Each with their own ulterior motives

However, in stark contrast to the area under the west corridor, inside the Rongxi Hall, the heart of the Rongguo Mansion, the lights were on, but the atmosphere was subtly tense.

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Jia Zheng, Jia She, and his wife Xing were all present. Wang Xifeng, though a junior, was entitled to sit to the side because she managed the household's expenses. Several maids, such as Yuanyang and Amber, served her, while behind the screen, the figures of Tanchun, Yingchun, and others could be vaguely seen—they were clearly eavesdropping.

Jia She, beaming with excitement, was describing what he had seen with great enthusiasm: "...Mother, you didn't see it! That carriage, that blue silk curtain, that silver dragon embroidered belt. And what's more, the horses pulling the carriage were incredibly magnificent! Those attendants, their bearing, their manners—these are things no ordinary family could have! Although I can't identify which noble family's insignia they belonged to, I'd stake my life on it. Their pomp and circumstance were no less impressive than ours! I truly never imagined that Yun'er, that child, would quietly befriend such people!"

Jia She's words were somewhat embellished, performed vividly like a storyteller.

After a long silence, Grandmother Jia finally looked up at Wang Xifeng and asked, "Feng-ge'er, Yun-ge'er is now working under you. Do you know which influential people he's associating with?"

Wang Xifeng hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I just asked Yun-ge'er. He said he met a young gentleman by chance at the bookstore. The man admired his calligraphy and asked him to copy a copy of the Tao Te Ching, but he didn't know the gentleman's background or name. Judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem to be lying."

"Jia Yun can write?" Grandmother Jia's face was full of disbelief, her brows furrowing slightly. "I vaguely remember that the children of that branch of the family weren't particularly diligent in their studies. What kind of good handwriting could he possibly have that would catch the eye of such a nobleman?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng smiled and quickly said, "It's a coincidence that Grandmother asked about this. I'm illiterate, so how would I know the difference between good and bad characters? Just the other day, I was chatting with my sister-in-law about which of the clan's children were promising, and her maid, Suyun, who was serving her, suddenly chimed in."

She paused deliberately, and only continued when everyone looked at her: "You know Suyun, right? She's been following her sister-in-law around, and she's actually learned a few characters and is quite knowledgeable. She said that once she went to the west corridor to deliver something to Yun-ge'er. Then she saw the characters on the table and thought they were written by some scholar outside. They were neat and upright, with a lot of strength. Suyun was secretly surprised, saying that she didn't expect Yun-ge'er to have such good handwriting without saying a word. At the time, I just took it as gossip, but now that I think about it, it's probably true."

"Oh? That girl Suyun said that?" Grandmother Jia's expression softened slightly.

Li Wan was a virtuous woman from a scholarly family, and her maids were known for their composure. Her words naturally carried more weight than Feng Jie's boisterous pronouncements.

"Just the Tao Te Ching?" Jia Zheng pondered. "This scripture is copied mostly to pray for blessings and peace of mind for others."

Everyone fell into thought, wondering which noble family admired the Huang-Lao philosophy and needed to find someone to copy the scriptures in such a mysterious and expensive way.

At that moment, a clear and crisp voice came from behind the screen: "I vaguely remember hearing Brother Bao mention that His Majesty's birthday celebration seems to be just around the corner?"

It was Tan Chun who was speaking.

She was meticulous and often overheard news from outside the house from Baoyu. Being a young woman, she was straightforward and blurted out whatever came to mind.

But as soon as he said this, the whole room fell silent!

The current emperor reveres the teachings of Huang-Lao! Christmas! Copying the *Tao Te Ching*! An unnamed yet remarkably dignified young gentleman!

These clues, when pieced together, led to a startling possibility—the Emperor's only younger brother, the Prince Xin, who was deeply trusted and… also had a passion for calligraphy, was it Chen Jian?!

Grandmother Jia's expression changed completely; her previous doubts were replaced by a solemnity that was a mixture of shock and caution.

Her gaze swept over Wang Xifeng and Jia Zheng, and finally she said slowly, "If that's really the case... Feng'er, you must make sure Yun'er is careful in his duties, not a single word can be wrong. Also, this matter is to remain within this room; no one is allowed to divulge a single word outside!"

Wang Xifeng was also shocked and quickly composed herself, replying "Yes." She knew that perhaps the seemingly insignificant Jia Yun had truly torn open an unexpected crack in the Jia family's future.

Madam Xing, however, couldn't contain herself any longer, and her sour jealousy spilled out. She pursed her lips and said sarcastically, "Oh my, this is truly... an incredible stroke of luck! But for a family like ours, we shouldn't take it too seriously. As the saying goes, 'Good fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune,' and whether this connection with a powerful person is a blessing or a curse is still uncertain! In my opinion, we should take it in stride and not be too ostentatious, lest we attract unnecessary trouble..."

