Chapter 550: Warmth of Zither and Sentiment

Count's Prefecture, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

As soon as Jia Cong's bold words were out, the three people in the study fell into an eerie silence.

A girl's waist could not be hugged casually. This was a major violation of etiquette. In a remote village, the man would definitely be paraded through the streets, and the woman would likely be drowned in a pig cage.

Even if it had been done, no one was as blunt as Jia Cong. Perhaps in his subconscious, this didn't count as anything at all...

Seeing Cong Sanye speaking so brazenly in front of Miss Lin, Qingwen found it secretly funny.

Seeing that Jia Cong wasn't paying attention to her, she sneaked out of the study, not thinking that it was her own reckless fast mouth that had caused the incident.

However, Qingwen didn't worry for Jia Cong. Which maid in the courtyard didn't know that Cong Sanye's mouth was the best at coaxing people? Coaxing Miss Lin was even more familiar to him, so there was no need to worry for him in vain.

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Lin Daiyu's pretty face turned slightly red, and she said, "Third Brother, you are truly not afraid of shame. You can even say such things so loudly. Look at how capable you are."

"If someone heard you, it would really ruin Miss Bao's reputation."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Sister is right. It was too reckless just now. I won't say it again in the future."

Lin Daiyu narrowed her eyes and asked with a smile, "Third Brother, do you think Miss Bao is very beautiful?"

Jia Cong said casually, "She is quite beautiful, but Sister is even more beautiful."

Lin Daiyu asked with disbelief, "You want to coax me with nice words again, but I didn't ask you to talk about me. You today, that..."

Lin Daiyu stopped here, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Her face was red, and she forced out a sentence: "You... hugged Miss Bao. Tell me honestly, did you feel quite happy in your heart..."

She asked herself, could she still be clear? When she first saw him in the old house in Jin Ling years ago, her heart had already lost its clarity and stillness. Did he not know at all?

He laughed again: "Why does Sister think that hugging a waist would make one feel happy? It's a strange thing. Why don't I try it."

As he said this, he pretended to go forward to hug Lin Daiyu's slender waist. But before he even touched her clothes, Lin Daiyu was already frightened and fled in a hurry, with Jia Cong laughing and chasing behind.

Lin Daiyu dodged around the desk, her figure agile, like a butterfly passing through flowers.

She laughed and scolded, "Third Brother, you have no manners. You are getting older every year, yet you can still be so rowdy. If you do this again, I will truly be angry..."

Qingwen was embroidering on the corridor outside the study. After only a while, she heard Miss Lin laughing and talking inside the study. The light and shadows on the window lattice were shaking, and there were chaotic footsteps.

Miss Lin didn't sound angry at all; she was actually quite happy.

She thought to herself that she hadn't guessed wrong. Cong Sanye was truly capable of coaxing people. After doing such a romantic thing, he didn't make Miss Lin cry with anger, but actually made her laugh. It was truly strange and bizarre. How did he do it?

With Jia Cong's joking, the slight doubt in Lin Daiyu's heart faded by more than half. She bit her lip and pinched Jia Cong's hand.

She could naturally taste that Jia Cong's joking just now was because he didn't want her to think too much. In fact, even if she thought too much, it didn't mean anything.

Among these sisters, Lin Daiyu, Baochai, and Xiangyun were all girls from outside families, and Jia Cong was so outstanding.

Baochai was outstanding among the sisters, her manners were elegant, and she was quite moving. Lin Daiyu naturally paid more attention to her in her heart.

She was naturally clever and sensitive, and in fact, she had long felt that the way Baochai looked at Third Brother was quite unusual. That difference was something only she could taste.

Although Sister Xiangyun was also very close to Third Brother and her eyes lit up when she looked at Third Brother, that was mostly a sister's admiration for her brother. Miss Bao's gaze was different...

But as long as such things were not spoken out, nothing would happen. Moreover, Lin Daiyu could see that her Third Brother was no different toward Baochai than he was toward the other sisters.

Moreover, Miss Bao did not interact as closely with Third Brother as she did. Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu felt a little proud.

She smiled and walked to the ancient zither, playing the tune Jia Cong had just played again. The melody was harmonious, and the transitions were smooth, much more pleasant than Jia Cong's.

As the zither music turned and lingered, Daiyu saw Jia Cong smiling, handsome and clear, listening with all his heart. Her heart trembled slightly, and she felt an unprecedented peace and beauty.

