Chapter 396

Zhen San Niang heard Liu Linjiang Xian's words and smiled faintly, a hint of mockery curling at her lips.

She said: "I'll plant the seed with Grandma first, so she knows our partner, Xinchun Hao, is backed by Jia Cong."

Lady Da has told Grandma many times how the Jia family's Marquis of Lord Weiyuan is peerless, heaven-sent, all to get me married off quickly and out of her way."

Now Grandma holds a very favorable impression of this young Marquis of Jia."

The other day at Rongyu Hall, Lady Da even said Jia Cong is currently on official business in Jin Ling, and that for Grandma's birthday, the Lady Rongguo Jia family, bound by propriety, would surely send Jia Cong to pay his respects."

Lady Da is practically pouring oil on the fire, eager to make this match happen!"

Now, using our partnership with Xinchun Hao as an excuse to redirect funds from each shop, Grandma and Lady Da will know—but Grandma won't say a word."

Lady Da herself used Jia Cong as a pawn—now she's trapped by her own scheme and can't speak loudly on this matter, so Third Brother's opinion isn't worth worrying over."

Liu Linjiang Xian's face showed admiration; this Third Lady was truly a creature of crystal heart and liver, orchestrating every move with flawless precision, leaving not a single flaw to pick at.

A shop opened on a whim, a trivial little contract—yet this Third Lady had hidden such a hidden maneuver within it.

Lady Da and Third Brother of the main house? They're no match for her. If only she'd been born a man, they'd never have dared stir up trouble."

…

But Liu Linjiang Xian still had doubts, and asked: "If you'd already planned this out, why didn't you seize the chance to sign a large order with Xinchun Hao?"

Twenty bottles of premium perfume per month? That's far too meager."

Zhen San Niang said: "Qu Gu and Qin Gu of Xinchun Hao are both sharp and cautious. They've independently kept Xinchun Hao thriving in Jin Ling."

These two aren't easy to manipulate. If I'd used the sale of the estate to pressure them into signing a large contract, they'd have grown suspicious and resisted outright."

Remember, behind them stands the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, famed throughout the Jiangnan region—I have no reason to ruin the ties between our old aristocratic families over this."

That's why I sold the estate at fair price and signed only this small contract—it makes it easy for them to accept."

All I wanted was a plausible excuse to explain to others."

Outsiders can't know the true terms of this contract; Qu the chief manager and Qin Gu are too shrewd to ever reveal it."

Even opening this Xiouwen Pavilion was merely a compromise, a bridge to cross."

Liu Linjiang Xian suddenly understood and asked: "You're worried Third Brother of the main house will act recklessly and ruin the business of those five shops—so you opened a new shop to siphon off funds, to prevent disaster before it happens?"

Zhen San Niang sighed softly: "Though I've gone to great lengths to preserve Father's business,

this time, what I'm doing isn't just because I fear Third Brother will damage the trade…

When Father was still alive, he looked far ahead and long ago prepared the Zhen family's fleet, just as His Majesty began promoting maritime policy."

Over these years, the Zhen family has grown rich from maritime trade, so much so that outsiders now call us 'Half of Jin Ling.'

In terms of gold and silver, the Zhen family already surpasses the Four Great Families of Jin Ling."

But in terms of family depth and political power, we're far weaker than the other four."

The Shi family of Jin Ling has two marquises in one generation; Marquis Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding is even one of His Majesty's original supporters, honored by imperial grace for generations."

The Wang family of Jin Ling once relied on the Jia family's protection and produced Prince Wang Wang Ziteng, a Minister of the First Rank in the Imperial Guards—though it was a temporary court maneuver, it was enough to shield the Wang family."

The Jia family of Shenyang has shown signs of decline in recent years, their descendants merely inheriting idle titles and empty offices—but these past few years, a new figure has emerged: the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, whose hidden strength and potential are boundless."

The Xue family of Jin Ling has fallen, yet still holds great wealth, and now they've taken refuge under the Jia family's wing—perhaps a wise move for self-preservation."

Compared to them, our Zhen family lacks momentum in lineage and power."

Grand Lord's position as Director of Tiren Academy is merely an honorary post with no real authority—it won't help in a crisis."

Right now, the Zhen family's greatest protection is the venerable Imperial Consort in the palace."

But the Imperial Consort is over seventy, nearing eighty."

When I went to Shenyang to pay my respects, her health had already deteriorated…"

If one day the Imperial Consort ascends to immortality, what will the Zhen family of Jin Ling have left to inspire fear, besides a house full of gold and silver?"

In this situation, Zhen family members must conceal their brilliance, act without a single misstep, to preserve themselves and plan for the long term."

Yet Grand Lord and Lady Da still believe the Zhen family is at its peak, their desires burning hot with wealth and power."

