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

Daiyu, supported by Zijuan, gracefully entered the guest hall. Her gaze fell upon the open food box, and her face instantly darkened.

"I've come at the worst possible time, and have spoiled Third Brother and Sister Bao's fun."

Baochai was not annoyed by this, but smiled and got up to pull Daiyu away, saying, "Sister, what are you saying? I just came to bring some snacks to Cong-di. We were just talking when you arrived. Now that you're here, we can sit down together for a while."

Caught in the middle, Jia Cong chuckled dryly and ordered a maid to bring a brocade cushion.

"Sister, please rest for a while. Sister Bao means well."

"Kindness?" Daiyu turned sharply to look at him, her eyes instantly reddening, tinged with a hint of grievance.

"So I'm the only one here to cause trouble? Fine, I'm already annoying enough, I might as well leave now and not get in other people's way." With that, Daiyu turned around and was about to leave.

Baochai, seeing Daiyu's petty temper, understood perfectly well, but she wasn't angry. She simply smiled and continued to persuade her.

"Sister Lin, don't take it to heart. We're all family, so why are you saying we're an eyesore? Brother Cong worked hard to exorcise evil spirits for Baoyu and Sister-in-law Feng last time."

Daiyu paused, then remembered Jia Cong in his golden armor, and her heart softened. Reluctantly, she sat down on the soft couch, still grumbling.

"Who's overthinking it? But look at him, running around like a little prince on a stage, just showing off. He'll just wear himself out and make everyone worry for nothing, but he'll act like it's some great achievement and won't stop."

Jia Cong could only force a smile.

"Yes, yes, it's just doing my duty for our ancestors, nothing worth mentioning."

Daiyu had brought something with her, but seeing Baochai present, she didn't want to take it out anymore. She only drank a few sips of tea before saying she was tired and wanted to go back.

Baochai was also shrewd; seeing that Daiyu was about to leave, she immediately stood up as well.

"Very well, I'll go with my sister..."

Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief. It was hardest to accept the kindness of a beautiful woman, and now that the two of them had come together, he smiled and saw them off in the courtyard. Only then did he return to his room and carefully consider the gifts that had been sent.

It took Baoyu and Wang Xifeng nearly ten days to recover their energy and spirits. After returning to Yihong Courtyard, they quickly invited Jia Cong over, saying they wanted to thank him in person.

As soon as they arrived at the entrance of Yihong Courtyard, Xiren greeted them with a smile and led Jia Cong inside.

"Second Master talks about Third Master every day; he's practically worn out from it."

As soon as they entered the inner room, Baoyu sat up from the couch and warmly took Jia Cong's hand.

"Third brother, you've finally arrived! If it weren't for you last time, Sister Feng and I would have suffered so much more. I'll remember this kindness for the rest of my life."

She then asked Xiren to serve tea, pulled him to sit down, and smiled broadly.

"In a couple of days, Brother Xue has invited some brothers from prominent families to have drinks and watch a play together. They are all familiar with each other. I have already accepted on your behalf. You must come. Let's have a good time together as brothers."

Jia Cong smiled and gave a perfunctory reply.

"Since Second Brother has spoken, how could I refuse? But Second Brother is not fully recovered yet and wants to drink; I'm afraid Madam and Grandmother will blame me..."

Before he could finish speaking, Baoyu waved his hand and stopped him with a smile, his eyes filled with eager joy, forgetting all his fatigue.

"It's alright, it's alright. We'll just have a few drinks, how could we dare to overdo it? I've already persuaded Madam to agree. With Sister Feng putting in a good word for us with the matriarch, it'll be fine. Let's all go and have some fun together."

Seeing that the other party had put it that way, Jia Cong had no choice but to agree. He chatted and laughed with Baoyu for a while, had some snacks, and only returned to Qingyan Hall when Lady Wang called Baoyu over. But that's another story.

