Chapter 468: Evil Offspring, Dragon

Jude Lane, the Marquis's Mansion.

At dawn, the air was faintly warm, the morning sun slanting eastward; shafts of light dappled the study, all quiet, as Jia Cong held a collection of contemporary essays but seemed distracted.

This morning, he had sent Jiang Liu to the second gate to investigate Hongwen Street, but the man had not yet returned with news.

Suddenly, light footsteps sounded behind him, a faint perfume stirring; he turned to see Zhi Shao bringing a cup of hot tea.

She wore a pale purple silk dress embroidered with plum blossoms, a white satin oblique-front inner robe, graceful and alluring, exquisitely intoxicating.

Zhi Shao had just bathed; her long hair was not coiled into a bun but tied back with a ribbon, still damp with moisture.

Jia Cong took the teacup, shifted his body slightly to make room on the stool, and Zhi Shao smiled faintly, sitting beside him, idly arranging the books and clutter on the desk.

"Have Abbess Abbess Xiushan and your sister been settled? If anything's amiss, I'll have the steward handle it."

"I settled them all when I returned that day. Though the Master endured a long journey, after being treated and prescribed by Doctor Zhang, her condition has improved greatly—just needs more rest, and she'll recover fully."

Jia Cong heard Zhi Shao speak lightly, yet he knew: Abbess Abbess Xiushan's condition was temporarily stable, but in the end, she would pass away at the Monastery of Nian outside the West Gate.

Abbess Abbess Xiushan was an expert in the Divine Numerology of the Primordial, and before her death, she instructed Sister Miao Yu not to return to Pansheng Temple in Su Zhou, but to remain in Love Shenjing and await her destiny; Sister Miao Yu thus settled permanently in Love Shenjing.

Jia Cong naturally would not tell Zhi Shao these things, to spare her sorrow—and how could he explain how he knew them? He had no plausible answer.

This was Zhi Shao's joy, her carefree happiness; each day she had it was a gift, why disturb it lightly?

The autumn sun, warm and gentle, slanted through the window, bathing them in its glow; Zhi Shao's post-bath body exuded a warm, intoxicating sweetness.

Jia Cong recalled the days when they both served in the East Courtyard warehouse—lonely, humble, yet leaning on each other; back then, he never imagined things would be like this.

A stirring rose in his heart; he reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Zhi Shao naturally leaned into him, letting him nuzzle against her damp temple.

"Cong Sanye, look how good it is now—you're by my side every day, the Master and Sister have come to Love Shenjing—all the good things I've ever wished for have come true."

Jia Cong smiled. "Is that all you ever wished for? Nothing else?"

Zhi Shao seemed to recall something, smiled faintly, her cheeks flushing pink like a peony just in bloom.

Such beauty stirred Jia Cong's heart; he pulled her closer, kissed her lips several times. Zhi Shao closed her eyes, yielding gently, her long curled eyelashes trembling continuously.

…

At that moment, footsteps sounded at the study door; Jia Cong reluctantly released Zhi Shao, seeing the young maid Juan'er enter.

She handed Jia Cong a slip of paper. "Jiang Liu, your attendant, passed this note through the second gate."

Jia Cong took the note and saw it read: Deng Hongchun Fur.

Zhi Shao noticed Jia Cong's face darken; she worried and asked, "Cong Sanye, what's happened?"

Jia Cong forced a smile. "Nothing serious. Don't worry."

He took the note and left his courtyard, walked awhile in the garden, then sat on a secluded corridor, his thoughts churning.

Jia She's fur shop was named Deng Hongchun Fur—the same shop emblem marked on the two wooden crates seized from the Nanjing firearms smuggling workshop.

And Jia She had recently hosted merchants from Nanjing, proving he had business ties with that region.

Jia Cong did not believe in so many coincidences; he didn't even need to send someone to investigate—he could already deduce Jia She was involved in the stolen firearms from Liaodong.

Though Jia She was base and greedy, he was born into the Lady Rongguo family; he couldn't be so clueless as to not know the gravity of transporting contraband firearms and illicit manufacturing—he would never dare touch such a thing.

So someone stole firearms from Liaodong; under the court's intense investigation, the stolen weapons reached Love Shenjing but likely encountered obstruction.

