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

The next day after school, Jia Cong sent Li Rong out of the mansion to inquire, and he didn't return until dinner time, wiping his sweat and smiling apologetically.

"Third Master, I went to the horse market at the West Gate today. The best horses there cost no more than sixty taels. They were all ordinary, with mixed coats and average stamina. However, a horse merchant said that a caravan from Guihua City would be arriving next month with several good horses, but we would have to wait and pay a deposit first."

Jia Cong looked down on these things and waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, I'll go and discuss this matter with Second Madam myself."

Left with no other choice, he approached Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian again. Jia Lian patted Jia Cong on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Third Brother. At worst, we can ask Master Wang of the Imperial Household Department for help. However, it requires official documents, so we need to ask the Ancestor to give us a message and prepare twenty taels of silver for the journey fee before Master Wang will be able to make an exception."

Wang Xifeng pouted, "Horses from the Imperial Horse Administration are not so easy to buy. However, Brother Cong's martial arts training is something that the Ancestor has approved. I will go and get the official permit and prepare the travel documents. In a couple of days, I will have Lai Da accompany you to the official horse bureau to complete the transaction."

When Grandmother Jia heard that Jia Cong had made great progress in martial arts, she was overjoyed and personally spoke to the steward of the Imperial Stables, saying that the eldest son of the family wanted to buy a horse.

How could Lord Wang of the Imperial Stables dare to disobey? Not to mention that Jia Cong had prepared twenty taels of "filial piety" as a gift.

The very next day, Jia Cong followed Lai Da to the Imperial Stables, where after some searching, he finally selected a rare black horse.

The horse was only four years old, with faint red stripes beneath its pure black coat. It was over eight feet tall, with rounded shoulders and back, and hooves like iron. Standing there, it exuded a fierce and majestic aura, completely different from ordinary fine horses.

"What a magnificent beast!" Jia Cong blurted out.

Including the tribute to Master Wang, he spent a full three hundred taels of silver to bring this exotic black horse, named "Overlord of the Mortal World," back to the Rong Mansion, and also gave Lai Da five taels of silver.

"Take good care of her. If she gets sick or something goes wrong, I'll hold you responsible!"

Unlike Jiao Da, Lai Da was not muddle-headed; he was all smiles and fawning over the silver he received.

"Third Master, please rest assured, I understand. This horse is like my own master, and it is only right that I take care of its daily needs."

A few days later, Sun Tai brought the newly forged Dragon Gallant Silver Spear as promised. The shaft was made of mulberry wood and wrapped with silk vines. It felt heavy in the hand but not heavy. The spearhead was made of fine iron, with a cold, gleaming light. A snow-white tassel hung from the tassel, trembling slightly in the wind. It was truly a handy and sharp weapon.

Sun Tai handed the spear to Jia Cong, saying, "Third Master, take a look at this spear. It was forged to suit your arm strength. The spearhead is double-edged, making it convenient for slashing and thrusting when riding. It's very handy."

Jia Cong reached out and took it, finding its weight just right. He casually weighed it in his hand, then twirled it, the tip of the spear sweeping across the bluestone steps and sparking a few sparks, drawing cheers from the servants nearby.

Upon seeing this, Sun Tai exclaimed in admiration, "Third Master has great wrist strength and excellent technique. With this spear and that black steed, learning archery will surely be twice as effective."

When Grandmother Jia learned that Jia Cong had brought back his famous guns and fine horses, she had someone bestow upon him a gilded saddle and bridle, making Ba Hongchen appear even more imposing.

Sun Tai then passed down a set of techniques called "Yulin Spear Techniques," which he said were practiced in the Tian Ce Mansion of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. It also included a set of exclusive "Youlong Riding Techniques," which not only allowed for better control of the fine steed Ba Hongchen, but also included exquisite riding and archery techniques.

Thanks to the acquisition of the divine steed, Jia Cong was able to leave the Rong Mansion and had to go to the drill ground in the south of the city every three days to learn riding and archery from Sun Tai.

Although February was still a bit chilly, Jia Cong was full of energy. He spurred his horse and charged out like an arrow.

He leaned forward, pressed against the horse's back, holding the Dragon Gallant Silver Spear horizontally in front of his chest. The iron spearhead flashed with a cold light. When he reached the target, he flipped his wrist and the spear tip accurately pierced the bullseye. The crisp sound of the two spears piercing the wooden target could be clearly heard.

He then drew his spear back, the white tassel flying wildly, and with another diagonal slash, the target was split in two!

Sun Tai clapped and cheered from the side, his words carrying a hint of deliberate flattery.

"Third Master is truly a tiger cub from a military family; even if others studied for three to five years, they might not make such progress!"

Sun Tai was somewhat proud. He originally thought that going in and out of the Rong Mansion to teach the less favored third young master was just to make a living. Unexpectedly, the boy was exceptionally talented and broke through to the third level of martial arts in just over half a year.

If things continue like this, he's a shoo-in for passing the martial arts examination next autumn. With the Rong family's current favor, getting an official position won't be a problem, and his reputation as Instructor Sun will be greatly enhanced.

After several days of practice, Jia Cong finally remembered that Lin Daiyu's birthday was approaching, but he still hadn't figured out what gift to give her!

He paced anxiously in his own courtyard. This wasn't the Sui, Tang, or Song dynasties anymore; everything that could be invented had been invented. Even making a steam engine by hand couldn't win a smile from a beauty.

Just then, Jinping, carrying a meal after practice, lifted the curtain and saw Jia Cong looking unsteady on his feet. She gently put down the tray and carefully helped him sit down.

"Third Master rarely looks so troubled; perhaps something is troubling you?"

Jia Cong took a few deep breaths to calm himself down before raising his eyes.

"It's nothing major. Miss Lin's birthday is in a few days, and I promised to send her a thoughtful gift. Putting everything else aside, it's more thoughtful than the gift I gave Miss Xue for her birthday."

Jinping giggled and gently massaged his shoulders.

"Isn't it easy for Third Master to please Miss Lin? What girl doesn't love a pretty girl? Just find a rare toy and send it to her."

"It's not that simple..." Jia Cong rolled his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Jin Ping.

"You spent a considerable amount of time in the old lady's room; did you see any treasures?"

Jinping paused slightly, then lowered her voice again.

"This servant is just a lowly servant, how dare I look at my masters' belongings? But to be honest, the old mistress really admires those glass pendants..."

Jia Cong narrowed his eyes slightly. Yes, back then, glass and crystal were two different things, but he had forgotten!

Glass has been invented, but that doesn't stop it from being entirely imported. Domestically made glass is still made with lead glaze, which produces bubbles inside when fired, so they can only apply glaze to the surface.

Imported glass from the West was extremely precious, and even Daiyu only received a small reward of two pearl hairpins.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong excitedly jumped up, pinched Jinping's rosy cheek, and with a beaming smile, started to put on his jacket.

"You little hussy, thank you for your kindness, here's five taels of silver for you!"

Although Jinping didn't know why Jia Cong was suddenly so elated, since Grandmother Jia had already given her to this young master and thus made her his woman, and now she had received a reward for no reason, she was naturally even happier than Jia Cong.

"What's wrong, Third Master? Be careful, it's windy outside..." she said, carefully draping a cloak over Jia Cong's shoulders.