Chapter 360: How to Achieve Authority

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu's words made the atmosphere in the hall somewhat oppressive. Nowadays, Jia Cong was an Earl. Although he was not yet twenty, his authority was growing.

Among all the relatives and elders in the mansion, probably only Jia Mu would have the confidence to ask such a question, because Jia Mu was a super-grade Duke's wife and also Jia Cong's own grandmother.

Just now, Jin Wenxiang's wife said half a sentence, and with that meaningful look at him, Jia Cong naturally understood that this was implicating him and Yuanyang in ambiguity.

It was just that he didn't know Yuanyang was helping him make autumn boots, so he didn't know the foundation of this matter.

He said: "Over the years, whenever the Old Lady wanted to ask something, she always let Sister Yuanyang call me. I often talk to Sister Yuanyang, but there is nothing else. I really don't understand the meaning of the Old Lady's words."

In fact, the look in Jin Wenxiang's wife's eyes just now—which of the inner-chamber women in the hall, Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, Xue Yima, etc., didn't understand the meaning? It was nothing more than implying that Yuanyang and Jia Cong were not clear.

In fact, in their minds, this matter was not strange. Jia Cong was born with such a proud appearance. It was not strange at all that he would provoke a young girl like Yuanyang.

Lady Wang even maliciously imagined the unbearable scene of Jia Cong and Yuanyang colluding. She was truly gloating.

Although Jia Mu felt that what the Third Girl said was not half wrong, when Yuanyang explained the origin of making shoes just now, her pretty face turned red and her words were somewhat incoherent. Jia Mu saw some clues.

If Third Brother Cong had really colluded with Yuanyang, with his status and romantic appearance, as long as he opened his mouth, a young girl like Yuanyang would probably forget the Old Lady and follow him to the Eastern Prefecture.

Only Wang Xifeng saw that Jia Cong and Yuanyang should have no connection. In her view, Third Brother Cong never had the habit of hiding it when he provoked women.

Over the years, most of the Third Brother's clothes and shoes were made by the Second Sister. Sometimes when the Second Sister was tired, she would let maids like Siqi and Xiuju in her room help, which was also common.

At the beginning, he and Keqing were a match. Even when Rong Ge'er was not dead, he called her "Miss Qin" one after another, not avoiding it at all. It was just that the Old Lady couldn't dream of this.

After the fact, Wang Xifeng recalled carefully and concluded that these two people must have been unclear before.

She stood up and knelt in front of Jia Mu, saying: "Old Lady, that day my sister-in-law came into my room and saw me making autumn boots for Cong Sanye Cong, so she thought I had... had thoughts for the Cong Sanye."

Baoyu, who was on the side, heard this and his heart was twisted to death. He originally thought Sister Yuanyang secretly took a fancy to him, but how did it turn out to be making shoes for Jia Cong? How come he was everywhere...

Yuanyang felt ashamed to death. Not only was she saddled with a false name, but she also implicated Cong Sanye Cong. What must the Cong Sanye think of her?

Jia Mu, Lady Wang, Xue Yima, and others were half-believing and half-doubting about the meaning of Jia Cong's words. After all, no one would easily admit it if they had done such a thing.

Zhou Rui's wife by the Lady's side blocked him at the second gate and was slapped by Third Brother Cong until her face was full of flowers. In the end, even her little life was lost to him.

He even said he didn't understand the meaning of the Old Lady's words. In fact, how could he not understand? The Old Lady's words just now couldn't be clearer. Even a fool would understand. It was nothing more than questioning whether Jia Cong had seduced Yuanyang.

Seeing Tan Chun's words were reasonable and had no flaws. Everyone in the hall thought about it before and after, and it was really this reason. If this could be said that Jia Cong and Yuanyang had a connection, it was too far-fetched.

……

But the others in the Old Lady's room were somewhat unbearable!

Not only forcing her sister to trample on marriage, but also spreading rumors to protect herself.

