Chapter 106: Filial Piety That Can Kill the Heart

Liu Jing'an's expression turned grave: "Three years ago, at the Nanxi Literary Gathering, I first met this child—and reacted just as you did. Back then, Master Zhang Zhang Tianshi recognized his destiny as extraordinary and advised me to take him as a disciple."

"But at the time, he was merely a neglected illegitimate son of the Jia family, no older than a child with tied hair. Given my status, to hastily take him as a disciple would have aroused suspicion and invited trouble from within."

Old Song nodded slowly: "So Master merely recommended him to study at Qingshan Academy, to conceal his true potential. Today, had you not seen him falsely accused and wished to aid him, you would never have taken him as your disciple."

Liu Jing'an's expression softened with pity, as if recalling many past events: "You were by my side back then. When we arrived at Wufeng Slope, that woman had already taken poison."

"She was six months pregnant. The child died in her womb—a tragedy of human ethics!"

"Though a woman, she possessed courage and benevolence unmatched by any man. Had she lived and given birth, countless calamities would have followed—perhaps even plunging the realm into chaos!"

Old Song said: "Yet why does Young Master Jia Cong resemble her so closely—as if carved from the same mold? To claim they are unrelated is simply unbelievable."

Liu Jing'an looked puzzled: "Everyone in the Imperial Capital knows Jia Cong's mother was a courtesan. The current scandal over the top scholar's dismissal stems from this very matter."

"For years I've been unable to fathom it: how could she have become a courtesan? How could a dead woman return to life? How could a stillborn child be reborn?"

"You and I both witnessed her burial. This matter is utterly inexplicable."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao smiled faintly: "Human sentiment and moral principle—the heart of the world! Guo Guo Aiqing, you speak well. Remember these words well."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked: "I also heard that yesterday, Master Jing'an went to the Jia residence and personally took Jia Cong as his inner disciple?"

"Fortunately, those who saw her back then are now dead or vanished. Otherwise, this child would have been exposed long ago."

"Master Jing'an clearly recognized his talent and could not bear to see him lose his scholarly future due to baseless slander. He risked his own literary reputation to shield him. Master Jing'an's compassion for talent deserves the reverence of all scholars."

Liu Jing'an turned to Old Song: "This matter must not leak a single word—otherwise, it will bring catastrophic disaster. But could this child truly be nothing more than a mere resemblance?"

Guo Guo Youchang heard the Emperor's words and paused, sensing something amiss—but could not grasp the thread.

"This act will surely provoke outrage among all scholars!"

"Once this precedent is set, jealous and envious men will freely spread baseless rumors to destroy talented men. The scholarly world will decay beyond repair. I beg Your Majesty to consider carefully."

Guo Guo Youchang knelt before Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao: "Your servant, Guo Guo Youchang, Left Vice Minister of Rites, humbly present myself before Your Majesty as ordered."

"Your Majesty, in the past two days, I have reviewed the Ministry of Revenue's archives and traced down those from that era."

Within the imperial palace of the Great Zhou, Qianyang Palace.

"Jia Cong's mother, Du Du Jinniang, entered the Jia household already pregnant. After giving birth to Jia Cong, she died from postpartum hemorrhage."

"This is far too harsh and unreasonable. Where is human sentiment? Where is the moral heart of the world?"

"If the court truly accepts Minister Chen Min's petition and strips Jia Cong of his top scholar title, does that mean even disciples of the Literary Sage himself lack eligibility for the imperial examinations?"

…

"Master Jing'an's intentions are deeply thoughtful. I've heard that while studying at Qingshan Academy, Jia Cong often visited Master Jing'an's residence on Mount Luocang Mountain to seek guidance."

"Guo Guo Aiqing, the other day I ordered you to investigate Jia Cong's origins. Have you found anything?"

"Due to his mother's status, Jia Cong has long been neglected within the Jia household."

Guo Guo Youchang grew more impassioned as he spoke, until his tone became fervent and stirring.

"Yet he was born and raised in the Jia household—he is unquestionably a legitimate grandson of Lady Rongguo."

"When Du Du Jinniang entered the household, her wedding rites were indeed incomplete. But to use that as grounds to declare Jia Cong a bastard born of a courtesan, not of Lady Rongguo's blood, and to strip him of his examination eligibility—that is unjust."

Guo Guo Youchang replied: "It is true. It is said that Zhao Zhao Chongli, head of Qingshan Academy, witnessed the event. Jia Cong performed the three-kowtow ritual of Baishi, and the news has spread throughout the Imperial Capital."

Guo Guo Youchang stood there for a long while, silent. When he finally looked up, he saw Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao carefully reading a gray-white memorandum.

Suddenly, he paused his reading and spoke slowly:

"Liu Liu Yanxiu has secluded himself on Mount Luocang Mountain for over a decade, ignoring worldly affairs—yet he steps forward for this boy. Clearly, he holds him in high regard. A disciple of the Literary Sage? Hmph—what a clever move, without lifting a sword!"

"Liu Jing'an was the former Grand Minister of Rites. Whether it's Minister Li Jizong or Left Vice Guo Guo Aiqing Guo Youchang, all were once his subordinates and disciples."

