Chapter 735

Count's Prefecture, Southern Slope Courtyard.

The evening wind blew, the sunset glow shone, and the eaves cast mottled light and shadows, wandering between brightness and ignorance.

Sister Miao Yu was somewhat surprised to see Jia Cong, because she knew he went to court and to his official duties, leaving early and returning late every day, and rarely visited the prefecture, and rarely visited her.

Her master and she had been living in the eastern prefecture for some time, and Jia Cong had only been there twice, both times accompanied by her junior sister to visit her master.

Today, for some reason, he had the leisure to visit, and Sister Miao Yu was somewhat happy.

Jia Cong smiled and said: "Master Sister Miao Yu, it's been a while. Why don't I see Zhi Shao?"

Sister Miao Yu said: "Jinghui just brought the medicine soup to Master's room, and she must be talking to Master."

"I was chanting scriptures for Master in the front hall and just heard you knocking on the door. Jia Yuzhang, you have leisure today. What are you carrying in your hand?"

Jia Cong saw that Sister Miao Yu's expression was quiet, beautiful, and elegant. The coldness and detachment from when they first met in Gusu had long since disappeared. Although she didn't smile, she was somewhat close.

He smiled and said: "These are sweet potatoes and taro sent from the south. They are rare items, so I'm sending some for you and the Master to taste."

"These things can be used as a substitute for rice, but they are more fragrant and sweet than rice, which is just right for those who practice Buddhism to eat."

Jia Cong looked around a few times and asked: "Master Sister Miao Yu, I saw two maidservants and an old woman by your side at the Muni Temple. Why don't I see them?"

Sister Miao Yu replied: "My master and I are staying in your prefecture, so it would be disrespectful to bring them, so I settled them in a farmhouse near the Muni Temple in advance."

"I am no longer a young lady of a wealthy family. Although it is convenient to have them take care of me, even without them, I can take care of my master."

Hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but think of Sister Miao Yu's background. Although he didn't know the details, Sister Miao Yu's background must be either wealthy or noble.

Although she had been practicing Buddhism for many years, she had always been served by maidservants and old women, and her family background must be profound.

She carried many tea sets, antiques, and precious items with her. Even a Duke's family like the Jia family couldn't find a few items to match them. Her family background was probably not weaker than the Lady Rongguo Jia family.

Sister Miao Yu took a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying: "It's cold in autumn and winter, and you have sweat on your forehead. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned. The basket of sweet potatoes and taro was not light, and he had walked a long section of mountain stone steps, so he was already sweating.

The usually cold Sister Miao Yu had such gentleness and delicacy, which surprised him.

As far as he knew, Sister Miao Yu seemed to have some cleanliness obsession, so she wouldn't mind him?

The single-colored light green soft silk handkerchief in her hand was of quite good quality, and seeing Sister Miao Yu staring at him, she seemed somewhat puzzled by his hesitation.

Jia Cong hurriedly took the handkerchief, wiped his forehead a few times, and returned it to Sister Miao Yu, smiling: "Thank you."

Sister Miao Yu took the handkerchief, let Jia Cong into the courtyard, and led him to the back kitchen.

Sister Miao Yu asked: "Jia Yuzhang, how are these sweet potatoes and taro cooked?"

Jia Cong smiled: "There are many ways to cook these two things. If you want to be simple, you can wash them clean, peel them, and steam them to eat."

"There are also more complicated ways. Taro can be peeled and shredded, then stir-fried with chili and fragrant oil, which has a very unique and refreshing flavor."

"As for sweet potatoes, roasting them with fire is the most delicious..."

Sister Miao Yu asked: "What is chili?"

Jia Cong thought that foreign crops like chili and sweet potatoes were not yet known to the public, so it was normal for Sister Miao Yu not to know what chili was.

He smiled: "Chili is a thing from foreign lands across the sea. Its taste is pure and spicy, similar to Sichuan peppercorn, and it is an excellent seasoning, just rare."

Sister Miao Yu came from an unusual background. When she was young, her family often sent precious clothes and food. She knew that Sichuan peppercorn was expensive and only wealthy families could afford it.

Thinking about it, this chili must also be a precious crop, and it was produced in foreign lands across the sea, so it must be even more precious than Sichuan peppercorn, and only wealthy families like the Jia family would know about it.

Jia Cong followed Sister Miao Yu into the back kitchen. Just as he was about to put down the basket in his hand, he saw that the kitchen was exceptionally clean and tidy, as if it had never been used.

Sister Miao Yu noticed his expression and guessed what he was thinking.

