Chapter 498

At the same time, Rong Guo Mansion.

Because today is Mid-Autumn, as soon as it grew dark, lanterns were hung all over Rong Guo Mansion.

Those lanterns were not the usual single-color red; they came in melon shapes, rabbit shapes, lotus shapes, some painted with Chang'e flying to the moon, some inscribed with "flowers beautiful, moon round," each hung beneath the eaves of the covered walkways, casting the various bluestone paths of Rong Guo Mansion in a riot of colors.

Beneath the walkways, an incense table had been set up early, bearing paintings of Chang'e and the Jade Rabbit, laden with mooncakes, watermelons, grapes, osmanthus cakes and other seasonal fruits.

The watermelon was cut into lotus-petal shapes, also taking the meaning of "flowers beautiful, moon round";

The mooncakes came in date paste, red bean, five-nut, and salted egg yolk varieties, stacked into a pagoda shape, with the top one stamped in gold leaf with the words "family reunion".

When the moon rose, its clear light fell upon the osmanthus tree before Rong Qing Tang; the shadows swayed, the fragrance drifted, mingling with the sweet scent of mooncakes wafting from the walkways, making even the breeze feel soft.

By this time, after the meal, everyone had gathered in Jia Mu's courtyard to admire the moon.

The ladies sat scattered at various tables, while maids and servant women brought over screens and cushions, and prepared a tea brazier, its charcoal fire glowing red, the copper pot atop it bubbling and steaming.

A few young performers blew flutes from a corner of the stage, the melody lingering and intermittent, as if they were threading a faint, elusive fragrance into the moonlight.

Feng Jie, unusually at leisure tonight, wore a peach-pink flower‑sprinkled cross‑front long jacket, and was directing the maids to refill tea and fruit at each table.

Lady You and Qin Keqing sat in a semi‑lit corner, peeling a pomelo, occasionally exchanging quiet remarks and laughter.

Yuan Chun wore a light‑red dress, her black hair coiled into cloud‑like buns, with bangs brushed across her forehead; her full face showed a tranquil expression,

she was seated with Yingchun beneath the osmanthus tree, a chessboard laid out between them, playing under a bright‑glazed lamp.

Tan Chun and Baichai sat together, one quietly turning the pages of her book, the other embroidering something with her needlework,

as Baichai said, she was sewing an autumn garment for her brother.

Xiren stood beside Tan Chun, occasionally bringing her tea and snacks.

Since leaving Baoyu's courtyard, Xiren has constantly attended Tan Chun at her side; Tan Chun rather likes her disposition and takes her wherever she goes.

Daiyu and Xiangyun sat at the stone table in the courtyard, paper and brushes laid out before them, exchanging lines of a coupled poem; Xiangyun wrote "The moon is full on Mid‑Autumn night," and Daiyu replied "The breeze is clear, the cassia fragrance."

Xiangling stood nearby, cupping her flushed, lovely face as she watched, her expression intent, her fair little hand propping her cheek, leaving a small white mark on her rosy, cloud‑like visage.

Daiyu would occasionally turn her head to explain something to Xiangling, fulfilling her duty as a teacher.

Xiao Jiaoer and Xichun were off to the side whispering, occasionally nibbling on snacks and fruit,

both having lost their baby teeth, they bit into the fruit with a crisp crunch, often drawing Xiangyun's attentive gaze.

Seeing this, Xiao Jiaoer hurriedly wiped her mouth, handed over the watermelon she was holding, and flashed a big smile, saying:

"Miss Xiangyun, have some too! Heehee!"

Xiangyun naturally reached out to take it, and while eating asked softly:

"Xiao Jiaoer, why hasn't Third Brother returned yet today? Is it usually this late?"

The Jia mansion ladies naturally also knew of the outside event: Prince Nan'an's uprising to purge the court; because of this, they had originally not planned to hold today's Mid‑Autumn celebration in the mansion,

but Jia Jing said it was fine and told them to proceed as usual, so they are now gathered here to admire the moon and enjoy themselves!

Xiao Jiaoer laughed upon hearing this and said:

"Yes indeed! Heehee! Third Uncle went to the palace offices this morning; he's probably still a while away, and these days he comes back late every day!"

