Chapter 504: Proclaiming the Edict Shakes Rongguo

Ningrong Street, Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

Compared to the joy of the sudden good news in the West Prefecture, the East Prefecture was calm and tranquil.

Because Xiangyun clamored to return to the East Prefecture to play Go, Baochai took the opportunity to pull Daiyu along.

Several people went directly to the main hall in Jia Cong's courtyard, because not only were there excellent Go boards and pieces here, but Wu'er's tea-brewing skills were also first-class.

Xiangyun and Yingchun played against each other, while Daiyu and Baochai watched the battle from the side.

It is said that Go is like the person; Xiangyun's Go style was swift and fierce, attacking directly in the middle, while Yingchun's Go style was dense, step-by-step, balancing advance and retreat.

At the beginning, Xiangyun had the upper hand, eating several pieces, and was somewhat proud, but just after the middle game, she lost pieces in the corners, Yingchun smiled lightly, and Xiangyun's face immediately turned bitter.

In the main hall, only the crisp sound of pieces falling could be heard, with no other noisy sounds, which would not affect Jia Cong, who was burying his head in his studies in the study.

In the past few days, because of the breech-loading rifle development, Jia Cong had gone to the firearms workshop in the eastern suburbs of the city almost every day.

After this period of sorting out and supervision, the breech-loading rifle development had entered the right track, and the various groups of craftsmen participating in the forging of parts, under Jia Cong's guidance, had all explored their own ideas for improvement.

Although the breech-loading rifle development speed still did not appear fast, it was moving forward steadily and methodically, unlike the chaotic and disorderly state when Jia Cong was not involved.

Since things were on the right track, Jia Cong naturally would not make himself like a craftsman, guarding the firearms workshop all day long, and daily affairs were handed over to the deputy supervisor, Liu Shizhen, to handle.

He also changed from going to the workshop every day to going once every two or three days, or when the breech-loading rifle development encountered problems, Liu Shizhen and Qian Huai would personally come to the residence to ask for his advice and discuss.

Jia Cong spent most of his time returning to preparing for the spring examinations.

He propped open a small crack in the window beside the desk, letting the cold air from outside penetrate into the room, neutralizing some of the fragrant and hot air from the incense burner, and his mind became increasingly clear.

Zhen Ying Lian wore an apricot-yellow round-collared robe with embroidered branches, a beige horse-face skirt with embroidered flowers, and pink-white embroidered cotton shoes on her feet. The collar and cuffs of the robe were inlaid with white fox fur, making her face look like piled snow and her eyebrows like a painting.

Zhen Ying Lian managed Jia Cong's study. Ever since Jia Cong returned from Jin Ling, his mind had been on the imperial examinations, and Zhen Ying Lian had also become busy.

She mostly did the work of a study companion and a study boy, organizing books, serving ink, adding tea, and holding the lamp.

She helped Jia Cong wash brushes, grind ink, spread paper, and carefully pressed it with a paperweight, then retreated to the side of the desk, sat in a circular chair, and picked up a miscellaneous book to flip through.

On the corner of the table was a plate of sugar-fried chestnuts. While reading, she did not forget to stuff food into her small mouth, but she dared not chew loudly, fearing it would affect Jia Cong.

Every time Jia Cong looked up at her unintentionally, Zhen Ying Lian would always take a golden chestnut and stuff it into his mouth as if to please him.

On the pink-white snow-wave paper, Jia Cong was writing furiously.

A few days ago, he went to Mount Luocang to listen to lectures, and Liu Jing'an prepared five essay topics for him. Now he was working on the third one.

Before he participated in the Yongzhou provincial examination, Liu Jing'an often prepared essay topics for him to practice and ponder.

Liu Jing'an was known as the Master of Literature and Sage of Learning, having served as the Grand Ancestor of the Ministry of Rites of Da Zhou for many years, presiding over many spring and autumn examinations.

His grasp of the situation and his understanding of the trends of the examination field were rarely surpassed by anyone. The essay topics he gave Jia Cong were all carefully considered and not aimless.

Jia Cong naturally understood the weight of these essay topics. He carefully pondered each one and spent great effort to deduce and write them.

