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

Although Pei-Feng and Xie-Yuan were extremely unwilling, they had no choice but to agree at this moment.

Jia Can stared at them coldly, showing no intention of backing down. The two knew that if they did not comply first, they might really have to go to Madam You for judgment.

Not only would I lose face, but I'm also afraid I'll incur the displeasure of Madam You, making my future days even more difficult.

Suppressing their anger, the two women politely greeted Li Wan and Lin Daiyu, saying things like "Please, Madam Zhu" and "Please, young ladies." Although their manner wasn't particularly warm, there was nothing wrong with it.

Normally, they wouldn't need to be involved in welcoming guests, but since Jia Can had conscripted them, the two of them had no choice but to swallow their anger and take on the responsibility of welcoming guests, leading the women towards the clean room.

Li Wan, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, the three sisters of the Spring Festival, and others all witnessed this scene.

From the moment Pei Feng and Yuan insulted the maid, to Jia Can step in to reprimand them, and then to the two concubines obediently bowing and greeting the guests, Jia Can turned the situation around so swiftly and decisively in the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Everyone couldn't help but think that Jia Can was really good at this. With just a few words, he had subdued the two shrewish concubines who were just moments before. They not only dared not talk back, but also had to obediently greet the guests.

Apart from Jia Xichun, everyone's impression of Jia Can changed drastically.

Jia Yingchun was never talkative and rarely interacted with others. She didn't know much about this cousin from the Ningguo Mansion, only remembering that he existed.

This was the first time she had formally examined Jia Can. Although his handsome face showed signs of fatigue, he was upright, calm, and dignified, quite different from the other young men in the clan who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun.

Jia Tanchun's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she secretly admired him. She had always despised those mediocre and incompetent men, but seeing how Jia Can handled things so well, she couldn't help but feel that a rare talent had finally emerged among the younger generation of the Jia family.

Xue Baochai narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly and glanced at Jia Can without changing her expression, only subtly adjusting her impression of him in her mind.

She was always prudent and wouldn't easily judge others, but today's incident did make her pay more attention to Jia Can, the second son of the Ningguo Mansion born out of wedlock, but that was all, nothing more.

Among them, Lin Daiyu had the strongest reaction.

Lin Daiyu had witnessed Jia Can's actions from beginning to end. She was both surprised and impressed by how quickly he handled the affairs of the inner quarters, leaving the two domineering concubines speechless with just a few words.

Although she is intelligent, if she were to encounter such a shrewish and uncouth person, she would probably be lucky to offer a few words of advice, let alone be able to control the situation like Jia Can.

At the same time, my understanding of Jia Can has deepened. I no longer just think he is sharp and composed, but I also see his decisiveness and his authoritative presence.

Her beautiful eyes lit up, and she stared at Jia Can for a moment. Her gaze was open and generous, no longer the secretive observation she had shown the first time, but an open appreciation, as if she were reading a rare and excellent article, finding it more and more enjoyable with each reading.

Jia Can felt the women's gazes on him and politely returned their glances one by one.

When their eyes finally met, he noticed that the light in Lin Daiyu's beautiful eyes was different from that of others; it wasn't just admiration, but seemed to hold something else entirely.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly looked away, not daring to look any longer. Ripples began to stir in my calm heart.

However, Jia Can didn't dwell on it too much; now was not the time to think about such things.

Composing himself, he regained his composure and accompanied Li Wan, Daiyu, and the others into the clean room to offer incense and pay their respects.

Incense and candles were prepared in the clean room, filling the air with smoke and creating a solemn atmosphere.

Li Wan led the women forward one by one to burn incense and offer prayers, with Jia Can accompanying them. Only after they finished their rituals did they withdraw.

After offering condolences, Li Wan was about to lead Lin Daiyu and the others to the backyard to see Madam Wang, Madam Xing, and Madam You. Not wanting to linger there, she nodded slightly to Jia Can and politely said goodbye.

Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the others also politely bid farewell to Jia Can. Jia Xichun naturally wanted to go with her sisters. Before leaving, she glanced at Jia Can, her eyes flashing with reluctance, but she didn't say anything more and went with the others.

Jia Can watched them leave before turning away, going back to his room to rest.

Pei Feng and Xie Yuan's expressions changed drastically upon seeing Jia Can leave. Their previous politeness and respect vanished instantly. Pei Feng spat heavily and began to berate him:

"Bah! He's like a stinking rat from the gutter. He only got a little pity from the madam, and now he's all high and mighty. Who does he think he is, ordering us around? Does he really think he's the master of the Ningguo Mansion?"

Xie Yuan also chimed in with a few words of criticism, saying that Jia Can was ignorant of his place and was just a lowly illegitimate son who dared to act arrogantly in front of them.

However, she was more rational than Pei Feng, and after scolding her, she still reminded her:

"Forget it, stop talking. Be careful, walls have ears. If word gets out, it'll cause another uproar. We need to find Rong-ge'er quickly. Once we get his approval, punishing him won't be difficult."

"When the time comes, we'll make him kneel before us and apologize. Let's see what face he has left then."

Pei Feng pouted, still feeling resentful, but also thinking that Xie Yuan made sense, so she muttered a few more words before falling silent.

The two straightened their clothes and applied makeup to their faces before heading to Jia Rong's courtyard.

She had only taken a few steps when a young maidservant, Pei Feng's confidante, came running up hurriedly. Her face was beaming with joy. Upon reaching her, she lowered her voice and announced:

"Grandmas, good news! Uncle Rong has finally found some free time and is resting in his room alone."

Upon hearing this, Pei Feng and Xie Yuan exchanged a glance and both smiled, the gloom that had been suppressed by Jia Can vanished.

Pei Feng exclaimed repeatedly, "Great! Go find him quickly, lest someone else beat us to it!"

After saying that, the two of them, with smiles on their faces, hurried towards Jia Rong's room.

Judging from their lighthearted manner, it didn't seem like Jia Zhen had just died and the whole mansion was grieving; rather, it seemed like some great joy had happened in the mansion.

Her face was full of eagerness and anticipation, completely forgetting the vows she had made to Jia Zhen during their past intimacy, and forgetting that Jia Zhen's remains were still in the mourning hall and had not yet been sealed. She was only thinking about winning the favor of Jia Rong, her new love.

Since learning of Jia Zhen's murder, Jia Rong hasn't slept a wink last night.

First, he went to arrange the announcement of the death, then to search for Jiao Da, and later accompanied Jia She, Jia Zheng and other masters to discuss the funeral arrangements. He was busy welcoming and seeing off guests, so busy that he didn't have time to rest.

I was quite tired by then, my eyelids were so heavy I could barely lift them, and I was just about to take a good nap to recharge.

He had just taken off his outer garment and lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed), and before he could even close his eyes, he heard footsteps outside. Then, Pei Feng and Xie Yuan burst in, sobbing.