Chapter 358: Fragrant Feelings Self-Promised

Judefang, Earl's Mansion.

Ever since Jia Cong learned that the Court of Judicial Review had failed to capture Zhou Zhengyang in Jin Ling, he had paid more attention to the recent movements of the court.

Today happened to be a day off for government offices. Early in the morning, Qingwen took an envelope delivered to the second gate and sent it to Jia Cong's study.

This envelope was sent by Liu Ping, a clerk at the Xiuniang Incense Shop.

The batch of orphans that Jia Cong and Qu Hongxiu had adopted in the Love Shenjing had now been moved to a private school run by the Xinchun Firm in the west of the city.

Nowadays, the Xinchun Firm's foundation in Jiangnan was gradually stabilizing, and its silver flow revenue was no longer limited to the Love Shenjing alone. Running a private school with complete specifications was naturally not a problem.

The private school also hired failed scholars and missionaries from the Western Barbarian Church to teach these orphans necessary skills such as literacy, arithmetic, and the study of things.

After these male and female orphans reached the age of thirteen, Jia Cong would arrange for them to work and train at the Xiuniang Incense Shop or the Xinchun Street Women's Dormitory.

During the labor process, those with outstanding aptitude would be cultivated as a priority, and those with ordinary aptitude would also be allowed to acquire sufficient survival skills.

And just a few days after Jia Cong received the feather-post from Jin Ling, the Court of Investigation once again caused a huge stir in the Love Shenjing.

That day, four prison guards, one Court of Judicial Review judge, one criminal record officer, and three document clerks who participated in the interrogation of Zhou Suqing were all detained and interrogated by the Court of Investigation.

In over two years, his status had also undergone earth-shaking changes. Not only had he made astonishing military achievements in Liaodong, but he had also been granted a hereditary Earl title, having more power to protect himself.

It provided him with an information source that was as three-dimensional and complete as possible. Through mutual deduction, it also allowed him to have a more three-dimensional and in-depth understanding of the things he wanted to know.

The only reason was that before Yang Hongbin arrived in Jin Ling, the news of the arrest of Zhou Zhengyang had already been leaked from the Love Shenjing to Jin Ling in advance.

According to the content of the letter sent by feather-post, before Yang Hongbin arrived in Jin Ling, Zhou Zhengyang had already arranged a retreat to escape.

The name "Court of Investigation," which could once stop children in the Love Shenjing from crying at night, had once again entered people's field of vision with a resounding momentum.

Recording things that happened around them and words heard around them could be used to exercise children's thinking and writing abilities.

According to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's way of handling things, once the information leak channel in the Love Shenjing was cleaned up, the next step would be to send capable people to Jin Ling again to remedy the situation for the lost clues.

The Court of Investigation relieved the monarch's worries, and with a swift momentum, arrested and convicted five old-party officials above the fourth grade in one night, deterring the court and the public, and clearing obstacles for the implementation of new policies.

Before he increased his efforts to investigate the major case in Jin Ling, he had to first clean up the channels for leaking information in the Love Shenjing. Otherwise, no matter how many people were sent to Jin Ling, it would mostly be like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

Jia Cong was the Jieyuan of the Yongzhou provincial examination, a talented person whose literary name spread throughout the world. His literary halo was dazzling, and these scholars teaching the students naturally believed his words without doubt.

Back then, he was the person with the greatest merit in solving the major case of the Jin Ling Water Supervision Office. He knew the ins and outs of the entire case and the various forces involved quite well.

……

The dozen or so sheets of paper filled with text in the envelope recorded various street information circulating in the Xiuniang Incense Shop and the Xinchun Women's Dormitory recently.

The entire Love Shenjing was surging with undercurrents, worry and fear were born, and rumors were flying everywhere.

Historically, as long as it involved major cases of military power, it was bound to be a dangerous affair like walking on thin ice. Unless absolutely necessary, not touching it easily was the best choice.

If it was not thoroughly investigated and cleared, there would be endless trouble. If everyone acted like this in the future, where would the dignity of the Great Zhou capital be, and where would the majesty of the Emperor who shepherded the ten thousand people be?

……

Qu Hongxiu and Keqing would travel thousands of miles to specifically send this matter via feather-post. Jia Cong could naturally understand their deep meaning.

Even Ma Shang, who held the position of Central Military Commissioner of the Five Military Commissions and was the grandson of Duke Ma Kui, a hereditary third-grade Weiyuan General, was invited to the Court of Investigation for questioning all night and did not return for two days, losing all face.

