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

Chapter 149 Stay calm in times of crisis
The middle-aged man looked at Jia Zheng and said calmly.

"You don't know me, but I know you."

"It's understandable. You, Second Master Jia, are so arrogant. As a descendant of the prestigious Rongguo Mansion, it's only natural that you wouldn't recognize us insignificant people."

"Then let me briefly introduce myself. My surname is Sun, and my given name is Shaozu."

"My ancestors served under the Duke of Rongguo and later lived in Datong."

“A few months ago, I came to the capital to inherit my ancestor’s position as military commander. Since there was no official post in the Ministry of War, I went to the Rongguo Mansion to see Jia She.”

“He took five thousand taels of silver from me and promised to find me a real post.”

"But less than two months after he collected the money, he was imprisoned, and my position as the official magistrate was never revoked."

"Your Rongguo Mansion is a large and powerful family, so it's unlikely that you would take the money and not do the job."

"I'm here today for only one purpose: you return the five thousand taels of silver to me, and we'll call it even."

After hearing this, Jia Zheng was stunned for a moment, then thought for a while before speaking with uncontrollable rage.

"So, it was because of you that my elder brother died in prison."

Jia Zheng had always been very curious as to why his elder brother would associate with the military governor of Ping'an Prefecture.

Now we've found the root of the problem. Needless to say, it must be because Jia She sent someone to Ping'an Prefecture to help Sun Shaozu secure a real position.

However, Jia She did not expect things to go wrong. Lady Wang reported his collusion with officials outside the capital, which led to the complete downfall of the Rongguo Mansion.

When Jia Zheng saw that Sun Shaozu actually dared to come to his door, he was furious.

Seeing Jia Zheng's exasperated expression, Sun Shaozu sneered and said...

"What are you doing? Trying to bully me, huh? Playing the rogue."

“It’s only right that your older brother did the work after receiving the money.”

"He got into trouble because he didn't handle things properly, what does that have to do with me?"

"It's all his fault for being greedy for money. If you don't have the skills, don't take on the job."

"Alright, I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you. Just return the money to me and we'll call it even. Otherwise, I'm not finished with you."

Seeing this, Jia Zheng snorted coldly and said...

"The silver has all been confiscated by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Go ask the Embroidered Uniform Guard for it."

Without saying a word, Sun Shaozu swung his sword and slapped Jia Zheng across the face.

"You shameless bastard, you really think you're something special."

"You think this is still the heyday of your Rongguo Mansion? You've moved to the south of the city, and you're still putting on airs with me."

Who do you think you are?

Jia Zheng covered half of his face and said angrily.

"You, you dare to hit someone."

Sun Shaozu said with a disdainful look.

"So what if I hit you, sir? Let me tell you, it's five thousand taels of silver, not a single penny less. You'd better give it back to me right now, or I'll never forgive you."

Just as Jia Zheng was about to continue his stubborn resistance, Jia Tanchun, who was in the inner quarters, heard the commotion and rushed to the front yard.

Seeing that Jia Zheng was clashing with the newcomers, Jia Tanchun quickly stepped forward and spoke up.

"Stop! Why are you hitting me?"

When Sun Shaozu saw Jia Tanchun, his eyes lit up, and a lewd look appeared in them.

“Oh, what a pretty young lady! Jia Zheng, if you don’t have any money, I’ll give you this girl as a discount of a thousand taels.”

Jia Zheng trembled with rage and pointed at Sun Shaozu, cursing him.

"You beast, you beast."

Sun Shaozu's face darkened.

"You dare to curse me? Haven't you had enough of being beaten?"

Seeing Sun Shaozu wave his hand again, Jia Tanchun looked at Sun Shaozu without showing any weakness and said.

“Our Rongguo Mansion may have declined, but it’s not up to someone like you to bully us like this.”

"Since we're talking about money, let's talk about money. What gives you the right to hit me?"

"Judging from your accent, you're not from the capital. If you insist on causing trouble here, then we'll go see the authorities."

"The Jingzhao Prefecture loves it when you outsiders come here and cause trouble. I'd like to see if you can get away with it."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozu hesitated.

He knew his own situation best. If he were in Datong, he would be considered a local and well-acquainted with the local government.

But in the capital, he was not a big shot.

If the matter really escalates to the Jingzhao Prefecture, then to the people there, they'd be no different from fat sheep, just handing themselves over to be slaughtered—that would be incredibly foolish.

After thinking for a while, Sun Shaozu looked at Jia Tanchun and said calmly.

"What a sharp-tongued little girl! You don't actually think you can get away with not paying those five thousand taels of silver, do you?"

