Chapter 813: The Mystery of the Fatal Disaster

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, East Road Courtyard.

Liu Liu Binfang sized the two up, guessing that the news of the East Courtyard had reached the Lady Rongguo Prefecture and these two must have been sent by the Jia family to negotiate.

Lin Lin Zhixiao walked up and said, "I am the outer courtyard steward of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Lin Lin Zhixiao. I have been instructed by the Matriarch to speak with you, Official."

Liu Liu Binfang turned his gaze toward Jia Baoyu. Since Lin Lin Zhixiao was merely a family servant and Jia Baoyu appeared to be a master of the Jia family, speaking with him would be more effective.

He asked, "I don't know how to address this Young Master?"

Jia Baoyu saw Liu Liu Binfang in his official uniform, his speech solemn, his gaze deep and unfathomable, making him difficult to read.

Jia Baoyu felt a bit panicked, as if suppressed by the other party's aura. His face flushed red, and he couldn't say a word for a moment.

Although he had been to the Prince of Beijing's mansion a few times and had seen officials who composed poetry, they were always gentle and refined toward him.

Their speech was casual, lacking Liu Liu Binfang's solemn official aura, which made Jia Baoyu, who despised officialdom, feel extremely uncomfortable.

Originally, when Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife came to pass the message for him to handle the official trouble in the East Courtyard, Jia Baoyu had been determined not to go.

To have him, a person of such lofty aspirations and pure character, deal with yamen runners and constables was simply absurd and a waste of a person like him.

Fortunately, Sister Xi Ren said from the side, "Now that there is official trouble in the household, and neither the Master nor Third Young Master Cong is at home, you are the only adult man in the house."

"Naturally, you must be the one to handle it. Besides, it was the Matriarch who asked. If you are unwilling to go, the Matriarch might let it pass."

"But if the young ladies in the house hear that you couldn't handle the matter, they will likely look down on you, and you won't have any face left."

……

Jia Baoyu heard this and thought of the sisters who had gone to the Ningguo Prefecture and would never return, all poisoned by Jia Cong, that "moth of officialdom."

They thought Jia Cong's ability to handle official social affairs was some great skill; they must have looked down on everyone in the world.

If Jia Cong could do it, why couldn't he? Since it was the Matriarch's order, even for the sake of filial piety, he bit the bullet and went.

He would let Sister Lin and the others see what kind of person he really was.

He thought generously, but having grown up in the inner chambers and rarely seeing the dangers of the world, he was terrified when he truly saw this group of sword-wielding yamen runners.

He had originally regretted it, but encountering this Vice Prefect of the yamen, who was accustomed to interrogations, his words carried a stern authority.

Just one scrutinizing look caused Jia Baoyu's heart to collapse, and he couldn't answer for a moment.

Lin Lin Zhixiao said from the side, "This is the Bao Er Ye of the second branch of the East Courtyard, Jia Baoyu. He was also instructed by the Matriarch to come and speak with you."

Liu Liu Binfang's gaze was somewhat playful as he said, "Is this the 'Jewel-born' Young Master Jia Baoyu rumored in the capital?"

Jia Baoyu felt embarrassed upon hearing this, but his body felt a sense of relief. He hadn't expected this official to be somewhat knowledgeable.

Lin Lin Zhixiao frowned slightly. The Bao Er Ye of the household had ordered that the jade on Jia Baoyu's neck was a taboo and that no one in the household was allowed to mention it again.

He quickly said, "The Bao Er Ye does have a jade, but we dare not say it is miraculous. Official, just listen and forget; don't take it seriously."

Jia Baoyu felt a sense of grievance hearing Lin Lin Zhixiao's words, thinking this old slave was talking nonsense. Everyone knew about it, yet he was trying to cover it up here.

Constable Xu, who was a coarse man, laughed upon hearing this: "If you say he has a jade, then I recognize this Young Master. He's the one who said the Retired Emperor was a..."

Liu Liu Binfang didn't wait for Constable Xu to finish, shouting softly, "Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Constable Xu woke up instantly, saying awkwardly, "This subordinate spoke too quickly. I deserve to die; please don't blame me, Prefect."

……

Jia Baoyu felt ashamed and humiliated by Constable Xu's mockery. He had only said a few idle words in the inner chambers, and the Imperial Clan Court had come to his door to scold him.

He had been severely disciplined by his father because of this, and the matter had passed for a long time. Was he still not humiliated enough?

Now even a lowly constable wanted to use this matter to tease him. There was truly no justice.

He only had a higher insight than ordinary people, yet the world wouldn't let him be. It was simply unreasonable……

Although Liu Liu Binfang stopped Constable Xu's teasing, it didn't mean he had a good impression of Jia Baoyu. He didn't bother to look at Jia Baoyu again.

He said to Lin Lin Zhixiao, "The Zhen'an Prefecture has received a complaint involving a homicide. I am here to arrest the suspect, Qin Yong. Does the steward have anything to say?"

Lin Lin Zhixiao said, "Official, you may not know, but although Qin Yong is a family servant, his conduct is not upright."

"The household has not assigned him any duties, and he does not often walk about the mansion."

"We servants don't understand the government's arrest matters. The Matriarch has ordered me to invite you to the outer courtyard for tea first."

"A message has been sent to the Ministry of Works. The Bao Er Ye is on his way back to the mansion. Please wait a moment."

Liu Liu Binfang understood Lin Lin Zhixiao's meaning. A steward couldn't make the decision to arrest Qin Yong; they had to wait for Jia Zheng to return and make the call.

