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

Not long after Huo Shu married into the Rong family, she gave birth to her eldest son, who died prematurely in less than half a year, which was considered a great taboo by the Rong family. She then gave birth to Jia Lian the following year, but died in childbirth due to exhaustion. The two brothers were twelve or thirteen years apart in age, so Jia Cong naturally did not know about his birth mother's situation.

Later, Jia She remarried Lady Xing, completely forgetting his first wife. Although Lady Xing dared not mistreat Jia Lian, she regarded Jia Cong as a thorn in her side, because Jia Lian had grown up by then.

Once the legal wife dies, the maternal family has no right to interfere in the husband's household affairs; this is an ironclad rule, and Madam Xing has even declared this.

"Cong'er was unruly and eccentric, and was disliked by the master and mistress."

Even when the Prince of Nan'an's mansion sent people to inquire, they were met with evasive responses from Madam Xing and the steward, and the maternal family was completely unable to find out the truth about the inner quarters.

With the death of the principal wife, the legitimate son is raised by the husband's family, and the maternal family has no right to interfere. If the Prince of Nan'an's mansion were to force its way into the Rong mansion to demand accountability, it would only be ridiculed by the entire aristocratic circle as "the Prince's mansion is domineering, bullies the husband's family, and does not abide by etiquette."

After listening to Jia Lian's rambling, Jia Cong couldn't resist his curiosity and poured him another cup of wine.

"If that's the case, then Uncle should also take care of Second Brother. Why have you ignored him all these years?"

Jia Lian chuckled twice, thankfully he had drunk some wine so he didn't look embarrassed, and awkwardly raised his cup.

"Perhaps my maternal uncle thinks I am unskilled. Although the Nan'an Prince's Mansion is not as meritorious as the Bei Jing Prince's Mansion, it also values ​​military experience. I have been unable to lift heavy objects since childhood, so I suppose I am not worthy of the elders' approval." After saying this, he raised his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, his words carrying a hint of bitterness.

Jia Cong rolled his eyes and understood somewhat. Today, he saw that Huo Lin had a strong military aura and was probably a sixth or seventh level martial arts master. The Rong family was known for its absurdity, so it was no wonder that he didn't like him.

Huo Lin was indeed a man of great power and influence. When Wang Ziteng served as the military governor of the capital garrison, he was working under Huo Lin. As the governor of the capital garrison, he commanded all the troops in the capital region, including the emperor's imperial guards.

After several rounds of drinks, Jia Lian, unable to hold his liquor, swayed as he stood up and patted Jia Cong on the shoulder again.

"Third brother, you are more capable than me, your older brother. If our uncle promotes you in the future, please don't forget our brotherly bond."

Jia Cong quickly smiled and put his arm around the other person's shoulder.

"Second brother, what are you saying? You and I are brothers, and as the younger brother, I would never forget my elder brother."

After sending Jia Lian back to his residence, Jia Cong waited for several days without receiving any invitation or instructions from Huo Lin, as if the meeting at court that day had never happened.

Fortunately, he had lived two lives and had a very positive attitude. Anyway, he hadn't relied on his uncle all these years, so he could just live his own life.

As the year drew to a close, Sun Tai finally resumed Jia Cong's daily martial arts practice, but he couldn't help but blame himself in his words. Jia Cong, on the other hand, didn't care at all and even joked that scars were a man's medals.

Jia Cong had been reluctant to take the three pills that Sun Tai had sent him. Firstly, he was not very confident in the medical technology of this era, and secondly, he was worried that they might be some kind of secret formula that could save his life in the future.

As usual, the Rong family was bustling with activity before the New Year, but this year it was even more lively than last year. Firstly, there was no need to prepare for the Imperial Concubine's visit home, so all their attention was focused on the New Year celebrations.

Secondly, the financial situation has greatly improved. Several workshops are constantly producing rare items. Although they are sold or given away at half price, it is still better than sitting idle and running out of money. Wang Xifeng has more money in her hands and is more generous when buying New Year's goods. Even the reward money has doubled compared to last year.

