Chapter 485

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Early this morning, Jia Mu had Jia Zheng submit the petition of inquiry to the Empress Dowager Yizhang to the Office of Transmission, which was then forwarded to the palace according to regulations.

As for when she would receive a reply from the Empress Dowager, she could only wait patiently.

This was the only way Jia Mu could think of and manage to facilitate the inheritance of the Rongguo title as soon as possible.

She was a person who lived a life of joy and ease, having spent her whole life in wealth and comfort, and had no habit of worrying day and night.

Even for a major matter like the inheritance of the title, since she had done what she could, she put it aside for the time being.

Jia Mu chatted with Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng, thinking of the fact that the Eastern Prefecture had invited a divine physician yesterday to take her granddaughter's pulse.

She had Yuanyang call Daiyu and the other sisters over to talk. Since Baochai was in the Eastern Prefecture with the sisters, they came over together to pay their respects to Jia Mu. Jia Mu then invited Xue Yima to sit and chat.

At the moment, because Baoyu had been beaten by Jia Zheng, he was still lying on the bed recovering from his injuries and wouldn't be able to come to Rongqing Hall to act spoiled for quite a while.

As a result, Daiyu became the person Jia Mu doted on most. As soon as the sisters entered Rongqing Hall, she called Daiyu to sit beside her.

She said: "Yu'er, you just had an illness a few days ago, so you must take good care of yourself. Brother Cong is still quite thoughtful; he even knew to invite a good doctor to treat your illness.

Does Hearing Zi Juan give you the Ginseng Nourishing Pills regularly? Those pills are good for nourishing the body and Qi, and are very beneficial to your health."

Wang Xifeng knew that Jia Mu's petition of inquiry had entered the palace, so she felt that the matter of Jia Lian inheriting the title was ninety percent certain, and her mood became relaxed.

Seeing Jia Mu's love for Daiyu, she also chimed in from the side: "If Sister's pills are running low, send someone to tell me. Next month, the Old Ancestor is going to prepare medicine, so I can just prepare yours together with hers.

A batch of good ginseng just arrived from the northern manor, which is just right for Sister's medicine."

Daiyu laughed: "Then thank you, Sister Feng. But I still have a half-month's supply on hand. Once I finish eating it, I won't need these Ginseng Nourishing Pills anymore."

Jia Mu asked strangely: "Why stop eating them all of a sudden? What if it delays your health?"

Daiyu laughed: "The Old Ancestor doesn't know. Mr. Zhang Youshi, whom Third Brother invited yesterday, is a remarkable divine physician. He cured Father's illness in Yangzhou last time.

My illness is similar to Father's, so thanks to Dr. Zhang's miraculous hands, he prepared a Three-San San Sheng Yang Hun-Nourishing Pill for me, which can cure my deficiency syndrome. I won't need to take those Ginseng Nourishing Pills in the future.

As long as I take the Three-San San Sheng Yang Hun-Nourishing Pill for two years, I can get rid of the root of my illness."

Jia Mu was delighted to hear this and said: "If that's really the case, then that's the best thing. Brother Cong has done a clean job. Two years from now, you will have just passed your coming-of-age ceremony, which is just the right time."

Daiyu's face turned slightly red when she heard this, vaguely understanding what Jia Mu meant. Although she felt awkward in her heart, thinking that Jia Cong would definitely plan everything properly for her, she didn't care too much.

Lady Wang, listening from the side, had a slightly gloomy face, and the prayer beads in her hand turned somewhat irritably.

When the Old Ancestor said it was just the right time, it was nothing more than saying that when Daiyu's health was better and she had reached the age of coming-of-age, the Old Ancestor would arrange the marriage between Baoyu and Daiyu.

Lady Wang had never liked Daiyu's appearance and temperament, just like when she first entered the Jia family and was jealous and disliked that precious little sister-in-law—it was exactly the same.

It was nothing more than the fact that they were both the Old Ancestor's favorites, while she, the daughter-in-law, was just an outsider who had to stand by the rules.

In Lady Wang's heart, only her niece Baochai, who was close to her by blood, could truly be her confidante and the best candidate for a daughter-in-law.

Her own niece had already become the daughter-in-law of the first branch, and if she let her niece become her own daughter-in-law, even if the Old Ancestor was still there, she would be the one calling the shots in the Rongguo Prefecture.

But if Baoyu married the Old Ancestor's own granddaughter, things would be completely different. Not to mention that she would have no support in the prefecture.

She was afraid that even her own niece would see which way the wind was blowing and stand on the Old Ancestor's side.

