Chapter 461: Paying Respects to the Retired Emperor in Qinghe

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Before the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Jia Mu was holding Baoyu in her arms, talking with Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng.

Yingchun's maid, Xiuju, walked into Rongqing Hall and said that the Third Master Cong had entered the city this morning and had also brought the uncle's family. The Second Young Lady asked her to come and report the news to the Old Madam.

Jia Mu was also startled to hear this. This boy returned to the capital without sending word in advance, saying he would return and then just returning.

Why would he bring the uncle's family? For a moment, she was a bit puzzled.

After another long while, Jia Mu saw Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and other sisters enter the hall, all with joy on their faces.

She quickly asked, "Second girl, has your brother already returned?"

Yingchun laughed, "Cong-di's personal guards came to the mansion to report, saying that Cong-di entered the city at the second quarter of the Chen hour (around 8:30 AM) and also brought the cousin Xing's family with him."

"Just now I was arranging the cleaning of the courtyard in the East Prefecture, putting away clothes, food, and hot soup, so that Cong-di could settle down and rest when he returned. Therefore, I came a bit late and let Xiuju report to the Old Madam first."

Hearing Yingchun mention the cousin Xing's family, Jia Mu realized that the uncle Xiuju spoke of was Lady Xing's brother's family. It was just unclear why they would enter the capital together with Jia Cong.

Jia Mu frowned and asked, "He has already returned to the mansion, why doesn't he come to see me?"

Seeing Tan Chun said, "Third brother's personal guards passed the word, saying that third brother had already sent a fast horse to the palace yesterday. After entering the city today, it was not good to go home first, so he went to the palace to report the decree and see the Emperor first."

At this time, outside Rongqing Hall, there was suddenly a sound of human voices and footsteps. Lady Xing was seen leading a girl of thirteen or fourteen, along with a middle-aged couple, walking quickly into Rongqing Hall.

Lady Xing was dressed in silk and satin, her head full of pearls and jade, noble and dazzling. The girl she was holding by the hand, however, was dressed in plain cloth and hairpins, her clothes and shoes old and worn. The two formed a sharp contrast.

But as soon as this girl entered Rongqing Hall, she attracted many people's attention.

Actually, on that day when Lady Xing proposed marriage for Xing Xiuyan, Jia Mu had politely declined on the spot.

Such matters involving inner-chamber marriage had some scruples among the maids and old women below, so this time it was not spread throughout the mansion.

However, Yingchun and other sisters had heard the rumors, so they were all somewhat curious about this newly arrived Miss Xing.

Daiyu and Baochai were even more concerned about this Miss Xing, because this girl was the Eldest Madam's own niece and had almost been proposed to Jia Cong.

Although this matter was denied by the Old Madam, it still left a way for her to be taken as a concubine. In short, there would inevitably be a connection with Jia Cong in the future.

Daiyu and Baochai were both from wealthy and noble families and had been accustomed to the affairs of their fathers, brothers, and concubines since childhood. Since the Old Madam had spoken, they didn't care about this matter.

It was just that when this Miss Xing arrived before them, they all had some intention of examining her.

Seeing that although she was dressed in plain cloth, she was not stained with a speck of dust, her appearance was elegant and beautiful, her skin was white and bright, and she was moving and touching.

Although her figure was slim and thin, she also showed a graceful charm. Her demeanor was indifferent, calm, and peaceful, her temperament restrained and serene, appearing to be free from worldly disputes, making people feel close to her.

Lady Xing originally wanted to marry Xing Xiuyan to Jia Cong, so that she could gain some benefits in the future, but she didn't expect that not only was it denied by Jia Mu, but she was also tricked into changing a wife into a concubine.

Today, her brother and his wife had arrived in the capital, and she really didn't know how to open her mouth. When Xing Zhong asked her about this, Lady Xing had to talk about other things, fooling them first before talking about it later.

