Chapter 103: Danger at the Door

Wu'er remembered these two years, when she accompanied the Cong Sanye to study on Mount Mount Luocang. She had never experienced such good days in her life.

Every day she spread paper and ground ink for him, and cooked soup for him with her own hands. Every time she was on night duty, the Cong Sanye would have a lot to say while lying on the bed.

He would hum strange and nice little tunes for her, and tell her some strange stories. The Cong Sanye had grown up in the manor all his life, but it seemed he had been to many places and lived for many years.

Although sometimes Wu'er would feel a bit strange, she still liked to listen. She hoped to follow the Cong Sanye for such days for the rest of her life.

Jia Zheng had been claiming to be ill at home for these two days, and he was indeed angered by the troublesome things of these few days, and he had no face to go to the office to face his colleagues.

A few days ago, the Ministry of Rites yamen runners came to report the good news that Jia Cong had placed first in the preliminary exam. The Jia family was so glorious that day, but now it was so embarrassing and humiliating.

When he heard that the preliminary exam students had conspired to report Jia Cong to the Ministry of Rites yamen, he was already panicked.

His official position was low, and he didn't have the qualifications to attend the court, but after the morning court yesterday, Qiu Qiu Qingyuan, the director of the Ministry of Works, sent his trusted family member to tell him about the things in the court.

Only high-ranking civil officials could mediate in such matters.

Jia Zheng stared: "What kind of talk is this? A reading seed like Cong Ge'er, wouldn't it be a waste of talent if he didn't study? Does he also want to fool around in the inner chambers like Jia Baoyu in the future!"

The Jia family looked like a noble family, enjoying wealth and honor in peace without knowing it, but when something really happened, they couldn't find anyone to help. Thinking of these, Jia Zheng felt a wave of coldness in his heart.

Lady Wang saw her husband's face like gold paper, his spirit listless, and she was also very worried, persuading: "Cong Ge'er reads very well, but it's this background that harmed him. This is also fate."

"Yesterday, the Ministry of Works sent a letter saying that a Censor of the Censorate in the court pointed out that Cong Ge'er's birth mother's three rituals were all abandoned, and she was not enough to be a concubine of the Jia family's eldest branch. How could outsiders know such household matters so clearly!"

"It must be a treacherous slave in the family who spoke carelessly and spread the words, giving people a handle, which caused Cong Ge'er to have today's disaster. If I find out, I will definitely not forgive them lightly!"

But the Jia family was a noble family, naturally an insulator for the civil official group. If someone said that civil officials spoke for noble military officials in such a life-and-death juncture, that would be a joke.

The more it was at this time, the more Jia Zheng, as a man of the Lady Rongguo family, could see the embarrassment of the Jia family's decline.

He was born in the Jia family, and the Jia family had raised him for more than ten years. He was a legitimate descendant of the Lady Rongguo family. How did he become the son of a courtesan? It was truly absurd.

If the descendants of the family all became like this, no amount of wealth and honor could withstand such consumption."

Lady Wang's face changed when she heard this. How did my Jia Baoyu become a fool? He just didn't like reading. If he really studied hard, how could he be worse than Jia Cong?

Originally, Cong Ge'er was proud in the examination field and would definitely become a great help to the Jia family in the future, but he didn't expect to encounter such a disgusting thing.

At that time, Jia Zheng almost couldn't catch his breath.

The Jia family had been nobles for generations, and the people they associated with were also military officials who were also nobles. But these big rough guys, how could they intervene in the dispute over the ritual system of the imperial examinations?

Lady Wang's face changed slightly when she heard this.

It was just that the Jia family had a civil official relative, which was Li Wan's father, Li Li Shouzhong, who was once the libationer of the Imperial Academy.

But his official position was not high, and he didn't attend the court discussion much. Where could he call for grievances for him?

Cong Ge'er relied on his own true talent to win the top scholar, but someone was so vicious, jealous of talent, and used his birth mother's lowliness to say things, wanting to dismiss his top scholar fame!

It had nothing to do with others. Even if he couldn't study in the future, he could live the same life in the manor. The Master should still relax his heart."

Jia Zheng sat up when he heard this, surprised in his heart. One was the contemporary literary master, and the other was the mountain head of Qingshan Academy. Why did they visit at this juncture!

Jia Zheng hurriedly dressed neatly and went to Rongxi Hall.

Because Rongqing Hall was only the second hall of the Lady Rongguo Manor, it was usually a place for Jia Mu to live and receive relatives.

Rongxi Hall was the main hall of the Lady Rongguo Manor. People like Liu Jing'an and Zhao Chongli naturally had to be received in the main hall of the Lady Rongguo Manor.

Jia Zheng entered Rongxi Hall and saw an old man with gray hair sitting on the left side of the hall, wearing a green Daoist robe, with a spirited look, his eyes calm and deep, flashing with wise and deep light.