Thus, they used Jia She's fur shop to smuggle the goods to Nanjing, since the Lady Rongguo Mansion's title of First-Rank General still carried weight in Love Shenjing.

These people must have concealed the true nature of the cargo from Jia She; once the stolen firearms reached Nanjing, they were dismantled and copied.

Even if Jia She was unaware of the truth, his involvement in arms smuggling and illicit manufacturing—crimes bordering on treason—meant he could never wash his hands clean.

At this point, after careful thought, Jia Cong realized he could do nothing.

…

Knowing Jia She, he would use his fur shop to transport goods for others only if paid a high fee.

So if he fell, it was his own doing; emotionally, Jia Cong had no desire to intervene.

But if Jia She fell, the entire Lady Rongguo Jia family would be dragged down—Jia Zheng, Tan Chun, and the other sisters would all suffer; he could not stand idly by.

Yet Jia She's fur shop had been open for over half a year; the Deng Hongchun Fur sign was already widely known.

Even if Jia Cong now tried to cover it up, it was too late—the truth could no longer be hidden, and any rash action would only implicate himself.

Moreover, the two crates linked to Deng Hongchun Fur were now in the hands of the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Battalion Commander Ge Captain Ge Zhi Cheng was no ordinary man; he might still be searching nearby prefectures and counties for Deng Hongchun Fur's location.

But too many channels and possibilities existed—he would inevitably learn that a Deng Hongchun Fur shop existed in Love Shenjing, a thousand li away.

The fact that Jia She's fur shop had drawn no attention in Love Shenjing so far likely meant the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard's report had not yet reached the Love Shenjing command.

Thus, Jia Cong could not prevent the exposure of Jia She's involvement in arms smuggling and illicit manufacturing—the initiative lay with the Nanjing Embroidered Uniform Guard, not him.

His only option now was to limit the damage after exposure, ensuring it did not reach himself or those he cared for.

…

The Great Zhou Imperial Palace, Qinghegong.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing had been in the palace for several days, attending the old dowager consort day and night.

Perhaps because of Zhen Zhen Fangqing's presence, the dowager consort's complexion had improved, and her spirit seemed stronger than before.

Each day, as the imperial physicians diagnosed and treated her, Zhen Zhen Fangqing observed from behind the curtain.

Yet Li Li Chengming, the head of the Taiyi Academy, showed no relief at the dowager consort's improvement—his expression grew heavier, leaving Zhen Zhen Fangqing deeply uneasy.

That day, after a light meal, the old dowager consort told her trusted old maid: "All of you may leave. Let Zhen Fangqing stay with me."

Everyone withdrew outside; the old maid closed the door and stood silently guarding it.

This had happened daily since Zhen Zhen Fangqing entered the palace—her daily private time with the dowager consort.

At this hour, the old dowager consort would recount many past memories.

The carefree days of her youth in the Zhen family mansion, the youthful hopes upon entering the palace, sixty years in the deep court—moments of joy and calm, but also countless hardships and burdens.

Many of these stories Zhen Zhen Fangqing had never heard before; her heart often trembled with shock and emotion. She believed few in the world could have heard these things.

Like an old man nearing death, pouring out all his joys, sorrows, wisdom, and insights without reserve—to fill the heart of his dearest descendant, guiding and illuminating.

…

Today, the old dowager consort's spirit seemed clearer than in recent days; her desire to speak appeared even stronger.

She asked: "Zhen Fangqing, do you know that our founding emperor once established the capital in Nanjing, marched north into the Central Plains, and ultimately secured the Zhou dynasty's vast lands?"

Zhen Zhen Fangqing replied: "I've heard many tales since childhood. The founding emperor was a peerless hero—he swept away regional warlords in the south, unified half the realm, laying the foundation to conquer the Central Plains and restore Han clothing and customs."

"The founding emperor's peerless achievements are beyond what later generations can surpass, yet great affairs of state always come at the cost of countless bones—this has always been so."

Hearing the dowager consort speak such a bleak phrase, Zhen Zhen Fangqing felt a chill.

The dowager consort's voice, aged and low, continued: "In those days, the Jin and Mongols ravaged the Central Plains; Han civilians fled south to defend their homeland for a hundred years.

