Chapter 409: Darkened Brows and Beards

Zhen Zhen Shiwen thought of these past years, how he had intervened in family affairs on behalf of the senior branch, while his cousin had remained utterly silent.

Even when he placed his own loyalists in the shops and fleet, his cousin had never uttered a single word of complaint.

He had originally assumed she was merely a girl, though clever, nothing more.

Faced with him, the senior branch's legitimate grandson, she would naturally show caution and deference.

He never expected she was merely biding her time; once he stumbled and fell into disadvantage, she struck with lightning speed.

Extracting shop profits and surplus silver was approved by the family matriarch;

Reorganizing the maritime fleet followed the principle of replacing the old with the new, weeding out the incompetent.

These were all routine business practices.

Everything she did, though secretly detrimental to the senior branch, left no visible flaw on the surface.

This left Zhen Zhen Shiwen utterly defenseless, overwhelmed by a profound sense of helplessness.

Moreover, the matriarch still doted on her third niece and was currently arranging a marriage alliance with the Jia family of Shenyang.

His father, eager to consolidate family influence, strongly approved, even writing a letter specifically to Jia Zheng of Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

If his third niece secured this marriage with the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, it would greatly benefit the entire Zhen family.

With this momentum, everyone in the household now subtly yielded to her.

He himself was under house arrest for his mistakes, unable to contest her—only waiting for her to marry out before true peace could return…

…

As Zhen Zhen Shiwen brooded, Chen Qiong spoke: "Third Master, the refined iron stored at Haiyun Pavilion—someone visited the shop recently but didn't take the goods.

He said there are more unfamiliar faces around our shop, and the streets have grown unstable lately; he fears trouble and will delay picking up the shipment."

Hearing this, Zhen Zhen Shiwen's expression shifted slightly…

…

Chen Qiong continued: "There's another matter: yesterday, the Prefect of Yingtian, Jia Yucun, sent a trusted servant to return our gift.

He said new evidence has surfaced in the case of that Liuhe man, proving his innocence.

He was released yesterday; we won't get that shop on Honglin Street."

Zhen Zhen Shiwen had already been furious from a string of bad news; now this final blow ignited his rage.

"What's wrong with Jia Yucun? He took my silver and now breaks his word!"

A few days ago, Zhen Zhen Shiwen had set his sights on a thriving shop on Honglin Street—its location no worse than the Zhen family's five old shops, and the owner was merely a Liuhe man with no family backing.

The land rights to all Zhen family shops were held by his second uncle, Zhen Zheng Yingquan, now managed by his cousin; they would eventually pass to him, but only after his cousin married out.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen wanted a good shop to make his future dealings easier, so he resolved to buy it.

But the owner adamantly refused to sell; Zhen Zhen Shiwen then hired a go-between to speak for him.

The owner, pressured by the go-between's face but unwilling to part with his property, raised the price to triple market value, hoping Zhen Zhen Shiwen would give up.

This was a grave insult to Zhen San, the heir of Jinling's Zhen family—a nobleman humiliated by a rootless Liuhe commoner; this humiliation could not be borne.

Later, Chen Qiong devised a plan: he fabricated a crime against the owner and bribed others to file a lawsuit.

He also bribed Prefect Jia Yucun to arrest and imprison the man.

All that remained was to convict him and acquire the shop at a low price—yet Jia Yucun had suddenly changed his mind.

Chen Qiong said: "I found this suspicious, so I bribed a gatekeeper who often accompanied Jia Yucun and extracted some information.

He said Jia Yucun received a letter two days ago; after reading it, his face turned grim, then he summoned the Prefecture's Assistant Regional Commander and locked himself in his room for hours.

Within two days, the Liuhe man was suddenly declared innocent and released on the spot.

Third Master, clearly, that letter changed Jia Yucun's mind—the writer must be immensely powerful, able to make the Prefect of Yingtian bow his head.

