Chapter 657: Triple Happiness in the Courtyard

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Amber had served Jia Mu since she was a child, so she naturally knew Baoyu's character, and even knew that Baoyu wanted to provoke Yuanyang.

Now seeing his expression and this kind of questioning, how could she not know his thoughts? He must have seen that the girl was good-looking and had thoughts of entanglement.

As the saying goes, people compare with people, and goods compare with goods.

If there were no such person as Jia Cong in the two prefectures, Baoyu would be considered a decent young master in the Jia family, sweet-mouthed and obedient to the maids, and quite popular.

But everyone has seen Jia Cong's dazzling brilliance, and then looking at Baoyu, they are all full of problems, false words, strange actions, seemingly self-respecting, but actually hiding vulgarity.

Coupled with the previous incident of Jin Chuan, he almost lost his life, which made a lot of noise.

Now, except for the maids in Baoyu's room, such as Sister Xi Ren, because they were all branded and had no other way out, they were all fawning and enthusiastic about him. Other maids in the West Prefecture had already kept a distance from Baoyu.

Like Amber, a big maid beside Jia Mu, she saw more than others. She saw with her own eyes how Jia Cong treated his eldest sister, and spoiled the Second Young Lady, who was originally ignored, into the housekeeper of the East Prefecture.

This is truly cherishing and loving girls, compared to Baoyu's sweet words, running away after the incident, the two are really incomparable.

Amber was hindered by Jia Mu's face, and treated Baoyu with courtesy on a daily basis, but who she would favor in her heart, almost didn't need to consider.

One is a proper head of the family, a Count, with ability, treating people with sincerity, and the other is a partial gate prodigal young master, who has achieved nothing, is lustful and frivolous

Now that Jia Baoyu was asking ambiguous questions, Hupo, being a clever and quick-witted person, naturally stepped on the fire and poured cold water; it was just a matter of doing things as they came...

She smiled slightly and said, "Isn't this a matter of great importance? And it's a joyous occasion, too. The Cong Sanye is turning twenty this year, and according to the rules of the prefecture, he must perform the ceremony of taking a concubine."

The Old Matriarch selected an auspicious day, which happens to be today, so she invited Miss Zhi Shao and Miss Liu Wuer early this morning.

Just now in the Rongqing Hall, the two young ladies served tea and paid their respects to the Old Matriarch, who rewarded them with precious head ornaments and jewelry; from now on, they are considered the Cong Sanye's proper women of the house.

The Old Matriarch also said that since the Cong Sanye is currently in deep mourning, he cannot marry for the next few years; now that he has women of the house, perhaps the Cong Sanye can start a family and have children sooner—what a beautiful thing."

As soon as Jia Baoyu heard this, his face turned deathly pale; the words "women of the house," "serving tea and paying respects," and "starting a family and having children" hit his heart like a violent blow, and for a moment he forgot to enter the hall, looking up at the sky with a face full of grief and indignation.

As for where his grief and indignation came from, his thoughts were sordid and frivolous, so naturally, it was hard to speak of them to others.

It was just that when he had such things, it was all pure and innocent; when others had them, it was all a desecration of young ladies and a descent into filth.

At this moment, Jia Zheng's voice came from inside the hall: "Where is Baoyu?"

Jia Baoyu, who was brewing a heart full of grief, had just entered his state when he was frightened into a shiver by Jia Zheng's casual remark; he immediately withdrew his supernatural powers and hurriedly entered the hall.

At this time, Yuanyang walked over from the nearby wind-and-rain corridor and saw Hupo letting down the door curtain, standing at the entrance of Rongqing Hall with a strange expression on her face.

She walked over and asked, "Why are you standing here alone? What were you whispering about with Baoyu just now?"

Hupo saw it was Yuanyang, pulled her to the side, whispered a few words in her ear, told her what had just happened, and then said, "This Bao Er Ye Bao is getting stranger and stranger, as if all the beautiful girls in the world have something to do with him."

"The Cong Sanye taking women of the house has nothing to do with him, and there's no calculation of high or low, yet he puts on that face—I don't know who he's showing it to..."

Yuanyang hummed slightly after hearing this and said, "Bao Er Ye Bao hasn't been like this his whole life? This is nothing strange. He'll just make a scene in his own heart for a while; who would take it seriously?"

