Chapter 510: Partiality Breeds Filth

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was a bit awkward because Jia Zheng had broken the point.

Jia Mu and Lady Xing heard Wang Xifeng's refreshing voice, and they were both a bit uncomfortable.

Originally, since Wang Xifeng married into the Jia family, she had been helping Lady Xing manage the Rongguo family affairs. According to common sense, discussing family matters in the Rongqing Hall should always call Wang Xifeng together.

But both Jia Mu and Lady Xing saw that since Jia Lian was convicted and the first branch lost the qualification to inherit the title, Wang Xifeng checked the wind and watched the situation, and began to gradually lean toward Jia Cong.

When Jia Cong saved Jia Lian's life with a memorial, Wang Xifeng completely leaned toward Jia Cong, regarding him as her backing in the Jia family, and even gave her most trusted maid to Jia Cong as a girl.

Now, Jia Mu wanted to help the second branch seize the power of the Rongguo Mansion, knowing that Wang Xifeng and Jia Cong were in the same boat, and she was also a meticulous person who was good at managing family business.

How could she let this Phoenix Spicy appear in the Rongqing Hall at this juncture, so as to avoid any complications.

Lady Xing naturally had the same thoughts as Jia Mu. Although Wang Xifeng was her own niece, since Jia Lian's accident, the wind direction of the Jia family's title and salary had changed drastically, and the relationship between the two aunts and nieces had long been unrecognizable.

Jia Mu's face was a bit stiff, and she said: "You are pregnant now, and you don't know how to take care of yourself. Why are you running around?"

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "The old lady is considerate, I will naturally be very careful. Now that it hasn't shown, walking around is not a big deal."

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Old lady, I invited the Second Sister-in-law over. I thought that the old lady wanted to discuss family matters, and the Second Sister-in-law was used to managing family affairs, so I called her over to give an idea together."

What else could Jia Mu and Lady Xing say? People had already been called over, and should they let her go out?

Moreover, Jia Cong's status now was not the same as usual; he was the Rongguo master determined by imperial edict.

He wanted to call someone to discuss matters, and even Jia Mu could not easily refute it.

Jia Cong said: "Just now the Master said that it is inappropriate for the second branch to manage the family business of the first branch on his behalf, but I don't think so."

Jia Mu and Lady Xing heard this and were pleasantly surprised. They didn't expect this kid to be so easy to talk to. They really thought things were difficult before.

Jia Zheng heard Jia Cong's words and was also a bit confused.

Since ancient times, no one knows the husband better than the wife. Although Jia Zheng was pedantic and upright, he was not a stupid person. How could he not see that his wife was not convinced that Jia Cong inherited the title, and even more reluctant to let go of this family property of the Rongguo Mansion.

If he really followed the old lady's words and let his wife manage the family business, there would be endless trouble in the future.

His wife now is reluctant to part with money, but she doesn't think far. Cong Geer will marry a wife sooner or later. With his official title and status, the wife he marries must be rich or noble, and maybe it will be a marriage bestowed by the palace.

With such a mistress entering the door, what name does his wife have to hold the family business? She will have to hand it over sooner or later. Instead of being embarrassed in the future, it is better to throw it away now.

It's just that Cong Geer is so intelligent, he didn't think of this level. Jia Zheng sighed in his heart, feeling that Jia Cong was still young after all and didn't quite understand the hardship of family affairs.

Wang Xifeng on the side heard Jia Cong's words and secretly called it bad in her heart. Since the Master said so, when she didn't come just now, the old lady must have mentioned letting the Lady manage the family business for the first branch.

The old lady's heart is too partial. Even if Cong Cong Lao San hasn't married yet, is it possible that I, the eldest sister-in-law, am dead?

Not to mention that there is a Great Lady in the East Courtyard, that is the proper direct mother of the first branch. Where is it the turn of the Lady to manage Cong Cong Lao San's family property?

The aunt manages the nephew's family business, and it doesn't sound awkward.

