Chapter 109: Proclaiming the Edict in Rongxi Hall

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu lay reclining on a couch, with Wang Lady and Wang Wang Xifeng attending her.

Seeing Yingchun, Seeing Tan Chun, and the other sisters had just come to pay their respects, each looking listless, speaking only a few words to Jia Mu before retreating to their own quarters.

For several days, Jia Mu had been seething with anger over Jia Cong's accusation, her spirit worn thin and dull.

Though Jia Mu wished the top scorer in the exam were Jia Baoyu, Jia Baoyu simply could not manage it.

Jia Cong had won the top score, and Jia Mu was secretly pleased—he was her grandson, and it was a matter of honor for the Jia household.

Who could have foreseen such a scandal?

Rumor had it that court censors had accused Jia Cong of being the son of a courtesan, ineligible for the imperial examinations for three generations, and that his top score would be revoked, barring him from scholarship for life.

In these days, Lin Daiyu had suddenly fallen ill again, deepening Jia Mu's distress.

Her beloved granddaughter's health had improved greatly these past years—her qi calm, her blood flowing smoothly, her beauty growing ever more striking.

Just wait and see—in half a year or a year, who will remember any of this? At that point, Brother Cong will be just as he was before."

If such a day ever comes, the old lady's eyes will be fixed solely on Jia Baoyu from then on.

The steward sent word to the old lady, and messengers were also dispatched to Second Master and Cong Sanye Cong; the imperial eunuch was due to arrive at Rongxi Hall any moment.

The maid replied: "The steward dared not ask why, but the eunuch said the imperial edict was specifically for Cong Sanye Cong."

Jia Mu's face darkened: "So it's come—the disaster. The palace must be issuing an edict to strip that boy of his title. Alas!"

Even minor illnesses and ailments were rare; these past two years she had barely taken any medicine, only the ginseng and nourishing pills she'd used since childhood.

If only Jia Baoyu would apply himself to his studies, then Jia Cong could win the top score—could my Jia Baoyu not do the same? He could at least pass the preliminary exam, and perhaps earn his father's respect.

Wang Lady thought to herself: she must urge Jia Baoyu harder to study; he was so clever—how could he possibly be inferior to Jia Cong?

Jia Mu asked Wang Lady: "How is Zheng'er faring these days?"

Jia Mu said: "Zheng'er has always admired scholars. Zhu'er once pleased him greatly, but he's gone now, and Jia Baoyu despises such things."

He's shifted his hopes to that boy—it's understandable, but how can he simply let go now?"

Wang Lady replied: "Actually, Master isn't ill—he merely flew into a rage upon hearing about Cong-ge's affair. After taking a few calming herbs from the Imperial Medical Bureau, he's much improved."

Jia Mu's heart jolted: "Why would the palace suddenly send an imperial edict? Why summon Cong-ge as well?"

In my view, though Cong-ge can no longer study or take exams, the household won't deprive him of anything—he can still live in peace. But Master simply won't listen."

For an aristocratic family to produce a top scorer in the provincial exam was a matter of great prestige—yet fate had denied it. Jia Mu felt a pang of despair.

But not for Jia Cong's future—only for the honor of the top score itself.

Yet suddenly she fell ill these past two days. Jia Mu visited her several times; the physician said the young lady's thoughts were too heavy, causing stagnation of qi and blood, and that rest and peace of mind would restore her.

Though it sounded no serious matter, Jia Mu remained anxious. She asked Lin Daiyu what troubled her; Lin Daiyu only insisted there was nothing. Yet Jia Mu's mind held its doubts.

Suddenly a maid entered to report: "An imperial eunuch has arrived at the gate and is coming to proclaim an edict—he's already passed the ceremonial gate."

Wang Wang Xifeng added: "Madam speaks wisely. For families like ours, studying is indeed good—but if one truly cannot, it's no great loss.

The household won't miss the extra grain he consumes. Besides, Brother Cong is young, literate, and capable—what can't he accomplish in time?"

In Rongqing Hall, everyone held their own thoughts.

Yet since the palace had sent an edict, as the reigning lady of Lady Rongguo, she must go out to meet it.

Meanwhile, Jia Cong was speaking with Lin Daiyu when Wu'er rushed in, her face flushed.

"Cong Sanye, the women at the second gate have sent word—an imperial eunuch has arrived and waits in Rongxi Hall to proclaim an edict for you!"

Jia Cong sprang to his feet, his expression shifting between dark and pale.

Beside him, Lin Daiyu trembled, her teacup slipping from her hand and shattering on the floor.

She recalled Jia Cong's earlier words: no news was the best news—imperial edicts were unpredictable.

Now that the court had issued an edict, how could it be good?

With her clear, flowing eyes fixed on Jia Cong, her lids reddened, she cried out in sorrow: "Third Brother!"

