Chapter 457

Jin Ling, at the foot of Mount Mount Qixia.

Two carriages followed closely behind, racing along the emerald-green mountain path.

Since Guo Lin had submitted a memorial to the imperial capital reporting the successful resolution of the Water Surveillance Office case, Jia Cong had been awaiting the palace's edict before returning to the capital to report.

His time in Jin Ling was running short, and perhaps for that reason, at the Yumin Fang residence, he was always treated with overflowing tenderness.

Today, with fine weather, he accompanied Qin Qin Keqing and Qu Qu Hongxiu to Da Cien Temple to fulfill a vow, accompanied also by Baozhu and Ruizhu.

Originally, the vow at Da Cien Temple was a promise Jia Cong had made to Qin Keqing, and the itinerary had been arranged by her—but Qin Keqing always insisted Qu Qu Hongxiu come along.

Jia Cong vaguely sensed an unusual harmony between the two women; perhaps Qin Keqing had long noticed that his relationship with Qu Qu Hongxiu had changed.

A woman's intuition in such matters can never be overestimated.

Yet two women who ought to be rivals were remarkably close and harmonious; perhaps they even showed slight jealousy when facing Jia Cong together, but it was inconsequential.

When Qin Keqing first left her husband and returned home, her father had pressured her, leaving her with no recourse—she fled to Jin Ling.

She and Qu Qu Hongxiu had jointly managed Xinchun Company, spending day and night together, relying on each other—even more than she had spent with Jia Cong.

This mutual dependence, this familiarity with each other's presence, was perhaps the main reason they could tolerate one another.

In an era dominated by scholar-officials, women naturally extended greater tolerance toward men…

Breathing in the fragrant scents on either side—some radiant as rose petals, others exquisitely beautiful—each frown and smile was a scene from paradise. Inside the carriage, whenever he tried to steal a kiss or sneak a touch of her waist or hand,

His arm would always be pinched lightly but firmly, as if by some strange unspoken understanding, they united to stop him—he couldn't even tell whose hand was punishing him.

This persistent resistance became a quiet, continuous game of sweet defiance inside the carriage, and Jia Cong was always on the losing side.

Only during brief stops, when one of them occasionally stepped down, could Jia Cong turn the tide—leaving the other alone, unable to firmly resist his affection, blushing and letting him act as he pleased.

The hooves trotted lightly, the breeze whispered gently; beyond those heart-stirring moments, there was mostly soft laughter and playful chatter.

Jia Cong wished, just a little, that he could be even more idle—that this strange, sweet journey would never end, allowing him to temporarily escape the endless schemes and conspiracies.

…

Perhaps because this journey to Jin Ling had exposed Jia Cong to too many demons and goblins.

This time, sent by imperial decree to the south, after great effort, he believed the poisonous remnants of the Water Surveillance Office case had been entirely purged.

He also believed Du Du Hengxin was the true mastermind behind the case.

But many obscure clues pointed to one thing: Du Du Hengxin's rise as the mastermind of the Water Surveillance Office case had been driven and shaped by a hidden force.

By the time Du Du Hengxin was captured, the Nanzhili military system—including Jin Ling Guard, Su Zhou Guard, and the Water Surveillance Office—had already colluded.

If two years ago he had not, by chance, intervened in the Water Surveillance Office case, the scandal would never have been exposed; Du Du Hengxin, Zou Zou Huaiyi, and other key culprits would have remained at large, wreaking havoc in Jiangnan.

Then, in a few years, all five guards and one office under the Jin Ling Military Commissioner's Office would have been completely corrupted by this case.

Tens of thousands of troops guarding the six prefectures and one commandery of Jiangnan would have rotted beyond repair.

A vast defensive void would have opened across half of Zhou's southern lands.

At that time, if someone like Du Du Hengchang had allied with secret sects and whispered a call to arms amid the corrupt Jiangnan military, they might have seized half of Jiangnan in an instant.

Just as the founding emperor of the Zhou dynasty had risen from Jinling, gazed northward at foreign tribes, and vied for control of the Central Plains, such a mighty warlord's struggle might yet be replayed.

He believed his suspicions were not baseless, nor groundless speculation.

