Chapter 743: Night Banquet and Drawing Flower Lots (Part 1)

Count's Prefecture, South Slope of the Pavilion of Ascending Immortals.

The evening glow was brilliant and the clouds were radiant. After finishing his duties at the office, Jia Cong went for a walk in the garden, taking the opportunity to check on the sweet potato seedlings he had planted some days ago.

Just as he reached the spot, he saw Zhi Shao and Xing Xiuyan holding water ladles, their slender waists swaying slightly. Countless crystalline water droplets reflected the gorgeous sunset glow as they were sprinkled over the green seedlings in the field.

The two were laughing and chatting from time to time, appearing in high spirits. Miao Yu was standing by the field watching, and noticing his arrival, she turned her head to look in his direction.

Seeing Jia Cong approach, Zhi Shao smiled and said, "Cong Sanye, you finished your work early today."

Jia Cong casually pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead. Seeing the intimate gesture between the two, Miao Yu's face flushed slightly, and she subconsciously turned to the side.

Xing Xiuyan smiled at the sight but didn't mind. Back when Zhi Shao was practicing at Panxiang Temple, the two had been very close, often sleeping on the same bed.

Now that Zhi Shao was one of Jia Cong's women, Xing Xiuyan often went to Jia Cong's courtyard to talk, so she was long accustomed to it.

Furthermore, she was only at the age of budding youth. Although she had a formal status with Jia Cong, the budding of carnal desire between man and woman was still too early—it was hazy and indistinct, not yet bone-deep or burning with intensity.

Moreover, her nature was open-minded and indifferent. With a family background and status like Jia Cong's, it was only natural that he would have a wife and concubines in the future.

She smiled and said, "Cousin, these sweet potatoes have only been planted for a short while, yet they have already sprouted. They are growing so vigorously."

"Cousin, you told us to water them only at sunset every day. Is there some special reason for this?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The winter in the Love Shenjing is bitterly cold, the sunlight is very strong, and the climate is dry. Watering after sunset prevents the moisture from evaporating too quickly and keeps the soil damp."

"If we were in the southern regions of Min and Zhe, where it is mild and humid, there would be no need for such precautions."

"Although I haven't grown sweet potatoes before, I have grown flowers and trees. Generally speaking, the habits of all plants are similar."

Xing Xiuyan looked confused. She blinked her bright eyes and asked, "Cousin, what is 'evaporation'?"

Jia Cong gave a dumbfounded smile. To the people of the present day, this term was indeed too novel, and it was no wonder Xing Xiuyan was confused.

He smiled and said, "Evaporation means that the sun is too fierce during the day, which dries out the moisture in the soil. If the sweet potato seedlings cannot absorb water, it is naturally difficult for them to sprout."

Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "Cousin, you are truly amazing. You have read so many books."

Jia Cong smiled slightly and naturally did not offer further explanation; this was not something he had read in a book.

Zhi Shao accompanied Jia Cong daily and was accustomed to hearing him talk about strange and peculiar things. Hearing his explanation to Xing Xiuyan, she did not take it to heart.

Miao Yu, however, felt more confused after hearing Jia Cong's words. It was only natural for Yuzhang, born into a wealthy and noble family, to be pampered and live in luxury, knowing nothing of the five grains.

It was expected that he could pass the imperial examinations, have a distinguished reputation for talent, and be well-versed in the mysteries of the classics, yet he was so familiar and thorough even with matters of farming and agriculture.

He was only at such an age, yet he was so learned and versatile; he truly could do what others could not. Even with such humble matters as soil and land, he could still think of the warmth and hunger of the common people under heaven.

It was a common truth in the world that the families of the wealthy and powerful grew less capable with each generation, often producing absurd and dissolute descendants.

Since arriving in the Love Shenjing, because of her junior sister Jing Hui, she had paid close attention to Jia Cong's family background and affairs.

Because the Rongguo Jia family was quite famous in the Love Shenjing, the old women around her often heard rumors about the Jia family when they went out to make purchases or run errands.

It was said that although Yuzhang's father inherited the Rongguo title, he only held the title and salary in name, without any real position, and his reputation outside was somewhat tarnished...

Yuzhang's uncle had a clean reputation, but he was mediocre in official circles and had never achieved anything.

Miao Yu had also come from a wealthy and influential family, so she naturally knew the situation of the Jia family—having only the appearance of gold and jade while gradually showing signs of decline. Fortunately, a figure like Yuzhang had emerged.

