Chapter 233: Internal and External Crises Revealed

The imperial palace of Shenyang, Qianyang Palace.

In the empty hall, bronze tripods and copper cranes exhaled wisps of incense, fragrant as orchid and musk, sharpening the mind and calming the spirit.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was reviewing the case files submitted by the Court of Judicial Review regarding Zhang Shou'an, while Guo Lin, the deputy director of the Inner Court, stood silently beside him as if turned to stone.

Yet his mind never ceased to observe the sovereign seated behind the imperial desk.

When he read that Zhang Shou'an had harmed the people under bribery and orders from Jia Rong of Ningguo Prefecture, seeking to seize the perfume formula of Xiuniang Perfume Shop.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao erupted in fury, barking: "The Jia family of Ningguo is reduced to idle court parasites who still fail to cherish their ancestors' blessings, corrupting state officials, undermining governance and virtue—truly a disgrace to the noble houses!"

As he continued reading the files, he frowned again: "Why is Jia Cong also involved? Are both Ning and Rong Jia families tied to this?"

Guo Lin replied: "Your Majesty, according to the Zhongche Office's investigation, when Zhang Shou'an arrested the shopkeeper and staff of Xiuniang Perfume Shop, Jia Cong received word and rushed to Zhengan Prefecture to demand their release, visibly frantic."

"He must have an unusual connection to Xiuniang Perfume Shop—after the two arrested men were tortured, he personally retrieved and treated them. The Zhongche Office's chief investigator has already submitted a secret memorandum on this matter."

He withdrew the newly delivered secret memorandum from his sleeve and placed it upon the emperor's desk.

"On the day Zhengan Prefecture made the arrests, the perfume shop was bustling with customers—officials, merchants, and noblewomen—all eyewitnesses to the incident, which is why rumors spread wildly through the streets."

Guo Lin paused, then added: "Your Majesty, Xiuniang Perfume Shop thrives exceptionally well; its Japanese water-jade perfume is famed in Shenyang, favored by wealthy merchants and noblewomen of the capital."

"Neighbors report the woman is young and strikingly beautiful; Jia Cong frequently visits her courtyard at dawn and stays for hours before leaving—a pattern sustained for years, with an air of impropriety."

Compared to the official case files of the Court of Judicial Review, the secret memorandum from the Zhongche Office was far more detailed.

At this point, even Guo Lin's face flickered with envy and greed—a small perfume shop earning fifty thousand taels annually? Wealth stirs the heart; few can resist such temptation.

Guo Lin looked perplexed, pondered a moment, then said: "Your servant is dull-witted."

"What exactly is the relationship between Jia Cong and Xiuniang Perfume Shop? Has it been investigated?"

"From my estimation, Jia Cong is handsome and of noble birth; the Qu woman favors him and relies on him as her patron."

Guo Lin hurriedly replied: "Your Majesty, according to Zhongche Office records, Qu Qu Hongxiu is from Dezhou; her father was a disabled escort guard."

"When Xiuniang Perfume Shop ran into trouble, it was Jia Cong who rescued her—this explains their connection. Moreover, this Qu woman is shrewd; she has expanded the business over several years."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao snorted: "Corrupt officials harming the people are common—but why has this case stirred such public uproar? Doesn't your Zhongche Office find it suspicious?"

"Three years ago, her father died; Qu Qu Hongxiu sold all her property and came to Shenyang to make a living, then opened Xiuniang Perfume Shop. How she met Jia Cong remains unknown."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao lifted his gaze to Guo Lin and asked coldly: "This memorandum comes from your Zhongche Office—haven't you noticed anything odd?"

"The process by which Zhang Shou'an abused his power to harm the people, Jia Cong's actions in Zhengan Prefecture demanding the release of the captives, the ensuing public outcry, and then, days after Jia Cong rescued them, the Fu family suddenly filed a formal complaint with the Court of Judicial Review."

Guo Lin replied: "Your Majesty, according to Zhongche Office investigation, the owner of Xiuniang Perfume Shop is a woman named Qu Qu Hongxiu, residing on Xinchun Street in the West City. She is closely tied to Jia Cong."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "Last time he brought a Buddhist nun home, there was at least some pretext. Now he's got a female innkeeper? This boy is ultimately a lecher—what is this woman Qu's background?"

Every detail was clearly laid out—even the gradual escalation of public sentiment was described meticulously.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression remained impassive; he was a man of deep suspicion and caution. Guo Lin's reply did not fully satisfy him, yet even he could not discern the hidden thread.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao read the memorandum twice more, his face darkening. Guo Lin, watching closely, grew uneasy—the emperor's mind was inscrutable. Had the memorandum contained an error?