She said: "Since moving in, the prefecture's kitchen has sent vegetarian meals for three meals a day, which is already excellent."

"My junior sister and I are not good at cooking. Except for decocting medicine for my master, the kitchen rarely lights a fire, so the back kitchen is always clean."

Jia Cong said: "It's my carelessness. I should have cooked it in the kitchen before sending it over."

Sister Miao Yu's face was soft, and she said: "You are busy with official business every day, so you don't have time to remember these things. My junior sister takes good care of everything, so you don't have to worry at all."

Jia Cong smiled: "That's fine. These things are easy to handle. Since I have nothing to do, doing it myself will be quick."

Sister Miao Yu saw Jia Cong talking while finding a water bucket in the kitchen and scooping clear water from the water vat in the courtyard.

He picked out a few sweet potatoes from the basket and washed the mud off the surface in the clear water.

Sister Miao Yu saw Jia Cong doing it himself, actually wanting to cook food himself, and felt it was somewhat inappropriate.

Thinking that he was from a wealthy family and had a noble status, he must have been served by maidservants for everything. She was a guest, so how could she let him do it?

Although she had never been involved in kitchen matters, she felt it was not right. She rolled up a section of her sleeve, revealing a wrist as clear as jade.

She was about to take the sweet potato from Jia Cong's hand and said: "You are a young master of a great family. How can a man do kitchen work? Let me do it."

Jia Cong dodged her arm slightly and smiled casually: "This is nothing. Although I come from a great family, I lived a rough life when I was young."

"These things are nothing. I remember that every winter, even the charcoal fire in the room was not enough."

"Every night before going to sleep, Zhi Shao had to roast the quilt on the brazier to warm it up so that we wouldn't freeze. It wasn't always honorable and decent every day."

Hearing the rumors about Jia Cong's youth, Sister Miao Yu naturally understood the situation he was talking about, and a sense of pity welled up in her heart, and she even envied her junior sister somewhat.

She silently picked up another sweet potato covered in mud and, following Jia Cong's example, put it into the water bucket and rubbed it clean.

Sister Miao Yu's pair of hands were as white as jade, soaked in muddy water, and she didn't seem to mind the dirt.

Jia Cong was slightly stunned. When they first met in Gusu, Sister Miao Yu's personality was just like the rumors, cold, eccentric, and full of edges, making it difficult to approach.

Now, this strange personality seemed to have faded a lot, and there was a bit more warmth and comfort.

It must be because she went to the Love Shenjing with Master Abbess Xiushan, and Zhi Shao and Xing Xiuyan were both affectionate people who went to the Muni Temple to stay and accompany her every once in a while.

The three of them often slept on the same bed, and compared to their time in Gusu, they were even closer.

Zhi Shao and Xing Xing Xiuyan were both generous and gentle, perhaps because of this, Sister Miao Yu's personality had undergone some subtle changes.

Jia Cong smiled slightly, and neither of them spoke, each washing the sweet potatoes in their hands.

In the muddy water, their two pairs of hands occasionally bumped into each other, leaving no trace, and they tacitly avoided each other.

The breeze blew, and the black hair on Sister Miao Yu's temples fluttered, occasionally brushing against Jia Cong's face, carrying a faint, unknown fragrance and softness.

By the time the clear water in the bucket had been changed three times, the water was clear and transparent, and Sister Miao Yu's palms were slender and clear, which was heart-moving.

Jia Cong felt something strange in his heart, as if through the water waves, he could feel the warmth and softness of her palms...

By the time Jia Cong had washed the sweet potatoes clean, cleaned the stove and furnace wall, and lit the firewood under the stove.

Sister Miao Yu watched curiously from the side and saw Jia Cong put the washed sweet potatoes into the stove one by one, placing them against the stove wall.

As the fire in the stove grew stronger, before long, a rich, sweet fragrance permeated from the furnace wall...

Sister Miao Yu felt it was rare, and seeing Zhi Shao bring the medicine bowl in, she smiled: "Cong Sanye, what are you and Senior Sister doing?"

Sister Miao Yu blushed inexplicably when she heard Zhi Shao's words, and for a moment, she didn't know how to answer.

Jia Cong smiled: "A lot of sweet potatoes and taro were sent from Jinling. I'm sending some for Master and Sister Miao Yu to taste."

"I'm roasting sweet potatoes. According to your taste, you will definitely like this bite."

Zhi Shao smelled the sweet fragrance coming from the furnace wall and smiled: "This smell is sweet, and I'm hungry just smelling it."

Sister Miao Yu asked: "Jinghui, is Master stable after taking the medicine?"