Although he returns late, at least he can still come back to the mansion to sleep each night, unlike before when he stayed in the camp; thus Xiao Jiaoer still appears quite happy.

"Grandmother, have some longan tea; you seem to have little appetite today, eating only half as much as usual!"

Not far away, Yuan Yang handed a cup of tea to Jia Mu, who was half‑leaning on the luohan couch, and said with concern:

She knows the grandmother well, aware that although the old lady wears a smile, her heart must surely be worried about the Duke of Guo outside.

After all, the second master said that Prince Nan'an rose in revolt yesterday to purge the court, clearly aiming at the Duke of Guo—how perilous!

Jia Mu accepted the longan tea from Yuan Yang, gazing at the granddaughters and daughters‑in‑law filling the courtyard; her eyes betrayed a faint, hardly perceptible worry.

Indeed, she is indeed thinking of Jia Jing's affairs; although she knows he will go to war, she fears the one‑in‑ten‑thousand chance.

Come to think of it, it's also my own fault—on my birthday I insisted on being at odds with the Princess Consort of Nan'an, and that caused this great trouble!

Jia Mu, while reflecting, slowly sipped half a cup of longan tea; after a moment of silence, she suddenly beckoned Feng Jie over in the courtyard.

Feng Jie hastily set down her work, approached with a smiling face, and said in a coquettish tone:

"Matriarch, what are your orders? Is the tea cold? Or do the mooncakes not suit your appetite?"

Jia Mu took her hand, invited her to sit beside her, smiled, and said meaningfully:

"You child, always running about, you ought to sit down and rest; this Mid‑Autumn, why don't I see that maid Ping'er?"

"I can't manage outside affairs, so I can only fuss over the younger generation's marital nonsense!"

"In the second branch, the son and daughter‑in‑law's relationship already has a rift; the eldest branch's grandson and his wife must not be allowed to!"

Feng Jie's eyes flickered, and she smiled:

"There are still some matters in the courtyard that haven't been tidied up; I've had her stay behind to look after things."

"Besides, on such a major festival we need a reliable person watching from behind, lest those little hussies slack off."

Jia Mu nodded, patted her hand, and said softly:

"Ping'er is a good one! Her appearance is proper, her heart is careful, and she is rare in her loyalty; last time when you two made such a fuss, she almost got wronged."

"She has followed you these years; it hasn't been easy, so you ought to treat her well and not take out your faceless grievances on her."

Jia Mu already knew about the day Jia Lian was cavorting with Yan Hong, or rather, there is no one in the mansion who doesn't know about it,

after all, it caused quite a commotion, and such amorous affairs between men and women are the easiest to be taken behind one's back as gossip!

Feng Jie's smile froze for an instant, then returned to normal, and she said in a low voice:

"What the matriarch says is true! That day I was so angry I lost my head, even striking her a few times; afterward I thought it over and regretted it."

"Fortunately, that maid Ping'er bears no grudge; these past two days she has been comforting me, telling me not to dwell on it."

Feng Jie indeed bears little resentment toward Ping'er; her main grudge is against Jia Lian and Yan Hong, that pair of immoral man and woman!

Jia Mu gave an "hmm," lifted her teacup and took a sip, as if casually asking:

"Lian'er… have you been feeling better these past few days?"

That day the matter was reported to Jia Jing; Yan Hong was directly beaten to death, Jia Lian also received thirty blows, and he was, like Jia Baoyu, lying in bed in the courtyard recuperating!

I suppose Jia Mu also felt helpless; both of her direct grandsons were beaten with boards by her own third grandson.

Now, at the Mid-Autumn reunion, there isn't a single male servant to be seen in the whole courtyard!

Feng Jie's smile faded a bit, yet she still appeared composed and steady; her tone was calm, as if she were speaking of an unrelated matter, and she said:

「Still, what can be done? Just look after him! Give him good food and drink, have the maid and old woman serve him; the doctor said the injury isn't serious, it's nothing to worry about, he just needs to lie down for another month or two before he can get up! 」

Jia Mu sighed, patted her hand, and said:

「He's also careless; this matter is his fault, I've wronged you! But speaking of it, in a man's household, who isn't like a gluttonous cat? 」

「You should let it go, don't hold a grudge against him. When he gets better, I'll have him make amends to you; if such nonsense happens again, I'll be the first not to forgive him! 」