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

If Xue Pan had arrived any slower, he might have seen something he shouldn't have, something Jia Can absolutely could not accept, and Xue Pan would probably have ended up on his kill list.

However, the fact that Xue Pan dared to covet Qin Keqing had already caused Jia Can to accumulate a lot of dissatisfaction and anger towards Xue Pan.

However, considering that Xue Pan was Xue Baochai's brother, her anger gradually subsided. She only remembered this part and still spoke quite politely:

"Brother Xue, this place is different from Jia Baoyu's study. Not only do I handle the general affairs of the entire Ningguo Mansion here, but I also store many important accounts. Outsiders are not allowed to enter easily."

"Considering this is your first offense, I will not pursue the matter further. Please be more careful in the future and let the maid announce your arrival before you come in."

Xue Pan, intimidated by his words and imposing manner, scratched the back of his head and replied with shame:

"I'm so sorry, Brother Can, it was my fault. Next time I will definitely have the maids inform you first. Please don't take it to heart."

Jia Can slightly pursed her lips, then invited him to sit down and asked:

"I wonder what brings you here at this hour, Brother Xue?"

After Xue Pan sat down, he casually opened his folding fan and said with a grin:

"Hehe... I have no business with you, I just thought I'd treat Brother Can to some drinks."

Upon hearing this, Jia Can frowned. He knew Xue Pan well enough to know who he was. Xue Pan's so-called drinking was mostly a way of inviting him to brothels. He was trying to win him over as a drinking buddy.

Jia Can had absolutely no interest in associating with a good-for-nothing like Xue Pan. If it weren't for the fact that he was Xue Baochai's brother, he wouldn't even bother to talk to him.

However, I still politely declined:

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xue. However, my family is currently still holding a funeral and has no time to have a drink with you. Please forgive me."

Xue Pan replied nonchalantly:

"Not now, I mean, after the funeral at your residence is over, I would be honored to have you join me then, Brother Can."

Hearing his curt tone, which showed no intention of seeking his opinion and sounded as if he were being informed, Jia Can couldn't help but feel displeased. Just as he was about to find an excuse to decline, Xue Pan continued:

"Brother Can, I know you've spent most of your time at home and haven't gone out much. If you'd do me the honor, I'll book all the top courtesans at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion for you, so you can experience true freedom and pleasure."

As he spoke, he winked at Jia Can, looking lewd and ridiculous. Coupled with his incongruous attire, he looked even more laughable.

Upon seeing this, Jia Can curled up a cold smile, thinking to himself, "As expected, they're just out drinking and carousing."

At the same time, he also realized that Xue Pan looked down on him, treating him as a nouveau riche who had suddenly become rich and used drinking and womanizing as a way to show his superiority.

This not only made Jia Can feel contempt, but also made him even more dissatisfied with Xue Pan.

However, suppressing her emotions, she directly refused:

"I am busy with household affairs and may not have time. Brother Xue, please go and enjoy yourself. I will not keep you company."

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan's face immediately stiffened and turned ugly. He really didn't expect that Jia Can would disrespect him.

Just as Jia Can guessed, in Xue Pan's eyes, Jia Can was a nouveau riche who had gotten a great deal. If Xue Baochai hadn't reminded him today to befriend Jia Can, which might bring many benefits to the Xue family, he wouldn't have bothered to see Jia Can at all.

He also felt that as long as he used the excuse of drinking and carousing, and with the invitation personally extended by him, the eldest son of the Xue family, Jia Can would surely agree to become his close friend.

In the past, he had always treated other members of the Jia clan this way; after a meal of wine and flowers, they would become close friends who could talk about anything. This was true even for Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu.

Unexpectedly, Jia Can directly rejected his "kind" invitation.

Jia Can was too lazy to waste any more words with him and waved his hand, saying:

"I still have some things to take care of, Brother Xue, please make yourself at home."

This was not an excuse; Jia Can did indeed have important matters to attend to. Whether it was revitalizing the Longfu Guard or making preparations for the southward reorganization of the salt administration, these were things he needed to think deeply about and plan for, and could not be delayed.

Xue Pan hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"My sister told me before, 'Brother Can, you are different from others,' and I didn't believe it at the time, but now I do."

Upon hearing this, Jia Can's heart stirred. He turned to look at him and asked:

"Oh? Did Sister Baochai send you to see me?"

Xue Pan grinned when he heard that his tone had softened considerably.

"That's right. My sister specifically instructed me to come here, saying that associating with you, Brother Can, would be beneficial to our Xue family."

Upon hearing this, Jia Can felt that he was a complete idiot for saying such things so bluntly.

Xue Pan shouted outside again:

"Xiangling... Xiangling, come in quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Can was greatly moved. He looked towards the door, a glint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

After a long while, a young maidservant dressed in a light blue vest walked in gracefully. She had a delicate face, a tall figure, and an air about her that was unlike that of an ordinary maidservant.

What is most striking is the beauty mark between her eyebrows, which adds to her beauty and highlights her delicate and graceful temperament.

Jia Can looked on with admiration, but at the same time he noticed something. He stared at Xiang Ling in a daze, his pupils shrinking.

He could clearly see a distinct label on Xiangling's head:

[The Banner of the Salt Smugglers of Jiangnan]

Upon seeing Xiangling's hidden label, Jia Can was shocked. The literal meaning was that Xiangling was a banner that could command the salt smugglers of Jiangnan, which also meant that as long as one could control Xiangling, one could command the salt smugglers of Jiangnan.

Nowadays, the salt administration is riddled with problems, and private salt trade is rampant. Salt smugglers are also a real phenomenon. Jia Can is worried about how to reform the salt administration in the south and is thinking about how to make the best arrangements.

After all, the other party dared to directly assassinate Lin Ruhai, the salt commissioner. If a strategy is not devised in advance, the situation will inevitably be fraught with danger, just as Yu Hui said.

The appearance of Xiangling's hidden label was like being offered a pillow just as Jia Can was about to doze off, instantly providing him with a solution to the predicament.

Furthermore, the fact that he had previously seen Lin Daiyu's hidden label as "holder of the secret salt tax account of Lianghuai" filled Jia Can with confidence for his trip south to rectify the salt administration.

At this moment, a strong thought popped into Jia Can's mind. He secretly decided that before heading south, he would take Xiang Ling under his control. Even if he couldn't make Xiang Ling his person directly, he would still take her south with him.

Clearly, the salt smuggler's banner was never mentioned in the original work, and Xiangling herself was probably unaware of it.

However, Jia Can, the time traveler, was convinced of this, because Qin Keqing's affair and Jia Xichun's behavior all proved that the hidden labels he saw were real.

Just as Jia Can was secretly making up his mind, Xue Pan scolded him impatiently:

"You slut, have you been slacking off again? I've been calling you for ages before you finally came in. Want a beating?"

Xiangling trembled and lowered her head in response:

"Please forgive me, sir. I... I dare not be lazy. It's just that a nanny fell down and I went to help her up, which caused the delay."

Xue Pan coldly replied:

"Hmph, still trying to argue! Hold out your hand right now, or I'll punish you first and see if you dare to be disrespectful again!"