Chapter 52: Qingzhi Side Courtyard

Madam Wang saw Jia Zheng’s expression of pride and knew that Jia Cong’s enrollment at Qingshan Academy had won his approval.

Placing Jia Cong under the care of the Western Mansion suited him well, yet what could such a low-born boy achieve even if he attended a prestigious academy?

Even if he someday passed the imperial exams as top scholar, the best he could become was a penniless Hanlin official—ultimately destined to leave the household and live apart.

Moreover, Grandmother Jia’s demeanor showed no change in her feelings; if anything, she found his troublemaking nature even more vexing and distasteful.

This suited her fine—no matter how talented he became, he could never overshadow my Baoyu.

Madam Wang had always been generous toward those she deemed no threat.

She also noticed how Jia Zheng always went out of his way to uphold his own dignity in his treatment of Jia Cong.

Otherwise, how could he earn the reputation of being benevolent and harmonious in marriage?

Besides, Grandmother Jia had already agreed to let Jia Cong reside in the Western Mansion—this matter was settled.

So she said: “Grandmother, since the Master says it’s a good thing, it must be right. That Mr. Liu helped us—he deserves our gratitude.”

Wang Xifeng added: “The courtyard next to the northern corner gate opens directly onto the back street; once Jia Cong starts attending the academy, coming and going will be convenient.”

I’ve been inquiring these past days about suitable refined gifts—this man is a great scholar; too flashy a present would make us seem vulgar.

Grandmother Jia and Madam Wang both knew that place well—they understood perfectly well that the late Lord Jia had once been pensioned there.

Once Jia Cong’s injuries heal, we’ll send him there.”

Daiyu had only been in Rongguo Mansion for a few years, and Lixiang Courtyard had long stood empty, with no visitors—she naturally had no idea where Qingzhi Study was, next door.

It’s certainly excellent that this Third Brother Jia has been recommended to study there.

Yet she took to heart the news that Jia Cong would attend Qingshan Academy; when she was still in Suzhou, her father had spoken to her of Qingshan Academy’s renown.

It lies far from Rongqing Hall and Rongxi Hall—this distance keeps them apart, sparing Grandmother Jia the annoyance of frequently seeing Jia Cong.

Grandmother Jia’s brow relaxed at these words; she felt this second daughter-in-law truly knew how to handle things. Though she disliked this grandson, he was still Jia blood.

Wang Xifeng’s mind was most keen and perceptive; she knew Grandmother Jia had always disliked Jia Cong.

Wang Xifeng’s eyes flickered and said: “Beside the Eastern Lixiang Courtyard stands an empty side courtyard called Qingzhi Study—one main house, five wing rooms, neat and tidy.”

Originally, when the late Lord lived in Lixiang Courtyard, this courtyard housed his personal attendants; since then it’s remained vacant—tidy it up, and it’s perfect for Jia Cong.”

Grandmother Jia said: “Madam’s thoughtfulness is admirable. Do as you suggest.”

Madam Wang added: “There’s another matter—since Jia Cong is to be brought to the Western Mansion for care, his temporary quarters in the outer study can only serve for convalescence; we must assign him another residence.”

So she arranged for Jia Cong’s courtyard to be next to Lixiang Courtyard—though still within the inner quarters, it lay in the northernmost corner.

She then asked Wang Xifeng: “Are there any other suitable places in the mansion?”

Externally, we must present a united front; if someone helped him, they gave the Jia family face—proper courtesies must be observed; this is the way of a great aristocratic house.

The location is a bit remote—otherwise, why would Lixiang Courtyard be given to Xue Yima, an outsider? But it suits Jia Cong well.

Since Daiyu had seen Jia Cong’s calligraphy and read that poem “Bu Yun Suan Yuan,” she knew he was a man of talent.

Such a man, if he studies hard for a few years at the academy, may well pass the imperial exams.

Once he gains a title, he’ll have a foothold in the mansion and won’t live in such hardship as he does now.

