Chapter 679

Rongguo Prefecture, Phoenix's Courtyard.

That day, Wang Xifeng received a letter from her mother at home and had been indecisive about helping to store the property of the Zhen family's first branch.

She had grown up in Jin Ling, where wealthy and powerful clans gathered, and had seen many stories of noble families hiding gold and silver to plan for their future when they were on the verge of collapse.

So she didn't feel that such a thing was abrupt or strange.

She had heard many rumors that these noble families who knew they were going to collapse were ultimately unable to escape their fate.

Either the whole family was wiped out and their lineage cut off, or they were exiled to the frontier and died in a foreign land.

The gold and silver property they hid in advance would mostly become an unsolved case, ultimately benefiting the person who hid it for nothing.

It was precisely this understanding that made Wang Xifeng develop some greed and covetousness...

……

Although Wang Xifeng was the legitimate daughter of the first branch of the Jin Ling Wang family, her father's talent was mediocre, and he had achieved nothing in his life, far less outstanding than her uncle, Wang Ziteng.

So Wang Xifeng's father's branch had never lived very proudly and was even looked down upon by their clansmen.

She was born with a strong personality and grew up in this atmosphere of loneliness and being sidelined, which instead suppressed more desires and longings.

Since she was a child, she loved to be close to her powerful and strong aunt, the legitimate eldest daughter of the previous generation of the Wang family, now Lady Wang of the Rongguo Prefecture's second branch.

She ultimately relied on Lady Wang's matchmaking to marry into the Jia family in the Love Shenjing and become the eldest grandson's wife of the Rongguo Prefecture's first branch.

This was also the reason why Wang Xifeng could gain Lady Wang's trust and reliance when she first entered the Jia family, allowing her to manage the mansion on her behalf.

But no one expected that because of Jia Cong's rise, a huge change would occur in the first and second branches of the Rongguo Prefecture.

When Jia Lian was convicted and exiled, losing his status as the heir to the title, Wang Xifeng's status in the Jia family also fell to the bottom.

Because the second branch gained hope of inheriting the title, Lady Wang finally showed her true face and claws to this niece she had always esteemed.

But Lady Wang was happy too soon; the situation ultimately took a turn for the better, Jia Cong of the first branch inherited the Rongguo title, and Wang Xifeng rose from the bottom again.

After this series of ups and downs, this aunt and niece who used to be of one mind tore off their masks and parted ways.

Although Wang Xifeng now had Jia Cong's support and was back in charge of the Rongguo household affairs, she was still the majestic "Second Grandmother Lian" of the past.

But Jia Lian's complete downfall had already made her live like a widow. Could she really be the same as before?

A woman who has seen darkness has an indelible shadow in her heart, a kind of panic and insecurity derived from uncertainty about the future.

Just like a person who has been saved from drowning, deep down they can never forget the fear of suffocation and always subconsciously grab for more support and reliance.

Now that Jia Cong holds two titles and has great official authority, Wang Xifeng dare not have any extravagant hopes regarding the family's power.

Thus, her inner insecure longing is more entrusted to her yearning for money.

Wang Xifeng knew of the Zhen family's great wealth in Jin Ling, and the name "Zhen Half-City" was like thunder to her ears.

So the dozen boxes of treasure that the Zhen family's first branch used for self-preservation must be of an astonishing amount.

It might be worth more than half of the Rongguo Prefecture, which couldn't help but make Wang Xifeng tempted...

In the eyes of others, the first branch inheriting the Rongguo Prefecture's title and family business, and Wang Xifeng being able to regain control of the Rongguo Prefecture, must mean she is satisfied and has nothing else to ask for.

Only Ping'er, who has always stayed by Wang Xifeng's side, understands that after her grandmother experienced setbacks, her yearning for money seems to be getting hotter...

However, although Wang Xifeng covets the property of the Zhen family's first branch, she hasn't reached the point of being insane and disregarding everything.

Perhaps she is relatively satisfied with her current situation and doesn't want to be affected by this matter, so she still harbors some caution in her heart.

Moreover, after Jia Lian was imprisoned and convicted, Jia Cong had warned her to cut off the business of lending money at interest and monopolizing lawsuits in time to avoid causing disaster.

From this matter, Wang Xifeng could also guess Jia Cong's thoughts; he would certainly not approve of getting involved with the Zhen family's first branch's property...

