Chapter 273

In Rong Qing Tang,

Jia Zhen, facing Xia Shouzhong's arrival, felt a surge of panic, not knowing what crime he had committed!

Could it be that the affair of digging up ashes has been reported?

But he hasn't even had a chance to act yet!

As for the 'trifles' of extorting money in the Jingying and visiting brothels during mourning, he considered them nothing at all!

After all, in Shenjing city, no noble family is truly that clean; great houses always have some shady business!

Nobility differs from civil officials, and they need not be so pristine!

Moreover, even among those civil officials, who doesn't like silver?

All kinds of tribute and offerings have been collected until their hands are soft!

Therefore, he did not believe such a minor 'trifle' would lead the court to loudly come and accuse him!

At this moment, Xia Shouzhong, facing Jia Mu's inquiry, did not answer directly but spoke solemnly:

"Madam Dowager, this matter is lengthy to explain; as a bearer of the imperial command, I dare not delay—let us first read the edict."

"Your lord Jia Zheng is also present at court today; he knows the matter well. Later, Madam Dowager, you may ask him for details."

Jia Zheng indeed attended the court assembly today, but being of low rank, he stood at the rear and was merely a spectator from start to finish.

At this moment, hearing Xia Shouzhong's words, Jia Zheng's expression grew complex.

He first glanced at Lady Wang and Jia Zhen, then, with a worried look, said to Jia Mu:

"Mother, the proclamation must not be delayed; let Zhen'ge'er receive the edict first! Any words can wait until after the edict is proclaimed."

Upon hearing this, Jia Mu glanced at the soul‑lost, pallid Jia Zhen and slowly stepped aside.

Xia Shouzhong then turned, faced Jia Zhen, his expression shifting instantly from gentle to stern, and shouted:

"Wei Lie General, why do you not kneel to hear the edict!"

Jia Zhen's body trembled at Xia Shouzhong's cold shout.

He staggered forward step by step, knelt on the ground, lowered his head, and murmured:

"Your subject, Third‑Rank Wei Lie General Jia Zhen, receives the edict!"

Jia Rong beside him quickly followed, kneeling, his eyelids slightly drooping; though his face bore worry, deep in his eyes lay hidden delight.

His father has gotten into trouble! This is simply wonderful!

According to the system of the Da Han court, as long as it is not rebellion, collusion with the enemy, or any of the Ten Heinous Crimes,

houses like Ning Guo Fu, ducal mansions and hereditary noble families, will not be stripped of their titles, and he himself should not be implicated.

Jia Rong well knew that his father, though he acted lawlessly in Ning Guo Fu and even engaged in corruption and bribery in the Jingying,

had certainly not committed any of the Ten Heinous Crimes, nor did he have the capability to rebel and threaten the throne.

Thus, if his father were imprisoned and sentenced, he would likely not be dragged along.

On the contrary, he would naturally inherit the Ning Guo Fu title and become the new master of Dong Fu.

Just thinking of being free of his father's shackles, ruling the household as he pleased, law‑less and unrestrained, made his body tremble with excitement.

Jia Zheng, seeing Jia Rong's worried face and trembling body, evidently was concerned for Jia Zhen's safety.

With a refined countenance bearing a hint of praise, he could not help but exclaim:

"Rong'ge'er, truly a filial son!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Rong frantically suppressed the various treasonous thoughts in his heart, and his worried expression deepened involuntarily.

At that moment, Xia Shouzhong unfolded the edict; his voice was thin and sharp, yet every word was crystal clear:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Ning Guo Fu Third‑Rank Wei Lie General Jia Zhen, as a court official, fails to serve the state and engages in corrupt malfeasance."

"During mourning, he frequents brothels, consorts with prostitutes and drinks, harming morals;"

"While overseeing the Jingying, he accepts bribes, sells offices and titles, the illicit silver amounting to no less than one hundred thousand taels;"

"Furthermore, he coerces the Jingying Left Camp commander Zhou Jiewe and others into rebellion, causing the Jingying to mutter, resulting in the deaths of dozens of court officials, nearly a great calamity."

"The evidence is solid, gods and men alike resent it. Immediately strip him of all offices, have the Imperial City Guard apprehend him and turn him over to the Three Judicial Offices for joint trial."

"Seize his family property to compensate the illicit silver—so ordered."

Having finished proclaiming the edict, Xia Shouzhong coldly said to Jia Zhen:

"Wei Lie General, why do you not accept the edict and give thanks!"

Jia Zhen's eyes lost focus, his voice trembling, he struggled to utter before this weighty edict:

"Your subject, Jia Zhen, receives the edict and gives thanks!"

Upon taking the edict from Xia Shouzhong's hand, Jia Zhen felt his head roar, as if struck by five thunderbolts, his whole body unsteady in his kneel!

His mind filled with nothing but how the Jingying could have suddenly mutinied!!

Heavens, he never even thought of forcing Zhou Jiewe and the others to rebel!

Although he took the silver and did nothing, his intention was merely to put on a show, to exert a little pressure.

His ultimate goal was merely to get those Jingying officers to… add more pay, that's all!

Damned Zhou Jiewe, actually unable to contain himself, went straight to revolt!

How dare they! How dare they!

Meanwhile, Jia Mu and the others in the hall now understood what crime Jia Zhen had committed.

During mourning, visiting brothels, consorting with prostitutes and drinking, even taking bribes and graft—these were still not considered major offenses!

The crux is that he actually coerced the Jingying officers into revolt, causing the Jingying to mutter and kill dozens of court officials—this is indeed a serious crime!

No wonder it provoked the palace's fury; the emperor ordered the Imperial City Guard to personally apprehend him!

Jia Mu's aged face was full of complex hues; she muttered for a long time, not knowing what to say.

In the end she could only wearily shake her head, secretly thinking that when Jia Jing returns, perhaps he could devise a way to rescue Zhen'ge'er.

And the Feng Jie standing beside Jia Mu, whose pretty, gorgeous melon‑seed face was filled with a look of shock?

My mind was full of thoughts that Jia Zhen actually scooped up a hundred thousand taels of silver!

One hundred thousand taels!

That could pile into a little mountain and bury Wang Xifeng!

Counting the days, Jia Zhen had only been on assignment at Jingying for three or four months, and in this short span of nearly a hundred days she had scooped up so much!

It seems that being an official on assignment still makes the most money!

When the third brother returns, I, this "meritorious minister," must ask him for a good post, to scoop a big sum!

And the Lady Wang, whose eyes hid a hint of delight, upon hearing the edict's content,

her pure white face showed a trace of panic, and a sense of something ominous rose in her heart!

What? Jingying upheaval! And more than ten court officials died?

My own brother Wang Ziteng is the chief officer of Jingying's troop reorganization; could something have happened??

Lady Wang felt a bit dizzy, and hurriedly asked Jia Zheng beside her:

"Sir, the Jingying upheaval didn't hurt Bao Yu's uncle, did it?"

The others, hearing this, also thought of Jingying's troop reorganization being handled by Wang Ziteng, and wondered if the Wang Family's uncle had also perished?

Aunt Xue's composure vanished; Wang Ziteng was not only Lady Wang's brother but also her own blood brother,

the biggest support of her natal family, and must not encounter any mishap.

Aunt Xue's pure white face flashed a hint of panic, and she exclaimed:

"Yes! Pan'er's uncle is also in Jingying; nothing bad will happen, right?"