Chapter 868: Beautiful Governance Gives Rise to Sinful Feelings

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

The winding corridors on both sides outside the hall were all carved and painted, with various parrots, thrushes, and other birds hanging under the eaves.

Facing the warm winter sun, the exquisite birdcages had their winter covers removed, and the chirping of birds rose and fell, adding a touch of early spring elegance.

Outside the hall stood several maids in red clothes and green jackets, with measured behavior and an impressive presence. The warm curtain at the hall entrance was lifted from time to time, and maids frequently entered and exited with tea trays.

In previous years, near the fifteenth of the first lunar month, there were very few outside guests coming to pay New Year calls; the relatives and friends who should have come had all come before the eighth.

After the tenth, various noble families and in-laws sent some Lantern Festival gifts one after another. Although the items were simple, they were for the sake of liveliness and joy.

In the past two days, in-laws such as the Marquis of Lady Bao Ling's Shi family, the Imperial Academy's Li family, and the Jin Ling Xue family had all sent Lantern Festival gifts.

As the new in-laws, the Guihua Xia family, because they hadn't entered the family yet, would definitely send gifts to express their respects after other families had sent theirs.

Originally, around the fifteenth, the household should have become quiet, but the palace issued an edict granting Jia Cong the rank of Assistant Regional Commander of the Divine Machine Camp, to go north with the army to conquer the Mongols.

After the news spread, the old families and relatives were all stirred up, and for the past two days, noblewomen from various families had been coming to the door to offer congratulations.

At this moment, the hall was filled with guests, with gorgeous clothes and jewelry, and Grandmother had become the focus of everyone, smiling and radiant, surrounded by everyone like stars around the moon.

Because there were also young ladies from various families among the visitors, Seeing Yingchun and Seeing Tan Chun were also called to accompany the guests.

……

Nowadays, in the Love Shenjing, which noble family didn't know that Jia Cong's rank and office were dazzling?

It all stemmed from his fame in the Liaodong battle, where he led over a thousand elite firearms troops to pursue and suppress the enemy for a thousand miles outside the pass, in one fell swoop pacifying the three Jurchen guards.

Now that Jia Cong was going on an expedition again, leading six thousand elite Divine Machine Camp troops, forming an independent army to go north.

The number of troops commanded was several times that of the Liaodong battle, and the hope of success naturally increased manifold.

In these few years, Jia Cong had achieved both literary and military success, and his name was illustrious. In the households of the old families and relatives, he was already a household name.

Even if he were to perform another glorious feat, they wouldn't find it strange.

Therefore, various families didn't have much doubt about whether he could achieve military merit again in this expedition.

Such an outstanding youth—once his career achieved glory again, what a bright future he would have. A little thought about it made people's hearts burn with heat.

It was just that Jia Cong was a general going on an expedition, and the state's military affairs involved secrets, so the male heads of various families were not convenient to move around at this time, so as not to provoke idle talk.

But the wives and female relatives of the families coming to visit Grandmother during the New Year was something no one could find fault with.

Even if these noblewomen were making their second visit during the New Year, they didn't care much.

……

Because various families were full of inexplicable expectations for the young head of the Lady Rongguo family's brilliant future, they naturally came early to "burn cold stoves" and warmly connect with the family.

This was also a common tactic for noble families to connect, borrow influence, and coexist and prosper together.

There were even some declining noble families whose wives brought heavy gifts to the door, implicitly or explicitly entrusting Grandmother.

Because these families had fallen, but still had descendants mixed in the military, they wanted to ask Jia Cong to promote them a little and follow the army on the expedition to conquer the Mongols.

They intended to rely on Jia Cong's good fortune to gain some share of the merit and benefits, hoping to slightly revive their family's reputation.

Although Grandmother was old, she was a refined person in the inner courtyard, and she knew Jia Cong's temperament well. How could she manipulate her grandson with such tactics?

She was not even satisfied with her own high happiness, so how could she touch such bad luck? Why should she create estrangement between her grandson and herself for the sake of outsiders?

