Chapter 73

Daiyu recuperated for six or seven days and was much better, even having more spirit than before she spat blood and fell ill, and her complexion showed a hint of jade-like, crystal-clear rosiness.

It was unknown whether the imperial physician's medicine was effective, or if the medicinal diet Jia Cong sent every night had a miraculous effect.

Daiyu and the sisters went to the Rongqing Hall to pay respects to Jia Mu as usual; naturally, Jia Cong had no part in this.

Of course, Jia Cong was happy not to enter the Glory Celebration Hall and listen to a bunch of people whitewashing their pleasure; he preferred to stay in the Pure Wisdom Study to study, which was more interesting.

Even Jia Mu was somewhat surprised to see Daiyu; she had been scared out of her wits when she saw Daiyu spitting blood at such a young age, thinking her precious granddaughter might not live long.

Now seeing her after an illness, she seemed reborn; her complexion was actually three parts better than before, and she was increasingly jade-like and moving, making Jia Mu cherish her even more.

Baoyu saw that Daiyu had become even more intoxicating after her recovery, and felt sour in his heart again, sighing with cheap sentiments about how the world's spiritual essence was concentrated in women.

He looked even more like a late-stage dementia patient, staring fixedly at his Lin Meimei.

After waiting for a while, he discovered that his Lin Meimei hadn't noticed his affectionate gaze, and didn't even look at him properly.

Jia Mu had waived Jia Cong's filial etiquette that day; no one dared to tell Jia Zheng about this, as everyone knew he was upright and had always valued Jia Cong.

Wang Xifeng was the most observant of these people; she saw that Daiyu's radiance was even better than before after her recovery, but there was a hint of light sorrow hidden between her brows.

"Old Ancestor, these things were originally sent to the Glory Joy Hall by someone; I thought it would be better for Brother Cong to come and receive them himself so as not to lose etiquette, and the visitors also want him to entertain them; is he not here?"

If he knew about this, he would definitely have something to say, and it would make the Old Ancestor unhappy again.

A raging fire of gossip ignited in her heart, and she wished she could include Daiyu in it to extract the truth.

Jia Cong had been in the East Courtyard before, but now that he had moved to the West Prefecture, he should have had the same etiquette as Baoyu and the sisters, but she didn't expect to come and find him missing.

"Old Ancestor, the admission notice for Brother Cong just arrived from the Qingshan Academy; he is to enter the academy to register on the fifth day of the fourth month."

Could it be that the reason for the argument between her and Baoyu that day was true? That kid in the Pure Wisdom Study actually had such means.

Baoyu's eyes began to glaze over to the side, as if he had another nervous breakdown.

So no one wanted to touch this unlucky spot.

Subconsciously touching the jade on his chest, he thought Lin Meimei must still be angry with him.

Jia Zheng originally thought that at this hour, Jia Cong should be with the other sisters in the Rongqing Hall paying respects to Jia Mu; this was the consistent filial etiquette of the Rongguo Prefecture.

Seeing her not even look at Baoyu, Wang Xifeng, who had also been a young girl once, felt a stir in her heart upon seeing this scene.

Now he didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Daiyu; last time he angered Daiyu to the point of spitting blood, if he caused trouble again, even the Old Ancestor wouldn't spare him, and if Jia Zheng knew, he would be dead.

How could a filthy man like me be worthy of the favor of a fairy-like person like Lin Meimei? Wouldn't it be a desecration of her jade-like fairy appearance?

"Master Jing'an also specially sent a set of 'Collected Annotations on the Four Books,' all of which he personally reviewed; they are very precious and are to encourage Brother Cong to study hard."

"I never expected Brother Cong to be so valued by this literary master!"

The crowd in the hall was lost in their own thoughts when Jia Zheng entered with a face full of joy, followed by a maid carrying a tray with a letter and several books.

Jia Zheng had to go to the Ministry of Works every day, so he didn't spend much time in the mansion.

Usually, his mind wasn't on these mundane matters, so half the mansion knew about this, but he was the only one kept in the dark.

Jia Mu's expression was unhappy; last time Baoyu was scolded by his father because his schoolwork wasn't as good as Jia Cong's, and this time Baoyu and Daiyu argued, resulting in Daiyu spitting blood; both things were caused by Jia Cong.

