Chapter 694: Qixi Washing of Delicate Beauty

Count's Mansion, Tan Chun's Courtyard.

Jia Cong's cold words caused the atmosphere in the embroidery room to solidify; for a moment, everyone remained silent.

The sisters were all intelligent people; they knew that since the second branch had moved to the East Road Courtyard, Baoyu had remained in the West Mansion, and he still appeared to do so quite brazenly.

Although there was the reason of Jia Mu's doting and reluctance to let him go, it was somewhat contrary to the etiquette of the family.

Yet Jia Cong, as the head of the family, turned a deaf ear to this matter and never said a word of gossip, which instead made some people feel it was only natural.

But sisters like Yingchun and Daiyu knew clearly in their hearts that Jia Cong was not ignorant of internal and external etiquette.

It was just that he and the sisters had settled in the East Mansion, and only Jia Mu and Wang Xifeng remained in the vast West Mansion; if Baoyu loved to live there, he could, and he was too lazy to bother with such trifles.

Every time he went to the West Mansion, it was mostly to pay his respects at Rongqing Hall according to etiquette, or to discuss matters in Wang Xifeng's courtyard.

He rarely encountered Baoyu; in any case, the two had incompatible temperaments, so seeing each other less and speaking less was just a way to keep his ears clean.

Even though Baoyu often considered himself aloof and, on the happy day of Jia Cong's success in the imperial examinations, spouted nonsense while at Rongqing Hall.

Or privately hinted that Jia Cong was a "salary-worm" who only understood officialdom and economics and was accustomed to defiling innocent girls.

He also often tried to provoke Daiyu and, after drinking, would act crazily and collide with others...

He even let Jia Cong witness his ugly behavior of fooling around with a maid from the Xue family in Jia Zheng's study.

Although these things made Jia Cong increasingly disgusted with him, he disdained to pay much attention, feeling that Baoyu was a fool not worth wasting time on.

But it was not until Lady Wang wanted to get her hands on the silver hidden by the Jin Ling Zhen family and beat Tan Chun, who had come forward to dissuade her, into a serious injury, that Jia Cong's true anger was finally ignited.

And the words he had just spoken to Xi Ren, although they sounded indifferent, were very impolite in their meaning.

The implication was that since Baoyu was not yet married and was temporarily staying in the Rongguo Mansion, it could still be considered as fulfilling his filial piety to Jia Mu.

Once he was married, he should follow the family etiquette, move out of the Rongguo Mansion, return to the East Road Courtyard, and fulfill his filial piety to his own parents; that was the proper way.

As for what the sisters in the family would do in the future, that was not a matter for an outside male like him to manage.

Tan Chun was Baoyu's own younger sister, so he could manage her, but since the incident at the East Road Courtyard, would Tan Chun easily go back?

So he didn't need to worry; he would naturally take good care of her himself...

Although his words were cold and the tone was quite unpleasant.

The meaning behind them was impeccable; even if Xi Ren went back to pass on the message and Jia Mu and Lady Wang were angry, they couldn't find a single fault.

Even if these words reached the outside, outsiders would only say that Jia Cong, as the head of the family, understood the big picture, knew etiquette, and wholeheartedly taught the clan's younger generation to be upright.

Now he was the second-place finisher in the Spring Examination and the youngest Hanlin Academician in the history of the Great Zhou; no one would say a damn thing about him teaching a playboy like Baoyu who hadn't even entered school.

The sisters present could all hear that his previously tolerant attitude toward the second branch, due to Jia Zheng, had already changed.

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Xi Ren's face flushed red, and her expression was awkward.

Although Shi Xiangyun was close to Xi Ren, she was speechless for a moment; although she was a bit careless, she wasn't a silly girl who didn't understand anything.

She knew clearly that the second aunt had beaten Tan Yatou, and the third brother felt heartache, to the point that he didn't even give Baoyu any face...

