Chapter 712: Cool Night Brings Romance

Count's Mansion, Jia Cong's courtyard.

Qingwen stood behind Jia Cong, helping him groom his hair. Her slender yet full body touched his back inadvertently, making him feel a mysterious tingling sensation.

The beautiful shadow behind him swayed, a faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, the night wind outside the window was cool, and the room was filled with a fragrant and intimate atmosphere.

Jia Cong was closing his eyes and resting, following Qingwen's movements, when he suddenly heard her let out a soft sigh. Although it was inaudible, he still heard it.

He laughed, "You girl, why are you sighing for no reason? Who provoked you? Tell me and I'll stand up for you."

Qingwen snorted softly and said, "Apart from the Cong Sanye, who else in the courtyard would provoke me?"

Jia Cong laughed, "Talking nonsense again. When did I provoke you? I don't remember it myself. Why don't you tell me?"

Qingwen heard Jia Cong's teasing tone, her pretty face flushed red. The meaning of her saying "provoke" was one thing, but the Cong Sanye saying "provoke" seemed to be another...

She just snorted unconvinced and didn't speak, not taking it to heart.

Qingwen had a straightforward and dry temper. She was assigned to serve Jia Cong since she was a child and was also outspoken in front of him.

At this moment, although she felt shy thinking about her worries, some words had been held in her heart for a long time. Being coaxed by Jia Cong's words, she couldn't help but say them out loud.

"Cong Sanye, do you think my mouth is too sharp, my temper too rough, and I'm not as careful as Wu'er and the others, so you don't like me as much?"

"Now that even Ping'er Sister is coming, Cong Sanye, you won't have me in your heart anymore in the future..."

Jia Cong stood up and turned to look at her. As Qingwen spoke, her face became even redder. Her originally fiery temper made her dare not look at Jia Cong, just lowering her head slightly.

He couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch Qingwen's pointed chin, raising her pretty and charming face a few inches.

His fingers touched Qingwen's face, delicate and smooth, fragrant and sweet, giving birth to a wonderful feeling out of thin air.

Those beautiful big eyes, with bright and moist waves, were a bit shy at first, but soon she boldly looked at Jia Cong, her eyes full of bright and unbridled vitality.

Jia Cong laughed, "Such a pretty girl, how can she be rough? If she were really like that, I would hope she were even rougher."

Qingwen heard his praise and felt a bit proud, but muttered, "Cong Sanye only knows how to coax people with words. I don't know if it's true."

Jia Cong saw her charming expression and muttering words, and couldn't help but want to tease her.

He laughed, "You and Wu'er came together. She has her benefits, and you have yours. I keep them all in my heart."

"Since you think I'm close to her and treat you unfairly now, I'll just be close to you."

As he spoke, his hands hugged Qingwen's small waist. He only felt it was slender enough to be held in one hand, surprisingly thin, warm to the touch, smooth and soft, making people intoxicated and reluctant to let go.

Qingwen trembled involuntarily and said, "Cong Sanye, don't mess around. Where are your hands?"

Jia Cong held back his laughter and said, "Aren't you envious of me being close to Wu'er? Isn't being close to each other just like this? Why are you complaining about me again?"

Qingwen's voice trembled as she went to push away Jia Cong's hands on her waist, but she was somewhat intoxicated, her hands and feet were weak, and she couldn't break free no matter what.

But she said, "That won't do. Even if we are close, it must be proper and open."

"I also came out of the Old Grandmother's room. Even if I serve the Cong Sanye, I must perform the family etiquette to the Old Grandmother like Wu'er and the others."

"Otherwise, if people gossip, I won't have a face, and I will implicate the Cong Sanye in losing face."

"Cong Sanye also said that a woman is of age and a man is of age. I won't cause trouble for the Cong Sanye..."

Jia Cong heard this and felt a bit moved, releasing his hands from Qingwen's waist.

It is said that Qingwen has a strong temper and a sharp mouth, easily offending people, but she is actually very clear-headed.

He reached out and smoothed the green hair on Qingwen's temples, smiling, "What a good girl. Where are you rough? You are very careful in your heart."

"You don't compromise on major festivals, you understand all principles, and you can manage yourself."

