Chapter 475: Filial Piety and Rituals Also Punish the Heart

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Hearing that the official from the Ministry of Rites who bestowed the marriage had entered the mansion, Jia Mu had no time to deal with her son's mess. She took the female relatives of the mansion who had titles, followed by Jia Cong, and went to Rongxi Hall to receive the edict.

At this time, Jia Cong's mood fell completely to the bottom. He didn't expect that all his planning and calculations would end up in vain.

In the end, he was still forced to accept the marriage bestowal. Although he had closed the Eastern Prefecture for two days, it was ultimately just covering his ears to steal the bell. Once the edict was issued, the news would immediately spread throughout the Eastern and Western Prefectures.

He remembered that night in Daiyu's room, that gentle secret talk, the warm embrace.

Was his future path to be twisted and manipulated by others?

At this moment, although he was burning with anxiety, deep in his heart, he still couldn't believe that the matter had become a foregone conclusion.

With Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's scheming and wisdom, would he still remain unmoved by this marriage bestowal after learning that Jia She had committed the crimes of stealing and transporting firearms and being involved in the private manufacture of firearms! When Jia Cong, Jia Mu, and the others entered Rongxi Hall and waited for a while, they heard the sound of drums and bells coming from outside, approaching from far to near, carrying a clear and festive meaning.

A marriage bestowal from the palace, for an official, was the most noble happy omen. The rituals of the Ministry of Rites for marriage bestowal were very gorgeous and festive, and the scene was glorious, no less than the ceremony of a medium-grade title.

At this moment, Jia Mu had long forgotten her son's absurdity, and even why the Embroidered Uniform Guard had come to arrest her eldest son early in the morning was temporarily put aside.

At this time, she only heard the sound of the marriage drums outside. The Rongguo Jia family had opened the mansion for several generations, and this was the first time for a marriage bestowal from the palace. This was a glory that the Rongguo Jia family had encountered once in a hundred years.

Jia Zheng was also full of joy, but he found that among the family members receiving the edict, only the eldest brother, Jia She, was missing, which felt a bit strange. After all, he was Jia Cong's biological father, and his son was being bestowed a marriage, yet the father was nowhere to be seen.

At this time, the sound of complex footsteps came from outside the hall, and it seemed that many people were walking in formation.

Jia Cong and Jia Zheng each walked to the entrance of Rongxi Hall and looked out.

Only to see four ritual officials dressed in vermilion Grade 6 official robes walking in two rows with their heads held high, each holding a vermilion tray in their hands.

In the trays were imperial wedding items such as vermilion wedding clothes, gold-inlaid black gauze caps, seven-treasure phoenix crowns, and joyous jade belts.

Jia Cong also recognized the leading official; it was Huang Hongcang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who had also announced the edict when Jia Cong was granted his title last time.

Because this marriage bestowal was a holy edict issued by the Retired Emperor Yong'an, who had retired and lived deep in the palace, this was the first time in more than ten years that he had issued a holy edict, so the Ministry of Rites naturally did not dare to be negligent.

The Minister of Rites, Guo Youchang, specially let the Right Vice Minister Huang Hongcang announce the edict, also to show respect. Although the Retired Emperor Yong'an had retired for many years, he had been brilliant in his military strategy and had followed the ancestors in his early years. Although he had retired for more than ten years, his prestige remained undiminished to this day.

This was also the deep-seated reason why Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had been suppressing and weakening the Four Kings and Eight Dukes since he took the throne…….

……

Jia Zheng stepped forward to lead Huang Hongcang into Rongxi Hall, and Jia Cong also hurriedly stepped forward to salute.

Last time, Huang Hongcang had also announced the edict for him to be granted a title, so the two could be considered old acquaintances. Although Jia Cong was unwilling about the marriage bestowal, he did not fail in his etiquette on the surface.

Huang Hongcang laughed, "The Count of Lord Weiyuan is young, wise, and intelligent, and has repeatedly received imperial favor. It is a happy and congratulatory event."

