Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 232: Dangers Inside and Outside
The palace city of Shenjing, Qianyang Palace.

In the empty hall, the bronze crane in the animal tripod exhaled wisps of burning incense, which smelled like orchid and musk, making people feel more refreshed and focused.

Emperor Jiazhao was reading the documents concerning the Zhang Shouan case submitted by the Dali Temple. Guo Lin, the deputy chief eunuch of the inner court, stood by his side as usual, like a rigid sculpture.

But his mind was always on the emperor behind the desk.

When he saw that Zhang Shouan was doing things that harmed the people, he realized that he was bribed and instructed by Jia Rong of Ningguo Mansion, and that he intended to steal the secret recipe of incense making from Xiuniang's incense shop.

Emperor Jia Zhao was furious and shouted, "The Ningguo Jia family is left with only mediocre people who eat the imperial salary for nothing. They don't know how to cherish the blessings of their ancestors, corrupt the officials of the country, disrupt the government and corrupt morality. They are simply a disgrace to the nobles!"

As he continued to flip through the documents, he frowned again: "How is Jia Cong related to this matter? Are the Ning Rong and Jia families involved in this matter?"

Guo Lin replied, "Your Majesty, according to the investigation of the Imperial Chariot Division, on the day when Zhang Shouan questioned the shopkeeper and clerk of Xiuniang's incense shop, Jia Cong got the news and rushed to Zhen'an Prefecture to ask for the person, looking anxious.

It should be that he has an unusual relationship with Xiuniang Incense Shop. He also took the two tortured shopkeepers and shop assistants back for treatment. The head of the Shenjing Zhongche Division has submitted a secret report on the matter. "

As he spoke, he took out the secret letter that had just been delivered to the palace from his sleeve and presented it to Emperor Jiazhao's desk.

Compared with the case documents of the Dali Division, the content of the Zhongche Division's secret documents was much richer.

The process of Zhang Shouan abusing his power and harming the people, Jia Cong's words and deeds in Zhen'an Prefecture, the subsequent uproar among the people in the market, and the fact that Feng suddenly went to the Dali Temple to file a complaint a few days after Jia Cong rescued several people.

Everything is clearly organized, even the market trend and its escalating process are described in detail.

Emperor Jia Zhao read the secret letter twice, and his expression became somewhat gloomy. Guo Lin, who was standing by, felt uneasy. The emperor's mind was hard to predict. Could there be something wrong with the secret letter that was submitted?

Emperor Jia Zhao looked up at Guo Lin and asked coldly, "This secret document was issued by your Imperial Chariot Division. Didn't you see the clues?"

Guo Lin looked confused. After thinking for a while, he could not figure it out. Then he said, "I am stupid."

Emperor Jia Zhao snorted coldly and asked, "It is not uncommon for cruel officials to harm the people. But this matter has caused such a stir among the people. Don't you think it is strange?"

Guo Lin thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, Xiuniang's perfume shop is doing very well. The Japanese jade perfume it sells is very famous in Shenjing and is favored by the wives of wealthy businessmen and officials in Shenjing.

When Zhen'an Prefecture arrested people that day, the incense shop was doing a booming business, and a large number of officials, businessmen and female customers gathered there. Many people saw the incident with their own eyes, which led to rumors spreading in the market."

Emperor Jia Zhao had an indifferent expression. He was a man of deep thoughts and suspicions. Guo Lin's reply did not seem to satisfy him, but even he could hardly find any clues.

"What is the relationship between Jia Cong and Xiuniang's incense shop? Have you investigated it?"

Guo Lin replied: "Reporting to His Majesty, according to the investigation of the Central Vehicle Division, the owner of Xiuniang Incense Shop is a woman named Qu Hongxiu, who lives in Xinchun Street, West City. This woman has a close relationship with Jia Cong.

According to rumors from the neighbors, the woman was of good age and had an outstanding appearance. Jia Cong often went into the woman's courtyard early in the morning and stayed there for a long time before leaving. This had been going on for several years, and the situation was somewhat ambiguous.

Emperor Jia Zhao said with a hint of sarcasm: "Last time he brought a Buddhist nun back to the palace, there was a reason for that. This time he brought a female host back. This guy is a lecher after all. What is the origin of the man surnamed Qu?"

Guo Lin quickly replied: "Your Majesty, according to the investigation of the Central Vehicle Division, Qu Hongxiu is from Dezhou, and his father is a disabled escort.

Three years ago, her father passed away. Qu Hongxiu sold her property and came to Beijing to make a living. She then opened the Xiuniang Incense Shop. It is unknown how she met Jia Cong.

According to my inference, Jia Cong is a man of outstanding appearance and a son of a noble family. He is favored by the Nagqu family and relies on them for support.

After all, it is not easy for a woman to make a living in the capital, and this is also common sense.

This time when Xiuniang's incense shop got into trouble, it was Jia Cong who helped her solve the problem. This can also explain the relationship between the two people. Moreover, Qu was quite capable. He had been running the incense shop for several years and his business was growing bigger and bigger.

