Chapter 618: Winning and Being Lonely

Rongguo Mansion, Lixiang Courtyard.

Since the Jia family's second branch moved out of the Rongguo Mansion, sisters like Yingchun and Daiyu had all settled in the East Mansion, and Rongqing Hall was less lively than in previous years.

But today, the hall was full of popularity. Jia Mu leaned on the Arhat couch, while maids like Yuanyang and Hupo served on the side.

Jia Zheng and his wife accompanied several descendants to sit and talk. Li Wan also brought maids into the hall. Except for a few concubines, almost everyone from the second branch was present.

Wang Xifeng also sat on a sliding chair and entered the hall early. Jia Mu had people lift a soft chair to settle her.

Not long after, Xue Yima brought the maid Tong Xi into Rongqing Hall and opened her mouth to congratulate Jia Mu for raising a grandson who was the reincarnation of a literary star.

Jia Zheng was quite happy when he heard this, but Lady Wang couldn't help but be angry in her heart, feeling that her sister was turning her elbow outward, and her actions and words were all lifting the face of the first branch.

Could it be that her sister was actually delusional, wanting to make things happen between Bao girl and Brother Cong? Then she was truly confused, not knowing at all the Old Lady's calculations early on.

At this time, Yingchun asked the maids to send a message to Jia Mu, saying that because of the good news of the official list, it would likely be reported to the Count's Mansion. She and the sisters would come to report the good news to the Old Lady after receiving the good news.

The atmosphere in the hall was driven by Xue Yima, and everyone's words could not leave the matter of Jia Cong opening the list.

If Jia Cong was not the head of the two mansions today, and not so outstanding in reputation, I don't know if this scene would appear.

At least Jia Mu would definitely still have the old-fashioned tone, such as descendants of noble families needing to guard the title and ancestral business, not needing to rely on reading and imperial examinations to change the family status, and so on.

Among those sitting, the one who was most enthusiastic and happy about Jia Cong's passing the examination, besides Jia Zheng, was actually Li Wan, who occasionally gave a few instructions to her son while holding his hand.

She had been widowed for many years and had always been cautious in her actions. All her thoughts were on hoping her son would become successful, so she was naturally very envious of this kind of imperial examination glory.

She said: "Old Lady, Master Jing of the East Mansion also passed the Jinshi examination. That was many years ago. This time, Brother Cong can also pass, which is truly a rare thing."

Jia Mu didn't care too much about Jia Cong reading and taking the imperial examination in the past, and even felt that he had already been titled, so why go and read those labor-consuming books.

But passing the Jinshi examination was extraordinary. It had always been recorded in the genealogy and announced to descendants. No matter how noble the family was, it was an incredible literary event.

Now Jia Mu dared not say those light words again, otherwise it would definitely become a laughingstock if it spread out.

Jia Mu smiled: "That was thirty years ago. At that time, the eldest master of the East Mansion and the Duke of our mansion were still alive. That was the most prosperous time for the Jia family.

Jing Ge'er was smart since childhood and studied hard, actually letting him pass the Jinshi examination. A noble family producing a literary star, what a glory that was.

Those noble old relatives were so jealous that their eyes turned red. The Ministry of Rites yamen runners came to the door to report the good news, and the two mansions were as lively as the New Year.

The flowing banquet was held for ten days, and everyone said that the Jia family was both literary and martial, and among the noble families, there was no second one.

You are young and haven't seen the scene of that year. Although decades have passed, I can remember it clearly as soon as I think of it."

Jia Mu's words were full of nostalgia, not knowing whether she was thinking of the glory of Jia Jing passing the Jinshi examination, or missing the glorious power and glory of the Jia family that made people envious when the Duke of Rongguo was alive.

Jia Zheng smiled: "At that time, I was also starting to read poetry and books, and I remember this matter particularly clearly. The eldest brother of the East Mansion passed the metropolitan examination in 73rd place, and later in the palace examination, he got the 49th place in the second tier.

