Chapter 275

In Rong Qing Tang,

just as the people of the Jia Mansion were astonished by Xia Shouzhong's sudden change of demeanor,

Xia Shouzhong had already composed himself, and first politely said to Jia Mu:

"Madam, this matter is settled! I still need to go to the Wang Family, so I won't trouble your residence any further!"

Then he immediately turned his gaze to Jia Zhen, who was kneeling on the ground, and adopted a businesslike expression.

Xia Shouzhong's soft face bore a hint of coldness as he shouted to his subordinates:

"Come! Seize Jia Zhen and take them away!"

With his command, the four eunuchs behind him immediately split into two pairs, one on each side, holding Jia Zhen's arms and preparing to push them out.

Jia Zhen had been staring blankly at the imperial edict, but now, seeing that they were about to be taken away to prison, they suddenly snapped back to their senses.

They dared not struggle, and could only, with a fearful expression, urgently call out to Jia Mu and Jia Zheng for help:

"Grandma, second uncle, we are family; please save me!"

"Go to the palace and plead with the Emperor for leniency; I was only momentarily confused, I didn't know Jingying would erupt…"

Jia Mu, advanced in age, could not bear this scene of life-and-death separation, and her aged face was filled with gloom.

Her lips trembled slightly as she sighed sorrowfully:

"You have been enjoying privileges in Dong Fu, acting lawlessly; I will not intervene."

"Brother Jia Jing also sent someone to admonish you, urging you to be cautious, yet you ignored it and even grew to resent Brother Jia Jing!"

"Now you have caused such a great disaster; the Emperor is thunderously angry, and what can we possibly do to save you!"

Having witnessed Emperor Jing Sheng Di's incomprehensible majesty on the throne today, Jia Zheng dared not go to the palace to plead for Jia Zhen.

He wrestled with his expression for a moment, then slowly lowered his head and consoled:

"Brother Jia Zhen, go with peace of mind! I will take good care of things over at Dong Fu!"

Hearing Jia Mu and Jia Zheng's words, Jia Zhen's heart instantly grew cold, and their face turned completely pallid.

However, Jia Mu's mention of Jia Jing's name seemed to give them a lifeline, and they urgently pleaded:

"Grandma, please ask Third Brother; he is now a big favorite before the Emperor!"

"If he is willing to speak a word for me, the Emperor will surely show mercy for my minor offense!"

"Also, our old family acquaintances, let them all write petitions for me; the Jingying upheaval has nothing to do with me!"

"I am also a victim! It was Wang Ziteng who reorganized the troops and forced Jingying officers to rebel; he is the real culprit!"

At this point, with the dead comrade gone and the poor one still alive, Jia Zhen can only throw the blame onto Wang Ziteng!

Jia Mu and Jia Zheng, seeing Jia Zhen's frantic and evasive behavior, silently sighed in their hearts.

Regarding Jia Zhen, they would certainly try to save them, but now it would be inappropriate to say much in front of Xia Shouzhong.

Meanwhile, the kneeling Lady Wang glared at Jia Zhen with eyes full of hatred!

This scoundrel from Dong Fu, greedy and corrupt, caused such a disaster and ruined his own brother!

Now not only does he refuse to repent, but he also shifts the blame, slandering his own brother—truly shameless, a beast behind a human face!

Auntie Xue and Wang Xifeng also frowned at the nonsensical Jia Zhen, their gazes full of displeasure!

Compared with Jia Zhen, they would certainly favor their natal family member Wang Ziteng!

Seeing Jia Mu and Jia Zheng remain silent, as if abandoning them, Jia Zhen hurriedly turned his head toward You Shi and Jia Rong in the hall, urgently instructing:

"Madam, Rong'er, you must find a way to save me; be sure to look for connections, don't fear spending silver…"

This is the closest Jia Zhen has ever been to You Shi and Jia Rong in this lifetime, both in attitude and in address.

You Shi, standing beside Jia Mu, had a once‑radiant, fair face now turned pallid and haggard, her eyes filled with worry and helplessness.

She has always been indecisive; otherwise she would not have allowed Jia Zhen to run amok in Dong Fu unchecked.

Hearing Jia Zhen's request, her mind became a tangled mess, unsure how to respond!

After a moment of daze, she could only turn her head with a sorrowful expression, unable to bear watching Jia Zhen's pleading "ugliness" any longer!

As for Jia Rong, she suppressed a surge of exhilaration, forced a few strands of sorrow onto her face, her eyes slightly moist as if worried about her father's downfall.

Yet her gaze flashed with a hint of indifference, her emotions fluctuating, already fantasizing about the joyous days when she would become the master of Dong Fu!

'Accepting bribes, forcing Jingying officers to rebel, and causing the tragic deaths of dozens of court officials,

Such crimes should be unforgivable, right?

Even if not executed outright, at the very least they should be stripped of rank and exiled.

From now on, I, Lord Rong, will be the new ruler of Ning Guo Fu; though I can only inherit a fourth‑rank general title, it will suffice!

Starting today, I will lock the doors and enjoy life, as long as I don't follow my father's reckless habit of taking up official duties,

with Ning Guo Fu's noble lineage and hereditary wealth, living carefree for decades will be no problem!'

Jia Rong thought to herself.

He had decided to learn from his father's lesson and henceforth wield power and enjoy pleasures within his own residence, drinking and reveling, never venturing out to serve or take risks!

Thinking of finally rising after being suppressed for over a decade, Jia Rong's body trembled slightly with excitement,

her breathing grew coarse and uncontrolled, and she even felt a degree of gratitude toward Zhou Jiwei and others.

Jia Zheng, standing beside Jia Rong, saw her "over‑sorrowful" state, his body trembling, and couldn't help reaching out to pat her shoulder,

softly comforting, he said:

"Brother Rong, relax! Since Brother Jia Zhen got into this mess, the burden of Dong Fu will now fall on you!"

Hearing this, Jia Rong squeezed her own thigh, her face twisted in grief, and cried out:

"Father… Father is old, how can he endure the hardships of prison? Little nephew truly… truly wishes to take his place!"

Jia Zheng, upright by nature, was unaware of Jia Rong's hidden motives, and upon hearing her, was moved and said:

"In times of peril, one's character shines; Brother Rong, you truly are a filial son of our family!"

Just as Jia Zheng and Jia Rong were exchanging the heartfelt words "you are kind, I am filial," the eunuch beside Xia Shouzhong gave Jia Rong a glance and was momentarily stunned.

The eunuch then walked to Xia Shouzhong's side and whispered a few words into his ear.

Xia Shouzhong's expression hardened; he turned his gaze toward Jia Rong and said coldly:

"Jia Zhen's child Jia Rong is also on duty at Jingying, has privately taken bribes from Jingying officers, is implicated in the case, and will be taken away together!"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone in the hall was stunned.

What? Brother Rong is also implicated??

Jia Rong's complexion changed dramatically; for a moment she couldn't react, and her twisted face was filled with shock and fear!

Jia Rong suddenly lifted their head, still with fresh tear tracks on their face, their eyes full of unwillingness at gaining only to lose again!

My good days as the lord of Dong Fu are over??

The duck I had in hand just flew away like this?