Two days later, as expected, Baoyu summoned Mingyan to invite him. After Jia Cong returned from the training ground, he changed into a dark blue patterned silk robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, a black brocade handkerchief tied around his waist, a jade pendant that Jia Lian had given him before, and black satin boots with thin soles.

He led Na Ba Hongchen to the side gate, where Baoyu, who had been waiting impatiently, smiled and waved to Jia Cong.

"My third brother's steed is indeed magnificent, but unfortunately, the matriarch and madam forbid me from practicing martial arts!"

As Jia Cong mounted his horse, he echoed his sentiments.

"I neglected my studies and thus sought the path of martial arts. My second brother is highly talented and far-reaching, so he need not be like a boorish person."

Baoyu also mounted his horse, led by Mingyan, and left the mansion together with Jia Cong. Xue Pan and the others were already waiting outside the theater. Also present were Zhan Guang, Cheng Rixing, Hu Silai, and Shan Pinren, several guests.

Ever since Xue Pan saw Jia Cong's imposing figure in golden armor and wielding a golden mace, he had become somewhat more friendly towards him. Although he was still somewhat resentful that the other was so young yet so skilled in martial arts, since they were out looking for fun, he took a couple of steps forward, put his arms around the shoulders of the two men, and laughed as they headed towards the theater.

"My two good brothers, please come in! Today it's my treat, the play is by the best troupe, and the wine is aged Shaoxing wine, I guarantee you'll have a great time!"

Baoyu, by nature restless and unrestrained, and having not been out playing for a long time, could no longer contain himself upon seeing the lanterns and decorations at the entrance of the theater, and hearing the faint sounds of gongs and drums coming from inside. He broke free from Xue Pan's grasp and rushed inside.

"Hurry up, hurry up, don't miss the opening act!"

Of the group, only Feng Ziying was a scion of a prominent family. He paid little attention to Xue Pan, but showed considerable interest in Jia Cong, moving closer as they walked.

"Brother Cong is making great progress. Judging from his posture and movements, he already has the air of a martial artist."

Jia Cong quickly smiled and bowed.

"Brother Feng, please forgive my humble skill; it is hardly worthy of being presented in a refined manner."

Unexpectedly, Feng Ziying shook his head, his words revealing some displeasure.

"A martial artist should be straightforward and upright, why are you so unpleasant? I see your steps are light and your breath is long, you must have entered the second level of martial arts, right?"

Jia Cong understood immediately. It seemed that Feng Ziying was also likely hovering around the second level of martial arts, and that his own third-level skills hadn't been seen through by the other party. He immediately stepped aside to let Feng Ziying go first.

"Brother Feng has a good eye. It's just that my master has taught me so diligently that I dare not slack off."

Feng Ziying patted Jia Cong on the shoulder with obvious appreciation.

"Not arrogant or impatient, he has potential. Let's go to Iron Net Mountain together another day. There are plenty of wild animals in spring, so let's have a good hunt."

Feng Ziying was the eldest son of General Feng Tang, and he loved hunting. Jia Cong couldn't refuse him, so he had no choice but to agree.

"Since Brother Feng has spoken, I will gladly oblige."

Xue Pan had already reserved the best private room upstairs, which was spacious and bright, with the stage right in front of it and an excellent view.

As soon as Zhan Guang, Cheng Rixing, and the others entered the private room, they busied themselves with flattery, praising Xue Pan for his competence and exchanging pleasantries with Baoyu and Jia Cong. Baoyu, impatient with these empty words, peered out the window at the stage, while Jia Cong found a seat by the window and chatted idly with Feng Ziying about martial arts.

Inside the private room, fruit platters were laid out and wine jars were ready. Xue Pan plopped down in the pear wood chair at the head of the table and, with a wave of his hand, summoned the troupe leader.

"Start the play quickly! And call all the best actors in your troupe to serve you!" The troupe leader bowed and agreed, then turned and hurried downstairs to relay the order.