Chapter 621

On the outskirts of the Love Shenjing, Muni Nunnery.

Miao Yu saw Abbess Xiushan's face was pale and her expression withered, and she had actually coughed up a sleeve full of blood.

Frightened until her face turned pale, she said with tears in her eyes, "Master, what is wrong with you? It is all my fault; I should not have let you calculate his fate."

Abbess Xiushan took a few heavy breaths, slightly steadying her mind.

She said, "Do not worry, my body was already in poor condition, and the root of the illness has not been removed; just now, my mind was exhausted, and my spirit was somewhat unable to support it..."

Miao Yu hurriedly helped Abbess Xiushan back to the meditation room to serve her water to rinse her mouth and take medicine.

Abbess Xiushan rested for a moment and said, "Last time Yuzhang sent Zhi Shao back, I asked about his and Jia She's birth dates, and I felt strange in my heart at that time.

Now that I have obtained their birth dates and times, just a slight calculation shows that they indeed have no father-son destiny!"

Miao Yu handed Abbess Xiushan a cup of light tea and said, "The rift between Yuzhang and the Jia family master is known to everyone in the world; it must be because their fates are incompatible that they lack the father-son affinity."

Xiushan's expression was solemn, her eyes unable to hide her confusion, and she said, "When I say they have no father-son destiny, I do not mean they have no father-son affinity.

Rather, the birth dates and times of the two, as well as Yuzhang's bone structure and temperament, show that their birth dates are fundamentally clashing, life and death are difficult to tolerate, and they may not be father and son!"

Upon hearing this, Miao Yu trembled slightly, her face turned somewhat pale, and the teacup in her hand slipped and fell, shattering on the ground.

She asked in shock, "Master, everyone in the world knows he is the concubine-born son of the Rongguo Prefecture's eldest branch and the head of the Jia family's east and west prefectures; how can he not be Jia She's son?

Then whose son could he be?"

Abbess Xiushan said, "This is difficult to calculate, but the Rongguo Jia family is a century-old prominent clan; such a wealthy and powerful household is different from ordinary families, and the private matters and entanglements within the clan are complex.

Even if his biological father is not Jia She, it could be someone else within the Jia clan; although the innate divine numbers are profound, they are not a method that exhausts everything in the world.

It is just that this matter is too shocking; it is enough that only you and I know it. You must never let out a hint of wind, not even a word to Jing Hui.

Jia Cong's current official rank and status are all based on him being the heir of the Rongguo eldest branch; he has consistently been esteemed by the current Emperor, and the implications are not small; now that he has passed the metropolitan examination, he is even more famous throughout the world.

If people were to discover that there are other hidden matters within the Jia clan, that the bloodline is not pure, and that disaster arises from within, he would face imminent disaster; when the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact, and Jing Hui would also be trapped in danger and chaos.

By then, you and I, master and disciple, would all be implicated, and perhaps we would die without a burial place..."

Miao Yu's face turned pale, and she said, "Master, rest assured, I understand the dangers involved and will definitely keep my mouth shut."

Abbess Xiushan sighed, "Actually, this matter is not the most serious; at most, it is just that there are other private hidden matters in a wealthy family; I have heard many such things about the inner courtyards of these large households."

Miao Yu was surprised in her heart and asked, "Master, does he have any other bad things?"

Abbess Xiushan said, "According to the calculation of his birth date and time, his life destiny is indeed unusually noble, possessing the aura of a noble and honorable bloodline.

But people exist in the red dust, all born from the interaction of Heaven and Earth's energy, combining the four pillars of stems and branches, containing the two changes of yin and yang, tracing the source up and down, and connecting cause and effect.

Parents and children are even more blood-connected, their energy is interconnected, and their divination and fortune are closely related, in which there must be a fixed destiny.

Perhaps his biological parents' life path was fierce, causing his fortune and longevity to be cut short; I calculated that around the age of ten, he had a great life-and-death calamity, and it was difficult to resolve, with death and no life!"

The more Miao Yu heard, the more shocked she became; she saw Abbess Xiushan's brows slightly furrowed, confusion flashing in her eyes, and even a trace of strange fear.