"Now that he is engaged, once he is married and moves back to the Eastern Road Courtyard to live, everyone will have peace. If you want to look at his face, you won't be able to see it anymore."

Hupo laughed softly: "That's the logic. That Second Mistress Bao is formidable. With her in charge in the future, Bao Er Ye Bao won't be able to make trouble."

Yuanyang had a strange expression and asked, "Your words are strange. You've only met her a few times, so how do you know the Xia family girl is formidable? I see that she has outstanding looks and generous manners; she is a proper young lady of a wealthy family."

Hupo laughed: "Sister Yuanyang is right, but you don't think about it—the Xia family of Osmanthus has such a great reputation. The widow Mrs. Xia has been able to manage such a large family business; she must be a very formidable person."

"The daughter she raised—don't you think she'll be formidable?"

Yuanyang laughed: "That makes sense. According to this, Bao Er Ye Bao can be considered lucky. Even if he is just himself, if he marries such a wife, maybe he will be able to support the household."

Hupo asked again: "Where are you coming back from so early in the morning?"

Yuanyang laughed: "Early this morning, the eldest lady of the Shi family came to the prefecture to offer congratulations. She knows the rules of the officialdom and said that the Cong Sanye is a first-rank jinshi and will receive rites in the palace today; according to custom, he will be granted an official position."

"She said this is the rule for a jinshi, and it will be another joyous occasion. When the Old Matriarch heard this, she asked me to go to the Eastern Prefecture to see if there was any news from the palace."

"I stayed at the Eastern Prefecture for a long time but didn't get any news. They were busy entertaining guests and making preparations there, and the Second Young Lady and the others were handling things. I couldn't help out, and it wasn't good to wait idly there, so I came back first."

"Qingwen said that if there is good news about the Cong Sanye, she will have someone report it to Rongqing Hall."

Hupo said: "Now the Old Matriarch is different from the past; she cares more and more about the Cong Sanye's affairs."

Yuanyang laughed: "This is also common sense. Have you ever heard of any master who can be like our Cong Sanye, so glorious and decent all year round? The Old Matriarch is a blessed person."

The two chatted for a few words, but since it wasn't good to delay too long, they both returned to Rongqing Hall.

The atmosphere in Rongqing Hall was harmonious and crowded. Not only were Jia Zheng and Lady Wang present, but Xue Yima Xue had also come early this morning to accompany the Old Matriarch in talking and entertaining guests.

Because the grand ceremony of announcing the results in the palace was still ongoing, many of the Jia family's hereditary old relatives had not yet had time to come and offer their congratulations.

The Old Matriarch and the others still had some leisure time, and the family members were chatting in the hall.

Also present was the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing, and Shi Xiangyun was also accompanying her.

Jia Baoyu had originally thought that the sisters from the Eastern Prefecture would also come to visit, but he didn't expect only Shi Xiangyun to come, and he felt a little disappointed in his heart.

Today, the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing came to the prefecture early in the morning to congratulate her aunt. Because Shi Ding also had to enter the palace to observe the ceremony today, they did not come together.

Fortunately, when Jia Baoyu entered the hall, the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing had just finished chatting with the Old Matriarch about Jia Cong's official appointment; otherwise, Jia Baoyu would have felt disgusted again.

At this moment, he was sitting there, thinking about Hupo's words just now, and felt uncomfortable in his heart; even when Xiangyun spoke to him, he was somewhat absent-minded.

But not long after he sat down, he heard the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing say: "Xue Yima, I originally wanted to take Xiangyun back to live for a while, but this girl just won't agree and keeps making a fuss here at your place, causing you trouble."

The Old Matriarch laughed: "What trouble is this? She has been raised here half the time since she was a child. As long as she hasn't married yet, I will help you raise her. You don't need to worry about anything. Don't you think that's good?"

The wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing laughed: "That is naturally a good thing. Having you teach Xiangyun is her great blessing, and it will be more decent when she marries in the future."

Xiangyun, who was on the side, felt strange in her heart. Why did the Old Matriarch and her aunt suddenly talk about marriage? How old am I? Is it necessary to talk about such things?

What's so good about getting married? It's really happy and free like this now...

