Chapter 74: Hard Fate Is Not to Be Touched

After a long while, Yuanyang returned to Rongqing Hall.

She said she had just taken Third Master Cong to Rongxi Hall to receive gifts, when word arrived at the outer gate that a Daoist from Xuantian Palace had come seeking Third Master Cong.

Jia Mu was puzzled—why would even Daoists come looking for him? How many people did this boy know?

Yuanyang said, “Master said Xuantian Palace is Zhang Tianshi’s Daoist seat in the capital, and Zhang Tianshi knows Third Master Cong, so we couldn’t afford to neglect him—we had the Daoist led straight to Rongxi Hall.”

Jia Mu knew of Zhang Tianshi; when Third Master Cong had been kidnapped and later escaped back to the mansion, Zhang Tianshi had sent a disciple to visit him.

That day, Third Master Cong had been beaten by his father so badly he couldn’t get out of bed, and the Jia family had truly lost face before outside guests.

Still, this boy was truly strange—he loved reading, could write and compose poetry, and had even befriended a great scholar like Liu Jing’an; that much was understandable.

But how could he possibly know Zhang Tianshi, the supreme Daoist master of the realm, a man as esteemed as a prince? And yet this man had come to him multiple times.

Yuanyang continued, “The Daoist is the abbot of Xuantian Palace. He said he was entrusted by Zhang Tianshi to lend Third Master Cong a villa belonging to Xuantian Palace.”

He said the place was extremely close to Qingshan Academy, quiet and serene—Zhang Tianshi himself had studied there when he was young and seeking knowledge in the capital, making it perfect for Third Master Cong while he attends the academy.”

Hearing this, Jia Mu’s suspicions deepened—after living so long and climbing through the ranks of noble families her entire life, she understood human nature well.

Liu Jing’an had gone out of his way to secure this boy’s admission to a prestigious academy, and now this Daoist master had even arranged his lodging.

His lowly birth as a courtesan’s son had been largely obscured by these events, and it no longer mattered much; when he eventually entered the scholarly path and earned an official title, who would care about his origins?

Jia Mu had already found it odd when Liu Jing’an, upon learning of Jia Cong’s enrollment, had specially sent a set of the Four Books with his own handwritten annotations.

She would never be as naive and rigid as Jia Zheng, thinking that a boy with some talent could attract such extraordinary attention from figures like Liu Jing’an and Zhang Tianshi.

Everyone says this boy was born with an unkillable fate—he’s killed countless others and yet remains unharmed; now it seems true.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng was stunned—her clever scheme for Baoyu had barely left her lips when it was already undone; Third Master Cong’s fate was truly unyielding.

Today, the abbot had brought the villa’s key, along with a fine Shuyun Qingsi Daoist robe, two boxes of Baobao Qinghun Dao incense, and a small purple-copper Taoshou incense burner.

Yesterday, the old lady had waived his filial rites and barred him from Rongqing Hall; today, she had no choice but to beg him back to Rongxi Hall.

Her clever plan for Baoyu was still warm, and now it felt like a slap across the face.

Just what had this boy done to earn such attention from these people?

Wang Xifeng was even more stunned by Yuanyang’s words.

At such a young age, Third Master Cong had already gained renown for his talent, studied diligently, and now commanded the favor of great figures like Liu Jing’an, Zhang Tianshi, and Prince Jiaoshun—his future could hardly be anything but bright.

The Daoist also said the villa was spacious; Third Master Cong could bring his serving maids and servants along to care for him daily, so he could focus on his studies without enduring the cramped dormitory conditions.”

Outside, they had already prepared a villa for this boy—he would surely take those two pretty maids with him, leaving Baoyu no chance to get near them.

Those present, like Lady Wang, who heard of the events at Rongxi Hall, were also deeply astonished.

But after thinking long and hard, Jia Mu still had no answers, so she gave up trying to figure it out.

Though she disliked this grandson, he was still a Jia, and it was no harm for others to value him—why waste her brain on it?

This wasn’t ordinary favor—it was as if he were being treated like a dharma heir or a favored nephew.

