Chapter 474: Joy and Disaster in Two Worlds

Rongguo Prefecture, Eastern Courtyard.

Jia She hadn't returned all night. Lady Xing naturally knew what kind of business he was up to and was so angry she hadn't slept well all night. Just as she had fallen into a light sleep at dawn, she heard chaos outside.

By the time she hurriedly put on her clothes and went out, she saw the courtyard full of Embroidered Uniform Guards, the cold light of their embroidered spring swords shining as they searched through the rooms.

The maids and old women of the mansion let out terrified screams from time to time, mixed with the sound of porcelain and tables and chairs being overturned and broken. The entire Eastern Courtyard felt like the end of the world had arrived.

Lady Xing stood in front of the main room, trembling all over from the miserable and chaotic scene before her, and collapsed to the ground.

……

Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, received the imperial edict from Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, flew out of the palace, raced against time, and personally led people to the Rongguo Prefecture to make arrests.

Xu Kun could be considered meticulous; he remembered every word Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had said.

The most critical sentence was that the Emperor told him to bring Jia She to the Embroidered Uniform Guard office for questioning, not to arrest him and put him in prison.

These two sentences, at first glance, seemed similar in meaning, but upon closer inspection, they were actually vastly different.

Xu Kun had been the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for many years and had frequent contact with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao. He was good at guessing the Emperor's heart in private, so he naturally tasted the meaning behind it.

Although the Emperor was very angry at the bottom of his heart that Jia She was involved in the theft and transport of firearms, he left room for him in his words and actions.

Not only did he change the arrest to questioning, but he also strictly ordered not to use major torture, to keep his life, and after obtaining solid evidence, to block the news, report to the palace urgently, and wait for the Emperor's decision.

The Emperor acted this way to allow him to maintain the greatest flexibility and initiative in dealing with Jia She.

However, why would the Emperor show such mercy to a dissolute and incompetent noble? Others might not be able to guess the deep meaning, but Xu Kun, as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had many eyes and ears and was well-informed. He knew that today was the day the Retired Emperor bestowed a marriage on the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong.

The Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, was highly esteemed by the current Emperor, and Jia She was Jia Cong's father. According to Xu Kun's speculation, the Emperor must be considering Jia Cong, which was why he left room for Jia She in everything.

Although it was common for a monarch to favor a certain official, Jia She was involved in the theft and transport of firearms, and his crime was not small. The Emperor could actually cover for him because of Jia Cong.

That Jia Cong could receive such imperial favor made Xu Kun feel somewhat astonished.

It was just that Xu Kun did not know that even if the Embroidered Uniform Guard was well-informed, and even if he, Xu Kun, was flexible, it was impossible for him to discover that this situation was merely a foreshadowing set up by Jia Cong in advance.

In the final analysis, it was that stunning sketch of the breech-loading gun that was having an effect in Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's heart.

……

Since Xu Kun could deeply understand the Emperor's heart, he naturally did not dare to take things too far, let alone make too much of a scene.

So this time he only brought twenty or so Embroidered Uniform Guards to search for Jia She in the mansion.

But the Eastern Courtyard was much smaller than the main Rongguo Prefecture, so even with twenty or so Embroidered Uniform Guards breaking in, the momentum was already very frightening.

It was just that after half a cup of tea, the Embroidered Uniform Guard had searched the entire courtyard and completed inquiries with the relevant people.

The centurion leading the team came to report to Xu Kun: "Master, we have searched the entire courtyard and found no trace of Jia She. We have inquired with Jia She's wife and several stewards in the courtyard."

"They all said in unison that Jia She did not return to the mansion last night, saying that he recently purchased an outside residence in Chongqing Ward and raised a newly bought courtesan, and he might have spent the night there."

"Master, is it possible that Jia She is hiding in the Eastern and Western Prefectures of the Jia family? Should I take people into the mansion to search?"

Xu Kun frowned and said, "Inappropriate. Jia She has not yet been confirmed of a crime, and the Emperor has not issued an edict to raid the house. The Old Lady of the Western Prefecture is a noblewoman of the highest rank. Without a clear edict, we cannot act rashly."

As for the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, of the Eastern Prefecture, he was an even more difficult person to provoke. Many garrison generals had been ruined at his hands, and even high-ranking officials of the second grade in Nan Zhili could not escape his grasp.

His mansion had just been raised to the status of a first-grade count by the Emperor, so he could not be searched without an imperial edict. Don't go looking for trouble.

"Take my token, mobilize a hundred-man team, and watch the Eastern and Western Prefectures of the Jia family to death. The rest of you come with me to Chongqing Ward to arrest Jia She!"

