Red Mansion: After being expelled from the family, I was granted the title of Marquis of Mobei

Chapter 126 Reactions from All Sides, Internal Strife Begins

Although Old Madam Wang firmly pinned the blame for the murder on Jia Jue this time, and the Wang family even went so far as to file a complaint with the emperor.

But then again.

It is said that princes are subject to the same laws as commoners, but this is just wishful thinking.

Even if Emperor Yongping knew in his heart that Jia Jue had not killed anyone, so what?

In terms of the severity of the matter, could the death of Old Lady Wang really compare to Jia Jue kicking the former Censor-in-Chief to death in the Ministry of Justice?

That happened in full view of everyone.

But in the end, the matter was dropped, and Emperor Yongping simply said that the Imperial Censor had died from overwork, thus covering up the affair of Jia Jue.

The same applies to the death of Old Mrs. Wang this time.

However, since Old Madam Wang was the widow of Grand Tutor Wang, the Wang family relentlessly pursued her. So even if it was just for show, Emperor Yongping had to let Jia Jue stay in the mansion for a while until he dealt with the mastermind behind the scenes.

Therefore, Jia Jue did not take the matter to heart and leisurely returned to the Marquis's residence.

As for Wang Shiping, after leaving the palace, he immediately contacted his father's former students and friends.

Wang Shiping wasn't stupid; he had heard about the previous Censor-in-Chief's affairs.

Wang Shiping was worried that Emperor Yongping would follow suit, so in order to ensure that he could avenge his mother, Wang Shiping naturally wanted to make the matter as big as possible.

Wang Shiping paced back and forth all day, not returning to the Wang family until late at night.

The next day, a flood of memorials, like snowflakes, were presented to the Qianqing Palace.

It must be said that Jia Jue had indeed offended quite a few people because of the Jiangnan Salt Affairs Case and the Customs Case.

In addition, there was the need to reorganize the Beijing garrison and the poor relationship between Jia Jue and the founding fathers.

Now that Wang Shiping has taken the initiative to form a group, these people, with the intention of kicking someone when they're down, have all submitted memorials, hoping that Emperor Yongping can punish Jia Jue for murder.

Emperor Yongping's response to these memorials was quite simple: he had Xia Shouzhong send them all to the imperial kitchen to be used as firewood.

Faced with Emperor Yongping's attitude, a group of ministers couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, wishing they could reach such a position someday.

Just as the capital was abuzz with discussion about the murder case, the three judicial departments officially intervened and launched an investigation.

In the morning, in the study of the Marquis of Champion's residence, Jia Jue was having tea with his father-in-law, the Duke of Yingguo.

Seeing Jia Jue's extremely leisurely appearance, the Duke of Ying shook his head helplessly and said.

"You little rascal, you're about to be in deep trouble, and you're still acting like nothing's wrong."

"What exactly happened? This old lady Wang is a distant relative of the Marquis's family, why would she risk her life to harm you?"

Jia Jue chuckled lightly, briefly explained the matter to the Duke of Ying, and then continued.

“Father-in-law, there is no need to worry. The innocent will clear themselves. I believe the three judicial departments will be able to find out the truth.”

The British public, after hearing this, remarked with some emotion.

"This old lady Wang is really a bit crazy."

"Forget about her. His Majesty burned all the memorials submitted by the ministers in order to protect you."

"This matter is getting bigger and bigger, you'd better be prepared."

"You might end up being dismissed from your post."

Jia Jue said calmly.

"It's alright. At worst, I'll just be a lackey under my father-in-law. He certainly won't let my family go hungry, will he?"

The Duke of England rolled his eyes at Jia Jue before speaking.

"You little rascal, it's this late and you're still messing around with me, coughing."

"Alright, let's leave it at that. I'm relieved to see that you're alright."

"By the way, you need to take good care of Fen'er and Miss Sheng."

"Both of them are pregnant. If their emotions fluctuate too much, they could easily harm the fetus, and then you'll regret it."

Jia Jue nodded and then spoke solemnly.

"Don't worry, father-in-law, I will take good care of them."

After giving Jia Jue a few words of advice, the Duke of Yingguo left the Marquis's residence.

Next, key members of Jia Jue's faction, such as Wang Ziteng and the Marquis of Ningyuan, also came to the Marquis's residence for a discussion.

After consolidating his power base, Jia Jue took a vacation and spent time with his wives and concubines at the Marquis's residence.

In the evening, at the Xue family mansion in the eastern part of the capital, Xue Baochai and her mother, Xue Wangshi, were chatting together.

Lady Xue hesitated for a moment, then looked at Xue Baochai and asked.