Originally, although the eldest brother was in the second tier and could not enter the Hanlin Academy, the Retired Emperor considered the merits of the two mansions and specifically bestowed the eldest brother to enter the Hanlin Academy as a reviewer.

This was a rare grace. Even among the Jinshi of the same year, it was very glorious, winning enough face for the Jia family.

Back then, I saw the eldest brother's literary event and made up my mind that I must take the path of imperial examination to make a fortune. Unfortunately, the timing is in Heaven, and it is also in vain."

Jia Mu smiled on the side: "With the blessing of the ancestors, even if you don't take the imperial examination, aren't you a fifth-rank official? How many Jinshi backgrounds only reach the fifth rank when they are old."

Lady Wang smiled and said: "Old Lady's words are reasonable. No matter how good the ability to read and take examinations is, it cannot compare to the title and blessing passed down by the Duke's mansion."

Jia Mu nodded with a smile when she heard this. Her daughter-in-law's words hit her heart. Jia Mu was born in a noble family and married into a noble family. She had enjoyed wealth and glory for a lifetime, and what she relied on was not the blessing of the ancestors.

Besides, although Jia Jing passed the Jinshi examination, what kind of ending he had, Jia Mu knew very well.

Therefore, in Jia Mu's view, although passing the imperial examination was decent, how much use it had, it seemed not necessarily so...

Jia Zheng frowned when he heard his wife's words and was too lazy to answer.

Li Wan heard Lady Wang's words and pulled her son to her side, regretting letting her son come over too early.

She felt a bit resentful in her heart. It was a happy day for Brother Cong to pass the examination, why did the Madam say such dark words? If this was heard by Lan'er in his heart, that would be terrible.

If my son really believed his grandmother's words, feeling that reading was useless and waiting to enjoy the ancestors' blessing was the right reason, this child would be ruined.

Li Wan decided that she must give her son instructions afterwards, to let him know the truth of not relying on ancestral shade and taking merit by himself.

Otherwise, if the son listened to these crooked words and learned like Baoyu, not loving to read, only loving to play with little maids, what hope would she have in this life.

Xue Yima sighed when she heard her sister's words. Her sister was also obsessed. Wasn't this talking nonsense with her eyes open?

If Brother Cong didn't rely on reading and advancing, how could he get the Emperor's appreciation, and then have the opportunity to be titled? When did he rely on the Jia family's ancestral blessing? It can be seen that reading is extremely useful.

Even if he inherited the Rongguo title, it was just an addition given by the Emperor. The imperial edict was clearly written, and even a concubine-born son could inherit...

I, a family of imperial merchants, can see it clearly. My sister has been a noble wife for half a lifetime, but she is becoming more and more confused.

She can't let go of the glory of being the mistress for half a lifetime, and she is not convinced by Brother Cong inside and out. She is truly confused.

Count's Mansion, Conglü Hall.

Yingchun brought sisters like Daiyu and Baochai to decorate the mansion very festively, and then all went to the hall to sit and wait.

Because Conglü Hall was closest to the outer courtyard, the old women of the outer courtyard passed messages inside, without having to go through the trouble of entering the inner courtyard.

Moreover, Yingchun felt that today was her brother's happy event of passing the examination, and receiving the good news in the proper hall of the inner courtyard was enough to appear solemn.

Because Jia Cong went out of the mansion, the inner courtyard was all female relatives, and the outer courtyard steward also followed Jia Cong to watch the list.

Yingchun ordered the capable steward of the outer courtyard early, letting him open the main gate of the Count's Mansion, and prepare red envelopes, examination-passing happy money, firecrackers, and other things.

When the Ministry of Rites yamen runners came to report the happy news of passing the examination, they had to manage it lively.

At this time, the Western pendulum clock in Conglü Hall struck, and it was already past the middle of the Si hour. Suddenly, rapid footsteps came from outside the hall.

An old woman full of joy entered Conglü Hall. Seeing Yingchun, she said: "Eldest Young Lady, the servant who followed the Count to watch the list reported back, saying that the Count made the first place Huiyuan on the head list of this year's metropolitan examination!"

