Chapter 577: Why Speak of Resembling Mother

Ningrong Street, a small single-courtyard house.

At the courtyard gate, two slender and towering locust trees were planted. The third-month spring breeze blew, and the withered branches were already blooming with new green, lush and pleasing to the eye.

A carriage stopped at the courtyard gate. Jia Cong helped Zhi Shao out of the carriage and then gently knocked on the door knocker.

This was the residence of Jia Cong's wet nurse, Zhao Mama.

Back then, when Jia Cong was in a lowly position in the East Courtyard, despised and abused by his biological father and legal mother, only the maid Zhi Shao and the wet nurse Zhao Mama were the people who truly cared for him.

Jia Cong's servant, Guo Zhigui, was Zhao Mama's only son. Because he had the skill of driving horses and carriages from a young age, he became Jia Cong's servant at twelve.

Back then, Jia Cong developed the improved Lumichong (musket) and went in and out of the Five Armies Camp to participate in firearm test drills. Because Guo Zhigui drove the carriage to follow, Guo Zhigui also saw the spirit of the military.

Jia Cong saw that his foster brother was smart and bold, and had a great interest in the military, so he couldn't bear for him to be a slave driving a carriage for a lifetime.

So he pleaded with Jia Zheng to release Guo Zhigui from his slave status and took the path of Marquis Zhongjing Shi Nai to recruit Guo Zhigui into the Five Armies Camp's firearm battalion as a soldier.

Later, because the Five Armies firearm battalion changed defense, Guo Zhigui followed the army to be conscripted and entered the Liaodong Army firearm battalion.

Jia Cong, because he followed Grand Marshal Gu Yankui to inspect the Nine Frontiers, was retained by Marquis Pingyuan Liang Chengzong as a firearm advisor for the Liaodong Army due to his strategy and firearm talent.

Later, relying on his outstanding firearm talent, Jia Cong successively achieved two great victories at Yafu Pass and Qingyuan Collection in Liaodong, sweeping away the Jurchen hidden danger in one fell swoop.

Guo Zhigui made meritorious service several times under his command and was promoted to a Liaodong firearm army squad leader. Later, although Jia Cong returned to the Love Shenjing, Guo Zhigui remained in Liaodong to serve in the army.

After Jia Cong was ennobled and established his mansion, he specifically requested only two people from the West Prefecture to enter the East Prefecture: one was Wu'er's mother, Liu Sao, and the other was his own wet nurse, Zhao Mama.

But because Zhao Mama's son, Guo Zhigui, had already been released from slave status, it was inconvenient for her to enter and exit the East Prefecture's inner courtyard daily, so she didn't move into the East Prefecture and still lived in the original residence outside the Jia mansion.

Jia Cong, remembering the wet nurse's past feelings, found a small courtyard on Ningrong Street near the East Prefecture to settle Guo Zhigui and his mother, and doubled Zhao Mama's monthly allowance for her support.

Because Guo Zhigui was far away in Liaodong serving in the army, he usually let Zhi Shao and Wu'er pay more attention and take care of Zhao Mama.

This time, he received a letter from Guo Zhigui from Liaodong and heard from Zhi Shao that Zhao Mama had slipped and injured her arm while drawing water from the well, so he brought Zhi Shao and the maid Juan'er to visit.

The door knocker only rang twice before a middle-aged woman came out to open the door, her arm still bandaged, with faint bloodstains seeping through.

Seeing Jia Cong and Zhi Shao, her face was immediately full of joy.

She smiled and said, "Why did Cong Ge'er come? I know you are about to take the Spring Examination. Spending this time coming over is not as good as reviewing books in the mansion, so that when you rank on the Golden List, I can have more face again."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I heard that Mama slipped and injured her arm, so I came to see if there was anything serious."

Zhao Mama smiled and said, "Although I am a bit old, I am not yet forty. My body is very healthy, so this little injury is nothing.

Yesterday, Zhi Shao heard that I was injured and had the kitchen send vegetables and meat daily. I am being taken care of very well, so Cong Ge'er doesn't need to worry."

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao entered the courtyard and saw a persimmon tree in the middle of the courtyard, its branches and leaves lush and green. This was transplanted from Zhao Mama's original residence.

