Chapter 732: Proverbs and Hidden Heart

Ningrong Street, a single-entry courtyard.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two towering locust trees stood majestically. The autumn wind blew, and leaves often fell slowly.

The persimmon tree in the courtyard had vigorous branches, and many green fruits were already hanging on the branches. Just wait for the winter frost to come, and it would be able to dye the persimmon red.

Under the tree, a small table was placed, with several ceramic cups on it, filled with steaming fragrant tea. Jia Cong and Zhi Shao were accompanying Aunt Zhao to talk.

Last time, Jia Cong and Wei Yongzhou talked about Guo Zhigui, because he was arranged to lead the Liaodong Firearm Battalion, he was unable to return to Shenjing.

Jia Cong thought that Aunt Zhao hadn't seen her son for several years, so this day he specifically returned from the workshop an hour early and took Zhi Shao to visit Aunt Zhao.

Seeing him bring Zhi Shao to visit, Aunt Zhao was very happy. Back then, Jia Cong grew up in the Eastern Road Courtyard, and the three of them lived together day and night, and their feelings were different.

Aunt Zhao laughed: "I heard that the Count is now starting to attend court, going out early and returning late, very busy."

"Why did you return from the office at this time? I also want to see the Count more, but don't delay your official business."

Jia Cong laughed: "It's not too busy. The office is just routine business. I haven't seen you for a long time, so I brought Zhi Shao to stroll around."

"This time the Liaodong army rotation, Zhigui is valued by the army, leaving him in Liaodong to guard the old camp, unable to return to the capital to visit relatives. I will visit you on his behalf."

"When I took Zhigui to Liaodong, I didn't expect him to go for several years without returning. You won't blame me, will you?"

Aunt Zhao laughed: "What is the Count saying? Zhigui didn't read much when he was young. If he can be proud in the army, naturally let him go and break through."

"A half-grown boy circling at home every day, what promise can he have? My body is very strong, and I don't need him to be by my side all the time."

"I hope he can fight for progress in the army, so that he can be the Count's left and right arm in the future. This is his great future, and this is my only hope in this life."

Aunt Zhao laughed again: "The Count came just in time. Yesterday someone sent a brocade pheasant, and I went to pick some top-quality bamboo ginseng."

"I slaughtered and cleaned it in the morning, and it is stewing on the stove with a slow fire. I originally wanted to send it to the Eastern Prefecture after it was done, for the Count to taste something fresh. You loved this dish when you were young."

Aunt Zhao said and went into the kitchen to get busy, and held down Zhi Shao who wanted to get up to help, just letting her accompany Jia Cong to talk.

Jia Cong laughed at Zhi Shao: "This stewed bamboo ginseng with brocade pheasant is Aunt Zhao's specialty. We all loved this dish when we were young."

"This kind of brocade pheasant only exists on Yanshan Mountain north of the city. It is naturally agile, and only experienced hunters can capture it. It is not easy to get in ordinary times."

"Only occasionally do hunters get it to sell in the market. So bamboo ginseng can be picked by oneself, but brocade pheasant is rare."

"Even the noble and wealthy cannot easily eat it, and the price is not cheap. I don't know where Aunt Zhao learned such good skills."

"She used to make it once during festivals, and said you loved this dish very much when you were young, and even licked the soup bowl when eating."

Zhi Shao was flushed by Jia Cong's words and said: "I didn't expect I was so greedy, but I don't remember it at all."

Jia Cong laughed: "That doesn't matter. After eating it later, you will definitely remember it."

After Aunt Zhao brought the food over, the three of them ate and talked, harmonious and happy.

Aunt Zhao now lived on Ningrong Street and had some dealings with the side branches of the Jia family, and talked about some street gossip.

It was just that Zhi Shao was by her side, a graceful girl, young and youthful, some words were inconvenient to say, but Jia Cong kept them in mind.

Until sunset, Jia Cong and Zhi Shao left.

Count's Prefecture, Seeing Tan Chun's Courtyard.

Jia Cong returned from Aunt Zhao's house, and because he had something on his mind, he walked to Seeing Tan Chun's Courtyard.

He pushed open the half-moon courtyard gate. The plane trees in the courtyard had lost all their leaves, appearing somewhat desolate, but the banana trees were thick and green, full of vitality, brightening people's eyes.

