Chapter 482: Life and Death, Two Suspicious Tombs

Ning-Rong Street, Count's Prefecture.

The autumn wind is blowing on Dengxian Pavilion, and looking out from the pavilion, the pavilions, rockeries, winding corridors, and flowers and trees in the Hui-Fang Garden are all in sight.

By the window, an eight-immortal round table has been set, with seven or eight cold dishes on the table, just waiting for the hot dishes to be cooked in the kitchen.

Lin Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Little Xichun, and Shi Xiangyun sat around Jia Cong, and called Hearing Zhi Shao, Xing Xing Xiuyan, Ying Lady Lian, Wu'er, Qingwen, and others to join the banquet.

Shi Xiangyun was still happily playing with the gifts Jia Cong brought her from Jiangnan, such as Gusu paper fans, Huizhou clay figurines, and foreign music boxes from Jin Ling.

During the period of national mourning, it was not good to drink wine, so they just used clear tea instead; some leaned on the railing to look at the scenery, some laughed and talked, some smiled without speaking, and before the banquet started, the atmosphere was already harmonious and warm.

Jia Cong asked Seeing Tan Chun, "Is the Second Sister still in the West Prefecture? Did you send someone to invite her?"

Seeing Tan Chun replied, "I just asked Shi Shu to invite her, and she should be here soon."

As soon as the words fell, they heard footsteps on the stairs, and saw not only Shi Shu return, but also Xiuju, the maid of Seeing Yingchun, following behind.

Xiuju saw Jia Cong and said, "Third Young Master, the Second Qing Niangzi asked me to pass a message, just now in Rongxi Hall of the West Prefecture, the Second Young Master Jia Baoyu was disciplined by the Master with family law, and his injuries are not light, and the West Prefecture is in chaos."

Everyone was shocked when they heard this; Jia Cong had not been to the West Prefecture today, so he naturally didn't know about this, and sisters like Lin Daiyu had just returned to the East Prefecture and hadn't encountered this matter.

Jia Cong asked Xiuju for the reason, and only then did he know that it was the nonsense Jia Baoyu said about the marriage that finally caused the disaster.

Seeing Yingchun specifically asked the maid to come back to pass the message, and Jia Cong naturally knew her meaning; Jia Baoyu was beaten and seriously injured, and he and the sisters should go to visit his injuries.

With this matter, everyone's mood to eat and play was naturally disturbed, so they went together to the West Prefecture to visit Jia Baoyu's injuries.

Lin Daiyu, Shi Xiangyun, and others walked in front, while Jia Cong slowed down and followed behind, his eyes thoughtful.

Seeing Tan Chun had a sharp personality and noticed Jia Cong's abnormality, so she slowed down, waited for Jia Cong to catch up, and asked, "Third Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Jia Cong said, "Third Sister, don't you think Jia Baoyu's beating is a bit strange?"

Seeing Tan Chun had a delicate mind, thought about it slightly, and said, "It is indeed a bit strange; when Jia Baoyu said those words in my room, only we sisters were there, and outsiders couldn't have known.

How could it spread to the palace in just a few days, causing such a big storm? Is that what the Third Brother means?"

Jia Cong laughed, "Third Sister is truly smart, understanding it at once. You are right, although Jia Baoyu's words were taboo, only we sisters were in the room at the time.

But there might be more than us who heard it; do you remember that Jia Baoyu didn't speak quietly at the time, and several maids and nannies happened to pass by the corridor, so it's very likely they heard it too."

When Seeing Tan Chun heard this, her eyebrows lifted slightly, and a heroic and charming air appeared, saying, "Third Brother, now that you mention it, I also thought of it; I recognize those maids and nannies.

Could it be that they leaked the news, bringing this disaster? But these are all family-born servants or old slaves, how could they harm Jia Baoyu?"

Jia Cong said, "Third Sister is a daughter of a noble family and doesn't know much about things outside; now there are inner official halls like the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Tui Shi Yuan, and the Central Vehicle Office in the imperial court.

