Chapter 666: The Sorrow of Crossroads and Desire

The Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

The sun had passed its zenith; it was past the Shen hour, and both the Eastern and Western Mansions had fallen quiet from their earlier bustle.

In the courtyard, green trees stood lush, flowers bloomed vividly, eaves cast low shadows, the air was serene and fresh, brimming with vitality.

In the center of the courtyard, Dou Qi Guan wore two small topknots on her head, looking charming and cute; she had rolled her sleeves up to her elbows, revealing two pale, smooth arms, chasing butterflies among the flower beds with bare hands.

She had reached the age to keep her hair, ate and ran well, brimmed with energy, and no longer had her head shaved—her hair had grown wild in three months, and Ling Qi Guan now combed and tied it for her daily.

Having trained in opera since childhood, her limbs were extremely agile; she darted left, spun right, chasing butterflies all over the courtyard, herself resembling a giant butterfly.

Xi Chun imitated her, running back and forth beside her for amusement.

Over the past two years, the people Xi Chun was closest to were Jia Cong and Ying Chun; when the Eastern Mansion first opened, she only stayed occasionally in Ying Chun's courtyard.

Later, it became a permanent stay; Ying Chun even chose her the sunniest side room in the courtyard and selected attentive maids and old women from the Eastern Mansion to serve her.

Although Xi Chun had been raised by Jia Mu since childhood, she was the legitimate daughter of the Ningguo line and had no blood tie to Jia Mu, making her unlike Ying Chun, Tan Chun, and other close granddaughters.

Jia Mu had educated her with virtue, but to claim deep affection was an exaggeration.

In Jia Mu's eyes, Xi Chun and the other granddaughters like Tan Chun were merely ornaments and accompaniments to her Jia Baoyu.

Thus, Jia Mu paid little mind to Xi Chun's long-term stay in the Eastern Mansion, held no special hopes for her as she did for Ying Chun, and simply let it be.

Whenever Jia Cong thought of Xi Chun's father and elder brother, recalled the decline of the Ningguo line, and remembered her situation in the Lady Rongguo Mansion, he felt even greater pity and affection for her.

Therefore, over these two years, Xi Chun had lived well in the Eastern Mansion; her innate coldness and reserve had softened considerably, and her disposition had become much more cheerful than before.

Since she and Dou Qi Guan were of similar age, and Dou Qi Guan was clever, romantic, and eloquent, with considerable charm, the two had recently often played together.

But Xi Chun was not as unrestrained as Dou Qi Guan; her upbringing as a noble daughter made her dare not run about wildly, rolling up sleeves or lifting skirts like Dou Qi Guan.

She merely followed behind Dou Qi Guan, lightly lifting her skirt with her left hand, stepping lightly and elegantly, holding a round fan in her right hand, constantly swatting at the colorful butterflies fluttering nearby.

The two ran all over the courtyard, their foreheads lightly damp with sweat, their cheeks flushed with rosy hues, occasionally bursting into joyful laughter…

In the main hall, Jia Cong stole a moment's leisure, setting up a chessboard to play with Ying Chun, while Dai Yu and Xiang Yun, both avid chess players, sat nearby watching.

Xing Xiu Yan was conversing with Zhi Shao, discussing when to visit the Mo Ni Courtyard to speak and drink tea with Miao Yu, but more importantly, to visit Master Abbess Xiushan, whose chronic illness had relapsed.

Bao Chai was watching Qing Wen embroidering; seeing the needle glide through the fabric, she couldn't resist her urge and took Qing Wen's embroidery frame, attempting a few stitches herself.

Ying Lady Lian and Ling Qi Guan sat shoulder to shoulder, reading a newly purchased copy of Jia Cong's "Illustrated Dream of the Red Chamber: The Soul's Return," and Ling Qi Guan even hummed a few lines absentmindedly, making Ying Lady Lian clap her hands in delight.

Time stretched long, the courtyard deep and quiet, the warm sun gradually sinking; each person found their own contentment.

…

Since Jia Cong passed the imperial examination with top honors, guests flooded daily into both the Eastern and Western Jia Mansions.

During this time, Jia Cong was appointed Hanlin Academician, the imperial parade celebrating his success spread anecdotes, and he stood alone atop the Ministry of Rites' banquet of honor—these extraordinary events became the favorite topics among visitors.

For several consecutive days, guests of every rank, office, kinship, generation, and acquaintance came in succession to the Eastern and Western Mansions.

Besides the old noble families and close relatives who had long-standing ties with the Jia household, none were left out in their visits to offer congratulations.

Even old friends and acquaintances who had gradually drifted away from the Jia family for various reasons now came to pay their respects and offer felicitations.

The Lady Rongguo Jia family had lain dormant for years; now its power and glory were reviving, even trending upward, stirring renewed desire among these people to cultivate ties and curry favor.