Through what he saw and heard daily while observing government affairs at the Ministry of War, his contacts and conversations with colleagues in the Ministry of Works' Firearms Division, plus the diary records of these street-working teenagers...

Yang Hongbin of the Court of Judicial Review failed in handling the case in Jin Ling. With Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's style of handling things, he would definitely send more capable people to Jin Ling to remedy the situation.

But under the feet of the Son of Heaven, where the Emperor slept, someone actually colluded inside and outside, stole information, interfered with government affairs, hid filth, and indulged evil. This had already touched the Emperor's sensitive nerves.

It was highly likely that he would become a target person the Emperor could dispatch. Qu Hongxiu and Qin Keqing were in Jin Ling and had vaguely guessed this possibility, which was why they sent a feather-post to him.

Moreover, because he made achievements in Liaodong, he was granted a title by the Emperor and was at a time when imperial favor was flourishing.

And the things that happened in the last few days also confirmed Jia Cong's speculation.

Over the years, Jia Cong had had many contacts with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and had a deep understanding of this Nine-Five Supreme's logical, rigorous, and sharp style of handling affairs.

Ever since Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao promulgated new policies such as reducing tax-exempt land for officials and gentry and taxing land, he had been met with resistance from old-party officials inside and outside the court.

Because the prime culprit who was punished two years ago was the Jin Ling Guard Water Supervision Office Battalion Commander Zou Huaiyi, if there was another mastermind behind him, nine times out of ten, it would also involve powerful figures in the military.

Therefore, after Zou Huaiyi was punished, he used the excuse of copying scriptures and praying for the Empress Dowager Xianxiao to withdraw from the major case of the Water Supervision Office in time to avoid being overly implicated.

The eleven officials in the Five Military Commissions who came into contact with the Court of Judicial Review's confession information were also arrested and questioned by the Court of Investigation one after another.

Two years ago, Jia Cong was just an eighth-grade scholar with a scattered position, his foundation was shallow, and his status in the Rongguo Jia family was also quite awkward.

Because at that time he vaguely realized that Zou Huaiyi was not the real mastermind behind this shocking major case, and those unknowns in the darkness were not something a small scholar could recklessly touch.

All signs indicated that the Court of Investigation seemed to have grasped some clues.

Although even so, he was unwilling to take the initiative to touch the subsequent roots of the Water Supervision Office major case.

Since he could think of this layer, the deep-calculating Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would naturally think of it too, and the relevant government offices that knew the arrest information were afraid that none of them could escape suspicion.

Jia Cong read every diary in the envelope in detail and made marks and excerpts of the parts he felt were important.

He was even very conscientious in supervising the schoolwork of the children working in the private school, commenting on their strengths and weaknesses. Through a period of running-in, the narrative regularity and accuracy of these diary schoolwork had been greatly improved.

In the street rumors recorded by the working children, two minor officials from the Five Military Commissions involved in the case died under the torture of the Court of Investigation, one Court of Judicial Review official was convicted, his family was raided, and his family members were implicated and detained.

These were unique schoolwork assignments Jia Cong gave to the children working in the private school. He and several scholars teaching the children literacy explained that this was called "keeping a diary."

However, according to Jia Cong's measurement and calculation, the Emperor granted him a hereditary Earl title. Since the favor was heavy, the task was naturally difficult. Some things were not something he could avoid just because he wanted to be idle.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Eastern Courtyard.

That day, Lady Xing let Jin Wenxiang and his wife go to mediate the marriage. Not two days had passed when Lady Xing called Jin Wenxiang's wife over to report.

Jin Wenxiang's wife was a woman good at calculating and naturally did not dare to say that Yuanyang had flatly refused the marriage, because once this was said, she would have offended the Old Master and the Eldest Lady severely.

After that, the couple would not be able to gain a foothold in the household.

Although they were now serving in the Old Lady's room, the Old Lady was already advanced in age and could not protect their Jin family for a lifetime.

She dared even less to tell Lady Xing about Yuanyang making shoes for Jia Cong, because Yuanyang was a maid in the Old Lady's room and had no connection with Jia Cong at all. Rashly making shoes for a gentleman was too ambiguous to speak of.

The couple relied on Yuanyang to find good jobs in the household. If Yuanyang's reputation in the household was ruined, it would be no good for either of them.

So when Lady Xing asked about this matter, Jin Wenxiang's wife just mumbled vaguely, only saying that Yuanyang was young and thin-skinned, and was shy when talking about marriage, so she would need to be persuaded again.

