Chapter 556: A Joyous Omen of a Fated Union

In the suburbs of the Love Shenjing, at the Ni Mu Nunnery, in the meditation room of Abbess Abbess Xiushan.

Seeing Miao Yu enter, Abbess Abbess Xiushan said, "Every time Jing Hui returns to see me, I always see her complexion radiant and her brows filled with joy. It was truly the right decision to let her follow Jia Yuzhang back then."

Miao Yu gave a faint smile and said, "Only now do I know that Master's eyes are like torches. Letting Jing Hui follow him was indeed an excellent destination..."

Abbess Abbess Xiushan did not notice her disciple's expression and said, "When I first saw him at Pan Xiang Temple years ago, his bearing and spirit were extraordinary; his aura was naturally gifted and filled with spiritual energy—something I had never seen in my life.

I knew then that he was by no means a creature of a common pond. Over these years, everything he has done has been miraculous, and he has succeeded in every endeavor. He is truly peerless. At first, I only felt that Jing Hui had been blessed with good fortune."

Hearing this, a smile involuntarily appeared on Miao Yu's face, but sensing the hidden meaning in her master's words, she said, "Isn't it a good thing that he excels in everything? Only then can Jing Hui's life with him be sufficiently secure."

Abbess Abbess Xiushan said, "But today, observing his physiognomy, I see a trace of 'yang' baleful energy more than in previous years. Perhaps it is because he has just inherited the dual titles, causing a variable in the trend of his destiny.

Earlier, I heard Zhi Shao say that he is in the year of the 'Wu Xiang' (fifteen years old) this year. Seeing the changes in his aura, I casually asked for his and his father's birth dates, and I felt something was amiss."

Miao Yu knew that her master, Abbess Abbess Xiushan, was well-versed in the innate divine arts of calculation. Having followed her master for over ten years, she had also received some of the true teachings.

Although far less profound than Abbess Abbess Xiushan, she had already caught the implication in her words, and she could not help but feel a sense of alarm in her heart...

Abbess Abbess Xiushan said, "Living between heaven and earth, people are born from the interaction of celestial and terrestrial energy; it is by no means accidental and follows a traceable path.

Birth aligns with the Four Pillars of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, containing the two transformations of Yin and Yang, collectively known as the Eight Methods of Calculation. By following the mechanisms of deduction, one can reach an understanding of cause and effect.

Parents and children are connected by blood and share the same energy. The eight changes of Yin and Yang, and the divination of destiny, are all closely related and must have a fixed fate.

But just now, when I asked for the birth date of Jia Yuzhang's late father and then calculated it against the timing of Jia She's mourning period, using my unique innate divine calculation, I found that the destinies of father and son do not harmonize, which defies common reason...

Today, the whole world knows that Marquis Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, is the illegitimate son of Jia She. This is somewhat strange."

Thinking of how she and Jia Cong had just been drinking tea and chatting in the meditation room, their words in tacit agreement, peaceful and joyful, yet suddenly faced with such a terrifying doubt, Miao Yu could not help but feel anxious.

In her heart, Jia Cong was the source of good fortune for her junior sister Jing Hui; she naturally hoped that no unpredictable events would occur to him, lest it implicate the fortune or misfortune of others.

"Although Master's innate divine calculation is profound, to peer into the principles of destiny requires the complete Eight Changes, supplemented by the divination of energy and pulse, and the calculations are complex. Even if there were a mistake, it would be within reason."

Abbess Abbess Xiushan said, "You are right. Although I know the year and month of their birth, I do not know the hour, and I have never seen Jia She's physiognomy or aura. The deduction is indeed difficult to be perfect.

But Jia Cong is a man of exceptional talent, different from ordinary people, rising early in his youth and outshining his peers.

At the age of fifteen, his official rank is already so glorious, his aura is scorching, and his position is heavy.

For such a person, once his destiny becomes blurred and his life pattern unpredictable, it is very easy for today's victory to become tomorrow's defeat, for good fortune to collapse, for disasters to entangle, and for great luck to turn into great misfortune!

