Chen Jia immediately felt troubled.
Given Jiang Yan’s personality, she must have already explained things to Madam Dou. Yet Madam Dou still urgently sent someone to relay a message, indicating she didn’t believe Jiang Yan’s words.
If he confirmed that he had no improper intentions towards Jiang Yan, would Madam Dou misunderstand Jiang Yan instead?
Jiang Yan had grown up in the Li family since childhood. Although she had blood ties with Song Yantang, their emotional bond wasn’t deep. Duke Ying didn’t acknowledge her, and she had suffered from the Wei He incident. Staying in the Song family without a proper status was already awkward. She relied entirely on Song Yantang and Madam Dou’s protection. If Madam Dou misunderstood her, her future situation would be more than just awkward. One misstep could leave her without even a place to call home.
However, allowing Song Yantang to pin this blame on him… Chen Jia wasn’t willing to accept that either!
He had worked hard to reach his current position. How could he throw away his prospects over a false accusation?
Chen Jia paced back and forth in his room until he heard the third watch drum. Only then did he undress and get into bed.
Yet even in bed, he couldn’t sleep.
At one point, he thought about how Shao Wenji was imprisoned in the imperial jail. Song Yantang must be very concerned about what Shao Wenji had said. He could use this as an excuse to quietly visit Song Yantang and mention that he had his eye on a young lady from another family. He could ask Song Yantang to act as a matchmaker, which would naturally dispel this crisis.
Then he wondered, if Jiang Yan knew he was so eager to distance himself from her, would she think he was just being attentive to her to please Song Yantang? That he would keep his distance as soon as Song Yantang showed displeasure? Would she look down on him for being too worldly and utilitarian?
This was truly difficult no matter which way he turned!
He had a perfectly good way to extricate himself, yet he felt uneasy as if he had done something to betray his conscience.
No, when he had done things to betray his conscience before, he would think of the cold shoulders he received when he was down on his luck, and that slight discomfort would pass. But this time, he truly couldn’t make a decision!
Chen Jia pulled the blanket over his head, thinking that since things had come to this point, he wouldn’t be able to see Song Yantang tonight no matter how much he racked his brains. The matter would have to wait until dawn anyway, so he might as well plan tomorrow!
Besides, he didn’t have a satisfactory marriage prospect lined up. Even if his idea was good, he needed a target to make it work.
He forced himself to close his eyes.
However, when he got up the next morning, his confidant from the Zhenbusi yamen came to tell him: “Lord Shi secretly went to the imperial jail!”
Lord Shi referred to Shi Chuan, the Commander of the Imperial Guard.
The imperial jail was under the jurisdiction of the Zhenbusi of the Imperial Guard. Shi Chuan going there quietly like this alarmed Chen Jia greatly. He hastily donned his official robes and rushed to the imperial jail.
But by the time he arrived, Shi Chuan had already left.
He quietly asked his confidant: “Who did Lord Shi come to see?”
The confidant replied in a low voice: “Shao Wenji.”
As far as Chen Jia knew, Shao Wenji and Shi Chuan had no personal connection.
He secretly felt uneasy and ordered his confidant: “Quick, search Shao Wenji thoroughly, inside and out. Don’t even miss the gaps between his teeth.”
The Emperor had become increasingly unpredictable in recent years. He might throw someone in jail today, but release them tomorrow. Moreover, those qualified to enter the imperial jail were at least high-ranking officials from the Six Ministries. You never knew when someone might remember you, and upon release, they might make things difficult for you before doing anything else. Therefore, for someone like Shao Wenji, before an imperial edict of exile or demotion to commoner status was issued, the Zhenbusi wouldn’t easily offend them, let alone conduct a humiliating body search.
The confidant had always admired Chen Jia’s foresight. Without asking any questions, he led a team to search for Shao Wenji.
They found a sharp blade hidden in Shao Wenji’s crotch.
The confidant’s face changed dramatically as he presented the blade to Chen Jia.
