Chapter 619: Ancient Scriptures Wishing for Glory

Love Shenjing, Ningrong Street, early morning, the east is slightly bright.

The street is empty, and the early pedestrians can be counted on one's fingers. Passing by the East and West Mansions of the Jia family, one can see the firecracker debris piled up at the entrance, and the air is still filled with a festive atmosphere.

As the east gradually brightens, the corner gates of the two mansions open early, signaling the arrival of a prosperous and festive day.

Many servants and retainers are already busy at the corner gates, and carriages and horses often transport in and out, bustling and orderly.

In the inner courtyard, Lin Zhixiao's wife received instructions from Feng Jie last night, and early in the morning, she assigned manpower to share the work.

Moving and arranging tables, chairs, benches, tea sets, cups, and dishes to wait for the banquet, and assigning special people to manage lamp oil, fire, and wax, so as not to be busy and chaotic.

The fruits, vegetables, and meat purchased in the outer courtyard in the early morning were sent to the kitchens of the inner and outer courtyards one after another, arranging for the old women to wash and clean, preparing for the cooking of the flowing banquet.

The various matters of welcoming guests into the mansion, receiving gifts, purchasing and transporting, guarding the doors, and managing carriages and horses in the outer courtyard were even more cumbersome. Fortunately, there was an old steward like Lin Zhixiao in charge, who could handle them properly.

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Early this day, Jia Mu dressed and washed. She knew that Brother Cong had passed the examination, and there would be a large number of visitors today.

Jia Mu also knew that her grandson was dazzling now, and with his father's death last year, the arranged marriage was broken. Even with a three-year mourning period, many noble female relatives with daughters of marriageable age probably had some thoughts.

So there would probably be no shortage of wives and young ladies who came with the male guests today.

Although according to Jia Mu's mind, she wouldn't let any of them succeed, the way of treating guests was still indispensable.

The matter of entertaining guests today, Wang Xifeng, who was best at speaking with ingenuity, must be busy managing things.

If female relatives visited the inner courtyard, Jia Mu couldn't let herself be alone, so she invited Xue Yima to sit idly early.

Since she invited Xue Yima, she naturally let her second daughter-in-law come over to entertain.

Also, because of the happy news of Jia Cong yesterday, Li Wan taught her son a few words in the hall while facing Jia Cong's Ministry of Rites list book, which made Jia Mu feel a bit emotional, and she couldn't help but think of the eldest grandson of the second branch who died early.

So, she asked someone to let Li Wan bring Jia Lan over.

Several people sat and talked for a while. Jia Mu saw that although Jia Lan was young, he was leaning on his mother, not noisy or making trouble, and already had a bit of steadiness and intelligence.

She asked: "Why don't I see Baoyu today?"

Lady Wang said: "Baoyu originally wanted to stay in the West Mansion to accompany the Old Lady, but the Master asked him to go back to study, so he had to go back to the East Road Courtyard first.

He got up early today with a headache and soft body, as if he had caught a cold yesterday. I let him rest there first, and he will come to honor the Old Lady in a few days."

Jia Mu said: "The first branch originally had Lian'er, but he suffered in Liaodong. Brother Cong passed the examination, but there is no close brother to help move around and manage things.

This is not to mention, I am worried about the East Mansion. There will definitely be no shortage of male and female guests today. Second girl, a young lady, I am afraid she will be exhausted."

Xue Yima laughed: "Old Lady doesn't need to worry too much. Your second young lady is the most capable now. The huge East Mansion is managed neatly by her. She has the ability.

Moreover, there is your third young lady helping on that side, so it will always be fine. Bao girl also went to help this morning.

With these clever young ladies, dealing with those inner-chamber matters, there will definitely be no problem."

Jia Mu laughed: "Even if so, I can be at ease. Although Feng girl is a good one, she is dragging a body, very law-abiding, and can only exert five points of ability.

I don't know how she is busy there..."

Lady Wang felt a bit uncomfortable when she heard that Seeing Tan Chun was managing the entertainment of guests in the East Mansion, and felt a move in her heart when she heard the meaning in Jia Mu's words.