Among the sisters, only Yingchun came out to smooth things over, saying: "Xi Ren, what the third brother said is also the proper way. We are all brothers and sisters of one family, and we all hope Baoyu can be well."

"Baoyu is about to get married and establish his career, and the second master is also wholeheartedly hoping he will study and advance; this is also a serious matter for the second branch."

"You have been by Baoyu's side for many years, and he can listen to your words. When you have time, persuade him more in front of him; perhaps he will listen."

"In the future, as long as Baoyu can stand on his own feet, you will also be able to enjoy happiness along with him; what a good thing."

Having heard Jia Cong's words, Xi Ren was already sitting on pins and needles, but she didn't dare to get up and leave immediately, lest she appear to have resentment and provoke Jia Cong again.

Although in the hearts of Baoyu and Lady Wang, they always placed Jia Cong on an equal footing.

But maids and servants like Xi Ren knew deeply that although this family head was young and looked amiable on the surface.

Once one knew how he had climbed to his current status, one knew he was a figure not to be trifled with; in front of him, one dared not be the least bit stubborn.

Xi Ren only waited to agree with Yingchun a few more times, slightly easing the atmosphere, before hurriedly taking her leave.

After Xi Ren left, Shi Xiangyun, with her straightforward nature, teased Tan Chun: "Third sister suffered a loss, and the third brother is applying medicine and bandaging."

"Even so, he is still not feeling right in his heart and is sticking up for you everywhere. Now you can be proud; you make me so envious."

Jia Cong smiled: "In the future, if you suffer a loss, I will also stick up for you."

Shi Xiangyun waved her hand with a smile, saying: "Third brother, you had better wish me well; I would rather not have you stick up for me than suffer a loss."

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu's Courtyard.

Since the last time Baoyu went to Lixiang Courtyard and Xue Yima Xue talked at length about the enthusiastic topic of getting married and having children, he had been scared and dared not go easily again.

He also heard that as long as Sister Bao was at home, Xue Yima Xue mostly stayed by her side, and only when Sister Bao went to the East Mansion would Xue Yima Xue go to Rongqing Hall to chat.

In short, Lixiang Courtyard had now become strange, adding more melancholy to Baoyu's heart and a bit more of a sentimental mood.

Whenever he thought of Xue Yima Xue in the past, she would call him "my child" as soon as she saw him, always praising his clever nature and saying he looked top-notch.

At that time, when he went to Lixiang Courtyard, Xue Yima Xue was also happy for him to talk to Sister Bao, and sometimes would even have him stay for a meal.

Now it had completely changed; when they met, it was either about marriage or getting married, and she even praised Miss Xia for being "easy to bear children" in front of Sister Bao.

It would be one thing if she herself were vulgar, but she had to defile his innocent self in front of a refined girl.

In the past, he said that women were pearls and treasures before marriage, and after marriage, they became unrecognizable, turning into dead fish eyes.

Others said his words were unreasonable, but now it seemed his insight was truly sharp.

Because Baoyu dared not go to Lixiang Courtyard again, although his mood was very uncomfortable.

As long as he pitied himself a little in his heart and carefully analyzed the absurdity and vulgarity of others.

It could make him calm again, increasingly feeling that he was outstanding, and so he muddled through day by day...

A few days ago, Tan Chun was beaten by the mistress, and both her hands were swollen and ugly, suffering no small amount of pain.

Baoyu felt heartache for his younger sister and heard that she was stopping the Zhen family's hidden silver, which led to a dispute with the mistress, and that was why she was severely punished by family law.

In his heart, he not only felt pity for Tan Chun, a good girl not living a peaceful life, but instead managing whether others hid silver or not.

Not only did she fall into vulgarity herself, but she also suffered the mistress's beating for nothing; it was truly not worth it.

As for saying his mistress was wrong, Baoyu absolutely dared not say that; he only felt that the master and mistress of the house loved to use family law, which was truly not good.

Later, he heard that Jia Cong also knew about the Zhen family's hidden silver and strongly opposed it, and Tan Chun's stopping the mistress was because of this.

