Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 744: Imprisonment for the Third Time
Jia Cong knew that she had been close to Sun Can and Sun Chi since childhood, so he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Yan'er. Do you think the eldest prince will definitely ascend the throne? That's absurd."

Ruyi was startled and asked hurriedly, "What do you mean?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Mr. Pang has just analyzed this with me. Your Majesty suddenly appointed a royal concubine, allowed the eldest prince to open a palace, and took him to the Military Affairs Office for instruction. It seems that the emperor has his own ideas and personally selected the future emperor, but in fact, it is not the case. This is a case of pretending to be real while pretending to be real."

Ruyi hurriedly asked, "Isn't this enough to prove that the emperor favors my elder brother?"

Jia Cong said: "If the emperor really has high hopes for your elder brother, and has done it so obviously, why does he need to hang a jade box in the Qianqing Palace? Isn't it redundant?"

Ruyi nodded slowly and said, "That makes sense. Then why do you think father did this?"

"Mr. Pang said that your majesty's actions are an illusion to confuse people. Last time, you hid the imperial edict in a box, and this time you showed it to the Crown Prince in front of everyone. It was a cover-up.

It is hard to guess what he is really thinking, and it is even a question whether there is an imperial edict in the box.

The purpose is to protect the true heir to the throne." Jia Cong whispered.

Ruyi frowned and said, "Is it necessary to be so mysterious?"

"Yes. Now the whole court, the civil and military officials, the princes, and even the scholars of the world are eyeing the position of crown prince. If a crown prince is not appointed, public opinion in the court and the public will be difficult to calm down, and evil books will emerge in an endless stream, stirring up a storm in the city.
If a crown prince is appointed, he will inevitably be involved in party struggles, and may be sacrificed in vain, and even the imperial power may be shaken.

That's why Your Majesty has come up with this plan, to make everyone guess who the real crown prince is. Your elder brother is just a target held up by Your Majesty to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and in the end it will be a false alarm. "Jia Cong said with a smile.

Ruyi suddenly realized and said with a smile: "From what you said, father still loves my second brother."

Jia Cong smiled but said nothing, fearing that it might not be the case. He did not want to make Ruyi worry, so he smiled and said, "Okay, are you happy now? Come to sleep with me, your husband."

Ruyi said angrily, "You stupid face!" Then she paused for a moment and said, "Why not invite Pin'er along as well? She hasn't been feeling well these days."

Jia Cong asked, "Is it because of the conflict between me and my father-in-law?"

Ruyi nodded and said, "Besides this, what else is there? I heard that after Li Chao died, her cousin wrote a letter with very sarcastic words. When she heard that you were demoted, she wrote another letter to gloat over your misfortune, which made Pin'er very angry."

Jia Cong sneered and said, "You ignorant bitch, even if I am a commoner, it would be easy for me to kill her. I will go to see Pin'er."

Ruyi hurriedly pulled him aside and said, "Pin'er was afraid that you would be angry, so she didn't allow me to tell you. If you tell the truth, how can we sisters get along?"

Jia Cong then sat down and said, "Forget it, that bitch doesn't even understand the principle that disaster comes from the mouth. Humph! Since she wants to die, I will help her. Now, let her live a few more days."

Ruyi said: "You, you have been demoted to the rank of first-class baron, why do you still care about those flies, and don't even think about how to regain the emperor's favor.

I thought that in a few days, when Father's birthday comes, I will present some good things to him, and then you can make an apology and let Mother and I speak for you, isn't that enough?"

Jia Cong put his arm around her shoulders and sighed, "Yan'er, it's amazing that you still care about me."

Ruyi rolled her eyes at him and said, "You are my consort. If I don't think about you, who should I think about? Fortunately, the Queen Mother is still as kind to you as ever."

Jia Cong stroked her hair and said, "Yan'er, don't worry. You shouldn't interfere in the affairs of the court. Don't worry, I have my own ideas."

"But... you have become a first-class earl. Even if you are not anxious, others will be anxious for you." Ruyi said with a pout.

Seeing her lovely appearance, Jia Cong was delighted. He leaned over and kissed her on the lips, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, your man won't always be a first-class earl. By the way, since I've demoted your title this time, will Baojie and Pin'er also lose their title of Lady Dingguo?"

"What do you think? If the roots are gone, are there still leaves?" Ruyi said unhappily.

Jia Cong said, "Oh, I never expected that I would implicate the two ladies. I am so guilty."

"You can still laugh? Do you want to piss me off to death?" Ruyi snorted and turned her head away.

The two were flirting with each other when they heard a palace maid come to report that an angel had arrived to convey an imperial decree.

Jia Cong hurried out and welcomed the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict to the hall. Seeing that he was not holding the imperial edict, he thought it was an oral or handwritten order, so Jia Cong was too lazy to kneel to receive it, but just bowed and stood solemnly.

The eunuch glanced at him, took out a handwritten letter, and announced: "Your Majesty, a case of sorcery has been uncovered recently, involving First Class Earl Jia Cong. I have ordered you to temporarily detain him in the Taiwan Prison to assist in the investigation. I decree this."

