Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 723 Aunt's Ambition

Jude Square, Earl's Palace.

In October in the capital, the weather is cool and cold, the air is dry and the autumn air is refreshing.

It was the fifteenth day of the tenth month, and Jia Cong went to the West Palace to pay his respects to Lady Jia early in the morning. Then he returned to the East Palace chatting and laughing with his sisters.

Yingchun had housework to do, so she went back to the yard first. Xichun felt sleepy after getting up early, and as a young girl she liked to sleep, so she yawned all the time and was also taken away by Yingchun.

Xiangyun played chess with Xiuyan last night. It was late at night and she was groggy, so the game was still unfinished and she hurried back to finish it.

Only Jia Cong, Daiyu and Tanchun were left strolling and chatting in the back garden.

The three of them strolled to the Dengxian Pavilion and saw winding stone steps on the south slope. Many maids and old women were busy moving things.

At the end of the stone steps on the slope, there is an exquisite courtyard that has been freshly cleaned and the exterior walls are painted bright yellow, making it very eye-catching.

Under the brown glazed eaves, lotus-shaped Buddhist curtains were hung at both ends, fluttering in the wind, adding a touch of otherworldly air.

Daiyu pointed to the courtyard on the slope and said, "Third brother, Miss Miaoyu came back to chant sutras for me last time to comfort me. I am familiar with her and we get along very well.

But her master, Master Xiushan, is someone we sisters have never seen before. She is actually Sister Zhishao’s master. Is she really as miraculous as Third Brother said?”

……

Since the day Jia Cong and Zhi Shao said they wanted to rebuild the Muni Temple, Wang Xifeng got the message and asked Lin Zhixiao to take charge of it immediately.

Since the backyard of Rongqing Hall in the West Palace and the small main house in the east corridor of Rongxi Hall all need to be repaired by the end of the year, it is convenient to handle several things in one place.

Wang Xifeng knew that Muniyuan was closely related to Zhishao. Zhishao would stay there for a few days every month, and she was a very favored person around Jia Cong.

She naturally told Lin Zhixiao not to be negligent about this matter, and to treat it more carefully than when repairing her own house.

Lin Zhixiao summoned craftsmen these days to go to the north city to inspect the temple and supervise the purchase of various bricks and stone tools. Repairs will begin soon.

Jia Cong also asked the steward of the East Palace to arrange personnel to take care of the courtyard on the south slope of Dengxian Pavilion as a temporary residence for Master Xiushan.

……

Jia Cong smiled and said, "That's probably the case. I didn't believe in gods and Buddhas before, but that day Miaoyu was chanting sutras to her sister, and I happened to hear it from outside the window.

After just a moment of listening, I could feel the lingering sound, which made my mind clear and my mind as if I were in a dreamland. It was very different from the chanting of ordinary monks and nuns, and quite magical.

Daiyu thought of the time when Miaoyu chanted sutras for her. After a moment, her mind became calm, she suddenly became enlightened, and her worries gradually disappeared, just as her third brother had described.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "If my disciple is so capable, then my master must be even more capable. I heard that Master Xiushan is also proficient in innate numbers and can predict the past and the future.

Although I have no chance to see the secret, I have already experienced the master's ability once."

Daiyu and Tanchun were very curious after hearing this. Tanchun said, "What is this story? Brother San, please tell us about it so that we can hear it."

Jia Cong said: "When I found Zhishao's whereabouts in Jinling, and finally found her in Gusu, I asked Yinglian to go to Muniyuan to get information.

Master Xiushan and Yinglian had never met each other before, but after meeting her only once, she said that her face showed an air of separation, but her eyes and brows showed the joy of reconciliation.

It was concluded that she had been lost in her childhood, but had been saved by a noble person.

At that time, Yinglian had just escaped from the hands of human traffickers and was reuniting with Aunt Feng in Gusu. The nun had calculated everything exactly. "

Daiyu and Tanchun both found what they heard bizarre and thought to themselves that they would really like to meet such a person.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The nun is very capable. Every time I see her, I feel a little scared. How can I keep secrets if she calculates my fortune?"

The three were chatting gossip, when suddenly the secretary came hurriedly and whispered something in Tanchun's ear.

Tanchun said, "Third brother, I have something else to do in my room, so I'll leave now. You and Sister Lin can take your time to walk around."

