Chapter 322: Not Marrying into a Pig and Dog Clan

Rongguo.

Today, an uninvited guest suddenly arrived at the mansion—Sun Shaozu, who should have come two days ago to discuss the wedding date.

But today, when he arrived at the mansion, it was not to set the wedding date with Yingchun, but to specifically name Cong Sanye Cong for a visit, and he had even submitted a formal visiting card.

Marriage is a major matter of etiquette. Sun Shaozu's failure to keep the appointment two days ago was a great discourtesy and humiliation to a noble clan like the Jia Fu.

This time, Sun Shaozu suddenly arrived, and even the steward Lin Zhixiao's expression was not very good. However, as a family servant, he could not react too strongly and just maintained the necessary etiquette for receiving guests.

Lin Zhixiao had a page take him to the Songxuan Hall to serve tea, while sending someone to the inner courtyard to invite Cong Sanye Cong to meet the guest, and hurriedly had someone notify the old lady and the eldest master.

The marriage of the second young lady of the mansion was the top priority at the moment, and with this prospective son-in-law who had broken his promise arriving, Lin Zhixiao naturally notified the person in charge of the mansion immediately.

As for why this prospective son-in-law was not coming to set the wedding date but was making a big deal about wanting to see the Cong Sanye, Lin Zhixiao was not clear what the logic was.

Qingzhi Studio, the sisters were gathered together, whiling away the time.

Therefore, he did not go to find Jia She when he arrived at the Jia Fu today, because he had already realized that he wanted to obtain the benefits he desired through this marriage.

That was why he had delayed and not arrived on the day agreed upon with the Jia family to discuss the marriage.

Among the maids in Jia Cong's room, Zhen Ying Lian was the one who valued literary matters the most.

Back then, she had been abducted by Old Dong the Second and had lived a life of displacement and fear since childhood. Relying on the opportunity to clean the private school to supplement her income, she had managed to learn to read and write just by sitting at the door listening to the school.

He still held a glimmer of hope in his heart, hoping that what that Cong Sanye Cai said was somewhat exaggerated.

He had brazenly come to the door and submitted a card to see Jia Cong, which was his last-ditch effort to probe the truth in person.

Ever since that day at the Chunhua Pavilion, when Sun Shaozu heard those words from Cong Sanye Cai, he had long since lost heart regarding his marriage to the second young lady of the Jia Fu.

Seeing Tan Chun was standing to the side, watching with great interest.

And listening to what Cong Sanye Cai said, Jia Cong was not only a newly granted count but also had a deep relationship with the Nine Provinces Commander and deep roots in the Ministry of War. This person was where the Jia family's power lay.

Whether Jia Cong's attitude toward this marriage was truly as hateful and disgusted as Cong Sanye Cai said.

Zhen Ying Lian was leaning over the desk copying a scroll, her pretty face delicate and moist, her eyebrows like a painting. She was wearing a light purple long jacket embroidered with crabapple flowers, a plain white horse-face skirt, and a red gold necklace with tassels.

Sun Shaozu hoped that the horror of that day at the Chunhua Pavilion was just Cong Sanye Cai spouting nonsense after drinking.

Moreover, her imitation of Jia Cong's calligraphy had reached six or seven parts of his style, which even Seeing Tan Chun, who was well-versed in calligraphy, praised highly.

The key was not Jia She, but Jia Cong.

Ever since she followed Jia Cong, she had been managing Jia Cong's study, and daily influenced by his reading and writing, she became increasingly obsessed with literary matters.

He wanted to gain benefits through this marriage, and Jia Cong was an obstacle he could not bypass.

But he still hadn't completely given up in his heart, reluctant to give up the power of the Rongguo and Jia Cong just like that.

Daily, sisters like Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun would come to Qingzhi Studio to walk around, and the sisters would gather to compose poetry and couplets. Zhen Ying Lian could also respond smoothly, which was very surprising.

