Chapter 216: Protecting Feelings Has Deep Meaning

Jude Lane, Rongqing Hall.

Early in the morning, Jia Mu felt a bit strange. In the past, at this time, granddaughters like Yingchun and Daiyu would come to pay their respects and accompany her to talk about idle things to relieve boredom.

Today, I don't know what happened to them. Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun were always whispering, and Yingchun was also somewhat absent-minded. Everyone seemed to be carrying things in their hearts. Only Xichun was still young, so she couldn't see anything.

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun were clever and delicate, knowing that the Old Matriarch and the Third Brother were not close, so they rarely mentioned Jia Cong in front of Jia Mu. Yingchun was less talkative and would not say more.

So the Old Matriarch knew that the brat had been busy with exams some time ago, but where would she notice that today was the day of the provincial examination list release, unless her Baoyu also participated, which was naturally impossible.

The Old Matriarch's most concerned matter today was Brother Rong's wedding in the Eastern Prefecture. Early in the morning, Feng Jie and Jia Lian went to the Eastern Prefecture to help manage affairs, but it was not yet time, and the welcoming of the bride was still early.

Today happened to be the day of rest for all ministries, and Jia Zheng didn't have to go to the office. He only talked in the Mengpo Studio study, and guests like Cheng Rixiu, Zhan Guang, and Shan Pinren were accompanying him to talk hotly.

The topic was nothing more than sage books, poetry, and elegance. Finally, the topic turned to this Grace Examination provincial examination.

Since the Jia family produced a successful candidate more than thirty years ago, it seemed to have been cut off from the scholarly atmosphere.

Today is the day of the Grace Examination list release, so how can they not make an article on this, changing the law to please Jia Zheng, all saying that Yuzhang will definitely pass this time, the young phoenix is new to the old phoenix sound, and the future is limitless.

Also said that the official master of the Examination Hall said that the Cong Sanye wrote a good article, and also bowed to the Cong Sanye. There were so many readers at the entrance of the Examination Hall, black and black, and they all bowed to the Cong Sanye...

One of the clever ones also put the Cong Sanye's top spot, and there were still people who were not convinced, but the official master in the Examination Hall posted the article written by the Cong Sanye, and immediately no one said strange things.

At this time, two little servants who followed Jia Cong to see the list finally rushed back to the manor and ran to the Mengpo Studio with excitement.

In the past two years, Jia Cong has risen abruptly in the literary world, first named the Yongzhou case head, then repeatedly imperially appointed, and even moved Jiangnan with his poetry and calligraphy, adding great glory to the Rongguo Jia family.

Jia Zheng heard the news and was overjoyed. Jia Cong not only passed the list, but also won the provincial examination top spot Jieyuan. Calculated this way, he is already a two-time successful candidate. The ancestors are blessed, what a glory for the Jia clan!

The two little servants beside him were anxious. This kind of scoundrel scholar who mixed food and drink actually fooled the old master around, and even made the old master forget the reward money.

Jia Zheng estimated that Brother Cong was the top candidate in the previous provincial examination, and his foundation in classics was solid, so the hope of passing was very great, but there was no news after all, so there was less anxiety and expectation in his heart.

In the eight-room descendants in the capital, except for the early death of Jia Zhu, and Jia Zheng who was given an official position due to the posthumous memorial, there was not even a scholar who entered school.

They were not happy because Jia Cong won the top spot, but they knew that the old master cared very much about this matter. Now that the Cong Sanye won the top spot, this good news was reported, and the old master's heavy reward was inevitable.

The guests naturally knew that this was the proud point in Jia Zheng's heart.

Hearing this good news, Cheng Rixiu, Zhan Guang, Shan Pinren, and others sprayed all kinds of good words and obedient words without money, making Jia Zheng happy and confused, as if he had forgotten where he was.

Cheng Rixiu, Zhan Guang, and Shan Pinren had also mixed in the imperial examination, and they were a little stunned when they heard the situation. How could they make such a big thing.

Such a prosperous and large clan, the literary atmosphere is so decayed, it is really hard to say. This is also the reason why Jia Zheng is so worried about Baoyu's refusal to read.