Over the years, even though he had been running around, he had never slacked off on his studies.

Whether he was fighting in Liaodong or investigating cases in Jin Ling, he carried the necessary book boxes with him, and would review the classics whenever he had time.

This behavior of his was probably what Baoyu called a hopeless "salary worm."

He was not so keen on being a bookworm, but he understood that everything in the world had a source. Back then, he was just a concubine-born son struggling to survive in the East Road Courtyard, with an obscure background and despised by the whole residence.

If he hadn't relied on reading and taking examinations to turn his situation around, he wouldn't have today's situation. One really shouldn't forget one's roots.

"Learning leads to officialdom." Reading is not just about being an official. In this world where scholar-officials are supreme, imperial examination fame is also an excellent protective color.

Moreover, his teacher Liu Jing'an had poured great effort into his studies.

Liu Jing'an gave him the courtesy name Yuzhang, and Jia Cong also understood the deep meaning behind it. This old man did not approve of him being deeply involved in officialdom in his heart, and seemed to hope he would become a pure scholar.

However, he had now been granted titles and ranks, and had long been in the midst of it, which probably went against his teacher's original intention.

Therefore, whether for himself or for others, striving for a successful jinshi degree was also a way to show respect and repayment for Liu Jing'an's years of teaching.

After all, as a closed-door disciple of the Master of Literature, failing to even pass the jinshi examination would be a disgrace to the master's school.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall.

Ever since Wang Xifeng married into the Jia family, Lady Wang had begun to live in luxury, handing over daily household affairs to her capable niece to manage.

Unless it was a major family matter, she didn't ask about other items, only chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha in the inner residence, chatting with Jia Mu, and doting on Baoyu.

But today, the palace was about to send an edict, and her husband was about to inherit the title, which was also the glory of her life. Naturally, she had to handle such a major event herself.

Where lanterns needed to be hung, where colored silks needed to be arranged, and the main thoroughfares of the residence needed to be sprinkled and cleaned immediately.

The middle gate was opened wide to welcome the imperial envoy, and flexible study boys needed to be selected to guard and respond at the residence gate.

The incense table and candles needed to welcome the imperial edict had to be selected from the best in the treasury.

The red envelopes to thank the attendants of the imperial envoy were a must, and the gift money could not be thin, lest it lose the face of her husband inheriting the title……

Lady Wang even thought with foresight that after her husband inherited the title, the nobles of the entire Divine Capital would probably come to congratulate them, and the threshold of the residence would probably be trampled down.

The people who came would be respectable people, and the etiquette of welcoming and sending off could not be sloppy, otherwise, it would lose the noble face of the second house's title holder, which was absolutely not allowed.

For this reason, Lady Wang envisioned using several other main side halls in the residence, besides the Rongqing Hall and Rongxi Hall, for receiving guests.

Fortunately, this was a matter for the next few days, and there was no need to be too urgent today. Lady Wang also had Lin Zhixiao's wife allocate personnel and utensils, just in case.

The women and managing maids of the residence frequently entered and exited the Rongxi Hall, each having received Lady Wang's instructions for arrangement, and then went down to get busy as soon as possible.

Ever since she heard the news from the Ministry of Rites official just now, the smile on Lady Wang's face had not stopped, and she looked particularly kind.

Although the Old Ancestor was still very healthy, Lady Wang had the feeling of a daughter-in-law finally becoming a mother-in-law today.

She was peaceful and calm on the outside, but actually anxious in her heart, feeling that the Western-style clock in the Rongxi Hall was walking too slowly.

She longed for the Si hour to arrive quickly. As long as the Ministry of Rites' edict for inheriting the title was issued, she would also become a second-grade court-titled lady through her husband.

From now on, in the two prefectures of the Jia family, except for the Old Ancestor's seniority, she would be the most noble and respectable among the women.

Although Lady Xing was still a first-grade titled lady, a titled lady whose husband had died, even if the court didn't revoke her title, what remained was an empty shell, and Lady Wang didn't take it to heart.

