Chapter 481: Hard to Abandon the Jade

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, and Shi Xiangyun left Rongqing Hall and were originally just strolling in the garden; after walking for a while, the three of them went to Lixiang Courtyard to talk to Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai saw the sisters coming and hurriedly asked Ying'er and Seeing Jin Jin Chuan to serve tea, and the sisters were chatting.

Suddenly, she saw Seeing Tan Chun's maid Shi Shu coming in a hurry; she must have run all the way, her little face flushed red.

Shi Shu is Seeing Tan Chun's personal maid, her personality is somewhat similar to Seeing Tan Chun's, quite crisp and sharp, and she speaks very clearly.

She saw Seeing Tan Chun and said crisply, "Young Lady, just now the Second Young Lady came back from Rongqing Hall to say that an official from the Ministry of Rites just went to the East Prefecture to read a decree for the Cong Sanye.

Not only did they reduce the Cong Sanye's mourning period from three years to half a year, but they also added grace, saying it was to exempt him from the Spring Examination next year; I heard the Second Young Lady say it was to let the Cong Sanye take the Spring Examination next year."

Lin Daiyu and the other sisters were very happy when they heard this; they didn't care about the half-year mourning period.

However, they all knew that Jia Cong read hard and had won the top spot in the provincial examination twice, so he must value the Spring Examination very much.

Xue Baochai laughed, "This is the best news; originally, Cong-brother was in deep mourning, and according to the rites, he should have been revoked from the imperial examinations, and he would have to wait three years to participate in the Spring Examination, which would have been too much of a pity.

Now that the Emperor has bestowed such grace, for a reader like Cong-brother, it is more valuable than being promoted to a higher official position."

Shi Shi Xiangyun laughed, "I heard that the Yongzhou Jieyuan who takes the examination is sure to win; I heard the Old Ancestor say before that the Jing-old master of the East Prefecture won the Rank Jinshi thirty years ago, which was the first time in the eighty years since the Jia family opened the prefecture.

Now this glory has been won by the Third Brother again, which is truly amazing.

Let's not sit here, let's go to the East Prefecture to congratulate the Third Brother, and let him be generous for once, set up a banquet in Dengxian Pavilion early, and let us drink, guess fists, and match couplets, so the sisters can have a good time."

Lin Daiyu laughed when she heard this, "Look at what you said, which time you came, it wasn't like you were having a good time."

Shi Xiangyun was somewhat shameless, "That's not it, now every time I go to the East Prefecture, it's to find happiness.

You don't know, I've been bored to death at home for these few months, and I'm almost moldy, and my aunt won't let me go out, unlike you few who are together every day to keep each other company."

Shi Xiangyun thought about going to the East Prefecture and being able to see Jia Cong, and felt happy in her heart.

She hadn't seen him for several months, and didn't know if the Third Brother had become thinner or fatter; she wanted him to bring her some gadgets from Jiangnan, and didn't know if he still remembered.

Xue Baochai laughed, "Shi Xiangyun-sister is right, let's go to the East Prefecture to congratulate him, and we must let Cong-brother be the host, but we can't drink wine, to avoid violating the taboos."

Lin Daiyu also laughed, "Shi Xiangyun-sister, the East Prefecture is even more lively now; the Third Brother brought back Cousin Xing Xiuyan when he returned from the south, and also brought a Lingguan, who can sing very beautiful opera.

It's a pity that we are now in the period of national mourning, and folk music and opera are isolated, so we can't listen to it now, and we have to wait until next year."

Seeing Tan Chun looked at Lin Daiyu and laughed, "And this Lingguan has another wonder, which you absolutely can't imagine."

Lin Daiyu naturally understood the meaning of Seeing Tan Chun's words and smiled slightly without saying anything.

Shi Xiangyun's curiosity was piqued, and she asked, "What is the wonder of that Lingguan, tell me quickly."

Xue Baochai laughed, "It's only a wonder if you see it yourself; it won't be a wonder if we say it in advance."

Shi Xiangyun was an impatient person, and her heart was itching from these words, so she coquettishly said, "You are all bad people, you only said half of it, making people feel uncomfortable, let's go to the East Prefecture quickly, I can't wait."