Jia Cong cupped his hands and replied, "Jia Cong is grateful for the virtue of the Old Master announcing the edict several times."

Although they were all polite words, Huang Hongcang was an old and sophisticated man, and he still noticed the strangeness in Jia Cong's expression.

Last time he announced the edict for Jia Cong to be granted a title, Jia Cong's behavior was calm and steady, mature for his age, quite extraordinary, but his complexion was inevitably excited.

But this time he came to announce the marriage bestowal, a young man who had achieved success, should have been full of joy, but although his etiquette was thorough, his expression was too indifferent, which was slightly strange.

Huang Hongcang muttered in his heart, this Jia Cong was only of this age, yet his scheming and cultivation had already reached such a deep level…….

When the officials announcing the edict had all entered the hall, Huang Hongcang took out the Swiss pocket watch he was carrying and said, "The auspicious time has arrived. Count of Lord Weiyuan, receive the edict!"

Jia Cong felt a slight shock and knelt down with everyone in Rongxi Hall to welcome the edict.

Huang Hongcang unfolded the yellow silk holy edict and read in a solemn voice: The edict says:

There is the Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, a descendant of the Duke's noble family, young and outstanding, with pure conduct, both civil and military, diligent in state affairs, military strategy showing prestige in the three armies, and literary brilliance spreading excellent articles.

Bright in heart and cultivating virtue, loyal, upright, and honest, at the age of fifteen, he has no wife. Zhen Fangqing, the third daughter of the Zhen family, a descendant of a noble family in the old capital, is upright and elegant in conduct, and skilled in ritual and education…….

Huang Hongcang was an old official of the Ministry of Rites and had announced many holy edicts, so he was experienced and read the marriage edict with cadence and a magnificent air.

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and the others welcoming the edict felt their joy and glory constantly rising. Only Jia Cong knelt there, expressionless, as if he were outside the world.

……

Just as Huang Hongcang was reading the key part of the edict, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the hall, and a sharp and imposing voice sounded: "Stop announcing the edict for a moment. The Emperor has an edict. Ministry of Rites, receive the edict!"

Huang Hongcang, who was announcing the edict, heard the voice and felt a shock throughout his body, subconsciously stopping the announcement.

He didn't know how many times he had announced the edict, but he had never encountered someone interrupting halfway. He was full of astonishment in his heart. How could the Emperor come to the Jia mansion to issue an edict to the Ministry of Rites? This was unreasonable. The Jia Mu and Jia Zheng in the hall were in the midst of glory and joy, and suddenly hearing the announcement interrupted halfway, they were all startled, and then all felt a bad premonition.

Only Jia Cong, who was kneeling in the middle, although he lowered his head, had a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, which had been expressionless.

Guo Lin received Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's holy edict, and it was already the fourth quarter of the hour of Si, and there was less than two quarters of an hour before the announcement.

Although he hurried without stopping, he had to pass through layers of deep palaces to reach the Ningrong Street in Juju Ward. The distance was not short, and he finally arrived at the Jia mansion just as the fire was burning his eyebrows.

Guo Lin hadn't even approached Rongxi Hall when he hurriedly stopped the marriage announcement. If he had waited until Huang Hongcang finished reading the marriage edict before he arrived to stop it, it would have been a big deal.

Guo Lin entered Rongxi Hall. Because he walked too fast, he was still panting slightly. He calmed down slightly and said: "Vice Minister Huang, I have an imperial edict from the Emperor. Kneel and receive the edict!"

Huang Hongcang was full of suspicion and hurriedly knelt to listen to the edict.

He saw Jia Cong kneeling beside him. As the person directly involved, facing such a sudden change, he remained completely composed, as if nothing had happened. He was astonished in his heart; this youth's depth of character was truly remarkable.

The festive and solemn atmosphere that had permeated the hall because of Huang Hongcang reading the marriage edict had long been swept away, and a huge horror and doubt pressed on the heart of everyone in the hall.

