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

Jia Rong's face flushed red and then turned pale. After stammering for a while, he finally gritted his teeth, leaned close to Jia Cong's ear, and whispered...

"Third Uncle, to tell you the truth, I was foolish enough to take that money to the gambling den hoping to win it back, but I lost it all and now I'm drowning in gambling debts. They're pressuring me, so I sneaked out to hide for a while." As he spoke, he repeatedly swiped his horn.

"Uncle, please have mercy and grant me a few more days. Once I've raised enough money, I will repay you double!"

Looking at his spineless appearance, Jia Cong felt utterly contemptuous, but feigned impatience. "We're uncle and nephew, so it's not right for me to force you like this. But you have to give me a straight answer: when will you repay me, and how will you repay me?"

Jia Rong's eyes darted around, and he suddenly looked up, a lewd smile spreading across his face. He lowered his voice even further, almost whispering in Jia Cong's ear.

"Third Uncle, I know you're in a difficult position. Otherwise... my wife, Keqing, is currently in charge of the perfume workshop in the manor, which is quite respectable. If you don't mind, I'll temporarily offer her to you as collateral. She's pretty and efficient, and she'll definitely be able to serve you well..."

Even Jia Cong was shocked by Jia Rong's shamelessness, and immediately put on a righteous and indignant demeanor.

"You scoundrel! That's your lawfully wedded wife, the matriarch of your household! How could you come up with such a despicable and vile scheme? You're worse than an animal!"

Jia Rong thought that his third uncle looked down on Qin Keqing's looks, so he could only smile obsequiously.

"Uncle, please calm down. That's not what I meant. It was just a temporary measure to solve the immediate problem..."

Jia Cong suppressed his impatience and anger, and his tone turned cold.

"Your wife is deeply loved by the matriarch and works in the manor's workshop with Sister Feng. She has a very respectable status. Don't spout nonsense and insult her anymore! I can give you some more time regarding the money, but if you dare to try again, don't blame me for not showing any mercy to our clan and sending you to the master for punishment!"

Seeing that Jia Cong was truly angry, Jia Rong dared not mention the mortgage again and nodded repeatedly.

"Nephew will not dare to do it again! Nephew will never dare to do it again! Thank you for your magnanimity, Uncle! Thank you, Uncle!"

But Jia Cong was unwilling to let this opportunity slip away. He softened his tone and pulled the other person to a corner of the street.

"That's enough. Seeing that you're having a hard time, and considering we're uncle and nephew, it's not worth making a scene like this."

Jia Rong let out a long sigh of relief, his smile becoming even more obsequious.

"Yes, yes, Uncle has always been kind and generous, I know that."

Jia Cong rolled his eyes and pointed to the side gate of the Ning Mansion.

"How about this? I own a vegetable shop with fresh ingredients and fair prices. I regularly supply vegetables to many prominent families. From now on, I can send some seasonal vegetables to your household every day to supplement the income of my subordinates. What do you think?"

Jia Rong had no idea of ​​Jia Cong's cunning. The fruits and vegetables were paid for with public funds, so he wouldn't have to pay out of his own pocket, and he was happy to do Jia Cong a favor. He immediately patted his chest and agreed.

"Since it is my third uncle's order, how could I dare not agree? Just send someone to deliver it, and I would never dare to delay payment."

Jia Cong nodded in satisfaction.

"Very well, then I'll have someone send it to your residence in a couple of days. Go now, the curfew will be sounded soon..."

"I understand, nephew! Take care, Uncle." Jia Rong quickly replied, then turned and slipped away as if he had been granted a pardon.

Jia Cong watched the other person's figure disappear around the street corner, then took out the handkerchief Qin Keqing had given him before, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes. This Jia Zhen could not be allowed to live...

The next day after school, Wang Xifeng, who was now fully recovered, happened to come and deliver this season's bonus to him. Jia Cong quickly greeted her with a smile and welcomed her in.

"Sister-in-law, why don't you rest for a few more days? You need to take good care of your health."

Wang Xifeng, with a graceful sway of her waist, took Ping'er's hand and sat down, her face showing a hint of sincerity.

"I was so grateful to you, brother, for driving away that evil spirit the other day. Otherwise, I might have lost my life!"

As she spoke, she raised her hand to touch her temple, her eyes still showing lingering fear. "It was thanks to you wearing the golden armor of our ancestors that the evil spirits gradually retreated. I will remember this kindness in my heart."

Ping'er chimed in with a smile.

"That's right, after Second Madam woke up, she kept talking about how good Third Master was."

Wang Xifeng nodded, signaling Ping'er to take a packet of silver and push it in front of Jia Cong.

"This is the profit from the perfume workshop, the tremella workshop, and the glass workshop this season. It adds up to a total of three hundred taels of silver. You can count it; it's all legitimate income."

Jia Cong had no idea how to count it; he simply instructed Jinping to accept it. In his heart, however, he cursed Wang Xifeng for being heartless. She only gave three hundred taels of silver to the three workshops combined. Heaven knows how much of it she used to lend money at exorbitant interest rates!

But he still smiled and drank tea with her again. Wang Xifeng had been resting for several days, and Jia Lian had taken over the accounts. He was busy checking the accounts and left in a hurry.

Jia Cong counted his savings, took out twenty taels, and then led Li Rong out of the side gate to West Street to find Ni Er and his gang of ruffians.

When Ni Er and the others saw him, they hurriedly bowed and greeted him.

"This humble servant greets Third Master. I hope Third Master is in good health."

Jia Cong smiled and waved his hand.

"I don't come here without a reason. I've come to discuss something with you today."

Ni Er and the others thumped their chests loudly.

"Third Master, what are you saying? Your kindness to us is as heavy as a mountain, and now you even send us our monthly allowance. Even if we were to climb mountains of knives or plunge into boiling oil, we wouldn't be heroes if we even flinched!"

"You're joking, there's no need for that. Let's go, we can talk while we drink." Jia Cong said, waving his hand, and then led Ni Er and the others into Dongxing Tower.

Upon entering the private room, after the wine and dishes were served, Jia Cong took a small sip before leisurely instructing Li Rong to take out the envelope of silver and place it on the table.

"Ni Er, I've found you and these brothers a job. From now on, you'll deliver vegetables to the Ning residence every day. Just find the freshest ones, don't worry about the price."

Ni Er was somewhat bewildered, and he and the group of hooligans exchanged bewildered glances.

"Third Master, are you joking with us? How could we dare to dream of such a respectable job?"

Jia Cong pushed the silver away, his expression becoming serious.

"Of course it's true. Find me a reliable vegetable shop on West Street and deliver five or six taels of silver worth of fresh fruits and vegetables there every day. Someone will pay for everything. This is the initial investment, and you must continue to do so every day!"

Ni Er and the others were all shocked. In the eyes of the young masters, delivering vegetables was nothing special, but there were many tricks involved. Vegetables worth five or six taels of silver could be priced at least eight taels, which would bring in two or three taels a day. After a month, each person could get more than ten taels of silver!

"Thank you for your kind words, Third Master! We will do our best to send you the freshest vegetables every day, and we will never dare to make the slightest mistake!" Ni Er and the others' eyes were red.

Jia Cong had a smile playing on his lips.

"Do your job well; this is a legitimate business. Just remember, there are many people and eyes around at the Ning residence, so be quick and efficient!"