For such a flourishing and prominent clan, the decline in literary spirit is truly difficult to speak of. This is also the reason why Jia Zheng is so deeply troubled by Baoyu's refusal to study.

Jia Zheng's eyes were shining with excitement. Brother Cong had written an essay that could make so many people bow to him; something extraordinary must have happened.

He hurriedly asked the two servants what kind of essay had been written, but those two servants were illiterate and could not remember it at all, stammering for a long time without being able to say a damn thing.

Jia Zheng was so angry he cursed them as fools, then asked: "Why are you the only ones back? Didn't Cong'er come back with you?"

Seeing that Jia Zheng was angry, the servant hurriedly replied: "The Cong Sanye's carriage headed toward the Xicheng, saying he had business to attend to and would return to the mansion after a while."

Jia Zheng was somewhat anxious and said: "What business could be so important that it must be done at this time? He should have returned to the mansion early; it is very likely that the messengers from the Ministry of Rites bringing news of his success will be arriving at our door."

While ordering these two servants to go find him, he also gave instructions to hang lanterns and decorate the mansion gate, waiting only for the arrival of the messengers from the Ministry of Rites to set off fireworks and firecrackers to stir up some festive cheer.

Such a wonderful event must be shared with others; it would be best if the entire Divine Capital knew that the Jia family of Rongguo had produced a provincial graduate who ranked first in the provincial examinations.

It was just that those two messengers bringing the news looked dejected; because they could not say what kind of essay the Cong Sanye had written, the Master even forgot about the matter of rewarding them with tips.

He told them to go find the Cong Sanye and bring him back to the mansion, but they only knew the carriage had gone to the Xicheng and did not know the specific location. With the Xicheng being such a large place, where were they supposed to look?

Xicheng, Xinchun Street, that small courtyard at the end of the street corner.

"You want Baozhu to help you? What can a mere slip of a girl do?"

"Didn't you say that among these children, Baozhu is the most spirited, and the little girl is also quite agile? She will definitely be able to help me."

Jia Cong did not hide his own affairs from Qu Hongxiu, so he explained the whole story.

Qu Hongxiu rolled her eyes at him and said: "I thought you went to Jin Ling on imperial business and brought back such a messy account. No wonder you were so slow to return; it turns out you were having too much fun to think of home."

Jia Cong could tell she was somewhat dissatisfied, and he felt startled, yet he did not know how to respond. He thought it best to keep his mouth shut to avoid making things worse.

Qu Hongxiu added: "Actually, the incense shop's business is getting better and better, and the business in Jin Ling needs to be started as well. You are skilled at these things; it would be easy for you to be a wealthy man of leisure.

In the future, when your family lets you leave the mansion, you will be able to live a stable life without having to provoke risks and entanglements outside. That would be an excellent thing."

Speaking of this, Qu Hongxiu stared at him blankly, her eyes flickering, but seeing that Jia Cong had no reaction, she felt somewhat disappointed, knowing that since he had just ranked first in the provincial examinations, he could not take her words to heart.

She sighed slightly and said: "Since you want to take the imperial examinations and become an official, that is up to you, but official circles care most about such decency and reputation.

If you get involved in these matters, be careful not to ruin yourself. That person... that person is technically your junior."

Jia Cong could tell she was somewhat annoyed, but she was genuinely concerned for him, so he smiled and said: "How could I get involved in any trouble? The Ningguo Prefecture is full of filth and corruption; I just feel uneasy in my heart."

Qu Hongxiu snorted and said: "That young lady is also pitiful. I will let Baozhu help you this once."

Jia Cong smiled: "Thank you, Sister Xiu. Who is to say otherwise? I also feel her situation is pitiful. Since we have met, how can I stand by and watch?"

Qu Hongxiu bent her slender waist, stood up, and walked to the door. Seeming to have some anger in her heart, she looked back and said:

"I am saying that the young lady is pitiful for meeting you. In the future, you are not allowed to get involved in such matters again. I only have one Baozhu."

Jia Cong: "..."

(End of chapter)