Chapter 480: Undercurrents Stir

At Rong Qing Tang,

Jia Mu listened to Jia Jing's remarks and, for some unknown reason, felt a bizarre sensation as if the three grandsons were saying short things to a short man and hair remarks to a bald man!

After all, if Rong Ning Second Residence hadn't produced such a scourge, it probably still wouldn't compare to the Prince of Nan'an's mansion.

Of course, we haven't oppressed the lower‑rank soldiers like they have, but with my eldest son's prodigality, it seems he hasn't been short of disciplinary violations!

Thinking of this, Jia Mu's aged face froze for a moment; she forced a smile and said:

"As long as you have a clear idea of these matters, that's enough; I'm just speaking plainly!"

Zhen's eyes flickered, she pressed her pink lips together, suppressed the tremor in her heart, and spoke softly:

"Duke Jing's words are profound! Only today do I realize that this reorganization of troops and clearing of settlements is not only for the realm and the lower‑rank soldiers, but also to give an accounting to the first‑generation meritorious officials who fought the world alongside the founding emperor."

"Their spirits in heaven surely would not wish to see their descendants become like this today."

She paused, and her tone grew more sincere as she said:

"The Prince of Northern Tranquility's residence may not match the power of Nan'an or Dongping, but it does understand what is right and wrong on a grand scale."

"Our prince ordered yesterday that every manor in the residence touching the military settlements be listed and reported, with a deadline for return, leaving not even a single mu unreturned."

"The prince also said that Duke Jing's reorganization is to eliminate corruption for the nation and usher in lasting peace. The Prince of Northern Tranquility's residence wishes to attach itself to the horse's tail and contribute a modest share of effort."

This is outright flattery and a proactive move to align with the side!

Facing Zhen's slightly reverent gaze, Jia Jing lifted his tea cup, took a shallow sip, and with a softened expression said:

"The Prince of Northern Tranquility is a rare man who understands reason and the bigger picture; although he has held high office these years, he seldom uses his power to oppress others."

"His residence is also orderly, with a clean family tradition, and I have not heard of any seizure of military lands or oppression of the people—truly commendable!"

He paused again, his gaze deepening, and said with a hint of meaning:

"And it does not owe any deficit to the court…"

According to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's intelligence, Prince of Northern Tranquility Shui Rong is a wealthy prince, fairly cultured and upright, who values idle talk,

He himself has not committed any disciplinary violations, yet he is also not a person of practical ability!

As for the latter remark about the deficit, it naturally refers to the Zhen family owing the court several million taels of silver in Jiangnan.

If the Zhen family does not handle this properly, they will ultimately be unable to escape the fate of a clan confiscation!

Considering today's circumstances, Jia Jing gave Zhen a wake‑up call!

Zhen, hearing this, froze with her jade‑like complexion, a sudden chill in her heart, wondering what Duke Jing meant.

Suddenly shifting from the matter of the military farms to the court deficit, it must be a pointed reference; with his status, he could not speak useless nonsense!

Indeed!

He is pointing at his own maternal family, the Zhen clan.

How could she not know that her natal family, having repeatedly hosted the late emperor and the Retired Emperor, incurred a huge unpaid silver debt to the court!

In fact, this involves not only the silver but also entanglements with the Retired Emperor, a matter of considerable significance…

Just as Zhen's thoughts fluttered, Lady Li set down her tea cup, a friendly smile brightening her fair face, and said:

"Duke Jing's words warmed my heart. Not to hide from Duke Jing, after receiving the military order from the Ministry of War yesterday, my father‑in‑law spoke up."

"He said that clearing the military settlements is a grand court plan; any manor under the Nian family involved with the settlements must be listed and reported without delay, and this is also the intention of my younger uncle!"

Jia Jing nodded, pondering, and said:

"I correspond regularly with Liang Gong, and I understand his meaning!"

Honestly, Nian Gengyao's recent days have not been easy!

Since Sun Jiacheng impeached him for extravagance in the regular court over a month ago, countless upright censorial officials have submitted memorials accusing him of 'abusing achievements to act arrogantly', 'forming cliques for personal gain', and 'accepting bribes', among other charges.

This has also led him to frequently write to Jia Jing, requesting a bit of favor in the court!

From Jia Jing's perspective, the original plan was to find an opportunity to transfer him from Liaodong back to the capital for a post,

First, to prevent him from staying too long at the border town and becoming unchecked, as happened historically leading to a royal death sentence; second, to make way for Qin Qiong.

After all, regardless, when he first entered the army, Nian Gengyao had indeed shown him some favor!

Meanwhile, Nian Shilan, with beautiful eyes fixed on Jia Jing, heard this and felt a slight shock in her heart, wondering what Duke Jing's words meant.

His second brother's letters must have mentioned his own family affairs many times; Duke Jing's clarification—does it mean consent or… dissent?

The group chatted a few more sentences, and as time drew near, Feng Jie curled her phoenix‑like eyes, clapped her hands and laughed:

"Oh dear, once we get to business it never ends; the old lady is a birthday star today, we can't let her starve! The table is set, does Third Brother think we can start the feast?"

Jia Jing glanced at the sky, nodded.

Thus, everyone rose in turn, preparing to take their seats.

Jia Jing, however, went to the outer hall to drink and dine with the male guests and members of the Jia Clan!

At the same time, the Prince of Nan'an and the Prince of Dongping were stripped of their posts, ordered to return to their residences for reflection, and within three days must list and report all seized military farm lands under their names and voluntarily return them, without hesitation.

Or rather, today many nobles in Shenjing are awaiting the outcome of the Nan'an Grand Consort and the Dongping Crown Princess's visit to the Jia Mansion, to decide the next steps!

When the news that the Nan'an Grand Consort was pulled out of the Jia Mansion spread, Shenjing was shrouded in ominous clouds, and hidden currents surged.

Qian Qing Gong, inner study.

In the afternoon, Emperor Jing Sheng was reviewing memorials submitted by the Ministry of Communications while listening to Xia Shouzhong's report on the events at the Jia Mansion.

After listening, Emperor Jing Sheng lifted his brush on the imperial desk paper, wrote a line, pondered briefly, then asked:

"Who went to the Prince of Nan'an's residence yesterday?"

Though the question was vague, Xia Shouzhong understood the emperor's intent and bowed, saying:

"Your Majesty, after the morning court was dismissed yesterday, Chen Ruiwen of the Duke of Qi's residence, Ma Shang of the Duke of Governance's residence, Qi Jianhui of the Marquis of Xiangyang's residence, and Xie Qing of the Marquis of Dingcheng's residence all went to the Prince of Nan'an's residence."

"The Crown Prince Mu Chen of the Prince of Dongping arrived later; the few of them held a private discussion in the residence for about an hour and a half, and what exactly was said is unknown to outsiders."

"We only know that after the dismissal, Chen Ruiwen returned to his residence and gathered a few retainers; Ma Shang sent men toward Tongzhou that night, and Qi Jianhui visited several marquisates."

"During their movements, each harbored … words of resentment toward the court's military orders and Duke Jing."

Jing Sheng Di set down his brush, lifted the tea cup and took a sip, his face still expressionless, and said lightly:

"It is not beyond my expectation. Zi Jie's words today at Rong Qing Tang were good; the faces of those ancestors have been completely disgraced by these unfilial descendants."

Xia Shouzhong dared not follow up on the remark, only slightly bowed and waited quietly aside.

Jing Sheng Di fell silent for a moment, then asked again:

"Is the Grand Madam of Rong Guo this year in her seventies?"