……

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.

Although she was soul-stirring and bone-melting, she felt a bit of lingering fear when she thought back. This old ghost used to be useless, but last night, I don't know what medicine he took, he had such energy, arching me so comfortably.

Because of the great exhaustion, Cuihong slept soundly and didn't wake up until the sky was bright.

When she woke up, she saw Jia She lying on his side beside her, sleeping like a dead pig, not even covered by a quilt.

Cuihong remembered the madness of last night and pushed Jia She coquettishly: "Old Master, you had good methods last night. Why don't you wake up?"

It was just that after pushing him twice, Jia She had no reaction, and his body was stiff and cold.

Cuihong was startled and hurriedly turned his body over, discovering that Jia She's face was purple and swollen, his mouth slightly open, and blood was seeping from his nostrils and corners of his mouth. She checked his breath and found that he had long since stopped breathing.

Cuihong screamed in terror, still unwilling to give up, and hurriedly called the maid to invite a physician. The courtyard was suddenly in a mess.

The maid had just left the house, and Cuihong was still trembling and weak from fear.

Suddenly, she saw a large group of Embroidered Uniform Guards rush into the courtyard. With a clatter, many bright embroidered spring swords were drawn, which scared her into another terrified scream.

The centurion leading the team did not show any pity for the beauty, kicked Cuihong to the ground, ordered people to guard the surrounding courtyard walls, and led people to rush into the main room.

Not long after, he came out with a strange expression and said to Xu Kun: "Master, it's not good! Jia She is naked, bleeding from his mouth and nose, and died on the bed!"

Xu Kun was greatly shocked and rushed into the room, discovering Jia She dead on the bed in a mess. Xu Kun's face became extremely ugly.

The Emperor had asked him to ask for solid evidence from Jia She's mouth before the hour of Si ended. Now that the person was dead, how could he ask!

The centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard leading the team also fearfully questioned Cuihong. The other party only said that Jia She was fine last night and suddenly stopped breathing when he woke up this morning.

But Xu Kun, as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, had seen too many sinister and evil things. Jia She's theft and transport of firearms had just been exposed, and he died so timely. Was there such a coincidence in this world?

But looking at the shape of Jia She dying on the bed, the licentiousness and obscenity were clear at a glance. No matter how you looked at it, it didn't look like he was murdered.

Now Xu Kun didn't need to rack his brains to interrogate Jia She anymore. Before the hour of Si ended, there was no need to be urgent. He only needed to report Jia She's death to the palace as soon as possible.

But the current Emperor was wise and decisive, and could not tolerate sand in his eyes. When Xu Kun reported, he had to have a statement about Jia She's cause of death; otherwise, it would be difficult to fool him.

So he ordered his subordinates to go to the Zhen'an Prefecture to mobilize the most experienced coroner and rush to this place to examine Jia She's body.

When the coroner arrived, he examined Jia She's body and roughly determined the cause of death and the time of death.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard also checked the traces inside and outside the courtyard and inquired with the neighbors. Everything was normal. Comparing the two, they inferred the cause of the matter.

Although Xu Kun had done all this very compactly, the time was already near the hour of Si. Xu Kun checked the transcripts and documents and hurriedly entered the palace to report to Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao.

……

Great Zhou Palace City, Qanyang Palace.

Since Xu Kun left the palace to arrest Jia She, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had been reviewing the memorials piled up on his desk as usual.

But Guo Lin, who was serving on the side, could perceive that the Emperor was actually somewhat restless.

The Emperor had been looking at the memorial in his hand for a long time without changing it, and his eyes, intentionally or unintentionally, always looked at the Western-style table clock on the desk opposite.

When the time passed the hour of Si, Guo Lin saw Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao stand up from the throne, walk around the bookshelf several times with his hands behind his back, his face becoming more and more gloomy.

At this time, a little yellow gate outside the hall called out: "Reporting to the Emperor, Xu Kun, the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, requests an audience outside the hall."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who was waiting anxiously, heard this, his expression refreshed slightly, and said: "Immediately announce him into the hall."

As soon as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao saw Xu Kun enter the hall, he asked urgently: "Did you ask for solid evidence from Jia She!"

Xu Kun's face was ugly, and he bowed his head and said: "Reporting to the Emperor, this subordinate found Jia She in a residence in Chongqing Ward, but he had already died suddenly!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was shocked, and then his expression became complex. He asked in a deep voice: "How did the person suddenly die? What did he die of!"

