Chapter 582

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Lady Wang entered the hall and saw Wang Xifeng talking to Jia Mu; she was slightly stunned and felt somewhat disgusted in her heart.

She chose to come to Rongqing Hall in the afternoon, naturally knowing that at this hour, there were the fewest people moving about in Rongqing Hall, making it the most suitable time to talk to Jia Mu about private matters.

With Wang Xifeng present, the conversation would be less straightforward, but since she wanted to help Baoyu ask for someone to enter his room, this matter did not concern Wang Xifeng, so she didn't need to worry too much.

She looked at Wang Xifeng and smiled, "Feng Yatou's complexion is excellent. Being four or five months pregnant, you should indeed walk around often; it will be much smoother when you give birth later."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lady Wang returned to the main topic, saying, "I came here today because I have some private words I want to say to the Old Matriarch. Since Feng Yatou is here, she can help us deliberate."

Lady Wang's words were very warm and filled with joy; her eyes kept scanning Yuanyang, who was hammering Jia Mu's legs, with a look of satisfaction.

Yuanyang had just been left in low spirits by Wang Xifeng's words and was somewhat absent-minded, so she naturally could not detect the strangeness in Lady Wang's expression.

But Jia Mu was a person who had spent her whole life in the inner chambers, and she knew her second daughter-in-law's nature very well; hearing these words and seeing her glancing at Yuanyang, she guessed some of her intentions.

"Yuanyang, I see you are not in good spirits; you must have been very busy since early morning. You go to the back and rest first; just leave us women to talk."

Seeing Yuanyang return to the back hall, Lady Wang breathed a sigh of relief.

If one were to talk about the past, Baoyu was the "Treasure King" of the Rongguo Prefecture, surrounded by flowers and brilliant, and all the maids in the mansion adored Baoyu, so Lady Wang had been very confident.

But now the Second Branch had fallen and had moved out of the Rongguo Prefecture, and the most brilliant child in the Rongguo Prefecture was no longer her Baoyu, so Lady Wang no longer had that confidence.

Last year, Jia She forced Yuanyang to be his concubine, and because Yuanyang refused to the death, she almost ended her own life with a hidden pair of scissors.

Although she was a maid born in the household, she had a fiery temper; if she didn't want to, no one could force her.

Lady Wang knew clearly in her heart that only if the Old Matriarch spoke would this matter work, as Yuanyang was a loyal servant and would mostly agree for the sake of the Old Matriarch's face.

Moreover, her Baoyu had a good appearance and was in the prime of his youth; how could he be compared to the old man Jia She who was half-buried in the ground?

Lady Wang said, "Old Matriarch, Baoyu will turn fifteen after the fourth month. According to the family rules, we should choose two maids to enter his room.

I have been observing carefully all these years, and among those around Baoyu, Xi Ren is still the best; she was trained by the Old Matriarch after all, and is three parts better than anyone else.

But besides Xi Ren, we still lack one person. I have discussed it with the Master, and among the maids around us, there isn't one that is satisfactory; none can compare to Xi Ren.

You cherish Baoyu, Old Matriarch, and naturally know he is mischievous; when we are not around, only Xi Ren's words can he listen to a little.

But now that he is growing older year by year, Xi Ren is somewhat alone; only by having another one like her to serve by Baoyu's side can things be truly proper.

The Master and I have the same idea: in the whole mansion, the people trained by the Old Matriarch are the best and most capable; Xi Ren is a living example.

So I came here today to thicken my face and ask you for someone, Old Matriarch."

Hearing this, Jia Mu was stunned.

Wang Xifeng's expression was even more colorful.

She had just used words to block the Old Matriarch's mouth, saving her from sending maids to Cong the Third's room and planting nails in the First Branch's territory.

Her aunt actually came to join in the fun and had the face to ask for a girl from the Old Matriarch's room.