Lady Xing was also experienced in worldly affairs. Although Jin Wenxiang's wife did not say it clearly, she heard the meaning in it—that Yuanyang was actually somewhat unwilling about this marriage.

With Lady Xing's capacity and way of thinking, she really couldn't imagine that a slave maid born in the household would actually refuse to be a concubine and mistress.

Lady Xing thought and thought but couldn't find a way. However, Yuanyang was in charge of the Old Lady's private silver box, which was the thing the couple coveted most, so this matter could not just end like this.

So she discussed the matter with Jia She, and Jia She flew into a rage.

He was naturally lustful, but in recent years his hair had turned white and his body had weakened, gradually becoming unable to do what his heart desired, but his lustful heart had not diminished by even half.

With a fiery liver and kidney deficiency, besieged from within and without, suspicious and paranoid, he became increasingly sensitive and taboo, and could least tolerate being looked down upon by women.

In his mind, Yuanyang was holding onto her youth and slim figure, so she must be despising and disliking him for being old. Therefore, even though she had received the grace of being a concubine, she was unwilling to stoop to him.

Jia She felt he had suffered a massive humiliation, yet he couldn't speak of it, giving rise to a full chest of angry fanaticism. He became increasingly unwilling to let it end like this and was determined to forcibly twist Yuanyang, this tender melon.

He felt that as the head of the Jia clan and the dignified heir to the Rongguo title, wanting to get a little maid was giving her face, yet she dared to push back and forth like this.

So he had someone call Jin Wenxiang and said to him: "You go tell your sister, she is probably relying on the Old Lady's love and wants to be married to someone else as a proper wife in the future."

"I also heard she has some involvement with Brother Cong, or perhaps she has taken a fancy to young brothers like Baoyu or Jia Lian; it's not impossible."

"You go tell her to give up these thoughts. Now that I have taken a fancy to her, as long as this word gets out, what man would still dare to want her!"

"Let her accept the favor and behave well. Being stubborn and coy will do her no good!"

Jin Wenxiang was a weak and submissive character. Although he had some thoughts, in terms of responding to changes, he was not even as good as his woman by a few points.

Hearing Jia She's scolding and threats, he could only agree with a nod and a bow.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall back courtyard great flower hall.

This day, Jia Mu was in the mood to listen to plays and had Feng Jie call for a small troupe from outside to perform two plays: "The Legend of the White Snake" and "The Full Tablet."

Not only did Lady Wang, Xue Yima, and others accompany her to listen to the plays, but Jia Mu also had Baoyu, Daiyu, and other sisters come together for the excitement.

Jia Mu heard that Yingchun had recovered her health in the past few days, and since she hadn't seen her second granddaughter for a few days, she had Yuanyang go to the Eastern Prefecture to call her over to listen to the plays together.

But Seeing Tan Chun was counting the days and knew that Jia Cong was off duty today. Seeing Tan Chun had always been close to this cousin, and for such family events of listening to plays and eating feasts, she always thought of pulling him along.

So she said to Jia Mu that the Third Brother must also be at home.

Nowadays, Jia Cong had moved out of the mansion and established his own residence. Among Jia Mu's grandchildren, he was already the one with the most foundation. Therefore, for such an occasion, Jia Mu naturally could not leave him out alone and had Yuanyang go to invite him as well.

A few days ago, Yuanyang heard her sister-in-law's words that Jia She wanted to marry her as a concubine, and she was caught by her sister-in-law at a weak point, seeing her making shoes for Jia Cong.

For these two days, she had been burning with anxiety, fearing she would fall into a fire pit, and also fearing her sister-in-law would spread gossip. But after two days, there was no follow-up.

She thought it must be because she had scolded her sister-in-law severely that day, and the talk had reached the Eastern Courtyard. The Old Master must have seen she was unwilling and had given up the idea, otherwise, it wouldn't have been quiet for two whole days.

Yuanyang naturally did not know that her sister-in-law had delayed reporting for a day, and had been vague in front of Lady Xing, not telling the truth or the whole story at all, deliberately leaving some hope for that side.

This was why the Eastern Courtyard hadn't acted immediately for two days, and Jia She had only called Jin Wenxiang to intimidate him, telling him to pass the word to persuade his sister.

It was just that for these two days, Yuanyang had things on her mind and had been avoiding her brother and sister-in-law, so Jin Wenxiang hadn't been able to find a gap to persuade his sister to submit.