These places will arrange many spies in the city and the prefectures of noble officials, and as long as there are rebellious words and accidents, they cannot escape the eyes and ears of these people.

The Lady Rongguo Jia family is a noble gate of several generations, with a prominent reputation, attracting attention, and there are hundreds of servants in the prefecture, most of whom are family-born servants and old slaves.

These people have lived in the Love Shenjing for a long time, and it is not surprising that they are hooked and seduced by outsiders to become hidden spies."

Seeing Tan Chun suddenly realized in her heart and blurted out, "No wonder when the Third Brother established the prefecture, the Old Ancestor wanted to send old slaves from the family, but the Third Brother didn't want any of them.

The servants in the prefecture were all purchased from Jiangnan, and now that I think about it, it was truly a foresight."

Jia Cong felt a move in his heart; among these sisters, Seeing Tan Chun had the talent for handling affairs and had talent and strategy.

She was a daughter of a noble family and had never stepped out of the gate, but hearing his words, she immediately drew inferences and guessed his deep meaning in purchasing Jiangnan servants, which was smart, sharp, and quite extraordinary.

Seeing Tan Chun saw Jia Cong smiling without speaking and knew she had guessed right, but this topic didn't seem suitable to expand, so she didn't say anything more.

Jia Cong said, "That day Jia Baoyu said those words, Sister Lin was unhappy, and Third Sister and Sister Bao both spoke to dissuade him.

If we had echoed him at the time, I fear it wouldn't just be Jia Baoyu who suffered!"

Seeing Tan Chun felt cold in her heart when she heard this, her expression worried, saying, "Third Brother, with such people in the West Prefecture, isn't it a deep danger? In the future, whoever makes a mistake in words will bring about a great disaster.

Fortunately, I recognize those few maids and nannies, so why not tell the Old Ancestor and find an opportunity to send them away."

Jia Cong said, "This must not be done now; Jia Baoyu has just had an accident, how could the Jia family notice the hidden spies in the prefecture so quickly and send them away without stopping?

It would make those inner official hawks and hounds increasingly wary of Lady Rongguo, and I fear they will become even worse in the future; if the news reaches the palace, it will be even more harmful. Even if we want to send these people away, we can't do it at this time, we must let this storm pass and let things cool down before doing it.

In fact, hidden spies in the prefectures of noble officials have long been an open secret, but noble families will discipline their family members, and they will know taboos in their words on weekdays, so they won't cause any trouble under normal circumstances.

The dense spies of the inner official halls have long become a companion to the noble prefectures, both to make the noble officials feel intimidated and not dare to be presumptuous, and to reassure the monarch."

Jia Cong thought of Jia Baoyu's generous words that day and smiled bitterly, "It's just that noble descendants like Jia Baoyu are rare.

He is not bad in heart, but the Old Ancestor and the Lady are too indulgent to him, making him content with the wealth and leisure of the inner courtyard, not knowing the dangers outside.

His personality is lazy, full of complaints, his words are strange, and he doesn't know taboos, so it's not surprising that he would cause such a thing, it's just that if such things happen again and again, it will be fatal."

Seeing Tan Chun felt a lot of worry when she heard this; after all, Jia Baoyu is her own brother, Lin Daiyu doesn't like Jia Baoyu and can ignore him, but Seeing Tan Chun can't do that.

"Third Brother can speak in the Jia family now, otherwise you should talk to the Second Brother about these principles, so that he can be taught, and there will be fewer troubles in the future."

Jia Cong looked at Seeing Tan Chun and smiled, "Sister really thinks highly of me; the affairs between the two prefectures are not simple. In the past year, although the Old Ancestor has taken more care of me than before,

it is mostly for the sake of the Jia family's overall situation. In her heart, she has always loved Jia Baoyu the most; if I were to lecture Jia Baoyu with those words, I would certainly annoy the Old Ancestor and the Lady, so why ask for trouble."

Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and Shi Xiangyun in front had already walked to the small gate in the alley, and Jia Cong and Seeing Tan Chun followed behind together.