However, after those words in Rongqing Hall that day, since Xing Xiuyan had arrived at the Jia mansion, she must be brought to pay respects to Jia Mu. This was something she couldn't avoid no matter what.

Therefore, after she entered the hall, she led Xing Xiuyan to Jia Mu and said, "Old Madam, this is my niece Xiuyan. I specially brought her to pay respects to you, Old Madam."

Saying this, she let the maid take a kneeling mat and let Xing Xiuyan kowtow to Jia Mu.

Jia Mu originally felt very disgusted that Lady Xing used her niece to occupy the position of the legitimate wife of the Count's mansion and disrupt her plans.

Therefore, she had no good feelings for this niece of Lady Xing, but seeing Xing Xiuyan's character, she was somewhat surprised.

She had always liked girls who were born with a good appearance, so she beckoned Xing Xiuyan to come forward, held Xing Xiuyan's hand, and looked closely at her appearance and demeanor.

She also asked her some daily questions. Seeing Xing Xiuyan was calm and composed, answering appropriately, although she was a girl in plain clothes, she had a natural elegance, and she couldn't help but like her a little in her heart.

If Xing Xiuyan were not Lady Xing's niece, Jia Mu would have wanted to keep her by her side.

Jia Baoyu, who was beside Jia Mu, saw such an outstanding girl as Xing Xiuyan arrive.

He originally thought the sisters in the mansion were already outstanding, but he didn't expect such a girl who was not inferior at all to arrive. He immediately fell into a state of infatuation again, staring at the other party without blinking.

He also muttered in Jia Mu's ear, asking her to keep Xing Xiuyan. Jia Mu naturally knew Baoyu's thoughts.

Jia Mu laughed at Xing Zhong and his wife, "Your daughter doesn't need to go home either. Just stay in the garden for a period of time and stroll around properly."

Xing Zhong and his wife thought it was the good thing mentioned in Lady Xing's letter, so they agreed on the spot and naturally thanked Jia Mu endlessly.

Seeing this, Lady Xing was somewhat helpless. The matter had already lost her control, so she had to let it be. In short, she would find words to fool her brother later.

She brought Xing Xiuyan to Wang Xifeng and said, "I will leave her to you to arrange. Arrange a proper place for her."

Wang Xifeng pulled Xing Xiuyan to look closely. Seeing her appearance was beautiful and her face was harmonious, she felt a sense of affinity just by looking at her.

She said to Jia Mu, "Old Madam, after Yingchun sister moved to the East Prefecture, her room has been empty. I want to settle Xiuyan there first."

In Wang Xifeng's view, on that day in Rongqing Hall, the Old Madam had already made the decision. Xing Xiuyan would sooner or later enter Jia Cong's room. Settling her in Yingchun's old room was just right.

Jia Mu thought for a moment and said, "This is also just right."

Hearing this, Baoyu said to Xing Xiuyan with some familiarity, "Second sister's old residence is extremely good, and it is very close to where I live. It is convenient to find sister to talk when I am free."

Beside them, Lady Wang heard this and looked at Xing Xiuyan, who was dressed in old clothes, frowning slightly.

Daiyu and other sisters heard Baoyu's words and saw that he was returning to his old ways. Did he not know what the Old Madam said in Rongqing Hall a few days ago?

Yingchun felt that the Old Madam and the Eldest Madam had already spoken. This girl would be matched with Cong-di in the future. Regardless of whether she was a wife or a concubine, the status was there, so she had to be careful.

She had just arrived and didn't know the depth of this mansion, so she couldn't let anything happen.

She looked at Baoyu and felt somewhat helpless. She felt that putting Xing Xiuyan in the West Prefecture like this was probably somewhat inappropriate.

So she said to Jia Mu, "Old Madam, Xiuyan sister came from afar. I, as the cousin, should look after her more. Otherwise, let her live in my courtyard, which is also convenient for the sisters to interact daily."

