Chapter 473: Life and Death Turn the Universe

The next day, Love Shenjing, Hongde Gate, the setting sun sank, and night fell.

Just before the city gate closed, a fast horse rushed to the gate. The gate-guarding soldiers were about to block and interrogate it.

The rider on the horse took out a dark iron tablet. The gate-guarding captain took it to check and was slightly startled; it was an iron tablet of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's edict.

Once the Embroidered Uniform Guard had secret edicts or military orders, they would carry this token with them, and no city gate or checkpoint was allowed to obstruct them.

The gate-guarding captain hurriedly and respectfully returned the token, and the rider on the horse said nothing, quickly spurring his horse through the city gate.

He looked at the magnificent Love Shenjing city before him, sighed slightly, adjusted the secret box and documents in the bag on his back, and spurred his horse into the crowd.

This person was Liu Hai, a centurion of the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard. After entering the city, he dared not delay further; the capital had many eyes and ears, so he had to avoid giving people grounds for criticism. But at this hour, the Embroidered Uniform Guard's office had already closed.

He followed the address given by Ge Ge Zhi Cheng and went to the residence of He Honghui, the Assistant Regional Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to hand over the secret box and documents, thus completing his mission.

As for when He Honghui would report to Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, that was none of Liu Hai's business.

Liu Hai found the residence of He Honghui all the way, had the gatekeeper of the He mansion deliver the Embroidered Uniform Guard token and message, and before long, he was invited to He Honghui's study.

He Honghui was not yet forty, with a sturdy build, a fair face, and a slight beard, and a face full of shrewdness and capability. To be able to become the second-in-command of the Embroidered Uniform Guard at this age, he was naturally no ordinary person.

"Master He, this subordinate, under the orders of the Jin Ling Thousand-Household, has brought a secret box, letters, and documents. Among them is a major event concerning the Love Shenjing!"

Hearing about a major event concerning the Love Shenjing, He Honghui's expression changed slightly.

Ge Ge Zhi Cheng sending a secret letter to the Love Shenjing's Embroidered Uniform Guard office, not directly to Commander Xu Kun, but having his trusted aide present it to him first, also made him realize the matter was unusual.

He Honghui carefully checked that the wax seal on the secret box was intact, opened the box, and took out the letter. Upon browsing the contents of the letter, his expression changed drastically! He frowned and asked, "I observe the date on the letter. According to normal logic, you should have arrived in the capital two days ago. Why was such an important letter delayed for two days before being delivered!"

Liu Hai's expression remained unchanged, "When this subordinate passed through Chuzhou, I encountered heavy rain for several days. Mountain floods destroyed the roads, so I had to take a detour, which delayed me for two days."

He Honghui said, "This matter is urgent, but now the palace gates are locked, so the news cannot be sent into the palace. I must report to Commander Xu immediately and ask him to make the decision."

…

Love Shenjing, Chongqing Ward, Jia She's outside residence.

The Rongguo Prefecture was facing the joy of a marriage bestowal, yet they hadn't draped anything in red or green. Jia She, just buying a courtesan as an outside mistress, had decorated the courtyard with peach blossoms and willow green, full of joy.

The reason he decorated it this way was that this sixteen-year-old courtesan named Cuihong was truly too enchanting and sweet.

Jia She decorated the courtyard like this just to please the young lady, so that after entering the bridal chamber and getting on the bed, she would be more diligent and accommodating to him.

However, he was, after all, setting up an outside mistress in private. In a noble family like the Rongguo Prefecture, this was a matter of corrupting the family style, so he naturally wouldn't make it public, let alone be so absurd as to invite relatives and friends to drink and congratulate him.

It just so happened that Chen Yongchuan, who came from Jin Ling, learned of this and sent him a large amount of congratulatory gifts, so for tonight's happy occasion of taking a beauty, he invited him over to drink and have fun.

Chen Yongchuan was a slippery person, his words full of flattery toward Jia She. The two toasted each other, drinking as soon as they toasted, drinking very heartily.

