Chapter 508

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu saw Lady Wang's tearful complaint and couldn't help but frown, saying, "What is there for you to cry about? Although Brother Cong has inherited the family business now,

he is, after all, an official of the Imperial Court and a man who has read many poems and books. I don't believe that just because he inherited the title and the Rongguo family business, he could disregard the feelings of his elders and brothers?

I am not dead yet; this family will not be in chaos. What are you panicking about!"

Jia Mu looked at Li Wan and Wang Xifeng, who were standing quietly below, and asked, "Feng'er, he is your brother from the eldest branch. Now that the family business is in his hands, you tell me what the rules should be."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Old Matriarch, the Princess of Beijing just said that handing the family business to capable descendants is the way to long-term prosperity. I think these words make a lot of sense."

Lady Wang frowned upon hearing this. Feng'er had lost her reliance on Lian'er, so she had gotten close to that boy, and had even given him her trusted maid.

Now that the Rongguo title and estate had returned to the eldest branch, she treated that boy more and more as her backer, speaking for him in every sentence.

How could she forget who brought her into the Jia family back then, who arranged for her to be the eldest daughter-in-law of the Rongguo eldest branch, and who entrusted her with the management of the household? She was truly heartless.

Lady Wang was feeling depressed, feeling that even her own niece could not be relied upon, and that she had fallen into such an isolated and helpless state.

Here, she heard Wang Xifeng say, "Although Brother Cong has taken over the family business, you don't need to worry that he will treat the second branch and Baoyu harshly.

In the eyes of others, this Rongguo family business is immense wealth, but for Brother Cong, it is not entirely so. As I see it, he would never be stingy or treat his family harshly for the sake of this business."

Lady Wang's Buddhist beads turned faster, and she said, "Feng'er, you are still young after all. When things don't happen to you, you naturally don't care and can naturally speak lightly.

But such a large family business, once it is in someone's hands—after all, wealth moves the heart. How many people can remain indifferent? Some things only lead to various disputes when they are imminent."

Wang Xifeng laughed, "Lady, your words make sense, but others might be like that, while Brother Cong is different.

How could you and the Old Matriarch forget that Brother Cong is not an official who lives on a salary? Not to mention that he has his own title estate in the East Prefecture.

Outside, he also has a large business, the Xin Chun Hao. Although the Xin Chun Hao is an imperial merchant firm registered with the Imperial Household Department,

who among outsiders doesn't know that this Xin Chun Hao is Brother Cong's private property? Even the palace tacitly acknowledges it.

The Xiuniang Fragrance Shop that the Xin Chun Hao has in the Love Shenjing is still flourishing, and it has long been said that this shop alone has an annual profit of fifty thousand taels."

Jia Mu and Lady Wang both knew about this. Wasn't it because the Jia Zhen father and son of the East Prefecture were too greedy for the money of this Xiuniang Fragrance Shop that they had the evil intention of coveting and seizing it?

Later, it was because this matter was exposed that it led to many evil deeds by the Jia Zhen father and son, ultimately leading to the Ningguo Prefecture being stripped of its title and raided, Jia Zhen's death, and Jia Rong being exiled to Qiongzhou for thirty years.

Jia Mu and Lady Wang still had lingering fears when they thought of this, and even felt that Jia Cong's fate was cursed, as anyone who opposed him ended up with no good result...

Wang Xifeng continued, "For these years, that Miss Qu has been managing business for Brother Cong, and she is also an extremely capable woman.

I heard from old family friends in Jin Ling that the Xin Chun Hao has opened branches all over Jiangnan, and business is very prosperous.

Jiangnan is a place of wealth, even more so than the Love Shenjing. Among them, there must be several shops that earn as much money as the Xiuniang Fragrance Shop.

Although the Xin Chun Hao is an imperial merchant firm affiliated with the Imperial Household Department and has to pay a lot to the national treasury every year, the silver that falls into their own hands is also a huge sum.

Old Matriarch, you calculate: just relying on the Xin Chun Hao, how much silver can Brother Cong bring in a year? How could he be petty about the Rongguo Prefecture's family business and treat his elders and brothers harshly because of it?"

