Chapter 680: The morning sun is fragrant and soft

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Jia Cong's courtyard.

The sky in the east had just brightened. Slender figures flitted about the courtyard, skirts fluttering in the breeze as the maidservants began to move about.

Some braided their hair as they walked out of the side rooms, some drew water to light the stoves and boil hot water, and others went to the inner courtyard kitchen to urge them to prepare breakfast.

Jia Cong woke up at the appointed time, but since today was the fifth day of the rest cycle from court, he did not need to rush to the Meridian Gate before dawn.

He had just lifted the bed curtains to get out of bed when Ling Qi Guan, on the side couch, heard the movement. She sat up in one motion, rubbed her eyes, and climbed off the couch.

Jia Cong saw her wearing a light green thin silk undergarment, with a glimpse of a goose-yellow embroidered bodice beneath. Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her sleep-dazed expression endearing and pitiful.

Although she was at the age of budding youth and her figure had not yet fully matured, her background in opera meant she had spent years practicing her voice and training her body, giving her a natural grace and poise.

Even at such a tender age, her slender, graceful figure and elegant, delicate movements were like a spring bud in the second month, revealing an unusual, lithe beauty.

Ling Qi Guan was at an age where she was prone to sleepiness. Even though she had risen, she was still somewhat dazed, her snow-white, slender feet shuffling on the floor for a long time before she found her embroidered slippers.

She hurried to the clothes rack, took Jia Cong's robe and belt, and circled around him, helping him dress.

Jia Cong looked at her sleepy appearance and thought that if this were the later generations, a girl of this age would likely be pampered like a princess at home, rather than having to get up and manage chores before the sky was fully bright.

He smiled and said, "A girl is different from a man. At your age, you should sleep more to help your body grow. In the future, let Qingwen and the others take more shifts; there are enough people in the courtyard."

"From now on, let's set a rule: those in the courtyard younger than me are not allowed to stay up late or get up early for the next two years, so as not to damage their vitality."

"Go back to bed and rest a while longer; I'll wait for Wu'er and the others to come and handle things."

Ling Qi Guan pouted slightly and said, "That won't do. Before Sister Zhi Shao left, she specifically asked me to take her night shift. How could it be right for me to sleep in while Cong Sanye is up?"

Jia Cong smiled, "Since that's the case, from now on, on every fifth day when I don't need to rise early for court, you can take the night shift. I'll get up a bit later, and we can both get enough sleep."

Ling Qi Guan beamed, her beautiful face radiant and eye-catching. She laughed softly and said, "Cong Sanye's method is excellent. Let's do it this way from now on; you mustn't go back on your word."

She was so willing because, according to the courtyard's usual practice, she didn't have to take night shifts; it was only when Zhi Shao or others had a reason that they would temporarily have her fill in.

That only happened once every ten days or half a month, and under normal circumstances, it was impossible for her to take the night shift every fifth day...

Jia Cong asked, "Ling Qi Guan, the old woman who sent Zhi Shao and Xing Xing Xiuyan to Muni Nunnery, did she have anything to say when she returned? Is Abbess Abbess Xiushan's old ailment any better?"

Ling Qi Guan said, "Zhang Pozi Chen returned and said the Abbess's illness has been fluctuating. A few days ago, when Cong Sanye helped invite Physician Zhang to prescribe medicine, it has been slowly improving these past few days."

"Because in a few days it will be Abbess Abbess Xiushan's sixty-eighth birthday, Sister Zhi Shao and Miss Xing Xing Xiuyan need to stay a few more days to accompany the Abbess through her birthday before returning."

Ling Qi Guan helped Jia Cong dress, then stood before the dressing mirror to help him comb his hair and tie it up.

Although she had taken the night shift for Jia Cong a few times, because she was still new to the task, she was not yet very familiar with Jia Cong's daily care.

Every morning after she rose, Zhi Shao, Qingwen, and the other deft-handed ones would come in to help Jia Cong comb and tie his hair.

