Chapter 821

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Sister Yuanyang saw Wang Wang Xifeng feigning poverty with slightly exaggerated expressions; she tugged at the corner of her mouth, forcibly suppressing a smile.

Jia Mu, upon hearing Wang Wang Xifeng's words, frowned and said: "If you follow your own method, isn't that reckless? It's simply inappropriate."

Just now, the two old maids chatting idly—I merely pressed them a little, and they implicated seven or eight others; clearly, these rumors spread with terrifying speed.

If we dismissed every servant who spread idle talk to the estates, how many would be left in this mansion? Besides, if the matter grows too large, it will become even harder to contain.

If this gossip reaches the outside world, how many malicious whispers will arise? Outsiders will surely twist and slander the Jia family.

Feng-er, these past two days you've taken firm measures to silence these servants. If I hear them gossiping again, not one will escape punishment.

I've finally seen clearly—this matter can't be buried forever; it was bound to come to this.

But the New Year is just days away, and many noble families will come to pay their respects. If trouble erupts now, we won't be able to have a peaceful holiday.

In my view, we should handle this after the New Year. For now, while your aunt visits, I'll let slip a few hints.

It's strange these past two days—where has your aunt been? I haven't seen her at all."

Wang Wang Xifeng heard this and couldn't help smiling inwardly—her aunt must have heard the rumors and was hiding in the Eastern Courtyard to avoid shame; how could she dare show her face in the Western Mansion?

My fire has burned well indeed—it has crushed my aunt's pride and forced the old lady to make up her mind. Otherwise, this matter would truly be difficult to resolve…

She said: "Your words, Grandmother, are etched in your granddaughter's heart. I'll return and punish these gossipy servants. Whoever still spouts idle talk, I'll pull out every last tooth in their mouth!"

We'll handle this after the New Year. When the time comes, I'll be the one to act—no need for Grandmother to play the villain. Just ignore it entirely.

In truth, the reduction of expenses for the Second Branch isn't merely about upholding family law and ancestral rules; the monthly savings of twenty taels will ultimately return to the Second Branch.

Because Jia Baoyu's bride will bring servants upon her entry, and Elder Sister will return home next year—both places alone consume more than this amount monthly.

Even so, the central household saves twenty taels monthly, amounting to hundreds of taels annually.

Now that the Western Mansion has lost income, to ensure long-term stability, earning silver is crucial—and saving is even more crucial."

Jia Mu sighed helplessly and said: "Do as you see fit. The New Year's Eve is days away—keep the servants' mouths shut, and let's get through this holiday first."

Wang Wang Xifeng, sensing the moment was ripe, wisely chose to stop while ahead and shifted the topic to festive entertainments: opera troupes, lanterns, fireworks, and banquet feasts.

Jia Mu's gloom gradually lifted. She thought of her son Jia Zheng, always filial and reasonable; if the reasoning was sound, he would likely agree.

As long as her son didn't feel uneasy, she could overlook how much his wife might be aggrieved—she'd simply pretend not to notice…

…

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Eastern Courtyard.

To the left of the main house in the inner courtyard, a flowerbed was filled with glossy wintergreen; afternoon sunlight bathed it in lush green vitality.

Along a stone path beside the flowerbed, a white shadow darted past, chased by a boy of seven or eight, with clear features and a childlike face.

He wore a light blue satin round-collar robe, pale green trousers, a matching sash, and hung with green-and-blue tasseled jade pendants and colorful embroidered sachets.

Though only a child, his attire was dignified and luxurious; he carried himself with solemn seriousness, like a miniature adult.

He trotted after the white shadow, calling out: "Snow-Nu, don't run!"

A maid chased after him, slender and graceful, wearing a moon-white brocade cotton jacket and an emerald-green pleated skirt, with delicate eyebrows, large eyes, and lovely features.

She called out: "Lan-ge, slow down! Don't fall—Madam will scold me."

After running a stretch and failing to catch him, she stopped to catch her breath, opened the cloth bundle in her hand, and pulled out a dried fish skin.

She waved it back and forth in the air, calling: "Snow-Nu…" Her voice was crisp and clear, like pearls tumbling on a jade plate—beautiful and enchanting.

The white shadow instantly halted, turned nimbly, and sprinted back—it was a snow-white Linqing lion cat.

The cat dashed past the boy and raced to the maid's side, circling her feet incessantly.

The boy hurried back, seeing the lion cat crouched beside the maid, chewing the fish skin greedily; the maid smiled broadly, gently stroking the cat's back.

The boy looked on with envy and said: "Yu Jin Chuan-Feng Jie, you're truly skilled.

Madam only got Snow-Nu a few days ago—every time I try to hold it, it runs off. Why does it obey you the moment you call?"