After walking into Seeing Tan Chun's room, the familiar atmosphere of the room rushed toward him.

Seeing Tan Chun's boudoir was different from other sisters, and Jia Cong had specifically rebuilt and decorated it according to her wishes.

All three main rooms were opened up, without obvious partitions, appearing bright and atmospheric.

The rightmost side was Seeing Tan Chun's bedroom, with a bed set on the east side, and a green embroidered gauze curtain hanging on the bed, neither gorgeous nor too plain.

Embroidered pillows and brocade quilts were neatly stacked on the couch, gorgeous and atmospheric, with faint fragrance. Facing the couch on the sunny wall hung Jia Cong's poem about Xizhou.

The middle room was the hall, with round tables and embroidered stools, tea sets and table screens, where sisters often gathered here on weekdays.

In the center of the west wall hung Mi Xiang Yang's "Picture of Misty Rain," and the couplets hanging on the left and right were also true works of famous masters of the former Song Dynasty, which Jia Cong had searched for and sent to Seeing Tan Chun.

On the sandalwood shelf was a large plate from the Guan kiln, containing dozens of delicate yellow Buddha hands, and on the right hung a white jade chime on a foreign lacquer shelf, with a small hammer hanging beside it.

Compared with the boudoir elegance in Yingchun and Daiyu's rooms, Seeing Tan Chun's boudoir was more gorgeous and atmospheric, which was quite consistent with her temperament.

Jia Cong entered the room and turned into the room on the left, which was Seeing Tan Chun's study for practicing calligraphy.

Among the sisters in the garden, only Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun's residences had independent studies, which was rare in boudoirs.

In the study was a large pear-wood marble desk, with various famous calligraphy rubbings piled on the desk. Jia Cong saw Seeing Tan Chun sitting at the desk, practicing calligraphy intently.

Jia Cong saw Seeing Tan Chun wearing a golden chrysanthemum-patterned satin-faced jacket, paired with a white cross-collared jacket, and a tooth-white chrysanthemum-patterned horse-face skirt on her lower body, very noble and beautiful.

Her hair was black as ink, her cloud-like temples were light and curled, and she wore a red-jeweled blue-dotted phoenix hairpin, with treasure light moving and shining brightly.

Seeing Jia Cong enter, Seeing Tan Chun hurriedly put down her brush, her cheeks blooming with smiles, refreshing and beautiful, her demeanor moving.

She laughed: "Third Brother returned from the office early today, why did you think of coming here to stroll?"

Jia Cong replied: "I returned from the office early today, took Zhi Shao to visit Aunt Zhao, and it was still early when I returned, so I came here to stroll."

At this time, Shi Shu had entered with a tea tray. Seeing Tan Chun was full of smiles, personally handed the tea cup to Jia Cong, her sleeves fluttering, diffusing the girl's clear fragrance like orchids and musk.

She laughed: "Third Brother is busy now, I didn't see your shadow yesterday, and I wanted to go to your courtyard to talk later."

Jia Cong suddenly asked: "Third Sister, has the concubine come to visit recently?"

Hearing this, Seeing Tan Chun was slightly stunned, not knowing why Jia Cong mentioned Zhao Yiniang. Her concubine was not worry-free, and Jia Cong rarely mentioned her to her in the past.

Seeing Tan Chun felt a trace of anxiety in her heart and asked: "She came once last month and hasn't come again for a long time. Third Brother, is there anything wrong?"

Jia Cong said: "Just now I went to visit Aunt Zhao. She now lives on Ningrong Street and has some dealings with the side branches of the clan, and told me some street gossip."

"Recently, Brother Huan seems to have something wrong. Has Third Sister heard any rumors?"

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Seeing Tan Chun's heart was already hanging, saying: "I am usually in the Eastern Prefecture, and I only return after paying respects to the Old Matriarch in the Western Prefecture."

"I haven't been to the Eastern Courtyard for a long time and haven't heard any rumors. Third Brother, is it that Huan'er has caused some trouble again? Tell me quickly."

Jia Cong was about to speak when he heard rapid footsteps outside the room, and a voice shouted: "Third Girl, Third Girl, are you at home?"

He saw a teenage maid running into the room panting, but Jia Cong saw her face was unfamiliar and didn't know who she was.