Whether your junior sister following such a person is a sign of great fortune or a sign of defeat and separation, looking at it now, it is truly hard to predict."

Hearing her master's words, Miao Yu's beautiful eyes swirled with light, her delicate brows slightly knitted in thought, and a heavy worry pressed upon her heart...

The Marquis's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao returned to the mansion after the noon hour. Before Wu Er went to the Western Mansion, worried that they would not make it back in time, she had already arranged for the kitchen to prepare meals.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao finished their meal and returned to the study to busy themselves with the day's lessons. Just before sunset, light footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

Through the window, Jia Cong saw an apricot-red, charming shadow outside. As the light flickered at the study door, he saw Tan Chun enter with a bright, charming smile.

Jia Cong laughed, "Third Sister, you were gone for quite a long time today. You only just returned to the mansion now. It must have been fun. Did you encounter anything new?"

Tan Chun wrinkled her delicate nose slightly, her expression somewhat helpless, and said, "I spent most of the day at the Xia family's place today, and it was truly quite boring. I finally managed to wait until the Lady said goodbye before we headed back.

I was feeling uneasy in my heart and wanted to find Third Brother to talk and relieve my boredom, but you are teasing me instead. Where could there be anything fun, let alone anything new?

When the Lady arrived at the Xia family's, Lady Xia invited her into the inner room to talk, and they didn't come out for a long time. I was taken by Xia Gu Niang to tour the garden, drink tea, and chat."

Jia Cong's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this; Tan Chun's unintentional remarks allowed Jia Cong to taste something suspicious.

By rights, when Lady Wang brought her daughter to visit, both mothers and daughters should have been in the same room to host and be hosted; that was the proper etiquette.

But when Tan Chun arrived at the Xia family's, Lady Wang and Lady Xia insisted on talking behind closed doors, as if they had deliberately sent Tan Chun away, leaving her only with Xia Gu Niang. What could they have been talking about that Tan Chun was not allowed to hear? Jia Cong asked, "That is strange. You said the Lady and Lady Xia haven't known each other long, so how did they become so close?

They were talking among themselves and left the two of you young ladies to keep each other company. I imagine you didn't have much to say, so how could it not be boring?"

Hearing Jia Cong's words, a strange expression appeared on Tan Chun's face, and she said, "Third Brother, you are wrong there. Xia Gu Niang is very talkative; her little mouth didn't stop, and she said a lot of things."

Jia Cong was slightly curious and asked casually, "That is strange. You haven't met many times, yet she had so much to say."

Tan Chun said, "Xia Gu Niang is very curious about the Jia family's Duke and Marquis status. She asked me quite a few things about the two mansions and kept saying she wanted me to take her to tour the Jia family's garden."

Hearing this, Jia Cong felt even more strange and asked, "Last time Lady Xia and her daughter visited the East Courtyard, didn't the Lady have Jia Baoyu meet the guests? Did Xia Gu Niang not mention Jia Baoyu?"

Tan Chun was slightly stunned and blurted out, "Xia Gu Niang asked about many things in the family, but she never mentioned Second Brother once. Instead, she often mentioned Third Brother..."

Jia Cong was somewhat surprised. Could it be that he had guessed wrong? Xia Jin Gui and Jia Baoyu actually had no story...

Hearing Tan Chun say that Xia Jin Gui mentioned him, he felt somewhat uncomfortable and said, "Why did she mention me? We are complete strangers. It's truly inexplicable."

Tan Chun recalled the situation at the Xia family's today, and her heart felt somewhat strange. That Xia Gu Niang was an interesting one, asking about many idle matters in the mansion.

For example, were the Jia sisters usually very close? She heard that Third Sister lived in the Marquis's Mansion and must be very doted upon by Marquis Lord Weiyuan?

Was the eldest Miss Xue a relative who often visited the Marquis's Mansion to play?

She heard there was an eldest Miss Lin, the eldest daughter of the Lin family from Gusu, who had been raised in the Jia family since childhood and was an outstanding and standard figure; the sisters must be very close.

