Chapter 653: Double Happiness in the Courtyard

Rongguo Mansion, East Route Courtyard.

When Lady Xia heard this news in the hall, she was also shocked, thinking that Jia Cong was truly capable of shocking the world and blessed with heaven-sent fortune.

Not only did he rank as the Huiyuan on the primary list a few days ago, but he was also promoted by the Emperor. How much time has passed, and he has actually achieved the Jinshi status in the first rank again.

Such things, occupying all the limelight and capturing the top spot in everything, are truly unheard of. He is also rarely seen in the world. No wonder my daughter only met him a few times and became so infatuated...

Lady Xia secretly rejoiced that today was the engagement day for the two families. According to custom, men and women cannot meet before marriage, so her daughter did not come to the Jia mansion today.

Otherwise, if she encountered this situation, given her daughter's infatuation with Jia Cong, she would likely have lost her composure and caused trouble on the spot...

Although Lady Xia was thinking about it, the warmth on her face was not lacking at all.

She smiled and said, "Achieving the Jinshi status is the descent of the God of Literature, a heaven-sent honor. I must truly congratulate Master Jia."

"It is widely rumored in the capital that the Count Lord Weiyuan of your mansion is both civil and military, a young talent. Hearing it with my own ears today, it is truly well-deserved."

"I have often heard that Count Lord Weiyuan was raised by the second branch of the Jia family since he was a child. Being able to have today's glory must be the result of Master Jia's careful teaching since he was young."

Lady Xia was a person like a human spirit. Usually, when chatting with Lady Wang, she could hear some connections between the second branch and Jia Cong. Just now, Jia Zheng heard the good news of Jia Cong's success and was so sincerely happy.

How could she not see Jia Zheng's thoughts? Naturally, she followed the pole to say good things, and the flower sedan chair was lifted very appropriately.

Jia Zheng was quite satisfied when he heard Lady Xia's words and felt that this in-law was a sensible person.

He stroked his beard and smiled, "Cong Ge'er has been very talented since he was a child and studied hard. No one among the Jia family's children can compare to him. He has always been the one who pleases me most, and I have always cared for him most since he was a child."

"But he can have today's achievements because he received the careful teaching of Jingan Gong. As the saying goes, a famous teacher produces a great student, which is truly not wrong at all."

Lady Xia was a businesswoman, and Jin Wanyue knew best. She hadn't heard of what Jingan Gong was, but guessed it must be Jia Cong's reading teacher or something similar.

At this time, Jia Zheng's thoughts drifted slightly, suddenly thinking that Jia Cong's success today had a great deal to do with having a famous teacher.

If his Baoyu could also be taught by Jingan Gong, maybe he would have a future...

It's just that even he didn't believe this himself. Not to mention whether Baoyu could succeed, letting the literary saint accept a disciple who couldn't even recite the Four Books would be the biggest joke in the world.

Back then, Jia Cong was the top of the Yongzhou courtyard examination before being accepted into the gate of Jingan Gong. One can imagine how high the standards of this old literary saint were.

He glanced at Baoyu beside him. On a day of great joy, he still had an unsatisfactory, strange expression on his face. He truly didn't know what to say, and immediately felt some shame in his heart, extinguishing the idea of Baoyu becoming a disciple.

Regardless, the Rongguo Mansion produced such a descendant as Jia Cong, who not only made his fortune through the imperial examinations and achieved the Jinshi status but also ranked as the Bangyan in the first rank. Even Jia Jing of the Ningguo branch was far inferior back then.

Thinking of this proud event, the disappointment in his son Baoyu was covered up for a while.

At this time, deafening firecrackers were heard one after another from the directions of the East and West Prefectures. It is thought that because Jia Cong achieved the Jinshi status, the two prefectures were setting off firecrackers to celebrate.

Jia Zheng had a happy face, and Seeing Tan Chun was also smiling, only Lady Wang's face was forced to endure displeasure.

Lady Xia watched from the side, seeing the relationship between the second branch and Jia Cong more clearly and thoroughly.

Jia Zheng smiled and said to Seeing Tan Chun, "Tan Yatou, today is Baoyu's big day, and the in-laws have arrived. Your mother and I are not convenient to move around."

"Cong Ge'er has such great joy. The two prefectures must be busy. All the preparations for receiving guests need to be planned. There will definitely be guests coming to congratulate him tomorrow."

"After achieving the Jinshi status, there will definitely be a Chuanlu Grand Ceremony in the palace. He will not be free for these two days. Your mother and I will be here. You go to the East Prefecture to help Cong Ge'er manage the worldly affairs."

