The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 229 Major Case
Aunt Xue was overjoyed to receive the imperial kitchen pastries sent by the Ningguo Mansion.

The son made progress, and the daughter also successfully studied at Ningguo Mansion with the Jia family's daughters and cousins; everything was going according to plan.

"This mille-feuille tastes really good."

Aunt Xue gave her daughter a piece, saying, "As expected of someone from the palace."

Baochai: "..."

Seeing her mother's delighted expression, she obliged and took a bite.

It's crispy and crunchy with a unique sweetness; the taste is truly excellent.

"I heard that the Empress bestowed upon Madam Shen a full three-horse carriageload of gifts," she said. "Besides pastries and such, there were also many fabrics, furs, and imperial jewelry sent as tribute from various places."

"Yeah, I heard that too."

Aunt Xue was very envious, saying, "Just one piece of shimmering brocade from Siam is worth a thousand gold pieces."

The Xue family is wealthy, but there are many things that money can't buy, and even if they could, they couldn't use them openly.

"Moreover, I heard that Her Majesty the Empress also rewarded Madam Shen with a box of Siamese rubies."

Even a single one of those can fetch hundreds or thousands of taels of silver.

Two years ago, when the Zhen family was getting married, they searched everywhere for good things, and she gave them the two rubies she had brought from her parents' home.

Aunt Xue felt very sorry and heartbroken.

The royal family used to control the tribute affairs of various countries. What good things didn't pass through their hands first?

pity……

She sighed inwardly, "Back then, Madam Shen made a brilliant move by repaying the national treasury's debts when the Emperor was in his most difficult time."

The Wang family also owes money to the national treasury.

This is also one of the reasons why Aunt Xue was so unwilling to go back to her parents' home.

"These people have no foresight. If we had known this would happen, countless people in the capital would have been vying for the title of first in returning the treasury silver."

Baochai: "..."

She felt that Madam Shen was rewarded not only because of the first debts owed to the national treasury.

It's just that outsiders don't know many things.

"Never mind, let's not talk about that. How was your day at school?"

My son has difficulty learning anything.

My daughter learns everything very well.

Aunt Xue sometimes felt sorry that her Baochai was born the wrong gender.

If it were a son, their family wouldn't have to worry at all.

“Good!” Baochai smiled slightly. “Mr. Zhan is very learned, and the sisters are all very nice.”

The Jia family's daughter is now famously good in the capital.

Studying with them will likely lead to a good relationship in the future.

"You don't need to worry about my schooling, but as for the pawnshop..."

"The Zhen family's belongings have already been moved away."

Although Aunt Xue was very distressed, she also felt a rare sense of relief. "Fortunately, Feng'er sent Wang'er over to keep an eye on things, and the officials were all very easy to talk to."

Fortunately, it was nearby.

If this were in Nanjing, government officials would definitely take some sheep with them when they entered the warehouse.

"Your cousin is a good person."

My niece is in charge, and it feels even better than when my sister is in charge.

At least with my niece, she's still an elder; she can just ask her what's on her mind.

Aunt Xue sighed with emotion, "Now, I just hope your brother will get beaten less at school."

That's probably wishful thinking.

Baochai knew that the New Year was approaching, and her brother probably hadn't completely resigned himself to his fate. Since he still harbored wishful thinking, it was impossible for him to settle down and study properly.

"Mom, there are only two more days until the holiday. If you don't want your brother to get beaten up again, we need to give him some extra lessons during his holiday."

If you want to learn from your older brother, you have to talk to your mother first, otherwise your mother will hold you back if your brother starts crying.

“When the time comes, I will teach him to read, and you can go to the old lady's or your cousin's place.”

This?
Aunt Xue knew her own shortcomings, so she could only nod in agreement. "Alright, alright, Mom will listen to you. But it's the New Year, so you can't push your brother too hard."

"He is currently attending a primary school class."

Baochai was speechless. "I'm just helping him reinforce his elementary school knowledge. How can that be considered a big deal?"

Her brother is already so old, and he's only attending a preschool class, yet his mother acts like he's suffered so much.

“Look at Baoyu and the young master of the Lin family. How old are they? They have already memorized many of the Four Books.”

Aunt Xue: "..."

She was unable to speak.

Neither Baoyu nor Lin Chang'an were inferior in status to her Pan'er.

However, their fathers are still alive.

That alone makes all the difference.

"Mom, if you really want what's best for my brother and don't want him to be beaten every day after he starts school next year, then stop comforting him."

Seeing her mother's attitude, Baochai could only speak more strongly, "The Jia family's rules will not be broken because of us, which means he will have to go to school there for the next three years. Do you have any way to make him stop going to school?"