The sisters in the hall were all shocked when they heard this, and for a moment, they were all at a loss, and then they reacted, each of them full of joy.

Although they knew that Jia Cong's status was special and he would surely pass this session, no one expected that he could actually make the first place Huiyuan. It was truly a great joy that reached the heavens, and there was nothing better.

Shi Xiangyun's voice was crisp and heroic, her eyes shining, and she said: "Third Brother is so amazing. He already made the Jieyuan before, and now he made the Huiyuan. Could it be that he will make the Zhuangyuan later?"

Baochai smiled: "Making the Zhuangyuan is naturally a good thing. In short, passing the Jinshi examination is enough. Third Brother doesn't lack this glory, but it is just to open the path to an official career."

Yingchun asked the old woman: "Since the messenger servant came back, why hasn't Brother Cong returned to the mansion?"

The old woman said: "The messenger servant said that there were too many people watching the list today. After the list was posted, thousands of people dispersed, and the carriage couldn't walk fast on the road.

So the steward let the servant run back to report the good news first, so that the Eldest Young Lady could be at ease."

Yingchun smiled: "Pass the word to the outer courtyard. Reward the servant who passed the message heavily. Let the steward watch the door. When the Ministry of Rites yamen runners come to report the good news, report to me immediately."

At this time, a fast horse galloped into the entrance of Ningrong Street. The yamen runner on the horse had a small red flag inserted, carrying a bright yellow satin package, attracting attention along the way.

The fast horse ran to the main gate of the Count's Mansion. The yamen runner had just dismounted when servants were already waiting at the door, leading him into the outer courtyard's main hall.

The steward of the mansion received Yingchun's message and dared not enter the outer courtyard's main hall, but stood at the door of the main hall waiting.

The yamen runner saw the steward's clothes were decent, so he thought it was the master of the mansion, and happily untied the imperial satin package on his back, taking out the Ministry of Rites metropolitan examination list book inside.

He shouted loudly: "The candidate Jia Cong of your mansion made the first place Huiyuan on the head list of the fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao's metropolitan examination. The literature is prosperous, the future is bright, and the official career is grand!"

The yamen runner reported the happy news and handed the Ministry of Rites metropolitan examination list book to the steward with both hands. The steward was beaming with joy, took out the red envelope brocade bag that had been prepared early, and said: "The honorable runner has worked hard."

The yamen runner touched it with his hand and knew it was two ten-tael silver ingots. He couldn't help but be ecstatic. This Weiyuan Count's Mansion was so generous. This was the food and chewing money for his whole family for two years.

He thought that this Huiyuan Jia Cong was the head of the two Jia mansions. It was a pity that there was only one copy of the Ministry of Rites metropolitan examination list book, otherwise, if he went to report the good news to both mansions, he wouldn't have to work for a few years...

The steward gave the yamen runner a red envelope and hurriedly turned to the servant beside him and said: "Set off firecrackers at the mansion gate, scatter the examination-passing happy money. Today is the Count's happy event of passing the examination, everyone give me some spirit!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he held the Ministry of Rites metropolitan examination list book and hurried to the inner courtyard to report the good news.

The sisters like Yingchun and Daiyu in Conglü Hall were still immersed in joy when they heard the dense and loud sound of firecrackers from outside.

Xichun was young and was still at the age of loving liveliness. Hearing the explosion, she jumped and clapped her hands.

The old woman who passed the message hurried into the hall again. This time, there was a bright yellow list book in her hand, and she said that the outer courtyard had already received the happy news from the Ministry of Rites yamen runners.

Although the sisters were joyful when the servant passed the message, they always felt that this good thing came too fiercely. Now that they saw this Ministry of Rites list book, they couldn't help but add another layer of joy.

The sisters were all daughters of noble families who did not step out of the door, and this rare object like the metropolitan examination list book was the first time they had seen it.

They saw the list book written with the words that Jia Cong made the Huiyuan of the head list of this session's metropolitan examination, as well as the signatures and seals of the three chief examiners of this session's metropolitan examination, and the official seal of the Great Zhou Ministry of Rites.