They think Elder Sister's marriage to a Prince is the greatest triumph, and that after the Imperial Consort's passing, the Northern Tranquil Prince's mansion will become our new shield."

But I've spent years in the palace—I know well that His Majesty holds deep resentment toward the old noble houses of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes."

The Northern Tranquil Prince's line has produced two generations of idle, useless princes, their glory fading like the setting sun."

That brother-in-law of Elder Sister, though a prince, is ambitious but incompetent, lacking any exceptional talent—he's not favored by His Majesty."

When he once tried to seize the post of Commander of Nine Provinces, he made a fool of himself and was publicly humiliated by His Majesty."

In His Majesty's eyes, Prince Shui Rong is nothing at all—their estrangement is painfully obvious."

Yet Grand Lord and Lady Da can't see this—they idolize this prince as a son-in-law."

Third Brother regularly exchanges letters with Shui Rong, constantly in contact, never interrupted."

Such things may fool others, but they can't hide from His Majesty's eyes."

I've heard in the palace that His Majesty has the Inner Office of Zhongche, which penetrates every crack…"

As long as the Imperial Consort still lives, His Majesty won't show his hand—but once she ascends, and His Majesty has no more restraint, what favor will he show the Zhen family?"

Moreover, these past two years, Third Brother's conduct has been reckless and improper: he's smuggled firearms multiple times, and brought a mysterious Englishman from Guangdong to Jin Ling."

This man is connected to Liu Qiu Xuan, who vanished years ago while accompanying Father on a sea voyage."

Though I don't understand the full truth, so many warning signs have appeared—it's unsettling, and we must be cautious."

We must prepare early, so we're not caught unprepared when disaster strikes…"

Zhen San Niang's words made Liu Linjiang Xian's mind clear: she feared the main house's impatience would trigger disaster and endanger the second house's holdings, so she acted preemptively to safeguard them."

As the chief steward of the second house, his wife was the second house's stewardess, and their only daughter was a personal maid to Lady Er."

Liu Linjiang Xian's family had long shared the second house's glory and disgrace—he naturally didn't want the second house's assets to one day collapse because of the main house."

Since Third Lady had already set the stage and made all preparations, he must quickly devise a plan to redirect the funds from those five shops."

Since Third Miss had already set up the stage and made full preparations, he naturally needed to act swiftly to devise a plan and divert the silver flow from those five shops.

On the eastern road outside Jin Ling, a carriage stood beneath a sprawling banyan tree.

Jiang Liu dozed against the carriage pole, while the horse leisurely grazed on the grass.

Jia Cong gazed out the window at the broad, flat road ahead.

Today, the road seemed busier than usual."

Many traveled in groups of three or five—some lone merchants, some cargo teams, a few students carrying book chests, even women riding donkeys to visit their natal homes."

These people converged from all directions, scattered and slow, beginning their journeys."

Yet their direction was nearly uniform—all heading eastward toward Changzhou."

In the carriage with Jia Cong was Zou Min'er, dressed in a white satin jacket with subtle floral patterns, a pale snow-blue silk blouse, and a plain pleated skirt, her skin glowing with fragrance, her breath like orchids."

Jia Cong turned his gaze from the window and saw Zou Min'er's dark, cloud-like hair adorned with a white jade orchid pin, her elegance radiant, more delicate than the flower itself.

His eyes lingered on the pure, exquisite blossom, and his peripheral vision caught the smooth, milky skin of her neck behind her ear."

Zou Min'er seemed to sense Jia Cong's gaze; a faint pink tinged her earlobe, yet she feigned ignorance, the air between them thick with unspoken tension."

She spoke softly, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible tenderness: "The four I selected are all veteran Zhongche operatives in Jin Ling, experts in surveillance, espionage, and concealment."

I've instructed them to teach your men the necessary skills, so they can act effectively along the way."

Jia Cong replied: "This is excellent. Over fifty men skilled in surveillance and espionage, divided into teams to search along the river's various prefectures—within no time, we'll get the information we need."

Yesterday, I coordinated with the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Command; the Shenyang Embroidered Uniform Guard Command has already ordered all riverine prefectures' battalions to closely monitor personnel movements at all ports."

According to reports from the prefectural Embroidered Uniform Guard battalions, there's been no sign of Zhou Zhou Zhengyang leaving by sea—he must still be hiding somewhere."

According to reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard battalion commands across the provinces, there is currently no sign that Zhou Zhou Zhengyang has sailed overseas; he must still be hiding somewhere.

Jia Cong never asked Zou Min'er the names or identities of the four Zhongche agents she chose.

Zou Min'er never asked Jia Cong where his fifty men came from, and even instructed her four agents not to probe into their origins."