Miao Yu had followed Abbess Xiushan for more than ten years and knew that her master's divine numbers were exquisite, almost reaching the level of communicating with Heaven and humans, and she had never shown such a confused and lonely expression.

Abbess Xiushan said faintly, "But now he is living perfectly well, and the 'yang' baleful energy is growing more solemn, his vitality seems broken yet not broken, as if he is not a person of the mortal world; this is really too strange!

Since I learned the divine numbers of my predecessors, I have calculated countless times in my life and have never failed, and I have never encountered such a strange fate as his.

Every time I saw him in the past, I felt that he was full of spiritual energy, different from ordinary people; otherwise, how could he have such amazing literary talent and a strong fortune that turns from bad to good.

Now that I think about it, there must be cause and effect; could it be that when he was ten years old, he had a heaven-defying encounter, which caused his life and death to change, his broken chess game to be reborn, and the withered wood to meet spring...

How could there be such a strange thing in this world? The classics of the sages have never recorded such things..."

Miao Yu saw Abbess Xiushan muttering to herself, as if she had encountered a difficult matter she had never faced in her life.

She knew that her master studied innate divine numbers and was always accurate in her calculations; now that she had suddenly encountered an unpredictable opportunity, it had a great impact on her heart.

Miao Yu was afraid in her heart and said, "Master, do not think about this matter anymore, and never calculate his fate again; you should rest well for a while."

Abbess Xiushan found it difficult to let go of this matter, but under Miao Yu's pleading and persuasion, she finally let go of this knot in her heart.

Miao Yu did not dare to leave the meditation room for a while, waiting until Abbess Xiushan fell asleep and confirming that there was no danger, only then did she tiptoe away.

She left Abbess Xiushan's meditation room and thought about what Master had just said about Jia Cong's fate—bizarre, blurred, deep, and difficult to understand—and she could not help but tremble in her heart...

At this time, the evening wind blew, and Miao Yu could not help but feel a chill, her slender hands subconsciously hugging each other.

For a moment, her thoughts were gloomy and dazed, not knowing where to go, just walking aimlessly.

The light ink white silk skirt tied at her waist fluttered slightly in the night, her blue cloth shoes stepped with a light and slow pace, and the thousands of silver silk threads on her slender waist drifted helplessly in the wind...

Unknowingly, she walked to the nunnery's main hall again, where two glass Buddha lamps hung, the yellow, warm light leaking out silently.

Under the reflection of the lamp light, the Guanyin Bodhisattva's kind face seemed to have the power to calm people's hearts, allowing Miao Yu's confused and terrified thoughts to be slightly comforted and stabilized.

She walked into the main hall alone, before the standing Guanyin Bodhisattva statue; on the black sandalwood incense altar, the red candles before the Buddha were in pairs, their brilliance winding, candle tears flowing, illuminating her pretty face and staining it with a blush, adding a bit of charm.

Between the two red candles was a peach-wood prayer token, on which was written Jia Cong's birth date and time.

Miao Yu took the peach-wood token and gently stroked it in her hand, thinking of the day Jia Cong sent Zhi Shao back and invited a famous physician from the Love Shenjing to diagnose and treat Master.

She sat idly with him in the meditation room, the two of them cooking tea and chatting; although the time was not long, their words were compatible, each with witty remarks; now that she thought about it, it was an unprecedentedly broad-minded and joyful experience...

Miao Yu closed her eyes slightly, put the peach-wood spirit token back on the incense altar, and knelt on the cushion for a long time before tapping the wooden fish, holding the prayer beads, and reciting mantras and praying for blessings towards the peach-wood token.

It seemed that only in this way could she remove the unease in her heart and the inexplicable bond hidden in her heart early on...

The murmuring, melodious sound of chanting, accompanied by the clear sound of the wooden fish, lingered, pure and solemn, with great vows and devout hearts, lingering in the nunnery's Buddha hall, piercing through the dark night until the east was slightly bright.

Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

The east was slightly bright, and the first ray of morning sun leaked through the carved window lattice of the main room, casting a pale golden shadow on the jujube wood floor, warm and harmonious, containing the rhyme of vitality.

Jia Cong's bed moved, and Zhi Shao came over to lift the bed curtains and smiled, "In the past, Cong Sanye would have gotten up by this time; today you actually overslept; did you fall asleep late last night?"

Jia Cong also felt a bit strange in his heart; for these years, he had been going to bed late and getting up early, and his routine had been very fixed, but today it was somewhat abnormal.

He smiled and said, "It was exactly the opposite; I fell asleep as soon as I lay down last night, and I don't know why, but my mood was unusually peaceful and beautiful, and I slept especially soundly all night.

It is rare and strange that I overslept when I woke up."

Zhi Shao smiled and said, "For the past few days, guests have been coming in droves, and Cong Sanye has been busy receiving and dealing with them every day; it is tiring enough; perhaps it is because the matters are over and your mind has relaxed."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I imagine that is the reason; after the palace examination in a few days, the major event of the imperial examination will be settled, and there will be fewer major events to worry about in the future."

Jia Cong suddenly thought of something and asked, "Last time you and Xiu Yan went to visit Abbess Xiushan, was the Abbess's condition stable, and was there any recurrence?"

Zhi Shao replied, "When we went last time, Master's complexion was still good; after all, she is advanced in age, and her body is not as good as before; she still often studies divine numbers, and I have advised her to spend less mental energy."

Jia Cong said, "It is a pity that Divine Physician Zhang is traveling abroad and has had no news; otherwise, it would be the most secure thing to have him diagnose the Abbess.

I will send a letter to Mr. Zhang today and ask him to work hard for these two days to go to Muni Nunnery to re-examine the Abbess, so that you can be more at ease."

By the time Zhi Shao had just finished helping Jia Cong wash and dress, the door of the main room was pushed open; Qing Wen was holding the newly ironed official robe, Liu Wuer was carrying a copper basin of hot water, and behind them followed Ying Lian and Ling Guan.

Jia Cong smiled, "You all came together so early today."

Liu Wuer smiled, "Today is the good day when Cong Sanye's half-year mourning period ends and you resume your original position; we naturally all want to come to serve and ask for a bit of good luck for Cong Sanye, wishing Cong Sanye a promotion from now on."

Qing Wen giggled and said, "Liu Wuer, ever since you went to the west prefecture to be a housekeeper, you have really gained a lot of knowledge; your speech is all bookish and flowing."

Liu Wuer's pretty face turned red, and she went up and pinched Qing Wen, laughing and scolding, "Your glib tongue is asking for trouble again; what are you babbling about? You are the housekeeper."

The few of them chatted and laughed, helping Jia Cong put on his official robe; each of them smiled beautifully, circling around to look at Jia Cong to see if there was anything wrong with his attire, making Jia Cong dazzled.

By the time they entered the main hall, various breakfast items had long been prepared on the round table; before they had time to sit down, they heard light footsteps and laughter at the courtyard gate.

Ying Chun and Dai Yu brought the sisters in; because they also knew that Jia Cong's half-year mourning period ended today, they all came to send him off and remove his mourning clothes. Everyone gathered around a table, harmonious and warm, accompanying Jia Cong to finish breakfast.

It was just that Lin Zhixiao came personally to invite him; because Jia Cong was removing his mourning clothes today, he had received instructions from Grandmother, and according to family rules, he needed to enter the ancestral hall to pray to his ancestors and bid farewell to his late father's spirit tablet.

Jia Cong was somewhat disapproving of these cumbersome rituals in his heart, but since it was a matter of clan law and etiquette, he would not do anything stupid like complaining, just following the steps.

After coming out of the Rongguo ancestral hall, he went directly out of the west corner gate to the Ministry of Rites official office in the east of the Love Shenjing to record his name and perform the ceremony of ending mourning.

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Wang Xifeng entered Rongqing Hall early in the morning and was chatting with Jia Mu.

Because of the joy of Jia Cong passing the metropolitan examination, the west prefecture had been full of guests and noisy for several days.

