Chapter 692

Jin Ling, Mingde Ward, Zhen family mansion, Yuhe Hall.

Zhen Yingjia walked out of the main residence in a daze, while Madam Zhen, who was following him, was already sobbing uncontrollably.

There were chaotic footsteps everywhere in the inner courtyard. Captains with bright armor and swords swarmed into the courtyard, guarding various intersections and halls.

Maidservants, concubines, and matrons in the inner courtyard were hiding everywhere, occasionally letting out terrified screams, their voices filled with despair and shame, sounding exceptionally piercing.

The Zhen family was a prominent and noble clan with strict rules regarding the separation of men and women. Usually, the female relatives, matrons, and maidservants of the inner courtyard never saw men from the outside.

In the inner courtyard, apart from their own descendants, occasionally young male relatives would enter to pay respects to the female elders of the Zhen family, but they were all under the age of fifteen.

How could it be as miserable as it was today, with the back courtyard crowded with rough and burly soldiers? All rules about the separation of men and women had become a joke.

Even when the Imperial Guards entered the Zhen mansion to search last time, because the Zhen family had not yet been convicted, and in view of their family's reputation in Jiangnan and the remaining prestige of the Old Imperial Consort Zhen,

even cold and stern figures like Wang Zhangjiang had many misgivings and took various measures to avoid suspicion, so as not to provoke criticism from the Jiangnan literati.

When searching the inner courtyard, he only led six trusted captains inside, along with six female prison guards recruited from Yingtian Prefecture.

Before searching the inner chambers, he had the female relatives of the Zhen family avoid the area under the supervision of the female guards; the rules were followed thoroughly, leaving no room for criticism.

But this time, with the Emperor's decree of conviction issued, there was no longer such generous treatment.

The Zhen mansion had been established for nearly a hundred years and had never seen such a desolate scene.

Seeing this chaotic state of the back courtyard, Zhen Yingjia muttered to himself in a daze, "A century-old prominent family, destroyed in an instant; all refinement lost, face disgraced..."

Once all areas were guarded by Imperial Guard captains, Zhen Yingjia saw two civil officials from the Ministry of Revenue, bringing a group of minor clerks and yamen runners, entering the inner courtyard one after another.

These people, holding brushes, ink, and account books, entered various residences and halls in the inner courtyard, beginning to count and register all kinds of items and wealth.

By the time he walked unsteadily toward Yuhe Hall, he saw several collateral descendants of the Zhen family already kneeling in the hall, along with his legitimate son, Baoyu.

This youth, who shared the same name as Baoyu of the Jia family, was also fifteen years old, equally accustomed to idling in the inner chambers, living in luxury, mocking monks and Daoists, and considering himself aloof.

Now, however, he was trembling all over, his face covered in tears, looking quite wretched...

Zhen Yingjia stumbled into the hall and saw Imperial Guard Battalion Commander Wang Zhangjiang standing in the hall, holding a yellow brocade imperial decree, his gaze cold and stern.

Standing beside Wang Zhangjiang was a fourth-rank official, none other than the person Madam Zhen had mocked as having no background—the Prefect of Yingtian, Jia Yucun.

Behind the two of them stood five Imperial Guard captains, burly and standing with their hands on their swords, their faces covered in dust, looking as if they had come from afar.

Seeing Zhen Yingjia enter the hall, Wang Zhangjiang showed no intention of delaying for even a second and said coldly, "Criminal official Zhen Yingjia, receive the decree!"

Zhen Yingjia hurriedly knelt down, touching his head to the ground, and heard Wang Zhangjiang's bone-chilling voice from above.

By the grace of the Emperor, the decree states: The Zhen clan of Jin Ling, a family of officials and a house of prestige, has long enjoyed imperial favor and bathed in heavenly glory.

Yet the family did not cherish this grace, did not repay the imperial favor, became accustomed to arrogance and luxury, acted in a perverse manner, leading to constant rebellion.

The descendants were violent, privately manufacturing firearms, confronting the government, and harboring rebellious intentions; though they did not die, their crimes are unforgivable.

The criminal official Zhen Yingjia, holding a third-rank position, is mediocre in virtue, has no achievements in governance, failed in managing his family, and his upbringing of descendants is corrupt, making him unable to bear the weight of his official rank.

After review and conviction by the three judicial offices, according to the law, his official status is revoked, seventy percent of his family property is confiscated, and he is to be placed under house arrest; if he offends again, he will be punished with a heavier crime. Respect this.

