Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

The Rongguo Mansion, the backyard of Rongqing Hall, the Grand Flower Hall.

When Yingchun and the other sisters heard Tanchun's words, they didn't think much of it. After all, they were still young ladies, with pure minds and little worldly desires.

However, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and You Shi were all experienced women, and the housekeepers in Lin Zhixiao's household were even more worldly-wise and adept at changing their tune depending on the situation.

Originally, the Rongguo Mansion, a family of hereditary nobles, had ancestral titles that could be passed down through generations, so they were not enthusiastic about studying and taking the imperial examinations.

Just like when Grandmother Jia mentioned Jia Cong's studies, she was very dismissive, feeling that the sons of the Jia family, being from the main household, did not need to change their social standing through studying and taking the imperial examinations.

But the situation is very different now. The illegitimate son of the eldest son's family, who was born into a lowly family and was insignificant at first, relied on his extraordinary talent for studying.

Without any family support, in just a few years, he topped the imperial examinations, became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), gained the emperor's favor, and received a prestigious official rank.

With such an outstanding example as Jia Cong, no one in the Jia family dared to ignore the prestige of the imperial examinations.

Even an old and conservative person like Grandmother Jia would not dare to speak lightly or make any grand pronouncements about changing one's social standing without relying on the imperial examinations.

Not to mention someone like Li Wan, who was influenced by her deceased husband Jia Zhu and came from a scholarly family.

Seeing Jia Cong's dazzling rise to prominence, she naturally became even more ardent in her desire for her son Jia Lan to pursue a career in the imperial examinations.

If she hadn't known so deeply about the deep-seated animosity between her mother-in-law and Jia Cong, she probably would have already encouraged her son to be close to Jia Cong, so that he could receive more guidance and education from him.

As for Wang Xifeng, You Shi, and others, they were ultimately protected by Jia Cong. The Jia family now enjoys the reputation of being a family of scholars, so they naturally wouldn't look down on studying.

After hearing Tan Chun and Ying Chun's words, they unconsciously looked at Jia Huan, who was usually quite dissolute, with newfound respect.

After all, Baoyu mingled with the women to enjoy operas, while Jia Huan knew how to stay home and study; the difference between the two was quite stark.

In the Jia family, it has already happened once that a son born out of wedlock has surpassed the son born out of wedlock. Who can say that a second one will not happen?

As for the housekeepers and wives like Lin Zhixiao, after hearing Tan Chun and Ying Chun's words, many of them looked at Bao Yu with a hint of mockery and ridicule.

……

Although Wang Xifeng was unaware of the inside story of Jia Huan's entry into the Imperial Academy, she knew that Tan Chun and Jia Cong had been close since childhood.

It's understandable that Jia Cong, out of love for Tan Chun's younger brother, wanted to help him.

Moreover, even Yingchun praised the matter, and the two siblings always had a tacit understanding, so Wang Xifeng felt that her guess was correct.

According to her own selfish desires, the men of her second wife were all good-for-nothings, utterly useless, which suited her best.

The emergence of this trend is somewhat unexpected, but what if Jia Huan, born out of wedlock, is indeed persuaded by Cong Laosan to achieve academic success?

The second wife's sons would be able to overpower the legitimate sons. Given Aunt Zhao's despondent nature, if such a villain were to gain power, the second wife's family would be thrown into complete chaos.

The Second Master valued education highly. If Huanzi succeeded in his studies, Baoyu would become even more worthless in the Second Master's eyes.

If one's own aunt is to lose all face and be inferior to others in everything, what kind of foundation does she have to challenge the eldest son's family?

Once Wang Xifeng understood all this, she felt extremely pleased. She wished that Jia Huan would have a stroke of good luck and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible, then the Jia family would really have a good show to watch...

She laughed heartily, "Third sister is truly farsighted and resourceful. She's only a few years older than Huan'er, yet she knows how to urge her brothers to study. That's an excellent idea."

Nowadays, outsiders say that the Jia family is a family of scholars, but if the young men in the family don't achieve anything in their studies, they will be laughed at by outsiders.

