Chapter 335: Unraveling the Robe, Secret Feelings

Yuanchun stepped forward to open the courtyard gate, only to see Baoqin talking to a tall palace maid.

The palace maid said, "Master Jia's imperial python robe has been tailored. Official Sun asked me to send it to the Fengzao Palace, and the aunts in the palace asked me to forward it to the female historian's office."

Jia Cong saw the palace maid holding a tray, on which lay a blue silk python robe embroidered with gold, its colors bright yet gentle, neatly folded on the tray.

Yuanchun said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Yuanchun personally took the bestowed robe and asked Baoqin to take some small silver as a tea tip for the palace maid from the Bureau of Imperial Attire.

She smiled at Jia Cong: "When I was a child, I saw Grandfather's bestowed robe. Since then, how many years have passed? No one in the Jia family has had such honor. Today, it is a reappearance of our ancestors' glory. It is Brother Cong who is capable."

"Let Baoqin serve you in changing your clothes. Let Sister see how Brother looks in a python robe."

In the inner room of the office, Baoqin's face flushed with shame as she helped Jia Cong take off his outer garment; her hands were even trembling slightly.

When they were outside, she and Jia Cong spoke and answered with smiles, without any embarrassment. Perhaps it was because she had been with Yuanchun for a long time and had been influenced by her, possessing a grand and bright demeanor.

After saying this, she deftly unfastened the outer garment's buttons and picked up the python robe from the tray to put it on.

She had entered the Jia mansion as a child, specifically to serve young ladies like Yuanchun, and had never served a man, let alone been so close to one.

Round collar, right-fastening wide sleeves, buttons on the shoulder lapels, ties on the chest, and side vents under the armpits.

Jia Cong laughed: "I dare not laugh at you. Sister Baoqin has always served the Eldest Sister. It is Jia Cong's honor to be served by you once."

Jia Cong felt a bit overwhelmed; with the clothes draped over him, he didn't know where to start, having no idea how to put them on.

The masculine scent on Jia Cong made her feel slightly dizzy. She just lowered her head, not daring to look at him, and finally managed to undo the buttons on Jia Cong's clothes.

After this interlude, Baoqin's demeanor became much more relaxed, and her hands and feet became deft. She had been in the palace for many years and was naturally very familiar with wearing such official bestowed robes.

Baoqin saw the smile at the corner of Jia Cong's mouth and said somewhat reproachfully: "What is the Cong Sanye laughing at? This is my first time dressing a man; naturally, I am not as nimble as your maids."

They say people rely on clothes. With this python robe on Jia Cong, amidst his handsome and heroic spirit, he added a dazzling, clear, and noble air.

Baoqin's bright eyes sparkled, and she smiled: "Everyone outside says the Cong Sanye is the most triumphant youth among the nobles in the Divine Capital. It is truly correct; this robe looks really good on you."

Baoqin saw his somewhat embarrassed expression and couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, saying: "Cong Sanye should know now why the Young Lady asked me to help you change clothes. You can't wear this kind of clothes yourself, humph."

This blue silk python robe, embroidered with gold, had magnificent python patterns embroidered with gold thread on the chest, shoulders, knees, and cuffs.

In no time, Baoqin helped Jia Cong put on and tidy up the python robe, and even walked around him to see if there was anything amiss.

Jia Cong was used to having Wu'er and Qingwen serve him in his daily life and didn't feel anything at first, until he noticed Baoqin's strange expression, even her earlobes were bright red. After thinking slightly, he probably guessed the reason.

It was just that because this python robe was a bestowed garment, its form was much more complex than an ordinary outer garment.

It was just that being alone in this isolated room made her suddenly feel something strange.

The python patterns were embroidered with various treasures like morning glories, plum blossoms, orchids, butterflies, rhinoceros horns, and square knots, set against blue silk with dark patterns, complex and noble, dazzling to the eyes.

Jia Cong laughed: "Although the python robe is good, it is valuable and complex. Without Sister Baoqin, I wouldn't know how to wear it. It is a troublesome matter."

Baoqin's heart pounded when she heard this, not knowing what she was thinking.