Seeing Tan Chun was happy when she heard this and said, "Master has thought it through. I will go over now to help Third Brother and Second Sister manage things."

Lady Xia, who was watching this scene from the side, was also surprised. The rumors outside were indeed not wrong at all. This Master Jia valued Jia Cong very much, truly treating him as his own, and he was no more than that to his own son Baoyu.

Today is the happy day of Baoyu's engagement. Hearing that Jia Cong achieved the Jinshi status, his happy look was as if he had achieved the Jinshi status himself.

He was busy with his son's engagement and couldn't get away for a while, so he sent his daughter to help Jia Cong manage the worldly affairs. This intimacy is not ordinary.

This Third Young Lady was so happy when she heard that Jia Cong had achieved the Jinshi status. She didn't look like she was treating a cousin from another branch at all, but like her own brother.

Lady Xia sighed in her heart, no wonder people often say that if you don't enter the gate, you don't know the things.

To Master Jia and the Third Young Lady, this Jia Cong is a biological son and a biological brother. This closeness is extraordinary.

Calculating this way, aren't Baoyu and Jia Cong even closer...

Lady Xia saw the details of the family gate clearly, and felt even more proud in her heart. Her daughter took a fancy to Jia Cong, and the reputation and status of the two sides were not a match at all.

In the end, she had a good eye. Although Baoyu had no fame or career, he had such a father and sister, and he had a big backer.

Her daughter marrying Baoyu would not only raise the status of the Xia family but also have a big tree to enjoy the shade after entering the door. This marriage is truly practical.

Lady Xia thought clearly about these things, and her words became more kind and polite, and she said some good things about Master Jia having a good eye for pearls and the Jia family's talents.

Jia Zheng was naturally very satisfied, but Lady Wang's face was stiff, because she herself felt that the full house of talents didn't seem to include her Baoyu...

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

According to common sense, Jia Mu loved Baoyu so much that she would likely go to the East Route Courtyard to watch the excitement of the engagement between Baoyu and Xia Gu Niang.

But Jia Mu really couldn't get away, because today was also the day of Jia Cong's success in the examinations. The happy events of the two grandsons came together, and Jia Mu really couldn't divide herself.

Although she had pampered Baoyu with selfishness for many years, even now, Jia Mu still pampered Baoyu the most in her heart.

But times are different now. No matter how much she pampers him in her heart, Jia Cong is now the heir to the Jia family's title and the head of the Jia family designated by the imperial decree.

Whether in public or private, Jia Mu no longer dared to show her pampering for Baoyu and her indifference to Jia Cong as she did in previous years. Otherwise, the world's spit could drown her.

If Jia Cong was designated by the imperial list to achieve the Jinshi status today, compared to Baoyu's engagement ceremony, it would not be as important, and Jia Mu would turn a deaf ear to it, the world's public justice would definitely teach her to distinguish clearly...

Therefore, she had to stay in the Rongqing Hall today and wait for the news of Jia Cong's success in the examinations. Otherwise, her face would not look good.

Jia Mu had also been a noble lady of the Duke's mansion for a lifetime. How could she not see the situation of the family gate clearly? Now, the one who supports her daily high happiness is not Baoyu, but Jia Cong...

This morning, Jia Mu was alone in the Rongqing Hall, feeling quite bored and even restless. Usually, the granddaughters would come to greet her and chat, but today none of them came.

Jia Mu knew clearly in her heart that those granddaughters were close to Jia Cong and must be waiting for the news of Jia Cong's success in the East Prefecture. She didn't care much in her heart.

Now she was just thinking that today was Baoyu's engagement day, and she couldn't get away, feeling somewhat anxious.

Thinking about what shape her grandson Baoyu should be in today, he must be in gorgeous clothes, in high spirits, handsome and pleasing.

And Baoyu likes handsome girls the most. Knowing that he is marrying the beautiful Xia Gu Niang, he must be very willing...

Jia Mu was thinking somewhat distractedly, with a smile on her face, when suddenly a deafening sound of firecrackers came from outside, which startled her. The thoughts about Baoyu disappeared without a trace.

Yuanyang on the side comforted her: "Old Lady, don't be afraid. It's firecrackers from the East Prefecture. It's likely Cong Sanye's happy event has arrived. I'll go out and take a look and it will be clear."

Yuanyang had only been out for a while when the sound of firecrackers became louder and louder, as if to lift the sky. Jia Mu had lived in the West Prefecture for most of her life and heard that even the West Prefecture had started setting off firecrackers.

Yuanyang ran into the hall with a happy face and smiled: "Old Lady, I just went out and met Second Sister's maid Xiuju. She said Cong Sanye achieved the Jinshi status and ranked as the Bangyan in the first rank. Old Lady, it's a great joy."

