Chapter 476: Father Dies, Son Inherits Title

Ningrong Street, Rongguo Prefecture.

Jia Cong and Jia Lian returned from Chongqing Ward with Jia She's coffin, set up a mourning hall in the Rongguo Prefecture, and assigned servants to handle the setting up of the memorial tablet, the stopping of the coffin, and the sacrifices.

The main gate of the Rongguo Prefecture was wide open, white curtains and mourning banners were hung everywhere, lanterns on both sides were lit day and night, it was chaotic with people coming and going, and the crying inside shook the mountains and moved the earth.

Although Jia She was a dissolute person, he was the heir to the Rongguo Prefecture and had an extraordinary status in the Rongguo Prefecture. During his lifetime, he could only live in the Eastern Courtyard, but after death, he entered the main Rongguo Prefecture in a dignified manner.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao whitewashed Jia She's innocence and stripped Jia Cong of his marriage bestowal. After a hidden contest with the Retired Emperor, he finally achieved a complete victory.

Although he secretly ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate the Hongchun fur business, on the surface, he naturally had to play the part, and all funeral arrangements for Jia She were according to the rituals of a noble's death.

Officials from the Zongren Prefecture came to the mansion to discuss ritual rules, and the Yin-Yang Division of the Imperial Board of Astronomy specially sent a date, choosing to stop the coffin for eighteen days, and the Jia family also decided to open the funeral and send out obituaries three days later.

The Rongguo Prefecture also invited 108 high monks to worship the Great Compassion Repentance in the mourning hall to transcend Jia She's soul so that it would be stable, so as to avoid the crimes of the deceased.

Jia Mu set up a sacrificial altar again, and selected 99 Taoist priests from well-known Taoist temples in the city, such as Qingxu Temple and Changchun Temple, to perform a 49-day ritual to wash away grievances and karma in the Eastern Courtyard.

Three days after Jia She's coffin was settled, the Jia family sent obituaries to the noble families, relatives, and friends in the Love Shenjing and Jin Ling. The nobles, officials, relatives, and friends who came to mourn were endless.

Jia She's funeral was organized with sorrow and glory, completely with the air of a Duke's family for a hundred years. To the people inside and outside, it felt as it should be.

Under this noisy and glorious appearance, it had completely paralyzed the nerves of the Jia family's masters, such as Jia Mu and Jia Zheng, and they would not think about any deep dangers.

Everyone seemed to have forgotten why the Embroidered Uniform Guard broke into the Eastern Courtyard early in the morning on the day Jia She died, and they didn't have the sensitive touch to investigate the reason.

Among all the people, only Jia Cong knew clearly in his heart that with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's scheming and planning, Jia She's incident would not end there, and many variables and entanglements would certainly arise later.

……

And on the day Jia She's coffin was stopped in the Rongguo Prefecture, news of an obituary also came from the palace: the favorite concubine of Emperor Hongxuan, the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen, who had the grace of raising the Retired Emperor Yong'an, had passed away at the Qinghe Palace.

The Ministry of Rites and the Zongren Prefecture issued an edict: all those with titles should enter the court to observe mourning according to their rank.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao issued an edict that day: The Imperial Consort has passed away, which is regarded as a national funeral. Families with titles are not allowed to hold banquets or music for one year, and commoners are not allowed to marry for three months.

And starting from the second day after the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen passed away, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would set aside time every day from his busy government affairs to keep vigil at the Qinghe Palace to show his respect for the Retired Emperor and the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen.

And the number of times Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao went to the Chonghua Palace to pay his respects to the Retired Emperor also became more frequent than usual.

These actions of the Emperor quickly made the rumors of the father-son monarch's rift caused by stripping the Retired Emperor's marriage bestowal on the day of Jia She's death disappear like smoke.

At the same time, the Emperor's act of filial piety behind the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen pushed the glory and sorrow of the Imperial Consort's funeral to a high position, attracting all attention and making people ignore some darkness behind it.

Jia She's funeral coincided with such a national funeral, so Jia Mu had to lower the specifications of the funeral by one grade on the fourth day of Jia She's coffin stopping, to show respect and mourning for the noble in the palace.