Cong Cong Lao San has always been shrewd, why is he confused now? If he lets the second branch intervene in his family property, with the Lady's temperament, she will sooner or later be able to disgust Cong Cong Lao San to death.

……

Jia Cong continued: "However, the Lady is also nearly fifty years old, and it is the age to take care of her body. Where is the reason for her to work hard for her nephew's family business? If it spreads out, it will be too unlike it."

Even if the Great Lady is in the hall, I will never disturb her. Otherwise, others will not know the inside story and think that Cong does not understand filial piety and ritual, and it is fine if he does not practice it himself.

Actually using family trivial matters to make elders work hard, if it spreads out, what reputation and dignity does my Rongguo Mansion have?"

Wang Xifeng heard Jia Cong speak with a serious, upright, and grand expression, and almost couldn't help laughing out loud.

I said Cong Cong Lao San is not so easy to fool. The old lady thought things too simply, actually wanting the Lady to manage his title property.

Not to mention anything else, just by moving out the Great Lady, the old lady's wishful thinking would not work no matter what.

There is no reason in this world not to let the proper direct mother manage the house, but instead let her own aunt manage it.

The scholar's mouth is really evil. The Lady managing the Rongguo family business, in Cong Cong Lao San's mouth, became his lack of filial piety and ritual, ruining the reputation and dignity of the Rongguo Mansion.

How did he think of such a roundabout reason? But think about it carefully, it seems to be this reason.

Filial piety and ritual, reputation and dignity, isn't that what the old lady cares about for a lifetime? This time, it can be considered a rake back by Cong Cong Lao San.

……

Jia Mu and Lady Xing originally heard Jia Cong's words loosen, thinking that things would be easy to succeed, but they didn't expect Jia Cong to suddenly turn around and say such high-level arguments. They were like being pinched by the neck all of a sudden.

Jia Mu didn't expect that she let her second daughter-in-law manage the family business, but it could be said so ugly by Jia Cong.

Jia Mu's brain was confused for a while, and a burst of anger rushed up in her heart. She let her second daughter-in-law manage the family business, which was filial piety ruined, and it was not wanting face.

But think about it carefully, but she found with distress that she couldn't find a reason to refute.

She only felt that this grandson was too evil. As long as anything passed through his hands, or hindered him, it was not that others suffered strangely, but that they would be angered to death.

It was just that it involved filial piety and ritual and family dignity, even Jia Mu didn't dare to mess around at will. Otherwise, if she left a handle, she, the old ancestor, would be laughed at to death.

Lady Xing heard Jia Cong's words, her face was flushed, but she couldn't say a word.

Originally, the aunt wanting to manage the nephew's family business sounded awkward. It could only be proposed by Jia Mu, Jia Cong's own grandmother. Others didn't break it, so it mixed over.

Who would have thought that the old lady just mentioned the head, and the kid hadn't spoken yet, her own master poked the words first, and it was good that her side lost the first opportunity.

This kid is also capable, taking the opportunity to say such a pile of crooked reasons, even the old lady was bluffed by him.

Lady Xing was anxious and burning, and had realized that the last thought in her heart was afraid that it would be shattered. What should the second branch do in the future, and how should her Baoyu live?

She thought for a long time before saying: "Why don't you let the Third Girl manage the affairs of the West Mansion for you? You brothers and sisters have been good since childhood, and you can trust her."

Jia Cong felt a bit greasy when he heard this. In fact, he didn't care much about the family property of the West Mansion.

But Jia Mu's deliberate control and the Lady's greed for power and wealth made him feel very disgusted.

Even if he didn't care about the family business of the West Mansion, it didn't mean he was willing to see someone stir up trouble, privately plot family wealth, and stir up wind and waves.

Once an accident happens in the West Mansion, the one who bears the consequences is himself, the title inheritor.

It stands to reason that letting Seeing Tan Chun manage the West Mansion, Jia Cong is very willing, but this matter was proposed by Lady Xing, which seemed to have ulterior motives.