At that time, the joy that Keqing couldn't suppress on her face made Wang Xifeng remember it vividly.

Keqing left the house after the divorce, and Third Brother Cong didn't hesitate at all. In front of herself and Zhen's eldest sister-in-law, he dared to personally send Keqing back to her maiden home. Such blatant collusion was unparalleled.

He was now an Earl and occupied most of the authority of the Jia family. The Old Lady had to give him three points of face. She still had to hold her nose and send the girl to his room. Could she kill Yuanyang?

There was also when he brought back Hearing Zhi Shao from Jiangnan. The girl had just come out of the temple and hadn't taken off her Buddhist clothes, still looking like a nun, yet Third Brother Cong still led the girl into his room.

The Old Lady must have thought of the Old Master's intention, and was also angry and confused. This matter was worth asking like this. Since Third Brother Cong didn't admit this, it must be true.

Cong was an Earl granted by the imperial court, and Sister Yuanyang was also a clean daughter. Letting such people talk and ruin their reputation, the Jia family's style would be ruined, and they would be laughed at by others!

It was just that Lady Wang, Xue Yima, and others saw that although Jia Cong's expression was indifferent when he replied, his words were already somewhat cold, obviously very dissatisfied with Jia Mu's questioning.

He also said to Jia Mu: "Sister Yuanyang was personally trained by the Old Lady, so she is naturally a first-class person. She is kind-hearted and knows how to cherish the Second Sister in illness, so naturally, there is nothing to say."

Yuanyang saw her sister-in-law, who had no brains, actually reveal the truth in front of the Old Lady. Originally, it was something that didn't exist, but now it was made into a handle for no reason.

Thinking of these, she gritted her teeth and couldn't care about her face anymore.

If it weren't for Keqing's mysterious disappearance later, who knew what shocking things Third Brother Cong would have done.

Yuanyang looked at Seeing Tan Chun with relief, her eyes full of gratitude.

……

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun entered Rongqing Hall and heard Yuanyang's words. Daiyu was a relative from outside, so it was not good to speak at this time, so she pulled Seeing Tan Chun's clothes.

"Actually, it's not what my sister-in-law thought. That day the Old Lady let me go see the Second Sister. The Second Sister was sewing autumn boots for the Third Brother. I was worried that the Second Sister was too exhausted during her illness, so I helped her make them."

Seeing Tan Chun looked at Yuanyang and said to Jia Mu: "Old Lady, this matter Yuanyang sister mentioned, just ask the Second Sister and it will be clear. In my opinion, this is an extremely ordinary matter."

"It's not the kind of... thoughts my sister-in-law thought."

"Last year, during the Cold Clothing Festival, I made a pair of silk-faced soft boots as a gift for the Third Brother. The soles were stitched by Shi Shu. So such things are very ordinary in the house."

He was a person without a family, so what did he have to worry about when looking for a woman? Even if he really got Yuanyang, what could the Old Lady do to him?

At that time, he hadn't been granted an Earl title yet, but his methods were already so nimble. He was gentle and refined on the surface, but he was not ambiguous at all when cleaning up people's lives behind his back.

"Sister Yuanyang just considered that the Second Sister was still ill, so she helped make the Third Brother's boots. This is the same reason."

"Today she dares to implicate even me; if she receives benefits or instigation from someone in the future, I fear she would even dare to harm the Old Matriarch. Keeping her in the Old Matriarch's quarters will sooner or later lead to disaster; driving her out of the mansion is the only proper course of action!"

"How could it be as outrageous as what Jin's sister-in-law said? If this can be counted as a matter, wouldn't the maids in the Second Sister's room and my room all have to be driven out?"

There was no consideration for what outsiders said.

He didn't misunderstand the Old Lady's words; he just didn't admit it at all.

At this time, Jia Cong said: "Still the Third Sister is clever, able to see things clearly."