It was precisely because of these tangled thoughts that Wang Xifeng was indecisive about the Zhen family's matter.

Now that Xue Yima Xue is mentioning the south, it reminds her of the Xue family's roots in Jin Ling, which are even deeper than those of the Jia and Wang families.

Naturally, they know more about the foundations within Jin Ling City than her mother, who is confined to the inner chambers...

……

Hearing her grandmother suddenly ask the Xue Yima such questions, Ping'er, who is also a clever person, naturally guessed her thoughts immediately.

Wu'er, who was talking to Baochai, also paid attention when she heard Wang Xifeng mention the Jin Ling Zhen family.

Because the third young lady of the Jin Ling Zhen family's second branch almost became the wife of her Cong Sanye.

Although the imperial marriage was not successful in the end, the Cong Sanye and the Zhen family had a connection. Now that Wang Xifeng suddenly mentioned the Zhen family, Wu'er couldn't help but pay attention.

Xue Yima Xue was slightly stunned by Wang Xifeng's question and said, "Phoenix, why are you suddenly asking about the Zhen family?"

Wang Xifeng smiled, "It just so happens that my mother's letters mentioned the Zhen family.

Plus, the Zhen family almost married their daughter to the Third Brother, so there is some sentiment between the two families, and naturally, I am a bit concerned about their family's affairs."

Xue Yima Xue sighed, "The Zhen family's affairs have been making a huge stir in Jin Ling recently, so it's no wonder that Sister-in-law has heard the wind."

Wang Xifeng said, "Xue Yima knows my mother; she has always lived in the inner chambers and doesn't care much about outside affairs.

Although she mentioned the Zhen family's affairs in her letter, it was just a few simple words, and she doesn't know the root of the matter.

Xue Yima has wide connections in Jin Ling and must know the reason. I wonder what the situation of the Zhen family is now?"

Xue Yima Xue said, "Because our family still has many businesses in Jin Ling, the managers of several shops report their accounts and exchange letters every month.

And these shops have business dealings with the Zhen family, and the managers and clerks of the two families often interact, so I know more about the Zhen family's affairs than others.

The Zhen family's affairs, from the source, go back to August or September of last year, when Zhen Shiwen, the eldest son of the Zhen family's first branch, was found by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to be privately transporting firearms.

And the matter didn't stop there; it was finally discovered that Zhen Shiwen was even involved in the private manufacture of firearms. That is a capital crime of rebellion!"

Hearing the word "rebellion," Wang Xifeng was so startled that her face turned slightly pale.

Xue Yima Xue continued, "Just when the government was about to arrest Zhen Shiwen, unexpectedly, he was suddenly killed by someone. It sounds quite scary.

The government investigated for a long time but didn't find the murderer, so this matter became an unsolved case, and it is still hanging there today.

Calculating the time, Brother Cong happened to be on official business in Jin Ling, so he must also know about this matter."

Hearing Xue Yima Xue's words, Wang Xifeng began to feel afraid in her heart.

She really didn't expect that the Zhen family's first branch, which hid gold and silver, had so many scary things happen.

It was rebellion and murder; it sounded extremely dangerous.

Now they have sent their family fortune to the Love Shenjing for safekeeping from thousands of miles away, clearly making the worst plans. Am I going to get involved?

……

Wang Xifeng asked, "Xue Yima, since the young master of the first branch is dead, isn't the firearm case dead without proof? Why is the Zhen family still so miserable now?"

Xue Yima Xue said, "How can there be such an easy thing in the world? Ever since Brother Cong relied on the power of firearms to pacify the Jurchens in Liaodong,

the Emperor has valued firearms extremely highly. Privately manufacturing firearms among the people is a capital crime equivalent to rebellion.

Such a big thing as the Zhen family's young master being involved in the private manufacture of firearms, how could it disappear without a trace?

Besides, such a big thing as privately manufacturing firearms couldn't have been done by the Zhen family's young master alone; there must have been accomplices. How could the imperial court let it go easily?

It's just that the Zhen family's young master died suddenly, the government didn't find solid evidence, and the Emperor considered the feelings of the Zhen Empress Dowager, so he didn't punish the Zhen family immediately.

It was just at the end of winter last year that a Wang Battalion Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard came to Jin Ling. He is an extremely formidable person, and after taking office, he investigated the Zhen family's case.

