Chapter 219

Recently, in the East and West Prefectures, besides Jia Cong becoming the top provincial graduate, the most eye-catching thing was Jia Rong's marriage, but the news that reached the West Prefecture was all unpleasant.

It was said that ever since Jia Rong married, he had only been stable for a few days before going out every day to socialize, drink, and feast, calling friends and companions, and often not returning home at night.

He did not pay much attention to the newly married Eldest Grandmother, and even on the day the Eldest Grandmother returned to her parents' home, she went alone, which looked truly desolate.

The servants and maids of the East Prefecture had long been accustomed to it; the Eldest Master of the mansion was a dissolute young master who had lived like this before he was married, so what was there to be curious about?

Furthermore, although the newly married Eldest Grandmother's appearance was a peerless beauty, her parents' home was only a poor Grade 5 official, so marrying into the Ningguo Prefecture was considered climbing high. With a thin foundation at her parents' home, it was difficult for her to control the Eldest Master.

It was just that the Master actually did not control him either, which made many people feel somewhat strange.

People in the East Prefecture knew that the Master was polite to outsiders, but he was very strict with the Eldest Master. If there was any displeasure, he would beat, scold, or spit on him, not giving the Eldest Master any face at all.

The Eldest Master was very afraid when he saw the Master, acting like a mouse avoiding a cat in front of him. As long as the Master glared, the Eldest Master did not even dare to straighten his waist, so he would rather hide outside the mansion when there was nothing to do.

Therefore, if the Master wanted to control him, the Eldest Master would never dare not to listen, but he did not expect that the Master would let it be and let the Eldest Master be dissolute outside in this matter.

When the Grandmother saw Keqing several times, seeing that she was a graceful and delicate person like a fairy, and that her actions were gentle, peaceful, humble, and meticulous, she liked her very much and praised her as the most satisfying person among her great-grandchildren-in-law.

It is estimated that the Master himself lived a life of having many wives and concubines, sleeping among flowers and staying in willow houses, so it was possible that he did not control the Eldest Master much in this matter.

It is rare for a master and servant to be like this.

He would not understand it wishfully like Jia Zheng.

People in the West Prefecture saw that every time Keqing came over, she always brought a little maid named Baozhu, who was beautiful and very spirited.

This morning, however, he was called to the Mengpo Study. When Jia Zheng chatted with him about the dialogue in the imperial court yesterday regarding him, Jia Cong's mood sank.

Ever since the provincial examination results were posted, and after being busy with that wave of social engagements with relatives and friends, Jia Cong could finally be considered truly quiet.

This Brother Rong had picked up a gold ingot and did not even know it, still fooling around outside; he was truly someone who did not cherish his blessings. It was just that although the Grandmother had high seniority, she was separated by a branch, so it was not easy to say much.

In the future, it would be difficult to take the path of a prestigious literary official.

Sometimes when he was free, or when there were fewer people to play cards, he would also ask You to call Rong's wife to come over together.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's sentence: "Sons of the nobility should cultivate a spirit of courage and martial arts." If heard alone, it did not feel like anything, but if the premise was refusing his entry into the Hanlin Academy, what did it mean?

"Cong'er, you are not yet twenty, yet you have already earned the title of top provincial graduate. Now your reputation is loud among the old relatives in the capital. I heard from your Lady that several families with daughters of marriageable age have revealed thoughts of marriage."

One must wait until one has achieved success in one's studies and slightly displayed a man's ambition for the four directions; otherwise, one does not dare to start a family.

It is said that she brought it from her parents' home on the day she returned. Everyone could see that Keqing cherished Baozhu very much, and she was inseparable from her in her daily walks and exits, and even the dowry maid Ruizhu did not seem to compare.

When Jia Cong heard that it was Lady Wang who said it, he sneered in his heart. How could he go and step into a pit? He said: "Master, Cong is still young, and it is too early to discuss marriage. Cong is determined to take the spring examination and wants to study hard for a few years and go all out."

It was just that Sister Feng and this Rong's wife were very compatible, and they often interacted in their daily lives. When she had free time, she would let her come to the West Prefecture to stroll around.