Though such opportunistic flattery would likely not be warmly received by the Jia family, even the mere chance to bask in the refined prestige of an imperial scholar's household made them flock eagerly.

Thus, over these recent days, Jia Cong shuttled back and forth between the two mansions, receiving guests with wine, laughter, and conversation.

Though this left him somewhat weary, such was the way of the world; he lacked Jia Baoyu's carefree detachment, so he simply did his best.

…

The sisters, seeing how exhausted Jia Cong had become shuttling between the two mansions these past days, could assist with household affairs in the inner quarters but could not share the burden of receiving guests in the outer court.

Fortunately, the first two days saw overwhelming crowds; afterward, the number of visitors gradually dwindled.

After each Shen hour, guests from both mansions departed in succession, granting Jia Cong free time, during which the sisters often gathered in his courtyard to drink tea, play chess, and chat, passing the hours together.

The other sisters remained as they always had, but Jia Cong sensed Dai Yu seemed different.

Though Dai Yu's words and actions were unchanged, her bright eyes sparkled with radiance, her gaze flowing like clear water, especially captivating.

Each time her eyes met Jia Cong's, she would unconsciously smile sweetly, as if deeply content and at ease—this puzzled Jia Cong, for he could not fathom the reason.

As for those around her—Ying Lady Lian, Qing Wen, Ling Qi Guan—the gentle remained gentle, the quick-tongued still spoke swiftly, the nimble stayed nimble.

Only Zhi Shao and Wu Er were different; each time their eyes met his, they no longer met his gaze with the same ease, their eyes now shy and evasive.

Those who had lived side by side for years suddenly seemed to have their hearts awakened, stirred by faint tremors and confusion, carrying an unspoken sentiment.

Jia Cong naturally understood the cause; he thought that in his previous life, at his age, even with such circumstances, he would have likely kept it secret, never daring to announce it openly.

How could he compare to Jia Mu, who, in the Rongqing Hall before all, had offered tea, bestowed gifts, and proclaimed it loudly, as if afraid no one would know?

Ying Chun, Dai Yu, Tan Chun, and the other sisters treated such matters as if blind to them, paying no heed, occasionally teasing lightly, then dropping the subject entirely.

Bao Chai even gave Zhi Shao and Wu Er two sets of jewelry and hair ornaments as congratulatory gifts.

Compared to the ups and downs of imperial examinations and official careers, these everyday worldly affairs, the passions and loves of the mortal realm, filled Jia Cong with fresh wonder and curiosity.

Only now did he deeply realize that the world, which now appeared only in dreams, had grown impossibly distant from him.

After many years immersed in this life, he himself felt somewhat disoriented—as if he had never come from anywhere, as if he had never left…

…

After the Imperial Honors Banquet, all newly minted Rank Jinshi received ten days of leave—this would be their most carefree and tranquil time before facing the treacherous twists of officialdom.

After the ten-day leave, all new Rank Jinshi were assigned by the Ministry of Personnel to observe governance in various departments: the Six Ministries, the Censorate, the Tongzheng Office, the Dalisi, and other bureaus.

"Observing governance" was merely a dignified term; in truth, it meant performing basic administrative duties, akin to lowly clerks doing menial tasks.

Among them, talented Rank Jinshi might rise above, but most new Rank Jinshi remained unremarkable.

Typically, they observed for one to three years, during which the Ministry of Personnel, based on vacancies and their performance, selected the best for official appointments.

Of course, there was also a hidden reason: connections. Rank Jinshi with powerful patrons might be appointed to posts after only months of observation.

Just as Liu Jing'an's eldest grandson, Liu Bi, though ranked high in the Second Class, could not enter the Hanlin Academy due to various unspoken reasons.

Perhaps out of caution toward Liu Jing'an's literary prestige, fearing public outcry.

Moreover, though Liu Jing'an had retired for years, his official network remained formidable.

Under the court's pretended ignorance, certain officials in the court tacitly agreed, facilitating the move—Liu Bi served only half a year in the Ministry of Revenue before being appointed magistrate of Gaochun County.

This maneuver concealed hidden calculations, allowing all parties to save face and ease tensions.

Though for a top-ranked Second Class Rank Jinshi, failing to enter the Hanlin Academy was a sorrowful outcome,

for most Rank Jinshi, being appointed to an actual post within half a year still made Liu Bi the envy of many of his peers.

Whether in officialdom or the turbulent flow of life, outsiders saw only glory, never the doubts and hesitations—only the individual knew the true cold and warmth.

…

Jia Cong had not suffered Liu Bi's fate and need not fret over whether he would enter the Hanlin Academy, yet he enjoyed none of the easy leisure granted to his fellow Rank Jinshi during their ten-day leave.

