Chapter 581: The Heart of Ginseng is Hard to Give Affection

Rongguo Prefecture, East Courtyard, Mengpo Study.

Outside the study, maids like Caiyun and Seeing Cai Xia were all guarding outside the door, each with a tight face, not daring to walk around randomly, nor laughing and talking as easily as usual.

Inside the study, Baoyu and Jia Huan were sitting at their desks, holding brushes, either scratching their heads or sweating on their foreheads, writing stumbling.

With the court issuing the Spring Examination edicts and the selection of chief examiners and subordinate officials.

And then issuing notices one after another, setting the auspicious days and times for the Spring Examination entry, exit, grading, evaluation, and posting.

A trend concerning the imperial examination and Spring Examination was set off in the Divine Capital's officialdom and market, and the common people and pedestrians on the street, scholars, farmers, and merchants in restaurants and tiles, were all discussing it.

Taking the imperial examination in the eyes of the general public is a path to the blue sky in one step.

Although the Spring Examination only belongs to a few talented candidates who passed the provincial examination, for most people, the Spring Examination is something out of reach for a lifetime.

But human nature is curious. The more out of reach, the easier it is to become a topic they talk about.

And this trend naturally affected the two prefectures of the Jia family.

Thus, Jia Cong closing his doors to study and fully waiting for the Spring Examination became the focus of attention for everyone in the two prefectures.

The Jia family had gone through five generations, but besides Jia Jing who took the Spring Examination back then, no one had this glory for decades. Now it was Jia Cong's turn to restore the glory.

For people like Jia Mu who were born and married into noble families, she had never taken the glory of the imperial examination so seriously.

In previous years, when Jia Cong passed the academy examination and provincial examination, Jia Mu even said that a noble family like the Jia family didn't need to rely on the imperial examination to change their status like a cold-door family.

But for Jia Zheng, who loved reading since childhood, had mediocre talent in the imperial examination, and had a lifelong expectation that he hadn't fulfilled, he took the imperial examination very seriously.

He had three sons, and although he didn't expect Baoyu and Jia Huan to be as talented and famous as Jia Cong.

But no matter what, he always wanted them to read through the classics and be people with poetry and books in their bellies, so that he could fulfill his duty as a father, and it wouldn't be in vain for the name of the Rongguo Jia family.

He was gratified and praised Jia Cong's brilliance in the imperial examination, and naturally urged his sons Baoyu and Jia Huan's studies even more strictly.

His two playboy sons suffered quite a bit. Lady Wang, because she envied Jia Cong's scenery, naturally agreed with Jia Zheng's urging Baoyu to study.

Jia Zheng's daily teaching and scolding of Baoyu, as long as it didn't resort to violence, Jia Mu couldn't easily stop it.

This day, Jia Zheng, according to the academy examination system, gave Baoyu and Jia Huan two 'Jie Da' (cut and match) essay questions, and also gave a few rhyme poetry topics, letting the two sons write according to the topics.

Jia Mu and Lady Wang heard

It was not until the sun was directly overhead that Baoyu and Jia Huan finally managed to finish their homework and hand it to Jia Zheng for evaluation, each standing to one side, trembling as if facing a great disaster.

Jia Zheng looked over the eight-legged essays the two had written and could not help but flare with anger, inwardly cursing the pair of rebellious sons.

Jia Huan's writing was crooked, like a turtle crawling, and the content was off-topic and utter nonsense;

Baoyu's writing was elegant and decent enough, but the logic was muddled and incoherent.

He was just about to lose his temper and unleash his "divine ruler" technique, but after reading the poems the two had composed, the evil fire rising to his chest finally subsided a little.

The poem Jia Huan composed was still an eyesore, but Baoyu had written his according to the theme; although the main idea was slightly decadent, the diction and rhyme had a touch of ethereal beauty, not too unsightly.

Jia Zheng sighed inwardly; of his two sons, in terms of intelligence, Baoyu surpassed Jia Huan tenfold, yet he was born with this lazy, wealthy nature, wasting his bit of talent.