Finally, Chen Yongchuan opened the jar of white tiger treasure wine and laughed, "Old Master, now is the time to drink the treasure wine. Let me also share in your glory, and let us drink this wine together."

Jia She laughed heartily, "That would be excellent!"

Chen Yongchuan poured a cup of white tiger wine for Jia She and himself. Jia She saw that the wine was golden in color, the liquid as soft as cotton, and the aroma intoxicating.

Thinking of the wonders of this wine that Chen Yongchuan had mentioned, and the youthful, enchanting beauty in the boudoir, he couldn't help but smile smugly and drank it in one gulp.

As the wine went down his throat, Jia She felt a line of fire go straight into his abdomen, releasing a thick heat.

It actually washed away all the drunkenness from his previous indulgence, and then a warmth arose in his hands and feet. His whole person felt refreshed, as if he had regained an unusual vitality.

Jia She had always been a lover of wine, even Jia Mu nagged him, saying he didn't know how to be a proper official and only knew how to drink with his concubines all day long.

He had drunk many fine wines in his life, but none were as miraculous as this white tiger wine.

"Yongchuan's words are not false. This wine is truly wonderful; it is indeed treasure wine!"

Jia She had only drunk one cup of white tiger wine, but he seemed to be tempted and couldn't help but want a second cup. He had always been unrestrained by nature, greedy for wine and sex without restraint.

Chen Yongchuan was very good at using words to set the mood. In his joy, Jia She drank four or five cups of white tiger wine in a row, while Chen Yongchuan hadn't even finished his first cup, only sipping and murmuring, seemingly savoring it endlessly.

Jia She just assumed his tolerance for alcohol was low, as he had already drunk too much earlier, so he didn't pay it any mind and poured himself two more cups of white tiger wine.

With these last two cups down, Jia She felt a heat in his abdomen and his whole body was full of spirit. The sense of decay and weakness from old age was swept away, as if he had suddenly become a dozen years younger.

At this moment, he thought of the sixteen-year-old enchanting beauty in the boudoir, and a desire arose in his heart; he couldn't wait any longer.

Chen Yongchuan seemed to be unable to hold his liquor and said, "Old Master has a great capacity; I truly cannot do it anymore and dare not keep you company. Besides, today you are taking a beauty; a moment of a spring night is worth a thousand gold."

"I dare not delay your good deed, so I will take my leave now, haha."

At this time, Jia She had drunk quite a bit of white tiger wine, his heart was burning with desire, and he felt full of energy. He was wishing he would leave so he could return to his room for some romance.

So he called the two maids he had bought in the garden to see Chen Yongchuan out. Chen Yongchuan said with a drunken air, "You just need to help the Old Master into the room; I will leave on my own, no need to worry."

When he got up, he stumbled, even knocking over the cup of tiger bone wine on the table that he hadn't finished.

Jia She heard Chen Yongchuan's polite words and just assumed he had drunk too much, so he didn't bother with him anymore and, supported by the two maids, returned to the main room.

Once he entered the main room, he saw red candles flickering. Cuihong was dressed in red, covered in pearls and jewelry, her appearance beautiful, her figure graceful and enchanting, even more alluring under the lamplight.

This was not the first time Cuihong had been intimate with Jia She, and today, seeing Jia She's appearance, she was slightly surprised.

Seeing him with a glowing face and high spirits, the decay and rot of the past had been swept away, as if he were a different person, which was a pleasant surprise.

Cuihong called out coquettishly, "Old Master, you have finally come. I have been waiting for you for a long time. Today, you look especially spirited."

Jia She's eyes twitched strangely, and he laughed, "Wait a moment, and I will show you something even more spirited. You must be ready to receive it."

Saying this, he stepped forward to embrace Cuihong.

He tore open her clothes.

And couldn't wait to pounce on her.

…

Ningrong Street, Count's Mansion.

Jia Cong stood in the courtyard, looking at the bright moon in the sky, silver and round like a plate, shining on the world, making the flowers, trees, and eaves in the courtyard clearly visible, revealing an eerie tranquility.