Xue Yima laughed when she heard Jia Mu's words: "The divine physician invited by Brother Cong can not only cure Lin Meimei's illness, but he also said that he could make some repairs to the Cold Fragrance Pill prescription, which could increase the medicinal power by one or two percent.

Perhaps this could cure Baochai's chronic illness once and for all. I really don't know how to thank Brother Cong."

Jia Mu laughed: "What is there to thank? They are all close relatives in the family. It is what he should do to help between the sisters."

Lady Wang said to Xue Yima: "Bao Girl has reached the age of coming-of-age. Now that the Cold Fragrance Pill prescription has been studied by a divine physician and is more appropriate, her health can also be better nourished.

Just as the Old Ancestor said, this is just the right time. Sister should also start planning for her."

Everyone in the hall was stunned to hear this. Why did Lady Wang suddenly mention Baochai's marriage, and in front of so many people?

Baochai, sitting below, blushed, frowned slightly, and kept her head down without saying a word.

Before Xue Yima could speak, Jia Mu laughed: "That makes sense. There are always more things to worry about when raising a daughter."

Jia Mu touched Daiyu's hair beside her and said: "When a daughter reaches the age of coming-of-age, she must indeed plan her marriage early. This is the most important thing in a girl's life.

In this matter, if you raise a son, it's much more relaxed. Take Baoyu, for example—although he will reach the age of marriage next year, he is still a child who doesn't worry people.

Although he is filial and sensible, his words and actions ultimately lack a sense of proportion. Otherwise, he wouldn't have caused the Imperial Clan Court to come to his door because of a few words this time.

That's why I often say that Baoyu shouldn't marry early, which is what I mean. He must be taught by his father for a few more years, and it's better to talk about marriage only after he has grown up and is steady, so as not to delay other girls because of his rashness."

Lady Wang's face changed when she heard this. Baochai was already at the age of coming-of-age, and Baoyu would be fifteen next year. It was just the right time for marriage, yet they still had to wait a few years.

The Old Ancestor said that Baoyu was still a child and they should wait a few years before talking about marriage. This was clearly saying that she didn't fancy her niece.

Everyone in the hall, one by one, was a smart person. Even Daiyu, who was so young, was clever, so who couldn't hear what Jia Mu meant?

Wang Xifeng's charming eyes turned, the corners of her mouth curled slightly, and she held back a smile.

She thought with schadenfreude in her heart that the Old Ancestor and the Lady had clashed without a sound. The Lady was also stubborn; she actually still hadn't given up on this matter even now.

Baochai, sitting in the seat, was even more embarrassed. She was usually thoughtful and polite, but at this moment, she was a bit annoyed with her aunt.

Why was she in such a hurry to mention this matter, only to be squeezed by the Old Ancestor for nothing, and implicate herself in being so embarrassed in front of her sisters? If it reached Brother Cong's ears, she didn't know what he would think.

Baochai believed she had long seen through Baoyu's character, so how could she let herself feel any joy? It was just that her aunt always used her as a pretext for inner-chamber struggles.

Could her own lifelong matter just fall into the hands of others to be toyed with? She would always have to find a way to cut off her aunt's thoughts one day.

Xue Yima, listening to the conversation between the Old Ancestor and her sister, remembered her son's nonsense yesterday and sighed secretly in her heart.

At this time, Lin Zhixiao's wife entered the hall and said: "Old Ancestor, the Master asked me to pass on a message. The Office of Transmission gave the Master news that the Old Ancestor's petition of inquiry has been sent into the palace."

Jia Mu was delighted to hear this. As long as the Empress Dowager received her petition and mentioned it slightly in front of the Retired Emperor and the Emperor, the inheritance of the Rongguo title would be a matter of course.

She laughed and said to Wang Xifeng: "Feng Girl, seeing the old family business changing, it is also a happy event. You should also prepare for it these few days to bring some good luck to the prefecture."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said: "Old Ancestor, don't worry, I will definitely handle it properly."

Jia Mu said to Yingchun again: "Second Girl, when Brother Cong went to Jin Ling to handle official business, you were alone in the Eastern Prefecture, and Yu'er and Third Girl went to accompany you. Now that Brother Cong has returned to the prefecture,

it is somewhat inappropriate for the sisters to live in the Eastern Prefecture all the time. You should tell Brother Cong to let them move back to the Western Prefecture first, just to keep up appearances.

It will be very convenient for the sisters to go to the Eastern Prefecture to chat that day."

... Ningrong Street, Count's Prefecture.