Jia Tanchun forced herself to remain calm and said.

“As you have seen, our family now lives in the southern part of the city, and all of Rongguo Mansion’s properties have been confiscated. We definitely cannot come up with five thousand taels of silver.”

"If you insist on sticking to this number, then there's no point in saying anything more. If you're so capable, then drive our whole family to their deaths, and save us from this torment."

“When the time comes, our family will be free, but you will be facing a murder case. You won’t get back a single penny of the five thousand taels of silver, and you’ll have to spend at least another ten thousand taels of silver to bribe the authorities.”

"If you really want to make a scene like this, then come on."

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaozu also became hesitant.

In fact, Sun Shaozu was not lying; Jia She really did take five thousand taels of silver from him.

But before the matter could be resolved, Jia She went inside.

Later, Jia She died in the imperial prison.

During this period, although Sun Shaozu knew about these things, he really dared not show his face. After all, if he were labeled as Jia She's accomplice, Sun Shaozu would be in big trouble.

Only after the incident had subsided and things had calmed down did Sun Shaozu feel that there was no danger left, and he began to send people to search for the whereabouts of the remaining people in the Rongguo Mansion.

After searching for a long time, Sun Shaozu finally found out the news and then brought his men to the South City.

But seeing Jia Tanchun's desperate state, Sun Shaozu hesitated.

The reason he sought out the Rongguo Mansion was simply to try and mitigate the losses. After all, five thousand taels of silver was no small sum for him, and he was quite distressed to see it go to waste.

But judging from this situation, if I were to take a hard line, not only would I not be able to get the five thousand taels of silver back, but I might also end up in a murder case, which would cost me even more money.

After hesitating for a long time, Sun Shaozu looked at Jia Tanchun and said.

"You don't think I'll just accept my bad luck like this, do you? You're underestimating me."

Upon hearing Sun Shaozu's words, Jia Tanchun understood that his momentum had subsided.

Jia Tanchun then spoke.

“You’ve seen our family’s situation. We can’t come up with five thousand taels of silver even if you kill us.”

“But after all, it was my uncle who took your money. Even though he is no longer here, the Jia family will still acknowledge this debt.”

"In this way, if you give us ten days, we will give you 1,500 taels of silver, even if we have to go bankrupt."

Sun Shaozu was very dissatisfied after hearing this.

"Five thousand five hundred taels? No, that's too little. At least three thousand taels."

Jia Tanchun waved her hand and said.

"Two thousand taels, that's my bottom line. If you still don't agree, then do whatever you want."

Seeing Jia Tanchun's attitude of being prepared to die together with everyone else, Sun Shaozu hesitated for a moment before saying, "Alright, two thousand taels it is. I'll give you ten days. Let me tell you, don't even think about running away. I'll have people watching you."

"Let's go."

Sun Shaozu then left the courtyard with two servants.

Seeing that Sun Shaozu and his party had finally left, Jia Tanchun breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart was pounding, clearly she had been quite frightened.

Ultimately, Jia Tanchun was just an unmarried girl. It was already quite remarkable that she had managed to hold on until now, facing the fierce and menacing Sun Shaozu and his men.

At this moment, Jia Zheng looked at his daughter, who was still shaken, and then at his son, Jia Huan, who was hiding to the side and dared not speak, and couldn't help but sigh.

Alas, the women of the Jia family are all exceptionally capable, but the men are best left unmentioned.

Then Jia Zheng looked at Jia Tanchun and said.

"Tan Chun, I'm afraid Sun Shaozu won't let this go. We can't stay here any longer. Let's pack our things and leave quickly."

"I'm going to fight Sun Shaozu to the death right here. I want to see what he dares to do."

Jia Tanchun waved her hand and said.

“Father, Sun Shaozu doesn’t look like a good person. If you stay here alone, things are bound to go wrong.”

"I just used a delaying tactic to buy time."

"Don't worry, Father. I have a plan and I know what to do."

Jia Zheng shook his head and said.

“Silly child, what other way can you do? Let alone two thousand taels of silver, our family can’t even come up with two hundred taels right now.”

Jia Tanchun looked at Jia Zheng and said.

"Father, don't worry, I have a plan. Father, please stay here and comfort the family. I have to go out for a while."

Jia Zheng said with some worry.

"Human relationships are cold and indifferent, and the world is fickle. Who can you turn to for help now, Tan Chun? Don't keep hitting walls; it's pointless."

Jia Tanchun said with a firm gaze.

"Your daughter doesn't do things she's not sure of, so Father can rest assured."