Warlords on all sides fought the barbarians yet never ceased vying for supreme command of the southern armies; banners changed on city walls, the lands south of the Yangtze changed hands multiple times, the martial spirit of power far surpassed previous eras.

The founding emperor, Li Li Tianling, rose from the south with extraordinary brilliance.

In just ten years, he destroyed the states of Zhang Chu and Chen Han and brought all southern warlords under his command, gaining strength enough to stand against the northern Mongols.

But though the warlord leaders were defeated, many among the Han armies who submitted to him harbored hidden ambitions.

To prevent future threats and ensure unity among the Han armies for the northern campaign against the Mongols,

the founding emperor selected his most capable and loyal men, placing them under his younger brother Li Li Tianmin, who, under the guise of wandering the martial world, secretly oversaw internal military surveillance and deterrence."

Hearing the name Li Li Tianmin, Zhen Zhen Fangqing found it unfamiliar—she had never heard it before. Yet if he were the founding emperor's brother, common sense dictated he should not be obscure; she felt a faint unease.

…

The dowager consort continued: The founding emperor's military genius was unmatched, which is why he won every battle and unified the realm.

But his younger brother Li Li Tianmin possessed a different kind of talent; though inferior in battlefield prowess, he was deep in cunning, meticulous in action, and brilliant in strategy—a formidable man indeed.

In just over a year, Li Li Tianmin used his power to secretly eliminate internal threats within the armies, forging unity and crafting for the founding emperor a mighty force capable of sweeping the land.

After the founding emperor's northern campaign, Li Li Tianmin led his elite troops, recruited extraordinary individuals, assassinated Mongol generals, burned supplies, and gathered intelligence, achieving great merit.

At that time, the founding emperor also ordered his trusted generals to select elite young men from their families to join Li Li Tianmin's ranks, further strengthening their shared cause.

Today's four great families of Nanjing—Jia, Wang, Shi, Xue—and even our own Zhen family, all once had young men serving under Li Li Tianmin.

After ten years of northern campaign, the founding emperor finally swept toward the Central Plains, his army poised at the gates of the Mongol capital. Just as the fate of the realm hung in the balance, Li Li Tianmin dispatched elite agents to enter the capital and assassinate the Mongol emperor, Toghon Temür; the Mongol army plunged into chaos, and the founding emperor seized the moment to capture the capital, finally unifying the realm."

The dowager consort's tale of past events was dramatic and gripping; Zhen Zhen Fangqing listened with rising emotion.

Though she had read or heard fragments of the founding emperor's heroic deeds, none compared to the dowager consort's vivid telling—this was her first time hearing of Li Li Tianmin.

…

Seeing the dowager consort had spoken at length, Zhen Zhen Fangqing rose to pour a cup of hot tea, intending to moisten her throat.

She said: "According to your account, Li Li Tianmin made immense contributions to the founding of the Zhou dynasty."

But the dowager consort, hearing Zhen Zhen Fangqing's casual remark, paused, seemingly lost in thought, and did not take the teacup.

She murmured: "Founding the realm, immense merit—precisely because of this one deed that bred fear and ambition, and summoned heaven's wrath!"

Hearing this, Zhen Zhen Fangqing's mind raced; she forgot to set down the teacup. Her sharp intellect sensed the dowager consort's hidden meaning.

The dowager consort continued: "After the founding emperor entered the capital and unified the realm, he returned to Nanjing to ascend the throne as sovereign of all under heaven.

But at that very moment, rumors surfaced that Li Li Tianmin had conspired with his subordinates to seize the throne."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing's heart trembled—exactly as she had suspected.

Li Li Tianmin must have followed the founding emperor into rebellion, earned countless astonishing feats, and after the realm was secured, his ambition burned—he refused to remain beneath the founding emperor and sought to usurp the throne!

The dowager consort continued: "The older generation believed Li Li Tianmin was infallible in strategy, while the founding emperor was merely an invincible battlefield commander, lacking Li Li Tianmin's subtlety in covert schemes.

But fate is capricious—or perhaps destiny had chosen—Li Li Tianmin's plot leaked, and he soon found himself in dire straits.

Though he commanded many extraordinary talents and thousands of loyal death-soldiers, the founding emperor had nearly a million troops; the disparity in strength was overwhelming.