"Baochai, now that such a thing has happened to the Marquis's mansion, what do you think we should do next?"

Xue Baochai said with a slight surprise.

"Mother, you wouldn't be planning to make me go back on my promise to the Marquis, would you?"

After thinking for a moment, Madam Xue said.

“The Marquis of Champion has caused such a big problem this time. If you still go to the Marquis’s residence, what if the Marquis of Champion falls in the end? Wouldn’t you be asking for trouble and dragging your family down with you?”

"How about we observe the situation first and then decide what to do? What do you think?"

After hearing this, Xue Baochai understood. Her mother wasn't worried that she would suffer after arriving at the Marquis's mansion, but rather that if the Marquis fell from power, the Xue family would also suffer.

Xue Baochai was speechless at her mother's little scheme.

Things have gotten to this point; the Xue family has completely offended the Rongguo Mansion.

Now, the Xue family has no choice but to pray that Jia Jue will get through the crisis safely.

It's unrealistic for the Xue family to turn back and reconcile with the Rongguo Mansion.

As for switching allegiances again, don't be ridiculous. Do you want to repeat the story of the traitor who served three masters? What would that make the Xue family? Wouldn't they become a disgrace in the capital? How would they ever be able to show their faces in public?

Xue Baochai said very firmly.

“Mother, what I mean is very simple. The date that the family originally agreed with the Marquis’s mansion was next month.”

“But since this has happened, let’s send someone to the Marquis’s residence. I will be there within three days.”

After hearing this, Lady Xue said with great confusion.

"Baochai, what nonsense are you talking about? Going to the Marquis's mansion at this time is like a moth flying into a flame."

"What will you do if the Marquis of Champion's mansion falls from power this time?"

Xue Baochai said calmly.

“A good woman cannot have two husbands. Since I have agreed to be the Marquis of Champion’s concubine, I am already his woman.”

"Mother, you don't need to worry about me. If the Marquis's mansion really falls, I will accept it."

Upon hearing this, Madam Xue felt extremely uncomfortable.

What if you admit it? What if it implicates your family as well?

After making up her mind, Madam Xue looked at Xue Baochai and said.

“Baochai, don’t act so impulsively. This is not just your own business; it also involves the Xue family.”

After hearing this, Xue Baochai looked at her mother, Xue Wangshi, with a meaningful expression and said...

"Mother, you've finally spoken your mind, haven't you?" Madam Xue said somewhat nervously, feeling guilty under Xue Baochai's gaze.

"What do you mean by saying that, child?"

Xue Baochai smiled calmly and then said.

"Alright, Mother, there's no need for that. I understand, and you understand too."

"I don't want to say anything more about your thoughts."

"I previously agreed to become a concubine of the Marquis of Champion in the Marquis's mansion for the sake of the Xue family."

"I will never change my mind."

“If you are really worried that the Marquis’s mansion will implicate your family in the future, then write a letter of severance of ties, and I will take over the Marquis’s mansion without any involvement from the Xue family.”

"Okay, that's enough for now. I'm a little tired, I'm going back to my room."

"How dare you talk to me like that? Is this how you treat your own mother?"

Xue Wangshi's little secret was exposed by Xue Baochai, and she put on a fierce but weak front.

Xue Baochai didn't take it to heart and went back to her room on her own.

Seeing Xue Baochai in this state, Madam Xue was also at a loss, thinking about how to clean up this mess.

Just as the Xue family mother and daughter were arguing, in the Rongguo Mansion, Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang were chatting happily together.

Madam Wang said with a smile.

"Mother, Jia Jue is finally going to get his comeuppance this time."

"He's really reckless. He actually killed Old Madam Wang right there in the Wang family."

"No matter what, the Wang family has produced a prime minister, and Grand Tutor Wang is entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

"Even today, there are still many of Grand Tutor Wang's former students and associates in the court."

"Wang Shiping went through all the connections he had left behind, determined to make Jia Jue pay with his life."

"His Majesty may not be able to protect Jia Jue this time."

Although Old Mrs. Jia was not as overjoyed as Madam Wang, she was actually quite pleased.

"When people are arrogant, rain will fall; when the heavens are arrogant, disaster will strike."

"Jia Jue has become reckless because of His Majesty's trust, and has offended too many people."

"This time, just the people who kicked him when he was down are enough to make him suffer. Just wait and see, he'll get what's coming to him this time."

Just as the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were gloating, the maid Yuanyang came into the room anxiously and said something.

"Grandma, Madam, something terrible has happened! Grandpa has arrived at Rongxi Hall with more than a dozen clan elders. He also sent someone to inform you that you and Madam should go there immediately, saying that he wants to discuss important clan matters."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang felt a pang of unease and forgot all about gloating.

