Chapter 827: Preventing Disaster Before It Happens

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

With Jia Mu's series of strikes and her niece-in-law Lady Li cheering her on, a not-so-small disturbance was quickly dissipated into nothingness.

Laughter and joy returned to the hall. Some had the situation in their grasp, some were secretly happy, some felt relieved, and some were happy to see it happen; everyone had their own thoughts.

Lady Wang's fury and Baoyu's lovesick sorrow seemed very out of place and were subconsciously ignored by everyone in the hall.

When Jia Cong entered the hall, he first paid his respects to Jia Mu and then exchanged pleasantries with Shi Ding and his wife, making the atmosphere in the hall even more harmonious.

Jia Mu smilingly recounted the matter of Yu Chuan. Jia Cong smiled at Jia Zheng, "Master, you are too distant. As an elder brother, supporting my cousin's studies is my duty.

The two hereditary student quotas were idle anyway; it was just a matter of convenience. How can I deserve such a generous gift from you?"

Jia Zheng smiled, "I often go to the clan school. There are quite a few descendants in the outer seven branches who have the ambition to study.

You alone gave both hereditary student quotas to the brothers of the Second Branch. This favor is not small; I am just thanking you on behalf of Baoyu and Huan'er."

Hearing this, Baoyu felt disgusted and filled with resentment. Who wanted to go to the Imperial Academy to study? It was all you forcing and harming me.

And to thank Jia Cong, this "moth of officialdom," for this matter, and to pay with a maid like Yu Chuan—was this my true intention? Yet it was forced upon me. It was truly absurd to the extreme.

Shi Xiangyun chimed in with a smile, "Third Brother, this is called 'one cannot refuse a gift from an elder.' With such a beautiful maid, isn't it enough for you to be happy? Just keep her well."

Jia Mu smiled, "Cong Ge'er, what Yun Yatou says is reasonable. Just accept what the Master rewards you, and don't forget your Master's kindness."

Jia Cong said, "Then I will not be modest and will thank you for your kindness, Master."

Hearing Shi Xiangyun's words, "one cannot refuse a gift from an elder," Baoyu found it so grating.

Pretty and lively Cousin Yun had now also fallen into vulgarity, opening her mouth to speak of worldly etiquette, falling into filth without knowing it. It was pitiful and lamentable.

Seeing Jia Cong use Shi Xiangyun's words to take the maid Yu Chuan, hypocritical and lustful, truly shameless—how could one not hate and despise him?

At this moment, footsteps came from outside the hall. Before the person was seen, a crisp laugh echoed leisurely. The red brocade warm curtain was lifted, and it was none other than Wang Xifeng who entered.

For the sake of stripping her aunt's face bare so she would no longer covet the Big Branch's family property, she had exhausted all her schemes and efforts.

Originally, she had used her power and deception to set the tone with Jia Mu, deciding to cut the Second Branch's monthly allowances after the New Year.

But even so, she would inevitably have to spend some words when the time came, and matters in Rongqing Hall could never be kept from people.

Today, the Master was sending a maid as a gift, and the comings and goings in Rongqing Hall were complex. As the manager, Wang Xifeng was naturally sharp-eared and keen-eyed.

The matter had only just settled when someone came to report it to her.

She was a gossip-loving person, so she naturally had to come and show her face to join in the fun.

Originally, Lady Wang's first-class maid was the key to cutting the Second Branch's expenses.

Now that she had been removed first, it would be even more logical to handle things after the New Year, which she naturally found satisfying.

Seeing everyone in the hall laughing and talking, only her aunt had a sour face, she found it very amusing.

She smiled, "Old Ancestor, just now I was running errands and heard the news passing by Rongqing Hall that the Second Master rewarded Cong Brother with a big treasure.

I was curious, so I came to take a look. I didn't expect it to be the maid Yu Chuan. I don't have the good fortune of others; I wonder when the Old Ancestor will pity me and reward me with a good one too."

Jia Mu smiled, "You monkey, you are a manager after all, yet you are still so unreliable, always rushing to where the fun is."

Everyone couldn't help but laugh at Wang Xifeng's banter, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more joyful.

Wang Xifeng smiled, "The Second Master is the most considerate of his juniors. No wonder Cong Brother is close to the Second Master."

Jia Mu and Jia Zheng both felt satisfied and comfortable hearing this, only Lady Wang felt quite disgusted by Wang Xifeng's glib tongue.

Wang Xifeng continued, "The Second Master sending Yu Chuan to Cong Brother happens to fill a vacancy for help.

Now is the busiest time of the year-end. Ping'er and Wu'er are working from dawn to dusk managing affairs in the West Prefecture, and Cong Brother's room is short of hands.

Sister Zhi Shao is leading Qingwen and the others to manage Cong Brother's courtyard and helping Second Sister manage household affairs, so she can't spare any time either.