Wang Xifeng's mind was exceptionally shrewd. Just now, she heard Baoyu's words of closeness to Xiuyan, and then heard Yingchun suddenly propose to let someone live in her courtyard.

She couldn't help but marvel in her heart. This "Second Wood" was now too perceptive. As soon as Baoyu opened his mouth, she sensed the impropriety. She was really too protective of Third Cong.

However, Jia Cong was now ennobled and had opened his own mansion. He was the person with the most solid foundation and future in the Jia family, and he was also the brother of Wang Xifeng's first branch. She had long since figured out the pros and cons.

Compared to Baoyu, Wang Xifeng naturally leaned more towards Jia Cong, so she said, "Old Madam, Yingchun sister's idea is even better. Her courtyard is new and large, and it would be spacious even if a few more people lived in."

Actually, Jia Mu couldn't be bothered to manage such small matters in detail. Just now, hearing Baoyu mutter, she also casually let Xing Xiuyan stay in the mansion. Seeing Yingchun propose that she could live there, she naturally didn't care.

Jia Mu had never thought of keeping Xing Xiuyan because Baoyu liked beautiful maids, because she knew Lady Wang's temper and would definitely look down on such a poor girl.

Besides, a few days ago in Rongqing Hall, she had already cut off Lady Xing's handle and let Xing Xiuyan enter Jia Cong's room. Now that she was going to live in his East Prefecture, wasn't that just right?

It was just that when Baoyu heard this, his face immediately collapsed. The threshold of the East Prefecture was so high; how many times had he entered it?

The sisters in the mansion played in the East Prefecture every day, leaving him to only grind his teeth with the maids in the room every day. It was not easy for a good-looking relative to come, but in the end, she was still being diverted to the East Prefecture.

It was like this when Jia Cong was not at home, and now that he had returned home, the sisters in the mansion had even less of him in their eyes. How did he become his own evil star?

Great Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

The bronze crane-winged tripod of fortune and longevity in the main hall flashed with a heavy, dim yellow light. The sharp crane beak spat out milky white burning smoke, which was refreshing to the heart and soul, winding around.

Early autumn was approaching. In the empty and wide main hall, one could already feel a trace of coldness. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was wearing a round-collared bright yellow dragon-patterned padded jacket.

He looked at a pile of memorials from court officials on the imperial desk with some headache, as well as several impeachment edicts from the Censorate.

Ever since Guo Lin sent the report of the great case from Jin Ling, the news spread, causing a stir in the court.

Many officials only then knew that the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, had been sent by the Emperor to Jin Ling to prepare for the establishment of the Firearm Division of the auxiliary capital, which was just a cover; the actual purpose was to investigate the great case of Zhou Zhengyang for the Emperor.

Moreover, when the matter ended, not only was Zhou Zhengyang arrested by Jia Cong, but he also took the opportunity to clear out all the remaining poison of the great case of the Water Supervision Division from that year.

Furthermore, the mastermind behind the series of great cases in Jin Ling turned out to be the Second-Grade Regional Military Commissioner of Jin Ling, Du Hengxin. That was one of the few frontier officials in Nanzhili.

And the matter did not stop there. This case eventually led to the arrest of more than 150 people, and most of them were officials of the auxiliary capital.

How many officials were there in the entire Jin Ling officialdom? More than a hundred people were involved all at once. The entire official system of Jin Ling had actually decayed to this point! Except for a few officials who praised and affirmed Jia Cong's merit in breaking the great case.

Most officials severely criticized the corruption of the auxiliary capital's officialdom, and the heads of the Ministry of Personnel and other departments had the fault of dereliction of duty and must be held accountable.

There were even more new and old party officials who were dissatisfied with the court's policy of opening the sea, violating ancestral systems, and began to attack the sea policy of Jin Ling. These officials believed that the reason why Jin Ling repeatedly had great cases, officialdom was corrupt, and everyone was greedy and vulgar, even the Second-Grade high official of the Nanzhili Guard was so unbearable.