A patch of pitch-black clouds gradually eroded it, instantly swallowing the full moon, and the surroundings immediately fell into oppressive darkness.

Tomorrow was the day of the marriage bestowal, but there was still no movement in the city. The news from the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard seemed to have still not reached the Love Shenjing.

Since yesterday, Jia Cong had sent his trusted personal guards, Jiang Xiao Liu and Yu Xiuzhu, to pay attention to the movements of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Five Cities Military Commission, and other official offices in the city.

He also had Jiang Liu keep an eye on the periphery of the Eastern and Western Prefectures, and report to him immediately if any abnormalities were found.

But for the past two days, everything had remained calm and waveless. Now it was nearly the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), and there was still no news.

In the courtyard, Wu'er and Qingwen had extinguished the candles in the outer rooms one by one, preparing hot water for Jia Cong to wash up. Zhi Shao had already tidied the bed curtains and bedding, and the day was coming to an end.

Jia Cong sighed slightly. Outside, it was dead water without waves, but inside, it was at a critical moment. The remaining few hours were the last moment for him to grasp the initiative.

If there was still no movement from the Embroidered Uniform Guard before the hour of Si (9-11 AM) tomorrow, then with the marriage bestowal from the palace first, everything would become passive and difficult.

Just as Jia Cong was preparing to return to his room to sleep, the little maid Juan'er came to report from outside the door, saying that the Third Brother's page, Jiang Liu, had an urgent matter to find the Third Brother and was waiting in the side hall outside the second gate.

Hearing this, Jia Cong's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly walked out of the inner courtyard.

As soon as he entered the outer courtyard side hall, Jiang Liu said nervously, "Third Brother, many unfamiliar faces have appeared on Ningrong Street, and there are many suspicious people around the Eastern and Western Prefectures."

"It is now nearly midnight. Usually at this time, the shops on the street are all closed, and the people are almost gone. The situation is not right."

Not long after, the steward came to report, saying that Jia Cong's personal guard requested an audience. Not long after, Jiang Xiao Liu came over in a hurry.

He said, "Third Brother, today Xiaozhu and I wandered around the city all day and didn't find anything unusual. In the evening, Xiaozhu and I chose a wine shop at the intersection of Xining Street to drink."

"At the left turn of that street, it happened to be the Xijiao Centurion Station of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Just as it was approaching the hour of Hai, fast horses suddenly entered the Centurion Station, and then a large group of Embroidered Uniform Guards in plain clothes came out."

"Xiaozhu and I felt strange, so we followed them all the way and discovered that these people all came to Ningrong Street."

Hearing the words of Jiang Liu and Jiang Xiao Liu, Jia Cong's thoughts raced. The Xijiao Centurion Station was the closest Embroidered Uniform Guard station to Ningrong Street.

Mobilizing a large group of plainclothes Embroidered Uniform Guards at the hour of Hai, it seemed that the news from the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard had finally reached Jin Ling!

He breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, but his expression remained calm, though the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, as if there were a smile.

In the side hall, the candles flickered. In the dim light, Jiang Xiao Liu and Jiang Liu did not see Jia Cong's expression clearly.

Jiang Xiao Liu said, "Third Brother asked us to pay attention to the movements in the city. Is there something urgent? We have followed Third Brother through life and death in Liaodong and are all willing to die for Third Brother. If Third Brother has something to say, just give the order."

Jia Cong smiled slightly, "There is nothing. You have all worked hard today. Go down and rest, and have a good sleep today."

Seeing Jia Cong wave his hand at them, Jiang Xiao Liu and Jiang Liu returned to the inner courtyard with a calm expression, both feeling confused.

…

Love Shenjing, Chongqing Ward, Jia She's outside residence.

Cuihong was just a woman of the pleasure quarters, pleasing and selling smiles, and prostituting herself for wealth was her way of survival. Her beautiful face and alluring figure were her most powerful weapons.