Originally, after Wang Xifeng resigned to recuperate, the household affairs of the Rongguo Prefecture were managed by Li Wan and Seeing Tan Chun. Now Lady Wang was personally directing, and the two of them were just standing by.

Lady Wang was feeling proud, when suddenly she heard Seeing Tan Chun say: "Aunt, the Si hour is almost here. Third Brother doesn't know the news in the East Prefecture yet. I will go call him now, so we can receive the decree together."

Hearing Seeing Tan Chun's words, Lady Wang couldn't help but frown. She was feeling proud, but this third girl was meddlesome. Why mention that boy at this moment? It ruined her mood for nothing.

Lady Wang said coldly: "Now everyone in the residence is saying that Cong'er is very busy, often going to the workshop outside the city for official business, and also reading in the residence to prepare for the spring examinations.

Since he is so busy, let him be busy. Why bother him? It's enough for your father and Baoyu to receive the imperial edict later. This matter originally doesn't have much to do with him."

Seeing Tan Chun heard Lady Wang's cold words, and her expression changed. She thought, why are Aunt's words so stiff? How did Third Brother offend her?

Just now, Lin Zhixiao's wife passed on the words of the Ministry of Rites official, clearly saying that all the titled ladies and disciples of the residence should go to the Rongxi Hall to receive the decree.

Is Third Brother not a disciple of the residence? Besides, among the brothers of the Yu generation in the family now, only Third Brother is a count with an established mansion granted by the Emperor, and he is a pivotal figure in the Jia family.

At such a juncture of inheriting the hereditary title, Third Brother, with such a status, didn't show up. What would outsiders think?

Li Wan on the side heard her mother-in-law's words and also felt it was not quite appropriate. Aunt must be too happy today, why did she say such confused words?

If these words reached Brother Cong's ears, wouldn't it create a rift for nothing? They are all family, why say these cold words?

Aunt didn't think carefully. Even if Father inherited the title, with Father's upright personality, and Baoyu's daily behavior, it would not be easy to hold onto the Rongguo Prefecture's family business.

In the two prefectures, only Brother Cong has both literary and martial ability; no other Jia family disciple can compare. Besides, Father has always valued him so much.

The more it is at this juncture, the more we should win him over and be close to him, so that Brother Cong can help look after the second house's family business in the future.

Aunt saying these cold words, isn't she tearing down her own wall? Lady Wang saw that she had spoken, but Seeing Tan Chun was silent and didn't offer any reply or flattery to her, her legitimate mother, and she became even more angry, feeling that her usual favor toward this concubine-born daughter was a waste of effort.

She knew that among the sisters in the residence, Seeing Tan Chun was closest to that boy in the East Prefecture, even more intimate than to her own brother Baoyu. Since she moved to the East Prefecture with the second girl, she didn't want to come back.

She didn't even think about whether she was a girl of the second house or their first house.

Usually, Lady Wang didn't know that Seeing Tan Chun and Jia Cong were close. Although she was somewhat unhappy, she didn't take it to heart.

Now that the second house was about to become the true master of Rongguo, Lady Wang's spirit was naturally high, and the hidden unhappiness in her heart was suddenly magnified, pressing her heart with stuffiness.

The third girl always treated the boy in the East Prefecture as a treasure. With such an outsider, if she leaked information, it might let the first house intervene in this family business.

She looked at Seeing Tan Chun's beautiful appearance and couldn't help but feel disgusted, thinking that this matter was ultimately inappropriate. The Rongguo Prefecture's title and property were controlled by the second house, and this power must not have any complications.

In any case, the third girl was almost at the age of pinning her hair, so just find someone to marry her off, to save her from becoming a future trouble in the residence.

Lady Wang was planning and seeing far, wishing she could calculate the wealth of the Rongguo Prefecture for the next few decades, and nip the risks that hindered the glory of the second house in the bud.

At this time, Caiyun came to report that the master had received news from a study boy and had already returned home from the yamen, and had already entered the second gate.

Lady Wang hurriedly put aside the planning in her heart and went to welcome him excitedly.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Baoyu's Courtyard. Sister Xi Ren, Sheyue, and other maids were walking back and forth, busy, each rummaging through boxes and cabinets, taking out Baoyu's clothes one by one and placing them on the bed.