Chen Jia expressionlessly ran his fingertip along the blade, but his mind was boiling like turbulent water.
Why would Lord Shi do this?
Whose orders was he following?
An idea vaguely surfaced in his mind, and he felt as if his great patron Song Yantang was standing on the edge of a cliff.
Beads of sweat appeared on Chen Jia’s forehead.
He instructed his confidant: “Don’t tell anyone about this. Quietly keep Shao Wenji under close watch without letting others notice. I’ll be back shortly.”
The confidant thought that Chen Jia must be going to seek advice from someone.
He respectfully acknowledged the order.
Chen Jia went to visit a very close friend but sent Huzi to see Du Wei.
In less than two hours, Du Wei sent word back, telling Chen Jia to give Shao Wenji a chopstick.
Chen Jia understood and returned to the imperial jail.
During lunch, Shao Wenji inserted a broken chopstick into his own throat.
When Chen Jia sent people to save him, Shao Wenji smiled faintly at Chen Jia as he breathed his last.
In the pool of blood, it looked so eerie.
Chen Jia gently closed his eyes and walked out of the cell.
What did Song Yantang know?
Why was he, several years younger than Chen Jia, so seasoned in his actions?
It was as if he had everything under control, confident and commanding.
When would Chen Jia be able to stand as high and see as far as Song Yantang?
Chen Jia thought of Jiang Yan again.
What should he do?
He had just rendered a service to Song Yantang. If he sought an audience now, Song Yantang would surely listen to him.
This was a good opportunity!
But if he went, what about Jiang Yan?
For a man, having some romantic entanglements could be forgiven if he mended his ways. But for a woman, even a hint of impropriety was seen as wanton and licentious…
Should he go? Or not?
Due to Shao Wenji’s death, Chen Jia was busy at the Zhenbusi yamen until midnight before returning home.
As he entered Yuqiao Hutong, he heard a commotion outside.
He lifted the curtain to look.
It turned out to be Young Master Ji from the Ji family seeing off guests.
They were dressed in splendid attire, laughing and joking with each other.
The light from the large red lanterns illuminated their faces, each brimming with confidence and ambition.
He couldn’t help but take a few more glances.
Huzi, who was accompanying the sedan chair, quickly explained: “It’s Young Master Ji from the Ji family. He was appointed as an Imperial Censor of the Censorate, overseeing the historical records and politics of the thirteen provinces of Jiangnan, even before the Imperial Academy graduates were assigned positions.”
Chen Jia nodded and lowered the sedan curtain.
But in his heart, he suddenly felt envious of Ji Yong.
People like him, who studied diligently, passed the imperial examinations, and steadily advanced in their official careers every few years, surely didn’t have to rack their brains to please superiors like he did.
Even if they offended their superiors, they could throw down their official seals in front of them, leave with their heads held high, return to Jiangnan, and continue to live as famous scholars, riding fine horses, indulging in wine and merriment, and enjoying nature to their heart’s content.
Chen Jia inexplicably felt very tired.
He stepped down from the sedan chair with somewhat unsteady steps and slowly made his way to the inner courtyard.
As for Jiang Yan’s matter, let it be!
He was too weary to explain or defend himself anymore!
If Song Yantang wanted to misunderstand, so be it!
He had done what he could and felt clear in his conscience. Let Song Yantang think what he wanted!
At worst, he could go back to his hometown and farm!
Then he thought of the faces of his uncles.
For a moment, his heart felt numb.
Dou Zhao learned that Chen Jia had sent someone to request an audience with Song Mo. She asked Song Mo, “What does Chen Jia want to see you about?”
“It’s about Shao Wenji’s matter.” Thinking of Shao Wenji’s situation, Song Mo couldn’t help but feel melancholy. He told Dou Zhao about Shao Wenji’s suicide.
Dou Zhao’s face turned pale.
She pointed towards the north.