Qingwen laughed, "Is Cong Sanye coaxing me to be happy again? Is this true?"

Jia Cong laughed, "Naturally, it's true. You should be like this in the future."

He couldn't help but kiss Qingwen on the cheek, warm, soft, and fragrant, saying how intimate and romantic it was.

At this moment, although Qingwen was blushing, she didn't seem shy anymore. Her eyes were full of joy and peace, as if she had received Jia Cong's promise.

She went over to help Jia Cong make the bed and said with a red face, "Cong Sanye, rest early. You have to get up early for the morning court tomorrow..."

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall, morning.

Inside and outside the hall, people were walking around, laughing and talking, all with a festive atmosphere.

Because today was the seventeenth of the eighth month, it was the day Ping'er entered the East Mansion to settle down.

As soon as the auspicious time arrived, Wang Wang Xifeng took Ping'er to the Rongqing Hall to perform the family etiquette to Jia Mu.

Because it was a matter of the inner chambers, Ping'er's status was somewhat different compared to other maids.

She was not only Wang Wang Xifeng's personal maid but also helped her manage the West Mansion. Her entering the room and promising herself to someone naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the mansion.

The Jia and Wang families were old friends in Jinling, with several generations of marriage, and had been very close for generations.

Because of her aunt, Wang Wang Xifeng often came to the Jia Fu to play when she was a child, just like Shi Shi Xiangyun who grew up in the Jia Fu when she was young.

So Jia Zhen had similar words about her childhood, commenting on Wang Wang Xifeng's childhood: "From a young age, the big sister played around, and she had a decisive and resolute manner."

Feng Sister also mentioned Jia Zhen: "Outside, there is only one big brother Zhen. We still discuss brothers and sisters. We have been naughty together since we were young."

It can be seen that before Wang Wang Xifeng married Jia Lady Lian, she often traveled between the two Jia mansions when she was young, otherwise there wouldn't be such childhood titles as big brother and big sister.

Ping'er was Wang Wang Xifeng's personal maid. Although she was a maid of the Wang family, she often came to the Jia family with Wang Wang Xifeng since she was a child, and even lived as a guest for a long time.

So she was very familiar with the women and maids of the Jia family, and they were all very close and familiar with each other.

That was why Amber had such words: "This is because we are good. For example, Sister Xi Ren, Amber, Suyun, Hearing Zi Juan, Seeing Cai Xia, Yuchun, Musk, Cuimo."

"Cuilu who followed Shi Girl, the dead Ke Ren and Jinchun, the gone Xixue, plus you and me, these ten or so people."

"What didn't we talk about since we were young? What didn't we do?"

It was precisely because the Jia and Wang families were close that Ping'er, as a maid of the Wang family, formed a childhood friendship with Amber, Sister Xi Ren, Musk, and others.

Now that Ping'er had a lifelong reliance, and it was the best result among the maids, everyone took care of Wang Wang Xifeng's face, and because Ping'er had a good reputation, the Rongqing Hall was exceptionally lively today, and the women of the family who came to observe the ceremony were almost full.

The sisters in the family hadn't left the cabinet, so they naturally couldn't show up on such an occasion.

Only Seeing Yingchun was Jia Cong's elder sister and the young lady in charge of the East Mansion, so she was also seated in the hall.

The rest of the Xue Xue Yima brought congratulatory gifts, and even Zhang Zhang Youshi, the widow of Jia Zhen, and Li Wan, the widow of Jia Zhu, who rarely showed up, came to observe the ceremony.

Ever since the Ningguo Mansion was confiscated, Jia Mu had taken care of the face of the Ning and Rong branches and took Zhang Zhang Youshi to the Lady Rongguo Mansion to support her.

Since Zhang Zhang Youshi entered the Lady Rongguo Mansion, she knew that her status was strange, so she had always lived in the inner courtyard and rarely came out to see outsiders.

Therefore, for the past few years, everyone in the West Mansion had almost forgotten that there was still the eldest grandmother of the Ningguo Mansion living in the mansion.

It was just that in the past year or so, the Lady Rongguo Mansion had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Zhang Zhang Youshi, who lived deep in the inner courtyard, never dreamed that in just a few years, Jia Cong had become the master of Lady Rongguo.