Jia Cong was a little surprised to see Tanchun leave in such a hurry, but he knew that Tanchun was smart and capable, and there should be nothing she couldn't handle.
……

Earl's Mansion, Tanchun Courtyard.

After receiving the message from the secretary, Tanchun hurried back to the courtyard.

In Tanchun's boudoir, a slim, beautiful and gorgeously dressed woman was walking around the room, looking around.

When she saw Tanchun enter the room, she said in a loud voice, "Young lady is back. I never expected that this gatekeeper of the East Palace is such a snob.

He just said he had never seen me and refused to let me in. I always knew that the threshold of the East Palace was high, but I was not a stranger like Baoyu.

They were not even allowed to enter the inner courtyard of the East Palace. They were really blind. They let me scold them harshly and even said that she was your aunt.

They called the maid over and then let me in. There was really no manners at all.

Aren't you good friends with Congge? Talk to him tomorrow. This servant who doesn't know the rules needs to be taught a lesson."

Tanchun couldn't help but frowning when she heard Aunt Zhao's arrogant words.

He said: "My aunt is still so impetuous. My third brother is very strict in managing the household. The gatekeeper did not let my aunt in because she was abiding by the rules of the inner courtyard of the East Palace.

Auntie, you are so indiscriminate and you are scolding others. If others see you, they will say that you are not like a master, which is even more shameful."

Tanchun was nicknamed "Rose" since she was a child in Rongguo Mansion. The nickname means not only that roses are red and fragrant and loved by everyone, but also that they are prickly.

She has always been smart and capable, and dares to speak out. She is also outspoken about her dissatisfaction with her biological mother's domineering and harsh words.

……

Aunt Zhao knew that her daughter was a powerful person and was somewhat afraid of her. Now that she was asking her for a favor, she naturally did not dare to object.

He said: "Although they are unreasonable, they are also following Cong'er's family rules, so it's okay, I won't say anything.

Seeing you so angry, it's strange that you're so protective of your shortcomings. Even my brothers don't do this. Brother Cong really spoils you for a reason."

Aunt Zhao kept looking around Tanchun's room. She saw that the furnishings in the room were more exquisite and luxurious than those in Tanchun's room in the West Mansion, and she felt envious.

He said, "Look at your boudoir, it is becoming more and more precious. Congge really likes you. Even Baoyu can't compare to your attitude."

Aunt Zhao glanced at her daughter and saw that she had slightly raised eyebrows, bright eyes, smooth skin, and a beautiful face, much more beautiful than she was when she was young.

As she grew older, her figure became more graceful and attractive. I guess she was having a very happy life in the East Palace, and her complexion and spirit were better than ever.

Aunt Zhao was a little distracted and suddenly had a strange thought. It was a pity that this girl was becoming more and more pretty as she grew up.

How come I am a cousin of Cong? How proud I would be if I were a cousin like Lin girl.

Just based on how Congge dotes on her and her daughter's beauty, she is undoubtedly the mistress of the East Mansion.

By that time, I will be able to walk around the East and West Palaces with my arrogance, and even my wife will have to give me some ground, huh!
……

Aunt Zhao was dazzled by her daughter's beauty and was daydreaming about it, and she even forgot herself for a moment.

Suddenly, Tanchun asked, "Auntie, you came to the East Palace to look for me. Is there something important?"

Aunt Zhao's wild thoughts were disrupted by Tanchun's words. She couldn't help shaking her head and instantly came to her senses.

I've really lost my mind. What kind of weird thoughts are these...

He quickly said, "Even if you were beaten by your wife, you shouldn't be so upset. You haven't been to the East Courtyard for more than two months.

If you don't want to see your wife, you should come to see me and your brother. If you don't come to see me, I can't come to see you. You are the child that crawled out of my belly."

After hearing the last sentence, Tanchun blushed and felt a little annoyed. It was originally a nice word, but when it came out of her biological mother's mouth, it always sounded unpleasant.

Tanchun said helplessly, "Aunt, please don't talk about anything else and just talk about the business."

She was a shrewd woman and knew her biological mother well, so she would not really believe that she came all the way from the East Courtyard just to see her.

Aunt Zhao said: "I came here to see you, after all, you are my belly..."