Lady Wang was busy arranging the reception of the decree, and Jia Mu naturally went to pay attention to her most doted-upon Baoyu.

Jia Mu stood by the bed and carefully selected, picking out a round-collared, sleeveless robe with golden lotus patterns on a bright red background, a bright red belt inlaid with seven treasures and beautiful jade, and a purple-gold crown inlaid with jade and nine-colored phoenixes.

She told Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue to hurry up and change Baoyu into them. Today was the big day for her son Jia Zheng to inherit the title, and her Baoyu was the phoenix of the Rongguo Prefecture.

On such a big day of proclaiming the imperial edict, Baoyu, as the phoenix of the Rongguo Prefecture, must be dressed decently and eye-catchingly.

Jia Mu felt that this set of bright red clothing and decorations would make her Baoyu look outstandingly handsome and very festive.

Baoyu was half-dead with disgust that the Old Ancestor had specially run over to dress him up to welcome that edict of inheriting the title.

He sighed secretly in his heart that no one in this residence understood his heart. His heart, which transcended the vulgar, could not be told to anyone.

Could it be that they didn't know that he hated these empty rituals of officialdom the most? Whoever wanted to welcome it could welcome it; why did they have to drag him, a clean person, along?

Although Baoyu was impatient in his heart, he couldn't withstand Jia Mu's urging and coaxing, and reluctantly let Sister Xi Ren and Sheyue toss him around, only getting dressed after a long while.

The happiest person in Baoyu's room today was Sister Xi Ren. She had hooked up with Baoyu two years ago, but she had only made a meat investment to plan for her future.

Now the second house first raided the mansion, and now it raided the title. In the future, these things would all belong to her master. As his pillow-side person, she would naturally have good days to live in the future.

Seeing Baoyu wearing this bright red, exquisite, and gorgeous costume, Sister Xi Ren still didn't think it was enough, and applied a thin layer of powder on his face.

Jia Mu didn't object when she saw it, but said that he looked more spirited this way.

In this era, noble grandsons wearing flowers and powder were elegant and fashionable things.

Baoyu was even more adept at applying powder than ordinary men. Seeing Sister Xi Ren applying powder, he suddenly forgot his discomfort.

He went to the bookshelf and took a box of rose paste steamed with flower dew, and applied some on his lips, feeling sweet and honeyed, feeling that his elegance and detachment were even better.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall.

Lin Zhixiao's couple arranged according to Lady Wang's instructions, taking a large number of slaves to toss back and forth. In less than an hour, they had cleaned up everything the imperial envoy would pass through, making it look brand new.

Lanterns were hung everywhere, everyone was full of joy, and Lady Wang had already put on a full set of titled lady's formal attire, supported by maids to check everywhere personally, and felt very satisfied.

Her fifth-grade titled lady's dress was unusually gorgeous today, and the pearl crown on her head shone brightly in the sun, as if it were going to blind people, as if the fifth-grade titled lady's dress had become second-grade.

It was just that Jia Zheng frowned and said it really shouldn't be so ostentatious.

The two were talking when a study boy reported from outside that the imperial official proclaiming the edict, with officials from the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Rites, had already entered the residence gate and was now heading toward the ceremonial gate.

Lady Wang was overjoyed and hurriedly returned to the Rongxi Hall to prepare and wait, and asked the maids to call Jia Mu and Baoyu, and asked capable study boys to accompany Jia Zheng to welcome the imperial official.

For a time, it seemed that a huge joy had suddenly opened, and a group of people were somewhat flustered.

Li Wan and Seeing Tan Chun, because they were not titled ladies, and one was a widow and one was in the boudoir, could not enter the Rongxi Hall to welcome the decree, so they just waited in the side hall on the side.

Wang Xifeng also brought Ping'er over. Although she didn't manage affairs now, she was the eldest daughter-in-law of the first house, and she had to show her face on such an occasion, otherwise, it would appear too cold and inevitably attract gossip.

