Chapter 274: The Inheritance of the Clan Head

Rongxi Hall, the three main rooms of the East Corridor.

In the room, the heated kang by the window was covered with a scarlet foreign rug, and two large red gold-money python backrests were placed, along with stone-green gold-money python pillows.

Jia Zheng and Lady Wang sat on the left and right sides of the heated kang, and Jia Cong sat peacefully on a circle chair placed in front of the kang, covered with a silver-red floral chair cover.

Jia Cong would set off north tomorrow, so he came specially today to bid farewell to Jia Zheng and Lady Wang.

Lady Wang knew that when Baoyu, Jia Huan, and others entered here, they were usually lectured or even scolded by the old master, and they usually stood; there had never been a seat.

But when Cong'er came in, the old master had given him a seat early on. It was truly a contrast, treating him even better than his own son.

However, this was not surprising. This kid was truly capable, reaching the rank of a Grade 6 official at such a young age. She had never even heard of such a thing before.

The things the old master had long sought in Baoyu had all been found in this kid.

Lady Wang looked at Jia Cong, who was sitting peacefully, with a kind expression on her face, but in her heart, it was an indescribable feeling.

Jia Cong did not take the package, saying: "Old Master, this is a treasure bestowed upon the Jia family by the late Emperor, used by the ancestors of the past generations. I am just an illegitimate son, how can I accept it?"

The old master was also muddled. If he wanted to give Cong'er something for self-defense, there were many armors in the family armory; why give this one?

"Old Master, don't worry. I have already prepared everything for the past two days, and everything will be simple when I set off tomorrow."

This "Green Rhinoceros Armor" was a treasure bestowed upon the Jia family by the late Emperor of the Great Zhou, and it had been passed down for several generations of Dukes, almost becoming a symbol of the clan head.

"Second Brother or Baoyu would be better suited to get this thing, otherwise it would invite gossip and fail the old master's good intentions."

"Your second brother has a decent temperament, but he is only capable of handling mundane affairs. It is absolutely impossible for him to be an official or a warrior, so he cannot use this precious armor."

"Handling imperial affairs is naturally the first priority, and there is another important thing: go in peace and return in peace."

Jia Zheng felt moved when he heard this.

"I went to the family armory to find a set of Green Rhinoceros Armor. When the old ancestor followed the late Emperor to sweep the Mongols in the north, the late Emperor bestowed this precious armor."

"Later, it was passed to the grandfather. It is said that it was made from the back armor of a Western Region exotic beast, the Green Rhinoceros, and can defend against swords, spears, and arrows. You take it just in case."

Saying this, he let Caiyun give a bulging package to Jia Cong, which should contain the Green Rhinoceros Armor.

Jia Zheng added: "You are going to a place of swords and soldiers this time. Although you are following Minister Gu to patrol the borders, there is usually no danger, but you cannot be careless."

"Cong'er, at your age, you have an open mind, understand etiquette, and know how to advance and retreat. This is a character even rarer than natural talent. You are a talent of the Jia family."

"Cong'er is just an illegitimate son. If it spreads out, it will invite rumors. The inheritance of the clan head—only my Baoyu is qualified to get this thing."

"My Baoyu will be fifteen in a few years, yet he hasn't even started his studies. If he had half of this kid's drive, I would be satisfied..."

"You don't have to be too self-deprecating. Your biological mother was posthumously granted a title by the Emperor, which is a precious favor. Although you are illegitimate, you are not much worse than the legitimate ones."

Jia Zheng twisted his beard with his right hand, his eyes warm, and asked: "Cong'er, you are going north to handle affairs tomorrow. Have you finished all the preparations?"

Lady Wang's expression changed when she heard this. She had been married into the Jia family for so many years and naturally knew many old secrets of the family.

The more Jia Cong declined, the more Jia Zheng felt that what he was doing was not wrong.

Lady Wang would not openly refute her old master's face, but her eyes looking at Jia Cong were already somewhat gloomy.

"As for Baoyu, humph, he is the same age as you, and he has been enlightened for so many years, yet he can't even read the Four Books clearly. Can he wear the Green Rhinoceros Armor!"

Lady Wang heard this, and the prayer beads in her hand turned rapidly, saying: "Baoyu is still young. Old Master, please teach him more, and he will eventually become sensible and progressive."

Jia Cong sneered in his heart. Jia Zheng saying this in front of Lady Wang would definitely reach Jia Mu's ears. Wasn't this digging a hole for him again?