Although Huan'er is as mischievous as a monkey, Third Sister is such a clever person. Huan'er and you are born of the same mother, so how could she be a stupid person?

As long as Third Sister disciplines her properly, Huan'er's intelligence will surely be channeled into good things, and she will be able to study hard and achieve academic success, making Second Master proud.

……

Wang Xifeng's voice was crisp and clear; although she was just chatting with Tan Chun, almost everyone present could hear her.

Upon hearing this, Baoyu was filled with shame and indignation. His brother Jia Huan also disliked studying. Baoyu felt that although Jia Huan was unruly, he had some knowledge and sentiments and even had the ambition to despise those who were corrupt officials.

Although the two brothers were not close and did not usually play together, they seemed to share a common lineage. My observations proved to be correct; otherwise, how could I have found someone who shared my beliefs?

He simply couldn't imagine that Jia Huan, who had always been dissolute and irresponsible, would now be doing something as foolish as studying and pursuing education; it was truly an act of utter folly.

The third sister was still talking about it with great relish, and the second sister was even more full of praise. They were all happy about Jia Huan's progress in his studies, but they didn't realize that they were falling into the mire themselves. It was truly too tragic.

Since we are brothers, how can I turn a blind eye to someone falling into depravity? When I see Huan-ge'er that day, I will definitely try to persuade him properly...

……

When Grandmother Jia heard Wang Xifeng's words, she felt a little uneasy, but more than that, she felt helpless. With the Third Sister urging her brothers to study, who could say no?

Besides, San Ya Tou has Cong Ge Er backing her up, so since Grandmother Jia can't control the matter, she doesn't want to think about it too deeply, lest she ruin the enjoyment of watching the opera.

Besides, some things are useless to think about no matter how much you think about them, so why bother yourself? Just enjoy each day as it comes.

But Lady Wang could not tolerate Grandmother Jia's easygoing attitude. She felt that Wang Xifeng's words were too vicious, like telling a blind man that the lamp was dark.

That shameless beast Jia Huan, doesn't he even know what a despicable scoundrel he is? How dare he even think he deserves to study and get a degree? He's truly gone mad.

Third Sister, instigated by that boy from the East Mansion, is becoming increasingly unbecoming of a proper person. Knowing full well that Baoyu will be coming to watch the opera today, she insists that her brothers stay home to study.

She even mocked and showed off in front of others, making people think that my Baoyu was lazy and her brother was hardworking and promising. Her pretentious act was truly disgusting!

He forced a smile and said, "It's good that Huan'er is willing to study. But studying is a very hard thing. Not only do you have to work hard, but you also need to have natural talent."

Talented individuals like Cong-ge are extremely rare; otherwise, wouldn't everyone be able to pass the imperial examinations and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)?

It's good that the third daughter encourages her brothers to study, but Huan'er shouldn't be made to work too hard. Otherwise, she'll ruin her health at such a young age, and that's no joke.

……

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia knew that her second daughter-in-law and granddaughter-in-law were at odds again, and she couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

Zheng's daughter-in-law is now like a fighting rooster; if anyone disagrees with her, she'll peck at them.

However, her abilities are limited, and whenever she tries to save face in front of others, she often ends up losing more than she gains.

Last time, Cong-ge'er dealt with him badly for what happened at Xinchun Ship. How long has it been? Has he already forgotten? And now he's provoking Feng-yatou again...

Li Wan, You Shi, and others, upon hearing Madam Wang's words, knew perfectly well what she was thinking: that since her son couldn't succeed in his studies, she hoped that no one in the world could succeed in their studies either.

Although they disapproved of, or even scorned, Madam Wang's intentions, they remained silent due to their seniority and status within the household.

……

Yingchun and her sisters were all intelligent and perceptive. They could hear the narrow-mindedness and malice in Madam Wang's words, but as they were juniors, they did not dare to refute her.

Tan Chun was the only one directly involved. The sarcasm in Madam Wang's words made her face turn red with anger. Although she remained silent, her resentment towards her stepmother deepened.