Lady Wang walked outside the study several times, and hearing no roar of anger from Jia Zheng inside, she felt much more at ease.

She entered the study and saw that Baoyu and Jia Huan had returned to their seats to read, and she also breathed a sigh of relief.

She said, "It is naturally excellent that you, Master, can take the trouble to teach them to read, so they may have a future in their studies, but Baoyu will turn fifteen next month, and there is an important matter I need to discuss with you."

Lady Wang let Jia Huan go out to rest first, keeping only Baoyu; Jia Huan naturally felt as if he had been granted amnesty and left quickly, while Baoyu, without Jia Huan to share the burden, felt even more like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Lady Wang said, "Baoyu's marriage is not yet settled, but according to the family rules, once a lad is over fifteen, appropriate service should be arranged in his room.

Among the maids in Baoyu's room, none is more capable than Xi Ren; she is honest, sensible, and knows etiquette, and I have always valued her; she is also a person who can be put to use."

Jia Zheng frowned slightly and asked, "Xi Ren? Why is she called by such a tricky name? Who chose it?"

Lady Wang hurriedly replied, "The Old Matriarch chose it."

Jia Zheng snorted coldly, "How would the Old Matriarch know such words? It must be some mischief Baoyu did."

Baoyu heard Jia Zheng's stern tone and shivered, trembling as he said, "Because an ancient poem says: 'The scent of flowers assails the person, knowing the day is warm,' and since her surname happens to be Hua, I chose this name."

Lady Wang apologized with a smile, "It is just a name; you need not be angry over such a small matter, Master. Just let Baoyu go back and change it."

Jia Zheng sighed, "Changing it is unnecessary, but it shows Baoyu does not focus on his studies and eight-legged essays, but instead spends his effort on these flowery, decadent verses. If he had even half of Cong's diligence and ambition, he wouldn't be like this!"

Upon hearing Jia Zheng bring up Jia Cong again to belittle Baoyu, Lady Wang felt very unconvinced, though it was hard to voice it.

Seeing Baoyu's pale face and sweaty forehead after his reprimand, Jia Zheng could not be bothered to scold him further.

He said, "Although this name Xi Ren is strange, since you value her, Lady, she must be dignified and steady. You may decide this matter yourself."

Lady Wang smiled, "This girl is mature and knows etiquette, and often advises Baoyu. You may rest assured, Master. But having only Xi Ren is not enough; we still lack one more maid to enter the room.

I think that among all the maids in the mansion, those trained by the Old Matriarch are the most outstanding. Xi Ren was originally the Old Matriarch's maid, and it was only because she was capable that she was given to Baoyu.

It is clear that if we are to choose someone, having the Old Matriarch bestow one would be far better than those around us."

Jia Zheng said, "That makes sense; the Old Matriarch has always been the best at training maids.

Previously, her maid Ying Ge was bestowed upon Lin Yatou and renamed Zi Juan; I hear she is very capable now and serves Lin Yatou extremely well, even more attentively than the servants brought from the south."

Hearing Jia Zheng's words, Lady Wang felt uncomfortable again; her husband must be bewitched, as every time he thinks of something good, it is always someone who makes her feel disgusted and resentful...

Jia Zheng continued, "Among the maids around the Old Matriarch, I remember Yuanyang and Hupo; they are both very cherished by her.

Last year, there were eight young servants in the mansion over twenty, reaching the age to marry and set up a household, waiting for the maids who should be released to be assigned to them.

Those maids around the Old Matriarch have all passed the age of fifteen and should have been assigned to others, but they were all kept by her, which shows how much she treasures them.

You can discuss this with the Old Matriarch. Since they have seen the world by her side, they must know how to guide and advise Baoyu; it would be excellent, provided the Old Matriarch is willing to bestow one."

Seeing that she had obtained Jia Zheng's approval, Lady Wang felt proud; this way, when she spoke to Jia Mu about it, she would have even more reason and justification, and she would not fear failing.