……

Guo Lin scanned everyone in the hall, his gaze fixed on Jia Cong, and then he unfolded the holy edict and read: "The Emperor's edict says: Now it has been reported that Jia She, the first-grade general who inherited the title of Rongguo Prefecture, died in a private residence in Chongqing Ward at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) last night."

"The Count of Lord Weiyuan, Jia Cong, has received imperial favor, and the marriage is bestowed, which was originally a happy omen. However, time is not yet ripe, and the collision of joy and mourning violates common morality."

"The nation governs the world through filial piety. Jia Cong, as the biological son of Jia She, must fulfill the great rites of human relations—a son's filial duty upon his father's passing. Now, by imperial decree, the mourning period is set for three years to uphold the path of filial righteousness. Respect this."

This holy edict was personally drafted by Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao in haste, unlike the holy edicts drafted by the Ceremonial Supervision or the Cabinet, which were melodious and elegant in words.

However, the words were concise and the imagery was clear, like a single knife entering, instead revealing an unquestionable imperial dragon power.

After Guo Lin finished reading the holy edict, Huang Hongcang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, changed color. As a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Rites, he had announced many holy edicts in his life, but he had never encountered such a horrifying thing.

On the day his son was bestowed a marriage, the father suddenly passed away. It was too unbelievable.

……

This short and concise edict from Guo Lin completely stunned the Jia family members who had just knelt to welcome the marriage edict, and then a sense of sorrow began to permeate.

Jia Mu's face was already pale. She was already of advanced age, and she needed help to kneel and stand up. At this moment, she actually crawled up tremblingly by herself, and without caring about etiquette, she staggered to Guo Lin in a few steps.

She asked sorrowfully: "Is my son really dead?"

Guo Lin also lowered his head slightly and said: "This morning, the Embroidered Uniform Guard discovered General Jia's remains in Chongqing Ward. Please restrain your grief, Old Lady."

Jia Mu heard this and burst into tears, her eyes rolled back, and she fell backward. The female relatives in the hall, Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, and others, hurriedly stepped forward to support her.

The inside and outside of Rongxi Hall had been filled with joy, but now seeing Jia Mu faint and hearing of Jia She's death, crying sounds suddenly rose, like two worlds of joy and mourning.

Jia Zheng was also frightened out of his wits by this sudden bad news, and his face was pale.

Huang Hongcang and Guo Lin saw that the Jia family was in mourning, so they didn't stay long and said goodbye to Jia Cong and left the mansion.

Jia Cong sent the two out of Rongxi Hall. Originally, he wanted to send them out of the mansion gate, but was stopped by Huang Hongcang, telling him that handling the funeral was more important. Jia Cong then asked the steward Lin Zhixiao to send them out of the mansion gate.

When Jia Cong returned to Rongxi Hall, Jia Mu had been woken up by the knowledgeable old woman pinching her philtrum, and she was crying loudly there, with Lady Wang and others accompanying her in tears.

Lady Xing had also been crying until she was unconscious and was sent to the Eastern Courtyard.

Jia Cong walked to Jia Zheng and said: "Father, the Old Lady is of advanced age. At this moment, she cannot be overly sorrowful, or she will cause more harm. Please sit in the mansion and comfort her."

"I and the Second Brother will go to Chongqing Ward now to handle the Old Master's funeral."

Jia Zheng had long been at a loss, and Jia Cong took the lead in this matter, so he naturally had no objections.

Jia Cong pulled up Jia Lian, who was still frightened, and took five or six pages, then left the mansion to handle the funeral.

At this time, the female relatives in the hall were crying exhaustively. Reminded by Lady Wang, they helped Jia Mu back to Rongqing Hall to settle down.

Wang Xifeng was also full of tears, like pear blossoms in the rain, exceptionally beautiful. She looked at the backs of Jia Lian and Jia Cong leaving, and suddenly felt a shock in her heart.

