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

Jia Cong pondered for a moment, then shook his head. Xiao Hong and Jia Yun must have already confessed their feelings for each other. He would never employ a maid with ulterior motives in his Qingyan Hall, especially since Jia Yun had taken the initiative to side with Bao Yu.

Besides, maids are the private property of their masters. If he really wanted to take Xiao Hong in, he would have to go to Yi Hong Courtyard and ask Bao Yu for her, which wasn't worth it.

Although the brocade screen in the room was a gift from Grandmother Jia, this girl is very clever and shrewd, somewhat similar to Xiren. Jia Cong is usually quite careless, which is why he served her wholeheartedly.

"Fine, give her five taels of silver as a reward, just say I don't need so many people to serve me."

Li Rong naturally dared not disobey Jia Cong's wishes, and immediately nodded and withdrew.

The next day, Jia Cong went to see Baoyu and brought him a bottle of fairly expensive ointment. He was pleased to see that the other man's face was covered in blisters and his left eye was barely open.

He didn't want to show it on his face, so he offered a few words of comfort and left the brothel.

Just as he was about to leave, he bumped into Qingwen carrying a bowl of food and about to enter the house. When she saw Jia Cong, she was like a mouse seeing a cat. She put down the bowl and ran away in a flash, forgetting even to bow.

Musk Moon, standing to the side, could only give a soft and gentle bow.

"Third Master, please don't be offended. This girl was terrified of you, which is why she made a fool of herself."

Jia Cong sneered and didn't bother to pursue the matter. He stepped out of Yihong Courtyard and headed towards Hengwu Garden. Daiyu couldn't bear to see him, but surely Baochai would be alright?

Today, there wasn't a single outsider in Hengwu Garden. Only Baochai rose with a cheerful smile, and after Ying'er helped her remove her outer garment, she was offered a seat.

"Brother Cong must have been suffering these days. Although I did not dare to go to the old ancestor's place the other day, I heard about what happened and I am very concerned about it."

"Thank you for your concern, Sister. It's just a small matter and nothing to worry about."

Although Baochai didn't look directly at him, she couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye, as if exchanging a knowing look. Jia Cong, seeing her shy demeanor, knew that Baochai was always dignified and self-possessed, and that her behavior today showed that she was truly devoted to him.

The other day, he was reprimanded by Grandmother Jia, and everyone in the mansion either avoided him like the plague or secretly chuckled, clearly not expecting him to recover so quickly.

"I was worried about Brother Bao the other day, but now that he's fine, you don't need to worry anymore."

Baochai nodded gently upon hearing this, but when she looked up at him, her eyes were filled with affection.

"Brother Cong should be more concerned about himself. The other day, when the Ancestor was angry, his voice was so powerful that I was terrified. I imagine you must have been wronged."

As she spoke, her tone grew increasingly gentle, and the affection in her eyes was almost impossible to conceal. She reached out to brush away the dust that had settled on Jia Cong's shoulder.

Just as Baochai's slender fingers were about to touch her, she suddenly stopped, as if sensing something amiss. Her cheeks flushed even more, and she quickly turned to adjust the pearl hairpin at her temple.

"Look at Cong, his shoulders are covered in dust, he's lost his dignity."

Jia Cong's heart stirred, and he deliberately turned slightly to the side, bringing his shoulder closer to hers. Taking advantage of the moment when Baochai raised her hand to sweep the dust, he bent his arm and gently wrapped his arm around her waist. The force was extremely light, almost touching, with a hint of probing.

Baochai stiffened slightly, her cheeks flushed red, and she instinctively wanted to back away. However, having already been so close before, she couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and nervousness.

She froze, not flinching, only raising her eyes to glare at Jia Cong. Her gaze, so full of her usual composure, was nowhere to be seen. A moment later, she even raised her hand and gently tapped Jia Cong's forehead, her tone a mix of coquettishness and pleading—the first time in her life she had softened her stance like this.

