Chapter 819

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, East Road Courtyard, Aunt Zhao's quarters.

Today was an official day off, but Jia Cong had urgent duties requiring him to go out on assignment, while Jia Zheng had no such burdens.

He sat idly in the Mengpo Study, naturally thinking of his sons' studies.

His illegitimate son Jia Jia Huan, influenced by Tan Chun and Jia Cong, had lately shown some change—he now actually applied himself to reading, which delighted Jia Zheng.

Yet raised in a noble family, he could not shake off the notion of legitimate versus illegitimate; though it was good his illegitimate son studied hard, he longed even more for his only legitimate son to excel in scholarship.

Even though Bao Yu was naturally careless and lazy toward books, Jia Zheng could not give up hope; whenever he had free time, he sought to push his son harder.

Moreover, after the New Year, Bao Yu was to enter the Imperial Academy, making Jia Zheng even more attentive.

Early that morning, he sent Yu Jin Chuan to the West Courtyard to summon Bao Yu for a lesson.

He chose Yu Jin Chuan specifically because sending others might lead them to flatter Grandma Jia and leak the news, making it harder to discipline his son.

But Yu Jin Chuan was different: though quiet, she was diligent, honest, thorough, and never deceitful, so Jia Zheng often entrusted her with errands.

Yet when Yu Jin Chuan returned from the West Courtyard, she said Bao Yu had caught a cold last night—his face pale, drenched in sweat, unable to come for the lesson.

Jia Zheng was deeply displeased; the few remaining hopes he held vanished instantly.

He had ordered Bao Yu to come for a lesson, yet the boy suddenly fell ill—could such a coincidence be real?

He knew Yu Jin Chuan would not lie, but no one knows a son better than his father; he firmly suspected Bao Yu was playing tricks.

Though inwardly furious, he had not yet stormed to the West Courtyard to confront the rascal face-to-face—he was simply too weary, too resigned.

In his gloom, he recalled Aunt Zhao's complaints yesterday: Jia Jia Huan, under Tan Chun's guidance, had become increasingly diligent in his studies.

This revived a flicker of hope in him; he strolled over to Aunt Zhao's quarters to see for himself, seeking some comfort.

As he arrived at the main door of Aunt Zhao's residence, he heard Tan Chun praising Jia Jia Huan's progress, and felt a touch of joy.

But then Aunt Zhao began gossiping about the West Courtyard; Jia Zheng involuntarily halted, drawn to listen.

The more he heard, the angrier he grew—until he could no longer contain himself and pushed open the door and stormed in…

…

Tan Chun and Aunt Zhao, startled by Jia Zheng's sudden appearance, were both caught off guard.

Aunt Zhao turned pale, stammering helplessly—she had just been spouting idle talk, all of it heard by Jia Zheng, and dared not utter another word.

Jia Zheng snapped: "Third girl, you've always been sharp-witted. Your mother never leaves the East Courtyard, yet she hears all these rumors from the West Courtyard.

Clearly these rumors spread far and wide. You move about the West Courtyard daily—surely you've heard them too. Why have you never told me when you come here?"

Tan Chun replied: "Father, these are just the gossip of lowly servants—baseless nonsense unworthy of mention.

Even if Mother and I heard them, we dared not bring them up before you; it would be improper and only anger you, so we stayed silent."

Jia Zheng shook his head: "Third girl, you're being foolish now. These aren't ordinary rumors—they strike at the very heart of clan law and family order. How can you treat them lightly?

I'm busy with official duties and avoid meddling in household affairs, trusting you all to manage them without my interference.

I knew the Second Branch had always managed the household according to established precedent.

Now that the Second Branch has moved into the East Road Courtyard, I assumed the household matters— Suoshi —would be sorted out by Grandma, Lady Lian's wife, and your mother.

I never thought I'd need to trouble myself or Jia Cong with them. But these matters have lingered unchanged, leaving loopholes for servants to gossip.

What dignity do we masters retain? Since this has been exposed by gossip, we must act—I must speak plainly to Grandma."

Aunt Zhao perked up: "Father's words are right. The household situation has changed; according to clan rules, the monthly allowance of twenty taels is no ordinary matter.

Among the women, only Grandma and Jia Cong's principal wife hold official status—yet hers is currently listed under your wife's name, and they're separated by an uncle-nephew generation. It sounds terrible.

I hear Jia Cong has only one first-class maid left among his concubines, yet your wife receives the same allowance as the master himself.

Your wife's extravagance is too great—who wouldn't gossip?"

Tan Chun, seeing her mother's recklessness at this critical moment, grew pale.

