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

According to the law, if the facts are clear, an official's salary will be paid in full if he is on sick leave for up to three months. Jia Cong could have returned to work after the New Year.

Jia Cong quickly bowed in return.

"Thank you for your concern, gentlemen. I'm much better now. My skin is thick and tough, so it's nothing to worry about."

The two men exchanged a glance, then Yang Shaoyan coughed lightly and instructed a clerk to fetch an official document and hand it to Jia Cong.

"In that case, I would like to ask my brother to take a look."

Jia Cong took the official document, unfolded it, and glanced at it. He immediately understood its contents. It wasn't about important military or political matters; it only vaguely recorded the "patrol routines" handed over by brokers and shopkeepers in several markets throughout the city. The items were ambiguous, but they represented the unspoken benefits that everyone in the garrison knew about.

"Gentlemen, what is this?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Zhou Haiyong stepped forward, his tone slightly lowered, but his expression feigned composure.

"Brother, you're new here, so you probably don't know that our garrison is in charge of patrolling several surrounding markets. The merchants there are grateful to us for protecting the peace of the area, and they do this every year."

Yang Shaoyan added from the side, "The locals are just showing respect for the dignity of our Qianhu Office, so it's just a matter of giving according to the proper measure."

The two men went back and forth, offering a plausible excuse for greed while also giving Jia Cong a way out, since he was the third-in-command and should rightfully have a share.

Jia Cong sneered inwardly, knowing full well that if he didn't collude with his superiors, he would eventually be ostracized and suppressed. He immediately feigned surprise, handed the official document back to the clerk, and bowed.

"Thank you both for your kindness, sirs. I understand."

Seeing that he understood, Zhou Haiyong breathed a sigh of relief and burst into laughter.

"Brother, what are you saying? We are officials in the same department, so we should share the good fortune." As soon as he finished speaking, a servant brought over a small blue cloth bag and gently placed it in front of Jia Cong.

Jia Cong immediately knew that this was only a small portion; the bulk of the profits naturally fell to the commanders. He simply bowed slightly, gestured for Li Rong to accept it, and then smiled broadly.

"Then I will accept your offer without being impolite. I will need your continued support in the future."

Seeing how sensible he was, the two secretly praised the Rong family's sons for their shrewdness in officialdom, and immediately offered a few more words of reassurance.

"My dear brother, you should rest for a while longer. Since there's nothing to do at the end of the year, you should go back to your residence and rest early."

Jia Cong thanked him again. Since his superior had spoken, there was no need for him to fight this lousy troupe any longer. He then turned around and headed to West Street with Li Rong.

He couldn't practice martial arts until his injuries had fully healed, so he simply slacked off. He led Li Rong around for half a day, and at lunchtime, he invited Ni Er and others to a restaurant for a hearty meal, only daring not to drink alcohol.

Liu Ergou still dripped a couple of drops of white arsenic into the bamboo shoots or vegetable hearts that Jia Zhen enjoyed every day. Jia Cong wasn't worried, even though some residue remained after washing.

Upon returning to the Rong Mansion, Jia Cong was summoned by Jia Zheng again. It turned out that the Winter Solstice was approaching, and according to the law, all civil and military officials were required to attend court and pay homage to the emperor on that day.

When faced with these officials whom the emperor had almost never met, he would usually offer a few words of comfort, then distribute some New Year's goods so that everyone could prepare to go home for the New Year, and so on.

However, Jia Zheng, with a serious expression, stroked his beard and paced back and forth in the room.

"After paying homage to His Majesty, Jinghuan must accompany me to the Empress's palace to pay our respects, so as not to fail the Empress's teachings and grace."

Jia Cong quickly bowed.

"Yes, Your Highness has been constantly mindful since then and has never forgotten Your Highness's advice."

No matter how much Baoyu was favored, he was still just a commoner, and he had almost no hope of ever seeing Yuanchun again in his life. Jia Zheng knew that his eldest daughter felt sorry for her younger brother, so he could only ask for permission to bring Jia Cong along so that Yuanchun could take the opportunity to ask a few more questions about Baoyu.