Today, for some reason, Qingwen, who usually came, hadn't arrived yet. Jia Cong asked, and only then did he learn from Ling Qi Guan that Qingwen was feeling unwell yesterday.

Ling Qi Guan was fine at combing Jia Cong's hair, but she was clumsy at tying his hair crown and bun. She fiddled with it on top of Jia Cong's head several times, but couldn't get it neat and proper.

Jia Cong felt his head being rubbed and scratched by her small hands, and because it was ticklish, he couldn't help but laugh several times.

At this moment, the door was pushed open, and Wu'er walked in carrying a copper basin of hot water. Seeing Ling Qi Guan's attempt at tying the hair, she couldn't help but smile.

She said, "Ling Qi Guan, let me help Cong Sanye tie his hair. You go and see to the breakfast; Cong Sanye has to go to the office after he eats."

Ling Qi Guan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, but her small face showed a depressed expression, inevitably feeling a bit discouraged.

Wu'er smiled, "A master's hair bun is different from us girls'. It's nothing strange to be clumsy at first; you'll get the hang of it after doing it a few more times."

Only then did Ling Qi Guan set her mind at ease. She beamed and walked out the door to prepare breakfast.

Wu'er undid the hair bun that Ling Qi Guan hadn't tied well and carefully combed it again with a fine-toothed comb.

Through the dressing mirror, she saw Jia Cong comfortably close his eyes, letting her fiddle with his hair, and she smiled knowingly.

Outside, the sky gradually brightened. The bright morning light shining through the window lattice fell upon the two of them, carrying a trace of early summer warmth.

It cast their shadows onto the dark red jujube wood floor, clinging closely to each other, revealing a silent tacit understanding.

Jia Cong heard Wu'er's voice by his ear: "Cong Sanye, I encountered something yesterday at the Second Grandmother's courtyard. You came back late from the office, so I haven't had a chance to tell you."

Jia Cong asked, "What is it?"

Wu'er said, "Yesterday, Xue Yima Xue and Miss Bao came to see the Second Grandmother, and the Second Grandmother suddenly asked about the Jin Ling Zhen family."

"Xue Yima Xue said the Zhen family is in great danger now. The young master of the Zhen family's main branch is involved in the private manufacture of firearms, which is equivalent to the crime of treason. It is rumored throughout Jin Ling that the Zhen family will be prosecuted and their property confiscated by the imperial court."

"When the Second Grandmother heard these words, her face turned very ugly. She looked very concerned about the Zhen family's affairs, as if it had something to do with her."

"But I have been by her side for some time now, and I have never heard of the Second Grandmother having any friendship with the Jin Ling Zhen family. I find this matter a bit strange."

Upon hearing Wu'er's words, Jia Cong opened his eyes wide.

He thought for a moment and said, "It does sound strange. Second Sister-in-law has been married to the Divine Capital for some years now, and I have never heard of her having any friendship with the Zhen family."

"Although the great clans of Jin Ling have always had some family ties, Second Sister-in-law was born into the Jin Ling Wang family, which is one such great clan."

"But when Second Sister-in-law was in Jin Ling, she was just an unmarried young lady who didn't step out of the gate. It is unlikely she had deep dealings with the Zhen family."

"She is a very shrewd person; she wouldn't speak or act without reason."

"She would specifically ask Xue Yima Xue about the Zhen family's affairs, and to have such an expression upon hearing of the Zhen family's danger—there must be a reason for it..."

Jia Cong pondered carefully. Because of his appearance, many people and events from the original trajectory had undergone drastic changes.

Everything had entered a brand-new path, making it impossible for him to make any roughly accurate deductions.

He had some guesses about Wang Wang Xifeng's abnormal behavior, but based solely on her concern for the Zhen family, the information was too thin, and he couldn't be certain for the moment...