Even if Jia Mu was full of noble family status and had never cared about the imperial examinations, she knew that the first-rank Jinshi was extremely remarkable. Only three appeared in the whole world every three years. Her grandson was truly capable of reaching the sky.

She hurriedly smiled and said: "Good, good, it is truly a great joy. My Rongguo Mansion also has a Jinshi to support the family gate!"

... After a while, Yingchun, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Xichun, and other sisters entered the hall one by one to report the good news to Jia Mu. After another while, Seeing Tan Chun also rushed over from the East Route Courtyard.

Jia Mu heard the firecrackers outside, which were very lively. Surrounded by a group of granddaughters, everyone was happy and smiling, which made her, who had always liked high happiness, feel satisfied in her heart.

Even the mood of missing Baoyu's engagement was temporarily put down by her...

Jia Mu asked Yingchun again: "Why don't I see Cong Ge'er?"

Yingchun smiled and said: "Cong Di originally wanted to report the good news to the Old Lady himself. Because he just received the imperial decree from the palace, he will enter the palace tomorrow to receive the Chuanlu Grand Ceremony."

"The imperial envoy from the palace just left, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites followed. Because Cong Di is a first-rank Jinshi, there are extra rules for the Chuanlu Grand Ceremony tomorrow, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites are teaching the etiquette, so he cannot come over."

Jia Mu smiled and said: "This palace ceremony is a glorious thing, so naturally it must be cautious. Let him be busy with his own affairs, and we ladies will just talk."

With the continuous sound of firecrackers outside, Wang Xifeng, who was now heavily pregnant and hadn't moved around for days, was also carried into the hall by a sedan chair.

As soon as she entered the Rongqing Hall, she congratulated Jia Mu. She was more experienced than sisters like Yingchun, and her words were warm and clever, which made Jia Mu happy.

Jia Mu said again: "Feng Yatou, now that Cong Ge'er has made the Golden List, there will likely be many old relatives and guests coming to congratulate him in the next few days."

!

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "Old Lady is right. Now that Cong Brother has achieved the Jinshi status, it is even more glorious than the top of the list last time."

"In the gate of military merit, I haven't heard of anyone who has achieved the Jinshi status for many years, and he is still the Bangyan in the first rank. Those military merit gates are probably so envious that their eyeballs are bleeding."

"Old Lady, just watch. In these few days, the threshold of the two prefectures will be trampled by people, and those noble ladies in the capital will be so envious of the Old Lady."

Jia Mu was amused by Wang Xifeng. Thinking that in the next few days, the Rongguo Mansion would definitely be full of guests, glorious and extreme, and many old relatives and inner family members would come to congratulate her.

Thinking of this high happiness and glorious style, she felt quite satisfied in her heart.

She said: "Today is truly a good day, double happiness, Baoyu's engagement, Cong Ge'er's success in the examinations, the family gate is flourishing, nothing more than this."

Wang Xifeng found it funny when she heard this. The Old Lady still pampered Baoyu the most, and she was talking nonsense again.

Cong Third Brother's success in the examinations is naturally the glory of the family gate, and the momentum is rising. Baoyu is just marrying a merchant's daughter. What kind of flourishing is this? How can these two things be mentioned together...

Jia Mu said again: "The family hasn't held a happy event for many years. Now that Baoyu is holding a happy event, it must be very lively."

"Feng Yatou, now you are the eldest sister-in-law of the first branch, and you lead the younger generation in the family. You also watched Baoyu grow up."

"You should also put some thought into his marriage and help manage it decently, so as to bring some joy to the family."

Jia Mu's words were warm and lively, sounding like she was just concerned about her grandson's marriage, but as soon as she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to freeze slightly, and it seemed that there was nothing unusual.

Everyone present, except for Shi Xiangyun who was lively and unrestrained, and Xichun who was young and ignorant of human affairs, none of them were confused people.

Not to mention Wang Xifeng, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and others who were shrewd and intelligent, even Yingchun's personality was gentle and gentle, but a woman with superb chess skills would not be a confused person. Otherwise, how could she manage the huge East Prefecture properly.

They all heard that Jia Mu had words in her words. According to the reason, the first branch now inherits the title and family business, and the second branch has moved to the East Route Courtyard. Although the two branches have not completely cut off, they are like separate family gates.

Baoyu's marriage is managed by Lady Wang, so how can it be managed by Wang Xifeng...

Wang Xifeng was like a mirror in her heart when she heard Jia Mu's words. The Old Lady had words in her words, asking her to help manage it, isn't it asking the public to allocate silver to make Baoyu's marriage decent.