No!

Aunt Xue was so frightened that she quickly shook her head.

The person in charge of the Jia family's studies was Jia Zhen from the Ningguo Mansion.

Although Feng is the mistress of the Rongguo Mansion, can she... defy the rules of the Jia family for the sake of her aunt?
If she had that kind of guts, she probably would have been kicked out of the Jia family long ago.

"So, what do you think? Should we give him extra lessons?"

"Go ahead and fix it, fix it however you want."

When the mother and daughter reached an agreement, Shen Ning also learned about the incident at the Sinners' Manor.

"I wonder what kind of trouble those princes are causing."

Jia Zhen sighed, "Now, not only are the Five Cities Garrison and Shuntian Prefecture in trouble, but many people in the Ministry of Justice are also in trouble."

He put his usually unused brain to work and said, "Mother, do you think those princes are using a desperate tactic to try and leave the criminals' village?"

He was the first to discover the problem with the Beijing Garrison, and that's when he reported it to the Emperor.

If those princes were to rise to power, they couldn't do anything to the emperor, but it would be very easy for them to touch him.

Therefore, Jia Zhen could not ignore this matter.

"...Is the Sinners' Manor a place they can leave as they please?"

Shen Ning glanced at Jia Zhen, "Besides, if you can think of something, why wouldn't the Emperor?"

Surprisingly clean!
Shen Ning felt that the capital city was still in chaos.

Fortunately, their family is filial, and after the New Year, on the third day of the Lunar New Year, they will escort the coffin back to their hometown.

"Lord Dong of Shuntian Prefecture is not someone who can be easily fooled."

Something really happened.

"Just wait and see!"

Shen Ning is now worried about whether she should report the whereabouts of the Prince of Jin to the Shuntian Prefecture.

While she was struggling with her decision, Dong Xiaoquan, after everyone had left, said hesitantly, "Your Majesty, before I came here, I had just discovered some things."

"Say!"

The current emperor is on the verge of going berserk.

The Emperor Emeritus's condition has worsened again.

Although he was rescued, he seemed not to recognize anyone.

In other words, it was impossible for him to get any information from his father.

"The Prince of Jin may not be dead."

what?
The emperor stood up abruptly. "He's not dead? Then where is he now?"

"The Chinese New Year is almost here..."

Dong Xiaoquan said, "The gambling dens are booming again. Many gamblers have lost everything and have their hands and feet broken because they can't pay back their debts."

He couldn't very well say, "I knew where the Prince of Jin was all along, but I pretended not to see him."

"When I ordered my men to investigate such heinous cases, Chief Constable Lu discovered that there was a beggar who was acting very strangely near the Confucius Temple in the south of the city."

Dong Xiaoquan said, "He lost his hands and feet, his face was disfigured, and his voice was poisoned and rendered mute. Chief Constable Lu said he looks remarkably like the missing Prince Jin." The Emperor: "..."

"I originally intended to investigate this myself."

Dong Xiaoquan hesitated, then said, "If he really is the Prince of Jin, could I temporarily use him as a springboard to investigate Mr. Liu, who might be observing his future activities?"

This?
The emperor frowned slightly. "Let's confirm this first!"

If it really were the Prince of Jin...

"If it really is him, then so be it."

The emperor said, "In short, I must find out where Mr. Liu is. I want to see him alive or dead."

If possible, I'm willing to see someone die.

Even if he's alive... we'll cripple his hands.

Otherwise, I would truly be unable to eat or sleep in peace.

"Yes!"

Dong Xiaoquan bowed, "Your subject will go and confirm immediately."

Although it was a waste of time, this is the only thing we can do for now.

The emperor may dislike his brothers and even fight with them, but he, as a subject, must always maintain respect for the royal family, no matter when or where.

Dong Xiaoquan has a very clear understanding of his own position.

Half an hour later, the emperor received confirmation.

In his letter, Dong Xiaoquan also described the Prince of Jin's begging situation during this period.

After reading the letter, the emperor sat there for a long time without moving.

Mr. Liu is ruthless.

This left Prince Jin in a state of torment, unable to live and unable to die...

He sighed and turned to head towards Kunning Palace.

One thing after another happened today, and the Empress was also very frightened.

Rather than letting her overthink, it's better to let her participate throughout the process.

When the emperor lovingly shared the situation of Prince Jin with the empress, Mr. Liu felt a sense of urgency upon seeing the increased number of yamen runners on the street.

He dutifully worked in the back alley of Ningrong Street, unaware that two of the people he had contacted had already been targeted by the Shuntian Prefecture because of their lifestyle habits.

In the Ministry of Justice prison, Zhen Yingjia, who was imprisoned, also welcomed Dong Xiaoquan.