I never imagined this Liuhe man had such connections; I checked thoroughly—he had no family background at all. How did this letter appear?"

Though the Zhen family was Jinling's foremost clan, powerful and influential, they were not so brazen as to question a Prefect of Yingtian.

Moreover, he had returned their gift outright—clearly refusing to act.

And that strange letter—its origin must be formidable; if it could humiliate the Prefect of Yingtian, it could just as easily block the Zhen family.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen felt his luck had turned abysmally lately, everything going wrong—but he could do nothing.

…

Jinling, Gongyu Street, Qingyin Pavilion.

In the third-floor private chamber, a white porcelain incense burner emitted fragrant smoke, pale and curling, soothing the spirit.

Zou Min'er wore a dark green brocade jacket embroidered with winter plum blossoms, a white collarless silk undergarment, and a Fenbai embroidered plum-bough skirt, its long hem concealing her blue embroidered shoes.

She glanced at Jia Cong across from her, who was studying the latest reports from Zhongche Office.

She noticed that when focused, he radiated a calmness utterly unlike his age—as if he were not a vibrant youth, but someone entirely unfamiliar to her.

Thinking deeper, it was not surprising: at his age, he had accomplished so many astonishing feats, risen to heights beyond the reach of his peers—he must possess extraordinary qualities.

Originally, Jia Cong came to Qingyin Pavilion every one or two days to meet Zou Min'er in the third-floor chamber.

They reviewed Zhongche Office's latest intelligence, examined reports from riverine prefectures, and planned their next moves.

Afterwards, Jia Cong relayed relevant information to Yang Yang Hongbin of the Dalisi, ensuring coordination between both sides.

This arrangement between Jia Cong and Zou Min'er had begun the day after Jia Cong arrived in Jinling.

But since that day he learned Wu Sao had vanished, he came to Qingyin Pavilion every single day.

With idle duties at the Firearm Office, he even came during official hours, unconcerned with gossip.

As Jia Cong's visits grew frequent, Zou Min'er felt an inexplicable sense of stability; though her heart still held unresolved knots, she had grown accustomed to his presence.

She wanted to tell him he need not come daily—Wu Sao's disappearance did not mean she herself was in danger—but she said nothing.

He came every day; she waited for him each day in the third-floor chamber, doing their usual tasks—time moved slowly, yet passed swiftly.

She had been in Jinling long enough, yet Zhou Zhou Zhengyang remained missing.

Her inquiries into those who had shared her father's crimes yielded no leads.

So she was not afraid of trouble—any trouble would surely relate to what she sought.

If it came, it might reveal something, bringing her closer to the burning question in her heart.

She never told Jia Cong of this dangerous thought.

He now came daily to Qingyin Pavilion, each time accompanied by four musketeers who sat quietly sipping tea in the corners of the main hall.

She trusted that even if someone wished to trouble her, they would keep far away.

Jia Cong finished reading the document and said: "I'll leave the four musketeers to guard you—should anything happen, they can assist."

Zou Min'er's voice carried a barely perceptible tenderness: "Qingyin Pavilion is all women. I live in the back courtyard, where only the pavilion's courtesans reside.

Twelve hours a day, strong women guard the inner quarters—men cannot approach. Leaving them here is useless. Don't worry—I won't leave Qingyin Pavilion; nothing will happen."

When Jia Cong stepped out of the chamber, he saw Zou Min'er standing at the doorway to see him off; the old copper hairpin she wore daily glinted faintly, clear and bright.

In the corridor, a tall maid passed by and bowed gracefully to him.

By day, Qingyin Pavilion bustled with life; no coarse souls passed through—only courteous, refined people greeted one another; it hardly seemed a dangerous place.

Behind the railing on the third-floor corridor, Zou Min'er watched Jia Cong's figure cross the main hall, then vanish through the gate—she remained standing, lost in thought.

…

Jinling, Zi Yun Pavilion.

