Red Chamber 18

Not long after Yinglian entered the Lin family, Jia Min and Lin Ruhai adopted her as their foster daughter.

When she married, Lin Ruhai and Jia Min prepared a generous dowry for her.

It included houses, fields, and shops.

Relying on this dowry, Yinglian was able to live a comfortable life.

Her husband's surname was Ma, and his name was Ma Haorang; both his parents had passed away when he was in his teens.

Not long after that, he separated from his elder brother's household, leaving him with no elders at home.

After the two were married, Ma Haorang took the initiative to suggest bringing Feng Shi into their home to care for her.

The three of them lived together quite well; although Feng Shi was getting on in years, her health was still decent, and she was able to help Yinglian share many household burdens.

Ma Haorang participated in the metropolitan examination alongside Jia Zhu, and both of them passed as jinshi of the second rank.

Jia Zhu entered the Hanlin Academy, while Ma Haorang was sent out to serve as a local magistrate, taking his wife and mother-in-law with him to his post.

In this lifetime, Yinglian had no connection with Xue Pan.

And that certain "Feng Yuan" was not beaten to death, continuing to live his absurd life of chasing after men in Jinling.

Some time ago, Lin Daiyu received a letter from Xiangling, which stated that Xiangling was already pregnant.

Liu Jiaying rested her chubby face in her hands, sitting under the eaves in a daze.

She did not know who had changed everything, but things were truly wonderful now.

As a transmigrator, she had become completely useless.

Then she might as well just enjoy this new life gifted by the heavens.

"Sister Jiauqiu!"

Liu Jiaying caught sight of the pretty figure with sharp eyes and immediately shouted happily.

She liked Jiqiu very much, just as much as she liked Jia Yuanchun and Mother Liu, and she liked the gossip Jiqiu told them every day even more.

Liu Jiaying ran over, grabbed the hem of Jiqiu's skirt, and looked up to ask, "Sister Jiqiu, is there any fresh news to tell today?"

Jiqiu smiled brightly: "There is big news. I was just about to go to the eldest mistress's courtyard; would you like to come along, little miss?"

"I would." Liu Jiaying nodded; she wanted to hear the gossip firsthand.

Jiqiu took Liu Jiaying's small hand and led her into Jia Yuanchun's courtyard.

When Jia Yuanchun and Baoqin saw Jiqiu enter, their eyes lit up as well.

Baoqin personally poured a cup of tea for Jiqiu.

Baoqin was already married and dressed as a matron.

She had married Liu Zhong's former study attendant, who was now the second steward of the Liu Mansion.

After getting married, Baoqin continued to serve by Jia Yuanchun's side.

Jiqiu was also married; her husband was Liu Zhong's former page, now his personal attendant.

Jiqiu took the teacup and laughed, "Many thanks for the tea, sister. The tea you brew is much more delicious than what those little maids brew."

Baoqin scolded her with a smile, "You glib-tongued girl. It's a good thing you aren't a man, otherwise, with that mouth of yours, who knows how many young ladies' hearts you would have led astray."

Jiqiu chuckled, "I don't want to trick other people's hearts, I only want to trick yours, sister."

"Smooth talker." Baoqin extended a slender finger and poked Jiqiu on the forehead.

Liu Jiaying said anxiously, "You two sisters, stop flirting; hurry and let Sister Jiqiu tell us the fresh news."

Baoqin: "..."

Jiqiu: "..."

Jia Yuanchun held her forehead: "Ying'er, read two more pages of books every day from now on."

Liu Jiaying stuck out her tongue and obediently replied, "Yes."

Once finished, she looked at Jiqiu with burning eyes, waiting for her to share the gossip.

Jiqiu hurriedly recounted the information she had gathered, lest the little ancestor misuse any more idioms.

Jiqiu: "The Emperor has bestowed grand titles upon the inner palace, promoting several noble consorts and ladies all at once, and the imperial edicts have been sent to the natal families of those ladies. Among them, the second daughter of the Duke of Qi's mansion has been named Minister of the Fengzao Palace and a Virtuous Consort."

