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

Seeing that everyone at least outwardly appeared happy, Daiyu was initially happy, but then, remembering that everyone else had relatives while she alone was all alone, she couldn't help but shed tears again.

Jia Cong, seeing this, took advantage of the time when Baoyu was being chattered on by Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, and quickly went to the corridor, gently bending down to brush the plum blossom dust off Daiyu's shoulder.

"Why is my little sister crying? Be careful, it's windy outside. What if she catches a cough?"

When Daiyu saw that it was Jia Cong, she pouted, but still forced herself to take half a step back, raising her hand to brush his hand away, her eyes still stained with wet tears.

"Instead of keeping the honored guests company with the matriarch, Third Master, you're here getting in my way. Aren't you afraid the matriarch will see you again and scold you for being unruly and neglecting your duties?"

Looking at her reddened eyes and forced indifference, Jia Cong couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache, and lowered his voice even further.

"What are you saying, sister? Our distinguished guests are accompanied by the master and mistress, how can they compare to you? What happened before was my rashness that angered the matriarch. I have been avoiding you for the past month or two to prevent further trouble and to avoid upsetting you, sister. It was not that I was being cold to you."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's nose tingled, and tears almost rolled down her cheeks again, but she stubbornly raised her neck and spoke even more sharply.

"Feeling wronged? What do I have to feel wronged about? Third Master is an official, a man of noble status, and should naturally be careful with his words and actions, and should avoid suspicion. It is I, a poor girl with no parents and all alone, who has offended Third Master's eyes and made him go to the trouble of persuading me."

"Sister, please don't say that," Jia Cong wanted to step forward but then cautiously looked around, ultimately remaining where he was.

"When Brother Bao went mad last time, it was alright that I was scolded by the Ancestor, but I was afraid that they would take their anger out on you. I could only watch from afar and didn't dare to say a word of comfort. The torment in my heart was no less than that of my sister."

Daiyu felt even more heartbroken as she listened, but stubbornly insisted on her words:

"Third Brother is trying to coax me again. You're a favorite in the mansion now. With the master and mistress favoring you, how could you possibly suffer? It's my fault for being so insensible and causing Third Brother trouble at such a sensitive time. You should come to my place less often in the future, lest you be seen again and people start gossiping about you."

Looking at her contradictory expression, Jia Cong felt both pain and amusement, and gently coaxed her.

"If my sister really finds me an eyesore, she wouldn't speak to me like this. My reputation is not as important as my sister's smile. From now on, I will never hide from you again, and I will never let you be alone and secretly shedding tears again."

Daiyu's cheeks were slightly flushed, and the tear tracks at the corners of her eyes were still wet, but her tone softened, still carrying a hint of petulance.

"Who needs you to keep me company? I'm perfectly fine on my own. But since you've said it, don't go back on your word. If you dare to avoid me again, I'll never speak to you again."

Seeing Daiyu's charming and affectionate expression, Jia Cong wished they were alone, so he immediately lowered his voice as well.

"Since I have nothing to do at the end of the year, I'll visit Xiaoxiang Pavilion another day to bother you, sister."

Daiyu also nodded shyly.

"Come on, but Third Brother needs to prepare a magic trick, otherwise my Xiaoxiang Pavilion will definitely not open."

Jia Cong smiled and agreed.

"How could I dare disobey my sister's orders? I will definitely pay her a visit after I have settled my relatives."

Neither of them dared to be too intimate in this setting, so they returned to the house, chatted and laughed with everyone for a while, and then went back to their respective homes.

After returning to Qingyan Hall, Jia Cong pondered for a moment, then took out thirty taels of silver from the box and handed it to Li Rong.

"Go to the clothing store outside and buy two winter outfits. Just pick the good ones, and make sure they fit Madam's niece!"

Xing Xiuyan's monthly allowance was the same as his, two taels of silver. However, she only had the title of young lady. Half of this two taels of silver had to be used to subsidize Xing Zhong and his wife, while the other half had to be used to please the maids and servants in Yingchun's room.

Without Jia Cong, this girl would have had to pawn her winter clothes before spring to earn just a few strings of cash to survive.

Li Rong received the silver and left the mansion in a flash, not returning until evening, carrying a floral cloth bundle in his hands.

"Third Master, we've bought them all. There are three complete sets of winter clothes, plus an otter fur cloak. They're all made from the finest materials, with fine stitches that keep them very warm."

After saying this, she carefully opened the package and laid the clothes out on the table one by one. From the inside out, the inner garment was made of moon-white soft satin with a thin layer of silk lining, which was warm and soft to the touch. The collar was embroidered with dark silver orchid patterns, which was elegant and understated. The jacket was made of royal blue brocade with gold embroidery, embroidered with light pink crabapple blossoms, which made her look gentle and graceful. The outer garment was made of dark blue brocade with floral patterns, with the collar, cuffs and hem trimmed with a little bit of otter fur, which felt thick and dense. The lower body was a blue brocade cotton skirt with floral patterns, embroidered with dark gold cloud and scale patterns, which was elegant and dignified.

Jia Cong, too lazy to examine it closely, gave Li Rong some change as a reward before calling over Jinping to hand over the package.

"Send it to the Second Miss's room and tell her it's a small token of my appreciation for Miss Xing."

Jinping responded and lifted the curtain to leave.

The Purple Lotus Isle was quiet. A half-cup of cold tea sat on the table. Xing Xiuyan sat upright on the brocade stool, her slender fingers gently twirling the hem of her plain dress, showing a hint of the awkwardness of someone who had just arrived.

She turned her head to look at the withered willow casting its shadow by the window, and whispered to the forsythia beside her.

"Second sister, the scenery in this garden is truly beautiful. The room is filled with clear light, making it more secluded and elegant than other places."

Yingchun lowered her eyes, unconsciously stroking the worn tassels on her purse in her hand, before finally responding softly after a long while.

"Yes, it's just peaceful."

His tone was flat and emotionless, and his eyes still held that weak and dull look, as if he didn't even have the strength to look at her.

Seeing this, Xing Xiuyan knew that this was her nature, so she didn't force her. She just smiled slightly, straightened her clothes, and sat up straight. Even though she was wearing a faded blue cotton jacket, she couldn't hide her elegant and outstanding composure.

A short while later, Jinping entered quietly, carrying a floral cloth bundle. She curtsied slightly.

"Miss Xing, Second Miss, the Third Master instructed us to send these clothes as a token of his appreciation to Miss Xing." With that, he gently placed the package on the table.

Xing Xiuyan quickly stood up, somewhat insistently, and repeatedly waved her hands in refusal.

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, sister. But I've never met my third brother before. How can I accept such a generous gift for nothing? These clothes must be very valuable. I really don't deserve it. Please take them back and thank my third brother for his kindness." Her words were elegant and polite, without a trace of greed.

Just as Jinping was about to offer further advice, Yingchun, who was usually taciturn, suddenly raised her eyes. Although her eyes lacked any sparkle, she surprisingly spoke.

"Please accept this, sister. It is a token of my brother's goodwill. If you insist on refusing, it will only create distance. Besides, it will prevent others from saying that I, as your brother, have neglected my own family."

Xing Xiuyan was taken aback. Seeing that Yingchun's expression, though still wooden, had unusually become more assertive, she knew that Yingchun was genuinely trying to persuade her. She could only nod softly.

"Since you, Second Sister and Third Brother, are so kind, I am truly grateful. I will definitely go and thank you in person another day, so as not to disappoint you with such kindness." Jinping smiled and agreed, then greeted Yingchun before quietly leaving.