She didn't even look at how many maids were already in Baoyu's room; his entourage was bigger than the head of the household, yet she still wanted to scrape things from the West Prefecture; this face was truly thick.

Jia Mu smiled, "Today is a good day; the aunt and niece actually said the same thing. Feng Yatou is also talking to me about this for Brother Cong."

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt awkward and sour, saying, "Everyone in the mansion knows that the few maids raised by Brother Cong are all extremely beautiful; why would you need the Old Matriarch to bestow another?"

Jia Mu smiled, "For a maid entering the room, one cannot just look at beauty; one must also discuss knowledge of etiquette and thoroughness in all matters, not only to guide the young man but also to be able to bear children.

Cong and Baoyu are both my grandsons. I gave Xi Ren to your Brother Bao before, so it wouldn't be right to favor one over the other. I was thinking of picking one for Cong, and I was just talking to Feng Yatou about it.

Why don't you tell me, which one did you pick for Baoyu?"

Lady Wang smiled, "The people trained by the Old Matriarch are naturally all good, but if you want to talk about the most outstanding, it is naturally Yuanyang."

Hearing this, Jia Mu was a bit surprised; no wonder her second daughter-in-law's expression and tone made her dismiss the maids around her to say some private words.

It turned out she was aiming for her Yuanyang; no wonder she hinted for her to send people away so she could ask for her.

Wang Xifeng felt a slight shock upon hearing Lady Wang ask for Yuanyang.

She did not like Jia Mu using Yuanyang to plant nails in the First Branch, but she also did not want to see Yuanyang become Baoyu's concubine.

Ever since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo hereditary title, the Jia Second Branch had completely lost its foundation, leaving only Baoyu lingering in the West Prefecture.

Wang Xifeng was waiting for Baoyu to get married so she could quickly leave the West Prefecture, but if Baoyu took Yuanyang as a concubine, things would be different in the future.

Because Yuanyang's relationship with the Old Matriarch was too special; if she went to Baoyu's room, it would make the Second Branch and the Old Matriarch even closer, and they would be even more entangled in the future...

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Xue Yima has a good eye. If you want to talk about the most favored maid in the whole mansion, it is Yuanyang; only with the Old Matriarch's methods could she raise someone so outstanding.

However, although Yuanyang is a maid born in the household, she has a fiery temper; although Xue Yima wants to promote her, she must be willing herself for it to be a good thing."

Jia Mu understood the meaning of Wang Xifeng's words, and her heart tightened slightly; she knew the temper of the maid she had raised since childhood best.

When her eldest son wanted to take her as a concubine, she was unwilling and carried scissors with her, even cutting off a lock of her hair; if she were pushed too hard, she would end her own life!

Yuanyang was Jia Mu's personal maid, and she knew her temper best; she was a stubborn person who couldn't be pulled back by eight oxen.

Jia Mu knew better than anyone else who she had secretly set her heart on.

Originally, according to Jia Mu's nature, she would keep all her good things for Baoyu, but she had never had this thought about Yuanyang, because it simply wouldn't work.

If she really listened to her daughter-in-law's plea and let Yuanyang enter Baoyu's room, she was afraid it would lead to a loss of life...

Even if Yuanyang swallowed her anger and obeyed, if she were in Baoyu's room while thinking of another young man, and both were young, how could they hold back...

The two brothers would sooner or later cause a scandal; were there few such things in a big mansion? By then, it would be impossible to clean up.

Besides this, Jia Mu had another worry in her heart.

Things in this world are sometimes so strange.

Whatever she gives voluntarily will be generous and open, and no suspicion or ghosts will arise.

However, being asked for by someone, especially her own daughter-in-law, easily makes her suspicious of the motive...

Just now, Wang Xifeng had used flowery words in front of Jia Mu to help the First Branch guard its doors, but Jia Mu did not think it was unreasonable after hearing them.

This was not only because Wang Xifeng was clever and knew how to speak to Jia Mu's nature.