Last time, Jia She helped him plan for a real vacancy in the Ministry of War, but it ended in failure. Now he had also figured it out: although Jia She's title was noble, he was an idle official with no real power, and he was afraid he wouldn't be of any use.

Daiyu was talking to Zhi Shao, the topic being the plum blossoms at Panxiang Temple in Su Zhou, because Daiyu was from Su Zhou and naturally had the greatest preference for the people and scenery there.

Wu'er and Qingwen were tidying up the items in the courtyard. They had been packing a little bit every day for the past few days because they would soon be moving to the East Mansion to live.

Jia Cong was playing chess with Yingchun. The matter at the Chunhua Pavilion a few days ago could be considered to have lifted the heavy stone in Jia Cong's heart. There might still be some loose ends to tidy up, but he believed the overall situation was settled.

Perhaps because he was in a better mood, although his chess skills were originally inferior to Yingchun's, today he had fought to a draw.

At this moment, a woman from the second gate came to report that someone wanted to visit the Cong Sanye and had sent a visiting card. Jia Cong saw that the name Sun Shaozu was written on the card.

His heart couldn't help but stir slightly. After a moment of thought, he guessed Sun Shaozu's intention for the sudden visit. This person was cunning and fickle, indeed extraordinary.

Last time he had designed for Cai Xiaoyu to use words to restrain and intimidate him, yet he still wouldn't give up. Then he would have to give him a heavy blow to make him give up his thoughts once and for all.

So he told the woman who brought the message to call his personal page, Jiang Liu, to wait for him at the second gate, as he had things to instruct.

He smiled at Yingchun, who was holding a chess piece in thought: "Second Sister, if I were to end your marriage, you wouldn't blame your younger brother for being meddlesome, would you?"

Yingchun heard Jia Cong suddenly mention the marriage, looked at Jia Cong, and her face turned slightly red: "I didn't want to get married in the first place, I wanted to stay at home with my sisters for a few more years, but the eldest master insisted on this marriage."

"Brother Cong has always been the best to his sisters. I am soft and useless, and I can only rely on Brother Cong. If you think this marriage is not good and have a way to end it, I will let you be the master, Sister."

Jia Cong laughed: "Then I will be the master for once. Second Sister, don't belittle yourself. Sister is a smart and kind person, and you will definitely have a good match in the future. I'll be back in a moment, let's continue this game when I return!"

After Jia Cong left, Seeing Tan Chun heard what was just said and walked over to ask: "Second Sister, Third Brother has many ideas, perhaps he really can end this marriage."

"But the other party has already given betrothal gifts, and a daughter will eventually have to get married. Don't you have any concerns in your heart?"

Yingchun thought for a while and said: "I lost my mother when I was young, and the eldest master doesn't really manage me much. I am also a concubine's daughter. Most people who come to propose are aiming for the Jia family's status."

"My personality is mediocre, not as smart and generous as Third Sister. When I get to someone else's house, I don't know what it will be like. Only by staying in the mansion with my sisters can I live a peaceful life."

"Brother Cong is the only one who is wholeheartedly planning for me. It is naturally right for me to let him be the master. Even if I don't marry and stay in the mansion, I can always take care of my younger brother."

Seeing Tan Chun looked at Yingchun, not expecting that this sister of hers, who had always been wooden, could say such things. She was a little impressed and a little envious.

Then she thought of herself, and her heart felt heavy and dejected. Wasn't she also a concubine's daughter? In the future, would she also be married off as a decoration by someone who coveted the Jia family's power, regardless of whether she was a legitimate or concubine's daughter...

In the Rongqing Hall, Jia Mu received the steward's message that Sun Shaozu had suddenly arrived, not to discuss the wedding date with the Jia family, but specifically to visit Jia Cong.

Jia Mu also felt a little strange in her heart, so she sent a trusted maid to the Songxuan Hall to probe the situation. No matter what, she had to have a conclusion for her granddaughter's marriage today; dragging it out any longer would not look right.