It was all because Jin Ling widely opened sea trade, foreign barbarians and miscellaneous types poisoned the Jiangnan, and the huge profits from the outer sea corrupted people's hearts, which led to the corruption of Jin Ling's officialdom. The sea trade should be closed as soon as possible and return to the ancestral system.

Thus, similar memorials and edicts evaluating sea policy and impeaching officials appeared on Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's imperial desk every day.

Although it was impossible for the Emperor to stop and abolish the national policy of sea trade because of these criticisms, facing these officials who were talking on paper every day was really quite a headache.

The court could not punish people for their words; this was also the consensus of monarchs of all dynasties. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao could not easily punish officials or even start a massacre because they said refuting words.

Back then, those five old party officials opposed the new policies such as reducing tax exemptions for officials and gentry and apportioning taxes according to land.

To kill one to warn a hundred and push for the new policies, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao also let the Zhongche Office collect evidence of their illegal acts before taking the opportunity to demote them, not because they opposed the new policies.

Now he could not easily overstep the rules, so as not to cause turmoil in the court, and could only plan slowly, waiting for the storm of the Jin Ling great case to subside before looking for opportunities to eliminate these biased voices.

The Deputy Superintendent of the Inner Court, Guo Lin, stood by the imperial desk to serve. He left Jin Ling on the same day as Jia Cong, but arrived in the Love Shenjing two days earlier than Jia Cong.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "Is Jia Cong returning to the capital today?"

Guo Lin replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, yesterday Jia Cong's personal guards had already passed information to the palace. He could enter the capital this morning. Calculating the time, he should be about to enter the palace to report his mission."

Not long after Guo Lin's voice fell, an attendant entered the hall to report that the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, had returned to the capital to report his mission and was already waiting outside the hall for the Emperor's summons.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's spirit was lifted, and he said, "Summon him into the hall!"

Hearing the attendant's message, Jia Cong walked into Ganyang Hall with big strides and saluted Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, reporting, "Your subject Jia Cong, following Your Majesty's imperial decree, went down to Jin Ling to investigate the important case. It has now been filed, and I specially report to Your Majesty!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao revealed a trace of a smile and said, "You went down to Jin Ling this time and used less than two months to investigate the Jin Ling great case thoroughly, and not a single criminal escaped."

"It is truly rare and you have made great contributions. My heart is very comforted!"

Jia Cong replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. Your subject is an official of the court. Fortunately, I have Your Majesty's trust and follow the imperial decree to handle the errand. I should naturally go all out. This is my duty as a subject."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sighed, "I have read the memorial. You acted meticulously, personally went down the river route, and arrested the mastermind Du Hengxin. It can be considered a perfect success."

"This person is truly evil. I originally wanted to have him escorted back to the capital for a special trial, but I didn't expect the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard to be derelict in their duty and actually let this person be assassinated in the busy street. It is truly hateful! I ask you, after you captured Du Hengxin, on the way to escort him back to Jin Ling by boat, did you interrogate him?"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's previous words were all praise for Jia Cong, but when he said this last sentence, Jia Cong vaguely felt a sense of coldness, and his heart couldn't help but feel slightly startled.

During the investigation of the great case, he had long learned from various channels that Du Hengxin, in order to gain glory in his official career, had betrayed his own clan, the Jin Ling Du family, to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who was then the Prince of Qi in his residence.

And the destruction of the Jin Ling Du family, the rebellion of the Prince of Wu that year, the abdication of the Retired Emperor, and Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's miraculous ascension to the throne all had obscure connections.

All of this made Jia Cong feel vigilant towards Du Hengxin, deducing that he very likely knew some secrets about the change of imperial power in the Love Shenjing that year.

Therefore, after he captured Du Hengxin, he became defensive. Facing the full boat of Five-Army musketeers, he strictly guarded Du Hengxin, not allowing others to approach, and he himself did not ask him a single word.