Wu'er said, "I thought that Cong Sanye has a connection with Miss Zhen, and Miss Zhen is very attentive to Cong Sanye, which is quite rare."

"The Zhen family is about to suffer, and Miss Zhen has returned to Jin Ling at this time. I don't know if she will suffer, and now the Second Grandmother is suddenly involved."

"I thought that if Cong Sanye knew about this, in case any slips occurred, you would be prepared in your heart."

As Wu'er spoke, she deftly tied Jia Cong's hair bun, inserted a grease-jade hairpin, and casually smoothed the wrinkles on his shoulders.

Jia Cong heard her words, held her gentle, slender palm on his shoulder, and said, "It's hard on you to be so careful, thinking of everything for me."

"Although Miss Zhen is a woman, she is a person of great strategy. When she was in the Divine Capital, she had already learned of the Zhen family's risks through other channels."

"She dared to return to Jin Ling at this time; she must have already made defensive plans, so I am not worried that she will suffer."

In fact, ever since Zhen Zhen Fangqing left the Divine Capital, Jia Cong had already sent a message to Qu Qu Hongxiu in Jin Ling, asking her to keep a constant watch on the Zhen family's affairs.

He wrote to Qu Qu Hongxiu not only to have the Jin Ling Xin Chun Bank monitor the development of the situation, but also to find ways to assist if Zhen Zhen Fangqing encountered a crisis.

It was also because the Jin Ling Xin Chun Bank had had quite a few business dealings with Zhen Zhen Fangqing over the past year.

Including the new business firm Zhen Zhen Fangqing opened in Jin Ling last year, which was specifically used to sell Xin Chun Bank's creations. Relying on the Zhen family's business connections, business was once booming.

However, this newly opened firm began to consolidate its business last month and stopped purchasing new goods from Xin Chun Bank. It was currently in a semi-stagnant state.

The most important item in their business dealings was the perfume and other creations made by Xin Chun Bank, which were sold to overseas countries through the Zhen family's merchant fleet.

Now that the Zhen family was facing a drastic change, the business connection between Xin Chun Bank and the Zhen family had to be cut and covered up to the maximum extent to avoid unnecessary involvement.

And this matter had been planned by the two of them when Jia Cong saw Zhen Zhen Fangqing off that day.

This was not only a conventional practice of talking business, but also stemmed from their ambiguous connection and private friendship.

Following the last shipment of overseas goods from Xin Chun Bank, because the Zhen family's merchant fleet went missing in the open sea, there had been no news since.

This matter spread rapidly throughout Jin Ling City through various channels and was now known to everyone.

This also made Xin Chun Bank, because of the Zhen family's merchant fleet, a Jin Ling merchant with huge losses in personnel and goods, and to a certain extent, it had cut ties with the Zhen family.

Even the Jin Ling Xin Chun Bank's Jiangnan headquarters had filed a huge claim against the Zhen family and filed it in the Imperial Household Department...

Jia Cong said: "The Zhen family's affairs are quite risky. The second sister-in-law is not as gentle and kind as you and Ping'er; she is shrewd, bold, and somewhat unconventional."

"She has often acted beyond the rules in the past. I hope that after hearing Xue Yima's words, she will become vigilant and not do anything improper."

Jia Cong smiled again: "However, with you helping me keep an eye on things in the West Prefecture, I don't have to worry much; nothing major will come of it."

Wu'er smiled and said: "Doesn't Qingwen often say I'm a housekeeper? Cong Sanye, rest assured, Wu'er will certainly help Cong Sanye be a good housekeeper."

Jia Cong leaned back, resting his head in Wu'er's soft, fragrant embrace, and said with a smile: "I'm not just letting you be a housekeeper."

The reason Jia Cong said this was because Wu'er had already performed the family rites to Jia Mu at the Rongqing Hall; as the head maid who had accompanied and served him since childhood, her status was now long different.

