Chapter 320: The Way of Self-Destruction

Marquis Zhongjing Marquis Mansion.

"You want me to petition His Majesty to arrange a marriage between Cong-ge and Yun-er?"

Shi Ding stared at his wife in astonishment.

Li Shi smiled: "Before Cong-ge was granted a title, your aunt didn't approve—but yesterday, I spoke with your second sister-in-law and tested your aunt's feelings. Now she won't oppose it."

Shi Ding glanced at his wife and shook his head; his aunt was a formidable force in the inner quarters—his wife had no chance of outmaneuvering her.

"Cong-ge hasn't reached the age of twenty, and Yun-er is even younger—they're both too young for marriage. Besides, Cong-ge has just been granted his title and is now under everyone's scrutiny."

"If I rush to petition His Majesty for a marriage alliance now, it would be highly inappropriate. Though I am a close minister, I must still speak and act with caution—otherwise, His Majesty might think the Shi family is aggressively courting the new nobility."

"That would be extremely detrimental to the Shi family!"

Li Shi felt a faint disappointment: "My lord speaks wisely—I oversimplified the matter. But Cong-ge truly is an unmatched man."

When Jia Mu and the other senior women heard Jia Cong flatly refuse the proposal, their expressions changed.

"Yun-er is the only bloodline left by my elder brother. Though raised in the second branch, I, as her third uncle, treat her as my own daughter—I naturally wish her a good future."

"This is how a noble, scholarly household should properly treat elders and juniors—with warmth and kinship."

Jia Cong replied: "Grandmother, it's not that I'm deliberately avoiding this—I simply no longer have a Ningguo Mansion. How can I possibly receive what no longer exists?"

Shi Ding suddenly added: "I heard your aunt also keeps her granddaughter at home—a most exceptional young lady. They're cousins too, and everyone says Cong-ge is close to his sisters…"

Shi Ding smiled: "That's excellent."

"That Lin girl is truly outstanding—she's your aunt's precious darling, and she's long wanted to marry her to Jia Baoyu. But since they're both still young, no one has spoken of it yet."

This was like killing the conversation before it even began—so unorthodox it left the cunning, scheming women in the hall momentarily speechless.

…

Jia Mu was deeply offended, yet couldn't find fault with his words—her chest tightened with suppressed anger, and she was about to retort.

Normally, as a junior, Jia Cong should have gently explained why the proposal was unfeasible, not flatly rejected it like this.

"Wait a year or two until Yun-er grows older and the spotlight fades—then I'll petition His Majesty for the marriage. It will seem natural, and I believe His Majesty will be pleased."

"Moreover, once a man holds a title, no elder may arbitrarily punish him—he must answer to the palace and the Clan Office."

Jia Mu's face darkened: "So now that you've been granted a title and received the Ningguo Mansion, even family matters must be dodged like this? Do you still have any sense of family?"

Shi Ding chuckled: "Do you think I need to tell you? Everyone in the capital knows this."

"Actually, there's no rush. Tell your second sister-in-law that your aunt already dotes on Yun-er—have her send Yun-er to visit Jia's household more often. Let the siblings grow closer."

Li Shi immediately understood her husband's meaning.

"We old relatives all know this: though Cong-ge is outstanding, your aunt's true phoenix is Jia Baoyu—there's no need to worry about this anymore."

Li Shi smiled: "My lord thinks so thoroughly—unlike us women, who have no strategy."

Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

But they all knew Jia Cong was no longer the same—he was a hereditary marquis who had already established his power in the Jia clan. As long as he didn't commit outright rebellion, even the old matriarch had no power over him.

Jia Cong continued: "His Majesty granted me the Lord Weiyuan Marquis Mansion, Grandmother—calling it the Ningguo Mansion is inappropriate and risks offending taboos."

"I am not a direct descendant of Ningguo—I must avoid suspicion. There's no reason for me to support the Ningguo bloodline."

"And You-ji is merely my clan sister-in-law, not my true sister-in-law."

"I am still a young man, unmarried—keeping a clan sister-in-law in my household would spread rumors that the Rong family's moral reputation is tarnished…"

Upon hearing this, Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and others all changed expression.

They had all struggled to accept that Jia Cong had received the Ningguo Mansion.

They had always hoped to insert themselves into it, using their status as elders and juniors to later control and influence him.

You Shi was now rootless in the Jia household, and as the former mistress of Ningguo Mansion, she was the perfect pawn to use.

They hadn't considered this angle—Jia Cong was still young, and they hadn't truly feared such consequences.

As long as no one spoke of it, everyone would simply overlook it.