Everyone in the hall heard Jia Cong's words and felt cold in their hearts. It took only a few words for him to take action against the Old Lady's slave without a sound.

Especially Jia Cong's last sentence, saying that if Jin Wenxiang's wife was instigated by someone again, she would even dare to harm the Old Lady. These words were somewhat terrifying.

Wasn't he talking about the Old Master and the Eldest Lady? Those were his own father and mother, yet he didn't show half a bit of mercy.

Jin Wenxiang's wife's face turned white upon hearing Jia Cong's words.

She had only said half a sentence just now, and didn't even dare to say his name, yet she still offended Cong Sanye Cong. It was such a quick retribution. This gentleman was going to deal with her so straightforwardly.

Jia Mu's face didn't look good when she heard Jia Cong's words. The people in her room were not promising, and she could handle it herself, but now she was preempted by this evil obstacle, which made her lose face.

But Jia Cong's last sentence hit the Old Lady's heart. Just as she said, if she got rid of Yuanyang now, it would be easy to manipulate her in the future!

And Jia Cong's words couldn't be faulted. A family slave speculating and fabricating rumors to tarnish the reputation of the master of the mansion—this had to be punished no matter what.

If she didn't severely punish Jin Wenxiang's wife to give a warning, her eldest son and eldest daughter-in-law wouldn't know what kind of moths they would produce in the future.

……

Wang Xifeng, on the other hand, saw it very clearly. This grandmother and grandson were truly incompatible. They had confronted each other again without a sound.

Third Brother Cong was sharp inside and wouldn't suffer half a loss. He wasn't convinced that the Old Lady had just given him a cold face and questioned him, so he turned around and used words to deal with the Old Lady's slave, which was making the Old Lady lose face in public.

Even the Old Master and Eldest Lady in the Eastern Courtyard were severely tricked by him.

Tsk tsk, this kid is really not a vegetarian. Whoever wants to pinch him will surely be poked by him. Being able to become an Earl at such a young age, he is indeed not a lamp that saves oil.

Jia Mu looked depressed and said: "Today I could have listened to two good plays, but so many things happened. They are all people who don't save worry. I am tired too. Yuanyang, come and help me back to the room."

Then she said to Lady Wang: "You handle the rest!"

Everyone knew that once Jia Mu said this, the matter was considered to have come to an end. Yuanyang was naturally the same as before, but Jia Mu didn't even bother to look at Jin Wenxiang's wife, who was kneeling on the ground.

Jia Mu left, and Jia Cong, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and others also left Rongqing Hall.

After Jia Mu entered the back hall, Wang Xifeng said to Lady Wang: "Lady, how should this Jin family be dealt with?"

Jin Wenxiang's wife helped Lady Xing to make trouble, forcing her sister-in-law Yuanyang to marry Jia She as a concubine. Lady Wang knew very well what the first branch was planning, so naturally, she didn't have a good face for this woman.

Lady Wang twisted her Buddhist beads and said coldly: "Give her twenty boards and drive her out of the mansion. Send her to the farm to live, and don't let her enter the mansion again in the future!"

Jin Wenxiang's wife's face turned pale, looking like she had lost her parents.

Slaves sent to the farm outside the mansion were all those who had made mistakes and lost power.

Being sent to the farm like her, she could only do some kitchen work and cleaning chores. Life was much harder, and she could only get enough to eat. Where would she have the dignity of being in the mansion?

Lady Wang finished speaking and left without looking back.

Jin Wenxiang's wife crawled to Wang Xifeng and begged for mercy, hoping Wang Xifeng could help plead for her.

Wang Xifeng sneered: "You are also pig-oil-covered-hearted, actually implicating Third Brother Cong in front of the Old Lady. You thought he was as good-natured as other gentlemen in the mansion."

"He is a person who has fought with blood on the knife's edge. If it weren't for the sake of Sister Yuanyang, even your little life would have been taken."

