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

Before long, gongs and drums resounded on the stage, and the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air. A group of actors in flowing robes filed out and first sang a selection from "The Palace of Eternal Life." Their singing was melodious and their movements graceful, which made Baoyu nod repeatedly and clap his hands in approval.

Xue Pan was not a knowledgeable person about opera. He only felt that the figures on the stage were moving and the sounds were noisy. Just as he was getting a little impatient, he suddenly heard a young actor turn out from the east side of the stage.

The actor was only twelve or thirteen years old, with a face as white as powder and eyes as bright as stars. He wore a moon-white embroidered bamboo opera costume and held a plain folding fan. He was singing a short opera aria, his voice clear and bright like a nightingale's song, and his steps light and graceful like a spring outing.

Xue Pan felt a surge of heat in his heart at first glance, his eyes fixed on the young man, forgetting to swallow the wine in his mouth. After a long while, he asked Zhan Guang beside him in a gruff voice,

"Who is that young man singing male roles? He's so handsome!"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Guang squinted to examine the situation closely, then forced a smile and said...

"Master Xue has a good eye! This is a newcomer to the troupe, named Tang Guan. He specializes in young male roles and has recently gained quite a reputation in the capital."

Xue Pan stroked his chin, grinned, and revealed a crude kind of delight: "Good name, good looks! I've definitely made the trip worthwhile!"

After saying that, he stood up and was about to rush downstairs when Cheng Rixing quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Master Xue, please calm down. This is a crucial part of the play. After the play is over, I will go and invite Tang Guan over for you. If you continue like this, you will only make others laugh at you."

Xue Pan thought about it and agreed, so he impatiently sat back down in his chair, no longer interested in the opera. He just kept staring at Tang Guan, occasionally taking a sip of wine, and muttering to himself.

"This child is even prettier than the maids in my room..."

Baoyu was listening intently when he heard this. He turned around and teased him with a half-smile.

"Brother Xue, please don't talk nonsense. Although that person is an actor, he has integrity. Don't be rude to him."

Xue Pan wouldn't listen to any of that, he just waved his hand and said, "I know, I know, I know what I'm doing."

Before long, the play ended, and Tang Guan and the others went on stage to take their bows. Xue Pan immediately slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Tang Guan, please wait!"

Tang Guan was taken aback upon hearing this, stopped in his tracks, and looked up at the private room, his eyes full of doubt. Seeing this, Xue Pan quickly instructed the troupe leader to invite Tang Guan upstairs, and then ordered a servant to fetch a ten-tael silver ingot, giving the order with a smug expression.

"When that kid comes later, give him this silver and tell him to follow me from now on. I guarantee he'll live a life of luxury!"

Feng Ziying sat to the side, rolled his eyes, and frowned slightly.

"Brother Xue, this is not appropriate. Although actors live under the roof of others, many of them are strong-willed. Your forceful buying and selling may cause trouble."

Xue Pan curled his lip and waved his hand dismissively.

"Brother Feng, you're overthinking it! In this capital city, what can't I get if I want it? What trouble can a mere actor cause?"

Jia Cong, sitting by the window, rolled his eyes, thinking to himself that Xue Pan was just like Jia Lian, so rich yet so fond of men.

Unexpectedly, the troupe leader returned in a panic short while, his face pale, and bowed deeply, "Greetings, Master Xue! Tang Guan... he's been intercepted!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table, causing the wine cups and dishes to clang loudly.

"This is outrageous! Who dares to intercept the person I've set my sights on? Tell me, who is this blind fool!"

The troupe leader was caught in a dilemma, his legs were weak, and he replied in a trembling voice.

"It's...it's the young master of the Qiu family, Qiu Qian! He was watching the opera downstairs just now, and he took a fancy to Tang Guan. Without saying a word, he ordered his men to take Tang Guan away..."

"Qiu Qian?" Upon hearing this, Feng Ziying's expression changed drastically. His previously relaxed brows furrowed, and his tone carried a hint of fear. "It's that scoundrel!"

Baoyu had never heard of this name before, and curiously turned his head.

"Brother Feng, who is this Qiu Qian? How can he be so domineering?"

Feng Ziying sighed.

"He is the eldest son of Qiu Duwei, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His father is directly under the command of the current emperor and is close to the imperial power. He has great influence in the capital. Qiu Qian relies on his father's power and usually acts arrogantly and does all kinds of evil. Last time I was hunting in the hunting grounds, I got into a fight with him and ended up being scolded by my father."