At that time, the Zhen Empress Dowager in the palace passed away, and the Zhen family lost their protection from then on.

This is how things are in the world: when there is no one in the court, people leave and the tea gets cold.

That Battalion Commander surnamed Wang didn't take long to find out many details of the Zhen family's young master's old case.

He also used excuses to seal many of the Zhen family's shops, and even the Zhen family's main courtyard was broken into and searched by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The Zhen family's eldest master is a high-ranking official of the third grade and has great prestige in Jin Ling City. Even so, he was called in by the Embroidered Uniform Guard for questioning, losing all his face.

Now there are rumors in Jin Ling City that the Zhen family is a powerful clan in Jiangnan and has the nickname "Zhen Half-City," with gold and silver like mountains in their home.

If their family rebels, I'm afraid the entire Jiangnan will be unstable.

The Emperor wants to use the Zhen family to punish them as a warning to others, preventing anyone from daring to privately manufacture firearms in the future and showing disrespect to the imperial court.

Several of our shopkeepers wrote letters mentioning this matter, and now it is spreading like wildfire in the market.

They all say the Zhen family will surely be raided and punished, and they might even die without a burial place!"

Hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face turned slightly pale. She originally thought the Zhen family would at most be dismissed from office, but now it sounded like they were not far from being wiped out.

According to her aunt's statement, the Zhen family had violated the taboos of the palace and was targeted by the current Emperor.

At this moment, she already felt some resentment toward her mother; her mother was living in Jin Ling and probably didn't understand these details.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have written a few light words in her letter asking her to handle things for the Zhen family...

……

Wu'er, on the side, heard Xue Yima Xue's words, and her pretty face also changed color.

She thought that since Miss Zhen left the capital a few days ago, calculating the days, she must have already returned to Jin Ling. If the Zhen family is to be raided and wiped out, wouldn't she also suffer?

Wu'er is Jia Cong's intimate maid. Others don't know Jia Cong's thoughts, but she knows them clearly.

This Miss Zhen almost became the wife of her Cong Sanye. Although the marriage didn't happen, the Cong Sanye and the Zhen family had a real connection.

Miss Zhen is extremely attentive to the Cong Sanye. Whenever the Cong Sanye has a happy event, Miss Zhen will carefully prepare gifts to congratulate him.

The Cong Sanye often wears a robe that I heard was made for him by Miss Zhen herself when he left Jin Ling.

For a young lady to do needlework and make clothes for a man is extraordinary. Even without the imperial marriage, the Cong Sanye and this Miss Zhen are not simple.

That day, the Cong Sanye sent Miss Zhen off to leave the capital, and it took more than half a day. How many intimate words must they have said...

Wu'er felt that she must tell the Cong Sanye about Xue Yima's matter today so that he would know what was going on, and perhaps he could help Miss Zhen.

……

Xue Yima Xue said, "Families like ours are not struggling for a living. Whether we earn more or less silver is not a big deal.

To have no merit and no fault in everything, and to be safe and steady, is the long-term plan.

After the steward woman finished the young girl's business, she turned back to organize the accounts on the counter, turned around, and went up to the second floor of the shop, heading towards the room at the very end of the corridor.

At the entrance of that room sat a little maid, dozing off there.

The woman ignored her and went straight into the room. Sitting in the room was a young lady with a beautiful appearance, moving and touching.

She wore a pink-white base jacket with a front opening, embroidered with exquisite green plum blossoms on broken branches, and a light blue tribute satin pleated skirt on her lower body.

Her full head of beautiful hair was coiled into a bun, with no other head ornaments, only a plum blossom dotted kingfisher gold hairpin inserted, with dim treasure light, clear and stunning.

At this moment, she was writing something with a brush at the desk. Seeing the steward woman enter, she smiled, put down the brush, and asked, "Auntie, how is business in the shop today?"

The steward woman handed the account book to her and smiled, "Business is still good today. It is still the young lady's clever mind to think of adding peppermint leaves to the perfume soap.

Recently, this new product has been selling very hotly, and since our shop is the only one in the whole Gusu city selling it, it is snatched up as soon as it arrives.

I just checked the accounts. In the last month, the shop's business has increased by a full thirty percent. It is still the young lady who has the method for doing business.

