Chapter 896

Rongguo Prefecture, Lixiang Courtyard.

When Lady Wang spoke these words, not only did Jia Zheng feel anger, but Tan Chun also felt a quiet unease—how domineering of the Lady to speak so.

The Xue family are kin of the second branch; even if we must seek help, we should mention Master and Baoyu first—Third Brother is after all from another branch.

How can the Lady speak as if it’s perfectly reasonable? Haven’t you forgotten how much you’ve always resented Third Brother?

Now that you need their help, you speak like this—it’s unbearable to hear, but since you’re a junior, you naturally don’t know how to speak properly.

Jia Mu also frowned at this; her daughter-in-law had no sense of propriety—her own grandson bore the Jia surname, while Xue Pan was of the Xue clan, and merely a second-branch relative.

This is a matter of begging for someone’s life, yet you speak with such arrogance. Moreover, the military supply leak concerns state affairs—who would willingly invite such trouble?

Jia Cong saved Lian-er because he’s his true blood brother—he naturally had no choice but to act. But Xue Pan? What relation is he? Your daughter-in-law has no brains.

…

Jia Zheng saw everyone present and Xue Yima acting as if she would die without help; he couldn’t erupt in anger publicly, lest everyone be humiliated.

He suppressed his rage and said, “Jia Cong is currently on campaign—distant water cannot quench immediate thirst; how can he plead for Pan-er?”

“Moreover, the military supply leak is the very spark of the campaign against the Mongols. Jia Cong is a commander in that campaign—this matter is delicate, far more complicated than you imagine.”

Baochai’s heart sank; her instincts had been right—her uncle-in-law thought the same.

Brother had been entangled in business with Duan Chunjiang; she’d always felt uneasy, repeatedly warned him to sever ties—and now her fears had come true.

Why did it have to be the military supply leak? Not only is Jia Cong not in Shenjing, even if he were, he couldn’t intervene…

We can’t ask someone to risk his career and advancement just to clear Brother’s name—not to mention Jia Cong would never act rashly.

Even Grandmother and Uncle-in-law, for the sake of the Jia family’s standing and safety, would likely try to stop this…

Xue Yima, hearing Jia Zheng’s words, grew even more frantic: “Jia Cong was always the most capable—now he’s away on campaign. What are we to do?”

Brother-in-law, I have no one else to turn to now; you’re a government official—you’re the only one who can save Pan-er’s life.

Jia Zheng looked troubled; he had once been the legitimate son of the mansion, a man with real official rank and inherited connections, which enabled him to secure a fourth-rank post for Jia Yucun.

But now Jia Cong had inherited the title; all the Jia family’s old connections had quietly shifted into Jia Cong’s hands—why would he still owe Jia Zheng any favor?

Moreover, the consequences of Jia Zheng’s past intervention for Jia Yucun had now come to roost, leaving him shaken and overwhelmed.

To now mobilize connections to clear Xue Pan’s name? Not only was he powerless, but he himself was entangled in the Feng Yuan case—further meddling would be digging his own grave.

He frowned and said, “Just now a colleague sent word: Pan-er is not only implicated in the military supply leak, but the old Feng Yuan murder case has also been reopened by the Three Judicial Offices.”

“Pan-er’s fake death has been confirmed by the Three Judicial Offices; Jia Yucun is to be stripped of office and investigated. The Dalisi has already submitted this matter to the palace.”

“It’s said His Majesty is furious—Pan-er now faces two crimes combined. The situation is extremely dire. To mitigate his punishment, we must plead directly before the throne.”

“Jia Cong is currently unavailable. Though I’ve served in the Ministry of Works for years, my rank is low—I’ve never had the honor of an audience with His Majesty. How could I speak before the throne?”

…

Lady Wang had been speaking confidently, appearing righteous—but now, hearing Jia Zheng’s words, she realized he was furious and fell silent at once.

Moreover, Jia Zheng had said the Feng Yuan case and Xue Pan’s fake death had already been exposed by the authorities—and now reported to the throne.

This terrified Lady Wang even more: she had been the one who persuaded Jia Zheng to write to Jia Yucun, ending the Xue family’s death case.

Now that the case had resurfaced—if it dragged her husband into it, what would become of them? Lady Wang trembled inwardly and dared not utter another word…

Jia Zheng said, “Even if I wished to help, I am powerless. I will ask colleagues and friends to inquire into the details of Pan-er’s case.”

“Your brother should be consulted—he is Commander of the Capital Garrison, a proper second-rank military officer, and can speak directly before His Majesty.”

Xue Yima understood the implication: the Jia family had no intention of intervening.

Though Jia Zheng’s words were reasonable, she could only feel helpless—luckily, she could still turn to her brother.

Jia Mu, seeing her son unwilling to get involved, was perfectly content with that.

Having spent her life as a military noblewoman, she knew military-state cases were always deadly matters—better to stay far away.

