Chapter 723: The Concubine

Dedefang, Earl's Mansion.

Shenjing in October, the weather is cold, the air is crisp, and it is a clear autumn day.

It happened to be the mid-month break, and after going to the West Mansion early in the morning to pay respects to Jia Mu, Jia Cong and his sisters returned to the East Mansion laughing and talking.

Because Yingchun had household chores to attend to, she returned to her courtyard first, and Xichun, who was sleepy from waking up early and greedy for sleep, was yawning repeatedly and was also led away by Yingchun.

Xiangyun had played chess with Xiuyan last night, and it was late and she was drowsy, so she stayed behind to finish the game and hurried back.

Only Jia Cong remained, strolling and talking in the back garden with Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun.

The three strolled to the Dengxian Pavilion and saw the stone steps winding on the south slope, with many maids and old women busy moving items.

At the end of the stone steps on the slope, there was an exquisite courtyard that had already been cleaned and renovated, with the outer walls painted bright yellow, appearing very eye-catching.

Under the brown glazed eaves, lotus-seat Buddhist curtains hung at both ends, fluttering with the wind, adding a bit of otherworldly atmosphere.

Daiyu pointed to the courtyard on the slope and said: "Third Brother, Sister Miao Yu came to chant scriptures for me last time to relieve my heart, and I am quite familiar with her, and our words are quite compatible.

It's just that we sisters have never met her master, Master Abbess Xiushan, and she is actually Zhi Shao's master. Is she really as magical as Third Brother said?"

……

Since the day Jia Cong and Zhi Shao said they wanted to renovate the Mouni Nunnery, Wang Xifeng received the message and let Lin Zhixiao handle it immediately.

Because the back courtyard of the Rongqing Hall in the West Mansion, the small front rooms in the east corridor of the Rongxi Hall, and other places all needed to be renovated at the end of the year, it was convenient to handle several things together.

Wang Xifeng knew that the Mouni Nunnery was closely related to Zhi Shao, and Zhi Shao would go to live there for a few days every month, and she was also a very favored person around Jia Cong.

She naturally ordered Lin Zhixiao not to be negligent in this matter, and it was even more cautious than renovating her own house.

Lin Zhixiao had been summoning craftsmen for the past few days to inspect the nunnery in the North City and supervise the purchase of various bricks and utensils, and construction would begin soon.

Jia Cong also asked the East Mansion steward to arrange manpower to tidy up the courtyard on the south slope of Dengxian Pavilion as a temporary residence for Master Abbess Xiushan.

……

Jia Cong smiled: "It's probably like this. I didn't believe in gods and Buddhas before, but that day when Sister Miao Yu was chanting scriptures for Sister, I happened to hear it outside the window.

Just listening for a moment, I felt the lingering sound, clearing the heart and brightening the nature, as if entering a fantasy realm, quite different from ordinary monks and nuns chanting scriptures, quite magical."

Daiyu thought of when Sister Miao Yu chanted scriptures for her, for a moment, her heart was calm, she suddenly realized, her worries gradually disappeared, which was exactly what Third Brother said.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "The disciple is already like this, the master must be even more remarkable. I heard that Master Abbess Xiushan is also proficient in innate divine numbers and can judge the past and the future.

Although I have no chance to witness the mystery, I have already learned a lesson from the Master's skills once."

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun were very curious after hearing this, and Seeing Tan Chun said: "What is the allusion? Third Brother, tell us quickly, let us listen to the rarity."

Jia Cong said: "When I found Zhi Shao's whereabouts in Jin Ling, I finally found her in Gusu, and I let Zhen Ying Lian enter the Mouni Nunnery to inquire about news.

Master Abbess Xiushan and Zhen Ying Lian were strangers, but just seeing her once, she said she had the aura of separation and the joy of reunion in her eyebrows.

She concluded that she had been lost in her childhood, and because of the help of a noble person, she had now eliminated the calamity.

At that time, Zhen Ying Lian had just escaped from the human traffickers and was reuniting with Mother Feng in Gusu, and the Master calculated it without any error."

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun both thought it was bizarre, and in their hearts, they both thought that they really had to meet such a person.

Jia Cong smiled: "The Master's skills are magical. Every time I see her, my heart feels a bit flustered, as if there are no secrets left to hide if she calculates them."

The three were talking about idle matters when suddenly Shi Shu came in a hurry and whispered a few words in Seeing Tan Chun's ear.