She had only said half of her words when she saw Tanchun's face turn red and her expression turned unhappy, so she cut off the conversation awkwardly.

He continued, "Secondly, there is the matter of your brother. I think he is not young anymore, and he wanders around here and there every day, like a mule that cannot be harnessed.

If there is a decent woman in the room, I can win her heart. I have paid attention to all the maids in the East Courtyard, as long as Caixia is a good one.

It is not easy for me to discuss your brother's private affairs with others, so I have to talk to you as his sister.

Besides, you are so proud now, and Congge is protecting you in everything, so I should ask you for advice."

……

When Tanchun heard this, her expression changed slightly, and she felt something was wrong.

She said, "What are you talking about, Auntie? Huan'er is only thirteen. How old is he, and he wants to keep women in his room? Auntie, please don't be foolish and spoil him.

There is a family rule in our mansion that a man can only have sex when he is fifteen years old. This is the rule for my third brother and second brother Bao, so how could Huan'er be any different?

Besides, Caixia was the mistress's maid, and Huan'er could not be provoked at all, although there had been rumors in the past that she and Huan'er were on good terms.

But those were all childhood things, and we shouldn't take them seriously. Auntie, please keep a close eye on Huan'er and make sure she doesn't let anything real happen, or else she'll get into trouble.

Auntie is from a big family, Caixia is a maid, her status is different from other maids, Auntie must know the importance of this. "

When Aunt Zhao heard what Tanchun said, her expression changed slightly, but since Jia Huan and Caixia had been in close contact recently, Aunt Zhao felt a little uneasy.

He was afraid that he had started a fire too fast and those two things might cause trouble, so he thought it would be better to settle the matter as soon as possible so that he could feel truly at ease.

He said: "I know the principles of family, but this kind of family affairs is not the emperor's decree, so there is no room for maneuver.

You know that the master has a good temper and always follows the rules. I thought that you and Cong are good friends, and he is now the head of the two families.
He has always been valued by the master, so as long as he says a word, the master will definitely agree."

Tanchun was a little puzzled and said, "What are you talking about, Auntie? Although Third Brother is the head of the two mansions, he is still a man after all.

He can still interfere in the inner affairs of the second house. Moreover, he is the wife's maid and Huan Ge'er's woman. How can you let him say this?

If outsiders knew about this, Third Brother's reputation would be tarnished, and the family would be in chaos. This must not happen. I advise Auntie to take good care of Huan'er!"...

When Aunt Zhao heard Tanchun's blunt words, she knew that she would never get involved in this matter. She was a little disappointed, but not too surprised.

Although she was rude and mean, she was not completely ignorant. It was inappropriate for her to ask Jia Cong to find a woman for her son.

She was just trying to make a living, relying on the fact that her daughter was favored by Jia Cong, and wondered if she could get this matter done at the same time.

Now that Tanchun had rejected her in such words, she felt relieved and could only think of another solution.

He said, "Since you have said so, I will not mention this matter. It is just a casual talk. But there is a serious matter, and you must help me."

Tanchun felt strange and asked, "Aunt, what else do you have to do?"

Aunt Zhao said, "I heard the other day that the master came to ask Cong'er to give Baoyu the quota of the Imperial College of Rongguo Mansion."

Congge agreed immediately, saying that Baoyu would be able to go to the Imperial Academy to study in the spring of next year.

……

What Aunt Zhao said was indeed true, and such things were not uncommon in the Jia family.

The Imperial College is the highest government-run institution of higher learning in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although it is not as famous as the Qingshan Academy, it is also a glorious place that scholars yearn for.

There are many ways to be admitted to the Imperial Academy, such as tribute academy, selected academy, sponsored academy, hereditary academy, and recommended academy.

Among them, Yinjian was a preferential treatment given by the court to the children of officials. Any family that was granted a title or reached an official rank would have one quota for Yinjian in the Imperial College.

In the beginning, Jia Jing, Jia Zhu and Jia Rong all entered the Imperial Academy to study as a scholar, but the first two achieved academic success while Jia Rong just muddled through.

Because Jia Cong was a rare person with two titles, he was given more privileges than ordinary families. Both the Rongguo Mansion and the Weiyuan Marquis Mansion had one quota for the Yinjian position.