But once voiced aloud, it became unavoidable—if they ignored it, Jia Mu and Lady Wang would be in the wrong, even violating proper womanly conduct.

Widows have always been magnets for gossip. Jia Cong is an unmarried man—even a true sister-in-law shouldn't reside under the same roof.

How much less a distant clan sister-in-law? To force her into his household would ruin the Jia family's reputation entirely.

Wang Wang Xifeng, the hero among women, sharp and capable, now felt a grudging admiration for Jia Cong.

"Cong the Third's tongue—damn, it's like a blade. He's even dragged in womanly virtue—striking right at the vital point. No matter how high her status, even Grandmother must retreat."

Luckily You Shi had slipped away earlier—otherwise, Cong the Third would have shamed her to death on the spot.

Jia Cong continued: "Moreover, You-ji and Rong-ge are both disgraced: one stripped of her noble title by imperial decree, the other exiled for breaking state law."

"If I, newly granted a title, immediately take them in, it would be wildly inappropriate—it would humiliate His Majesty and the court. If others learn this was ordered by Grandmother…"

"They'll use it as grounds to attack her and the Rong Mansion. The censors are everywhere—just one impeachment would bring disaster. So I absolutely cannot do this!"

In truth, when Jia Cong mentioned the damage to reputation and womanly virtue, Jia Mu and Lady Wang, though frustrated, had already begun to abandon the plan.

Now, hearing he claimed this would implicate even Grandmother and the Rong Mansion in guilt, they were startled.

These inner-quartermaster women only thought of using household tactics to control Jia Cong—they lacked the vision to connect this to the outer world.

Now, hearing Jia Cong speak, it suddenly made sense.

The Emperor had confiscated the estate, passed judgment, and revoked the title.

Now, we, his subjects, are asking the Emperor's newly appointed marquis to formally house and support You Shi and Rong-ge? Isn't that slapping the Emperor's face?

Lady Wang couldn't help speaking: "Grandmother, Cong-ge's words have merit. You Shi resides in our Western Mansion—we women have each other for company."

"It's truly inconvenient for Cong-ge."

Jia Mu sighed bitterly: "You've learned so many arguments out there—but when I ask you to care for family, you hurl such harsh words."

"Fine, fine—I'll support You Shi and the others myself. I won't trouble you!"

She added: "Now you're moving into the Eastern Mansion. It's vast, with no servants at all. You're a son of the Rong family—I, as your elder, cannot ignore your departure."

"Discuss it with Feng-ya—take some reliable servants from the Western Mansion. They're household-born slaves—you can trust them."

Jia Cong thought: Of course—Grandmother has been waiting for this all along. Ah, the same old trick—she never changes. I'm not Jia Zhen.

"Grandmother, I only need the servants from my own quarters. No need to draw others from the Western Mansion—I've already bought thirty household slaves outside. More than enough."

Jia Mu exclaimed: "What? You've bought thirty people outside? Why waste money? Don't we have enough servants for you?"

"Besides, this Eastern Mansion is huge—thirty people won't be enough!"

Jia Cong replied: "For now, the Marquis Mansion has only me—thirty people are sufficient."

"And I'm used to a simple life. Your servants are accustomed to the Duke's Mansion—they'd be out of place there."

Lady Wang finally understood: Jia Cong had left no crack for anyone to slip through.

Suddenly, Jia Cong turned to Jia Mu: "Grandmother, I'd like one person from here."

Jia Mu and Lady Wang's faces lit up with hope—Jia Mu even decided she'd give up Sister Yuanyang or Sister Hupo, even if he asked for them.

These were her own trusted maids, raised by her hand. She knew Jia Cong shared Jia Baoyu's taste—he liked beautiful girls; look at the ones he kept in his quarters.

But Jia Cong continued: "I'd like Liu-ji from the kitchen to manage the kitchen in the Eastern Mansion. I've eaten her food for years—I'm used to it."

Jia Mu didn't know who Liu-ji was, but Wang Wang Xifeng said: "Is that Fifth Daughter's mother?"

Jia Cong replied: "Exactly."

Jia Mu and Lady Wang's expressions turned cool—they knew Fifth Daughter was Jia Cong's trusted maid. They had no power to make her mother a spy.

Wang Wang Xifeng's phoenix eyes flickered between Jia Cong and Jia Mu, watching the silent battle between the two.

Cong the Third had dug the pit long ago—just waiting for Grandmother and Lady Wang to jump in. Not a single drop of water leaked.

Now he was a kite with its string cut.

(End of Chapter)