Last time, when she and her master went to the Rongqing Hall to pay respects to the Grand Matriarch, that Baoyu of the Jia family was dissolute in behavior, frivolous in speech, and foolish in appearance, making no sense at all.

It was said that Baoyu was born with jade in his mouth, and there were many rumors outside that, apart from Yuzhang, he was considered an outstanding descendant of the Jia family, but the difference between these two was like heaven and earth.

No matter how one looked at it, compared to the ordinary men of the Jia family, Yuzhang truly stood out like a crane in a flock of chickens, as if he were not of the same root, but rather a bloodline apart.

The reason she had such strange thoughts about something others ignored...

... was because, at the beginning, Abbess Xiushan had used the Innate Divine Numbers to cast a fortune for Jia Cong, calculating that his Eight Characters were incompatible with Jia She's, and that there was no destiny of father and son between them.

She deduced that he was not of the bloodline of the main Rongguo household, that his origin was questionable, and that it might involve the private secrets of the Jia clan's inner chambers.

Abbess Xiushan also warned Miao Yu that Jia Cong's destiny was strange and dangerous, and coupled with his unclear bloodline, once the news leaked, it would surely lead to a great disaster.

Whether out of concern for her junior sister's safety or other indescribable, tangled emotions...

... from that time on, the mystery surrounding Jia Cong almost became Miao Yu's inner demon.

Every time she thought of this, she would feel deep fear, and only by chanting mantras and praying for blessings before his Eight Characters fortune plaque countless times could she settle her mind.

She turned her head to look at Jia Cong, seeing him chatting idly with Xing Xiuyan, making the young girl quite happy.

The sunset cast its shadow, enveloping him in a golden-red halo, making him appear exceptionally bright and eye-catching, yet also somewhat elusive.

At this moment, Yingchun's maid, Xiu Ju, passed by, carrying a food box in her hand. Seeing Jia Cong, she hurriedly bowed.

Jia Cong asked, "How has the Second Sister been these past two days? I finished work too late last night and didn't come over to visit."

Xiu Ju said, "The Young Lady is doing well. The dishes in the kitchen were a bit too heavy these past two days, so she asked me to get some vegetarian food from the kitchen, as she wanted to eat something light."

Jia Cong didn't mind hearing this. Ever since Miao Yu and her master stayed in the East Prefecture, the East Prefecture kitchen made some vegetarian dishes every day.

Zhi Shao was most familiar with her master and senior sister's tastes and often went to the kitchen to give instructions, so the vegetarian dishes made were very delicious.

The sisters sometimes felt curious and often ordered a few vegetarian dishes to eat, changing to a fresh taste, which was a common occurrence.

Jia Cong only told Xiu Ju that he would go to see Yingchun after the meal, and the few of them chatted by the field for a while, about to return to their respective places.

But then he saw Xiu Ju running back with small steps, saying, "Cong Sanye, I went back and told the Young Lady that I met you. The Young Lady said she hadn't seen you for two days and invites you to the courtyard for a meal."

"She asked the kitchen to prepare a few more fresh vegetarian dishes and has already invited Miss Lin and the Third Young Lady. She asked me to invite Sister Zhi Shao, Miss Miao Yu, and Miss Xing to come together."

Miao Yu said, "Many thanks for the First Young Lady's kindness, but my master is alone in the courtyard, so I will not go to disturb her."

Zhi Shao and Xiuyan were not surprised when they heard this. Miao Yu's nature was cold and aloof, and it was not strange to hear such a reply.

Since entering the East Prefecture, the sisters often went to the small courtyard on the South Slope. Miao Yu treated them with courtesy, talking, drinking tea, and playing chess, and they got along quite harmoniously.

But in her spare time, she stayed in the small courtyard on the South Slope, chanting scriptures and doing her lessons alone. She never took the initiative to visit the courtyards of Yingchun, Daiyu, and the others; it was just her nature.

Just as Miao Yu was turning to leave, Jia Cong smiled and said, "Master Miao Yu, it is rare for the sisters to gather together, and since it is vegetarian food, it does not violate Buddhist precepts. Why not go together? It will be good for conversation."

Hearing this, Miao Yu glanced at him, slightly hesitant.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I will order a maid to go over and serve the Abbess her meal and keep her company. You can rest assured."

Miao Yu nodded this time. Zhi Shao and Xing Xiuyan were both a bit surprised, as they both knew she was always cold and aloof, doing as she pleased, yet she could actually listen to Jia Cong's words.

Count's Prefecture, Yingchun's Courtyard.

Yingchun's residence was a courtyard built by the water, not far from Jia Cong's courtyard.