When Wang Xifeng said this, the eyes of both Jia Mu and Lady Wang lit up.

One Xiuniang Fragrance Shop of the Xin Chun Hao earned fifty thousand taels of silver a year, and that boy had opened so many branches in the wealthy land of Jiangnan. Wouldn't he earn more than one hundred thousand taels of silver a year!

Even though Jia Mu had lived her whole life in a wealthy noble family, such a large sum of silver was an astonishing fortune to her.

The annual output of the Rongguo Prefecture's title estate was at most twenty thousand taels. Now that the title had been demoted and the Imperial Court had reduced the estate by five hundred shi, the annual income would be less than twenty thousand taels.

Jia Mu pondered what Wang Xifeng said. Since her grandson could earn so much silver, how could he put these family properties in his eyes? Her heart was half at ease.

Lady Wang heard that Jia Cong could rake in so much silver a year, and greed was already uncontrollably revealed in her eyes, turning into burning jealousy.

But she could only be like this; with Jia Cong's current power and status, she was completely powerless to harbor any covetous thoughts.

Wang Xifeng continued, "A scholar like Brother Cong values face and reputation the most, and he is not short of silver. He would never do such unworthy things."

Jia Mu thought it made sense and said, "It is best that he has his own abilities outside, which saves him from wasting his thoughts at home.

After I am done with the guests for these few days, when I have some free time, I will call him to discuss the rules. This family business must be managed properly so that everyone in the family can be at ease."

……

Rongguo Prefecture, outside the West Corner Gate.

Jia Zheng and Jia Cong personally saw the Prince of Beijing and the Princess off to their carriage and only returned to the prefecture after watching the carriage leave.

In the carriage, the Prince of Beijing and his wife sat side by side. The Princess of Beijing smiled, "The Prince personally visiting to offer congratulations this time, Brother Cong must be very grateful for the Prince's esteem."

Shui Rong smiled faintly and said, "He was indeed very respectful to me, leading me into the main hall of Rongxi, where I was among the nobles of various families who came to offer congratulations. He was as warm as the wind, and his language and responses were very appropriate."

The Princess of Beijing heard a hint of obvious disappointment in her husband's voice and asked curiously, "Given the Prince's status, Brother Cong should have received you in a side hall or inner chamber to show his respect.

How old is he? After all, he is still young and doesn't understand these delicate social graces."

Shui Rong shook his head and said, "That's not necessarily the case. I think he did it on purpose.

Sometimes I find it very strange. He is only a teenager, but his thoughts are meticulous, his methods are seasoned, and he reveals no flaws, as if he were an old official who had been rolling in the bureaucracy for decades."

The Princess of Beijing also came from a Jin Ling noble family, was intelligent, and quite knowledgeable. She thought for a moment before saying, "Could it be that he is wary of the Prince's status, which is why he is so cautious?

Worried that rumors might spread that he is privately associating with a Prince?"

Shui Rong said with a calm expression, "Since the current Emperor ascended the throne, he has had deep estrangement from the old nobles of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes and has never stopped suppressing and cold-shouldering them.

In this major salt and iron case in Liaodong, although the Emperor held back, three noble families still fell from grace.

Among the sons of the old nobles, only Jia Cong has received the Emperor's special favor, and for these few years, he has been constantly favored, attracting attention.

Jia Cong knows deeply that his wealth and achievements come from the Emperor, so he naturally tries to fathom the Emperor's heart and avoid disaster. Otherwise, why would he be so polite and cautious when I came to offer congratulations?

It is nothing more than not wanting to leave any suspicion or handle for the Emperor."

The Princess of Beijing seemed somewhat disbelieving and said, "Is the Prince overthinking it? He is only a teenager; how could he have such deep thoughts?"

Shui Rong said, "To be ennobled for military merit at a teenager's age, and to receive two titles at once as an illegitimate son—how could he be an ordinary teenager? He cannot be measured by ordinary people.

Back when he was just a small scholar in the Jia family who was not favored, the Emperor was able to grant him extraordinary grace. This sharp eye alone is something one has to admire."

Shui Rong asked again, "Is everything well with the Third Sister who is guarding the spirit of the Old Imperial Consort at the Imperial Mausoleum?"

