Chapter 462: Ruyi for the Mandarin Duck Alliance

Great Zhou Palace, Qinghe Palace.

The Old Imperial Consort Zhen on the bed sat up straight with the support of a palace maid.

Jia Cong saw that this Old Imperial Consort already had a head full of silver hair, a pale face, and a weak breath.

Although her face was full of illness, she looked at Jia Cong below and scrutinized him for a moment, a trace of a smile appearing on her aged face.

She smiled slightly, "This palace often hears rumors outside, all saying that the Count of Lord Weiyuan of the Jia family is young, intelligent, and wise, a peerless phoenix chick. Seeing you today, the reputation is well-deserved."

Jia Cong bowed and replied, "Jia Cong is a young junior and dare not accept the Old Imperial Consort's excessive praise."

The Old Imperial Consort said again, "This palace received a letter from the family in Jin Ling, saying that the Count of Lord Weiyuan is very close to the family, once visited to pay birthday respects to my niece-in-law, and was quite compatible with my great-granddaughter Fangqing."

Jia Cong felt slightly strange in his heart and could only reply, "The Zhen and Jia families are friends for generations. Since Jia Cong has arrived in Jin Ling, I must visit my elders. I dare not be disrespectful."

The Old Imperial Consort smiled and asked, "What do you think of my great-granddaughter Fangqing?"

Jia Cong's heart jumped, and he could only bite the bullet and reply, "Third Young Lady Zhen is intelligent and heroic, comparable to a man, and is the best among the Zhen family descendants."

At this moment, a bad premonition arose in Jia Cong's heart. Thinking of the rumor about the bestowed marriage, this scene really had the meaning of looking at a son-in-law...

The Old Imperial Consort said to the Retired Emperor Yong'an, "Your Majesty, this child is indeed very good. The Jia family... the Jia family can produce such a phoenix chick, which can be considered a deep blessing."

The Retired Emperor smiled slightly, "What the Imperial Consort said is very true. What is even more rare is that he is young, both literary and martial. I love his calligraphy. Before he was twenty, he could write such majestic lyrics as 'Linjiang Xian', which is truly rare."

The Old Imperial Consort signaled to the palace maid beside her. The palace maid left the room and soon brought in a vermilion tray.

The Old Imperial Consort smiled slightly, "The Zhen and Jia families are friends for generations, and you can be considered my junior. This can be considered a gift for our meeting today. You accept it."

She had been bedridden for many days, and her body was getting weaker and weaker. She had said a lot of words, consuming a lot of spirit. At this moment, as soon as her voice fell, she coughed slightly with shortness of breath.

Jia Cong saw that in the vermilion tray held by the palace maid, there was an opened brocade box, inside which was a jade Ruyi the length of a palm, with a transparent emerald green body, exquisite carving, and water-moistened luster.

The Retired Emperor glanced at the jade Ruyi, seemed to have a trace of a sigh, and said to Jia Cong, "Why don't you thank the Imperial Consort."

Jia Cong's thoughts surged, his heart sank slightly. He took the brocade box from the tray and said, "Jia Cong thanks the Old Imperial Consort for the reward."

The Retired Emperor on the side nodded slightly to Ouyang Bin. Ouyang Bin came forward and said, "This old servant will send the Count of Lord Weiyuan out of the palace."

Jia Cong bid farewell to the Retired Emperor and the Old Imperial Consort Zhen, full of questions, and followed Ouyang Bin out of Qinghe Palace.

In the inner palace, the Old Imperial Consort Zhen looked at Jia Cong's departing back, dismissed the palace maids beside her, and said, "Your Majesty, this child's bearing and demeanor are outstanding and unique, which really makes this palace feel like I have seen him somewhere before..."

The Retired Emperor's voice was gentle and somewhat elusive, saying, "Although he is young, the things he does are all strange, and his city and strategy are extraordinary."

"This one is good. No matter when, he will not be weaker than others, nor will he suffer losses..."

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was flipping through the memorials, his demeanor and expression seeming somewhat uncertain. At this time, Guo Lin entered from outside the hall.

He said, "Your Majesty, Jia Cong has already left the palace just now. He met the Retired Emperor and the Old Imperial Consort Zhen in Qinghe Palace. The Old Imperial Consort praised him highly and even rewarded him with a jade Ruyi."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "Did the Retired Emperor and the Old Imperial Consort say anything?"

