Chapter 336

At this moment, several subordinate officials from the Imperial Household Department, accompanied by over a dozen servants and driving two carriages, entered Ningrong Street in a grand procession.

When the Imperial Household Department carriages stopped at the West Corner Gate, many people on the street saw numerous silver chests, tribute silks, imperial wine, and other items being unloaded and sent into the Count's mansion one after another.

Many descendants of the eight branches of the Jia family in the Divine Capital lived on Ningrong Street. Some of them, having seen the world or witnessed grand displays, realized that since it was an escort from the Imperial Household Department, it must be a gift bestowed by the Emperor.

Moreover, looking at the scale of this display, it was truly significant. That illegitimate son of the Rongguo branch in the Count's mansion had only recently been granted a title, and now he had received such rewards from the Emperor again; he must have performed some new meritorious service. This stroke of fortune was truly too grand.

Yingchun, Zhi Shao, and the others heard the news but didn't know the reason at first. It wasn't until the official proclamation from the Imperial Household Department was delivered outside the second gate that they learned it was a reward from the Emperor for Jia Cong.

It must be that Jia Cong had performed some new meritorious service. Daiyu and the other sisters were all filled with joy, watching the bestowed gifts being moved inside the second gate, chattering away as they watched the excitement.

It wasn't until after midday that Jia Cong returned from the palace. As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, the bright and eye-catching python robe he wore caught the eyes of the sisters.

They all circled around him, laughing and admiring him for quite a while.

Shi Xiangyun's eyes lit up as she said, "Third Brother, this python robe of yours is so beautiful. Why don't you take it off and let this younger sister wear it too, so I can admire it as well?"

Behind the courtyard were two connected bungalows, which were the residence of Yuanchun and Baoqin; the two had lived here for eight years.

Turning back to see that Xiangyun's expression was a bit embarrassed, he comforted her, "Sister Yun, don't just look at how beautiful this python robe is; it's too hot to wear in the summer. Sister, you are so active, I guarantee you won't be able to stand it once you put it on."

Shi Xiangyun was startled and asked, "It wouldn't be as scary as you say, would it?"

Seeing Tan Chun, who was nearby, laughed and scolded, "Don't you be foolish. If you really wore it and word got out that you were playing with imperial-bestowed clothing in the inner chambers, be careful not to bring trouble upon Third Brother."

Wu'er happened to bring Jia Cong's casual outer garment over, smiled, and said, "I wouldn't dare let the young lady do these things; let us do it instead."

As she spoke, she stepped forward to help Jia Cong undress. The sisters, seeing her jumpy train of thought, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

To have lost both parents in infancy and been raised by an uncle and aunt since childhood, yet still be able to develop such a lovely nature, is truly rare.

Seeing Tan Chun glanced at Jia Cong and said, "If it were someone else, it might not count for much, but Third Brother has been in the spotlight so much lately, and so many people are watching for him to make a mistake. There's no telling what might happen."

If Yuanchun were not the legitimate eldest granddaughter of Duke Rongguo and had not taken up a position as a female official upon entering the palace, she wouldn't have such a residence.

Xiangyun felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Third Brother, it's all because I didn't know the priorities. I won't do it next time. Are you very hot? Let me help you take it off; be careful not to let it stifle you."

Daiyu, Baochai, and the others, who were sharp-minded, nodded upon hearing Seeing Tan Chun's words. It has always been the case that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be blown down, especially for someone like Jia Cong; being a little more careful in daily life is never wrong.

He suddenly thought of Yuanchun, whom he had met today. It was a strange thing that the Jia family's girls all had such depth of character, far stronger than the boys like Baoyu and Jia Lian.

Jia Cong did know the anecdote about Xiangyun's mischievousness; it was said that she had worn Baoyu's men's clothing before to tease the old lady of the mansion.

However, Jia Cong did appreciate Xiangyun's bright, naive, and open-hearted nature.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Third Sister is indeed insightful."

In front of the courtyard was a small office, with plain white walls, a table and chair in the middle, and a lattice bookcase piled full of various official documents.

The Great Zhou Palace, Fengzao Palace, Office of the Female Historians.

Most would be like other palace maids, several people squeezed into a small room, not to mention being able to bring a personal maid like Baoqin.

Under the bright candlelight, Yuanchun carefully folded a forehead band and a short jacket she had just finished making and placed them into a bundle.

Baoqin, who was nearby, served a cup of light tea and asked, "Young Lady, is this for the Old Lady?"

Yuanchun smiled slightly, "Next month is the Old Lady's birthday. I'm making two pieces to show my heart. When the time comes, I will beg for the Empress's grace to have them sent to the mansion."