She thought that the Old Master was gone now, wouldn't the hereditary title of the Rongguo Prefecture be passed to her Second Master immediately? Even if the title was lowered, it would still be a dignified second-grade general.

The title she had been envying day and night would no longer need to wait for decades; it was already within reach, and it was a second-grade title, much higher than the fifth-grade title of the Lady.

At this moment, Wang Xifeng had lost her father-in-law, her pretty face was full of tears, and she was full of sorrow, but in her heart, she was indescribably excited and secretly happy in a very improper way…….

……

Ningrong Street, Count's Mansion, Daiyu's Courtyard.

Daiyu sat on the zither stool, wiping the zither somewhat listlessly, her expression somewhat distracted.

Her black, cloud-like hair was casually tied up, hanging down in front of her chest, covering her slightly heaving chest.

Her pretty face was still somewhat pale, and her pink lips had lost some color, looking very lovable.

Only her pair of spiritual eyes were still full of autumn water, her eyes turning, flowing with light, moving people's hearts. Hearing Zi Juan brought the medicine bowl over and said: "Miss, it's time to take the medicine."

Daiyu frowned slightly, seemingly not liking the taste of the medicine soup, and said: "Haven't I been taking it for several days? Why do I still have to take it?"

Hearing Zi Juan persuaded: "This is the last two doses. You will be done after taking them, and you won't need to take them anymore."

The medicine soup Hearing Zi Juan brought was the prescription Zhang Youshi had written that day.

In fact, since Jia Cong opened Daiyu's heart that day, half of her illness had gone. It was just a heart disease, and it hadn't hurt the root. The prescription Zhang Youshi wrote was just a warm and nourishing prescription.

Daiyu continued to fiddle with the zither and didn't take the medicine bowl from Hearing Zi Juan.

Hearing Zi Juan laughed: "In the past, when you took medicine, Third Brother would often come over, bring some candied fruit, and test whether the medicine soup was hot or bitter. You would drink it very briskly. Why are you not drinking it now?"

Seeing Tan Chun, who was flipping through books on the bookshelf, couldn't help but laugh. She didn't know before that Third Brother had such means to coax people.

Daiyu's pretty face flushed, and Hearing Zi Juan complained: "You talk too much." After saying this, she took the medicine bowl from Hearing Zi Juan, frowned, and drank it all in one gulp.

……

Hearing Zi Juan smiled and took away the medicine bowl. Daiyu suddenly said to Seeing Tan Chun, who was reading: "Third Sister, is the Western Prefecture busy with receiving the marriage edict for Third Brother today?"

Seeing Tan Chun was shocked to hear this, and the book in her hand almost fell to the ground. Third Brother had even sealed the mansion gate, and he went out today, specially instructing her to watch over Lin Jiejie.

No one had spread the news, so how could Lin Jiejie have guessed it?

Seeing Seeing Tan Chun's surprise, Daiyu said: "Third Brother suddenly sealed the mansion gate these past two days, which was a bit strange."

"I originally wanted to go to his courtyard to talk this morning, but I met him going to the Western Prefecture early. I chatted with Sister Zhi Shao for a few words. When she saw me, her words were much more careful than usual. How could she hide it from me?"

"Later I went to the Second Sister's courtyard. The old woman in the courtyard said that the Second Sister went to the Western Prefecture with Third Brother early in the morning, and also said that the Second Sister used the pearl-clustered gold phoenix, which was very noble and dignified."

"That pearl-clustered gold phoenix was a gift from Third Brother to the Second Sister. She treasures it very much in her daily life and only wears it during festivals. I am not stupid, so how could I not guess the matter?"

Seeing Tan Chun sighed in her heart. Such a major event could not be hidden, and Lin Jiejie was clear-minded, so she couldn't be deceived.

Seeing Tan Chun was worried that the news would leak, and Daiyu would become ill again from depression, so she felt uneasy.