Xu Kun replied: "After this subordinate discovered the body, I sealed the courtyard to prevent the news from leaking, and conducted an investigation of the scene, and also mobilized the coroner of the prefecture to examine the body."

"According to the coroner's examination, Jia She died roughly at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) last night. It should have been a sudden heart attack, blood vessels bursting, and suffocation. There was blood stasis in the mouth and nose, and the smell of strong wine remained on his body."

"There were leftover wine and dishes in the side room of the residence. The coroner also found spilled wine on the wine table. The aroma was very rich, and there was also a heavy medicinal smell. The coroner judged it to be a top-grade medicinal wine soaked with animal bones."

"Half a jar of fine wine was found in the side room, and the spilled wine on the wine table was confirmed to be the same kind of wine."

"This subordinate found someone who knew the business to check it. The other party said that this wine was soaked with tiger bones and tiger whips, and many rare-year medicinal herbs were added. It is a top-grade tonic."

"And the wine was tested with silver needles and silver cups, and it can be confirmed that it is non-toxic."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao frowned and said: "A jar of tonic wine drank Jia She to death?"

Xu Kun's face was slightly embarrassed, and he replied: "The Emperor may not know that this wine was checked and is not an ordinary tonic wine."

"The tiger bones, tiger whips, and treasure herbs contained are all top-grade items. After soaking for many years, it became a fierce aphrodisiac medicinal wine."

"The woman living in that residence is named Cuihong, a courtesan bought by Jia She at a high price and kept as an outside mistress for pleasure."

"According to the coroner's examination, Jia She drank a large amount of this tonic wine last night, leading to fierce aphrodisiac effects."

"After entering the room and indulging in excessive sex with Cuihong, he was already of advanced age, his internal organs were empty, and he was stimulated by the medicinal wine, spraying oil and raising fire, exhausting the remaining lamp."

"And he was unrestrained, which led to blood and Qi rushing to the top, sudden heart attack, blood vessels bursting, and suffocation."

"According to the coroner, at Jia She's age, his foundation was already broken, and drinking such fierce spring wine while indulging in the bed was almost no different from seeking death……."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had an expression of disgust and said coldly: "The heir to the dignified Rongguo Prefecture died in such a filthy and lowly manner. It is simply a disgrace to the nobles!"

……

Xu Kun added: "Emperor, Jia She died suddenly, and the matter has broken the clues. It is impossible to find solid evidence to convict him, nor can we find the mastermind through him. We can only think of other ways." Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard this, his heart trembled, and a slight cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He looked at the breech-loading gun sketch on the table and said in a deep voice: "Xu Kun, the matter of the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard reporting Jia She must be strictly blocked."

"But Jia She's crimes must be strictly investigated in secret. The findings will be decided by me! Remember, Jia She is now innocent. His death today is due to loss of control after drinking. Notify the family to collect the body and bury it."

As soon as Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said this, Xu Kun and Guo Lin, who were present, were surprised.

Jia She stole and transported firearms. Although it was only suspicious evidence, anyone with a discerning eye could see that he had indeed done it and could not escape the crime.

Why did the Emperor specifically state that Jia She was now innocent? Although Xu Kun was confused, the Emperor's will was such, so he naturally wouldn't say much, so he withdrew from the palace and went back to handle the matter.

Although Guo Lin also had questions, it was impossible for him to ask the Emperor.

……

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao glanced at the Western-style table clock on the desk.

It was specially customized and presented by the country of Switzerland according to the Great Zhou's twelve-hour rule. The hour hand on the clock had just reached the third quarter of the hour of Si.

He said to Guo Lin: "Guo Lin, send someone to pass the news of Jia She's death to the Chonghua Palace. I will go to visit the Retired Emperor later."

"Back then, out of filial piety, I granted Jia Cong an official position, let him copy scriptures for the late Empress Dowager Xianxiao, and later posthumously granted his late mother a title out of filial piety."

"Jia Cong wants to be a filial person, so he must have a beginning and an end. If his father falls into a major crime, how can he be a filial son in a dignified manner……."

Guo Lin was also a shrewd person. Hearing Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's words, he immediately understood the deep meaning of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao emphasizing Jia She's innocence.

The Great Zhou's rituals and laws have rules for stripping titles for major crimes against officials in the court. Since ancient times, Heaven, Earth, Monarch, Parent, and Teacher, father and son are both officials in the court, and the monarch is before the parent.

If a father commits one of the five major crimes such as treason, the son's filial piety is stripped by national law to show the punishment for major crimes and to warn others.