The winter solstice is the shortest day. Jia Cong yawned and shivered as he got out of bed. With the help of two maids, he changed into his court robes. Today was an audience with the emperor, so he could not wear ordinary official robes. He had to change into formal auspicious clothes, wear a double-ridged crown, and fasten the belt and seal issued by the court.

After the Chengtian Gate opened, hundreds of officials of all ranks filed in. Jia Cong, mixed in with the crowd, was surrounded by low-ranking military officers he didn't recognize, and was momentarily bewildered.

Fortunately, they didn't have to find their way. They followed a large group of officials into the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where they knelt and kowtowed three times and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" It was only then that they saw the legendary Emperor Yuankang, Zhao Tan, for the first time.

Although Jia Cong was young and had good eyesight, he was standing too far away and could not see very clearly. He could only see that Zhao Tan was about forty or fifty years old, about the same age as Jia Zheng, with a fair complexion and a light beard, and was quite refined.

"My beloved ministers, please rise..." Zhao Tan's voice was not loud, and since the hall was large, several eunuchs were needed to convey the emperor's instructions.

Jia Cong didn't listen much; anyway, it was all auspicious talk about how this year had gone well and how next year would be even better. The civil and military officials were all singing his praises, making it quite a lively scene.

He was not qualified to attend the sacrificial ceremony at the Circular Mound Altar in the southern suburbs at dawn, nor was Jia Zheng. Jia She accompanied him instead. After the court session ended, the family members and officials of each palace received imperial decrees and went to the palaces of each empress and concubine.

Yuan Chun had just been selected as the Minister of the Phoenix Palace and then bestowed the title of Virtuous Consort, which was a first-class honor. Jia Zheng, after paying his respects to all his colleagues in a grand manner, hurriedly led Jia Cong to the inner palace.

Yuan-chun was anxiously waiting in the palace. When she finally heard from the eunuch that Jia Zheng had arrived, she hurriedly gestured for him to be carried.

"Announce it quickly!"

Jia Cong straightened his robes and adjusted his hat, then stepped inside. He and Jia Zheng knelt down on both knees beneath the red steps in the hall, respectfully kowtowing.

"Your Majesty, I, Jia Cong, pay my respects. May Your Majesty be well." "Your humble servant pays his respects. May Your Majesty be blessed with longevity."

The brazier in the hall was burning brightly, filling the room with a sweet fragrance. Yuan Chun, dressed in her auspicious imperial concubine robes adorned with floral patterns, sat regally on a throne covered with brocade cushions. Upon seeing Jia Zheng, she felt a lump in her throat, but due to the strict rules of the palace, she had to force a smile.

"Get up quickly, we're family, no need for formalities, please have a seat!"

"Thank you, Your Highness." Jia Cong got up as instructed, but only sat on the ground, not daring to look around casually. He simply lowered his eyes and stared at the blue bricks in front of him.

Yuan-chun first exchanged a few words with Jia Zheng, inquired about the well-being of Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia, and then turned to Jia Cong on the other side.

"Today is the Winter Solstice Grand Court Day. You must have to get up before dawn. It must be hard work. Brother Cong is new to officialdom. Although you are only a junior official, you must be careful to fulfill your duties and do your job well. Do not disgrace the reputation of the mansion, and do not fail to live up to the Emperor's grace."

Jia Cong quickly bowed and replied.

"Your Majesty, I will heed Your Majesty's teachings and will certainly fulfill my duties diligently without the slightest negligence, and will not fail Your Majesty's trust."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun nodded slightly, then changed the subject, her tone becoming more urgent, finally unable to suppress her concern.

"Never mind. You see Baoyu every day while you're in the manor. How's he feeling lately? Is he still paying attention to his studies and etiquette?"

Jia Cong understood and replied accordingly.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Second Brother Bao has been in good health lately and has become more sensible. I heard that he reads and practices calligraphy every morning. The tutor in the manor also praises his intelligence and progress. He is also becoming more and more proper in his dealings with others. He will not cause Your Majesty any worry."

These words struck a chord with Yuan Chun; her brows relaxed, and a genuine smile appeared on her face.

"That's good. I'm in the palace, and I'm most afraid that his impetuous nature will cause him to neglect his studies, and that he won't know how to restrain himself and will cause trouble."