Jia Baoyu had just been stepped on and poured with cold water by Hupo at the door, and he was feeling uncomfortable. Hearing words like Xiangyun getting married made him feel even more depressed, feeling that the world was bitter and that these beautiful and talented people would eventually leave him...

Xue Yima Xue sighed in her heart. This Brother Cong is really rising step by step like sesame flowers blooming. Not only is he inheriting the Rongguo title, but this time he has also become a first-rank jinshi, becoming more and more unattainable.

The Shi family lady is speaking in riddles. The Old Matriarch has already brought up the topic of raising her until marriage. Most likely, she wants to keep the benefits within the family and give her own grandson to her own grandniece.

Xue Yima Xue thought of her daughter's stubbornness, who was still in Wang Xifeng's courtyard helping Brother Cong manage the affairs of the Western Prefecture. But if her daughter wanted to fulfill her wish, I'm afraid it would be difficult to catch up even if she traveled over mountains and rivers...

Xue Yima Xue heard the subtext in the hall, and Lady Wang naturally could not fail to hear it either.

She couldn't help but sneer in her heart. If Brother Cong hadn't been granted a marriage by the palace and then the old master had passed away, making things inconvenient, I'm afraid the Old Matriarch would have already betrothed Xiangyun to him.

Now that the Shi family sees that this kid has become a jinshi, they value his future even more. The hints in their words show that they want to bring up the past again, and the Old Matriarch seems very willing.

They have calculated it clearly. After Brother Cong's three-year mourning period is over, Xiangyun will have just passed the age of fifteen. Isn't that just raising her until marriage...

They all think this kid is a good one, only valuing his decent appearance, but they don't know that he is lecherous inside and has long been secretly involved with Xue Baochai—a shameless thing!

If it weren't for the sake of her sister's face and not wanting the sisters to become enemies in the future and cutting off a retreat, she would have already shouted about this matter to see what face that kid would have to be proud of in the future...

The wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing laughed: "The prefecture has had joyous occasions one after another. Baoyu has just settled his marriage, and Brother Cong has become a jinshi. This is a smooth path to officialdom, and it also brings the joy of descendants to the household."

"Baoyu is now considered settled, and the Xia family of Osmanthus is also a famous household in the Divine Capital."

"Seeing that Baoyu is about to start a family and establish a career, it's just a pity for Brother Cong. His mourning rites are not yet finished, and he will be eighteen in three years. It really is one year bigger than the next."

"Fortunately, you have thought it through properly and picked a good day to arrange women of the house for him, letting Brother Cong catch up with double happiness."

"In my opinion, Brother Cong is a jinshi this year. It's not impossible that he will add children to the household for you by this time next year." It was within reason for the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing to say such flattering words.

For wealthy families like the Jia and Shi, it is common for young men to perform the ceremony of taking a concubine when they come of age, so that they can understand the affairs between men and women early and avoid going out to wander and mess around. Another reason is to have more descendants.

Therefore, when the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing said such lively words, everyone in the hall did not take it to heart and was used to it.

Only Jia Baoyu's face was ashen, his eyes were dull, and his abdomen was twitching, as if he were about to vomit.

He had already been disgusted by Hupo just now, and he didn't expect this Shi family aunt to be even more unstoppable, even saying the ghost talk of adding children—it was truly a desecration of young ladies...

Because Lady Wang came in later, she didn't see the ceremony of Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer, and she looked a little confused when she heard this.

The Old Matriarch smiled and said: "I originally picked today to perform the ceremony of taking a concubine for Brother Cong and Baoyu, and it just happened to coincide with Brother Cong's success in the examination."

"The eldest lady is now a widow and doesn't come out to see people easily, and Brother Cong is someone who hasn't married a wife, so I, the grandmother, have to handle it. Just now, I let Zhi Shao and Liu Wuer perform the rites."

"I have prepared two more gifts, which you can take to Xi Ren and Seeing Seeing Caiyun later, so that they can serve Baoyu well in the future."

!

Lady Wang felt a little uncomfortable when she heard the Old Matriarch's words.

Although the Old Matriarch used reasons such as Lady Xing being a widow and inconvenient to show her face, and Jia Cong not having a proper wife, to say that only she, the grandmother, could handle it.

As for her own Baoyu, because his parents were present, the rites from the Old Matriarch's side were waived.