Xue Baochai thought of Lingguan's appearance and looked at the smiling Lin Daiyu, feeling a trace of loss in her heart.

It is said that when Cong-brother met Lingguan in Gusu, he wanted to keep her by his side and not leave her, and brought her all the way from Jiangnan to the Love Shenjing.

That Lingguan entered the East Prefecture, and Sister Lin also liked her very much, even teaching her to read and write hand in hand.

The sisters left Lixiang Courtyard; because it was close to the small gate in the alley between the two prefectures, it was very convenient to go to the East Prefecture, and they didn't need to go around Rongqing Hall, so they didn't know about the storm in Rongqing Hall.

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Lady Jia and others waited for a long time before seeing Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife come in and say, "Old Ancestor, our Master asked me to pass a message, saying that the gatekeeper of the West Prefecture just reported.

Some official gentlemen rode horses into Ning-Rong Street and headed straight for the East Prefecture, and now the East Prefecture has opened its main gate, I estimate there must be something going on."

Lady Jia and others were all shocked when they heard this.

Wang Wang Xifeng stood up from her seat, her face full of uncontrollable surprise, and said, "What a coincidence, our Bao Er Ye went out early this morning."

Lady Jia and Lady Wang understood the meaning as soon as they heard Wang Wang Xifeng's words.

Lady Jia's face showed joy, saying, "Lady Lian-er doesn't have much of a mind, and now at this time, he doesn't stay at home, what is he running around for? Hurry up and send servants to find him."

Wang Wang Xifeng was full of joy and said, "Old Ancestor, I will send more servants to find him."

She stood up and was about to leave Rongqing Hall in a hurry, but she thought that she had seen too much of Cong the Third's grand display, and wondered if inheriting the title would also be announced by decree, and if her own noblewoman title would also be granted.

Wang Wang Xifeng was thinking proudly, but before she had taken a few steps, she heard Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife say somewhat awkwardly, "Old Ancestor, Second Young Lady, the Imperial Clan Court is not looking for Bao Er Ye Lady Lian.

They want to see the Bao Er Ye and Jia Baoyu."

Wang Wang Xifeng stopped in her tracks, her heart churning; at this critical moment, the Imperial Clan Court is not seeing Bao Er Ye Lady Lian, but specifically naming the Bao Er Ye and Jia Baoyu.

That moment, Wang Wang Xifeng felt somewhat gnashing her teeth, her heart was in a mess; could it be that the Great Master's title was not passed to Bao Er Ye Lady Lian, but to Jia Baoyu? This is truly against heaven, there is no such reason.

Although Wang Wang Xifeng was usually shrewd, she cared too much about the title and noble honor, and was somewhat confused by concern.

Plus, the Imperial Clan Court had previously said they wanted to change the heir to Jia Cong, which had always left a shadow in Wang Wang Xifeng's heart.

Now hearing that they came to the prefecture and didn't see Jia Lady Lian, but specifically named the Bao Er Ye and Jia Baoyu, it was inevitable that people would think wrongly.

Lady Jia and Lady Wang were also suspicious when they heard that the Imperial Clan Court was only seeing Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu, and they also had similar thoughts to Wang Wang Xifeng.

Lady Jia loved Jia Baoyu the most, but she also loved her eldest grandson Jia Lady Lian; if the Imperial Clan Court played the trick of changing the heir again, Lady Jia also felt it was inappropriate.

Lady Wang was overjoyed when she heard that the Imperial Clan Court was only seeing Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu; she was so happy that she could have laughed out loud if she hadn't forced herself to restrain it.

Lady Jia felt somewhat helpless, but no matter who the title was passed to, as long as it was her grandson, she would just deal with the matter at hand.

She said, "Jia Baoyu, you and your father go to Rongxi Hall, and remember to be cautious in your behavior and words when you see the officials of the Imperial Clan Court."

Jia Baoyu hated dealing with official career matters the most, and now not only was he asked to see some official from the Imperial Clan Court, but he also had to go with his father, so he was naturally a hundred times unwilling.