No matter how shrewd and capable Seeing Tan Chun is, she can't resist the righteousness of filial piety. Lady Xing is her direct mother. Once she manages the West Mansion, Lady Xing will definitely want to control the family business of the West Mansion through her.

Wouldn't that make Seeing Tan Chun embarrassed? So when Lady Xing mentioned this, Jia Cong had already denied it in his heart.

……

Jia Zheng suddenly said: "How old is Tan Yatou? Helping to manage the house these days is just because Lian'er's wife is not in good health, and she is just acting on her behalf.

She is still a girl who hasn't left the boudoir. How can she show her face for a long time to manage family affairs? It doesn't sound good if it spreads out. This matter is inappropriate."

Jia Cong said: "The Master's words are reasonable. The Third Sister is not like the Second Sister. She is still so young. I really can't bear to let her manage the housework of such a large mansion."

Lady Xing finally came up with a good idea of retreating to advance, but her own master actually echoed with that kid and messed up things again. She had bitterness that she couldn't speak, and was almost angered to explode her lungs.

At this time, Jia Mu looked at Jia Zheng with an old face, and became more and more annoyed in her heart. She wanted to pull the second branch, but this silly son was on which side? It was fine if he didn't help, but he kept tearing down the stage.

If it weren't for the sake of dignity, Jia Mu even wanted to call someone to fork this silly son out of the Rongqing Hall, so as not to let him and Cong Geer sing and harmonize there.

Jia Mu naturally knew the intention of Lady Xing proposing Seeing Tan Chun to manage the house, but this matter was not loud. The etiquette and rules of the aristocratic family were strict, and there was no reason for an unmarried girl to manage the house for a long time.

……

At this time, Jia Cong's words, coupled with Jia Zheng's attitude, had completely reversed the tone in the Rongqing Hall.

Jia Cong said: "The old lady just said that the Second Sister is already managing the East Mansion, and managing the West Mansion will be too hard. I also think this is the truth.

In the past, the housework of the West Mansion has always been managed by the Second Sister-in-law. The Second Sister-in-law is also very familiar with the miscellaneous affairs and population of all places. I want the Second Sister-in-law to continue to manage the affairs of the West Mansion. This is the most proper, and it also avoids the hard work of the Lady."

Wang Xifeng was overjoyed when she heard Jia Cong's words. She didn't expect that things would turn around, not only did the Rongguo family property return to the second branch, but she could also manage the house like before.

Although it was a pity that her husband couldn't be a title holder, after experiencing the torment of Jia Lian's life and death, Wang Xifeng's state of mind had changed a lot.

Now, the outcome of this situation had already made Wang Xifeng very satisfied.

Jia Mu heard Jia Cong's words, with a weary expression, and the last sentence about avoiding the hard work of the Lady, I don't know if Jia Mu was overthinking it, but it sounded like it contained mockery and sarcasm.

It turns out that this kid called Feng Yatou over, and had already thought of a countermeasure. What not daring to trouble the elders, what filial piety and ritual, were all his excuses.

This kid learned a belly of crooked tricks outside, but he used them all on his family. But Jia Mu couldn't pick out Jia Cong's faults.

She also knew clearly in her heart that the general trend had gone. Jia Cong clearly wanted to stir up the situation and was unwilling to be easily controlled by others. Her and the second daughter-in-law's plans were afraid that they would fall through.

Things reached this point. Although Lady Xing was full of impatience and unhappiness, with her status, she had no position to speak at all, and could only be silent on the side.

Jia Mu relied on the seniority of the old ancestor, and there was still some unwillingness in her heart, saying: "Feng Yatou is your sister-in-law. It is not impossible for you to let her manage the house.

But now that she is pregnant, how can she work hard? If she is too tired and something happens, that would be terrible. When Lian'er comes back in the future, how can I explain it to him."

Jia Cong understood in his heart that letting Wang Xifeng manage the house would cut off Jia Mu's intention to let the second branch intervene in family affairs. How could the old lady easily submit? She must say something. But he knew better in his heart that since Jia Lian was convicted and exiled, Wang Xifeng had lost most of her backing in the Jia family, and now she was alone.

