Chapter 842: No Men Allowed in the Hall

16th Year of Emperor Jia Zhao, Third Day of the First Lunar Month.

Light snow in the morning, the sky was gloomy, and the red gauze lanterns hanging under the eaves of the inner court's covered walkway were still lit, flickering with warm light.

The gloomy sky was reflected by the lamps, and the New Year atmosphere inside and outside the mansion was rich, not diluted by the bad weather.

The New Year visitors to the two Jia houses gradually climbed to a peak, becoming increasingly noisy.

But on this morning, the nobles and officials from the Six Ministries who came to pay New Year's calls did not see Jia Cong.

Because at dawn this day, Jia Cong had taken Zhen Ying Lady Lian to Mount Mount Luocang to pay a New Year's call to his teacher, Liu Jing'an.

Jia Cong was prosperous in his studies, had passed the imperial examinations several times, was famous throughout the world, and was the most proud disciple of the literary master Liu Jing'an.

Years ago, when Jia Cong first took the imperial examinations and was named the top of the Yongzhou Academy examination, he was reported by someone for his biological mother's humble status, claiming he had no qualifications for the imperial examinations.

At the critical moment when his future was about to be ruined, Liu Jing'an stepped forward, took him into his school, protected him with the reputation of a literary master, and helped him wash away the groundless stigma.

This matter had become a beautiful story in the officialdom and among scholars. Therefore, because Jia Cong respected his teacher, he neglected other visitors, and no one would say a word about it.

……

This morning, the male guests of the Ningguo Prefecture were received by the steward, and the female guests who came with them were introduced to the inner court, where they were entertained by Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Shi Xiangyun, and others.

Seeing Yingchun was Jia Cong's own sister and the young lady managing the Count's Prefecture, with an extraordinary status. Lin Daiyu and Shi Xiangyun were proper young ladies from official families, with elegant poetry and conversation.

Although Jia Cong was not in the Ningguo Prefecture, the sisters handled things very properly. When the male guests learned that Jia Cong was visiting his teacher, they naturally wouldn't say a word of gossip.

The female guests who entered the inner court to drink tea and tour the garden were full of praise when they came out, saying that the Jia Hanlin was talented, and his sisters were all talented young ladies in the boudoir, which was quite a perfect match.

Because Jia Cong was not at home, the West Prefecture had entrusted Jia Zheng to receive the male guests in the outer hall. Since they were all nobles, they were mostly familiar with Jia Zheng, so there was no problem with the reception.

Seeing Tan Chun went to Rongqing Hall to entertain the noble female guests with Jia Mu. Because her son was busy in the outer hall, Jia Mu let her daughter-in-law enter the hall to make up the numbers, which also looked better on the surface.

After Lady Wang entered the hall, she saw the hall full of noble ladies, with gorgeous clothes and jewelry—what a scene of wealth and power.

She was still the only Lady of the Jia family in the hall, which gave rise to an illusory illusion in her heart, as if everything was like the New Year of the past.

The Lady Rongguo Jia family had never undergone any changes, the Second Branch was still the main branch managing the prefecture, and she and her husband were still managing the reception of guests inside and outside the prefecture.

This feeling was true yet illusory, making her feel a morbid pleasure, as if she were still the Lady managing Lady Rongguo, and the honor and decency of the past had not been damaged in the slightest.

Only when the noble ladies spoke to flatter the Old Matriarch, it seemed that no one spoke to her, and it was always a bit cold and awkward.

……

These noble ladies never mentioned Jia Baoyu's merits again, but intentionally or unintentionally always mentioned Jia Cong, and everything they said was flattery, which made people feel disgusted.

The noble young ladies who came to visit with their elders, whenever they heard their elders talk about Jia Cong, their eyes always shone, their faces always flushed, and they had a wave of flirtatiousness.

Only at this time would Lady Wang deeply realize that things were no longer what they used to be, and it was difficult to turn things around, which made her feel sour and jealous.

The reason she had this illusion was just that the boy was not in the prefecture today, and he had even dragged her old man to help him work...

Rongqing Hall was full of laughter, filling Lady Wang's ears and eyes. Jia Mu's grace and self-satisfaction, the flattery of the noble ladies, and the yearning of the young ladies in the boudoir.

The glory and decency Lady Wang longed for most had nothing to do with her. All of this was like scorching poison fire, repeatedly tormenting her heart.

It made her feel like she had entered a demonic barrier, giving rise to a crazy obsession in her heart: If only that boy were like this today, never appearing in the two prefectures, how good that would be...

……

Compared to Lady Wang being ignored and marginalized, Wang Wang Xifeng was in another scene.

Since entering Rongqing Hall, she quickly became the focus second only to Jia Mu.

The noble ladies who came to visit knew the details of the Jia family well. The head of the family, Jia Cong, had lost both his biological parents, and the legitimate mother left behind was just a useless decoration.

Jia Cong had entrusted the West Prefecture to his elder sister-in-law to manage, which showed that the relationship between the uncle and sister-in-law was harmonious. When Jia Cong chose a marriage in the future, Wang Wang Xifeng, as the elder sister-in-law, would have a say.

These great ladies all knew this long-term connection, and they were very enthusiastic toward Wang Wang Xifeng, throwing good words at her as if they didn't cost money.

Although Wang Wang Xifeng was proud in her heart, she was not confused at all, just responding with a full face of smiles, her words and actions flawless.