More importantly, Wang Xifeng was Jia Mu's granddaughter-in-law, and there was a generation gap between them, so Jia Mu naturally had less resentment and defense toward Wang Xifeng.

It was just that the friction between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was probably an eternal theme...

When Lady Xing helped Jia She force Yuanyang to be a concubine, Jia Mu could see through her eldest daughter-in-law's calculations at a glance; now that Lady Wang was asking for Yuanyang, how could Jia Mu not understand?

Jia Mu smiled at Lady Wang, "It is Yuanyang's blessing that you can take a fancy to her, but what Feng Yatou said is also reasonable.

Yuanyang is good in every way, but her temper is too fiery and she is stubborn; I could promise her to someone, and I think she wouldn't have any objections.

However, it also depends on her own thoughts; otherwise, if she is unwilling, what fun is there in such a thing?

As for what you said, I will deliberate on it further; both Baoyu and Cong have birthdays this year, so as long as they enter their rooms this year, it won't be too late."

Hearing this, Lady Wang was stunned; how could she not hear that Jia Mu was making excuses?

According to the Old Matriarch's tone, could it be that Yuanyang wouldn't be used to a handsome young man like Baoyu? How could that be possible? Her Baoyu was born with jade in his mouth...

Or was it that Yuanyang would rather be a maid for the Old Matriarch than a concubine for her son? Unless she was truly muddled.

Also, why did the Old Matriarch mention Cong together with Baoyu when she was talking to her just now?

Could it be that the Old Matriarch said she would also bestow a maid to that boy, and was she talking about Yuanyang? Otherwise, why did Feng Yatou say those cold words just now? Thinking of this, Lady Wang was furious, and although she suppressed her anger, her face was already somewhat stiff.

That little beast in the East Prefecture is simply lawless; whether it is Bao or Yuanyang, he wants to snatch everything that belongs to her Baoyu!

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Garden.

In the third month of spring, there were seven or eight pear trees in the courtyard; the branches were not only lush with new green but also covered with pear blossoms as bright as clouds, swaying in the wind, their fragrance intoxicating.

In the inner room of the main house, the west-facing window was propped open, and the spring sunlight, mixed with the fragrance of pear blossoms, flowed into the room, illuminating the furniture such as the embroidered bed, tables, chairs, and vases.

Baochai was sitting by the Arhat bed under the west window, holding a copy of "Song of the Pipa" and reading it.

She wore a pale yellow jacket with pink trim, a tea-white bodice inside, and a long skirt embroidered with orchids.

Her hair, black as ink, shone with a dark luster in the sunlight, setting off her delicate eyebrows, her eyes filled with waves, and her skin as white as snow, making her appearance even more beautiful.

The curtain at the door was lifted, and the maid Ying Er ran in with a rectangular wooden box, her expression happy.

She said, "Miss, the top-grade Korean snow ginseng you wanted has been bought by Manager Zhao at the shop; he says it is a thirty-year-old wild specimen, and it was hard to get."

Baochai put down the book in her hand, a smile blooming on her face, moving and beautiful. She took the wooden box from Ying Er; inside lay a milky-white medicinal ginseng, thick as a finger and more than two palms long, with neat roots.

!

She leaned over and smelled the medicinal scent of the snow ginseng, smiling, "It is indeed top-grade Korean snow ginseng."

She then asked, "Did you tell Manager Zhao to follow my instructions and not say that I prepared it for Brother Cong?"

Ying Er smiled, "Don't worry, Miss. You gave careful instructions; how could I say the wrong thing? I only said that you were feeling weak and restless, Miss, and bought it to nourish yourself.

Manager Zhao heard that you were using it yourself, Miss, so he was extra careful in handling this matter.

But since you originally prepared it for the Cong Sanye, Miss, it is a sentiment between relatives; why not let me say it?

