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

His words made everyone laugh. Baoyu scratched his head in embarrassment, but he wasn't angry. He simply went to Daiyu and softly argued back:

"I just saw the flowers were blooming so beautifully and wanted to pick a couple to put in a vase. How did that make me throw a tantrum? My sister just has to make fun of me."

Baochai was sitting next to Tanchun at this moment. Because it was summer, she was only wearing a thin, honey-colored silk dress with a very shallow neckline. Her snow-white breasts looked like the finest cream with a faint peach pink hue, and her skin was so plump that it seemed as if you could squeeze juice out of it.

The outer layer of silk fabric is light and clings to the body, unlike the layered outfits worn in winter. Instead, it subtly outlines the rounded lines of the shoulders, revealing a plump figure.

She wore only a single flat gold hairpin in her hair, simple and dignified. Seeing the two bickering, she looked up and gently advised them:

"Brother Bao is just a child at heart, Sister Lin, don't tease him anymore, or he'll pester you to apologize again."

Tan Chun sat beside Baochai, wearing an autumn-colored embroidered lotus-patterned jacket, her hair neatly styled in a parted bun. Seeing Baochai finish speaking, she readily chimed in:

"Indeed, the other day I saw that the flowers in Brother Bao's courtyard were blooming exceptionally well, with a rare 'green clouds hiding snow' effect. I originally wanted to ask for a couple of pots, but I was busy replying to Madam and got delayed. Now that he's here, I'll try to take advantage of the situation and have my maid fetch a couple of pots later."

Her voice was crisp and clear, with a straightforwardness rarely seen in young women.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "Tan'er has a sharp eye. The flowers in Baoyu's courtyard are all tended by the servants, and they are more exquisite than those in the garden. If you want, have him send a few more pots. Our young ladies' courtyards are lacking some fresh flowers."

Soon, Amber and Yuanyang led several maids up to set the table. Grandmother Jia ordered someone to bring a brocade stool and place it below Baoyu, so that Jia Cong could sit down. She then pointed to the dishes on the table and said, "Cong'er is now practicing martial arts diligently. Quickly try this braised goose feet. It was made by your Aunt Xue. It is very flavorful."

But none of these younger generation members dared to touch their chopsticks, for no other reason than that Jia Zheng had not yet arrived.

A moment later, a servant outside called out, "The Second Master has arrived!"

Jia Zheng smiled and bowed his head, quickly entering the main hall and bowing deeply in the direction of Grandmother Jia.

"Son sends greetings to the old lady..."

Grandmother Jia seemed to be reproachful.

"Now that you're the master, you've become even more arrogant. Everyone in the house is waiting for you, yet you make sure we can't even eat a meal in peace..."

Jia Zheng knew she wasn't truly angry, so he just smiled apologetically.

"The old lady is right. Her son was tied up with worldly affairs and arrived late; he should be punished..."

As soon as he sat down, he looked at Jia Cong, who was sitting next to Baoyu.

"Cong-ge'er has been practicing martial arts diligently lately. I also showed those few lines of poetry he wrote to some elders in the court. They said his writing was profound and full of youthful vigor. In a few days, he should come with me to the villa where he is visiting his family..."

Grandmother Jia gave a disgruntled snort: "Today is a family banquet, let's not talk about these studies, let the children have a peaceful meal." Then she glared at Jia Zheng: "You come here with a stern face and start testing the children, spoiling my mood."

Jia Zheng quickly smiled apologetically, "What you say is true, Madam. I misspoke." He then raised his wine cup to Madam Jia, saying, "I'll drink a cup with you, Madam, to apologize."

But Jia Cong took it to heart. A villa for visiting relatives? That must be the Grand View Garden. It's about time for Baoyu to write a couplet.

Taking this opportunity, he also stood up and properly raised his glass.

"Since you have given the order, Uncle, I will obey..."

"Alright, alright..." Jia Zheng didn't say anything more, knowing that he didn't like things to be too serious with Grandmother Jia present. He just listened with a smile to the chatter between the sisters-in-law.