Beside the old man sat a man nearly fifty years old, with thick eyebrows, eyes like bright stars, and a floating, jet-black beautiful beard. His bearing was elegant and clear, and his style was outstanding.

Jia Zheng hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "Master Jing'an, Mountain Head Zhao, you have arrived. Jia Zheng failed to welcome you from afar, and I hope the two academic predecessors will forgive me."

That old man with gray hair smiled: "Jia Cunzhou, don't be too polite. Today's visit is first because it happens to be the Old Matron's birthday, and I and Mountain Head Zhao have come to offer congratulations."

As he said this, he pointed to the birthday gifts in the hands of the old servant behind him: "These are some crude birthday gifts prepared by me and Mountain Head Zhao, which are not a sign of respect."

Jia Zheng hurriedly stood up and thanked him solemnly, his face full of gratitude, and asked his family to send the birthday gifts to Rongqing Hall.

The visit of literary leaders like Liu Jing'an and Zhao Zhao Chongli to offer birthday congratulations was a great honor and face. What gifts they sent didn't matter at all; even if they sent a piece of paper, it would be precious.

Liu Jing'an said again: "Furthermore, it is for your nephew Jia Cong. Back then, I saw that he had innate wisdom, so I recommended him to study at Qingshan Academy, and he lived up to expectations."

"In the past two years, he has studied hard and won the top spot in his first entry into the examination field. The youth is formidable."

Jia Zheng heard these words, but his heart was full of sorrow: Cong Ge'er is naturally good, but now even the top scholar name is about to be dismissed. Jing'an Gong mentions this again, but I don't know what it means?

"Back then, I and Celestial Master Zhang first met your nephew at the Nanxi Literary Meeting, and saw that he was clear and talented. At that time, both I and Celestial Master Zhang had the idea of loving talent."

"Celestial Master Zhang even divined a hexagram for your nephew, saying that his life would definitely be extraordinary. If it weren't for your nephew being born into a noble family, Celestial Master Zhang would have wanted to take him to Longhu Mountain to enter the Dao."

Jia Zheng was stunned when he heard this. He knew that Celestial Master Zhang of the Daoist sect valued Jia Cong exceptionally, and even when he went to study at Qingshan Academy, he specifically asked Xuantian Palace to arrange a separate courtyard for him.

It turned out there was such a reason. Zhang Zhang Tianshi, the leader of the Daoist sect, had long seen that Cong Ge'er was extraordinary through the hexagram. It was just that since he was extraordinary, why did he encounter such a disaster now?

"Back then, Zhang Zhang Tianshi knew that his fate with your nephew was limited, so he advised me to take your nephew as a disciple, so as not to let such a good talent be left outside."

Jia Zheng heard these words, and his heart suddenly became excited!

He was originally a bit pedantic, but at this moment, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

Who is Liu Jing'an? He is the contemporary literary master and academic sage of the Great Zhou, the top scholar of the first imperial examination of the Yongxi year of the Great Zhou. Before he was forty, he had spread his literary governance throughout the four seas and was respected by scholars all over the world.

Who is Liu Jingan? He is the contemporary Master of Literature and Sage of the Great Zhou, the top scholar of the first imperial examination of the Yongxi era, and a man who, before the age of forty, had already spread his fame across the four seas with his literary governance, revered by scholars throughout the world.

Thinking of these, Jia Zheng's heart, which had been dead for most of the past few days, actually came alive again. His face couldn't hide a joy, and he looked at Liu Jing'an with some anxiety.

"Back then, your nephew was still young. If I had taken him as a disciple too early, it would have caused much discussion, which would not have been good for that child's study and growth."

"Now that he has achieved something in his studies, my love for talent has reignited. I want to take your nephew into my gate wall. I don't know what Jia Cunzhou thinks?"

Jia Zheng was surprised and happy when he heard this. What else could he think? Of course, it couldn't be better!

Just now, Jing'an Gong didn't mention that Jia Cong was about to be dismissed from the top scholar position. Knowing that Jia Cong was now in deep danger, he was still so enthusiastic about taking Jia Cong as a disciple. This was sending charcoal in the snow!

Such high righteousness of a generation of literary masters made Jia Zheng feel grateful.

Zhao Zhao Chongli on the side was also surprised when he heard Liu Jing'an suddenly wanted to take Jia Cong as a disciple.

Two days ago, Liu Jing'an received a letter from a former Ministry of Rites colleague, saying that dozens of preliminary exam students had reported Jia Cong to the Ministry of Rites, demanding the dismissal of Jia Cong's top scholar fame.

Liu Jing'an knew the situation was serious, so he found Zhao Zhao Chongli to discuss countermeasures.

Jia Cong entered Qingshan Academy two years ago, studied hard, and was at the top of the list in seasonal and annual exams. The teachers in the academy all praised him, and Zhao Zhao Chongli, the mountain head, also valued him highly.

