Chapter 693

Da Zhou Palace, Ganyang Palace.

Since the Embroidered Uniform Guard discovered the Zhen family hiding family wealth, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao asked the three judicial offices to convict them according to the law.

The heads of the three judicial offices had different judgments on this matter and expressed their opinions on sentencing, which is a common occurrence in weighing criminal law and is not surprising.

One morning, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao summoned the Minister of the Grand Court of Revision Wei Wei Guanyao, the Minister of Justice Chen Chen Maoshu, and the Left Censor-in-Chief Zhou Zhou Xianyang into the palace to discuss this matter.

Originally, for such a matter, the three judicial offices would usually consult according to the law and finally report to the Emperor for signing.

The reason why Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao took it seriously and summoned the heads of the three judicial offices into the palace to discuss it was to fully control the direction of the matter and not let it go astray due to legal consultation.

For Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, the Zhen family of Jin Ling was not a simple case of a convicted official.

Behind it involved the private manufacture of firearms and rebellion, the hidden trend of the old forces of the four kings and eight dukes, and the ebb and flow of the potential between father and son, king and subject.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao needed to handle this case strictly and give a severe crackdown and deterrence to the rebellious forces intending to touch firearms.

The Zhen family case was no longer just about the severity of Zhen Zhen Yingjia's crime, but a vital bargaining chip for Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao to amplify imperial power and weigh and control the government.

Therefore, regarding the Zhen family's status as a convicted person and their private concealment of family silver, the three judicial offices could follow criminal law, but it must conform to the Emperor's expectations and interests.

Minister of the Grand Court of Revision Wei Wei Guanyao said: "Your Majesty, Zhen Zhen Yingjia, during the period of dismissal and investigation, did not wait for the court to judge according to the law, but privately hid family wealth.

This is an act of disregarding national law and must be punished.

Originally, Your Majesty considered the merits of the Zhen family's ancestors and the legacy of the Zhen Empress Dowager, and issued a decree to confiscate seventy percent of the Zhen family's property, which was already extra leniency for his family.

Yet Zhen Zhen Yingjia did not know how to be grateful and acted perversely again. I think we should increase the punishment for him, confiscate all his family property, and use it as a punishment."

Wei Wei Guanyao was a fair and strict person. Investigating cases and judging criminals was the main responsibility of the Grand Court of Revision. He would naturally spare no effort, but he had always been moderate in sentencing.

Although as a close minister of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, he knew the Emperor's far-reaching plans for the Zhen family case.

But starting from the Grand Court of Revision's investigation and conviction, the Zhen family's crime lay in Zhen Zhen Shiwen's private manufacture of firearms, and Zhen Zhen Yingjia did not participate in it.

Zhen Zhen Yingjia, as the head of the Zhen family and Zhen Zhen Shiwen's father, had the crime of governing the family without virtue and failing in education, so dismissal and confiscation were enough to punish him.

As for his private concealment of family wealth, it was contrary to the law, but it was not a capital crime, so increasing the punishment would be enough.

As the head of the Grand Court of Revision, if he punished people with death at every turn, he would lose the dignity of the three judicial offices, and then what would be the difference from the Investigation Court.

As soon as Wei Wei Guanyao finished speaking, Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao remained calm, his eyes thoughtful.

Minister of Justice Chen Chen Maoshu said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, although what Wei Wei Siqing said is fair, the sentencing of criminal law needs to respond to the situation.

Jiangnan is a place where scholar-officials and wealthy families gather, with prosperous culture, wealthy people, and changeable hearts. It is common for wealthy families to be evil and lawless.

Even since the beginning of this dynasty, it is not uncommon for Jiangnan noble families to fall due to crimes.

The Zhen family of Jin Ling is the leader of the Jiangnan wealthy families, and their words and deeds are the focus of local attention, and even more so for people to follow.

Zhen Zhen Yingjia, as a convicted official of the court, privately hid family property and escaped criminal law. If this behavior spreads to the market, people will follow suit.

In the future, whenever wealthy families commit crimes, they will all hide private wealth like him in order to find a way to make a comeback. How can we talk about the strictness of the court's laws?

Once the law is lax and punishment is weak, and the powerful lose their awe, Jiangnan will become increasingly troublesome.