Seeing that everyone was speechless after she spoke, Madam Wang felt a sense of relief.

But then Wang Xifeng’s clear voice rang out: “What you say makes perfect sense, Second Madam. Studying is indeed a very arduous task, and not everyone can afford to do it.”

With a delicate body like Baoyu's, one really shouldn't stay up late studying, otherwise it would be disastrous.

The second master has always been strict in disciplining his sons, but he is, after all, a man of stature, and he never thought about such things. No wonder the old lady and the wife are worried.

Like the Cong brothers, who struggled from a young age and entered the academy at the age of ten, rarely returning home throughout the year, yet still full of energy, this is how they were able to study and achieve success.

Although Huan'er can't compare to Cong's brothers, she's a tough little thing who's always jumping around since she was little, and she can definitely handle any kind of rough play.

Third sister doesn't need to worry about anything. Just discipline this boy as much as you want. If he doesn't listen to you while studying, beat him. A beating will make a son proud. Why should I be afraid that he won't be able to study?

Baoyu is delicate, there's nothing we can do about it. It's best to take good care of him. The second branch should let Huanzi try his luck, so as to bring some respectability to the second master.

Wang Xifeng's words were warm and considerate, as if she were catering to Madam Wang's topic, but they always sounded a bit off, yet there was nothing wrong with them.

Everyone present looked strange upon hearing these words.

She couldn't say it was good, nor could she say it was bad, and she had to suppress her laughter. For a moment, no one came to Wang Xifeng's response.

Suddenly, someone coughed softly and rapidly. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw it was Shi Xiangyun.

Seeing everyone looking at her, Shi Xiangyun blushed and quickly explained, "The tea was too hot, and I choked on it. I didn't cough on purpose."

When Daiyu, Baochai, and the others saw Xiangyun make a fool of herself, they secretly found it amusing. They all knew Xiangyun's personality: she was carefree, joked around without a care, and didn't know how to hide anything.

She must have heard Wang Xifeng's witty remark while drinking tea, subconsciously wanted to burst into laughter, but immediately realized it was inappropriate, and choked because she held it in too quickly.

Lady Wang was already somewhat embarrassed and indignant upon hearing Wang Xifeng's teasing remarks, but she couldn't find fault with them.

No one else responded, and she was hoping to get away with it so as not to lose face. But unexpectedly, at this critical moment, Shi Xiangyun coughed violently, which seemed to mock her, or even slap her in the face.

……

Lin Zhixiao's wife was an experienced woman, and now she worked for Wang Xifeng, so naturally she had to support the Second Mistress.

Wang Xifeng's witty remark was so well-received that no one dared to say anything more out of consideration for Madam Wang.

However, Lin Zhixiao's wife had a falling out with Madam Wang, so she didn't have many scruples and was just a concubine's wife anyway.

He smiled and said, "Second Grandmother is absolutely right. With so many grandchildren, the old lady needs someone to strive for the future of the family, and someone to stay home and take care of her."

"Young Master Bao has always been an extremely filial son, so it would be best for him to stay by the old lady's side, to be respectful and dutiful, and to bring her joy."

Hearing this, Madam Wang was furious. What nonsense was this dog servant spouting? Did he think that Baoyu couldn't have a future and could only stay at home to be filial to his grandmother?
Although she was embarrassed and angry, she was helpless. She dared not call out others' veiled insults, lest she inadvertently admit that her son was incompetent.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "That's exactly right. The old lady is blessed with good fortune. Her grandchildren are well taken care of, with some managing external affairs and others managing internal affairs. It's a wonderful thing."

Grandmother Jia was both amused and exasperated. Her daughter-in-law was no match for her granddaughter-in-law. If they continued talking like this, they might start fighting.

Her face was a little numb from smiling, and she said, "It's all good, it's all good, let's not talk about this, let's listen to the opera, let's listen to the opera."

……

North of the capital city, Muni Temple.