Wang Wang Xifeng had replaced Lady Wang and became the mistress in charge of the West Mansion.

Zhang Zhang Youshi was now supported by Jia Cong and taken care of by Wang Wang Xifeng, so Ping'er's room-entry matter involved Jia Cong and Wang Wang Xifeng.

Even if she lived in seclusion, this face and etiquette could not be missing.

As for Li Wan, although she had been a widow for many years and rarely showed up, she loved Ping'er for her loyalty and capability, and the two had always been close.

Li Wan also thought of herself, step by step, raising her son as a widow, without any capable people to help, and often envied Wang Wang Xifeng for having such a character as Ping'er.

Now that Ping'er had a lifelong reliance, she naturally had to show up to observe the ceremony, partly out of friendship with Ping'er, and partly out of the idea of showing favor to Jia Cong.

Because she came from an official family, her father was the libationer of the Imperial Academy, and her husband Jia Zhu was also a literary figure, just short-lived.

She had been influenced by her family since she was young, and her lifelong concern was her son Jia Lan's imperial examination future.

Now that the family had produced a second-rank scholar in the Spring Examination, a Hanlin Academy scholar, she naturally gave birth to the idea of getting close and borrowing strength, just for the convenience of her son's future.

But she also knew deeply that her mother-in-law, Lady Wang, had a deep grudge against Jia Cong, so she would never show closeness to the First Branch in her daily life to protect her family and herself.

Moreover, her son Jia Lan was young and didn't need to be too anxious now.

But for Ping'er's room-entry ceremony, because of her private friendship with Ping'er, her sister-in-law relationship with Wang Wang Xifeng, and her relationship with the First Branch, she showed up to observe the ceremony, which seemed justified and not afraid of Lady Wang picking faults.

The Xue Xue Yima, an outsider, was present, so Lady Wang, as the mistress of the Second Branch, should also show up.

The East Road Courtyard still ate the supplies from the West Mansion, and Wang Wang Xifeng was the mistress in charge of the West Mansion, so Lady Wang should also come to join the fun.

But today, Li Wan just entered the Rongqing Hall and reported to Jia Mu that the Mistress was unwell today and was recuperating at home, and would come to pay respects to the Old Grandmother in a few days.

Jia Mu was not really muddled, so she naturally knew that her daughter-in-law still hadn't opened her mind and still harbored grudges, so she used an excuse to avoid it.

Jia Mu didn't care about this. It was better if the second daughter-in-law didn't come, saving her from saying something mindless on such an occasion, making everyone unable to step down.

Although it was just a family etiquette for a maid to enter the room, the thoughts and actions of everyone in the hall showed the complicated and tangled worldly wisdom of the big mansion, both obscure and twists and turns.

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu's courtyard.

Jia Baoyu got up early today and had nothing to do. He read a book for a while and soon felt bored.

Thinking of being thirsty and wanting tea, he called Sister Xi Ren and Musk for a long time, but no one answered. He was a bit annoyed, but saw Seeing Caiyun enter from outside.

Jia Baoyu asked, "I want tea. Why are they not seen all morning? Where did they go to wander?"

Seeing Caiyun said casually, "If the Bao Er Ye wants to use someone in the morning, just call me. Today, Ping'er is performing the ceremony in the Rongqing Hall."

"Sister Xi Ren and Musk are close to her since childhood. They can't go to the Rongqing Hall, but they went to the Second Grandmother's courtyard."

"Helping Ping'er organize things and waiting for her to come back to congratulate her, it's not in vain for their childhood friendship."

Jia Baoyu heard this, his face looked ugly, and his heart felt sour and uncomfortable.

He said, "I really lived my days in a daze, and I forgot that today is the seventeenth."

Seeing Caiyun heard this, her heart skipped a beat, regretting that she had been quick-mouthed. Why did she mention this topic to the Bao Er Ye?

She knew that in the Rongqing Hall that day, the Second Grandmother set the date for Ping'er, and the Bao Er Ye said some loose and crooked words, which caused the Second Grandmother to withhold the monthly allowance.

If the Bao Er Ye heard this and had another fit of madness, causing trouble, it would be terrible...