When encountering such troublesome matters, she naturally found a topic to divert the conversation, or called her granddaughter Seeing Yingchun to hold the fort.

For the past two days, Seeing Yingchun had gone to Jia Cong's courtyard in the morning to have breakfast with her brother, and she had heard a bit about the expedition.

For the sake of her brother's major affairs, she naturally didn't want others to get involved at all, only saying that Jia Cong left early and returned late every day, and she couldn't even see him.

She also said that the troops and generals for the expedition had already been selected, and she heard that the roster of soldiers had already been approved by the palace. Once there were changes, she didn't know if they would get special imperial favor……

In short, the grandmother and granddaughter muddled through it together, letting these women know the difficulties and retreat.

As the saying goes, when one is at the crest of the tide, there are people pushing. Those families whose calculations failed not only didn't harbor resentment but felt that the Jia family's influence was rising, making it increasingly difficult to pursue coexistence and prosperity.

……

The noblewomen visiting had often heard of Seeing Yingchun's name in the past two years.

They all knew that this Second Young Lady of the Jia Prefecture was the elder sister of the Count of Lord Weiyuan, and now she was of noble status in the two Jia prefectures, which could not be underestimated.

Now seeing that she was beautiful, dignified, and generous, although she didn't speak much, she handled worldly situations with ease, lifting heavy things as if they were light, which was quite extraordinary.

Many noblewomen had their own thoughts, but they heard that this Second Young Lady liked elegance and quietness, kept to the inner chambers, and although she was over fifteen, she hadn't discussed marriage yet.

The Jia family had several other young ladies, but they were either from different branches or were blood relatives of the Jia family.

Comparing and weighing, they were not as prominent as the Count's Prefecture's eldest young lady, but the Third Young Lady who came with her was outstanding in beauty and grace……

……

The noblewomen visiting in the hall each had their own calculations, and in their conversation, they all revolved around Jia Cong, making Lady Wang, who was present, feel very neglected.

Because the noblewomen visiting today were of different generations, Wang Wang Xifeng and Seeing Yingchun were all younger generations, so Grandmother also called Lady Wang to accompany the guests.

Lady Wang had originally received Grandmother's message and felt some joy, thinking that her status in the Jia family still remained and Grandmother still valued her in her heart.

Moreover, going to the hall to accompany the guests this time, she didn't have to worry about Wang Wang Xifeng fussing about cutting expenses, so she naturally dressed up well and was happy to go.

She didn't expect that after sitting in the hall for a while, she would realize she had been greatly deceived. It wasn't that Grandmother valued her, but that she was listening to others boasting about Jia Cong.

The Li family of the Marquis of Marquis Zhongjing, who was in the hall, was shrewd and capable. She saw that Lady Wang's expression was not right, and although she could guess her thoughts, she also had a bit of ridicule and disdain.

But Jia Cong was leading troops on an expedition, and her aunt was honored by it, while this Second Aunt was clearly at odds with Brother Jia Cong.

Seeing Brother Jia Cong in the limelight, she felt unconvinced in her heart and said something inappropriate in the hall, which would make everyone awkward.

Seeing Yingchun and the others in the hall were younger generations, and because of her niece Shi Xiangyun, Li family saw some clues and wanted to help her aunt hold the scene.

She smiled, "Second Aunt, why don't we see Jia Baoyu today?"

Lady Wang was left on the sidelines by everyone, and hearing the noblewomen boasting about Jia Cong, she felt a bit of fire burning, and the hatred in her heart could not be dissipated.

Hearing someone finally mention Jia Baoyu, it was like encountering clouds and rainbows in a great drought. Her scorched heart was instantly irrigated, and she regained her spirit.

But thinking about why Jia Baoyu didn't come, it was just that Grandmother had sent a message only asking her to come, without mentioning Jia Baoyu.

Although Lady Wang was stubborn and narrow-minded, she was not completely muddled about matters in the inner courtyard, and she could guess Grandmother's intentions somewhat.