Whether it was the brother of the same room in kinship, or his own efforts in Jia Lian's matter, Wang Xifeng would stand on his side without hesitation.

Moreover, Jia Cong knew Wang Xifeng's strong temperament, and she would not miss the opportunity to regain control of family affairs.

Therefore, Jia Mu used Wang Xifeng's pregnancy as an excuse to block this matter, and Jia Cong didn't need to argue at all. Wang Xifeng would definitely have something to say herself.

……

Sure enough, just as Jia Mu's voice fell, Wang Xifeng's crisp and neat voice sounded: "The old lady is considerate, which is naturally my blessing. However, this matter, the old lady doesn't need to worry too much.

Although I am a bit inconvenient now, when I managed the house in previous years, Ping'er has always followed me, and she is very familiar with all kinds of affairs in the mansion. The daily complexity is handled by Ping'er, and it won't tire me much.

It's just that now the Third Brother inherited the family business and became the master of the Rongguo Mansion, and I, the sister-in-law, am just helping to manage the family business on his behalf.

Originally, Ping'er had already set a name, but she hadn't gone to the East Mansion to fall into the room after all, and she was still a person of the West Mansion.

I also need the Third Brother to transfer a trusted person from the East Mansion to sit in town with me. Only then can the inside and outside be smooth and more justified."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned when he heard Wang Xifeng's words. Although he was shrewd, he had never managed the mansion's family business after all, so he naturally didn't know the way in it, and some details might not be thought of.

But Wang Xifeng was an old hand, and there was nothing she didn't know about the twists and turns of managing the mansion. She proposed that Jia Cong transfer a trusted person from the East Mansion, which was also of great significance.

Jia Cong just thought slightly, and immediately realized Wang Xifeng's calculation.

Although he became the master of Rongguo, his foundation was somewhat weak. Jia Mu and Lady Xing had been sitting in the West Mansion for half a lifetime, and could be said to be deeply rooted in the West Mansion.

The old servants born in the mansion, I am afraid they would buy Jia Mu and Lady Xing's account more.

Of course, this was only temporary. Jia Cong had the righteousness of inheriting the title by imperial edict. As time passed, his influence in the Rongguo Mansion would cover Jia Mu and Lady Xing in no time.

It was just that for a period of time now, it was the time of replacing the old with the new. The new power had just been born, and the old power still existed. With Lady Xing's temperament, she would definitely cause some trouble.

If Jia Cong just threw the West Mansion's family affairs to Wang Xifeng, as a junior of Jia Mu and Lady Xing, I am afraid Wang Xifeng would be alone, and even be restrained by Jia Mu and Lady Xing with filial piety.

But if Jia Cong sent a trusted person from the East Mansion to help Wang Xifeng sit in the West Mansion, it was equivalent to Jia Cong, the master, participating in the affairs of the West Mansion at all times, which was invisibly supporting Wang Xifeng.

Jia Cong had the righteousness of inheriting the title by imperial edict. Even if Jia Mu and Lady Xing were unhappy, they would have to have scruples because of this.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong not only admired Wang Xifeng's agility, but also thought of such a wonderful plan to combine forces in the moment of dealing with Jia Mu.

……

Jia Mu and Lady Xing were both full of tricks in the back house. What Wang Xifeng could think of, they could naturally think of.

They understood that Wang Xifeng wanted to pull a helper from the East Mansion, borrow Jia Cong's momentum, and completely solidify the matter of managing the house, so that others could not intervene at all.

Originally, they discussed for several days, in order to control the Rongguo family business, they wanted to take the power of managing the Rongguo house from Jia Cong's hands.

But entering the hall was just a slight confrontation, Jia Cong's few light words, plus Wang Xifeng shaking the flag on the side, immediately controlled the right to speak.

But what other ways did they have? Because there was no excuse and position to block, they could only watch things go in the opposite direction.