Jia Cong's eyes turned cold, and he slowly stood up, looking at the eunuch without saying a word. The personal soldiers in the hall came in with their knives drawn, looking at the eunuchs coldly, as if they were dead people.

The young eunuchs were all startled, feeling as if they were being stared at by several tigers and wolves, and almost peed their pants in fear.

The middle-aged eunuch in the lead hurriedly said, "Don't misunderstand, Shao Bao. I just want you to go and assist in the investigation. I have no other intentions. Going to the Taiwan Prison is just a formality."

Jia Cong knew that torture was basically non-existent in the Taiwan Prison, because those imprisoned were all high-ranking officials, and were often political prisoners. They might be reinstated one day, and they would meet each other every day, so there was no need to take things to the extreme.

Yin took the handwritten note and read it, and said, "In that case, please wait a moment, angel, until I have settled my family and come back."

"Yes, yes, young master, please do as you please. I'll be waiting." After the leading eunuch said this, he hurried out and waited in the gatehouse in an orderly manner.

He had just seen murderous intent in Jia Cong's eyes, exactly the same as when he rushed into the palace on the night of Tu Fei's rebellion. How could he dare to say no?
Jia Cong sat upright in the hall, holding the imperial edict and clapping it on his palm, and ordered someone to invite Pang Chao to come.

"Brother Cong, what's the matter?" Pang Chao hurried over.

"Please read this, sir." Jia Cong handed him the handwritten letter.

After reading it, Pang Chao frowned and said, "Now the axe is ready."

Jia Cong asked, "Is the arrow already on the string?"

Pang Chao shook his head slightly and said, "The wording of this imperial edict is gentle, as if he is afraid that you will misunderstand it. It seems that it is mostly a test. It seems that His Majesty has not yet decided what means to use against you, so he will imprison you first."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "From what you said, Master, can we go to the prison?"

Pang Chao said, "You can go. But you can't go alone. Since His Majesty wants to test you, why don't you test him as well? Please do this and that."

Jia Cong clapped his hands and said, "Okay! Someone come..."

After hearing the order, Du Dapeng hurriedly sent someone out on horseback to report the news.

Soon, Niu Jizong, Wang Ziteng, Liu Fang, Hou Xiaokang and other core members of Jia Cong's party arrived. When they entered the door, they glared at the eunuchs in the gatehouse, almost scaring them to death. They were afraid that Jia Cong would gather people to rebel and they would be the first to be killed.

"Young Master, I heard that the emperor ordered you to be held accountable?" Niu Jizong strode into the hall and asked.

Jia Cong passed the imperial edict to them and read it, saying with a smile: "Don't panic, my brothers. The emperor ordered me to assist in the investigation. I think it's not a big deal. Cong has been in Wei Prison and Tian Prison, but never in Tai Prison. It's good for him to go in and have some fun."

Wang Ziteng frowned and said, "I'm afraid someone is secretly harming me."

"Yes, it's absolutely necessary!"

Liu Fang sneered, "Someone must have spread rumors in front of the emperor. I think it would be better to send a signal, mobilize the troops, and make a feint to let the higher-ups know that we cannot be easily insulted. This will solve the problem once and for all. If we let the young guard take the risk alone, the risk will be too great."

"Yes! Let's do it! We have tens of thousands of soldiers at our disposal, why should we be afraid of him? Just make a military remonstrance and kill that bastard Dai Quan first.

I don't think your majesty would go against us just for a castrated dog." Hou Xiaokang said.

"Yes, that's right! I have endured this humiliation for a long time! The Young Guardian has made great contributions to the country but cannot ensure peace. He is demoted again and again. Aren't we like grass?" Xie Jing and others echoed in unison.

Pang Chao said hurriedly, "Don't worry, everyone. Just listen to me." Everyone knew that he was Jia Cong's military advisor, so they bowed and said, "Sir, please speak."

Pang Chao said: "You all have deep friendship and sincerity, and your sincere hearts are touching, but it's not yet that serious.

If we rashly take military action to remonstrate with the emperor, there will be no turning back. Since the emperor has issued this decree, how can Li Meng and others not be prepared? Not only will they fail to save the young guard, but they will also be convicted of treason. Wouldn't that make their relatives sad and their enemies happy?

I have a plan, please give me some advice."

Everyone hesitated for a moment, looked at each other, and asked, "What's your plan, sir?"

"First, please go back and secretly organize your troops as if nothing has happened, and stay in the camp from tomorrow onwards in case of any emergency."

"it is good."

"Secondly, Shao Bao will bring his personal soldiers to the Taiwan prison to assist in the investigation. Daily food and drink will be sent from home to prevent villains from harming them."

"That's good, but how can you go to jail like this? Wouldn't it anger the emperor?" Niu Jizong frowned.

Pang Chao smiled and said, "This is also to test the bottom line of the emperor. If he gets angry about this and definitely takes action against the young guard, we will find a good excuse to start an army and purge the emperor's side and eliminate the treacherous officials.

