Chapter 271: Lady Wang: The Heavens Have Eyes!

Inside Rong Qing Hall, as the little maid reported,

the previously solemn atmosphere was instantly shattered, Jia Mu had no mind to continue dealing with Jia Zhen, stood up, and asked in a hoarse voice:

"Has another imperial envoy arrived from the palace?"

These days the Jia Mansion has been visited by imperial envoys far too often; either the inner supervisor of the emperor comes to deliver a decree rewarding Jia Jing, or the senior palace lady of the empress brings the mansion gifts of clothing, food, and jewels.

Jia Mu, having become somewhat accustomed to visitors from the palace, showed a hint of surprise in her expression but did not appear flustered.

She instinctively thought that Jia Jing had again achieved merit in the northwest, and that imperial envoys came to the Jia family as usual to confer titles or present imperial gifts.

Jia Mu pondered briefly, then concluded it was probably not a decree of reward, since Jia Jing had just been granted the rank of First Rank Duke, and further promotion would be difficult.

Nevertheless, it was possible; after all, that wayward grandson's speed of gaining offices and titles was so rapid that his affairs could not be judged by ordinary logic!

In any case, an imperial envoy's visit to the mansion was certainly a good sign!

Beside them, Mrs. Xing, Lady Wang and the others clearly thought along the same lines, their expressions calm as they looked at the little maid, hoping to hear what good news she brought.

Of course, Lady Wang appeared composed on the surface, but her hand clutching the Prayer Beads could not help but silently tighten a little more.

Seeing the illegitimate son of the main branch bask in endless glory all day made her feel as if a snake were biting her heart, an unbearable discomfort.

Meanwhile, Aunt Xue turned her pure white face toward her beloved obedient girl, eyes questioning: Could it be that a princely title is being granted so quickly?

Baichai sensed her mother's questioning gaze, gently shook her pear‑white, delicate face to indicate denial.

She had spent the past days studying carefully; nowadays, a military merit in the court could not easily lead to a princely title for a different surname.

The only certain path was to eliminate False Qing and, using the late emperor's edict as proof, to do so without dispute!

But Jia Jing was about to conclude his campaign in the northwest, making it clearly impossible to swiftly eradicate False Qing, and thus a princely title could not be granted so soon!

Feng Jie looked toward the sullen Jia Zhen in the hall with a hint of smugness, her arched eyebrows lifted, her watery, lively eyes containing a smile.

Given Third Brother's astonishing power and the emperor father's favor, the few clueless, greasy scoundrels of Dong Fu,

still covet the Qin family's accounts, it is as if they intend to blind their own hearts!

Now the Qin family is the treasure she uses to curry favor with Third Brother; she will by all means prevent Dong Fu from ruining her good plans!

At this moment, Jia Zhen seemed to grasp Feng Jie's smugness and couldn't help mutter inwardly:

"What's there to be happy about? If it's a decree to confiscate and prosecute the family, I don't believe that the main branch's illegitimate son can have a smooth life forever!"

In the hall, Daiyu, Yuan Chun and the other young ladies also turned their gazes toward the little maid who came to deliver the news.

Their expressions carried a hint of worry, unlike Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing and the others who presumed it was good news.

Because they had always observed a trace of panic and fear in the little maid's demeanor when she reported news.

And the direction of that panic and fear seemed to point toward Dong Fu… Jia Zhen.

"Madam, the imperial envoys from the palace have come to prosecute and arrest people! They are accompanied by many imperial city officials!"

The little maid's words struck like a bolt from a clear sky.

The sudden bad news left Jia Mu and the others feeling as if struck by lightning; their faces turned pale, their limbs grew cold, and it seemed the heavens had collapsed.

Jia Mu, who had just stood, suddenly went limp and plopped onto the couch, lamenting:

"Is this… is this Jia Jing's wrongdoing? A disaster befalling the family? I knew it… I knew it…"

Jia Mu slapped her thigh repeatedly, shouting, her eyes reddened!

It's no wonder Jia Mu overthought.

First, the little maid's vague report made people's initial impression that they were coming to search and seize Rong Guo Mansion.

Second, Jia Mu had always harbored a worry that Jia Jing's early rise to high office might be either blessing or curse, leaving her with an uneasy feeling.

Third, a few days earlier she had heard Jia Zheng and many senior relatives say that many civil officials at court were dissatisfied with Jia Jing and were waiting to catch him in fault!

Thus, combined with the sudden news of officials arresting people, it directly linked the suspicion to Jia Jing.

After all, it could not possibly be the honest Jia Zheng or the bedridden Jia She who committed a crime, could it?

Rong Guo Mansion had only three officials outside; eliminating two leaves Jia Jing as the only likely one to encounter trouble!

Beside Jia Mu, Feng Jie, who had previously shown a hint of pride, now also turned pale, unable to believe it!

Third Brother, such a high‑ranking official, a dignified Prince of the State, the remarkable figure spoken of just days ago—could he be prosecuted by the emperor so swiftly?

She turned her head with difficulty, looking at the little maid who delivered the news, wanting to ask something but trembling so she could not speak.

Meanwhile, Lady Wang's face now showed a trace of delight; she tried to restrain herself but could not control it at all.

Oh heavens, she finally got the day she'd been waiting for; all those days of praying to gods and worshipping Buddha have finally taken effect!

The main branch's illegitimate son has fallen… fallen… he finally met his downfall!

Overcome with joy, Lady Wang could think of nothing else and blurted out:

"Jia Jing is of the main branch; even if he commits a crime, it has nothing to do with my second branch, right?"

Mrs. Xing, already trembling with fear and pallid, heard Lady Wang's words.

Her face instantly flushed with a surge of blood, turning crimson; she turned her head and glared at Lady Wang with a fierce stare, as if wanting to slap her!

Yuan Chun and Tan Chun frowned, their gazes toward Lady Wang carrying a hint of reproach.

Even though Lady Wang was their mother, saying such a tactless, disavowing remark at this moment,

even some heart‑less words that seemed to relish misfortune, left the two rather dissatisfied.

Yuan Chun had, a few days earlier, heard from Lady Wang that Jia Jing had once insulted her as a 'ignorant foolish woman', and still harbored a few small resentments toward Jia Jing,

but now that feeling vanished instantly; how could her own mother turn into such a character… truly, she wasn't wrong at all!

Baichai, Xiang Yun and the others all furrowed their brows; given their gentle and virtuous natures, they could not help feeling that Lady Wang's behavior at this moment was truly excessive!

Third Brother, such a good person, was friendly to relatives within the mansion and upheld family conduct, and outside he always showed respect to elders during festivals, never treating anyone poorly.

The second branch's Baoyu and Lan, now studying at the clan academy, the elder sister was also tasked by Third Brother to leave the palace, and the third maid now manages the vast family estate.

Third Brother could be said to have been exceedingly benevolent toward the second branch; how could the second lady be so 'wolf‑hearted and dog‑souled'!

Meanwhile, Jia Zhen at this moment leisurely sat on a chair beside the table, assuming a relaxed, spectator's posture.

While picking up a cup of tea to wet their throat, they said:

"Granny, I've told you before, Jing Ge'er is so overbearing, lawless, and without any scruples."

"Everyone out there has been offended by him; it's only a matter of time before something happens! As I expected, it's indeed come to pass!"