Chapter 274

Even Feng Jie at this moment couldn't continue thinking about the matter of the hundred thousand taels of silver; she turned her gaze to Jia Zheng, and a hint of concern appeared on her face.

Although due to the estrangement between him and Lady Wang, Wang Ziteng's relationship with her is not as close as before.

But after all, he is still her natal family; she still does not wish for anything to happen to Wang Ziteng!

Faced with everyone's eager gazes, Jia Zheng hesitated a moment, then replied:

"His maternal uncle Baoyu is fine; those who died are the right vice censor-in-chief, the director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and several officials from the Ministry of War."

Upon hearing Jia Zheng's words, Lady Wang, Xue Yima, and others let out a long sigh of relief, the anxiety in their hearts instantly settling.

Only Yuan Chun's plump face showed a hint of solemnity, she furrowed her brows, a trace of worry in her beautiful eyes, and she pressed further:

"His uncle oversees the Jingying; now that such a great disturbance has erupted in the Jingying, he will surely be held accountable by the court, right?"

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang's face paled a little more, and she said in a trembling voice:

"This… this can't be? Wasn't it said that the rebel was the commander forced to revolt by Little Treasure?"

"Baoyu's maternal uncle has always been careful and steady in his actions; this has nothing to do with him, right!"

The more Lady Wang spoke, the softer her voice became, obviously feeling guilty about saying this.

Tan Chun's face grew solemn, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and she said:

"The Jingying is in turmoil; as the chief official in charge of its rectification, his uncle will hardly be able to avoid responsibility!"

"However… if his uncle can swiftly quell the rebellion, he might still be able to offset his crimes with merit!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang hurriedly said:

"Yes! Yes! Yes! That's the idea! Baoyu's maternal uncle is a capable man; a little disturbance can't topple him!"

Having said that, Lady Wang turned her gaze to Jia Zheng, hoping to hear an affirmative answer from him!

"Capable?!"

Jia Zheng's face looked somewhat strange; he hemmed and hawed, and for a moment, facing everyone's gazes, he didn't know how to explain.

Lady Wang watched Jia Zheng's behavior, which was just like Jia Huan's, and feeling both angry and anxious, she urged:

"Sir, what exactly happened? Do tell us!"

Jia Zheng had originally intended to cover up a bit for Wang Ziteng, but since Xia Shouzhong was also present, he simply spoke frankly:

"Baoyu's maternal uncle led troops to suppress the rebellion, but suffered a crushing defeat!"

"Now the emperor has already issued an edict to arrest him together with Little Treasure and interrogate them for their crimes!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang felt as if struck by lightning, as though the heavens had collapsed.

Her body swayed, waves of dizziness washed over her vision, and she said in a trembling voice:

"Baoyu's maternal uncle is also to be arrested and interrogated? This… this truly is a calamity falling from heaven…"

"Impudent!"

Before Lady Wang could finish speaking, she was sharply cut off by Xia Shouzhong's shrill voice!

Xia Shouzhong's face bore a layer of cold frost, his gaze fixed on Lady Wang as he said:

"Thunder and rain, dew—all are the emperor's grace! Wang Ziteng, in charge of training the troops, is incompetent as a commander; the emperor's censure of him is in accordance with law and reason."

"How dare a lady of the inner chambers speak insolently and make groundless criticisms!"

Xia Shouzhong's sinister, soft voice was full of severity, instantly making the atmosphere in the hall solemn.

Lady Wang suppressed the grief in her heart, only then realizing she had misspoken.

To describe the court's censure and punishment of Wang Ziteng as a calamity from heaven—is this not indicative of a grudging resentment!

Faced with Xia Shouzhong's cold, stern gaze, Lady Wang's eyes lost focus, as if she had lost her parents,

She felt only that great disaster loomed overhead, her heart momentarily filled with panic.

Fortunately, Jia Mu, having seen the world, first glared fiercely at Lady Wang and rebuked angrily:

"Ignorant foolish woman, what madness are you acting out in broad daylight!"