Jia Mu and Jia Zheng comforted Xue Yima once more, and told Baochai to send word to Rongqing Hall if anything arose—then everyone departed.

…

Xue Yima looked at the empty hall and couldn’t help but feel resentment: “The Jia family won’t lift a finger—how cold human nature truly is.”

Baochai said, “Mother, none of us foresaw this. Duan Chunjiang was truly no good man—Brother has been betrayed.”

Jia Cong is away, but Uncle-in-law’s words just now held truth—he truly cannot help. We mustn’t ask the impossible.”

In the Feng Yuan case, Father-in-law wrote to Jia Yucun; out of gratitude and desire to ally with the Jia family, Jia Yucun used his influence to settle it.”

Now that the old case is reopened, Brother’s crime is compounded, Jia Yucun is condemned—and Father-in-law may be implicated as well.”

Without Jia Cong to lead the Jia family, Father-in-law is surely in chaos. In truth, we Xue family owe the Jia family a great debt.”

I know Brother’s disaster breaks your heart, Mother—but now is not the time to speak carelessly. Don’t offend relatives for nothing.”

…

Xue Yima looked at Baochai and sighed: “It’s remarkable for someone your age to think so clearly when the family faces such crisis.”

I regret it now. I know your heart belongs to him—I always worried about the Xue family’s reputation, unwilling to let you suffer injustice.

But I was wrong. Though Jia Cong has never shown it, I’m an old hand—I’m certain he’ll choose you.”

Since you’ve set your heart on him, why waste time? While his primary wife is still unchosen, marry you to him first—regardless of rank or title, first in wins.”

Jia Cong has always cherished young ladies, and you’re sensible and understanding—you’ve been moving in this household for years—he’ll surely cherish you.”

Rank and title aside, priceless treasures are easy to find; a true-hearted husband is hard to come by.”

Had we settled this earlier, when Brother faced disaster, the Jia family would never have stood idly by…”

Hearing her mother’s words, Baochai felt a flush of heat, her heart torn between joy and sorrow—her cheeks turned crimson, then pale.

Mother would never have agreed before—but now that Brother has committed such a grave crime, even if he saves his life, he’ll suffer immense punishment.”

When the Xue family’s reputation in Jin Ling is ruined, we’ll be nothing as we once were—and only now does Mother think to marry me to Jia Cong.”

Others will see this as crass opportunism—surely even you think it’s too late? By then, everything will have changed—Grandmother herself may object.”

What should have been a tender, youthful union now seems ever more distant—I must stop thinking of him, lest I torment myself endlessly…”

…

Baochai suppressed her inner ache and said, “Mother, at this point, why speak of such things? Saving Brother is what matters most.”

Xue Yima knew it was too late to press further: “You’re right—first, focus on Brother’s life.”

“Write a letter explaining everything—have someone deliver it at once to your uncle’s mansion. Ask him to come and discuss how to save your brother.”

Baochai paused, then said, “Mother, though Uncle is Commander of the Capital Garrison, holding second-rank rank, he may still not be able to save Brother.”

Xue Yima cried out, “What nonsense! He’s your own uncle—there’s a saying: maternal uncle is as great as heaven.”

Brother’s life hangs in the balance, and your father-in-law has moved to the Eastern Courtyard—his influence is nothing like before. That’s unavoidable.”

Your uncle is a proper second-rank official, frequently before the Emperor—he’s precisely the one who can resolve this crisis. Surely he won’t stand by?”

…

Baochai gave a bitter smile: “Mother, you’re oversimplifying. Uncle may be second-rank, but his foundation has long since crumbled.”

Years ago, Cousin Wang Yi insulted Jia Cong’s mother; they clashed, and Cousin Wang suffered a severe defeat—and still bears the injuries.”

Aunt, furious, took advantage of Jia Cong’s top ranking in the Academy exams to have her household scholar submit a false accusation: claiming Jia Cong’s mother was lowborn and unfit for the imperial exams.”

The scandal erupted wildly, nearly destroying Jia Cong’s future—luckily, the truth eventually came out.”

Xue Yima said, “I vaguely recall this—whenever I visit your uncle’s house, your aunt is always in the Buddha hall, rarely seeing guests.”

“But every year during festivals and birthdays, your uncle still sends greetings. It was just the younger generation acting foolishly—let it go.”

Baochai said, “Mother, you make it sound so easy. Jia Cong is the Jia family’s precious heir—Uncle-in-law treats him better than his own sons, and Grandmother fiercely protects him.”

After such an incident, how could they let it pass? Your uncle’s ties with the Jia family have been severed—what remains is only superficial politeness, a facade.”

Because I’m close to the Jia sisters, I’ve heard private words among us—there’s no mistake. Since we live under the Jia roof, I’ve never mentioned this to you.”

…

Xue Yima, anxious, said, “Even if ties are truly broken, that doesn’t prevent your uncle from saving Pan-er—these are two separate matters.”