But he couldn't withstand Lady Jia's comfort and Lady Wang's happy urging, so he had to go unwillingly.

Wang Wang Xifeng stood on the side like a wooden chicken, her face ugly; although the Imperial Clan Court passing the title to Jia Baoyu was just a guess and seemed very absurd, with Wang Wang Xifeng's shrewdness, she didn't believe it either.

But at this critical moment, the Imperial Clan Court came and didn't see Jia Lady Lian, but specifically saw the Bao Er Ye and Jia Baoyu, which made people think.

Plus Lady Jia and Lady Wang's behavior, Wang Wang Xifeng felt ashamed and angry, but couldn't vent it, and cursed Jia Lady Lian in her heart; at such a critical moment, he actually went out early to play dead.

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall.

Jia Baoyu just arrived at the gate of Rongxi Hall, and Jia Zheng happened to receive the message and hurried over.

Jia Baoyu saw Jia Zheng and shrank reflexively; his usual elegant demeanor folded in half, which made Jia Zheng frown slightly.

Jia Zheng saw two Imperial Clan Court soldiers with swords standing at the gate of Rongxi Hall and felt slightly strange, but he didn't have time to think about it, so he entered Rongxi Hall.

A young man wearing a fifth-rank official robe was waiting in the hall, and when he saw Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu enter, he looked coldly and asked, "Is this Master Jia of the Ministry of Works?"

Jia Zheng hurriedly replied, "It is this official, I don't know what business you have coming to the prefecture today?"

The man's expression was cold, and he didn't answer Jia Zheng's question immediately, but pointed at Jia Baoyu and asked, "Is this the son of Master Jia, Jia Jia Baoyu?"

Jia Baoyu saw the official suddenly ask about his name, and he looked somewhat unkind, so he felt uneasy in his heart.

Jia Zheng saw the other party's cold language and asked about Jia Baoyu's identity, and he was also suspicious, so he could only reply, "It is indeed my son Jia Baoyu."

The man replied, "This official is Liu Liu Shuyou, a fifth-rank clerk of the Imperial Clan Court, ordered by the Grand Ancestor, the Prince of Prince Zhongshun, to issue a reprimand to your prefecture!

Your son Jia Jia Baoyu's words are wild and lawless, his tongue is full of trouble, attacking the royal family, saying that the imperial marriage in the palace is the work of foolish men and women, mocking the current Retired Emperor, truly great courage!

The news reached the palace, the Emperor was furious, and strictly reprimanded the Imperial Clan Court for failing to discipline and restrain the noble descendants.

The Grand Ancestor originally wanted to punish your son according to the noble law, but the Emperor, although disgusted by your son's words and actions, considered that he was only of the age of dancing elephants and was of the Lady Rongguo bloodline, so he granted extra grace and did not give him a heavy sentence.

But he strictly ordered the Grand Ancestor to issue a reprimand and ordered the prefecture to strictly discipline him; if there is a repeat offense, he will be punished without pardon!"

This Liu Liu Shuyou and Jia Zheng were both fifth-rank officials, and looking at his age, his official career seniority was also shallower than Jia Zheng's, but facing the master of the dignified Lady Rongguo Prefecture, his momentum was very fierce.

His words to Jia Zheng were merciless, and the more he spoke, the more severe he became, almost to the point of cursing.

The Grand Ancestor of the Imperial Clan Court, the Prince of Prince Zhongshun, had always held contempt and dislike for the descendants of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes.

Years ago, the famous actor Qiguan of the Love Shenjing was the favorite of the Prince of Prince Zhongshun, but he was seduced by Jia Rong of the Ningguo Prefecture, and even bought a house in the east of the Love Shenjing to live together, which became known to everyone, making the Prince of Prince Zhongshun feel deeply ashamed.

When Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao was seizing the throne, the Ning and Rong Dukes of the Jia family, because of the Retired Emperor, all stood by and watched, which made the Prince of Prince Zhongshun, who supported Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, feel alienated.

Later, with the disgusting matter of Qiguan, the Prince of Prince Zhongshun was angry and crippled Qiguan; perhaps it was love turning into hate, and he became increasingly disgusted with the Ning and Rong Jia families.