Jia Mu was also full of anger at Lady Wang's several utterances of nonsense today; this daughter-in-law used to seem to have some sense.

But looking at her now, she's no better than the eldest branch's wife!

I really was blind back then—how could I have found such wives for both my sons!

Faced with Jia Mu's scolding, Lady Wang could only turn deathly pale, kneel on the ground, and plead:

"I didn't mean it that way, daughter-in-law; I was saying that the Jingying mutiny is a calamity from heaven, not a criticism…"

"Enough!"

Jia Mu cut off Lady Wang's explanation.

She knew that explaining further now would be useless, regardless of whether you intended to criticize the emperor,

but the fact that your words indeed raise such suspicion is enough!

Now the key is still to seek favor from Xia Shouzhong, to make this major matter a minor one!

Jia Mu, thinking of this, smiled at the grim-faced Xia Shouzhong and said:

"Senior Official, the ladies of the inner chambers are unaware of propriety; in a moment of emotional urgency, they spoke improperly, but they meant no disrespect to the superiors."

"Please, with your magnanimity, do not stoop to her level!"

Xia Shouzhong narrowed his long eyes, gave Lady Wang a glance, and said in a sinister tone:

"One can eat food indiscriminately, but one must not speak recklessly! In front of your servants, the mistress of your household dares to speak improperly."

This shows that she still lacks a bit of reverence in daily life! If this were another household, based solely on this sentence, the servants could charge her with the grave crime of contempt for the emperor.

"But…"

Having said that, Xia Shouzhong paused, then looked toward Jia Mu,

his tone softened a bit, his expression gaining a touch of a friendly smile, and he said:

"After all, your household is not like others; the Duke of Jingguo has rendered service to the state, and the servants also hold you in great esteem."

"This time, for his sake, the Jia family will let it pass! But the Grand Madam must still discipline her own daughter‑in‑law from now on!"

Xia Shouzhong, after a bout of knocking and striking, handled it with weight then released it lightly, quietly letting the matter pass!

He both upheld Jing Sheng Di's authority and saved face for Jia Jing!

Of course, more importantly, those words were spoken by Lady Wang.

Xia Shouzhong knew that Jia Jing disliked Lady Wang, having once called her an ignorant, foolish woman, which is why he spoke and acted this way.

If it had been other sisters close to Jia Jing in the Jia Mansion, or Jia Mu, he would likely have pretended not to hear.

This is also the experience he has accumulated: applying different standards for different people.

When Jia Mu saw the internal ministers beside the emperor openly say they would give their own wayward grandchild face, her aged face showed a hint of complexity.

After bowing, she said in a hoarse voice:

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, venerable internal minister, for your generosity! When Jia Jing returns, I'll have him host the internal minister as a gesture of goodwill!"

Xia Shouzhong waved his hand, his smile growing warmer, and said with a laugh:

"This is a trivial matter; how could I trouble the Duke of Jing to intercede? It's enough that he knows the Jia family's goodwill!"

Just a moment ago it was 'the great crime of despising the Emperor,' and now it's turned into 'a trivial matter.'

Xia Shouzhong's sudden shift from arrogance to deference, flipping his attitude like turning a page, left everyone in the Jia Mansion stunned!

In fact, it's no wonder Xia Shouzhong's demeanor when mentioning Jia Jing was overly humble, even bordering on flattery.

Indeed, no one knows Jia Jing's standing in Jing Sheng Di's heart better than his personal chief eunuch.

He even kept something to himself, never telling anyone: he had several times, after Jing Sheng Di fell asleep, heard the emperor mutter Jia Jing's name in his dreams!

Such a level of trust, where the emperor worries about him even in his dreams, was something he had never seen in any other minister or even a prince.

It is terrifying upon close reflection!

Thus, even though he was a hidden attendant following the emperor's personal chief eunuch, he must treat any matter concerning Jia Jing with utmost respect and caution!

Truly, the emperor's favor is extraordinary!