The Princess of Beijing said, "I went to visit her a few days ago. Third Sister is doing well. She said that after winter began, Jia Cong sent her top-quality red charcoal and black fox fur.

It's just that the two of them need to avoid suspicion, so he hasn't come personally."

Shui Rong said, "Although the Old Imperial Consort has passed away, the Retired Emperor made an exception to allow Third Sister to enter the Imperial Mausoleum to observe mourning for the Old Imperial Consort for half a year. This is a protocol only for the Emperor's own children and grandchildren.

This shows that the Retired Emperor still has affection for the Zhen family. Although the marriage between Third Sister and Jia Cong did not happen, the two of them have already formed a connection, so this marriage cannot just stop here.

Jia Cong is a great talent. Being able to be the Zhen family's son-in-law will be a great help to the prosperity of the Zhen family business."

The Princess of Beijing frowned slightly upon hearing this. The Prince kept saying he wanted to continue the marriage between Third Sister and Jia Cong, and although he said it was for the sake of the Zhen family,

in reality, it was still to win over Jia Cong. As long as Third Sister really married Jia Cong, the Prince and he would become brothers-in-law, and the relationship would be much closer. Even if Jia Cong interacted with him, he would not have so many misgivings.

It was just that there was one thing that the Princess of Beijing, Madam Zhen Er, had always been puzzled about: why did the Prince have such an unusual esteem for Jia Cong?

Was it just because Jia Cong was outstanding in literature and had a talent for leading troops in battle? The Prince was accustomed to associating with famous scholars and talents, and among them, although there were none as outstanding as Jia Cong, there seemed to be a few who were similar in literary talent and military affairs.

Madam Zhen Er knew that her husband came from a princely family, had read widely since childhood, was deep in thought, and had a broad mind.

For him to value Jia Cong so much, it must not be just because Jia Cong was outstanding in literature and military affairs; there was another reason she did not know...

It was just that although the Prince was harmonious with her as a couple, he did not tell her everything in his heart.

The Princess of Beijing suddenly thought of another matter and asked, "Prince, a few days ago I heard rumors from the servants in the Prince's Prefecture that Chief Clerk Liu left the Love Shenjing last month for Jin Ling. Calculating the time, it happened to be around the time when Shiwen had his accident.

Usually, when Chief Clerk Liu leaves the prefecture to handle official business, I never ask about these things. But why have I never heard the Prince mention him going to Jin Ling?"

Shui Rong's expression changed upon hearing this, and he said with obvious displeasure, "The servants in the prefecture are becoming more and more unruly, speaking carelessly and inviting trouble. You must rectify this when you go back.

Chief Clerk Liu went back to Dezhou last month to visit his parents. I granted him leave specifically..."

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

Wang Ziteng had offered congratulations to Jia Cong and originally wanted to send someone to pass a message to Lady Wang so that the siblings could meet and talk in the side hall of the Rongguo outer courtyard.

But the matron who passed the message returned and said that the Lady had gone to Rongqing Hall to meet guests and was not available for the time being.

Wang Ziteng then took his leave of Jia Zheng and Jia Cong. Now that the Prince of Beijing was the protagonist in Rongxi Hall, his staying was just a foil, and he could not speak intimately with Jia Cong.

After exiting the West Corner Gate of the Rongguo Prefecture, he did not return to his own prefecture but circled to the back street of the Rongguo Prefecture and went to the outer gate of Lixiang Courtyard on the back street.

Since he had arrived at the Rongguo Prefecture, he could not just pass by without entering. Naturally, he had to meet his two sisters. Since Lady Wang was not available, he naturally had to go see Xue Yima.

The matron guarding the outer gate of Lixiang Courtyard recognized that it was the uncle of the house. While sending someone to announce him, she let Wang Ziteng into the room.

Just as Wang Ziteng walked to the door of the main hall, he heard the voice of his nephew, Xue Pan: "Mother, you must be clear-headed and absolutely do not let Aunt fool you. It's important, very important..."

When he entered the room, he happened to run into Xue Pan leaving, and the two almost bumped into each other.