She heard the main hall of the Lady Rongguo Mansion was called Rongxi Hall, the residence of the successive heads of the family, and must be a rich and noble place, but she didn't know what it looked like? Questions like these, one after another, made Tan Chun feel overwhelmed.

In fact, it was not strange for ordinary people to envy the wealth and glory of a Duke's mansion and to be curious and concerned, asking such questions.

Although Tan Chun was a young lady raised in the deep boudoir and had little experience with the dark schemes of the outside world, she was, after all, an extremely intelligent and shrewd woman and was not easily fooled.

After spending most of the day with Xia Gu Niang, with so many intentional or unintentional questions, Tan Chun finally tasted the suspicion in it.

Coupled with Tan Chun's consistent deep affection for her Third Brother, with most of her thoughts placed on him, she could taste the strangeness in these words even more.

That was, whenever Xia Gu Niang talked about the Jia family's affairs, she seemed to always find a way to relate them to Third Brother.

Tan Chun also remembered the time the Xia mother and daughter visited the East Courtyard, when Xia Gu Niang occasionally mentioned Third Brother.

That charming and seductive voice made Tan Chun feel inexplicably disgusted. Reflecting on the events, she naturally pondered Xia Gu Niang's intentions.

But according to what Tan Chun knew, Xia Gu Niang had only seen Third Brother from afar once, and they hadn't even said a word to each other. This Third Brother was truly...

However, Tan Chun felt embarrassed to speak these conjectures to Jia Cong.

Because such secret admiration in the boudoir was too absurd and improper; Tan Chun was truly too shy to speak of it to Jia Cong.

Moreover, Tan Chun knew clearly in her heart that although Jia Cong had mentioned Xia Gu Niang several times, he didn't know the reason, but his implicit disgust and distance toward her were very obvious.

Coupled with the fact that the Xia family was merely a family of imperial merchants, and the status of the Jia and Xia families was somewhat disparate, that Xia Gu Niang was inevitably indulging in wishful thinking...

Furthermore, Tan Chun had some childish little thoughts in her heart. If she told Third Brother about this and let him know that a young lady had secretly set her sights on him, wouldn't it make him feel proud? Hmph! The two only talked about Xia Gu Niang for a while before they were both too lazy to mention her again, and they talked about many other daily idle matters. Time passed unknowingly, and the sun outside the window had already set.

Jia Cong kept Tan Chun in his courtyard for a meal and had the maid instruct the kitchen to add a few small dishes that Tan Chun liked.

The brother and sister ate and chatted at the same table, laughing and happy, and the boredom and lack of interest Tan Chun felt at the Xia family's during the day were naturally swept away.

When the lamps were lit and the table was cleared, Jia Cong sent Tan Chun back to her own courtyard...

The Love Shenjing, Qingyu Ward, the Xia Mansion.

Although the Xia family was not a family of officials, they were extremely wealthy, and their daily life and diet were very extravagant. Just for the mother and daughter to eat, a table was set with more than ten delicious dishes, complete in color, fragrance, and taste.

How much appetite could two women have? After eating only a few bites from each of the ten delicious dishes, the dinner was finished, and the maids came to clear everything away, which was quite wasteful.

Compared to Jia Cong and Tan Chun, who were both children of a Duke's mansion, the brother and sister's dinner consisted of only a few exquisite small dishes, yet they ate happily and contentedly, appearing very simple and casual.

After the Xia mother and daughter waited for the maids to clear the table, they rinsed their mouths with water basins and then had warm tea for digestion. After drinking a few sips, it was cleared away again. During this time, five or six maids in the main hall moved in and out like a flowing stream, busy at work.

Although the Xia family was only a family of imperial merchants, the style of this meal alone, in terms of nobility, was not inferior to a Duke's mansion like the Jia family of Lady Rongguo.

Xia Gu Niang drank her tea and said, "Mother, you invited Lady Jia over today; just moving around a bit would have been enough. Even if you help her eldest daughter find a path in the palace, it can be considered our family's connections and ability.

Why did you have to lend her four thousand taels of silver for nothing? Although our family is wealthy, silver doesn't come from a strong wind.

She is indulging in wishful thinking, dreaming of becoming imperial relatives; she should spend that wasted money herself. Why did our family have to give her silver for nothing?