Yuanyang thought she had passed the difficulty. Hearing Jia Mu ask her to invite the Cong Sanye and the Second Young Lady to listen to the plays, she was also happy, so she went to the Eastern Prefecture to invite them with a light heart.

……

At this moment, listening to plays was the most extravagant pastime for women in the inner chambers.

Inviting a famous small troupe from the Love Shenjing to perform in the mansion was a display only a great noble family would have. Even the Rongguo Jia family did not have such things often.

Hearing Zhi Shao and Wu'er in Jia Cong's room loved quiet, Qingwen loved excitement, and Zhen Ying Lian loved listening to plays.

So Jia Cong brought Qingwen and Zhen Ying Lian along to join in the excitement.

Along the way, Yuanyang talked a lot with Jia Cong and Yingchun, and her mood was very pleasant.

Seeing Jia Cong wearing a water-blue embroidered round-collared robe, a blue belt, white soft silk inner shirt, and lotus-root colored trousers today, he looked handsome and dashing, his appearance increasingly proud and good-looking, she felt joyful in her heart.

When they arrived at the great flower hall, the play "The Legend of the White Snake" had just begun to sing. Yuanyang stood behind Jia Mu and listened to a few sentences, seeing Jia Cong and Yingchun and other sisters talking.

She thought that now that the Old Lady was listening to plays, she had gained some leisure. Thinking that the pair of autumn boots in her room were not finished, she returned to her room alone.

She hadn't expected that Jin Wenxiang was anxiously looking for his sister to talk, but his sister seemed to be avoiding him, so he wandered around Yuanyang's room door when he had nothing to do, and now he had just happened to block her.

Seeing her brother's expression, Yuanyang felt a bit of fear in her heart, fearing he would bring up that matter from the day before yesterday, yet it was not good to drive her brother out of the room.

She heard Jin Wenxiang say: "Good sister, today brother came over, still to talk about that matter. The Old Master and the Eldest Lady have both said, as long as you agree to this matter..."

"You are not like those bought from outside. As soon as you enter the door, you will be given status, made a concubine, both noble and decent. This is the Old Master truly valuing you. What a massive happy event."

Hearing her brother's words, which were in the same voice as her sister-in-law's, Yuanyang's pretty face turned cold: "Tell them to give up this heart early. I will not agree even if I die!"

Hearing this, Jin Wenxiang sighed and said: "Good sister, just agree to this matter. You will never escape the Old Master's palm in the end."

"The Old Master said you have some involvement with Cong Sanye Cong, or you are thinking of being married outside in the future, or you have taken a fancy to other gentlemen. He told you to give up these thoughts. As long as he releases the word, no man will dare to want you."

"I heard from your sister-in-law yesterday that you secretly made shoes for Cong Sanye Cong and hid them on the bed."

"Sister, don't be foolish. If you touch that gentleman in the Eastern Prefecture, you will offend both the Old Master and the Old Lady. How will our Jin family live in the household in the future?"

"I say, good sister, the Old Master is a heartless master. What can't he do? If you don't follow him, he will release the word and ruin your reputation. How will you live as a girl?"

Hearing this, Yuanyang's face turned deathly pale, without a trace of color. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she endured them, not wanting to shed tears in front of this useless brother.

In her heart, she thought: "I haven't even said a word out of line with the Cong Sanye; I am as clean as water. Why does the Old Master have the right to talk about it? But others don't know the truth."

"If the word really gets out, I will have harmed the Cong Sanye, causing him to lose face in the household, and I will be finished from now on. I don't know how the Old Lady and the Ladies will look at me."

"I am a clean daughter; I cannot be humiliated like this, tied hand and foot. I have to fight with my life!"

She gritted her teeth and said to her brother: "Even if I am willing, you have to go and report it to the Old Lady."

Jin Wenxiang was overjoyed to hear this, thinking his sister finally saw the severity and changed her mind.

He hurriedly smiled: "I will go and report the happy news to the Old Master and the Eldest Lady, and then let your sister-in-law go and report to the Old Lady."

Originally, there were two chapters every day, basically over 2000 words per chapter. Recently, they have all been combined and released together, with over 4000 words. In fact, the update volume has not changed.

The combined chapters have a fuller plot, and there is one less chapter title to come up with.

Coming up with chapter titles is quite laborious; I have a bit of a chapter title text obsession...

The daily new additions and follow-up readings have been rising steadily recently.

It probably has to do with the increase in the total number of words in the book, but most importantly, it is the support of the reader brothers. Thank you.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 359 =====