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

Upon seeing this, Wang Xifeng quickly interrupted with a smile: "Brother Bao, don't worry. The workshop is brewing it every day according to Brother Cong's method. I'll have Ping'er send you ten or eight bottles later, enough for the people in your courtyard."

Jia Cong ate slowly with his head down throughout, listening to everyone's praise. Only after everyone had finished speaking did he put down his chopsticks, stand up, and humbly say:

"You flatter me, Ancestors, and all the elders and sisters. It's just a little trick I came up with in my spare time. It's nothing special."

His words were respectful and neither humble nor arrogant, without the slightest hint of pride. Jia Zheng noticed this and nodded in approval, thinking to himself that although this child usually did not show off, he knew how to advance and retreat and was more tactful than Bao Yu, who was impetuous.

Throughout the entire gathering, Lin Daiyu was the only one who remained silent. Although she wore orchid-scented perfume, she only took a light sip of tea. Her expression remained calm and serene. Only when she lowered her eyes did the silver hairpin at her temple sway gently, and her sleeve brushed against the teacup, releasing a faint orchid fragrance that blended with her cool and elegant aura, making her even more refined than the fragrances others deliberately wore.

As the main character of the banquet, Qin Keqing appeared unusually reserved. She was not originally a member of the Rong family, but only stayed temporarily because she was favored by Grandmother Jia.

The girl kept her eyes downcast and stayed by Grandmother Jia's side, saying little and not overstepping her bounds. When the maid served the food, she only picked up a small amount of light vegetables. Even when Grandmother Jia gave her venison, she ate it slowly and deliberately, showing the utmost courtesy.

Seeing her like this, Grandmother Jia took her hand and patted it, saying gently with a smile, "My child, you don't need to be so reserved in front of me. Just treat yourself as if you're at home. We're all family, so there's no need to be so careful."

After saying that, she scolded Yuanyang, "Quickly, prepare that dish of pickled quail, it's her favorite food. Don't let the child only eat vegetarian food."

Qin Keqing quickly bowed and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Ancestor. Please don't trouble yourself." Although she said this, her fingertips were slightly curled, clearly indicating that she was still reluctant to let go.

Aunt Xue looked at her and smiled as she changed the subject: "She's a very polite child, even more so than the other young ladies in the manor. The other day I saw the box of lotus root starch and osmanthus cakes she gave to the old lady; they were exquisitely made, so she must be quite skillful."

Wang Xifeng was the most eloquent; she got up and personally served Qin Keqing food.

"I think I'm feeling a bit awkward here with all these elders around. Tomorrow, let's invite some of our sisters and friends over for drinks and laughter; that would be much more comfortable."

Daiyu leaned against the couch and glanced at Qin Keqing. Seeing how reserved she was, she recalled how she herself had been when she first entered the Rong Mansion. She had also been careful and attentive at all times. At this moment, she felt a sense of sympathy for Qin Keqing.

She remained silent, sipping her tea quietly. The fragrance of orchids lingered around her, contrasting with the jasmine scent emanating from Qin Keqing. One was cool, the other gentle, each possessing its own unique charm.

In short, the banquet was filled with laughter and chatter, and to outsiders it seemed like a harmonious gathering. Jia Cong remained silent and ate several plates of meat, which were rarely seen on ordinary days. Let's leave that aside for now.

Before leaving, after bidding farewell to several elders, Baoyu approached him. The elder brother, without the slightest airs, warmly put his arm around his shoulder and smiled.

"Brother Cong is truly talented. Let's be closer. Come visit me tomorrow. I recently acquired a fancy Western self-propelled boat, which you can play with together..."

Jia Cong couldn't refuse, so he could only nod with a forced smile.

"Since it's my second brother who's inviting me, how can I refuse? After I finish my lessons with Master Sun, I'll definitely come and bother you..."

"Alright, alright, I've got it in mind. We'll try some Western wines then..."

A day later, Jia Cong thought it wouldn't be good to stand Baoyu up, so he forced himself to cheer up and had Chu Lan help him change into clean clothes. Ignoring the soreness in his muscles, he was led by Li Rong to Baoyu's place.