Otherwise, how could she have hooked Jia She into spending two thousand taels of silver to redeem her? She coveted Jia She's prominent status, and being purchased as an outside mistress by such a noble was the best destination for a woman like her.

It was just that Jia She's aging body was a flaw, which made her feel quite disgusted in her heart. However, there were gains and losses; she was a courtesan of the pleasure quarters, and she had long been accustomed to acting on stage. But tonight was an unexpected joy for Cuihong. Jia She was like a different person, and the decay and uselessness of the past had been swept away.

Several times without sleep, this person had come and gone three or four times, still tireless, almost exhausting Cuihong to death.

But Cuihong had long been accustomed to the wind and moon, and even if she was trembling with desire, her heart was full of surprise, and she became more spirited in accommodating him, provoking Jia She to become more frantic.

The candles in the room had long been extinguished. In the pitch-black night outside the window, the clouds that had obscured the bright moon faded, and the pale moonlight shone into the room.

At this time, Cuihong was somewhat delirious, her eyes half-rolled, her sandalwood mouth half-open, and even her voice was gone.

She naturally would not notice that under the moonlight, the originally glowing Jia She,

Under visible circumstances, the redness on his face quickly dissipated, revealing a gray and snowy background, looking eerie and terrifying.

…

Early morning, Great Zhou Palace City, Wu Gate.

A large group of officials preparing for the morning court gathered in front of the city gate. This had been a scene day after day since Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ascended the throne.

As the drums on the city tower sounded, it spread in all directions.

The wide city gate slowly opened, and the officials waiting to enter the court adjusted their crowns and clothes, each with a spirited air, stepping into the inner city.

A brand-new day for the Great Zhou Empire began once again.

Among the officials entering the Wu Gate for the morning court, there was one person wearing a black gauze crown, dressed in a gold-woven four-beast flying fish robe, with a jade belt and an embroidered spring sword. He was in his early forties, with a spirited look, attracting attention.

Many officials saw this person, and their eyes revealed surprise, because this person was Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard, like the Investigation Court, was outside the Three Judicial Offices, a secret office of the inner court, the Emperor's hounds and lackeys.

Although the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was in a high position with great power, except for the grand court meetings where he would stand in line, he generally did not attend daily court meetings.

Because the affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard involved secrets, there was no need to report them in court, and many times they were reported directly to the palace.

Therefore, the appearance of Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in the crowd of the morning court attracted the attention of many officials.

It was just that after passing the Wu Gate, the officials going to the morning court went in the direction of the Fengtian Hall, while Xu Kun walked in another direction, walking hurriedly with an urgent expression.

…

And the morning court that day also seemed somewhat unusual. Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had been on the throne for less than two quarters of an hour when Guo Lin, the Deputy Superintendent of the Inner Court, walked near the dragon throne and whispered to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Because of the distance of the imperial steps, the officials standing in line for the morning court naturally could not hear the content of Guo Lin's report.

But Guo Youchang, the Minister of Rites standing in the front row of civil officials, because he was closest to the imperial steps, clearly saw the violent astonishment and excitement on Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face!

In the court discussion that followed, many officials saw that the Emperor was somewhat distracted, only giving instructions on a few major events reported, and the morning court was announced to be over in less than half an hour.

This unusual move made many officials attending the court feel suspicious. Since ascending the throne, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had been known for his diligence and caution, and the daily morning court had never been interrupted by wind or rain, and there had only been cases of delays.

A morning court as short as today's had never happened before, and there must be a reason for it.

So many officials thought of the terminally ill Retired Imperial Consort Zhen in the palace.

Some time ago, officials from various ministries had submitted memorials to inquire about her health, and noble ladies had also lined up to enter the palace to inquire, causing a great stir.

Could it be that the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen had passed away? Otherwise, why would the Emperor rush to end the morning court? But until these officials walked out of the Wu Gate, they had not heard the sound of the mourning bells from the palace.

Regarding the Emperor's unusual behavior, these officials attending the court had all sorts of strange speculations, but not one of them thought that today was the day the Retired Emperor was to bestow a marriage on the Count of Weiyuan, Jia Cong.

