Chapter 234: The Filth of the Aristocracy

Jia Zhen's words were truly shocking, leaving everyone in Rongqing Hall dazed and stunned.

Jia Mu's face turned ashen; what had become of the Jia family's young men?

One goes about stealing and plundering, committing all manner of crimes.

The other is even more outrageous—how old is he, and yet he keeps a concubine outside and secretly owns property?

Though aristocratic youths may be lustful, for an unmarried son to hoard private assets is a grave violation of clan rules, a cardinal taboo among great families; once discovered, such assets must be confiscated.

Even someone as bold and sharp-tongued as Wang Wang Xifeng, lacking her own household, dared only take public funds to secretly lend money at interest.

She would never dare open fields, shops, or businesses, fearing violation of the clan's ironclad laws.

Upon hearing Jia Zhen's words, Wang Lady's face twisted in disgust; how young is that boy, and already he's chasing after women?

Thank heaven my Jia Baoyu doesn't associate closely with him; otherwise, he'd surely be corrupted.

Though his hoarding of assets violates clan rules, Old Madam need not be overly harsh—Cong brother now holds an official post; engaging in merchant affairs would only demean his status.

Yet since his property might save Rong's life, we cannot stand idly by; though that beast behaves recklessly outside, he is still a Jia descendant.

But it remains Jia clan property; please, Old Madam and Cong brother, instruct him to explain the matter to the Ministry of Justice, so Rong may clear his name.

Jia Zhen said, "Master, this is no mistake—when Xiu Niang's incense shop was exposed, Cong brother rushed straight to Zhen'an Prefecture to rescue them; if it weren't his own property, why would he be so frantic?"

…

This property is already managed by clan youths; when he eventually establishes his own household, this asset will remain his."

Zhen's words sound as if he intends to seize it for himself—father and son are cut from the same cloth.

The moment Jia Zhen spoke, Jia Mu, Wang Lady, Wang Wang Xifeng, and the other women fixed him with dagger-like glares—clearly meaning: you are base, and now you'd drag all Lady Rongguo's sons down with you.

At noon, Jia Cong received word from Jiang Liu: the rumor of Jia Rong's hiding place had been leaked; Prince Prince Zhongshun had already led a large contingent of guards to the Eastern Suburbs' Purple Sandalwood Fortress.

Just then, Sister Yuanyang came to summon him to Rongqing Hall, saying the Old Madam wished to speak with him.

Jia Mu paid no heed to the rest; what struck her most sharply from Jia Zhen's words was that Jia Cong kept a concubine outside.

He's barely a boy, and already he's keeping a woman outside—what maiden would marry him without drowning in jealousy?

His father kept concubines outside too, and that's how this monster was born, stirring up countless troubles; now this boy imitates him.

Qingzhi Studio.

"Even if he keeps a concubine, it's not uncommon among aristocratic youths…"

She turned to Sister Yuanyang beside her and said, "Go call Cong brother; tell him I wish to speak with him."

Jia Zhen cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "Cong brother is famed for his brilliance and beauty surpassing Pan An; it's natural for women to admire him. Though hoarding private assets violates clan rules—"

Wang Wang Xifeng sneered inwardly: even if Cong's third's private assets were seized by the public treasury, they'd still go to Lady Rongguo's coffers—what has that got to do with Ningguo?

Wang Wang Xifeng marveled inwardly: Cong's third is no ordinary man. Though he's estranged from Elder Master, deep down he's just like him—equally lustful.

Not long after, news arrived from the Eastern Mansion: the Ministry of Justice had entered to arrest Jia Rong but found him gone—the timing was perfect.

Jia Zheng's face flushed with embarrassment; he had always prized Jia Cong most—how could this child sink to such deeds? He asked again, "Zhen, could this be a mistake? Could Cong really be capable of this?"

On the way, Sister Yuanyang recounted a few details of what had transpired in Rongqing Hall.

Though Jia Cong rarely interacted with Sister Yuanyang, he knew her heart was pure and she had often defended him; he felt a surge of gratitude.

When told of Jia Cong keeping a concubine outside, Sister Yuanyang herself blushed, her bright eyes fixed on him, wanting to laugh but daring not to.

