Chapter 915

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Now entering the end of the first lunar month, the weather in Shenyang gradually warmed; the women of both households, no longer confined indoors for winter, ventured out daily to enjoy the early spring sun and the gentle morning breeze.

With February approaching, Bao Yu’s wedding drew near; the Jia family had not held a marriage celebration in seven or eight years, and Jia Mu doted on Bao Yu, inquiring constantly about it these past days.

Added to this, Jia Cong had earned further merit and been appointed to the fourth-rank high post, granted the prestigious title of Vice Minister; Jia Mu saw Bao Yu’s wedding as an added joy, and insisted it be celebrated with even greater festivity and dignity.

Lady Wang, aware of Jia Mu’s thoughts, naturally sought to please her, hoping the old lady would speak more fondly of Bao Yu; every day she entered the hall to consult Jia Mu on the trivial details of the wedding.

Ying Chun, Dai Yu, and the other sisters, now that the weather had warmed and Jia Cong was away on campaign, spent most days in Rongqing Hall, often listening to Lady Wang’s endless chatter—but they paid little heed.

Dai Yu and Ying Chun sipped tea and chatted; Xiang Yun and Tan Chun played weiqi; Xi Chun sat slumped in an armchair, fiddling with a nine-linked ring; the maid Ru Hua peeled an orange and slipped segments into Xi Chun’s mouth.

Lady Wang kept talking about wedding details, eager to invite every high household in Shenyang without exception, and showed Jia Mu the guest list, making the old lady beam with delight.

The sisters had long grown weary of hearing it, finding it dull and meaningless; even Tan Chun, Bao Yu’s own sister, thought the guest list Lady Wang had drawn up was far too ostentatious.

She even planned to invite Li Dekang, Minister of Public Works—he may be Master’s superior, but Li Dekang, as Minister and head of the Six Ministries, held the highest rank in the bureaucracy; his actions carried weight far beyond the ordinary.

A Minister’s conduct sets the tone of the official world; Master’s rank pales beside Li Dekang’s, and in the Ministry of Public Works, Master has always been obscure and easily overlooked.

For Second Brother’s wedding, how could the Minister of Public Works possibly attend in person? Even if he sent a gift but not himself, it would be a great honor; yet Lady Wang has placed him at the main table—it sounds utterly absurd.

Unless Third Brother were here to hold the fort—he currently holds the title of Vice Minister of Public Works; then Minister Li Dekang would surely come. Otherwise, with Bao Yu’s standing, no such high official would ever deign to appear.

…

But Third Brother earned merit outside the city and headed north without even entering the gates; the campaign against the Mongols must be dire—he won’t return in months, and certainly won’t make it to Bao Yu’s wedding.

Lady Wang wants Bao Yu’s wedding to be grand, yet fails to weigh the logic; she overestimates the high officials’ attendance, but when invitations are sent, disappointment and embarrassment are inevitable.

Yet Lady Wang laughed and said: “Old Lady, our family’s status and titles are hereditary; our lineage thrives and our descendants multiply—that is the greatest matter for any household.

Though Bao Yu won’t marry until March, by June, when summer arrives, Cai Xia will give birth; there’s only three months between, and Old Lady will soon hold another great-grandchild—truly, joy upon joy.”

Jia Mu laughed heartily and said: “Since Lan Ge was born, our household hasn’t added a new member in seven or eight years; now Bao Yu is about to become a father. Though he’s born of a concubine, I will surely cherish him.”

Ying Chun, hearing this, couldn’t help but smile faintly; the old lady was old-fashioned, once indifferent to sons born of concubines—Huan Brother and Cong Di were both neglected in their youth.

Now that she sees how successful Cong Di has become, she realizes such sons cannot be ignored; otherwise, she wouldn’t have changed her tone before everyone, declaring she would cherish even a concubine-born son.

Shi Xiang Yun held her piece mid-move, hearing Lady Wang’s enthusiastic words, and felt something odd—how could one be certain of a child’s gender? Lady Er spoke as if it were guaranteed to be a boy—how strange.

…

Jia Mu chuckled: “I’ve seen Xia’s figure—she’s built for childbearing. I hope she enters the household soon and bears Bao Yu a legitimate son; then I’ll have all I wish for.”

Shi Xiang Yun’s heart soured; ever since Bao Yu’s reckless meddling stirred her heart to sudden awakening, she had developed deep feelings for Jia Cong, and unconsciously began to defend him.