Seeing Tan Chun said: "Third Brother, I have something to do in my room, so I will go first. You and Sister Lin stroll slowly."

Jia Cong saw Seeing Tan Chun walking in a hurry and felt a bit strange in his heart, but he knew Seeing Tan Chun was shrewd and capable, and there should be nothing she couldn't handle.

……

Earl's Mansion, Seeing Tan Chun's Courtyard.

Seeing Tan Chun received Shi Shu's message and hurried back to the courtyard.

In Seeing Tan Chun's boudoir, a woman with a slender figure, charming and beautiful, and dressed in gorgeous clothes was pacing and looking around in the room.

Seeing Seeing Tan Chun enter the room, she shouted: "The young lady is back. I didn't expect the old woman guarding the door of the East Mansion to be a person who looks down on people.

She insisted that she hadn't seen me and just wouldn't let me in. I have always known that the threshold of the East Mansion is high, but I am not an outside male like Baoyu.

To think I couldn't even enter the inner courtyard of the East Mansion, she really is blind, making me scold her severely, and then I said I was your concubine.

They called Shi Shu over, and only then did they let me in. There really is no rule at all.

You are on good terms with Cong Ge'er, tell him tomorrow, such an ignorant slave must be properly disciplined."

Seeing Tan Chun couldn't help frowning when she heard Zhao Yiniang's arrogant and domineering words.

She said: "Concubine's personality is still so impetuous. Third Brother governs the family strictly, and the old woman guarding the door not letting you in is also following the rules of the East Mansion's inner courtyard.

Concubine doesn't distinguish between right and wrong, why are you scolding others? If outsiders see it, they will say Concubine doesn't have the demeanor of a master, isn't that even more faceless?"

Seeing Tan Chun had been nicknamed "Rose" since she was a child in the Rongguo Prefecture, which meant not only that the rose was red and fragrant and loved by everyone, but also that it had thorns that pricked hands.

She had always been shrewd and capable, dared to act and speak, and was dissatisfied with her biological mother's domineering and mean words, and she spoke her mind directly.

……

Zhao Yiniang knew that her daughter was a formidable one, and she was already a bit wary in her heart. Now that she was begging her for something, she naturally didn't dare to refute much.

She said: "Although they are unreasonable, they are also following Cong Ge'er's family rules, so forget it, I won't say anything.

Seeing you angry, this protective look is also strange, even my own brother didn't have this, Cong Ge'er really didn't spoil you in vain."

Zhao Yiniang kept looking at Seeing Tan Chun's room, seeing the objects and furnishings in the room, which were more exquisite and luxurious than Seeing Tan Chun's room in the West Mansion, and she felt envious in her heart.

She said: "Look at your boudoir, it's getting more and more golden and jade-like. Cong Ge'er really treats you well, even Baoyu can't compare to your posture."

Zhao Yiniang looked at her daughter, seeing her fine eyebrows slightly raised, her eyes sparkling, her skin snow-white, and her beauty charming, much better than when she was young.

As she grew older, her figure became more graceful and alluring, thinking that she was living very comfortably in the East Mansion, and her complexion and spirit were better than before.

Zhao Yiniang's mind wandered, and suddenly a strange thought arose: this girl is getting more and more proper as she grows up, it's a pity.

Why is she a cousin of Cong Ge'er? If she were a cousin like Lin Yatou, how proud that would be.

Just by Cong Ge'er's pampering and treating her well, and her daughter's beauty, she would be the mistress of the East Mansion.

When that time comes, I could walk sideways in both the East and West Mansions, even the mistress would have to give me three points, hum!

……

Zhao Yiniang was dazzled by her daughter's beauty, daydreaming, and for a moment she was a bit carried away.

Suddenly Seeing Tan Chun said: "Concubine came to the East Mansion to find me, is there anything important?"

Zhao Yiniang's mind was in chaos, and she was interrupted by Seeing Tan Chun's words, and she couldn't help shaking her head, instantly waking up.

I really lost my mind, what kind of strange thoughts are these……

She hurriedly said: "Even if you were beaten by the mistress, you shouldn't be so angry, it's been more than two months since you went to the East Road Courtyard.

You don't want to see the mistress, you should always see me and your brother, you don't come to see me, and you don't allow me to come to see you, you are the seed that crawled out of my belly."

Seeing Tan Chun blushed when she heard the last sentence, and was a bit angry. It was a good word, but in her biological mother's mouth, it always sounded unpleasant.

