Chapter 456: Who in the Mourning Hall Holds Tender Feelings?

Jin Ling, Rongyu Lane, Zhen Residence.

Inside and outside the grand mansion, banners were being raised and white cloth hung; servants tied mourning sashes around their waists, and the entire household was filled with sorrow.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing wore a plain-colored dress, a white flower pinned in her hair, her beauty refined and striking, her bearing exquisite and captivating.

She moved back and forth, busy directing servants to arrange the funeral hall and organizing the reception of relatives and friends who came to pay their respects.

At this moment, Liu Linjiang Xian's wife came to report that Jia Family's Marquis of Lord Weiyuan had arrived at the residence to offer condolences for the Third Young Master.

Since the news of Zhen Zhen Shiwen's death reached them, the Zhen household had been in chaos.

Upon hearing the terrible news, the Zhen matriarch, overcome with grief and rage, fell gravely ill and could not rise from her bed.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen was the eldest son of the main house, a position of special prestige within the great clan—he was the designated heir to carry on the Zhen family legacy—and no one had imagined he would die so young and violently.

And the matter did not end there; according to reports from the Ying Tian Prefecture, Zhen Zhen Shiwen had been found dead on the bed of his concubine, murdered while engaged in illicit acts with her…

The eldest son of the main house dying an unnatural death was bad enough, but to die in such a disgraceful manner brought utter shame upon the Zhen family of Jin Ling.

The Zhen matriarch, already heartbroken by the loss of her eldest grandson, now learned he had died in such a scandalous fashion.

The noble, dignified old lady, who had lived her entire life in honor, was filled with shame and fury—she barely avoided dying on the spot, and it was a miracle she had not.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen's father, Zhen Zhen Yingjia, held the third-rank post of Director of the Jin Ling Tiren Academy and had always prided himself on his refined status.

Upon hearing of his son's disgraceful death, whether from shame or grief, he screamed "wretched son!" several times, then hid away, too ashamed to show his face.

Zhen's eldest lady, upon hearing of her son's death, had fainted from weeping multiple times and remained unconscious.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen's wife, upon learning her husband had died in the bed of his mistress, had attempted suicide several times; now a group of maids and old nurses kept constant watch, fearing another death.

Among the remaining peers of the Zhen family, only Zhen Jia Baoyu, who resembled Jia Jia Baoyu, remained.

But he was merely a useless wastrel, obsessed with amusing maids, lamenting spring's end and autumn's sorrow, moaning without cause—just like Jia Jia Baoyu—and naturally incapable of doing anything.

Thus, the funeral arrangements for Zhen Zhen Shiwen fell entirely to Zhen Zhen Fangqing, an unmarried young lady, who led the household servants in managing the affairs.

Though the great clan appeared outwardly wealthy and glorious, with a prestigious gate, a mere whisper of trouble revealed its weak, inept, and hollow core—something that could not help but evoke sighs.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing, as a young lady, oversaw the funeral; all visiting relatives and former officials were received by the steward's appointed staff.

But when word came that Jia Cong had arrived to pay condolences, Liu Linjiang Xian's wife personally escorted Jia Cong to a quiet side hall, determined to meet him herself.

Liu Linjiang Xian's wife was slightly startled: Third Young Lady, as a woman, was handling the Third Young Master's funeral, and to avoid suspicion, she had refused to meet any outside visitors.

Yet for this young Marquis of Lord Weiyuan, she disregarded suspicion and insisted on meeting him personally—she clearly treated him differently.

…

In a quiet side hall of the Zhen residence's outer courtyard, Liu Linjiang Xian brought Jia Cong there, had maids serve tea, then withdrew.

Not long after, Jia Cong saw Zhen Zhen Fangqing enter.

Jia Cong noticed she had changed into male attire, her expression unmistakably weary, yet still clear, elegant, and graceful; her snow-white, luminous face bore faint dimples, her gaze tender and captivating, her beauty exquisite.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing said: "Thank you, Jia Yuzhang, for coming to pay your respects to my elder brother."

Jia Cong replied: "Third Young Lady, you are too formal. The Jia and Zhen families are longstanding kin. Your brother's passing merits this visit—it is only proper. I beg you to bear your grief with composure."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing asked: "I heard that a few days ago, you accompanied the Embroidered Uniform Guard outside the city and destroyed a secret firearms workshop in the western suburbs?"

Jia Cong realized that after two polite pleasantries, she had abruptly shifted to the core issue—he understood her intent.