"Though retired, he remains deeply revered."

"At this critical moment, Liu Jing'an taking Jia Cong as his inner disciple is a clear signal to the Ministry of Rites—defending his stance, providing justification, and standing firmly behind Jia Cong!"

"Neither Li Jizong nor Guo Guo Youchang will treat Liu Jing'an's stance lightly."

"Moreover, if Jia Cong is stripped of his top scholar title merely for being falsely labeled a courtesan's son, Li Jizong may escape blame—but Guo Guo Youchang, as Provincial Examiner of Yongzhou and chief examiner of the provincial exam, will bear full responsibility."

"Thus, for both public duty and personal interest, Guo Guo Youchang will spare no effort to protect Jia Cong. He is the one best suited to step forward in this matter."

"Liu Jing'an and Li Jizong—two old foxes—cannot have missed these calculations. They were close colleagues in those days."

"Since Jia Cong was accused, why did Liu Jing'an, in seclusion on Mount Luocang Mountain, learn of it so quickly? Why did Grand Minister of Rites Li Jizong suddenly fall ill at home? Could this be mere coincidence?"

"If there's no scheme behind it, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao certainly would not believe it."

"These two old men are clearly building momentum for Guo Guo Youchang, allowing him to act unburdened."

"How laughable—Chen Chen Minyan and his kind, who speak eloquently, are merely brandishing swords before Qi Guan Yu."

"These old devils—all of them are no easy prey!"

"Especially Liu Jing'an, known as the Literary Sage—his learning and cunning have even compelled Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to respect him."

"Guo Guo Youchang saw the Emperor's deep, unreadable gaze and felt a chill. He quickly lowered his head again."

After a moment of silence, Guo Guo Youchang heard the Emperor's voice again:

"I've heard Jia Cong is deeply filial to his mother. Though her origins are humble, he says: 'A son does not despise his mother's ugliness.' In his eyes, his mother, who bore him through ten months of pregnancy, is the noblest woman in the world!"

"Things resonate with their kind; sons share the same heart. Jia Cong's words move me deeply. Guo Guo Aiqing, what do you think?"

Guo Guo Youchang paused slightly, then said: "Jia Cong's actions are pure filial piety; his words embody the highest truth of filial duty."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao added: "When my own mother was alive, she too came from humble origins—merely a fifth-rank Jieyu. Due to ancestral rites and laws, I could not often attend her bedside. I deeply regret it."

"I've heard Jia Cong, time and again, defended his mother against slander—even confronting others with words and drawing his blade! Though rash, I deeply understand his heart."

"Guo Guo Aiqing, you just said Jia Cong's actions are pure filial piety, his words the highest truth of filial duty—this aligns perfectly with my own heart. I built the Great Cien Temple for my mother—my heart and feeling are the same!"

Guo Guo Youchang's mouth opened in shock. The Emperor had spoken at length, circling so widely—only to trap him here.

A sudden shame rose—he felt tricked by the Emperor. But upon reflection, he could find no flaw in the Emperor's words.

He himself had just spoken passionately of human sentiment and moral principle.

Was it human sentiment and moral principle for Jia Cong—but not for the Emperor?

Jia Cong defending his mother is pure filial piety; standing up for her is the highest truth of filial duty.

Does that mean the Emperor's grief for his mother, his wish to build a temple and erect a stele in her memory, becomes great treason?

Thinking of this, the Grand Secretary of Rites felt a cold sweat trickle down his back. The Emperor was Zhuxin —striking at his very soul.

In past court sessions, he had defended ancestral rites and laws as his duty, opposing the Emperor's wish to build a temple for his mother, speaking with solemn righteousness.

But today's exchange before the throne had undone all his past arguments.

The Emperor had long dug the pit—waiting for him to jump in.

Now he was striking his own mouth, defeated by his own words, unable to utter a single reply.

Everything felt wrong—but he could not find a single counterargument. His mind twisted like a cat's claw.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at the flustered Guo Guo Youchang.

Then continued: "Jia Cong is the top scholar you personally selected for the Yongzhou provincial exam. If he is stripped of his title due to slander, you—the Provincial Examiner of Yongzhou and chief examiner—will bear full blame!"

Guo Guo Youchang shuddered. He was nearing fifty. If he lost his post over this dispute over the top scholar title, his entire life's reputation would be ruined in his old age.

The Emperor was warning him—reminding him that life, honor, and disgrace hung by a single thought. Guo Guo Youchang felt a chill run through his body. They said the Emperor's mind was as deep as an abyss—truly, not an exaggeration.

"I know you are upright and sincere. I do not wish your lifelong purity to be stained. I cherish our master-minister bond, and I pity Jia Cong's talent and his filial devotion to his mother. Thus, I grant you this favor."

"But this matter has stirred uproar. It cannot end in silence. There must be a proper explanation, to satisfy court and scholars alike. You must understand this."

"When you served as Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, you often drafted edicts for the Retired Emperor. Now draft one for me. Tomorrow, you shall proclaim it in the Grand Hall."

Guo Guo Youchang's face turned pale. He replied: "Your servant… obeys the decree."

(End of Chapter)