The day before yesterday, Jia Zheng was troubled by Baoyu's mischief at home. He thought that he had reached an age where, even if he did not like studying, he should not waste his time in the inner chambers.

Jia Zheng wanted to let him study in the Imperial Academy. Even if he had no hope of passing the imperial examination, he could at least be influenced by some saints and have an extra layer of restraint in his daily life.

When Jia Cong heard Jia Zheng mention this matter, he naturally agreed and was happy to do a favor. As for whether Baoyu could achieve success in his studies, it was none of his business.

He had no children of his own, and no brothers from the same bloodline to study with, so the two places in the Yinjian position were just sitting there in vain.

Jia Zheng was naturally delighted, but it is unknown how Baoyu felt ashamed and angry...

……

When Tanchun heard what Aunt Zhao said, her heart was slightly moved.

He asked, "It is true. Third brother asked someone to go to the academy to record his name. Baoyu will be able to study at the Imperial Academy soon."

Aunt Zhao said, "You know your brother. He hangs around the house every day, chasing cats and dogs, causing trouble, and never stops.

I thought that he is grown up now, and he can't just mess around like this. He has to do something and save some money so that I can have someone to rely on in the future.

I thought that Baoyu, who was not bad at studying, could go to such a prestigious place as the Imperial College to study, so why couldn't Huan'er do the same."

Tanchun was somewhat surprised to hear that her biological mother actually had such thoughts. It was rare in the first place, but in the end she realized that it was just her competitive nature.

She smiled bitterly and said, "Aunt, please don't say anything. Baoyu is not good at studying, but Huan'er is not good at studying either. And the eldest brother doesn't need to criticize the second brother.

I also understood what Auntie meant. Third brother is the head of the Second House and has two Yinjian quotas. Do you want him to give the other one to Huan'er?"

Aunt Zhao smiled and said, "Young lady is the smartest. She can understand everything at once. That's exactly what I think.

I mentioned this to my master, but he had just asked for a place for Congge'er, and it was embarrassing to ask for another one now, so he just said to wait for another two years.

I think two years is too long, there is no need to waste time. I think you and Cong'er are good friends, so you come to negotiate reconciliation, so as to save the master from being embarrassed.

Originally, your wife treated you well on the surface, but now she has become hostile to you and even almost broke your hand last time.

In this situation, how can you watch Baoyu enjoy his glory without interfering with your own brother? How can you justify it to others?"

……

After hearing this, Tanchun felt a little headache, as her aunt could not change her trouble-making nature.

If she really wanted Huan'er to study, it would be a good idea, but that was not what she really meant.

It was just that she saw that she was very close to her third brother, so she wanted to rely on this and let Huan'er and Baoyu steal the limelight.

He even took advantage of his third brother's love and regarded him as his own support.

Third brother really gave Huan'er the place because she begged him to do so. Auntie would definitely use this to brag about it in front of others.

If she acts proudly in front of her wife and annoys her, and they become enemies, will she still have a good life in the future?
But Tanchun would not tell these words to her biological mother, because her aunt had a reckless and violent temper and would definitely make a scene if she heard these words.

Most likely he would fabricate a story that he had climbed up the social ladder with his third elder brother and thus forgot his roots, becoming reluctant to even help his own brothers.

By then, my aunt will repeat the words that came out of her belly seven or eight times, and she will be so embarrassed that she will die.
If she made a scene in the East Mansion and let her third brother and sisters know about it, she would be so sick that she would die...

……

Tanchun said: "My aunt wants Huan'er to study, which is a good thing, but my aunt doesn't know the details.

Although the third elder brother still has a quota for the Imperial College, the boy must be at least 15 years old to be admitted.

Huan'er is only thirteen this year, and she is still a long way from being able to enter the Imperial College. Even if Third Brother is willing to give her a place, Huan'er still cannot enter the Imperial College."

Aunt Zhao was skeptical and said, "I have never heard of such a rule. Could it be that you don't want to help your brother and are deliberately deceiving me?"

Tanchun laughed angrily and said, "These are all obvious things. Auntie can find out by asking anyone. Why should I lie to you?

"Master is so eager for Brother Bao to study, he should have been sent to the Imperial College a long time ago, why did he wait until today? It's because Brother Bao is only fifteen this year."