Tomorrow was the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month—Zhen's matriarch's birthday.

Jia Cong had long received a letter from Jia Zheng in Shenyang, instructing him to represent the Jia family in paying respects.

Yesterday, Zhen Zhen Fangqing personally wrote an invitation, delivered by Liu Linjiang Xian to the Jia family's old residence in Xinglong Lane, inviting Jia Cong to the birthday banquet—proper etiquette observed.

Moreover, Zhen Zhen Fangqing greatly favored Lingguan and had Liu Linjiang Xian convey a message: Jia Cong should bring Lingguan to the Zhen residence to meet the matriarch in the inner quarters.

The birthday gift for the Zhen matriarch had long been prepared by Jin Cai and delivered personally yesterday—Jia Cong needed not lift a finger.

Jia Cong merely needed to appear at the Zhen residence on the twenty-eighth day, representing the Jia family.

Today he came to Zi Yun Pavilion to buy a gift—but unrelated to the matriarch's birthday.

Because Zhen Zhen Fangqing had once visited and presented a thank-you gift, Jia Cong naturally owed a return gift.

Zi Yun Pavilion was Jinling's most renowned and prestigious clothing shop, selling fine fabrics, ready-made garments, ornaments, and jewelry.

It was also the flagship store of the Xue family of Jinling; since Xue Xue Yima, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan departed for Shenyang, the shop had been managed by the Xue family's second elder—father of Xue Dou and Xue Sister Baoqin.

Since the gift was for a young lady, Jia Cong brought Lingguan along as a consultant.

Since arriving in Jinling, Lingguan had lived in the Xinglong Lane Jia residence, spending her days within the compound—this was Jia Cong's first time taking her out to tour Jinling.

Thus the girl was in high spirits; clearly, she had carefully groomed herself for today's outing.

She wore a pink-and-white silk jacket with plum-blossom embroidery and a mandarin collar, a pale pink cotton undergarment, and a dark red horse-face skirt, elegant and charming.

Though young, her theatrical training gave her movements a refined, graceful allure; upon entering Zi Yun Pavilion, she drew many glances.

In this era, women trained in opera faced strict disciplines: daily vocal practice, makeup and costume, posture and gait, cultivation of spirit and rhythm.

These refined practices honed a woman's aesthetic sensibility; thus, renowned opera performers were invariably striking in bearing and grace.

Though Lingguan came from poverty, years immersed in the troupe, combined with her exceptional talent and sharp intellect, had given her deep artistic cultivation.

Her taste was refined; soon she selected two sets of dresses and one set of jewelry for Jia Cong.

All designs were elegant and distinctive, yet not ostentatious—perfectly to Jia Cong's taste; he felt bringing this girl to buy women's goods was a wise decision.

He also bought Lingguan a pair of gold filigree earrings set with eastern pearls shaped like phoenix tails, and a Su Zhou-embroidered silk dress for Douguan.

He selected gifts for Qu Qu Hongxiu and Qin Qin Keqing, and chose a delicate gold hairpin inlaid with plum-blossom enamel.

…

Jia Cong and Lingguan exited Zi Yun Pavilion; after their carriage traveled a stretch, Jia Cong noticed Yingtian Prefecture's soldiers and constables patrolling the streets in groups of three or five.

Jia Cong felt a faint surprise—he had seen none of this on his way here.

When they reached an intersection, they saw a large detachment of Embroidered Uniform Guard setting up checkpoints, the atmosphere tense and stern.

Among the checkpoint guards were several sturdy women in official yamen uniforms, holding portraits and scrutinizing women among passing carriages and pedestrians.

Jia Cong knew these women were female yamen runners from the Yingtian Prefecture Ya, typically assigned to manage and escort female prisoners; due to gender distinctions, they often handled matters involving women and children.

Among the Embroidered Uniform Guard at the checkpoint, Jia Cong also recognized an acquaintance: Liu Yong, a Battalion Commander of the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard.