……

The next day, it snowed again.

The Chinese New Year is in three days.

Jia Zheng hadn't sold all his couplets yet, and he wanted to carry his things into the city to set up his stall again, but he didn't expect that the city gate was checking people very strictly.

Pedestrians not only have their travel permits checked, but they also have their faces pinched and beards pulled.

Without the Jia family's prestige, Jia Zheng could only enter the city like an ordinary citizen, subject to inspection by the yamen runners.

After thinking about it, he felt it was beneath him to be considered cultured, so he turned around and went home with his things on his back.

"Have you sold two hundred coins so far?"

Wang despised him.

Honestly, she doesn't know how she's managed to spend all these years with this useless man.

"Jia Zheng, you've really disgraced Zhu'er and the others."

Life was hard, and Wang was full of resentment.

Sometimes she would think that if it weren't for Zhu'er taking the civil service exam next year, given the temper of Madam Shen from the East Mansion... she might have killed the couple.

If she had died earlier, she might have been free from this burden sooner.

"You'll have to pay your own bills next year."

"I didn't say I wanted you to pay it back for me."

Jia Zheng carried the things back to the house.

How could he not feel that life was too difficult?
But to die... requires even more courage.

Wang couldn't bring herself to hurt him, and neither could he.

Jia Zheng sighed, feeling that he should come up with another idea.

He's studied for so many years; perhaps he could go somewhere to work as a teacher and educate children.

"Brother Jia, Brother Jia!"

The village chief rushed over and called out to people from afar.

"Village chief? What's wrong?"

"Oh dear, I knew you were back as soon as I didn't see your stall."

When Wang came out, the village chief shouted, "When did you get back? Do you know anything new happening in the south of the city?"

He and his two sons went to the city every day to look for work, but today...

"what's up?"

Jia Zheng frowned. "When I entered the city today, I felt that the soldiers at the city gate were checking people too thoroughly, so I didn't go in."

"Oh dear, you really don't know anything."

The village chief slapped his thigh, "You've been setting up a stall there every day these past few days, do you know any of the beggars there?"

Jia Zheng: "..."

He's practically a beggar himself, why would he need to know them?
Don't you think it's bad luck?
"The reason the officers and soldiers are conducting such a thorough search today is because a beggar died there."

what?
Jia Zheng's heart skipped a beat.

Every year, many beggars freeze or starve to death, and normally the authorities wouldn't be alerted.

"That person is said to be a very important figure."

The village chief felt sorry for him. "He died. Even Lord Dong from Shuntian Prefecture passed away. He was said to be a very powerful figure. He was plotted against by his enemies, who cut off his hands and feet, poisoned him to the point of losing his voice, and disfigured him."

When the emperor received news of the Prince of Jin's death, he smashed a cup in anger.

"Didn't you send people to keep an eye on that place?"

He kept a close eye on Dong Xiaoquan and was very dissatisfied with him.

The route to Mr. Liu's office has been blocked again. "Where are your people?"

"died."

Dong Xiaoquan said with helplessness and grief, "They were originally hiding on the rooftops on both sides, but when we went to look for them again today, they were all dead."

emperor:"……"

"emperor!"

Dong Xiaoquan bowed. “The trail has gone cold. I plan to take all the suspects to the Shuntian Prefecture prison and investigate them one by one.”

Leaving them outside would be too risky; it would be better to put them all in the Shuntian Prefecture prison and interrogate them one by one personally.

"...Who are your suspects?"

"I went to the Ministry of Justice prison last night."

Dong Xiaoquan said, "Zhen Yingjia has the connections of the Zhen family."

Although the Zhen family had been supporting Prince Jin, they hadn't been entirely without restraint.

"I have found out everything. Prince Jin not only has ties with Japan, but also with the Tatars and Jurchens in the north."

He originally planned to take advantage of the large crowds during the New Year to secretly capture Prince Jin, interrogate him, and then release him.

Unexpectedly, when Constable Lu arrived, his body was already stiff.

Dong Xiaoquan was also annoyed. "However, the deaths of Prince Jin and the two yamen runners should have been caused by someone behind the scenes who became suspicious of your excessive attention to the criminal Zhuang."

Their next target... could very well be Mr. Liu.

If he didn't leave the capital because of the Prince of Jin.

Therefore, people traveling to Beijing are now being strictly checked.

"...You have more experience than I do in solving cases."

The emperor closed his eyes briefly. "I grant you permission to act as you see fit in this matter."

It doesn't matter if there's no evidence; as long as he knows where those people are, he'd rather kill them than miss them.

"No matter who is involved, take them down first."

Happy Year of the Snake!!!