Under the shade of trees in the office courtyard, Yuanchun stood gracefully, her bright eyes filled with smiles, looking at Jia Cong, who was dressed in clear and bright attire, examining him carefully, her eyes filled with admiration.

She said: "Brother Cong is truly the Qilin son of our Jia family. Now that you have received the bestowed robe, the palace rules are cumbersome, so Sister shouldn't keep you any longer. Let us go and thank the Empress and take our leave."

After saying this, a trace of sadness appeared in Yuanchun's eyes, and even Baoqin's gaze revealed reluctance.

Women who enter the palace are isolated from their family for many years. Seeing their relatives suddenly, their hearts are filled with joy and attachment, which is hard to express and cannot be understood by ordinary people.

After this meeting, she didn't know when they would be able to meet again.

Ningrong Street, Mansion of the Count of Weiyuan.

Recently, the Grand Lady discovered that her granddaughters, after coming to the Rongqing Hall to pay their respects in the morning, would often disappear for the whole day. Later, she learned that these girls loved to go to the Huifang Garden to play.

The Grand Lady felt somewhat depressed. Actually, she also wanted to stroll in the Huifang Garden; the scenery in that garden was much better than in the West Mansion.

When Jia Zhen was in charge, the Grand Lady was quite envious of that garden. However, the East and West Mansions belonged to two different branches, so the Grand Lady couldn't go strolling there often.

Now that it had been changed into a Count's mansion, it was even harder to go over easily, because the Grand Lady really couldn't bring herself to stroll in Jia Cong's garden.

However, the Grand Lady wouldn't stop these granddaughters from going to the East Mansion. After all, the master of the East Mansion was also her own grandson.

And ever since Jia Cong moved out of the mansion, although the relationship between the Grand Lady and Jia Cong was distant, for the sake of the Jia family's external momentum and face, she didn't want the East and West Mansions to be too estranged.

Therefore, she was willing to let Yingchun move into the East Mansion earlier, and now that these granddaughters were frequently coming and going, and Jia Cong was always close to his sisters, it also fit her calculations.

Jia Cong also discussed with Jia Zheng to open a side gate in the southeast wall of the Pear Fragrance Garden in the West Mansion, and open a gate in the courtyard wall of the Ningxi Pavilion in the Huifang Garden, and build a covered corridor between the two gates.

Previously, when Daiyu and other sisters wanted to move around, they had to leave the mansion and take a carriage for a circle, which was not only laborious and troublesome but also required the mansion to arrange carriages, which was very grand.

Now, as long as the small gates on both sides were opened, they could reach the East Mansion by passing through the covered corridor, which was both simple and not grand.

Daiyu and other sisters happened to be gathering here today, either strolling in the garden, playing chess, or writing and reading, each finding their own joy.

Now, only Jia Cong and his sister Yingchun were in charge of the East Mansion, with no elders pressing down on them, which was a very relaxed and pleasant place for the sisters.

In addition, when the Ministry of Works carried out the reform of the mansion, Jia Cong asked Qin Ye to renovate the luxurious and vulgar parts of the mansion into a style of distant simplicity, which was more in line with the meaning of natural elegance.

The entire Huifang Garden became increasingly spacious and bright, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, mountains and water blending together, and beautiful buildings, making the sisters in the family linger and forget to return.

It was just that now that Jia Cong had established his own household, the sisters had an extra tacit understanding.

It didn't matter when Jia Cong was at home, but when he was at the office and not at home, they would come alone and not call Baoyu.

After all, now there were no other men in the East Mansion except Jia Cong, so the sisters didn't need to avoid anything, but Jia Cong kept those girls and maids in his room.

Usually, when they came over, they would play with them together.

Baoyu was a lover of beauty. Although he didn't have too much bad intention, he was used to fooling around with maids in his daily life. Once he saw a beautiful maid, he would become unrestrained in his words and actions.

Those in Jia Cong's room were all outstanding. Baoyu had even asked for Wu'er before. I fear it would cause trouble, create estrangement between brothers, and then involve the Grand Lady and the Lady...

These days, they had been following this method, and they were getting along well.

After noon, the sisters were gathering in Yingchun's courtyard to talk, but they heard some noise outside and hurriedly asked the maid to go out and see what was happening.

(End of Chapter)