Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Just as Jia Lian was pondering this, Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan arrived.

Feng Ziying was the son of General Feng Tang. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes. As soon as he dismounted, he said loudly, "I'm late, I'm late. I was blocked on the way by a few ignorant vendors. Please forgive me."

Feng Ziying's shout immediately drew everyone's attention.

Han Qi laughed and said, "Brother Feng, you've come at the perfect time. We were just talking about Brother Gu's happy news."

"Good news?" Feng Ziying casually tossed his riding whip to the servant behind him and strode over. "What good news? I didn't know anything about it."

Jiang Zining leaned closer, winking and saying, "Rong-ge'er just mentioned the engagement between Second Brother Gu and Lord Lin's daughter."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ziying turned to look at Gu Jinhong, her eyes filled with surprise: "Really? No wonder so many suitors who came to your house were rejected by Her Highness the Princess. Jinhong, you've been keeping this a secret for a long time!"

"It's an arranged marriage, what's there to brag about?"

Feng Ziying patted his shoulder and said in a hearty voice, "In my opinion, this is a joyous occasion, we should have a good drink."

Han Qi then clapped his hands and said loudly, "Now that everyone is here, let's not just stand here. There are over a dozen fine horses on the estate, and the weather is nice today, how about we have a race?"

Everyone immediately cheered.

Han Qi let everyone choose their own path, and then ordered someone to plant a flag at the finish line.

"Horse racing alone is too boring. Today we've set a prize, not much, and the winner will receive fifty taels of silver from each of the losers."

Han Qi's chosen stake was just right; everyone present could afford it, showing he had considered everything carefully. After all, many mansions had long since declined, existing only as shells. If the stake were set too high, those who lost wouldn't be able to come up with that much money, which would only breed resentment.

Upon hearing that there was a prize involved, Jiang Zining immediately perked up: "Brother Han, this is a great idea! Today I'm going to collect all the debts from last time."

Feng Ziying looked at him with a half-smile: "Are you sure?"

Jiang Zining felt uneasy under his gaze, but forced a smile and said, "Of course. I've been training hard with the riding and archery instructors in the manor for a month now, and I'm a completely different person from before."

Feng Ziying laughed heartily: "Brother Jiang, I heard you say that last month."

"That time it was the horse's fault!"

Everyone chatted and laughed as they mounted their horses.

Gu Jinhong chose a black horse, its coat jet black and glossy, clearly a top-quality steed. He sat upright on its back, his demeanor composed, displaying a remarkably youthful air of a general.

Han Qi had already lowered the flag in his hand.

Seven or eight horses charged out simultaneously, their hooves thundering. Gu Jinhong took the lead, quickly leaving the others behind. Feng Ziying followed closely behind, Jiang Zining gritted his teeth and desperately chased after them, while Jia Lian and Jia Rong lagged behind.

Jia Rong's riding skills were mediocre to begin with, and after riding for a while he gave up the chase and simply slowed down his horse to ride alongside Jia Lian.

"Second Uncle Lian," Jia Rong lowered his voice, "I've noticed this man isn't very friendly towards you or me. Have you perhaps offended him somehow?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian's face stiffened. How had he ever offended Gu Jinhong? He hadn't even had the chance to offend him.

But to say they were close wouldn't be accurate. Last time, Jia Baoyu caused such a scene at the Princess's residence, the Rongguo Mansion lost all face. Although Jia's mother personally came to apologize afterward, this grudge wouldn't be so easily forgiven.

In addition, Jia Baoyu was later inexplicably beaten up...

Jia Lian shook his head, dismissing these thoughts, and said calmly, "Second Master Gu is aloof and treats everyone the same."

Jia Rong gave an awkward smile and didn't ask any more questions.

The horse race result was a foregone conclusion; Gu Jinhong crossed the finish line first. Feng Ziying followed closely behind, nearly two horse lengths behind. Jiang Zining finished fourth, his face turning green with disappointment.

