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

Now that he had accepted Baoyu's gifts, Jia Cong couldn't pretend to be blind. He quickly bowed and said, "Second Uncle, you have truly misunderstood Second Brother. A few days ago, I went to his place to ask him for advice on poetry and prose. Second Brother explained things clearly and logically, and his words were insightful. He has unique insights into the meaning of things and is by no means an ignorant person! It's just that Second Brother is always easygoing and not good at showing off his talents in front of others. Perhaps it was Second Uncle's rebuke today that made him feel constrained."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng paused in stroking his beard, glanced sideways at Jia Cong, knowing he intended to exonerate Baoyu, and recalling Jia Cong's wit earlier, his anger subsided slightly, and he only gave a cold snort:

"Oh? Is that so? I thought he was usually unruly, I didn't know he had such talent hidden away. In that case, I'll give him another chance. If he still can't produce something decent, see if I'll let him off the hook!"

Hearing Jia Cong come to his rescue, Baoyu felt relieved and thought to himself that he was truly a brother to Jia Zheng. He quickly looked up at Jia Zheng and bowed, saying:

"I will certainly do my best and never disappoint my father."

As they walked and talked, a sudden green mountain blocked their path. Turning around the mountain's embrace, a low wall built of yellow mud came into view, its tops covered with rice stalks. Hundreds of apricot trees stood there, their blossoms like flames and rising clouds. Inside were several thatched cottages. Outside, mulberry, elm, hibiscus, and osage orange trees, their young branches weaving along their curves, formed two rows of green hedges. Below the hedges, on the hillside, was an earthen well, beside which were well sweepers and pulleys. Below, plots of land were divided into rows, filled with fine vegetables and flowers, stretching endlessly.

Because Jia Zheng had accidentally stumbled upon the place in the Grand View Garden, the name of Daoxiang Village was decided in advance. The few lines of poetry that Jia Cong had copied were also engraved, which earned the nods of approval from all the guests.

But Baoyu seemed to have gone mad, muttering to himself.

"It is not as good as 'The Phoenix Arrives'."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng said, "You ignorant fool! You only know that magnificent buildings and opulent decorations are good, but you don't understand this tranquil atmosphere. It's all because you haven't studied!"

Baoyu was ultimately a bit stubborn, and Jia Zheng gave him a good scolding. Just as he was about to order someone to throw him out, Jia Zheng turned around and called him back to write another couplet, saying, "If it doesn't make sense, I'll slap your mouth too!"

Baoyu had no choice but to read:

New greenery grows where the reeds are washed, and fragrant clouds protect the celery gatherers.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng immediately shook his head.

"Even worse!" he said, then beckoned Jia Cong to come up.

"Brother Cong, please compose a couplet!"

Jia Cong cursed inwardly that accepting gifts was troublesome, and it wasn't his job anyway, but he didn't dare show any annoyance on his face. He could only rack his brains, but at this moment he was really at his wit's end, and the famous works he knew could not be used everywhere!

Left with no other choice, he had to steel himself and speak in a low voice.

New green ripples fill the spring stream, and fragrant clouds protect the wild celery in the pond.

Jia Zheng read it twice, and his expression softened slightly.

"It's more fitting than the original! 'Greenery embraces the spring stream, fragrance protects the wild pond.' The words are profound and relevant to the scene before us, without a trace of affectation. It's several times better than Baoyu's awkward words. He must have read the book carefully."

Jia Cong quickly bowed and humbly declined.

"Second Uncle, you flatter me. Brother Bao is already quite clever. I only made some minor touches and copied what others have said. It's nothing special."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's expression softened slightly. He then glanced sideways at Baoyu and said in a deep voice:

"Look at this! Both poems are about the same scene, but your third brother, with just a little guidance, has transcended the mundane. You should learn from him in the future, not just focusing on clever words, but putting your heart into refining the wording and phrases, so as not to waste your writing efforts!"

Baoyu breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought he was going to be scolded by Jia Zheng, but he had unexpectedly escaped a disaster. He then calmed down and carefully agreed, feeling even more grateful to Jia Cong.