Xue Yima looked at her sister and picked up the teacup to drink tea, just pretending not to hear the meaning of Jia Mu, feeling in her heart that the inner chamber of the noble family was truly a mess...

In the small courtyard north of Rongxi Hall, although Feng Jie was easily sleepy because of her pregnancy, she also got up at dawn this day.

Ping'er and Feng'er served her to dress and wash, and Wu'er also came over from the East Mansion early to manage things.

Because Jia Cong wanted Xiao Hong to be the steward maid of Rongxi Hall and conquered the hearts of Lin Zhixiao and his wife, he had long told Wu'er to let them do the daily housework as much as possible.

Because there were people like Lin Zhixiao and his wife who had been doing things for a long time in the inner and outer courtyards, Feng Jie didn't need to worry too much, otherwise, she was pregnant and really couldn't handle it.

Since Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title and became a rare person with dual titles among the nobles of the Love Shenjing, his status had become increasingly transcendent and extraordinary in the eyes of old nobles like the Four Kings and Eight Dukes.

Last time, the joy of inheriting the Rongguo title, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, and the Jia family's relatives and old friends, almost none were absent, and they all sent gifts to congratulate. The scale of guests was already quite considerable.

Now Jia Cong had passed the metropolitan examination and made the Huiyuan, becoming an extremely rare anomaly among the noble family descendants.

In the eyes of outsiders, the Jia family's East and West Mansions, because of Jia Cong alone, had presented the glory of both literary and martial arts, standing out among the old noble families, increasingly making people unable to ignore.

Like female relatives of the inner chamber like Wang Xifeng, although they couldn't see things so thoroughly.

But with her experience in managing family affairs for many years, she could also predict that the guests coming to congratulate today would only be more grand and complicated than the day Jia Cong inherited the title.

This day, Wang Xifeng got up early and heard Lin Zhixiao's wife report the matter, only telling her to be careful in dealing with it.

She just discussed with Wu'er and Ping'er about the differences in the status of the guests, how to divide the banquet, how to receive the host, and various details such as serving tea in the side hall.

Like a great noble family like the Rongguo Mansion, the way of treating guests paid the most attention to the etiquette of welcoming and sending, and could not be sloppy at all, otherwise it would ruin the face of the noble family and become a laughingstock for outsiders.

Wang Xifeng managed Jia Mu's birthday ceremony every year, so she knew the details of these ways very well.

She couldn't walk easily, so she naturally had to hand over everything to Wu'er and Ping'er, and let Wu'er write them into a charter for use.

According to the number of guests for several days when Jia Cong inherited the Rongguo title, the number of guests and female relatives for this visit would be at least four or five hundred, and only more.

The flowing banquet for the first few days would not be less than twenty tables a day. If such complicated guest-treating affairs were not carefully calculated in advance, it would be very easy to have chaos.

In the past, Wang Xifeng managed Jia Mu's birthday and started calculating a month in advance. Unlike this time when Jia Cong made the Huiyuan, it was only known one day in advance.

The three discussed for a long time on the couch, and the sky outside was bright. I am afraid that it wouldn't be long before the inner and outer courtyards would become lively.

At this time, the door curtain outside was lifted, and Yuanyang entered with a full face of smiles.

Wang Xifeng laughed: "Why did Yuanyang girl come over so early?"

Yuanyang laughed: "There is no urgent matter, just the Old Lady let me come over to pass a word, saying that Cong Sanye passed the examination, and there will be guests coming to congratulate in these few days, and the affairs are heavy.

The Old Lady is worried that the Second Young Lady is pregnant and cannot be too tired. If it is really too busy, you can let the Second Madam bring the Eldest Young Lady over to help."

Wang Xifeng, Wu'er, and Ping'er were all women with clear minds. As soon as they heard this, they understood the Old Lady's mind.

Wang Xifeng felt funny in her heart. The Old Lady saw that Cong Third was becoming more and more developed, and because she felt sorry for her younger son, she was worried that the second branch would become colder and colder from now on.

So she let the people of the second branch come out to show their faces and do things, giving face to the younger son in front of people.

