Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 625 Jia Changsheng's Arrangement
In the prosperous capital city, Jia Changsheng was unexpectedly awarded the title of Viscount, which was like a rising star above the Jia family. He should have been honored and had a bright future, but he did not expect to be caught in the vortex of a family conspiracy.

Inside the Jia family, when Grandmother Jia heard that Jia Changsheng had been awarded the title, she secretly came up with a plan. She knew the importance of the title, so how could she watch it fall into the hands of this illegitimate child in the family, whom she already had a grudge against? So, she quickly summoned Jia Zhen, Jia Zheng, Jia Rong, and Jia Lian, and they conspired in the Rong Xi Hall with its carved beams and painted rafters. Grandmother Jia sat upright on the armchair, with a shrewd and determined look in her eyes. She slowly spoke: "Although Jia Changsheng is an illegitimate child, he has now been awarded the title. This has a lot to do with the reputation of our Jia family and the future direction of power. I thought that I had to trick him back, and then think about it in the long run, and think of a way to get the title into our hands."

Jia Zhen frowned slightly, thought for a moment and was the first to agree: "Grandma, what you said is right. If this title is in his hands, there is no guarantee that there will be trouble in the future. We still have to think of a comprehensive plan." Jia Zheng stroked his beard and nodded seriously: "Mother, this move is also for the stability of the family. It's just that we have to trick him back, so as not to give people a chance to criticize." Jia Rong rolled his eyes and said hurriedly: "Grandma, leave this matter to me and my father, and there will be no mistakes." Jia Lian also responded: "Yes, Grandma, we know our limits."

In this way, a conspiracy against Jia Changsheng quietly began. Jia's mother then arranged for Mrs. Wang to handle the matter. Mrs. Wang did not dare to disobey and turned around and handed this difficult task to Zhou Rui.

Zhou Rui accepted the task, feeling somewhat uneasy, but he dared not disobey. He asked along the way and finally found Jia Changsheng's residence. It was a quiet courtyard with swaying green bamboos. Jia Changsheng was reading in the study. When he heard that Zhou Rui wanted to see him, he couldn't help but feel puzzled. He and Zhou Rui didn't have much interaction on weekdays, so he must have something to do when he came today.

"Butler Zhou, what brings you here today?" Jia Changsheng put down the book in his hand, stood up to greet him, with a hint of vigilance in his eyes.

Zhou Rui smiled widely, bowed, and said, "Master Jia, you are now so glorious. With the title of Viscount, the whole Jia family is honored. The old lady is thinking about you and said that you are not as good as being at home when you are out there, so she asked me to invite you back to her house for a chat."

Jia Changsheng sneered in his heart. He knew very well the attitude of Jia Mu and others towards him. This sudden invitation might not be that simple. He said calmly, "Housekeeper Zhou, thank you for your concern, but I am used to being at ease outside. There are many rules in the mansion. I am afraid that I will not be used to it when I go back."

Seeing him trying to shirk his responsibility, Zhou Rui hurriedly said, "Master Jia, what are you talking about? The old lady said that as long as you go back, all the past things will be forgiven. Think about it, this mansion is your root after all, and it is better to have your family around than to be alone. Moreover, now that you have a title, you can better display your talents and bring glory to the family if you return to the mansion."

Jia Changsheng paced lightly and said slowly: "Butler Zhou, although I am not talented, I also understand that this title is given by the emperor, and I should do my best to serve the court. As for returning home, I still need to think about it. After all, I have some affairs to deal with outside."

Zhou Rui was a little anxious. He took a step closer and said in a low voice, "Master Jia, please don't be confused. Although your title is in your hands now, in this mansion, the old lady still has the final say. If you don't return home, there is no guarantee that something unexpected will happen."

Jia Changsheng's eyes were stern. He looked directly at Zhou Rui and said, "Butler Zhou, are you threatening me? I, Jia Changsheng, am upright and honest. I earned this title with my own ability. It cannot be taken away by anyone who wants to."

Seeing that he was angry, Zhou Rui smiled and apologized: "Master Jia, you misunderstood. How dare I threaten you? I just have good intentions and want to remind you. You see, after you return home, if the old lady is happy, she may give you more benefits. This wealth and glory is all up to you."

Jia Changsheng sneered, "Butler Zhou, I appreciate your kindness. But I have my own life and ambitions outside. I don't want to get involved in the intrigues in the mansion. Please go back and tell the old lady that I thank her for her concern, but I will not return home for the time being."

Zhou Rui wanted to persuade him again, but Jia Changsheng had already turned his back to him and said nothing. Zhou Rui had no choice but to return home in disgrace.