I feel angry just seeing Lady Jia's hypocritical appearance.

I have inquired about things from the outside, and everyone says that because Jia Cong is capable and talented, and that Jia Baoyu is a fool, the palace allowed Jia Cong to inherit the family title. This is such a good thing.

But that Lady Jia just isn't convinced in her heart, and in everything, she goes against her nephew Jia Cong, always causing a lot of filth. Why do we have to help this troublesome woman?"

Hearing her daughter's words, Lady Xia could not help but frown again. Whenever her daughter mentioned Jia Cong, she became exceptionally spirited.

She hadn't even said a word to the person, yet she was already protecting him. It was simply hopeless. Was that boy really so fragrant that he made her daughter so infatuated?

She said, "My good daughter, calm down a little. Don't mention that Jia Cong in everything. People don't even know who you are. Why are you suffering like this? Think of something serious and reliable.

I specifically befriended Lady Jia, spent effort helping her plan for her daughter's affairs in the palace, and even lent her four thousand taels of silver to handle things. In the final analysis, wasn't it all for you?

Have you forgotten that time we visited their house? Mother specifically brought up the topic and asked that Jia Baoyu to come and meet us. That Jia Baoyu is also a legitimate son of the Jia family."

Xia Gu Niang was also an intelligent person; hearing her mother's words, how could she not know the meaning?

Quite unconvinced, she said, "I was wondering why Mother specifically asked that Jia Baoyu to come and meet us last time at the Jia family's. So you had this intention.

And you are so concerned about that hypocritical Lady Jia, wanting to help people play matchmaker. I don't agree to this.

That Jia Baoyu is a bit silly, looking as if he's missing a heart. I'm not unable to get married, so I don't want someone like him. He can't compare to Jia Cong at all."

Lady Xia said angrily, "You troublesome girl, you truly don't know shame. Every day you call out Jia Cong this and Jia Cong that. Don't count on him; even if you break the sky, it's a matter without a shadow.

For a family like ours, being able to marry into a family like the Lady Rongguo Mansion is naturally not wrong at all.

Jia Cong is a child of the Lady Rongguo Mansion, isn't Jia Jia Baoyu the same? And he is much more convenient than that boy. Isn't that a better path? Don't you go thinking you're stuck in a dead end."

Xia Gu Niang said, "I've heard about the situation. That Jia Baoyu was blamed by the Imperial Clan Court, and even the Imperial Edict cursed him for being a fool. He can't even pass the scholar exam; he's a person without a future.

Although he looks a bit handsome, you have to see who he's compared to. He's not even as good as the mud under Jia Cong's feet. I don't want such trash!"

Lady Xia scolded, "You girl, what are you saying? Just shut your mouth. I advise you to keep some virtue in your speech.

Saying such nonsense at home now, if you slip up later and are just as unbridled after you get married, let's see what kind of good days you'll have.

What you said is indeed somewhat reasonable, but before you criticize others, weigh your own family's weight first. You are also an intelligent person; estimate for yourself, are you worthy of Jia Cong?

If our Xia family wishes to marry into a Duke's household, we can only settle for second best and choose a secondary descendant like Jia Jia Baoyu.

I've inquired about it. Because Jia Baoyu ruined his reputation, official families in the capital probably have taboos, and no one will marry him. My Xia family can take advantage of this convenience.

Although Jia Baoyu failed his studies and exams and only messes around in the inner chambers, he doesn't wander around outside causing trouble, and he doesn't have many major flaws. He can be considered a decent choice."

Xia Gu Niang was so angry at her mother's words that her face turned pale. Thinking of Jia Cong's handsome and majestic appearance, and comparing it to Jia Baoyu's effeminate and foolish behavior, she was one hundred percent unwilling in her heart.

She said, "Mother, I am your own daughter. Why are you humiliating me so much? Why are you stuffing me with broken things that others don't want? I am not willing!"

Lady Xia said with a sense of "hate that iron will not become steel," "Silly daughter, that Jia Baoyu only has a bad reputation, but he is actually the most practical one.