"My dear Cong, you always have such a mischievous streak!" Baochai said with a touch of soft reproach, but her eyes were brimming with laughter and glistening with moisture. "I was just trying to help you dust, and you, of all people, are deliberately teasing me!"

Jia Cong felt a surge of excitement at her words, and his arm around her waist tightened slightly.

"Who can resist teasing you when you're so beautiful, sister? Besides, we've already gotten close, so why are you still so shy?"

Upon hearing this, Baochai's cheeks flushed even more. She reached out and patted his hand that was wrapped around her waist, but didn't actually pull away. She just lowered her eyes and scolded him playfully.

"You lost your temper when you were drunk the other day, and you still dared to bring it up!"

She said that, but then gently placed both hands on his arms.

Seeing that she wasn't angry, but instead looked so coquettish, Jia Cong was even more delighted. He loosened his grip on her hand and said, "It was my fault. I shouldn't have brought up the past. I just couldn't help but want to get closer to you because of how you treat me, sister."

Baochai looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection, a faint smile playing on her lips, and gently tapped his forehead.

"You're such a smooth talker. Don't tease me like that again. There are so many people in the manor; what if someone sees us?"

Jia Cong chuckled. Although Ying'er was obediently not in the room, he had no choice but to release her hand first, and then took Baochai's wrist in turn.

"Don't worry, sister. I'll come often from now on, just to keep you company and chat. I won't dare to cause any more trouble."

Baochai, her wrist held by him, did not struggle; only the affection in her eyes grew stronger, and she gave him a flirtatious wink.

"That's more like it."

Before long, the old woman's soft voice came from outside the window. Baochai was startled and quickly and gently withdrew her wrist, her eyes and brows full of tenderness and affection.

"The rules in this manor are strict, so I won't keep you any longer. You can come again another day when you have time."

Jia Cong got up, satisfied, and straightened his robes.

"Alright, I'll come see you another day. Sister, take good care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."

Having said that, he turned to take his leave. Baochai saw him to the door, watching his departing figure, she raised her hand to touch her burning cheeks. Only Ying'er, who had quietly followed, whispered a reminder.

"Is it worth it, young lady? You're so close to Third Master now, what if word gets out..."

Baochai's shoulders trembled slightly. She knew all too well the Xue family's true intention in coming to the capital. The "golden and jade marriage" was originally planned for Baoyu, but Baoyu was foolish and unsuccessful, while Jia Cong was a rising dragon who seemed far more reliable than that troublemaker.

Beyond such calculations, the light kiss after drinking that day and the tender probing now revealed a degree of genuine affection, and it wasn't all just a matter of weighing the pros and cons.

She sighed softly, "Whether it's worth it or not is hard to say... but it's just that one's heart has no choice."

The next day, before he could even settle into his post, a minor official brought in documents for Jia Cong to review.

Upon picking it up and taking a quick look, he realized it was an internal detention document from the Left Thousand Household Office, requiring his signature as the governor. Without much thought, Jia Cong quickly signed it and threw it back.

As was customary, he did not eat at the garrison before the court banquet. He had just called Li Rong to fetch his horse when he heard someone enter the hall and cautiously call to him.

"I have something to report to you, Commander-in-Chief."

The person who arrived was Jia Ping, a jailer who had been brought in a few days ago, and he was standing below the hall with a forced smile on his face.

Jia Cong was somewhat puzzled, but didn't think much of it, simply waving his hand.

"Ping-ge'er is here, please speak freely."

Jia Ping took a few quick steps forward and lowered her voice.

"Does Third Uncle still remember Wang Mancang, the junior officer who was imprisoned today?"

Jia Cong nodded nonchalantly.

"Of course I remember, didn't I go to the prison after roll call?"

Jia Ping carefully reminded her,

"Uncle, you may not know this, but this Wang Mancang is the cousin of Wang Huaide, the clerk of the Censorate in the capital..."

Jia Cong then became somewhat interested and turned to ask Jia Ping to sit down with him.

"Oh? Is that so? How did Ping-ge'er find out?"

"Wang Mancang lived near my nephew's house and had played around with him for a while in the past."