Between them lay a strange, unspoken understanding."

Jia Cong needed Zhongche's strength to investigate his case in Jin Ling, but that didn't mean he wanted deeper entanglement with Zhongche."

Maintaining proper reverence and distance from an agency directly controlled by the Emperor was no bad thing."

For Zou Min'er, she still carried an unresolved knot in her heart—she often felt drawn to him yet repelled, torn between closeness and distance."

She longed to know everything about him, yet feared knowing too much."

Because of Zhongche's duties and that thorn lodged in her throat."

The sharp resentment buried deep within might one day turn all she knew into unpredictable danger."

So unless absolutely necessary, she preferred to know less about Jia Cong."

And this strange understanding between them? It wasn't a blessing."

It was a chasm forged by their intertwined fates—worn and torn by friction, stretched between enmity and intimacy, endlessly circling, impossible to cross."

But because of their respective fates, through grinding and division, between enmity and intimacy, a chasm has formed that is exceedingly hard to cross.

Jia Cong looked again out the window: ahead, along the eastern road, a fork led to a gentle rise.

On the rise, shadows of trees swayed, revealing a tall wall enclosing a large stretch of land."

That was the estate Xinchun Hao had bought from the Zhen family."

He suddenly asked: "Zou Miss, you're a native of Jin Ling—have you ever heard of a prominent Dù family here fifteen years ago?"

Zou Min'er frowned slightly, thought a moment, then said: "I've heard of most Jin Ling aristocratic families—there was no Dù family among them."

And why would a Dù family have been famous fifteen years ago, yet now be unknown?"

Jia Cong replied: "I heard that fifteen years ago, the Dù family was implicated in treason, their household seized and exterminated by court order—hence their silence ever since."

Zou Min'er's heart tightened at the mention of treason: "Why are you suddenly asking about them? Could this be connected to Zhou Zhou Zhengyang?"

Jia Cong glanced at the estate on the rise and said: "No connection at all—just idle chatter the other day, and I grew curious."

Jia Cong glanced at the farmhouse on the gentle slope and said, "It's no big deal—just the other day I was chatting with someone who mentioned this household, so I was a little curious."

……

Xinglong Fang, Jin Ling, the Jia family's old residence.

Jia Cong returned from the eastern city and went straight back to the old residence in Xinglong Fang.

As he reached the gate of his own courtyard, he heard singing inside—sharp, crisp, and resonant—but not Lingguan's soft, clear, elegant tone.

"Heroic spirit surges to the stars; homeland longing hangs over Yangzhou. Four seas without home, all living beings blind."

"Broke through the laughter of heroes; since childhood, I've been accustomed to drinking in a wealthy household. Such grand fireworks cannot dispel sorrow; the courtyard locusts blow with the dusk of autumn…"

Jia Cong recognized it as Douguan's comic role aria; its brisk, forceful delivery brimmed with spirit, offering a unique charm.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and saw Douguan standing beneath a magnolia tree in the yard.

She wore a blue-dyed floral vest over her upper body, thin cotton lantern pants below, and a faded blue sash tied at her waist—neat, lively, and pleasing to the eye—as she sang loudly toward the magnolia branches.

By the window of the eastern study, Lingguan sat bent over her desk, pen in hand, utterly absorbed in copying calligraphy.

Douguan, facing the magnolia tree, sang with such intensity she did not notice Jia Cong entering the courtyard.

Jia Cong did not disturb her; he entered the main house alone, then turned into the eastern study.

Lingguan, so focused on her calligraphy practice, did not notice him entering the study.

Jia Cong saw her seated before the desk, her slender waist seeming ready to snap, her posture soft and graceful—wearing a pink embroidered collar vest over a pale pink undergarment, and a light purple-red long skirt, strikingly delicate and lovely.

Jia Cong slipped quietly behind her and noticed Lingguan writing each stroke with great care and attention.

Jia Cong had only taught Lingguan calligraphy for a short time, yet she had already written with remarkable neatness; though still somewhat awkward, that was normal for a beginner.

Only through daily, persistent practice could one gradually wear away the stiffness of learning.

With Lingguan's dedication to reading and writing, shedding the clumsiness of her brushwork was merely a matter of time.

Jia Cong stood behind her, watching silently as she moved her arm in controlled strokes, and praised: "You're truly clever—only a few days of practice, and your writing already has form."

Lingguan heard his voice, turned with a smile, and said: "I got lost in writing and didn't notice you'd returned. You haven't been home for days—will you stay tonight?"

Jia Cong had been staying at Yumin Fang for the past few days; now, seeing Lingguan's bright eyes fixed on him with quiet hope and tenderness,

he smiled: "I'll stay tonight—let's test you two. Have you learned every character on the calligraphy copy?" (End of chapter)