Wang Ziteng frowned and reprimanded, "Pan'er, you are not young anymore; why are you still so reckless? What were you clamoring about with your mother just now?" Xue Pan was startled when he saw Wang Ziteng. He had feared this uncle since he was a child, ever since he committed a homicide case in Jin Ling, which implicated the whole family in moving north.

Not long after arriving in the Love Shenjing, he was called over by Wang Ziteng and severely reprimanded. From then on, he felt even more guilty whenever he saw this uncle, and every time they met, he was like a mouse avoiding a cat.

"So it's Uncle who has come. Mother is in the main hall. I was just talking about official business with Mother. Please come in, Uncle. I will go and instruct the kitchen; Uncle must stay for a meal today, and your nephew will toast you a few cups."

Xue Pan exchanged a few polite words and then slipped away. The talk about instructing the kitchen was all nonsense. Why would he stay here and give this old uncle a handle to reprimand him?

He thought that the Rongguo Prefecture was very lively today and heard that there were many visitors. Perhaps Feng Ziying, Wei Ruolan, and these fellows would also represent their elders and come to offer congratulations to Brother Cong.

He could just go over and socialize, and also try to get close to Jia Cong, perhaps even pave the way for his sister.

In the main hall, Xue Yima saw her brother arrive, and a look of joy appeared on her face. She asked, "Brother, how did you find the time to come over today?"

Wang Ziteng smiled, "Today, Brother Cong just inherited the Rongguo title, so I came to the prefecture to offer congratulations and stopped by to see my sister."

Xue Yima was stunned upon hearing this. As soon as she arrived in the Love Shenjing, she heard Lady Wang talk about the conflict between Jia Cong and her nephew Wang Yi back then.

Later, she heard that her sister-in-law had instigated a scholar supported by her maiden family to falsely accuse Jia Cong, who had just started his studies, of not being qualified for the imperial examinations, which resulted in a huge commotion.

Her brother and the Jia family had almost become enemies, and the relationship between her brother and that Brother Cong was naturally very stiff.

How could he disregard seniority today and personally come to offer congratulations to that Brother Cong? This was truly a rare thing.

However, such matters between men had nothing to do with Xue Yima, so she was too lazy to think deeply about it. Now, she had her own head full of troubles that she couldn't sort out.

……

Xue Yima asked the maid Tongxi to serve tea to Wang Ziteng. Baochai heard that her uncle had arrived and also came out to pay her respects, after which she avoided the inner room.

Wang Ziteng said to Xue Yima, "This niece of mine is becoming more and more outstanding. She looks even more promising than Pan'er.

What were Pan'er and Sister talking about just now, being so boisterous?"

Xue Yima naturally could not tell her brother that her son was against Baochai and Baoyu getting married. Both sides were her brother's sisters; how could she say such a thing?

She just dealt with it by saying, "Pan'er has grown up now and knows that his sister has reached the age of marriage. He was just worrying about his sister's lifelong event with me."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ziteng's heart moved slightly, and he said, "Sister, for the past two years, I have heard rumors in the Jia household about a 'gold and jade marriage,' pointing out that Baoyu and Baochai are a match. Is there such a thing?"

Even if it were yesterday, Xue Yima would have felt it was a good thing. Now that times had changed, how could she still acknowledge it?

She denied it flatly, "Brother, there is no need to listen to such nonsense. There are many people with gold and jade; how can one say who matches whom?"

Wang Ziteng was a person who had rolled in the bureaucracy; how could Xue Yima's little schemes be hidden from him? Just hearing these two sentences from Xue Yima, he understood that his sister did not approve of the marriage between her daughter and Baoyu.

Since he could come to the Jia Prefecture to offer congratulations to Jia Cong, he had long since inquired clearly about the Imperial Edict that day and naturally knew that his nephew Baoyu's reputation and future were ruined.

Even though Lady Wang was his sister and Baoyu was his nephew, he, a person obsessed with fame and wealth, also felt that a character like Baoyu was absolutely not a suitable candidate for marriage.

It was reasonable for his sister not to want this marriage. Wang Ziteng thought of the seasoned way Jia Cong had dealt with him just now, and his thoughts stirred slightly.