…

Great Zhou Palace City, Qanyang Palace.

Last night, Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, received the secret report from the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard transferred by Assistant Regional Commander He Honghui, and he was also greatly shocked.

The matter involved the heir to the Rongguo Prefecture and was of great importance, but at that time the palace gates were locked, and the palace rules had always been strict and difficult to cross, so the news was too late to be reported to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

Therefore, early this morning at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), before the sky was bright, Xu Kun followed the officials of the morning court into the palace to report, without the slightest delay.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at the secret report from the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard in his hand, his face was livid, the veins on his forehead bulged, and his eyes were filled with a strange expression of mixed anger and excitement.

Xu Kun knelt halfway in front of the imperial desk and said, "Reporting to the Emperor, this subordinate received a secret report from Jin Ling last night. The palace gates were already locked, so although I could not report to the Emperor immediately."

"But last night, this subordinate had already mobilized a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guards to secretly surround the Eastern and Western Prefectures of the Jia family, and I will absolutely not let Jia She escape."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked in a deep voice, "The secret document says that Jia She's fur shop is involved in the theft and transport of firearms from Liaodong. As the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, what is your strategy?"

Xu Kun replied, "Reporting to the Emperor, when the firearms were stolen from the Liaodong Military Firearms Camp, the Emperor issued a strict edict for the garrison troops and Embroidered Uniform Guard stations along the way to strictly investigate the whereabouts of the stolen firearms."

"But even after setting up such a net, there was still no trace of the stolen firearms, and the people behind the scenes were still able to transport the stolen firearms through the Love Shenjing to Jin Ling, and even set up a manufacturing workshop in Jin Ling."

"According to the official letter from Jia Cong, the Supervisor of the Firearms Division, the improved Lu Mi guns imitated by the private workshop in Jin Ling have completely reached the official manufacturing standard."

"If the mastermind behind the scenes did not have great power and financial resources, as well as meticulous planning ability, they would not be able to do such a major thing."

"And Jia She is just one link in the whole matter. The mastermind behind the scenes is the one who makes people wary. Their intention to rebel is clearly revealed, and this person will surely become a heart-and-gut disease of the court! Now that Jia She's theft and transport incident is exposed, in this subordinate's humble opinion, there are only two results."

"One is that Jia She was greedy for gold and silver and helped people transport goods, but did not know that the transported items contained stolen firearms. That would still be fine."

"The second is that Jia She knew that the transported items were stolen firearms from Liaodong, yet still did it. If the old nobles of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes participated in this matter, this matter would become a disaster that pierces the sky, and the danger is difficult to measure!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao felt a chill in his heart. He naturally understood the meaning of Xu Kun's words. It was nothing more than if Jia She was intentionally participating, and the Four Kings and Eight Dukes were connected, then were there other old nobles involved?

…

Since ascending the throne, he had been suppressing the old nobles of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes. Wasn't he trying to prevent these people from forming cliques, accumulating over time, becoming too big to fail, and holding the monarch hostage?

If it wasn't just Jia She alone who participated in the private manufacture of firearms among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, that would be a disaster that pierces the sky!

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's face was gloomy and unspeakable. He glanced at the sketch of the breech-loading gun on the imperial desk. His gaze was complex and unspeakable. The edges of the drawing had become frayed from constant flipping and rubbing.

He took a slight breath, thought for a moment, and said, "You immediately leave the palace, personally enter the Rongguo Prefecture, and bring Jia She to the Embroidered Uniform Guard office for questioning."

"You must ask for solid evidence from Jia She's mouth before the hour of Si (9-11 AM) ends, and report to the palace urgently. Do not make any mistakes!"

Guo Lin, who was on the side, heard Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao ask Xu Kun to confirm Jia She's crime before the hour of Si ended, and his eyes flickered, and he understood the Emperor's thoughts.

Guo Lin, as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's trusted inner attendant, naturally knew very well that the Emperor opposed the marriage between Jia Cong and the Zhen family of Jin Ling, but only because of his filial piety and face toward the Retired Emperor, he had been enduring it without speaking.