At that time, the founding emperor had just crushed the Central Plains and expelled the northern Mongols, his prestige at its peak; compared to his brother, Li Li Tianmin's reputation and renown were far inferior.

It is said that when Li Li Tianmin planned rebellion, the young nobles from the great families who had once been loyal to him turned against him; the uprising had barely begun, and defeat was already certain."

Li Li Tianmin soon met failure and died; his loyal subordinates took his only bloodline and fled in panic, vanishing thereafter.

As Zhen Zhen Fangqing heard the old imperial dowager speak of this, a chill slowly rose in her heart—she seemed to grasp something, yet could not quite pin down the thread.

The old imperial dowager continued: "The court has always regarded Li Li Tianmin's bloodline as a grave threat, and his followers have been hunted generation after generation, with no mercy shown."

These people had another name—one that had existed since Li Li Tianmin broke away from the mainstream, claiming to roam thejianghu and forming his own army."

"You must have heard of it in Jiangnan, Qing'er."

Seeing Zhen Zhen Fangqing's eyes flicker, the old imperial dowager lowered her voice slightly and said: "That name is the Hidden Gate."

Though spoken softly, the words carried a sharp, icy chill.

With a sharp "crack," Zhen Zhen Fangqing's teacup slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor; her lovely face turned pale.

…

The palace door opened; the old maid's face was ashen. "Old Dowager, is something wrong?"

The old imperial dowager's expression remained calm. "Zhen Fangqing accidentally dropped her teacup. Go wait outside—I wish to speak with Zhen Fangqing alone."

Jinling was the cradle of the Great Zhou's rise, the foundation upon which the founding emperor seized the Mandate of Heaven, and the secondary capital of the Zhou dynasty.

Long ago, the Hidden Gate also arose in Jinling, and its legend spread ceaselessly across Jiangnan; Zhen Zhen Fangqing, raised in Jinling, had naturally heard of the Hidden Gate's name.

But she had never imagined that this infamous cult of rebellion and evil was of the same bloodline as the current Zhou imperial clan—it was simply too unbelievable.

When the old maid had left again and closed the door, Zhen Zhen Fangqing finally spoke: "Ancestress, if this is true, then Li Li Tianmin shared the imperial bloodline—his descendants are also of dragon's blood and phoenix's essence?"

The old imperial dowager said: "Li Li Tianmin was the founding emperor's younger brother. One surname, Li, written with the same brush—by blood, he was unquestionably of the imperial lineage."

"Yet Li Li Tianmin's descendants have always been a dire threat to the court, destined only for annihilation."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing's eyes flickered. "Ancestress, why are you telling me these old stories? Is there some connection to the Zhen family?"

…

The old imperial dowager smiled. "You're clever, child—you've hit upon the crux."

"I've told you before: in those days, the founding emperor and Li Li Tianmin, the two brothers, jointly governed the realm—one managing internal affairs, the other external. Many of the founding emperor's generals and officers had family sons join Li Li Tianmin's ranks."

"When Li Li Tianmin rebelled, most of these aristocratic youths defected—but one was different: my grandfather, your great-great-grandfather."

"My grandfather had once been Li Li Tianmin's trusted strategist, aiding him with plans and deeds, earning him many merits."

"When the founding emperor captured the capital, expelled the Northern Yuan, and unified the realm, my grandfather abruptly retired—stripped off his armor, resigned his post, and lived out his days in quiet seclusion, ignoring all worldly affairs."

"Precisely because of this, he escaped the deadly power struggles at the dawn of the dynasty, allowing the Zhen family to survive."

"Yet compared to the other aristocratic families who defected, my grandfather's actions seemed unusual—seen as cunning, opportunistic, lacking true loyalty to the sovereign, and thus suspected."

"Thus, throughout the founding emperor's reign, my grandfather was sidelined, never again entrusted with power; the Zhen family sank into obscurity, becoming merely a wealthy, ordinary clan of Jinling."

"Meanwhile, the Four Kings and Eight Dukes who had fought alongside the Zhen family to establish the dynasty were granted high offices and noble titles by the founding emperor—and those honors have been passed down to this day."

"It was not until my generation, decades after those old events had faded, and my grandfather long dead, that I was randomly selected to enter the palace."