I have consulted an expert and found that a shop with a few doors can make an annual profit of 50,000 taels. Such a high interest rate is why Ningguo Mansion is so coveted. "

At this point, even Guo Lin's face flashed with envy and greed. A small perfume shop could earn 50,000 taels of silver a year. Money is tempting, and how many people can resist the temptation?

Emperor Jia Zhao thought for a moment and said in a deep voice: "It is too bizarre that Qu, a woman who lost her father and made a living without any foundation, could have such a big business.

Jia Cong has always had many bizarre ideas, different from ordinary people, and has a close relationship with the Qu family. I'm afraid that the Qu family is just a front. The prosperity of this incense shop must be the work of Jia Cong.

That incense shop must be Jia Cong's private property, just registered under Qu's name!
He was a double-winner in the provincial examination, but he used women and children to manage business affairs. He is very thoughtful. Since the incident, public opinion has been surging. Jia Cong's words and deeds are unusual, and he has unpredictable intentions! "Guo Lin felt cold in his heart when he heard this. He had been serving the emperor for many years and knew that the emperor's words were dangerous.

He is an old man in the palace, in charge of the Imperial Chariot Department on behalf of the emperor, and is a man of great thoughts and shrewdness.

But after all, he lived deep in the palace and had limited vision. The palace struggles were very different from the games in the market, so he did not see as deeply as Emperor Jiazhao.

But he knew that Jia Cong was in trouble this time.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

In the hall were Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Mrs. Wang, Wang Xifeng, Jia Zhen and other people in charge of the East and West Mansions.

The reason why all the people came was because something big happened in the East Palace an hour ago.

A judge from the Dali Temple brought soldiers into the Ningguo Mansion to arrest Jia Rong. Fortunately, Jia Rong had already escaped after Zhang Shouan was arrested.

However, in this kind of situation, you can escape the monk but not the temple. Simply hiding is not a solution. As long as the Dali Temple fails to catch the person within three days, a warrant for arrest will be issued, and the crime will be increased at that time.

Jia Zhen then came to discuss with his grandmother, and the idea was to reveal Xiuniang's perfume shop as Jia Cong's property so as to help Jia Rong escape.

Otherwise, if Jia Rong fell into the hands of the Dali Temple, he would definitely give himself away as his father. Jia Zhen naturally knew best what kind of person his son was.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia was cursing: "Your good son! He actually did such a conscienceless thing. Is it possible that the dignified Ningguo Mansion is still short of his little chewing?

You insisted on trying to seize other people's secret recipes and properties. I wonder how you will end up now. The Ningrong and Jia families have lost all their reputation because of that evildoer!"

Mrs. Wang, who was standing by, remained silent, turning the rosary beads in her hands, with a compassionate look on her face.

Jia Zheng was a straightforward and upright person. He was disgusted by this kind of secret and robbery. He was also very angry. It would be fine if Rong'er didn't study hard, but he actually did such a shameful thing. It really disgraced his ancestors.

Wang Xifeng was smarter than the others. She remembered that she had heard some time ago that eldest brother Zhen was short of money and even had to borrow money for Rong'er's wedding, saying that he was preparing to buy property to alleviate the famine.

So this is how one acquires property...

Jia Zhen was embarrassed and said, "Madam, it was all because of Zhen'er's failure to discipline him that the beast did such a thing. But after all, I only have this one son, and he will inherit the Ningguo family in the future.

I can’t just stand by and watch someone die, so today I came to ask the old lady to make the decision.”

Grandmother Jia scolded again: "In the past, I told you to behave yourself, but you just wouldn't listen. Now that you've done something bad, you want me to take charge. That evil creature has committed a lawsuit. What can an old woman like me do?"

Jia Zhen said quickly: "Madam, if Rong'er committed a crime against the state, then of course he cannot escape the blame. But if he committed a crime against the family, then it is a family matter and can be dealt with according to family law. It does not involve national law, so he can be saved."

As soon as these words were spoken, Jia's mother, Jia Zheng and others looked at each other in bewilderment. How could that evil creature do such a shameful thing and it become a family affair?

Grandmother Jia frowned and asked, "Brother Zhen, are you out of your mind? How did this become a family affair?"

Jia Zhen quickly explained, "Old Madam, you don't know that after the people from Xiuniang's perfume shop were arrested by Zhen'an Prefecture, Brother Cong went to Zhen'an Prefecture to rescue them as soon as he heard the news."

When Jia's mother heard this, her heart skipped a beat and she asked hurriedly, "How did you get involved with this kid again?"

Jia Zhen continued, "I was surprised that Brother Cong cared so much about the incense shop. Afterwards, I found out that Brother Cong had a special relationship with Qu, the owner of Xiuniang's incense shop.

It is said that Qu was a beautiful woman in her prime, and was most likely the concubine of Brother Cong, otherwise he would not be so nervous about Xiuniang's perfume shop.

Therefore, the incense shop is actually the private property of the Cong brothers, but it is registered under the name of the Qu family. In this way, Rong'er's matter is not a family affair, so what is it?"

These words immediately stunned everyone in the hall. Grandmother Jia stood up from the couch and asked in surprise, "Are you serious?"

(End of this chapter)