As Jia Cong nibbled on the venison on his plate, his eyes kept glancing at the sisters he had hardly ever met.

He had seen Daiyu before, and she looked better today. But he was seeing Xue Baochai for the first time, with her face as round as a silver basin, her eyebrows naturally dark and her lips naturally red.

Xue Baochai moved into the Rong Mansion when she was "waiting to be selected in the capital" and has lived there ever since. However, as a half-guest, she usually stayed near the Pear Fragrance Courtyard and only occasionally visited Baoyu or Grandmother Jia.

During the gathering, the ladies and young women inevitably discussed Jia Cong's newly made perfume.

Wang Xifeng was already sitting beside Grandmother Jia, holding a silver spoon and scooping lotus seed soup. Seeing everyone talking about the fragrant dew, she smiled and chimed in, her tone full of satisfaction:

"Speaking of this perfume, it was Cong-ge'er's clever idea. At first, he only made a few bottles to give to the old lady and the ladies to try. I think this stuff is refreshing and unique, a hundred times better than those overpowering perfumes outside. Now, everyone in the mansion, even the young ladies in each branch, is using it. Many ladies outside have asked me to inquire about it. I followed the old lady's wishes and prioritized the mansion. It has only been distributed a little outside, and it has become a rare item."

As Grandmother Jia listened, she stroked the sandalwood kang and chuckled, "It was Cong'er who was so thoughtful to come up with such a clean thing. It's much better than those mixed with borneol and musk. With the fragrance of osmanthus on my old bones, I can sleep more peacefully at night."

After saying that, he looked at Jia Cong with admiration in his eyes, "This child seems quiet and unassuming, but he has such skill. He is much better than those who only know how to play and make trouble."

Madam Wang nodded with a smile and said to Aunt Xue, "That's right. The other day I sent someone to give a few bottles to Madam Xing, and she was very happy with them. She said that the young ladies in the manor use them well. They are clean and unassuming, and ten times better than what you can buy outside. Cong-ge'er's method is truly a blessing to the manor."

Upon hearing this, Baochai looked up at Jia Cong and smiled, saying, "Brother Cong, you are so thoughtful. This perfume is light yet not bland, strong yet not cloying. It looks like it was made with fresh flowers and there is no off-flavor at all. The process must have been very meticulous. The other day, Ying'er came back and told me that in Sister Feng's workshop, the old women brew perfume according to the method. They even have to pick the flowers in the courtyard that haven't dried with the morning dew. Only with such meticulousness can such a fine product be produced."

Daiyu leaned against the window, holding a teacup in her hand, her fingertips lightly brushing the rim, and said softly, "I'm using that orchid-scented one, it suits me perfectly. It's more refreshing than the perfumes outside. When I put it on my handkerchief, a light fragrance wafts out when the wind blows, unlike ordinary face powder which is overpowering." This was the first time she had spoken such words of praise to Jia Cong, her voice soft and gentle, without a trace of her usual coldness.

Tan Chun, being straightforward, couldn't help but chime in: "I love the scent of roses the most. When I put it on my sleeves and walk in the garden, even the bees and butterflies will fly around it. Yesterday, Sister-in-law Li Wan even asked me for advice, saying she wanted to make some scented handkerchiefs for Lan Ge'er so that the fragrance wouldn't irritate the child."

After saying that, he looked at Jia Cong with a smile in his eyes, "Good brother, you must make more rose perfumes in the future, the girls in our courtyard all love to use them."

Baoyu, who had been itching to try it, moved closer to Jia Cong, dangling his jade pendant, and said, "Brother Cong, your perfume is truly wonderful! My maids Xiren and Qingwen in my courtyard fight over it every day, saying that lotus scent is perfect for summer—it's refreshing and cool, and even after playing and sweating, it doesn't smell cloying. Next time you're thinking of a new design, you must take me with you; I'd like to learn how to brew some lotus scent too!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Zheng coughed lightly, and Bao Yu quickly shrank back, sitting properly, but still secretly winked at Jia Cong.