Yingchun smiled at the old woman: "When the steward returns to the mansion, pass my word. This month, everyone in the mansion will receive double monthly silver to celebrate the Count passing the metropolitan examination."

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu was chatting with Xue Yima and Lady Wang. Jia Zheng looked at the Western pendulum clock in the hall, his expression slightly anxious. Baoyu stood behind him, his expression dull, and his whole body uncomfortable.

As if, loud firecracker sounds came from outside the hall. Jia Mu and the others were all startled and hurriedly let Yuanyang go out to see.

Not long after, Yuanyang entered with a full face of smiles and said: "Old Lady, great joy. It is firecrackers being set off on the East Mansion side. Someone came from there to report, saying that Cong Sanye made the Huiyuan of the metropolitan examination. Now Second Young Lady and the others are coming to report the good news to the Old Lady."

Jia Mu and Lady Wang didn't really understand the meaning of Huiyuan. Jia Zheng to the side heard this word, his expression was dull for a moment, and then his face turned red.

He asked with a trembling voice: "What did you say? Brother Cong made the Huiyuan of the metropolitan examination, that is the first place on the head list. Could it be that you heard wrong?"

Yuanyang laughed: "Second Master, rest assured. I heard it clearly. I asked one more time, and it was indeed Cong Sanye who made the Huiyuan of the metropolitan examination."

At this time, the door curtain of Rongqing Hall was lifted, and only shadows were seen shaking, skirts fluttering, hairpins shining. Yingchun brought sisters like Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun into Rongqing Hall.

Baoyu just heard that Jia Cong made the metropolitan examination, and only felt nauseous in his chest, as if there was a fishy smell rushing to his nose, almost unable to help but run away.

Just seeing the sisters arrive, among whom was Lin Sister, he couldn't help but be happy in his heart. It was just that Lin Sister was holding a bright yellow book in her arms. What kind of object was it?

He was just about to speak when he heard Yingchun smile and say: "Second Master, what Yuanyang said is correct. Third Brother made the Huiyuan of the first place on the head list of the metropolitan examination.

The Ministry of Rites list book is written clearly, and there are the seals of the three chief examiners of the metropolitan examination and the Ministry of Rites."

Hearing this, the good mood that Baoyu had just raised was all ruined, and his face couldn't help but turn pale...

!

Yingchun took the list book from Daiyu and handed it to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng took the list book and read it carefully.

He said with exceptionally high spirits: "Old Lady, Brother Cong really made the Huiyuan of the first place on the head list of the metropolitan examination. A noble family producing a Huiyuan, the first time since the founding of the Great Zhou. Old Lady, great joy!

Back then, the eldest brother of the East Mansion had such glory, but he only got the 73rd place in the metropolitan examination. Brother Cong made the first place Huiyuan, which is truly incomparable and cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

Brother Cong has already made the Anshou and Jieyuan, and now he made the Huiyuan, glorifying the ancestors and the whole clan. The Jia family getting such a Qilin son is truly the ancestors manifesting!"

Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and other female relatives didn't really understand the way of the imperial examination, only knowing that making the metropolitan examination list was extremely powerful.

No one in the Jia family had ever made a Huiyuan. Which of these inner-chamber women would pay attention to what a Huiyuan was?

Now listening to Jia Zheng's explanation, they knew it was the extremely incredible first place in the metropolitan examination.

Jia Jing, who had been praised by the family for thirty years, only made the 73rd place in the metropolitan examination back then. Before Jia Cong's first-place Huiyuan, it seemed not worth mentioning...

Li Wan looked at the list book in Jia Zheng's hand, her eyes shining a bit, and led Jia Lan forward to look closely, saying: "Lan'er, look carefully. In the future, learn from Third Uncle Cong, so that a man will not fail this life!"

Jia Zheng nodded when he heard this and said: "Zhu'er's wife's words are excellent. Raise Lan'er well, and he will win glory for the family in the future."

Baoyu heard this and felt so awkward that he was about to faint, only feeling his legs go soft, as if he was about to fall.

