Chapter 430

In the hall, Lady Wang glanced sideways, staring at Feng Jie, her eyes flashing cold light, resentment welling up in her heart.

This damned Feng Jie, always picking on me; just wait, sooner or later I'll give her a good lesson!

However, Mrs. Xing, who had been a spectator all evening, couldn't stay idle; after glancing at Lady Wang, she likewise spoke in a sarcastic tone:

"Since Jia Jing has spoken, we naturally ought to do as he says!"

"You sister-in-law just caused a disturbance that unsettled the whole family last month, and now, taking advantage of Jia Jing's trouble, you're stirring up wind and rain in the mansion, even dragging your natal family in as mediators!"

"The third miss offended you last time when she was acting as steward, and now you want to marry her off—your Sima Zhao's heart is obvious to all; you're being overly presumptuous!"

As soon as Feng Jie spoke up, Mrs. Xing immediately realized; it's rare that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law present a united front, together defending Jia Jing and reproaching Lady Wang.

It must be said that Mrs. Xing's words, though somewhat affected, directly pointed out Lady Wang's ill-intentioned scheme.

Basically, you just spoke of discord between the legitimate and illegitimate last month, and now you're pretending to be a kind mother here!

Rong Qing Tang - Qingqing Hall? Actually Rongqing Hall -> Rong Qing Tang

All major and minor affairs in the mansion are naturally decided by our own Jia Jing; your little sneaky tricks can't fool anyone's eyes!

Lady Wang's face was grim; she silently turned the prayer beads in her hand, her resentment soaring, feeling utterly devoid of dignity.

In front of so many people, even her own natal sister-in-law, she is thus being attacked in turn by the elder branch's mother-in-law and daughter-in-law; how can she, as the second branch's lady, still have any face to show in the mansion?

Shanguogong Duke Manor - State Duke's Repair Manor

Prince Nan'an Manor - House of the Prince of Nan'an

Mainly, the young ladies cannot interject in the ladies' conversation, especially when discussing marriage matters; Yuan Chun, this unmarried young lady, had better not say much at this time.

Aunt Xue could say a couple of words, but helping either side is awkward—one side is her natal family, the other is Jia Jing; after thinking it over, she feels it's better to say less to avoid mistakes.

Imperial City Guard - Imperial City Office

Five City Military Command - Five City Military Office

Feng Jie and this eldest daughter-in-law usually get along fine, but as soon as anything concerning that wicked third grandson is mentioned, they change faces faster than anyone.

Cabinet Minister - Cabinet Minister

"Let's wait for Jia Jing to return, hear his and Jia Zheng's opinions before deciding! See how they're thinking; a family should discuss more."

Current Cabinet Minister - Current Cabinet Minister

Imperial Relatives and Nobility - Imperial Relatives and Nobility

Jiangnan Great Families - Jiangnan Great Families

Soon after, Jia Zheng walked in, full of worries, his face solemn; seeing his expression, Jia Mu's heart sank, and she hurriedly asked:

"Jia Zheng, why have you come? Has there been news of Jia Jing? Or has something else happened outside?"

His Majesty - His Majesty

Check if any missing: "Imperial City Guard" we have as Imperial City Guard. "Five City Military Command" as Five City Military Command. "Shenjing" as Shenjing. "Jiangnan" as Jiangnan. "Pingyuan Marquis Manor" as Pingyuan Marquis Manor. "Shanguogong Duke Manor" as Shanguogong Duke Manor. "Prince Nan'an Manor" as Prince Nan'an Manor. "Duke Manor" as Duke Manor. "Marquis Manor" as Marquis Manor. "Summer Inner Minister" as Summer Inner Minister. "Cabinet Minister" as Cabinet Minister. "Grand Secretary Fang" as Grand Secretary Fang. "Current Cabinet Minister" as Current Cabinet Minister. "Imperial Relatives and Nobility" as Imperial Relatives and Nobility. "Jiangnan Great Families" as Jiangnan Great Families. "Virtuous and Noble Consort" as Virtuous and Noble Consort. "Prince Nan'an" as Prince Nan'an. "His Majesty" as His Majesty.

Also "Lady Wang" appears but we have Lady Wang in glossary. Did we include Lady Wang? Yes we missed. Need to add Lady Wang.

Also "Phoenix Sister" we have Feng Jie.

Also "Lady Xing" we have Mrs. Xing.

Also "Grandmother Jia" we have Jia Mu.

Also "Jia Zheng" we have Jia Zheng.

Also "Yuan Chun" we have Yuan Chun.

Also "Daiyu" we have Daiyu.

Also "Jia Jing" we have Jia Jing.

Also "Aunt Xue" we have Aunt Xue.

Also "Prayer Beads" we have Prayer Beads.

Also "Rongqing Hall" we have Rong Qing Tang.

Also "Wang family" not appear.

Also "Lady Wang" appears many times; we need to add.