Walking all the way, the shadows of the flowers and trees along the way kept falling on them in a mottled manner.

Seeing Tan Chun's eyes flowed, looking at Jia Cong's straight side profile, and she thought gloomily in her heart: "Jia Baoyu has had literary talent since childhood in reading, writing, rhyming, and matching couplets, and he is also a person with talent.

If only he could put his talent on the right path, he would certainly have some achievements, but he hates slandering sages and hates reading for the imperial examination, turning his good talent into small cleverness for leisure and wealth.

Only someone like the Third Brother, who understands the heart, values feelings and nature, is truly great wisdom..."

Love Shenjing, Teaching Workshop.

In the inner room of the Pipa section, sandalwood incense was curling, fragrant and pleasant, and the lattice window was propped up halfway, and the warm autumn sun scattered into the room.

Du Du Qingniang combed her hair into a high bun, and a translucent jade hairpin held her bun, and there were no other hair accessories on her head.

She wore a green Daoist robe, the sleeves were wide and loose, fluttering with the wind, her gestures were rhythmic, her demeanor was transcendent, and she was radiant.

At this moment, she was sitting at the table flipping through the documents, and on the pink wall beside her hung a pipa with a jade string groove.

At this time, a young maid with a pretty appearance entered the inner room and said, "Du Qingniang-zi, the Count of Majestic Might Jia Cong sent a letter."

Du Du Qingniang took the letter, opened it, and smiled, "He is kind-hearted; when Min'er bought five little opera girls from Gusu, they are now all in the miscellaneous drama section of the Teaching Workshop.

Now is the period of national mourning, and the Teaching Workshop is cutting down on the population, so those five little opera girls are all for sale, and several groups of people who don't know good or evil have been eyeing them, so they begged Jia Cong for help.

Jia Cong remembered the old friendship in Jiangnan, so he asked me to mediate, asking me to buy these five people into his prefecture, and he would make proper arrangements later.

Yunluo, go and negotiate with Clerk Zhang, just say I have taken a fancy to those five little opera girls, and ask him to send their deeds to me, and then I will settle the silver with the Teaching Workshop.

His position as a clerk was recommended by me to the Ministry of Rites, so he must give me this face."

The young maid was about to go and handle the matter when she suddenly thought of something and said, "Du Qingniang-zi, mentioning Miss Zou, I thought of one thing; yesterday Xu Xu Qiniang from Jin Ling sent a secret memorial, and you haven't had time to read it yet.

It mentioned Miss Zou."

Du Du Qingniang's eyes lit up and she said, "Take it and let me see."

The young maid walked to the bookshelf in the room, opened the lock with the key she carried, and took out a secret memorial with a gray-white cover from one of the

The little maid in green walked to the bookshelf in the room, used the key she carried to open the lock, and took out a secret manual with a gray-white cover from one of the hidden compartments.

Du Du Qingniang took the secret manual, opened it, and read it in detail, her gaze flickering slightly: "Xu Xu Qiniang went to sweep Min'er's grave and, because she found daylily flowers placed before Lady Zou's tombstone, she suspected that Zou Min'er was not dead."

Yun Luo said, "My lady, what Xu Xu Qiniang says is not without reason; only children would use daylily flowers to pay respects to their birth mother, and Lady Zou only has Miss Zou as a daughter."

Du Du Qingniang closed the secret manual in her hand and said, "Xu Xu Qiniang is indeed shrewd and capable, but this time she is overthinking it. The Jade Luo Sha is a female assassin who roams the East Sea; there have never been any survivors under her blade.

Min'er was just a weak woman; under the sharp blade of the Jade Luo Sha, she absolutely could not have escaped.

I received a letter from the Jinling Qingyin Pavilion saying that while Min'er was in Jinling, she and Jia Cong met daily in the private room of the Qingyin Pavilion. I imagine the two of them joined forces to handle matters and developed a private affection over time.

It must be that Jia Cong, remembering their old affection, placed the daylily flowers before her birth mother's spirit tablet on Min'er's behalf; that is also reasonable and logical.