If his theory was true, then the poison of the Water Surveillance Office case spreading through Jin Ling was merely the tip of a colossal conspiracy.

Fifteen years ago, why had anyone gone to such lengths to elevate Du Du Hengxin, a disgraced guard company commander?

Du Du Hengxin's burning ambition, his ruthless methods, and his constant rejection and coldness from Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao—his twisted nature and insatiable desires were the perfect breeding ground for catastrophe.

Each promotion he received seemed guided by a hidden force.

The moment he was placed as battalion commander of the Water Surveillance Office, he achieved a decisive victory against Japanese pirates.

The moment he secured his post as deputy commander of the Military Commissioner's Office, the Regional Commander suddenly died under mysterious circumstances.

His only rival for the position of Jin Ling Military Commissioner was Chen Yi, a scion of the Qi State Duke—one whom Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao deeply distrusted.

Numerous seemingly unrelated yet suspicious coincidences had propelled Du Du Hengxin to his extraordinary rise, allowing him to profit from others' losses.

One coincidence in this world is not strange—but so many? That must mean something is amiss.

Thus, Zhen Zhen Fangqing's father, Zhen Zheng Yingquan, the Jin Ling merchant who had elevated Du Du Hengxin, had long aroused Jia Cong's suspicion—but this man had perished in a maritime disaster five years ago…

Qu Qu Hongxiu noticed Jia Cong's slightly furrowed brow, his vacant stare—he seemed lost in thought. Quietly, she placed her slender, smooth palm in his hand, and he instinctively closed his fingers around it.

…

At that moment, the carriage halted. Jia Cong and the others disembarked, and before them stood a grand temple, built into the mountainside, its layered towers rising, eaves overlapping, exquisite and solemn.

The last time Jia Cong left Jin Ling, he had merely copied the thirteen Buddhist sutras officially mandated by the Ministry of Rites; at that time, Da Cien Temple had only been partially completed.

This was Jia Cong's first time seeing the fully completed Da Cien Temple.

The place held special meaning for him: he had once been ordered by imperial decree to copy sutras here, and it was there he had gained a great opportunity.

It was also where he had met Qin Qin Keqing, and where, during the temple's consecration ceremony, he had recovered Zhi Shao, who had been thought dead and reborn.

On the way, Qin Keqing told him that the Guanyin statue in Da Cien Temple's Guanyin Hall was especially efficacious—Jin Ling's young ladies most loved coming here to make wishes.

Moreover, the standing Guanyin statue was said to have been sculpted after the face of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's mother, the late Empress Dowager Empress Xianxiao.

This made Jia Cong think of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's mother, who, in life, had been an obscure palace maid.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's lineage and birth were among the most ordinary in the imperial clan.

Whether from Zou Min's recounting of the Du family's Jin Ling tales, or from Zou Zou Huaiyi's secret ledger recording the secret history of the Wu Rebellion, Prince Qi's ascension, and the Retired Emperor's abdication,

they all described the current emperor similarly: before his ascension, he had been an unremarkable imperial prince, neither favored nor noticed by the Retired Emperor—perhaps due to his humble origins.

Yet Wu Prince, mentioned alongside him, was entirely different.

Wu Prince's mother was the Retired Emperor's most beloved Imperial Consort Zhao, said to be of exalted birth.

Wu Prince was handsome, brilliant in both literature and martial arts, radiant beyond compare—no other imperial prince could match him.

He was not only the Retired Emperor's most favored son but also the most admired by court ministers, all of whom saw him as the rightful heir.

Yet the outcome was the exact opposite.

The radiant Wu Prince perished in failure; the obscure Qi Prince ascended in an astonishing turn.

Why had Zou Zou Huaiyi's secret ledger recorded these events? What had been written on the two pages torn from its end? For Jia Cong, the Jin Ling Water Surveillance Office case was over—but as he uncovered more information, the doubts in his heart grew daily.

After returning to the imperial capital, perhaps he could find opportunities to learn more about those old events from Liu Jing'an or Jia Zheng.

After returning to Love Shenjing, perhaps I can find opportunities to learn about past events from elders like Liu Jing'an or Jia Zheng.