The courtyard was exceptionally neat and clean, without the crowding and clutter of ordinary small courtyards, and being in it made one feel comfortable.

It seemed that even though Zhao Mama had injured her arm, she didn't forget to sweep and tidy up the courtyard...

Jia Cong took out Guo Zhigui's letter again and read it to the wet nurse once.

Zhao Mama took her son's letter, her expression joyful, looking at it over and over, but Jia Cong knew she didn't know how to read.

He said, "Last time I returned from Liaodong, I should have brought Zhigui back with me, letting him live a peaceful life in the Love Shenjing with me.

But I still left him in Liaodong. Mama won't blame me, will you?"

Zhao Mama smiled and said, "What kind of words is Cong Ge'er saying? I know my own son. Before he left, he told me that he was of low birth and didn't have the ability to study like Ge'er.

What he has is the ability to endure hardship and a few strength. Only by serving in the army and making meritorious service can he fight for a future and live like a human being.

It is not in vain that Cong Ge'er cultivated him from a young age, released him from slave status, and found a noble person to give him a future."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Mama only has this one biological son, are you really willing?"

Zhao Mama smiled and said, "A child grows up and doesn't follow the mother. He has also grown up and has his own thoughts. As a mother, can I always tie him to my waist?

Letting him go out to venture, and in the future, when he has his own future, I, as a mother, will be worthy of him.

Besides, Zhigui is Cong Ge'er's foster brother. When he has success in the future, he will also be an arm for Ge'er."

Jia Cong heard this and smiled, "Mama's words are very true."

He had known since he was a child that although Zhao Mama's temperament was a bit sharp, she was a smart and capable woman. Being able to say these words today showed she was a woman with insight.

Zhao Mama glanced at Jia Cong, her gaze warm, and said, "Don't think that Zhigui suffered hardship in the cold place of Liaodong.

Zhigui, no matter what, still has me as a mother. Cong Ge'er, although born in a wealthy family, didn't have a biological mother from a young age, was cold-shouldered and mistreated by others, and suffered much more hardship than Zhigui.

If your mother knew of Ge'er's face of being ennobled today, she would surely be happy in the underworld."

Jia Cong heard this, and his heart stirred slightly. His biological mother, Du Jinniang, had a mysterious identity. For so many years, she had been like a taboo in the Jia family.

Even though she was posthumously granted a Grade 5 title, and her spirit tablet had been moved into the Jia family ancestral hall, people in the family rarely mentioned her.

Among them, there was Old Lady's long-standing grudge against his biological mother, making others afraid to mention her easily, and also because few people in the family had seen his biological mother, and their impression of her was too indifferent.

Fifteen years ago, around the time he was born, Lady Xing, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others had not yet married into the Jia family, Yuan Chun, Jia Lian, and others were still young, and Baoyu and the sisters had not yet been born.

It was possible that those who had seen his biological mother were only Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, and others.

But he heard that Jia Mu, because she despised his biological mother's background and hated her for bringing shame to the Jia family's status, didn't even come to visit when he was born after she entered the Jia mansion.

This matter was not a secret in the Jia mansion, and many old family slaves would occasionally mention it.

He and Baoyu were the same age; he was born in the third month, and Baoyu was born in the fourth month. Thinking about it, when his biological mother entered the Jia mansion, Lady Wang was also pregnant.

With Lady Wang's status as a daughter of a great family, and being so narrow-minded and shrewd.

Old Lady despised his biological mother so much, and Lady Wang, being a daughter-in-law and pregnant, would not have gone to visit a concubine of such low status as his biological mother.

Among these people, even though Jia Zheng was so close to him, in his words from childhood to adulthood, he had never mentioned his biological mother. It wasn't out of taboo, but only because he had no impression of her at all.

Because Jia Mu and Lady Wang, due to disgust or taboo, had never seen his biological mother, Du Jinniang. Jia Zheng, a male, even if avoiding suspicion between men and women, had no reason to have seen his biological mother.

Jia Cong had heard others say since he was a child that he was born resembling his mother, but thinking carefully, he rarely heard in the mansion which family slave was familiar with or had seen his biological mother, Du Jinniang.

Perhaps there were old family slaves who had seen or were familiar with his biological mother, but out of fear of Jia Mu, no one was willing to mention it?