She suddenly remembered the secret text engraved on the bottom of the zither. Although she didn't know the deep meaning, the implication was lingering and intoxicating, seeming to fit the current situation.

She couldn't help but chant softly along with the zither music: By the side of Xuanwu, at the peak of the Fallen Phoenix, union is beauty, and the sorrow of generations is accumulated. The destiny of Heaven cannot hide the dark fragrance; life and death are bound together, and its virtue is quiet and deep.

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

Xue Yima returned from the East Courtyard and saw that Baochai had already changed her clothes, washed, and tidied up, and was talking to Qingwen.

Xue Yima knew that Qingwen was Jia Cong's personal maid, so she didn't dare to look down on her.

Moreover, Qingwen was present for today's events. Jia Cong letting Qingwen send her daughter back was likely because he was worried about entanglements at her sister's place and intended to leave Qingwen as an ear and eye.

Xue Yima was also a worldly person. In front of Qingwen, she said that Lady Wang had promised not to mention this matter to anyone.

Baochai and Qingwen both felt relieved when they heard this, but Jin Chuan's eyes flickered, and she actually felt somewhat disappointed.

In Jin Chuan's view, it would have been better if Lady Wang had made a big deal out of it. Cong Sanye was much more responsible than Baoyu. Perhaps he would have taken her mistress on the spot. That would have been a good thing...

Qingwen got the confirmation and took her leave of Xue Yima, busy returning to report to her Cong Sanye.

After Qingwen left, Xue Yima sighed, her expression quite troubled.

Baochai asked, "Mom, since the Aunt has promised not to spread this matter, what are you worried about?"

Xue Yima said, "Your Aunt is convinced that you are involved with Jia Cong, and her words were quite harsh."

Baochai's face turned red and white. She gritted her teeth and said, "Brother Cong and I are clean. He only caught me when I fell. We have a clear conscience. Who cares what others think."

Xue Yima said, "I said many nice things and finally coaxed your Aunt, which counts as shutting her mouth. It's just that she brought up another matter, which is somewhat tricky."

"She said that she has already moved out of the Rongguo Prefecture, and our family is still borrowing the Lixiang Courtyard, which is actually quite inconvenient. She advised us to move out early to avoid future troubles."

Baochai's face turned slightly pale when she heard this. If the Xue family moved out of the Rongguo Prefecture, it would not be easy to see him again in the future.

Originally, her relationship with him was thin, and I fear it would be even more distant in the future. What hope would there be in the future...

Baochai understood in her heart that her Aunt saying this was somewhat ill-intentioned.

Her Second Branch had moved out of the Rongguo Prefecture for several months. Why didn't she bring this up earlier, but only after today's incident?

It was nothing more than the Aunt originally hoping that she would be betrothed to Baoyu, which was why she never mentioned the Xue family moving out. Now that she must have guessed her thoughts, she wanted to obstruct them and make her give up the idea...

Although Baochai was unwilling, Lady Wang's words were reasonable, making it difficult to refute.

For a moment, both mother and daughter were silent. Lady Wang had opened the topic, and it would be very difficult for their family to stay in the Jia family and save face.

At this moment, solid footsteps sounded in the outer room. Xue Pan lifted the curtain and entered. Seeing that his mother and sister both had ugly expressions, he was slightly surprised.

He asked, "Mom, why are you and Sister both looking so worried? What happened?"

Xue Yima scolded, "You are a horse without a bridle, wandering around outside all day. When have you ever worried about family affairs?"

Xue Pan said unconvinced, "Mom, although I love to walk around outside, that is also to make more friends, which is also good for the family. I am always better than Baoyu, who only knows how to bully his own family."

Xue Yima gave a bitter smile: "What is the use of the drinking friends you make? Today your Aunt said that her status has changed greatly, and we should also move out of the Rongguo Prefecture early to avoid future resentment."

"You should also settle down these days. Tomorrow, go and arrange for manpower to clean up our separate villa. Once everything is ready, we can pack up and move there."

Xue Pan was unhappy when he heard this and said, "We are living well, why should we move out for no reason? Anyway, I am not moving."

"Mom, what kind of mystery is my Aunt playing? Why did she suddenly say we should move out? There must be a reason, right?"

Xue Yima was worried that her son would make a mess and refuse to move, causing trouble and embarrassment between relatives, so she told Xue Pan what happened in the morning.