Even after returning from the Honors Banquet with honor, as a newly minted Rank Jinshi, he nominally had ten days of leave—but he dared not slacken in the slightest regarding his official duties.

For the first two days, overwhelmed by guests, he could not leave to supervise the workshop, so he had Liu Liu Shizhen and Master Qian Huai take turns daily to report on all progress at the workshop.

Any urgent matters requiring his decision, or needing coordination with heads of other bureaus, must be reported to him immediately to avoid delays.

Thus, though busy receiving guests, the development of the rear-loading gun workshop outside the city proceeded without obstruction, remaining smooth. According to Liu Liu Shizhen and Master Qian Huai's daily reports, as new craftsmen grew more skilled, the forging speed of rear-loading gun components steadily increased.

At the current pace, the workshop might complete the production of five hundred rear-loading guns before year's end.

Liu Liu Shizhen also told Jia Cong that Qin Ye, the Ministry of Public Works' Director of Construction, had performed exceptionally well; in just over ten days, he had completed the expansion of the workshop and added new buildings.

In recent days, the imperial guards assigned to protect the workshop had rotated frequently, yet their numbers had increased, not decreased, and they were now constructing permanent barracks around the workshop.

Yesterday, the palace issued an imperial decree: the workshop's officials and craftsmen, laboring for the state, deserved encouragement; they were granted a large quantity of pigs, sheep, rice, grain, and considerable silver rewards.

When Liu Liu Shizhen and Master Qian Huai spoke of these matters, their faces bore expressions of shared pride.

Their reaction was understandable: the more the Emperor favored the workshop, the more secure their own futures became.

But Jia Cong sensed the hidden meaning behind the palace's extra favor coupled with tightened external security—he felt a new layer of concern and vigilance…

…

At this moment, a maid from the inner quarters reported that Liu Lin Dama of the Zhen family of Jin Ling, on behalf of Third Miss Zhen, had come to the mansion seeking an audience with the Earl.

Hearing this, Jia Cong's heart stirred; he immediately ordered the maid to bring the woman to the courtyard.

!

Liu Linjiang Xian's wife had visited the Jia mansion many times before and was familiar with the place; after exchanging polite greetings with Jia Cong, she produced a letter from Zhen Zhen Fangqing.

Jia Cong read the letter's contents and was startled: "Miss Zhen Fangqing is leaving the capital tomorrow to bid farewell to the Retired Emperor, and must depart before sunset—why is she leaving so suddenly?"

Liu Linjiang Xian's wife replied: "Cong Sanye Jia, our mistress received imperial grace to observe mourning for the old imperial consort for six months; the term has now ended, and by custom, she cannot linger longer at the imperial mausoleum.

Moreover, the third young master of the Zhen family's main branch has passed away; with no one to lead the family business, Third Miss urgently needs to return to manage affairs."

Though Liu Linjiang Xian's wife spoke reasonably, Jia Cong heard the unspoken meaning beneath her words.

He recalled Qu Qu Hongxiu's swift pigeon-letter from Jin Ling, which warned that the newly appointed Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander, Wang Wang Zhangjiang, was an extremely ruthless man.

Since taking office, he had relentlessly pursued the Zhen family's suspected illegal firearms manufacturing, even boldly raiding the Zhen family's ancestral home.

Such aggressive behavior, brazen and unafraid, was obvious to all: Wang Wang Zhangjiang's replacement of the former Ge Zhi Cheng was no accident—he had powerful backing.

Since Jia Cong successfully developed the rear-loading gun, after witnessing its power, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, determined to control this state-defending weapon and prevent treacherous Jiyu, had grown wary and ruthless.

The other day, Marquis Marquis Jingjing Shi Ding came to congratulate Jia Cong and mentioned that Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, to prevent future threats, had ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to re-examine old cases of stolen or illegally manufactured firearms, vowing to show no mercy.

Coupled with Wang Wang Zhangjiang's recent arrogant actions in Jin Ling, the origins were clear and unmistakable.

Jia Cong could be certain: Wang Wang Zhangjiang was a pawn Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had planted in Jin Ling long ago, waiting for the right moment to strike decisively, killing a chicken to scare the monkeys.

Now that the rear-loading gun had succeeded, once revealed to the world, it would shock society again and inevitably attract the covetous eyes of demons and ghouls.

Moreover, the old imperial consort Zhen had passed away, and the six-month mourning period had ended—the Zhen family had lost its protective barrier.

Could Zhen Zhen Fangqing, who had lived in the inner chambers all her life, not foresee this? Perhaps this was why she was rushing to leave the capital…

The situation had changed drastically; the great house was about to collapse. Zhen Zhen Fangqing was merely a woman of the inner chambers—could she, even if she returned to Jin Ling, reverse the decline?

…

After Liu Linjiang Xian's wife took her leave, Jia Cong still held Zhen Zhen Fangqing's letter in his hand, lost in thought.