And since the female relatives of the mansion entered the court to worship every day, Jia She's funeral was handled by male members such as Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, and Jia Cong.

Jia Mu was worried that the inner courtyard would not be managed, so she asked Xue Yima to help look after it, and because Wang Xifeng was young in the boudoir, she asked for leave and let her handle the internal affairs of the mansion.

……

Jia Cong went to the mourning hall to keep vigil in mourning clothes every day at dawn, burning paper and money, and kowtowing to mourn the guests.

This was an era where filial piety was greater than heaven. Back then, Jia Cong was abused by his biological father and legal mother in the Eastern Courtyard. As he became more and more outstanding and famous, these old events also became anecdotes in the city.

Now everyone in the Love Shenjing knew that Jia Cong and his biological father Jia She had a deep rift.

And this time, because Jia She died suddenly, the Emperor stripped the marriage bestowal out of filial piety, causing Jia Cong to lose a great honor. In the eyes of outsiders, Jia Cong must be even more disgusted with his biological father.

Jia Cong was young and famous, and there was always no shortage of people who were jealous and sideways. Not to mention outsiders, there were people like Lady Wang in the family.

Therefore, many people were watching coldly, waiting to see what kind of neglect Jia Cong would show toward his biological father's filial piety. Once a handle was born, it would be an act of rebellion that would be scolded by ten thousand people.

It was just that in the end, it was beyond the expectations of those people. Although there was a rift between father and son, the rituals of Jia Cong's mourning and filial piety were done meticulously, without any flaws, making people unable to pick out half a fault.

Jia Cong's behavior was not only because of his clear understanding that the way of filial piety was as big as heaven in the hearts of the world.

It was even more because this time Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao stripped the marriage bestowal for Jia Cong because of his father's mourning, so he had to play the role of observing filial piety well.

Therefore, every day when outside guests entered the mansion to mourn, he was meticulous in everything, received guests with words, kowtowed and thanked them, and was very respectful in his rituals. He also often handled the coordination of the funeral himself.

Outsiders really couldn't see that he had any neglect of the funeral because of the rift with his biological father, and family members like Jia Mu and Jia Zheng also had praise in their hearts when they saw his filial piety.

It was just that after a few days, stories began to spread in the Love Shenjing about the Count of Weiyuan, Jia Cong, not counting the old grievances of his biological father, observing filial piety, and treating the dead as if they were alive.

With the secret edict of the Zhongche Office, Jia Cong's filial piety was passed into the palace. When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao learned of it, he was also at ease in his heart.

With Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's sharpness and scheming, he naturally wouldn't believe that with the past of these two father and son, Jia Cong would have any feelings of affection for Jia She.

But one thing was obvious: Jia Cong understood the deep meaning of his stripping the marriage bestowal, and his impeccable filial piety provided a perfect footnote and period for his stripping the marriage bestowal.

……

Early morning, the sun was rising, and the red sunlight shone, reflecting the white banners hanging low outside Jia She's mourning hall, revealing an unusual solemnity.

Jia She's mourning hall was divided into inner and outer mourning halls by curtains, with the coffin and memorial tablet as the boundary.

The inner hall was the place for female relatives to keep vigil

The inner hall is the place for female relatives to keep vigil and for outside female guests to pay their respects. The outer hall is where Jia Cong and Jia Lian keep vigil and receive outside male guests who come to pay their respects.

At dawn, Jia Cong and Yingchun came over early as they did every day, keeping vigil in the inner and outer halls respectively.

Just as they had knelt down in the mourning hall, Jia Cong heard light footsteps in the inner hall, and his heart stirred slightly.

At this hour, there would be no outside guests for mourning, so Jia Cong rose and entered the inner hall. Sure enough, he saw that Lin Daiyu had also just arrived and was kneeling and burning paper money with Yingchun.

Although Lin Daiyu did not need to wear the coarse mourning hemp like Yingchun, she was dressed in plain attire.

She wore a white, plain-bottomed, front-opening jacket, a white cross-collared undergarment, and an ivory-white plain long skirt. Her hair was devoid of ornaments, save for a single white flower pinned in it. She was simple, elegant, quiet, and graceful—an indescribable beauty.

Ever since Jia Cong and Yingchun began their mourning, the sisters of the household often came in plain dress to accompany Yingchun in her vigil.