After hearing the imperial decree, Zhen Yingjia couldn't help but tremble all over, forcing himself to hold his spirit together so he wouldn't faint.

Revocation of official status and confiscation of family property—these two sentences in the decree were like heavy hammers striking his chest, leaving his heart as dead as ashes.

Just a moment ago, he and his wife were still discussing how to plan for his reinstatement once the heat of the matter passed.

Because when the previous decree was issued, he was only dismissed for investigation; since it was a dismissal, he could be reinstated—fluctuations in an official career were common.

That was why Madam Zhen had used Jia Yucun as an example to comfort her husband.

Because Jia Yucun was a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, although he was impeached and dismissed for negligence and corruption, he was not stripped of his official status, which was why he could be reinstated.

Zhen Yingjia truly had not expected that this imperial decree would be so severe; he had already been dismissed before, and this time his official status was to be stripped away as well.

This caused him to lose his essential foundation, making it a dead end for his official career from now on.

As for the confiscation of family property, while it said seventy percent, in actual practice, officials would take their share and use the opportunity to get rich; the so-called seventy percent would only be more, not less.

The Zhen family had lost even its basic wealth and was now equivalent to commoners...

After Wang Zhangjiang read the decree, Jia Yucun came forward and said, "Master Zhen, today the Ministry of Revenue will count the family property, register it, and deposit it into the public treasury.

All servants of the Zhen family under forty will be registered and sold, while those over forty will be dismissed to find their own way.

Three generations of the Zhen family's direct line, men and women, old and young, are to move out of the Zhen mansion and be escorted to the Zhen family's farmstead west of the city to be settled. They will be under the supervision of Yingtian Prefecture for three years, after which they will be treated as commoners."

As soon as Jia Yucun finished speaking, not to mention Zhen Yingjia, who looked as if he had lost his parents and was ashamed to the point of wanting to die, a chorus of weeping from the female relatives immediately came from behind Yuhe Hall.

These female relatives of the Zhen family, who had lived in luxury in the inner chambers, would never again be honorable and delicate, nor could they live with crowds of servants, so how could they not be miserable and desolate?

A mistress of the house like Madam Zhen knew even better what kind of place the Zhen family's farmstead west of the city was.

Large tracts of land near that farmstead had been requisitioned by the government to build official roads, and the Zhen family, relying on their connections as a prominent Jin Ling clan, had used this to extract a large amount of compensation from the government.

That small farmstead had been abandoned outside the city ever since, and apart from a few old servants guarding it, no one had been there for many years.

I'm afraid the houses and furniture there weren't even complete, let alone suitable for people to live in, not to mention three generations of the Zhen family's direct line moving there...

Wang Zhangjiang and Jia Yucun read the imperial decree and explained the main points, then left the Zhen mansion leisurely.

The remaining Imperial Guard captains kept a tight watch on the Zhen mansion, while yamen officials entered various residences, herding the servants and maidservants together like pigs and dogs.

These servants and maidservants, who had previously worn bright clothes, were now just part of the confiscated property of the Zhen family, and the sound of begging and crying was everywhere.

As soon as the imperial envoy left, Zhen Baoyu scrambled up, and without caring about his parents or family, he ran to his own residence.

Seeing his two beloved maidservants being pushed and driven by yamen runners, his heart felt as if it were being cut, and he went up to stop them.

A runner slapped him, knocking Zhen Baoyu to the ground, and mocked, "You rabbit-like brat, you've raised a house full of pretty maids.

They must be worth a good price. You still think you're a young master of a prominent family? Daring to block the government's work—watch out for your dog life."

Zhen Baoyu had always been the phoenix of the Zhen family's inner chambers, always receiving thousands of favors, the apple of Old Imperial Consort Zhen's eye.

He had never suffered such violence and was so frightened that he didn't even dare to say a word, watching as the yamen runners dragged his maidservants away.

Madam Zhen knew her son's temperament well; when she entered the main hall and didn't see him, she knew the reason.

So she brought her trusted concubine from the main residence and followed him, seeing this scene. She hurriedly helped her son up, stroking his red and swollen face with a heart full of pain, daring to be angry but not daring to speak.

At this time, an official from the Ministry of Revenue came forward and asked, "Why is the second branch's residence empty, with not even small valuables to be seen? If this is intentional concealment, the crime will be increased by one degree!"

Hearing "increased by one degree," Madam Zhen, like a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow, shuddered all over.

The concubine beside her hurriedly said, "The mistress of the second branch went to her maiden home in Huizhou more than ten days ago to visit relatives; it was not intentional concealment. Official, please do not misunderstand."