Guo Lin replied, "The Old Imperial Consort praised the Count of Lord Weiyuan for his outstanding character and well-deserved reputation, and also asked him what he thought of Zhen Fangqing. The Retired Emperor praised Jia Cong's calligraphy and poetry."

"After Jia Cong left the palace, the Old Imperial Consort dismissed everyone and seemed to talk to the Retired Emperor alone. The specific content is unknown."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's gaze flickered slightly when he heard that the Old Imperial Consort Zhen had dismissed everyone.

The Zhongche Office had densely deployed eyes and ears in the palace, even in the Retired Emperor's Chonghua Palace, let alone the Old Imperial Consort Zhen's Qinghe Palace.

Jia Cong had left the palace for less than half an hour, and Guo Lin already knew everything about his situation entering Qinghe Palace.

From this, it could be seen that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had ascended the throne with what kind of anxiety and suspicion in his heart back then, otherwise he would not have managed the entire palace so tightly.

Perhaps deep in his heart, this towering palace and the vast rivers and mountains did not belong to him...

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao put down the memorial in his hand, with a thoughtful look on his face, and said, "Ruyi comes in pairs, connected from beginning to end..."

Guo Lin said on the side, "Your Majesty's meaning is that the Old Imperial Consort Zhen rewarding Jia Cong with a jade Ruyi implies an intention for marriage?"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said, "The Old Imperial Consort is terminally ill and full of fear in her heart. Zhen Fangqing is someone she has raised since childhood. At this juncture, worrying about the lifelong affairs of her descendants is human nature."

"I remember Jia Cong is about to reach the age of twenty. He was ennobled in his youth and is eye-catching. Is there any move to discuss marriage for him in the Jia mansion?"

Guo Lin had been by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's side for many years and naturally understood the meaning of his words. The Emperor was asking if the dark agents of the Zhongche Office had found any relevant information in the Jia mansion.

Another meaning of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words was that he strongly disapproved of the marriage between the Jia and Zhen families.

Guo Lin replied, "This servant returned to the capital the day before yesterday and checked the secret files reported by the Zhongche Office recently. Among them, it is said that the eldest young lady of the Lady Bao Ling Marquis mansion, Shi Xiangyun, is loved by the Old Madam Jia and often stays in the Jia mansion."

"Every time Shi Xiangyun enters the Jia mansion, she often stays in the room of the eldest young lady of the Count of Lord Weiyuan mansion, and her relationship with Jia Cong is quite close, and their feelings seem to be very deep."

"Shi Xiangyun's parents are both dead, and she was raised by the Lady Bao Ling Marquis's wife, Madam Chen, since she was young. Madam Li has been visiting the Jia mansion frequently in the past half year and often mentions the marriage of her children to Old Madam Jia, which often involves Jia Cong's marriage."

"It is possible that they want to discuss marriage for the two, which is not impossible."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was slightly stunned and said, "Old Madam Jia is from the Lady Bao Ling Marquis mansion. The noble families join forces, and the Jia and Shi families marry. It is a good calculation. These two can also be considered a match."

Guo Lin asked, "The Marquis of Zhongjing and Jia Cong are both officials trusted by Your Majesty. Does Your Majesty intend to bestow a marriage?"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sighed slightly, "If the Old Imperial Consort Zhen hadn't mentioned Zhen Fangqing, I could have acted as a matchmaker once. But now I can't do it, otherwise, the Retired Emperor and the Old Imperial Consort would lose face."

He asked again, "Has the murderer of Zhen Shiwen of the Jin Ling Zhen family been found? Is the private manufacture of firearms really related to the Zhen family?"

Guo Lin replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, yesterday I just received a report from the Jin Ling Zhongche Office. The Zhen Shiwen case has not yet caught the murderer, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard Ge Captain Ge Zhi Cheng has not found any real evidence related to the Zhen family."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face was cold, "I gave Ge Captain Ge Zhi Cheng a ten-day deadline to bring the murderer who assassinated Du Hengxin to justice. I see he can't do it. What is the use of such a mediocre person! Pass my oral decree, let the Embroidered Uniform Guard Command of the Divine Capital send capable personnel to Jin Ling to secretly investigate the Zhen Shiwen case, and there must be results!"

Judefang, Count's mansion.

Jia Cong returned from the palace. Before he reached the Count's mansion on horseback, the gatekeeper who was waiting at the intersection saw his figure from afar and returned to the mansion to report.

