. At the fourth level, one tempers internal energy, allowing internal energy to penetrate the body, even ordinary armor can be pierced; at the fifth level, one opens all the acupoints, gaining perception far beyond that of ordinary people, seeing as clearly as in daylight even in the dark; the sixth and seventh levels, the Transformation Realm and the Return to Truth Realm, allow one to control and release internal energy at will, possessing power in every movement. As for the eighth and ninth levels, those are legendary realms, I have only heard of them but never seen them, it is said that one can shake mountains and split rocks with one's own strength, and ordinary swords and blades are hard to harm."