In an outer study outside the second gate, Jia Cong received the fragrant tea sent by a servant. Seeing Jiang Liu enter, he sent away the old women and servants who were sweeping outside the door, leaving them to talk quietly.

Jiang Liu stepped forward and said: "Third Master, I went to that Hongchun Fur Shop to check on the situation as you instructed, and I really discovered something unusual."

Jia Cong's eyes flickered, and he asked: "Is there anything wrong?"

Jiang Liu said: "This Hongchun Fur Shop has been open for business as usual after the Grandfather passed away.

But I discovered that the shopkeeper and the shop assistants in the shop have all been replaced by new faces. I don't know where the original ones went."

Jia Cong's expression was solemn. Since Jia She died, the inheritance of the Western Prefecture's title had been somewhat abnormal. When Wang Xifeng sent a message to Yingchun, Jia Cong knew that this matter was already somewhat urgent.

Yesterday, he heard Yingchun say that there had been no movement regarding the inheritance of the title from the Imperial Clan Court, and the Old Ancestor was so anxious that she couldn't sit still, specifically submitting a petition of inquiry to the Empress Dowager and having Jia Zheng send it into the palace.

Since Jia Mu had personally stepped in, Jia Cong knew that the risk of the inheritance of the Western Prefecture's title had reached a critical point. It was almost certain that there would be complications, but he didn't know when it would break out.

Although he was certain that the obstruction of the Western Prefecture's title inheritance would have a very limited impact on the Eastern Prefecture, he was still a member of the Jia family, so it was never wrong for him to make some preparations.

Jia Cong asked: "Have you checked where the original shopkeeper and shop assistants went?"

Jiang Liu said: "I spent some silver on this matter and found connections and manpower to investigate, and finally found the residence of the original shopkeeper.

According to his family, the shopkeeper hadn't been home for a month. His family was very afraid and had reported it to the Zhen'an Prefecture, but the government couldn't find his whereabouts either. The other shop assistants must be in the same situation."

Jia Cong felt a chill in his heart. Jia She had been dead for more than a month, yet the fur shop was still open as usual, while the original shopkeeper and assistants had all mysteriously disappeared.

Jia Cong suddenly thought that the news of Jia She's suspected theft and transport of firearms was sent to the capital by the Jin Ling Embroidered Uniform Guard, so the Hongchun Fur Shop matter must be managed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Now that such a strange phenomenon had appeared in the Hongchun Fur Shop, ordinary people absolutely didn't have the ability to do this to such an extent; it could only be the work of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Judging from this, the disaster caused by Jia She's theft and transport of firearms lost in Liaodong had already reached the verge of breaking out.

Jia Cong said to Jiang Liu: "Stop the investigation into the Hongchun Fur Shop here. Don't get involved again to avoid attracting attention."

He returned to the inner courtyard full of worries, just in time to meet Yingchun, Daiyu, Seeing Tan Chun, Xichun, and the other sisters returning from the Western Prefecture.

Yingchun told Jia Cong about what happened in Rongqing Hall just now. Because Jia Cong had already returned to the capital, the Old Ancestor instructed Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun to move back to the Western Prefecture first.

Also, because Jia Mu's petition of inquiry had entered the inner palace, she had already asked Wang Xifeng to prepare in advance, intending to use the inheritance of the Western Prefecture's title to bring some good luck to Jia She's mourning.

Jia Cong thought of the strange phenomenon in the Hongchun Fur Shop, yet Jia Mu was still dreaming of wealth and peace, and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

He didn't know what kind of complications would occur in the Western Prefecture once the matter broke out. At this critical juncture, he naturally wouldn't let Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun move back to the Western Prefecture and take risks.

So he said to Yingchun: "Second Sister, Dr. Zhang is currently preparing precious medicine for Lin Meimei. He will also come over often to take Lin Meimei's pulse and adjust the dosage of the precious medicine according to her pulse.

At this critical juncture, it would be very inconvenient for Lin Meimei to move back to the Western Prefecture for Dr. Zhang to diagnose her illness. After all, Lin Meimei's health is of the utmost importance. Please explain this reason to the Old Ancestor.

It won't be too late for Lin Meimei to move back to the Western Prefecture after Dr. Zhang has finished preparing the precious medicine. I am busy with the spring examinations, and Second Sister is also busy managing the prefecture's affairs daily.

Let Third Sister stay for a while longer to keep Lin Meimei company, and then they can move back together."

As soon as Jia Cong said this, Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun both felt something was wrong. Because Zhang Youshi had taken Daiyu's pulse that day, Seeing Tan Chun was also present, and they both knew clearly that Zhang Youshi hadn't said such things.