Wu'er's pretty face flushed pink, her heart raced, a charming smile bloomed on her face, and biting her cherry lips slightly, she passionately wrapped her arms around his neck and held him gently in her embrace.

Jia Cong closed his eyes slightly, feeling at peace and content in his heart, gently rubbing Wu'er's delicate and soft hands, immersed in the sweet and fragrant scent.

Time passed, he knew not how long, and the rising sun outside the window gradually brightened, until Lingguan had arranged breakfast and came to call them to eat.

……

Love Shenjing, Great Zhou Imperial City, Ganyang Palace.

Midsummer was like fire, and the originally cool grand hall had become somewhat scorching and stifling.

Therefore, before noon every day, Guo Lin would have eunuchs splash well water around the grand hall to dispel the accumulated heat.

Two brass ice basins were also placed on either side of the Emperor's imperial desk, piled high with crystal-clear crushed ice, emitting waves of icy mist, causing the heat in the grand hall to dissipate rapidly.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, dressed in bright yellow thin silk casual robes and wearing a light and breathable golden winged cap, was intently flipping through various memorials.

Most of these memorials were submitted by officials from various regions via the Tongzheng Office, along with some retrial reports sent urgently from Jin Ling by the Three Judicial Offices.

Since that morning court session, officials from various ministries had impeached the Jin Ling Zhen family for acting lawlessly, demanding a strict investigation and trial.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao went with the flow and issued an imperial decree in court, ordering the Three Judicial Offices to dispatch capable officers, with the Sun Dali Temple taking responsibility as the chief judge, to travel south within half a month to review the evidence of Zhen Zhen Shiwen's defiance and confirm his guilt according to the law.

Over the past two days, the Three Judicial Offices had been reviewing the reports, traveling day and night, and sending them back to Love Shenjing by fast horse.

Yet, after reading these reports, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao felt much disappointment in his heart.

Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard had arrested the Zhen family steward Chen Rong and obtained evidence of Zhen Zhen Shiwen's intentional private manufacture of firearms, which the Three Judicial Offices had verified, all of it could be confirmed.

But the major case of private firearm manufacture that had shaken Jiangnan last year came to an abrupt halt here, with no further progress.

Even with the shrewdness and capability of Embroidered Uniform Guard Battalion Commander Wang Wang Zhangjiang, apart from verifying Zhen Zhen Shiwen as the principal culprit in the private manufacture of firearms, the remaining doubts in this case were difficult to break through.

Whether it was the Sun Dali Temple Judge Yang Yang Hongbin, who had gone down to Jin Ling for a review, or the Sun Dali Temple Minister Wei Wei Guanyao, who was stationed in the Love Shenjing government office.

When they examined the various evidence and case files provided by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and reviewed the ins and outs of the major firearm manufacture case, they could easily discover the key suspicious points.

Although Zhen Zhen Shiwen of the Zhen family's main branch was the principal culprit in the firearm manufacture case, he was not the true mastermind behind the scenes.

They reviewed the case files of the murder in Xiuchun Street in Jin Ling, as well as the testimony of the maid of Zhen Zhen Shiwen's concubine, Yu Niang.

Zhen Zhen Shiwen and Yu Niang were killed in their room in the middle of the night, with clean and silent methods.

Not a single piece of gold or silver was missing from the room, which was clearly not the work of ordinary thieves; it was obvious that Zhen Zhen Shiwen had been silenced.

The killer was the true mastermind behind the major Jin Ling firearm manufacture case, but all clues leading to the final truth had been cut off in time.

Even though Wang Wang Zhangjiang, Yang Yang Hongbin, Wei Wei Guanyao, and others were experts at investigating cases and catching criminals, they were at a loss regarding this.

All the doubts regarding the investigation and review of this case were detailed in the memorials submitted by the Three Judicial Offices.

After reading the memorials from the Three Judicial Offices, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao understood that although this major Jin Ling firearm manufacture case had been investigated many times, it could currently only be used to convict the Zhen family.