Therefore, I think Zhen Zhen Yingjia's private concealment of family property must be severely punished. Just confiscating all family property is not enough to warn others, so we must increase the punishment and punish him specifically!"

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao looked at Left Censor-in-Chief Zhou Zhou Xianyang, who had not yet spoken, and asked: "What advice does Minister Zhou have?"

Zhou Zhou Xianyang heard the Emperor's question, and his heart felt slightly cold.

Compared to Wei Wei Guanyao's strictness and fairness, and Chen Chen Maoshu's legalist words, the Censorate had always been the most radical yamen among the three judicial offices.

The Censorate had always taken hearing and reporting as its duty, and acted with clarity and sharpness, and was also criticized for the flaws of being quick-mouthed and foul-mouthed...

Although the Censorate sometimes made the Emperor feel annoyed, it could become the sharpest knife and sword of the emperor at the right time.

Zhou Zhou Xianyang could become the head of the Censorate, naturally not an ordinary person, shrewd and capable, and his ability to observe the wind and situation was not comparable to ordinary foul-mouthed censors.

Among the three officials who entered the hall, the Emperor spoke to him alone, naturally wanting him to say something pleasant, or even slightly extreme words...

Zhou Zhou Xianyang said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, I agree with Wei Wei Siqing and Minister Chen. Zhen Zhen Yingjia, as a convicted official, privately hid family wealth, and his crime is increased by one degree.

I think we should not only confiscate all his family property but also punish him specifically to rectify the atmosphere of the Jiangnan wealthy families.

And this matter is not just Zhen Zhen Yingjia's crime alone. He sent silver to the capital from thousands of miles away, and there must be someone in the capital who colluded with him, which made him feel that there was an opportunity to take advantage of.

I think Zhen Zhen Yingjia's crime is unforgivable, and other lawless people who hide in the dark must also be investigated!

I heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has already questioned the people from the Zhen family who entered the capital. According to their confession, because the Prince of Beijing is the son-in-law of the Zhen family, the Zhen family wanted to hide their private silver in the Beijing Prince's mansion.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong is a prince, holding a high position and great reputation. Whether he really did this lawless thing, please investigate, Your Majesty, and do not wrong or let go of anyone."

Wei Wei Guanyao and Chen Chen Maoshu heard Zhou Zhou Xianyang's words, and their hearts felt strange.

Censorship had always been considered a clean stream. How could this Lord Zhou, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, also become shameless and start to speculate on the Emperor's will?

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao heard Zhou Zhou Xianyang's words, the corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, and he said: "The words of the three ministers are quite pertinent. This matter will be handled accordingly."

Wei Wei Guanyao and Chen Chen Maoshu heard the Emperor's words, both expressionless, just lowered their heads and called out to obey the decree.

They sighed in their hearts. The Emperor had already made a decisive decision, but he just needed the ministers to say it out loud to balance the differences in the court discussion.

Zhen Zhen Yingjia, who stole family property to the capital, was just a few words from the three of them, and the Emperor's sentence of handling it accordingly had already firmly framed his crime.

I don't know what will happen to this Prince Beijing. If he doesn't respond well, he will likely fall into a crime.

This kind of name of colluding with a disgraced official family will not make the Beijing Prince's mansion be removed from the list, stripped of its title, and confiscated like the Ningguo mansion.

But the Beijing Prince's title will end here, and it will be difficult to inherit it in the future, just like other old nobles who have been demoted, which will likely become a matter of course...

The three heads of the three judicial offices were each thinking, when Yuan Jing, a Grade 6 guard eunuch of the Ganyang Palace, walked quickly into the hall.

He said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Prince of Beijing is requesting an audience outside the Fengtian Gate, with a memorial to defend himself."

The three officials heard this and felt a slight shock in their hearts. This Prince Beijing was not ambiguous and responded so quickly.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said: "I am discussing government affairs with the ministers, and I have no leisure right now.

Since it is a memorial for the Prince of Beijing to defend himself, just submit the memorial to the palace. Wait until I have read it before summoning him to speak."

Wei Wei Guanyao and others heard this, and they all tasted that the Emperor's perception of the Prince of Beijing was really not worth mentioning.

