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

Jia Cong stepped into the inner room and saw Baoyu with bloodshot eyes, rolling and struggling on the bed. Several servants held him down tightly, but they could hardly hold him down.

Jia Cong, holding the golden mace, walked step by step to the bedside. Clearing his throat, he had no choice but to steel himself and point the mace at the bedside, then roared.

"You wretched creatures! How dare you cause trouble in the Duke's mansion! Get out of here now!"

Baoyu, who had been struggling fiercely, seemed to be stunned by something when his gaze fell upon the golden armor on his body. His roars suddenly stopped, his whole body trembled, his eyes gradually regained their clarity, and the strength of his struggles gradually weakened. Finally, he collapsed on the bed, panting heavily, and weakly called out, "Xiren..."

Overjoyed, Xiren burst into tears and rushed forward to support him, "Second Master! You're awake!"

Grandmother Jia trembled with excitement, grabbing Jia Cong's arm and saying, "It works! It really works! Cong'er, quick, go check on Feng's courtyard again!"

The group rushed to Sister Feng's residence. As soon as they arrived at the door, they heard Ping'er crying. Upon entering the room, they saw Sister Feng lying on the bed with her eyes closed, muttering incoherently, and her hands and feet flailing about unconsciously.

Jia Cong walked to the bedside and stood still. He gently paused the golden mace in his hand, and Feng Jie's incoherent ramblings gradually stopped. Her breathing became much more even, and finally, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Ping'er quickly checked her breathing and knelt down with joy, "Grandma! Second Madam's breathing is even now! She's not making a fuss anymore!"

The hearts of everyone in the Rongguo Mansion that had been hanging in suspense finally settled down completely.

Grandmother Jia held Jia Cong's hand, tears streaming down her face, but they were all tears of joy. "My good grandson, you have done a tremendous service! If it weren't for you, if it weren't for the protection of our ancestors' spirits, Baoyu and Feng'er would really be gone today!"

Madam Wang's eyes were also red. "Cong-ge'er, we are so grateful to you today. You are Bao-yu and Feng-yatou's savior. From now on, the manor will definitely not treat you badly."

Jia Cong hurriedly removed his golden helmet and bowed.

"Grandson dares not take credit. It is all thanks to the ancestors in heaven who are protecting our family. Grandson is merely borrowing the prestige of his great-grandfather."

"You child, you're quite modest," Grandmother Jia said with a smile, wiping away her tears. Turning to Yuanyang, she said, "Quick, go to my room and pick out some good stuff for Cong'er!"

At this moment, Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan also came over. Seeing everyone praising Jia Cong, they felt resentment but dared not show it. They could only pretend to approach him.

"Congratulations, old lady! Congratulations, madam! You've finally rescued Master Bao and his wife."

Grandmother Jia glanced at her sideways.

"Who gives you the right to speak? Who was it that was urging me to let Baoyu 'go home early'? If it weren't for Cong'er, you'd be getting your way today! Get out of here now!"

Aunt Zhao shrank back in fright, not daring to say another word, and pulled Jia Huan away in a sorry state.

Looking at Baoyu and Fengjie sleeping peacefully on the bed, Jia Cong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He figured that the bald-headed monk and the lame Taoist priest probably saw that the evil spirits had been driven away, so they didn't need to show themselves again.

Before long, Yuanyang brought the gifts with her people. Gold, brocade, and a jade Guanyin were laid out before them, their jewels dazzling and eye-catching.

Grandmother Jia held Jia Cong's hand.

"Quickly have the servant take these things back to your courtyard. And don't make it so difficult for you to wear this golden armor for a few more days; lest that evil spirit follow you again!"

"Grandson understands," Jia Cong replied with a bow.

For two more days, Jia Cong had to put on his golden armor and patrol for Bao Yu, Wang Xifeng and others every day. Fortunately, there was no relapse. He was somewhat suspicious. Could it be that he really was some kind of savior?

The Rong family also summoned the imperial physician, who, after examining the patient, could only say that he was suffering from a nightmare. He prescribed some calming medicine and instructed the patient to rest for a few days before making any further decisions.

Back at Qingyan Hall, Jia Cong let Jinping and Chulan massage his aching shoulders as he looked around at the gifts filling the room. Not only were there gifts for Grandmother Jia, but also for Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and Jia She, who had all given him many rare and unusual items.

Jia Huan was probably feeling a little guilty, because even though Bao Yu was still recuperating, he didn't dare to visit him in the Grand View Garden, let alone go to Qingyan Hall to find him.

Instead, after lunch, Jia Cong was practicing his spear skills on the riverbank when he heard Jinping's voice calling him from not far away.

"Third Master, Miss Bao has arrived..."

Jia Cong put away his gun and hurried back to Qingyan Hall, where he saw Baochai sitting upright in the guest hall with Ying'er, followed by a little maid carrying an exquisite food box.

He quickly wiped his sweat, "Sister Bao, your presence is an honor; I have not been able to greet you properly."

Baochai smiled and returned the greeting.

"Brother Cong, there's no need for formalities. You've been patrolling in armor for several days in a row, working from dawn till dusk. You must be exhausted. I had the kitchen make some yam and jujube cakes. They're soft, sticky, and easy to digest. I thought I'd bring them to you to tide you over and show my appreciation."

After saying this, he ordered the maid to hand over the food box, and added, "If you like it, I will send you more another day."

Jia Cong thanked her and had Jinping take the food box. "Sister Bao is so kind. I feel bad for troubling you like this."

"Brother Cong, what are you saying?" Baochai's gaze swept over his forehead, which was damp with a thin layer of sweat, and her voice became even softer and more charming.

"A few days ago at the old ancestral temple, I saw my brother standing there in his armor. His calm and heroic appearance reminded me of a young general in a play. I thought about how heavy that armor was, and how he might wear it out and hurt his muscles. Perhaps the maid could give him a good massage."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong raised an eyebrow slightly, then quickly changed the subject, "Thank you for your concern, Sister. I know. Have you gone to check on Brother Bao yet?"

"I just went to see Grandmother. Xiren said Brother Bao was sleeping soundly, so I didn't dare disturb him." Baochai glanced at the doorway, a sly glint in her eyes. "This riverbank is quiet and the breeze is refreshing. If I have time in the future, I'll come here often. Would that be too much trouble?"

Jia Cong calmly refilled the other person's tea, simply smiling.

"I only got into this garden because of my sisters. How could I refuse Sister Bao's invitation? I just hope she won't look down on my humble appearance."

Baochai covered half her face with a handkerchief, her smile alluring.

"Brother Cong, your polite words make you seem distant."

As she spoke, she gently touched the rim of the teacup again, and almost imperceptibly tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

"How could I complain? This quiet place is much more to my liking than those noisy places. If you come again in the future, you mustn't hide from me, Brother Cong." Her voice trailed off slightly, and her eyes sparkled with a touch of girlish charm.

Baochai's skin was naturally plump and smooth, and her delicate and shy appearance made her almond-shaped eyes appear even more moist and affectionate.

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly ambiguous, Jia Cong swallowed hard, and just as he was about to make a move, he heard Chu Lan's voice outside.

"Third Master, Miss Lin has arrived..."

Jia Cong's eyelids twitched. Oh no! Lin Daiyu had to come at the worst possible time, right when Baochai was here. This Qingyan Hall was about to turn into a battlefield.

Right now, he could only bite the bullet and get up, agreeing as he went.

"Please come in quickly."