Just as Jia Cong returned from his duty that day and was about to head to the drill ground, he was stopped by Feng Jie, who smiled shrewdly and warmly.

"Brother, you've come back just in time. Come to my room and have some fruit."

He was somewhat puzzled, but didn't ask any questions. He simply followed Wang Xifeng into Jia Lian's room, had another cup of tea, and then looked at her, still confused.

"What does my sister-in-law want with me?" The workshop's profits were supposed to be distributed before the new year, but it's not time yet.

Wang Xifeng gave Ping'er a wink, and Ping'er immediately understood and brought out an exquisite little box from the inner room.

Jia Cong's eyelids twitched at the sight. This box was clearly the one he had begged Wang Xifeng to plead with Grandmother Jia last year to let him learn martial arts! It should also contain the jade phoenix that originally belonged to his mother, Huo Shu!

Sure enough, Fengjie took the box from Ping'er and pushed it in front of Jia Cong, still smiling.

"I heard from Second Master Lian this morning that you are acquainted with the Admiral of the Prince of Nan'an's Mansion. I have been keeping this jade phoenix for you for some time now, and it is only right that it be returned to its rightful owner."

Jia Cong's heart skipped a beat. This Wang Xifeng was indeed shrewd; she had probably gotten some information from Jia Lian. However, he continued to feign reluctance.

"This item is only fit for someone like my sister-in-law. How could I possibly accept it? A gentleman's word is as good as his bond. How can I go back on my word like this?"

Wang Xifeng simply shoved the box into Jia Cong's hands, then quietly lowered her voice.

"Brother, please don't blame me for being greedy. Since I married Master Lian, I've rarely heard him mention it. This jade phoenix is ​​a royal item; how could someone like me dare to accept it?"

Jia Cong declined several times before finally accepting it with a smile, and then quickly waved for Li Rong to come over.

"Go back to my room and bring the jade mountain that His Majesty bestowed upon me!" He was no longer in such dire straits as before. Wang Xifeng knew how to behave, so he had to return the favor.

Wang Xifeng covered her mouth with her handkerchief and giggled.

"Brother, what are you doing? You're making it sound like I'm some kind of begging old woman."

Jia Cong quickly added two more compliments.

"What are you saying? My sister-in-law treats me like her own brother, how could I not be grateful?"

Li Rong swiftly retrieved a six-inch jade ornament from Qingyan Hall, and Jia Cong then presented it to Wang Xifeng as a condition for exchanging it for the jade phoenix.

Clutching the jade pendant tightly, Jia Cong carefully placed it next to the Mirror of Love and Lust, so that he would have a way to respond if Huo Lin asked about it in the future. Wang Xifeng was truly a master at understanding people's hearts.

The next day was a day off, and Jia Cong was playing with Jia Huan and others at Yingchun's place, which was a rare occasion. This wooden-headed second sister seemed to have become a little more cheerful since he took office. Although she still wouldn't scold the servants for being rude, she was visibly showing some signs of life.

"Second Sister has won quite a bit today." Jia Cong jokingly pushed out the pile of copper coins he had lost. Yingchun's luck was bad in general but good in small matters. Whether it was playing Go or throwing paper flowers, she was almost always victorious. Even Baochai and Daiyu couldn't beat her.

Yingchun, unusually, had a sickly blush on her face. She gently used a small rake to collect the copper coins on the table, but her tone remained somewhat wooden.

"Perhaps my third brother and Huan brother were just being lenient with me; it shouldn't be taken seriously."

Today, none of the other children, including Baochai, Daiyu, and Baoyu, were present; only a group of maids accompanied the three of them. After playing for a while, a young maidservant timidly came to invite them...

"The Fourth Miss invites the Third Master to play chess."

Jia Cong and Jia Huan turned around at the same time. Jia Cong smiled and pointed at Jia Huan, who was standing to the side.

"Let me make it clear first, which Third Master have you invited?"

The young maid blushed and quickly curtsied to Jia Cong.

"It was my oversight. I came to invite Third Master Cong."