Now, the Rongguo Second Branch had fallen and was forced to move to the East Courtyard; this was a matter of great heartache for Lady Wang, who felt it had lost all the face of her as the eldest daughter of the Jin Ling Wang family.

At present, the greatest reliance of the Rongguo Second Branch was Jia Mu, and since the Old Matriarch doted on Baoyu so much, Lady Wang made a great fuss over this matter to solidify the bond between Jia Mu and the Second Branch.

Among Jia Mu's maids, although Jia Zheng mentioned noticing Yuanyang and Hupo, the person Lady Wang had her heart set on was only Yuanyang.

Because Yuanyang was the Old Matriarch's most favored maid; Jia Mu's daily life, diet, and rest could not do without Yuanyang, and without her, she could hardly live a proper life.

Even the Old Matriarch's private silver chest was managed by Yuanyang; such a way of doing things was even more trusted than how she treated her own son.

The dowry and years of accumulated private wealth that accompanied Jia Mu were enough to compare to more than half of the Rongguo Prefecture...

Wasn't that the very reason Lady Xing had coveted her and plotted to force Jia She to take Yuanyang as a concubine?

At that time, the Rongguo Prefecture was managed by the Jia Second Branch, and Lady Wang was the mistress; whatever was left after the Old Matriarch passed away would be meat rotting in the Second Branch's pot.

At that time, Lady Wang naturally was not as base as Lady Xing, but now times had changed...

The most important thing was that Yuanyang was Jia Mu's number one confidante; as long as Baoyu could get Yuanyang, the bond between the Second Branch and Jia Mu would be even more solid, and as long as the Old Matriarch was there for one day, the Second Branch would have more hope.

Lady Wang smiled at Jia Zheng, "You have a good eye, Master, to notice Yuanyang and Hupo; these two girls are indeed the Old Matriarch's favorites.

But in my opinion, Yuanyang is the best of them."

Baoyu, standing to one side, had been sitting on pins and needles, hoping to escape Jia Zheng early, but since neither his father nor mother had spoken, how dared he move?

Later, hearing Lady Wang say she wanted to place someone in his room to serve him, Baoyu did not care. Because the few pretty maids he was obsessed with, such as Liu Wuer, Qing Wen, Ying Lian, etc., were all in Jia Cong's room, and he couldn't count on them at all.

He had played with the likes of Xi Ren and Bi Hen in his room many times and was a bit tired of them, so he was now quite desireless...

When Lady Wang mentioned Yuanyang, Baoyu's eyes lit up, and he inwardly cursed himself, wondering how he could have forgotten such a beauty in the West Prefecture; it was truly too abrupt.

Thinking of Yuanyang's tall and slender figure, her wasp waist and sloping shoulders, her fair skin and natural fragrance, her dashing and graceful demeanor, Baoyu felt a softness in his heart and was simply overjoyed.

If such a lovely Sister Yuanyang came to his room, for such a pure and beautiful daughter made of water, even if he died immediately, it would be worth it...

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Although Wang Xifeng was five months pregnant and her body was gradually becoming bloated, her movements were not as convenient as they had been in the previous months.

But following the instructions of the physician and Jia Mu, she still walked around a little every day, as it was said it would be easier for the child to be born later.

That day, supported by Ping Er and Feng Er, and followed by a dowry matron, she went to visit Jia Mu at Rongqing Hall.

In fact, besides paying her daily respects to Jia Mu, she went to Rongqing Hall mostly for Jia Cong's affairs.

!

Wang Xifeng knew clearly that although the Old Matriarch was not close to Cong the Third in her heart, she could not withstand Cong the Third's ability, and now that he was the head of both prefectures, the Old Matriarch naturally valued him.

Whether it was to harmonize the relationship between grandmother and grandson or to have some hold over Cong the Third, stuffing her own confidante maid into Cong the Third's room was the best means and method.

