Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Lin Ruhai whispered, "Don't you understand this? Rather than watching you fight with the New Party, it's better to stay away from you. Out of sight, out of mind."

Jia Cong smiled bitterly and said, "Cong is sorry to my father-in-law."

"Well, when you are in the court, you have no choice. I understand this principle, and I don't blame you. Don't take it to heart."

Lin Ruhai said, "But you need to be more restrained in your actions in the future, and not be too violent, so as not to make enemies out of thin air."

"Cong will keep this in mind."

As soon as Jia Cong returned to the mansion, he saw Wang Fei rushing to report his achievements. He dismissed the servants, glared at him, and asked, "Did you gain anything?"

Wang Fei chuckled and said, "Fortunately I have fulfilled my mission."

As he spoke, the thief took out a letter from his bosom and presented it to the emperor, saying, "It seems that the elder master has not been in the government office for a long time. He forgot that there are spies in various ministries and courts. He actually handed this letter to the Ministry of Public Administration and asked my humble subordinates to intercept it and forward it to me. Please read it for your inspection."

"What did he submit?"

Jia Cong opened the letter and took a look at it. A murderous look flashed across his face and he uttered four words: "You don't know whether to live or die." There was no need to look at it carefully and he handed it to Pang Chao.

Pang Chao glanced at it and saw that it began with:

"Because the rebellious Zi Cong disregarded the grace of the emperor, disobeyed the ancestors, abused his power and disrupted the government, had private relations with the prince, colluded with the border generals, recruited his followers, and plotted against the law, I humbly beg the emperor to make a decisive decision and execute this beast immediately to bring peace to the world.

Because of his great power and noble title, he is so powerful that he can overshadow the world. It is difficult for me to teach him and I am afraid of betraying the emperor's grace. I have no choice but to kill him for the sake of justice. I have carefully selected twelve of his most serious crimes and presented them to your majesty with all my heart."

Pang Chao frowned as he read through it and said, "What a vicious plan."

How crazy and intolerable must a person be to allow his biological father to disregard the dignity of father and son and the reputation of the family and to impeach him?
Once this memorial gets out, even if the emperor does not take action against Jia Cong, his reputation will be ruined.

He went directly from being a meritorious minister of the country and a talented scholar to a disloyal and unfilial person who had no loyalty to his king or father, and became a rat crossing the street that everyone wanted to kill.

By that time, no matter how great the power is, it will collapse, because the great principles and moral integrity have been lost, and there will be no way to defend it. There is really no other way out except to rebel.

Even if you rebel, how can you gain people's support when you are condemned by thousands of people?
"Has anyone else read this memorial?" Pang Chao asked indifferently.

Wang Fei hurriedly said: "I have issued strict orders long ago that no one is allowed to spy on matters concerning you, so no one else has read this memorial.

But yesterday, the master met Ma Shang, Chen Ruiwen, Shi Guangzhu and others. "

"How did you get rid of them in the Ministry of Public Security?" Pang Chao asked again.

Wang Fei said, "Just say that this memorial has some mistakes and omissions, and I will present it after I have copied it."

Pang Chao nodded and said, "Thank goodness."

Jia Cong looked at Wang Fei and said, "If there are any rumors outside, all those involved today will be executed."

Wang Fei was startled and quickly knelt down, saying, "Don't worry, sir. I will go down and investigate carefully to ensure that everything remains peaceful."

"Go ahead." Jia Cong was not worried about Ma Shang and others spreading the news. This was just walking into a trap, and he could just accuse him of spreading false information and slandering loyal officials.

Jia Cong sent Wang Fei away and said to Pang Chao, "Please ask me to write a memorial for him. I will go see the master."

Pang Chao said, "That's easy." Knowing that Jia Cong was going to attack Jia She, he hesitated for a moment and warned, "Don't make any sudden changes on the part of the eldest master, or else there will be trouble.