Moreover, she was a married woman and not a widow, unlike Li Wan and Seeing Tan Chun who had all kinds of scruples, so she could wait outside the Rongxi Hall and show her face to help out if needed.

After a while, Jia Zheng brought three officials proclaiming the edict into the Rongxi Hall.

Walking at the front was the Deputy Superintendent of the Inner Palace, Guo Lin, another was the fifth-grade secretary of the Imperial Clan Court, Liu Shuyou, and the last was the fifth-grade director of the Ministry of Rites, Zhang Zhenghe.

Behind these three were five or six subordinate officials, a total of eight or nine people, looking quite imposing.

At this time, Jia Mu, Lady Wang, Baoyu, and others were already waiting in the hall.

Jia Mu was shocked to see that the imperial official proclaiming the edict was actually the Deputy Superintendent of the Inner Palace, Guo Lin.

Jia Mu knew Guo Lin because two years ago, Guo Lin had come to the Jia residence to proclaim the edict for Jia Cong's eighth-grade official rank, so she knew his identity and background.

Jia Mu really didn't expect that her son was just inheriting the hereditary title, and the current Emperor actually valued him so much.

Not only did he send officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court to be present, but he also sent the Deputy Superintendent of the Inner Palace to proclaim the edict, truly giving them great face.

Guo Lin led Liu Shuyou and Zhang Zhenghe into the Rongxi Hall, his eyes swept across the hall, and he seemed to turn a blind eye to the eager and excited gazes of Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and others.

He didn't see the person he wanted to see, not only frowned, but asked: "Today the palace is proclaiming the edict, why is the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, not here!"

Jia Mu and Lady Wang were stunned when they heard this.

Jia Mu realized that Jia Cong was not in the hall. Although the second house was inheriting the title, she also felt that it didn't matter if Jia Cong was there or not, but her grandson was a count, and it would be good for him to come out and support the scene.

Lady Wang naturally knew why Jia Cong was not there. Seeing Tan Chun had mentioned notifying Jia Cong to receive the decree together, but it was her pride and loss of propriety that didn't let anyone notify Jia Cong.

She really didn't expect this imperial official to be so strange. Inheriting the title for the master, he must let that boy from the East Prefecture come together. What kind of meaning was this?

Jia Zheng also felt it was rare. His wife was also someone without rules. Receiving the decree at home, why didn't he call Brother Cong over earlier to hold the scene?

Guo Lin saw that he asked a question, but no one in the Jia family gave a reply, his face sank slightly, and he said: "I am asking a question. The auspicious time for proclaiming the edict is almost here, why is the Count of Lord Weiyuan not present!"

Guo Lin's second questioning, this time Jia Mu and Lady Wang both sensed that something was wrong. Lady Wang's face turned slightly pale, and she suddenly had a bad premonition in her heart.

Jia Mu asked Lady Wang: "Have you sent someone to the East Prefecture to inform Cong'er?"

Lady Wang's face had already turned pale, and she couldn't say a word. Jia Mu frowned immediately.

At this time in the Rongxi Hall, except for Jia Zheng and Baoyu, everyone was not a fool. At this moment, how could they not see the meaning? Guo Lin looked at Lady Wang's full titled lady's attire and the delicately decorated makeup on her face. The old eunuch was as clear as a mirror in his heart, and almost laughed out loud.

He also saw Baoyu in red, with powder on his face and rouge on his lips. Even though Guo Lin was a castrated person, he frowned a little.

Wang Xifeng, who had been guarding outside the Rongxi Hall, had long heard Guo Lin's questioning clearly, as well as Lady Wang's speechless dullness and embarrassment.

With Wang Xifeng's ghost-like shrewdness, how could she not guess the reason for the matter? But she didn't have time to blame her aunt for being confused.

In her heart, she was just circling one thing: why did the eunuch proclaiming the edict from the palace have to let Cong Third come over to receive the decree together? Could it be that this imperial edict was actually related to Cong Third!

Wang Xifeng thought of these, and her heart couldn't help but jump wildly. She suddenly thought of a possibility, and a strange surprise arose, but she didn't dare to be sure, because it was too absurd.

