Chapter 204: The Storm in Lixiang Courtyard

"Xue Pan, you're a guest in my Jia household, yet you dare to bully those under my roof—do you truly think the Jia family has no one left?"

Xue Baochai saw Jia Cong's dark expression, chilling enough to make one's heart tremble; the once jade-like young master was gone, and she knew his fury was overwhelming.

Back in Jin Ling, when her mother begged him to clear her brother's name, she had seen his inner contempt; now that her brother had done something so absurd, he must view the Xue family as utterly despicable.

Xue Baochai's heart felt torn apart, filled with unbearable shame and pain.

Originally in Jin Ling, Xue Pan had beaten Feng Yuan to death over Zhen Ying Lady Lian, revealing the depth of his lust for her; now that he encountered her again, his head spun with passion and he refused to let go.

In their Jin Ling hometown, he was accustomed to horseback riding, cockfighting, and abusing his power; he immediately moved to strike, but Xue Baochai and Ying'er held him back with all their strength.

"Cong brother, today my brother is in the wrong. You're magnanimous—please take Zhen Ying Lady Lian away first. I'll come to apologize to you another day."

Jia Cong had been waiting for Xue Pan to attack, hoping for an excuse to teach him a harsh lesson; but seeing Xue Baochai gripping Xue Pan tightly, pale-faced and tear-streaked, her eyes pleading, he hesitated.

Jia Cong sighed, took Zhen Ying Lady Lian by the hand, and walked away; such a worthless playboy as Xue Pan wasn't worth another word.

…

Xue Baochai, flushed with shame and anger, wept: "Mother, look at what my brother is saying—such nonsense…"

"Go back to your room this instant!"

Xue Xue Yima was startled when she saw Jia Cong emerge from Lixiang Courtyard with a maid, his face icy cold.

Xue Xue Yima had known nothing of the matter; hearing this, she froze.

"You ungrateful wretch! We're staying in our relatives' home—how dare you harass their maidservant? Do you have no shame left?"

As Jia Cong left Lixiang Courtyard, he met Xue Xue Yima returning from Lady Wang's quarters with her maid Tongxi.

In the imperial capital, such methods aren't rare—but if you're going to use them, you can't do it at this moment.

"So this is truly the maid you wanted to buy back then?"

Someone like Cong brother wouldn't care about silver—I see how precious he holds that maid; he'd never give her up. Brother is reckless, Mother—why do you still indulge him so?"

Seeing her daughter's pale face and tears, Xue Xue Yima's heart ached, and she rushed to comfort her.

"You base scoundrel! Every day you cause trouble, drunk and foolish—how dare you slander your own sister? If you ever speak such nonsense again, I'll disown you as my son!"

Xue Xue Yima was startled by these words; her daughter was still unmarried—such nonsense spreading would ruin her reputation.

"That maid was the one I set my eyes on in Jin Ling. If not for her, how would I have killed Feng Yuan? That brat tricked me and bought her away—I won't accept it!"

If the other side insists on dragging this out, a little maneuvering could reopen Feng Yuan's old case—Xue Pan and Jia Yucun would both suffer.

Beside her, Xue Baochai turned pale and cried out: "Mother, what are you saying? Seeing a maid you like, you'd force her purchase? That's no respect at all. The Jia family doesn't lack for silver."

She added: "Even if it is that maid, she's now in Cong brother's quarters—you can't act so recklessly. If you truly want her, speak properly. If needed, pay more silver to buy her."

My son once caused a murder case over this maid, forcing our whole family to relocate to the imperial capital. Xue Xue Yima always doted on him—otherwise, how could he have grown so vile?

"Mother, I wouldn't say such nonsense."

Xue Pan shouted: "Sister, what are you talking about? Why are you siding with outsiders? I see it now—you've taken a fancy to that boy because he's handsome, and you favor him in everything. Does he even appreciate it?"

Lixiang Courtyard.

But her son's words struck deep; she recalled how her daughter's expression had changed the first time she met Jia Cong in the Jin Ling ancestral home, and now this reaction again—she must have taken a liking to him.

That boy's appearance was truly extraordinary—she'd never seen anyone like him; it was inevitable he'd attract women.

Xue Xue Yima had lived in Lixiang Courtyard for some time now; she no longer misjudged the situation as she had when first entering the Jia household. She knew Jia Cong was outstanding, his mother even posthumously honored with a noble title.

But her sister told her Jia Cong's mother had once been a courtesan—such a thing was too disgraceful to mention.

And everyone said Jia Mu doted most on Jia Baoyu and despised Jia Cong the most. Even if he excelled, he was still a concubine-born son; the Jia family's wealth and influence would never pass to him.

In the end, he'd only be granted a separate branch of the household. Even if he wrote brilliant essays and became a top scholar, what good would it do? Just another poor Hanlin official—useless.