Shopkeeper Wang truly has a good eye to be able to invite the young lady to manage the shop."

Zou Min'er smiled and said, "I have often received care from the shop in Gusu. Now that Shopkeeper Wang cannot return to Gusu for the time being due to important matters.

Since he opened his mouth to ask me for help, I naturally cannot refuse."

Originally, the two shops in Gusu were managed by Wang Dequan, who also frequently traveled between Gusu and Jin Ling daily.

But since last time he followed the Zhen family's sea ship to escort Xinchun Firm goods to be sold overseas, the Zhen family's sea ship lost contact midway, and Wang Dequan has been missing ever since.

The two shops in Gusu have special significance for the Xinchun Firm. Suddenly losing the person in charge made Jia Cong and Qu Hongxiu have a headache.

The Xinchun Firm shops in Jin Ling have quite a few capable young apprentices, all orphans taken in and raised by the Xinchun Firm over the years.

Although these youths work diligently and are loyal to the Xinchun Firm, they are too young and inexperienced in the world to have the ability to manage a place.

Qu Hongxiu could not mobilize suitable personnel in a short time, so she thought of Zou Min'er, who was living in seclusion in Gusu.

Although Jia Cong cared for Zou Min'er very much, which made Qu Hongxiu feel a bit sour, and she also knew very clearly that the relationship between these two was likely very ambiguous.

However, Jia Cong did not hide Zou Min'er's background from her.

Therefore, Qu Hongxiu knew that Zou Min'er was originally the daughter of an official, literate, and quite knowledgeable.

Moreover, having been tempered repeatedly, as a Qu lady of the Music Office, serving in the Central Vehicle Office, her courage and boldness were different from ordinary women.

Qu Hongxiu felt a bit jealous of this woman, but she was no longer afraid of itching after having too many lice...

Moreover, the nature of the two shops in Gusu is very special. Only by handing them over to someone absolutely trusted can Jia Cong and Qu Hongxiu feel at ease.

Qu Hongxiu knew Zou Min'er's background and knew that she and Jia Cong had once had resentment, with love and hate intertwined and deeply entangled. Now that the past was empty, she was likely already devoted to Jia Cong...

No matter from which angle Qu Hongxiu considered it, there was no other trusted person in Gusu; only Zou Min'er was the best candidate.

Letting Zou Min'er temporarily manage the Gusu firm, Qu Hongxiu did not worry, and Jia Cong would definitely feel at ease. Although the situation was truly strange, it seemed to be the fact...

Since arriving in Gusu, Zou Min'er had lived in seclusion in Heguang Lane. Although she was full of longing and had nowhere to rely on, her days were peaceful and quiet.

Originally, she thought that in this life, with someone in her heart, guarding an empty courtyard alone, although there were some regrets.

But the past was unbearable, and being able to retreat unscathed was already a blessing; she no longer had any delusions or extravagant hopes.

Originally, she thought the days would continue to be peaceful, until she received a letter from Qu Hongxiu.

When she learned that the two shops in Gusu were actually Jia Cong's property, she naturally would not refuse Qu Hongxiu's plan.

She was originally just an official's daughter who never stepped out of the house, but after experiencing many hardships, her mind and courage were no longer what they used to be.

The two shops in Gusu had already been firmly established by Wang Dequan. As long as Zou Min'er maintained the status quo, it was not a difficult task for her.

When she took over the firm, it was just entering summer. Having grown up in a wealthy family since childhood and having seen many exotic techniques of foreigners in Jin Ling city, she came up with the idea of adding peppermint grass to the perfume soap.

Afterwards, through the processing and creation of the Xinchun Firm workshop, this seasonal perfume soap actually sold well in Gusu, making the firm's business increase by a large margin.

After the steward woman left, Zou Min'er finished writing the letter in her hand and woke up the maid Shuanghe, who was dozing at the door.

She said, "You go to Qinghong Lane and ask Miss Chen to send this letter to the Love Shenjing."

Shuanghe took the letter and smiled, "Miss, this is a letter to Young Master Jia, right? Now the streets and alleys are spreading the news that the Young Master has gained great glory.

Not only did he win the Jieyuan, but he also became a Hanlin academician. They all say that such a young Hanlin academician in the Great Zhou Dynasty is the first time, and I fear there won't be another one in the future."