Jia Cong and his entourage arrived at the northern outskirts of the city less than half an hour after leaving the mansion. The once dilapidated Muni Temple had now been renovated and restored.

Jia Cong helped Xing Xiuyan out of the carriage, while Miaoyu also helped Master Xiushan, intending to take her own belongings with her.

Zhi Shao slung the package over her shoulder and said with a smile, "Senior sister, your package is quite heavy. I'll carry it for you. You just need to help the master get off the bus."

Miaoyu smiled slightly, then helped Master Xiushan down from the carriage. Zhishao waited for Miaoyu to turn around, tightened Miaoyu's bundle, and then followed her down from the carriage.

Jia Cong instructed his servants to move the luggage and belongings from the carriage into the outer courtyard, and then retreated to the entrance of the Buddhist temple.

Because the Muni Monastery is a Buddhist temple for nuns, and the inner courtyard is the main living area for Buddhist nuns, unfamiliar men are not allowed to enter, which is why Jia Cong acted this way.

She then instructed the four maids and servants accompanying her to move the luggage and belongings into the inner courtyard of the Muni Temple, and to arrange and put them away according to Zhi Shao's instructions.

Among the items that accompanied them, besides the luggage of Miaoyu and her disciples, there were also rice, charcoal, vegetables and other necessities.

One of the two old women accompanying them was the cook from the East Mansion, who was best at making vegetarian dishes. Zhi Shao instructed the two old women to wash the pots and cook.

She took two maids with her and went to tidy up her master's meditation room. As she left, she glanced at Jia Cong.

He said, "Third Master, I'm going to tidy up Master's meditation room. Senior Sister needs to organize her meditation room. Her belongings are quite heavy, so Third Master can help Senior Sister."

Miaoyu blushed involuntarily upon hearing Zhishao's words, but Jia Cong did not notice.

She picked up a carved camphor wood chest from the ground herself. It looked rather heavy, and Jia Cong quickly stepped forward to take it from her.

They discovered that although the camphor wood box was not large, its craftsmanship was exquisite and its weight was quite heavy. It must have been quite difficult for a delicate woman like Miaoyu to carry it.

Seeing that Jia Cong lifted the wooden box effortlessly, Miaoyu said softly, "Thank you."

The two entered Miaoyu's meditation room. In the outer room, there was a statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva on the shrine. The incense table and curtains were all ready, but no incense had been lit.

Jia Cong carried the camphor wood chest into the outer room, and Miaoyu opened the incense and candle cabinet, lighting the lamps, candles, and incense one by one on the altar in front of the Buddha.

The red candles flickered, the sandalwood incense curled upwards, and the compassionate face of Guanyin was instantly imbued with solemnity.

Miaoyu lit three incense sticks, finished chanting and praying before the Buddha statue, and then walked to the camphor wood box, solemnly opening it.

Jia Cong saw that the box contained nothing but a pair of memorial tablets neatly arranged inside. When he saw the words "memorial tablets," he was slightly surprised.

He had visited Muni Monastery many times, including once to Miaoyu's meditation room, where he saw the two memorial tablets.

When Miaoyu moved to the Earl's mansion to stay, she still carried the pair of memorial tablets with her, which were placed in a valuable camphor wood box, indicating that they were extremely important to her.

Miaoyu moved one memorial tablet over and placed it under the shrine, then solemnly arranged another memorial tablet.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Jia Cong asked, "Were these two ancestors Miss Miaoyu's secular elders?"

……

Miaoyu glanced at Jia Cong, thought for a moment, and then said, "This is my father and mother."

Jia Cong had already guessed some of it, and felt a little regretful.

Miaoyu was aloof but not heartless. Even after becoming a nun, she could not forget her parents' kindness and worshipped their spirit tablets day and night.

Jia Cong said, "Since they are elders, we should bow and offer incense."

He then bowed three times before the spirit tablet, lit three incense sticks, and placed them in the incense burner before the spirit tablet.

When Miaoyu saw Jia Cong bowing to the memorial tablet, her bright eyes shimmered with tenderness, the coldness fading away.