During the New Year, Cong Brother often entertains guests in the West Prefecture and stays in Rongxi Hall for long periods, yet he only has one maid, Xiaohong, by his side.

Xiaohong is also managing the miscellaneous affairs inside and outside Rongxi Hall, running around in circles.

Cong Brother needs a meticulous maid to follow him around and take care of his clothing and daily life; Yu Chuan is just right to fill the vacancy.

According to my plan, since the Second Master has already rewarded the person, why not let Lin Da Niang arrange the manpower and move Yu Chuan over today?

Let her settle in Rongxi Hall first to serve Cong Brother's daily needs, and then move to the East Prefecture after the New Year. That would be the most appropriate inside and out."

Hearing this, Jia Cong smiled inwardly, secretly praising Wang Xifeng for being skilled in inner courtyard affairs, quick-witted, and responsive, with quite a method.

Everyone in the hall knew very well that Lady Wang was unwilling about the Yu Chuan matter. Wang Xifeng wanted to cut the Gordian knot and not leave any room for others to take advantage.

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt even more depressed, feeling that everything today was abrupt and impossible to guard against, like falling flowers and flowing water, leaving her no time to respond.

Although the matter of Yu Chuan was a done deal, she had originally wanted to drag it out for a few days to lecture Yu Chuan well.

She wanted to use some soft methods to let this maid go to the East Prefecture and be an ear and eye for her; otherwise, pouring out a basin of water wouldn't even cause a ripple.

She didn't expect Wang Xifeng to act so hastily, which truly caught her off guard.

She was just about to find some excuse to block Wang Xifeng's mouth and delay the matter for a few days.

But she heard Jia Mu smile, "Cong Ge'er is how old, and he hasn't started a family yet; how could he understand these fine details of household affairs?

What you thought of is very thoughtful. Just follow your plan and get it settled today."

Blocked by Jia Mu, Lady Wang couldn't say anything more. Her expression turned bitter, and a bellyful of words was stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down, making her heart and liver ache.

Yu Chuan was dizzy from listening on the side. Since entering Rongqing Hall today, she had been a bit muddled.

It was as if she were being pushed forward by an invisible force, with surprise and joy intertwined, churning up and down incessantly.

She had just settled her destination and was going to move out of the East Courtyard that very day, but she was actually quite willing about this matter.

Originally, when the prefecture assigned and placed servants, how could she have a say? Yet the Old Ancestor had specifically asked for her opinion.

Yu Chuan knew that by agreeing to this matter in the hall, she had greatly offended the Lady. Having served for so many years, how could she not know her nature?

If she stayed in the East Courtyard any longer, she would truly be trembling with fear, not knowing what might happen. Moving away early would be more reassuring.

Thinking of this, she felt harmonious and comfortable in her heart. Not only was she very willing to serve Jia Cong, but there was also another benefit.

It would be more convenient to find her sister to talk in the future, unlike when she was in the East Courtyard, where she had to be wary of everything. Her sister would surely be very happy to know she had a good outcome.

Wang Xifeng received Jia Mu's word and briskly called for Lin Zhixiao's wife, telling her to take a few old women to follow Yu Chuan back to the East Courtyard to pack up her things.

Seeing Wang Xifeng act so quickly and fiercely, without even being polite to her face, acting unscrupulously like a thief breaking into a house,

Lady Wang became even more furious, her expression cold. One hand tightly pinched her prayer beads until her knuckles turned white, but the maid had already been given away in public; could she still stop it?

Today, the Master sent gifts and everyone praised it, but Feng Yatou's actions still carried a chill.

With her acting so aggressively, the matter of the Second Branch's expense cuts would probably be hard to stop...

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

The hall was warm with a charcoal brazier, and the light from the north-facing window lattice was bright and dazzling. The sunlight shone obliquely into the room, right on Baochai's body.

She had passed the age of fifteen and was in the prime of her youth. Although her figure was slim and slender, it did not lack fullness and moisture, and she was moving and touching.

She wore a honey-colored, gold-trimmed satin cross-collared long coat, with a bright red cross-collared inner garment inside, and a powder-blue long skirt tied around her lower body.

Although they were all everyday clothes, they did not lack brightness and splendor amidst the wealth and elegance, making her look even more graceful and shining.

She held an embroidery frame in her hand, embroidering a round fan face. The formed orchid pattern, with fluttering green leaves and budding flower buds, was vivid and lifelike.

At this moment, the door of the hall was pushed open, and a gust of cold wind blew in. Xue Yima walked in wearing a cloak, followed by the maid Tongxi, carrying a packed paper bag in her hand.

Baochai asked, "Did Mother go to the shop to check the accounts? Was the harvest good at the end of the year?"

Xue Yima said, "The business in these shops is not bad. Speaking of which, it really is thanks to Cong Ge'er." ===== CHAPTER 828 =====