Chapter 1265: Daiyu enters the capital, and she

At the Mansion of the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, everyone was gathered together, raising their cups and exchanging toasts.

Although they had just been through the incident with Jia Baoyu, everyone was still in high spirits.

After all, beating a child—if you're idle on a rainy day, you might as well do it.

Looking at Jia Zheng beside him, Zhang Cheng spoke up: "Uncle Zheng, Baoyu is still young. When you go back, you must speak to him properly; you must not resort to fists and kicks again!"

"This child—I have been strict with his upbringing since he was small, but who would have thought he would turn out like this!"

Speaking with irritation, Jia Zheng could not help but feel his anger flare up.

Looking at Jia Zheng, Zhang Cheng wore a look of—*fanning the flames*—regret: "Thinking back to when I passed the child scholar exam, I should have gone on to become a xiucai to continue bringing glory to our Jia family. But who knew? Mother fell ill and never recovered, and with no wealth in the house, Father had to go into trade, only to die at the hands of bandits in the end."

"Baoyu just hasn't experienced these things. If he put in some effort, and with Uncle Zheng's talent, the imperial examinations would be nothing more than child's play for him!"

Speaking to Jia Zheng, Zhang Cheng's sarcasm was so masterful that it was impossible to detect; people simply assumed he was envious of Jia Baoyu.

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Jia Zheng's eyes turned red, and he immediately said: "Jue-ge'er, with the achievements you have today, I am sure your father in the netherworld must be satisfied!"

"I wish I could think so, but I haven't even dared to tell Mother the news of Father's passing, fearing her body could not bear the weight of the grief. I could only risk my life in the bitter battles of Liaodong to win a title of honor for her!"

Looking at Jia Zheng, Zhang Cheng spoke again of his own filial piety, hearing which, Jia Zheng clenched his fists tightly.

"Everyone, I have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first!"

Draining his cup in one gulp, Jia Zheng left directly.

Watching Jia Zheng's demeanor, Feng Tang asked with a look of surprise: "What has he gone off to do?"

"Going back to discipline his child. Everyone, don't worry. Come, drink, drink!"

Watching Jia Zheng leave with a face full of smiles, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes, because 'Big-Face Bao' was likely in for a world of misery tonight!

"Hey, Uncle Zheng, where are you going?"

Entering from outside, Jia Zhen was immediately surprised to see Jia Zheng heading out.

"I am going back to discipline my son!"

Speaking to Jia Zhen, Jia Zheng boarded his carriage and hurried back toward the Rongguo Mansion.

Staring at Jia Zheng in astonishment, Jia Zhen rubbed his head in confusion: "What on earth has happened?"

After entering the main hall, Jia Zhen apologized to everyone for his late arrival.

However, when he saw Zhang Cheng, Jia Zhen smiled and said: "Could this be Jue-ge'er? I am Jia Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion."

"Oh, so you are Brother Zhen. I have long admired you!"

Looking at the Jia Zhen before him, Zhang Cheng's eyes could not help but flash with light.

Because the moment he saw Jia Zhen, he was already considering what method to use to finish him off!

One must know, there is a saying in the book: "Don't say the unfilial all come from Rong; the root of the disaster truly lies in Ning!"

What does this mean? It refers to the problems within the Rong and Ning mansions!

Everyone says the Rongguo Mansion abuses power, lends money at interest, and meddles in lawsuits, but in reality, the true problem lies in the Ningguo Mansion!

"Jue-ge'er truly looks heroic and extraordinary!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng with a face full of smiles, Jia Zhen laughed.

Suddenly hearing Jia Zhen say this, Zhang Cheng felt a chill run down his spine, and cold intent flashed in his eyes.

Because he had originally wanted to find an opportunity to finish Jia Zhen off, but now it seemed he had to act as quickly as possible.

Because there were simply too many "double-agents" within these Rong and Ning mansions, and this Jia Zhen before him was one of them!

And as for 'Big-Face Bao', whom everyone views as the protagonist, he was one too! After all, don't forget his affairs with Qin Zhong and Jiang Yuhan!

At such a young age, he played so wildly, and even because of the departure of Jiang Yuhan—that is, Qi Guan—he was sought out by the Chief Clerk of the Prince of Zhongshun, and was eventually discovered by Jia Zheng with a 'sweat-towel' and beaten on a bench!

As for what the sweat-towel was? That thing is what holds up one's underpants!

One can imagine just how outrageous these sons of dukes and marquises played!