Jia Baoyu said, "Although I feel Ping'er Sister is pitiful and dissatisfied with others desecrating her, the world is like this. What can I do?"

"Today is her big day after all. I've seen her and interacted with her in the mansion since I was a child. I'll go over and take a look, which is considered etiquette and fulfills my heart."

Jia Baoyu was jealous and indignant in his heart, only saying he would go and take a look, but he couldn't say the words of congratulation.

He and Ping'er were only ordinary, and they had never had any friendship. Originally, it shouldn't be like this, but as long as he thought of this matter, he felt stifled and unfair for no reason.

Perhaps it was because all the beauties in the West Mansion were empty now, and they were all going to the East Mansion, leaving him as a lonely ghost, making him feel exceptionally aggrieved and unfair.

Jia Cong was greedy and insatiable, blindly occupying and ruining delicate girls, not to mention ruining the East Mansion, but also coming to the West Mansion to ruin things. It was truly inexcusable and despicable to the extreme.

Seeing Caiyun heard her Bao Er Ye's words, and a chill ran down her back. She said to herself that she was indeed muddled, and the Bao Er Ye was talking nonsense again.

How did the Bao Er Ye think of this? Ping'er Sister was also called pitiful. If she was hit by such a big pancake, she would probably be happy to faint.

Which maid in the West Mansion was as lucky as her? If she was also called pitiful, then others shouldn't live...

She was worried about Jia Baoyu causing trouble, so she advised, "Bao Er Ye, it's better not to go. The Second Branch has already sent the Eldest Grandmother and Lan Ge'er."

"It's considered someone showing their face to observe the ceremony. It's safer for the Bao Er Ye to stay at home."

Jia Baoyu showed a look of compassion and said, "How can I not go? Why don't you know my heart?"

"Seeing Caiyun, go get the new gold-lotus-patterned round-collar robe. I'll change it quickly and go to the Rongqing Hall to take a look."

Seeing Caiyun smiled bitterly in her heart. Today, Cong Sanye Cong is taking a woman into his room. Why is the Bao Er Ye wearing such flashy clothes? What is this?

She advised, "That gold-lotus round-collar robe of the Bao Er Ye is very gorgeous and good-looking, but isn't it too eye-catching to wear today?"

Jia Baoyu said emotionally, "Loose talk. Clothes are made to be worn. Since it's a good piece of clothing, why leave it idle?"

"Even if it's an object, wasting it in vain is unfair to it, which is a great disappointment. Whether it's a person or an object, the truth is the same."

Jia Baoyu's high theory made Seeing Caiyun's brain dizzy, and she felt a bit scared. The Bao Er Ye had just said nonsense, and now he was talking crazy again.

Although she was scared, she couldn't resist Jia Baoyu's urging, so she had to take out the brand-new gold-lotus round-collar robe and serve Jia Baoyu to change into it.

She said with lingering fear, "It's fine for the Bao Er Ye to go over there, but remember to only say good words of congratulation. Don't talk nonsense."

"If you offend the Second Grandmother again, we will have to drink northwest wind in the West Mansion in the future..."

Jia Baoyu listened to Seeing Caiyun's nagging and felt impatient, just responding randomly.

Looking at his figure in the mirror, the red clothes were brilliant and the lotus patterns were glorious, as if he had become brilliant, and he felt satisfied in his heart, feeling self-pity and self-love.

Suddenly he said, "Seeing Caiyun, although this dress is well-made, it should be made narrower next time, which will be more elegant."

Seeing Caiyun responded randomly, but felt strange in her heart. The Bao Er Ye didn't see that it wasn't that the clothes weren't narrow, but that the Bao Er Ye had gained a lot of weight...

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Baoyu, dressed in red, holding a folding fan, looked free and easy, but his steps were heavy as he walked toward the Rongqing Hall.

In fact, even he himself was uncertain why he came to the Rongqing Hall at this time.

But thinking of his heartfelt words that day, which were passed to Ping'er Sister's ears, he didn't know how they were distorted and misinterpreted.

If the girl felt that his thoughts were filthy and improper, wouldn't it stain his pure and sincere feelings?