In a noble family like the Jia family, the rules and etiquette were stricter than in ordinary households; any woman bestowed by an elder to a junior had a higher status among the concubines, second only to the principal wife.

Moreover, there was the etiquette that one could not refuse a gift from an elder; if Jia Mu really spoke first and gave Yuanyang to Jia Cong,

not to mention whether Jia Cong was willing, if he stubbornly refused to accept, the reputation inside and outside the household would be very ugly.

If Jia Cong accepted Yuanyang, her status and name among Jia Cong's concubines would be higher than others, which was equivalent to Jia Mu planting a nail in the First Branch.

Therefore, Wang Xifeng felt that this matter could not be delayed and that she should find an opportunity early to speak of it in front of Jia Mu, so as to dispel the Old Matriarch's thoughts and calculations.

Jia Mu was having Yuanyang hammer her legs with a beauty mallet; seeing Wang Xifeng come over with her belly protruding, she was also happy. She was a person of advanced age and loved to see her descendants have many children and blessings.

Wang Xifeng was clever and had long ago figured out Jia Mu's mind over the years; seeing Jia Mu, she spoke a cartload of clever words, making Jia Mu very happy.

Seeing that Jia Mu was in a good enough mood, she changed the subject and said, "Old Matriarch, Brother Cong will turn fifteen at the end of the third month. I originally wanted to prepare a birthday banquet for him.

After all, he is now the heir to the title in the family, and he needs to put on a decent show inside and out."

Jia Mu said, "What you say is reasonable. He has now inherited the hereditary title and holds a proper official position, so he is involved in human relations inside and out.

In a family like ours, the necessary etiquette cannot be lacking, otherwise, outsiders will laugh at us."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "It is still the Old Matriarch who cherishes her grandson. I originally let Ping Er and Liu Wuer prepare it just like that.

But when Brother Cong came to see me yesterday, I spoke to him about this, and it is a bit inconvenient.

He said that the Spring Examination is on the 18th of this month, and he has to stay in the examination cells at the Tribute Hall for nine days, and won't be released until the 27th, so I'm afraid he will miss his birthday.

However, it doesn't matter. Brother Cong is a Jieyuan; as long as he takes the Spring Examination, he will surely be a Jinshi when he comes out. By then, holding the birthday banquet and the success banquet together will be even more decent."

Jia Mu smiled, "You are quite calculating. Cong is a good student; if he can fulfill his own wishes, it is a good thing."

Seeing that Jia Mu's tone was becoming smoother, Wang Xifeng struck while the iron was hot and said, "When Brother Cong came over yesterday, besides the birthday banquet, he also spoke about his reaching the age of fifteen and the affairs of his inner chambers.

At the beginning of the year, the Old Matriarch mentioned that in the third or fourth month of this year, Brother Cong and Brother Bao would reach the age to have appropriate maids arranged to serve them in their rooms.

Baoyu naturally has his mother to worry about, and now that the Eldest Lady is in mourning, she cannot manage the family affairs for the time being. As his eldest sister-in-law, I cannot just watch and do nothing; I should worry about it a little."

Jia Mu sighed, "It has been less than half a year since your father-in-law passed away, and your mother-in-law is in her early widowhood. They say an eldest sister-in-law is like a mother; it is only natural that you should worry about your brother's affairs."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "I thought that since it had to be done anyway, I took the opportunity yesterday to ask Brother Cong about his thoughts and whether he had any girls he liked to enter his room."

Yuanyang, who was hammering Jia Mu's legs to the side, felt a thud in her heart upon hearing this, her eyes narrowed slightly, and the beauty mallet in her hand stopped...

Hearing Wang Xifeng's words, Jia Mu seemed to think of something and vaguely felt that something was wrong...

Seeing Jia Mu's expression, Wang Xifeng did not dare to stop and continued, "Old Matriarch, I asked Brother Cong about this without any selfish motives.

Although I obtained the Old Matriarch's permission and have already set Ping Er's status, I cannot take advantage of this juncture to stuff Ping Er into Brother Cong's room to compete for favor.