Shui Rong wanted to bring the memorial into the palace to defend himself, but the Emperor refused to see him, not giving him any face at all, only letting his memorial enter the palace.

I heard that this Prince Beijing has a great reputation, is full of poems and books, and is good at speaking.

If he could enter the palace to defend himself, there would be an endless stream of words. Unfortunately, the Emperor didn't give him a chance at all, which was a missed wonderful scene.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao sneered: "According to the confession of the Zhen family servants in the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison, I sent someone to question the Prince of Beijing yesterday.

He said that the interaction between the Zhen family and the Prince's mansion was a matter of inner chamber relatives, which had always been handled by the Princess Zhen, and he had never asked about it and didn't know about it.

Regarding the Zhen family hiding silver, his words were vague and he was trying to shirk responsibility.

According to this logic, why do I need him to submit a memorial to defend himself? Let the Princess of Beijing Zhen defend herself to the Empress.

I am too lazy to talk about this, and let's see what his defense memorial says. The three ministers can also study it."

Wei Wei Guanyao and others were old hands in the officialdom, familiar with human feelings, worldly wisdom, and ghost tricks, and knew the Prince of Beijing's response, feeling some disdain in their hearts.

At this critical moment when the Zhen family was a convicted family, how could Prince Beijing Shui Rong not know about the interaction between the Zhen family and the Prince's mansion?

Even if the Chief Clerk and other officials of the Prince's mansion were dead and didn't know how to remind the Prince in time.

Princess Beijing Zhen had always had a good reputation and was said to be a person who understood etiquette. Now that she was interacting with her mother's family at a critical moment, it was impossible for her not to inform the Prince of Beijing.

Shui Rong used such dignified words to shirk and fool the Emperor. How could the Emperor, who was so shrewd, not despise him?

No wonder the Prince requested an audience, but the Emperor didn't give him any face, only letting the memorial enter the palace, but not seeing the person.

Only a little while later, Grade 6 eunuch Yuan Jing hurried into the hall.

Holding the memorial, he said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Prince of Beijing's defense memorial is here, please read it, Your Majesty."

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao took the memorial and just opened it and read a few lines.

He smiled meaningfully: "I didn't expect the Prince of Beijing to have such loyalty, and he has expressed his indignation at Zhen Zhen Yingjia's private concealment of family wealth.

I see that the various propositions in his memorial are quite consistent with the words of the three ministers.

Guo Lin, pass the memorial to the three ministers to read."

Wei Wei Guanyao and others saw the usually serious Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, who was discussing government affairs with officials, unexpectedly showing a smile.

It's just that this smile was really strange, full of sarcasm and disdain...

The three of them took the Prince of Beijing's memorial and browsed it quickly, and their faces also showed strange expressions.

In the memorial, the Prince of Beijing first pleaded his case, saying that the Prince's mansion had absolutely nothing to do with the Zhen family hiding silver.

The Zhen family servant came to the mansion to submit a notice to the Princess, only mentioning ordinary family etiquette, and did not mention the intention of hiding silver.

His confession in the Embroidered Uniform Guard was completely malicious slander.

He also said that the Zhen family, as a convicted family, did not think about repenting and renewing themselves, but hid silver and violated the law, deceiving the public, and their crimes were already clear.

Although the Beijing Prince's mansion was a relative of the Zhen family of Jin Ling, it absolutely dared not collude with them because of family affection.

At the end of the memorial, Shui Rong painfully analyzed the pros and cons of Zhen Zhen Yingjia's actions and begged the Emperor to punish him severely, not to be lenient because of imperial grace and leave future trouble...

Wei Wei Guanyao and others read this defense memorial, and their hearts were quite shocked, and there was a chill that arose spontaneously.

I have always heard that Prince Beijing Shui Rong had a good reputation, but I never knew he was so righteous.

Zhen Zhen Yingjia was his father-in-law. For the sake of clearing the Beijing Prince's mansion of this matter, his words were merciless, and he was full of indignation to kill him quickly...

No wonder among the four kings and eight dukes, only the Beijing Prince's lineage had not been demoted and inherited to this day, still sitting firmly in the position of prince. It is well-deserved.

Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao said indifferently: "The Prince of Beijing, as a relative of the Zhen family, can be so righteous about Zhen Zhen Yingjia's crime, which is quite rare and should not be let down.

It can be seen that the words of the three ministers are accurate and pertinent, conforming to public opinion, so handle this matter according to the discussion just now, and issue a decree to Jin Ling today.

Guo Lin, convey my decree, bestow twenty pieces of gold and silk on the Beijing Prince's mansion to show his virtue..."

Count's mansion, Tan Chun's courtyard.

In the embroidery room, it was full of people, and Jia Cong was changing the wound medicine for Tan Chun.

Sisters like Seeing Yingchun and Lin Daiyu were curiously examining it on the side, and occasionally pointing and laughing.

Tan Chun's palm injury had been nursed for nearly ten days, and this was the last time to apply medicine. After that, it only needed to be maintained for a month, and it would be healed.

Jia Cong was busy halfway, when the old woman guarding the small door of the inner courtyard came to pass a message, saying that there was a maid named Sister Xi Ren from the west mansion who came to visit the third young lady.

Everyone heard this and knew the reason. During this period, Sister Xi Ren had already come once, and naturally, it was Jia Baoyu who asked her to come and visit.

Lin Daiyu asked: "Is Sister Xi Ren alone, or is there anyone else following?"

The old woman said: "I saw it clearly. Naturally, the girl came alone. The Count has ordered many times that no men are allowed to enter the small door of the two mansions."

Seeing Yingchun heard this and her mouth twitched slightly, knowing the meaning of Lin Daiyu's question, and also knowing who she was guarding against in her heart.

Third brother said that no men are allowed near the small door, but in the west mansion, except for the eldest brother of the Xue family, there is only Jia Baoyu.

I don't know why, since Jia Baoyu's birthday, third brother seems to be increasingly displeased with brother Bao.

Every time someone mentions it, I often notice him frowning. Now even sister Lin is like this. They are especially in tune.

But sisters like Seeing Yingchun understood the meaning of this rule, but mostly felt that Jia Cong didn't like Jia Baoyu's dissolute nature, so he was particularly unwilling to be close.

Only Tan Chun guessed some of the secrets, and sighed in her heart.

Because she had heard Shi Shu mention the doubts of that day, and guessed that on Jia Baoyu's birthday, it seemed that something filthy had been done...

And very few people knew about this, and third brother happened to be clear about it, and never wanted to talk about it with her.

Jia Baoyu did such things, and often loved to implicate sister Lin, and the back courtyard of the east mansion was full of sisters in the family, so how could third brother let Jia Baoyu take half a step in...

After a while, Sister Xi Ren entered with a smile, and seeing the sisters in the house, filling the room, she was slightly stunned.

Seeing the third young master Jia Cong holding the third young lady's hand, applying ointment and tying bandages there, appearing exceptionally intimate and harmonious, with the sisters in the house watching and laughing on the side.

Sister Xi Ren saw this scene and couldn't help but be slightly stunned. This scene was not what her second young master liked most. Fortunately, he didn't see it, otherwise she didn't know how he would say sour words.

Among the people present, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, one because Jia Baoyu was always obsessed, and one because of Lady Wang's malicious framing.

Jia Baoyu loved to label himself as noble, and often said bad things about Jia Cong. They both had gaps with Jia Baoyu, so naturally, they didn't talk much to Sister Xi Ren.

Tan Chun was originally of the same father as Jia Baoyu, but since she was punished by Lady Wang's family law, she was physically and mentally hurt and annoyed.

Jia Baoyu was Lady Wang's apple of her eye, which made her feel alienated from Jia Baoyu, so naturally, she had nothing to talk about with Sister Xi Ren.

Jia Cong was not familiar with Sister Xi Ren in the first place, and now in his own mansion, he would not specially entertain Jia Baoyu's maid, so naturally, he had nothing to say.

Only Seeing Yingchun was familiar with Sister Xi Ren in the west mansion, and because she was once Jia Mu's maid, she would occasionally entertain her a few words.

Since Seeing Yingchun became Jia Cong's housekeeper, this kind of care, taking care of the overall situation, and thorough etiquette had become her natural behavior.

