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

The next day, just as dawn broke, Jia Cong got up and washed with the help of two maids. He had just changed into an indigo-blue tunic when a servant announced from outside the courtyard: "Third Master, Second Master Yun has arrived."

Jia Yun, dressed in a long blue robe with a plain-colored handkerchief tied around his waist, entered the room and bowed respectfully.

"Uncle, greetings. My second uncle instructed me to come and serve you this morning. I will follow your instructions regarding the shopping arrangements."

Jia Cong glanced at him, seeing that the young man still had that respectful and lively demeanor, but with a hint of shrewdness hidden in his eyes, and nodded accordingly.

"In that case, let's not delay any longer. Prepare the horses and head to the flower and tree shops in town."

As he spoke, he took out the note Jia Lian had given him the day before and put it in his sleeve. He then divided the two hundred taels of deposit into two portions, giving one to Li Rong and the other to the other party.

"Here's a deposit. Take it and be quick-witted if anything happens."

Jia Yun quickly took it with both hands, carefully tucked it into his bosom, and repeatedly agreed.

"Yes, I've got it. Don't worry, Uncle, I'll take care of everything."

The two left the courtyard one after the other. Jia Cong rode his horse, Ba Hongchen, while Jia Yun mounted an ordinary horse prepared by the stables. After traveling for a while, Jia Yun leaned over and whispered a question.

"Third Uncle, Second Uncle mentioned the purchase to you yesterday... How should we discuss it with the shopkeeper today?"

Jia Cong held the reins indifferently.

"What's the rush? There will be rules when we get there. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't gossip about what you shouldn't say, lest you get into trouble and can't even explain it to your second aunt."

Jia Yun's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied.

"I understand, nephew. I won't say another word."

Before long, the carriage arrived at the flower and tree shop outside the city. Jia Lian had inquired about this shop beforehand. The shopkeeper's surname was Wang. He was an old hand in the business, specializing in dealing with aristocratic families like the Jia family, and he knew the ins and outs of the business.

Upon seeing Jia Cong and his companion arrive, Manager Wang hurriedly greeted them with a beaming smile: "This must be Third Master Cong, right? It's an honor to meet you. Second Master Lian sent someone to convey my regards yesterday. Please come in, and someone bring tea."

Jia Cong nodded in acknowledgment.

"Manager Wang, you're too kind. I've come today to purchase some flowers and trees for the household. Here's the list; please take a look and see if everything is complete and what the prices are." He then handed over the slip of paper.

Manager Wang took the note, squinted and carefully read it over, then looked up at Jia Cong and Jia Yun beside him, smiling amiably.

"Don't worry, Third Master, the shop has all the flowers and trees on the list, all new this year's stock, in excellent condition. It's just that the price..." He paused deliberately, rubbing his hands together.

"Third Master knows the price on the surface. The manor's procurement has always been conducted according to regulations. However, Second Master Lian has also given instructions in private that if Third Master trusts me, he should give a fair price."

Jia Cong sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm.

"Manager Wang is a straightforward man, so I won't beat around the bush either. When it comes to purchasing for the manor, the accounts must be clear. However, I see that some of the flowers and trees on this list have extremely high requirements for quality, so I'm afraid we'll have to put in extra effort to select them. So, you can write down the prices on the official list according to the usual rules of the manor. As for the prices in private, you can give me the actual price. If it suits your taste, you'll definitely have a lot of business in purchasing flowers and trees for the manor in the future."

Manager Wang's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood, quickly leading the two to see the goods.

Along the way, Jia Yun diligently helped with the selection, sometimes whispering to Jia Cong about the quality of the flowers and trees, and sometimes asking Manager Wang about the methods of maintenance, showing that he was very attentive.

Jia Cong, however, was busy carefully examining the flowers and trees, only occasionally asking a few key questions.

After inspecting all the flowers and trees, the three parties gathered in the inner room to settle the bill. Manager Wang first presented a list of items, totaling four hundred and eighty taels.

Jia Cong glanced at it and frowned. "Manager Wang, this price is a bit too high. The bamboo used in Xiaoxiang Pavilion was 10% cheaper last year. Are you trying to raise the price on the spot?"

Manager Wang hurriedly smiled apologetically and clasped his hands in greeting.

"Third Master, please forgive me. The weather has been cold this year, and the bamboo has grown slowly, so the purchase price is a bit higher. How about I reduce it by another half a percent, to four hundred and sixty-five taels?"

Jia Cong remained unconvinced and turned to Jia Yun, "Yun-ge'er often comes to these places to shop. Do you think this price is fair?"

Jia Yun was taken aback, then quickly realized what was happening and bowed slightly.

"Uncle is right, the price was indeed lower last year. Manager Wang, please be more accommodating. We'll come here often in the future, and you won't lose money."

Manager Wang pondered for a moment, seemingly having made up his mind.

"Alright, for Third Master's sake, four hundred and sixty taels is the bottom price. Any lower and I'll lose money." As she spoke, she secretly gave Jia Cong a wink.

Jia Cong knew what was going on, but he still pretended to hesitate, and after a long while, he finally nodded.

"Very well, let's go with this price. But the goods must be the best. They must be delivered to your residence tomorrow. If the quality is not good, I will not accept the payment."

Having finalized the stated price, Jia Cong excused himself to go to the backyard to check the loading area, leaving Jia Yun in the front hall to check the inventory list with the shop's staff.

Upon reaching a secluded spot in the backyard, Manager Wang quickly followed, lowering his voice.

"Third Master, the price I'll give you privately is four hundred taels. Here's the bill for you." He said, handing over a small slip of paper with the actual total price written on it.

Jia Cong took the note, glanced at it, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.

Yesterday, Jia Lian noted that the total price was ten taels higher than this, so it seems that Manager Wang is quite sensible.

He discreetly put the note away, also speaking in a low voice.

"Manager Wang is indeed straightforward. However, my nephew is young and doesn't keep his mouth shut. I hope you will be lenient with him and not reveal anything about what happened today."

Manager Wang nodded quickly.

"Don't worry, Third Master, I understand and won't dare to say anything more. Here's the extra sixty taels, please keep it safe." With that, he stuffed one fifty-tael ingot and two five-tael ingots into Jia Cong's hand.

Jia Cong weighed the item in his hand; it was quite heavy. He was secretly pleased, but feigned reluctance, saying, "Manager Wang, why bother?"

"Third Master, please don't stand on ceremony," Manager Wang said with a fawning smile.

"I will need your continued support in the future, Third Master. This small token of my appreciation is nothing but a token of my respect. Besides, Second Master Lian always acts according to the rules and will never cause you any trouble."

Jia Cong tacitly accepted the sixty taels kickback, then followed the same method to another restaurant. At lunchtime, he brought Jia Yun to Dongxing Restaurant, and they happily entered a private room.

"Yun-ge'er has had a hard day. It's not too late for us uncle and nephew to have some wine and food before heading back home."

Jia Yun hurriedly bent down to pour him some wine.

"Nephew thanks Uncle for his consideration..."

Everyone had their own agendas during the meal. Jia Yun didn't dare to ask about the bottom price, and Jia Cong also kept quiet, only chatting about trivial matters. They didn't return to the Rong Mansion until after lunch.

In the afternoon, Jia Lian appeared out of nowhere and came to Qingyan Hall in person. He sat down and praised it highly.

"Good brother, I knew you were capable of great things!"