Jia She in the East Road Courtyard heard that Sun Shaozu had suddenly arrived, and anger surged in his heart. The day before yesterday, on the agreed day to discuss the marriage, this kid didn't arrive on time, causing him to be scolded by the old lady.

He blamed himself for finding such an unreliable son-in-law. The three letters and betrothal gifts had all been sent, yet he avoided discussing the wedding date for no reason, and there was no explanation, ruining the reputation of the Jia Fu's daughter.

Now this Sun Shaozu had arrived, but he neither discussed the wedding date nor came to see him, but instead submitted a card to visit that beast, making Jia She feel annoyed and lose face.

So he sent a trusted page to wait at the Songxuan Hall, both to probe the situation and to have Sun Shaozu come to the East Road Courtyard to see him after meeting that rebellious son.

At this time, Sun Shaozu was sitting uneasily in the Songxuan Hall, completely unaware of the figures and footsteps flashing by the entrance of the Songxuan Hall from time to time.

He had already made up his mind that when he saw this newly promoted Count Lord Weiyuan later, if he were truly as disgusted with this marriage as Cong Sanye Cai said,

he, Sun Shaozu, would give it up without hesitation. Since he couldn't borrow the Jia family's power, he would even less want to form an enmity with the Jia family.

If that were the case, he would have lost his only path of reliance in the Love Shenjing.

Perhaps he could try the path of that Cong Sanye Cai, but he was a civil official's son, and civil and military affairs had never been connected...

As for that Miss Jia with whom he had exchanged engagement documents, Sun Shaozu had never taken her to heart; she was just a bargaining chip for him to scheme for power.

He had almost finished his cup of tea, but the Songxuan Hall was still empty, and Jia Cong was nowhere to be seen, which seemed quite dismissive, making him even more uneasy.

At this moment, a youth of thirteen or fourteen years old, with a tall stature and a calm expression, walked into the hall. Although he was wearing the clothes of a Jia family page, his demeanor had not a hint of servility.

He asked: "This gentleman, is it you who submitted a visiting card to see our Cong Sanye Cong?"

Sun Shaozu stood up. Seeing that this page had an extraordinary demeanor, he must be someone by Jia Cong's side, so he didn't dare to be negligent and replied: "I am Sun Shaozu, and I am the one who submitted the card to seek an audience with Count Lord Weiyuan."

The youth looked at him quietly and said: "Our Cong Sanye Cong told me to bring you a message: The noble daughter of the Jia family will not marry a crude and vulgar pig or dog. If you dare to come to the door again, the Cong Sanye will personally break your legs!"

The youth's articulation was clear, his voice bright, and he said this sentence with every word like a spear or halberd, echoing in the empty Songxuan Hall!

Sun Shaozu opened his mouth wide in surprise at such arrogant and wild words. His face turned pale in an instant, and soon flushed red again. His whole body trembled slightly, not knowing whether it was from fear or anger.

He didn't expect that what Cong Sanye Cai said was all true, and that Jia Cong was truly so disgusted with this marriage!

He had submitted the card with perfect etiquette, yet he wouldn't even see him, just sending a page to dismiss him, and even saying such mean and vicious words to intimidate and humiliate him.

This was clearly not wanting to marry, this was wanting to form an enmity!

If he still discussed the wedding date with Jia She and dared to marry his sister, he would definitely use even more violent means to deal with him.

He was a stranger in the Love Shenjing; how could he be a match for this kind of noble family of the Love Shenjing?

Now Sun Shaozu truly regretted it a little. He hadn't listened to Cong Sanye Cai's advice, but instead had been unwilling to give up and had come to probe the truth, only to be humiliated for nothing.

The youth finished speaking, gave Sun Shaozu a cold look, and walked out of the Songxuan Hall as if nothing had happened.

And outside the Songxuan Hall, shadows flickered, and several slightly flustered footsteps moved from near to far...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 323 =====