That minor official from the Ministry of Revenue had spent time in the officialdom and knew somewhat that the second branch had some background, and since the main branch was convicted this time while the second branch was not, there was a distinction between primary and secondary.

Since they had left Jin Ling more than ten days ago, long before the imperial decree was issued, it could not be considered intentional violation of the law.

The yamen or the Imperial Guards could pursue them later; for the Ministry of Revenue, which was counting and confiscating property, it was not a pressing matter, so he stopped asking after that.

Seeing that the minor official from the Ministry of Revenue stopped pursuing the matter, the concubine breathed a sigh of relief and said casually, "The second mistress is indeed fortunate to have gone out to visit relatives, avoiding a disaster."

The concubine spoke without thinking, but Madam Zhen, hearing this, felt her heart jump; she was the one listening with intent.

Now, as she thought back on the past, her heart was filled with growing doubts. The half-year mourning period for the Old Imperial Consort had passed, and it was said that Fangqing had already left the Love Shenjing; why hadn't she arrived home yet?

Ten days ago, her trusted Liu Xian's wife had appeared at the mansion, saying she had returned to Jin Ling in advance to report the news.

For those few days, that matron had been going in and out of the second branch's residence, and afterward, the second mistress said she was going to Huizhou to visit relatives. At the time, she had just taken it as a matter of course.

Now, thinking back on it, this matter was too coincidental; it was as if the second branch had deliberately avoided the disaster at home. Otherwise, why would even the small valuables in the room have been cleared out?

Fangqing of the second branch was famously shrewd and capable. Could it be that she heard the wind in the Love Shenjing and had picked up her mother in advance...

Madam Zhen, having encountered such a drastic change, with her husband just stripped of his official status by the imperial decree, the future of the second branch destroyed, and even a lowly runner daring to hit her Baoyu—

it was precisely in the midst of her full-blown resentment and hatred that a feeling of jealousy arose.

The Zhen family had encountered a great disaster; why was it only the main branch suffering, while the second branch was unscathed and stayed out of it? This was unfair!

The main branch was trapped in despair, making Madam Zhen ashamed to the point of wanting to die. Even if they had hidden over a hundred thousand taels of wealth in advance, it could no longer buy back her husband's official career.

Moreover, the whole family had to be supervised by the government for three years, making it impossible to retrieve the hidden silver from the Jia family. She didn't know what kind of poor life they would lead for these three years.

She thought of her niece, who was such a capable person; if she heard that the Zhen family had been raided, she would never return to Jin Ling.

She would surely take the second mistress and hide securely, going off to live a carefree life, leaving behind the old and young of the family to suffer in Jin Ling.

Madam Zhen thought of these things and saw Baoyu's red and swollen face, and a surge of blood kept rising in her heart.

She saw the official from the Ministry of Revenue, accompanied by two runners, coming out of Baoyu's room, presumably having just finished counting the wealth in the room.

Madam Zhen blurted out, "Official, the mistress of the second branch did not conceal anything; she went back to her hometown to visit relatives.

Her maiden family is a prominent household in Huizhou; you can find out by asking in the city. I beg you, Official, to report this truthfully; I hope you will not implicate the Zhen family."

The concubine from the main branch beside her looked surprised, not understanding why her mistress would speak so clearly; wasn't this trying to frame the second mistress?

The minor official from the Ministry of Revenue also had a strange expression. As someone in the officialdom, how could he not understand the darkness of human nature? He felt a bit of mockery in his heart.

He said casually, "Since that is the case, this official will report it truthfully."

Madam Zhen heard this and felt a sense of disappointment, as well as a trace of unease.

It wasn't until the concubine beside her reminded her, "Madam, we must hurry and pack our personal belongings; if we are late, I'm afraid we won't be able to keep anything."

She heard this, and a spasm of shame and hatred gripped her heart, and even that trace of unease vanished...

Love Shenjing, Prince Beijing's Mansion.

The main hall of the Prince's mansion, while lacking a sense of golden splendor, was filled with furniture, antiques, and utensils that exuded low-key luxury, seemingly proclaiming the owner's refined taste.

Yuan Jing, a sixth-rank duty eunuch of the Qianyang Palace, was sent by the Deputy Superintendent of the Imperial Household Department, Guo Lin, to specifically deliver a message to Prince Beijing's mansion.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong wore a silver-winged king's hat with a hairpin, a white python robe with five-clawed dragons, his face like jade, his eyes like stars—a handsome and imposing figure.