His actions were just to avoid getting involved in some imperial secrets that he shouldn't know, which would bring him unimaginable disaster.

Moreover, there were 300 Five-Army musketeers on the boat at that time, many of whom he didn't know. Jia Cong wouldn't be naive enough to think that there were no dark agents of the Zhongche Office or the Emperor's eyes and ears among them.

And afterwards, Guo Lin held the Emperor's secret decree, not allowing the Dali Temple's Yang Hongbin to interrogate Du Hengxin, and having the Embroidered Uniform Guard escort him to the Love Shenjing for a special trial.

This was enough to prove how wise and correct Jia Cong's worries and defenses were back then.

This matter had been thought over countless times in Jia Cong's mind after Du Hengxin was assassinated and died in the busy street of Jin Ling.

Just now, when Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao suddenly asked, all of this flashed through Jia Cong's mind like lightning.

He said without hesitation, "Reporting to Your Majesty, after your subject captured Du Hengxin, I had the musketeers strictly guard him, not allowing anyone to approach, and your subject did not interrogate him at all."

"Your subject's duty is to investigate the case and arrest the important criminals. Interrogating the criminals is the duty of the Dali Temple. Your subject does not wish to overstep my bounds."

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Jia Cong with a scrutinizing and cautious gaze for a moment. The hall fell into a brief silence.

After a while, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said, "Very good. You handled the matter effectively this time and have worked hard. Go back to your mansion and rest and recuperate..."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was just about to continue when an attendant outside the hall suddenly entered to report that Eunuch Ouyang from the Chonghua Palace had arrived outside the hall and requested an audience.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's gaze flickered slightly, and almost without hesitation, he said, "Let him enter the hall to speak."

Chonghua Palace was the Retired Emperor's sleeping palace. Ouyang Bin was the Retired Emperor's close attendant, holding the position of Grand Superintendent of the Inner Court, and his position was even above Guo Lin's.

Although Ouyang Bin had followed the Retired Emperor to retire to Chonghua Palace more than a decade ago and handed over all the power of the inner attendants to Guo Lin, according to his rank, Ouyang Bin was still the number one inner attendant of the Great Zhou.

Ouyang Bin suddenly requesting an audience with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was also something that hadn't happened for many years. His intention must also be related to the Retired Emperor.

Following the attendant's message, Jia Cong saw Ouyang Bin enter the main hall. It was also his first time seeing this person.

This former inner attendant superintendent was already over sixty, his hair gray, but his complexion was ruddy, his posture upright, his gaze calm, and he looked without any signs of old age.

After he entered the hall, he respectfully kowtowed to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor has an oral decree, letting the Count of Lord Weiyuan go to the Qinghe Palace to pay respects immediately after reporting his mission."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's expression froze slightly. If the Retired Emperor wanted to see Jia Cong, it should be in Chonghua Palace, not Qinghe Palace, because Qinghe Palace was the sleeping palace of the Old Imperial Consort Zhen.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked, "Is the Retired Emperor currently visiting the Old Imperial Consort in Qinghe Palace?"

Ouyang Bin replied concisely, "Exactly."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao understood immediately. The one who wanted to see Jia Cong was likely not the Retired Emperor, but that Old Imperial Consort Zhen.

Right now, the Old Imperial Consort Zhen was terminally ill. According to the imperial physician's report, her condition was quite dangerous. She wanted to see Jia Cong at this time, mostly related to the matter of bestowing marriage between Jia Cong and Zhen Fangqing.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's gaze flickered, and he let out a breath that was almost imperceptible. He said to Jia Cong, "The Retired Emperor has always appreciated your calligraphy, which can be considered a fate. You go and pay your respects."

"You have made great contributions here. I have my own rewards. Wait for the imperial decree after you return to the mansion."

Jia Cong saluted and thanked him, then retreated from Ganyang Hall, but his heart felt anxious and confused.