Seeing Tan Chun said helplessly: "Concubine, don't say anything else, just talk about the business."

She was shrewd and knew her biological mother's character well, so she wouldn't really believe that she had come all the way from the East Road Courtyard just to see her.

Zhao Yiniang said: "I came to see you, you are after all my belly……"

She only said half of it, seeing Seeing Tan Chun's face blushing and her expression unkind, she sheepishly cut off the conversation.

She continued: "Secondly, there is your brother's matter. I think he is not young anymore, wandering around every day like a mule that doesn't fit the harness.

If there were a proper woman in his room, he could calm his heart. I have been paying attention to the maids in the East Courtyard, as long as Seeing Cai Xia is a good one.

I can't discuss your brother's inner affairs with others, I have to talk to you as his sister.

Besides, you are proud now, Cong Ge'er protects you in everything, you should find a way for me."

……

Seeing Tan Chun's face changed slightly when she heard this, and she felt something was wrong.

She said: "What is Concubine saying? Huan'er is only thirteen, how old is he, and you want to take a woman in his room? Concubine, don't be confused and spoil him.

There are family rules in the mansion, the masters only open their rooms when they are fifteen, Third Brother and Bao Er Ge are both like this, how can Huan'er be different?

Besides, Seeing Cai Xia is the mistress's big maid, Huan'er can't provoke her at all, although there were rumors before that she and Huan'er were on good terms.

But that was all when they were young, and it wasn't taken seriously. Concubine, you must keep an eye on Huan'er, don't make a real shadow, that will cause trouble.

Concubine is a person who has come from a big family, Seeing Cai Xia is a mother's maid, her status is different from other maids, Concubine must know the priorities."

Zhao Yiniang's face changed slightly when she heard Seeing Tan Chun's words, but recently Jia Huan and Seeing Cai Xia had been in close contact, and Zhao Yiniang was a bit uneasy.

She was afraid that she would light the fire too high and those two things would cause trouble, thinking that it would be better to settle the matter early to be truly at ease.

She said: "I know the family's principles, but this kind of family matter is not the Emperor's imperial edict, so it can't be moved left or right.

You know the master's personality is proper, and everything is done according to the rules. I think you are on good terms with Cong Ge'er, and he is the head of the two mansions now,

He is also highly valued by the master, as long as he says a word, the master will definitely be willing."

Seeing Tan Chun felt inexplicable and said: "What is Concubine saying? Although Third Brother is the head of the two mansions, he is after all a master.

Can he still interfere in the inner affairs of the second branch, and it is to ask for the mistress's big maid to be a woman for Huan Ge'er, how can you let him say this?

If outsiders know, Third Brother's name will be tarnished, and the family will be in chaos. This matter must not be done, I advise Concubine to manage Huan'er properly!"

……

Zhao Yiniang saw Seeing Tan Chun's words were stiff, and knew that she would never get involved in this matter, and was a bit disappointed, but it was not too unexpected.

Although she was a vulgar and mean person, she was not ignorant of principles, and asking Jia Cong to ask for a woman for her son was a bit inappropriate.

She was just trying her luck, relying on her daughter's favor with Jia Cong, to see if she could handle this matter.

Now that Seeing Tan Chun had refused in such words, she gave up in her heart and could only find another way.

She said: "Since you have already said so, I won't mention this matter, it's just idle talk, but there is another serious matter, you must help."

Seeing Tan Chun felt strange and asked: "What other serious matter does Concubine have?"

Zhao Yiniang said: "I heard the day before yesterday that the master came to ask Cong Ge'er to take the quota of the Imperial Academy for the Rongguo Prefecture and give it to Baoyu.

Cong Ge'er agreed immediately, saying that next spring, Baoyu can go to the Imperial Academy to study."

……

The matter Zhao Yiniang said was indeed true, such things were not rare in the Jia family.

The Imperial Academy was the highest official school in Da Zhou, although it was not as famous as the Qingshan Academy, it was also a glorious place that scholars yearned for.

There were many ways to enter the Imperial Academy, such as Gongjian, Xuanjian, Najian, Yin-jian, and Jujian.

Among them, Yin-jian was a generous move by the imperial court for the children of officials, and every household with a title or official rank had a quota for the Imperial Academy.

In the beginning, Jia Jing, Jia Zhu, and Jia Rong all entered the Imperial Academy to study as Yin-jian, but the first two achieved success in their studies, while Jia Rong was just muddling along.