She stepped forward and held Daiyu's hand, saying: "You are a clear-minded person. Third Brother has been close to us sisters since he was a child, and he is especially attentive to you. Whatever he does, he wants to take care of you."

Daiyu smiled slightly, her expression somewhat sorrowful, and said: "I understand what Third Sister means. Now I have also figured it out. People have their thoughts and ideas, but they can't twist the principles of heaven and fate."

"Even if you hurt yourself again, it's all in vain, and you tire others to worry for nothing. They say that a long shed is built for a thousand miles, and there is no gathering that doesn't end. Why think about the future? Just live the present well."

Seeing Tan Chun was about to comfort Daiyu a few words when she heard Xueyan running in, panting, and said: "Miss, it's not good! Something major happened in the Western Prefecture."

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun were both startled. Daiyu asked with a pale face: "What major event happened? Isn't Third Brother in the Western Prefecture?"

Xueyan said: "I originally wanted to go to the kitchen and ask Sister Liu to help stew a bowl of bird's nest porridge for you. On the way, I met Sister Xiuju from the Second Sister's side. She just came from the Western Prefecture."

"It was the Second Sister who asked her to come back and pass the word. She said that today the Ministry of Rites sent someone to the Western Prefecture to announce the marriage bestowal for Third Brother……."

Daiyu heard about the marriage bestowal. Although she had long guessed it, hearing the confirmation, she couldn't help but shed tears.

Seeing Tan Chun on the side heard something wrong and hurriedly asked: "Since it is a marriage bestowal, why did something major happen?"

Xueyan hurriedly said: "Miss, don't panic yet. Listen to Xiuju, the official from the Ministry of Rites hadn't finished reading the edict when a holy edict suddenly came from the palace."

"Saying…… saying that the Old Master of the Western Prefecture suddenly passed away, asking Third Brother to observe filial piety for three years, and the marriage bestowal was also withdrawn by the Emperor. Xiuju came back to pass the word to the steward, and the mansion must immediately wear white and observe mourning."

Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun heard this and stood up, both full of shock.

……

Jia Cong and Jia Lian left the mansion gate. The family members had already tied white mourning bands for them, and even the horses were hung with white flowers.

The two rode their horses and just ran out of Ningrong Street when suddenly, from the south, a roaring bell sound came, one after another, solemn and loud, as if to shake the universe.

At this time, many pedestrians on the road stopped their steps in unison, stood still and looked toward the south, listening to the deafening bell sound.

Jia Cong's expression changed immediately upon hearing the bell sound. He looked back to the north for a moment, the shadow of Zhen Fangqing appearing in his mind, and he sighed slightly in his heart.

Jia Lian on the side looked confused and said: "Third Brother, which temple is ringing the bell? How can it be so loud?"

Jia Cong said in a deep voice: "To the north is the direction of the palace city, and there are no temples. That is the mourning dragon bell in the palace. The bell rings seven times, which means a concubine of the late Emperor has passed away……."

……

Great Zhou Palace City, Qinghe Palace.

Since last night, the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen had been unable to speak, and her sick body had been tormented for a long time, reaching the end of her life.

But Zhen Fangqing still wouldn't give up, accompanying her day and night. Under the guidance of the imperial physician, Zhen Fangqing would pour some ginseng soup for the Imperial Consort every half hour, finally making it past dawn.

But after the hour of Si (9-11 AM), the Retired Imperial Consort Zhen suddenly had a glowing face and opened her mouth to call Zhen Fangqing. Everyone around was shocked, but anyone who knew the situation knew that this was the return of the light before death.

Zhen Fangqing walked to the bed, her thin face full of tear stains, and squatted down, smiling gently: "Old Ancestor, you can speak. If you rest well, you will be fine."

The Retired Imperial Consort held her hand, but could no longer speak, just smiled at her, and tiredly closed her eyes.

The Retired Emperor Yong'an, who heard the news and rushed over, hadn't walked into the sleeping hall when he heard Zhen Fangqing crying miserably: "Old Ancestor……."