After hearing this, Aunt Zhao finally believed it, but she was still a little unwilling.

He said: "Even if this is true, everything in this world has its own human feelings and dignity. Now Congge is a Hanlin scholar, one of the top scholars.

The Imperial Academy is also a place for scholars. As long as he opens his mouth to say a few words, it doesn’t matter if he is two years younger. It’s just a word from him.”

Tanchun was a little angry when she heard this, but she said patiently, "My aunt, what you said is ridiculous. The Imperial College is not run by our family, it is a formal school of the imperial court.

Although the third brother is very famous now, there are countless people watching him. If he uses his fame for personal gain, the censor will impeach him the next day.

Now both the East and West Palaces are supported by the Third Brother. If he loses his reputation, none of us will have a good life!"

……

Aunt Zhao was shocked when she heard this. She was not worried that Jia Cong would ruin his reputation, but she was a little scared when she heard the word "impeachment".

At the beginning, his master was impeached and was so scared that he moved out of the Rongguo Mansion and almost lost his official position.

Now the second branch has become a side branch. If the master loses even his official position, the second branch will have no use in the future.

By the same token, Congge is now the third girl's backer. If he is also impeached, it will be bad for the third girl, and I will also lose someone to rely on...

Seeing that her words had controlled her mother, Tanchun patiently said a lot of things, all of which were to persuade Aunt Zhao to keep an eye on Jia Huan and not let him cause trouble.

Tanchun heaved a sigh of relief only after Aunt Zhao got up and left. Her biological mother had a reckless temper, and if she started to quarrel with her, Tanchun would not be able to handle it.

……

Seeing her daughter's frown, the secretary asked, "Does the daughter not want Mr. Huan San to study at the Imperial Academy?
Otherwise, even if Master Huan San was not old enough, the young lady would have agreed to the matter with the aunt first. Now, she is leaving it unsaid. What worries the young lady?"

Tanchun smiled bitterly and said, "We all know that Brother Bao and Huan'er are not suitable for studying.

Don’t think that my third brother is so proud of his studies. Not everyone can do that. Even if my second brother Bao went to study at the Imperial College, I would think it is inappropriate.

With Brother Bao's personality, it would be difficult for him to study anywhere. I'm worried that he might get into trouble in prison, and Huan'er will probably be in the same situation.

The third brother is famous throughout the world and everyone is paying attention to him. It is said that the Jia family is now a family of Jinshi and Hanlin.

If any of the Jia family's children were to enter the Imperial Academy and produce some kind of anecdote, it would inevitably lead to criticism of the third brother.

Moreover, as soon as Second Brother Bao entered the Imperial College, Auntie immediately tried to get Huan'er admitted as well, which would put her in a conflict with the Madam.

I have my third brother to protect me in the East Palace, and my aunt and Huan'er will live in the East Courtyard for the rest of their lives. We must not let this matter cause any trouble.

So I must not let Auntie get hold of this topic right now, but this is not what I am most worried about."

The secretary asked curiously, "You have calculated everything, what is there to worry about?"

Tanchun's eyes flickered as she asked, "Don't you think it's a little strange that Auntie suddenly mentioned Caixia's matter just now?
She had gone to great lengths to come here today, and only mentioned the matter of Lianhuan'er's reading later.

Auntie is also an experienced person, she knows the seriousness of this matter, but she still brought it up, there must be something wrong with it."

When Tanchun thought of this, she seemed to realize something, and her pretty face suddenly turned red...

She said, "Now that Auntie and Huan'er are both in the East Courtyard, I can't reach them. That place is Madam's territory, so there is no way for me to find out what's going on there."

Shishu is Tanchun's close confidant. She can understand some things even if Tanchun doesn't say them.

He said: "It is difficult for us to inquire about the East Courtyard, but the only maids left by Madam's side are Caixia and Yuchuan.

I thought Yuchuan probably knew something about this. Although she was no longer a maid in the West Mansion, she would definitely come to visit her sister Jinchuan whenever she went out.

I'll find an excuse to go to Lixiangyuan these days to see if I can run into him, or maybe get some information."

Tanchun nodded and said, "You do make sense, let's do it this way, but try to be low-key in your words and actions so that no one can see any signs.

I just hope that Auntie and Huan'er can be more alert and not cause any trouble..."

(End of this chapter)