The Splendor of the Red Chamber

Jia Lian spent the entire day at the Nan'an Prince's Mausoleum.

Besides dealing with officials from all walks of life, he spent most of his time accompanying Chen Xingzhi to inspect crime scenes.

He did learn some things from the crime dramas he watched in later years, and occasionally he could even apply what he learned to other situations.

However, as for the progress of the investigation, it's practically nonexistent.

This was a case that was committed several months ago, and the perpetrators left calmly, leaving behind virtually no useful clues.

By evening.

Jia Lian brought Sheng Changwu back to the capital and was about to rest at the outer residence in Jiying Lane when they were unexpectedly intercepted by the steward of the Prince of Nan'an's mansion.

The steward cupped his hands and said, "Second Master Lian, our Imperial Concubine wishes to invite you over to inquire about the latest developments in the case."

Judging from the fact that the steward's face was frozen stiff, you could tell he must have been waiting here for a long time.

Helpless, Jia Lian had no choice but to tell Sheng Changwu to go back and inform Shulan first, while he went to the Prince's Mansion with the steward.

This time, there weren't as many outside guests at the Prince's Mansion.

The Dowager Princess of Nan'an received Jia Lian in the small flower hall, accompanied only by her son, the Marquis of Nan'an.

Because they were so close, Jia Lian could smell the perfume on the Princess of Nan'an's body when he stepped forward to pay his respects, and thus he could see the haggardness and anxiety hidden behind the powder.

Logically speaking, it would be normal for the Princess of Nan'an to be anxious and haggard after her husband's grave was robbed and his head was cut off by thieves.

But compared to her nonchalant attitude yesterday, Jia Lian couldn't help but overthink.

"Captain Jia."

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an's tone remained calm: "May I ask if there has been any progress in the case?"

"Your Majesty."

Jia Lian had already prepared his speech on the way here, and immediately bowed and said: "This case is very complicated, with many clues that are hidden or broken. The surrounding area is full of people and affairs, rumors and gossip, and it is difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood."

Therefore, we have not yet found conclusive evidence or any trace of the suspect. We beg Your Majesty to grant us some more time. We, your humble servants, will certainly do our utmost to investigate and will not dare to slacken our efforts in the slightest.

After listening to the official pleasantries, the Dowager Princess of Nan'an nodded slightly and said, "I naturally know that investigating cases is not easy, but Consort Li's body has been lying in state at home for a long time, and there must be a place to settle it... Alas, I don't have a definite idea for the moment. I wonder if Commander Jia has any suggestions?"

Upon hearing the words "Consort Li," Jia Lian secretly became more vigilant.

After being tricked by that hothead yesterday, in order to be prepared, he secretly investigated Consort Li's affairs.

According to the intelligence we have so far, the person who has been claiming to be ill and bedridden in the Prince's Palace is actually Princess Yi'an, the mother-in-law of the Princess of Nan'an and the late Emperor's younger sister.

Princess Yi'an, who had been ill for two years, was fine, but Consort Li, who was young and healthy, suddenly died.

Jia Lian dared not say that there was definitely something fishy going on, but it was never wrong to be careful.

"Uh~"

He feigned surprise for a moment before carefully saying, "This is a matter within the Prince's household, and has absolutely nothing to do with the tomb robbery case. How can I, an outsider, interfere recklessly?"

"Is that so?"

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an stared at Jia Lian with a half-smile for a moment before saying, "It seems I was presumptuous. Some things are indeed not for outsiders to get involved in; otherwise, the more one knows, the more..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear enough, even bordering on the obsequious.

However, judging from the tone of the Princess Consort of Nan'an, it didn't seem like she had been alerted and had simply lost her composure and let slip a word. It seemed more like she was threatening someone with confidence and trump cards.

It seems that Consort Li's matter is more complicated than imagined.

Jia Lian had never intended to get involved in this matter, and now he was even more eager to avoid it. So he frankly said, "I have never liked to meddle. For example, I didn't even bother to ask the names of the officials who came with me yesterday."

It wasn't until later, when someone acted arbitrarily in the Prince's residence, that I inquired about his name and what official position he held...

Jia Lian explained the man's identity and background in detail. He had originally intended to teach the man a lesson, and now he simply handed him over to the Prince's Mansion as a bargaining chip for mutual trust.

A smile appeared on the dignified face of the Princess of Nan'an, and she nodded slightly, saying, "These people with shallow foundations have narrow vision but great ambition. They often go to any lengths to climb the social ladder, but they don't know the principle that those who climb high will inevitably fall hard."