Jia Yuanchun felt no envy toward those women being named consorts.

What did it matter if one became a noble consort? It was merely being one of the Emperor's many women.

How could that compare to the happiness she lived now?

Her husband kept his promise and had only her as his woman.

How many noble ladies and young misses in the capital envied her!

Jia Yuanchun was only interested in the position held by the second daughter of the Duke of Qi's mansion.

Minister of the Fengzao Palace?

That was a position for a female official, wasn't it?

No matter how high the rank, a servant is still a servant, not a master.

The official rank of this servant is listed alongside the master's imperial consort rank, and even placed before it; what exactly is the Emperor thinking?

Does he truly favor this Virtuous Consort, or does he not?

Jia Yuanchun could not fathom it.

Liu Jiaying, on the other hand, clicked her tongue in wonder.

Even though her own mother did not enter the palace, a consort holding the title of Minister of the Fengzao Palace has appeared, and one who hails from the Four Kings and Eight Dukes at that.

Is this a revision of the plot, or is it the Emperor's scheme against the Four Kings and Eight Dukes?

Liu Jiaying admitted that she could not figure it out.

In her past life, she was just an ordinary white-collar worker, and her political acumen has not increased much in this lifetime.

Since the women could not understand the Emperor's intentions, they stopped dwelling on them.

Baoqin reminded Jia Yuanchun that it was time to prepare the congratulatory gifts to be sent to the Chen Family.

Jia Yuanchun pondered for a moment, selecting a few items from the public treasury, and then took a white jade carving of the Child-Giving Guanyin from her private collection to include in the gifts.

She already had a son and a daughter, so she had no need to worship the Child-Giving Guanyin; rather than letting it gather dust in the treasury, it was better to give it away as a favor.

While they were speaking, Liu Xiaopang returned.

The little fellow was chubby and round, looking just like a sticky rice dumpling.

He had already begun his formal schooling this year.

The people at the Li Duke Mansion suggested the little one attend the Liu Family clan school, but Liu Zhong refused.

Liu Zhong did not trust the Liu Family clan school.

Although the Liu clan school was not as chaotic as the Jia clan school in the original story, it was not much better.

Over the decades, it had not managed to produce a single scholar.

By the way, the current Jia clan school is not as chaotic as it was in the original story.

Because Jia Hu placed first in the imperial examinations, Jia Zhu earned his jinshi degree, and even Jia Lian managed to pass the provincial examinations.

The Jia Family placed great importance on the education of their descendants and paid more attention to the Jia clan school, which prevented it from falling into such disarray.

Seeing that Jia Dairu was getting old and could no longer manage the students, Jia Zhen hired an additional teacher.

This teacher was a provincial graduate whose teaching ability was far superior to that of Jia Dairu, and he actually managed to produce two or three students who passed the examinations to become scholars.

The Jia Family recognized the teacher's ability, increased his compensation, and kept him at the Jia clan school for a long time.

However, that man only stayed for three years.

Three years later, he passed the jinshi examinations and left to take up an official post.

Before leaving, he recommended another failed provincial candidate to the Jia clan school.

The teaching quality of the Jia clan school was far higher than that of the Liu clan school.

Liu Zhong would rather send his son to the Jia clan school than to the Liu clan school.

Seeing her son, a smile appeared on Jia Yuanchun's face as she repeatedly asked about his studies for the day and whether he was tired.

Baoqin brought pastries for Liu Xiaopang, and Jiuchiu poured him a cup of warm water.

The women circled around Liu Xiaopang.

Liu Jiaying watched from the side without a hint of jealousy.

She was well aware that in this ancient society, the status of men was higher than that of women.

It was perfectly normal for her parents to value her brother more than her.

And even though Jia Yuanchun prioritized Liu Xiaopang, she had never neglected her as a daughter.