Jia Cong asked, "Mama has been my wet nurse since I was a child, so she must have seen my mother. What did she look like?"

Zhao Mama heard this, was slightly stunned, and said, "Actually, I haven't seen your mother. Back then, Steward Lai bought me into the Jia mansion, and you were just born not long ago.

After I entered the mansion, I heard that your mother had passed away from postpartum hemorrhage a day earlier, so I didn't have the fortune to see her.

I did see your mother's personal maid. I still remember her name was Lan'er.

She told me that your mother was a woman who was born extremely beautiful, but later the maid Lan'er also had an accident, slipped while walking in the garden, hit a Taihu stone, and died.

Later, you grew up day by day. Although you were born thin and weak, you could already see that your appearance was not ordinary, born very refined and outstanding, not resembling the eldest master at all.

So people in the mansion knew that you were born resembling your mother."

Zhao Mama smiled and said, "If it weren't for this, how could you be born so excellent today? It is all thanks to your mother's blessing.

You, this son, have ability, relying on your own skills to have your mother posthumously granted a title. Although your mother didn't have a good life, having a son like you, it was worth it for a lifetime."

Jia Cong heard Zhao Mama's words, and his heart felt a bit cold. He had long known that few people in the Rongguo Prefecture had seen his biological mother, Du Jinniang.

Now, even the wet nurse who raised him from a child hadn't seen his biological mother, so where did the talk of him resembling his mother come from...

Zhao Mama saw Jia Cong's confused expression and said warmly, "The Mistress has passed away for so long, Cong Ge'er shouldn't be too sad and concerned. Guarding your own future is more important than anything else.

In the future, when the bloodline continues and descendants are long, that will be repaying the Mistress's kindness of birth and raising."

Jia Cong thought through the matter, but in the end, it was still a piece of confusion.

He talked to Zhao Mama about some idle matters, then took Zhi Shao to say goodbye, and left the maid Juan'er to take care of Zhao Mama, waiting for Zhao Mama's arm to heal before returning to the mansion.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao boarded the carriage. Jiang Liu flicked a loud whip, and the carriage rumbled and ran, driving on the bustling streets of the Love Shenjing. He lifted the carriage curtain, looking at the bustling scene of people on the street, and the inexplicable haze that had originally risen in his heart gradually dissipated.

When the carriage passed through Wenhan Street, the business of the bookstores on both sides of the street was much colder than usual.

Because time had entered the third month, with the Spring Examination approaching, most candidates were closing their doors to sprint in their studies, and only a few people were still coming out to visit bookstores.

Jia Cong passed by the Xiao family bookstore on Wenhan Street. The owner of that bookstore, Xiao Jindong, was still a close friend of Jia Cong when he was lowly.

An old man was busy back and forth in the bookstore, and quite a few figures looking like scholars were entering and exiting the bookstore. The business seemed much better than other shops.

Jia Cong's mind gathered slightly. Zhao Mama was right; his biological mother had passed away for many years, and pursuing some things for the time being didn't have much significance.

Now, his top priority was to concentrate his spirit and pass the Spring Examination safely, which was the important matter.

Wenhan Street, Xiao family bookstore.

Outside, the sun was bright, the atmosphere was harmonious, and the spring breeze blew on the face, which was very comfortable.

Wu Liang and Zhou Yan came out of the restaurant across the street. Both were slightly tipsy. Passing by the Xiao family bookstore, seeing quite a few figures in scholar attire entering and exiting, they walked in to browse the books on the shelves.

Wu Liang smiled and said, "Last time Yichun hosted, Brother Bao Kun brother accepted the invitation of his clansmen, and only I went to the appointment alone. At that time, I told Yichun that Brother Bao Kun brother would surely be promoted soon, just like him.

Sure enough, I was right. At this moment, I am the only one left at the Hongxiang Inn."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Xiwen, don't blame me for not being loyal. It is really because my clansman wants to take the Yongzhou Academy Examination this year, and his heart for the imperial examination is very firm.

He insisted on inviting me to his mansion to study, so that he could ask for my teaching from time to time. I really couldn't refuse his kindness.