She also told Xue Pan to restrain himself during this period and not leave behind any handles for relatives and friends to laugh at when it was time to move.

Unexpectedly, Xue Pan didn't feel discouraged after hearing the cause of the matter; instead, he beamed with joy.

He said to Baochai, "Sister, where exactly did Brother Cong catch you today that made Aunt go crazy? It turns out Brother Cong is also sensible. He actually has such means..."

Baochai was so angry at her brother's words that her face turned red. Worried that her brother would say something else outrageous and make her die of shame, she got up and went into the inner room, refusing to come out again.

Xue Yima was also angered by her son's nonsense. She picked up the unfinished shoe sole in the sewing basket and slapped Xue Pan on his big head.

She scolded, "You thousand-cut killer, is there any way to talk to your own sister like this? Your brain has been ruined by alcohol, and you can't spit ivory out of a dog's mouth!"

Xue Pan touched his big head, grimacing, and frowned, "Mom, your hand is too heavy. Is it not enough that I slipped up? But I will advise you, Mom, you must think about this clearly."

"In my opinion, today's incident must have made Aunt see that Sister has feelings for Brother Cong. Aunt knows that she can no longer manipulate the 'Gold and Jade Connection'."

"She must be hateful in her heart, which is why she used words to slander you, forcing us to move out of the Rongguo Prefecture, wanting to mess up the good thing between Brother Cong and my sister. She is truly harming others without benefiting herself."

Hearing her son talk about some "good thing," Xue Yima felt a surge of disgust and shouted, "What good thing? How can you hope for your sister to be a concubine, you heartless thing!" Xue Pan said earnestly, "Mom, why did you forget my words? The Empress is the Emperor's wife, in fact, the Imperial Consort..."

But before Xue Pan could finish his good words, he was hit on the head by Xue Yima's shoe sole. She whispered, "Just shut up, and say those death-seeking words again!"

Xue Pan rubbed his head in distress and said, "Mom, you don't like to hear good words, so I will tell you serious words. It is true that we were able to borrow the Rongguo Prefecture because of Aunt's face. This is true."

"But now the Jia family's situation is very different. The master of the Rongguo Prefecture is Brother Cong. To say something unpleasant, Aunt and the Rongguo Prefecture no longer have any relationship."

"This place is not Aunt's, so why should she make us move out? Only Brother Cong has the status to say this. Mom, don't you think this is the principle?"

"Now, if Mom moves out of the Rongguo Prefecture because of Aunt's words, wouldn't Brother Cong, the master of the house, become a decoration? Mom, aren't you deliberately trying to make Brother Cong lose face?"

"Moreover, I have also heard some rumors. Because the Second Branch lost its title, Aunt and Brother Cong are not getting along. Now Brother Cong has seduced my sister..."

Xue Pan spoke casually and was being deliberate. Seeing Xue Yima's eyes wide with anger, he raised the shoe sole again, so he hurriedly changed his words: "Mom, I said the wrong thing again. It is that Brother Cong and Sister have become suspicious."

"Aunt lost her sister as a daughter-in-law, so she and Brother Cong are increasingly at odds. The two of them fighting is their business. Why should Mom get involved at this juncture?"

"If you move out at this time, it looks like you are helping Aunt show off. Isn't that directly making Brother Cong lose face? Why bother? Isn't it good for us not to help either side and not offend anyone? Therefore, in my opinion, we should stay firmly, which is the right principle. Who knows, maybe in the future, we can earn a future for Sister..."

Baochai had been standing behind the curtain of the inner room. Although she knew her brother's language was vulgar, he was wholeheartedly trying to match her and Jia Cong. Although it was also out of his own selfishness, his actions did not go against her own wishes...

So Baochai also wanted to hear what he would say. When she heard her brother's crooked logic, she almost laughed out loud. But thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make sense.

Xue Yima was also stunned after hearing her son's set of principles. Seeing her mother's expression, Xue Pan knew that she had been moved by him, and he was quite proud of his extraordinary performance just now.

After a long while, Xue Yima said, "What you said is not without reason. But since your Aunt has already brought up this topic, the matter is already there. There will definitely be others who will bring it up in the future."

"We must find a way to resolve this matter. Otherwise, our Xue family will leave behind a huge handle..."