After speaking, Jia Tanchun left the courtyard and went outside.

At this moment, Jia Zheng felt a mix of emotions. He had lived half his life, and in the end, he had to rely on his daughter to support the family. Jia Zheng felt extremely sad.

In the evening, in a secluded courtyard in the eastern part of the Marquis of Champion's mansion, Jia Jue was talking with Jia Yuanchun.

After Jia Jue returned to the capital, he brought Jia Yuanchun from Yuqing Temple to a separate residence in the city.

Jia Yuanchun did not choose to return to the Marquis of Champion's mansion with Jia Jue, but instead chose to live in a separate courtyard, serving the Three Pure Ones, which was very peaceful.

Inside the room, Jia Yuanchun poured Jia Jue a cup of tea and then spoke gently.

"I haven't yet congratulated Your Highness on being granted a royal title."

Jia Jue gently grasped Jia Yuanchun's slender hand and said.

"How have you been while I was away from the capital? Have you been doing well?"

Jia Yuanchun nodded and said.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Although there is still unrest in the capital, it has not affected Yuqing Temple. I am doing well."

Then Jia Jue looked at Jia Yuanchun with concern and said...

"You know about what happened at the Rongguo Mansion, right?"

Hearing this, Jia Yuanchun sighed and said.

"Cause and effect will always come back to haunt you."

“My grandmother and mother harbored evil intentions and persecuted their own relatives. It is only natural that the Rongguo Mansion is in its current state.”

"The fact that the Rongguo Mansion can still have a trace of its bloodline is already a testament to the blessings of its ancestors."

Jia Jue embraced Jia Yuanchun and said.

"Would you like to see your family? After all, they are your closest relatives."

After hesitating for a moment, Jia Yuanchun nestled in Jia Jue's arms and said.

"I don't want to go see them anymore. Your Highness, could you please find out about their current situation for me? As long as they have enough food and shelter and don't end up on the streets, that will be fine."

"I have no desire to concern myself with the rest."

"My ties with the Rongguo Mansion should have been severed long ago."

Jia Jue gently stroked Jia Yuanchun's hair and said.

"They are all blood relatives; how easy is it to sever the bond?"

“I know you can’t let go of them, but you don’t want to put me in a difficult position, so you did this.”

"Actually, there's no need for that. My feud with the Rongguo Mansion ended the moment Old Madam Jia and Madam Wang passed away."

“I have no hatred towards your father and the others, and they have never persecuted me.”

"Now that they have fallen to this state, they have received the punishment they deserved, and I will no longer hold a grudge against them."

"If you want to see them, I can go with you."

After thinking for a moment, Jia Yuanchun shook his head and said.

"No, it's fine as it is now. Your Highness can just ask about the situation for me. Meeting will only cause me more trouble and sorrow. Why bother?"

Seeing Jia Yuanchun like this, Jia Jue understood that Jia Yuanchun was truly disheartened about the Rongguo Mansion and had little attachment to it anymore.

Although the Rongguo Mansion's abandonment of Jia Yuanchun had nothing to do with Jia Zheng.

But as a father, even after he learned about these things, he still did nothing.

Jia Yuanchun lived in Yuqing Temple for nearly a year, and he never visited her once, nor did he show any concern for her well-being.

When Jia Yuanchun needed care the most, it was Jia Jue who filled the void in her heart.

For Jia Yuanchun now, nothing is more important than Jia Jue's feelings.

Therefore, she was unwilling to let Jia Jue compromise because of her.

Sensing Jia Yuanchun's feelings, Jia Jue embraced her and gently kissed her forehead.

Just as the two were enjoying their tender moment, a maid knocked on the door.

"Your Highness, I have something to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jue frowned and then said somewhat impatiently.

"What's the matter?"

"Your Highness, the Madam sent someone to the villa to deliver a message, saying that a young lady named Jia Tanchun has been kneeling in front of our mansion, requesting to see Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yuanchun's beautiful eyes darted around, a hint of worry showing through them.

Seeing this, Jia Jue gently patted Jia Yuanchun's hand, signaling her to calm down, and then calmly gave instructions.

"Have someone prepare a carriage; I will return to my residence shortly."

"The slaves obey."

Not long after, Jia Jue took Jia Yuanchun into a carriage and returned to the mansion.

At this moment, inside the Prince of Jin's residence, Zhang Guifen and Sheng Minglan were discussing matters together.

Zhang Guifen looked at Sheng Minglan and asked in confusion.

“Minglan, what’s going on? The people of Rongguo Mansion are all in such a state, how can they still have the mind to come to our mansion to see their husbands?”

(End of this chapter)