"The late emperor was benevolent and granted the Zhen family a hereditary post—but compared to the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, its prestige was a mere shadow."

…

At home, Zhen Zhen Fangqing knew only of her grandfather's generation; beyond that, to her great-great-grandfather, she was utterly ignorant.

She guessed even her grandmother, Old Lady Zhen, knew nothing of that era—only someone of the old dowager's stature could know such intimate details.

The old imperial dowager sighed: "With this ancient history, the Zhen family has always been at a Xiantianbuzu compared to the Jia and Shi clans."

"Since your father's misfortune, the Zhen family has produced no outstanding talents."

"Even your cousin was implicated in the illegal manufacture of firearms and rebellion—your generation of Zhen heirs has dwindled so badly."

"Once I am gone, no one will remain to shield the family. The Zhen family's downfall may come in mere days."

Zhen Zhen Fangqing recalled: everyone knew the current emperor had ascended through extraordinary scheming, his rule shadowed by suspicion; the old Four Kings and Eight Dukes had long been suppressed.

The Zhen family's unique ties to the retired emperor must surely be viewed with suspicion and indifference by the current emperor.

Her cousin Zhen Zhen Shiwen had been executed over suspicion of illegal firearms; the Jinling Embroidered Uniform Guard now watched the Zhen family with hungry eyes; and the old dowager lay gravely ill. The Zhen family's situation now was nothing short of imminent ruin.

…

Having spoken so much, the old imperial dowager's face had grown faintly pale, her breath uneven—but she did not cease.

She glanced at Zhen Zhen Fangqing, her gaze filled with longing.

Softly she said: "Qing'er, I tell you these forbidden, hidden histories so you may understand the origins of state affairs, the rise and fall of the Zhen family."

"Only by tracing the roots of events can you see the tide's direction and know how to avoid misfortune and seek fortune."

"They say sons carry on the family—but your Zhen kin are so feeble, they cannot be relied upon. A woman of exceptional ability can also carry on the lineage. After I am gone, only you can preserve the Zhen family's fortune."

"Now, for the Zhen family to survive this crisis, you must seek outside aid to safeguard yourselves."

"Once, the Zhen family allied with the Northern Tranquil Prince's mansion, hoping to strengthen our position—but your second brother-in-law, though a prince, delights in fame and reputation, displeasing His Majesty; he is useless."

"Among the current generation of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, only one has risen above the rest—extraordinary in his deeds, outstanding in character, not rejected by His Majesty, but instead favored by him—a rare fortune, a treasure to be seized."

As the old imperial dowager spoke these words, her dim, aged eyes suddenly brightened slightly, flickering with thoughts she would not reveal.

Hearing this, Zhen Zhen Fangqing's heart quickened—she knew immediately whom the old dowager meant.

"That man is Jia Cong, the Marquis of Lord Weiyuan of Lady Rongguo Jia."

The old imperial dowager glanced at Zhen Zhen Fangqing, saw the luster in her bright eyes, the blush on her lovely face, and understood her thoughts—she smiled faintly.

"Even stranger: the retired emperor greatly admires Jia Cong, speaks of him often with concern. Jia Cong has won the favor of both father and son emperors—do you know what that means?"

Zhen Zhen Fangqing did not hesitate: "Jia Cong acts with prudence and insight, favored by two generations of emperors. As long as he avoids unforeseen calamities, no matter how the court shifts, he will stand firm!"

The old imperial dowager said: "Precisely. That is why I wish to arrange your marriage to Jia Cong. The Northern Tranquil Prince, Shui Rong, is unfit. Only a man like Jia Cong can become the Zhen family's bulwark."

"Then, after I am gone, whether it is you or the Zhen family, I shall rest easy."

The old imperial dowager smiled again: "A few days ago, I summoned Jia Cong. That boy is truly an exceptional man—perfectly suited to you. I could see you favor him. This is ideal."

Perhaps speaking so much had stirred her emotions; a flush rose on the old dowager's face, followed by violent coughing that echoed through the room.

Zhen Zhen Fangqing gave her more water, called the old maid outside, and together they helped her lie down to rest.

That day, the old imperial dowager had spoken too much—she may have damaged her spirit and vital energy.

In the dead of night, the old dowager collapsed again; Qinghegong was thrown into chaos… (End of Chapter)