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food,

Zhang Cheng was helped away, swaying, by Jia Wei.

However, after leaving the mansion, he immediately became clear-headed. Looking at Zhang Cheng beside him, Jia Wei asked: "Uncle, are you alright?"

"I am fine. Let's return to the imperial-bestowed residence first!"

Boarding the carriage, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but narrow his eyes: "This Jia Zhen must die!"

Not to mention the matter of Qin Keqing, in Zhang Cheng's eyes, Jia Zhen was also a thing that had to be dealt with.

Because everyone shares the surname Jia, even if they are divided between Jin Ling and the capital, who knows if this Jia Zhen might implicate him?

In his official duties, Zhang Cheng did not like trouble to arise, so he could only wrong Jia Zhen a little!

After all, he had just been promoted to Assistant Regional Commander of the Capital Garrison, in charge of the Divine Pivot Camp. If someone were to use Jia Zhen's affairs to attack him, wouldn't he be unable to wash himself clean even if he jumped into the Yellow River?

Therefore, for the sake of his official path, Jia Zhen, as a clansman, should understand the principle of sacrifice, just like when the Rong and Ning mansions sent their Jin Ling Jia clansmen to Liaodong!

With a smile on his lips, Zhang Cheng slapped his thigh: "Since I was small, my parents told me that Huangmei Opera isn't easy to sing..."

Listening to the sound inside the carriage, Jia Wei looked up with a helpless expression.

Because every time his uncle was happy, he would sing this passage.

Half a month later, a ship arrived in the capital.

Standing on the shore waiting, Zhang Cheng had prepared a carriage in advance, and quite a few people were waiting respectfully.

Stepping off the ship, Lin Daiyu said with some surprise: "Does Grandmother's family treat Daiyu with such favor?"

Looking at the large sign with the character 'Jia' raised up, and the hundred or so people busy working, Lin Daiyu immediately assumed they were sent by her maternal grandmother to pick her up.

But in reality? The people the Jia family sent to welcome Lin Daiyu were merely a few rough-handed old women and some servants!

They spoke of her as a good granddaughter, but what was the result?

Some might say that Lady Wang was the one causing trouble here; after all, when she married into the Jia family, Jia Min was the one managing the household, and she and Jia Min had conflicts because of it, so after Jia Min died, she specifically "took care" of Lin Daiyu.

But Zhang Cheng wanted to say, even if Lady Wang did that, did Grandmother Jia ever manage it?

One must know, she was still alive; could Grandmother Jia truly be completely unaware of Lady Wang's actions?

And as for the Ginseng Nourishing Pills that Lin Daiyu ate—who was the ginseng, and who was doing the nourishing? One could see that at a glance!

After all, as a family of five generations of marquises, Lin Ruhai's family wealth was not low! And he was in the position of Imperial Censor for Salt Inspection!

This is a classic case of a position with a low rank but immense power!

But after Lin Ruhai died, Lin Daiyu completely became an orphan, and eventually passed away in desolation at the Rongguo Mansion.

"May I ask, is this the Jia family here to pick up the young lady?"

Coming to the side of the person who looked like a steward, Jia Wei, an old woman asked.

"Ah?"

Turning his head, Jia Wei's face showed a look of bewilderment.

And just as the old woman finished speaking, Zhang Cheng spoke up: "May I ask, are you the daughter of the Imperial Censor for Salt Inspection, Lord Lin?"

"That's right, our young lady is exactly her!"

Speaking to Zhang Cheng, the old woman hurriedly explained.

"Wei-ge'er, pull the sedan over. Wait for my mother to arrive on the way, and we'll take her back together!"

Speaking to Jia Wei, Zhang Cheng smiled, because he hadn't expected such an outrageous thing to happen to him.

"Young Lady, something isn't right! This group of people doesn't seem to have been sent by your grandmother!"

Looking at the group of burly soldiers, and quite a few women who were clearly very beautiful but didn't look like people of the Great Gan, Xueyan hurriedly spoke up.

"We are of course people of the Jia family, but not the Jia family of the Rongguo Mansion; we are the Jia family of the Earl of Loyalty and Valor."

Speaking to Xueyan before him, Jia Wei, with a face full of smiles, said: "Take good care of Miss Lin, or I'll break your legs!"

"Yes, My Lord!"

Hearing Jia Wei's words, the Goryeo maids nodded hurriedly.

Covering her red lips, Lin Daiyu's eyes turned red, because she had boarded the wrong sedan; what was she to do now!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1266 =====