Among them, Lin Daiyu came the most often. Often, as soon as Jia Cong came over from the East Prefecture in the morning, it would not be long before she also arrived to keep Yingchun company.

Only when Jia Cong returned at noon to eat and rest, and Jia Lian came to replace him, would Lin Daiyu return to the East Prefecture with Jia Cong.

Jia Cong came over and knelt beside Lin Daiyu, asking, "Sister, why have you come over so early again? You should sleep a little longer. You have just recovered from an illness, so you must take careful care of yourself."

Lin Daiyu placed a sheet of paper money into the brazier. The fire-red light reflected on her pink, pretty face as she said, "Where is there such delicacy? My illness was cured long ago. I just came to keep Second Sister company."

Yingchun understood in her heart. She knew Lin Daiyu did not come to keep her company, but she said softly, "Lin Meimei is the one who understands my heart best."

Like Jia Cong, Yingchun was someone with thin ties to her parents. Her biological mother passed away when she was young, and she was taken in by Jia Mu to be raised, which made her very distant from her biological father and stepmother.

Lady Xing only thought of seizing power and gathering wealth in the East Courtyard, while Jia She only cared about drinking and having fun with his concubines every day; he had almost forgotten he had this daughter.

Throughout the year, only during the rituals of the New Year and festivals would Yingchun and Jia She see each other a few times; they rarely had the chance to say more than a few words all year round.

It was precisely this environment lacking in familial affection that fostered Yingchun's "Second Wooden Block" personality.

It was not until four years ago, when Jia Mu also brought Jia Cong to the West Prefecture to be raised, that Yingchun had a brother by her side. With a new sense of reliance in her heart, she slowly shed her taciturn and dull nature.

Now, Yingchun managed the East Prefecture well inside and out, and she had transformed from being unnoticed in Jia Mu's eyes into a granddaughter she valued highly.

Before long, Seeing Tan Chun also entered the inner hall in plain mourning clothes to keep vigil.

The mourning hall was solemn, making it inconvenient to speak much. The four of them just knelt quietly. The hall was empty and still, yet not tedious; there was only the companionship of their respective feelings, a gentle and quiet mutual support.

When the sky grew bright, Wang Xifeng brought Ping'er and arrived at the mourning hall at a leisurely pace.

Halfway there, she saw Shi Shu and Zi Juan, wearing mourning bands around their waists, sitting on the veranda outside the mourning hall talking.

When they saw Wang Xifeng, they hurriedly stood up to salute.

Wang Xifeng asked with a smile, "Why are you sitting here instead of serving your young ladies early in the morning?"

Zi Juan said, "Our young lady is in the mourning hall keeping Second Young Lady company."

Wang Xifeng did not mind when she heard this. As she walked, she smiled at Ping'er beside her, "That Third Brother Cong is accustomed to pleasing young ladies. With him keeping vigil, the sisters of the house all follow him here to keep him company."

Ping'er's heart jumped violently when she heard Wang Xifeng's unintentional remark. She turned her head to look at Zi Juan sitting on the veranda.

She suddenly remembered that day when she went to Yingchun's courtyard to deliver a message about the marriage bestowed upon the Cong Sanye. When she left, she saw Lin Daiyu's back from afar.

Thinking back now, it was very likely that Lin Daiyu had entered Yingchun's courtyard, but for some reason, she did not go inside and left alone.

Only Ping'er knew about this. At the time, she did not take it to heart and had never mentioned it to anyone else.

Now that she saw Zi Juan, she remembered that since the funeral of the Eldest Master, Miss Lin had come almost every day, and every time she returned, it was Cong Sanye Cong who accompanied her back to the East Prefecture.

The intimacy of their behavior, when recalled carefully, was somewhat different from that with the other sisters.

Originally, young masters and young ladies of the inner courtyard growing up together was nothing out of the ordinary.

But then, associating it with the fact that on the afternoon of the day she left Yingchun's courtyard, Miss Lin suddenly fell gravely ill, alarming the Old Matriarch and causing unrest in both the East and West Prefectures...

Could it be that Miss Lin fell ill from the shock and pain of hearing that the Cong Sanye had been granted a marriage? Thinking of this, Ping'er was also startled.

