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

However, Jia Cong certainly can't use it now. Not to mention that he hasn't reached the third level of martial arts mentioned by Sun Tai, the three-foot-long sword and its weight of more than ten kilograms would be difficult to control.

The mace is more often depicted in literary works, but rarely used in actual combat. Its main problem is its awkward length. Its purpose is to penetrate armor, but it is not as effective as a spear or broadsword when mounted on a horse, and it is somewhat cumbersome when used on foot.

Jia Cong thought to himself that the first Duke of Rong must have been born with superhuman strength, as he was able to reach the seventh or eighth level of cultivation with this weapon.

Back in his own courtyard, he carefully placed the Zhaowu Golden Mace into the camphor wood box. Yu Feng had given it to Wang Xifeng, and now he was short of a treasure to keep hidden away.

Despite the Rongguo Mansion's large size and wealth, it was also filled with many people and eyes. A day later, Wang Xifeng sent Ping'er to summon Jia Cong, saying that the workshop's revenue from the previous quarter had arrived.

"Third Master, Madam said you should go to her place to collect the silver in an hour or so." Ping'er leaned against the porch with a smile, without going into the house.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Ping," Jia Cong readily agreed.

"Third Master, please be careful not to be late. I still need to go and buy some things for Grandma. I'll take my leave now."

Jia Cong's room didn't have a Western clock or pocket watch like Bao Yu's, so he could only look at the sun and sundial. When he felt it was about time, he got up and went to Jia Lian's residence.

Ping'er probably hadn't returned yet, and neither was Feng'er, another head maid. Only a few maids and servants were sweeping around Jia Lian's residence. When they saw Jia Cong, they only gave him a perfunctory greeting.

Just as Jia Cong straightened his clothes, preparing to enter, a maidservant whose name he didn't know timidly stopped him.

"Third Master, please wait. Madam has important matters to attend to inside and has instructed us not to go in and disturb her."

Jia Cong stopped and turned around with some suspicion.

"Important matter? Didn't Second Madam send me here?"

The young maid peeked into the room a few times before lowering her voice.

"This servant doesn't know either. It's just that Master Rong from the Ning family came to see Second Madam and said he had something important to discuss."

Jia Cong raised his eyebrows slightly. Interesting. Could there really be something between Jia Rong and Wang Xifeng?

The original work did not describe it very directly, and there have been many different interpretations in later generations.

However, it was quite normal for Jia Rong to come to the Rong Mansion. Qin Keqing had been staying for several days, and even if Grandmother Jia liked this granddaughter-in-law, she couldn't keep her there forever. This guy was probably here to take her back.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong coughed, stopping the little maid from speaking, and pointed seriously into the courtyard.

"Alright, Miss Ping just sent word that Second Madam is here to discuss the workshop with me. I'll go in and find her now!"

"Third Master..." The little maid tried to stop him, but Jia Cong grabbed her and even threatened her with his eyes!

Although Jia Cong is no longer on equal footing with Baoyu and Daiyu in the Rong Mansion, he is still a grandson favored by the old lady. The maidservant dared not stop him anymore and could only let him go.

Jia Cong deliberately tiptoed, slipping through the courtyard gate in a flash. He leaned against the doorway of the guest hall, listening intently. Sure enough, he heard Wang Xifeng's giggling coming from the inner room, her words carrying an indescribable charm.

Jia Cong pressed his lips against the door, holding his breath. He heard Wang Xifeng's laughter from inside abruptly change, now tinged with a hint of playful reproach:

"You little rascal, you're in such a hurry! Aren't you afraid the maids outside will hear?"

Through the door, Jia Cong could clearly hear a rustling sound of clothes mixed with the soft clattering of chairs and stools, which he knew meant that Jia Rong was very close.

Jia Rong's voice lowered slightly, tinged with a roguish laugh: "Everyone here at Auntie's is clever. Who dares to say a word? Even if they did, so what?"

But then Wang Xifeng's breathing became slightly disordered, and she spat out a light spit, her tone devoid of any annoyance, instead carrying a seductive softness:

"You glib-tongued brat, don't you know your place? All you spout is nonsense!"

Jia Rong chuckled softly, but his laughter was full of smugness.

"What does seniority matter? In my eyes, Auntie is more beautiful than all the flowers in the garden. Whatever we talk about today, I'll make sure it's auspicious!"

Although Jia Cong couldn't hear clearly from outside, he was already cursing in his heart. If you two were to get into a passionate encounter now, when would you ever get to do it?

The sounds from inside the house grew fainter and fainter. Having no other option, Jia Cong turned back to the courtyard gate and deliberately raised his voice.

"Sister-in-law! Is sister-in-law there?"

The shout came out of nowhere, and the room fell silent instantly. Then came a flurry of activity: chairs and stools clattered softly, and clothes rustled hurriedly and frantically, as if the two had hastily stepped back and were busy adjusting their clothes.

Jia Rong hurriedly straightened his slightly wrinkled brocade robe, his body still trembling a little. He then raised his hand and haphazardly tidied his temples. The frivolous air from before had long since vanished, leaving only a face full of unease, his eyes darting away, not daring to look towards the door.

Wang Xifeng, on the other hand, appeared composed, but quickly composed herself, adjusting the gold bracelet on her wrist and the pearl hairpin at her temple. Her voice had regained its usual crispness, but the lingering blush on her earlobes ultimately betrayed her earlier panic.

"Hey... I'm here! Brother Cong, you're here? Just a moment, I'm coming!"

As she spoke, one could faintly hear her softly scolding Jia Rong: "What's the rush! Hurry up and straighten your clothes!"

Wang Xifeng moved quickly; in just a few breaths, her shrewd, capable, and crisp voice was back.

"Brother Cong, have you been waiting long? Come in quickly, someone make some tea!" After saying that, he personally opened the previously closed door.

Jia Cong strode into the room, bowing slightly to Wang Xifeng.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. It was Miss Ping who instructed me to come, but I have failed to do so for our distinguished guest."

Jia Rong, standing to the side, looked embarrassed and quickly stepped forward to bow.

"Uncle, what are you saying? What 'honored guest'? I just came over to talk to Aunt about some trivial matters in the mansion." After saying that, he glanced at Wang Xifeng and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was calm.

Wang Xifeng quickly smoothed things over, reaching out to help Jia Cong up, and said reproachfully, "Why are you giving me all this formality? Ping'er is going to get some materials; she'll be back soon anyway. Please have a seat."

Then, turning to Jia Rong, he said, "I've remembered what you said about the estate. I'll have Lai Da handle it later. As for your wife, the matriarch is probably waiting for a reply. You should go back now."

The implication was clear: he was being urged to leave quickly to avoid further complications.

Jia Rong could easily tell what was going on, so he quickly replied "Yes," nodded to Jia Cong, and hurriedly took his leave, his steps much faster than when he arrived.

Just before leaving, she almost bumped into the door frame, causing the maids serving in the corridor to lower their heads and not dare to laugh, their shoulders trembling slightly.