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

Faced with the maid's questioning, Jia Can's eyes flickered slightly, but his face remained calm as he replied:

"I went out for a stroll. You don't need to worry about me. I'm not dead yet."

He knew that the maid named Banmei in front of him was a spy planted by Jia Zhen.

She also had an ambiguous relationship with Jia Zhen, keeping a close eye on his every move and reporting to Jia Zhen at any time, so he didn't need to give him any pleasantries.

Banmei was taken aback by his words, seemingly not expecting that this usually timid and submissive Second Master would dare to talk back to her like this.

She then snorted coldly, curled her lip, and said sarcastically:

"Hmph, Second Master, what you're saying makes it sound like I'm meddling in other people's business. But I'm only doing this for your own good. If something happens while I'm not in the room in the middle of the night, I can't bear the blame if you scold me."

Jia Can was too lazy to talk to her anymore. He stepped over the threshold and went into the house. He took off his outer robe and hung it on the clothes rack. He also took off his boots, lifted the quilt and lay down with his back to the outside, looking like he didn't want to say anything more.

Banmei stood at the door, seeing his coldness, and feeling embarrassed, she pursed her lips slightly, a hint of dissatisfaction flashing in her eyes.

But she didn't dare to actually barge in and cause trouble. She could only spit lightly, turn around and leave, her footsteps fading into the distance as she returned to her room.

The next day, as dawn broke and morning light streamed into the room through the window, Jia Can got up.

After washing up and changing clothes, I put on a slightly worn blue robe with a plain belt around my waist, dressed in a low-key and inconspicuous manner.

After getting ready, I stepped outside.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, Banmei suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking his way. Her slanted eyes sized him up and down, and she asked with a hint of suspicion:

"Where is Second Master planning to go?"

Jia Can stopped, his face cold, and replied indifferently:

"I'm going to the clan school, what, are you going to stop me from doing that?"

Banmei was stunned. Her eyes widened and her mouth opened slightly. She didn't come to her senses for a long time.

She had been serving in this courtyard for so long that she could hardly remember when Jia Can last went to the clan school; perhaps even Jia Can himself had forgotten.

Why did I suddenly feel like going to school today?

However, by the time Banmei realized what was happening, Jia Can had already walked past her and strode away.

His upright posture and composed gait made Banmei momentarily forget to catch up and ask him a few more questions.

Banmei narrowed her eyes, her gaze flickering, and thought to herself that Jia Can's unusual behavior today must mean something was up.

Not daring to delay, he quickly set off for Jia Zhen's residence.

Since Jia Can wanted to go to school, she naturally couldn't stop him, but she had to report this to the master as soon as possible.

Upon arriving at Jia Zhen's courtyard, Banmei treaded lightly. She knew Jia Zhen's unpredictable temper well; if she disturbed his sweet dreams, she would at least be scolded, and at worst, she would be beaten.

Not daring to act rashly, they could only stand obediently outside and wait, listening intently to what was happening inside.

They waited for almost half an hour, until the sun was high in the sky, before they heard Jia Zhen yawning, followed by the rustling of clothes being put on and the giggling of the concubines.

Banmei then dared to step forward and respectfully reported from outside the door:

"Reporting to Master, Second Master Can went to the clan school to study this morning."

There was a moment of silence inside, followed by a cold snort from Jia Zhen, full of disdain and contempt:

"He wants to study too? Don't embarrass me. With his character, does he even deserve to enter the clan school? I'm afraid he can't even recite the Three Character Classic properly. Going there would only bring shame to the Ningguo Mansion."

In Jia Zhen's eyes, his half-brother Jia Can was nothing but good-looking; he had neither talent nor courage, and was a complete waste.

He got more and more excited as he talked, and made a few more sarcastic remarks, nothing more than saying things like "rotten wood can't be carved" or "mud can't be plastered on a wall," his tone full of condescending disdain.

After saying this, Jia Zhen waved his hand lazily and said casually:

"Let him be. With his looks, what can he possibly learn? But... to prevent him from causing any trouble, go and relay the master's message to the steward to arrange for a servant to keep an eye on him and see if he's really going to the clan school, so he doesn't embarrass the manor."

Upon hearing this, Banmei's lips curled into a smug smile, and she quickly replied:

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After saying that, she turned and left, her steps light and quick, eager to deliver the message.

……

As Jia Can exited the back gate of Ningguo Mansion, he saw a small carriage already waiting there.

A servant boy of about sixteen or seventeen years old, with an honest and kind face, named Chang Lin, sat in the carriage.

He is arguably the only person Jia Can can trust in the Ningguo Mansion at present. He has followed his predecessor for many years, is loyal and devoted, and has never had any disloyalty.

When Chang Lin saw Jia Can come out, he quickly jumped off the carriage shaft and greeted him with a smile:

"Second Master, you've arrived. The carriage is ready."

Jia Can nodded, lifted the curtain, and got into the carriage.

Chang Lin sat back in the carriage, flicked the reins, and the carriage lurched away.

Jia Can did not actually go to the clan school. Although he knew that Banmei would most likely inform Jia Zhen, he believed that even if Jia Zhen found out, he would not really pursue the matter.

That old beast always looked down on him, treating him as a piece of trash, and never paid any attention to his whereabouts.

Besides, he was already planning to kill Jia Zhen, so he wasn't afraid of Jia Zhen finding out where he had gone, nor did he need to care about Jia Zhen's attitude.

The carriage traveled through the streets and alleys of the capital for about half an hour before Chang Lin finally reined in the horses, bringing the carriage to a steady stop. He turned back to the carriage and said:

"Second Master, we've arrived at the place you mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Jia Can got up, lifted the curtain, and stepped down from the carriage.

This is an ordinary street in the southeast corner of Beijing, but despite its ordinariness, it is also bustling with activity.

The streets were lined with all kinds of shops, including taverns, teahouses, cloth shops, jewelry stores, medicine shops, pawnshops, etc., standing side by side.

After all, this is the capital city, right under the emperor's nose. Even an inconspicuous street is lined with shops, bustling with people and vehicles. Shouts, laughter, and the sound of horses' hooves blend together to create a noisy, bustling marketplace.

Jia Can stood at the street corner and saw this scene, but couldn't help but frown slightly.

There were just too many shops. The address Qin Keqing gave her was vague to begin with; she only remembered that it was roughly in this area, but she couldn't say for sure which street, alley, or shop it was.

Faced with this street full of shops, how could he determine which one was the rendezvous point left by the former Crown Prince's subordinates?

At this moment, Chang Lin drove the carriage to the roadside, tied it up, and ran back excitedly, asking with a smile:

"Second Master, is there anything you need to buy? Should I go and inquire?"

Jia Can waved his hand slightly: "It's nothing, I just came here for a stroll. By the way, you can park the carriage somewhere and wait for me, you don't need to follow me."

This matter is a matter of life and death, and has far-reaching implications. No matter how loyal Chang Lin is, Jia Can cannot tell him. After all, the fewer people who know, the safer it is.