Zou Min'er smiled, "I knew he was good at studying, but I didn't expect him to be this good. It's just that Gusu and the Love Shenjing are far apart, and we learned the news very late.

I made him a long gown and an embroidered sweat towel as a congratulatory gift. After you send the letter, ask Auntie Zhou in the shop to help me mail it out..."

Gusu, Chayuan Street.

Here stands an exquisite two-courtyard small residence, which was property purchased by Zhen Yingquan back then and has been vacant for many years.

Last year, because Zhen Fangqing was involved in the firearm case through Zhen Shiwen, fearing that the family would change sooner or later, she secretly sold off idle properties one after another, but retained this residence on Chayuan Street in Gusu.

Since departing from the Love Shenjing and returning to Jin Ling, she traveled for six days on the road. After arriving in Gusu, she stopped her journey and has been staying at the Chayuan Street residence for two days.

Before leaving the Love Shenjing, she received a letter from her trusted steward Liu Xian, in which he mentioned that the Embroidered Uniform Guard Thousand-Household Wang Zhangjiang had already taken people south to Quanzhou to arrest Chen Rong, the official of the Zhen family's Haiyun Pavilion.

Zhen Fangqing knew very clearly that Chen Rong was the trusted aide of her cousin Zhen Shiwen. As long as he fell into Wang Zhangjiang's hands, her cousin's involvement in private firearm manufacturing would likely be proven.

At that time, the Zhen family would face an unpredictable crisis. It was not a wise move for her to rashly enter Jin Ling city at this time... (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 674 =====

Otherwise, seeing Father working so hard, I really worry that he will collapse.

Sometimes I really want Father to retire early so he can properly nourish his body.

I didn't understand the storms outside when I was young, but now that I often chat with Third Brother about official matters, I know that the official position of the Salt Commissioner of the two Huai regions is actually quite dangerous..."

Hearing Zi Juan is just a small maid and doesn't understand these official matters, so she was somewhat confused.

Daiyu continued, "Father also mentioned the Zhen family of Jin Ling in his letter. I heard that things are quite chaotic over there in Jin Ling.

Yangzhou is not far from Jin Ling, and Father has many classmates and old friends in the auxiliary capital, so he is very well-informed about the news there.

Father said the Zhen family is going to have a big disaster. He knows that Third Brother and the Zhen family have a connection.

He asked me to remind Third Brother to be cautious and pay attention to the Zhen family's affairs when I have time."

Daiyu's words this time, Hearing Zi Juan understood.

She asked, "Does Master Lin mean he is worried that Third Brother will get involved in right and wrong because of Miss Zhen, and invite disaster?"

Daiyu nodded upon hearing this, and Hearing Zi Juan said, "Young Lady, you must hurry and remind the Cong Sanye. I heard that Miss Zhen is very fond of the Cong Sanye.

She is also a beautiful person, so I'm afraid the Cong Sanye might soften his heart and do something excessive."

Daiyu smiled, "You are good at worrying for him, but I don't want to mention this to Third Brother. He is very sharp; he doesn't need anyone else to remind him."

Hearing Zi Juan felt strange in her heart. Back then, when the palace wanted to bestow Miss Zhen as a wife to the Cong Sanye, the Young Lady was so sad.

Now that she heard about this, she wasn't jealous at all and seemed completely indifferent.

Daiyu folded the letter and put it away, remembering the conversation she overheard between Third Brother and Second Sister on the veranda outside the main room of Jia Cong's courtyard that day.

She also remembered the sentence Jia Cong said: "Sisters in the family, childhood sweethearts, accompanying each other day and night, feelings like hands and feet, isn't that better?"

Every time she thought of this, she felt peaceful in her heart, and she didn't want to put other trivial matters in her heart...

"Actually, Third Brother knew the root cause of the Zhen family's disaster long ago, and the inside story is much deeper than what Father knows.

With such a person of foresight and strategy, where would he need me to remind him?

Moreover, Miss Zhen is so devoted to him and has now returned to such a dangerous place as Jin Ling.

If Miss Zhen is also implicated in the family's danger, or even suffers misfortune, with Third Brother's personality, I'm afraid it will be very difficult for him to stand by and watch.

If I were Miss Zhen, and my family was in trouble, I would also hope that someone could protect me..." (End of chapter)