This time, I have benefited much from Xiwen's convenience to pay respects to high-ranking families, which is of great benefit to the Spring Examination. Speaking of which, I owe Xiwen a great favor."

Wu Liang smiled and said, "Brother Bao Kun brother, don't be polite. Supporting each other on the path of the imperial examination is the duty of scholars.

We candidates going to take the examination, if we meet relatives in a foreign land, we must treat them with great hospitality. This is also common sense. Going to your clansman's house, eating and sleeping is more stable than in an inn, which is more convenient for studying and taking the examination."

Today, Zhou Yan was going to move to his clansman's house to study, so Wu Liang hosted a farewell for him. Both had just drunk for a long time, and although they were slightly tipsy, their spirits were higher than usual.

Zhou Yan said with great confidence, "I will move into my clansman's villa today. Before the Spring Examination, I will close my doors to study and will not go out again. I only hope that this Spring Examination, I will pass in one fell swoop, which can comfort my life!"

Wu Liang also smiled and said, "You brothers, wait until after the three rounds of the Spring Examination, we will call Yichun and drink heartily. Wouldn't that be happy!"

While talking, Wu Liang flipped through the books on the shelf at will, and suddenly saw a book written 'Liu Jichuan Literary Record'. His eyes lit up, and he took it to flip through with great interest.

Beside him, Zhou Yan asked, "Xiwen, what good book did you find?"

Wu Liang smiled and said, "This is Liu Ying Liu Jichuan's literary record. His books are relatively cold and rare, and very few bookstores sell them. I looked for a few shops earlier and didn't find them."

Zhou Yan advised, "Now that the Metropolitan Examination is imminent, I advise Xiwen to ponder more on that mock question from Master Huang, which is the truly important matter. Why waste time on such cold and rare texts?"

Wu Liang smiled and said, "I have already made four different ways to break the topic for Master Huang's mock question, and each essay has been modified and pondered more than a dozen times. It is already clear in my chest.

The day I went to pay respects to Master Xu Liangxiong's mansion, he once highly praised Liu Ying's 'Tui Si Ji' (Record of Retrospective Thoughts), feeling that it had deep meaning.

I have always been a bit curious, but I didn't find Liu Jichuan's literary selection in any bookstore in the Love Shenjing, and I have always had no fate to read this 'Tui Si Ji'. Today, it was obtained without effort."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "It is a pity that the chief examiners and deputy examiners of the past Spring Examinations were mostly selected from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel.

Master Xu, as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, failing to be selected as chief examiner is not an accident. Otherwise, he would really have regarded you as a confidant."

At this time, someone beside them said, "This young master has a good eye. Liu Jichuan's literary record has always been cold and rare, and very few are printed and put on shelves in bookstores. That 'Tui Si Ji' in it is indeed a rare good article.

The sentence in the text: 'Using one person's heart to melt the heart of heaven and earth, using the heart of heaven and earth to melt the heart of the world.' It is truly exquisite and meaningful."

Wu Liang and Zhou Yan saw the person speaking; it was the old man cleaning the shelves in the shop, and they couldn't help but be shocked.

This old man was about fifty or sixty years old, with wrinkled cheeks and a face full of wind and frost. Although wearing coarse cloth clothes, he was clean, and his eyes were clear and spirited.

Seeing this old man who looked like a shop servant actually able to speak eloquently and be so familiar with Liu Jichuan's literary record, they were both shocked.

Even candidates as learned as them knew very little about the cold and rare Liu Jichuan literary record. This mere servant old man was actually so learned.

Wu Liang exclaimed, "No wonder this Xiao family bookstore has much better business than others. Even an old man cleaning the shelves in the shop has such hidden talent. Junior admires!

May I ask how to address the old man?"

The old man smiled and said, "Young master is overpraising. My surname is Qin. This is not hidden talent, but just having done miscellaneous work in the bookstore for half a lifetime, and becoming skilled through practice.

There is only this one copy of Liu Jichuan's literary record left in the shop. If the young master likes it, I can sell it to you at a discount."

Wu Liang smiled and said, "I have been looking for this book. Old man, thank you for your fulfillment."

The old man watched Wu Liang leave happily with Liu Jichuan's literary record and his companion.

He thought of the conversation between the two just now, and his eyes flickered with thought.