Jia Cong said: "The Second Sister-in-law thought properly. Tomorrow I will assign a deacon maid to Wuer to help the Second Sister-in-law manage housework. The Second Sister-in-law has manpower, so she can be less tired."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "That would be the best. Wuer is a first-class careful and proper person. She was originally born in the West Mansion and is familiar with the affairs of the mansion.

In the past few years, she has been trained by the Third Brother, and everything is proper. It would be best to have her help."

……

In the past few years, as Jia Cong rose, Jia Mu and Lady Xing had paid attention to the people around him. Jia Cong had four big maids by his side.

Besides Zhi Shao who served him since childhood, Jia Cong valued this Wuer the most. Jia Cong's daily clothing and diet were all handled by her.

Now that Jia Cong sent this girl over, it can be seen that Jia Mu's proposal to let Lady Xing manage the house had made him no longer take the West Mansion's affairs lightly.

He sent the trusted Wuer over to stand in position, and Wang Xifeng's management of the house was completely solidified.

Lady Xing thought that the Willow sister-in-law in the kitchen had once had thoughts, wanting her only daughter Wuer to serve in Baoyu's room. At that time, Baoyu was the phoenix of the Rongguo Mansion, and there were many people who wanted to take advantage of it.

It was just that Lady Xing disliked Wuer for being delicate, and her appearance and behavior were somewhat similar to Daiyu, so she disliked it in her heart.

So, taking the opportunity of Jia Cong moving to the West Mansion, she sent this Wuer to Jia Cong as a maid, not only playing the virtuous and doing good, but also saving this delicate girl from harming Baoyu.

But Lady Xing never expected that after so many years, the daughter of the kitchen servant had actually practiced into a spirit, and turned back to manage the West Mansion's family business. Isn't this climbing on her head?

Thinking of these broken things, Lady Xing was full of shame and anger, and her hatred was like fire. The knuckles of her fingers holding the prayer beads were a bit white, and it seemed that she could pinch the prayer beads in her hand.

Jia Mu saw this scene, sighed in her heart. Originally, she wanted to balance the family business as much as possible, but it was impossible after all. After this, Cong Geer had grasped the family business of the West Mansion.

Her second daughter-in-law, although cruel, was completely not this kid's opponent in terms of knowledge, ability, or power and righteousness. Now that the grandmother was still in the hall, things had already become like this.

In the future, if she returned to the west, wouldn't the second branch be pinched by this kid……

……

Just when Jia Mu and Lady Xing were depressed and difficult to send,

Suddenly heard Jia Zheng say: "Old lady, when the old master was dying, he left a will, letting the eldest brother inherit the title and the son inherit the mansion, so the second branch moved into the Rongxi Hall.

Now Cong Geer inherited the family title and industry by imperial edict, which can be considered inheriting the mantle of his father and uncle. The Rongxi Hall is the main hall of the Rongguo family and has always been the residence of the master.

The son now lives in the Rongxi Hall again, which is inconsistent with the ritual and law of the clan. The son's meaning is to move out of the Rongxi Hall and let Cong Geer move in. This is justified and manifests the proper lineage of our Rongguo Mansion's ritual and law."

When Jia Zheng said these words, he immediately shocked everyone in the Rongqing Hall, and for a while, there was silence.

Jia Cong heard Jia Zheng's words, and his heart was also shocked. Since he moved to the West Mansion at the age of ten, because he was diligent and self-encouraging, he had always been valued by Jia Zheng, and he also felt grateful and respected for Jia Zheng.

But Jia Zheng's temperament was pedantic and upright, and he was inevitably mediocre in family and state affairs.

But today, hearing these words, he actually had such breadth of mind. When encountering a huge change in the family succession, he could face it calmly, not confused by the glory of the proper lineage, and his progress and retreat were rigorous.

Although it was inevitably a bit pedantic, his inner ritual and law were like mountains, which could illuminate the sun and moon, and he had his own persistence in his heart, which had to be admired.