In addition, this memorial is sharp in its words, full of righteousness, and airtight. It must have been written by a master, and it is not something that Lord She and his followers could have done. We must pay close attention to it. "

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir. I know what to do." Then he took the memorial and left.

The sound of horse hooves clattered as they arrived at the east gate of the Rongguo Mansion. Looking at the black-oiled door in front of him that was still as shiny as it was several years ago, Jia Cong smiled coldly. He had a narrow escape when he left that year, but today when he came again, he had to express his feelings.

When the doormen saw Jia Cong coming in person, they hurried up to serve. Some paid their respects, some opened the door, some led the horses, and some reported.

Jia Cong looked calm, showing no emotion, and asked, "Is the master here?"

"Yes, I am resting in the mansion."

Jia Cong said in a friendly voice and led his men in, only to see Madam Xing coming out to greet them personally. She said happily, "Brother Cong, you are back? Are you here to visit the master?"

Jia Cong bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam. I have something to report to the Master."

Mrs. Xing smiled and said, "She's in the study right now. I'll go with you."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said, "Madam, please go and do your own thing. You don't have to bother with me. You are not an outsider in your own home."

"Okay." Mrs. Xing agreed quickly and called the maid to serve.

Jia Cong walked in quickly and pushed open the door of the inner study, only to see Jia She drinking, laughing and playing with his two beautiful concubines. When he came in, the air in the room suddenly became tense.

"What are you doing here?" Jia She stared at him coldly, as if he were a dead person.

"Greetings to the Master, and by the way, I want to report something." Jia Cong glanced at the two women and said, "You go out first."

"Yes." The two girls bowed their heads and left.

Cheng Lingsu turned around and closed the door, while Du Dapeng brought two personal soldiers to guard the door.

Jia She was guilty of his crime, and he shouted, "What do you want to do?"

Jia Cong took a deep breath, slammed the memorial in his face, and sneered, "You, a loser, want to harm me?"

Jia She was shocked and angry. He flipped open the memorial and saw that it was the one he had handed in to the Ministry of Public Administration this morning. He was so angry that his whole body was shaking. He pointed at Jia Cong and said, "You... you... evil creature... you are so bold that you dare to intercept the memorial of the court official!"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "If it were someone else, I would not dare to do that, but my memorial has mistakes, and it is not a big deal for my son to take it back and revise it."

Jia She was extremely angry and shouted, "Do you think you can stop this letter and you'll be alright? Tomorrow I'll personally hand it over to the Military Affairs Office and see what you do!"

Jia Cong sat down leisurely and said slowly: "Excuse me for being blunt, but I don't know why a fool like you didn't just drown yourself in the urinal. Keeping him here would only bring shame to the clan."

"You! Beast! How dare you be rude to me!" Jia She was so angry that he saw stars and could hardly stand.

Jia Cong had never completely broken off relations with him, which made him always have the illusion of him as a "father". Only today did he realize that Jia Cong had never taken him seriously.

Jia Cong sneered and said, "This memorial was written by someone under the command of Prince Beijing, who ordered Ma Shang and others to pass it to you, right?
You are really naive! Do you think I can't do anything to you just because you surrendered to Prince Beijing?

The old concubine of Nan'an is still receiving guests at the Jiaofangsi, don't you know?"

Seeing his fierce expression, with no trace of father-son affection at all, Jia She panicked and shouted with courage, "Get out!"

Seeing that Jia Cong didn't move at all, he shouted loudly: "Come... uh..." Before he finished his words, he fell limp.

Cheng Lingsu put away the blowpipe, pulled out a thin needle from Jia She's neck, and said, "The anesthetic on this needle is enough to knock him out for an hour."

"Well, get started."

"Yes." Cheng Lingsu agreed, rolled up Jia She's sleeves, took out a small box from his arms, and took out a hollow needle made of bird feathers. There was a pitch-black poison sac at the end of the needle.

He raised his hand and pierced the needle into the blood vessel at Jia She's elbow. With a gentle squeeze, the poison was injected into his vein. He then pulled out the needle, wiped off the blood, and let down his sleeve again.