Zhi Shao said: "Master is fine. She ate a lot of vegetarian food in the evening, and after taking the medicine soup, she said a lot of things, and I have already served her to sleep."

Jia Cong used chopsticks to turn the sweet potatoes in the furnace wall a few times, then took them out one by one and put them on a plate.

Zhi Shao brought a few stools, and the three of them sat at the kitchen door. Jia Cong blew the hot roasted sweet potatoes in the wind to cool them down slightly.

He picked out one, peeled off half of the skin, handed it to Sister Miao Yu, peeled another one and handed it to Zhi Shao, and finally it was his turn.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of roasted sweet potatoes. Zhi Shao praised: "Cong Sanye, this foreign food is sweet and sticky, and it's so delicious."

Sister Miao Yu also said: "Just roasting it with fire has such a taste, which is truly rare."

Jia Cong smiled: "This thing is not only easy to handle, but also good for filling the stomach, and it can survive even in the most barren land and is very drought-resistant."

"If it can be planted in large quantities among the people, the world will suffer much less from famine."

While enjoying the sweet potatoes, Zhi Shao talked and laughed with the two of them, and her mood seemed quite comfortable.

Sister Miao Yu found it interesting to hear Jia Cong talk, but she had always been self-respecting.

Although this novel food was delicious, eating it with her hands was slightly unrefined, and she didn't want Jia Cong to see her eating, so she turned slightly to the side.

The sky was dark blue, the night wind was cold, and under the eaves of the back kitchen, the lantern light was bright, the stove fire was slightly red, and the warm smell of fireworks permeated all around.

Before long, the three of them had finished all the roasted sweet potatoes Jia Cong had made.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao were fine, but Sister Miao Yu was slightly stunned. Although she had been a vegetarian for many years, she had been raised since childhood and was not tired of refined food.

Like this, peeling it with her hands, eating for fun, and being unrestrained, she had never experienced it in her life, and she was actually enjoying it, which was truly strange...

Seeing that it was getting late, Jia Cong extinguished the stove fire, and the three of them scooped water to wash their hands. The atmosphere was harmonious, and a smile appeared on Sister Miao Yu's face.

By the time Jia Cong and Zhi Shao left, Sister Miao Yu had been sending them to the courtyard gate, watching the two walk down the stone steps until she couldn't see them anymore before returning to the room.

In the night, the back garden of the eastern prefecture had swaying tree shadows, fragrant flowers and trees, and a bright moon in the sky, reflecting each other, and the scenery was beautiful and charming.

Jia Cong held Zhi Shao's slender hand and suddenly smiled: "Zhi Shao, we seem to have corrupted Sister Miao Yu."

Zhi Shao thought of her senior sister, who was always dignified and elegant, but had just followed them to gnaw on sweet potatoes, and couldn't help but laugh.

She sighed slightly and said: "Senior sister's personality has always been restrained. Actually, it's quite good for her to be more relaxed."

"I heard from Master that Senior sister's family was in turmoil, and she was sick since she was a child, and entered the temple to practice at the age of three."

"At that time, she just understood human affairs. At first, her family often came to visit, but later no one came to visit, and she must have been very sad in her heart."

"She is not born with a cold and eccentric personality, but her family has withered, and although her body has been raised, her heart disease has not been cured."

"Master often says that it is a blessing that I don't remember the past, and Senior sister is still unable to forget the old things even if she wants to."

Jia Cong felt a slight movement in his heart when he heard this. He knew that Master Abbess Xiushan was proficient in innate divine numbers, understood the world, realized cause and effect, and was different from the ordinary.

She took Sister Miao Yu into the sect at the age of three, so she must know Sister Miao Yu's background well.

Could it be that Sister Miao Yu's background was dangerous and unbearable, so Master Abbess Xiushan had such words, preferring that she could forget the past...

Jia Cong asked: "Zhi Shao, did your senior sister mention her background?"

Zhi Shao said: "Senior sister tells me everything, but she never mentions her family background. However, she once mentioned by chance that her secular surname is Chen."

Chen is a very common surname, and there is nothing strange about it. Jia Cong also had some feelings, so he was suddenly curious.

Zhi Shao and Sister Miao Yu were so close, yet they knew nothing about her background, which must be because Sister Miao Yu had some taboos and didn't want to mention it, so why should he delve into it?

Zhi Shao said again: "Since childhood, Senior sister had no one to talk to except Master."

"So after I entered the sect, we were of similar age, and our personalities were harmonious, so Senior sister was especially good to me and maintained me wholeheartedly."