Because Jia Cong was a rare person with two titles in one body, he was more generous than ordinary families, and both the Rongguo Prefecture and the Earl Weiyuan's Mansion had a quota for Yin-jian.

The day before yesterday, Jia Zheng, because Baoyu was making trouble at home and didn't know what to do, and was already of age, even if he didn't like to study, he shouldn't waste his time in the inner house.

Jia Zheng thought of letting him enter the Imperial Academy to study, even if there was no hope for a career, it would be good to be influenced by the sages and have an extra layer of restraint in his daily life.

Jia Cong agreed immediately when he heard Jia Zheng mention this, happy to do a favor, as for whether Baoyu could achieve success, it was none of his business.

He had no children, and no brothers of the same line to study, so both Yin-jian quotas were idle.

Jia Zheng was naturally full of joy, as for how Baoyu felt ashamed and wanted to die, it was unknown……

……

Seeing Tan Chun's heart moved slightly when she heard Zhao Yiniang's words.

She asked: "Is this true? Third Brother asked someone to record the name in the academy, and Baoyu can go to the Imperial Academy to study soon."

Zhao Yiniang said: "You know your brother, wandering at home every day, chasing cats and dogs, making trouble, not a day of peace.

I think he is old now, he can't just muddle along, he has to do something, gather some capital, so that I can have something to rely on in the future.

I think Baoyu's studies are so loose, yet he can go to the Imperial Academy to study, why can't Huan'er?"

Seeing Tan Chun felt it was rare, her biological mother actually had such thoughts, which was originally rare, but hearing the end, it was just competition.

She smiled bitterly: "Concubine, don't talk, Baoyu's studies are loose, is Huan'er not loose? The eldest brother doesn't need to talk about the second brother.

I also heard the meaning in Concubine's words, Third Brother is the head of the two mansions, he has two Yin-jian quotas in his hands, you want him to give the other one to Huan'er?"

Zhao Yiniang smiled: "The young lady is the smartest, everything is understood at a point, I have exactly this idea.

I mentioned this to the master, but the master just asked for a quota from Cong Ge'er, and now he can't save face, only saying to wait two years.

I think two years is too long, why delay the time, I think you are on good terms with Cong Ge'er, you come to speak, and save the master from embarrassment.

Originally the mistress treated you well, but now she has torn her face, last time she almost crippled your hand.

Now in this situation, you can watch Baoyu be glorious, but not pull your own brother, how can you justify it inside and out."

……

Seeing Tan Chun felt a headache when she heard this, her concubine couldn't change her character of causing trouble.

If she really wanted Huan'er to study, it would be a good thought, but that's not what she meant.

It was just that she saw that she was on good terms with Third Brother, so she wanted to rely on this as a backing, and wanted Huan'er to steal the limelight from Baoyu.

Even relying on her own favor with Third Brother, she wanted to treat Third Brother as her own backing.

If Third Brother really gave the quota to Huan'er because of her begging, Concubine would definitely take this matter to show off and brag about her power in front of others.

If she was proud in front of the mistress and angered the mistress, and from then on developed a grudge, would there be any good days in the future?

But Seeing Tan Chun wouldn't tell her biological mother these words, because according to her concubine's reckless and splashing character, as long as she heard these words, she would definitely make a scene.

Most likely she would make up that she climbed Third Brother's high branch and forgot her roots, and even pushed back and forth to help her own brother.

At that time, Concubine would definitely repeat the words about crawling out of her belly seven or eight times, and she would really be ashamed to death,

If she made a scene in the East Mansion, letting Third Brother and her sisters know, she would be vomiting to death……

……

Seeing Tan Chun said: "Concubine wants Huan'er to study, that is a good thing, but Concubine doesn't know the details.

Although Third Brother still has a Yin-jian quota in his hands, entering the Imperial Academy as a Yin-jian requires the boy to be fifteen years old.

Huan'er is only thirteen this year, his age is still far from it, even if Third Brother is willing to give the quota, Huan'er can't enter the Imperial Academy."

Zhao Yiniang was suspicious when she heard this and said: "How come I have never heard of such a rule, you don't want to help your brother, so you are deliberately deceiving me?"

Seeing Tan Chun was angry and laughed, saying: "These are all things on the surface, Concubine can just ask someone to inquire, why should I deceive Concubine.

The master is so eager for Bao Er Ge to study, logically he should have let him go to the Imperial Academy long ago, why drag it to today, just because Bao Er Ge is only fifteen this year."