Although Xue Pan knew that Commandant Qiu wielded considerable power, he was still furious to have his prized possession snatched away. He immediately rolled up his sleeves, cursing and swearing, and prepared to storm out the door.

"To hell with Captain Qiu and Captain Hen! They dared to steal my people, I'll make them pay!"

Having said that, he raised his fist and was about to go downstairs when Jia Cong quickly stood up to stop him.

"Brother Xue, please calm down. The enemy is powerful, and Commandant Qiu is deeply favored by the Emperor. If we fight, it may implicate both families. This matter needs to be considered carefully."

"What a load of rubbish about taking it long-term!" Xue Pan shoved Jia Cong aside and cursed gruffly.

"I'm going to take this official position today! Even if Qiu Qian has His Majesty's backing, I'm not afraid!"

Seeing this, Feng Ziying was wary, but Xue Pan had invited him, and it would seem cowardly to stand idly by. So he gritted his teeth and stood up.

"Alright, Brother Xue, please calm down. I'll go downstairs with you and see what's going on. We'll try our best to deal with him and prevent things from getting out of control."

Helpless, everyone had no choice but to follow Xue Pan downstairs. As soon as they reached the private room downstairs, they saw a young man dressed in a bright red brocade round collar, with his arm around Tang Guan's shoulder, sitting in a chair drinking with a smug look on his face. The young man had a fierce face and arrogant eyes. It was Qiu Qian. Tang Guan was so frightened by being held in his arms that he trembled all over and his eyes turned red, but he did not dare to struggle.

Qiu Qian didn't recognize Xue Pan, but he was very familiar with Feng Ziying. Upon seeing an acquaintance, he nonchalantly took a sip of wine, acting nonchalantly and not even glancing at the person.

"Oh? Who do we have here? It's Brother Feng... What, you've taken a fancy to this little actress too?"

Although Feng Ziying had fought with the other party before, there was no need for him to turn against him for Xue Pan's sake. He could only suppress his anger and bow.

"Brother Qiu, you jest. My brother has also taken a fancy to this actress. I wonder if Brother Qiu would be willing to part with her?"

Qiu Qian nonchalantly swallowed a large gulp of wine, glanced around, and saw that besides Feng Ziying, there was also a mentally challenged fool, along with two handsome young men. For a moment, he was unsure what to do.

"Oh? May I ask who Brother Feng's friend is?"

Feng Ziying pointed to Xue Pan standing to the side, "This is Young Master Xue, a descendant of Xue Gong, the Imperial Attendant, who currently manages the Imperial Treasury's silver trading company..."

Qiu Qian's face showed a mocking expression, completely disregarding Xue Pan.

"He's just a merchant's son, yet he dares to ask me for things? I had my eye on this official first, why should I give it to him?"

Xue Pan, who was already suppressing his anger, immediately bristled upon hearing this, clenching his fists and preparing to lash out.

"You bastard! What kind of merchant's son are you? I have plenty of money. Name your price, I'll give you whatever you want!"

"You insolent brats!" Qiu Qian slammed his hand on the table, his eyes flashing with anger. He was about to reprimand them when his gaze swept over Bao Yu and Jia Cong beside Xue Pan. He noticed that the two men possessed outstanding bearing, and their clothing was in the style of aristocratic families. Bao Yu, in particular, had the air of someone who had been pampered and privileged, making him seem like a scion of a top aristocratic family in the capital. A thought struck him, and his tone softened slightly.

"And who are these two people?"

Seeing this, Feng Ziying quickly interjected.

"These two are the young masters of the Rongguo Mansion. This is Master Bao, Jia Baoyu, and this is Jia Cong, the third young master of the Rongguo Mansion's eldest branch. Now that the Lady of Fengzao Palace has been promoted to the rank of Imperial Concubine, the mansion is enjoying great favor from the Emperor. They have come with Brother Xue today."

Qiu Qian's expression changed slightly, and a trace of apprehension flashed in his eyes. Although he relied on his father being the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and close to the imperial power, he was unwilling to easily offend the old powerful families of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes. Moreover, after the Consort Yuan was made a concubine, the Jia family was at the height of its power. If things really got out of hand, Commander Qiu might not be willing to make enemies with the Jia family for the sake of an actress.