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

Having just recovered from his injuries, Jia Cong had a fever for several days in a row. After lying down, he broke out in a sweat again. In his drowsy state, he only felt someone wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, which he assumed was Chu Lan or Jinping taking care of him.

He subconsciously raised his hand and grasped the small hand holding the handkerchief, thinking that she could wipe the sweat off her body. Unexpectedly, she seemed flustered and barely woke up. He also smelled a faint, cool fragrance in his nostrils, which was the unique scent of Baochai's Cold Fragrance Pill.

When he opened his eyes, he saw that the person in front of him, dressed in white, was none other than Baochai. She sat upright on the edge of the bed, her face flushed, her almond-shaped eyes filled with panic. Her hand, which he was holding, trembled slightly, but she did not pull it away forcefully.

"Brother Cong is awake?"

Jia Cong felt a pang of embarrassment and quickly released his hand, a hint of apology in his voice.

"Is that Sister Bao? It's so kind of you to come all this way. I was still half asleep and mistook you for Jinping and Chulan. I'm so sorry for rudeness." Baochai's eyes sparkled with shyness as she slowly withdrew her hand.

"I thought Congdi's injury was not serious, but after asking Jinping, I learned that the injury was not stable yet, so I thought I would come in to see you. I saw that you were covered in sweat and I was afraid that you would catch a cold, so I took the liberty of wiping you down."

Jia Cong regained some energy, and sat up abruptly.

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Bao."

Baochai quickly shook her head.

"Brother Cong, you should focus on recovering. I brought some rock sugar and white fungus soup, which is light and easy to digest. It'll be a good snack for you once you've had some rest."

After saying that, she was about to get up and tell Ying'er to bring in the soup, but Jia Cong subconsciously pulled her hand back and teased her with a smile, "What's the rush? Talk to me a little longer."

Baochai bit her lip, but gave a soft reply.

"You, just speak your mind, why are you pulling and tugging at me like that?"

Jia Cong stealthily moved closer, ignoring the lingering pain in his shoulder.

"Of course I know that only Sister Bao cares about me, and I would be willing to die from the pain."

Baochai spat lightly, but her eyes were full of tenderness and affection.

"He deserves a slap on the face. He must never be so reckless when practicing martial arts again. Looking at his injuries makes me panic..."

Just as she was flirting with Baochai, she heard Jinping calling softly from the doorway.

"Third Master, Miss Lin has arrived."

"Please come in quickly, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."

These words startled the two people in the room, who quickly released their hands. Baochai also hurriedly tidied her hair and got up to sit on the brocade stool next to her. Just then, Chulan lifted the curtain to welcome Daiyu in.

Upon seeing Ying'er outside, Daiyu knew that Baochai was also there. She hadn't expected the two to sit so close, and her brows furrowed slightly. Taking Xueyan's hand, she moved gracefully, her words tinged with bitterness.

"If I had known Sister Bao was coming, I wouldn't have come."

Upon hearing the sound, Jia Cong hurriedly stood up with a forced smile, ignoring the groan that aggravated his shoulder injury.

"Why do you say that, Lin Daiyu? Come in quickly, it's windy outside and you'll catch a cold. Someone, bring a warm couch here first."

As soon as she finished speaking, Daiyu let out a cold laugh.

"Where is it freezing cold? Third Brother was just busy being affectionate with Sister Bao, yet he remembered to remind me? I guess I came at the wrong time and disturbed your enjoyment."

Baochai quickly stood up, a gentle smile on her face, and stepped forward to take Daiyu's arm.

"Sister Lin, please don't worry. I was just thinking about Cong's injuries, so I came to check on him. It's good that you're here; let's keep Cong company and talk to him together."

Daiyu gently stepped aside, glancing up at Baochai with a hint of resentment and mockery in her eyes.

"Anyway, I'm slow-witted and don't understand such matters. I would only appear petty. From now on, I certainly won't dare to bother my third brother anymore."

Seeing the grievance in Daiyu's eyes, Jia Cong chuckled and waved his hand.

"Don't be angry, Sister Lin. I originally planned to invite you, but I was afraid you would feel cold, so I thought I'd wait a few days."

"It's so kind of you, Third Brother, to go to all this trouble. It's all my fault." Daiyu glanced at him, her tone even more aggrieved. "I suppose you've been preoccupied with some older sister or younger sister these days, that you still remember this poor girl like me."

Xueyan quickly placed the food box she was carrying on the table.

"Miss, the almond milk we brought is still warm. Please give some to Third Master."

Daiyu then casually raised her eyes to look at the food box.

"Never mind, I was thinking that Third Brother's appetite was not good after recovering from his injuries, so I asked Zijuan to stew some rock sugar bird's nest almond milk. It was a kind gesture, but now it seems that someone else has made it for you. I wasted my time."

Baochai quickly smoothed things over, smiling as she pulled Daiyu close.

"Who has Lin Daiyu learned these witty remarks from recently? They are quite humorous. That almond milk is very nourishing, even more refined than the one I bring. Cong Di will surely love it."

Jia Cong also wore a forced smile.

"How could I not appreciate my sister's kindness? Quickly bring it here so I can try it; it must be excellent." Saying this, she asked Chulan to serve it.

Daiyu raised her hand to stop Chulan, and snorted.

"What humor? It's just a glib tongue that annoys people. Third Brother has white fungus soup to eat and Sister Bao to keep him company, so why would he care about the food of a poor girl like me?"

Jia Cong was both amused and annoyed, but dared not aggravate his wound, so he could only wave his hands haphazardly.

"My sister is truly innocent..."

"Third Brother, there's no need to explain." Daiyu gave a soft snort and lightly flicked her handkerchief.

"If I believed it, I'd probably cry my heart out."

Baochai, both amused and annoyed, pinched Daiyu's cheek.

"Pin'er is getting increasingly sharp-tongued; she's so hypocritical, she'll only be caught if someone overhears her!"

Daiyu didn't actually dislike Baochai; she immediately giggled and turned her head away to avoid her.

"Good sister, please teach me, I promise I won't say it again..."

Jia Cong didn't particularly like these sweets, but since they were brought by two beautiful women, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and finish them before throwing down the bowl and chatting and laughing with the two women for a while.

Baochai, being observant, noticed his obvious fatigue and quickly tugged at Daiyu's sleeve.

"Congdi's injuries haven't healed yet, so let him rest as soon as possible."

Although Daiyu was reluctant to leave, she had no choice but to go with Baochai, since Baochai was present and Baoyu had been pestering her lately. She was afraid that she would repeat the same mistake that Jia Cong had made last time.

After resting for another six or seven days, the doctor came again to remove Jia Cong's stitches. After a careful examination, he bowed deeply, still shaken.

"Third Master is indeed strong and healthy. This injury is no longer a problem. Just be gentle when bathing and don't scrub too hard."

Jia Cong was relieved. He hadn't bathed for over ten days and was almost rotting. He immediately ordered water to be boiled for a bath.

However, he could now clearly feel that his foundation in the third level of martial arts was showing signs of weakening, but he was struggling to find a way or opportunity to break through.

After the winter months arrived, the temperature plummeted. Even Jia Cong, who was at the third level of martial arts, had to wrap himself in a thick cloak. It took him half a month from the day he was injured before he could go back to the Thousand Household Office to report for duty.

As soon as he stepped into the office that day, Zhou Haiyong and Yang Shaoyan greeted him with smiles and inquired about his well-being.

"I heard that you were injured by a weapon while practicing martial arts, why didn't you rest for a few more days?"