He suddenly thought of the shape of Daiyu entering the hall just now. Lin Sister actually held Jia Cong's labor-consuming book tightly in her arms, just like a supreme treasure. How could this be!

Lady Wang heard Jia Zheng's words and really didn't expect that the boy from the East Mansion was so capable, studying and taking examinations even more powerfully than the eldest master of the East Mansion, grabbing so much limelight.

Her own eldest daughter-in-law was also confused, actually praising that boy in front of so many people. Look at what she said to her son. Her elbow didn't know where it turned.

Lady Wang looked at the metropolitan examination list book in Jia Zheng's hand, wishing she could go up and tear it to pieces...

Xue Yima was very shocked, but she had been a bit used to it over the years.

She only felt that her daughter's vision was truly poisonous, picking such a character. This Brother Cong was truly evil to the end. Passing the imperial examination was fine, but he was the top of the list every time.

Although Brother Cong was outstanding, he was a bit too outstanding. She sighed in her heart. The more this situation was, the more slim her daughter's thoughts became...

At this time, Jia Mu also began to realize what an incredible thing her grandson had done in this metropolitan examination, and even Jing Ge'er of that year was far inferior to him.

Jia Mu's mood was a bit heavy. Her grandson was so outstanding, and her beloved Baoyu was increasingly disparate compared to him...

However, as the Duke's wife of the Jia family, Jia Mu still knew that Jia Cong making the Huiyuan was an excellent thing for the Jia family's status, and she was still happy in her heart.

Jia Mu said to Wang Xifeng: "Feng girl, you are managing the house now. Such a happy event for Brother Cong must be handled well. The silver that should be used cannot be saved.

It cannot be left to his simple nature, and such a major event should be finished simply."

Wang Xifeng laughed: "Old Lady's words are excellent. This matter cannot be left to Brother Cong's wishes, it must be left to the Old Lady's wishes, and it must be handled grandly.

Now the weather is warm, and things cannot be stored. Since yesterday, I have let Lin Zhixiao and his wife purchase a batch of pigs, sheep, fruits, and vegetables.

As long as someone comes to congratulate tomorrow, we can open the flowing banquet.

It's just that the Old Lady must have a preparation in her heart. I'm afraid that such liveliness will not happen just once in these days."

Jia Mu felt a bit confused when she heard this.

Jia Zheng to the side laughed: "Lian'er's wife's meaning I understand. Next month is the time for the palace examination. Brother Cong is the first-place Huiyuan, and he probably has the qualification for the first tier. By then, it will be even more glorious than today."

Jia Mu was also a bit enlightened when she heard this. Brother Cong's decency today was still not enough, and there was actually an even bigger one...

Lady Wang felt dizzy when she heard this. I'm afraid that by that time, her own master would drag the family along and come over to see that boy's glory.

Baoyu heard his father's words and couldn't help but feel dizzy, his heart filled with indignation, and his soft intestines broken...

Jia Cong's tossing and turning one after another, wouldn't it attract the master's anger, and he would definitely force him to study hard to death. I'm afraid he would be trapped in the East Road Courtyard to study in the future. It would be better to die...

A maid came from outside the hall to report that Cong Sanye Cong had returned to the mansion and was now going to the West Mansion to report the good news to the Old Lady.

It was Jia Cong who returned to the East Mansion and heard from the steward that the sisters had gone to the West Mansion to report the good news. For such a happy event of passing the examination, according to the custom of the elders, he naturally had to come to report the good news to Jia Mu.

After Jia Cong entered Rongqing Hall, Jia Zheng naturally did not skimp on words of praise, praising him thoroughly.

He looked at Jia Cong with eyes full of comfort, overflowing with words, his eyes shining, his spirit flying, seeming even more excited and happy than Jia Cong.

Jia Zheng also reminded Jia Mu a few words according to the custom of the clan.

Jia Mu also ordered Lin Zhixiao to open the Rongguo ancestral hall, letting Jia Zheng accompany Jia Cong, naturally not forgetting to bring male descendants like Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan.