Lady Xing heard Jia Zheng's words, stood up from her seat at once, and looked at her husband with resentment.

She was also from an aristocratic family, with three obediences and four virtues, cultivated since childhood. Since marrying Jia Zheng, this was probably the first time she looked at her husband with such an overstepping look.

She never dreamed that Jia Zheng would say such absurd words. Now the second branch had lost the title and title property, and had no reliance in the Rongguo Mansion.

Now they lived in the Rongxi Hall, the proper lineage of the Rongguo Mansion, which was the last scene and dignity of the second branch.

Moreover, Lady Xing calculated clearly in her heart. With Jia Zheng's consistent grace and righteousness toward Jia Cong, and Jia Cong's closeness and respect for Jia Zheng.

As long as there was no external reason, Jia Cong would never take the initiative to propose that they move out of the Rongxi Hall.

So even if the second branch lost everything in the Rongguo Mansion, they could still end their lives in the Rongxi Hall. This was Lady Xing's last thought for the proper lineage.

Now, Jia Cong didn't mention this, but her husband said it stupidly. This didn't let people live! Jia Mu on the top was furious and shouted at Jia Zheng: "Shut up! I'm not dead yet, where is it your turn to say such things!

When your old master was dying, he submitted a will to the Retired Emperor. You also inherited the mansion by imperial edict and moved into the Rongxi Hall. It is justified and indisputable.

Now you have lived in the Rongxi Hall for a lifetime, and now you want to move out. If it spreads out, where will I put this old face? Will the old relatives of the family laugh at me to death!"

Jia Zheng just relied on the blood in his heart to say the bold words of moving out of the Rongxi Hall. He only felt that he was expressing his heart and his mind was clear.

But being scolded by Jia Mu, the momentum in his heart fell down, and he just lowered his head and didn't dare to refute.

Jia Mu asked Jia Cong coldly: "Cong Geer, I know that you have inherited the family business of the Rongguo family by imperial edict. It is reasonable to move into the Rongxi Hall. Are you forcing your father to give up his seat to you?

If you have this plan, say it clearly early today, so as not to let your father be humble there!"

Jia Cong was a bit helpless in his heart. This was really an innocent disaster. He had a large East Mansion that he couldn't live in enough, who was still thinking of living in the Rongxi Hall.

Said: "Master must not be like this. Although I inherited the family business, I only live in the East Mansion. I moved to the West Mansion at the age of ten, and I have received much care and teaching from the Master. I will never forget the affection and grace.

The Master and the Lady just live in the Rongxi Hall to end their lives, so that I can fulfill the ritual of filial piety."

Jia Mu heard Jia Cong's words, and her stern expression relaxed.

Lady Xing heard Jia Cong's words about living in the Rongxi Hall to end their lives, and she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

She guessed right. This kid, even if he looked at the Rong Mansion's family business strictly, would never be unreasonable to the Master on the surface.

Jia Zheng gathered his courage and said a few more words about moving out of the Rongxi Hall, and was scolded by Jia Mu again. Lady Xing hurriedly advised on the side.

After such a fuss, Jia Zheng's opinion would not be adopted after all, just like he wanted to strictly discipline Baoyu in the past, it would always be biased by Jia Mu and Lady Xing with soft and hard methods.

Jia Cong was really greasy about Jia Mu and Lady Xing's self-talk. Since the urgent matter of managing the West Mansion was cleared up, he found an excuse to leave the Rongqing Hall.

In fact, in Jia Cong's view, whether Jia Zheng and his wife continue to live in the Rongxi Hall is not up to Jia Mu or him.

It depends on the world's heart outside. No one pays attention to this matter. Jia Zheng and his wife end their lives in the Rongxi Hall, which is no problem at all. He is naturally okay with it.

But these past few days, so many nobles and officials came to congratulate him, and he inherited the Rongguo title, which is known to the whole city, under the eyes of everyone.

Once someone interprets it excessively and pays attention to this inconspicuous matter, it will likely cause complications and cause trouble and accidents. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 511 =====