This was a wicked creature who caused trouble everywhere, making Jia Mu increasingly estranged from this grandson; waiving his filial etiquette was to keep him from entering the Rongqing Hall, so she wouldn't feel stifled when seeing him.

But this Qingshan Academy was the number one academy in the Great Zhou, and many high officials in the court had studied there and entered officialdom; this was not an ordinary academy, and it had a huge foundation of civil officials behind it.

And Liu Yanhui was the former Minister of Rites, a literary master with a prominent literary name in the world, and even the Retired Emperor treated him with courtesy.

Jia Mu was not yet completely senile; she knew neither side could be easily slighted by the Jia family.

She only felt that this wicked creature had such a hard life that he couldn't even be touched; yesterday she had just made a scene to keep him out of the Glory Celebration Hall, and today she had to invite him back to the Glory Joy Hall; what was all this?

She could only endure the stifling feeling and said to Sister Yuanyang beside her with annoyance: "Go to the Pure Wisdom Study and call Brother Cong to the Glory Joy Hall to entertain guests and receive gifts."

Daiyu, Tan Chun, and the others heard this and knew that because of recent events, the Old Lady had become increasingly displeased with Third Young Master Cong.

And although Yingchun's personality was a bit wooden, she heard the Old Lady wouldn't even let Third Young Master Cong enter the Glory Celebration Hall, only letting him go directly to the Glory Joy Hall to receive gifts.

They all felt unfair for Jia Cong in their hearts; Baoyu was scolded by the Master, Daiyu was angered to the point of spitting blood by Baoyu, so what did it have to do with Third Young Master Cong!

Wang Xifeng smiled at Jia Mu: "Brother Cong can be considered a seed of study; if he goes to the academy for a few years, who knows, he might earn a scholar or a provincial graduate title for the Old Ancestor."

Although Wang Xifeng didn't know many characters, she knew that entering the academy might be possible; if Jia Cong could earn a scholar title in the future, it would be the limit if he could get a provincial graduate title.

That kid was diligent in his studies, but did he really think he could earn a metropolitan graduate title?

That was truly a spring-and-autumn dream; could a metropolitan graduate title be obtained without one-in-ten-thousand ability?

Master Jing of the East Prefecture was a literary star descended to earth; could everyone be like him?

Jia Mu's expression was indifferent: "I don't need him to earn face for the family; studying well is his own business; if he can enter the academy in the future, he will have his own good life, and we won't need to bask in his glory."

Wang Xifeng looked back and saw a look of joy on Baoyu's face, as if he was in a good mood.

She teased: "Baoyu, what are you proud of? It's sad that Brother Cong can go to the academy to study and you can't."

Baoyu smiled at her but didn't speak.

With a slight turn of thought, she understood what Baoyu was thinking.

It was just that Jia Cong was going to the academy to study and wouldn't be able to come back a few times a year, so he wouldn't have to worry about Jia Cong getting close to Lin Meimei.

And with Wuer left alone in the mansion, it would be convenient for him to get close to her.

Wang Xifeng was also a woman and naturally looked down on men who loved beauty; in fact, she also somewhat despised Baoyu's behavior.

But she said something different, smiling: "I don't know you? Sister promised to help you, so I will naturally let you have your wish."

Jia Mu heard Wang Xifeng's words and understood what was going on, but didn't speak; it was just a maid anyway.

Daiyu felt somewhat disgusted hearing Wang Xifeng's words, but also felt helpless; could she come out to stop it at this juncture?

It wasn't that she didn't see Wang Xifeng's gaze toward her; Sister Feng was deliberately saying this to Baoyu to dig a hole for her, just waiting for her to jump in.

Daiyu naturally couldn't fall for this trick and cause trouble for herself and Third Young Master Cong.

The day Baoyu made a scene in her room, the Old Ancestor had already become suspicious.

Although she and Third Young Master Cong had nothing from beginning to end, thinking of these things, Daiyu's heart suddenly became chaotic...

Daiyu had already decided that when Third Young Master Cong went to the academy to study, she would ask the Old Ancestor for Wuer to serve in her room, and Baoyu naturally wouldn't fight her for her.

(End of chapter)