Yu Jin Chuan laughed: "What's strange about that? My mother kept a local cat just for catching rats, and all cats love fish.

If you give it good food, it'll happily circle you. Lan-ge, shouting at it won't work—it'll only run faster.

I have plenty of these dried fish skins—they're my mother's treat for me. I'll give you some later; if you want to hold it, feed it a piece, and it'll let you do whatever you like.

But don't run off again—Madam told me to watch you. If you fall and hurt yourself, I'll be in trouble."

The two crouched beside the lion cat, chatting idly while amusing the white cat as it gobbled the fish skin, clearly relaxed and delighted.

…

Suddenly, a voice came from behind: "Lan-er, what are you doing here?"

Jia Lan looked up and saw Jia Zheng smiling warmly at him; he immediately rose, instinctively straightening his back.

He said: "Grandfather, Madam is speaking with Grandmother and told Yu Jin Chuan to let me play for a while."

Jia Zheng saw that although Jia Lan was young, he was extremely proper and courteous, spoke clearly, and carried himself with grace—more pleasing than either of his own sons.

He recalled how Tan Chun had mentioned that Jia Cong also valued his grandson Jia Lan, finding him reserved, sensible, and well-mannered, with promise.

Now, observing his eldest grandson's demeanor and responses, he was reminded of his own late eldest son Jia Zhu—truly a child of promise.

Though his eldest son had fallen short, his scholarly attainments were beyond reproach…

Jia Zheng smiled and asked: "Lan-er, have you done your lessons today? Playing all day wastes precious time."

Jia Lan replied seriously: "Grandfather, I've done my lessons today. I rise every morning at the first hour after dawn; Madam makes me recite scriptures for half an hour and practice calligraphy for an hour.

If I slack off, Madam beats my palms—I complete every lesson carefully before I'm allowed to play."

Jia Zheng was delighted. Jia Lan was only seven, yet daily devoted one and a half hours to study—truly commendable.

Today, I asked Jia Baoyu to come and be examined on his lessons, yet he feigned illness and refused—utterly beyond redemption.

Ancient scholars chiseled holes in walls to steal light, used fireflies and snow to reflect books—still they studied tirelessly. If one truly has the will to learn, even illness won't stop one from holding a book.

Thinking of this, Jia Zheng grew even more disappointed in his legitimate son, and naturally found his grandson more pleasing.

…

He smiled: "Your Madam teaches well—you must obey her, study hard, and only then will you have a future.

Your Cousin Cong was ten when he mastered the Four Books and read the Five Classics, was recommended to Qingshan Academy, and was taken as a disciple by a great Confucian master—this is how he achieved his present status.

You're already seven; you must emulate Cousin Cong's diligence. When you succeed in your studies, you'll bring honor to your Madam."

Jia Lan's expression turned serious: "Madam often says the same—she tells me to emulate Cousin Cong, study hard, earn merit through effort, achieve glory before others, and not waste my life."

Hearing this, Jia Zheng was even more pleased—truly a promising child.

He felt comforted, sensing he and Cong-ge shared the same view: Jia Lan was extraordinary.

He was over fifty, already in his twilight years, but Cong-ge held high office, ranked among the Hanlin scholars, and was one of the foremost figures in the Zhou scholarly world.

If his grandson Jia Lan advances in his studies, with Cong-ge's promotion and aid, his future will surely be far brighter.

He glanced at Yu Jin Chuan beside him—tall and graceful, in the bloom of youth, lovely and charming—and felt a faint stirring in his heart…

He instructed Yu Jin Chuan to watch over Jia Lan, then returned alone to Mengpo Study.

…

Eastern Courtyard, main hall.

Li Wan had early morning supervised Jia Lan's lessons, taken him for a walk in the inner courtyard, and had the maid Su Yun teach him to kick shuttlecocks, to exercise his limbs and strengthen his qi.

Her husband Jia Zhu had studied diligently in his youth, exhausting his vital essence, which later led to his downfall—a tragedy still haunting Li Wan.

Thus, though she disciplined her son strictly, she dared not push him too hard, nor let him grow idle, lest weakness accumulate over time.

After playing shuttlecock, Jia Lan went to play with his new lion cat, just as Yu Jin Chuan, having received instructions from Madam Wang, came to summon Li Wan to the main hall.

Jia Lan, attached to his widowed mother, insisted on following her. When they reached the main hall, Madam Wang told Yu Jin Chuan to take Jia Lan aside, and spoke privately with her daughter-in-law.

Though Li Wan had long lived as a widow, she was no fool; seeing her mother-in-law's solemn demeanor and sending her son away, she knew something important was coming.

She listened as Madam Wang, her face filled with resentment, spoke of the rumors in the Western Mansion—she found it odd, wished to avoid involvement, but could only listen for now.