The mansion's steward led a group of servants to open the main gate of the Count's mansion and welcomed him in, and also said that the eldest young lady and the young ladies were all receiving guests in the West Prefecture, and had already sent someone over to pass the message.

Jia Cong remembered the scene in Qinghe Palace just now. Although the entire paying respects process, the two nobles' words were kind and had much praise, appearing very peaceful and happy.

But it brought Jia Cong a full stomach of worries and doubts. The Old Imperial Consort Zhen was clearly terminally ill, yet she struggled to see him and even asked about his perception of Zhen Fangqing.

This visit to Qinghe Palace had a very obvious implication. The rumor about the bestowed marriage had gradually become clear, making Jia Cong's mood become heavy.

Ever since he walked out of the East Road courtyard that year, almost every matter he handled was something he could grasp through planning, but only the matter of bestowing marriage with Zhen Fangqing was completely beyond his control.

Although Zhen Fangqing was a very outstanding woman, Jia Cong had only known her for a month in Jin Ling. His relationship with Zhen Fangqing was not even as entangled and intimate as his relationship with Zou Min'er.

Nor was it as harmonious and sharing weal and woe as with Qu Hongxiu and Qin Keqing.

Not to mention like Daiyu, Yingchun, Seeing Tan Chun, and other sisters, who had been together since childhood and whose hearts were integrated.

If an imperial decree forced a marriage with such a woman who was both familiar and strange, and tied them together for life, it was not what he wished for in his heart.

His only reliance now was the close relationship between the Zhen family and the Retired Emperor, which would definitely make Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao oppose this marriage.

However, relying on the hopes of others was ultimately unreliable.

His heart felt oppressed, and the joy he should have had upon returning home was diluted to almost nothing.

He was walking towards his courtyard when two slender figures on the small path ahead were walking quickly with small steps.

One was beautiful and delicate, like an orchid; one was pretty and nimble, her color surpassing hibiscus.

Jia Cong saw that it was indeed Wu'er and Qingwen.

Qingwen's face was full of joy as she came forward and laughed, "Cong Sanye, you have finally returned home. You hadn't even entered the mansion when the steward sent a message to the inner courtyard. It was just Wu'er and me in the courtyard, so we came out to welcome Cong Sanye."

Qingwen's slender waist swayed as she walked around Jia Cong, the fragrant wind stirring.

She looked him up and down carefully, her pretty face red, and said, "Cong Sanye, you have a very good complexion after going out and returning this time, just like when you left. It's not like last time when you returned from Liaodong, black and thin, which made my heart ache."

Wu'er's pretty face was ruddy, her beautiful eyes like water, looking at Jia Cong and asking, "Cong Sanye, you should stay for a period of time this time when you return home, right? You have been running around everywhere this year, you really should rest well at home."

Seeing them both gentle and affectionate, the oppression that originally filled his heart gradually dissipated, and his heart gradually became warm.

He laughed and said to Wu'er, "The spring examination is at the end of spring next year. I won't go out and will focus on reading and preparing to take the exam."

He asked again, "Why are there only the two of you? Where are Zhi Shao and Zhen Ying Lian?"

Wu'er said, "Zhi Shao returned in the morning to unload the luggage and accompanied Abbess Xiushan and Sister Miao Yu to the Mouni Nunnery outside the West Gate to help settle down. She will only return tomorrow."

"I have already instructed the steward to send a carriage to pick her up tomorrow."

"Ling Guan, whom Cong Sanye brought back, is still a bit shy, but Zhen Ying Lian gets along very well with her. Just now, she took her to stroll around the garden."

"I'm afraid she doesn't know Cong Sanye has returned to the mansion yet."

Qingwen laughed on the side, "Ling Guan, this girl, I don't know how Master found her. Her brows and eyes are really like Miss Lin's."

The three of them went to Jia Cong's courtyard together, chatting about things that happened after they parted along the way.

After entering the main room, Qingwen prepared hot soup for Jia Cong to bathe, and Wu'er helped Jia Cong change into home clothes.

She saw the brocade box Jia Cong placed on the table, opened it curiously, and exclaimed, "What an exquisite emerald Ruyi! Where did Cong Sanye get this treasure?"

Jia Cong replied, "I went into the palace to report the mission today and was summoned to Qinghe Palace to pay respects to the Retired Emperor and the Old Imperial Consort Zhen. This jade Ruyi was rewarded by the Old Imperial Consort Zhen."