Xing Xing Xiuyan had lived in the east mansion since she came to the Jia house and hadn't been to the west mansion many times. She was very unfamiliar with Sister Xi Ren and was a person of few words, so naturally, she had nothing to say.

Only Shi Shi Xiangyun was the most focused, and she talked the most with Sister Xi Ren.

Because she had no twisted thoughts about Jia Baoyu, and the two of them had been talking happily since childhood, and would quarrel if they were unhappy, so naturally, she had no prejudice against Sister Xi Ren.

Plus, she grew up by Jia Mu's side when she was young, and Sister Xi Ren, because she was Jia Mu's maid, had been assigned to serve Shi Xiangyun, so the two had always been good.

It was all because of Shi Xiangyun's lively atmosphere, laughing and talking, that Sister Xi Ren ignored the implicit alienation and coldness of everyone.

She remembered what her second young master had told her. Originally, she didn't want to mention it, but at this time, she was enlivened by Shi Xiangyun, and her words became more convenient.

She thought that if she didn't mention this, her master would definitely nag.

So she smiled and said: "The Begging Festival is coming soon. We have the most girls in our mansion. When I came, our second young master asked how the young ladies plan to spend the festival.

Our second young master can help give some ideas."

Sister Xi Ren asked this because the Begging Festival on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, also known as the Daughter's Festival, is a big festival for girls in the inner chambers.

The reason Jia Baoyu asked Sister Xi Ren to ask this was because the threshold of the east mansion was too high, and he really couldn't cross it, so he could only take advantage of the Begging Festival to be closer to the sisters.

The sisters present were all intelligent people, and hearing Sister Xi Ren's words, they naturally knew Jia Baoyu's intentions.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai naturally didn't pick up the topic. They couldn't avoid him in ordinary times, so what did it mean for him to get involved in the sisters' Daughter's Festival.

Tan Chun also felt cold, and was silent.

Seeing Yingchun only had her brother in her heart. She knew Jia Cong didn't like Jia Baoyu, so she naturally wouldn't annoy her brother, and didn't pick up Sister Xi Ren's topic.

Xing Xing Xiuyan glanced at Jia Cong, thinking that it would be best to have her cousin with her for the Daughter's Festival, so why bother with Jia Baoyu.

Shi Shi Xiangyun originally wanted to laugh, but seeing the atmosphere was a bit oppressive and silent, she also stopped talking.

Sister Xi Ren saw the scene was so cold, and her expression was a bit embarrassed, thinking that for more than a year, the second young master had been alienated from the young ladies.

Now that the mistress had beaten the third young lady, it seemed that the second young master was even less liked, and his good-hearted plan didn't even get a response.

Sister Xi Ren's words made Jia Cong think that there didn't seem to be many days left until the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.

I heard that Wang Wang Xifeng was about to give birth. Could it be that Qiao'er was really born on the Begging Festival? This was a novelty for him.

This somewhat curious thought flashed in his mind, and then he thought about the meaning of Sister Xi Ren's words.

He saw Tan Chun's hands wrapped in gauze, and felt heartache, and a sense of depression arose in his chest.

He said indifferently: "Sister Xi Ren, although Jia Baoyu and I are the same age, I am still older than him. He is already over fifteen and has already been engaged.

He shouldn't think about laughing and talking with the sisters every day, and should spend more effort on serious matters like reading.

Now that he is not married, he can show some filial piety by the old lady's side. When he starts a family and establishes a career, he should think about returning to the east road courtyard to show filial piety to his father and mother.

Filial piety and etiquette are heavenly principles. That is what he should think about more. The Begging Festival is a Daughter's Festival after all. As for how to spend it, let the sisters plan it themselves.

I will take good care of the third sister who suffered in the east road courtyard, and I will not let her suffer again in the future. Tell Jia Baoyu not to worry."

Sister Xi Ren heard this, and her face turned pale. For a long time, the third young master Jia Cong had never said anything to the second young master.

Even though the third young master inherited the Lady Rongguo title and became the head of the west mansion, the master and mistress moved to the east road courtyard.

But the second young master still lived in the west mansion, which was already a bit inappropriate according to common sense.

But the third young master seemed quite generous, not asking about this matter, letting the second young master live in the west mansion, which made people feel it was reasonable.

Now why did he suddenly say such cold words... (End of chapter)