"When Cong Sanye brought me back to the Love Shenjing from Gusu, Senior sister was very angry and didn't seem convinced by Cong Sanye. Master said she even cried secretly several times."

"Later, seeing that I was living well, Senior sister finally got over it. I see that she still has a lot to say to Cong Sanye now, and she doesn't have a cold face anymore, isn't that good?"

Jia Cong held Zhi Shao's slender hand a little tighter and said: "In this way, your senior sister's fate is no better than ours. You should accompany her more in the future."

Zhi Shao smiled slightly and said: "Cong Sanye is right. Now that Master and Senior sister are both in the Love Shenjing, it is just convenient."

By the time the two returned to the courtyard, they saw the candles in the hall were bright, and Seeing Tan Chun was talking to Wu'er, and the little maidservant Shi Shu was chatting with Qingwen.

Seeing Jia Cong return, Seeing Tan Chun asked: "Where did Third Brother come back from? I came over to talk, but I haven't seen you for a long time."

Jia Cong said: "I was just talking to Zhi Shao at Sister Miao Yu's place. It's getting late, so I'll send you back to your courtyard to rest."

Seeing Tan Chun understood, got up and followed Jia Cong away. After leaving the courtyard gate, Jia Cong asked: "Did you explain everything when you went to the eastern courtyard today?"

Seeing Tan Chun said: "I said what I should say. Although the concubine is a bit rough, she is also a house-born slave."

"She knows the severity of this, so she will definitely control Jia Huan'er's mouth and not let him be careless, so as not to invite disaster."

"Today I asked a famous doctor to re-examine him, and he said that Jia Huan'er's injury is not light and he needs to recuperate for two months to recover."

"This is not a bad thing. Today, Seeing Cai Xia has already performed the ceremony of entering the bedchamber, and she is already a proper person in Second Brother's room."

"Jia Huan'er is not convenient to move for these two months, and it is easy for the concubine to watch him, so he won't cause trouble."

Jia Cong said: "Two months later, it will be early spring, and the Imperial Academy will open in the New Year. It is just right to arrange for Jia Huan'er to enter the dormitory to study. Being away from home will mean less trouble."

The two brothers and sisters chatted along the way, and he sent Seeing Tan Chun back to the courtyard before Jia Cong returned the same way.

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Baoyu's courtyard.

All day long, Jia Baoyu's mood was in a state of excitement. By the time the sun set and night fell, he hurriedly asked Sister Xi Ren to call for dinner.

After a hurried dinner, he found some excuses to ask Seeing Cai Xia to return to his room with him. Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun both knew what he meant, and their hearts were both disgusted and worried.

Bao Er Ye was clearly not capable, but his addiction was even greater than before. He tossed and turned for half the night, unable to fire the cannon or open the gong.

Both of them were terrified and didn't dare to return to their rooms, sitting dryly in the hall, not knowing what they were doing.

At this time, Sheyue brought a teapot in and was about to go to the main room. Sister Xi Ren's heart jumped when she saw it.

She asked: "Sheyue, what are you going to do?"

Sheyue replied: "I'm changing the night tea for Bao Er Ye's room. Bao Er Ye always says he's thirsty in the middle of the night."

Sister Xi Ren stepped forward to take the teapot and said: "Let me do it. You've been busy all day, so go back to sleep."

Sheyue felt strange in her heart. The moon hadn't climbed high yet, so why was she being told to sleep so early, while the two of them were still stuck in the hall?

Bao Er Ye was going to have his wedding night again tonight, and Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun were still staying there, so why didn't they feel awkward?

However, Jia Baoyu's courtyard was becoming more and more strange. Qiuwen was transferred to the eastern courtyard, and among the four head maidservants by Jia Baoyu's side, three were proper people in the room.

Only Sheyue was a proper maidservant, and she was really a bit lonely. Compared to the other three who were already half-masters, Sheyue was very cautious in her words and deeds.

Since she was reprimanded by Lady Wang last time, she knew that her situation was not good, and Jia Baoyu's courtyard had changed like a revolving lantern, adding people to the room.

The more turbulent it was, the more Lady Wang's eyes stared here. Sheyue didn't want to be caught by Lady Wang, and then have no good end.

Since Sister Xi Ren said to go to sleep, she would go into the room to sleep, and she was happy to be relaxed and free.

Seeing Sheyue enter the room, Sister Xi Ren felt a slight relief in her heart, and couldn't help but look at Seeing Caiyun, seeing the worry in each other's eyes.

Early tomorrow morning, Seeing Cai Xia would know Jia Baoyu's bottom line. She had become a person in Jia Baoyu's room, so it would be easy for her to control her mouth.