My daughter is young; she's dazzled by his peerless looks, but she doesn't understand how harsh the world is—status, legitimacy, and birth order matter above all else.

But seeing her daughter so listless, now wasn't the time to speak plainly—she'd wait for the right moment to gently reason with her.

…

Qingzhi Courtyard.

Zhi Shao was comforting Zhen Ying Lady Lian; they had shared a room at Panxiang Temple and were deeply close.

Wu'er's eyes were red: "Third Master, it's all my fault—I shouldn't have sent Zhen Ying Lady Lian to Lixiang Courtyard with the snacks."

Qingwen gritted her teeth: "Who could've imagined that Xue family's young master was such a vile creature?"

Jia Cong comforted Wu'er: "You didn't know the details—how could you blame yourself? From now on, none of you go to Lixiang Courtyard without my permission—it'll only bring trouble."

He then ordered Juan'er and Si'er to close the courtyard gate; at dusk, someone knocked.

It was Sister Yuanyang, Jia Mu's chief maid, who said the old lady wished to speak with Third Master.

On the way, Sister Yuanyang told Jia Cong the commotion at Lixiang Courtyard at noon had spread widely—someone must have informed Lady Wang and Jia Mu.

Jia Cong sighed; the Jia household was a sieve, full of gossipers—every scandal ended up at Rongqing Hall, and Jia Mu never seemed tired of it.

In Rongqing Hall, not only were Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and Wang Wang Xifeng present, but also Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng's face was flushed with anger; Lady Wang looked embarrassed.

Minor squabbles among family members were common—let them pass, no need to make a fuss.

But Jia Mu and Lady Wang had just heard rumors: Jia Cong's maid had gone to Lixiang Courtyard with snacks, been leered at by the Xue family's young master, and Jia Cong had stormed over, nearly coming to blows.

This alarmed them both—harassing a maid touched the honor of the inner quarters, and involved an outside relative.

The inner quarters housed many unmarried girls; if such nonsense spread, what would become of their reputations?

Before the matter was clear, they couldn't confront the Xue family—it would shame Lady Wang—so they summoned Jia Cong first to hear his side.

Jia Mu felt a headache coming as Jia Cong entered Rongqing Hall; since the Spring Sacrifice, there'd been no peace—again, he caused trouble. Such a reckless, taboo-breaking nature was rare indeed.

"I just heard from the women in the inner quarters that your maid went to Lixiang Courtyard—why are you causing trouble again? We're all relatives—show some face. Can't you ever have a single peaceful day?"

Jia Zheng, beside her, couldn't help saying: "Grandmother, this doesn't seem to involve Cong brother at all."

Jia Cong acted as if he hadn't heard Jia Mu's complaint; calmly, he recounted the afternoon's events.

Jia Mu and the others listened in silence; Jia Cong had kindly sent snacks to Lixiang Courtyard, yet Xue Pan had insulted his maid—there was no justification on Xue Pan's side.

This son of Madam Xue was truly no good—no wonder he'd killed someone in Jin Ling. Jia Mu even regretted letting the Xue family stay in the household.

Jia Zheng erupted: "Pan'er is utterly licentious! Madam Xue, why don't you discipline him properly?"

This was harsh indeed; Lady Wang flushed with shame, then forced a smile: "My sister has only one son—he's been spoiled, but Pan'er's heart isn't bad.

It's simply that your maid is so lovely he's taken a fancy to her. If he wants her, giving her to him isn't a big deal—I'll pick a fine maid from my own quarters for you."

Lady Wang spoke to save face for herself and her sister; after her husband had spoken so bluntly before everyone, she was deeply embarrassed.

Since this involved the inner quarters' reputation, giving the maid to the Xue family would remove the scandal—otherwise, her sister living under their roof would be humiliated.

As for giving away maids, it was common among noble families—Jia Mu had once given her maid Cuilu to Shi Shi Xiangyun.

Later, when the imperial dowager passed away, the household's young opera girls were given as maids: Ruiguan to Xue Baochai, Kuiguan to Shi Xiangyun, and Douguan to Sister Baoqin—all sent to outside families.

Hence, Lady Wang saw giving away a maid as trivial.

Wang Wang Xifeng heard this and inwardly groaned—how could Lady Wang be so foolish? Everyone in the household knew Cong brother was a maid's man—his maids weren't to be touched.

Years ago, Elder Master had tried the same thing—how much chaos had it caused? Even a life had been lost.

Jia Mu, old and sharp, seemed to recall something; her expression changed slightly—how could her daughter-in-law be so foolish to say this now?

Indeed, Jia Cong, standing below, said: "Lady, your words go too far."

Everyone in Rongqing Hall heard his calm tone, yet it carried a chilling edge, sharp as a blade; remembering the scandals of recent years and the upheaval during the Spring Sacrifice, they all drew in a sharp breath.

(End of Chapter)