"Someone come here!" Seeing that everything was ready, Jia Cong shouted.

"My master has given orders." The guards at the door came in hurriedly.

"Hurry up and invite the first wife and the second master Lian to come, and tell them that the first master suddenly heard that the Empress Yuan was framed and fainted from anger."

"Yes." Soon Mrs. Xing and Jia Lian hurried over and saw Jia She slumped in the chair, unconscious, and they both burst into tears.

Jia Cong looked "sad" and sighed, "Just now I told the master about how my elder sister was framed by a villain in the palace. He was so angry that he fainted. Let's have someone carry her back to her room first. I have already sent someone to call the imperial physician."

Mrs. Xing wiped her tears and dared not say anything more. She told the servants to bring the rattan tray and the spring stool and went to take care of it herself.

Jia Lian was quick-witted. He shed a few tears symbolically, then wiped his face and said tentatively: "Third brother, look at the old lady..."

Jia Cong said calmly: "How can such a thing be concealed? Just report the truth. The person is not dead, and I think the old lady will not be too sad. The most important thing now is to protect the eldest sister in the palace."

"Yes, yes, Third Brother is right." Jia Lian nodded and bowed, "The eldest master is already old and in poor health. He was frightened suddenly this time, so I'm afraid he might have some problems. I think we should prepare for the funeral in advance and rush it out."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "You can do whatever you want. Please take care of this side. I am usually busy with official duties and have no free time."

Jia Lian said hurriedly, "Third brother, go and take care of the important things. I will take care of the family."

Jia Cong said: "Well, you don't have to work in vain. I just saw two concubines here. They are pretty..."

Jia Lian asked, "But Cuiyun and Yanhong?"

Jia Cong sneered, "You are quite familiar with this place."

Jia Lian laughed dryly and said, "We just met by chance, so we are not very familiar with each other."

Jia Cong glared at him and said, "I think the master is seriously ill this time, so he can't have any contact with women. I'll give it to you. Just take care of the family and don't let any gossip spread."

Jia Lian's eyes moved slightly, and he had heard something. It was obviously not about the aunt's matter. He hurriedly said, "Don't worry, third brother. You and I are brothers of the same mind, so there is no need for gossip."

Jia Cong nodded. Although Jia Lian was of little use, he would not do any harm.

Jia Lian leaned forward again and whispered, "Third brother, if the eldest master... has any problems, the hereditary nobility passed down by our ancestors must remain in our line."

Jia Lian was also afraid that the old lady would be partial to him. If Baoyu inherited the title, all his efforts would be in vain. If Jia Cong could be brought in to speak a fair word, the old lady would not be able to refute him.

Jia Cong sneered, "You think long-term. The inheritance of the title is governed by the imperial court's own laws. How can it be determined by the old lady's personal likes and dislikes?"

Jia Lian was overjoyed and said, "Third brother, what you said is absolutely right. I am relieved now."

Suddenly, they heard the news that the imperial physician had arrived, and everyone went to Jia She's room together.

The imperial physician examined the pulse, looked at the pupil, sighed slightly, and said: "Master, the blood is blocked by wind, phlegm and blood stasis, which is a symptom of a stroke caused by the sudden onset of anger and the attack on the heart.

I'll prescribe a few pills for you to take and see if they work. If you're conscious and can speak clearly when you wake up, you'll have a chance of recovery."

Jia Cong hurriedly said, "Old sir, please save my father's life. No matter what good medicine it is, I will find it. If you can cure him, I will reward you handsomely."

The imperial physician bowed and said, "Young Master, you are too kind. I will try my best, but human power is limited. I hope you will forgive me."

Jia Cong "choked up" and said: "That's natural, please let me do it, old sir."

Jia Lian said hurriedly: "I will go with the old gentleman to get the medicine."

After sending the imperial physician away, Jia Cong's expression became solemn, without any trace of sadness. Madam Xing secretly swallowed her saliva and said, "Brother Cong, the master's illness..."