"Captain Jia is a rare and wise man. If anyone else is so blinded in the future, you must try to persuade them. If they listen, it will be a good deed for you."

On the surface, this was referring to the official who investigated the Prince's mansion, but to Jia Lian, it was clearly a reference to the death of Consort Li.

Even Consort Li, who had been formally appointed, was to be silenced after learning of the Prince's secrets, and the Dowager Consort dared to make such a blatant suggestion.

Jia Lian immediately thought of the rumors about Princess Yi'an and his son.

However, this matter had already spread throughout the elite circles, unless Consort Li possessed some decisive evidence, or...

Jia Lian put his mind at ease. Anyway, he didn't plan to get involved in this matter, so why think about it so much?

He then bowed and said, "This humble official will humbly obey Your Majesty's teachings."

The Princess Dowager of Nan'an didn't say anything, but as usual inquired about the recent situation of Grandmother Jia, and then sent Jia Lian away.

"Mother!"

No sooner had Jia Lian left than the Marquis of Nan'an couldn't hold back any longer and said urgently, "You really didn't need to bring up Consort Li's matter. Saying that will only make him more suspicious!"

"If we don't say anything, will no one suspect anything?"

The Dowager Princess of Nan'an glanced at her son: "If that's really the case, then no one would have rashly inquired about the news yesterday."

After a pause, she continued, "After learning that someone had come to the manor to inquire about the news, I thought about it over and over again last night. I felt that if we, the Prince's Mansion, were to handle this matter alone, the more we tried to hide it, the more suspicious we would become."

Rather than doing that, it would be better to subtly reveal a bit of the inside story, letting Jia Lian know the gravity of the situation and putting him in a difficult position.

He is both the heir to the Duke's mansion and a role model recently set by His Majesty. As long as he knows his place, he can save us a lot of trouble.

If he doesn't know his limits—this matter involves not only our Prince's Mansion, but also the face of the royal family. If it blows up, His Majesty won't let him off the hook!

After his mother explained, the Marquis of Nan'an finally understood.

But then she hesitated and said, "Why does it have to be him? He's a traitor in our Xun Gui Li. What if Prince Bei Jing finds out we're secretly colluding with him..."

"Lan'er!"

The Dowager Consort of Nan'an interrupted her son, solemnly warning him: "Don't forget that your grandmother was the daughter of Emperor Taizong and the current emperor's aunt. Besides being a noble consort, you also have royal blood flowing through your veins!"

Upon hearing his mother mention his grandmother, the Marquis of Nan'an's expression twisted, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "I'd rather not have this bloodline at all!"

Then she cursed, "That shameless, inhuman concubine Li, even in death she won't let us have peace!"

He was cursing Consort Li, but he was actually alluding to his own father.

"Sigh~"

The Dowager Princess of Nan'an sighed and said helplessly, "Your temperament is not suited to staying in the capital. Once your father's case is settled, try to get a posting outside the capital."

…………

the other side.

After leaving the Prince's Mansion, Jia Lian went to Jiying Lane.

This time, he did not disturb the second branch of the Sheng family, but went directly to Sheng Shulan's villa through the side gate.

After not seeing each other for a few days, the two naturally became very intimate.

About fifteen minutes later, Shulan, her face flushed, covered her collar and instructed the servants to prepare wine and dishes.

"Second Master."

Remembering what her younger brother had said, she poured wine while asking, "The Dowager Consort keeps asking questions every day. If the case remains unsolved, won't the Prince of Nan'an's Mansion take its anger out on the Second Master?"

"It's unavoidable to be criticized in person."

Jia Lian laughed and said, "But I'm not someone without connections. If the Dowager wants to take her anger out on someone, she'll pick on the weak first."

Shulan breathed a sigh of relief, but still took out the small box she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Jia Lian, saying, "I am just a woman from a humble family and don't understand these things, but Second Master must need money for his business. Please use this money first, and I have more if it's not enough."

Jia Lian didn't touch the box. He smiled, pulled her into his arms, kissed her, and said, "If I take this money, wouldn't I be just like the Yuan brothers?"

"They're different."

Shulan said earnestly, "The five thousand taels of gold were originally intended for the Second Master. They are only temporarily held in my possession. It is perfectly legitimate for the Second Master to use them, and no one can find fault with it."

Jia Lian loved her more and more for her thoughtfulness, and he would have in-depth conversations with her whenever they were at the dinner table.

Just then, Xiaodie came in to report that the eldest daughter of the second wife, Sheng Hualan, had come to see him.