The Cong Sanye and Miss Lin were cousins. Such romantic affairs between cousins in great households were common, but secret exchanges were usually not pleasant to hear if they were exposed.

Moreover, everyone with discerning eyes in the house knew that the Old Matriarch had long set her sights on Miss Lin, intending to marry her to Bao Er Ye when they grew older. If her guess was correct, if this matter were to blow up, she feared the household would face another great storm.

But Ping'er was kind-hearted and honest. Although by chance she had seen through some of this, she would not speak of it to others, and would not even reveal it to Feng Jie.

Because she knew that Jia Cong had to observe a three-year mourning period, during which he could not discuss marriage or take a wife. If this matter were exposed, it would harm him for no reason.

Wang Xifeng brought Ping'er into the inner mourning hall and saw that Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun had arrived early. Her expression was slightly stunned, then she smiled, "Lin Meimei and Third Sister are the most thoughtful, coming so early to keep vigil."

Jia Cong saw Wang Xifeng in mourning clothes, which made her look even more beautiful and striking compared to her usual gorgeous attire.

She was Jia She's eldest daughter-in-law and the main figure among the female relatives keeping vigil. But Jia Cong saw that although she was in mourning clothes, her phoenix eyes were filled with charm, her pretty face was flushed, and her spirit was striking; she seemed to have no look of sorrow.

However, the pot shouldn't call the kettle black. Although he strictly observed filial piety at Jia She's funeral and no one could find a single fault, if one were to say he felt sorrow in his heart, even a ghost wouldn't believe it.

At this moment, Ping'er saw Lin Daiyu kneeling beside Jia Cong. One was handsome and elegant, the other delicate and pretty; they were a striking pair, a talented man and a beautiful woman. She became even more convinced that her guess was not wrong at all.

Wang Xifeng said to Jia Cong, "Brother Cong, you must work harder today. Your Second Brother has gone to the Imperial Clan Court to handle matters. It is estimated that it will take most of the day, and he cannot come to replace you in the vigil in time."

Jia Cong asked, "Why did Second Brother suddenly go to the Imperial Clan Court?"

Wang Xifeng replied, "The Eldest Master was the heir to the Rongguo Prefecture and a noble on the Imperial Clan Court's register. Now that he has passed away, our family must go to the Imperial Clan Court to cancel his name and succeed to the title.

The Old Matriarch said that the noble title passed down by the Duke is the foundation of the Rongguo Prefecture. Your Second Brother is the heir of the First Branch; receiving the ancestors' blessing early is the top priority."

Upon hearing this, Jia Cong understood. Now that Jia She had passed away, the Jia family needed to go to the Imperial Clan Court to cancel Jia She's registration and report the name of the heir, Jia Lian. Once the palace granted approval, they could inherit the title at a reduced rank.

Jia Cong remembered when he had achieved merit in Liaodong, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao used the tactic of changing the heir to sever his relationship with the family. At that time, the Old Matriarch had almost broken ties with him, her grandson.

From this, it was clear that the title of the Rongguo Prefecture was the Old Matriarch's lifeblood.

Now that her son's body was not yet cold, she was already thinking of having her grandson go to the Imperial Clan Court to cancel the registration and record his name, so that they could get the palace's approval early and have the Jia family's hereditary title settled as soon as possible.

Jia Cong saw that although Wang Xifeng's words were plain, there was an unconcealable joy and pride in her tone.

Jia Cong had no interest in the messy affairs of the Rongguo Prefecture, so he said casually, "Second Brother is the eldest son of the First Branch; a son inheriting his father's business is the proper principle.

Once he inherits the Eldest Master's title, he will also take over the Rongguo family business. By then, Second Sister-in-law will have to work even harder than now."

Jia Cong's casual remark was very pleasing to Wang Xifeng. If it weren't for the solemnity of the mourning hall and her own reservations, she would have laughed out loud.

She thought to herself, "Third Brother Cong, a man of official standing, speaks differently. Everything he says is smooth and decent."

Wang Xifeng said, "Look at what Third Brother says. We are all one family; no matter how much work and effort it takes, isn't it all as it should be?

Your Second Brother is not as capable as you, relying on himself to charge into battle to earn a hereditary title and a family business. He can only bask in the ancestors' glory."

