Chapter 59: Witchcraft in a Noble Family

Jia Mu's face changed greatly when she heard this. Witchcraft had been regarded as a flood and a beast throughout the dynasties.

Jia Mu was born in a big family and had heard too much of this in her half-life. Whether it was in the imperial court or among the people, witchcraft was deeply hated.

The previous dynasty's imperial palace had two witchcraft rebellions. Those who rebelled were all killed without mercy, and even the concubines and princes involved could not escape.

The Jia family actually had such dirty business. This was terrible. Seeing Wang Wang Shanbao's wife kneeling on the ground trembling, she also understood a bit.

Jia Mu asked Jia Zheng angrily: "What exactly is going on?"

Jia Zheng said: "This morning, a victim came to the Zhen'an Prefecture to report that the women in his family had been poisoned by witchcraft and were on the verge of death. The person who cast the curse was Mother Daopo of the Zuoni Nunnery."

Lady Wang to the side turned pale. This Ma Ma Daopo was still Jia Baoyu's godmother.

She was actually a sorceress who cast witchcraft. If this were to be turned over, the Old Lady would probably not forgive even her.

"The Zhen'an Prefecture immediately sent people to arrest this Ma Ma Daopo, and also searched out straw dolls, paper dolls, clay evil gods, vermilion embroidery needles, and other tools for making trouble from her home."

Now these had all become corroborating evidence for that suspicion. If the news reached the Clan Court, she wouldn't be able to wash herself clean even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

Among the nobles and princes of the Divine Capital, who did not know that although he was the legitimate eldest son of the Lady Rongguo main branch, he had only inherited the title, while the vast, imperially-bestowed Duke's mansion had been inherited by his younger brother?

As he spoke, his eyes rolled back, and he was so angry that he fainted. Jia Zheng hurriedly supported him and ordered the steward to invite the imperial physician immediately.

Although he looked amiable and harmless, he was a judge of the Zhen'an Prefecture. How could he be an easy person? At this moment, his two eyes were just scanning the faces of everyone in the hall.

Jia She was also scared pale, feeling the snake-like gaze of the Zhen'an Prefecture judge, which was always looking at his side.

Without verifying and seizing the stolen goods face-to-face, Jia Zheng didn't dare to shout about the matter, fearing that if there were some omissions, it would be difficult to clean up the face.

That Wang Wang Shanbao's wife was kowtowing like garlic, repeatedly shouting grievances, and crawled to Lady Xing's side, hugging her feet and swearing that she absolutely had no such matter, begging Lady Xing to save her life.

Witchcraft, throughout history, had been regarded as heresy by the imperial court, regarded as a flood and a beast, and had to be destroyed.

This even obtained the tacit approval of the Retired Emperor in the palace. Everyone outside knew that he, this legitimate son of the eldest branch, had lost all face because of this. For many years, how could he not have secret hatred in his heart?

One of the people in official uniform to the side was Liu Liu Binfang, a judge of the Zhen'an Prefecture, who just sat there and watched coldly. Involving the disaster of witchcraft, he didn't dare to be half-negligent.

They also searched out a small account book, which recorded how many times a family had been tested, and the incense money received was countless.

It also recorded: "Received fifty taels of silver from Wang Wang Zhangshi, cursed Jia Zheng and his wife and Jia Cong."

This Wang Wang Shanbao's wife was his wife's personal maid. Who in the mansion didn't know? She did everything according to his wife's instructions.

As he spoke, Jia Zheng's anger erupted. He, the legitimate son of the Lady Rongguo Mansion, was actually cursed by the servants in his own family with witchcraft. It was simply a ruin of family style and a great shame.

At this time, Jia Mu was fiercely pinched by the maid by her side and finally woke up, but her color was pale. After all, she was old and couldn't stand the depression.

Jia She stumbled and ran to Jia Mu, kneeling down and crying: "Mother, please take care of yourself. If something happens to you because of this, your son will die without a burial place."

Jia Mu asked angrily: "The people under your door did such a thing. Could it be that you want your brother to die without a burial place!"

"Tell me, was it you who were confused and had the heart to be struck by lightning."

"Don't think I don't know anything. Your brother took Brother Cong to the West Mansion to recuperate. You felt you lost face. All the dirty words your wife cursed behind your back, do you think I don't know!"

Jia She was shocked when he heard this. Lady Xing had indeed cursed his brother and sister-in-law behind his back after Jia Cong was taken to the West Mansion.

It was nothing more than the second branch secretly controlling the first branch, only wanting to please the Old Lady for a name, and other short-lived and base words.

A woman cursing behind her back, where could there be any good words? It was just that Jia She also felt unbalanced in his heart, and he probably listened to these dirty words with satisfaction, but he didn't expect these words to be passed on.

He didn't know that the East Road Courtyard had long become a sieve, and even Wu'er could hear about Lady Xing cursing the second branch from the kitchen.

