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

As Xiren, Sheyue, and the others watched Qingwen being dragged out, their faces showed a mixture of pity and helplessness, but they also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she wasn't expelled from the Rong Mansion, everything was fine; her physical injuries would heal in a few days.

Soon, Qingwen's mournful cries and the crisp sound of slapping echoed from outside, resounding throughout the entire Yihong Courtyard, making everyone who heard them feel uneasy.

Jia Cong didn't linger any longer. He put on a smiling face and told Baoyu to rest assured before leaving Yihong Courtyard. Walking on the stone path, he raised his hand and touched the "Mirror of Love and Lust" in his clothes, wondering what it was. Also, what exactly did Baoyu see just now?

The news of Baoyu's fever subsiding reached Lady Wang within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Jia Cong escaped unscathed, and the only explanation given was that he had obtained the elixir from a wise man.

Lady Wang and Jia Zheng couldn't be too harsh on her anymore, so they just gave her a few warnings and that was it. The next day, Baochai, Daiyu, and the others went to Yihong Courtyard to visit her.

Jia Cong didn't go. He figured it was best to avoid provoking this troublemaker for the time being, and even avoid going to Daiyu's place as much as possible.

When Wang Xifeng arrived at Qingyan Hall, she was followed by Ping'er and others carrying two bowls of dishes and a brocade box. As soon as she entered the room, she smiled and pulled him to sit down.

"I know you're suffering, brother. Brother Bao is the apple of our ancestors' eye, and they can't touch him for a moment. Don't take it to heart, brother. I just brought you some piping hot roasted pigeon to enjoy."

Jia Cong thought to himself that this sister-in-law was indeed very thoughtful, so he put on a smiling face and hurriedly asked Jinping to make tea.

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? I have always treated Brother Bao like my own brother. It was my fault that I caused Grandmother and Master Madam to be upset."

Since she had already arrived, Jia Cong simply instructed the maids and servants to invite Wang Xifeng to stay for a meal. Wang Xifeng didn't stand on ceremony; after drinking two cups of wine, she had Ping'er bring out a packet of silver.

"Good bro, just give me a thumbs up, and this is the bonus for this season."

Jia Cong glanced at it and estimated it to be about four or five hundred taels of silver, which pleased him.

"How could I not trust my sister-in-law? So many cases this season alone!"

Wang Xifeng, beaming with joy, picked up her wine cup, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp before wiping her mouth.

"Brother, you don't know, but when I shared your method for cultivating silver ear fungus with the old women on the estate, it actually worked on other rare and exotic fruits as well. Now, with your method, we've even generated additional income from purchasing bamboo fungus and mushrooms for the manor!"

Jia Cong was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but then he realized that Wang Xifeng had truly drawn inferences from one instance to another. The cultivation of most fungi is similar, requiring both temperature and humidity, and in the current era, these wild fungi are practically worth their weight in gold.

"Only someone like you, sister-in-law, can manage the household; no one else can compare," Jia Cong said, offering a few words of flattery.

Wang Xifeng was probably quite pleased with herself. Although these precious fungi were still being sold at half price or given away for free, their natural rarity and high price made them highly sought after by the nobility.

The uncle and sister-in-law drank a few cups of wine, had lunch, and chatted and laughed for a while before Jia Cong politely saw Wang Xifeng out. Afterward, he put all the silver into a camphor wood box.

He counted his personal savings; including the gold bestowed by the emperor, he already had 1,600 to 1,700 taels in savings.

This afternoon, Sun Tai took leave, saying that he had something to do at home and would have to postpone the teaching. Jia Cong had no choice but to take his silver spear and practice on the riverbank near Qingyan Hall.

He then invited Jia Huan in and patiently taught him a set of boxing techniques. But just as he sat down to rest, Jia Huan approached him with a grin.

"I know Cong-ge'er has suffered a little injustice, but it's alright, I, your poor brother, will avenge you!"

Jia Cong raised an eyebrow, chuckled, and waved his hand.

"What are you saying, Huan-ge? Do you think I'm a petty person who would seek revenge?"

Jia Huan, however, patted his chest confidently and made a promise.

"Cong-ge'er, you don't trust me. Everyone knows how much you've suffered in front of the Ancestor. My good second brother is always pretending to be crazy and being spoiled. Why don't I find a reason to teach you a lesson? I won't let anyone suspect you. Even if something happens, it will be my own idea, and you won't be blamed!"

Jia Cong thought to himself that although Jia Huan was cowardly and timid, he had a sense of gratitude and a fierce spirit of not wanting to be inferior to others. If he were to offer a pledge of loyalty, he might as well teach him some real skills!

He feigned a stern face and waved his hand, saying, "Huan-ge'er, don't talk nonsense. Bao-yu is still your second brother. If you go and provoke him, be careful that the master will beat you with a board again!"

Jia Huan rolled up his sleeves without hesitation.

"Haven't you beaten me enough in the past? You just can't stand my second brother's behavior, Cong-ge'er, don't worry, even if you beat me to death, I wouldn't dare say I'm avenging you!"

Jia Cong pretended to offer advice again before letting out a feigned sigh. He then summoned Li Rong back to Qingyan Hall to fetch two intact ten-tael silver ingots, which he handed to Jia Huan.

"Why should brothers in the same household act like this? It's just a little grievance, nothing to worry about. Huan-ge, use this money to buy some fruit, and let's not mention this matter again."

Jia Huan stared blankly at the heavy silver coin; it represented ten months' worth of his monthly allowance! Despite his usual carefree and absent-minded nature, this young man suddenly snapped out of his daze, quickly stuffing the silver coin into his clothes.

"Cong-ge treats me like a brother, so I can't let him look down on me. Just wait patiently for my news!"

Having said that, this guy actually adopted a rather "The wind is howling, the Yi River is cold, the hero departs, never to return" attitude, got up, dusted off his hem, and left the Grand View Garden without looking back.

That very night, it was heard that Jia Huan had burned a row of blisters on Bao Yu's face with lamp oil, and was severely beaten by Jia Zheng's servants. Even Aunt Zhao wished she could beat this stupid son to death.

"Good lad, truly ruthless and cunning, just as expected of Aunt Zhao's own son." Jia Cong sat in Qingyan Hall listening to the news brought back by Li Rong, while smilingly wiping the Zhaowu Golden Mace with a silk handkerchief.

Jia Huan deserved those twenty taels of silver; he'd be bedridden for at least half a month, let alone practice martial arts.

After hearing the story, Li Rong cautiously stepped forward and lowered his voice.

"This servant has some news that I would like to share with Third Master."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Li Rong smiled ingratiatingly and lowered his body.

"Do you remember Xiao Hong, the maid from the Grand View Garden?"

Jia Cong rolled his eyes and thought for a moment. Oh, she's probably a low-ranking maidservant, and it seems she has an ambiguous relationship with Jia Yun. He immediately nodded vaguely.

"What's wrong? What's the matter with Xiao Hong?"

"Little Hong came to see me, saying she wanted to come to Qingyan Hall to serve the Third Master and begged for his mercy."

Jia Cong was somewhat suspicious. This Xiao Hong was probably named Lin Hongyu. Because she had offended Daiyu, she was called Xiao Hong. But he had no connection with her at all, so how could there be any talk of her seeking refuge with him?

But he didn't show it on his face. He glanced at Li Rong's fawning face, smiled, and cursed.

"You bastard, did Little Red pay you off?"

Li Rong quickly patted his mouth.

"Third Master is wise. Xiao Hong gave me half a string of cash. I think she is indeed clever and knows how to behave. I thought that Master needed a few more sensible servants, so I dared to ask for your opinion, Third Master."