Behind her, Shi Shu shouted: "Xiao Jixiang, why are you running so hard? The girl is talking to the Third Brother, and you didn't wait for me to report. You have no rules at all."

Seeing that it was her concubine's little maid, running over with such a terrified expression, Seeing Tan Chun knew that things were not good.

She blurted out: "Xiao Jixiang, why did you run over? Is it that the concubine and Huan'er have had an accident?"

Xiao Jixiang was about to speak, but seeing Jia Cong was also present, she hesitated. After all, Huan Sanye's matter was unpleasant, and it was shameful for others to hear.

Seeing Tan Chun was sharp-minded, seeing the little girl's expression, she guessed her thoughts and said: "Third Brother doesn't matter, just say whatever you have."

Xiao Jixiang swallowed a mouthful of saliva and told the story of Jia Huan and Jin Rong clearly from beginning to end.

The day Huang Da Nainai went to the Eastern Road Courtyard to reason, Zhao Yiniang heard the news, so she let Xiao Jixiang go to eavesdrop, so the little maid knew the whole story.

Jia Cong only listened to a few sentences, and there was the name Yu Ai in it, and his expression changed slightly.

Others hearing this name would think it was a woman's name, but Jia Cong knew clearly what kind of goods it was...

That Xiao Jixiang was a little maid, without much knowledge, and her words had no scruples. She knew what she said, so how could her words be pleasant?

Seeing Tan Chun knew that her brother, only thirteen years old, actually got involved in men's affairs, competed with others for jealousy, and beat people into serious injury.

She was so ashamed that her face flushed, and she was so angry that her whole body trembled, cursing: "Huan'er is only this old, actually causing such ugly things, this damn thing!"

Xiao Jixiang said: "Just now the master already knew the reason for the matter and had someone take Huan Sanye to use family law to beat him to death."

"The concubine said that others couldn't persuade the master, and only the girl's words were useful. The girl shouldn't be busy scolding, go and save his life first."

Although Seeing Tan Chun hated her brother for being absurd, he was, after all, born of the same mother, so how could she sit idly by?

Her father had an upright temper and couldn't see the descendants causing such ugly things. Once the family law lost its measure, her brother's life would be hard to guarantee.

At this moment, she didn't dare to delay half a bit, hurriedly taking Shi Shu and wanting to go out.

Jia Cong said: "Third Sister, this kind of thing is too unpleasant. It is inconvenient for a girl like you to go, and how will you speak? It is better for me to accompany you."

Seeing Tan Chun was originally ashamed and unable to bear it in front of Jia Cong, revealing her brother's ugly matter.

But seeing Jia Cong not caring at all, and even accompanying her to clean up the mess, she suddenly had an unspeakable reliance, and tears had already fallen from her bright eyes.

Thinking of her biological mother and brother being unbearable, she couldn't help but feel aggrieved, just wanting to throw herself into Jia Cong's arms and cry bitterly, but she just forcibly restrained herself.

Eastern Road Courtyard, inner courtyard main room hall. Jia Zheng was full of anger, Lady Wang was sitting on the side, her expression somewhat uneasy.

Jia Huan had just been brought into the hall by Li Gui, and Jia Zheng stood up suddenly, slapping Jia Huan to the ground with a slap.

Cursing: "You shameless beast, how old are you, to be doing evil outside and doing these low-class things?"

"The clean name of the Jia family has all been tarnished by you, this beast. Today I will take your life, and then go to the ancestral hall to plead guilty to the ancestors!"

"Tie this beast to the spring bench and beat him hard with family law. Don't stop without my orders."

Jia Huan was already so scared that his legs were soft, and he kept shouting: "Master, the son is wronged, Jin Rong was not crippled by me, the son is wronged."

Jia Zheng said angrily: "You shut up, what a beast. This matter is known to everyone on Ningrong Street, do you think everyone came to harm you?"

"You are usually tricky and playboy, your studies are loose, you wander around, which is already extremely hateful, and you actually did such filthy and dirty things."

"Even if we don't talk about Jin Rong's matter, how do you argue about the ugly matter between you and that Yu Ai? It's dirty to even say it, hold him down and beat him hard!"

Lady Wang persuaded: "Master, last time Huang's wife came to reason, I had already explained it clearly with her, and this matter was settled."