Hearing that he was named the top scholar of the preliminary exam, Zhao Zhao Chongli was full of joy. The academy had produced another talent this year. With Jia Cong's talent in the examination field, he would probably be able to leave his name on the Lingxing Pavilion in a few years.

At this juncture, news came that Jia Cong was reported because of his background. Naturally, he also felt unfair for him and really didn't want such a beautiful talent to be destroyed like this.

Yesterday, he and Liu Jing'an returned to the Divine Capital and made their own plans.

Zhao Zhao Chongli visited many civil officials who had graduated from Qingshan Academy and were officials in the capital, hoping they could remonstrate for Jia Cong and protect Jia Cong's official career.

Although the court was complex and Jia Cong's reporting matter had involved the confrontation between the Ministry of Rites and the Censorate, and also involved the imperial examination ancestral system and worldly ritual laws.

His requests might not work, but it could be considered doing his best and listening to fate.

Today, Liu Jing'an pulled him to the Jia Manor again. Offering birthday congratulations to Jia Mu was just an excuse.

Seeing Jia Cong and finding a way to resolve his disaster was the purpose.

He didn't expect Liu Jing'an to take him as a disciple, but after thinking about it, he understood his old friend's intention.

Jing'an Gong was using his lifelong glorious literary name to shelter Jia Cong from the wind and rain, offsetting the haze brought to him by his obscure background.

Zhao Zhao Chongli was shocked in his heart. Jing'an Gong was truly painstaking. His regard for this Jia Cong had reached an extreme!

Jia Zheng was also full of excitement: "My nephew actually has such a blessing, to be valued by Jing'an Gong and to be listed in the gate wall. Naturally, there is nothing that cannot be done. Jia Zheng thanks you here."

As he said this, he stood up and bowed solemnly to Liu Jing'an.

Liu Jing'an said warmly: "Jia Cunzhou, don't be like this. This is also the fate between me and your nephew. It's just that you, Jia Cunzhou, really have the style of an ancient gentleman. Jia Cong is not born of you."

"But you treat him with such care and protection. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid he would have had a harder time in these few years. Jia Cunzhou has such a bosom, and I admire it very much."

Being praised by Liu Wenzong like this made Jia Zheng feel flattered, and he kept saying that Jia Cong was his own nephew, and it was his duty to treat him like this.

Zhao Zhao Chongli on the side smiled: "Jing'an Gong, you didn't inform me in advance about taking a disciple, so I could prepare a congratulatory gift."

Liu Jing'an also smiled: "Jia Cong is a student of your academy, and you are the mountain head of the academy. He is also your student, so why do you need to send it?"

Zhao Zhao Chongli also laughed loudly when he heard this.

On this side, Jia Zheng asked the maid to call Jia Cong to Rongxi Hall to worship his teacher.

Jia Cong heard the maid's message and was also full of surprise. He hurriedly organized his clothes and rushed to Rongxi Hall.

Jia Zheng smiled and told Liu Jing'an's intention again.

In these few years, Jia Cong had been studying on Mount Mount Luocang, and because he lived close to Liu Jing'an, he often went to ask for advice.

The old and the young had long been very familiar with each other. Hearing that he suddenly wanted to take him into his gate wall, although he was happy in his heart, he was still a bit suspicious.

"Old predecessor's love, Jia Cong is very grateful, but now my reputation is stained, and the top scholar fame is about to be dismissed by the court."

"Now worshiping under the predecessor's gate, it will definitely damage the predecessor's reputation. Jia Cong is uneasy in his heart."

At this time, no one noticed that the old servant behind Liu Jing'an had a look of shock and confusion on his face when he first saw Jia Cong enter the hall.

Zhao Zhao Chongli on the side heard these words, and his heart was secretly surprised.

If it were someone else, in the midst of disaster, suddenly getting the favor of a big man like Liu Jing'an, I'm afraid they would be overjoyed and bow down.

But this young man, facing a major event and a heaven-sent opportunity, was still not arrogant or impatient, his thoughts were calm and comprehensive, and he even frankly said what was in his heart.

How old is he to have such bearing and heart? It is truly admirable.

Such a person, what does a temporary disaster matter? With such a temperament, he will surely raise his eyebrows and exhale sooner or later.

Liu Jing'an looked at the young man with burning eyes and smiled: "The clear are clear. As long as you stand upright and have no shame in heaven and earth, even if the world is full of dirty words, what is there to talk about!"

Jia Cong looked at the old man with reverence. He knew clearly in his heart that the old man taking him into the gate wall at this time was nothing more than using his lifelong clear name to block the wind and disaster for him.

He didn't know how to repay such deep kindness and righteousness.

A feeling of longing and excitement surged in his heart: "Cong will keep the teacher's teachings in mind. Teacher is above, please accept the disciple's bow." After saying this, he bowed to Liu Jing'an.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 104 =====

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