Xue Pan laughed, "Mom, what you said is reasonable. As long as we are not coaxed by Aunt to move out of the Jia family, it will be fine. In my opinion, if Brother Cong knows about this, he will definitely not be willing to let Sister go."

"He will definitely want us to stay. As long as he opens his mouth, Aunt will be useless even if she is anxious to death."

Baochai, behind the curtain, heard her brother's explicit words, saying that Jia Cong was reluctant to let her go. She couldn't help but blush and spat.

Xue Pan hesitated for a moment and asked, "Mom, let me ask one more thing. Is there really no follow-up to the Xia girl's matter?"

Xue Yima frowned slightly when she heard this. She didn't expect her son to be so infatuated with that Xia girl.

However, hearing him ask cautiously and not being rowdy with her, Xue Yima's heart softened slightly.

She said, "How could Mom coax you? This matter was divined by a high monk. Your fates are incompatible. Forcing a marriage will definitely lead to disaster. There is no result."

"You should also settle down and let go of this matter. There are many good girls in the world. Mom will definitely find you a more satisfying one."

Time passed in a flash to the end of the second month. The third month of spring was in sight, and the weather gradually became warm. The withered branches of winter in the garden began to bloom with new green. Early swallows returned in spring, and all things were full of vitality.

In the Rongqing Hall, the thick cotton curtains had been removed, the bronze incense burners had been put away, and refreshing glass screens had been unfolded. The couches and chairs had all been changed to light and thin cushions and pillows.

Although the Rongguo Prefecture had undergone drastic changes this year, Jia Mu's comfortable days had not changed at all. Every day, she still sat steadily in the high hall, chatting and joking with her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, living a carefree life.

This day, Wang Xifeng, with her somewhat bloated body, came to pay her respects to Jia Mu.

Ever since she showed signs of pregnancy, although she didn't walk as nimbly as usual, because the imperial physician advised that at the current gestational age, she still needed to walk around often, which would reduce many risks during childbirth.

Wang Xifeng was also very precious in Jia Mu's eyes now. Although Jia Lian was exiled to Liaodong, the fetus in Wang Xifeng's womb was the legitimate first-born great-grandson of the First Branch.

Wang Xifeng was supported by Ping'er into the Rongqing Hall, followed by the maid Feng'er, and an old, experienced dowry maid. Two rough-working maids waited outside the door, and the lineup was truly not small.

As soon as she entered the hall, Jia Mu had prepared the chair she had used in previous years, covered with thick and soft cushions.

The two had just sat down and chatted for a few words when Lady Wang also came in to pay her respects. Because Wang Xifeng was inconvenient, she didn't need to bow, just exchange pleasantries.

In fact, ever since the Second Branch moved to the East Courtyard and Wang Xifeng took over the management of the West Branch's household affairs, the aunt and niece had been as cold as ice, and everyone was just pretending on the surface.

Although Lady Wang moved to the East Courtyard and Jia Zheng sealed the small gate of the East Courtyard, the interactions between the two places were very inconvenient.

But Lady Wang still came to the prefecture every day to pay her respects to Jia Mu. Now that the Second Branch's status was awkward, she felt even more that she needed to show her face in front of the Old Matriarch often, so that the West Branch wouldn't forget her.

Looking at Wang Xifeng's bulging belly and her pretty face, which had become a bit more plump, she couldn't help but feel a trace of envy and jealousy.

Although Jia Lian was exiled to Liaodong and would only return in more than ten years, once Wang Xifeng gave birth to a son, she would occupy the status of the First Branch's great-grandson.

Their mother and son's position in the West Branch would become as stable as Mount Tai, and the Second Branch's place in the family would be weakened even more...

Jia Mu looked at Wang Xifeng's plump waist and her glowing, rosy complexion, looking very happy.

She smiled, "Try to worry less about household chores now. Let the people below handle it. If the people around you are not capable, I will transfer a few experienced ones to you, and you can use them for the time being."

Lady Wang's heart moved slightly when she heard this. Could the Old Matriarch be taking advantage of Feng Yatou's pregnancy to arrange her own confidants to manage the household? But she heard Wang Xifeng smile, "The Old Ancestor still cares for me. However, I have Ping'er and Wu'er around me. Ping'er has been managing the household with me daily, and Wu'er was personally trained by Brother Cong for many years."

"The two of them are extremely capable, and I don't need to worry at all. Below them, there are Lin Zhixiao and his wife handling things. The household affairs are very proper, so there is no need to send anyone else."

