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

When Lin Daiyu asked him why he had gone south, Jia Can did not hide anything:

"I may be ordered to go south to Yangzhou to reorganize the salt administration, which is why I asked my sister if she knew about the secret accounts of the Jianghuai salt tax."

Lin Daiyu, being intelligent, immediately connected the two matters, and replied with a serious expression:

"I see. But I'm sorry to disappoint you, Second Brother Can. I really don't know anything about salt tax secret accounts. I only heard my father talk about salt tax when I was a child. As for salt tax ledgers and the like, I have never come into contact with them."

After saying that, she pursed her lips slightly, her eyes filled with shame.

Seeing this, Jia Can smiled and waved his hand:

"Sister, don't blame yourself or take it to heart. This matter is quite mysterious, and even I can't explain it right now. Perhaps when we get to Yangzhou, the mystery will be solved."

"Therefore, when we arrive in Yangzhou, please do not refuse my invitation."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu pursed her lips slightly and responded softly:

"Second Brother Can, you're too kind. I will definitely help if I can. When we get back to Yangzhou, just come and visit me. That's my home. I'll definitely treat you to a meal then."

Jia Can stared at her for a moment, then laughed, "Haha... Alright, then it's settled!"

Seeing Jia Canjun's handsome face full of warm smiles, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but be infected by it. Her worries and anxieties were temporarily put aside, and she couldn't help but smile along, her pretty face gradually regaining its rosy hue.

Jia Can saw it clearly: at this moment, Lin Daiyu possessed an indescribable beauty, neither as charming and pretty as Qin Keqing nor as dignified and elegant as Xue Baochai. She was unique, captivating, and made him lose himself in admiration.

Lin Daiyu felt his gaze, and her heart trembled instantly. She lowered her head slightly, her face flushed, and she gently bit her cherry lips, her hands unconsciously twirling her handkerchief.

The atmosphere between the two became somewhat romantic.

After a while, Jia Can came to his senses and hurriedly took his leave:

"Then I won't bother my sister any longer."

With that, he turned and left.

Lin Daiyu watched his slightly disheveled figure, covered her mouth and chuckled, gaining a deeper understanding of Jia Can.

Just then, Zijuan, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, heard Lin Daiyu laugh and clapped her hands in approval:

"The young lady smiled! That's wonderful! It seems she's recovering well. She really should get out and relax more often..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu, unusually shy, gave Zijuan a reproachful look:

"Sister Zijuan, when did you learn to be so glib? If you keep doing this, I won't talk to you anymore."

Zijuan was already used to her sharp tongue, and quickly apologized:

"I was being cheeky, please forgive me, young lady. If I hadn't said anything more..."

As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Daiyu and saw that her face was rosy and glowing, and she couldn't hide her smile. There was no trace of her usual sickly appearance. He was secretly amazed.

What just happened? How could my usually melancholic and sentimental girl suddenly become so joyful?

……

Jia Can, having hastily parted ways with Lin Daiyu, was just about to arrange for the Gu sisters to meet Xiangling when he heard a greeting from behind him:

"Second Brother Can, may I speak to you in private?"

Turning around, he saw Xue Baochai standing gracefully behind him, her eyes full of expectation, her brows furrowed with gloom and sorrow.

Jia Can immediately understood what she wanted to say to him, and nodded in agreement:

"Of course, let's talk in the pavilion up ahead."

Xue Baochai curtsied and said, "Thank you, Second Brother Can."

Jia Can politely replied, "There's no need for such formalities between relatives."

As he spoke, he took the lead and walked towards the pavilion, with Xue Baochai following in his footsteps.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Jia Can turned around and looked at Xue Baochai:

"Is Sister Xue worried about your brother Xue Pan?"

Xue Baochai nodded hurriedly:

"Indeed, my brother suffered this calamity suddenly, and my mother fainted from the shock. Although she has recovered considerably, she is still bedridden. Second Brother Can, could you tell me what happened yesterday?"

Seeing the rare pleading look in her eyes, along with a hint of pitifulness, Jia Can felt a pang in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged as he said seriously:

"The matter is quite simple. It was just a conflict over who was the most beautiful courtesan. Your brother drank some wine yesterday, and given his usual impulsive nature, no one could stop him."

"It's my fault, really. If I had been more firm back then, none of this would have happened."

Xue Baochai continued:

"Second Brother Can, please don't say that. I heard from the servant that you tried your best to persuade my brother, but he wouldn't listen and still went to ask for people. No one expected that he would offend the Prince's heir."

"Second Brother Can, you have already done more than enough by negotiating on behalf of my brother after the incident. I am grateful to you."

Jia Can waved his hand in shame:

"It's a pity that they didn't take me seriously at all, otherwise, I could at least have pleaded for your brother."

Xue Baochai glanced at him, her lips twitching slightly:

"I understand, Second Brother Can. You have done your best, and our Xue family will always remember your kindness. I would like to ask you, Second Brother Can, is it possible for my brother to come back?"

In the end, Xue Baochai gazed intently at Jia Can, her almond-shaped eyes filled with expectation, as if she regarded Jia Can as the only person she could trust.

Jia Can and she exchanged a glance, Jia Can's expression becoming somewhat unnatural, and he hesitated before saying:

"Sister Xue, don't worry too much. Uncle Zheng has already submitted a memorial. Although the other party is the heir of a prince, if we really go to court, we will insist that it was just a fight over a woman and not disrespect to the royal family. Your brother might still be able to come back."

However, Xue Baochai smiled bitterly upon hearing this. She understood that Jia Can was merely trying to comfort her.

What Jia Can said was just the normal situation. In reality, once the two sides tear off their mask, they can't just focus on this point, and his brother Xue Pan has far too many stains on his record.

One of the most difficult things to avoid is the fact that Xue Pan killed someone in Jinling City. Once the Prince Zhongshun's Mansion brings this matter up again, the Xue family will have no room for denial.

Not to mention, the other party may also uncover other evidence of Xue Pan's illegal and disorderly conduct.

Xue Baochai understood that Xue Pan would never come back, and that she was lucky to have survived.

However, as her younger sister, Xue Baochai was naturally unwilling to accept such an outcome. For her brother's sake, she would do everything in her power to try and seize even the slightest chance of a turnaround.

After a long pause, Xue Baochai looked at Jia Can and asked sincerely:

"Second Brother Can, I would like to ask you to do your best to mediate for my brother. Would you be willing?"

"Of course, the premise is that it will not affect your own future, Second Brother Can. Just tell me how much money you need."

Hearing her say this, Jia Can's heart trembled even more. He took a deep breath and replied sincerely:

"It's rare that you think so highly of me, Sister Xue, but I'm afraid I can't do anything about it. The Crown Prince of Zhongshun looks down on me and doesn't take me seriously at all. All I can do is submit a joint memorial to the throne, that's all, there's no other way."

"Sister Xue, you should seek help from your uncle in the Wang family."

Xue Baochai stared intently at him, then shook her head and said:

"Second Brother Can, you don't need to be modest. I know that you are a man of great vision and profound knowledge. You are not even twenty years old yet, but you already hold a high position. You will surely achieve great things in the future."

"I believe that you, Second Brother Can, will find a way to resolve this. I don't expect you to be released from prison, I only hope that your life can be saved. Otherwise, our Xue family line will end!"

As she finished speaking, Xue Baochai lowered her head, wiped her eyes, and looked on the verge of tears, which was heartbreaking.