Imperial Capital, Lady Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

When Jia Mu and the others heard Jia Zheng had good news to announce, they exchanged glances—Lady Rongguo Mansion's life had always been calm and steady, rarely disturbed by upheaval.

Li Li Gongcai, as usual, led Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, and the other sisters into the back hall to speak.

Only Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and Xue Xue Yima remained in Rongqing Hall.

Soon after, Jia Zheng entered, dressed in his official robes, smiling broadly and radiating vigor.

In Lady Rongguo Mansion, Jia She was lustful and absurd, Lady Xing greedy and avaricious—so Jia Mu considered the eldest son and his wife unfit for public display and had always disliked them.

Jia Mu's deepest affection was reserved for her second son, the upright and proper Jia Zheng.

When Lady Rongguo Duke Jia Jia Daishan left his will, naming the eldest son as heir to the title and the second son as heir to the mansion, it was an unconventional deviation from tradition—without Jia Mu's staunch support, it would never have succeeded.

By the time of the Yu generation in Lady Rongguo, Jia Lady Lian was the eldest son of the primary branch; though Jia Mu favored him, he was not as cherished as Jia Baoyu of the second branch.

Among the young ladies of the mansion, Jia Mu still valued Yuan Chun and Tan Chun of the second branch most; Seeing Yingchun, the illegitimate daughter of the first branch, was barely noticed.

But in recent years, a single figure from the first branch—Jia Cong—had risen alone, shining brilliantly and stealing all the glory from the Yu generation's other youths, even lifting Seeing Yingchun's visibility.

For Jia Mu, this change, though slightly regrettable, was ultimately not bad—after all, they were all her grandchildren; more honor was better than none.

But for Lady Wang, it was an ever-growing wound of humiliation: watching the first branch's illegitimate son shine, while her own Jia Baoyu remained utterly unremarkable.

So when she heard her husband speak of good news, her prayer beads stopped mid-turn—her intuition was right: among all Jia clan youths, who else could bring such "good news" but that boy…

Jia Mu smiled as Jia Zheng entered and asked: "You're always buried in your office—how did you hear good news? Tell us, let us laugh."

Jia Zheng chuckled: "Today, as I left the office, a well-informed colleague came to tell me: Imperial Envoy Guo Lin has sent a memorial from Jin Ling.

The memorial states that Jia Cong solved the Jiangnan military case, led troops to Su Zhou and along the river, devised ingenious strategies, and captured key fugitives.

The principal culprits—Jin Ling Military Commissioner Du Du Hengxin, Su Zhou Guard Commander Luo Xiong, and fugitive Zhou Zhou Zhengyang—all have been apprehended; over one hundred fifty officials and civilians implicated in Jin Ling have been imprisoned.

His Majesty has greatly commended Jia Cong's achievements in Jin Ling and has already issued an urgent edict summoning him back to the capital to report."

Upon hearing Jia Zheng's slightly excited tone, Lady Wang's expression involuntarily fell—her omen had been correct: that boy was cunning; every time he left on a mission, he returned with some achievement.

Why did her husband speak of him with such joy? He was not his son—why such delight?

Jia Mu's heart skipped at these words. She did not find this cause for celebration—she only heard that the boy had solved another major case and arrested over one hundred fifty people.

With so many in Jin Ling suffering, would it be like last time, when old relatives like the Shi family also suffered?

With that boy's nature, who knew? He might stir up fresh gossip again.

Jia Mu frowned: "Wasn't he sent to Jin Ling merely to handle routine Ministry of Works duties? How did he end up solving cases and arresting people again, causing such a commotion?"

Jia Zheng smiled: "I was puzzled at first, but a knowledgeable colleague explained: last time, when Jin Ling Guard Commander Zhou Zhou Zhengyang committed his crime, the court intended to punish him.

But officials in the capital colluded with external officers, leaking imperial secrets, allowing Zhou Zhou Zhengyang to flee. Though His Majesty ordered the Judicial Court to punish them severely, he took it as a warning.

He ordered Jia Cong to Jin Ling to establish a Firearm Office branch—publicly, that was the decree; secretly, he entrusted Jia Cong with a secret mandate to investigate the Jin Ling military case. Clearly, Jia Cong is deeply favored by His Majesty.

