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

Siqi grew angrier as she spoke, "That servant now says it was a 'gift' from my young lady and refuses to return it. He even said that if we force him to give it back, he'll go and tell the old lady and the madam that my young lady is 'mistreating the servants'... My poor young lady just says 'forget it, forget it,' and stops us from making a fuss. I... I'm trying to secretly ask the second mistress to take charge and get the fabric back. This is my young lady's dignity, not something those lowly servants should trample on!"

As she finished speaking, her voice suddenly rose, and there were even some tears in her eyes. It wasn't crying, but rather extreme anger and rage.

Jia Cong found it both infuriating and amusing. Cao Xueqin once said…

"Yingchun is a living dead person. She can't even take care of herself properly, so how can she take care of others? Everything is decided by her, a girl. Those wives and maids usually dare to bully her."

In other words, although Yingchun still lives in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, she has been mistreated by those servants who have wronged their mistress for many years.

Those maids and servants had long since figured out Yingchun's temperament: "She has a good temper, doesn't say a word when she's angry, and only answers one sentence when asked three questions." So, from her childhood, in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, and before entering the Grand View Garden, the common practice of "servants bullying their masters" had already been established.

Even Madam Xing looked down on the daughter born to this concubine, scolding her every day for being "weak" and "not behaving like a proper young lady."

However, Jia Cong quite admired Siqi's personality; though somewhat fiery, she was loyal to her master, and he immediately felt a sense of appreciation for her. He then waved his hand and said in a deep voice...

"Since Wang Zhu's daughter-in-law dares to throw a tantrum, she must have planned this all along. If you go there, she will go to the old lady and the madam to complain that you 'falsely accused the master's wet nurse and instigated discord between the master and servants.' In that case, you will be in the wrong and end up in the wrong."

Siqi was taken aback, her anger instantly extinguished by half, but she still stubbornly insisted, "Are we just going to let her bully my young lady?"

At this moment, Jia Cong hesitated. Normally, this was not his place to get involved, but when he thought about how he had been treated with disdain and indifference in the Rong Mansion in the previous few months, he was immediately filled with anger and decided to take this opportunity to vent his personal grievances.

Jia Cong looked up at Siqi, the hesitation in his eyes had faded.

"Of course we can't just let it go like this, but seeking justice requires method, not just acting rashly out of anger. You go back to Second Miss's room and stay there. Don't make a fuss, and don't go looking for Second Madam. I'll handle this. Remember, no matter what happens outside, don't let Second Sister come out, and don't say anything to anyone. Just pretend nothing happened."

Upon hearing this, Siqi's face was filled with surprise, followed by a surge of joy and gratitude. She had originally thought that this Third Master was just casually giving her some pointers, but she hadn't expected him to actually offer his help.

The young woman quickly bowed deeply, her voice choked with emotion, "Thank you, Third Master! Thank you so much for standing up for my young lady! I will go back to my room and stay with her, and I will not say another word!"

"Hmm." Jia Cong nodded slightly, then added, "When you get back, try to persuade Second Sister properly, don't let her worry too much, and don't let her think 'never mind' again. A master's dignity cannot be trampled on by a servant."

"This servant understands!" Siqi nodded vigorously, then, clutching the blue cloth bundle in her arms, led the two maids and hurried toward Yingchun's warm pavilion.

After Siqi had walked a distance, Jia Cong turned to Li Rong, who was standing to the side, and whispered instructions.

"Go to the place where Wang Zhuer works and summon him. Tell him I have something to discuss with him privately. Don't make a fuss or have anyone else follow you. Just lead him to the empty corridor under the back corner gate of Yingchun Courtyard. I'll wait for him there. Remember, don't be too harsh in your tone, and don't arouse his suspicion. Just say you have a few casual questions to ask him."

Upon hearing this, Li Rong's face immediately showed a hint of panic. He was always timid. Although Wang Zhu'er was just a servant in the manor, his wife was the wet nurse of the second young lady and had some standing in the manor. She was usually quite arrogant towards them, the servants.

Now that his master wanted to see Wang Zhu'er alone and was going to lead him to an empty corridor, he couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. He whispered, "Third Master, is this...is this appropriate? Wang Zhu'er, he..."

"Enough talk, just do as I say." Jia Cong interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Remember, if a word gets out and others find out, you'll be in big trouble!"

Seeing that Jia Cong was angry, Li Rong dared not say anything more and bowed, replying, "I understand! I will go and summon Wang Zhu'er immediately. I will not dare to make a sound or arouse any suspicion!"

After saying that, he quickly turned around and ran towards where Wang Zhuer was on duty.

Jia Cong straightened his clothes and walked towards the empty corridor behind the corner gate of Yingchun Courtyard. He secretly thought to himself that a servant like Wang Zhuer would not admit his mistakes until he was faced with a death sentence. If he tried to reason with him, he would not admit his mistakes and would instead try to make all sorts of excuses.

Only by first using force to coerce him and break down his psychological defenses, making him fearful, will he obediently confess. However, as the master, if he were to use force against his servant in public, he would inevitably earn a reputation for being "tyrannical and mistreating his servants," which would not sound good. Fortunately, this empty corridor was secluded and rarely frequented by people.

Furthermore, what he wanted wasn't just venting, but to obtain evidence—pawn tickets or proof of the transaction. Once he had this irrefutable evidence, no matter how much Wang Zhu's daughter-in-law acted up, lied, or spread rumors, she would have no way to deny it.

Then, we can invite Li Wan to be a witness and deal with them according to the family rules of the manor. It will be perfectly justified, and no one will be able to find fault with us.

Before long, footsteps could be heard in the distance. Jia Cong looked up and saw Li Rong leading a middle-aged man walking quickly towards them.

The man was short, with a weasel-like face and a fawning smile. He wore a faded blue cotton jacket and a coarse cloth belt around his waist. He was none other than Wang Zhu'er.

As he walked, he smiled obsequiously at Li Rong, repeatedly saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Li. May I ask what instructions Third Master has for me?"

Li Rong gave a perfunctory reply, but dared not slow his pace. When he reached the entrance of the empty corridor, he stopped and bowed to Jia Cong inside, saying, "Third Master, Wang Zhu'er has arrived."

Wang Zhuer looked up at Jia Cong under the eaves, quickly suppressed her smile, strode forward, bowed deeply to Jia Cong, and spoke in a fawning tone:

"Your servant Wang Zhu'er greets Third Master! May I ask why you summoned me here?"

His gaze unconsciously swept over Jia Cong, and seeing the other man's gloomy face and the murderous aura emanating from him, his heart skipped a beat, a chill inexplicably rose up, and the fawning smile on his face stiffened a bit.

Jia Cong didn't speak, but just quietly looked at the other person, scrutinizing him from head to toe for the time it takes to burn half an incense stick.

Wang Zhu'er felt uneasy under his gaze and instinctively lowered his head, but still tried to remain calm as he muttered, "Third Master, if you have any orders, please tell me, and I will do as you say."