Hearing Jia Mu’s words, she felt something was wrong—the old lady, growing old, favored Bao Yu more and more, forgetting that the household had changed: Third Brother was the true, legitimate heir.

Jia Mu, as the highest-ranking noblewoman of Rongguo, should long for the succession of the family estate most of all—if Third Brother sires an heir, the inheritance of both households will be secure—that is what truly deserves fulfillment…

Lady Wang and Jia Mu spoke cheerfully, filled with quiet pride, convinced that arranging Cai Xia’s pregnancy had been the right move; with these two joys, Bao Yu’s status would finally overshadow the Eastern Branch.

…

Just as Lady Wang basked in her satisfaction, the curtain at the hall entrance was suddenly flung open; Lin Zhixiao’s wife looked uneasy and said: “Old Lady, Second Lady—word has come from the Eastern Courtyard.

Second Master has run into trouble: this morning, after he went to court, the Ministry of Personnel issued an official notice stating that Jia Yucun of Jin Ling was guilty of corruption and abuse of power, and has already been imprisoned; Second Master is implicated as well.

According to Jia Yucun’s confession, he settled the Feng Yuan case in Jin Ling only after receiving a letter from Second Master; now the blame has fallen on him, dragging Second Master into it.

The official document accuses Second Master of moral failure in office; the Ministry of Personnel and the Dalisi have reported to the palace, and His Majesty has ordered Second Master to suspend his duties and remain confined at home for reflection, pending the conclusion of Jia Yucun’s case, after which the court will issue further judgment.”

The moment Lin Zhixiao’s wife finished speaking, everyone in the hall was stunned; Lady Wang turned deathly pale, swaying as if she might collapse—the warmth and triumph she’d shown to please Jia Mu vanished instantly.

Jia Mu had already risen to her feet; among the Wen generation of Shenyang, since the death of the eldest son, Second Master was the only one holding office—his position was already thin, inferior to the twelve branches in Jin Ling.

Yet Second Master’s official rank was an honor bestowed by the Retired Emperor, a distinction granted only to hereditary nobles; Jia Mu had always taken pride in it, and now that her son was suspended, how could she not be shocked?

She cried out urgently: “Two years ago, Cong Ge warned us that Jia Yucun was treacherous, and we severed all ties with him—how did we become entangled again? What is this Feng Yuan case? What exactly happened?!”

Lin Zhixiao’s wife replied: “Old Lady, I don’t know the details. Just now, Second Master’s servant returned to report; since Second Lady wasn’t at the Eastern Courtyard, the news reached the Western Branch.”

Lady Wang’s heart ached as if torn apart; since the Second Branch lost its rightful heir, Master Jia Zheng’s official position had become the sole shield protecting them—if even that were stripped away, the Second Branch would be utterly ruined.

Jia Mu knew Xue Pan had once been involved in a fatal case, but she didn’t know the specifics; it was not a respectable matter, and Xue Yima and Lady Wang, both proud of their reputations, never spoke of it.

Now Lady Wang dared not mention it: it was she who had persuaded Master Jia Zheng to write the letter urging Jia Yucun to intervene and clear Xue Pan of blame after Xue Pan’s servants beat Feng Yuan to death.

If the old lady learned the truth, she alone would be the root cause of this disaster; Jia Mu, heartbroken over her son’s future, would hate her as a daughter-in-law—she might never again cross the threshold of the Western Branch.

…

So when Jia Mu asked this, Lady Wang dared not utter another word; she feigned utter grief and despair, refusing to respond to Jia Mu’s questions. But after a moment, Ying Chun suddenly spoke.

“Old Lady, I’ve heard Third Brother mention the Feng Yuan case—it’s no secret; many know of it. Since you ask, I must tell you.

This matter involves Ying Lian, the maid. When she was young, she was kidnapped; before reaching puberty, she had already grown into extraordinary beauty, and the kidnapper naturally saw her as a valuable commodity.

He originally intended to sell her as a concubine to a Feng family in Jin Ling—their son was named Feng Yuan. But because Ying Lian was so beautiful, Xue’s younger brother from our side also took a fancy to her, sparking a dispute between the two families over her purchase.

When the two families fought over one maid, Feng Yuan confronted Xue’s younger brother; the latter, young and hot-headed, flew into a rage and ordered his servants to beat Feng Yuan to death, silencing his claim.”