But when Yuan Jing relayed Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's question, the handsome face of Shui Rong instantly changed color, filled with fear and unease.

He said, "Eunuch Yuan, I have always upheld the righteous path, been cautious in my words and deeds, and loyal to the Emperor; I would never dare to have any arrogant, extravagant, or licentious behavior.

I would never dare to privately communicate with criminal officials, disregard national law, hide rebellious private wealth, or ruin the legacy of my ancestors.

My Princess is from the Zhen family of Jin Ling; it is common and reasonable for her to interact with old friends and relatives.

I have never asked about such matters concerning the inner chambers, leaving them all to the Princess to handle. Therefore, I truly do not know about anyone from the Zhen family delivering a message to the mansion.

The Princess has always been graceful and generous, and her actions follow the laws of female virtue. Even in her dealings with old families, she would not commit any rebellious acts.

I have read many poems and books, deeply bowing to the legal system of the sages. When national law is at stake, family etiquette must retreat. My loyalty can be witnessed by Heaven alone.

I beg Eunuch Yuan to convey my feelings to His Majesty; I would be eternally grateful."

Yuan Jing heard Shui Rong's words, and his heart felt a bit strange.

This Prince was indeed too clever for his own good. The Emperor only asked him a few questions, and he was like a hedgehog with its fur raised, pushing everything away completely.

Saying he never asked about inner chamber matters—this was taking his own Princess out to block the bullet when something went wrong.

His words were high-sounding, his routines were practiced, his mind was cold. Being a Prince while being so cautious could be considered quite difficult...

Yuan Jing smiled indifferently, "Prince, you overstate it. I am just a sixth-rank eunuch; how could I have the face to help the Prince convey words to the Emperor? That would truly be a disgrace to me.

If the Prince has something to say, you should submit a memorial to the Emperor yourself to defend yourself. I have already delivered the oral decree, so I will take my leave."

Seeing Yuan Jing about to leave, Shui Rong glanced at his Chief Clerk, Liu Yong.

Liu Yong immediately understood and took out a bank note to stuff into Yuan Jing's hand.

Shui Rong smiled broadly, "Sorry to trouble Eunuch Yuan to run errands and deliver messages. I have nothing to show my respect, just a small token; please have some tea, Eunuch Yuan."

Yuan Jing looked at the five-hundred-tael bank note in his hand and clicked his tongue secretly; the price of tea at Prince Beijing's mansion was not low...

He felt a slight regret in his heart; if it had been a gift from the Earl of Weiyuan, he would have accepted it very willingly.

He smiled and stuffed the bank note back to Liu Yong, saying, "Prince, you are too polite. I am delivering the Emperor's oral decree, which is part of my duty; I dare not accept the Prince's generous gift. Farewell."

Watching Yuan Jing's retreating back, the refined and humble look on Shui Rong's face vanished instantly, and his expression became solemn.

He said, "Chief Clerk Liu, follow me back to the study to discuss the matter of submitting a memorial to the Emperor..."

Earl's Mansion, Tan Chun's Courtyard.

Tan Chun's palm injury had mostly healed after five or six days of treatment. During these days, every time Jia Cong finished his official duties, he would come to Tan Chun's room to visit her.

The siblings chatted and laughed, more than in the past. Tan Chun's injury had actually made them closer and more unreserved.

On this day, Jia Cong came to visit and happened to run into Shi Shu changing the ointment and gauze for Tan Chun, so he volunteered to handle it.

Tan Chun saw Jia Cong untie the gauze with an exceptionally gentle technique and carefully scrape off the old ointment.

She stole a glance at his exceptionally serious expression as he busied himself holding her palm, looking as cautious as if he were holding a supreme treasure, and a feeling of numbness and sweetness washed over her heart.

Thinking that her hand had been injured for so long, had her Third Brother always treated her this way...

This delusional thought made her heart fearful, yet she was obsessed and indulged in it, not daring to think too much, but unable to stop herself from thinking about it.

She didn't know if it was an illusion, but Tan Chun felt that her Third Brother's technique was brilliant, much better than Shi Shu's, not touching the painful spots at all.

Jia Cong scraped off the old medicine from Tan Chun's palm, then had Shi Shu bring hot water, soaked a towel, and carefully wiped the remaining ointment from the back of her hand.

Tan Chun's hands had been wrapped in gauze all day without seeing sunlight, making them even whiter and more lustrous than usual, with an unusual paleness that made Jia Cong feel an inexplicable sense of pity.

