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

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt even more distressed and quickly hugged Baoyu in her arms, calling him her "my darling" again. "Good child, you've put your heart into this. Whether or not the fan can be made, I appreciate your filial piety. Be more careful in the future and don't upset your father again."

After speaking, she turned to look at Jia Zheng, her expression leaving no room for doubt.

"Let's leave it at that for today. Baoyu is still young, and it's great that he can correct his mistakes. Don't lay a finger on him again! As for the fan, since it's my grandson's way of showing filial piety, let Cong'er make it properly. If it's done well, our mansion will be more comfortable in the summer."

Seeing that Grandmother Jia's attitude was resolute, Jia Zheng had no choice but to swallow his anger and immediately bowed in agreement.

"Your son obeys your command and will spare this unfilial son today. However, you must discipline him strictly in the future and never let him misbehave again."

Seeing that Jia Zheng had relented, Grandmother Jia's expression softened somewhat. She then looked at Jia Cong, a slight smile appearing on her face. "Cong'er is always calm and sensible. Come quickly, fetch a doctor to examine him!"

Jia Cong also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for your care, Ancestor. I will go to the workshop in the south of the city first thing tomorrow morning to make the fan as soon as possible, to show my respect to Ancestor, as well as to my husband and wife."

Seeing that things had calmed down, Grandmother Jia took Baoyu's hand and gave Jia Zheng a few more words of advice, telling him to be more patient and less prone to anger in the future. Then she left with Baoyu and a group of maids.

Before leaving, Baoyu looked back at Jia Cong, his eyes full of gratitude. His lips moved, but he didn't speak, though it was clear that he was sincere.

Jia Zheng was still somewhat angry, and only watched as Jia Cong pointed haphazardly.

"Cong-ge'er should go for treatment quickly, lest he injure his bones and muscles."

"Yes..." Jia Cong didn't dare to linger any longer and quickly left Rongxi Hall.

Grandmother Jia still summoned a doctor to treat him. Fortunately, Jia Cong practiced martial arts every day, so the beating was not a serious injury. He was only prescribed some ointment to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.

Although today's commotion was dangerous, it was also quite fruitful, as Baoyu was finally saved.

The next morning, Jia Cong took the blueprints and ordered Li Rong to prepare a carriage to go to the workshop in the south of the city.

Manager Wang took the blueprints and examined them carefully several times. After listening to Jia Cong's explanation, he repeatedly assured him.

"Don't worry, Third Master, I will definitely build this fan as soon as possible according to the blueprints. I guarantee that the workmanship will be exquisite and there will be no delays."

Jia Cong nodded, gave a few more instructions, and left the workshop. When he returned to the mansion and entered Qingyan Hall, a servant came to report that Baoyu was waiting outside. Jia Cong's heart stirred, and he quickly asked the servant to invite Baoyu in.

Baoyu strode in, his face showing a mixture of guilt and gratitude, and grabbed his hand.

"Good brother, thanks to you yesterday, otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to get out of bed today. I will remember this kindness in my heart."

Jia Cong, however, maintained his usual polite demeanor.

"Second brother, you're too kind. We're brothers, it's only right that we look after each other. There's no need for you to blame yourself too much for what happened yesterday. Just be more careful in the future."

As he spoke, Baoyu took out a brocade box from his pocket and handed it to Jia Cong: "Good brother, although this is not a rare treasure, it is a token of my goodwill. Please accept it."

Anything made by Baoyu is bound to be of high quality. Jia Cong glanced at it; it was a superior jade pendant. He immediately told Jinping to put it away, while he smiled and shook hands with the other person.

"Thank you for your kindness, Second Brother. I will accept this jade pendant, but it would be impolite to refuse it. Once the fan is finished, we will send it to our ancestor together."

When Baoyu saw that Jia Cong had accepted the jade pendant, a smile appeared on his face.

"Alright! Then I won't bother you any longer, brother. You work hard practicing martial arts every day, so please take care to rest more."

Two days later, the workshop manager personally delivered the hand-operated fans that had been made and placed them in the hall. One person only needed to step on the pedal to make the fan blades spin rapidly and produce gusts of cool air. Another type was a hand-cranked fan, which was small in size and could be placed on a desk. The fan could be powered by turning the handle.

Jia Cong was very pleased with the sight and rewarded the steward with a few taels of silver. Then, he took two typhoon fans and went with Baoyu to Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

Grandmother Jia was also intrigued when she saw the fan, and ordered her maids to demonstrate it on the spot.

A maidservant pedaled the fan, its blades spinning rapidly, sending gusts of cool air through the air, dispelling the summer heat. Grandmother Jia sat to the side, enjoying the breeze, her face beaming with joy.

"It truly is a fine item, far superior to that fan. Just be careful not to let it chill you in the wind! Baoyu, Cong'er, you two are so thoughtful!"

Madam Wang also happened to arrive and was delighted to see the fan. "It's such a clever thing. It saves so much effort compared to the maids fanning me, and the wind is strong enough. I'll be less affected by the heat when I chant Buddhist prayers in my room."

After this incident, Jia Cong received many more rewards, including those from Lady Wang. Not only her, but also Grandmother Jia, who didn't understand that this was something Baoyu could make?

But since Jia Cong gave Baoyu face and spared him physical pain, these elders knew perfectly well what was going on.

After teaching Jia Huan martial arts for two days, Jia Cong couldn't resist Bao Yu's insistence and came to Yi Hong Courtyard for a short visit. He overheard Bao Chai and the others chatting and laughing with Bao Yu, saying that if it weren't for Jia Cong's help, they would probably be badly injured and in grave danger by now.

Upon seeing him enter, Baoyu quickly stood up, took his hand, and smiled.

"Brother, you've come at the perfect time! Quick, bring me a bowl of chilled rose nectar!"

Even though Jia Cong was highly favored that year, he was not entitled to a sip of this special drink. He immediately rolled up his sleeves, drank it down in a few gulps, wiped his mouth, and put it aside.

Today, Daiyu is unusually absent. Upon inquiry, it was learned that she had caught a chill while resting during the afternoon and had been exposed to the fan. She is currently recuperating in Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

This fan isn't a particularly sophisticated item; the artisans in the workshop could make hundreds of them, and within two days, every room was equipped with one.

Baochai, being plump and averse to heat, disliked summer more than Daiyu and others. At this moment, she gently waved a round fan, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Lin Daiyu is frail, unlike us who are more robust. She caught a chill from indulging in new tricks, but fortunately it's just a stuffy nose and dizziness. She should get better after a couple of days of rest."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu immediately frowned and stamped his feet.

"It's all my fault! That day I was only focused on pleasing the old lady and didn't think to tell you to be careful to avoid the wind. Although this thing is cool, it's actually a harmful thing. Tomorrow I will have someone move the one in Xiaoxiang Pavilion away and just place it far away. It will be fine if there is a gentle breeze, but I will not dare to let it blow directly on you again."

After saying that, he was about to get up. "I'll go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion for a quick look. I'll just stand under the eaves and say hello without disturbing her rest. You all continue sitting. I'll be right back."

Baochai quickly stopped her, saying, "You're so flustered. If you go in and make a scene, she won't have a moment's peace. Let's wait until another day."

Baoyu had no choice but to sit down reluctantly. Just then, Tanchun and the others wanted to play Go, so he joined in the commotion.

Jia Cong was not interested in this kind of entertainment. He just watched with a smile, but his mind was on Qin Keqing. He planned to get up and say goodbye in a while and sneak off to the perfume workshop to have some fun.