If they leave it alone, it's obvious that the emperor is not ready yet. Then the young guard will have to endure the humiliation for a few days, and we should also make more preparations.

If the situation becomes tense, the emperor will not dare to keep the Shaobao for long, so as to avoid a mutiny in the Beijing camp, and the Shaobao will not have to bear the crime of disobeying the emperor's order."

"Good." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Wang Ziteng hesitated and said, "If the emperor wants tonight... the young guard may never come back."

Everyone was shocked and asked hurriedly: "What should we do?"

Pang Chao smiled and shook his head, saying: "I haven't heard any news about this. Shao Bao is the bravest of the three armies, and his personal soldiers are all elite soldiers. Without special arrangements, it is impossible for them to succeed quietly.

The entire capital is now under the supervision of the Grand Guardian, but any disturbance will never escape the Grand Guardian's eyes and ears. And today's intelligence shows that apart from some rumors, there is nothing unusual in the capital."

"What nonsense?"

"About the Fei family's collusion with the Japanese pirates."

Niu Jizong and others thought about it and said, "Maybe it was Dai Quan's evil plan."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said, "I am not afraid of anyone's scheme. No matter who it is, I have soldiers in my hands. With soldiers, I can be a king."

Everyone laughed and said, "Young Master, that's a good idea."

"It's settled. If you trust me, Jia Cong, go back and prepare. As for the signal, it's still the same as before. If there are any other changes, just report it directly to Mr. Pang." Jia Cong said.

"Yes. Don't worry, young master. We brothers are determined to follow you." Everyone bowed and left without saying anything more.

"Take care, brothers." Jia Cong stood up, bowed, and saw them out.

He went back to the inner house and said hello to Ruyi, Baochai, Daiyu and others, and told them that he was ordered by the emperor to go to the prison to assist in the investigation of a case. The girls did not know how serious it was, so they just asked him to come back early.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll be back in a few days. Don't forget to ask Lao Tu to cook some of my favorite dishes and send them to me."

The girls agreed with a smile.

Jia Cong smiled slightly, shook his jet-black swan feather cloak, and walked out proudly with a precious sword hanging from his waist.

Zhang Yuanba had already dressed in full armor and was waiting in the yard with several teams of armed soldiers. When they saw him come out, they all bowed and said, "Please give me your orders, sir."

"Let's go and stay in the prison for a few days." Jia Cong waved his hand.

"Yes." The soldiers responded loudly, shaking the night sky.

Seeing that everyone looked like they were going to war, the eunuch stammered, "Master Bao, this... this is..."

Jia Cong waved his hand and said with a smile: "Is it wrong for my personal soldiers to accompany me to protect me? May I ask the angel, does your majesty summon me to the prison to assist in the investigation, or arrest me and execute me?
If it is the latter, I will not bring anyone with me, and Cong will be killed."

The eunuch laughed dryly and said, "Young Master, you are joking. I am asking you to help investigate the case."

"If we're investigating a case, it wouldn't hurt to bring a few personal soldiers with us. Let's go!" Jia Cong said as he jumped on his horse.

"Yes." The personal soldiers also mounted their horses and stared at the eunuchs through their visors.

The eunuch looked at the faint glow of the Mo Dao in the hands of the soldiers under the cold moonlight, and shrank his neck secretly, and said hurriedly: "I will lead the way, young master, please." He hurriedly pulled the horse and went out.

Jia Cong led the crowd and marched along the long street at night, arriving at the prison near the Censorate.

From the outside, it looked like a big house. The jailer had already opened the door and was bowing to welcome everyone in.

If it weren't for the murderous aura of the personal soldiers, they would not be so polite. No matter how high your rank is, you have to pay money to enter.

Jia Cong did not dismount, but rode straight in, tilting his head and smiling, "Angel, can His Majesty revoke the privilege of riding a horse in the Forbidden City that I have been granted?"

"No...no." The eunuch laughed dryly.

"Since you can ride horses in the Forbidden City, I think you can ride horses everywhere," Jia Cong said with a smile.

"What the young master said is true." The eunuch smiled apologetically.

"Go back and give Chief Steward Dai a good report for me."

"Yes." The eunuch said goodbye and left.

Jia Cong saw that the first entrance of the prison was a prison temple, and said with a smile, "Okay, this small temple is quite spacious, just right for me to use as a stable. You, come here."

"Young Guard, please give me your orders." The jailer bowed hurriedly.

"Tell someone to clean up this place quickly. My BMW needs to rest. Also, my personal soldiers will stay here for a few days, so clean up a few more rooms.

Don't worry about the rest. You don't need to worry about the expenses. Do you understand?" Jia Cong said lazily.

"Yes, yes, yes. Don't worry, I'll do it right away."

Jia Cong laughed, got off his horse, and went to the corridor to sit down. The guards had already sent a few people to quickly check the prison, and then came back to report: "Master, nothing happened."

"Let's go in and choose a good room." Jia Cong stood up with a smile.

"Young Guard, please come in." The jailer bowed and led the way, cursing in his heart, "Are you here to stay in a hotel or to go to jail?"

(End of this chapter)