"Correct. The Embroidered Uniform Guard also seized part of the unused Ottoman iron from the workshop and confirmed this batch originated from the Zhen family's Haiyun Pavilion warehouse."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing was startled by Jia Cong's directness; her bright eyes fixed on him for a moment. Seeing his calm, gentle gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly.

In an instant, she understood: Jia Cong had not come merely to mourn the dead—this stirred a soft warmth within her.

Yet she said: "That Ottoman iron was indeed stored in the Haiyun Pavilion warehouse, but several days ago, it was stolen."

"My elder brother's sudden death feels suspicious. What counsel do you offer me, Jia Yuzhang?"

Jia Cong fell into brief thought, his gaze shifting toward the side hall's entrance.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing immediately understood: "This side hall is secluded. I've ordered Uncle Linjiang Xian to clear all servants. Speak freely, Jia Yuzhang—no need for caution."

Jia Cong said: "I heard from Ying Tian Prefecture officials that although silver and jewelry were stolen from the scene of my brother's murder, it seemed like a robbery gone wrong."

"But both your brother and the woman died from a single clean cut—no time to cry out. Common thieves could never manage such precision."

"I suspect your brother knew something dangerous—someone silenced him."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing turned pale. Though sharp-witted, she was still a woman, and such talk naturally frightened her.

Moreover, Jia Cong's words about murder to silence her—she could already guess the reason: her eldest brother must have been involved in the secret firearms workshop and knew its secrets.

Thus, when the workshop was raided and the Ottoman iron seized, someone feared he would expose them—and killed him to silence him.

Though this was only speculation, her eldest brother had repeatedly smuggled firearms, hidden Ottoman iron for gun barrels, and the strange fire at Haiyun Pavilion—all these events were clearly linked.

There could be no such coincidence.

Jia Cong said: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has been investigating the Zhen family's ties to secret firearms production because of your brother. But I trust your wisdom, Third Young Lady, would never involve yourself in such hidden dangers."

"Now that your brother is dead, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has lost its lead."

"In every great clan, some descendants behave shamefully, planting hidden disasters. Now is the time to mend the fence after the sheep are lost."

"As you oversee the Zhen family's business, you may now reform its old abuses, lest any future exposure give enemies leverage."

In truth, as Director of the Firearms Bureau and a court official, and with the Zhen family suspected of involvement in secret firearms production, Jia Cong's words had already crossed a line.

…

Today, under the guise of mourning, he had merely tested her. Only because Zhen Zhen Fangqing had come out to meet him himself did he speak these words.

Ge Ge Zhi Cheng's malicious intentions pressed relentlessly; Jia Cong realized the Zhen family was slowly falling into a storm.

Perhaps soon, the Zhen family would face great disaster…

The graceful Zhen Zhen Fangqing reminded him of Zou Min'er, once in such pitiful circumstances.

For if the Embroidered Uniform Guard uncovered concrete evidence to frame the Zhen family, the crime of secretly manufacturing firearms—equivalent to treason—would mean nothing but confiscation and extermination.

At that time, a woman like Zhen Zhen Fangqing, no matter how outstanding, would meet the same tragic fate as Zou Min'er had.

He did not wish Zhen Zhen Fangqing to ever walk Zou Min'er's path.

By chance, he had helped Zou Min'er escape her wretched fate—but such things were rare, unrepeatable.

Perhaps it was this woman's exceptional talent that made him feel a quiet kinship.

Or perhaps it was the vague mention of a marriage decree in Seeing Yingchun's letter, stirring an inexplicable pity within him.

In any case, by warning Zhen Zhen Fangqing, he had calmed his own inner impulse and found clarity of purpose.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing's eyes, clear as water and bright with light, knew that for Jia Cong, given his status and position, to speak these words to her was an act of great righteousness.

Since her family began planning the marriage decree, and since Jia Cong stood out so prominently, her heart had long been stirred.

But she had little contact with him; she harbored affection, yet did not know his feelings.

Today, meeting him, she realized he too held her in his thoughts—this thought shook her heart, filled her with tenderness and joy.

Looking at Jia Cong, she said: "Jia Yuzhang, your wise words and noble righteousness—I, Zhen Fangqing, will forever remember them."

After saying all he meant to say, Jia Cong took his leave from the Zhen residence. Zhen Zhen Fangqing watched his departing figure, her heart unsettled.

…

Jin Ling, Fuyuan Inn.

The upper room on the second floor had been rented for six or seven days.

The innkeeper knew the guest staying there was a nobleman from the Divine Capital, immensely wealthy, ordering only the finest food daily.