Not to mention a figure like Jia Mu who had sat in the mansion for half a lifetime; how could these things escape her ears?

Now, these words of Lady Xing cursing the second branch had all become evidence of the first branch plotting against the second branch!

Although Jia She was lecherous and playboy, he wasn't a fool. Hearing his mother's words, how could he not hear the origin and meaning?

Sure enough, even his own mother had this thought. The outsiders must have suspected it too.

He could no longer care about face and kept kowtowing in front of Jia Mu: "Mother, my second brother and I are biological brothers. Even if your son is not filial, I would never do such ugly things to harm my brother."

"If there is half a lie, let your son's intestines be pierced and rot, and die without a burial place. When I die and turn to ash, let pigs and dogs trample on me."

Seeing him swear such a poisonous oath, Jia Mu's expression softened slightly. After all, he was the son she gave birth to, and she believed seven or eight points in her heart.

"It must be that wicked slave who lost her mind and did such a vicious thing!"

As she spoke, Jia She stumbled and climbed up from the ground, then rushed over.

At this time, Wang Wang Shanbao's wife was still pulling Lady Xing and shouting grievances and begging for help, but she saw Jia She rush over and slapped Lady Xing.

"You stupid woman, you raised a good slave!"

This slap stunned Lady Xing, and half of her face was swollen.

Jia She didn't know if this was true anger or if he was using Lady Xing to take the blame.

He raised his foot again and kicked Wang Wang Shanbao's wife in the face, and she was immediately bleeding.

"You damned cheap slave, actually doing such a vicious thing! You don't want to live anymore!"

Wang Wang Shanbao's wife shouted: "Eldest Master, I absolutely didn't do such a vicious thing! I have followed the Madam into the Jia family for more than ten years and served the Master and Madam wholeheartedly."

"I never dared to have half a heart of rebellion. I only asked that Ma Ma Daopo to drive away evil for me, and didn't do anything else. There must be someone with a black conscience framing me!"

"You cheap slave, still daring to quibble! If you didn't do this, why would that sorceress's account book record it so clearly?" Wang Wang Shanbao's wife knew clearly that she hadn't done such a thing, but she couldn't explain it, only shouting grievances repeatedly. The judge Liu Liu Binfang saw this scene and was 80 or 90 percent sure in his heart.

Wang Wang Shanbao's wife couldn't figure out even if she racked her brains why Ma Ma Daopo would write it like this. Even if she wanted to extort her silver, what was the use of writing it in that invisible account book?

At this time, many footsteps sounded outside, but it was Sister Yuanyang leading Jia Cong over, and there were many people following behind.

When Sister Yuanyang went to the Green Branch Study, Jia Cong was with Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, and other sisters. They all saw that Sister Yuanyang's face didn't look good, saying that the Old Lady had gone to the main hall of the East Road Courtyard and asked Third Brother Cong to go over immediately for questioning.

Jia Cong asked a few more questions. Sister Yuanyang said that the judge of the Zhen'an Prefecture had come to see the Second Master, not knowing what he had said. The Second Master was furious, so he brought the servants of the mansion and that official to the East Road Courtyard.

The Old Lady heard the news and also rushed over. As for why she asked Jia Cong to go too, Sister Yuanyang didn't say clearly, but looking at her face, Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun, who were clever, naturally knew it wasn't a good thing.

Jia Cong narrowed his eyes slightly. He hadn't expected the people from the Zhen'an Prefecture to come so quickly. It seemed the matter had broken out!

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 60 =====

Wang Wang Shanbao's wife could rack her brains and still not understand why Ma Ma Daopo would write such things in the ledger; even if she wanted to extort money from her, what use would it be to write it in that unspeakable ledger?

At this moment, the sound of many footsteps rang out from outside; it was Sister Yuanyang leading Jia Cong, and surprisingly, there were quite a few people following behind them.

When Sister Yuanyang went to Green Branch Study, Jia Cong was with Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, and the other sisters. They all saw that Sister Yuanyang's expression was grim; she said the Old Matriarch had gone to the main hall of the East Road Courtyard and wanted Third Master Cong to go over immediately to be questioned.

Jia Cong asked a few more questions. Sister Yuanyang said that the Judge from the Zhen'an Prefecture had come to see the Second Master; she didn't know what was said, but the Second Master was furious upon hearing it, so he took the mansion's servants and went with that official to the East Road Courtyard.

The Old Matriarch had also rushed over upon hearing the news. As for why Jia Cong was also asked to go, Sister Yuanyang didn't say explicitly, but looking at her expression, shrewd ones like Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun naturally knew it wasn't anything good.

Jia Cong narrowed his eyes slightly; he hadn't expected the people from the Zhen'an Prefecture to show up so quickly. It seemed the matter had come to light!

(End of chapter)