You reply to Xu Xu Qiniang that the matter of Zou Min'er is concluded; do not waste effort on this. Tell her to investigate the affairs of the Jin Ling Zhen family and the Du family with all her might. Once there are any findings, report them by secret letter."

Du Du Qingniang looked at the secret manual in her hand, the expression in her eyes complex, and sighed: "Min'er was my personal disciple and also a first-class musician of the Music Bureau. Her life was quite unfortunate; now that her gratitude and grudges are settled, it can be considered a release.

You have Clerk Zhang set up a spirit tablet for Min'er in the Soul-Pacifying Hall of the Music Bureau, so she may receive more incense offerings and from now on be reborn in peace and happiness..."

Although Yun Luo also had doubts in her heart, seeing Du Du Qingniang speak this way, she let the matter go.

Du Du Qingniang looked at Jia Cong's letter on the table and asked, "Regarding the matter of Du Du Jinniang, have you found any news?"

Yun Luo replied, "Back then, Du Du Jinniang was the top courtesan of the Xiang Yunyan Pavilion in the Love Shenjing. I had people carefully investigate the Xiang Yunyan Pavilion.

I discovered that the old staff from fifteen years ago, including the procuress, the servants, and the girls, were all gone. It seems they all drifted to other places, and no one can say where they went.

Although the Xiang Yunyan Pavilion is still there, it has long since changed beyond recognition. Now, the people in the pavilion have only heard of Du Du Jinniang, but no one can explain her background, as if this person had been deliberately erased.

I also used a large sum of money to bribe an old servant in the East Courtyard of the Jia family. According to him, Du Du Jinniang had no status in the Jia family back then, and the Jia Matriarch despised her greatly.

Du Du Jinniang gave birth to Jia Cong and died very suddenly; afterwards, she could not be buried in the Jia family's ancestral graveyard.

Jia She spent one hundred taels of silver to have a charity cemetery east of the city collect her body and bury it. It is said that the old man at the charity cemetery said she was buried in a plot of thin land in the eastern suburbs."

Du Du Qingniang's face twitched imperceptibly upon hearing this, and her eyes turned slightly red.

Yun Luo continued, "It was probably seven or eight years ago that the government wanted to build a pipeline in the eastern suburbs and had to clear and relocate the graves along the way. Du Du Jinniang's grave was among those to be relocated.

At that time, the Jia family people probably had long forgotten that Du Du Jinniang was buried in the eastern suburbs; Du Du Jinniang's grave was no different from an abandoned one."

Later, I went to the vicinity of the charity cemetery to inquire, but because too much time had passed, some said Du Du Jinniang's grave was relocated by a woman, and others said it was dug up as an ownerless grave.

No one can say for sure where it went.

Du Du Qingniang looked confused, her face slightly pale, and she muttered to herself, "Relocated by a woman?"

Yun Luo added, "Later, because Jia Cong performed meritorious service, the Emperor posthumously granted his birth mother a title. He had people search for the location of Du Du Jinniang's grave to relocate it to the Jia family's ancestral land.

It is said that he also searched in many ways but found nothing, so he could only set up a cenotaph for his birth mother in the Jia family's ancestral land."

Du Du Qingniang listened to Yun Luo's words, her gaze unfocused, and she pondered for a long while, remaining silent.

Yun Luo knew her temper and stood to the side, silent.

After a while, Du Du Qingniang suddenly asked, "After Jia Cong was granted a marriage despite his mourning period and Jia She died, has there been any movement from the Jia family?"

Yun Luo felt slightly strange in her heart; she didn't know what was going on today, but the things the two of them had just discussed, in the final analysis, all had to do with Jia Cong.

She said, "After Jia She died, there was no movement from the Jia family. Yesterday, I heard that the Imperial Clan Court seemed to have some actions, but the specific situation is unclear.

Although the Emperor did not pursue Jia She's posthumous crimes, the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrested the shopkeeper and servants of the Deng Hongchun Pharmacy. Our people received news that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already sent people to Ping'an Prefecture to investigate.