However, the two thought about it and felt that Brother Cong must be reluctant to let them move away so soon, which was why he said such things.

Naturally, they were both willing to stay in the Eastern Prefecture for a few more days, so they just smiled slightly and didn't expose Jia Cong's lie.

That day when Zhang Youshi took the pulse, Yingchun happened to be replacing Jia Cong to deal with things in Rongqing Hall, so naturally, she didn't know what Zhang Youshi had said at the time.

Moreover, all these years, Yingchun had Jia Cong in her heart and mouth. No matter what her brother said, she felt it was correct, so naturally, she had no objections.

Besides, Yingchun couldn't ask for more than having Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun accompany her in the Eastern Prefecture. She just said she would go and tell the Old Ancestor later. The Old Ancestor valued Lin Meimei's health, so naturally, she wouldn't refuse.

Jia Cong saw Xichun, who was following Yingchun, and laughed: "Little Sister Xichun is not small anymore, so you can't just focus on playing. Starting tomorrow, follow Third Brother to study.

I will personally teach you. You won't return to the Western Prefecture for the time being. The Old Ancestor will definitely agree, so as not to waste time running back and forth. Just stay at Second Sister's place."

Seeing Tan Chun was stunned when she heard this, and Daiyu's bright eyes blinked. She suddenly felt that Third Brother was a bit strange today, as if he wanted to keep all the sisters in the Eastern Prefecture.

Divine Capital, Hongde Gate, several fast horses rushed toward the city gate. The riders on the horses were all dressed in casual clothes and were sturdy, not looking like ordinary people.

The saddles of these people were all hung with long, narrow single-edged swords, but the hilts and scabbards were wrapped with cloth strips, making it impossible to see the specific shape of the swords.

The riders all had anxious expressions on their faces, each galloping at full speed. Even though they were about to approach the city gate, they didn't slow down much.

The horse hooves kicked up large clouds of dust, causing quite a stir among the crowd entering the city.

The soldiers guarding the city gate saw these four fast horses approaching the city gate, but they still didn't slow down at all, as if they were going to rush through the city gate in one breath.

Such a fierce momentum of entering the city had to make the city guards vigilant. A group of people lined up with spears to block them, and several others lifted the horse-blocking obstacles to block the city gate to prevent the riders from rushing in.

Several riders saw the city guards lined up to block them. The lead rider frowned, impatiently took out a dark iron tablet, and threw it impatiently toward the lead city guard captain.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is handling urgent military affairs. If you delay things, your heads will be held responsible!"

Several city guards who were blocking them saw that the rider's language was arrogant and murderous, and he looked fearless. Everyone was startled in their hearts.

Every city guard had seen all kinds of people in their daily lives and had learned some ability to observe words and expressions. The person claimed to be from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and was so arrogant; it was clear at a glance that he was not to be trifled with.

The city guard captain hurriedly caught the iron tablet thrown by the other party and took a look at it in his hand. He was slightly startled in his heart; it was an iron tablet of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's edict.

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

The city guard captain remembered that not long ago, he had encountered such a scene once. The Embroidered Uniform Guard seemed to have been very restless during this period, and he didn't know whose family was going to suffer soon.

The captain hurriedly apologized and returned the token, hurriedly letting his subordinates move the horse-blocking obstacles at the city gate, and drove away the pedestrians in the city gate tunnel like pigs.

Those fast horses of the Embroidered Uniform Guard whipped their horses and rushed into the city gate, raising dust all over the sky, choking the few city guards behind them until they coughed repeatedly.

One of the city guards looked at the fast horses going away with a dissatisfied expression and spat.

He said to the captain: "Brother Zhang, are those guys just blowing hot air? Throwing an iron tablet and saying they have some major national event—are they just fooling ghosts?"

The captain scolded impatiently: "Shut up, be careful that trouble comes from your mouth. I think it's eighty percent true. Didn't you see what kind of horses they were riding?"

The city guard scratched his hair and said: "The horses they were riding were quite sturdy, but there was nothing else special, right?"

The city guard captain laughed mockingly: "You kid have been guarding the city gate for two years, why are you still like you haven't woken up? You can't see any reason at all.

Those riders were all covered in dust, having traveled a long distance, and they were all riding proper military horses. There were still military seals branded on the horses' buttocks—those are the seals of the Datong Border Army.

They said they had urgent military affairs, which is eighty percent true. Could it be that something happened to the Datong Nine Borders? If that's really the case, then that's a big deal!"

(End of chapter)