The Old Matriarch's words sounded reasonable, but the actual reason was not so, and Lady Wang was also very clear about it in her heart.

If it were an ordinary day, the Old Matriarch would most likely have let Xi Ren and Seeing Seeing Caiyun come over to serve tea.

It was just that today happened to coincide with Jia Cong's success in the examination, and not only were there outside guests like the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing present, but there would also be countless guests coming to offer congratulations.

In such a boisterous occasion, Jia Cong was the main character. At this time, the Old Matriarch was worried about leaving a handle for others to criticize and laugh at if she handled the concubine ceremony for Baoyu in the Western Prefecture, so she saved where she could...

Lady Wang saw Yuanyang take out two exquisite makeup boxes and hurriedly asked her personal maid to take them, but the expression on her face was very uncomfortable.

Xue Yima Xue, who was on the side, saw Lady Wang's expression and sighed in her heart. Even now, her sister still couldn't see through the situation of the family and was still being stubborn.

Brother Cong inherited the Rongguo title, and the Second Branch moved to the Eastern Road Courtyard. The master and secondary status of the Jia family had been divided and could no longer be reversed.

Outside, it was hindered by clan laws and rites, and inside, it involved the face of relatives and friends. Even if the Old Matriarch loved Baoyu again, she now began to be cautious in everything she did, so as not to lose her reputation in her later years and become a laughingstock for the nobles in the capital.

Besides, now that the Old Matriarch is old and enjoys high status, she still has to rely on Brother Cong for support. Could she still rely on Baoyu?

Although the Old Matriarch is old, she is not completely senile and still maintains some sense of proportion.

It's just that her sister is still drilling into the tip of a bull's horn, refusing to accept it either way. What good can that do?

Jia Baoyu saw the makeup boxes taken out by Yuanyang, but he didn't have the complicated feelings of Lady Wang; he really didn't have that kind of brain.

At this moment, he thought of Xi Ren and Seeing Seeing Caiyun, and his heart was filled with inexplicable annoyance and impatience.

Xi Ren had been with him for many years, and they had done everything. Baoyu remembered her gentleness and kindness, which was like his right hand pulling his left hand, and it was already a bit dull.

Although Seeing Seeing Caiyun was considered beautiful, she had followed her mistress her whole life and learned a rigid and boring manner. Usually, when he tried to tease her, she would be coy and unwilling to comply, making him unable to feel close to her.

Baoyu thought that he could only have such people by his side for the rest of his life. It was truly heaven playing with people. It was a waste of his outstanding insight and his refusal to go with the flow of the vulgar, yet he was not even as good as a salary-grubbing worm like Jia Cong who chased after fame.

Baoyu was full of tragic heroism, and he couldn't help but recite silently in his heart: "Coming and going empty-handed without worries, where to find a straw raincoat and bamboo hat to travel alone?"

He recited it back and forth, and suddenly felt that he was outstanding and extraordinary, and began to feel a trace of self-pity and self-love.

Suddenly, he saw Lin Zhixiao's wife walk into the hall quickly, her face full of joy.

She said to the Old Matriarch: "Great joy, Old Matriarch! News came from the Eastern Prefecture. The Cong Sanye's servant came back to report that the Cong Sanye has gained great glory in the palace and has been granted the position of Grade 5 Hanlin Academician by the Emperor."

"The Emperor also bestowed upon the Cong Sanye the honor of parading through the imperial streets. I'm afraid he has already left the palace!"

Baoyu was reciting Zen-like wonderful words in his heart, intoxicated and proud, thinking that a salary-grubbing worm like Jia Cong could never understand such a mysterious situation, and that he was ultimately extraordinary.

Lin Zhixiao's wife's words not only shocked the whole hall but also scared Baoyu, who was reciting lyrics, so much that his face turned pale and his tongue was bitten painfully by his teeth.

His feelings were punctured, and he couldn't help but forget where he was, shouting in grief and indignation: "What is this fuss about? It's truly vulgar and unbearable!"

Everyone in the hall was stunned by the news. For a military family, a Hanlin Academician was a very distant thing, always unattainable.

Because of her family background, the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing knew more about officialdom anecdotes. She had just told the Old Matriarch that a second-rank jinshi could get a position as a Hanlin compiler, which was a Grade 7 official.