In the courtyard stood a two-story embroidered building with three bays, featuring vermilion beams and painted rafters, white walls and black tiles, which was quite unique and exquisite.

The water system of Huifang Garden wound around the outside of the courtyard, with clear streams meandering, stone bridges appearing, smartweed flowers green on the banks, and clear waves rippling in the river.

By the water, there were also corridors and pavilions, where the sisters often played chess and gathered to talk. Yingchun had the banquet set up in the pavilion.

Although it was early winter, the pavilion was hung with warm curtains on all sides, and purple copper incense burners for longevity were placed, burning red charcoal mixed with storax.

Although it was sunset and the outside was biting cold, the pavilion was fragrant and warm.

Through the large windows with diamond-patterned borders facing the water, one could see the clear waves of the river channel nearby, and in the distance, the buildings and pavilions of Huifang Garden, with overlapping silhouettes, were quite magnificent and quiet.

When Jia Cong and the others arrived at the banquet, they saw that Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Xiangyun, and Xichun were already seated and waiting.

Seeing Miao Yu also coming with Jia Cong, Yingchun felt a bit surprised, and even more joyful.

Since Miao Yu borrowed a place to stay after entering the prefecture, Yingchun knew her temperament was cold and aloof, but because she was Zhi Shao's senior sister and out of consideration for her brother, she treated Miao Yu with courtesy.

Also because Miao Yu was good at chess, Yingchun shared similar interests with her, and the two often played chess and exchanged pointers, gradually becoming familiar and close, only then realizing that beneath her coldness, she also had a warm heart.

Once, Yingchun accidentally entered Miao Yu's meditation room and saw that beneath the Buddha niche of the Goddess of Mercy, there was actually a fortune plaque with her brother's Eight Characters.

Yingchun asked out of curiosity, and Miao Yu said that her junior sister had been treated well by Jia Cong, who had also sent her and her master thousands of miles to the capital and even invited famous doctors to treat her master's illness; the kindness and righteousness involved were not shallow.

That was why she enshrined Jia Cong's Eight Characters plaque before the Buddha and chanted mantras to pray for blessings, in order to repay the kindness.

Hearing this, Yingchun felt very happy in her heart, feeling even more that Miao Yu was a person with a cold exterior but a warm heart.

She loved her younger brother more than her own life, and whenever someone treated her brother with sincerity, she would love them by extension, and from then on, she felt even closer to Miao Yu.

Just now, hearing Xiu Ju report that Miao Yu was with Jia Cong and the others, Yingchun asked her brother to come over for a meal, and out of courtesy, she naturally invited Miao Yu to come along.

But she knew Miao Yu's cold nature and aloof behavior, and that she never visited others, so she would likely decline politely.

Yet she didn't expect her to be willing to come, which gave Yingchun a pleasant surprise...

Yingchun smiled and said, "Miss Miao Yu, today the sisters are having a small gathering. Although we didn't dare to serve heavy wine, we have served freshly brewed fruit wine. If it violates Buddhist precepts, I will change it to fragrant tea."

Miao Yu said, "The First Young Lady is very thoughtful. Although I observe precepts, I am a practitioner who has not shaved my head, and as a woman of the inner chambers, I do not avoid worldly etiquette. You all please do as you wish; I will substitute tea for wine."

Yingchun was happy to hear this and had Jia Cong sit on her left, letting the sisters sit as they pleased. Xichun only squeezed in to sit beside Jia Cong.

After everyone was seated, several old women carried four or five food boxes, and in a short while, the table was filled with hot and cold vegetarian dishes, candied fruits, dried delicacies, and seasonal fruits, making the table look dazzling.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Today the sisters are all here, only Sister Bao is missing. Since it is still early, why not invite her over as well?"

Yingchun agreed, so she asked Xiu Ju to go to the West Prefecture to invite her. In a while, Baochai came over with Jin Chuan, and the marble-topped pear-wood round table was completely full.

After the banquet began, the sisters were all smiles, and the atmosphere was harmonious and beautiful.

Zhi Shao was worried that her senior sister liked quiet and was not used to the lively noise, so she often picked food for her, and Jia Cong also found topics to talk about.

The two saw that Miao Yu's expression had softened, and although she didn't speak much, she seemed quite interested in listening to the sisters talk.

Xiangyun smiled and said, "Today the Second Sister is hosting the banquet, the vegetarian food is elegant, and the fruit wine is mellow. Although it is very good, it still lacks some interest."

"In previous years, when the Shi family held banquets during the New Year, the peers would play at drawing flower name lots, which was very interesting. It's just that there are few sisters in my prefecture, so it wasn't very fun."