"Reasonably speaking, that nephew Jin Rong is not a good thing, always low-class and reckless, with a bad reputation in school, and has now been expelled from the family school by Feng Yatou."

"Huan'er was also led astray by those people. He is still young after all. Even if the master wants to teach him, he cannot be too impatient. If he is beaten to death, what can be done?"

Jia Zheng said angrily: "As a legitimate mother, you have the responsibility of raising him. You don't add strict training on weekdays, letting him run wild like a wild horse."

"He did such ugly things outside, you only know how to use silver to block people's mouths, and now you still want to shield and protect him. A kind mother makes a defeated son."

"It is because everything follows your wishes that you have raised beasts like Baoyu and Huan'er who disgrace the family style."

"If you don't strictly enforce family law today, are you waiting for them to rebel against their father and kill the emperor in the future? Beat him heavily, beat him hard!"

Lady Wang was originally in a state of worry and unbearable expression, but as soon as Jia Zheng turned his head, a trace of coldness floated on her face, and her eyes looked at Jia Huan indifferently.

At this time, two pages tied Jia Huan to the spring bench, and one raised the family law stick and beat Jia Huan's buttocks.

Even if the pages didn't dare to use too much force, it hurt Jia Huan so much that his face turned pale, and he kept shouting, which made Jia Zheng feel irritable.

He went up and kicked over the page who was performing the family law, grabbed the stick himself, and beat Jia Huan's buttocks hard.

Jia Huan was originally just humming and shouting in pain. Changed to Jia Zheng's such ruthless and great force, he immediately screamed in pain, tearing his heart and lungs, hysterically.

Li Gui on the side heard it and felt his hair stand on end, thinking in his heart why the Third Girl hadn't arrived yet. If he continued to beat him, Huan Sanye would definitely lose his life.

At this time, Zhao Yiniang stumbled in. She didn't dare to pull Jia Zheng, just knelt and kept pleading for mercy.

How could Jia Zheng listen to her words, only cursing her for knowing how to raise a son but not how to teach him, and the stick in his hand greeted him without stopping.

The hall was in a state of chaos, and two figures rushed over. The stick Jia Zheng held high was suddenly gripped by someone.

Seeing that the person who came was Jia Cong and Seeing Tan Chun, Lady Wang's expression changed slightly, and she hated in her heart, not knowing which damn person reported the news...

Jia Zheng shouted, "Brother Cong, don't stop me! This kind of low-class, shameless degenerate son should be beaten to death to be clean, saving him from remaining to tarnish the family style."

Jia Cong persuaded: "Master, Huan'er is still young, you should teach him well. Even if he is wrong, his crime is not enough to die."

"If the master really beats him to death now, it will confirm his crime. This kind of filthy name will never be washed away."

Hearing this, Lady Wang on the back felt a jump in her heart. She knew Jia Cong was shrewd, could it be that he had seen through some flaws...

At this time, Zhao Yiniang was crying and screaming while holding Jia Huan, and Seeing Tan Chun was also crying in tears. Suddenly hearing Jia Cong's words, she raised her tearful eyes to look at Jia Cong.

Jia Zheng said angrily: "This matter is known to everyone on Ningrong Street, do you think everyone is wronging him? Cong Ge'er, don't shield him."

Jia Cong said: "Master, the words of the market, spreading rumors, mud and sand mixed, have always been difficult to distinguish true from false."

"Whether Huan'er found someone to beat Jin Rong, let's not talk about it for now. But he is only thirteen, grew up in a wealthy family, surrounded by maidservants, and it is not strange that he knows human affairs early."

"If he said he opened his mind and knew some admiration for the opposite sex, and was stained with female color, Cong feels it is still within reason, and teaching him well is enough."

"To say that he has a penchant for Longyang at such a young age, Cong definitely does not believe it. This matter is in doubt, Master, don't easily believe the words of outsiders."

The reason Jia Cong was so determined was that he could trace the source better than anyone around him and understood the roots of the people in the Red Chamber.

Although many things here had undergone huge changes, the temperament of the people in the Jia family had not changed much.

If he said Baoyu didn't care about men or women, Jia Cong believed it very much. This person, as long as the person looked good, regardless of gender, would flock to him.

At that time, if he hadn't taken advantage of the situation to topple Ningguo Prefecture and destroy the cage and shackles of Qin Keqing.