As Jia Cong's carriage neared the checkpoint, several Embroidered Uniform Guard approached with a female yamen runner to conduct the inspection.

Jia Cong felt puzzled and sent Jiang Liu to summon Liu Yong over for a conversation.

Liu Yong and Jia Cong had been old acquaintances for years; upon learning Jia Cong's carriage had arrived at the checkpoint, he hurried over immediately.

Jia Cong greeted Liu Yong and asked: "Brother Liu, what's happened? Why the sudden checkpoints?"

Liu Yong dismissed the guards preparing to inspect and said: "Your Excellency may not know—this morning, the Songjiang Embroidered Uniform Guard sent word that Liu Ao's Japanese pirates have been raiding the Songjiang Garrison, and they're still clashing with the garrison troops."

Jia Cong was startled—he had never heard of Liu Ao before coming to Jin Ling.

But due to the Zhou Zhou Zhengyang case, the former Deputy Regional Military Commissioner of Jin Ling, Zhang Kangnian, was under suspicion; he had served for many years in the Jin Ling Regional Military Commission and had numerous allies and old associates among the Jiangnan garrison forces.

Jia Cong and Zou Min were wary of Zhang Kangnian's special status and, unable to find concrete evidence against him, instructed the Zhongche Office to collect detailed service records of all military officers of fourth rank or higher in the Jiangnan garrisons.

They hoped to uncover traces linking these mid- to high-ranking officers to Zhang Kangnian.

In the service records of Luo Xiong, Commander of the Su Zhou Garrison, and Du Quan, Commander of the Songjiang Garrison, Jia Cong had repeatedly seen Liu Ao's name.

This was because in recent years, Liu Ao's Japanese ronin warriors had repeatedly raided the Songjiang and Su Zhou Garrisons, looting villages and towns nearby and engaging in fierce battles with the garrison troops.

Although Liu Ao had gathered a large number of Japanese Japanese pirates, he himself was not Japanese—he was a pure-blooded Great Zhou man.

It was said Liu Ao's ancestral home was Quanzhou in Fujian; the Liu family had been major sea pirates for generations, with origins traceable back to the founding of the Great Zhou.

At the height of their power, the Liu family had gathered over ten thousand men, roving unchecked along the southeast coast of the Great Zhou; the imperial army had launched multiple large-scale naval expeditions to suppress them, all to no avail.

When the current Emperor Jia Zhao Emperor implemented maritime policies and reopened foreign sea trade, foreign merchants, seeking safety for their voyages, strongly resisted the rampant piracy along the sea routes.

Under pressure from multiple forces, the Liu family's pirate power had shrunk, no longer as vigorous and brazen as it had been fifteen years ago.

But after Liu Ao took control from his father and elder brothers, the situation changed once again.

It was said that in his youth, Liu Ao admired the prosperity of Jiangnan in the Great Zhou and, under his father and brothers' arrangements, had disguised himself to land on the coast, studying under renowned masters in Jin Ling.

He suddenly left the mainland fifteen years ago and returned to the island to assume leadership of the Liu family's domain.

He was well-educated, and compared to his clan members, who were only interested in gathering and plundering, his vision and cunning were far deeper and more sinister.

Since taking control of the Liu family, he had recruited many Japanese ronin warriors who had been cast adrift by the internal struggles of the Japanese shogunate.

With these formidable Japanese ronin warriors joining his ranks, the Liu family's pirate power finally surged back to life.

Over the past four or five years, all Japanese pirates raids along the estuaries of the Yangtze River had been closely tied to Liu Ao's forces.

Thus, Jia Cong was not surprised that Liu Ao's forces were raiding the Songjiang Garrison.

But Songjiang Garrison was hundreds of miles from Jin Ling—why, then, were yamen troops patrolling the streets and the Embroidered Uniform Guard setting up strict checkpoints in Jin Ling? (End of Chapter)