Wu'er asked, "Is it that Old Imperial Consort who is rumored in the mansion recently to bestow marriage to Cong Sanye with the Third Young Lady Zhen?"

Jia Cong said, "It is exactly this Old Imperial Consort Zhen."

Wu'er's beautiful brows frowned slightly, her eyes flowing, and she said, "Cong Sanye, I have heard my mother say that Ruyi is a token for a daughter's marriage, usually in pairs, implying a perfect match and harmony. Jia Cong's face was gloomy, and he said, "The Old Imperial Consort summoned me suddenly and rewarded me with this Ruyi alone. It should be what you said."

Wu'er said, "Cong Sanye, Miss Lin has always been attentive to Cong Sanye. We people around Cong Sanye can all see it. Last time when the rumor of Cong Sanye's bestowed marriage spread in the mansion, Miss Lin was ill for several days."

"There are some things she can't figure out herself. I thought of a way for Hearing Zi Juan to tell her, which slightly relieved Miss Lin's heart knot. Now that she knows about this, she will definitely cause trouble for no reason again."

Hearing her soft words and delicate mind, Jia Cong couldn't help but hold her small hand, "It's rare that Wu'er is so careful. Even when I'm away, you still help me look after the sisters in the mansion. How should I thank you?"

Wu'er blushed slightly, "Cong Sanye, you are away, so I help you look after things. It is what I should do. With this one sentence from you, Master, everything I do is worth it..."

Jia Cong said, "The current Emperor does not like the marriage between the Count's mansion and the Zhen family. The Retired Emperor must know this well and have concerns in his heart, otherwise, when I went to pay respects in the palace today, perhaps the imperial decree for the bestowed marriage would have already been issued."

"Therefore, as long as there is no extraordinary situation, the bestowed marriage will not happen. For now, don't worry too much. You help me keep this Ruyi well. Don't spread the word about this matter for now, so as not to cause extra trouble."

The two were talking when they suddenly heard footsteps outside, and a pretty figure flashed at the door. They heard Seeing Tan Chun's pretty and pleasant voice, "Third brother has finally returned!"

Wu'er reluctantly pulled her hand back from Jia Cong's palm and took the brocade box into the inner room, just in time to meet Qingwen who was preparing hot soup.

Qingwen saw Wu'er's face was flushed, her brows and eyes delicate like water, and suspicion arose in her heart. She also saw the brocade box in Wu'er's hand, which Jia Cong had been holding in his hand when he returned.

She suddenly thought of something and said sourly, "Why are you blushing for no reason? Looking at your appearance, you must have been touched by Cong Sanye again. Look at your silly, dizzy look, humph!"

Wu'er blushed and spat, "You are smart. You grind your teeth with me all day. Be careful that Cong Sanye coaxes you to relieve your fatigue."

Qingwen remembered the talk about "combing and relieving fatigue" back then, and her face turned red all of a sudden.

In the main room, Jia Cong saw Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Baochai, and other sisters enter together.

Just now, when Jia Cong returned to the mansion, the East Prefecture steward sent someone to the West Prefecture to report to Yingchun and other sisters.

The sisters all rushed back. They hadn't seen each other for several months, and everyone felt warm and happy in their hearts.

Daiyu's pair of bright eyes were clear and bright, unable to hide her joy, and she said, "This time, third brother didn't lie to people. You said you would return in two months, and you returned in two months."

Jia Cong laughed, "This time in Jin Ling, I happened to meet Doctor Zhang Youshi. On the way back to the capital, I went to Yangzhou with him and have already diagnosed my uncle's condition. My uncle's condition has improved greatly."

"After Doctor Zhang returns to the capital, he will prepare pills for the symptoms. After my uncle takes them, there will be no major problems. Sister, you can be at ease now."

Hearing this, Daiyu couldn't help but be overjoyed. Her father's illness was the thing she worried about most in her heart. She had lost her mother since she was young, and her father was her only close relative.

She smiled and bowed formally to Jia Cong, "Sorry to trouble third brother to keep this matter in your heart. Sister is endlessly grateful."

Baochai saw that even though Jia Cong went south to handle errands, he still hung on to Daiyu's affairs and must help her handle them properly. He treated her with meticulous care, different from other sisters.