Last year, the Ningguo Prefecture was raided, which sounded scary, but fortunately, the Rongguo branch produced a talent like Brother Cong. If the Old Lady can show more kindness, I think there will always be an extra layer of protection in the future."

Baoqin heard these words and suddenly wanted to say something, but hesitated.

Yuanchun looked at Baoqin's appearance and smiled with some curiosity, "You girl, you're stuttering. We've been together for ten years, suffering through these days in this deep palace; what is there that you can't say?"

Baoqin recalled the scene of serving Jia Cong today and steadied herself before saying, "Young Lady, Cong Sanye is famous now, and there is a lot of talk about him in the palace."

"I heard that Cong Sanye had a very bitter childhood and was often beaten and scolded by the Great Master. The Old Lady was afraid of a major incident, so she brought Cong Sanye to the West Mansion to be raised, and... they say the Old Lady doesn't like Cong Sanye."

Yuanchun glanced at Baoqin and sighed slightly, "I've known about this for a long time. Counting it up, I had just started to remember things back then, and I vaguely remember that the incident in the mansion caused a huge stir."

"The Old Lady looked down on the background of Brother Cong's birth mother. Brother Cong's concubine mother passed away right after giving birth to him, and even the maid and the midwife died under unclear circumstances. Later, Grandfather also suddenly passed away..."

"The Old Lady felt that Brother Cong had a hard fate and was inauspicious, and the Great Master felt that Brother Cong was a hindrance to him. So, since childhood, he was confined to the East Courtyard and rarely came to the West Mansion. I only saw him a few times before I entered the palace."

"The younger sisters below might not have even seen his face. But I didn't expect that in this world, every action has its consequence, and everything is predestined."

"Brother Cong must have suffered such torment in his youth to be so determined and risk his life. Otherwise, how could he have achieved such merit at this age?"

Baoqin heard that Jia Cong's life had not been easy, and her eyes turned red.

Yuanchun continued, "However, there are a few good things now. I know that the Master values Brother Cong highly and has always protected him, and Brother Cong also remembers the Master's kindness."

"Moreover, since Brother Cong went to the West Mansion, he has been very close to the sisters in the family. Today, I heard him talk about family matters, and although he is a person of depth..."

"But when he mentioned Lin Meimei in his words, his eyes were always smiling, which is quite unusual. I suppose the cousins are closer than the other sisters."

Speaking of this, Yuanchun couldn't help but reveal a smile. She was very observant and felt that she hadn't seen it wrong.

Baoqin seemed a bit depressed, "Didn't Cong Sanye mention every young lady? I was nearby and heard it too. Why don't I feel that there's a difference?"

Yuanchun gave Baoqin a meaningful look and couldn't help but smile. Under the lamplight, she was as beautiful as a peach blossom and very moving. Baoqin's face couldn't help but turn red.

Yuanchun said, "Someone as outstanding as Brother Cong is very proud. If it weren't for a meeting of hearts, he would never have had that expression when mentioning Lin Meimei."

"Moreover, among the sisters in the family, they are the only cousins who are a match. They grew up in the same garden since childhood, so this is nothing strange."

The two of them, mistress and servant, were lonely in the deep palace, busy with daily palace duties every day or just burying their heads in living their lives, their hearts like withered wells, bored to death.

I didn't expect that Jia Cong's visit would provide an attractive topic of conversation.

Baoqin was younger than Yuanchun and in the prime of her youth. At first, she felt a bit strange in her heart, but a woman's nature soon made her listen with fascination.

Yuanchun said, "It's just that in the past few years, when the Old Lady entered the palace to pay respects, I heard many times that the Old Lady loves Lin Meimei very much and wants to match Baoyu and Lin Meimei. It's just that the two are still young."

"So the matter hasn't become apparent yet. I'm just worried that the Old Lady will make a mismatched match. A forced melon is not sweet, making Brother Cong even more estranged from the family..."

"Brother Cong was granted a title in his youth. According to custom, the Emperor will likely bestow a marriage in the future to show favor. If he marries a noble girl from another family, his gratitude and attachment to the family will fade even more."

"If he can marry Lin Meimei in the future, not only will he be in harmony, but Lin Meimei is the Old Lady's own granddaughter. This is an excellent thing both inside and out. Only then will it be a prosperous and long-lasting family."

Baoqin asked curiously, "Next time the Old Lady enters the palace, will you talk about this? Since they have both taken a liking to each other, it would be quite good to let Cong Sanye have his wish..."

(End of chapter)