Chapter 804

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall back courtyard, Great Flower Hall.

When Seeing Yingchun and the other sisters heard these words from Seeing Tan Chun, they did not think much of it; after all, they were still ladies of the boudoir, their minds pure and rarely tainted by worldly thoughts.

But Wang Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, Lady You, and others were all women who had experienced the world, and housekeepers like Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife were even more worldly-wise and accustomed to seeing which way the wind blew.

Originally, a noble family like the Lady Rongguo Mansion, because it had hereditary titles from ancestors, could pass on wealth from generation to generation, so it was not keen on studying for the imperial examinations.

Just like when the old lady mentioned Jia Cong's studies in the past, she was very disapproving, feeling that the descendants of the main branch of the Jia family did not need to change their family status through studying for the imperial examinations.

But the situation is very different now; the concubine-born son of the first branch, who was once lowly and inconspicuous, relied on his extraordinary talent for studying.

Without any help from the family, in just a few years, he topped the imperial examinations, became a Rank Jinshi, was highly valued by the Son of Heaven, and held dazzling official titles.

With such a brilliant example as Jia Cong, no one in the Jia family dared to ignore the power of the imperial examinations anymore.

Even an old and conservative person like the old lady did not dare to speak lightly or recklessly, nor did she dare to boast about not relying on the imperial examinations to change the family status.

Not to mention someone like Li Wan, who, influenced by her late husband Jia Zhu and coming from a scholarly family.

Seeing Jia Cong's dazzling rise, she naturally became increasingly fervent about her son Jia Lan's career.

If she did not know that the rift between her mother-in-law and Jia Cong was extremely deep, she would have long since let her son get close to Jia Cong to receive more influence and instruction.

As for Wang Wang Xifeng, Lady You, and others, they were ultimately under Jia Cong's protection; now that the Jia family had the reputation of a scholarly family, they naturally would not look down on studying.

Hearing the words of Seeing Tan Chun and Seeing Yingchun, they unconsciously looked up to Jia Jia Huan, who was usually a bit of a playboy.

After all, Bao Yu was mixing with the women to listen to operas and have fun, while Jia Jia Huan knew how to stay behind closed doors and study; the comparison between the two was quite stark.

A concubine-born son rising above a legitimate son had already happened once in the Jia family; who could say it wouldn't happen a second time?

As for housekeepers like Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife, hearing the words of Seeing Tan Chun and Seeing Yingchun, many of them looked at Bao Yu with faint mockery and ridicule.

……

Although Wang Wang Xifeng did not know the inside story of Jia Jia Huan entering the Imperial Academy, she knew that Seeing Tan Chun and Jia Cong had been close since childhood.

It was reasonable for Jia Cong to love the house and its crow, wanting to pull along Seeing Tan Chun's own younger brother.

Moreover, even Seeing Yingchun spoke in praise of this matter; these two biological siblings had always been of one mind, and Wang Wang Xifeng felt even more that her guess was correct.

According to her own selfish motives, the men of the second branch were all good-for-nothings, and none of them could be supported, which suited her wishes best.

Now that such a sign had appeared, although it was somewhat unexpected, if the concubine-born Jia Jia Huan were really prodded by Third Brother Cong to succeed in his studies.

The second branch would be a concubine-born son suppressing a legitimate son; with Aunt Zhao's lowly character, once a petty person gained power, the second branch would be in chaos.

The second master valued studying extremely highly; if young Jia Huan succeeded in his studies, Bao Yu would become even more worthless in the second master's eyes.

Her own aunt would lose all face, be inferior to others in everything from then on, and have no basis to challenge the first branch.

Wang Wang Xifeng thought this through and felt very happy; she wished Jia Jia Huan would have good luck, enter school, and become a scholar early, so the Jia family would have a good show to watch...

She smiled happily and said, "Third sister still has foresight and a plan; you are only a few years older than Jia Huan'er, yet you know how to urge your brother to study; this is a very proper idea."

"Now outsiders say the Jia family is a scholarly family; if the young men in the family don't achieve anything in their studies, that would be laughed at by outsiders."

"Although Jia Huan'er is as restless as a monkey, third sister is such a wise person; Jia Huan'er is born of the same mother as you, so how could he be a fool?"

"As long as third sister teaches him properly, Jia Huan'er's innate intelligence will definitely be used on the right path; in the future, when he studies and enters school, it will be enough to make the second master proud."

……

Wang Wang Xifeng's voice was crisp and loud; although she was just chatting with Seeing Tan Chun, almost everyone present heard it.

Bao Yu felt ashamed and angry to the point of death; his brother Jia Jia Huan also did not like to study. Bao Yu felt that although he was mischievous, he had some insight and feelings, and even had the ambition to despise those who sought officialdom.

Although the two brothers were not close and did not play together daily, they actually had a similar nature; his insight was correct after all, otherwise how could there be a like-minded person?

He really could not imagine that Jia Jia Huan, who was usually idle and dissolute, was now doing the stupid thing of studying and entering school; it was truly an act of extreme foolishness.

Third sister was still talking about it with such relish, and second sister was even more full of praise, both taking pleasure in Jia Jia Huan's entering school; they did not know they were falling into the mud, which was truly too sad.

Since they were brothers of the same flesh and blood, how could I watch him fall into the filth without doing anything? When I see brother Jia Huan that day, I must persuade him well...

