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

After listening to Jia Can's sincere words, Yu Hui nodded with satisfaction, a look of approval on his face.

"Good, I'm relieved that you understand, young master."

As he spoke, he glanced around the main room where Jia Can was staying, his gaze sweeping across the walls and landing on the simple furnishings. He looked at the desk, cabinets, bedding, and so on, seemingly paying close attention to everything in the room.

He casually sat down on a chair, his attitude becoming much more relaxed, and began chatting with Jia Can about everyday matters, mostly asking about Jia Can's daily life.

Although Jia Can found it a bit strange and didn't understand why Yu Hui suddenly asked about these trivial matters, he didn't think much of it and assumed that it was just casual small talk. So he spoke frankly and did not hide anything, truthfully explaining his situation in the mansion.

He said that he usually ate food delivered from the main kitchen, which was sometimes hot and sometimes cold, and sometimes of varying quality. He lived in a private house, but it was in disrepair and the servants were disobedient. They would call him Second Master on the surface, but they would neglect him in every way. He even had to fetch hot water himself.

After listening to his story, Yu Hui's expression gradually darkened, and he became quite indignant:

"Hmph! Jia Jing is truly unworthy of being a father. He doesn't care about his own son at all, letting his son be bullied and treated coldly in this mansion."

"He's doing fine, hiding in a Taoist temple outside the city, living a carefree and uncaring life. What kind of heartless father is that?"

Hearing Yu Hui say this, Jia Can was even more surprised and suspicious. Yu Hui was a commander of the Dragon Guard, and they were not related. Why would he be so indignant about his situation?

After a moment's hesitation, he continued:

"I can't entirely blame the master for not taking care of me. It's because I lived such a disgraceful life before, being timid and cowardly. No wonder others didn't respect me."

"Besides, I am just a lowly illegitimate son, and I am insignificant in the mansion. It is normal for the master not to care about me, so I can't blame anyone else."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Hui seemed to be touched by something and blurted out subconsciously:

"Young Master is not lowly; you are extremely noble..."

At this point, Yu Hui suddenly realized he had said something wrong, his words stopped abruptly, an unnatural look flashed across his face, and he quickly corrected himself:

"What I mean is, although you are born out of wedlock, you are still the master of the Ningguo Mansion, a proper man, far more noble than those servants. You don't need to belittle yourself."

Although Yu Hui quickly changed his tune and almost instantly covered it up, Jia Can still keenly sensed that something was wrong.

He secretly pondered to himself that Yu Hui's subconscious remark, "Young master, you are noble," was clearly followed by something else, but he swallowed it back.

Noble bloodline? Or noble status and position?

Why did Yu Hui say he was noble?

Moreover, from the moment they first met during the day and he learned that his name was Jia Can, Yu Hui addressed him as "Young Master" repeatedly. Although this title sounded like just a polite formality, Jia Can could clearly feel that Yu Hui had genuine respect for him.

He seemed not to be a despised illegitimate son, but a person of noble status.

Yu Hui seemed to know what secret he was hiding!

The thought flashed through Jia Can's mind and then took root firmly.

He secretly thought that when the time was right, he would definitely ask Yu Hui what he knew.

The two have only just met and need time to get to know each other better. If you ask rashly, Yu Hui probably won't tell you. Instead, he'll be even more secretive and it might even arouse his suspicion.

This matter cannot be rushed; we must proceed gradually.

Then, Yu Hui continued:

"Young master, the antique I had the shopkeeper give you is an old item from the Eastern Palace. You'd better get it back from Jia Zhen. This thing... might still be quite meaningful to you. Don't let it fall into the hands of outsiders."

After hearing this, Jia Can became even more certain that Yu Hui knew some inside information. He didn't ask further questions or inquire about the antique's origins, but simply nodded solemnly and replied:

"Don't worry, Lord Yu, I will get it back and return it to you intact."

Yu Hui looked at him meaningfully and gently shook his head:

"That thing originally belonged to you, young master. I'm just keeping it for you temporarily. Once you get it back, you don't need to return it to me. Just keep it safe for yourself."

Jia Can was stunned for a moment, his doubts growing stronger.

The old items from the Eastern Palace originally belonged to him? He was just an illegitimate son of the Ningguo Mansion. Although he was born in the Eastern Palace, how much connection could he possibly have with it?

He wanted to ask more questions, but swallowed the words back, suppressed his doubts, agreed again, and didn't say anything more.

Yu Hui then explained to him the time and place for his meeting with the Emperor Emeritus the next day, and urged him to rest early, get plenty of rest, dress appropriately, and not be impolite.

He also gave some instructions on what to do when meeting the retired emperor, such as not looking directly at his face, not speaking loudly, and answering only what is asked.

Jia Can kept it all in mind and nodded repeatedly.

After giving his instructions, Yu Hui stood up, straightened his clothes, and took his leave.

Jia Can had intended to see him off as a gesture of hospitality, but Yu Hui waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to.

He turned and walked out of the main house, his figure disappearing into the night in the courtyard. When Jia Can chased after him to the door, the courtyard was empty, and there was not a single person in sight, as if he had never been there at all.

Jia Can stood at the door, gazing at the deep night, marveling at Yu Hui's skill and impressed by his swift and unpredictable movements.

After standing at the door for a moment, Jia Can turned around and put the silver and copper coins that he hadn't yet put away into his money bag, carefully put them away, and locked them in the cabinet.

After doing all that, he sat back down by the window, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

I replayed every word of my conversation with Yu Hui in my mind.

Yu Hui's words, "Young master is noble," kept echoing in his mind, refusing to leave.

I went through every word Yu Hui said, his expression, and his subtle movements, and analyzed them to find some possible clues.

At the same time, she was also secretly thinking about what kind of attitude she should have, how to respond, and how to behave when she met the Emperor Emeritus the next day, so as to ensure that she would be valued by the Emperor Emeritus.

This was, after all, a rare opportunity for him to advance.

He was just a son of a concubine. Even if Jia Zhen and Jia Rong died, and he inherited the Ningguo Mansion, that would be nothing more than inheriting an empty title with no real power.

According to the original story, the Jia family will inevitably be raided in the end, and the Ningguo Mansion will naturally be among those raided.

He had to find a way to get rid of this Damocles' sword hanging over his head and find a way out before disaster struck; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to protect the Ningguo Mansion even if he inherited it.

If one can gain the favor of the retired emperor and become one of his trusted men, then he will have a powerful backer and a fast track to advancement in status and position.

It is a shortcut, but also a dangerous path. If you take it well, you will soar to great heights; if you take it wrong, you will be doomed.

Having come this far, he had no choice but to forge ahead.