Jia Zheng did not see that his face was a bit wrong, and he smiled and said:

When the Grandmother and Lady Wang heard about these things, they sighed for Rong's wife. Whether a woman marries well or not depends entirely on Heaven's will, and this is also her fate.

Jia Zheng saw that he was determined to pursue academic success, and he was naturally very happy; this was the Jia family son in his mind.

He stroked his beard and smiled: "Cong'er's words make sense. With your appearance and talent, why worry about not having a good match in the future? This spring examination is of top-tier importance, and career ambitions are the foundation of a man's life."

In fact, the talk of marriage was just something the Lady had instructed these past few days, and Jia Zheng had just asked Jia Cong's opinion casually and did not take it to heart.

But he did not expect that Jia Cong's words had actually delayed the marriage matter for four or five years. He was not stupid; how could he let such a big event fall into Lady Wang's hands?

He had the title of top provincial graduate and was gradually gaining a reputation, so he did not need to worry about how the Jia mansion could still constrain him.

But if the Grandmother or Jia She came forward to arrange a marriage for him, it was a common thing in prominent families. Under the rules of parental orders and rituals, it was a troublesome thing to push away.

Now using the excuse of serving the country through studies to push it away and making the words final would also save the inner-quarter women from chattering in the future.

Lixiang Courtyard.

In the outer hall, Lady Wang was chatting with Xue Yima, talking about Baoyu's handsomeness and filial piety, naturally with a full face of smiles, and Xue Yima naturally said some echoing words.

Ever since she knew that Jia Cong had actually earned the title of top provincial graduate, it had truly given Xue Yima a big shock. She had heard before that Brother Cong was good at writing poetry, but she did not feel anything.

Now that he had ranked first in the provincial examination in one go, that was a real, visible, and tangible achievement. This Brother Cong was definitely a literary star descended to earth.

Such a person, flying high and becoming a high-ranking official in the future, was almost visible.

Compared to Baoyu's personality of wealth and glory, Xue Yima weighed and compared them, and it seemed that Brother Cong was even better.

These past few days, her daughter had been smiling, and every time someone mentioned Brother Cong, she understood her daughter's eyes; she had also been a young girl once.

Now she regretted it somewhat; at the beginning, she listened to her sister's meaning and let the talk of the "gold and jade marriage" spread in the Jia mansion.

Suddenly she said: "Your Brother Cong is also remarkable. He went to the provincial examination once and ranked first. I have never heard of such a thing before."

Lady Wang saw her sister's absent-mindedness in her words. As sisters for half a lifetime, how could she not know? That brat had ranked first in the provincial examination, and her sister was somewhat moved.

This was also no wonder; Brother Cong was born with this appearance, which easily made people have thoughts, and her sister had given birth to an outstanding daughter.

"These past few days, several old relatives of the Jia family, all noble and official families, have taken a fancy to Brother Cong's ability and have revealed thoughts of marriage. The Grandmother also knows about it.

This morning, the Master discussed it with Brother Cong. Brother Cong has been close to the Master since childhood and is even more obedient to him than to his own father, which is also a strange thing. Since the Master is satisfied, he naturally has no unwillingness."

When Xue Yima heard this, her heart turned cold. They were noble and official families, and this status was higher than the Xue family's.

Suddenly, a sound of shattering came from the inner room, and both Xue Yima and Lady Wang were startled.

Ying'er outside the room hurriedly ran into the inner room and soon came out with a tray, which was full of broken porcelain pieces.

"Lady, there is nothing wrong. The young lady was drawing flower patterns in the inner room, her hand slipped, and she accidentally broke a teacup."

Xue Yima breathed a sigh of relief, and Lady Wang did not take it to heart.

Xue Yima asked again: "Baoyu has not yet discussed marriage, why prioritize Brother Cong first? Can the Grandmother agree?"

Lady Wang smiled: "Sister, you do not know. They were both born in the same year, but Brother Cong is one month older. Although he is a concubine-born son, he is the eldest, so it is right to discuss his first."

Lady Wang said all the words that followed, and Xue Yima just listened, but her mind was somewhat chaotic.

In the inner room, Xue Baochai's face was as pale as snow, her eyes were brimming with tears, and the hand holding the pen trembled uncontrollably.

On the small desk was an embroidery pattern of rich peonies, which had just been drawn halfway.

(End of chapter)