A strange emotion arose in her heart, stirring within her. She took out a handkerchief and wiped the memorial tablet.

He slowly said, "My father died sixteen years ago, and my mother passed away when I was eight years old."

Since I can remember, I have been traveling around with my family. I was frail and sickly as a child, and at the age of three, I was sent to Panxiang Temple to be ordained and serve the Buddha.

But my master said that my fate was unusual and that my worldly ties were not yet severed, so it was not appropriate for me to be ordained; I could only practice with my hair intact.

After I entered the temple to practice Buddhism, my mother only came to see me during festivals. I heard that she lived in seclusion in the countryside and never saw outsiders.

She never came again when I was eight years old. Later, someone brought news that she had died, and from then on I was homeless.

When I was a child, I resented my mother for throwing me into the temple and refusing to show me any love, leaving me to fend for myself. I felt indignant and often hid away to cry.

Later, the master said that parents love their children deeply and plan far ahead for them. In this world, the depth of one's connections with others, and the coming together and parting of people, are all predetermined and cannot be forced.

My master taught me to chant scriptures and mantras, guiding me to awaken my spirituality and resolve my inner turmoil, which allowed me to find some relief…

Jia Cong felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing this. Everyone said that Miaoyu was aloof and cold, out of touch with worldly affairs, and that no one could catch her eye, making her difficult to approach.

Such a tragic childhood experience would undoubtedly have a devastating and oppressive effect on one's character, and it is understandable that it could lead to such eccentricities and temperaments.

Miaoyu spoke with some emotion, then realized she had gotten carried away and quickly stopped talking.

He said, "I've been really long-winded today, bringing up these old stories. My junior sister and I have never mentioned them before. Yu Zhang, just listen and don't tell anyone."

……

Jia Cong looked apologetic and said, "It was my fault for saying too much, which brought up Miaoyu's sad memories."

Miaoyu glanced at Jia Cong, her eyes darting around, then lowered her gaze and said, "It's all in the past, and I've already let it go. It's nothing."

Jia Cong said, “Both of us are people who have received little parental love. Miss Miaoyu is much better off than me, as she had her mother to accompany and care for her when she was young.”

I, however, am not so fortunate. My mother died when I was born, and I never met her. The Jia family didn't even leave behind a portrait of her.

After being granted a title, Jia Cong intended to move his birth mother's grave to the Jia family's ancestral land, but when he arrived at the place where she was buried, he could not find her anywhere.

He inquired around the neighborhood and learned that many years ago, someone had moved his mother's grave and had disappeared since.

According to Jia Cong's numerous deductions, the person who moved his mother's remains must have been a relative from his mother's family or a close friend or acquaintance during her lifetime.

Given her humble origins, it's not surprising that her family members, who were disrespected and ostracized by the Rongguo Jia family, would act in such a way.

But now that he has been granted an official position and a noble title, and enjoys glory in front of others and fame throughout the world, his maternal relatives and friends will surely come to inform him of the relocation of their graves, according to common sense and custom.

Two years have passed, and there has been no news, which is against common sense. Jia Cong also knows nothing about his maternal clan, which has become his biggest question...

When Miaoyu saw Jia Cong suddenly fall silent, his gaze becoming heavy and thoughtful, she knew Jia Cong's background and felt a slight pang of pain in her heart.

This time, her gaze did not dodge; her eyes were bright and gentle, filled with compassion and pity.

He said, "Yu Zhang, don't worry about it. You achieved your own merits, which allowed your birth mother to be posthumously granted an imperial title."

Even though the bond between mother and son was thin, and they could not stay together for long, Yuzhang's filial piety was extraordinary. Your mother, in the afterlife, must be comforted and honored because of you.

Jia Cong looked at the memorial tablet on the table and said, "I have a deep connection with Muni Temple. The court posthumously conferred an imperial title upon my mother."

Before my mother's memorial tablet was placed in the Jia family ancestral hall, it was temporarily enshrined in the Muni Temple. At that time, the nun and Miss Miaoyu had not yet arrived..." (End of this chapter)