So he said: "Old Master, don't worry. Reading and studying depend on the person. Baoyu is smart and has good talent. If he studies hard for two years, it will not be difficult for him to enter school."

"Old Master, your love is heavy. I thank you for your gift."

He was afraid that Jia Zheng would get excited and say something unpleasant to Baoyu, digging a hole for him, so he simply accepted the precious armor and took the package from Caiyun's hand.

Jia Cong did this because he didn't want to deepen Lady Wang's jealousy. Such a woman in a great mansion sometimes had a darker heart than a man.

This trip north would take a long time. She couldn't do anything to him, but it would be very convenient for her to vent her anger on the maids in Qingzhi Studio while he was away.

By then, he would be out of reach and had to guard against it.

Lady Wang felt a sense of loss when she saw Jia Cong accept the Green Rhinoceros Armor, feeling that the things belonging to Baoyu were falling into this kid's hands bit by bit.

However, Jia Cong had just helped Baoyu speak, so she couldn't stop him again.

She just felt that this kid was becoming more and more evil. Whatever happened to him, it always became tied up and eventually became uncontrollable.

The old lady said his fate was hard, and she was not wrong at all. His mouth was also extremely capable of speaking, occupying the first opportunity in everything, and no one could stop him...

Jia Zheng added: "You are now observing politics in the Ministry of War and in charge of the Firearms Supervision, which is a bit off the main path of civil officials. Originally, I had regrets in my heart."

"With your literary talent, you could even enter the Cabinet in the future. But since it is the Emperor's favor, whether civil or military, it is all for the country."

"Except for you, the other descendants in the family, I'm afraid, are all hopeless..."

Lady Wang's eyelids jumped again when she heard this. She thought that this must also include Baoyu. Her Baoyu was just young, how could he be hopeless...

She didn't think that Jia Cong and Baoyu were the same age; one had already achieved great things, while the other was still loafing in the inner courtyard. How could Jia Zheng look favorably on Baoyu?

Actually, Jia Zheng knew the meaning of this Green Rhinoceros Armor. He had his own hidden difficulties in doing this.

The Rongguo line reached the 'Wen' generation, and he and Jia She were both mediocre in talent, barely supporting the family with the ancestors' shade.

Wasting one generation could barely be mixed through, but when it reached the 'Yu' generation, descendants like Jia Lian, Baoyu, and Jia Huan were even more unbearable than the previous generation.

The Ningguo lineage was simply stripped of its title and raided.

"The virtue of the gentleman will be cut off in five generations." If two generations were so decadent, Jia Zheng was worried about whether the Rongguo ancestral business could be passed on.

Fortunately, three years ago, the eldest branch produced a figure like Cong'er. This was the ancestors' protection, sending down such a Qilin son.

As a father, he also had selfishness. How could he not want his Baoyu to inherit the family business? But he also knew that if the family business was really passed to Baoyu, it would only fall faster...

As a person who inherited the Rongguo Mansion, what face would he have to see the ancestors after he died?

"I bestow upon you the Green Rhinoceros Armor so that if you really take the military path in the future, I hope you can inherit the ancestral prestige and shine the Jia family's military door again!"

Actually, Jia Cong had no interest in shining the Jia family's door, but he was still very grateful for Jia Zheng's intentions toward him.

"I will definitely do my best and not fail the Old Master's expectations!"

Jia Cong left Rongxi Hall and went to the rooms of Daiyu and the other sisters to bid farewell.

Seeing him come, Daiyu's eyes were red, but since the parting was imminent, she didn't want to make him worry, and only shed tears after watching Jia Cong leave.

Seeing Tan Chun was heroic and atmospheric. Although she was a bit sad, she was not sorrowful, only saying that when he returned, perhaps it would be the third month of spring, and she would host a poetry banquet and fly kites!

Yingchun had a gentle and quiet temperament. Although she was reluctant in her heart, she knew that this brother was capable and could not be kept in the family. She was afraid that such things would be indispensable in the future, only telling him to return early.

When Jia Cong passed by Lixiang Courtyard, he thought about it and decided to go in and bid farewell to Baochai.

When he entered Qingzhi Studio, he saw that the courtyard gate was ajar, as if waiting for him to return.

The half-day snow filled the gap of the ajar door, and it took some effort to push it open, making a creaking sound.

Entering the courtyard, he saw bright candlelight spreading from the window lattice of the main room, and several graceful figures walking back and forth, feeling a slight warmth in his heart.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 275 =====