Dream of the Red Chamber: I can see the hidden labels of the beauties.

The young Taoist priest's words startled Jia Zheng, whose expression changed drastically. He turned sharply to look at Jia She, only to find that Jia She was also filled with astonishment.

A moment later, Jia Zheng did not hesitate any longer and turned to shout loudly towards the door:

"Someone come here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several loyal servants strode in, stood at attention, and awaited instructions.

Jia Zheng, his face ashen, ordered in a deep voice:

"Go out and inquire quickly whether everyone in the capital is talking about the Eastern Palace. If so, find out what people are saying. Go now!"

The servants didn't dare hesitate for a moment, and responded in unison. They turned around and ran out the door, their footsteps quickly disappearing outside the courtyard.

While waiting, Jia Zheng paced back and forth in the hall, while Jia She stared blankly outside, as if he had lost his soul.

Before long, the servants who had been sent out to gather information rushed back, their steps faltering and their breath coming in gasps. The leader of the servants reported in a panic:

"Reporting to your question, sir, there are indeed many people outside discussing the affairs of the East Mansion. You can find out everywhere – in the streets, alleys, teahouses, taverns, you name it – all sorts of things are being said..."

At this point, he subconsciously glanced at Jia She, only to see that Jia She's face was deathly pale and his eyes were dark and sinister, like an evil spirit from the underworld. He was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, and dared not continue speaking.

Jia Zheng's face was grim, his brows furrowed, and he gritted his teeth as he pressed on:

"Tell me quickly, what are people outside saying?"

The servant knew he couldn't avoid it, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak frankly:

"Reporting to...Reporting to Master, some say that the eldest master is too domineering, bullying the orphans and widows of the East Mansion, not even sparing his own family, and actually taking advantage of the extinct. It is truly shameless and despicable, no different from robbers and hooligans."

"Some people say... Previously, the Jia family had two Dukes of the State, and the Ningguo Mansion was the direct line. Now, it is being encroached upon by the Rongguo Mansion, a collateral line. This is a reversal of the natural order, disregarding ethics and morals, and acting perversely. It will surely be punished by heaven, and soon... soon the entire family will be executed..."

"And...and someone else said...that..."

At this point, the servant's voice was trembling uncontrollably, and cold sweat was beading on his forehead, but he dared not raise his hand to wipe it away, and he dared not say anything more.

He couldn't help but steal a glance at Jia Zheng. He saw that Jia Zheng's face had turned pale and his whole body was trembling. He was supporting himself on the back of the chair with one hand to keep his balance. He really didn't expect that in just a few days, this matter would have caused such a stir in the city.

Whether they were powerful figures in the capital or ordinary citizens, everyone was talking about this matter.

What alarmed him even more was that everyone's story was remarkably consistent: they all believed that what the Rongguo Mansion had done was wrong and violated ethical norms, and they all condemned the Rongguo Mansion's embezzlement.

As the saying goes, public opinion can melt metal and accumulated slander can destroy bones. When everyone says so, it becomes a huge force. Even an emperor who has the final say would have to think twice in the face of such overwhelming public opinion, let alone the Jia family.

Jia Zheng felt a chill run down his spine. Now he understood why Jia Jing, who had been silent before, was now unable to sit still and had specially sent the young Taoist priest to warn and remind them.

What's even more frightening is that the whole thing had a strange quality about it from beginning to end.

First, the government took control of their industries and finances; then Jia Jing issued a warning; and now, outsiders are criticizing them. One thing leads to another, like a well-woven net waiting for them to stumble into it.

If what those outsiders say is true, the Jia family will probably soon suffer divine retribution.

In an instant, Jia Zheng's emotions surged, filled with both shock and regret. He abruptly turned to look at Jia She and saw that Jia She's face was ashen, his lips were pale, and his eyes were unfocused. He seemed to have aged several years in an instant, with no trace of his previous arrogance and high spirits.

Jia Zheng finally couldn't help but complain:

"Brother, did you hear that? I warned you before, but you wouldn't listen!"

He wanted to say a few more harsh words to vent his previous worries and resentment, as well as his current fear, but the words caught in his throat. He remembered that Jia She was his elder brother, and that Jia She was also terrified at the moment. So he swallowed back the harsh words that were about to come out, and only let out a long sigh.

"well……"

After saying this, Jia Zheng sat heavily back in his chair, his hands supporting his knees, and could only sigh.

Jia She was even more gloomy and dejected, staring blankly outside, his lips twitching. He had lost all his former demeanor as a master and looked more like a living dead man on his deathbed.

For a moment, the room fell silent. No one spoke. A gust of wind blew in from outside the door, carrying the chill of late autumn. Everyone present felt a chill in their body and mind.

A few withered leaves drifted in, creating a desolate and bleak scene in the hall, a stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere half an hour earlier, when the hall was filled with guests and flattery.

……

Meanwhile, deep within the palace, in the Imperial Study of the Daming Palace, the emperor's residence, the current Emperor Jing'an was discussing this matter with his personal eunuch, Xia Shouzhong.

Emperor Jing'an sat upright at the head of the table, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, and a golden dragon crown on his head. His face was square, and his eyes were full of imperial majesty.

He was around forty years old and slightly overweight, but because the dragon robe was tailored to fit his body, it accentuated his good fortune and nobility, and did not make him look bulky at all.

Holding a memorial in his hand, he said in a deep voice:

"This Jia She is really cunning. He actually made Jia Baoyu of the Rongguo Mansion inherit the title of Ningguo Mansion. He has a good plan. It is obvious that he wants to seize Ningguo Mansion."

Xia Shouzhong stood beside him, bowing slightly, holding a purple whisk in both hands, his eyes lowered and his voice soft as he replied:

"Your Majesty, this may actually be a good thing for you. Jia She's actions will inevitably cause internal conflicts within the Jia family. You won't even need to do anything to the Jia family anymore; they will split up on their own."

"This old servant thinks that Jia She is truly incompetent and utterly immoral. Back then, he was the Crown Prince's study companion and was personally bestowed the title of Marquis by the Emperor Emeritus. What an honor that was! Now he has become such a muddle-headed person. It is truly lamentable."

As he spoke, Xia Shouzhong shook his head slightly, a look of regret on his face, as if he were truly feeling sorry for Jia She, but a barely perceptible sneer flashed in his eyes.

Emperor Jing'an narrowed his eyes, a deep glint flashing in them, and replied in a deep voice:

"Perhaps he hasn't changed at all. Wasn't he the same back then? If it weren't for him, the former crown prince might not have met with this misfortune, and I wouldn't be sitting on this throne."

Xia Shouzhong replied, "Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune. Even without Jia She, the former Crown Prince would have inevitably met with misfortune. Back then, the Emperor Emeritus had long suspected the former Crown Prince, and it wasn't just because of Jia She."

Emperor Jing'an glanced at him and nodded slightly:

"Old man, what you said is not wrong... However, I am not worried about the other members of the Jia family, but I am worried about Jia Baoyu."

Upon hearing this, Xia Shouzhong was slightly taken aback, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes. He quickly asked:

"Why is His Majesty worried about a mere child from the Jia family?"