I told Brother Cong that I am pregnant and cannot do without Ping Er's service and care; I need to wait until my child is born before Ping Er can go to his room, which will be around the New Year."

Jia Mu originally had something to say and wanted to stop Wang Xifeng's words, otherwise, wouldn't her own plans fall through?

But hearing Wang Xifeng's words of self-clarification, the words that had reached Jia Mu's throat were suddenly blocked back.

That was because Wang Xifeng's words were not only extremely clever but also hit the current moment perfectly.

According to the meaning of her words, even Ping Er, who had long been promised to Jia Cong, had to yield at this time, so how could Yuanyang, who had no status with Jia Cong, be expected to take the lead at this juncture?

If Jia Mu really did that, in front of a junior like Wang Xifeng, the Old Matriarch's reputation would not look good...

Seeing Jia Mu's stunned expression, as if she had words stuck in her throat, Wang Xifeng could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She smiled articulately, "Fortunately, Brother Cong has many confidante maids by his side, all as beautiful as flowers, so he doesn't lack my Ping Er.

When I asked him his own wishes, he said he liked Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer.

He also said that these two girls have served him since they were young and are the oldest in his room, handling everything properly and thoroughly, so he wants these two."

Yuanyang, sitting at Jia Mu's knees, heard that Jia Cong wanted Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer, and her pretty face turned pale, her spirit shaken all day long.

The beauty mallet that had suddenly stopped just now resumed its movement of hammering Jia Mu's legs.

However, Jia Mu could clearly feel that the force of Yuanyang's mallet had become much weaker...

As for the maid she had raised since childhood, Jia Mu naturally knew her thoughts at this moment.

Jia Mu sighed, "In a family like ours, the inner chamber affairs of a young man who has just grown up should be managed by his elders; for him to worry about it himself as a man, it would sound unseemly to outsiders.

In my opinion, this matter should not be rushed; it won't be too late to discuss it carefully later."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "What the Old Matriarch says is always reasonable, but Brother Cong is not like the other children in the family.

He has been charging into battle and facing blood and blades outside since he was young, winning his own title and fame, and he is a proper official in the government office; he is a person who is used to making his own decisions.

Besides, the Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer he wants are both confidantes who have served him since childhood; both girls are well-regarded in both prefectures and cannot be faulted in the slightest.

Since Brother Cong can choose these two, outsiders won't be able to say anything. In my opinion, we should just follow his wishes, and the Old Matriarch will be spared the worry, wouldn't that be easier?"

Jia Mu felt stifled; in the past, whenever Jia Cong was present, she was always restricted in everything she did, and never once was things to her satisfaction.

It was hard enough that he wasn't present for this matter, but she didn't expect it to be so unsatisfactory; she really had to believe in bad luck.

Jia Mu sighed, "Although what you say makes some sense, there is a layer of meaning in my heart that you don't know.

Cong and Baoyu are both my own grandsons; he has now inherited the hereditary title and become the head of both prefectures, and outsiders are watching.

Since they are both my grandsons, I, as their grandmother, should treat them equally. I gave the maid Xi Ren from my room to your Brother Bao.

Now that Baoyu has reached the age, Xi Ren must enter his room.

So I thought I would pick a favorite from the maids around me to give to Cong, which would count as fulfilling my heart as a grandmother, and also save outsiders from always saying I am biased toward Baoyu."

Hearing this, Wang Xifeng laughed inwardly: You have been biased toward Baoyu for so many years, and you are still worried about what people say? This excuse for sending a maid is a bit too far-fetched...

It was just that Jia Mu's words sounded seemingly kind, and Wang Xifeng could not refute them for a moment, but she had already spoken about Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer, so no matter how reasonable Jia Mu was, she couldn't make her point.

Just as the atmosphere was somewhat stagnant, the maid rolling the curtain outside suddenly said, "The Second Lady is here; the Old Matriarch and the Second Grandmother are talking inside." (End of chapter)