Zhao Yiniang only believed it after hearing this, but she was still unwilling.

She said: "Even if it is true, there are human feelings and face in this world. Now Cong Ge'er is a Hanlin Academician, the top among scholars.

The Imperial Academy is also a place for scholars, as long as he says a few words, what does it matter if he is two years younger, it's just a word from him."

Seeing Tan Chun was angry when she heard this and said patiently: "Concubine's words are ridiculous, the Imperial Academy is not opened by our family, it is a proper school of the imperial court.

Although Third Brother is famous now, I don't know how many people are staring at him. If he uses his fame to engage in favoritism, the next day there will be censors impeaching him.

Now both the East and West Mansions are supported by Third Brother, if he ruins his reputation, none of us will have good days!"

……

Zhao Yiniang was startled when she heard this. She was not worried that Jia Cong would ruin his reputation, but was afraid when she heard the word impeachment.

In the beginning, her master was impeached, so scared that he hurriedly moved out of the Rongguo Prefecture, and almost lost his official position.

Now the second branch has become a side branch, if the master loses his official position, the second branch will not have to live in the future.

By the same token, now Cong Ge'er is the Third Young Lady's backing, if he is also impeached, the Third Young Lady will be in trouble, and she will also lose a hope……

Seeing Tan Chun saw that her words controlled her biological mother, and said many words patiently, nothing more than persuading Zhao Yiniang to watch Jia Huan and not let him make trouble.

After Zhao Yiniang got up and left, Seeing Tan Chun breathed a sigh of relief. Her biological mother's character was mixed, and if she made a scene, Seeing Tan Chun couldn't bear it.

……

Shi Shu saw her young lady frowning and asked: "Young lady, you don't want Huan San Ye to go to the Imperial Academy to study?

Otherwise, even if Huan San Ye is not old enough, the young lady would have agreed to Concubine's matter, but now you left a word, what are you worried about?"

Seeing Tan Chun smiled bitterly: "We all know that Bao Er Ge and Huan'er are not materials for studying.

Don't look at Third Brother's studies, how can everyone be like this? Even if Bao Er Ge goes to the Imperial Academy to study, I think it's inappropriate.

With Bao Er Ge's personality, I'm afraid it's difficult to study anywhere, I'm worried that he will make trouble in the academy, and Huan'er is mostly the same.

Third Brother is famous all over the world, everyone is watching, they all say that the Jia family is now a Jinshi family, a Hanlin family.

If the Jia family's children enter the Imperial Academy and cause allusions, it will inevitably leave Third Brother with criticism.

Moreover, Bao Er Ge just entered the Imperial Academy, and Concubine immediately drummed up Huan'er to enter the academy, this is to fight with the mistress.

I have Third Brother protecting me in the East Mansion, but Concubine and Huan'er will be in the East Road Courtyard for a lifetime, so don't leave trouble because of this.

So I must not let Concubine hold this word, but what I am most worried about is not this one."

Shi Shu asked curiously: "What else is there to worry about when everything is calculated by the young lady?"

Seeing Tan Chun's bright eyes flashed and she asked: "Don't you think Concubine's mention of Seeing Cai Xia just now is really strange?

She came here with great fanfare today, and even Huan'er's study matter was mentioned later.

Concubine is also a person who has come from a big family, she is not ignorant of the severity, but she still mentioned this matter, there must be something wrong."

Seeing Tan Chun thought of this and seemed to realize something, her pretty face suddenly flushed……

She said: "Now Concubine and Huan'er are both in the East Road Courtyard, I am beyond my reach, that is the mistress's territory, and there is no gap to inquire about the roots."

Shi Shu was Seeing Tan Chun's close confidant, even if Seeing Tan Chun didn't say some words, she could understand them.

She said: "Although it is not easy to inquire about the East Road Courtyard, the mistress's big maids are now only Seeing Cai Xia and Yuchun.

I think Yuchun mostly knows the roots, although she is not a maid of the West Mansion now, but as long as she walks around daily, she will definitely come to see her sister Jinchun.

I will find an excuse to go to the Lixiang Courtyard these days to see if I can meet her, or I can inquire about some news."

Seeing Tan Chun nodded when she heard this and said: "Your words make sense, let's do it, just be low-key in words and actions, don't let people see the traces.

I just hope Concubine and Huan'er are more alert, don't make things difficult to clean up……"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 724 =====