Tan Chun differed from Daiyu—having grown up in the mansion, she knew exactly where the courtyard next to Lixiang Courtyard lay; it was indeed quite remote.

Grandmother Jia has always disliked Third Brother Jia—otherwise, she wouldn’t have placed him in such a lonely, isolated spot. As for Madam Wang, it’s hard to say—she dared not speculate further.

At least Third Brother Jia has left that eastern wing and can now attend the academy—he’ll never again live in such peril. That alone is a good thing.

The rest isn’t the most urgent matter—after all, the future is long.

Madam Wang added: “Grandmother, by rights Jia Cong should receive the same allowance as Huan, but his concubine mother passed away long ago, and the circumstances are different.”

He needs more capable servants attending him—just one Qingwen won’t suffice. We must add a sensible senior maid, and a few lowly maids will be enough.”

Grandmother Jia said: “You decide. Discuss it among yourselves.”

Wang Xifeng heard this and assumed Madam Wang intended to place her own people there—in this grand household, the ways ran deep, and planning ahead was wise.

She said: “A few lowly maids are easy to find, but skilled senior maids are rare. Do you have anyone in mind, Madam?”

Madam Wang replied: “Earlier this year, I heard that the Liu family in the kitchen had a daughter grown up; her mother wanted to find her a post. Coincidentally, I saw the girl once that day.”

Her name is Wu’er—her appearance and disposition are both fine. Her family has served the Jias for generations; such homeborn servants are most reliable. Placing her in Jia Cong’s quarters as senior maid is perfect.”

Wang Xifeng was stunned—she realized she had misunderstood. She had guessed wrong; this Wu’er was a stranger—if Madam Wang meant to plant someone, she’d choose someone familiar.

Yet the Liu family in the kitchen had never been close to Madam Wang—why had she singled out this girl for Jia Cong’s quarters?

Though puzzled, Wang Xifeng saw no personal stake in it; after a moment’s thought, she let it drop.

Yet she did not know that Madam Wang’s arrangement of Wu’er as Jia Cong’s maid had another motive.

Earlier this year, she’d heard rumors that the Liu family in the kitchen had a daughter named Wu’er, whose beauty rivaled that of Yuanyang, Xi Ren, and Ping’er—the Jia household’s top maids.

The Liu couple doted on Wu’er as if she were a treasure, but she had been frail since birth, frequently taking herbal medicine.

Thus, she had never been assigned a formal post, only helping her mother with minor tasks in the kitchen.

The Liu family, one, wished to secure their daughter’s future, and two, harbored ambitions to climb higher.

Hearing that Baoyu’s quarters were full of maids but light on duties, and that Baoyu was most attentive to his maids, they conceived the idea of placing Wu’er in Baoyu’s service.

Even if she couldn’t become his concubine, being released from service would give her a foundation and more security in life.

Madam Wang treated Baoyu as her heart’s treasure; she loathed anyone who schemed or manipulated him. Hearing this, how could she not be furious?

Yet the Liu woman had served in the kitchen for years without fault, and Wu’er currently held no post—there was no tangible misdeed to seize upon.

Before the New Year, while inspecting household affairs with Wang Xifeng, she happened to see Wu’er once.

The girl’s appearance was indeed striking, yet her demeanor was delicate and self-important, bearing a faint resemblance to Daiyu—this only deepened Madam Wang’s dislike.

If such a girl entered Baoyu’s quarters, who knew what mischief she’d stir up? She might even estrange him from his own parents.

Now, with Jia Cong’s situation arising, Madam Wang seized the opportunity—she used Jia Cong as a pretext to assign Wu’er to him, sparing Baoyu from her corruption.

The plot draws from the Red Chamber cultural context, but the Jia household is merely the starting point and reservoir for the protagonist; later plotlines will expand beyond the mansion, revealing a wider world.

I’ve received many thoughtful comments, some highly constructive—thank you all for your support and corrections.

(End of Chapter)