She quickly interrupted: "Mother, I'm worried about Jia Huan's laziness in study. You should go wait for him. I'll keep Father company and help him calm down."

Aunt Zhao, hearing Tan Chun's cold tone, suddenly realized—her daughter thought she had spoken too much.

She resented how her children were overshadowed by Bao Yu, and how Lady Wang treated her coldly; now that this rumor had surfaced, how could she not seize the chance to strike?

Yet her greatest asset was her daughter Tan Chun—she dared not offend this precious child.

She hurriedly said: "Third girl knows best. Your brother's a spinning top—he only turns when whipped. I'll go watch him. You two father-daughter talk properly."

…

After Aunt Zhao left, Tan Chun said: "Father, if you bring this up to Grandma, I think it's unwise.

The West Courtyard is now managed by Sister Feng—she's sharp and formidable. If the servants are spreading such rumors so brazenly, how could she remain passive?

With gossip already swirling, she'll likely consult Grandma and use this chance to correct the household rules."

Jia Zheng frowned: "From your mother's tone just now, these rumors have circulated for days. If Lady Lian's wife is sharp, she shouldn't have allowed this.

She should've acted long ago. Why has she done nothing? Clearly, she hesitates—likely out of respect for elders, fearing criticism."

Jia Zheng spoke casually, but Tan Chun's heart stirred. Knowing Wang Wang Xifeng well, she was always ruthless, decisive, like thunder and wind.

As Father said, the rumors had spread for days, yet Sister Feng had done nothing—unlike her usual nature…

Lady Wang clings to the West Courtyard's assets, constantly scheming to interfere; Third Brother cares only for grand matters beyond the household and ignores this entirely.

But Sister Feng is the West Courtyard's managing mistress, fiercely proud; she must despise Lady Wang's brazenness.

Yet cutting the Second Branch's senior allowances is extremely delicate—it needs a credible pretext.

Could the rumors spreading through the West Courtyard be Sister Feng's doing…?

Tan Chun harbored suspicion but dared not be certain; yet something was amiss, and involving her father was unwise.

…

She said: "Lady Wang is an elder, and Third Brother shares a deep bond with Father. Sister Feng's hesitation is understandable.

She must have heard these rumors and already intended to correct the rules—she simply hasn't had time to act.

If Father now exposes this before Grandma, it will make Sister Feng look incompetent—as if she needed an elder to force her hand.

Father's intentions are upright, but Sister Feng will lose face, creating unnecessary awkwardness within the family.

Moreover, Lady Wang values her dignity; if Father exposes this, Sister Feng will use Father's authority to conveniently carry out the cuts.

Lady Wang's allowance will be reduced—won't she then resent Father? Both are over fifty; to foster resentment in old age is not worth it.

Father should pretend ignorance and let others handle it. That way, everything proceeds smoothly and conveniently."

…

Jia Zheng, hearing Tan Chun's words, found them reasonable—he understood she sought harmony in the Second Branch and showed him filial concern.

He sighed: "Since your elder brother Zhu passed away, your mother's nature has changed.

With Jia Cong inheriting the household, her stubbornness has grown worse. If Lady Lian's wife corrects the rules and cuts the allowances,

I dread what your mother will do. Just thinking of it gives me a headache."

Tan Chun said: "Father need not worry. Even if the Second Branch's allowance is cut, according to past rules, branch-line managing mistresses still have fixed allowances.

Lady Wang will likely be reduced to Sister Feng's level—she comes from a great family with ample private wealth; ten taels won't matter to her.

As for your sister-in-law's twenty-tael allowance, part of it belongs to your late son Zhu—so it's even more justified.

Third Brother has mentioned to me several times: though Lan is young, he is reserved, well-mannered, and diligent in study—he will surely amount to something.

Father knows best Third Brother's judgment—he never misjudges people. Perhaps the Second Branch's future scholarly success depends on Lan.

Father, consider carefully: Third Brother supports both Bao Yu and Jia Huan; if he values Lan, he will surely support him in the future.

Your sister-in-law cares most for Lan's studies; once she understands the full context, she won't oppose the cuts—she'll uphold clan law and gain praise."

…

Jia Zheng's anger vanished as he listened to Tan Chun's counsel. What he truly cared about was not household trivialities, but the scholarly success of his descendants.

Though Bao Yu was beyond hope, Jia Jia Huan's willingness to study brought him some comfort.

His grandson Jia Lan had always been well-behaved—he loved him dearly, but the boy was too young to rely on.

Yet to learn that Jia Cong valued him filled Jia Zheng with profound relief; his earlier frustration dissolved instantly.