Making the Qin family and the Jia family break their connection, that Qin Zhong would definitely have been stained by Baoyu early, and it was not known if both father and son had lost their lives now.

But to say that Jia Huan also had a penchant for Longyang, he didn't believe it, because he had a predetermined impression in his heart early on.

Besides, if he didn't speak like this now, he wouldn't be able to easily stop Jia Zheng...

Jia Cong said: "Master, that Jin Rong, I have heard of him, he is not a good thing."

"He was ambushed and crippled at night, and didn't see the appearance of the murderer. He and Huan'er have a feud, so it is not strange to frame and vent his anger through this."

"Even spreading rumors through this to tarnish Huan'er's Longyang matter and ruin the Jia family's reputation, I fear it is also very possible."

"Now that this matter is still in doubt, the master wants to beat Huan'er to death with family law. Isn't this confirming the filth yourself, letting those private people be proud?"

Lady Wang, who was silent on the side, saw Jia Cong talking eloquently, her expression changed, slightly panicked, and she hated in her heart...

Seeing Tan Chun heard Jia Cong's words, her beautiful eyes shining, her heart trembling. Third Brother is so wise and capable, seeing the clues in a moment.

How did I not think of it? Seeing her father Jia Zheng's thoughtful expression, she felt relieved in her heart, knowing that her brother had saved his life.

Jia Zheng said: "Although Cong Ge'er's words make sense, if it weren't for this beast's daily behavior being improper, how could he provoke such filthy things?"

Jia Cong said: "Master, the storm of this matter has already become big. If we pursue it now, I fear it will become more and more intense, and instead, it will be more unclear."

"According to what Cong sees, it is better to turn big things into small things and small things into nothing for now. Wait until the storm of this matter passes and the rumors subside."

"Then let reliable people secretly go to the school to inquire. The school is full of descendants of the clan, and they won't all be evil people like Jin Rong."

"There will always be people who won't speak blindly and say some fair and true words."

The rumors outside about Huan'er, as long as two or three out of ten have objections, this matter must have twists and turns, and it is mostly someone secretly causing trouble!"

Although Jia Cong's words were calm, his mind was meticulous, every sentence was determined, permeated with firm confidence, and filled with powerful persuasiveness that made people believe.

Lady Wang heard it from behind, her legs went soft, only feeling that this boy was so treacherous, actually using the tricks of the officialdom at home.

Seeing Tan Chun's beautiful eyes had different colors, her pretty face flushed, only feeling that no matter what difficulty she encountered, with Third Brother by her side, she didn't have to be afraid of anything.

Jia Cong said: "Master doesn't need to be too angry. Huan'er has already been taught a lesson by the master, and there will definitely be warnings in the future."

"I see he is not lightly injured, so it is better to let the concubine and Third Sister take him back. If he is bad again in the future, it won't be too late for the master to teach him."

In fact, as a father, Jia Zheng naturally didn't want his son to be an unbearable person in his heart.

Jia Cong's words were reasonable, and he had always trusted Jia Cong the most. Now that he had analyzed it like this, he naturally believed most of it.

He felt somewhat lucky in his heart. If Cong Ge'er hadn't arrived in time, he wouldn't have been able to hold back his hand, and not only would it be difficult to clean up, but he would also have confirmed a lifelong filth.

He said to Jia Huan: "Today I look at Cong Ge'er's face and spare your beast's life. If you dare to do evil again in the future, I will peel your skin!"

Jia Cong hurriedly winked at Seeing Tan Chun. Seeing Tan Chun understood and hurriedly let Li Gui carry Jia Huan back to the room.

Jia Cong chatted with Jia Zheng for a few words, and seeing it was getting late, said he would accompany Seeing Tan Chun back to the Eastern Prefecture.

Jia Zheng smiled slightly and let him go back. Seeing him walk out of the hall, he looked at his wife who had an uncertain expression.

He sighed slightly in his heart. Last time his wife beat the Third Girl, Cong Ge'er had a rift in his heart.

Actually protecting her to this extent, fearing that his daughter would stay overnight in the Eastern Road Courtyard and be scolded by his wife again, he hurriedly wanted to take her back.

They were just cousins, but they were closer than biological siblings, which was a rare fate... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 733 =====