Lady Qing, several months ago we received orders from the Eunuch to investigate the matter of Sun Sun Shaozu. Although we could not find Sun Sun Shaozu's whereabouts, we unexpectedly learned that Jia Lady Lian had traveled to and from Ping'an Prefecture on Jia She's orders.

Because this matter was not verified, I followed your instructions, my lady, and did not write it into the secret memorial. Now..."

Du Du Qingniang said softly, "Since the Emperor has ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard to strictly investigate this matter, the Love Shenjing station will not intervene. For matters without verification, keep them secret and do not announce them; let the Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate them themselves.

If they can find verified evidence, that is their ability, and it is also heaven-ordained fate; no one can stop it!"

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Baoyu's courtyard.

This time, Jia Baoyu was beaten by Jia Zheng, and his injuries were heavier than any time before. The Jia Matriarch had several strong maids place Jia Baoyu on a bench and carry him back to his room.

Seeing that he remained unconscious, she hurriedly had someone call Jia Lady Lian to ask him to invite a physician for treatment.

It was just that Jia Lady Lian had gone somewhere early in the morning; Wang Wang Xifeng had just sent someone to look for him, but there had been no reply.

The Jia Matriarch had no choice but to have Lin Lin Zhixiao invite Zhang Zhang Youshi over. Although this person did not have the status of an imperial physician, his medical skills were truly excellent, and he had once cured the Jia Matriarch's illness.

Before Zhang Zhang Youshi arrived, Jia Baoyu woke up from his coma, awakened by the tearing pain in his buttocks.

The Jia Matriarch and Lady Wang were overjoyed to see this, and they chattered on, asking where it hurt, what he wanted to eat, what he wanted, and so on.

The Jia Matriarch even complained that Jia Zheng had no sense of proportion and was truly too heartless, while Lady Wang sat to the side shedding tears.

Although Jia Baoyu was stiff and in pain all over, unable to even move his body, hearing the sorrow and love of the Old Matriarch and his mother, which were overflowing, just like in the past, he felt relieved in his heart.

He felt very satisfied with the continued pampering and regard from his grandmother and mother, and in turn, a bellyful of grievances arose, as if he had forgotten why he was beaten...

By the time Jia Cong and the sisters entered Jia Baoyu's courtyard, they happened to meet Zhang Zhang Youshi, who had been invited. Jia Cong led the sisters to wait in the side room nearby.

Zhang Zhang Youshi examined Jia Baoyu's injuries, and the Jia Matriarch hurriedly asked, "How is my Yu'er's injury?"

Zhang Zhang Youshi said, "The young master of the prefecture has been subjected to the punishment of the rod. This time, the injury is somewhat heavy; it is not only a skin and flesh ailment, but the tendons and bones have also suffered a setback. However, it is not yet a major concern.

It is just that he needs to rest for two months before he can get out of bed and walk. According to the prescription I have written, with external application and internal medicine, and good care, there will be no problem."

When the Jia Matriarch and Lady Wang heard that Jia Baoyu's injury required two months of bed rest, it was truly something that had never happened since they could remember, and they sobbed and wiped away tears in heartache.

And the head maids like Xi Ren and Qiu Wen all had teary eyes, serving him carefully on the bed.

Although Jia Baoyu's buttocks hurt terribly, seeing that everyone around him was in this state, he felt a sense of self-pity and self-love, feeling that it was worth it to die for these people.

Seeing that Zhang Zhang Youshi had written the prescription, applied the medicine to Jia Baoyu, and left, Jia Cong led the sisters into the inner room to visit.

With so many sisters coming in, Jia Baoyu only saw Lin Daiyu at a glance and said happily, "Lin Lin Meimei, you have come to see me."

Seeing Jia Baoyu's behavior toward Lin Daiyu, the Jia Matriarch showed a look of relief on her old face, while there was a trace of displeasure in Lady Wang's eyes to the side.

Hearing Jia Baoyu's words, Shi Shi Xiangyun giggled, Tan Chun frowned slightly, but Xue Baochai subconsciously glanced at Jia Cong, only to see Jia Cong looking at Lin Daiyu.

