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

Emperor Jing'an waved his hand dismissively at Xia Shouzhong's words:

"It's alright. Let's just consider it an explanation to the world and a way to make amends to this poor illegitimate son. If we don't even give him this much leniency, it would seem cruel."

"Besides, it's just an empty title, all name and no substance. He's a weak and incompetent man, so there's no need to care about him."

Xia Shouzhong offered a flattering remark: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Having said that, he said no more, standing with his hands at his sides, and the hall fell silent once more.

After a moment, Emperor Jing'an suddenly changed his expression, his face becoming solemn, and slowly said:

"Old fool, Lin Hai, the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, has written to say that he has suddenly fallen ill and is unable to continue his duties. He requests that I select a virtuous and capable person to go south and take over his post."

Xia Shouzhong was startled and quickly asked:

"So, what Lin Hai feared actually happened. They... they really dared to harm him?"

Emperor Jing'an's face was cold:

"These people have become so unscrupulous. Although Lin Hai was sent by the Emperor Emeritus to inspect the salt, he has been loyal and devoted to me. Over the years, he has worked diligently and has never slacked off in the slightest."

"But they actually disregarded me and the Emperor Emeritus, and insisted on harming him. They are utterly despicable. I wish I could drag them all out and behead them immediately to vent my hatred."

In the end, Emperor Jing'an gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with murderous intent, his right hand gripping the armrest of the dragon throne tightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

Xia Shouzhong was terrified and quickly bowed to comfort him:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger and take care of your health. The forces behind the salt administration are deeply entrenched and far-reaching, including many imperial relatives, powerful nobles, and gentry. Moving one part will affect the whole situation. Without solid evidence, it will be difficult to take action against them. We must plan carefully and proceed slowly."

Emperor Jing'an snorted coldly:

"Hmph! To plan for the long term? If this continues, the salt tax will all end up in their pockets, and I and the court will have to cater to them? Is this empire mine or theirs?"

As he finished speaking, Emperor Jing'an's chest heaved slightly, his eyes filled with rage.

Xia Shouzhong could only advise him to calm down, offering no further advice.

Throughout history, the administration of salt has always been a murky affair, with deep-rooted and complex web of vested interests that could not be resolved simply by issuing an imperial edict.

Completely curing it is virtually impossible.

Emperor Jing'an understood these principles. Although he was the emperor, he could not do whatever he wanted. The forces behind the salt administration were all deeply rooted and intertwined, making them difficult to touch.

Just like dealing with the old noble faction, even if he wanted to take action against the Jia family, he would have to think twice.

However, as the emperor understood, he was still unwilling and indignant. He wanted to resolve the matter completely, but he was also troubled about who to send to replace Lin Hai. If Lin Hai really died in office, how should he express his opinion?

After a while, Emperor Jing'an suddenly frowned, remembering that Lin Hai was still the son-in-law of the Jia family. His eyes became even colder, and the chill on his face intensified.

After a moment, Emperor Jing'an took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, regained his composure and dignity, and ordered in a deep voice:

"Old man, draft the decree."

Xia Shouzhong hurriedly and respectfully agreed. He immediately went to fetch a blank imperial edict and filled it in exactly as Emperor Jing'an read it. After finishing, he handed it to Emperor Jing'an with both hands.

Emperor Jing'an took the edict, examined it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, nodded slightly and handed it back to Xia Shouzhong.

Xia Shouzhong received the imperial decree, turned around and left the imperial study, instructing the eunuch to take it to the cabinet for review.

According to the system of this dynasty, an imperial edict should be drafted by the Grand Secretariat, then approved by the emperor, and finally stamped with the imperial seal by the Directorate of Ceremonial. Only then would the edict be considered to be fully effective and have the legal force of the court.

Since Emperor Jing'an had issued a decree directly, all that could be done was to draft it first and then submit it to the cabinet for review.

In most cases, since the emperor has already personally issued the decree, the cabinet will not reject it unless it touches on the fundamental interests of the civil service group; it is merely a formality.

Sure enough, in less than half an hour, the imperial edict had passed through the Grand Secretariat and the Directorate of Ceremonial, and the bright red imperial seal was neatly stamped on the bright yellow silk.

Xia Shouzhong carefully took the imperial edict, got into his sedan chair, and, accompanied by several attendants, left the palace and headed straight for the Jia family to deliver the decree.

……

Ningguo Prefecture.

In the main hall of the backyard, Grandmother Jia sat on the head chair with a gloomy old face, staring intently at Jia She, who was looking lost and dejected in the hall.

Jia Zheng also stood to the side, head bowed, not daring to meet Jia Mu's gaze.

The hall was quiet for the moment, with no one speaking.

Previously, the Ningguo Mansion's properties and money were controlled by the imperial court, which led to the suspension of the funeral. Guests complained, and Jia Jing sent someone to warn them. People throughout the capital were criticizing Jia She. Naturally, this news reached the ears of Grandmother Jia, who rushed over to deal with it.

After a long silence, Grandmother Jia finally spoke:

"Eldest brother, things have come to this. You must quickly find a way to make amends, otherwise, the century-old reputation that the Jia family ancestors worked so hard to build will be completely ruined in your hands. How will you face our ancestors in the future?"

Jia She slowly raised his head, his face ashen, his eyes unfocused, and his lips twitching violently a few times.

"Mother...Mother, this matter...is suspicious. I fear someone is deliberately targeting our Jia family. Please..."

Before he could finish speaking, Grandmother Jia slammed her hand on the table, interrupting him sharply:

"You bastard! How come you're still not convinced?!"

"Now everyone in the capital is criticizing you. I really don't know who has such power to make so many people criticize you. Could it be that they are all being instructed by someone to oppose you?"

"I initially thought you were just helping the East Mansion with the funeral arrangements. With the recent deaths of Zhen-ge'er and Rong-ge'er, there was no one in charge at the East Mansion. As an elder, it was only right for you to step forward and lend a hand. So I didn't interfere much and let you take charge."

"I never imagined you would do such a rebellious thing, taking advantage of someone's misfortune and exploiting your own family's dying offspring. And you still have the nerve to defend yourself?"

Upon hearing this, Jia She opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing the sharp eyes of Grandmother Jia, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, lowered his head again, and put his hands down at his sides.

Grandmother Jia stared at him for a long while before softening her tone slightly:

"The most urgent thing is for you to quickly write a letter to the second prince to apologize, saying that you were confused before and should not have done so. The emperor may not know about this yet. It is still not too late for you to write the letter now, which is better than waiting for the court to punish you. By then it will be too late."

"Take some more money out of your own pocket and finish the funeral arrangements for Zhen-ge'er and Rong-ge'er first. The incense and candles at the coffin are almost burned out, and the guests can't even get a sip of tea. What kind of show is this? Do you really want the whole capital to laugh at our Jia family?"

He paused for a moment, and seeing that Jia She still seemed unconvinced, he continued with a cold warning:

"As for the title and property of the Eastern Mansion, they shall naturally be inherited by Can-ge'er. No one should have any improper thoughts. He is Jing-ge'er's own flesh and blood, and the rightful master of the Eastern Mansion. No one should think that just because he is a son of a concubine, he can be treated as nothing. From now on, he is the only master of the Ningguo Mansion, and no one can replace him!"

Did you hear me clearly?