Her shrewd way of managing affairs and being at ease made Lady Wang's eyebrows jump.

In fact, Wang Wang Xifeng was a bit absent-minded. Although the flattery of the noble ladies was pleasant to the ear, she had other important matters in her heart today.

During the conversation, she often called the maid Feng'er to inquire about the situation, to see if Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife had come up with any results...

……

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Baoyu's Courtyard.

Jia Baoyu was wearing casual clothes, walking back and forth in the room, his expression somewhat anxious.

He asked the outer room: "Seeing Caiyun, has my robe been scented yet?"

Seeing Caiyun stretched out her body and said: "Bao Er Ye, it's been less than a quarter of an hour, it will take some more time."

Jia Baoyu hurried to the outer room. The bright red gold-lotus patterned round-collar robe was hanging on the incense rack, with top-quality red Liu Xiaoxian incense burning underneath.

The fragrance was soft, sweet, and greasy, making one drunk upon smelling it. Jia Baoyu took a light breath, his expression somewhat intoxicated.

He smiled: "The scent of scented clothes should be quiet, scattered, and faint, as if it exists or not; that is the superior grade. A thick and rich one is inferior. Scenting it for a quarter of an hour is enough."

Seeing Caiyun said: "Bao Er Ye, this Hongxiao incense is top-quality, but it is commonly used by young ladies. Although it smells good, it is too sweet and soft."

Jia Baoyu's expression was joyful, his round face full of smiles: "It is precisely because young ladies love to use it that it is top-quality.

All the young ladies in the world are gathered with the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, and the favor of heaven. We men worship and admire them; that is the supreme principle of the Dao of Heaven."

As Jia Baoyu spoke, he took down the clothes and let Seeing Caiyun help him put them on.

Seeing Caiyun heard the Bao Er Ye talking nonsense again, and her brain felt a bit dizzy. She hurriedly changed the subject and said: "Bao Er Ye, you are in such a hurry to scent your clothes and get dressed, where are you going?"

Jia Baoyu said: "Few people come to pay New Year's calls on the first day. Xia Gu Niang's family came on the second day. Later, because I was tired, I didn't go out in the second half of the day.

According to the practice of previous years, noble families of family friends will come to visit on the third day. There are many elders of family friends and sisters in Rongqing Hall. In previous years, I accompanied the Old Matriarch to entertain guests.

If I don't show my face this year, it would violate the etiquette of previous years, which would be too discourteous and seem like I am arrogant.

If I make people feel that the Jia family's etiquette is not thorough, there will be some gossip. Although I love peace and quiet now, after thinking about it, I still have to go over."

Seeing Caiyun heard Jia Baoyu speaking in a serious manner, and felt a bit disgusted in her heart.

The Bao Er Ye spoke in a high-sounding way, but actually, he just wanted to go see the young ladies. He went around such a big circle, and he didn't feel tired in his heart.

However, Seeing Caiyun had only come recently, and now she was living like a widow, already cold-hearted, only wanting to protect herself, and didn't want to offend Jia Baoyu and find trouble for herself.

So she just pretended not to hear the meaning and just helped him dress neatly.

……

Sister Xi Ren happened to enter the door, heard their conversation clearly, frowned and said: "I advise the Bao Er Ye to give up this idea. Why go and suffer this fatigue?

Times are different now. Last year, the Bao Er Ye was not yet an adult and was not engaged. When entertaining female guests in Rongqing Hall during the New Year, the Bao Er Ye could still show his face.

Now you can't do that anymore. The Bao Er Ye is not only over the age of fifteen but is also engaged to Xia Gu Niang, and will be married in three months. All the families in the Divine Capital know this.

Now there are noble ladies in Rongqing Hall. The Bao Er Ye must not break in. If you violate the taboos of etiquette, you will leave a big handle for gossip.

Even if Cousin Cong is not engaged, he can show his face as the head of the family, but he won't easily show his face."

Hearing this, Jia Baoyu felt as if his pot had been lifted, and he felt nauseous in his heart.

He said unconvinced: "Sister was originally a clever person, why are you full of etiquette and learning now? I am just engaged, not really married yet.

Even if I am married, so what? Will I not be able to see people in the future? The etiquette and rules of this world are truly inexplicable, truly unreasonable, and laughable.

Besides, Jia Cong is the same age as me. How can he do these things, but I can't? Where is the logic in this? It's all nonsense!"

……

Seeing Caiyun heard this and felt speechless in her heart. Because the West Prefecture was the First Branch's family business, and the Bao Er Ye was a man of the Second Branch, he was an "outside man" from a different branch.

In the territory of the West Prefecture, there were some things Cousin Cong could do, but the Bao Er Ye naturally couldn't. Did the Bao Er Ye really not know such a simple rule and logic?

Was the Bao Er Ye really muddled, or was he pretending to be muddled? Or was it as he said, that the etiquette and rules of the world were all unreasonable...

Sister Xi Ren saw Jia Baoyu talking eloquently again, sounding righteous, but actually, they were all crooked principles. She had seen it many times on weekdays, and felt a bit more irritable in her heart.

She knew that persuading him openly was useless. She knew Jia Baoyu's temperament best. Except for the Master, if others spoke, it would be adding fuel to the fire, burning hotter and hotter, and becoming more and more energetic. ===== CHAPTER 843 =====