Song Mo nodded slightly, put his arm around Dou Zhao’s shoulders, and said with a smile, “Don’t worry! If he wants to see me, he’ll have to wait until my case with Fifth Uncle is settled. We’ll see if he sides with me or with Fifth Uncle.”
If the Prince of Liao sided with Song Mo, he would have to persuade Jiang Bosun to compromise. Jiang Bosun had only quarreled with Song Mo because of the Prince of Liao’s matter. If the Prince treated him this way, how could he not feel wronged? It would be normal for him to become estranged from the Prince as a result. If the Prince of Liao sided with Jiang Bosun, why would Song Mo rely on the Prince of Liao?
Dou Zhao immediately recognized the brilliance of Song Mo’s move.
She gave Song Mo a thumbs up, looking at him with admiration: “You’re clever!”
“It’s just a matter of adapting to circumstances,” Song Mo said calmly, though his eyes couldn’t hide his pride.
Dou Zhao couldn’t help but smile, then asked, “Chen Jia wants to see you, is there nothing else?”
“No, why?” Song Mo asked curiously. “Has he done something wrong?”
It’s better not to let Song Mo know about this matter for now.
Dou Zhao pondered and said with a smile, “What could he have done wrong? I was just asking casually.”
Song Mo didn’t think much of it. Just then, the wet nurse brought in young Master Yuan, which changed the subject.
On Chen Jia’s side, after waiting a long time without any response from Duke Ying’s mansion, he began to have doubts.
Had he misunderstood the situation?
He wanted to investigate, so he sent a basket of kumquats, which his subordinates had given him a few days ago, to Duke Ying’s mansion with Tao Er’s wife.
Dou Zhao accepted it without showing any reaction.
Chen Jia felt relieved and asked Tao Er’s wife, “What did Madam Dou say?”
“This servant didn’t see Madam Dou,” Tao Er’s wife said respectfully. “Madam Dou’s father was returning to Zhending and came to bid farewell to Madam Dou. Madam Dou was too busy to see this servant.”
Chen Jia was quite surprised.
It wasn’t a festival or holiday, so why was Dou Shixing returning to Zhending?
He soon found out about Dou Shixing’s plan to adopt an heir.
However, Miao Ansu didn’t have Chen Jia’s extensive network of informants.
Ji Hong had been inquiring for several days but couldn’t find out why Dou Shixing was returning to Zhending.
Miao Ansu said dejectedly, “Forget it. Even if I knew, it wouldn’t be of any use to me! It’s not my business anyway.” But in her heart, she was secretly alarmed. Yizhitang was as impenetrable as an iron bucket; she couldn’t find anything she wanted to know. In contrast, at Qinxiang Court, she had learned who Song Yichun’s concubine was not long after marrying in.
No wonder her father-in-law couldn’t beat her uncle-in-law!
Just based on this point, her father-in-law had already lost.
She began to worry about the relationship between Song Han and Song Mo.
A young maid came in to report, “Two of your uncles have come to visit you!”
Miao Ansu was startled and asked, “Which two uncles?”
The young maid was her attendant and was very familiar with the Miao family’s situation. She smiled and said, “It’s Fifth Uncle and Sixth Uncle.”
The Fifth Uncle was her brother Miao Anping, and the Sixth Uncle was her eldest uncle’s youngest son.
“Please show them in,” Miao Ansu changed her clothes and went to the small reception hall.
Miao Anping wore a fashionable sapphire blue brocade robe embroidered with deep purple patterns of five bats holding longevity symbols. On his head, he wore a gold hairpin symbolizing continuous promotion. Her sixth cousin wore a dark red brocade robe woven with patterns representing peace in all four seasons, and on his head, he wore a gold hairpin symbolizing abundance year after year. Both were dressed dazzlingly bright, dazzling to the eyes.
Miao Ansu thought of the jade and stone bonsai displayed in the Dou family’s hall and couldn’t help but frown slightly. She calmly pointed to the grand chairs in the hall and said, “Please sit down, brothers, and let’s talk.”