The two of them probably guessed what Jia She was planning to do.

Grandma Jia thought she could still keep things under control, but she never expected that her son would defeat her so easily.

With things having come to this point, there was nothing they could do but deal with whatever came their way. Without time to think further, Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang hurried off to Rongxi Hall.

Not long after, inside Rongxi Hall, the faces of Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang were as black as the bottom of a pot.

More than ten elders of the Jia family were in Rongxi Hall at this time. The elder in charge was named Jia Dairu, who was in charge of the Jia family's school and had a high reputation in the Jia family.

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, Jia Rui, who was killed by Wang Xifeng with the Mirror of Love and Lust, was Jia Dairu's grandson.

At this moment, Jia She stood in the hall, looked around at everyone, bowed, and then spoke.

"Dear elders, since His Majesty stripped the Ningguo Mansion of its title and exiled it, I, Jia She, have been elected by all of you clan members to become the head of our Jia clan."

"Our Jia family has been passed down for over a hundred years. The reason we have been able to prosper for so long is because of our strict clan rules and regulations."

"I have invited all the elders here today in order to cleanse the clan of its corrupt practices and expel those unworthy descendants from the clan genealogy, so as to prevent damage to the reputation of my Jia clan."

Hearing Jia She's words, Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang were furious.

After looking around at the dozen or so clan elders, Old Madam Jia's anger flared even more.

Old Madam Jia never imagined that her authority would be so insignificant now, as Jia She had actually summoned almost all the clan elders this time.

Little did Old Lady Jia know that Jia She had secretly done something shady.

When Jia She first contacted these clan elders, they were unwilling to stand up and confront Old Madam Jia.

Later, Madam Xing gave Jia She an idea.

So Jia She sought out these clan elders and had a brief chat about the Rongguo Mansion's financial situation.

After hearing this, the clan elders couldn't sit still any longer.

In the past, the elders all thought that the Rongguo Mansion had a very strong foundation. The main branches of the Ning and Rong Mansions ate the meat, while they, the elders, drank the soup.

However, they never expected that the Rongguo Mansion was on the verge of collapse.

It should be noted that many of these clan elders have become wealthy by helping to manage the Jia clan's businesses.

Take Jia Dairu as an example. He managed the Jia family's school. Not only did he receive a salary, but he also had a say in the school's expenses.

Moreover, Jia Dairu was also able to use the school to smuggle in his own private goods.

In the original novel of Dream of the Red Chamber, Qin Ye sought out Jia Zhen in order to get his son Qin Zhong into school. Jia Zhen then arranged for Qin Zhong to study at the Jia family's school.

Despite this relationship, Jia Dairu still accepted twenty taels of silver from the Qin family as tuition.

This was clearly Jia Dairu's side income, and he had done similar things many times before.

The cost of a school each year is not small. After all, the entire Ningrong Street is inhabited by members of the Jia family, and the cost of writing materials alone is a huge expense.

The Rongguo Mansion is now operating at a loss, and with Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang still trying to save Jia Zheng, money is being spent like water.

If things continue like this, it wouldn't be surprising if the Rongguo Mansion couldn't sustain itself any longer and had to sell off its properties and close its schools.

Jia She then told the clan elders that if they continued to let Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang run the household, the properties they managed would either close down or be sold off, and in the end, they would have nothing left to gain.

Conversely, as long as they support their decision to divide the family property, Jia She will guarantee them a good life as long as he is in charge.

As for expelling Jia Baoyu from the Jia family, that was merely a side effect.

After all, apart from Old Madam Jia and Lady Wang, no one in the entire Jia family liked Jia Baoyu.

Especially after the incident of Jia Baoyu playing cards at the execution ground, Jia Baoyu became even more disgraced within the Jia family.

In the past, when members of the Jia clan traveled outside, everyone looked up to them.

Now, things have gotten really bad. Whenever the Jia family is mentioned, people cover their mouths to stifle their laughter, and after laughing for a while, they start asking their family members if they know Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu has become a disgrace to the entire Jia clan, and these clan elders are eager to expel him from the clan as soon as possible.

Seeing that Jia She had spoken first, Jia Dairu echoed his words.

"The Patriarch is right."

"It's time to clean up the unhealthy practices of our Jia family."

"Our ancestors were so valiant in the past, following Emperor Taizu in his campaigns across the north and south, laying the foundation for our Jia clan."

"This legacy was hard-won, and it has now been passed down to our descendants."

“If we continue to turn a blind eye to the evil practices in our clan, I fear this foundation will be ruined.”

(End of this chapter)