Chapter 895: Making Marriage Ties Before the Rain

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

After Lady Wang said this, not only did Jia Zheng feel angry, but Seeing Tan Chun also felt awkward in her heart. Her aunt's words were too overbearing.

The Xue family were relatives of the second house. Even if they had to find a way to run around, they should always mention the master and Baoyu. Third Brother was, after all, from a different branch.

How could her aunt still speak as if it were a matter of course? How much she usually disliked Third Brother—had she forgotten it herself?

Now that she needed someone, she said such things, which sounded too meaningless. It was just that she was a junior, so naturally, she wouldn't speak.

Jia Mu also frowned upon hearing this. This daughter-in-law didn't know the measure of things. Her own grandson had the surname Jia, while Xue Pan had the surname Xue, and was only a relative of the second house.

This was asking someone to save a life, yet she could be so righteous. Moreover, the military stockpile leak involved military and state affairs; who would rush to provoke that?

Cong Ge'er could save Lian'er because he was his proper brother, so naturally, he was duty-bound. Xue Pan was from that side; her daughter-in-law had no brains.

Seeing that everyone was present and Lady Xue was acting as if she were dying, Jia Zheng found it difficult to lose his temper in public, lest everyone lose face.

He had to suppress his anger and said, "Cong Ge'er is away on an expedition now, and distant water cannot quench near thirst. How can he plead for Pan'er and exonerate him?

Moreover, the military stockpile leak is the beginning of the war against the Mongols. Cong Ge'er is a general fighting the Mongols. This matter is tricky; it's not as simple as you think."

Baochai felt dejected upon hearing this; her thoughts were indeed correct. Even her aunt's husband meant the same thing.

Her brother had been involved in business with Duan Chun, and she had always felt it was inappropriate in her heart, reminding him many times to cut off this connection, but in the end, it was truly as she had said.

What couldn't her brother get involved in? It just had to be the military stockpile leak. Not to mention that Brother Cong was not in the Love Shenjing, even if he were, it wouldn't be easy to intervene...

One couldn't let others bear the risk to their official career and future, and force them to help her brother exonerate and exempt him from punishment. Not to mention that Brother Cong wouldn't act rashly.

Even Grandmother and Xue Yima's husband, for the sake of the Jia family's status and safety, would only want to block this matter...

Hearing Jia Zheng's words, Lady Xue became even more flustered and said, "Originally, Cong Ge'er was the most capable, and now he happens to be away on an expedition. What should we do?

Brother-in-law, I can only count on you now. You are, after all, an official of the imperial court, and only you can save Pan'er's life."

Jia Zheng looked troubled. Originally, he was the legitimate son of the mansion, an official with a real position, controlling the abundant connections of his predecessors, which was why he could help Jia Yucun plan for a Grade 4 official position.

But now Jia Cong had inherited the title, and the connections of the Rongguo Prefecture had invisibly shifted to Jia Cong's hands. Would others still sell him face?

Moreover, the evil consequences of Jia Zheng seeking an official position for Jia Yucun had now come to fruition, leaving him with lingering fears and in a state of utter distress.

At this juncture, using his connections again to help Xue Pan wash away his crimes—not to mention that he was powerless, he was already involved in the Feng Yuan case. To provoke more trouble would be no different from digging his own grave.

He frowned and said, "A colleague just sent a letter saying that Pan'er is not only involved in the military stockpile leak case, but the Feng Yuan case in Jin Ling three years ago has also been uncovered by the Three Judicial Offices.

Pan'er's faking his death to escape has been confirmed by the Three Judicial Offices, and Jia Yucun is also to be dismissed and investigated. The Dali Temple has already reported this matter to the palace.

I heard that the Emperor is quite furious. Pan'er's two crimes are combined this time, and the matter is already very tricky. To reduce Pan'er's crime, one must plead in front of the Emperor.

Cong Ge'er is not in a position to do so now. Although I have been an official in the Ministry of Works for many years, my official position is small, and I have never had the honor of seeing the Emperor. How can I speak in front of the Emperor?"

Lady Wang had just been speaking eloquently and looking righteous, but hearing Jia Zheng's words and knowing that her husband was already angry, she immediately shut her mouth and said nothing.

Moreover, Jia Zheng said that the Feng Yuan case and Xue Pan's faking his death had already been seen through by the government and had even been reported to the Emperor.

This made Lady Wang even more terrified. Originally, it was she who persuaded Jia Zheng to write a letter to Jia Yucun, which was how the Xue family's murder case was settled.

Now that this matter had broken out again, if it involved her husband, what should she do? Lady Wang was terrified in her heart and dared not say another word...

Jia Zheng said, "Even if I want to reach out and help, I am powerless. I will find colleagues and friends to inquire about the situation of Pan'er's case.

Sister-in-law can discuss it with your brother. He is, after all, the Regional Commander of the Capital Battalion, and at least a Grade 2 military official. He can speak in front of the Emperor."

Lady Xue heard the meaning in Jia Zheng's words: the Jia family did not intend to reach out to help with Xue Pan's matter.

Although what Jia Zheng said was reasonable, Lady Xue felt unhappy in her heart, but she could only be helpless. Fortunately, she could still beg her brother when she went back.

Seeing that her son did not want to get involved in this matter, Jia Mu was also extremely willing in her heart.

She had been a noblewoman of military merit all her life and knew that any major case involving military and state affairs was a life-threatening matter. It was natural to stay far away if one could avoid getting involved.

Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and the others comforted Lady Xue, and told Baochai that if there was anything, she should send a message to Rongqing Hall. Everyone then left.

Looking at the empty hall, Lady Xue couldn't help but feel resentment in her heart and said, "The Jia family doesn't intend to reach out to help. This is truly the coldness of human relationships."

Baochai said, "Mom, no one expected that such a thing would happen. That Duan Chunjiang is truly not a good person. My brother was indeed harmed by him this time.

Brother Cong is not at home. In fact, what Xue Yima's husband said just now also makes sense. He is indeed powerless, and we shouldn't force others.

Originally, in the Feng Yuan murder case, Xue Yima's husband wrote a letter to Jia Yucun. Because of the grace of Xue Yima's husband's recommendation and wanting to climb up to the Jia family, he used means to settle the case.

Now that the old case is being uncovered again, not only is my brother's crime increased, but Jia Yucun is also convicted because of it. I fear Xue Yima's husband will also be implicated.

Without Brother Cong to support and manage affairs, I fear Xue Yima's husband is already in a state of chaos. In the end, it is our Xue family that owes the Jia family.

I know Mom is sad because my brother has had a major incident, but at this juncture, don't talk nonsense, lest you offend relatives for nothing, which isn't worth it."

Lady Xue looked at Baochai and sighed, "It's hard for you to think so carefully when the family encounters a major incident at such an age.

Mom also regrets it now. I know you have him in your heart. Originally, Mom always cared about the Xue family's face and really didn't want to wrong you.

I didn't expect that I had guessed wrong in the end. Although Cong Ge'er has never shown it, Mom is an experienced person, and I am certain he must have taken a fancy to you.

Since you have set your heart on him, why should I waste time? Take advantage of the fact that his principal wife hasn't been decided yet, and marry you to him early. Regardless of the status, it is better to be first.

Cong Ge'er has always cherished girls, and you are a sensible and understanding person, and have been moving around in the same mansion for many years. He will surely love and care for you.

As for the status, let's not discuss it for now. It is easy to seek priceless treasures, but hard to find a lover with feelings.

If this matter had been settled earlier, when your brother had a major incident, the Jia family would never have stood by and watched..."

Hearing her mother's words, Baochai felt a burning sensation all over her body. She felt both happy and sad in her heart. Her pretty face turned red, and then turned pale.

Mom would never have agreed to this originally. Now that her brother had committed a major crime, even if he saved his life, the huge living punishment would be hard to escape.

By then, the reputation of the Jin Ling Xue family would be damaged, and it would definitely not be what it used to be. Only now did Mom think of marrying her to Brother Cong.

Not to mention that outsiders would think it was worldly, isn't it too late? By then, things would have changed, and Grandmother would only fear being implicated.

It was originally a good thing for youth and love, but now I fear it is becoming increasingly remote. I should think less of him in the future, lest I seek trouble for myself and find no relief...

Baochai suppressed the acid pain in her heart and said, "Mom, at this point, why say these things? Finding a way to save my brother is the most important thing."

Lady Xue also knew that it was too late to talk about this, so she hurriedly said, "You are right. Let's take care of your brother's life first.

You write a letter first, explaining your brother's matter, and I will have someone send it to your uncle's mansion immediately, asking him to come and discuss how to save your brother."

Baochai thought for a moment and said, "Mom, although Uncle is the Regional Commander of the Capital Battalion and seems to be in a high position, being a Grade 2 official, he may not be able to save my brother."

Lady Xue said anxiously, "What are you saying? He is your own uncle. As the saying goes, a mother's brother is as great as Heaven.

Now that your brother is in a life-and-death crisis, and brother-in-law has moved to the East Courtyard and his prestige is not as good as before, this is something that can't be helped.

Your uncle is a proper Grade 2 high official and often walks in front of the Emperor. He happens to have the ability to resolve this disaster. Would he stand by and watch?"

Baochai smiled bitterly, "Mom, you think of things too simply. Although Uncle is a Grade 2 high official, his foundation has long been not as good as before.

That year, Cousin Wang Yi insulted Brother Cong's birth mother, and the two had a conflict. I heard that Cousin suffered a great loss and even left a root of illness.

Because of her resentment, Xue Yima took advantage of Brother Cong's success in the courtyard examination and instigated a scholar to submit a petition accusing Brother Cong's birth mother of being low-born and not having the qualifications for the imperial examinations.

This matter caused a great uproar at the time and almost ruined Brother Cong's future. Fortunately, the truth came out in the end."

Lady Xue said, "I have vaguely heard of this matter. Because every time I go to your uncle's house, Xue Yima is chanting scriptures in the Buddha hall and rarely comes out to see guests.

But every time there is a gift for the Jia family's festivals and birthdays, doesn't your uncle still offer congratulations? It was just the juniors below making trouble; let the matter pass."

Baochai said, "Mom, you speak lightly. Brother Cong is the Qilin of the Jia family. Xue Yima's husband esteems him more than his own son, and Grandmother is even more protective.

How could they let it go after such a thing happened? Because of this, Uncle has already broken ties with the Jia family inside. Everyone is just pretending on the surface to cover people's eyes.

Because I am close to the Jia sisters, I occasionally whisper in the boudoir, so it is definitely not wrong. Because the Xue family is now living in the Jia mansion, I have never mentioned this to you."

Lady Xue was anxious in her heart and said, "Even if the ties are really broken, it doesn't hinder your uncle from saving Pan'er. These are two different things." ===== CHAPTER 896 =====