He is a legitimate child of the Lady Rongguo Mansion, and this status is solid; there's not a bit of falsehood in it.

As for him not being able to enter school and become an official, what does that matter? Both the Jia and Xia families are wealthy, and you won't have to worry about food and clothing for a lifetime. Not being an official means fewer troubles, making life easier.

He also isn't like the eldest young master Xue, who messes around outside. You think he's a bit silly, but that's because his temperament is easy to handle. After you enter the door, won't you be able to hold him in the palm of your hand? How refreshing that would be.

Plus, his family's Lady has been moving around these past few days and knows our Xia family's connections and wealth, so she won't dare to treat you poorly after you become her daughter-in-law. It's such a worthwhile thing.

There is also a hidden benefit that isn't usually obvious. Although the Jia family's second branch is now said to be a side branch and lives in the side courtyard of the Lady Rongguo Mansion.

But Jia Jia Baoyu is different from the others. I have carefully spent silver to inquire; the grandson the Jia family's old lady dotes on most is not Marquis Lord Weiyuan Jia Cong, but this Jia Jia Baoyu.

Even if the second branch moves to the side courtyard, the old lady can't bear to let Jia Baoyu move away. He is usually raised in the main Lady Rongguo Mansion, and after Jia Baoyu gets married, the old lady will definitely keep him by her side.

My good daughter, you must think carefully. Jia Cong's ability and status are too high to reach; you definitely have no hope.

If you choose that Jia Baoyu, you can still marry into the Lady Rongguo Mansion in a legitimate way and become a proper Lady Rongguo Mansion grandmother. What a decent thing that is.

As long as you carefully weigh this matter, marrying Jia Baoyu and marrying Jia Cong are actually no different in the long run. Why not take the smooth path instead of climbing that cliff that will make you fall to your death?"

Xia Gu Niang was originally full of resentment, but hearing her mother's convoluted reasoning, her beautiful eyes suddenly brightened. How could she have missed this?

Although she was willful and wayward, she was also an intelligent and capable person. She naturally knew that she and Jia Cong were extremely disparate in every way; it was just that she was unwilling and was being a bit unreasonable.

A proper Lady Rongguo Mansion grandmother—this one sentence from Lady Xia struck Xia Gu Niang's heart like lightning, causing a slightly morbid intoxication and reverie to rise in her heart.

Seeing her daughter's expression, Lady Xia understood that her words had moved her daughter, and she could not help but feel relieved.

In Lady Xia's view, her daughter's infatuation with Jia Cong was merely because she had taken a fancy to his noble status as the head of the Lady Rongguo Mansion, so that she could become a proper Lady Rongguo Mansion grandmother in the future and snatch this top-tier decency.

Her own convoluted reasoning just now was also exactly what her daughter wanted.

Seeing her daughter's eyes flickering, she knew her daughter better than anyone and knew that her heart must be churning violently.

At this juncture, it was necessary to stir up her daughter's thoughts and then push her hard so that she would slowly agree to this matter, and the Xia family could truly settle on a backer like the Jia family.

She said, "This matter is just my own wishful thinking. If that Lady Jia knows this intention, she might not necessarily agree to this marriage.

Don't think that people will rush to you. Even if you are willing, you have to see if they are willing. It's not even a shadow yet.

In case her eldest daughter really gains the Emperor's favor in the palace, the Jia family's second branch will rise with the tide. By then, Jia Jia Baoyu will be the brother-in-law of the Emperor, definitely as precious as Jia Cong, and it will all be empty."

Although Xia Gu Niang was infatuated with Jia Cong's handsomeness and vigor, it was wishful thinking after all. Hearing her mother's multi-faceted induction, she became increasingly shaky...

As the mother and daughter were each lost in their own thoughts, Lady Xia's trusted servant, Chen Zhang Pozi, hurried in.

She said, "Lady, news just came from outside: an hour ago, the Princess Consort Zhao suddenly became critically ill and passed away!"

Hearing this, Lady Xia's expression changed, and even Xia Gu Niang, who was lost in thought, immediately woke up, her face filled with surprise. (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 557 =====