Now that he had such a big handle on Jia Baoyu, how could he let go of this opportunity to humiliate the Jia family? And he knew the Emperor's view of the Lady Rongguo Jia family, so he had no scruples in doing things.

The Prince of Prince Zhongshun sent Liu Liu Shuyou to handle this matter, which also had great intentions. Liu Liu Shuyou was a Rank Jinshi of the second rank in the 13th year of Emperor Jia Zhao, with outstanding talent, born in a poor family, with a fierce personality and hatred for evil. Letting such a thorn handle this matter, not to mention a Duke's prefecture, even if it were a Prince's prefecture, according to Liu Liu Shuyou's personality, he would not be merciful.

At this moment, Liu Liu Shuyou's fierce and solemn words were like sharp knives and halberds, stabbing straight into Jia Zheng's heart; first his face turned pale, then it turned purple, and his face was already somewhat distorted and terrifying.

And Jia Baoyu on the side had long been scared silly by Liu Liu Shuyou's words; he only said those things at home, how did the Emperor and the Imperial Clan Court know.

Jia Baoyu looked at Jia Zheng's expression that was about to explode, and felt incomparable fear in his heart, wanting to run away, but his legs were weak and he couldn't move.

Liu Liu Shuyou handed the reprimand from the Imperial Clan Court to Jia Zheng and said coldly, "Jia Zheng is an old official of the Ministry of Works, so this official must leave some face, so I will not read the reprimand again, please accept it."

Jia Zheng received the reprimand with fear and trepidation, and said shamefully, "The family is unfortunate to have such a rebellious son, insulting the Emperor, and Jia Zheng cannot shirk the responsibility, and deserves to die."

Liu Liu Shuyou said lightly, "Descendants without virtue, bringing disaster to the family, are there few such things? Please strictly discipline your son and prevent it before it happens, so this official can go back and report."

Liu Liu Shuyou finished speaking, but did not leave, but sat down and picked up the fragrant tea just served by the maid, drinking it slowly.

Jia Zheng had been an official for more than ten years, and seeing the two Imperial Clan Court soldiers with swords standing at the gate of Rongxi Hall, how could he not know what Liu Liu Shuyou meant.

He stomped his feet and shouted, "Lin Lin Zhixiao, come in!"

Lin Lin Zhixiao is an old servant of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, who has seen many scenes, and seeing the Imperial Clan Court official enter Rongxi Hall, it was clearly not a small matter, so he had been guarding outside the hall.

Hearing Jia Zheng call him, he hurriedly entered the hall. Jia Zheng's expression was uncontrollable with anger, saying, "Immediately bring the spring bench, ropes, and family staff, and seal the left and right of Rongxi Hall.

If anyone dares to report to the Old Ancestor, I will beat his whole family to death, including you, Lin Lin Zhixiao, hurry up!"

Lin Lin Zhixiao was startled when he heard this; usually when the Master wanted to discipline the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu, according to the rules, the Master hadn't even moved, and someone would go to report to the Old Ancestor.

Every time, the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu would suffer a little skin pain, and there would be no major harm, and the Old Ancestor would happen to arrive to save the scene.

Lin Lin Zhixiao, as a manager and servant, had gained the Old Ancestor's favor, considered the Master's face in disciplining his son, and let the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu suffer less beating.

This routine Lin Lin Zhixiao had long been playing very smoothly, but today's situation was very different.

Lin Lin Zhixiao heard clearly outside the hall just now that the Imperial Clan Court official said the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu insulted the Retired Emperor.

For someone like Lin Lin Zhixiao, the Retired Emperor is a god who cannot be reached, and the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu has committed a capital crime, so he dare not play tricks on this.

Moreover, the Master just spoke ruthlessly, saying that whoever reports will have their whole family beaten to death, including him, Lin Lin Zhixiao, which made him even more afraid to meddle.

Jia Baoyu was already sweating coldly from fear, but with his father and the Imperial Clan Court official present, he didn't even dare to move, and for a moment, although he could still stand, his heart and gallbladder seemed to be broken.