Now he has achieved another great feat—after returning to the capital, he will surely be rewarded. Our Lady Rongguo Jia family gains further glory—isn't that good news?"

Jia Mu quickly asked: "He arrested so many in Jin Ling—do many of our old aristocratic relatives live there? Have any of their sons suffered?"

Jia Zheng paused slightly, then said: "I'm not certain—I haven't heard any mention of it from colleagues.

If any of our Jin Ling kin were arrested, it must be because they broke the law—then they deserve their punishment.

Though you are kind and compassionate, Mother, such matters need not trouble you. The law will deal with them."

Although the Old Lady is kind and compassionate, such matters need not trouble you—there are clear laws and statutes to punish them.

Upon hearing her son's words, Jia Mu felt a deep, stifling bitterness. Though this old son was her favorite, he was too naive, too rigid—he simply could not have a sensible conversation.

Jia Mu heard her son's words and felt a suffocating bitterness—though this old son of hers was favored by her, he was far too naive and rigid, utterly incapable of having a sensible conversation.

I only hope that boy from the Eastern Mansion doesn't come back from Jin Ling with another mess on his hands.

But it's unlikely—he's always cold, unpredictable, and never cares about the faces of relatives or elders…

Jia Zheng had brought good news, but after a few replies from Jia Mu, the atmosphere in Rongqing Hall grew heavy.

Wang Lady naturally wouldn't praise Jia Cong, so it was Xue Xue Yima who spoke to ease the tension.

She smiled: "Grandmother, this is truly joyful news! I've only been in the household a short while, but my ears are nearly worn out from hearing it—I've never seen a young master as capable as Brother Cong."

Every time he steps out, he brings honor to Grandmother. My Xue family has no such fortune to produce a son like him—I envy you most of all, Grandmother, for raising such an extraordinary grandson."

If he keeps this up, after a few more long journeys, he might even be granted a marquisate or ducal title."

Jia Mu worried that, like last time, Jia Cong might stir up trouble in Jin Ling and bring trouble upon her extended family—but it was still unconfirmed.

Now, hearing Xue Xue Yima's flattering words, her heart softened slightly. After all, if the boy pleases the Emperor, it's good for the Jia family too.

She smiled faintly: "Madam Xue flatters too much. At his age, to have such a display of status is already excessive—one must know contentment."

Besides, these are peaceful times. No matter how much he stirs up trouble, he has no destiny for a marquisate or ducal title."

But he spends hardly a day at home all year, always out causing chaos, always involved in matters of weapons and bloodshed. What if he brings disaster upon us—who will clean up after him?"

I only hope he lives a quiet life in the mansion, so we all can be clean and at ease."

Xue Xue Yima laughed: "Any capable young man, especially one so young, can't stay cooped up at home—he must travel far and wide."

Not to mention Brother Cong, who's so outstanding—even my own foolish, unruly son never stays home day after day."

Once a young man grows older, marries, and settles down, his heart naturally steadies."

Brother Cong will be the same—he'll settle down in the mansion and serve Grandmother with filial piety."

…

Xue Xue Yima was merely speaking polite pleasantries, but the mention of betrothal and marriage struck a chord in Jia Mu's heart.

She suddenly recalled how, not long ago, the Imperial Dowager Zhen had sent a gift of Yunwu Treasure Tea to show favor.

And the Marquis Chen's wife had visited to warn her: the Imperial Dowager Zhen was plotting to arrange a marriage between Jia Cong and the Third Miss Zhen.

Jia Mu naturally didn't want Jia Cong to marry a daughter from an outside family—she had always intended for him to elevate her own clan by marrying her niece, Shi Shi Xiangyun.

Xue Xue Yima's careless words stirred Jia Mu's thoughts.

She thought: Jia Cong will soon return to the capital, and now he's earned merit in Jin Ling—if he returns and the Imperial Dowager Zhen succeeds, the court might grant the marriage as a reward.

Then all her plans would be in vain—how could her own grandson's fortune flow into another family's field?