Upon arriving at Rongqing Hall, all present cast him strange glances.

Jia Mu asked, "Tell me—is Xiu Niang's incense shop your private asset kept outside the household?"

Jia Cong had just received Sister Yuanyang's hint: Jia Zhen intended to use this pretext to exonerate Jia Rong—he would not let him succeed.

He had already prepared his reply and answered calmly, "Old Madam, why say such a thing? The owner of Xiu Niang's incense shop is Miss Qu; though I know her, the shop is her property, not mine."

Jia Zhen quickly interjected, "Cong brother, no need to worry—I've already discussed this with Old Madam; we won't punish you. We only ask you to lend a hand."

He then repeated that the shop was his private asset, that Jia Rong's actions were merely a family matter, and begged him to intercede with the Ministry of Justice.

Jia Cong said sternly, "Zhen brother, this is asking too much. I've already said: Xiu Niang's incense shop belongs to Miss Qu—how can you call it my private asset?"

Rong broke state law—am I to go to the Ministry of Justice and twist the truth, turning this into a family matter?"

If I were to do such a thing, how could the Three Judicial Offices or His Majesty in the palace ever forgive me?"

Rong broke state law, and already one of us has been dragged in—must I be thrown in too, for nothing?"

Jia Zhen, hearing his words grow ever sterner, felt a sudden aura of solemn authority and paled.

Wang Lady, Wang Wang Xifeng, and the others, hearing his sharp words, knew that now, if he refused, no one could force him.

Years had passed—he was no longer the struggling bastard of the Eastern Courtyard; he now held official rank, literary fame, and a government post—he had become an undeniable force within the Jia clan.

Jia Mu frowned again: "If the incense shop isn't your private asset, then why do people say Miss Qu is your concubine?"

Just then, a maid entered the hall and reported: a palace eunuch had arrived at the mansion to deliver an imperial edict to Third Master Cong—he was now waiting outside Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu and the others were startled and immediately ordered the man brought in.

The imperial messenger entered Rongqing Hall and announced to Jia Cong: "His Majesty's oral decree: summon Jia Jia Chengshi immediately to Qianyang Palace for an audience!"

Jia Cong stepped forward and asked, "May I ask, Your Excellency, why has His Majesty summoned me?"

The eunuch replied coldly, "I am only here to deliver the message; I know nothing else. Jia Jia Chengshi, come with me at once—delaying will cost me dearly."

Jia Cong's heart leapt—why now, suddenly, was he summoned to court, with no explanation…?

…

As Jia Mu and the others watched Jia Cong depart with the palace eunuch, their faces filled with confusion and dread.

Another old woman entered the hall, looking flustered; Jia Mu found her face unfamiliar.

Wang Wang Xifeng often visited the Eastern Mansion to speak with You Shi and Qin Qin Keqing, and recognized her as a servant from the Eastern Mansion—yet why had she come to the Western Mansion?

The woman rushed to Jia Zhen and cried, "Master, disaster! The young master's servant returned to say the young master was captured by Prince Prince Zhongshun's men at the Eastern Suburbs' Purple Sandalwood Fortress."

"And he was beaten badly—no one knows where he's been taken. The mistress feared delays, so she sent me to inform you."

Jia Zheng exclaimed, "Though Prince Prince Zhongshun has long held a grudge against our Jia family, why would he suddenly target Rong? What's the reason?"

The woman's face flushed with embarrassment; she glanced at Jia Zhen, hesitating.

Jia Zhen glared at her and barked, "Wretched creature! Master Zheng is asking you—answer at once!"

The woman trembled and said, "The young master's servant says the young master seduced Qi Qi Guan, an actor who performs female roles in Prince Prince Zhongshun's household."

"Qi Qi Guan is the prince's favorite; somehow the palace learned of it, and Prince Prince Zhongshun arrived with many guards—only to catch the young master in bed with him…"

Jia Zhen gaped in shock; the women in the hall flushed with shame and anger—Jia Rong had done something vile, but to be caught red-handed?

Jia Mu smashed her teacup to the floor in rage, shouting, "You damned beast! How dare you commit such shameful deeds? You've shamed the entire Jia family!"

(End of Chapter)