The Old Matriarch felt a little disgusted when she heard this. Her grandson was already a Grade 5 official. If he were granted a Grade 7 official position now, wouldn't that be disgusting?

They couldn't imagine that the result would be like this, and for a moment they were all a little dazed.

Jia Zheng was just slightly stunned, and then he was ecstatic in his heart, about to ask Lin Zhixiao's wife if the news was true.

Suddenly, he heard Baoyu's strange cry, like a raven's screech, which gave him a big fright.

The Old Matriarch and the others in the hall saw Baoyu suddenly go crazy and were at a loss for a moment.

Jia Zheng heard Baoyu's words clearly and couldn't help but feel a chill. He subconsciously looked at the people in the hall, his heart beating like a drum.

He scolded Baoyu sternly: "You rebellious son! It's a waste that you are a scholar. Today is the joyous occasion of Brother Cong's success in the examination, and you dare to speak wildly, not knowing the height of the sky and the depth of the earth."

"Go and kneel at the entrance of the hall! You are not allowed to get up without my word!"

Baoyu was reprimanded by his father and suddenly woke up. Seeing Shi Xiangyun frowning and looking at him with strange eyes, he felt ashamed.

He thought that this quick-mouthed girl Shi Xiangyun would definitely talk about this when she returned to the Eastern Prefecture, and wouldn't he lose face in front of the sisters...

Jia Zheng saw that Baoyu was still dawdling and became even more furious, shouting: "You wicked obstacle, you still have the face to stay here? Get out!"

Baoyu's face flushed red, and he stumbled out of Rongqing Hall, kneeling down reluctantly at the entrance.

The Old Matriarch felt heartache when she saw this and complained to Jia Zheng: "Why do you have to be like this? Baoyu's words are unpleasant, just scold him a few times. Why make him kneel outside? It doesn't look like anything in broad daylight."

Jia Zheng's face was bitter, and he said: "Old Matriarch, it's not that your son is mistreating Baoyu, it's really that his words are too presumptuous!"

"Today is the joyous occasion of Brother Cong's success in the examination. He was ranked second in the first rank and entered the palace to welcome the grand ceremony. This is not a small matter for the family, but a major matter of the nation's talent selection."

"Baoyu actually spoke blasphemously, which is truly unreasonable. Old Matriarch, do you still remember the last time he spoke wildly and insulted a noble, causing such a big disturbance?"

"Now he still doesn't know how to wake up. There are gods three feet above our heads. With his arrogance and absurdity, if I, as a father, pretend not to hear, how can I go out and see people in the future?"

The Old Matriarch was not completely senile. Hearing Jia Zheng say something about gods three feet above, she also felt a chill in her heart.

She knew that her son was speaking in riddles. The so-called gods above were just a worry about walls having ears, or even unclear spies in the family...

The last time Baoyu had a few idle words in the inner courtyard, they were passed into the palace and the Imperial Clan Court the next day. The Old Matriarch and Jia Zheng were both born into noble families and were not people without knowledge.

After the fact, they looked back and couldn't help but feel vigilant in their hearts...

The Old Matriarch knew that her son making Baoyu kneel was actually a way to cover it up and show it to outsiders. Although she felt heartache, she didn't dare to say anything more.

Although Lady Wang was anxious in her heart, seeing that the Old Matriarch had closed her mouth, she didn't dare to say anything more and could only feel heartache in secret.

Xue Yima Xue and the wife of the Marquis of Zhongjing, as outside relatives, should have persuaded them a few words out of courtesy.

But they were not stupid people either, and naturally heard the severity in Jia Zheng's words, so they naturally wouldn't say a word more, so as not to get themselves involved.

Jia Zheng calmed down and asked Lin Zhixiao's wife: "Is your news certain?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife replied: "Don't worry, Bao Er Ye. It was said by the palace eunuch himself and heard by the Cong Sanye's personal attendant Jiang Liu with his own ears. There will absolutely be no mistake."

Jia Zheng's face was ecstatic, and he said to the Old Matriarch: "Old Matriarch, a military family producing a Hanlin Academician—since the founding of the Great Zhou, this has never happened."

"With the head of the family as a Hanlin Academician, from now on, the Jia family will be a proper scholarly family and a noble official lineage. This is a glory that ten thousand taels of gold cannot buy!" (End of chapter)