In this era, having a son stripped of his title and having no son to see him off is a punishment comparable to beheading.

The Emperor knew that Jia She's crime was exposed, but because he died suddenly and could not obtain solid evidence, he emphasized his innocence, which was to allow Jia Cong to observe filial piety in a dignified manner.

As for the purpose of doing this, Guo Lin's heart was already clear.

Passing the news of Jia She's death to the Chonghua Palace, the Retired Emperor would know it in his heart, and even if the Retired Emperor was unhappy, he would have nothing to say.

Guo Lin felt a chill in his heart. The Emperor's planning was deep. At the last moment of the marriage bestowal, he finally borrowed the momentum to exert force and got what he wanted.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao picked up his pen and wrote an urgent edict, personally stamped it with the jade seal, and handed it to Guo Lin, saying: "According to the time, the Ministry of Rites must have already set off to the Jia mansion to pass the edict."

"You hurry to the Jia mansion and announce my edict. Do not make any mistakes!"

……

Love Shenjing, Anfeng Ward, hour of Si.

Today was excellent weather, autumn high and refreshing, ten thousand miles without clouds. The shops on the street were noisy, and the flow of people was bustling.

In the private room on the second floor of the inconspicuous small restaurant facing the street, when Chen Yongchuan entered, the man with a refined appearance had already been waiting there.

Seeing Chen Yongchuan enter, he asked: "Steward Zhao, has Jia She's matter been resolved?"

Steward Zhao laughed: "These days, I called myself Chen Yongchuan, the steward of the Sun family. After a lot of trouble, the matter was finally resolved."

"Master Liu, please rest assured. I arranged manpower in Chongqing Ward early in the morning. At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), Jia She's outside residence reported his death, and people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Zhen'an Prefecture have all arrived."

The man asked: "Was the matter done cleanly? It must not be seen that Jia She was murdered; otherwise, the matter will certainly cause complications."

"If the Embroidered Uniform Guard realizes that a dignified Rongguo noble was silenced, it will attract attention from all sides."

"That person in the palace will certainly become vigilant and will mobilize all forces to investigate this matter. By then, we will be in crisis."

Steward Zhao said: "Master, please rest assured. This subordinate appeared as a steward of the Sun family this time, and even helped Sun Shaozu pay two thousand taels of dividends. The acting was sufficient, and it will not arouse suspicion."

"There is no killer in the world who spends so much silver before killing someone. Even if the shop assistant in Jia She's shop remembers me, they will never suspect me."

"This subordinate opened a pharmacy in Jin Ling for several years, so I didn't do it in vain, and I have gained quite a bit of knowledge about pharmacology."

"Last year, I met a Miao wandering physician and obtained a rare Southern Border Ghost Crow from her. This medicine causes hallucinations and loss of consciousness, consumes marrow, and gives birth to giant strength. It was listed as a prohibited item by the court ten years ago."

"This subordinate obtained the secret method, ground the Ghost Crow and mixed it into the medicinal wine, and sent it to Jia She as a congratulatory gift. That top-grade medicinal wine became his poison."

"Last night, he drank too much of this wine, and had a beauty in the room, hallucinations and loss of consciousness, fierce aphrodisiac effects. He was of advanced age, his foundation was empty, and he went crazy. It would be strange if he didn't die."

"And the Ghost Crow itself is non-toxic. After being mixed into the wine, using any silver utensils to probe it will not have any reaction. Even the most brilliant coroner will not be able to see any flaws."

Master Liu nodded with satisfaction and said: "That is very good. As long as others believe that Jia She died of an accidental misfortune, the matter of the Jin Ling firearms workshop will be completely settled."

"Even if the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard sends the news to the Love Shenjing, it will be useless."

"You have shown your face in Jia She's shop. The Embroidered Uniform Guard might find you. Today you leave the city and return to Jin Ling to avoid the limelight for a while. When the news comes out from the Zhen family, someone will need to go and connect."

Not long after, the two left the small restaurant one after another, each disappearing into the bustling crowd.

……

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Early in the morning, news spread from the Eastern Courtyard that a large group of Embroidered Uniform Guards had entered the garden to arrest Jia She, scaring Jia Mu, Lady Wang, and others quite a bit.

Jia Mu hurriedly asked Lin Zhixiao to inquire about the movement. Not long after, Lin Zhixiao passed the word in, saying that the Old Master did not return to the mansion last night, the Embroidered Uniform Guard did not find anyone, and they had all retreated.

Although the son was not taken away, Jia Mu was still frightened.