As he left, he rummaged through his sleeves and pulled out two boxes of lipsticks and a bottle of perfume with added "ingredients." He thought that although this person who liked to eat other people's lipsticks was not likable, given the other person's favor in the Rong Mansion, he might be able to exchange the lipsticks for some valuable treasures.

Halfway there, they encountered Jia Huan with Caixia and Qian Huai. Jia Huan, with his dark complexion and stern face, excitedly grabbed Jia Cong's sleeve upon seeing him.

"Better late than never! Let's go gamble!"

Jia Cong had no choice but to break free from the other person and pointed in the direction of Jiangyun Pavilion.

"Stop fooling around, what are you doing gambling right now? I'm on my way to Brother Bao's place..."

Jia Huan was furious upon hearing this, and angrily flung his sleeves aside.

"It's only been a few days, and you're already calling him 'Brother Bao' all the time, thinking you've climbed the social ladder! The other day at the old ancestral hall, after receiving all those praises, you've become so arrogant, looking down on us poor brothers?"

Jia Huan's words were full of bitterness, his face ashen. Qian Huai stood by with his hands at his sides, not daring to say a word, but Cai Xia quickly tugged at Jia Huan's sleeve and whispered, "..."

"Third Master, don't be anxious. Since Third Master Cong is going to Second Master Bao's place, he must have made an appointment beforehand. Let's not stop him. If we delay his business, it won't look good if Second Master asks about it later."

Jia Huan flung her hand away and glared at her, saying:

"What do you know! He's caught the eye of our ancestors and my father now, how could he possibly care about us anymore? He wasn't this enthusiastic at school before, but now he's rushing to please my good brother!"

Seeing his childish appearance, Jia Cong simply said, "Huan-ge'er, you're going off on a tangent. You just had an appointment with Bao-er-ge, so you should keep it. How can you say you're trying to curry favor? We're all from the same clan in the courtyard, so we should get along well. Why get upset over such a small matter?"

Jia Huan, being somewhat temperamental, remained relentless.

"Now that you've learned martial arts, you probably look down on us poor old buddies anymore!"

Putting everything else aside, although Jia Huan was unkempt and somewhat stingy, he was still Jia Cong's first friend in the Rong Mansion. Jia Cong could only laugh and cry as he pulled him to the shade of a tree.

"Huan-ge'er, you're being too polite. I was just going to visit Bao-er-ge for a short while. How can you make me sound like a sycophant? We're brothers in the same household, connected by blood. What's the difference between us? The other day, the old ancestor only gave me a few words of praise. It's nothing. How could I possibly look down on anyone?"

At this point, Jia Cong thought for a moment, then took out a bottle of perfume he had kept from his sleeve and handed it to Jia Huan, quietly lowering his voice.

"Keep it. This wasn't produced in Sister Feng's workshop. I secretly kept some for myself, thinking I'd only give some to someone I'm keeping to myself..."

Upon hearing this, Jia Huan hurriedly took the small porcelain bottle, lovingly stroking it a few times before tucking it into his sleeve. His previously furrowed brows relaxed, and most of the gloom on his face dissipated, though he still stubbornly muttered:

"Who wants such a rare item? I only kept it for you because I thought it would be a waste to throw it away." Even as she said this, her fingers gripped the porcelain vase tightly, as if afraid it would slip away.

Jia Cong patted his hand, and seeing that Caixia and the others hadn't followed, he continued to lower his voice.

"This matter is between you and me, brothers, and only we know about it. We must not let anyone else see it, otherwise the old lady and Sister-in-law Feng will surely say that I am biased and not a magnanimous person..."

"I know, I know, hehe, even if my dad whips me with a rattan cane, I promise I won't tell anyone!"

Jia Cong nodded and then instructed, "Don't go gambling. If your aunt finds out, she'll scold you again. I'll find something fun to do later and come find you."

Jia Huan gave a vague reply, then turned his face away, looking somewhat embarrassed.