……

When the old lady heard these words from Wang Wang Xifeng, she felt a bit anxious in her heart, but more of it was helplessness; third girl was urging her brother to study, who could say a word against it?

Moreover, third girl had younger brother Cong backing her; since the old lady could not manage this matter, she did not want to think deeply about it, so as not to spoil the fun of listening to the opera.

Besides, some things were useless to think about, so why look for trouble for oneself? Just enjoy each day as it comes.

But while the old lady was just drifting along, Wang Furen absolutely could not; she only felt that Wang Wang Xifeng's words were too vicious, simply like talking about a dark lamp in front of a blind person.

That shameless beast Jia Jia Huan, he didn't even look at what kind of lowly embryo he was; how could he deserve to study and enter school? He must have gone crazy.

Third girl was instigated by that boy from the East Mansion and was becoming less and less like a decent person; she knew that Bao Yu would come to listen to the opera today, yet she deliberately made her brother study at home.

She was even mocking and showing off in front of people, making people feel that my Bao Yu was lazy while her brother was diligent and promising; pretending like that was truly disgusting!

She forced a smile and said, "It is naturally good that Jia Huan'er is willing to study, but studying is a very hard thing; not only does it require diligence, but talent is also important."

"Someone like younger brother Cong, whose talent is outstanding, is after all extremely rare; otherwise, wouldn't everyone be able to top the imperial examinations and become a Rank Jinshi?"

"Although it is good for third girl to urge her brother to study, don't let Jia Huan'er study too hard; otherwise, if he ruins his body at such a young age, that would be no joke."

……

As soon as the old lady heard this, she knew that the second daughter-in-law was clashing with the grandson's wife again, and she couldn't help but have a headache.

This daughter-in-law of Zheng'er was now like a fighting rooster; whenever something didn't go her way, she had to go up and peck a few times.

It was just that her ability was limited; every time she wanted to fight for face in front of others, she often ended up stealing a chicken only to lose the rice.

Last time, regarding the Xinchun Firm, she was severely disciplined by younger brother Cong; how much time had passed since then? Had she forgotten so soon? Now she was coming to provoke Phoenix girl again...

Li Wan, Lady You, and others heard Wang Furen's words and knew clearly what she was thinking; it was nothing more than hoping that since her own son couldn't study successfully, she hoped no one else in the world could either.

Although they disapproved of Wang Furen's thoughts, or even despised them, due to the seniority and status in the mansion, they naturally said nothing.

……

Seeing Yingchun and the other sisters were all wise and perceptive people; they heard the narrow-mindedness and malice in Wang Furen's words, but they were all juniors and it was not good to refute her.

Only Seeing Tan Chun was the person involved; the mockery in Wang Furen's words made her pretty face turn red with anger; although she also said nothing, the rift between her and her legitimate mother grew deeper.

Wang Furen saw that after her words came out, everyone seemed to have been struck dumb, and she felt she had vented the stuffiness in her heart.

But then she heard Wang Wang Xifeng's crisp and bright voice rise: "Second Aunt's words make a lot of sense; studying is indeed an extremely hard thing, and it is really not something everyone can afford to spend."

"For someone with a delicate body like Bao Yu, one really shouldn't burn the midnight oil for the sake of studying; if he ruins his foundation, that would be terrible."

"Second Master has always been strict in teaching his sons, but after all, he is a man; how could he have considered this? It is no wonder the old lady and aunt are worried."

"Someone like younger brother Cong, who has been rolling and crawling since he was a child, entered the academy to study at ten, and didn't return home many times throughout the year, yet he is still full of vigor; that is how he can succeed in his studies."

"Although Jia Huan'er cannot compare to younger brother Cong, he has been jumping up and down since he was a child; he is a tough little thing, and one can see he can withstand being tossed about."

"Third sister doesn't need to worry about anything; just let this boy work hard; if he doesn't listen while studying, just beat him; the rod produces a noble son, so why fear he won't succeed in his studies?"

"Bao Yu's body is delicate, which is something that can't be helped; it is best to take good care of him; just let the second branch let young Jia Huan fight for his future, so he can win some face for the second master."

Wang Wang Xifeng's words were enthusiastic and considerate, as if she were echoing Wang Furen's point, but they sounded a bit off, yet one couldn't pick out any loopholes.

Everyone present heard these words, and everyone's expression was strange.

They couldn't say it was good, nor could they say it was bad, and they had to hold back their laughter; for a moment, no one came to take up Wang Wang Xifeng's point.

Suddenly, someone at the table coughed delicately, sounding somewhat violent and hurried; everyone looked toward the sound, and it was Shi Shi Xiangyun.

Shi Shi Xiangyun saw everyone looking at her, her pretty face turned red, and she hurriedly explained: "The tea was too hot; I just choked, I didn't cough on purpose."

Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the others saw Shi Xiangyun make a fool of herself and secretly laughed in their hearts; they all knew Shi Xiangyun's character, straightforward and casual, not knowing how to hide anything at all.

She must have heard Wang Wang Xifeng's witty remarks while drinking tea just now and subconsciously wanted to laugh out loud, but immediately felt it was inappropriate, and choked because she held it in too urgently.

Wang Furen heard Wang Wang Xifeng's teasing words and was already a bit embarrassed and ashamed, but she couldn't pick out any faults.

And no one else chimed in; she was just trying to muddle through, so as not to lose face.