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

Xia Shouzhong's eyes lit up slightly when he saw Jia Can offering silver so tactfully, but he remained expressionless. He gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, who then stepped forward and accepted the silver pouch.

He smiled again, his smile much warmer than before.

"Lord Jia, you are too kind. I am merely acting on imperial orders and do not deserve such a generous gift. However, since it is Lord Jia's kind intention, I will accept it without hesitation."

"If anything happens in the future, Lord Jia, you may come to me. I will do my best to help you in any way I can."

Jia Can repeatedly said, "Of course, of course, thank you for your kindness, Father-in-law."

But secretly he thought it best to stay away from this man. Given Xia Shouzhong's insatiable nature, if he takes money today, he might ask for an exorbitant amount tomorrow. He's a bottomless pit that can never be filled.

Unless absolutely necessary, one must not have too much involvement with Xia Shouzhong.

The two sat and chatted for a while longer. Xia Shouzhong put down his teacup, stood up, and bowed to take his leave.

"It's getting late, I should return to the palace to report. Lord Jia, please wait."

Jia Can did not try to stop him any longer, and personally escorted Xia Shouzhong out of the side hall, through the corridor, and all the way to the main gate.

A sedan chair was already waiting outside the gate. Xia Shouzhong got into the sedan chair, the curtain was lowered, the sedan chair bearers lifted the sedan chair, and the group gradually drove away along the long street.

Jia Can stood on the steps at the entrance, watching the sedan chair disappear into the street before turning around and slowly walking back.

With the imperial edict issued, the dispute over the title and property of the Ningguo family was finally settled, leaving no room for further controversy. All the previous disturbances and scheming were suppressed, and no one dared to utter another word.

Thus, Jia Can officially rose from being a pitiful illegitimate son who was pitied and sympathized with to becoming the sole heir to everything in the Ningguo Mansion.

As Grandmother Jia said in public, from then on, Jia Can was in charge of everything in the Ningguo Mansion.

Furthermore, since Grandmother Jia had already instructed Jia She to pay for the funerals of Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, Jia Can naturally felt no guilt whatsoever.

Since the money didn't need to come from the Ningguo Mansion's public funds, and was entirely paid for by the old master whose title had been stripped, Jia Can was happy to save himself the trouble, but he didn't become extravagant as a result.

It was done in accordance with regulations, with all the necessary ceremonial regalia included, and no unnecessary extravagance added. There was no deliberate saving or extravagance, and it was all done in a proper and orderly manner.

Jia Can understood that if he went too far in the funeral arrangements, it would easily give people something to say, and they might accuse him of taking advantage of the situation, which would be a loss.

While handling the funeral arrangements, Jia Can also began to reorganize the household affairs. He had briefly discussed this matter with You Shi before, and now with the public support of Grandmother Jia and the blessing of the imperial edict, he naturally had no more concerns.

Incorporating personnel management rules from later generations, the entire household was reorganized, and new regulations were established.

The once lazy and chaotic servants became responsible for their duties, with clear division of labor. Every task was assigned to a specific person, with clear responsibilities and no room for shirking.

All accounts were also subject to new regulations. Every expenditure, from receiving silver to purchasing goods and then to receiving and inspecting them, required the signatures and fingerprints of everyone involved. If any problems arose, the source would be traced back, and no one could escape responsibility.

Such swift and decisive measures had an immediate effect, and the atmosphere in the mansion changed instantly. No one dared to be lazy or slack off anymore, let alone take the opportunity to skim off the top.

However, those old men who used to rely on their seniority and seniority to loaf around in the mansion were now suffocated by the new rules. They complained in private, gathering in groups of three or five to whisper and gossip about Jia Can and You Shi.

Some say that Jia Canyuan was just a son of a concubine, and that he became so mean to the old folks after gaining power, showing no regard for their past friendship. Others say that You Shi, a woman, also joined in the chaos, turning the once peaceful Ningguo Mansion into a mess.

Upon hearing these rumors, Jia Can showed no mercy to the elderly women. He sent his trusted confidants to keep a close watch on them, and if they were found to have made any mistake, no matter who they were or how senior they were, they would be severely punished.

At best, they would be publicly flogged; at worst, they would be expelled from the mansion without receiving a single penny more in severance pay.

He already knew what kind of people these were, and if he didn't get rid of them now, keeping them around would only make things difficult for him.

The elderly people were initially indignant, thinking that the law would not punish everyone and that Jia Can would not dare to drive them all away. But Jia Can did just that, and without any mercy.

In just half a month, almost all the old people in Ningguo Mansion had been driven away by Jia Can.

The old stewardesses who used to bully and extort money in the mansion, and the old servants who were arrogant because they had served the older generation of masters, were all driven out in disgrace.

Such swift and decisive actions spread throughout the two mansions, drawing everyone's attention. No one expected that this previously unnoticed illegitimate son would be so ruthless and decisive once he gained power, exceeding everyone's expectations and completely changing everyone's perception of Jia Can.

To fill the vacancy, Jia Can secretly approached Yu Hui and asked him to bring in a new batch of servants from outside.

Most of these people came from poor backgrounds and were sold into the household just to get a full meal, so naturally they didn't have many problems.

They were content as long as they weren't beaten or scolded by their masters, so they were extremely attentive, obedient, and diligent in their work.

Jia Can's will was thoroughly implemented in these newcomers, and the new rules were promoted with almost no obstacles.

The remaining small group of elderly people, seeing Jia Can's methods and witnessing their former colleagues being driven out one by one, no longer dared to rely on their age to act superior.

They all shrank their necks and tucked their tails between their legs, obediently and diligently carrying out their tasks, no longer daring to have any other thoughts.

When they met Jia Can, they were extremely respectful, almost bowing to the ground.

In this way, the funeral was naturally handled in an orderly manner, leaving no room for complaint.

The guests who came to pay their respects nodded repeatedly, saying that the Ningguo family was very courteous and worthy of being a century-old family, still maintaining their dignity even after such a great change.

In stark contrast to the bustling scene of people and carriages at Ningguo Mansion, there was the Rongguo Mansion next door.

Ever since the imperial edict was issued and the news of Jia She being stripped of his title spread, the Rongguo Mansion was shrouded in gloom and despair. The main gate was tightly closed, with only a side gate left for family members to enter and exit. The mansion was deserted, and almost no one came to visit anymore.

The prominent families who used to be on friendly terms with Jia She, sharing drinks and laughter, are all nowhere to be seen now. It's as if they've all suddenly lost their memories and forgotten about this long-standing friendship.

Everyone in the Rongguo Mansion was humiliated and ashamed. The servants went out with their heads down, afraid of being asked about what was going on in the mansion.

When guests passed by the Rongguo Mansion, they couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh, discussing the matter amongst themselves.

"Alas, the former Duke Rongguo was renowned far and wide, known throughout the land, yet he has now fallen to the hands of an unworthy grandson. Truly, the ways of the world are unpredictable, and it is truly lamentable."

"Yes, Jia She was originally the heir of a duke. He was so glorious back then. Now, he's been reduced to a seventh-rank cavalry captain, a tiny title that's embarrassing to even mention."

"It is a case of reaping what you sow. Jia She insisted on courting death and ended up in this predicament. He has only himself to blame and can't blame anyone else. It's just a pity that the century-old reputation of the Rong family has been completely ruined."

"..."