Her voice trembled slightly, and she said to Ping'er beside her: "Ping'er, go to the East Prefecture immediately and call your Cong Sanye over to receive the decree. You must be fast!"

At this time, Jia Zheng also ordered Lin Zhixiao to go to the East Prefecture to call Jia Cong over immediately. Several groups of people around the Rongxi Hall hurried toward the East Prefecture.

In the Rongxi Hall, Jia Mu looked at Guo Lin's cold and disdainful expression, and his two previous questions about why Jia Cong was not present, as if he wouldn't proclaim the edict if Jia Cong was not present.

Jia Mu was also a sophisticated person. How could she not taste today's matter? I fear there would be a big leak. She looked at Baoyu in red beside her, her old face turned pale, and her heart sank continuously.

Could that grandson in the East Prefecture truly be possessed? Why could he cause trouble at such a life-and-death juncture……

Lady Wang was already ashen-faced, her legs were already somewhat soft, and she could barely stand firm by supporting herself.

Ever since she received the message from the Ministry of Rites, she had been shrouded in joy like an explosion.

Now this joy was slowly being swallowed by a huge confusion and emptiness……

……

Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

……

He kept writing furiously, until the small and big conclusions of the essay, and actually had a sense of transparency that was completed in one go.

Reading and writing have always been a process from quantitative change to qualitative change. Once accumulation and pondering reach a certain level, there is a sense of entering the hall and opening a new world.

After finishing this essay, Jia Cong was happy in his heart, feeling that his foundation in essay writing had entered a realm he had never reached before.

Before the spring examinations, if he could break through such barriers a few more times, he believed that his spring examination would perhaps no longer be just a formality, but to win a jinshi degree.

Zhen Ying Lian saw Jia Cong browsing the ink-drenched manuscript, and there was a look of satisfaction on his face, knowing that he had finished the article at hand.

Zhen Ying Lian's smile was sweet, and she praised without hesitation: "Young Master is getting more and more amazing now, and his articles are getting faster and faster."

She seemed to feel that verbal praise was not enough, and took a sugar-fried chestnut from the basin and stuffed it into Jia Cong's mouth.

Outside the study, in the main hall, Yingchun smiled and played the last piece. Xiangyun could only admit defeat with regret, and mischievously shook her head, saying: "One careless move, the whole game is lost."

At this time, everyone saw Ping'er running into the courtyard in a hurry. Perhaps because she was walking too fast, a pair of pretty faces were flushed with two patches of crimson.

She entered the main hall and didn't even have time to greet Daiyu and the others, so she went directly to Jia Cong's study.

Jia Cong put down the manuscript and was sharing the basin of soft, sweet, and fragrant sugar-fried chestnuts with Zhen Ying Lian.

Seeing Ping'er enter in a hurry, Jia Cong smiled: "Why is Sister Ping'er free to come?"

Ping'er said: "Cong Sanye, the imperial official from the palace brought officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court, and is currently proclaiming the edict at the West Prefecture. Second Grandmother asked me to call Cong Sanye to go over immediately!"

Jia Cong was shocked when he heard this. He hadn't been to the West Prefecture all day, and the sisters had gone to pay their respects in the morning and returned to the East Prefecture early, and no one had come to pass the message, so he naturally knew nothing about the proclamation of the edict.

Seeing Ping'er's urgent tone, it must be because Wang Xifeng urged her.

After a while, Lin Zhixiao's wife also came to invite him, saying that the Second Master ordered him to go to the West Prefecture to receive the decree together.

Seeing two groups of people urging him, Jia Cong felt even more that things were unusual.

At this time, the sisters in the main hall were also alarmed. Jia Cong hurriedly changed his clothes and rushed to the West Prefecture with Ping'er.

Hearing Zhi Shao and Wu'er were worried, so they also followed to the West Prefecture. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 505 =====

At this moment, the sisters in the main hall were also startled. Jia Cong hurriedly changed his clothes and followed Ping'er straight to the West Prefecture.

Zhi Shao and Wu'er were worried, so they also followed to the West Prefecture. (End of chapter)