"Brother Jiang," Gu Jinhong reined in his horse, turned around to look at him, and smiled slightly, "send your fifty taels to my residence later."

Jiang Zining gritted his teeth in anger: "A bet's a bet!"

The crowd burst into laughter again.

After the horse race, Han Qi had wine and dishes prepared at the manor. The manor's chef, brought from the Marquis of Jinxiang's residence, prepared several game dishes that were fresh, fragrant, and flavorful. Everyone toasted and exchanged drinks, and the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Jia Lian sat at the table, drinking as he pondered how to get closer to Gu Jinhong. Jia Rong, that shameless fellow, kept calling him "Second Uncle Gu" with such familiarity. He couldn't remain indifferent.

Just then, Wei Ruolan suddenly put down her wine cup, a hint of guilt on her face, and asked Jia Lian, "Second Master Lian, is Baoyu's injury any better now?"

Wei Ruolan's words quieted the previously lively atmosphere at the table slightly. The fact that Baoyu had been beaten was no secret; they had all heard about it.

That day, Jia Baoyu was drinking with Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan at Juxianlou Restaurant when he was attacked on his way home. Although Feng Ziying and Wei Ruolan had no direct connection to the incident, it happened after they had been drinking together, so they felt somewhat guilty.

Feng Ziying put down his chopsticks and said in a deep voice, "I originally said I would see him off after the banquet that day, but he said it was fine since he lived nearby. Who would have thought that this would happen? When I heard about it later, I was really upset."

Jia Lian quickly waved his hand and said, "Brother Feng, Brother Wei, you're being too polite. What does this have to do with you two? Under the Emperor's nose, no one could have predicted such a thing would happen. Baoyu is much better now, and after a few more days of rest, he'll be able to get out of bed and walk around. It's nothing serious."

Jiang Zining interjected, asking, "Have you caught the murderer?"

"The murderers have been caught. It was personally overseen by Prefect Zheng of Shuntian Prefecture. They said it was a few drunken thugs who mistook Baoyu for an enemy in the dark."

"Drunk and mistook someone for someone else? What a coincidence!"

Jia Lian didn't really believe it either, but since his second uncle, Jia Zheng, Bao Yu's biological father, had already decided not to investigate further, he naturally wouldn't say anything more. He could only smile and say:

"Lord Zheng is known for his impartiality in handling cases. Since he is personally overseeing the matter, there must be no mistake. In any case, Baoyu's injury just needs to be healed. In the future, let him take a few servants with him when he goes out, so as to avoid any further trouble."

Hearing Jia Lian's words, "always fair and just," many people present twitched at the corners of their mouths. Only Jia Lian would have the nerve to say such a thing. How could these spoiled brats not know what kind of person Zheng Yuanqi was? They had often sought help from that Zheng guy when they got into trouble in the capital.

However, the victims did not intend to investigate further, so they naturally did not cause any trouble.

Wei Ruolan nodded, picked up her wine cup, and said, "It's good that Baoyu is alright. This cup of wine is my apology to him. That day, I was the one who made Baoyu drink a few more cups. If we had parted earlier, perhaps we wouldn't have run into those wicked people."

"Brother Wei, you're being too polite," Jia Lian quickly raised his cup to clink with his. "You all know Bao Yu's temperament. Even if you didn't ask him to stay, he would still have a few more drinks on his own. You really can't blame anyone else for this."

Upon hearing this, Feng Ziying laughed heartily: "In that case, there's no need for such discouraging words. We know that Baoyu is physically robust, and he'll be lively and energetic again in a few days. I'll bring two jars of fine wine and personally visit him another day."

Jia Lian's lips twitched, thinking to himself, "If you bring wine to see Baoyu, the old lady will probably kick you out along with the wine."

He simply smiled and said, "Brother Feng, you are too kind. I will certainly pass on the message to Baoyu when I get back."