Jia Cong gazed at Lin Daiyu's tear-streaked face, gently wiping her tears, speaking softly: "Don't be alarmed, little sister. What must come cannot be avoided. Worst case, I lose my title—but I'll still be alive."

He then hurried toward Rongxi Hall. Lin Daiyu, uneasy, sent Wu'er and Zi Juan to follow and report back immediately with news.

As Jia Cong entered Rongxi Hall, he saw Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Wang Lady, and Wang Wang Xifeng all waiting. All turned their gazes upon him.

Sighs, grief, indifference, pity—each face bore a different expression.

Jia Cong noticed a eunuch around forty, pale-faced, clad in a blue brocade flying-fish robe, wearing a black gauze mountain cap. Seeing him enter, the man showed surprise, then smiled.

"You must be Master Jia Cong. Fame falls short of reality—you're truly handsome. The Jia family has produced such a noble son; Old Madam, you are truly blessed."

Jia Mu and the others froze. Wasn't this edict meant to strip the boy of his title? Why speak such flattering words?

Guo Lin said: "Master Jia, I am Guo Lin, Deputy Director of the Qianqing Palace Eunuchs. By His Majesty's oral command, I come to proclaim your edict. Kneel and receive it."

Since arriving, Jia Cong had never knelt before anyone except his master Liu Jing'an—perhaps a lingering habit from his past life.

Even on Jia Mu's birthday, he avoided bowing, using her own words that she excused him from filial rites, for she disliked him and he wished to avoid the bad luck of kowtowing to her.

But when an imperial edict arrives, can one refuse to kneel? There will surely be more such moments—better to follow local custom.

In Rongxi Hall, all beneath Jia Mu knelt—the maids and servants outside the hall knelt as well, covering the floor.

Guo Lin unrolled the edict and read:

By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

In this year's Yongzhou provincial examination, top scorer Jia Cong was falsely accused by Liu Liu Wenxuan and thirty-one other candidates. The Court of Inquiry has confirmed that Liu Liu Wenxuan was instigated by others, jealous of talent and virtue, and made secret, malicious accusations.

Upon petition by the Yongzhou Academic Inspector, Liu Liu Wenxuan's scholar status is revoked, and he is permanently barred from office, as a warning to others.

Our dynasty governs the realm through filial piety. Filial piety, regardless of legitimacy or status, honors only blood ties.

Jia Cong, top scorer of the Yongzhou provincial examination, is still young, yet his scholarship is exceptional, his calligraphy refined. He does not scorn his lowborn birth mother, nor does he abandon her despite her death. His words are upright, his heart devoted—his filial devotion deeply moves the Emperor.

Therefore, I hereby appoint Jia Cong as Eighth-Rank Fengyi Official. By imperial command, he shall proceed to Jinling's Grand Mercy Temple to transcribe sutras in prayer for the late Empress Empress Xianxiao. All matters shall be handled by the Ministry of Rites, Bureau of Sacrifices, as per protocol. So decreed!

After Guo Lin finished reading the edict, Rongxi Hall fell utterly silent.

The Lady Rongguo household felt as if struck by lightning—numb, dazed, half-unconscious.

Jia Mu's mind was a blur. Wasn't this supposed to strip the boy of his title? So the real plot was to destroy him—but not only did he keep his title, the Emperor granted him an eighth-rank official post.

How could this be? Only Rank Jinshi could be appointed to office—this boy was merely a xiucai, barely grown, yet now an eighth-rank official?

Even the top scholar in the palace examination received only a seventh-rank position as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Is this boy defying heaven?

And why send him to Jinling to transcribe sutras for Empress Empress Xianxiao? What meaning lay in that?

Wang Wang Xifeng knelt behind, staring at Jia Cong ahead. Her shock was beyond words. I told you this boy was cursed—when that Liu xiucai went to the Ministry of Rites to accuse him, trying to strip his title,

He ended up smashing his own foot, losing his own scholar status. This boy has cursed him outright—what else could it be but fate?

Wang Lady, upon hearing the edict, felt a wave of helplessness.

She had hoped the boy would lose his title, so Jia Baoyu might finally apply himself to his studies, win his father's approval, and stop him from treating the eldest branch's disgrace as a treasure.

If Jia Baoyu also passed the preliminary exam, the household would see: what this man achieves, my Jia Baoyu can match exactly. Then who could ever rival Jia Baoyu for the future of Lady Rongguo Prefecture?

Who could have imagined this man's fate was so strong? Not only did he keep his title, the Emperor granted him an eighth-rank post—Jia Baoyu will find it hard to surpass him now.

She also recalled the edict's words: the scholar who accused Jia Cong had been instigated. A chill of fear and dread crept over her.

(End of Chapter)