Such guests were naturally welcome, yet this nobleman from the Divine Capital had peculiar habits.

Since arriving, he rarely left his room; outsiders could not tell if he had come to Jin Ling for business or to visit family.

Each day, his attendants entered and exited the room several times, then left the inn, seemingly on errands.

This pattern continued for days, and the innkeeper and staff had grown accustomed to it.

Some northern and southern merchants, wealthy and arrogant, often behaved oddly—it was common enough.

The innkeeper did not know that the guest in the upper room was not a peculiar merchant at all, but Liu Yong, Chief Secretary of the Northern Quiet Prince's Mansion.

…

At that moment, a servant entered the upper room and said to the man inside: "Chief Secretary, word has spread through the city today: Zhen Zhen Shiwen of the main house of Jin Ling's Zhen family was murdered in his concubine's residence on Xiuchun Street—the matter has caused a great uproar; Ying Tian Prefecture and the Embroidered Uniform Guard have both mobilized."

"The Zhen residence is in complete chaos."

Upon hearing this, the man's expression changed slightly; he paced back and forth in the room, as if deliberating.

The servant asked: "Chief Secretary, since arriving in Jin Ling, you've kept to yourself. Now that Zhen Zhen Shiwen is dead—he is the Princess's own brother—should we not pay our respects at the residence?"

Liu Yong and Guo Lin had departed the Divine Capital on the same day, arriving in Jin Ling one after the other.

Upon his arrival, Liu Yong had encountered Guo Lin proclaiming an imperial edict at Taiping Gate, followed by turmoil in Jin Ling.

Liu Yong, as Chief Secretary of the Northern Quiet Prince's Mansion, was no fool; faced with Jin Ling's unrest, he had abandoned plans to meet Zhen Zhen Shiwen and remained in the inn to observe.

Hearing his subordinate's reminder, his gaze shifted uncertainly: "Absolutely not. In such a situation, we must not show ourselves."

"At this critical moment, if a man from the Northern Quiet Prince's Mansion appears in Jin Ling, outsiders will inevitably suspect the Prince himself—would that not be stepping into danger?"

"Prepare the carriage and pack our belongings immediately. Leave Jin Ling today—as if we never came."

"The eldest grandson of the Zhen main house is dead; this storm will not subside. We must hasten our pace and return to the Divine Capital at once!"

The innkeeper was just instructing the kitchen to prepare exquisite dishes, as previously ordered by the guest in the upper room.

Such a generous guest was a treasure to the innkeeper, so he treated every detail with care.

As the innkeeper busied himself, he saw the guest's servant come to settle the bill—leaving him momentarily stunned.

Soon after, the innkeeper saw the guest in the upper room hurry into a carriage, escorted by five or six mounted guards, vanishing into the dusk of Jin Ling.

The early autumn of Love Shenjing already carried a distinct chill, unlike Jinling, a thousand li away, which still retained traces of lingering summer heat.

Divine Capital, Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qianyang Hall.

The early autumn in the Divine Capital carried a distinct chill, unlike Jin Ling, a thousand miles away, where residual summer heat still lingered.

In the empty hall, bronze vases and crane incense burners emitted fragrant smoke—sweet as orchid, musky—making the spirit clearer and more focused.

【101】 After morning court, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao returned to Qianyang Hall, where an eunuch presented the memorial from Imperial Envoy Guo Lin.

【102】 Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's spirits lifted slightly; according to travel time, Guo Lin had only just arrived in Jin Ling, yet already sent back his memorial.

This can only mean the Nanjing Water Supervision Bureau case has made tremendous progress, even reached the point of complete success; otherwise, Guo Lin would not have submitted his report so quickly.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao unfolded the memorial and read it carefully, a smile spreading across his face.

In the grand hall, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's voice echoed, filled with praise: "Jia Cong has not disappointed me—in less than two months, he has thoroughly investigated the Nanjing case and apprehended all the principal culprits!"

Since Guo Lin was sent to Nanjing with imperial edicts, the eunuchs serving in Qianyang Hall are now merely one of Guo Lin's subordinates, a sixth-rank eunuch named Yuan Jing.

It was his first time serving in Qianyang Hall, so he was deeply nervous and apprehensive.

In the past, after morning court, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would silently review memorials until late into the night.

Except when ministers entered to report, His Majesty rarely spoke, let alone uttered such joyful self-reflections; Yuan Jing had never heard it before, and the rarity of it immediately drew his attention to Jia Cong's name.

He had once heard palace servants say that Jia Cong was the son of the Rong State Jia family, the youngest marquis in the Great Zhou dynasty.