Then he opened the cabinet under the shelf, took out a few brand-new Liu Jichuan literary records, and put them back on the shelf.

Rongguo Prefecture, Fengjie Courtyard.

The letter sent by Guo Zhigui mentioned Jia Lian's labor in the Liaodong army. Because of the care of Jia Cong's comrades in the Liaodong army, everything was smooth for the time being, just slowly enduring the days.

Jia Cong took Zhi Shao to visit Zhao Mama, and Wu'er brought Jia Lian's message to Wang Xifeng. Wang Xifeng felt sad in her heart, but fortunately, although Jia Lian was far away in Liaodong, he was stable and reliable, and didn't have to suffer any hardship, which was a great fortune.

When Wu'er went out to work, only Wang Xifeng and Ping'er were left in the room.

Wang Xifeng sighed, "Fortunately, our Bao Er Ye has a brother like Third Brother. Even if he arrived in a cold place like Liaodong, he doesn't have to suffer, which can be considered winning in defeat.

Last year, the Eldest Master and Bao Er Ye caused a huge accident. It was not easy to have Third Brother to suppress the inside and outside of the house. Originally, I hoped to live a peaceful life in the future.

But that birthday banquet of the Mistress in the East Courtyard that day made people feel panicked. I am only afraid that bad things will happen again in the future..."

Ping'er heard this and was shocked, asking, "What bad things did the Mistress see again?"

Wang Xifeng said, "The Mistress is now so close to Mother Xia, and everyone in the family has seen it. I only thought these two were compatible before.

That day at the banquet, I heard that the Xia family's clansmen served in the palace, and it seemed they had some background, and were so familiar with the eldest sister's situation in the palace.

And the proud look on the Mistress's face at that time—I know my aunt's temperament best. This matter cannot be hidden from me.

If I am not wrong, the Mistress must be using the Xia family's connections in the palace to manage the selection for the eldest sister!"

Ping'er said, "Regarding the eldest young lady's affairs, didn't Third Brother say that the Jia family is stable now and it is not suitable to handle this matter again? Otherwise, it would be risky for the family.

Why is the Mistress doing this privately? Isn't this going to harm the family?"

Wang Xifeng sneered, "The Mistress has moved to the East Courtyard now, and she was restless that day. How could she give up? If she were the kind of person who thought about things carefully, she wouldn't have reached this point today.

Although I won't guess wrong about this matter, the Mistress is acting secretly, and there is no evidence to catch her. No one can stop her.

Third Brother is a man after all. He hasn't seen the viciousness of women, and I guess he doesn't know how to speak.

You have to think, what if the Mistress really succeeds in this matter and the eldest sister really has a future? Our First Branch will have many troubles.

Taking a step back, the Mistress might not succeed, but palace affairs are not things that can be stirred up casually. If it doesn't succeed and brings disaster, even the West Prefecture will be implicated."

Ping'er asked worriedly, "Should we tell Third Brother about this? Does the Mistress have any good methods?"

Wang Xifeng said, "If the Mistress doesn't say it herself and Mother Xia doesn't reveal it, it can't be poked through at all. Telling Third Brother won't be of much use.

Actually, the second branch has become a side branch now. According to common sense, if they cause trouble, it won't be related to the main Rongguo Prefecture.

But Old Lady is biased, disrupting the rules of the clan. Now she still keeps Baoyu in the West Prefecture. If the Mistress really causes trouble in the future, it will be difficult to clear up the entanglement between these two branches."

Ping'er said, "Old Lady has doted on Bao Bao Er Ye for a lifetime. I see that she won't easily let Bao Bao Er Ye move out. The old lady only has this bit of thought left."

Wang Xifeng sneered, "That is not necessarily true. Baoyu is fifteen years old now, and he is not like Third Brother, who needs to observe mourning for three years.

As long as Baoyu gets married and takes a wife, even if Old Lady dotes on him, staying for a short time might be okay, but there is no reason to stay in the West Prefecture for a long time.

Have you ever heard of a young master who can stay in his cousin's house for a lifetime, even after getting married and establishing a family, without moving out?

As long as things reach this step, the connection between the Rongguo Prefecture and the second branch will be clearly separated, and in the future, if something happens, it won't be blamed on us." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 578 =====