That gloomy veil of fear, worry, and sinister covetousness that he could never lift, he did not know when it would be revealed to the world……

……

After reading the memorials, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao picked up a gray-white secret memorandum from his imperial desk; this was an 800-li urgent report from the Jin Ling Zhongche Office, which had just been presented to the palace at noon.

For major and important cases, the Three Judicial Offices investigated openly while the Zhongche Office investigated secretly; this had always been Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's method of handling affairs to avoid listening to only one side and being blinded.

Therefore, after reading the memorials from the Three Judicial Offices, he also read the secret report from the Zhongche Office very carefully.

The content recorded in the Zhongche Office's secret memorandum took a different focus compared to the memorials from the Three Judicial Offices.

The investigation into the Zhen Zhen Shiwen case was only briefly mentioned to avoid overlapping with the memorials from the Three Judicial Offices, and the secret memorandum mostly recorded the circumstances surrounding the major case.

For instance, after the imperial decree was issued to Jin Ling, the Zhen family head, Zhen Shijia, was dismissed from office and investigated, causing a huge uproar in Jin Ling city.

Because everyone believed that the Zhen family's mansion was about to collapse and that their family would be wiped out, many merchants who had business dealings with the Zhen family cut off their commercial ties one after another.

Many merchants to whom the Zhen family owed money gathered at various Zhen family shops, and even stormed the Zhen family mansion, demanding payment for various commercial debts.

The Zhen family's second branch steward, Liu Linjiang Xian, dealt with it with difficulty, but Zhen Zhen Fangqing, who was in charge of the Zhen family's business, never appeared.

Zhongche Office secret agents investigated secretly in the city and confirmed that Zhen Zhen Fangqing was not in Jin Ling city, and her whereabouts were unknown……

Seeing this, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao felt suspicious in his heart and asked: "Guo Lin, according to your report, Zhen Zhen Fangqing left Love Shenjing more than ten days ago."

"Even if the carriage and horses were slow, she should have arrived in Jin Ling long ago. Why is there no trace of her now? Could it be that something happened on the way?"

"Although the Old Imperial Consort Zhen has passed away, the late Emperor still cherished some old feelings for her."

"Now that the court is handling a major case and the Zhen family's crimes have not yet been settled, if something happens to her at this juncture, it won't look good on my face either."

Guo Lin said: "This matter is indeed somewhat suspicious. The Jin Ling Zhongche Office has deployed many men to search inside and outside Jin Ling city, but there is no trace of her."

"The more than ten family members from the Zhen mansion who left the capital with her also have no news, and their whereabouts are unknown."

"This servant will immediately issue a document to the Jin Ling Zhongche Office, telling them to increase the intensity of the search and ensure that Zhen Zhen Fangqing's whereabouts are found."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao pondered for a moment and said: "Now that the Zhen family is facing a drastic change, Zhen Zhen Fangqing left the capital to return home, but disappeared at this time."

"If she encountered strong men on the way and was harmed, then so be it; it's just a matter of catching the criminals."

"If she deliberately hid her tracks, then she has other plans. Although the Old Imperial Consort's great-granddaughter is a woman, she is no ordinary person."

"When searching for her whereabouts, don't just mess around in Jin Ling city; also patrol all the way from Love Shenjing to Jin Ling."

"Fortunately, although she is somewhat extraordinary, she is a woman after all and does not affect the overall situation. Just try your best to find her, so that there will be an explanation to the late Emperor in the future."

Guo Lin hurriedly replied: "This servant obeys the decree."

……

After Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao spoke about this matter, he put it aside for the time being and continued to browse the secret memorandum in his hand.

The secret memorandum later described that the Sun Dali Temple Judge Yang Yang Hongbin, who was in charge of this case, was worried that the situation would intensify, leading to a dangerous situation of looting and fighting, harming the stability of the auxiliary capital's scholars and people.