"Today, with so many sisters here, it is lively enough to play this game. What do you all think?"

Daiyu and the others all agreed. Seeing Tan Chun smiled and said, "I have a set of ivory flower name lots in my room that I've never used. It's just right to take them out for divination."

Not long after, Shi Shu brought over a carved Xiangfei bamboo shaking bucket, a large handful of ivory-inlaid colored flower name lots, and a silver-gilt dice box.

Xiangyun left her seat to take the flower lot bucket and smiled, "I initiated this, so I need to take advantage and shake the first lot. Is that allowed?"

Yingchun, Daiyu, and the others knew Xiangyun was active and playful, and as long as she was present, there would be no lack of liveliness. Since it was for fun and entertainment, they naturally all said it was fine.

Xiangyun held the lot bucket and shook it with a clatter, her bright eyes darting around the table. When she saw Miao Yu, her heart stirred slightly.

She thought that since Miao Yu was at the banquet today, and as a practitioner, it wouldn't be appropriate to have too much music and singing.

Otherwise, she would have invited Ling Guan from Third Brother's side to sing a song from *The Western Chamber*, "What to do about the beautiful scenery and the night moon," with the sisters together; that would be truly elegant...

Xiangyun's mind wandered, but her hands kept shaking the lot bucket, hoping for a good lot to win the first prize of the day.

The Xiangfei bamboo lot bucket couldn't withstand her wild shaking and finally a lot was flung out, falling onto the table. Everyone's eyes involuntarily gathered.

Xiangyun grabbed the flower lot and just took one look, her face beaming with joy, her eyebrows curved, making her look even more pretty and cute.

She laughed out loud: "Good luck today, I shook out a top-grade lot. It seems I will be lucky in the future, I should drink a big cup."

Seeing her smugly keeping them in suspense, everyone urged her to read the lot quickly. Xing Xiuyan, who was by her side, took the lot from her hand.

She saw a begonia flower carved on the lot, with the four characters "Morning Flowers Like Brocade" inscribed below, and two lines of poetry carved on the back: "Before the snow blooms with fragrance, it attracts purple energy from the east."

Note at the bottom: The person who gets this lot drinks one cup.

Xing Xiuyan read the poem with a smile. Everyone heard it was indeed a good lot, the words were prosperous and bright, without any gloomy air.

Thinking of Xiangyun, who had lost both parents since childhood, she originally had a very unfortunate destiny.

But she had developed a straightforward and open-minded temperament, which was also extremely rare and made people feel admiration and closeness. The poem on the lot fit her temperament perfectly.

Seeing Tan Chun teased, "Truly a good line, the spirit is smooth, a silly girl must have silly blessings."

Xiangyun said shamelessly, "Silly girl is silly girl, as long as there are blessings, being a bit silly doesn't matter."

Everyone laughed. Xiangyun felt comfortable, drank the cup in one gulp, and shook the dice box.

Following the points on the box, she counted from left to right, and finally landed on Yingchun.

Yingchun took the lot bucket and shook it, smiling, "I really don't know what will come out."

In a moment, a lot jumped out of the bucket, with a spring orchid carved on it, and the four characters "Orchid Fragrance" inscribed below.

Two lines of poetry were carved on the back: "Wishing the Green Emperor to be a companion forever, do not let the withered and prosperous comfort this life."

Note at the bottom: The person who gets this lot drinks a cup with the person before them.

Miao Yu said, "These two lines of poetry are magnificent. The Green Emperor governs the East and manages the withering and prosperity of spring. Although it sounds like there are twists and turns, it ultimately leads to a good result. It is also a good lot."

Shi Xiangyun smiled, "The Second Sister is not what she used to be. She is now the eldest daughter of the Count's Prefecture. Before the New Year, many noble families wanted to propose marriage. I have heard the Grand Matriarch mention it several times."

"The Second Sister doesn't like to pay attention to them. The word 'Green Emperor' is intimidating. Could it be that the time hasn't arrived, and she will marry a prince in the future?"

Yingchun's pretty face flushed, and she said, "You girl, you have a fast tongue. What nonsense are you talking about? Aren't you afraid of people laughing at you? It's just a flower lot game."

Because the note said the person who got the lot should drink a cup with the person before them, Jia Cong hurriedly helped Yingchun fill her wine cup, and the two siblings drank together, which was quite interesting.

Others watching only felt it was fun and didn't take it to heart, only Miao Yu felt her heart jump involuntarily when she saw this scene...