Although Jia Mu felt glorious and decent when receiving guests, she was advanced in age, and after resting for two days, she finally managed to recover.

Today, Jia Mu had just regained her energy and sent someone to the east courtyard to call Bao Yu to see her; since the day of Jia Cong's celebration, Bao Yu had not appeared in the west prefecture for many days.

!

Jia Mu asked, "Did Cong Ge'er go out today?"

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Just when I left the courtyard, Liu Wuer happened to come to manage affairs, saying that Brother Cong went to the ancestral hall early in the morning to pay respects, and has now gone to the Ministry of Rites to record his name and end mourning."

Jia Mu sighed, "Over the past half year, the family has been very restless, with good and bad things happening together; now it has finally settled down, and Cong Ge'er is also coming out to be an official again."

Wang Xifeng smiled, "Grandmother, rest assured; after this period, everything in the family will surely go smoothly in the future.

Brother Cong has now passed the metropolitan examination, which is a great honor; in a few days, he will enter the palace for the palace examination, and his future will surely be prosperous, and our east and west prefectures will surely be fine!"

When Jia Mu heard this, her face also showed a lot of smiles; the prosperity of the Jia family mansion was what Jia Mu was most happy about; she was born with a noble fate, and what she cared about most was this matter.

At this time, Lady Wang brought Bao Yu into Rongqing Hall.

After not seeing him for many days, Bao Yu's fair and tender face was round and pleasing again, but his expression was somewhat uncomfortable.

Perhaps the festive situation in Rongqing Hall on the day Jia Cong passed the metropolitan examination made Bao Yu feel like dying of disgust.

Along with it, he had lingering fears about the west prefecture, as if it had been tarnished by Jia Cong, and was covered with the aura of a corrupt official, making him sigh and wring his hands...

Jia Mu was full of smiles when she saw Bao Yu, called him to her side, and untied the red forehead band with the double dragon snatching the pearl from his head.

Seeing that the scar on Bao Yu's forehead had healed well, but a clear red mark remained.

Jia Mu said with heartache, "Bao Yu, you are now fifteen and an adult; you must be steady and careful in your actions; you cannot be like this time, falling so hard while walking properly.

My heart trembles when I see the scar, and I know how badly you were hurt at the beginning; your father and mother were just trying to coax me, humph!"

Lady Wang apologized with a smile, "Grandmother, we were also afraid that you would worry; isn't Bao Yu all strong now?"

Jia Mu said, "His scar hasn't healed flat yet; these days, he should eat light food and avoid salty, spicy, and oily food; otherwise, if a scar is left and his appearance is ruined, what will happen?"

Wang Xifeng found it funny when she heard this; Jia Mu's words were a bit out of proportion; Bao Yu was a man over fifteen, so what did it matter if there was a grain-sized scar on an inconspicuous place on his forehead.

He was not a young lady, nor was he a famous actor on stage, so could he rely on his face to eat?

Lady Wang smiled, "Grandmother is right; Bao Yu hasn't married yet, so if such a good appearance is damaged, what should we do?"

When Jia Mu heard this, she also looked at Bao Yu's round and festive face with loving sunshine.

When Wang Xifeng heard this, she suddenly felt that she was having morning sickness, and her stomach could not help but churn.

Seeing this, the maid Feng Er hurriedly handed over a food box, and Wang Xifeng picked up a sour plum and held it in her mouth, only then catching her breath.

When Jia Mu heard Lady Wang mention marriage, she asked, "Last time you said you liked the Xia family girl; how is this marriage talk going?"

Wang Xifeng, who was on the side, almost pricked up her ears when she heard this.

In fact, Lady Wang liked the Xia family girl and wanted to propose marriage for Bao Yu; since Bao Yu's birthday banquet, it had been circulating in the two prefectures.

Wang Xifeng naturally heard about such major inner courtyard matters long ago.

She had seen the Xia family girl several times at Rongqing Hall and the east prefecture banquets; in terms of a girl's appearance and charm, the Xia girl could be considered a first-class figure.