The Retired Emperor Yong'an was struck by lightning, and the whole person was stunned there, not having the courage to step into the sleeping hall.

He remembered that just now the Emperor had personally gone to the Chonghua Palace to report Jia She's death. At that moment, the heavy powerlessness that permeated the Retired Emperor Yong'an's heart was difficult to dispel.

The Retired Emperor Yong'an looked at the sleeping hall and muttered to himself in his heart: Imperial Consort, I couldn't even fulfill your last wish. I am ashamed in my heart.

The Imperial Consort had good intentions, but her pity could not defeat the victory or defeat of heaven. This was probably his fate, difficult to abandon, and the wind and clouds would not leave…….

……

Love Shenjing, Hongde Gate, two carriages looked at each other, and the carriages had the emblem of the Huichun Pharmacy.

The carriage behind was piled full of sacks filled with herbs, revealing a heavy medicinal smell.

As the bell in the city rang, the curtain of the front carriage was lifted, revealing a middle-aged man with a straight back and spirited eyes, looking back at the North City of the Love Shenjing, lost in thought.

When he put down the curtain, the two carriages had already passed through Hongde Gate and were heading toward Jin Ling.

……

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

At the intersection not far away, Jia Lian followed Xue Pan, and the two escorted a carriage with a high-quality coffin selected from the Xue family's coffin shop.

In the residence that had lost its master, four or five pages entered the main room to tidy up Jia She's remains and change his burial clothes.

Jia Cong stood alone in the courtyard, his face without sorrow, just looking at the northern sky.

Although he didn't know the cause of Jia She's death, Jia She was whitewashed as innocent despite his crimes, allowing him to observe filial piety in a dignified manner and retreat from the Retired Emperor's marriage bestowal.

He believed this must be Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's handiwork.

He also believed that with the Emperor's scheming and planning, he would never easily let go of the opportunity to weaken the power of the old nobles of the Four Kings and Eight Dukes because of Jia She's crime.

Of course, there was also the huge centripetal force that had never disappeared from these old nobles, the Retired Emperor in the Chonghua Palace.

……

Love Shenjing, Hongping Street, Hongchun Fur Shop.

The shopkeeper opened the shop on time, but at this hour, he hadn't seen Jia She show up.

The shopkeeper was not surprised, because the Old Master was a hands-off shopkeeper and wouldn't come every day. Only when a big business came from the north would he appear.

Not long after, more than a dozen guests suddenly entered the shop in twos and threes, filling the shop hall.

The shopkeeper felt happy in his heart, not expecting the popularity to be so prosperous today, with so many guests, he would certainly do a few more businesses.

He was about to step forward to greet the guests when one of the guests suddenly waved his hand, and two other guests stepped forward quickly and closed the shop door.

The shopkeeper's face turned pale, and his heart beat like a drum. The Love Shenjing had become so chaotic now, and bandits could appear in broad daylight.

He said with a strong exterior but a weak interior: "What do you want to do? This is the property of the Great General Jia of the Rongguo Prefecture. You must know the severity and don't mess around!"

The guest laughed gloomily: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling the case. We are looking for your house. Take them all!"

The other ten or so guests swarmed up, tied the shopkeeper and three shop assistants in the shop with five flowers and big ropes, and took all the account books in the shop.

Then, they took the people and the account books away from the back door of the shop, got on a carriage, and disappeared into the bustling street.

Waiting for these shopkeepers and assistants would be endless torture until they said what the Embroidered Uniform Guard wanted.

Even if the shopkeeper and assistants knew limited information, the detailed account books in the shop could also find valuable clues.

Tracing the source from this, it would be difficult to hide the secrets of the Hongchun fur business, which would be a bloody counterattack.

Not long after, the Hongchun Fur Shop reopened, and there were still shopkeepers at the counter, and several shop assistants were busy in the shop hall.

It was just that few people would notice that the people in the shop were all new faces.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 476 =====