"You don't need to plead. This mansion cannot keep you. Go to the farm and be quiet, live honestly, and everyone will save worry."

……

Outside Rongqing Hall, Jia Cong left with Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun.

Seeing Tan Chun joked: "Third Brother, Sister Yuanyang even helps you make shoes. She is really good to you. I saved her today; how will you reward me?"

Daiyu teased: "Third Brother, if you want to make shoes in the future, why not let me do it for you? My Hearing Zi Juan is also excellent at needlework, and with me here, I will never cause romantic gossip for Third Brother."

Seeing Tan Chun and Qingwen laughed together at Daiyu's eccentric words. Only Zhen Ying Lian had a somewhat honest personality and didn't hear the meaning for a while.

Jia Cong looked at Daiyu with a headache, but saw the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she deliberately turned her face away from looking at him.

……

In Jia Mu's room, Jia Mu leaned on the recliner, watching Yuanyang busy in the room, and suddenly asked: "Are you really fond of Brother Cong?"

Yuanyang was stunned when she heard Jia Mu suddenly ask this, and said with a red face: "Old Lady, I am just a maid born in the household. I dare not have delusional thoughts about a gentleman like Cong Sanye Cong."

The reason Jia Mu liked Yuanyang was because she was unyielding and refreshing, and everything was thoughtful and thorough, having a bit of her shadow when she was young.

Jia Mu said: "Brother Cong was born with such an appearance, and he was granted an Earl title at a young age. It is not strange at all that he provokes women to like him. I see his character; he will be able to listen to the advice of his wives and concubines in the future."

"You don't need to say anything about yourself. You are a person in my room; are you worse than that maid?"

Yuanyang heard Jia Mu suddenly say these words, and her heart suddenly jumped fast...

Jia Mu continued: "You have served me for so many years and are my most intimate person."

"The one I love most in my life is Baoyu. He is sensible and filial, which is excellent. It's just that those things outside are not something he should care about."

"Brother Cong is different. He is someone who can toss and turn outside. He doesn't need us elders to take care of him, and he can also be in the limelight. He has built up a family business at a young age."

"As a grandmother, I don't worry about him. Naturally, I have to take more care of Baoyu and pass on my private property to him so that he can be rich and worry-free for a lifetime, and I will have done my duty."

Jia Mu looked at Yuanyang's somewhat flustered expression and said: "Daughter's affairs are always unavoidable. You just remember these words of mine and do things according to these meanings in the future."

"After a few years, I will naturally let you have your wish..."

Yuanyang heard this, her face flushed with shame. She naturally understood what the Old Lady meant by these words.

In her heart, she was both somewhat joyful and somewhat worried.

……

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Palace.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sat behind the imperial desk, with the Minister of War, Gu Yankui, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Wei Guanyao, and the Head of the Court of Investigation, Zhou Junxing, standing below.

Today, the three entered the palace to report, one for the Zhou Suqing confession leak case, and the other for the follow-up coordination of the Jin Ling Zhou Zhengyang case.

Gu Yankui and Wei Guanyao looked at the Head of the Court of Investigation, Zhou Junxing, who was stepping forward to report, almost in unison.

In the past few days, because of the Zhou Suqing confession leak case, the Court of Investigation had been arresting officials everywhere in the Divine Capital and interrogating them in prison.

The number of officials implicated in the Court of Judicial Review and the Five Military Commissions had risen rapidly from less than twenty at the beginning to over thirty, making people panic.

Two officials of the Five Military Commissions died under torture and were also charged with crimes.

The Central Military Commissioner of the Five Military Commissions, the third-grade Weiyuan General Ma Shang, was also ordered by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to stay at home and reflect, and was disguisedly deprived of his military position.

Gu Yankui and Wei Guanyao were both experienced in officialdom and knew deeply that according to the current situation, the number of people implicated would only increase. The foreseeable bloody storm was inevitable.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 361 =====