After a while, a servant brought the tools, and Jia Zheng ordered the servant to tie Jia Baoyu to the spring bench, grabbed the family staff, and swung it round to beat Jia Baoyu's buttocks.

At this time, Jia Zheng even forgot that Liu Liu Shuyou was present, and what was swirling in his heart was the disaster of his son insulting the Retired Emperor, along with his disappointment in his son over the years.

Jia Baoyu had been spoiled by the Old Ancestor and the Lady since childhood, and his own discipline was like scratching an itch, indulging him in being addicted to the wealth and leisure of the inner courtyard every day, not reading poetry and books, and wasting time.

Jia Cong, who was the same age as him, not only succeeded in the imperial examination but also made meritorious service on his own, but Jia Baoyu had been reading for six or seven years and couldn't even recite the Four Books, and he was still ignorant and arrogant, full of nonsense.

He had raised such a useless son, and life had lost its interest.

The more Jia Zheng thought about it, the angrier he became, and the stick in his hand beat down without sparing any strength, one after another, ruthlessly.

A strange sound of beating buttocks came from Rongxi Hall, mixed with Jia Baoyu's heart-piercing screams; the once noble and luxurious Rongxi Hall was filled with a cruel and ironic meaning.

If the former Duke Lady Rongguo knew about this in the underworld, he didn't know if he would kick open the coffin lid because his descendants were dissolute.

Lin Lin Zhixiao stood outside the hall, hearing the heart-piercing movement in the hall, his heart couldn't help but jump, and he was sweating profusely from fear.

And the fifth-rank clerk of the Imperial Clan Court, Liu Liu Shuyou, seemed to be indifferent to the earth-shattering beating and screaming, not even moving his expression, still drinking fragrant tea slowly.

It is rare for a civil official to be this ruthless.

Jia Baoyu was beaten by Jia Zheng more than ten times, his screaming voice became smaller, and after thirty or forty times, he had already fainted, and the white silk underpants on his buttocks had been soaked into a blood-red color.

Lin Lin Zhixiao outside the hall was already weak in the legs; if he watched the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu be beaten to death, and the Old Ancestor found out afterward, his whole family would lose their lives.

Now he couldn't care about Jia Zheng's threat, gritted his teeth and let his trusted servant hurry to Rongqing Hall to report, and he stumbled in, grabbing the family staff in Jia Zheng's hand.

Saying, "Master, you can't beat him anymore, the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu is almost out of breath, if you beat him again, there will be a life at stake, if the Old Ancestor knows, this old slave will not survive."

Jia Zheng shouted, "It's all because you were indulgent, which made him so lawless; if one day he kills his father and the monarch, everyone will not survive anyway, so it's better to make a break now."

Saying that, he untied his belt and tried to strangle Jia Baoyu's neck, and Lin Lin Zhixiao was also startled.

Liu Liu Shuyou, who was drinking tea leisurely on the side, saw this situation, his face sank, and he actually stood up all at once.

He said coldly, "Master Jia, your son's words are wild, insulting the Retired Emperor, the Emperor has granted extra grace, let the Imperial Clan Court discipline him, and his family strictly discipline him.

Master Jia wants to take your son's life because of this, which is against the heart of heaven; do you want the Emperor and the Imperial Clan Court to bear this evil name!"

Liu Liu Shuyou's cold and fierce words were like a basin of cold water poured on the furious Jia Zheng, and the hand holding the belt suddenly stiffened.

At this time, there were messy footsteps outside the hall; Lady Jia and Lady Wang, having received the report from the servants, arrived late, and by this time Jia Zheng had finished beating.

Lady Jia saw Jia Baoyu unconscious, his buttocks bloody and flesh-torn, soaked in blood, and couldn't help but cry bitterly.

She wanted to scold her son Jia Zheng, but seeing Liu Liu Shuyou standing on the side with a cold expression, she had to swallow her words.

Although her old face was already iron-blue, she still forcibly suppressed it; if it were in the past, with her status as a noblewoman of the highest rank, she wouldn't have put a fifth-rank official in her eyes.