Jia Cong saw that Wang Xifeng was full of pride and satisfaction. Although he did not agree, it was not appropriate to expose it.

Jia She's theft of firearms from Liaodong and his involvement in the private firearm workshops in Jin Ling were crimes of no small consequence.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao only used Jia She's death to prevent the Retired Emperor from bestowing a marriage upon him, which was why he temporarily suppressed Jia She's crimes.

Once the matter was settled and the accounts were settled in the autumn, given Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's character and schemes, it would likely not be so easy for Jia She's title to be inherited smoothly.

It was not until that afternoon, during a gap when there were no outside guests in the mourning hall, that Jia Cong saw Jia Lian enter. Although he had changed into mourning clothes, there was a smell of alcohol on him.

Jia Lian seemed to be in a very good mood. He stepped forward and said to Jia Cong, "Third Brother, you have worked hard today. Your foolish brother went to the Imperial Clan Court to handle matters today and was delayed for quite some time."

Jia Cong frowned slightly and said, "Second Brother, we are currently in mourning. How can you drink alcohol?

These days, there are frequent outside guests coming to pay their respects. With many people and many tongues, you are the heir of the Rongguo Prefecture. If word of this reaches others' ears, it will cause trouble."

Jia Lian looked a bit embarrassed when he heard this and said, "Third Brother's words make sense. It's just that today, while handling matters at the Imperial Clan Court, I met Zheng Yushu, a Grade 5 clerk, and we had a very pleasant conversation.

Third Brother, you know that with the Eldest Master's passing, the Imperial Clan Court needs to cancel his name and continue the title. This is a critical moment for our Jia family. In the past, the Eldest Master did not leave behind any connections in the Imperial Clan Court.

Since Zheng Yushu and I got along well, naturally I couldn't miss this opportunity. Having an extra pair of eyes and ears in the future will be useful, so I entrusted him to keep an eye on matters at the Imperial Clan Court. Since I asked for a favor, I had to treat him to a meal to get better acquainted.

However, your foolish brother knows I am in deep mourning and dared not drink much. Zheng Yushu also knew the reason and did not urge me to drink. We just had some food and wine to accompany our conversation about family ties."

Jia Cong had heard Seeing Tan Chun mention this Zheng Yushu.

At that time, he was still in Liaodong. Because he had achieved the first merit in the great victory at Yafu Pass, Zheng Yushu had been sent by Prince Zhongshun to the Jia Prefecture to negotiate with the Old Matriarch about changing the heir.

It was said that Zheng Yushu was also a descendant of the imperial clan. As a descendant of a noble family, after some roundabout connections, they could indeed claim some family ties with the Rongguo Prefecture.

Jia Cong said, "Even so, at this juncture, Second Brother must be cautious and careful. Since there are no outside guests right now, Second Brother, go wash up quickly and get rid of the smell of alcohol, so as not to give people something to talk about later."

Jia Lian laughed, "Third Brother is still the most thoughtful. I will go handle it and come back. Third Brother, please work a little longer."

Jia Lian was gone for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea before he returned leisurely. He had changed his clothes and combed his hair; the smell of alcohol was gone. He waved his hand, urging Jia Cong to go back and rest quickly.

Before leaving, Jia Cong entered the back hall and saw that Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, and Seeing Tan Chun were still there, while Wang Xifeng had taken Ping'er to handle household chores.

Yingchun saw that Lin Daiyu had been kneeling for a long time and was afraid her weak body couldn't take it, so she asked Jia Cong to take Lin Daiyu back to the prefecture first, while she and Seeing Tan Chun would wait for Wang Xifeng to return before going back to sit and rest for a while.

Ningrong Street, Count's Prefecture.

Jia Cong and Lin Daiyu walked through the wind-and-rain veranda that connected the two prefectures. After entering the East Prefecture, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

In the East Prefecture, the autumn sun was bright, and the trees were green and fragrant. The oppressive dullness brought by the funeral rites in the West Prefecture dissipated at once, and their moods became brightened.

A turbulent marriage-bestowal storm had ended with such a turn of events, which was also a great relief for Jia Cong.