Knowing the reason, Baoyu couldn't help but beat his chest and stamp his feet, sighing that the Dao of Heaven was unfair and the world was filthy.

Such a good younger sister of his had been defiled in her innocent feelings by these vulgar matters of silver and money from Jia Cong; it was truly hateful and lamentable.

Although he complained in his heart that Tan Chun was not striving, he still felt heartache for his sister after all.

But the threshold of the East Mansion was too high, so he could only let Xi Ren visit a few times, so that the sisters in the East Mansion would know his intention of pitying his sister...

Xi Ren had been gone for quite a while, and she still hadn't returned; Baoyu was feeling a bit anxious.

Just then, he saw Xi Ren enter the courtyard with a dejected expression, and he hurriedly asked: "How is the third sister's injury? Did the sisters say how they want to spend the Daughter's Festival?"

Baoyu often hated that he was born a "turbid male," so the festival he admired most was the Qixi Begging for Skills Day, known as the Daughter's Festival.

Privately, he felt that this should also be his festival, living up to his consistent reverence for daughters.

Playing and laughing with the sisters on the Daughter's Festival, smelling the fragrance and jade—that was the greatest joy in life; he would even be willing to die for them...

Seeing Baoyu's enthusiastic and attentive expression, full of hope, Xi Ren thought of the strangely cold atmosphere in Tan Chun's room just now and secretly gave a bitter smile.

The second master didn't think about the current situation of the family and was still having groundless dreams.

The young ladies of the family were all living in the East Mansion now; if they wanted to spend the Daughter's Festival, they would only think of Cong Sanye Cong, how could they think of the second master?

Although Xi Ren had lured Baoyu early on and secretly competed for favor and status in his room, it was also out of the idea of a poor girl establishing herself.

In other matters, she was quite restrained and not as treacherous and overbearing as Qiu Wen.

Besides, Jia Cong's words today were too cold and sharp; if they were passed to the second master, it would only cause anger and quarrels for nothing, with no other benefits.

So it was better not to say anything, saving the trouble of complications, and just pretend the second master didn't know, so he could live in the West Mansion for a few more days.

Seeing Xi Ren hesitate, Baoyu frowned and said: "Has the elder sister been walking in the sun for too long? You are muddled and not saying a word."

Xi Ren said: "The third young lady's injury is much better. When I went over, the third master was helping her apply medicine and bandage it; he is taking good care of her, so the second master doesn't need to worry."

Thinking of Jia Cong tidying up Tan Chun's injury, Xi Ren thought it was incredibly attentive and rare; the two were more like biological siblings than the second master.

Originally, the third young lady was the second master's biological sister and somewhat favored him, but now, after the mistress's family law, she could rightfully favor the third master in the future.

Xi Ren was just speaking casually, but Baoyu felt very sour in his heart.

He said: "The third sister's hands are injured, there are doctors to take care of the wounds; why did Jia Cong have to do it himself? What does this look like!"

Hearing this, Xi Ren felt a bit strange in her heart; they were in their own East Mansion, so they could do whatever they wanted.

Even Jia Mu didn't care, so how could the second master manage it? These words were also boring.

Seeing that Xi Ren didn't take the bait, Baoyu knew there was no way, but his own sister letting Jia Cong take care of her was truly unreasonable.

He asked again: "Have you asked the sisters how they plan to spend the Daughter's Festival? As long as I need to work hard and worry, it is all possible."

Xi Ren's face was a bit bitter, and she replied: "I did ask, but the young ladies didn't say how to spend it; I guess they are still thinking about it."

Baoyu frowned again, his face full of unwillingness, and he stamped his feet, saying: "How can this be? Now the sisters all live in the East Mansion, and Jia Cong doesn't know how to cherish them at all."

"The Daughter's Festival is such a big thing, and he actually doesn't worry about it at all, just letting the sisters muddle through; it is truly a profanation of daughters."