After finally getting through the "fragrant and elegant" couplet, Baoyu's line "His talent as beautiful as cardamom is still evident when he finishes composing, and his dreams as sweet as roses are still sweet when he sleeps well" brought a smile to Jia Zheng's face.

They then arrived at Jia Baoyu's future residence in the Grand View Garden, the Yi Hong Courtyard. Jia Zheng was quite displeased with Baoyu's "red fragrance and green jade" attire, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Gaudy! Spending all day indulging in cosmetics, what great use will she have in the future!"

The group of scholars hurriedly tried to defend Baoyu, and one of them, a man with a white beard, quickly laughed and said:

"Old man, you are mistaken! The words 'red' and 'green' may seem bright and vivid, but they perfectly capture the scenery of this courtyard. Look at the crabapple blossoms blooming in full glory below the steps, and the banana leaves by the window, their greenness so refreshing. The red fragrance and green jade are a true description of the scene, and it couldn't be more fitting!"

Another person chimed in, "Exactly! Second Brother, your writing is grounded in reality, unlike those pretentious writers who only know how to use obscure words to appear profound. It's rare to see such a vibrant mind in a young person!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's brow remained furrowed. He stroked his short beard and paced around the steps a couple of times, his gaze sweeping over the few crabapple trees in the courtyard, their blossoms layered upon layered, contrasting beautifully with the roses covering the trellis—a truly lively scene of red and green. He pondered for a moment, but ultimately refrained from further reprimand. Instead, he turned and raised his voice:

"Cong-ge'er, come forward!"

Jia Cong was standing behind the crowd with his hands at his sides. Upon hearing this, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your nephew is here."

Jia Zheng pointed to the scenery inside the Yihong Courtyard.

"And inscribe a plaque for me!"

Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief. Putting everything else aside, this Yi Hong Courtyard was personally modified by the Imperial Concubine Yuan in the original work. He immediately bowed slightly.

"Yes, Brother Bao's work has already vividly depicted this scene. I, your humble nephew, have dared to change two words, to Yi Hong Kuai Lü, so what?"

As soon as Jia Cong finished speaking, Jia Zheng stroked his short beard, looked up and surveyed the scenery in the courtyard. The crabapple blossoms in the west were as beautiful as clouds and mist, and there were several clumps of banana trees below the steps. When the wind blew, the banana leaves fluttered, which really had a bright and cheerful feel to them.

He pondered for a moment, then nodded, his eyes gradually revealing approval.

"The word 'fast' is a great change! It removes the effeminate air of 'fragrant jade' and adds a touch of spaciousness and brightness, capturing the essence of the red and green scenery without being vulgar. It's a hundred times better than 'red fragrance and green jade'!"

A fellow guest chimed in with a laugh, "Brother San, this one word change elevates the entire text! 'Yihong' evokes its delicate beauty, while 'Kuailv' reveals its vitality—truly wonderful!"

Jia Cong immediately brought out Baoyu as well.

"After all, Brother Bao's masterpiece is a shining example; I'm just copying it..."

Jia Zheng gave Jia Cong a deep look, then stopped scolding him and simply waved his hand.

"Let's look around..."

A group of retainers, along with Jia Zhen and others, escorted Jia Zheng out of the Yi Hong Courtyard. Only Bao Yu quietly took his hand.

"Hey bro! Come over for drinks sometime!"

Before Jia Zheng could proceed with the examination, Yuanyang gracefully passed through the hanging flower gate and gave a polite bow to the crowd.

"Master, the old lady just sent word that Second Master and Third Master should go over first. She said that she has prepared freshly picked lotus pods and freshly peeled lotus seeds to make rock sugar soup for lunch, and is waiting for the two of you to come and have a taste."

Yuanyang's voice was gentle, yet carried an air of unyielding authority. As she spoke, she stole a glance at Baoyu, and seeing his downcast face, she knew he had been scolded by Jia Zheng again.