Jia Cong looked at her and said, "Madam, don't worry. No matter what the master does, as long as you love Cong, Cong will not let you be without a place to stay when you are old."

Mrs. Xing was overjoyed and said hurriedly, "My son, I have no children in my life. If I don't love you two brothers, who else can I love?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "So, Cong and the first wife get along well. Please take care of him here, Madam. Cong is in too much pain, so he will go back and rest."

Madam Xing smiled and said, "Don't worry too much about Cong'er's passing. Life and death are determined by fate and cannot be forced by human power. I will take good care of the master."

Jia Cong stood up and said, "Thank you, Madam."

"It doesn't matter what happens."

Jia Cong returned to the East Mansion in a good mood. He had finally dealt with Jia She and settled a grudge. Seeing the girls chatting and laughing in Ruyi's room, he slipped in and made a scene with them.

Baochai asked hurriedly, "I heard that the master has an acute illness. Is it serious?"

Jia Cong shrugged and said, "Alas, it's all because of my elder sister's incident. I told him and he fainted from anger. I've asked the imperial physician to see him. Let's see what happens next."

Ruyi glared at him and said, "Why did you come back when you weren't there to take care of the sick? Your master is sick, but you act like nothing happened."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The eldest wife and the second brother Lian can just watch over me. I am just too sad and I am here to rest."

When the girls saw him smiling and talking about sadness, they couldn't help but smile secretly.

Ruyi spat, "How dare you say that? You can even laugh, you heartless fellow."

Jia Cong sneered and said, "The saints taught that if the ruler treats his subjects like dirt, then the subjects will treat the ruler like an enemy. If the ruler and the subjects are like this, how is the father and son any different? Do you agree with me, my dear wives?"

Ruyi also knew the life he had lived since childhood, so she shook her head and sighed, "You always have to act nice to outsiders."

Jia Cong said, "You are not outsiders, who am I doing this for?"

All the girls laughed: "Cunning little thief."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Pin'er, send someone to tell my father-in-law that the master has suddenly fallen ill and I have to stay at home to take care of him. I can't drink tonight."

Daiyu asked curiously, "Why did my father invite you to drink?"

"You don't know?" Jia Cong said with a smile.

Daiyu rolled her eyes at him and asked, "Know what?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "My father-in-law has found a new love, and he asked my colleagues to go and congratulate him."

The girls couldn't help but laugh. How could they talk about their father-in-law like that?

Daiyu's face turned red, she felt ashamed and annoyed, and she said angrily, "Watch out for your skin if you keep talking nonsense. Where did you learn those dirty words to make up stories about my father?"

Jia Cong said hurriedly: "It is absolutely true. My father-in-law told me this morning."

Daiyu frowned slightly and said, "Who is the sequel? How come I don't know anything about it?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Pin'er, don't worry. It's not a remarriage, but just a concubine. It was your second uncle who arranged the match. It's the sister of his favorite student, named Fu Qiufang.

Hehe... I heard that she is young and beautiful, and quite pretty. I wonder if my father-in-law can handle her." He raised his eyebrows maliciously.

The girls wanted to laugh but didn't dare to because of Daiyu's face, so they turned their heads away.

Daiyu was furious, but couldn't help laughing. Her face changed several times. She bit her lip and said angrily, "You bastard! You don't even know how to persuade people to do good things!"

Jia Cong was surprised and asked, "What does Pin'er mean by that? If my father-in-law wants to take a concubine, how can a son-in-law persuade him? Besides, there are a lot of girls in my family. Can I only allow the son-in-law to set fire and not allow my father-in-law to light a lamp? That's not appropriate."

The girls could no longer hold back and burst out laughing. Fearing that Daiyu would be embarrassed, they began to curse Jia Cong in unison.

Daiyu couldn't help laughing, she gave him a fierce look and quickly told someone to pass on the message.

Everyone was laughing and joking when Cheng Lingsu suddenly came in and whispered something in Jia Cong's ear. (End of this chapter)