"I consulted experts: a small shop with two or three counters can earn fifty thousand taels a year. Such profits are staggering—that's why Ningguo Prefecture covets it."

After all, for a woman to survive and establish herself in Shenyang is no easy feat—it is only natural in worldly logic.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao pondered a moment, then said gravely: "A widow with no family backing, a woman who lost her father, somehow built such a thriving business? Hmph—too extraordinary."

"Jia Cong has always been unconventional, full of strange ideas. His close ties to Qu Qu Hongxiu suggest she is merely a front—this thriving perfume shop is surely his doing."

"The shop is undoubtedly Jia Cong's private asset, merely registered under her name!"

"He passed the provincial examination as top scholar, yet hides behind women to manage commerce—his ambition is deep. And since the scandal broke, his behavior has been unusual, hinting at dangerous intentions!"

Guo Lin's heart chilled. He had served the emperor for years—he knew these words carried lethal weight.

He was a palace veteran, entrusted by the Son of Heaven to lead the Zhongche Office, his mind sharp and guarded.

But confined within the palace walls, his perspective was limited; court intrigues differed vastly from street-level schemes—he saw less deeply than Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Yet he knew one thing: Jia Cong was in trouble.

…

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, Wang Wang Xifeng, Jia Zhen—all principal figures from both the Rong and Ning branches—were present.

They had gathered in full because an hour earlier, the Ning branch had suffered a major crisis.

A Court of Judicial Review official, accompanied by constables, had entered Ningguo Prefecture to arrest Jia Rong—but due to Zhang Shou'an's capture, Jia Rong had already fled.

Yet one may escape the monk, not the temple; hiding won't solve this. If the Court of Judicial Review fails to apprehend him within three days, they will issue a nationwide manhunt—and the penalty will be doubled.

Jia Zhen had come to Jia Mu to consult—his plan was simple: reveal that Xiuniang Perfume Shop belonged to Jia Cong, to free Jia Rong from blame.

Otherwise, if Jia Rong fell into the hands of the Court of Judicial Review, he would inevitably implicate his father. Jia Zhen knew better than anyone what his son was truly like.

At this moment, Jia Mu was raging: "You've raised a good son! How dare he commit such a heartless act? Does Ningguo Prefecture lack even a morsel of food?!"

"Why must he steal another's secret formula? Look at the mess you've made now! The Jia family's honor has been utterly disgraced by that wretch!"

Lady Wang sat silently, turning her prayer beads, her face serene and compassionate.

Jia Zheng, rigid and upright, despised such underhanded theft; his face was flushed with anger. "Jia Rong neglects his studies and now commits such a disgrace—this shames our ancestors!"

Wang Wang Xifeng, sharper than the others, recalled rumors from earlier: Jia Zhen's expenses were stretched thin—he'd even borrowed silver for Jia Rong's wedding, claiming he planned to invest in property to ease financial hardship.

So this was how he "invested"…

Jia Zhen, embarrassed, said: "Grandmother, I am to blame for failing to discipline my son—he did this outside the household. But I have only this one son, destined to carry on Ningguo's lineage."

"I cannot stand by and let him die. That's why I've come today to beg Grandmother to intervene."

Jia Mu scolded: "I've told you all to behave and keep to your duties—but you never listen. Now that disaster strikes, you come to me? That wretch has broken the law—what can an old woman do?"

Jia Zhen hurriedly replied: "Grandmother, if this were a state crime, he would surely face punishment. But if it's a family matter, then it's purely domestic—handled by family law, not state law—and we can save him."

At these words, Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and the others exchanged glances. How could such a disgrace become a "family matter"?

Jia Mu frowned: "Jia Zhen, are you addled? How is this a family matter?"

Jia Zhen explained: "Grandmother, when the Xiuniang Perfume Shop staff were arrested by Zhengan Prefecture, Brother Cong heard the news and rushed there to rescue them."

Jia Mu's heart lurched. "What? Now this boy is involved again?"

Jia Zhen continued: "I was puzzled by his intense concern for the shop, so I inquired afterward. I learned that Brother Cong has an extraordinary relationship with the shop's owner, Qu Qu Hongxiu."

"They say she is young and beautiful—likely Brother Cong's concubine. Otherwise, why would he care so deeply about the perfume shop?"

"Thus, the shop is in truth Brother Cong's private asset, merely registered under her name. If so, isn't Jia Rong's case purely a family matter?"

These words stunned everyone in the hall. Jia Mu rose abruptly from her couch, exclaiming: "Is this true?!"

(End of Chapter)