Thus add:

Just now, Xia Neixiang from the palace, accompanied by people from the Imperial City Guard, passed by the front gate of the mansion, came in especially to speak with me, and there is a result regarding Jing Ge'er's attack.

"How could there be a result so quickly? Which vicious, ruthless thug came from where, actually using such despicable means against Jing Ge'er?" Jia Mu patted the soft cushion, angrily scolding.

Others also turned their inquisitive and concerned gazes toward Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng's expression turned somewhat solemn, and he said:

Xia Neixiang said, according to the confession of the captured thugs, it is a group of people sent by Senior Grand Secretary Fang of the Cabinet and several major families of Jiangnan, as well as the Pingyuan Marquis's Manor and the State Repair Marquis's Manor...

Jia Zheng's voice was full of disbelief; obviously he could not fathom that a cabinet minister would actually participate in such despicable plot of hiring assassins to kill.

"Fang Ge Lao, the Jiangnan families, the Pingyuan Marquis's Manor, and the State Repair Marquis's Manor?" Jia Mu's face changed, and she exclaimed in shock.

"How could it be them?"

If speaking of the Pingyuan Marquis's Manor and the State Repair Marquis's Manor, it's barely understandable, as Jing Ge'er recently formed a grudge with them.

But how could Senior Grand Secretary Fang of the Cabinet be involved? I've never heard that Jing Ge'er offended him!

Everyone in the hall also looked astonished, never expecting that behind the scenes these several powers were colluding.

Daiyu pinched her handkerchief, a flicker of thought passing through her clear, dark eyes; she mostly understood court affairs, and it seemed this Senior Grand Secretary Fang was from Jiangnan!

Jia Mu stared blankly for a moment, her thoughts raced, and she hurriedly asked:

"Did Xia Neixiang say what the palace's attitude is? This matter involves a cabinet minister, a ducal manor, and a marquis's manor."

"The State Repair Marquis's Manor is still related to the imperial clan; his daughter was recently ennobled as Virtuous Consort, and it's said she is greatly favored by the emperor."

"The Pingyuan Marquis's Manor and the Prince of Nan'an's household are also relatives by marriage; these families are not insignificant, so trying to press charges based solely on the confessions of a few thugs is unlikely to be easy! By the way, Jing Ge'er didn't act impulsively, did he?"

Upon hearing the three words "Virtuous Consort," Lady Wang's eyes flickered, and she involuntarily looked toward her eldest daughter, Yuan Chun, beside her.

With such jade-like complexion, graceful and luxurious bearing, and a nature suited to the home, if not for the hindrance of the short-lived bastard son of the main branch, she would surely have been ennobled as a consort in the palace by now!

In recent years, the daughters of several families of martial merit from the founding lineage were selected together to enter the palace as concubine candidates; she had also seen the daughter of the State Repair Marquis's family, which fundamentally lacked the dignified beauty and lovely appearance, the prosperous aura of her own eldest daughter!

Originally, it was also her daughter who first brought news from the palace of an imminent happy event; who would have thought that after that bastard son joined the army and rose steadily, her daughter would fall into obscurity.

On the contrary, the second-rate daughters of those other families kept being granted consort titles, letting their parents and brothers bask in reflected glory.

Yet her own outstanding eldest daughter was eventually taken out of the palace, gaining nothing, which would have been bad enough; now she is growing older day by day, and it seems she will soon be left on the shelf as an old maid.

No! Absolutely not!

My eldest daughter's talent and demeanor are unfit for an imperial consort; at the very least she must become a princess consort!

A glint of firm resolve flashed in Lady Wang's eyes, as if she had secretly made a decision.

"Don't you understand Jing Ge'er's nature, old lady? He is always upright and unyielding, decisive in action; with evidence, how could he not act?"

Listening to Jia Mu's mature and steady words, Jia Zheng's face grew solemn, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Jia Mu said, uncertain and doubtful:

"How so? Could it be that Jing Ge'er has already come into conflict with them?"

This matter is no small thing, involving the current cabinet ministers and imperial relatives; in Jia Mu's view, even with the thugs' confessions, it should be thoroughly investigated, evidence gathered from all sides, and a memorial submitted to the emperor, to obtain his assent after careful consideration, only then would it be prudent!

Jia Zheng said in a deep voice:

"The emperor has ordered Jing Ge'er to take command of the Imperial City Guard and the Five City Military Command, to thoroughly investigate this assassination case and purge Shenjing."

After Jing Ge'er obtained the criminal's confession, he dispatched troops to surround the Fang Manor, Pingyuan Marquis Manor, and State Maintenance Duke Manor; now, all three households have already been ordered by him to be ransacked.

The Fang Manor also has the children and family members of the Jiang and Shi households, all of whom have been arrested together and taken to Zhao Yu and subjected to strict interrogation; according to the Inner Minister, several families resisted arrest with weapons, and furthermore, many people both high and low have also been killed.