He said, "My niece is so outstanding; among the female relatives of the Xue and Wang families, she is also a top-tier figure.

As the saying goes, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. Sister must be careful and find a truly noble husband for my niece, so as not to fail her appearance and character."

Xue Yima smiled bitterly, "Brother's words naturally make sense, but the Xue family has declined. Although we have some gold and silver wealth, we have lost our official positions and titles for a generation. It is not easy to match a noble family."

Wang Ziteng smiled, "Sister, why are you so muddled? There is a good marriage right in front of you; why do you turn a blind eye to it?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Yima's heart jumped slightly, and she vaguely understood what her brother meant.

Wang Ziteng said, "I have heard that although Brother Cong is not favored by the Old Matriarch of the Jia family, he has been outstanding among the Jia family's children since he was young, and the sisters in the family are all very fond of him.

Sister has lived in the Jia household for two years, and my niece and he are also cousins. I imagine they often interact. How do the two of them get along?"

Xue Yima said, "Brother Cong is indeed very good to the sisters in the family. He is also very good to Baochai. Last time he met a famous doctor, he specifically invited him to diagnose Baochai's old illness, which was very thoughtful."

"I understand Brother's meaning. Although everyone knows Brother Cong is outstanding in appearance and character and has a deep foundation, making him a top-tier candidate for marriage among noble sons,

Brother Cong has two titles at once, and his status is too high. The Xue family's status is afraid that we cannot climb up to it."

As soon as Wang Ziteng saw his sister's disappointed expression, how could he not know her thoughts? She had long since set her sights on Jia Cong, but was just worried that it would be difficult to match.

Wang Ziteng thought this through, and his heart couldn't help but burn with fire.

Back then, when he rose in the bureaucracy, he relied on the Jia family's connections to obtain the position of Commander of the Beijing Camp. Ever since Ningguo's Jia Jing became a Daoist monk, the focus of the Jia family's connections had shifted to Jia Zheng.

He had once wanted to use Jia Zheng to lead the way to plot for the position of Commander of the Nine Provinces, but later, because his wife plotted against Jia Cong, this matter was aborted halfway.

Now that Jia Cong had inherited the Rongguo title and had been so highly regarded by the Emperor back then, carrying the glory of two titles at once, the connections and authority accumulated by the Jia family over generations would surely all shift to him.

Jia Zheng and Baoyu, father and son, had fallen from the legitimate branch to a collateral branch, and their decline was inevitable. There was no longer any value in leveraging them for planning.

Although the relationship between Wang Ziteng and the Rongguo Prefecture had broken down back then because his wife falsely accused and plotted against Jia Cong, fortunately, the matter back then was not done by him, but by his wife behind his back, so there was still room for maneuver.

Wang Ziteng believed that there were no eternal enemies in this world. Now that he knew his sister intended for Jia Cong to be a good husband, and Jia Cong also cared for his niece Baochai,

this was a perfect match. If his niece and Jia Cong could succeed, the original distant relationship between the Wang family and Jia Cong would take a huge step forward.

Since ancient times, an uncle has been as great as heaven. With the relationship of his niece Baochai, the old matters between the Wang family and Jia Cong could be easily brushed aside, and his desire to leverage his position to make a comeback would become logical.

"Sister, I know your thoughts. The Xue family is a large and prominent family in Jin Ling, and my niece is the eldest daughter of the eldest branch. But things in the world are not immutable. This matter can be discussed in the long term..."

……

Ningrong Street, Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

In the inner courtyard bathroom, Jia Cong's change of clothes was hanging on the clothes rack by the wall, along with a few elegant and beautiful skirts of a woman.

The crescent-shaped willow wood bathtub was polished smooth and shiny. Jia Cong was comfortably soaking in the steaming hot soup, and a faint smell of alcohol permeated the air.

Wu'er was only wearing a moon-white undergarment, which made her slender and moving figure even more prominent. Her hair was just tied in a simple bun, without a single hairpin or ornament. She was plain, elegant, and cute.

Perhaps it was the hot steam in the bathroom, but Wu'er's beautiful little face was flushed with an alluring red.