But there were two little maidservants in the courtyard, and a Sheyue who was an outsider and an extremely smart and shrewd person.

If time went on, it would be hard to guarantee that she wouldn't see Jia Baoyu's flaws. How could she block her mouth then? They couldn't hold their heads up in front of her either.

Sister Xi Ren looked at the window of the main room with a worried face. The candlelight flickered, and the shadows moved, full of ridiculous strangeness and ambiguity.

In the main room, Jia Baoyu waited for Seeing Cai Xia to enter the room, turned around and pulled the door bolt, which startled Seeing Cai Xia.

But she remembered Lady Wang's instructions and knew that this was her fate, and there was absolutely no room for maneuver, so she forced herself to settle down in her heart.

Jia Baoyu stepped forward and said many sweet words to her. Seeing Cai Xia listened with a red face, just responding randomly, which made Jia Baoyu even more excited.

The reason he was so energetic about Seeing Cai Xia was that Lady Wang came over to talk this day, and there was a lot of bewitchment in her words, which made Jia Baoyu have extravagant hopes...

Because she couldn't stand Jia Baoyu's enthusiastic heat, Seeing Cai Xia ran to the bed to spread the bedding. It seemed that besides this, she had nothing else to do.

She had just spread the bedding when she was hugged by her slender waist from behind by Jia Baoyu, and a pair of hands touched her irregularly, which made her scream.

"Bao Er Ye, don't do this, you're hurting me."

"Seeing Cai Xia sister, I have always liked you. The Lady gave you to me, and I will treat you well and not let you suffer any grievances."

Jia Baoyu said and hurriedly uncovered Seeing Cai Xia's clothes. Although he was empty in his abdomen, he still wanted to rush to mount the horse.

Seeing Cai Xia felt ashamed and angry to death. Although she knew she couldn't escape this, she still made meaningless struggles, but her hands and feet became softer and more resigned.

Jia Baoyu panted and said: "The Lady said you are a good child-bearing fate, and asked me to cherish you well."

"Sister will certainly help me spread the branches and leaves. If you and I have descendants, won't you and I be glorious on the surface?"

Seeing Cai Xia couldn't help but tremble all over when she heard Jia Baoyu's words. A chill rose from the bottom of her heart, and she suddenly seemed to grasp a straw.

The last resistance in her heart was destroyed in an instant, and she let Jia Baoyu pull open her clothes and pounce on her.

In the hall, seeing Sheyue enter the room, Seeing Caiyun whispered: "The Lady knows that Bao Er Ye's illness hasn't healed, so why is she still stuffing women into Bao Er Ye's room?"

"She's not worried about things being exposed. Knowing the bottom line by one more person means more risk of leaking. If this matter is exposed, neither I nor my sister will be able to live as people."

Sister Xi Ren sighed: "Early tomorrow morning, Seeing Cai Xia will be the same as us. We want to live as people with face, and she will naturally be the same."

"We bite our lips and don't say anything, and she naturally won't reveal a word. She has already performed the ceremony in Rongqing Hall, so there is no turning back. Everyone has the same fate."

"I'm not worried about her now, I'm worried about the two little maidservants in the courtyard, and a Sheyue."

"They have nothing to do with this matter. They come in and out of the same courtyard to serve. If time goes on, how can we hide it from them?"

"The three of us can keep our mouths shut, but can they do the same?"

Seeing Caiyun's face changed when she heard this, and she said: "Sister is right. They are different from us, so why should they keep their mouths shut?"

Sister Xi Ren sighed: "The Lady actually has no choice. She wants to send them all away, and then the three of us will serve Bao Er Ye in the future."

"But last time Second Grandmother dismissed Bao Er Ye's maidservants, the Lady complained a lot in front of the Old Matriarch."

"Now that she suddenly sent so many people away, not to mention the Old Matriarch would be suspicious, Second Grandmother is so shrewd, she would be the first to be suspicious."

"So we just have to wait for this wave to pass, and then find a suitable opportunity to send them away."

"We'll talk to Seeing Cai Xia early tomorrow morning. The three of us are on the same boat, so we can talk well and help each other, isn't that good?"

The two were talking when they suddenly heard Seeing Cai Xia scream inside. Both of them had shared the bed with Jia Baoyu, so they naturally knew the bottom line and smiled bitterly.

Soon, Seeing Cai Xia's loud groans came from the room, graceful like weeping, stirring and soul-stirring, as if entering extreme joy, which made Sister Xi Ren and Seeing Caiyun feel hot all over.

They were both shocked. Bao Er Ye wasn't capable, so what was going on...

(End of chapter)