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

Jia Cong feigned reluctance for a while, but knowing it was truly a valuable item, he reluctantly sighed and agreed.

"Second brother, you flatter me. How could brothers like us neglect our relationship? It's just that we can't guarantee what will happen to the Second Master. Given my status, I'm afraid I wouldn't be of high enough importance to him..."

Jia Baoyu quickly patted his chest and assured him.

"Brother, what are you talking about? I'm here. Tomorrow I'll go and beg my father, and bring today's poems with me. I'm not afraid he won't let you into that garden!"

"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's gift is bound to him." Having received the priceless treasure, Jia Cong couldn't refuse any longer and could only nod with a smile.

"Since it's my second brother's order, how can I, as a brother, disobey? I'll just follow your orders..."

Baoyu was overjoyed, his face beaming with delight.

"Good brother, although we haven't seen each other much in the past, from now on you can come and go as you please. Let's visit each other more often, and I'll even come and watch you practice martial arts sometime!"

After exchanging a few jokes with Baoyu, they returned to the main room. There, they found the three sisters still pointing at the poetry manuscript. Before Baoyu could speak, Xiren entered, curtsied to them, and...

"Second Master, Madam just sent word that she wants you to accompany her to have some refreshments..."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu quickly pointed to Baochai, Daiyu, and the others.

"And what about them?"

Xiren blinked innocently.

"Madam didn't invite you; perhaps she forgot. Second Master, you'd better set off quickly..."

Seeing that Baoyu was busy, the others, including Jia Cong, also got up.

"Alright, I'm tired now, I'll go back inside and rest for a while..."

Baoyu muttered to himself.

"Madam called me alone, could it be that my father has come..." she said, while preparing to change her clothes with the help of Qingwen and the others.

The older sisters went ahead first, while Jia Cong dawdled and was the last to leave Jiangyun Pavilion. Baochai lived the furthest away, and because Lixiang Courtyard was temporarily used for teaching women's opera, she had recently moved to a secluded house in the northeast corner to stay temporarily.

Tan Chun and Dai Yu were still living in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, which was not on the same route as Bao Chai.

But Baochai, holding Tanchun and Daiyu's hands, smiled and said...

"Since it's still early, why not come over to my place and try some of the fresh fruit that was just delivered today..."

Daiyu probably didn't really want to go, and said she was tired. Baochai knew that she didn't like to play around, so she didn't force her. She just took Tanchun's hand and headed towards the northeast corner.

Upon seeing this, Jia Cong raised an eyebrow and, before Daiyu had gone far, hurriedly stepped forward.

"Miss Lin, please wait..."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu turned around, took Zijuan's hand to stop, and glanced at Jia Cong, her eyebrows slightly raised, showing some impatience.

"Is there anything else, Third Brother?"

Jia Cong took out the exquisite little box containing the lipstick from his sleeve and handed it over casually.

"These days, Miss Lin seems to have become increasingly thin. This is a lip rouge that I developed myself. It's not particularly expensive, but it's slightly different from those cheap rouges sold outside."

Zijuan, however, was quick-witted. She stepped forward and accepted the box with a smile. Her fingertips touched the small, delicate mother-of-pearl inlaid brocade box, which was cool, smooth, and exquisite. She then curtsied to Jia Cong.

"Third Master, you've gone to so much trouble. The young lady's lips are usually quite dry, so this lip rouge is probably more suitable than the ones you find elsewhere. We will remember your kindness."

Daiyu stood to one side, her eyes slightly lowered as she gazed at the box of lip rouge. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her earlier daze dissipated.

"It's quite rare that Third Brother even knows these methods of preparation."

There was no warmth in her words, but the previous impatience was gone as well. Only her pale fingertips quietly twisted the handkerchief between her fingers.

Very few people in the Rong and Ning mansions are born with repulsive faces. Compared to Baoyu, Jia Cong did not gain much advantage; he simply had a bit more heroic spirit after learning martial arts.

But Jia Cong didn't seem to care about Daiyu's reaction. On the other hand, Zijuan carefully opened the lid and looked at Daiyu with considerable surprise.

"Miss, this lip rouge is even more lustrous than the one you wear."

Daiyu turned her head away, glancing at it only briefly. She flicked her handkerchief lightly, her words carrying a hint of petulance.

"Is it just me, or do all the other sisters in the household have it?"

This sensitive and suspicious nature was something the girl had inherited from a young age, and Jia Cong naturally understood it, so he pretended to be calm.

"Naturally, this is unique to Miss Lin. I received a handkerchief of fallen petals from you before, so it's only right to return the favor..."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu loosened her grip on the handkerchief slightly, and the slight furrow in her brows lessened, yet she remained stubborn, her tone tinged with a soft, reproachful tone:

"It's just a fallen flower I picked up casually, but you took it as a serious favor and remembered it. Instead of studying literature or martial arts, you spend all day thinking about these trivial things like cosmetics and hairpins. You'll be laughed at by the brothers in the mansion."

Although she spoke with a hint of reproach, her voice softened, showing no sign of genuine anger.

Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, Jia Cong did not press the matter further, but simply smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

"What Miss Lin says is true. It was just a whimsical thing I did when I had nothing else to do. Since you've accepted it, I won't bother you any longer. Please go back to your courtyard and rest. It's cool and pleasant there."

After saying that, he turned and left with Li Rong, without ever looking back.

Daiyu took the brocade box from Zijuan, carefully turned it over twice, wiped it with a handkerchief, and put it back.

"This third brother is quite interesting. He seems to have the straightforward personality of someone who practices martial arts, but he is more meticulous than others, yet he pretends to be so nonchalant."

Zijuan understands her heart best.

"It seems she truly remembers the girl's kindness, which is why she put so much effort into making this lip rouge."

"It's just that they saw I don't usually like flashy things and tried to flatter me." Despite saying this, the indifference in her eyes and brows completely disappeared, leaving only a faint hint of shyness.

"With so many young ladies in the manor, he specifically chose this one; she must have a very sincere heart!"

Daiyu, half-annoyed and half-shy, pinched Zijuan's cheek, but quickly released her grip, only feigning anger as she glared at her.

"You little brat, you're getting more and more unruly, daring to make fun of me! Be careful, I'll tell the old lady and make you sweep the corridor for a few days."

Despite her words, Daiyu couldn't hide the shyness in her eyes and brows, which blushed slightly, making her fair skin appear even more radiant.

Zijuan quickly turned her head away, smiling and begging for mercy:

"Good girl, please forgive me. I will never dare to do it again. But since you cherish this lip rouge so much, if you use a little bit every day, it will definitely enhance your complexion and save the old lady from always nagging you about losing weight."

Daiyu gave a soft snort, withdrew her hand and tidied her sleeves, but did not scold her again. She simply lifted her feet lightly and headed towards Grandmother Jia's courtyard, still speaking with a hard tone: "I only thought that he put some effort into making it, but you have made up so much gossip about it."

Jia Cong could not hear the conversation between the master and servant. The next day after school, Sun Tai still came to teach, but this time he brought a small black iron cauldron, a bag of fine herbs, and a small celadon bottle engraved with flowing cloud patterns, all of which were placed on the bluestone table in the corner of the courtyard.

After Jia Cong changed into his shorts, Sun Tai stroked his short beard and said in a deep voice:

"Third Master, you have been practicing your stance steadily these days, and your waist and abdominal strength are also sufficient. You have laid a solid foundation for the first level. Today, I will teach you the second level, the method of guiding and cultivating Qi."