Her words seemed reasonable, but in reality, they were full of sour grapes mentality, unable to bear seeing others do well.

Before she could finish speaking, Jia Zheng glared at her sharply. Even Jia She thought her words were inappropriate and yanked her hard under the table. Realizing her mistake, Madam Xing shut her mouth sheepishly, her face alternating between red and white like a painted mask.

Grandmother Jia closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but the soreness and tightness in her chest only intensified. She waved her hand, her voice tinged with undisguised weariness and complexity: "Enough. Since we don't know the truth, there's no need for wild speculation. Yun-ge'er... that child, since he has this opportunity, you... just keep a close eye on him. You may all leave."

The words were spoken casually, but the people in the hall had different thoughts.

Grandmother Jia leaned against the couch, fiddling with her prayer beads. Her face seemed expressionless, but inside she felt like a bottle of vinegar had been spilled, with waves of sourness welling up inside her.

A benefactor? What kind of benefactor? Why does it have to be that inconspicuous Jia Yun? Her Baoyu, born with a jade in his mouth, how noble he is! His appearance and temperament are also exceptional. Such an opportunity should belong to Baoyu!

Who was Jia Yun anyway? Just a poor, marginalized member of the clan, worlds apart from her. What did his success have to do with her? What did it have to do with her Baoyu?

The old lady, still bearing the memory of Jia She's earlier smugness, grew even more dislike for him. What a clueless wretch...

Jia Zheng stood silently to the side, stroking his beard. Though his face remained as dignified as ever, a hint of undisguised satisfaction shone in his eyes. He had always valued children who were studious and ambitious. In his view, Jia Yun's current situation was proof that "there are golden houses in books," and that the Jia family was fortunate to have produced a son who could be favored by a nobleman.

Compared to his own Baoyu, who was effeminate and abhorred corrupt officials, Jia Yun made him feel more proud.

Lady Wang lowered her eyelids, silently uttered a Buddhist prayer, her heart filled with turbulent emotions. There was both surprise and disbelief at Jia Yun's current predicament, and a barely perceptible hint of regret; if only she had shown them a little more care back then…

Each with their own thoughts, the group silently withdrew. Inside Rongxi Hall, only Grandmother Jia remained, facing the flickering candlelight.

That once kind and prosperous face was now filled with an unspeakable sense of loss and a hint of barely perceptible jealousy. Why not her Baoyu? This question, like a fine thorn, pierced her heart.

Afterwards, the warm pavilion in Grandmother Jia's backyard presented a completely different scene of warmth and fragrance compared to the shabby west corridor.

The silver charcoal in the incense burner filled the room with a spring-like warmth, and the sweet fragrance of incense gently wafted through the air. The three sisters of the Spring Festival, along with Baochai and Daiyu, were all sitting around on the large kang (heated brick bed) by the window, some sewing, some reading, and some admiring paintings. Baoyu leaned back on a cushion, holding "The Story of Yingying" in his hand, but his eyes kept lingering on the sisters.

Suddenly, Xichun put down her jade pen and said coldly, "Today I heard that Jia Yun has somehow gotten a stroke of good fortune, which has caused a stir in the whole mansion. I think that such a baseless opportunity may not be a lasting blessing."

She was not yet tall enough, and wore a lotus-green jacket with gold embroidery. Her youthful features exuded a cool and aloof air.

Yingchun, who was embroidering a sachet with her head down, timidly twisted her apricot-yellow ribbon upon hearing this and said softly, "He is, after all, one of our clansmen. If he can get better, it will be a good thing..."

She was born with slightly plump skin, gentle and quiet, and even her voice seemed to be afraid of startling others.

Tan Chun put down her work and said loudly, "Fourth Sister, although you speak frankly, your reasoning is sound. That nobleman didn't even leave his name card, but only asked him to copy scriptures. Is it because he admires his calligraphy, or is there another reason? Saying it was His Highness is just unfounded speculation and doesn't count."

Today she wore a begonia-red pinafore vest, which made her slender shoulders and waist look exceptionally vibrant.

"Many eyes are watching a family of our stature. If he, a member of a collateral branch, acts carelessly, he will tarnish the reputation of the entire Duke's mansion."

Tan Chun's words revealed the competence of the Third Young Lady, yet also the reserve of a legitimate daughter. Though she spoke thus on the surface, Tan Chun secretly sighed in her heart: This Yun-ge under the West Corridor is likely to soar to great heights.