Xi Ren felt a bit dizzy hearing this and said casually: "Maybe the third master is busy with official business and doesn't have time to take care of it."

Hearing the words "official business," Baoyu was like someone who had been stepped on the tail.

He was heartbroken and said angrily, "You are now speaking such nonsense; how can these sordid matters of official career and economy be more important than the holidays with your sisters at home?"

"This mansion is truly becoming more and more absurd, simply incomprehensible; everyone has been smoked bad by Jia Cong's 'salary-worm' affairs."

Thinking of Jia Cong's cold words today and her second master saying such harsh words, if the wind of these words reached the third master's ears.

If he really did something embarrassing to the second master, how would the second master behave at home in the future...

Worried about provoking Baoyu's topic again, even though she was scolded by him a few times, she didn't argue a single word and hurriedly found an excuse to leave the room.

Just as she walked to the middle of the courtyard, she happened to meet She Yue carrying water over, seeing Xi Ren's face was a bit ugly.

She asked: "Xi Ren sister, what's wrong with you, looking so worried? I just heard the second master shouting; did he give you a hard time?"

There were some things Xi Ren dared not say to Baoyu, and she was also scolded by Baoyu, so she was feeling very depressed.

She had always been close to She Yue, and seeing her ask for the reason, she pulled her out of the courtyard and sat on a mountain stone nearby.

She said: "In the future, if the second master asks people to go to the East Mansion, I will never go again; not to mention that we have no face going over, the second master still has things to say when we come back."

Xi Ren told She Yue about her encounter in the East Mansion and the cold words Jia Cong said, scattered and bit by bit, and both of them sighed.

She Yue said: "Xi Ren sister, although the third master's words were cold and not very pleasant to hear, every word of his was reasonable."

"The second master has been doted on by Jia Mu since he was a child, and everyone gives him three points of face, but now the situation in the family is very different, and outsiders have already seen it."

"But our master is big-hearted; because he has Jia Mu's protection, he doesn't think about these trivial matters at all, just thinking he will live in the West Mansion for a lifetime."

"But the West Mansion is clearly the family property of the first branch; how can there be a reason to live in a cousin's house for a lifetime?"

"It's just that Jia Mu is still here, and the third master himself doesn't care much, so others find it hard to point it out."

"I heard that the third young lady stopped the mistress, and the third master also said it couldn't be touched, but the mistress just beat the third young lady."

"Isn't the mistress making Cong Sanye Cong lose face? In any case, he is still the head of the family; who will listen to him in the future?"

"Even if he didn't care about many things before, I'm afraid he ignited true fire this time and changed his mind."

"Besides, he and the third young lady have been close since childhood; how could he not protect his own? He said such things to you, sister, just to have you come back and pass them on."

"As long as this topic spreads, everyone will discuss this matter; as the saying goes, public opinion is a powerful force, and people's words are to be feared."

"And the reason is on the third master's side; when that time comes, everyone around will give us the cold shoulder; how do you say the second master will live in the West Mansion?"

Hearing She Yue's words, Xi Ren's expression was a bit dazed, and she said: "Listening to you say this, it really is this reason."

"I said Cong Sanye Cong was considered amiable before, but today he actually said such unpleasant and harsh words; fortunately, my mouth was tight just now and I didn't say it to the second master."

She Yue said: "I advise you, sister, not to wade into this muddy water; just pretend you didn't hear these words, to save from spreading the topic and losing face ourselves."

"In any case, the second master will get married in less than half a year; when the time comes, he can just go with the flow and move back to the West Mansion, and the second master himself will have nothing to say."

"Even if Jia Mu is reluctant to let the second master go, it's not good to stop him because of family etiquette; this way, everyone gets face, isn't that good?"

Xi Ren heard She Yue's words, which were logical and indeed very reasonable.

Although she had the heart to compete for favor in Baoyu's room, she didn't have other great ambitions; as long as she could sit firmly in the position of a concubine, she was satisfied.