He nimbly took off the mourning band from his forehead and casually removed the white flower from Lin Daiyu's hair bun.

Lin Daiyu just pursed her lips and looked at him without saying a word. The two of them did not return to their own courtyards but just walked aimlessly in the garden.

Jia Cong said, "Sister, you have just recovered. You don't need to come over to keep vigil with me every day. You should take better care of yourself."

Lin Daiyu's face flushed slightly, and she said, "I am not keeping you company; I am just keeping Second Sister company."

Jia Cong pretended to be disappointed and said, "Then I was just being sentimental."

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but smile, then composed her expression and said, "I know Third Brother had old grievances with your father, but the deceased is paramount. After all, the Eldest Uncle was my mother's eldest brother and is your father.

Now that he has passed away, it is only right that I fulfill some filial duties and rituals."

Lin Daiyu said this with a slight curl of her lips: "Besides, Third Brother, you were stripped of your mourning and granted a marriage, only to lose your bride—it's quite pitiful. I will keep you company more often, so you don't secretly grieve."

Jia Cong turned to look at Lin Daiyu and saw her eyes brimming with autumn waves, carrying a hint of teasing and a smile.

He frowned and said, "Look at how you say that, Sister. I can't find a wife, and instead of comforting me, you are gloating. Does this benefit you in any way?"

Lin Daiyu blushed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? What benefit could I have?"

Jia Cong laughed, "Since you pity me for losing my bride, why don't you, Sister..."

Lin Daiyu widened her eyes, covered his mouth with her hand, her pretty face turning red, and scolded, "You want to talk nonsense and bully me again! I'm going to tell the Second Uncle right now, and let's see who is in the right."

Jia Cong laughed, "It's good if you go tell him. If the Old Master knows I'm bullying you, I wonder what he would think."

As he said this, he gently held the small hand that Lin Daiyu was using to cover his mouth.

Lin Daiyu did not struggle. A look of suspicion appeared in her eyes as she tilted her head and asked, "Third Brother, why do I feel like you've learned some bad habits since you went down to Jin Ling this time?"

Jia Cong was slightly stunned: "Nonsense, how could I have learned bad habits?"

Lin Daiyu let him hold her hand, blinked, and said, "I know that the Xin Chun Hao Jiangnan headquarters is in Jin Ling, and it is currently being managed by that Miss Qu of yours.

I heard that Miss Qu is only a few years older than you, but she has been your master since you were young. It must be that this time you went down to Jin Ling, she taught you, her disciple, bad habits—who knows, hmph!"

Jia Cong: "..."

The two were chatting there when they suddenly saw Qingwen walking quickly along the small path ahead. Lin Daiyu immediately pulled her hand back.

Qingwen said, "Cong Sanye, the Old Matriarch sent Sister Yuanyang to pass a message, asking you to go to the Rongqing Hall to meet guests. I was looking for you everywhere; so you were here."

Jia Cong asked, "What guests has the Old Matriarch invited again? Why do I need to go meet them?"

Qingwen said, "This time, the Old Matriarch is praying for the Eldest Master's soul and has invited ninety-nine Daoist priests from the city to chant mantras for his salvation. Among them is Zhang Daoist from the Qingxu Temple.

He has come to pay his respects to the Old Matriarch, so the Old Matriarch asked Cong Sanye to meet the guests together. Bao Er Ye has also gone."

Lin Daiyu asked curiously, "Where is this Zhang Daoist from? Why such a grand display? It's one thing for him to meet the Old Matriarch, but why do Third Brother and Bao Yu both have to go accompany the guests?"

When Jia Cong heard about the Zhang Daoist from Qingxu Temple, he immediately recalled an anecdote.

He smiled at Lin Daiyu and said, "Sister, you don't know the reason. This Zhang Daoist from Qingxu Temple has some background. Back in the day, he became a Daoist priest on behalf of the Old Duke and was granted the title of 'Great Illusion Immortal' by the former Emperor.

He must be over eighty years old now. Because of his high seniority and long experience, all the princes and regional commanders today call him 'Immortal.' He has always had dealings with the two Jia prefectures, and all the ladies and young ladies have met him.

It's just that I have never encountered him. Why don't you come with me, Sister, and we'll go see this rare old Daoist priest." (End of chapter)