Thinking that with Cong-brother's talent and appearance, that Lin Imperial Inspector must also value him very much.

He was also warm and close to her, but he didn't have the intimate and radiant spirit he had when facing Daiyu. Baochai couldn't help but feel a bit dejected in her heart.

Seeing Tan Chun laughed, "I have calculated that the spring examination is imminent. Before next summer, third brother will definitely stay in the mansion to study."

"A few days ago, second sister and I were discussing that this year is the first year of third brother's mansion establishment. In two months, it will be the New Year, so we must have a big New Year."

Jia Cong laughed, "After returning this time, I definitely won't go out for a long time. Third sister, if you have any plans or fun things, just think of them all. Let's have a good time together during the New Year."

Not long after, Yingchun settled Xing Xiuyan's residence and brought her to Jia Cong's courtyard to recognize the door. Zhen Ying Lian brought Ling Guan back from strolling around the garden.

The courtyard became more and more like a cluster of flowers, with laughter and bell-like sounds, warm and happy.

The sisters talked for a while and then dispersed temporarily. Jia Cong went to the back hall to bathe and change clothes, and then went to the West Prefecture to pay respects to elders like Jia Mu and Jia Zheng.

When he went, he brought Wu'er and Qingwen, and brought all kinds of gifts prepared by Keqing.

Keqing had stayed in the Jia mansion for a period of time, so she naturally knew the general preferences of the people in the Jia mansion, and each gift had a tag, so Jia Cong didn't need to worry at all, just distribute them according to the tags.

Jia Mu saw that this grandson suddenly changed his usual behavior and became so thoughtful and meticulous, and the casual gifts he sent, although not precious, were very suitable and reasonable, and every piece was attentive.

She praised him a few words sincerely. Now that he had grown up, he actually had this kind of thought and filial piety, which showed that it was really time to establish a career and start a family.

The gifts Keqing prepared for the sisters were also distributed by him in the same way, naturally harvesting a pile of surprises and praises from the sisters.

They only felt that this brother was not only able to write and fight, but his meticulousness was not inferior to that of a girl.

Seeing Tan Chun did not spare beautiful words and praised him greatly, which made Jia Cong feel a bit guilty.

Back then, when Keqing went out to help him buy and arrange gifts to return to the capital, he felt it was unnecessary and tired her for nothing.

Now he truly realized how important it was to have a thoughtful and capable woman behind him.

However, when Wang Xifeng received her gift, she actually discovered that they were all things she used daily...

She couldn't help but feel suspicious in her heart. How did Third Cong know that I love using rose rouge from Jin Feng Ge in Jin Ling the most?

When she was not married back then, she used this rouge in Jin Ling. After marrying into the Jia family, this habit still hadn't changed. In the past, she always asked people to mail it from Jin Ling.

Besides herself and Ping'er, she hadn't told many people about this. How did Third Cong know, and why did he pick that shop out of all the shops in Jin Ling?

This kind of meticulous thing could only be done by a woman. It didn't look like the behavior of a half-grown boy at all.

Wang Xifeng only felt it was strange, and concluded that there must be something strange about it...

Although the Firearm Division of the Ministry of Works belonged to the Ministry of Works, its official business had strong independence, and the matter involved the secrets of firearm construction, so the Ministry of Works actually had no jurisdiction over the Firearm Division.

As the head of the Firearm Division, Jia Cong didn't need to show his face to others. The day after returning to the mansion, he went to the firearm workshop, met with Liu Shizhen, and explained some daily affairs.

After that, he rested in the mansion for a few days to ease the fatigue of the long journey.

Every day, he would talk and read with sisters like Daiyu and Yingchun, or cook tea and play chess, or stroll around the garden and step on the green, passing the time, very comfortable.

The second day after returning to the mansion, he sent a carriage to pick up Zhi Shao from outside the city.

He also called sisters like Daiyu to plant the plum roots that Zhi Shao brought from Mount Xuanmu on the south-facing hillside of Dengxian Pavilion, hoping to bloom and enjoy the plum blossoms this winter.

Since Ling Guan entered the Count's mansion, because she was beautiful and lovely, and her temperament was refreshing and diligent, she was very loved by the sisters in the garden.

When she was in the mood, she would chant and sing softly, her wonderful voice lingering, becoming a unique and beautiful scenery in the Count's mansion.

Not only was Jia Cong very good to her, but Daiyu, seeing this girl who was similar to herself, also felt very compatible.