Using reasons such as the Zhen family being in a state of guilt before the court, their assets awaiting disposal, merchant debts being handled according to the contracts of both parties, and breach of contract matters being ignored.

He issued a document to the Yingtian Prefect Jia Yucun, deploying yamen runners from all over the city to guard the Zhen family's shops and mansion, suppress the city merchants, and protect the auxiliary capital from chaos.

In the appendix of the Zhongche Office's secret memorandum, there was a detailed list of merchants who had business disputes with the Zhen family.

As Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao browsed casually, he unexpectedly discovered a familiar name: the Imperial Merchant Xin Chun Hao's Jiangnan headquarters.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's voice was slightly cold as he asked: "Jia Cong is behind Xin Chun Hao; does he also have business dealings with the Zhen family?"

Guo Lin felt a chill in his heart and replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Jin Ling Zhongche Office has already carefully checked this matter. The Zhen and Jia families have been family friends in Jin Ling for generations, and the two families have had many dealings over the years."

"Last year, Jia Cong went down to Jin Ling to handle the Guard Army case, and because of family etiquette, he visited Old Madam Zhen, and thus got to know Zhen Zhen Fangqing."

"The Xin Chun Hao Jin Ling branch is now doing booming business and is highly regarded in Jin Ling, being a leader among Jin Ling firms."

"Zhen Zhen Fangqing is in charge of the Zhen family's business, and in business, one naturally acts for profit. The Zhen and Jia families are also family friends."

"Publicly or privately, it is reasonable for her to have the convenience of Jia Cong's connections and have business dealings with Xin Chun Hao."

"According to the report from the Imperial Household Department officials, Xin Chun Hao's annual profit registered in the Imperial Household Department accounts last year already exceeded 300,000 taels."

"At the beginning of this year, Xin Chun Hao's Jiangnan headquarters borrowed the Zhen family's sea fleet to market products such as perfume to countries overseas, making very rich profits."

"If this trend continues, this year or next year, Xin Chun Hao should be able to achieve the promise Jia Cong made at the beginning, reaching an annual profit of 500,000 taels within three years of establishing the firm."

Hearing this, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's eyes brightened slightly, and he muttered: "I didn't expect him to really do it……"

Guo Lin said: "It's just that a change has occurred now. Last month, the Zhen family's sea fleet left the port twice, loaded with a large batch of Xin Chun Hao's commercial goods, as usual, to be sold to countries overseas."

"But this time the fleet went to sea and has since lost contact, and there has been no news of the ships returning to this day."

"After the Zhen family incident, the Jin Ling Zhongche Office paid attention to this matter and specially sent personnel to verify it."

"Later, it was reported that according to coastal boatmen, around May of this year, sea hurricanes frequently raged."

"Many ships sank and suffered disasters after going to sea, and most of the Zhen family's sea ships must have encountered a catastrophe, surely with more misfortune than good fortune."

"Therefore, Xin Chun Hao's Jiangnan headquarters suffered heavy losses this time, which is why it appeared on the list of those pursuing silver payments from the Zhen family."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao pondered for a moment and asked: "This matter is somewhat coincidental, happening to encounter a disaster at sea at this time. Is the news from the Jin Ling Zhongche Office reliable?"

Guo Lin replied: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Jin Ling Zhongche Office is remotely led by the Love Shenjing Chief Head, and the person currently in charge of the Jin Ling Zhongche Office is an old man who has been in the office for ten years."

"He is shrewd, capable, and effective in handling affairs, and is a trustworthy person, so the news will definitely not be wrong."

"However, what Your Majesty said is very reasonable. At the time when the Zhen family's crimes were settled, the Zhen family's fleet happened to have an accident, which is indeed suspicious."

"This servant will issue another document to let them increase their manpower to investigate."

"No matter what the result of the Zhen family's sea fleet is, we must find out the definite result of life and death……" (End of chapter)