Today at the sixth quarter of the hour of Si, it was the auspicious time for the Ministry of Rites to announce the marriage bestowal for Jia Cong. The Emperor wanted to obtain solid evidence of Jia She's crime before the auspicious time, so as to cut off the marriage bestowal!

…

Xu Kun said with a difficult expression, "Emperor, before the hour of Si ends, is the time too hasty? Please allow some more time, and this subordinate will certainly not fail your expectations."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said gloomily, "Jia She is just an idle noble. Your Embroidered Uniform Guard has so many methods. Once he enters your office, you still can't ask for the details?"

"Remember, be careful with major torture, keep his life. Once you ask for solid evidence, block the news, report to the palace urgently, and wait for my decision!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao watched Xu Kun rush out of the Qanyang Palace, his gaze returning to the sketch of the breech-loading gun on the imperial desk.

"Guo Lin, immediately send people from the Zhongche Office to watch the movements of the Chonghua Palace, as well as the progress of the Ministry of Rites' marriage bestowal."

Guo Lin said, "Emperor, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already found that Jia She is suspected of stealing and transporting firearms. Regardless of whether he was deceived, he cannot escape the crime. Based on this, you can revoke the honor of his son Jia Cong's marriage bestowal."

"This subordinate is worried that before the hour of Si ends, the time is short and it is difficult to use major torture. If Xu Kun cannot ask for solid evidence, and the auspicious time for the Ministry of Rites' marriage bestowal is imminent, I fear it will be troublesome."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said coldly, "You think of things too simply. What the Embroidered Uniform Guard seeks is only Jia She's suspicious evidence."

"Those two wooden boxes that appeared in the workshop, without witnesses and corroborating evidence, are not enough to constitute solid evidence."

"The ancestors of Rongguo followed the Taizu and made contributions to the founding of the country. If descendants are executed without solid evidence, it will be difficult to stop the mouths of the people."

"Moreover, the talk of marriage bestowal is already known to the court and the public, involving the face of the Retired Emperor and the Retired Imperial Consort, and one hair affects the whole body."

"Jia Cong has already moved out of Rongguo, has a title and a household, and is registered in the Zongren Prefecture. Just relying on the suspicious evidence of his father's crime to take away his honor of marriage bestowal is really difficult to do in a dignified manner."

"I cannot leave behind a handle that I cannot wash clean! It is a pity that the Embroidered Uniform Guard's news did not reach the Love Shenjing two days earlier; otherwise, everything could have been handled with ease. Now, in the haste, I can only look at Jia Cong's fate!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already prepared for the worst in his heart.

…

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

This day, before the sky was bright, Wang Xifeng got up early and took Ping'er to patrol the mansion, checking the cleaning, decoration, hanging, and other matters.

She also gathered the stewards of the Rongguo Prefecture in the side hall inside the second gate, distributing the tasks, personnel allocation, and conduct rules for each person in detail, and the inside and outside were arranged in an orderly manner.

Although the mansion was not draped in red or green according to Jia Cong's suggestion, the Rongguo Prefecture was still filled with a festive atmosphere, because today was the day of Jia Cong's marriage bestowal from the palace.

Because Jia Mu was old, she could not sleep for long, so she got up before dawn and sat in the hall, waiting for the glorious and dignified time to arrive.

Not long after, Wang Xifeng came to pay her respects after finishing her work, and Lady Wang also came neither early nor late. The few women chatted in the hall.

Jia Mu was just about to ask why her few granddaughters had been hiding in the Eastern Prefecture and not coming out for the past two days, and why they weren't coming over to join the fun on this happy day. She was just about to ask Wang Xifeng to call them.

Suddenly, a woman came in in a panic and said to Jia Mu, "Old Lady, things are not good! A large group of Embroidered Uniform Guards broke into the Eastern Courtyard, saying they want to take the Old Master!"

Jia Mu and the others were shocked! (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 474 =====