Chapter 246: Jia Zhen Orders Eight Courtesans!

Then came the rude sound of the curtain being ripped open, and a strong smell of alcohol drifted in, causing Aunt Xue and Baichai to frown.

"Mother, sister, you're still not asleep?"

Xue Pan staggered in, his drunken eyes blurry as he glanced at Aunt Xue and Baichai inside, and asked in a hoarse voice.

He wore a bright red robe with an open collar, his round face flushed, his eyes dazed and staring.

Reeking of strong alcohol, he swayed onto the chair by the table as soon as he entered, looking unsteady.

Aunt Xue, seeing her beloved son return, hurried down from the couch and poured him tea to sober him.

She complained with a tone of affectionate reproach:

"You wretched scoundrel! All day you're like a wild horse out of its pen, never coming home."

"Where have you just come from? How did you end up drinking like this?"

Xue Pan grabbed the tea Aunt Xue handed him and gulped it down forcefully, then laughed loudly:

"Brother Jia Zhen of Dong Fu and Brother Rong invited me to drink at Fan Tower; Brother Jia Zhen has recently made a fortune."

"He was assigned by his uncle to Jingying to help organize the troops, wielding considerable authority."

"He's imposing on all sides, and his pockets are overflowing; the soldiers and generals in Jingying, fearing dismissal or reform, have to flatter and curry favor with him."

"Fan Tower is such a gold‑draining den that even a single visit usually makes my heart ache."

"He's been staying there almost constantly for a month, and today he even ordered eight courtesans in one breath…"

Smack!

Before Xue Pan could finish, Aunt Xue slapped his back, cutting him off.

"You worthless scoundrel! After drinking a few ounces of cat urine you can't even remember your own name, spouting nonsense!"

"It's one thing to misbehave outside, but you have the nerve to bring these filthy words home in front of your sister?"

Baichai's face flushed with embarrassment, and she turned away, intending to return to her room.

Xue Pan quickly patted his own head and pleaded to Baichai:

"Sister, don't be angry! Look at my broken mouth!"

He said, squinting his eyes, and gave a vague explanation:

"It's because Brother Jia Zhen over‑poured for me today; he's gone mad, even though he was happily listening to a little tune before."

"Then he heard the news that Champion Marquis was conferred First‑Class Gong, and his face turned gloomy; he frantically forced me to drink with him!"

"He even cursed, saying the Champion Marquis isn't anything, snatching his 'Ke'er' or something…"

When Xue Pan said that, Baichai's eyebrows twitched and her steps, about to leave, halted!

Aunt Xue thought for a moment, sighed, and said:

"It seems Brother Jia Zhen of Dong Fu has harbored hatred against Brother Jia Jing!"

"Last time he cursed Brother Jia Jing into trouble, and Jia Jing ordered men to beat him, forcing him to kneel in the ancestral hall for several days."

"Even though he is the lord of Dong Fu and a court martial hero, how could he easily swallow this grievance?"

"No wonder we've rarely seen him come to Xi Fu to pay respects to the matriarch these days; he still bears resentment toward Jia Jing in his heart!"

The last time Jia Zhen was dealt with, Lady You came to Xi Fu late at night to plead with Jia Mu, and Aunt Xue was present, aware of the matter.

However,

She never expected that after so long, Jia Zhen still harbored hatred toward Jia Jing; isn't that a bit too grudging?

Two brothers, a small misunderstanding, why go to such lengths!

As for the "Ke'er" in Xue Pan's mouth, it's the childhood name of Qin Keqing; Aunt Xue didn't know, so she paid no mind.

She just thought Xue Pan was drunk and babbling.

Baichai furrowed her brows, a hint of coolness flashing in her eyes, and said slowly:

"The elder of Dong Fu has only recently passed away, and Jia Zhen is already so debauched, showing no restraint."

"Moreover, during the mourning period he frequents brothels; not only is this a moral breach, it also violates imperial rites and regulations."

"If an imperial censor reports him, his fate will likely be dismissal and loss of office, perhaps even his title in Dong Fu may not be retained!"

"Brother, a person who knows not loyalty, filial piety, or righteousness—better to keep away from him in the future!"

Baichai's words finally carried a hint of anger, and she addressed Jia Zhen by name without respect.

She did not falsely accuse Jia Zhen; lately she has been studying the "Yan Family Instructions" and reading court gazettes and current affairs books.

She knows the Da Han Empire Law clearly states:

During mourning, officials are prohibited from entertainment: no drinking, music, marriage, theater, let alone entering brothels or other "wind‑and‑moon" establishments.

If an imperial censor impeaches for "neglecting mourning duties", once verified, the official is immediately stripped of rank.

Even if not reported, if the misconduct is exposed, the Ministry of Personnel and the Imperial Clan Office will record it as "filial impiety", barring reinstatement for life.

This is not only a moral breach but can directly become criminal punishment.

Although Jia Zhen is not a scholar‑official but a martial hero general, he enjoys greater leniency under these rites.

For example, he can continue serving in Jingying without the mourning restrictions that civil officials face.

However, visiting brothels is overly sensitive.

Even as a martial hero, once exposed it becomes a weapon for political enemies, triggering a dual crisis of morality and court.

Xue Pan shook his head, hearing his sister's admonition, and chuckled.

He didn't think much, assuming Jia Zhen's hostility toward Jia Jing upset his sister.

Xue Pan propped his elbows on his knees, tried to open his eyes wide, and boomed:

"Got it, got it! I wasn't planning to drink with him again, especially since he dares… my brother‑in‑law harbors ill intent."

"I just didn't think clearly at the time; otherwise I would have given his mother's dog a big ear‑slap…"

Xue Pan does understand his sister's feelings toward Jia Jing.

You should know that the various books and court gazettes Xue Baichai has been reading lately are all things he has painstakingly scoured from everywhere and brought home.

Regarding his sister and Jia Jing, his attitude is to raise both hands and feet in approval.

Brother Jing has already been granted the title of first‑rank duke!

Such illustrious power—he was stunned when he heard the news today!

If I had a brother‑in‑law who were a first‑rank duke, wouldn't I be able to stride around Shenjing City with impunity?

Those aristocratic nobles who once looked down on me would now have to sharpen their eyes and regard me three degrees higher!

Xue Pan imagined the grandeur of becoming Jia Jing's great brother‑in‑law, and he couldn't suppress the grin at the corner of his mouth.

Bang!

Aunt Xue again gave Xue Pan a heavy slap on his back, feigning anger as she scolded:

"You wretched scoundrel! You can't finish two sentences before you start babbling!"

"What brother‑in‑law, what brother‑in‑law? This concerns your sister's honor, and you have no right to babble!"

Xue Pan, already immune to Aunt Xue's scolding, laughed:

"This is just us family talking behind closed doors! Outside, I've never spoken nonsense!"

"Even if I'm no good, I know mother and sister are the ones closest to me; outside, I've always been protecting you!"

Upon saying that, Xue Pan sighed with a hint of self‑reproach:

"It's also my fault as the older brother, for failing to support the family business and for killing someone in Jinling."

"Having caused mother and sister to have to follow me to Shenjing, to toil and suffer, living under someone else's roof!"

Xue Pan, as he spoke, his tears were about to fall, instantly making Aunt Xue's heart ache.