Dream of the Red Chamber: I can see the hidden labels of the beauties.

When Qin Keqing asked about the outcome of his conversation with the Emperor Emeritus, Jia Can didn't hide anything. He gently held her soft, boneless hand and said with a smile:

"Very good. The Emperor Emeritus praised me for my brilliant execution of Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, and also for causing Jia She to suffer a great setback."

"More importantly, he personally told me that he wanted me to be the commander of the Longfu Guard, but he also intended to appoint me as the imperial envoy to go south and reorganize the salt administration."

When Qin Keqing heard that Jia Can had been given a specific official position, she was initially delighted, her eyes crinkling with joy. But the last words froze her smile, and she anxiously pressed for an answer:

"The Emperor Emeritus... actually ordered you to go south to reorganize the salt administration?"

Jia Can knew that this matter could not be kept secret in the end, so telling her earlier would give her more time to prepare mentally, which was better than telling her in a hurry before leaving and catching her off guard.

He held her hand tightly, gazed at her with tenderness in his eyes, and nodded gently.

"Yes, that's settled. I'll probably have to head south shortly after the funeral."

Upon hearing that he was leaving the capital, how could Qin Keqing bear to part with him?

The two had finally gotten together after many trials and tribulations, and now they had to part again so soon. Her eyes immediately reddened, and tears of reluctance welled up in her beautiful eyes.

No longer caring about being reserved, she threw herself into Jia Can's arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, buried her face in his chest, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Jia Can quickly embraced her, one hand around her slender waist, the other gently patting her back, softly comforting her.

He said he would be returning to Beijing soon, not too long, and that they would have a long time together afterward, so this short separation was nothing.

He also said that it was an imperial decree that he could not disobey and had to go south. He appealed to his emotions and reasoned with him, patiently persuading him.

Qin Keqing was also an understanding and reasonable person. She knew what she should fight for and what she shouldn't. After listening to Jia Can's words, she knew that the matter was beyond redemption.

She didn't pester him, didn't cry or complain, and just quietly nestled in his arms.

However, she was reluctant to part, and the sorrow of separation lingered in her heart. Leaning against Jia Can's chest, she murmured something with a wronged expression and tearful eyes.

Jia Can felt heartbroken and held her tightly, whispering sweet nothings in her ear to coax her.

He said he would write to her as soon as he arrived in the South, that he would think of her every day, that he would bring her some local specialties when he returned, and that he would make sure nothing would happen to him, etc.

Gradually, Qin Keqing smiled, though the tear stains at the corners of her eyes were still wet. She lifted her head from Jia Can's embrace, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, and urged Jia Can to return to the capital as soon as possible, saying that she would be waiting for him there.

Jia Can nodded emphatically, repeatedly promising that he would return as soon as possible and would not let her wait in the capital for too long.

At the end, he even extended his little finger and hooked it with hers, just like when they were little.

Qin Keqing was amused by his childish behavior and burst into laughter through her tears. She gave him a gentle, coquettish look, but did not pull her fingers away, keeping them tightly intertwined.

At the same time, they couldn't help but recall the wonderful memories they had of each other in the Eastern Palace when they were young.

Seeing her smile, Jia Can relaxed as well, and continued to say some intimate things that only the two of them could hear, making Qin Keqing giggle and blush, adding to her charm.

Seeing Qin Keqing's captivating charm, Jia Can became even more enamored and moved closer to her, preparing to spend some time with her.

Just then, a maid's hurried voice came from outside:

"Master Xue, you cannot come in. Please wait at the door while I go in and inform you... Oh..."

Accompanied by a young man's slightly rude voice:

"Brother Can, are you there?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Can and Qin Keqing, who were inside the room, quickly separated. Qin Keqing hurriedly tidied her appearance and secretly complained about the visitor.

Jia Can was also quite dissatisfied. He was engrossed in his work when this person abruptly interrupted his enjoyment, which naturally made him extremely unhappy. A shadow crossed his eyes as he looked outside.

These days, he has been ruthlessly purging the Ningguo Mansion. Although it has not been completely cleaned up yet, the atmosphere in the mansion has already changed. Without his permission, no one would dare to barge into his study.

He wanted to see who dared to disregard the rules he had set and barge in, ruining his plans!

Then a young man dressed in bright green clothes walked in with a swagger. His face was not visible, and he was slightly short and stout. He wore a double-winged hat and was holding a folding fan in his hand.

At first glance, he looks like a scholar, but upon closer inspection, his colorful clothes are loose and baggy, and his hat is not worn properly. Although he is holding a folding fan, he has no trace of the demeanor of a scholar.

It's more like a poor imitation; a vulgar warrior trying to pretend to be a scholar, trying to appear cultured, which is quite ridiculous.

Jia Can went through his memories and recognized the person as Xue Baochai's brother, Xue Pan, nicknamed "Foolish Tyrant".

Xue Pan was clearly used to being unruly, and perhaps he didn't take Jia Can seriously. He didn't send a maid to inform him, but instead barged in directly.

As soon as he entered, his gaze was drawn to Qin Keqing. She was so beautiful and charming, like a fairy princess, that she was truly eye-catching.

Xue Pan was an extremely lecherous man, so he was naturally attracted to him. He couldn't look away after just one glance, his face full of lustful eyes, and he was practically drooling.

Qin Keqing keenly sensed this, and already displeased that his sudden intrusion had interrupted her tender moment with Jia Can, she felt even more disgusted upon seeing his unbearable gaze. She immediately took her leave of Jia Can:

"Uncle Can, your wife will take her leave now."

Jia Can naturally saw Xue Pan's pathetic performance, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. How dare he covet his woman? Xue Pan must be tired of living!

On the surface, however, he remained very restrained, gently waving his hand at Qin Keqing and saying:

"Okay, go ahead, just do as we discussed."

Qin Keqing curtsied to him, glanced at him again, and then turned to leave. Although she was reluctant to leave, Xue Pan's gaze made her feel disgusted, so she could only quicken her pace to leave first.

Fortunately, Jia Can understood her situation and saw her off in time, blocking Xue Pan's gaze and making her feel more at ease.

Qin Keqing couldn't help but turn around and saw Jia Can shielding Xue Pan behind her, as if building a solid wall to stop the flood and the beast. She felt quite pleased and smiled at Jia Can, her eyes seemingly conveying some kind of secret message.

Jia Can understood, nodded slightly to her, and watched her figure disappear around the corner of the corridor.

Although Xue Pan's view was blocked by Jia Can, he didn't come to his senses and his face was still full of lecherous expressions.

Jia Can turned around, saw him like this, and her eyes grew even colder. She questioned him in a deep voice:

"Brother Xue, do you also disregard etiquette at home, freely entering and leaving other people's rooms?"

Xue Pan immediately came to his senses. Seeing Jia Can's fierce expression and imposing manner, he was momentarily terrified and subconsciously replied:

"No... I came directly to see you when I learned you were in the study, just like I did when I entered Baoyu's room before."

Upon hearing this, Jia Can almost laughed in anger. How could someone compare him to Jia Baoyu? Jia Baoyu was bisexual and never paid attention to rules such as the separation of men and women. It was normal for Xue Pan to come and go freely in his study. But here, of course, he couldn't just enter at will.