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

Jia Cong waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't necessary. This Granny Zhu was one of the few people in the Red Chamber who didn't like to gossip. She was in charge of planting and pruning flowers and plants, so she had a natural understanding of their habits and was very knowledgeable about fragrance ingredients. She was the perfect fit for a perfume workshop, and it was a pity that Wang Xifeng had found her.

"No need, I just happened to be passing by and wanted to check if Second Madam is there?"

He deliberately asked Wang Xifeng first, but Granny Zhu shook her head.

"Second Madam doesn't come often, but Miss Ping comes more often. Right now, only Madam Rong is still here."

Jia Cong raised an eyebrow and casually turned his head away.

"Oh? Grandma Rong is still here? Please lead the way, I have something to discuss with her."

The old woman gave him a drink and led him to an inner room inside the workshop. She carefully stood at the door and called out.

"Grandma, Third Master Cong is here..."

The room was quiet for a moment, then a soft noise was heard, as if someone had knocked over a small object on the table while getting up in a hurry.

"Come in." Qin Keqing's voice was softer than usual, with a hint of hesitant nervousness.

Granny Zhu stepped aside, and Jia Cong stepped in. His gaze fell on her first. The hem of her moon-white dress was stained with a few pale yellow spice fragments, and the plain silver hairpin in her hair was slightly crooked, indicating that she had just gotten up in a hurry.

Qin Keqing lowered her eyes, not daring to look up. Her hands were clasped together and hidden under her handkerchief, which was secretly twisted into several creases. The tips of her ears were faintly red, and even her shoulders were tense.

"Third Uncle, please sit down." She barely managed to calm herself down, curtsied halfway, and remained respectful, but dared not look him in the eye. She simply turned to lead him to a chair and sat down, then hurriedly turned to make tea. Her steps were a little flustered, and she almost stepped on her skirt.

"No need to bother." Jia Cong raised his hand to stop her. "I didn't come here for anything important. I was just thinking that since you're new to the workshop, I'm wondering if everything is going smoothly for you. Although Granny Zhu seems to be doing her best, I don't know if you're used to it."

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing paused, slowly turned around, her eyelids still lowered, and her voice barely audible:

"Thank you for your concern, Third Uncle. Everything went smoothly. Granny Zhu is knowledgeable about spices and is always willing to give me helpful guidance, which has saved me a lot of trouble. Aunt Feng also said that she will come to teach me in person tomorrow."

After saying that, she raised her eyes slightly and glanced quickly at Jia Cong. Seeing that he was looking at her, she hurriedly lowered her eyes again, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she clutched her handkerchief even tighter.

This was the Rong Mansion, a place with many people and eyes, so Jia Cong couldn't be too forward. He could only use the excuse of checking the prescription to quietly sneak over.

"Hmm, Granny Zhu is indeed an expert; this recipe is much cleaner than my original method."

As he spoke, Jia Cong secretly tickled Qin Keqing's palm with his finger, startling her so much that her shoulders trembled slightly, but she dared not make a sound. Her cheeks instantly burned hot, and even her ears turned bright red.

"Third Uncle... someone's here..." Qin Keqing's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Jia Cong coughed lightly, glanced at the window and door, and then lowered his voice.

"I know, and take good care of yourself here. The old lady likes you and won't mistreat you."

"Thank you... thank you for your advice, Uncle." Qin Keqing nodded slightly, her heart filled with gratitude. Even if it was just a temporary escape from the Ning Mansion, it would be good to eke out a few more days here.

"Stop fussing around and get some rest. I heard you were seriously ill a few days ago, weren't you? Recovery from illness is slow and gradual, so you should take good care of yourself."

Jia Cong then took out a ten-tael silver ingot from his sleeve and forced it into the other person's hand.

"Take this. There will be times when you can tip the maids and servants. I'll come see you again in a few days..."

Seeing that she couldn't refuse, and fearing that speaking too loudly would attract criticism from the maids and servants, Qin Keqing reluctantly stopped, only murmuring softly.

"Go back early, lest people gossip..." As soon as she finished speaking, she quietly slipped her handkerchief embroidered with twin lotus flowers into Jia Cong's hand.

Jia Cong looked at the handkerchief; the embroidery was exquisite, the stitches fine and dense, suggesting it was handmade by her. He smiled and took it, tucking it into his sleeve.

"Alright, alright, I'll be going now..." After saying that, he opened the door and lifted the curtain. He saw that Granny Zhu was also waiting at the workshop entrance from a distance. He thought to himself that this person really didn't like to gossip. Only then did he walk out of the workshop under Qin Keqing's reluctant gaze.

Jia Cong inquired and learned that after Qin Keqing entered the Rong Mansion, she temporarily lived with Grandmother Jia, very close to Daiyu, and was also the place where Baoyu lived before he moved out of the Bisha Pavilion.

The next day was a day off, and Jia Cong had intended to rest well. However, Wang Xifeng arrived right after lunch and started shouting before she even entered the door.

"Hey buddy, are you still inside?"

He hurriedly had Chu Lan welcome the other person into the house, and then had Jinping make tea before sitting down with them.

"Sister-in-law, you're always so energetic, is there anything I can help you with?" Jia Cong felt uneasy. Could it be that one of the maids or servants noticed something between him and Qin Keqing yesterday?

Wang Xifeng took a sip of hot tea haphazardly and waved her hand.

"With the end of the year fast approaching, every corner of the manor needs to be taken care of. Although the perfume workshop is thriving, the purchasing is the most tedious task. I just sent Ping'er to collect the accounts from the various estates, and she won't be back for a while. Those stewardesses are all as slippery as eels, and they also have to prepare for the Empress's return to the manor. How can they possibly manage all of this!"

Jia Cong wholeheartedly agreed. Although Wang Xifeng was somewhat greedy and profit-driven, she was indeed quite capable, managing the Rongguo Mansion quite well. He immediately put on a smiling face.

"It's not easy for my sister-in-law to manage such a large family business. Please feel free to ask if there's anything you can do to help."

Wang Xifeng probably didn't have time for formalities; after catching her breath, she handed over a plain note.

"Brother Cong is someone even our ancestors trust. Please go out of the mansion and make a trip to Xianghengji on West Street to purchase the items on this list."

Jia Cong quickly took it and examined it. It turned out to be materials needed for the perfume workshop; the flowers available within the Jia family mansion were naturally insufficient.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll take care of it right away."

Sister Feng took the two silver coins from Feng'er and handed them to him.

"This is the deposit. The remaining balance will be settled after the goods are inspected at the prefectural office. By the way, those shop owners are extremely snobbish. Be firm when necessary. Make sure to keep a close eye on the quality of the goods and don't let anyone pass off inferior products!"

Jia Cong weighed the silver in his hand, estimating it to be at least fifty taels, and nodded.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll make sure those unscrupulous merchants don't try to fool us."

Seeing that he agreed, Wang Xifeng did not linger. She left with the words, "Go early and come back early, don't be late," and hurriedly left with her maid.

Since it was indeed the case, and since he rarely went out, he simply instructed Li Rong to accompany him, and with some silver in his pocket, headed towards the side gate of the Rong residence.

Since the materials were being purchased for the workshop, the money was naturally collected through the government. Li Rong called Lai Da and instructed a groom to bring a mule cart. They then strolled leisurely toward the west gate of Yuanjing City.

As for procuring materials, it wasn't difficult. Even if Jia Cong wasn't the best, he was still the eldest son of the main branch of the Rong Mansion, and the owner of Xianghengji was all smiles and served him with utmost care.