Holding her soft, smooth hand and wiping it gently, he found it hard to let go, which made him feel slightly embarrassed.

Tan Chun was sensitive and immediately sensed it; her pretty face flushed slightly, her cherry lips bit down, and she pretended not to notice, letting him hold her palm and fiddle with it...

"Third Brother, your technique for bandaging wounds is very skilled, not a bit worse than Physician Zhang's. Did you learn it before?"

Jia Cong smiled, "I didn't learn it. When I was leading troops on an expedition in Liaodong, soldiers were injured every day in the army.

I patrolled the military camp every day and saw medical officers bandaging wounds for injured soldiers so often that even without learning, I learned it just by watching."

Tan Chun remembered that he had fought in Liaodong for half a year, and when he returned, he was dark and thin, which made people's hearts ache, a memory she still couldn't forget.

That year, Third Brother had just turned fourteen, and Second Brother was still idling in the inner chambers, while he was already fearless of life and death, fighting on the battlefield...

Her heart was filled with tenderness, and she smiled easily, "Third Brother, your technique is brilliant, much better than Shi Shu's fumbling.

From now on, you can help me change the medicine; you can't let this talent of yours go to waste."

Jia Cong smiled, "I am naturally willing; I can help you tidy up and bandage every day.

But when your injury heals this time, it will be a great blessing, and I won't have to do this for you anymore, and you won't have to suffer anymore; that would be truly good."

By the time Jia Cong helped Tan Chun change the ointment and had just finished bandaging the gauze,

footsteps came from the doorway, and he saw Yingchun, Daiyu, Baochai, and other sisters coming to visit.

The sisters chatted for a while, and hearing footsteps again from outside the door, they saw Ping'er enter with a smile.

Seeing Jia Cong was also there, she first bowed to him.

Tan Chun smiled, "It's really troubling you, Sister Ping'er, to come see me so often lately."

Ping'er smiled, "That's nothing. Our mistress is not feeling well and it's not convenient for her to move around much, so she asked me to come see you on her behalf.

Although Third Young Lady suffered this time, evil people have their own retribution. Yesterday, Lin Zhixiao heard news from outside.

That matron from the Zhen family who was stirring up trouble in the East Road courtyard and caused the Young Lady to suffer—for some reason, she was suddenly arrested by the government.

And she was thrown into the Imperial Guard prison. At first, she was stubborn, but after being subjected to torture, she confessed everything about Madam Zhen hiding silver in our house."

Shi Xiangyun, who was listening, said with satisfaction, "That matron deserves this retribution for coming to our house to cause trouble and deliberately harming Third Sister."

Ping'er added, "Before this matter came out, the palace issued a decree to convict the Zhen family and raid their house. Old Madam was scared out of her wits when she heard.

Yesterday, Second Madam came to pay respects to Old Madam, and because of this, she was scolded severely by Old Madam."

Hearing Ping'er's words, the sisters were not surprised. Lady Wang had been having a very difficult time lately, and it wasn't just Old Madam scolding her.

It was said that on the day Tan Chun received the family punishment, Jia Zheng heard about it after returning from his official duties and flew into a rage at his wife.

That very night, he came to the East Mansion to visit his daughter, offering a lot of comfort and instructions before returning to the East Road courtyard.

Jia Cong suddenly remembered that a few days ago, the gossiping matrons of the West Mansion had spread some rumors, which were quite awkward and unpleasant.

Second Master had stayed in Aunt Zhao's room for five consecutive nights; now one could see why this woman had both a son and a daughter...

Ping'er added, "Our mistress also feels fortunate that she wasn't fooled by that matron that day and didn't let those boxes into the Jia house; otherwise, it would truly have been a disaster.

Just now, Prince Beijing's Princess sent someone to our house to inquire about what happened a few days ago. I heard that the Zhen family matron spoke nonsense and implicated the Prince Beijing's mansion as well.

I heard the palace even sent someone to the Prince's mansion to question them, and the situation didn't sound very good. The Prince Beijing's mansion looks a bit chaotic; that Zhen family matron truly harms people deeply."

Jia Cong was also slightly shocked when he heard this; this was something he hadn't expected.

This Prince Beijing was imposing, his words and deeds were humble everywhere, and he prided himself on being refined.

The Zhen family of Jin Ling was the closest relative by marriage to the Prince Beijing's mansion, and it was widely rumored outside that Shui Rong and the Princess Zhen were a deeply loving couple, almost becoming a legendary story.

I wonder how Shui Rong will respond to this and how he will demonstrate his virtue... (End of chapter)