But the servant who reported just now said clearly that the Bao Er Ye Jia Baoyu said words insulting the Retired Emperor, which is why the Imperial Clan Court came to the prefecture to make trouble.

Lady Jia had been a noblewoman of a Duke's prefecture for half her life and still had some brains; this dog official from the Imperial Clan Court was clearly sent by the Emperor to torture and punish her Jia Baoyu.

If Lady Jia still wanted to say more, she would be challenging the Emperor, and the Old Ancestor didn't have the courage for that.

Liu Liu Shuyou saw Lady Jia's expression of daring to be angry but not daring to speak, but his face remained indifferent.

He said, "Master Jia, your son has been taught a lesson by the staff, I hope you will strictly discipline and guide him in the future, this official will take his leave."

He walked to the door of the hall, looked back at Lady Jia, and then at the gold necklace on Jia Baoyu's neck, as if thinking of something.

He suddenly said, "Master Jia, this official has one more piece of good advice."

Jia Zheng stopped beating Jia Baoyu, but felt as if he had collapsed, not because of excessive force, but because he was scared by his son's words insulting the Retired Emperor.

Hearing Liu Liu Shuyou had something to say, he hurriedly replied, "Master Liu, please speak."

Liu Liu Shuyou said lightly, "Now there are strange rumors outside, saying that your son was born with jade in his mouth, a rare sight in the world, a sign of a saint.

You are also well-read in history, and you should know that the four words 'sign of a saint' have great taboos.

Even the current Emperor is humble about the name of a saint; your prefecture is a Duke's gate, and your descendants are wealthy, not those poor and weak families, why do you still want this false name, which instead brings trouble!"

Liu Liu Shuyou's words not only made Jia Zheng feel cold, but even Lady Jia and Lady Wang, who were surrounding Jia Baoyu and sobbing, were startled.

On weekdays, the two of them, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, liked to talk about Jia Baoyu being born with jade in his mouth, and their self-satisfaction was overflowing.

It was their behavior that gave the young Jia Baoyu certain hints, often using throwing jade as a threat to act spoiled, which was just a trick children used.

And whenever Jia Baoyu threw jade, Lady Jia and Lady Wang would be particularly involved, either crying with heartache or complaining about why Jia Baoyu threw his own lifeblood.

As long as others mentioned the nobility of Jia Baoyu being born with jade in his mouth, they would be even happier.

A piece of jade with words carved on it while in the womb was really treated by them as a symbol of the Jia family being superior to others.

Now Liu Liu Shuyou's cold words were like instantly stripping off their skin, and even mocking them unceremoniously.

The two monarchs of the present day dare not say they were born with signs of a saint, yet a descendant of the Jia family who is not learned is spreading such signs everywhere...

Lady Jia didn't know if those words just now were Liu Liu Shuyou's meaning or the palace's meaning, but in Lady Jia's guess, it was mostly the latter.

After Liu Liu Shuyou left, Lady Jia cried and scolded Jia Zheng, "You are a father, how can you be so ruthless? If I had arrived a step late, you would have beaten my Jia Baoyu to death!"

Jia Zheng seemed to be overly stimulated today, and very rarely did not lose his momentum before Lady Jia.

He said with a painful face, "Old Ancestor, it is not that the son is ruthless in beating him, listen to what he said, actually daring to insult the Retired Emperor; if I didn't beat him in front of the Imperial Clan Court today, how could I explain this matter? One day, the entire Lady Rongguo Prefecture will not be able to escape disaster!"

When Lady Jia heard this, she was stunned and couldn't speak, her old face covered in tears, and she muttered to the unconscious Jia Baoyu, "You rebellious son, why did you say these fatal words!"

Jia Zheng left Rongxi Hall with a decadent expression, leaving Lady Jia, Lady Wang, and others to deal with Jia Baoyu, his back slightly hunched, looking unusually lost and desolate.

When he walked out of the hall, he looked back at Lady Jia and said, "Old Ancestor, according to the son's meaning, it is better to take back that piece of jade on Jia Baoyu, and don't let him wear it again in the future.