Several people entered the ancestral hall to comfort the ancestors, and placed the metropolitan examination list book squarely on the incense table, probably meaning to let the ancestors come and see when they were free, and be happy together...

Following the opening of the metropolitan examination list, the Jia family's East and West Mansions were full of joy because Jia Cong made the Huiyuan.

In the vast Divine Capital city, in wine shops, tile houses, and brothels, those who made the imperial list were full of ambition, while those who were not on the list were sad and disappointed. It was like this every year.

The fifteenth year of Emperor Jia Zhao's metropolitan examination seemed to have drawn the curtain, but the strange dark currents drawn by this seemed to have just begun to surge.

April 26th, early morning, there were still few pedestrians on the road.

The various bookstores on Wenhan Street had opened their doors one after another.

A middle-aged man in his thirties wandered back and forth on the road for a long time, appearing a bit hesitant, and finally walked into the largest Xiao family bookstore.

He walked for a while among the shelves in the bookstore and saw an old man organizing books.

The old man was fifty or sixty years old, with wrinkles on his cheeks, a face full of wind and frost, wearing clean coarse cloth clothes.

The middle-aged man stepped forward and asked gently: "Old man, do you still remember me?"

The old man turned his head and looked, his eyes appearing confused.

After a while, he thought of something and laughed: "I remember, sir came to buy books some time ago. I remember it was that copy of Liu Jichuan's Literary Records."

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up and said: "Old man, your memory is truly good. I am here to buy books this time, but I also want to ask you about something."

The old man's eyes were confused and asked: "What does sir want to ask?"

The middle-aged man said: "I heard from the old man that there were two figures who looked like candidates, who also came to buy that copy of Liu Jichuan's Literary Records.

One was in his early twenties, with the courtesy name Xiwen, and the other was nearly forty, with the courtesy name Brother Bao Kun, but I don't know their surnames.

I want to ask the old man again, when they bought the book that day, what other words did they say?"

The old man's expression was confused and asked: "Why does sir want to ask about such things?"

The middle-aged man's face stiffened and he laughed: "Those two are my friends. We write articles to compete, and their articles take meaning from that copy of Liu Jichuan's Literary Records.

So I want to know what words they said when they bought the book that day, so I can know their intention and conception of writing.

That way I can adapt to circumstances and write better articles to suppress them. It's just a competitive heart between friends, let the old man laugh."

As the middle-aged man spoke, he took out a silver ingot from his sleeve, weighing a full three taels, which was his salary for more than half a month.

The old man took the silver without changing his expression and laughed: "So that's it. Scholars competing in writing is also an elegant matter. Let the old man think carefully, I can probably remember."

The old man walked back and forth in front of the shelf and laughed: "It seems I am not senile yet, I really remembered it.

At that time, the scholar named Xiwen took a fancy to that copy of Liu Jichuan's Literary Collection and wanted to buy it with great interest.

The scholar named Brother Bao Kun advised his companion that the metropolitan examination was imminent, and it was important to ponder the mock questions issued by Master Huang, so why waste time on obscure texts..."

The old man tried his best to recall while speaking. Although his words were interrupted, the front and back words matched closely, and it could be heard that it was definitely not made up at will.

Although he looked old, his memory was truly not bad, slowly telling the story of many days ago, gradually revealing the whole matter...

The middle-aged man was increasingly shocked as he listened, his expression gloomy and surprised, his eyes revealing an unusual severity.

He stood there thinking for a while after listening to the old man, and after a long time, he smiled at the old man and said: "Thank you, old man."

After the middle-aged man finished speaking, he strode out of the Xiao family bookstore and soon disappeared into the crowd.

The old man walked to the shelf again, picked up that copy of Liu Jichuan's Literary Records, a sinister smile that was hard to detect appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then he threw the book back onto the shelf... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 619 =====

The old man walked back to the shelf, picked up the "Collected Writings of Liu Jichuan," revealed an imperceptible, sinister smile at the corner of his mouth, and then tossed the book back onto the shelf... (End of chapter)