Jia Mu had to give up when she heard this. Although she had some thoughts, she was not too persistent. After all, she was old now, and it was too late to enjoy herself, so she didn't have many calculations in her heart.

Lady Wang was disappointed when she heard this. She naturally hoped that the water in the West Branch would be as muddy as possible.

It was just that Jia Cong not only sent his confidant maid Wu'er to watch the scene but also promoted the maid Xiaohong, whom she had driven out, to be the managing maid of the Rongxi Hall, thereby subduing Lin Zhixiao and his wife.

In just a few months, the West Branch's family business had become his iron bucket, and even the Old Matriarch had been suspended.

This brat was not only powerful as an official outside but at such a young age, the ways of the household were also very cunning and slippery, which truly made Lady Wang feel very powerless...

Jia Mu said again, "Now that spring is coming, it is the busiest time of the year for household affairs. If you have things to do, distribute them early, so you won't be in a rush and worry less."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "The daily household chores have been distributed in the last two days. The spring plowing of the fiefs and fields has also been urged by capable people, so there won't be any mistakes."

"It's just that in the next two months, there are two important household matters that I must tell the Old Matriarch."

"This year, Brother Cong and Brother Bao have both reached the age of fifteen. Brother Cong's birthday is on the 21st of the third month, and Brother Bao's birthday is on the 18th of the fourth month."

"According to our prefecture's estimation, the fifteenth birthday of the young masters is a big day, and many things need to be handled."

"Now that Brother Cong's status is different, I originally wanted to hold a celebration banquet for him. Maybe there will be old relatives coming to visit."

"But Brother Cong doesn't like to be flashy, and he is about to take the spring imperial examination, so he doesn't want to spend too much effort. At that time, we will just set up a few tables of wine and invite the Old Matriarch and the family to drink, and that will be it."

"As for how to handle Brother Bao's, it naturally depends on the Lady's wishes."

Jia Mu and Lady Wang both felt awkward in their hearts. They originally wanted to hold a lively celebration for Baoyu's fifteenth birthday.

It was just that Jia Cong, as the master of the house, was so simple and sloppy about this matter. Comparing the two, if Baoyu held a big celebration, it would seem a bit inappropriate...

Wang Xifeng said again, "There is another important matter for the two of them. When the young masters in the family turn fifteen, two girls should be arranged in their rooms to serve them."

"This matter has been mentioned twice before. Now, we have to start calculating who to choose for each room."

"The Old Matriarch and the Lady will decide for Brother Bao's room. Brother Cong's room has many outstanding and intimate people. In my opinion, just let him make his own decision, and the Old Matriarch will also save some worry."

Jia Mu's heart moved slightly when she heard Wang Xifeng's words, and her gaze involuntarily looked at Yuanyang.

Seeing Wang Xifeng's bright eyes turning on her, fearing that she would leak the traces in her heart, she said casually, "Yuanyang, go and change a cup of hot tea for me."

Hearing that Jia Cong had reached the age and girls were to be arranged in his room to serve him, Yuanyang's heart couldn't help but jump.

She thought of the Old Matriarch's words that day: "I will always make you satisfied," and her pretty face felt a bit feverish.

Hearing Jia Mu's words, she went to change the tea, but found that the teacup was still hot. She felt strange. The tea was still hot, why did the Old Matriarch want her to change it?

Jia Mu said, "Although Brother Cong is capable, such matters of the inner chambers should be handled by the elders in the family. It would be unpleasant to let him handle it himself."

"His father has passed away, and his wife is not a sensible person, so naturally, only you, the sister-in-law, and I, the grandmother, can worry about him together."

"Those in his room are outstanding, but they are either too young or too childish, not experienced enough, so I fear they won't serve him well."

"In my opinion, only Yuanyang is the one who is satisfying. Besides, she was given a gift by the Empress, so she should have a status both inside and outside. If we choose another steady one, the matter will be settled."

At this moment, Yuanyang held the tea tray, carrying a cup of boiling tea, and placed it gently on the side table next to Jia Mu, just in time to hear Jia Mu's last sentence.

Wang Xifeng had sharp eyes and saw from behind that Yuanyang's ears were red, and her phoenix eyes couldn't help but light up.

At this time, a maid outside passed on a message, saying that the Xue family's Aunt had come to pay her respects to the Old Matriarch... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 551 =====