However, Wang Xifeng was shrewd and had a vicious eye for people; she always felt that the Xia girl was somewhat unusual.

Her face was pretty and her eyes were bright, but they contained a trace of sharpness; her words were crisp and her manners were generous, and one could taste a bit of spiciness.

In short, in Wang Xifeng's mind, compared with the sisters in the family who were well-versed in books and etiquette, the Xia girl was definitely a different kind of boudoir figure, and she naturally felt disgusted by her...

At the two birthday banquets in the east courtyard, the Xia mother and daughter were both honored guests, and Wang Xifeng was also at the banquet.

Wang Xifeng regarded Jia Cong as the backer of the eldest branch, so she paid extra attention to everything related to Jia Cong.

Therefore, at the two birthday banquets in the east courtyard, whenever Jia Cong entered the inner hall to pay respects, Wang Xifeng noticed something unusual.

Every time the Xia girl looked at Cong Lao San, her eyes were filled with a flirtatious taste, as if she were stuck to him.

Although this Xia girl paid great attention to her manners and demeanor in front of people, she had restrained herself.

But a shrewd woman like Wang Xifeng, who had experienced such things, was paying extra attention, and her eyes saw it clearly.

However, Wang Xifeng had never mentioned this matter to anyone.

It was nothing more than the fact that the Xia girl was a boudoir girl from an outside family, and this kind of thing was baseless; moreover, it had nothing to do with her, so she should keep some moral integrity.

Moreover, in Wang Xifeng's view, Cong Lao San was born with such a proud and romantic appearance, so what was strange about being stared at by women?

Last time, Grandmother invited four noble young ladies, originally wanting to play matchmaker for Bao Yu.

As a result, those four little girls, as soon as they saw Cong Lao San, all stared straight at him.

So this Xia girl's face was not strange.

However, when Wang Xifeng heard that Lady Wang liked the Xia girl and wanted to propose marriage for Bao Yu, she was a bit dumbfounded.

Every time the Xia girl saw Cong Lao San, she had a flirtatious look, yet she wanted to be Bao Yu's wife; Aunt's eyes were really not sharp...

However, she would never mention the reason to Lady Wang; not to mention that these were her guesses, even if they were true, she would not go to ask for this shame.

Given the current situation of the eldest and second branches, if she said this, her aunt would not think she was well-intentioned, but would mostly think she was causing trouble.

Besides, if the Xia girl loved to look at Cong Lao San, let her look enough; it wouldn't lose a piece of meat, and it wouldn't let her hook him away.

Cong Lao San had a pile of women inside and outside his house; he might be dazzled, but he would never pick the Xia girl, because the Xia family was not worthy, and the Xia family could only match someone like Bao Yu...

Therefore, Wang Xifeng didn't care at all about Bao Yu marrying the Xia girl, at most it was a mood of watching the fun.

When Lady Wang heard Jia Mu ask about this marriage, her face was slightly embarrassed.

She said, "On the day of Bao Yu's birthday banquet, I vaguely mentioned this matter to Mother Xia; she liked our Bao Yu's appearance and character.

But she is a widow, and the Xia girl is her only daughter; marriage matters must always be cautious, and she said she wanted to probe her daughter's tone first."

When Jia Mu heard this, she was unhappy; for someone like her Bao Yu to marry a merchant's daughter was already a bit of a compromise, so why was the Xia family still putting on airs?

She said, "It has been so many days since Bao Yu's birthday banquet, and the Xia family hasn't given a definite answer; it sounds a bit vague, so don't take this matter too seriously; let's do what we should do.

According to our Jia family rules, when a boy reaches fifteen and is an adult, we should arrange capable people in his room.

With reliable people serving and pointing things out by Bao Yu's side, let him settle his heart early, understand more about human affairs, and be able to start a family in the future.

I think we should pick a good day to finish the etiquette inside, and that will be one thing settled."

Jia Mu looked at Wang Xifeng and smiled, "Feng Yatou, Cong Ge'er has also reached the age, so let's do this together.

Now that you are the one bringing good news, you pick a good day and ask for good luck; in the future, they might be able to have children early." (End of chapter)