These were men who had seen countless talents in their lifetimes, long accustomed to them—why would they show such unusual favor to my grandson without reason?

Remember, Rongxi Hall is the main hall of Rongguo Mansion, even higher in status than Rongqing Hall; the old lady had just humiliated herself.

Thinking back on all these recent events, this boy was truly uncanny—you tried to scheme against him, but found no opening, and ended up only making yourself uncomfortable.

Just look at the eastern courtyard—Master and Lady Jia She, and that fool Wang Shanbao’s wife—what good outcomes have they had?

With so many people fawning over him, it’s better to avoid this boy; you might get cursed if you provoke him.

Baoyu hadn’t realized his attempt to claim Wu’er had completely failed; he merely found everyone here terribly dull.

Jia Cong, once a delicate boy as beautiful as a girl, now seemed sinking deeper into the mire—he wasn’t enough with studying at home and in the clan school, but now he was going to some damn academy.

What was there to be proud of about going to such a stale, filthy place? Today, people were sending him the Four Books and a villa to celebrate him—it was utterly absurd.

It was just a bunch of state thieves and corrupt officials putting on a show—vulgar beyond endurance.

Baoyu found these scholarly and official pursuits so sordid they seemed to sully Rongqing Hall itself; he grew impatient and wanted to leave, but seeing Lin Meimei still there, he hesitated.

…

Jia Cong returned to Qingzhi Studio with his admission papers and gifts from Liu Jing’an and Zhang Tianshi.

Wu’er and Qingwen were overjoyed to hear they could accompany Jia Cong to Luocang Mountain.

They had previously inquired—the Qingshan Academy was on Luocang Mountain, far from here; all students attending the academy lived in the dormitories and rarely returned home for years.

Then they’d be left alone in Qingzhi Studio; they heard Third Master Cong would study there for several years—they’d die of boredom if left behind.

Now, someone had given him a villa to live in, and they could go with him—even Juan’er and Si’er could come along; it would be just like staying in Qingzhi Studio.

Could such a wonderful thing really exist in this world?

Qingwen had spent her childhood wandering with her brother, barely eating enough meals; later, she was bought by Lai Mama, and life improved—but she hadn’t left the mansion in many years.

Liu Wu’er was a generations-old household servant who had never been anywhere but the Jia mansion.

Both maids were at an age full of longing for the outside world; to travel with Third Master Cong and see new things—how could they not be thrilled?

They stayed awake half the night, discussing what to pack, wondering what the villa would be like, and insisting they should go early to prepare it so Third Master Cong could settle in comfortably.

…

Wang Xifeng’s courtyard.

Ping’er entered carrying a large copper basin and handed Wang Xifeng a warm towel to wash her face.

Since Wang Xifeng married Jia Lian, within two years she had driven away all of Jia Lian’s former maids under various pretexts.

Now only Ping’er, her dowry maid, remained—officially made a concubine, though she held only the title, used merely to bolster Wang Xifeng’s reputation for virtue.

Wang Xifeng asked, “Third Master Cong will be going to the academy in a few days—have you prepared the gifts for Old Master Liu as Lady Wang instructed?”

Ping’er replied, “Today we received everything: two boxes of premium Baotea, a set of imperial kiln snow-blue tea ware, and two bottles of Goryeo royal snow ginseng pills—delivered from the palace earlier this year.”

As Lady Wang directed, the gifts aren’t expensive, but they’re refined and suitable for an elder scholar like Old Master Liu.”

Wang Xifeng said, “Tomorrow, you take them personally. Ask him if he needs anything else for the academy—it’s all public goodwill, and reflects well on Master Jia’s standing.”

Ping’er sighed, “Lately, Third Master Cong has faced so many things; watching him, he seems truly destined for greatness.”

Wang Xifeng sneered, “Oh? Has our Ping’er taken a fancy to him? Still, this boy isn’t ordinary—they say he resembles his mother; lately, he’s grown more refined and handsome.”

Are you, you little jade, getting jealous?”

(End of Chapter)