According to reason, although the first branch inherits the title and family business, the older generation is still there, and it is reasonable for the West Prefecture's public to allocate silver for Baoyu's marriage.

Wang Xifeng knew in her heart that as long as she mentioned the two thousand taels, the Old Lady would definitely be dissatisfied.

Today is Cong Third Brother's happy day of success in the examinations. If because of this matter, there is a gap, and the interest is ruined, isn't it bringing bad luck to him? No matter what, she has to find another day to talk about this matter.

She must find another reason to divert the topic, so as not to let the Old Lady get to the bottom of it...

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "Now Baoyu is only engaged. I don't know if the Old Lady and the Second Lady have chosen a good day for the wedding?"

Jia Mu smiled and said: "Baoyu has just passed his fifteenth birthday, so let him raise it again. Now it is hot, and in a few months, it will be dry and irritable, or heavy snow, which is not a harmonious period."

"I have discussed it with Baoyu's mother. It is best to choose the day in the spring of next year. That is the time when the warm sun is born, which is suitable for marriage."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "There is still half a year, which is quite generous. As for Brother Bao's marriage, I, as a sister-in-law, will naturally do my best. But the Old Lady said today is double happiness, which is a bit wrong."

"In my opinion, it is triple happiness. Although the other joy is counted tomorrow, the days are close, so it can be counted as triple happiness."

Jia Mu saw Wang Xifeng divert the topic and didn't react for a while, asking: "I am really old and confused, and I didn't think of another joy for a while."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said: "Old Lady, why did you forget? Cong Brother and Bao Brother have both reached the age of fifteen. According to the family rules, they should perform the ceremony of entering the room. The auspicious day chosen by the Old Lady is tomorrow, the twenty-fifth."

As soon as Wang Xifeng said this, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Xiangyun, and others all blushed and looked at each other and giggled.

Only Yingchun's face was as usual, opening her autumn water eyes, listening carefully to the following words of Wang Xifeng and Jia Mu.

They were all born in noble families and had long been accustomed to seeing fathers and brothers with many wives and concubines, so they were accustomed to such family rules and didn't care at all.

Because it is a common thing in the inner house of a noble family, Wang Xifeng said it as soon as she opened her mouth, and did not avoid the sisters in the family.

Daiyu and others had passed the age of fifteen, and when they heard such things, they were subconsciously shy, but that was all.

As for Yingchun, she is Jia Cong's eldest sister. Now she manages all the family affairs for Jia Cong and cares about the trivial matters of her brother's growth. She has no secret thoughts of private love in her heart, so naturally she cares even less.

However, Yuanyang, standing beside Jia Mu, felt a little lost, her eyes drifting, not knowing what she was thinking...

Jia Mu saw Wang Xifeng divert the topic, making her unable to continue, and felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But Wang Xifeng's words were clever, diverting the topic without a trace, and Baoyu's wedding was still early, so there was no need to rush.

Moreover, what Wang Xifeng said was also an important matter, so Jia Mu couldn't hold on to the topic.

She smiled and said: "I am old and confused, and I didn't think of this for a while. To say that the time chosen was really clever, just catching up with the day after Baoyu's engagement, it is a good omen for Baoyu."

Wang Xifeng laughed secretly when she heard this. The Old Lady is really old and confused. Although she values Cong Third Brother much more than before.

But deep down, she still doesn't know what is important. She still pampers Baoyu. For such a day, the first thing she thinks of is Baoyu's good omen.

Didn't she think that today is also Cong Brother's success in the examinations? This day is not chosen cleverly, isn't it a better omen?

Anyone else can see that her two grandsons are worlds apart, one is gold, the other is rotten copper.

But the person the Old Lady cares about and pampers the most is always Baoyu.

If this old man is biased, there is really no reason to talk about it. You can't pull it back with nine cows, and the older you get, the more powerful you become.

Jia Mu smiled and said: "To say that the few girls chosen are all the best in the family, and I like them very much. Tomorrow the family will definitely be lively. Let's choose a good time and handle the etiquette."

"Baoyu is about to get married, so that's it."

"It's just that Cong Ge'er is in mourning, I'm afraid it will be delayed for several years, and it is getting older year by year."

"It is more important for him to have a few more people in his room, maybe he can add children to the family earlier..."

Wang Xifeng listened to Jia Mu's words, thinking that the people Jia Cong chose were indeed very top-notch.

It's just that the people her aunt chose for Baoyu are like shaking mud in a pottery jar. Who knows if it's mixed or not... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 654 =====