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

Since taking office, Jia Cong had not rested, so he took the opportunity to rest for a day. On that day, he accompanied a group of elders to a banquet at Qiushuangzhai. He saw Granny Liu act like a clown, making everyone in the room burst into laughter.

Jia Cong, who was present, covered his face with his sleeve, but felt no amusement. With this skill, Granny Liu had finally gained entry into the inner circle, securing a livelihood for her family of five.

The crowd was bustling with noise. Jia Cong simply joined in the fun, watched two more plays, had some snacks, and then followed Grandmother Jia and her entourage to the Green Bamboo Nunnery.

Although the Green Bamboo Nunnery was built in the Grand View Garden, he never came there on ordinary days, because Miaoyu, an outsider, lived there, and even Baoyu rarely set foot there.

Upon entering the Green Bamboo Nunnery, one sees a stunningly beautiful woman in plain clothes, still with her hair intact, gracefully emerging – it is none other than Miaoyu.

As Jia Mu and the others sat down to chat, Jia Cong clearly saw that Miaoyu had quietly pulled Daiyu and Baochai away, obviously to have a private tea session in the inner room, just like in the original story.

Unexpectedly, Baoyu, who was standing to the side, came forward with a grin, tugged at Jia Cong's sleeve, and said with a smile,

"Our third brother rarely plays with us brothers and sisters anymore. We miss him terribly. Come on, let's go inside!"

Jia Cong hurriedly waved his hand, "Second Brother, please wait. This is no ordinary place. It is where Master Miaoyu cultivates in seclusion. The inner room is a private place. It is improper for a man to barge in. Moreover, I have heard that Miaoyu is aloof and has always disliked being disturbed by worldly guests. I am afraid that this will displease her."

Baoyu, however, wouldn't listen and continued to tug at his sleeve, his eyes full of playful mischief.

"What are you saying, Third Brother! Although Master Miaoyu is aloof, she is not unapproachable. I even came here alone to beg for red plum blossoms before, and she didn't chase me away! Besides, Sister Bao and Sister Lin are inside. What's wrong with us just going in to have a cup of good tea?"

Jia Cong frowned slightly, thinking to himself that Baoyu was indeed still so inconsiderate of the occasion. He had originally decided to leave, but he was quite impatient with Miaoyu's pretentious and aloof demeanor.

But then he thought back to when he entered the nunnery earlier, he had caught a glimpse of Miaoyu's graceful appearance. Her features were exquisite and delicate, not gaudy, and she was indeed a first-rate beauty. Now that Baoyu was being so enthusiastic, if he insisted on refusing, he would only make her lose face.

After pondering for a moment, Jia Cong loosened his resistance, a forced smile appearing on his face.

"Well then, since Second Brother has so kindly invited me, I'll have to trouble you."

When Baoyu saw that Jia Cong had agreed, he immediately beamed with joy and took Jia Cong's hand, leading him into the inner room. As they walked, he laughed and said, "This is my good brother! Don't worry, Master Miaoyu is very understanding and will not make things difficult for us."

The inner room was different from the cool and elegant outer room. Although there were not many furnishings, it was exquisite and clean everywhere.

The ground was paved with bluestone slabs, and a faint scent of pine needles wafted through the air. A pearwood table stood by the window, on which sat a blue urn with a ghost face on it, presumably filled with plum blossom snow water. Two plain-colored cushions were placed beside the table, and Baochai and Daiyu sat facing each other, each with an elegant teacup in front of them. Miaoyu stood beside the table, holding a silver tea whisk, about to pour tea for the two of them.

Suddenly, they heard footsteps and all three looked up. They saw Baoyu leading Jia Cong in. Baochai still had a dignified and gentle smile on her face and nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Daiyu raised her eyebrows slightly and glanced at Jia Cong, a hint of jealousy and ambiguity flashing in her eyes.

Only Miaoyu's expression instantly turned cold, a clear displeasure flashed in her eyes, and she stopped what she was doing.

She had originally brought Baochai and Daiyu to the inner room for a private tea, hoping for some peace and quiet. However, she never expected that even Baoyu would be so ignorant of etiquette, bringing an outsider with him and barging in.

Although Jia Cong is the legitimate son of the Rong family and now holds an official position, he is still a man. It is improper for him to intrude into her quiet inner chamber and disturb her peace.

Although Miaoyu was displeased, she dared not show it too obviously. She was now living under someone else's roof, relying on the Rong family for food and lodging. Jia Cong was a military officer in the capital and held considerable power. If she really offended him and made him unhappy, she would probably have difficulty establishing herself in the Rong family in the future.

Just then, Baoyu pulled Jia Cong to the table and began to speak with a smile.

"I apologize for bothering you. I brought my third brother here for no other reason than to freeload a cup of good tea."

Miaoyu composed herself, suppressing her displeasure, and forced a smile. "Master Bao is joking. It's just a cup of coarse tea, nothing to mention."

Even so, she still turned around and took another teacup, placing it on the table, though her movements inevitably carried a hint of perfunctoriness.

Jia Cong found a futon and sat down, calmly examining Miaoyu without any surprise or flattery. Instead, his gaze was filled with scrutiny and indifference, as if this pure and aloof lotus flower was nothing more than an ordinary object in his eyes.

Such a look startled Miaoyu slightly, arousing a bit of curiosity.

Since she entered the Rong Mansion, whether it was Baoyu's infatuation, the appreciation of others, or the prying eyes of other young masters and ladies in the mansion, they all looked at her with a strange gaze, whether it was admiration, curiosity, or infatuation. But no one had ever looked at her like Jia Cong did, with no goodwill or prying in his eyes, only indifference, as if her appearance, talent, and aloofness were worthless.

She was always proud and arrogant, looking down on everyone else. Now that Jia Cong was looking down on her like this, she felt both angry and curious.

Miaoyu suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, took the blue-faced urn, poured out a little plum blossom snow water, placed it in a sand pot, and put it on a small stove to cook.

Before long, the water boiled, and wisps of steam rose, carrying a faint fragrance of plum blossoms that filled the entire room.

She first poured a cup for Baochai, then for Daiyu, and only then did she reluctantly pour one for Baoyu and Jia Cong. Baoyu picked up the green jade cup that Miaoyu had given him, brought it to his nose, and took a light sniff, his eyes full of admiration.

"It smells so good! It's really good tea," he said, then drank it with a look of pure delight.

Jia Cong merely picked up his teacup, glanced at it, and didn't drink it. His gaze remained fixed on Miaoyu, as if the fragrant tea in the cup held no interest for him whatsoever.

Just then, a young maid's voice came from outside, "Master, what should we do with that small polychrome covered cup from the Chenghua kiln that Granny Liu used?"

Upon hearing this, Miaoyu's expression instantly turned cold, and a hint of disgust appeared on her face. "Just throw that filthy thing away, don't defile my place."

The young girl responded and then left.

Upon hearing this, Baoyu's heart stirred slightly. He was about to plead for Jia Cong when he saw Jia Cong put down his teacup first, a mocking smile playing on his lips. His voice, though not loud, clearly reached everyone's ears, filled with disdain and sarcasm.

"Master, you have such a high and mighty attitude, calling me 'filthy' and saying I've defiled your place. Have you ever considered that everything you eat, live, and use is provided by the Rong family? If you leave the family, where can you, an outsider, find a place to settle down and make a living?"