After Jia Zhen of Ningguo Mansion passed away, Jia Rong inherited the title of Fifth-Rank Imperial Guard, a nominal position, but spent his days loafing around.
Qin Keqing tried to persuade him several times, but to little avail, so she stopped trying.
However, Madam You fell ill at some point and was convalescent, unable to leave the house.
That day, Qin Keqing received a letter from Tan Chun mentioning Xi Chun's illness.
Upon receiving news that Lady Wang had sent Xichun and Tanchun away together without prior notice, he pondered for a moment and wrote a reply himself.
The next day, Qin Keqing sent someone to fetch Xichun and settled her at the estate of her family.
Lady Wang didn't inquire about the matter after hearing about it. Since they weren't her people to begin with, she figured if they wanted to support them, so be it.
Besides, she hadn't settled the score with Qin Keqing's younger brother, Qin Zhong, for seducing her Baoyu last time.
Now she's too lazy to bother with these people.
Even if they fawned over her when her Baoyu became an official, she wouldn't want him to.
Besides, with Xichun gone, it's more convenient for her to be with people, isn't it?
But before she could even make a move, Xichun had just left when the Iron Threshold Temple caught fire, burning down half of the temple.
Fortunately, it was dinner time, and all the monks were eating in the main hall. They escaped in time, and there were no casualties.
"Is the Jia family's daughter alright?" a monk asked, remembering the question.
The monks in the crowd were all busy putting out the fire, and they had no idea about this.
With dark expressions, you stared at me, and I stared at you.
A young monk slapped his shiny forehead. "Oh no! Miss Jia is sick. She said she took her medicine and can't eat, so she went to bed early!"
"Quickly, go save them!"
...
"What did you say? The temple is on fire?" Madam Wang's voice was filled with a hint of joy and excitement.
"How is he?"
"We don't know yet, Madam, you should go and take a look."
"Tan Chun, my poor Tan Chun!"
Unable to suppress her smile, Madam Wang rushed to the Iron Threshold Temple overnight.
Of course, the person was not rescued.
"Tan Chun! Tan Chun! Mother is here! My poor child!"
"Mother is so sorry, may you... rest in peace!"
The smile that couldn't be hidden beneath the handkerchief.
What bad luck! She died with the temple buildings on her back, and she still has to spend money to repair them.
Her money is really making her heart ache!
The thought of money made Madam Wang cry much more genuinely.
Before Madam Wang could finish laughing, rumors began to circulate outside.
"Have you heard? Oh..."
"What did you hear?"
"It was Madam Jia who hired someone to set fire to the house and burn her sick illegitimate daughter to death!"
"Really?"
"Of course it's true. I also heard that the illness of the concubine's daughter was caused by Madam Jia. She made the young girl kneel in the courtyard in the cold weather and tortured her until she fell ill."
"That's truly heartless!"
"Who says otherwise? Have you heard? The other day they found a husband for her illegitimate daughter who's older than her. Tsk tsk... How heartless!"
Rumors, as they spread, become more and more believable, with everyone speaking as if they had witnessed it firsthand.
Even the Emperor himself heard a few words about it in the palace. He mentioned it in his spare time, but the people below didn't know if it was true or not. The Emperor found it amusing. As the saying goes, flies don't land on eggs without cracks. If it were true, he would definitely not let such a ruthless woman go.
Even if it's fake, you shouldn't spread rumors and cause trouble.
He then ordered an investigation into the veracity of the matter.
When Yuan Chun heard about this in the palace, she trembled and went to the emperor to apologize. The emperor, considering that she was pregnant and had always been respectful and considerate, comforted her and ordered her to be sent back to her palace to rest and recuperate.
Lady Wang stared blankly at the soldiers who barged into the Jia family home, conducting their business in an official capacity. She only came to her senses after they had taken away several maids, servants, and young men.
"You...you can't do that!"
"Madam, help us! We didn't do anything! You've been wronged, sir! We've been wronged!"
...
Madam Wang's ears were ringing non-stop. Listening to the servants' screams and the soldiers' curses, she said sternly, "You must cooperate with the official's investigation. You must not admit to anything you did not do!"
"If you have really done anything unclean, I will treat your family well because of your many years of hard work and dedication to the Jia family!"
The captured servants trembled, and none of them dared to howl anymore.
The team leader, Commander Zhang, scoffed, "What, is this a threat?"
"Why are you in such a hurry if you didn't do it? It's just a routine inquiry. Even if we take them away today, their families will naturally be taken along as well!"
"You think that if you take the blame for someone or cover something up, they might try to wipe out your whole family the moment they step out the door? Some people, don't try to be clever!"
"You all better behave yourselves! Otherwise, the whip in my hand is not to be trifled with!"
As he spoke, he drew a whip from his waist and cracked it in the air.
Madam Wang was so frightened that she staggered and almost lost her balance, but she forced herself to remain calm, saying, "I didn't do it, and the innocent will clear themselves!"
"Sir, there's no need to threaten me. I didn't do it, and I'd rather die than admit it!"
Tan Chun's matter has nothing to do with her. Besides, as the mistress of the house, she naturally has the right to decide the marriages of her children. What kind of man she chooses is none of the Emperor's business!
"I will naturally investigate and find out the truth. I hope that Madam Jia will live up to the expectations of her deceased husband."
...
The next day, Shen Ajiao stared blankly at Tan Chun kneeling below, her face blackened, speechless...
What do you want to do?
Tan Chun said with a flattering look, "I went back and thought about it, and this method is much better than becoming a nun." Mainly, she wanted to see the outside world.
Young girls these days are really scary...
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