Just now, hearing Ouyang Bin's words, Qinghe Palace was the Old Imperial Consort Zhen's sleeping palace. Why would the Retired Emperor summon him there?

Although Ouyang Bin's hair was already gray, his gaze was focused, without any signs of old age or fatigue. He scrutinized Jia Cong slightly before saying, "This old servant will lead the way. Please follow me, Count of Lord Weiyuan."

Jia Cong followed Ouyang Bin through the palace and halls for a long time before arriving at the Qinghe Palace where the Old Imperial Consort Zhen lived.

Although Qinghe Palace was not as magnificent as Ganyang Palace, the palace rooms were wide and exquisite, with carved railings and painted beams, curtains and orchid porches, revealing a peaceful and quiet charm.

There were many guards with swords patrolling and guarding the perimeter of the palace. Palace maids and attendants were often busy back and forth in the palace rooms, but they all kept their heads down and were silent, and the atmosphere was slightly oppressive.

Jia Cong followed Ouyang Bin into an inner palace and saw a gauze curtain covering the front. Behind the gauze curtain, he could vaguely see a bed with an old woman with snow-white hair lying on it, with two palace maids standing by her side.

Sitting on an embroidered stool in front of the bed was an old man wearing a cyan nine-dragon robe. There were only two people in the palace who could wear the nine-dragon robe; besides Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, it was the Retired Emperor Yong'an who had retired to the deep palace.

It was just that the gauze curtain was covering, and Jia Cong could not see their faces clearly.

Jia Cong was guided by Ouyang Bin to the front of the gauze curtain. Only after getting Ouyang Bin's hint did he know that the one he was paying respects to was not only the Retired Emperor Yong'an, but also the Old Imperial Consort Zhen in the palace.

He remembered the peaceful and serene atmosphere of Qinghe Palace, which was so different from the imperial power and nobility of Ganyang Palace, and guessed that Qinghe Palace was not the Retired Emperor's palace, but the Old Imperial Consort Zhen's sleeping palace.

It was just that he had never had any connection or involvement with the Old Imperial Consort Zhen. Why would she summon him here to pay respects?

Thoughts flashed through Jia Cong's mind. The only connection he could think of was that Yingchun had mentioned in a letter that the Old Imperial Consort Zhen had suggested to the Retired Emperor that he be bestowed a marriage with Zhen Fangqing.

Thinking of this, his heart sank slightly! After Ouyang Bin entered the gauze curtain and reported, a palace maid came forward to lift the gauze curtain after a while, letting Jia Cong come forward to pay respects.

Jia Cong came forward and saluted, saying, "Your subject Jia Cong pays respects to Your Majesty and the Old Imperial Consort Zhen."

He only heard the Retired Emperor's voice from above, which was low and seemed to have a strange, calm kindness, saying, "Raise your head."

Jia Cong looked up and happened to meet the Retired Emperor's gaze.

He was the top scholar of the Yongzhou provincial examination in the 13th year of Emperor Jia Zhao. The reason why the court opened the special examination that year was to celebrate the 65th birthday of the Retired Emperor Yong'an.

Moreover, the Retired Emperor seemed to be very fond of his calligraphy, first with that Heart Sutra he wrote and presented by Prince Kangshun.

Later, after he returned from the great victory in Liaodong, the palace attendant went to the Rongguo Prefecture to pass the decree, asking him to handwrite a "Linjiang Xian" to present to the Retired Emperor.

Jia Cong thought to himself and suddenly discovered that he and this Retired Emperor actually had some kind of hidden connection a long time ago.

He saw this long-famous Retired Emperor. Although his hair was gray, his appearance was clear and thin, his spirit was vigorous, and there were no obvious signs of old age. His demeanor was calm and condensed, and his authority was hidden.

Jia Cong saw his eyes were bright, his spirit was burning, and he was quietly scrutinizing him. That gaze seemed to be able to pierce through his heart at once! (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 462 =====