Seeing Yingchun asked, "Congdi, why did Miss Zhen leave so suddenly? Why the rush?"

I heard Granny Jia say the Zhen family has a villa in Love Shenjing; even if Miss Zhen's six-month mourning period is over, she shouldn't remain at the imperial mausoleum.

She could first move back to the villa to settle in, wait a month until summer heat fades, then depart—no hurry.

Right now, with midsummer scorching hot, traveling a thousand miles southward is terribly hard for a young lady."

Lin Daiyu said, "Elder sister is right. Miss Zhen has been in Love Shenjing for half a year; by all logic, she must have arranged staff to manage her family's business back home."

Otherwise, with a thousand li between them, no one to oversee their assets—wouldn't chaos follow?"

Half a year has already passed; a few more days won't matter. Why force her back south to handle family affairs now?"

Third brother, doesn't Miss Zhen have some other trouble?"

After all, she has deep ties with you—if she's in trouble, you must help her."

When Lin Daiyu saw Jia Cong smile at her, her fair face flushed slightly, and she pouted lightly, "I'm speaking sincerely. She's still a young lady."

Jia Cong said, "I know you mean well. Miss Zhen is young, yet she manages the entire Zhen household—she's no ordinary maiden."

Both Elder Sister and Lin Daiyu are right. Miss Zhen's haste to return to Jinling must have another reason."

But even if she's in trouble, she likely won't come to me for help."

Lin Daiyu was puzzled. Miss Zhen clearly favors Third Brother—how could she face trouble and not tell him? That's strange."

Yet from Jia Cong's expression, she knew he spoke no falsehood.

But she wasn't the type to press for answers. Since he didn't elaborate, she didn't ask.

That day, outside the main hall, she'd heard his words—and already understood his heart. The rest no longer weighed on her…

Only Seeing Yingchun, hearing Jia Cong's words, recalled what he'd mentioned to her that day.

The imperial betrothal between him and Zhen Zhen Fangqing was revoked not merely because of his father's death and mourning.

It involved the retired emperor's ties to the Zhen family, and Zhen clan members' involvement in illegal firearm production—a grave offense against His Majesty.

This made Seeing Yingchun guess why Miss Zhen, even in trouble, wouldn't seek help from her younger brother.

She sighed inwardly, thinking that if what Congdi said was true, Miss Zhen had truly been kind to his brother—and what a pity…

…

By sunset, everyone had dispersed. Jia Cong saw Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and the other sisters still walking and talking.

No words passed that night. At midday the next day, Jia Cong prepared to depart for the eastern imperial mausoleum to see off Zhen Zhen Fangqing's southern journey.

As he stepped out of his courtyard, he saw Seeing Yingchun leading Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun toward him, two maids behind them carrying a chest.

Seeing Yingchun smiled and said, "Yesterday, we sisters discussed it and agreed: today, we timed our arrival to catch you as you left."

The Zhen and Jia families are both distinguished clans of Jinling, generations of old kin. Miss Zhen has stayed in Love Shenjing a long time, and now she returns a thousand li south."

Future meetings will be rare. As sisters of noble houses, we must offer a proper farewell gift—something to remember her by."

We hurriedly prepared this chest of gifts. Please take them to Miss Zhen, as a token of our family's longstanding bond."

Jia Cong laughed, "You and the sisters are thoughtful. If you hadn't thought of it, I'd have sent her off with empty hands."

Seeing Yingchun ordered the maids to load the chest onto the cart. Only after Jia Cong passed through the second gate did the sisters return to the inner quarters.

…

Jia Cong's carriage passed through Hongde Gate and headed toward the eastern imperial mausoleum villa.

Outside the city, the sun blazed on the official road; travelers were few, the scene lonely.

Jia Cong thought of the many changes in these past six months, his tangled ties with Zhen Zhen Fangqing.

After today, separated by a thousand li north and south, meeting again seemed unlikely—his heart grew heavy, and he sighed involuntarily.

And given the current situation, the Zhen family's involvement in illegal firearms production was bound to erupt.

But during his time in Jinling, Jia Cong had seen Zhen Zhen Fangqing's wit and resourcefulness. If she rushed back so urgently, she likely already had a plan…

As his thoughts churned, he saw ahead on the road a carriage already stopped, and a woman pacing anxiously—Liu Linjiang Xian's wife, who had delivered the letter yesterday.

She had visited the Jia household many times and recognized Jiang Liu, Jia Cong's servant, as the driver.

She hurried forward and asked, "Is this Lord Cong the Third?"

Seeing Jia Cong lift the carriage curtain, she smiled, "Miss Zhen went to court yesterday to bid farewell to the retired emperor. After leaving, her family's carriage left the mausoleum."

She's waiting ahead at the road junction, worried you might miss the path—she made me wait here for you…" (End of Chapter)