Looking at the situation today, Ping'er Sister could not escape Jia Cong's ruin, and he was powerless to help.

But as long as he could find a gap, he would always share his heartfelt words with her, so that the world would know his feelings.

The atmosphere in the Rongqing Hall was harmonious and enthusiastic, with laughter and talk coming out from time to time. Maids often passed by the Rongqing Hall, whispering and looking envious.

For the young maids in the West Mansion, being able to be promised to Cong Sanye Cong like Ping'er was probably the most beautiful thing in the world.

This Young Master was not only capable of reaching the sky, was granted a title at a young age, but was also a famous talent in the world, and his appearance was top-notch, making people's hearts flutter.

Originally, Zhi Shao and Wu'er also performed the ceremony in the Rongqing Hall, but they were people of the East Mansion and were Cong Sanye Cong's personal maids.

Their results were considered reasonable for the West Mansion maids, so it wasn't too surprising.

But Ping'er was a person of the West Mansion, and she had never had any dealings with Cong Sanye Cong, nor had she served Cong Sanye Cong for a day.

She could actually get such a big bargain, which naturally made a group of West Mansion maids very envious, and by analogy, gave birth to many wild thoughts...

Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife was actually sitting on the corridor of the hall, not busy with anything, chatting and laughing with several maids who were watching the fun.

Usually, at this time, it should be the busiest time of the day. I don't know why she was chatting here today.

She was chatting with the maids, but she kept looking at the marble screen in the corridor, seemingly waiting for someone.

Not long after, figures flickered behind the marble screen, and Jia Baoyu appeared in red, quite dazzling and flashy.

Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife stood up suddenly, saying to herself that the Second Grandmother was truly a female Zhuge, and she was right.

Jia Baoyu's lack of brains was getting bigger and bigger. Today was Ping'er's big day, yet he was still wandering over here, dressed like a peacock. What exactly did he mean?

Jia Baoyu bypassed the marble screen and was about to rush into the Rongqing Hall. He thought that the sisters in the family might be there today.

If he could find a gap, he could say some awakening words, which could not only wake up Ping'er Sister, but also let the sisters know his pure feelings...

Just before he approached the hall, Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife blocked his way and said with a smile, "Where is the Bao Er Ye going?"

Jia Baoyu's face stiffened and said, "Naturally, I'm going into the Rongqing Hall. Why did Lin Mother block the way? If I'm late, I'll delay things."

Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife's face looked bad when she heard him say he would delay things.

She said, "It doesn't matter if the Bao Er Ye enters the Rongqing Hall on weekdays, but today the women of the inner chambers are performing the room-entry ceremony. All men must avoid suspicion."

Jia Baoyu heard the word "men" and felt like he was being stabbed in the heart, his deep feelings and self-pity all broken.

He was furious, his brain was in a mess.

His eyes were dull, and he muttered to himself, "Only Jia Cong is not a man, but I have become a man. How unreasonable, how unreasonable!"

In fact, Jia Baoyu was not completely muddled. Born in a noble family, he knew deep down that what Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife said was the truth.

But he had no confidence to refute the other party's words, because he vaguely knew that if he refuted this, he would only leave a handle and cause a lot of trouble.

But he just didn't want to accept it. He had always been the legitimate son of the Jia family, the grandson most loved by the Old Grandmother, and he was born with jade...

He said indignantly, "Lin Qu Da Niang, what kind of talk is this? I am Jia Baoyu; how did I become an 'outside male' in the West Mansion? Absurd!"

Lin Qu Da Niang sneered in her heart; ever since her daughter Xiaohong was driven out by Lady Wang, she hadn't had a good face for anyone from the Second Branch.

Now seeing Jia Baoyu ask such a question, although she still had a smile on her face, her words were already a bit impolite.

She said, "Look at how the Bao Er Ye asks this; now that the Cong Sanye has received the imperial decree to inherit the title and the mansion, the West Mansion is the Cong Sanye's family business.

According to clan law and family etiquette, except for the Cong Sanye, all other males in the West Mansion are 'outside males' and naturally cannot meddle in the ceremonies of the female relatives.

The Bao Er Ye is also a scholar; how can you not understand such a simple truth, and still use such words to ask me..." (End of chapter)