The Old Lady might think simply, and helping each other as sisters-in-law was also a common matter, but if the Second Madam was really allowed to come out to manage, I am afraid that what her aunt thought was not simple. Wang Xifeng laughed: "The Old Lady is really feeling sorry for me, but although there are many guests this time, it is fortunate that they will not all come in one day.

Outside there are Lin Zhixiao and his wife, and inside there are Wu'er and Ping'er helping me, so I can still handle it. I dare not trouble the Second Madam, and it is not appropriate in terms of etiquette."

Yuanyang laughed: "Second Young Lady's words are reasonable. It is a happy event for Cong Sanye to pass the examination. It is reasonable and reasonable for you, the mistress, to manage it.

If the Second Madam, an elder, is allowed to work, it would be a joke for Cong Sanye to be talked about by others, saying that he lost the etiquette of the elders.

If the Second Young Lady is really too busy, you can send someone to call me, and it would be more convenient and worry-free to use me, a maid. The Old Lady is also definitely willing."

Wang Xifeng laughed: "These words are truly pleasant, and it is also a clever and transparent person like you who can say it so reasonably. I will thank Yuanyang girl here first."

Yuanyang left with a smile. Wang Xifeng was as clear as a mirror in her heart. Although Yuanyang passed the word for the Old Lady, because her aunt once asked for her to be a concubine for Baoyu, this girl probably held a grudge in her heart.

Besides, Wang Xifeng was so clever, where could she not see who Yuanyang was thinking of...

Count's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

The sky was just slightly bright, and the young ladies and maids in the courtyard had all got up early. In the courtyard, inside and outside the veranda, and at the doors and windows of the hall, graceful figures moved and shuttled, pleasing to the eyes.

!

Inside the main room, Qingwen, who was on duty last night, walked around the room, helping Jia Cong dress and wash.

She didn't get up in a hurry like in the past, helping Jia Cong manage things with her hair scattered.

Instead, she got up before dawn, tidied herself up beautifully and neatly first, and then called Jia Cong to get up.

She helped Jia Cong tie his hair and coil his bun, seeing Jia Cong's radiant appearance in the mirror, the smile on the corners of her mouth never faded.

Jia Cong laughed: "Qingwen, why are you so proud today? What good thing did you get? Tell me so I can be happy too."

Qingwen laughed: "What other good thing is there? Naturally, Cong Sanye made the Huiyuan. Cong Sanye is proud, so I am proud."

Jia Cong laughed: "I think this is also bragging. A Huiyuan is produced every three years. It is impossible for a literary star to reincarnate every three years. That would be too busy."

Qingwen was teased by Jia Cong's words and giggled, her crisp and pleasant voice echoing in the room.

At this time, the main door was pushed open, and Zhi Shao brought a copper basin of hot water in and laughed: "What good thing are you talking about? Why are you so happy?

Qingwen must tidy up Cong Sanye neatly. Today Cong Sanye has to see guests for a day."

Qingwen laughed: "Zhi Shao sister, rest assured. I guarantee to tidy up Cong Sanye decently, ensuring that the female relatives and young ladies who come to congratulate will be dizzy when they see Cong Sanye."

Jia Cong asked: "It was agreed yesterday to send a carriage to take you to see the Master and Senior Sister. Why don't you go out at this hour?"

Zhi Shao laughed: "Yesterday I thought Cong Sanye just made the list. Who could have thought that he would make the first-place Huiyuan? Since last night, both mansions have started to become busy."

Wu'er went to the West Mansion early to manage things, and she has to go back to Second Young Lady's side to help later. Today the East and West Mansions have to open a flowing banquet, and the inner courtyard also has to receive female relatives.

How can I go out for such a happy event? I must stay and manage things with the sisters, and watch Cong Sanye's pride well.

Yesterday afternoon, I sent a message to Mouni Nunnery, and I will go to see the Master and Senior Sister with Xiu Yan sister in a few days.

The matter is also a coincidence. Yesterday, the old woman serving by the Senior Sister's side received the Senior Sister's order to go to the city to purchase rice and grain, and just happened to hear the happy news of Cong Sanye making the Huiyuan.

The person I sent to deliver the message also brought the congratulatory post and congratulatory gift sent by the Senior Sister."