Jia Mu pondered: if she arranged Jia Cong's marriage in advance, the court's proposed betrothal would collapse on its own.

After a moment's thought, Jia Mu said to Jia Zheng: "When I brought Brother Cong here to the Western Mansion and placed him under your care, you, as his uncle, should take more responsibility for him."

Now he holds a noble title and has established himself among the Jia clan's young men."

Brother Cong will turn fifteen after the New Year—he's reached the age of martial readiness, and it's time to arrange a marriage."

Jia Zheng smiled: "Grandmother speaks wisely. Though young, Brother Cong has already achieved fame and merit—he's truly at the age to marry and start a household."

Grandmother, with your experience, do you have any noble young ladies from distinguished families in mind?"

Wang Lady and Xue Xue Yima both looked startled—they had just been discussing Jia Cong's affairs in Jin Ling.

Why had Grandmother suddenly shifted to his marriage? The abrupt turn left them unprepared.

Moreover, the tone of this mother-son exchange sounded as if they were in a hurry to betroth Jia Cong.

Wang Lady felt a pang of resentment: My Jia Baoyu is the same age as that boy—he'll turn fifteen next year, yet Grandmother hasn't even begun planning for him, and now she's rushing to arrange for that boy? Does he even deserve it? Xue Xue Yima, hearing Jia Mu mention Jia Cong's marriage, was also stirred—but when Jia Zheng immediately spoke of noble ladies from eminent families, her heart sank.

A man of Brother Cong's status must marry a noble lady from a distinguished family to be suitably matched."

But the Xue family has no hereditary title, not even a proper official post—my Xue Baochai is far from qualifying as a noble lady."

If that girl knew Grandmother was already seeking a bride for Brother Cong, she'd be heartbroken—after all, she has no destiny or fortune for such a match."

Jia Mu smiled: "I'll keep an eye out. When I have some leads in a few days, we'll discuss it further—the Jia family hasn't had a wedding in a long time."

Wang Lady and Xue Xue Yima exchanged glances, both momentarily stunned.

What did she mean by "a few days"? Clearly Grandmother already had someone in mind—but which noble daughter? …

Behind the screen at the main seat in Rongqing Hall, a slender green figure flickered and dashed off toward the back hall.

When Jia Zheng entered Rongqing Hall, Li Li Gongcai was a widow, and all the young ladies were unmarried, so they all followed Jia family custom and withdrew.

But now the young ladies had grown clever—whenever Second Master announced good news, it was always about Jia Cong. Besides, who else in the Jia family could possibly stir up good news?

Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, Seeing Tan Chun, and the others all looked forward to it. Seeing Tan Chun had wanted to eavesdrop herself, but the little maid Little Xichun volunteered.

Since Jia Cong moved to the Marquis's Mansion, Little Xichun mostly stayed in Seeing Yingchun's courtyard, spending more time there than Lin Daiyu or Seeing Tan Chun.

No one in the Eastern Mansion would restrain her, and her wet nurse and maids couldn't come daily to the Eastern Mansion. Seeing Yingchun's gentle nature allowed her every liberty.

So although Little Xichun was somewhat reclusive, she was perfectly content in the Eastern Mansion, and whenever Jia Cong returned home, he often spoke and joked with her.

The little girl was now very close to Jia Cong, and she was delighted to act as his gossip-bearer about his romantic affairs.

When Seeing Tan Chun saw Little Xichun return, she pulled her aside: "Fourth sister, what did Father say about the good news?"

Little Xichun blinked and said: "Second Master said Third Brother cracked a major case in Jin Ling and earned great merit—the Emperor summoned him back to the capital to report, and he'll be home soon!"

Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, and the others all smiled with delight, but Xue Baochai asked: "Little sister Little Xichun, did he say anything else?"

Little Xichun's face suddenly flushed red: "Grandmother also said Third Brother is of age, and she and Second Master have been discussing arranging a bride for him."

Seeing Yingchun and Seeing Tan Chun looked startled—why had marriage suddenly come up out of nowhere?

Xue Baochai heard the news and turned pale slightly. She couldn't help glancing at Lin Daiyu, who frowned faintly, silent, her silk handkerchief twisted into a tight knot.

(End of Chapter)