Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 322 Look at the person next to you

Two days have passed since Lu Jia returned from the Yan residence, and there has been no news from the Yan residence regarding the Jin family. Lu Jie has also not sent her any information, which is clearly an attempt to stir things up further.

After all, the Jin family didn't really have any dealings with the Shen family, so it's normal for Madam Yan to remain inactive since she couldn't find any evidence.

She couldn't get any information from the Yan family, but fortunately, there were no problems with the Jin family.

During the days that Shen Zhui and He Qu were away from the capital, Shen Qingzhou had already had people thoroughly investigate all the details of the Jin family that could be found.

After Jin Huai and his son died due to dereliction of duty, the Jin family members were all stripped of their official positions. However, six months later, Yan Shu managed to secure the position of Chief Transport Officer for Jin's father in the Grand Canal.

Although the Jin family father and son were convicted of dereliction of duty, the matter was no small one, and it was absolutely impossible for them to hold positions in the Six Ministries and Three Departments.

However, the Yan family could easily intervene in the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner's office, which was a bit far from the imperial court.

Although he was only a fourth-rank official, he wielded considerable authority in the grain transport system.

In addition, the canal transport business was inherently lucrative, and although the Jin family was not prominent in the imperial court over the years, they had accumulated a considerable fortune.

Besides Jin Yun, the father of the Jin family, getting a job in the Grand Canal Transport Office, Jin's brother also became the head of the Tongzhou Wharf last year. This was naturally due to the Yan family's connections.

When you make a big splash, you're bound to leave some kind of weakness or vulnerability.

Lu Jia copied down several of the crimes committed by the Jin family, and then gave the order that the jewelry made by the Jin family's gold shop the next day was not as advertised, and the gold and silver were insufficient. Someone then reported them for this.

Lu Jia's words that day stirred up a huge wave in Madam Yan's heart. After Lu Ying saw her off, Madam Yan went straight back to her room.

When Lu Ying returned, Madam Yan immediately ordered her and all the servants not to reveal a single word. In the following two days, the head maid gave instructions to have everyone thoroughly investigate all the connections made by the Jin family and Jin Shi over the past year.

Using the excuse that Yan Liang needed to observe a vegetarian diet for the next few days, he asked him to temporarily move to the side courtyard next door.

He had just returned from the main room when a servant handed him a petition from the government.

Madam Yan frowned and glanced at it twice: "Is there something wrong?"

The imperial court is a big melting pot; it's not a big deal for an official to get involved in one or two lawsuits.

What she cares about now is whether the Jin family has any dealings with the Shen family, and whether the Jin family is siding with outsiders against Lu Ying.

Whether the Jin family has cheated others or not is none of our business!
“Madam,” the servant who brought the petition stepped forward, “the Jin family’s matter is not a problem, but the court has only just begun its trial when Wu Jing’s eldest son, the Dragon Tiger General, went to the yamen to plead for his father-in-law!”

"Wu family?"

Madam Yan frowned: "Have you figured it out?"

"This was specially relayed by Lord Liu from the yamen, so there's no way it could be wrong. Lord Liu also said that General Wu said it himself, that the Jin family is a close friend of his, and asked the yamen to be lenient with him!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Yan's face immediately darkened.

General Wu Jing, also known as the Dragon Tiger General, is a veteran general under Grand Commandant Shen and a top-notch supporter of the Shen family!
After Wu Jing was granted the title of a second-rank general, both of his sons were also granted the title of general, making the Wu family's status quite high. And yet, the eldest son of the Wu family actually went to plead for Jin Yun? Do they have a close relationship?!

"How dare you!" Madam Yan slammed her hand on the table. "Go and fetch the eldest son here!"

Yan Liang had been keeping a close eye on the Shen family for days, but unfortunately, he still came up empty-handed. All he managed to get was information about the Shen family's arrogance, to the point that even the servants in their household were indifferent. Such things might be useful to some minor officials, but this was the Shen family, the Grand Commandant's mansion. Even if someone wanted to make a fuss about it, the Emperor would immediately shut them down.

"Is there absolutely nothing wrong with the Shen family? Could it be that Grand Commandant Shen is truly a saint?"

Among the guests in the room, someone spread out their hands.

"To say that Grand Commandant Shen has done nothing wrong might be true. After all, he has been a commander in the field for so many years. Even if he made mistakes, one could argue that a general in the field is not bound by the emperor's orders. He has only been back in the capital for a little over a year. If he is good at hiding his actions, he can naturally leave no evidence. But as for his private conduct—"

At this moment, someone else stroked his beard, a playful look on his face, "This Grand Commandant is only just over forty, in his prime, yet he can't escape the temptations of women after all."

Upon hearing this, the others present realized what he meant: "That's right! The Shen family has an illegitimate son, and it's said that even now, this second young master of the Shen family is still not favored by the eldest young master."

"The second young master of the Shen family is already sixteen years old. Since returning to the capital, he has not only failed to take up an official position, but he is also completely ignorant and incompetent. Grand Commandant Shen was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) back then, and the eldest son of the Shen family is also eloquent and can compose excellent poems and essays. But this second young master is said to be unable to write even a decent poem, let alone an essay!"

Yan Liang listened to their conversation with his hands behind his back, then frowned and asked, "Have you ever heard of the background of the birth mother of this second young master of the Shen family?"

A scholar stepped forward and said, "This second young master was born on the battlefield, and his birth mother probably didn't have a good background."

Yan Liang raised his head: "Grand Commandant Shen is a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), a brilliant strategist, and has a majestic appearance, yet he is also polite and refined, truly a man of both literary and martial talents. If he were of ordinary caliber, how could he possibly catch his eye?"

"Young Master," a servant announced at the door, "Madam requests your presence in the main room."

Yan Liang lowered his hand, glanced at the guests, and said, "Go and investigate the background of this Second Young Master Shen's birth mother."

Then walked out.

Madam Yan's side was so solemn that it was as if the air itself had frozen.

Yan Liang sensed something was wrong as soon as he stepped in. He bowed to his mother and asked, "What happened?"

Madam Yan asked, "How long has it been since you last visited the Jin family?"

Yan Liang paused for a moment: "I still went to pay my respects during the New Year."

The Jin family is inferior to his own, but over the years he has dutifully fulfilled his duties as a son-in-law, visiting them during holidays and festivals.

"I think you should go a few more times!" Madam Yan sneered. "Don't let your husband sell you out without you even knowing it!"

Yan Liang suddenly straightened up: "What do you mean by that, Mother?"

Madam Yan tossed the petition in her hand to him: "Go ask Madam Jin why the people from General Longhu's Mansion would stand up for the Jin family in the trouble they've gotten into. When exactly did the 'deep friendship' that the eldest son of the Wu family mentioned with Lord Liu begin?!"

As she spoke, Yan Liang had already glanced through the petition in his hand. After listening, he looked up, his face revealing undisguised shock: "Isn't General Longhu allied with the Shen family? Why would he stand up for the Jin family?"

"Isn't that what I'm asking you?" Madam Yan stood up. "You're out there every day, and you're aware of the different faces the people around you have."

"As a member of the Yan family, she dares to attack the third son's family. Do you understand her intentions?"

"I only gave birth to you and the third child. Anyone could be dealt with, so why is she targeting her own sister-in-law? What is she trying to do?"
"Is this aimed at me? Or at the Yan family?!"