Zhi Shao finished speaking and went out of the room. Not long after, she held a black sandalwood box in her hand. This box was not brand new, and the edges of the box were worn a bit shiny.

Zhi Shao took out a light blue embossed greeting card and a red-skinned white-bottomed book from the box.

On the top of the greeting card was written: Wishing Count Weiyuan Cong the joy of the head of the list.

On the bottom of the greeting card was written: Miao Yu of Panxiang Temple respectfully bows.

The handwriting on the greeting card was elegant and beautiful, the skeleton was uniform, and it had quite a foundation. Jia Cong laughed: "Master Miao Yu has a heart."

Zhi Shao took the red-skinned white-bottomed book again and laughed: "This is the translation of the palm-leaf scripture copied by the Senior Sister herself, sent to Cong Sanye as a congratulatory gift."

Jia Cong heard this and his expression became serious. He took it with both hands and flipped through it carefully, seeing that the book was full of beautiful small regular script, the handwriting was solemn and clear, the atmosphere was out of the dust, and it was bright to the eyes.

Jia Cong was also an expert in calligraphy. Seeing the font in the book, he couldn't help but praise: "Master Miao Yu actually wrote such good handwriting. I didn't know it before."

He was a person who knew brushes and ink. Seeing the ink marks on the first few pages of the book, it seemed that it had been some days, and the more he flipped to the back, the newer the ink marks were. The last few pages of ink marks looked like they were just written in these few days...

Zhi Shao laughed: "When I was in Gusu before, I heard the old nun of Panxiang Temple say that the Senior Sister was also born in a noble family, and she was tonsured and entered the Master's sect in her childhood.

At the age of seven, she could write a very neat small regular script of plum blossoms, and she had the reputation of a talented woman since childhood."

Jia Cong asked: "A seven-year-old girl can write small regular script of plum blossoms. Even in ordinary official families, it is extremely rare.

Unless it is that kind of noble family with deep foundation, I don't know which family Master Miao Yu comes from?"

Zhi Shao shook her head and said: "I don't know about this. I only heard that the Senior Sister was sick in her childhood and could only be converted to enter the sect to eliminate disasters.

Now her illness has been removed, but her family has long lost contact, and she can only stay in the empty gate.

A few years ago, the Senior Sister wanted to be tonsured and become a monk, but the Master did not receive the precepts for her, only letting her practice with hair.

It is said that when the Senior Sister first entered the sect, her family often came to visit, and every time they came, they brought rich gifts, looking like an extraordinary family.

But after the Senior Sister was thirteen, no family members came to visit the temple anymore. I think that must be her sad thing, so I never asked her, and the Master never mentioned this matter."

Jia Cong heard Zhi Shao's words and remembered that last year he sent Zhi Shao to Panxiang Temple, and Miao Yu personally cooked tea to entertain him, using extremely precious antique tea sets like green jade buckets and rhinoceros cups.

If she was not born in an extremely noble family, it would be impossible to have such rare treasures with her.

In fact, Jia Cong had always been curious about Miao Yu's background, but after all, it was someone else's privacy, and he had no need to explore it.

Jia Cong laughed: "This palm-leaf ancient scripture is passed down by the sages and is a thing that carries Buddhist fate and blessings. Master Miao Yu's gift is both elegant and precious."

Zhi Shao laughed: "I think it was last time Cong Sanye sent a handwritten Heart Sutra to the Senior Sister. It must be that the Senior Sister wanted to return the favor, so she copied this palm-leaf scripture early to return the gift." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 620 =====

If she had not been born into an extremely noble family since childhood, it would be impossible for her to have such rare treasures accompanying her.

In fact, Jia Cong had always been somewhat curious about Miao Yu's background, but since it was someone else's private matter, he had no need to investigate it.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This ancient Palm-Leaf Scripture was passed down by the sages and is an object that carries Buddhist affinity and good fortune. This gift from Master Miao Yu is both elegant and valuable."

Zhi Shao smiled and said, "I imagine that since Cong Sanye sent a hand-copied Heart Sutra to Senior Sister last time, she must have been thinking of reciprocating the kindness, which is why she copied this Palm-Leaf Scripture early to give in return." (End of chapter)