The Lady Rongguo Prefecture was a Duke's mansion, not an ordinary commoner's home. Qin Yong was a servant of the second branch, effectively private property.

For the Zhen'an Prefecture to arrest Qin Yong, they naturally had to get Jia Zheng's knowledge and consent. This was also a matter of propriety.

……

Lin Lin Zhixiao stepped forward to knock on the door. After a while, the black-oiled gate opened slightly, revealing Qin Linjiang Xian's terrified face.

He asked, "Why is Steward Lin here? Government officials are at the door, and the Master and Mistress are not at home. I had to close the gate tightly and dare not let anyone in."

Lin Lin Zhixiao sneered, "Qin Linjiang Xian, you raised a good son; he really brought glory to our Jia family!"

"The Matriarch ordered me to receive the officials. You take people to guard the inner courtyard; don't worry about anything else."

Qin Linjiang Xian felt his legs go soft upon hearing these cold words, and he opened the black-oiled gate tremblingly.

Liu Liu Binfang acted with propriety, taking only Constable Xu and one runner into the courtyard, while the other runners guarded the main gate.

Along the way, he spoke a few words with Lin Lin Zhixiao, seemingly having forgotten the idea that a servant's words didn't count.

Constable Xu had been quick-tongued earlier, saying unpleasant things, but although Liu Liu Binfang stopped him in time, it was just to save face for the Jia family.

But what Liu Liu Binfang thought in his heart was actually no different from Constable Xu.

A person who insulted the Retired Emperor and was demoted by the Imperial Clan Court was already a living dead man in the eyes of the world.

As a government official, he naturally had to consider the palace's stance. It was better to stay away from this Jia Baoyu to avoid any idle talk……

Jia Baoyu followed along, but seeing that neither Liu Liu Binfang nor Constable Xu paid him any attention, as if he didn't exist, he felt a sense of relief.

He had been extremely unwilling to deal with the officials, and had only come because he was provoked by Sister Xi Ren's words.

Seeing that these filthy officials didn't bother him anymore, he felt a sense of ease.

But seeing the Prefectural Vice Prefect not talking to him but chatting enthusiastically with Lin Lin Zhixiao,

as if chatting with a slave was more interesting than talking to him, made Jia Baoyu feel uncomfortable again……

……

Liu Liu Binfang had only been seated in the main hall for a short while when he heard footsteps outside and saw Jia Zheng entering the hall hurriedly with his personal servant.

Liu Liu Binfang stood up and said, "I am the Vice Prefect of Zhen'an, Liu Liu Binfang. I have met Master Jia. I am here on official business and have disturbed you; I hope you will forgive me."

The Vice Prefect of Zhen'an held a sixth-rank title, lower than Jia Zheng's fifth-rank position as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, which is why Liu Liu Binfang addressed Jia Zheng as "Master Jia" and referred to himself as "this subordinate" according to official etiquette.

Jia Zheng had been filled with anger and shame since hearing the news. He had always been cautious and careful, yet his household was not at peace, and such a wicked servant had emerged.

Hearing Liu Liu Binfang's polite words, he quickly said, "My family education is lacking, and such a wicked servant has emerged. I am truly ashamed and let you see a joke, Official Liu."

Liu Liu Binfang said, "Master Jia, you need not blame yourself. It is said that a large tree will inevitably grow withered branches. A great household has many people, so it is not strange for one or two such cases to occur."

"I heard from the steward that this person has no duties and does not often walk about the mansion. I don't know where he resides."

Jia Zheng said, "This wicked slave is the only son of the East Courtyard steward, Qin Linjiang Xian. Servants with steward duties in the mansion all live under the corridor of the back street."

Constable Xu said from the side, "Prefect Liu, we have already arranged for people to guard the back street. As long as Qin Yong walks in or out of the back street, he definitely won't be able to run."

"Please, Master Jia, tell us where Qin Yong lives so this subordinate can take people to arrest him."

Jia Zheng hurriedly asked Li Gui to lead the way and take Constable Xu to the back street to arrest Qin Yong.

After only a short while, Constable Xu returned hurriedly, saying that they had searched Qin's residence but did not find Qin Yong.

Jia Zheng called Qin Linjiang Xian to question him. Qin Linjiang Xian said Qin Yong went out yesterday afternoon, did not return all night, and was nowhere to be seen this morning.

Liu Liu Binfang said, "Master Jia, Qin Yong is involved in a homicide case, and he is a servant of the Jia family's second branch."

"I am acting in my official capacity and need to search the interior and exterior of your mansion, both to find his whereabouts and to clear your name, Master Jia. I hope you will understand."

Jia Zheng sighed and said, "Lin Lin Zhixiao, send a message to the inner courtyard. Let the female relatives take temporary shelter in the inner hall so the yamen can search for Qin Yong."

Once Lin Lin Zhixiao made the arrangements, Liu Liu Binfang personally led the runners to search the inner and outer courtyards for Qin Yong, ordering his men not to damage any property.

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the hall; it was Jia Cong, who had received the news from the Matriarch and hurried from the Association Hall to the East Road Courtyard.

After a short while, Liu Liu Binfang led the runners out of the inner courtyard and returned to the outer hall.

He said to Jia Zheng, "I have searched the inner and outer courtyards and found no trace of Qin Yong. I have offended you and disturbed you, Master Jia." ===== CHAPTER 814 =====