As for whether Baoyu lived in the West Mansion or the East Road Courtyard, it made little difference to Xi Ren.

Now, although Jia Mu was old, the master was in his prime; no matter where the second branch lived, they would have no worries about food and clothing.

The two were whispering and feeling that they were talking speculatively, when suddenly someone spoke nearby, the voice crisp and with a hint of sarcasm.

"The two of you are talking so well here; tell me about this good thing of going with the flow and everyone getting face."

Xi Ren and She Yue were both shocked and hurriedly looked back; it was Qiu Wen from Baoyu's room.

They couldn't help but worry in their hearts, knowing that Qiu Wen had always wanted to get ahead and had a broken mouth, often gossiping in front of Lady Wang.

She Yue's face sank slightly, and she said: "Why isn't it allowed for us two to talk about private matters? Sneaky, how long have you been here?"

Qiu Wen said with disdain: "Didn't I just come over? Otherwise, I would have heard all your good things."

Count's Mansion.

After Xi Ren left, the sisters chatted in Tan Chun's room for a long time before leaving one after another.

Just as the sisters walked to the courtyard gate, Xiangyun suddenly thought of the topic just now.

She smiled: "Third brother, although I often came to the mansion to stay, I have never spent the Daughter's Festival at home."

"How was it spent at home in previous years? Do you have any good ideas? Tell us and let us listen."

Hearing this, Daiyu seemed to think of something and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

She said: "Third brother has ideas for the Daughter's Festival; he is best at washing girls' hair that day, and he washes several at a time; it looks so fun."

Yingchun and Baochai couldn't help but laugh when they heard this, their pretty faces slightly flushed.

Xing Xiuyan was a latecomer, so unlike Yingchun and Baochai, she didn't know the allusion of the East Mansion's Daughter's Festival.

But hearing this, she was also a bit shy, because she knew the allusion of the Su Yang area; so the cousin had this hobby, one day let him wash mine too...

Hearing the word "fun," Shi Xiangyun's eyes lit up; she grew up in the Divine Capital since she was a child, so how would she know the customs of the south?

She said excitedly to Jia Cong: "This sounds interesting; I haven't tried it. Good third brother, wash my hair one day too, let me be rare too."

Daiyu smiled even more mischievously and said: "It's easy to let the third brother wash your hair, but it can't be washed for nothing; there are requirements in this."

Shi Xiangyun asked curiously: "What requirements are there for washing hair? Tell me and let me listen."

Daiyu burst into laughter: "What's there to tell? Didn't you teach Tan Yatou? As long as she gets married in the future, she will know everything."

Shi Xiangyun suddenly remembered the situation of her teasing Tan Chun; how could she not know that what Daiyu said was not good words? She was afraid that letting the third brother wash her hair on the Daughter's Festival was very ambiguous.

She couldn't help but glance at Jia Cong, seeing him also laughing on the side, his pair of bright eyes like deep pools, looking this way.

She couldn't help but feel a bit shaky, and her little face flushed red.

Feeling something was wrong, she ran over to tickle Daiyu; Daiyu laughed and hid behind Jia Cong, and the two kept circling Jia Cong.

Daiyu held onto Jia Cong's shoulder, panting slightly,

Suddenly pointing behind her, she smiled: "You only mess with me; look, the one who has had her hair washed by the third brother is coming this way."

Shi Xiangyun turned around curiously and saw a slender and graceful figure walking this way on the small path in the garden ahead.

It was Jia Cong's head maid, Wu'er, wearing a smoke-pine green embroidered thin silk jacket with an inlaid collar, an ivory-colored thin gauze inner garment, and a snow-white pleated palace skirt.

Her dark, soft, and bright hair, her beautiful and soft face, under the sunset of the summer day, were as delicate as a willow and as graceful as an orchid.

Under the evening breeze, the skirt corners fluttered, her hair flew, and her beautiful clothes wrapped around her body, making her appear even more graceful and beautiful... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 695 =====