She carefully used the scented soap from the Xin Chun Hao to lather Jia Cong's hair, gently rubbing it with her slender and long fingers. Her movements were extremely soft and meticulous, making Jia Cong drowsy.

This morning, some instructors and classmates from Qingshan Academy came to offer congratulations, and even brought a congratulatory gift from the head of Qingshan Academy, Zhao Chongli—a pair of handwritten couplets.

These former instructors and classmates were somewhat different from the people who came to offer congratulations in the bureaucracy. They did not go to the West Prefecture to join in the fun, but came directly to the East Prefecture, which was slightly less popular, to offer congratulations.

The gifts they brought were also simple and elegant gifts like books and paintings, lacking much of the worldly sophistication of the bureaucracy and having more sincerity.

Jia Cong cherished the time he spent studying at Qingshan Academy and valued these old friends from the academy very much. He specifically hosted a banquet in the East Prefecture to entertain them. After many rounds of drinks, the host and guests were all happy before dispersing.

Wu'er rubbed Jia Cong's hair, washed it with clean water, and while slowly drying the water on his hair with a dry cloth, said, "Third Brother has been tired enough these days, having to receive and entertain so many guests every day.

Hosting banquets and accompanying good colleagues and classmates to offer congratulations is harder than reading books and writing articles all day."

Jia Cong squinted his eyes, "Catching up with the opportunity of inheriting the Rongguo title, such coming and going is unavoidable.

Fortunately, such things are rare. The guests who should come have almost all been here, and it will be quiet later."

Ever since the Imperial Edict was summoned that day, the Rongguo Prefecture had been full of guests the next day. He thought there were already enough people, but he didn't expect that it was just the beginning.

For the next three days, it was full of guests every day. Not only did the guests not decrease, but they became more and more numerous. Even when he inherited the Weiyuan Count title last time, the scale of the guests could not compare.

Almost every one of the old Four Kings and Eight Dukes families in the Love Shenjing came to the prefecture to offer congratulations, and those who came were all the eldest sons of each family.

There were also the Twelve Martial Marquis families passed down from the founding of the nation. As long as their titles were not broken, they also sent important sons of the same generation to offer congratulations to Jia Cong.

Among them, there were many whom Jia Cong had never known before, and now they were arriving one after another.

There were also many students and old friends accumulated by the Ning and Rong Prefectures over the years who came to offer congratulations. It was truly like a marketplace, with guests like clouds.

In just three or four days, Jia Cong's connections in the Love Shenjing had increased several times over, and even he himself was surprised.

Moreover, these visiting guests were not limited to congratulating him on inheriting the title. Many people also sent Jia Cong birthday invitations for their elders and wedding invitations for their children and brothers.

They each used different ways to maintain and deepen the ties with Jia Cong, the new master of Rongguo.

Ever since Jia Zhen died, the Ningguo Prefecture was raided, and Jia Zheng fell from grace,

the rich connections gathered by the Ning and Rong Jia families over several generations had become like water without a channel, on the verge of dissipating. Now, taking advantage of Jia Cong inheriting the Rongguo title, they were rapidly gathering toward him.

This was the handover of invisible power, which had a more far-reaching impact than the transfer of titles and estates.

When Jia Cong recalled that Wang Ziteng, who had deep grievances with him, would actually disregard the concerns of seniority and personally come to offer congratulations, he gradually realized that this trend was happening rapidly.

Perhaps the knowledgeable people among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes had long since realized that Jia Cong was not only the new master of Rongguo, but also possessed other unique values.

Among the new generation of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, Jia Cong was one of the few who had been selected and valued by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Given Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's severe and sharp nature, the extraordinary favor he had consistently shown Jia Cong could be said to be an extremely rare phenomenon.

Perhaps in the near future, Jia Cong could become a bridge between the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, who were under heavy suppression, and the supreme monarch who ruled over the four seas.

After Jia Cong finished bathing, he felt refreshed and rid of the smell of alcohol. Wu'er served him again to tie his hair and dress him, and then he heard Qingwen coming to pass a message outside.

The Old Matriarch in the West Prefecture knew that Jia Cong was entertaining guests today, so she asked him to go to Rongqing Hall in the West Prefecture tomorrow to discuss family affairs. (End of chapter)