The Cloud Feather of the Red Chamber: A Marriage Arranged with Gong Yuanzheng at the Start

On the way back to Rongxi Hall, Jia Baoyu walked briskly ahead, showing no intention of waiting for Jia Tanchun.

Jia Tanchun had also regained her usual composure, walking unhurriedly under the corridor.

The maidservant watched Jia Baoyu's retreating figure with a worried expression and said to Jia Tanchun, "Miss, why are you doing this?"

"Now that we've offended Master Bao, my days in this mansion will probably be even more difficult in the future."

Jia Tanchun remained calm. "I'm about to go to sea with the master, and I won't be staying in this mansion for long. So, if I've offended you, so be it."

Shishu grew anxious, "Miss! I don't understand either, why do you want to go to sea with the master?"

"We have no idea what the situation is at sea. What if something happens?"

"Wouldn't it be better to stay in the manor and live peacefully?"

"After being at sea for several years, I'm afraid that it will be difficult for you to find a wife when you return home!"

"The second young lady has the eldest master handling her marriage, but our household... I'm afraid..."

The maid was so anxious she was about to stomp her feet.

Jia Tanchun stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the courtyard beside her.

In this season of blooming flowers, the plants and trees, which should be in full bloom, exude a sense of decay.

What constitutes a good marriage?

Shi Shu was stunned for a moment, then said, "Naturally, she'll marry into a family like ours..."

Jia Tanchun interrupted her, "The Jia family? Do you think Sister Feng married well?"

Shi Shu parted her lips slightly, unable to speak.

Even maids are divided into different ranks, according to the personal maids of these young ladies.

Wang Xifeng's marriage was a complete mess, and someone like Lian Erye was utterly unworthy of her.

To outsiders, the son of the Duke's mansion and the cousin of the Dowager Consort are both members of the imperial family. How could such a marriage be considered bad?

Not to mention outside the mansion, even inside the mansion now, how many young maids and wives are waiting to climb into Master Lian's bed?

Only the second grandmother's ruthless methods frightened these people.

Otherwise, Master Lian's courtyard would probably be just like the old master's courtyard, full of concubines and mistresses.

"You and I live in such families. On the surface, they seem glamorous and prosperous, but only we know how many sordid things happen inside."

Shi Shu hesitated, "Not all wealthy and powerful families are like the Jia family."

"Yes, but why would a family like that want to marry me?" Jia Tanchun's expression was very calm, as if she wasn't talking about her own marriage.

"You are the granddaughter of the Duke of Rongguo and the sister of the Dowager Consort, such a noble status."

Jia Tanchun sneered, "My grandfather has been gone for over twenty years. I'm just the illegitimate daughter of a minor official. What noble status do I have?"

"Your Highness." A hint of sarcasm flashed in Jia Tanchun's eyes.

Without saying anything, he led Shishu directly to his room.

With the Emperor Emeritus dead, one can only imagine the fate of the unfavored concubines.

This is another reason why she wanted to leave the Jia family. Would she stay and become the second Jia Yuanchun?

Given her current status, she is not qualified to be a concubine in the palace. It is highly likely that the Jia family will send her to the home of a high-ranking official as a concubine.

Jia Tanchun clenched the handkerchief in her hand; she had had enough of being a concubine's daughter!

What kind of life does a son born out of wedlock have? Just look at Jia Huan and you'll know.

She would never let her children experience such a life of subservience and compromise!

If there's no good marriage prospect, then I won't get married!

Once she leaves the Jia family, who can control her?

Jia Tanchun and Shishu had just sat down in the room.

A commotion was heard outside, and a woman hurried into Jia Tanchun's boudoir.

None of the many maids and servants could stop her.

"My son! Is what Baoyu said true? Is the master really going to hire a famous tutor for Huan-ge'er?"

Jia Tanchun's expression suddenly turned cold. She knew that Aunt Zhao only cared about Huan-ge'er, but when all of this was presented before her eyes, she still couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.

Seeing Jia Tanchun's expression, Shishu felt sorry for her young mistress and said to Aunt Zhao:

"Auntie, is the young lady about to go to sea? Do you have any instructions for her?"

Aunt Zhao happily took Jia Tanchun's hand, saying, "I knew my son was going to sea."

“I’ve long heard that imported goods from overseas are precious. My son, when you get there, don’t forget to bring back a lot for your younger brother in the future.”

Jia Tanchun withdrew her hand and said coldly to Aunt Zhao, "I'm just following the master to broaden my horizons. If you want those imported goods, then pay for them yourself."

Aunt Zhao's smile remained unchanged. "Isn't it just the right time to put all that money you've saved up over the years to good use?"

“When I’m out and about, I have to spend money. I can’t rely on you for everything. That doesn’t make sense.”

Aunt Zhao flicked her handkerchief dismissively, "Since he's taking you out, he's bound to cover all your expenses."

“My dear girl, I’ll write you a list in a bit, and please remember to buy everything for me.”

Jia Tanchun coldly dismissed her, saying, "Please leave, Aunt. I cannot do this."

Aunt Zhao's face changed instantly. Pointing at Jia Tanchun, she scolded, "You came from my womb, don't forget your roots!"

"Huan-ge'er is your own brother! It's one thing if you don't make shoes for him, but now that he's climbed into the palace, you don't even protect him. What kind of sister are you?"

As she spoke, she even seemed about to make a move, but Shishu quickly stepped in front of Jia Tanchun and took several blows herself.

The maids and servants nearby exchanged bewildered glances, none of them stepping forward to stop it. Shi Shu couldn't help but curse, "Are you all courting death? How dare you let your concubine hit the young lady?"

Jia Tanchun understood that this was a lesson she had learned from her grandmother and Li Wan.

Whether it was going overseas or hiring a famous teacher for Jia Huan, it touched a nerve with them.

Aunt Zhao didn't really intend to hit Jia Tanchun; she was just venting her anger, so she quickly stopped.

"Now that you've returned from your voyage, I'm afraid it will be difficult to find a husband. I've heard there are a few young men in the palace; perhaps you should..."

Jia Tanchun's eyes widened. "Auntie, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Aunt Zhao disagreed, saying, "I didn't say anything wrong. You can't marry into an official family, but you'd be more than qualified to marry a roughneck from the martial arts world. The palace is rich and can help your brother."

"I've heard that Miss Lin has yet to give birth, so why don't you..."

Jia Tanchun couldn't listen anymore and forcefully pushed Aunt Zhao outside, yelling, "Get out! Get out!"

Even after the door was closed, Aunt Zhao's voice could still be heard.

The implication was clear: she was to become Gong Yuanzheng's concubine. Jia Tanchun's tears immediately fell.

"Miss." Shi Shu tenderly wiped away the tears from her mistress's cheeks.

Jia Tanchun leaned against the door frame and slid weakly to the ground, looking up at the eaves above her head, her voice trembling slightly.

"If I were a man and could go out, I would have left long ago..."