She was angry at her eldest son, a person whose hair and beard were all white, yet he still acted so restlessly, even provoking the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Being sought out by the Embroidered Uniform Guard had always been a disaster that was extremely difficult to clean up.

Today was the happy day of her grandson's marriage bestowal. If a scandal broke out, the Jia family's face would be lost.

So she asked someone to call Lady Xing over to ask questions. When Lady Xing came over, before Jia Mu could ask, Lady Xing began to wipe her tears.

Jia Mu frowned and said: "Today is the happy day of your son's marriage bestowal. Why are you crying? If there is something to say, say it. Everyone says the Old Master didn't return to the mansion yesterday. Where did he go, and why did he provoke the Embroidered Uniform Guard?"

Lady Xing's face flushed red, and she hesitated, not daring to speak. Jia She setting up an outside mistress might not count for much in an ordinary family, but in a noble family like the Jia family, it was a scandal.

Moreover, Jia She doing such a thing, in Jia Mu's eyes, would not blame her son for being licentious, but would blame her, the wife, for being incompetent and a dead person who was just a display.

Lady Xing didn't want to say it, but she couldn't withstand Jia Mu's repeated urging, and the Old Lady's expression was becoming more and more ugly. Lady Xing knew that this matter could not be hidden in the end.

Moreover, almost everyone in the Eastern Courtyard knew about this. If she didn't say it now, and the Old Lady asked others and found out, she, the mistress of the house, would have even less face.

So she had to cry and say: "Old Lady, you must make the decision for me. Usually, I try to persuade the Old Master to take care of his body, but he doesn't listen to half a word."

"Now he bought a house in Chongqing Ward and got a courtesan from Xingxiang Tower. I heard she is only sixteen or seventeen years old. He raised an outside mistress. He didn't return to the mansion last night and spent the night there."

Jia Mu heard this and was so angry that her face turned white. She slapped the table and cursed: "This shameless monster, his beard and hair are all white, and it's enough that he marries concubines into the house all day long."

"He actually raised a little prostitute outside. Today is his son's happy event, but the father went out to fool around all night. If this spreads, his old skin will be stripped off by others."

Jia Mu pointed at Lady Xing and said with disgust: "What is the use of your crying? Why don't you send a few more pages to find that monster."

"Today is the happy day of his son's marriage bestowal, so he, the father, must show his face."

"Also, why did the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrest your Old Master?"

Lady Xing heard this and was suddenly stunned. Thinking of the Embroidered Uniform Guard breaking in early in the morning and making such a fuss, and then leaving in a hurry, she didn't know why they wanted to arrest Jia She? She didn't know that Xu Kun had guessed Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's thoughts, handled the matter low-key, and did not make it too public, just burying his head in entering the house to make arrests, but was vague about the reason for the arrest.

……

At this time, because the time for the marriage bestowal was approaching, Jia Cong and Yingchun also came to Rongqing Hall to wait.

It was just that the Eastern Prefecture was still closing its doors and blocking the news, and left Seeing Tan Chun to accompany Daiyu.

Last night, Jia Cong learned of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's actions and concluded that the news from the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard had been sent to Jin Ling.

But Jia Cong got up before dawn, but he had not heard any movement from the Eastern Courtyard.

According to normal logic, as long as the news of Jia She stealing and transporting firearms reached the palace, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao would certainly order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to make arrests.

When he first arrived at Rongqing Hall, he heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had entered the Eastern Courtyard to arrest Jia She, and he felt a burst of secret joy without filial piety.

He just felt that today's marriage bestowal would certainly be ruined.

But when Lin Zhixiao passed the news back, saying that the Embroidered Uniform Guard hadn't caught the Old Master and had left silently, without any other actions.

Jia Cong's mood fell to the bottom again, and he felt full of doubts.

Now the hour of Si had passed, and all the situations Jia Cong had anticipated had not happened.

Since Jia She had already been exposed, why did Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao still not react to the marriage bestowal?

The auspicious time for the marriage bestowal was imminent, making Jia Cong's heart sink.

Could it be that there was a variable in the matter, and he had to accept the marriage edict first……? At this time, everyone in Rongqing Hall, whether happy, annoyed, or worried, had different moods.

Suddenly, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in with a face full of joy and said: "Old Lady, news has come from the outer courtyard. The official from the Ministry of Rites who bestowed the marriage has entered the mansion and is heading to Rongxi Hall."

"The Second Master sent word, asking the Old Lady to take the Third Brother Cong to Rongxi Hall to receive the edict." (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 475 =====