Originally, when the Lady wanted to move out of the Rongguo Prefecture, it was the Cong Sanye who was affectionate and righteous, insisting on keeping us to stay. Just based on this favor, it is only reciprocal for you to worry about the Cong Sanye, Miss."

Baochai said, "How would you know the depth of things? In a few days, Brother Cong will take the examination. The Spring Examination is watched by the whole world; the clear and the muddy meet, and the winds and waves are surging.

A few days ago, the managers of several shops came to report the accounts at home, talking about how the candidates in the capital were visiting officials and connecting relationships, causing a great stir.

Brother Cong is talented and is the Jieyuan of Yongzhou; he is not only famous among the candidates of Yongzhou but also a popular figure in this Spring Examination in the eyes of candidates from all states entering the capital.

With him being the center of attention, there are those who admire and respect him, but there are also those who are secretly jealous. In such a situation, it is very easy for disputes and changes to arise.

Haven't you heard that in the past two months, the candidates entering the capital who have come to visit the Earl's mansion have almost broken the threshold of the East Prefecture, and how many visiting cards have been submitted?

Brother Cong has used the excuse of closing his doors to study and being in mourning to decline visitors and has not met a single person, all because he does not want to cause trouble at the critical juncture of the Spring Examination.

Now, one must guard against others. If people knew we bought top-grade snow ginseng for Brother Cong, and someone tampered with the ginseng, it would be too dangerous!"

Hearing Baochai's words, Ying Er's face showed some fear, saying, "It is fortunate that you thought carefully, Miss. Just saying you were using it yourself, Miss, made the manager at home even more afraid to make any mistakes."

Baochai took another pair of clean scissors, cut off a few ginseng whiskers, put them into her mouth, and chewed them gently. After a while, she smiled, "The medicinal power is mellow; it is indeed good ginseng."

Jin Chuan, who was to the side, asked curiously, "I know you are excellent at needlework, Miss, and can write and compose poetry, but I didn't expect you to understand herbal medicine as well?"

Baochai smiled, "I can't say I understand it very well. When I was young in my hometown in Jin Ling, there were many brothers and sisters in the clan, but none of them were interested in reading proper books.

I was also very mischievous when I was young, spending all day looking for those miscellaneous books to read for fun. My father was someone who liked to collect books, and he never restricted me in these matters.

So, besides proper books like the Classic of Filial Piety and Admonitions for Women, I read everything else—poetry collections, plays, Buddhist scriptures, medical books, and ghost stories.

In addition, I have had chronic illnesses since I was young. Before I got that Cold Fragrance Pill, the family didn't know how many precious medicinal herbs they used to suppress the illness.

I have eaten a lot of this Korean snow ginseng since I was a child, so I know the medicinal properties of snow ginseng well; I can tell if it is good or bad just by tasting it.

Brother Cong has a manor in Liaodong; I think he has a lot of good wild ginseng from Liaodong in his treasury, but wild ginseng from Liaodong is hot and very nourishing, suitable for people with deficiency illnesses, and not suitable for ordinary people to use often.

Korean snow ginseng is a warm and cool substance, which is best for nourishing qi and gathering spirit, producing essence and invigorating qi, and is most suitable for Brother Cong to use when he takes the Spring Examination.

He has to stay in the examination cells for nine days, and his food and sleep won't be as good as at home, and it is three consecutive examinations, which is very exhausting. Bringing some top-grade snow ginseng to nourish qi and strengthen the spirit is very useful."

Baochai wiped the snow ginseng twice with a clean cotton cloth.

She let Jin Chuan take out the exquisite carving tools she had prepared earlier, personally cut the snow ginseng into thin slices, and placed them in the sun under the west window to dry. After the moisture evaporated, the medicinal properties would be even more mellow.

These things could have been entrusted to the pharmacy outside, but Jin Chuan and Ying Er saw that Baochai handled them personally; there was naturally her sentiment for Jia Cong, but the cautious thoughts were probably not few either.