Seeing Jia Baoyu's state, Lin Daiyu felt slightly ashamed and annoyed, but with the Old Matriarch and Lady Wang present, she could not say anything, so she subconsciously took a step back.

She felt a bit awkward in her heart, thinking that a group of sisters had come to see you, why did you only speak to me? If I had known I would be embarrassed, I wouldn't have come. Later, that fast-talking girl Shi Xiangyun would surely mock me.

Seeing the sisters come to see Jia Baoyu, the Jia Matriarch felt tired after the commotion, so she had Sister Yuanyang support her as she left, leaving the sisters to talk among themselves.

Seeing the Jia Matriarch leave, Lady Wang and Wang Wang Xifeng also followed, naturally leaving the maids like Xi Ren, Sister Hupo, and Qiu Wen to serve carefully.

Seeing that the elders had all left, Shi Shi Xiangyun giggled and pulled a stool to sit by Jia Baoyu's bed.

She blurted out, "We all came to see you, why did you only see Lin Lin Jiejie and not think of us first? You are truly heartless."

Lin Daiyu, who was behind her, heard this, her little mouth pouting slightly, feeling a bit annoyed in her heart, thinking that her intuition was never wrong; this dead girl Shi Xiangyun really used these words to mock her.

Lin Daiyu was feeling uncomfortable when she suddenly felt her little hand being quietly squeezed by Jia Cong, and the anger in her heart suddenly vanished.

Shi Shi Xiangyun said, "Second Brother, I haven't been here for several months, and as soon as I arrive, you've been subjected to family law. I've heard about it; in the future, I won't dare to speak recklessly, otherwise, being beaten by the Master for no reason is not worth it."

Jia Baoyu's expression was awkward; he knew that Shi Xiangyun was always quick-spoken and said whatever she wanted; she had been like this since she was a child, so it wasn't strange.

But Lin Lin Meimei was still here, and Shi Xiangyun's words made him feel embarrassed...

Lin Daiyu, who was beside Jia Cong, was almost amused by Shi Xiangyun's words, but she held back her laughter.

The atmosphere at the scene was slightly strange, but fortunately, with the little chatterbox Shi Xiangyun there, chattering away, it completely covered up the atmosphere.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jia Cong took advantage of a pause in Shi Xiangyun's speech and said with a smile, "Jia Baoyu, you have just applied the medicine and need to rest for a while. I won't disturb you anymore; I will come to see you next time."

Jia Baoyu didn't care about Jia Cong's departure, but seeing Jia Cong just leave, Lin Daiyu said a few words about taking good care of his injuries and followed Jia Cong out almost immediately.

Seeing this, Jia Baoyu's face was full of disappointment. He was just about to say, "Lin Lin Meimei, sit for a while longer," but he saw Lin Daiyu's graceful figure moving like a willow in the wind, and in a moment, only her slender and moving back was visible.

After a while, Xue Baochai also left with a faint excuse after saying a few words, leaving only Shi Shi Xiangyun talking there and Tan Chun sitting to the side.

Tan Chun waited until Shi Xiangyun's words paused slightly and interjected, "Second Brother, you should be careful in the future regarding today's storm. Do not say such excessive things again, lest another storm arise.

It's like how you don't like studying for the imperial examinations; that's fine, but don't therefore claim that all scholars are parasites. For example, you don't like being granted a marriage, but that doesn't mean these things are unreasonable..."

Tan Chun saw that after her earnest persuasion, Jia Baoyu still had a dull look on his face, as if he hadn't taken it in at all.

She suddenly realized why the Third Brother was unwilling to talk to Jia Baoyu about these things; a personality formed over a dozen years could not be enlightened in a few words.

Jia Baoyu treated Tan Chun's words as wind in his ears. In his heart, he kept circling and struggling: why was Lin Lin Meimei so distant now, and Bao Lin Jiejie was the same? It truly wasted his heart.

If he had known it would be like this, he would rather have let the Master beat him to death just now! (End of chapter)