Jia Baoyu had previously spoken some true words and was instigated by the Xia family's cheap maid, and was grabbed by the First Prefecture, so even Grandmother had developed misgivings.

Furthermore, Jia Baoyu was forced out of the Western Prefecture, and since he moved into the Eastern Road Courtyard, his status as an outside male had been confirmed.

Today, the hall was full of outside female relatives and young ladies. Even if Grandmother doted on Jia Baoyu again, she wouldn't dare to easily call him over, so as not to provoke gossip.

Thinking of these things, Lady Wang couldn't help but feel resentment again. Her Jia Baoyu had a perfectly good legitimate status, but now it had been trampled into this state.

Now the Jia family's limelight and glory all fell on a prostitute's bastard, and these people were still so shameless, blindly boasting about his expedition.

Could it be that swords and guns had eyes and would all bypass this kid? All the cheap things in the world were to be occupied by him. He was having his mother's spring and autumn dreams……

……

Although Lady Wang thought viciously in her heart, the Marquis of Marquis Zhongjing's wife asking her this gave her face, so she naturally gathered her spirit to reply.

She smiled, "He was originally going to come to pay respects to the elders, but Jia Baoyu is going to study at the Imperial Academy after the New Year.

His father is worried that his studies are not stable and that studying in the academy is not reliable enough, so he has been detained at home for these few days, urging him to study hard, so it is not convenient for him to come."

Li family perfunctorily said, "That is truly a good thing. Jia Baoyu will be married in the third month. I have long heard that the young lady of the Guihua Xia family is outstanding.

Now that he has obtained Brother Jia Cong's guidance and promotion, sending him to study at the Imperial Academy, as long as he studies hard for a year or two, he will surely be able to enter the academy.

By then, the Aunt will have another talented grandson, which is truly something to be happy and congratulated about."

Hearing this, Lady Wang did not feel half a joy because Jia Baoyu was praised as a talent, but only felt disgusted in her heart.

She had thought the Marquis of Marquis Zhongjing's wife was a knowledgeable person who could see the benefits of her Jia Baoyu, but it turned out she was just boasting about Jia Cong in a roundabout way. It was simply unreasonable!

Other noblewomen in the hall heard Li family's words and echoed a few sentences, saying some good things like Jia Baoyu also having prospects and Grandmother having good fortune.

It was just that they were all from noble families, and although they said one thing, they thought another, full of disdain and ridicule.

This Jia Baoyu was a descendant of a Duke, but he didn't even match a family of equal social status and could only marry a lowly merchant's daughter.

Such an unrefined marriage was worth boasting about, and they weren't afraid of people laughing their teeth off.

The Jia family's Count of Lord Weiyuan was handsome and had both literary and military success, which no descendant of the noble families in the capital could compare to. He actually had moments of muddle-headedness.

He gave his quota for the Imperial Academy to Jia Baoyu—a meat bun hitting a dog, never to return—a losing deal.

Jia Baoyu had cursed the Retired Emperor, offended the current Emperor, and was reprimanded by the Imperial Clan Court.

If he took the imperial examination, which examiner would dare to grant him a title? Wouldn't that be slapping the faces of the Retired Emperor and the Emperor?

That would truly be having water in his brain, hating himself for living too comfortably. No official who cherished his future would ever do such a stupid thing.

This Jia Baoyu had long rotted to the roots. Even if he studied for a hundred years, wanting to enter the academy and be proud was just having his mother's spring and autumn dreams……

The noblewomen in the hall all felt disdain, and some felt sorry for the Xia family's young lady. Although the Guihua Xia family was not a family of officials, they were at least a giant wealth in the Love Shenjing.

The Xia family's only daughter was also a wealthy young lady, but she was matched with such goods as Jia Baoyu. She had truly had bad luck for eight lifetimes and had wasted a yellow flower girl.

Although the Rongqing Hall was full of laughter and seemed very harmonious and happy, the atmosphere inside was weird to the extreme…… ===== CHAPTER 869 =====