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao reached the final section of the memorial, his brows furrowed and his expression turned angry.

Yuan Jing, standing nearby, saw the emperor's face shift from joy to gloom in an instant, and he was secretly startled.

Suddenly, His Majesty spoke to him: "Summon the Director of the Office of Rituals to take dictation!"

Yuan Jing replied respectfully and hurried out to summon the man; soon after, the eunuch from the Office of Rituals who recorded imperial edicts entered the hall.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said: "Issue my decree: The Nanjing Water Supervision Bureau case has been thoroughly investigated; all principal and accomplice culprits have been apprehended. I greatly commend this. Order Guo Lin and Jia Cong to return to the capital to report."

Command the Dalisi and the Ministry of Justice to send officials south to Nanjing to handle the principal and key accomplices of the case, enforce the law publicly, and uphold the state's discipline.

The Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander Ge Zhi Cheng was negligent and incompetent, allowing the principal culprit of the Nanjing case to be assassinated in broad daylight. Issue a reprimand from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Command.

Give him ten days to apprehend the murderer and bring him to justice; if he fails to do so, dismiss him and investigate him…."

After the eunuch finished transcribing the edict, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, perhaps speaking too hastily, coughed several times, his breath shallow and unsteady.

He said to Yuan Jing beside him: "Lately, my spirit has been weak, and I often suffer from shortness of breath and a persistent dry cough. Go summon Li Li Chengming from the Imperial Medical Bureau to come and take my pulse."

Yuan Jing replied: "Your Majesty, when I went to the Office of Rituals to summon someone, I happened to see Director Li Li Chengming heading toward Qinghe Palace—he must be attending to Old Imperial Consort Zhen."

"I shall go fetch him immediately."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao frowned and asked: "Has Old Imperial Consort Zhen been unwell lately?"

Yuan Jing answered: "According to reports, Old Imperial Consort Zhen caught a cold a few days ago; her illness has lingered and refused to improve. Director Li has treated her several times, but the pathogen has not yet been expelled."

"During this time, the Retired Emperor visits Qinghe Palace daily to see the Old Imperial Consort."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's gaze sharpened slightly and said: "So that is why. The Old Imperial Consort is over eighty; her body is delicate and hard to nourish. Do not summon Li Li Chengming. Let him focus entirely on treating her."

"Go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and find me another physician…"

…

Rong State Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Early that morning, Jia Mu summoned Jia Baoyu to join her for breakfast.

Soon after, Lady Wang arrived with Xue Xue Yima and Xue Baochai to pay their respects and sit for a while.

Jia Baoyu and Jia Cong are the same age; after the New Year, he will be fifteen. According to Jia Fu's customs, once a young master turns fifteen, two maidservants are assigned to his quarters, and marriage arrangements are put on the agenda.

Thus, recently, whenever Lady Wang and Xue Xue Yima came to Rongqing Hall to pay respects, they always brought Xue Xue Baochai along.

Although Xue Xue Yima admired Jia Cong's power and prospects, she knew her daughter stood little chance of matching him, so she pretended not to notice her sister's tactics, always leaving a backdoor for her daughter.

Xue Baochai, though intelligent, was still young and lacked the worldly cunning of Lady Wang and Xue Xue Yima; paying respects to elders was simply proper etiquette, so she naturally came.

After they had spoken for a while, Seeing Yingchun arrived from the Eastern Prefecture, bringing Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Little Xichun, and the other sisters to pay their respects to Jia Mu.

The atmosphere in Rongqing Hall instantly became lively.

Seeing Seeing Yingchun bring the sisters, Jia Mu felt even more that her second granddaughter was well-behaved and sensible.

…

Seeing Yingchun wore a light blue jacket embroidered with branching flowers, a white cross-collar inner robe beneath, and a white pleated skirt below.

Among the sisters, Seeing Yingchun was the eldest; her figure had grown tall and graceful, increasingly radiant with youth.

Now, Jia Mu found Seeing Yingchun more pleasing to the eye than ever.

Her second granddaughter had always been shy and introverted since childhood, quiet to the point of not even crying out when pricked by a needle—no wonder the servants behind her back called her "Second Woodenhead."

But over these past few years, for reasons unknown, perhaps because she had matured, she had slowly changed.

Especially after Seeing Yingchun moved to the Eastern Prefecture and took charge of her brother's household, she seemed like an entirely different person.

Though still quiet in daily speech, her demeanor and conversation had become increasingly refined, calm, and composed—vastly different from her childhood shyness and restraint—and Jia Mu found her delightful to behold.