When Yingchun shook out the points, it happened to land on Miao Yu. Everyone was stunned, because Miao Yu was a practitioner who had left the world, and divining worldly flower names seemed a bit inappropriate.

Miao Yu smiled, "The First Young Lady has good luck, but Miao Yu is a practitioner and it is not convenient to divine my own flower name. It would be better to let my junior sister divine it instead."

Everyone felt it made sense. Zhi Shao smiled and took the lot bucket, and in a moment, she shook out a lot. Everyone saw the flower carved on it and was shocked.

Shi Xiangyun even shouted, "Could this flower name lot be divine today? It's actually so accurate."

The flower name lot Zhi Shao shook out had a blooming peony carved on it, which matched Zhi Shao's name perfectly. No wonder Xiangyun and the other sisters were surprised.

Jia Cong smiled, "This is a coincidence. This flower name lot really has some meaning."

He took the lot from Zhi Shao's hand and saw the four characters "Beautiful Morning Glow" inscribed below the carving.

Two lines of poetry were carved on the back: "Lightly shrouded in morning mist, the peony blooms; autumn water leaves the world, the lotus blooms."

Note at the bottom: The person who gets this lot drinks a cup with the person before them.

Jia Cong read it out with a smile. The first half of the poem matched Zhi Shao perfectly and had a sense of prosperity and praise, which he also liked very much.

But when the sisters heard the second half, which contained the words "leaves the world," they all involuntarily looked at Miao Yu.

Originally, the dice points landed on Miao Yu, but Miao Yu, to avoid suspicion as a Buddhist, let Zhi Shao divine the flower name lot, and this poem fit so cleverly that it was hard not to make associations.

Miao Yu silently recited the line "Autumn water leaves the world, the lotus blooms." Although the poem was elegant, it had a sense of sensual emotion, making her Zen heart flutter and her pretty face flush slightly.

She wanted to look up, but ultimately restrained her nature and only took a sip of tea.

Everyone knew Miao Yu's cold nature and that she was a practitioner, so it was not good to tease her too much. Xiangyun, with her straightforward nature, also knew the importance of the matter and didn't say anything more.

Zhi Shao also drank a cup with Miao Yu, but she drank fruit wine, while Miao Yu drank tea. She shook the dice box again, and according to the points, it landed on Seeing Tan Chun.

Seeing Tan Chun saw several sisters divine flower lots, and there seemed to be a hidden meaning, which was quite interesting, so she couldn't help but look forward to it, wondering what lot she would divine.

She silently recited a few words, gently shook the lot box, and after a clatter, a lot was flung out.

A delicate apricot flower was carved on the lot, with the four characters "Fairy Product of Jade Pool" inscribed below.

Two lines of poetry were inscribed on the back: "The twin flowers bloom separately, listening to the night rain; the fragrant soul seeks to enter the Jade Terrace."

Note at the bottom: The person who gets this lot does not need to drink wine.

Seeing Tan Chun read the poem softly. Everyone heard it and felt it was obscure, the meaning was difficult to understand, and everyone was confused. Moreover, the words "fragrant soul" made people feel anxious.

Daiyu thought that the lines of this flower name lot were all excerpts from ancient poems, and a single line was difficult to convey the full meaning.

She would just have to go back and flip through books to see the whole ancient poem, connect the beginning and end, and ponder it carefully to understand the deep meaning.

Shi Xiangyun had a lively personality and was best at drawing out the atmosphere, like a happy fruit among the sisters.

Even though she didn't understand the mystery of the poem, she still smiled, "Since it is to enter the Jade Terrace, it is naturally a fairy product. What a good omen, it's just as lucky as me."

Seeing Tan Chun didn't pay attention to Xiangyun's joking. These two lines of poetry sounded confusing to others, but she felt as if every word pierced into her heart, causing a faint pain.

She shook the dice box again, lost in thought, and when she opened it, it was twelve points.

Before she could start counting, Xiangyun rushed to start counting the people, anxious to know who would draw the lot next.

Seeing Tan Chun heard Xiangyun's bead-like counting in her ears, pretty and lively, crisp and pleasant.

Her heart just kept circling the flower name poem: "The twin flowers bloom separately, listening to the night rain; the fragrant soul seeks to enter the Jade Terrace."

Weren't she and Third Brother just like twin flowers blooming separately? He only regarded her as a cousin for his whole life and would never be as absurd as she was.

Seeing Tan Chun was in a trance and couldn't help but look at Jia Cong, but heard Xiangyun cheer: "It finally landed on you..." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 744 =====