Originally, Jia Cong taught Ling Guan to read and write, but Daiyu volunteered to take it over, and Ling Guan even stayed in Daiyu's courtyard many times.

During this period, Yingchun talked to Jia Cong about Lady Xing's marriage proposal. Because the Old Madam opposed it, allowing Xing Xiuyan to be a wife and then a concubine, her status was quite special after entering the mansion.

Hearing this, Jia Cong felt somewhat surprised. He naturally guessed Lady Xing's intention immediately, which was nothing more than wanting to use Xing Xiuyan to climb and reach out to the Count's mansion.

However, with the means of Jia She and Lady Xing that couldn't be brought to the table, Jia Cong didn't take it to heart at all. Now, where could it hinder him in the slightest?

Before he was ennobled, the status of Jia She and Lady Xing as his biological father and legitimate mother had a great restrictive and lethal power on him in terms of filial piety and etiquette.

But since he was ennobled as a hereditary Second-Grade Count, heaven, earth, monarch, parent, and teacher, the monarch's power and imperial order were already before the parent's power.

Before the imperial power and national law, even Jia She, his biological father, had to retreat three steps from him. Any talk of "father as the guide for the son," shouting and killing, interfering and holding hostage, were all just wishful thinking.

At this time, Jia Cong remembered the words Xing Xiuyan said by the stream at the foot of Yunyan Mountain: "If there is anything in the future that cannot be to your liking, just ignore it. It is also that I cannot make my own decisions."

"Cousin, please don't be distant or disgusted with me because of this..."

No wonder when he first sent Zhi Shao to Panxiang Temple, Xing Xiuyan was calm and composed when facing him, talking freely, and meeting without taboo.

When he went to Panxiang Temple again to pick up Zhi Shao to return to the capital, Xing Xiuyan's appearance changed when facing him. Every time, she was blushing and shy, very unnatural.

It must be that Lady Xing mentioned the marriage proposal in the letter to Xing Zhong and his wife.

Although Xing Xiuyan knew about this, she was indifferent by nature and sensitive in mind. She knew clearly that from the perspective of secular status, she and he were difficult to match, so she didn't make any extravagant hopes, which was why she said those words to him.

Although Jia Cong extremely hated the behavior of Lady Xing and her ilk, he couldn't feel any disgust for Xing Xiuyan, this girl who was indifferent, pure, and gentle.

Thinking that after she entered the mansion, she would soon hear about the talk of "allowing a wife to be a concubine," he didn't know how embarrassed and helpless she would be.

No matter what happens in the future, he must find an opportunity to talk things over with Xing Xiuyan.

On this morning, Jia Cong and the sisters were sitting idly in the courtyard. Zhi Shao and Wu'er were cooking tea in the tea room. The little maids brought out a few plates and distributed them to the young ladies.

Just as the tea was fragrant and the atmosphere was harmonious, Yuanyang suddenly entered the courtyard.

Seeing them as a group, comfortable and happy, she laughed, "You are really good at having fun. With such a good thing, you didn't send anyone to call me together."

Jia Cong laughed, "Better early than coincidentally. Since Yuanyang sister is here, please sit down and have a cup of tea together." After speaking, he asked Juan'er to serve new tea.

Yuanyang laughed, "Then I will thank Cong Sanye first. I will keep this cup of tea for now. I came to pass a message. Old Madam asked me to invite Cong Sanye to Rongqing Hall to talk."

Jia Cong asked curiously, "What does Old Madam want to say?"

Yuanyang replied, "She didn't say what it was. The Lady Bao Ling Marquis's wife is visiting the Old Madam and is currently sitting in the hall. The Old Madam asked me to invite Cong Sanye to go over and talk."

Hearing this, Daiyu's heart moved, and she asked, "Did Xiangyun sister come together?"

Yuanyang replied, "The eldest Miss Shi didn't come this time."

Others didn't pay attention to Daiyu's question. After all, Xiangyun often came and went in the Jia mansion, which was a common thing.

Only Baochai looked at her meaningfully after hearing Daiyu's words.

Jia Cong's heart moved slightly, feeling that Daiyu's question was a bit strange. It wasn't the question itself, but the tone of the question, which seemed to have a hidden worry.

However, the Old Madam asking him to go was, after all, his grandmother, and there was no reason to refuse, so he followed Yuanyang to the West Prefecture.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 463 =====