Jin Chuan probed from the side, "You are so attentive to the Cong Sanye, Miss; you should let the Cong Sanye know. He will definitely be happy."

Baochai blushed slightly and said, "What is there to talk about? We are all sisters and brothers who have lived together for many years; it is just fulfilling some intentions."

In fact, every time Jia Cong was granted a title or promoted, or was successful in the imperial examinations, Baochai's mood was very complicated.

Every time Jia Cong was glorious and proud, she was happy for him, and she was also quite proud of him in her heart; the person she had set her heart on was indeed so outstanding and rare in the world.

At the same time, she couldn't help but worry and feel lost; the more outstanding and brilliant Jia Cong was, the more distant he became from a merchant's daughter like her...

Moreover, after Jia Cong took the examination this time, he would definitely become a Jinshi.

She often heard that the current Emperor valued him, and he had made many meritorious deeds, but his civil official position was capped at Grade 5, because according to the official system of the country, it was difficult to be promoted above Grade 5 without the status of a Jinshi.

After he takes the Spring Examination this time, it is hard to say, but it won't be long before he is promoted above Grade 5, and by then, he will probably be even more out of reach.

However, she thought of that embrace in the rain, his arms around her waist, so powerful, making her feel a sense of belonging and stability she had never felt before.

This was a special feeling she had never had in the ten-plus years of her growing up, making her feel strangely intoxicated.

She even felt that the inexplicable affection permeating that accidental intimacy was not just her own...

Perhaps that was just her wishful thinking, but she was actually a bit certain in her heart; that was a woman's natural intuition.

Later, when her mother was squeezed out by her aunt, and the family wanted to move out of the Jia mansion to avoid suspicion, although Baochai knew that her mother had the idea of "playing hard to get."

But if the Jia family didn't ask them to stay, this would have become true.

At least with Baochai's shrewdness and intelligence, she could see that the Old Matriarch and her aunt were happy to see such a result, and were even impatient...

However, in the end, Jia Cong, as the head of the household, earnestly asked them to stay, giving her mother enough face and a way out.

Could it be that he also had her in his heart, and didn't want her to leave the Jia mansion, becoming distant and rarely seeing each other from then on...

Although such poignant thoughts made Baochai a bit troubled.

But even if it was a wishful delusion, it made her linger and sink into it; in that bitterness and confusion, she could still exude sweetness, bone-corroding and difficult to extricate herself from.

Perhaps after many years of living in the same mansion, although she and he were not as close as Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun, their relationship had long since become somewhat different.

Every time they were together as sisters, those unintentional smiles and frowns—did they only move her?

Every time she thought for him, Jia Cong could also keenly feel it, and he would never be stingy with his praise and gratitude.

Alone in the study, they talked to each other, their words were compatible, he draped clothes over her in the cool breeze, and his tenderness was earnest; she could actually be very close to him.

Even when he sought out a famous doctor for Sister Lin, he didn't forget to invite her to ask for a diagnosis, which greatly improved her chronic illness.

These daily bits and pieces that were not noticed made Baochai, who was originally shrewd and ambitious, have the rationality and self-awareness in her nature gradually eroded and disappear...

As long as she thought of these sweet and bitter things, even if the result in the future was confusing, she didn't care much, feeling that doing anything for him was willing.

Ying Er asked from the side, "Last time the Cong Sanye took the courtyard examination, you prepared Ginseng and Poria cake for the Cong Sanye, Miss. Should we prepare some food that can be brought into the examination hall this time too?"

Baochai smiled, "We won't prepare those this time. Wu Er and Ling Guan by Brother Cong's side are the most proficient in the way of diet and cooking; they will naturally take care of Brother Cong."

She thought for a moment and said, "Ying Er, I will write a note later; you ask the manager at the shop to help me prepare two sets of jewelry and headwear; they don't need to be too flashy, I have a use for them." (End of chapter)