Last time, the eldest granddaughter in the palace sent a trusted maidservant to deliver a birthday gift; Seeing Yingchun's words and responses were both dignified and appropriate, truly earning Jia Mu's admiration.

The women of the Western Prefecture often spoke of affairs in the Eastern Prefecture, saying the servants there were diligent and strictly disciplined, even superior to those in the Western Prefecture.

Though it was said the Eastern Prefecture's servants were carefully selected and purchased from the south, the household's orderly internal and external management could not have been achieved without Seeing Yingchun's careful attention.

Thinking of this, Jia Mu felt even more that her grandson possessed great fortune.

The quiet, unremarkable second girl from the Western Prefecture, taken in by him to live in the Eastern Prefecture, had suddenly become sharp and capable.

She managed his household flawlessly, allowing that boy to pursue his affairs outside without her having to lift a finger.

Jia Mu had always prized her granddaughters most: first Jia Yuanchun, who had entered the palace eight years ago, then Seeing Tan Chun—but she never expected the quiet, unassuming second girl to be a true gem.

…

When the sisters had all taken their seats, Jia Mu asked Seeing Yingchun: "Has your brother in Nanjing sent any letters? Is he well there?"

"Don't be like the last two years, offending relatives in Nanjing and bringing back nothing but gossip."

Seeing Yingchun smiled and replied: "Grandmother, you worry too much. Since Brother Cong went to Nanjing, he has sent two family letters back; everything is fine there."

"Moreover, this time Brother Cong was sent to Nanjing on imperial orders to handle routine Ministry of Works duties, with no connection to Nanjing's old relatives—how could he possibly stir up gossip for you?"

Lady Wang, turning her prayer beads, smiled and said: "Cong-ge is capable—he can accomplish extraordinary things even there."

"Two years ago, when he first went to Nanjing, he was merely copying sutras for the late Empress Dowager—seemingly an even quieter task than this."

"Yet look how things turned out—he solved cases, captured criminals, and caused quite a stir."

Jia Mu found Lady Wang's words reasonable.

Seeing Yingchun heard Lady Wang's words and felt a strange unease, but she could not reply.

Lin Daiyu, however, sensed the sarcasm in her second aunt's tone: on the surface praising Third Brother's ability, but secretly implying he was trouble-prone.

Though Lin Daiyu was displeased, she was Jia Cong's cousin and dared not show her feelings, lest she stir up gossip for him.

Suddenly, a clear, bright voice rang out in the hall: "Last time Third Brother went to Nanjing, he achieved great glory—he was granted an official post by His Majesty, and his concubine mother was posthumously honored with a noble title!"

Everyone turned to look; it was Seeing Tan Chun, sipping tea from her cup, as if she had merely spoken casually—but her face was faintly flushed, radiant and charming.

Seeing Tan Chun had heard Jia Mu's words and felt a pang of resentment: several years ago, Third Brother brought great honor to the Jia family by going to Nanjing.

Yet Grandmother remembered only the complaints of the Shi relatives, still holding a grudge after all these years.

Though Grandmother's attitude toward Third Brother has softened somewhat this past year, deep down she remains distant; no matter how outstanding he becomes, she always sees his flaws.

…

Lin Daiyu, hearing this, felt uneasy: Seeing Tan Chun was usually sharp-witted, but she was too protective of Third Brother and had forgotten the reason.

She did not realize that praising Third Brother's abilities before Grandmother was harmless.

But one must never mention that Third Brother's concubine mother was posthumously honored with a noble title—that was Grandmother's deepest wound.

In the years she had lived in the Jia household, Lin Daiyu had long heard the stories of Jia Cong's mother; she knew this was Grandmother's greatest grievance, even blaming this incident for her grandfather's sudden death.

Grandmother's coldness toward Third Brother since childhood stemmed entirely from her hatred of his mother.

Indeed, when Jia Mu heard Seeing Tan Chun's final words, her expression darkened slightly; but since her third granddaughter had spoken casually, she could not show her anger openly.

She said: "Cong-ge has his title now, and he has established his own household. I see no need for him to keep running around the country like this."

"He'd be better off settling down, like my Jia Baoyu, living quietly at home in peace, avoiding outside risks—everyone would be spared worry."

"These are peaceful times, unlike Grandfather's era, when conquering lands and expanding borders was necessary. Even if he achieved great merit now, could he possibly earn a marquisate or dukedom?"

As Jia Mu spoke, a servant outside reported that Second Master had returned from court and was entering the inner courtyard, saying he had good news to tell Grandmother. (End of chapter)