Along the way, Zhou Rui was upset, knowing that he would not have a good ending if he had not completed the task assigned by Lady Jia. Jia Changsheng stood in front of the study window, looking at Zhou Rui's back, and swore in his heart that no matter what, he would not let Lady Jia and others succeed in their conspiracy. He would keep his title and create his own world, even if there were many thorns ahead, he would never back down.

Zhou Rui returned to Rongguo Mansion with his head down and a frustrated look on his face, and went straight to Mrs. Wang's residence. Along the way, he kept muttering in his heart, thinking about how to explain this difficult task to Mrs. Wang.

When he entered the room, he saw Madam Wang sitting upright on a chair, her eyes showing a hint of expectation and majesty. Zhou Rui hurried forward to greet her, and Madam Wang raised her hand slightly and asked, "How is the matter going? Did you invite Jia Changsheng back?"

Zhou Rui knelt down with a plop and said in a crying voice, "Madam, you don't know how arrogant Jia Changsheng is. I told him kindly that you and I miss him and want him to come back to enjoy the family life and contribute to the family. After all, he has a title now and can do more in the mansion. But Jia Changsheng is so ruthless that he actually said that he earned the title by his own ability and it has nothing to do with the Jia family. He also said that the people in the mansion are all villains who are greedy for power and will only scheme against him."

Madam Wang's face darkened and her brows knitted tightly together: "Did he really say that? This is too outrageous!"

Zhou Rui raised his head, a sly look flashed in his eyes, and he continued, "Madam, he said that he was free and easy outside, and he had seen through all the red tape and intrigue in the mansion. He also said that even if he returned to the mansion, he would not hand over the title, and he wanted to control everything himself. He also said that if anyone in the mansion dared to covet his title, he would never let it go easily. His eyes were fierce, as if he wanted to eat people. I didn't even dare to breathe in front of him."

Mrs. Wang was so angry that she was shaking all over, and the handkerchief in her hand was crumpled into a ball: "This evil creature, it's a good thing that the old lady still cares about him and wants to bring him back to the right path, but he is so ungrateful."

Seeing that Madam Wang was angry, Zhou Rui added fuel to the fire and said, "Madam, I heard from outsiders that Jia Changsheng made some bad friends outside and spent his days in debauchery and extravagance. He must have used some shameful means to get his title of viscount. I think he doesn't take the Jia family seriously at all, nor does he take you and the old lady seriously. If such a person is allowed to continue to do evil outside, it will sooner or later bring disaster to the Jia family." Madam Wang stood up and paced back and forth in the room. After thinking for a while, she said, "I must tell the old lady about this matter and let her make a decision. Jia Changsheng must not be left alone like this."

Afterwards, Mrs. Wang took Zhou Rui to Grandmother Jia in a hurry. Along the way, Zhou Rui was secretly proud of himself, thinking that his words would surely make Grandmother Jia and Mrs. Wang hate Jia Changsheng even more, and he would also be considered to have made a contribution in front of the ladies.

When they arrived at Grandmother Jia's place, Mrs. Wang relayed Zhou Rui's words to Grandmother Jia. Grandmother Jia's face, which had originally held a hint of expectation, suddenly turned cold, with anger and disappointment in her eyes: "I thought that although he was an illegitimate child, he still had the blood of the Jia family, so I gave him a chance to return to the family, but he slandered us like this. That title should have been the glory of the Jia family, how could he monopolize it, and even said such treasonous words."

Mrs. Wang echoed, "Madam, Jia Changsheng is so arrogant, there must be someone backing him up. He said he made some shady friends outside, maybe he's planning something that's bad for the Jia family."

Grandmother Jia snorted coldly, "What kind of big waves does he think he can make? My Jia family is also a famous and prestigious family in the capital. How can we allow a little illegitimate child like him to provoke us like this? Pass on my words. From now on, the Jia family will cut off all ties with him, and no one in the mansion is allowed to have anything to do with him. As for the title, we will discuss it in the long run. We must not let him be proud for too long."

Zhou Rui nodded and said: "The old lady is wise. This way, he will know that the Jia family is not easy to mess with."

However, while Jia's mother and others were discussing how to deal with Jia Changsheng, Jia Changsheng was also planning his next move in his own residence. He knew that his refusal to return home had completely offended Jia's mother and others, and the Jia family would definitely not let it go. But he did not regret it, as he understood that in that big family, there were many conspiracies and calculations, and only by sticking to his own position could he survive in this complicated world.

Jia Changsheng sat at his desk, looking out the window at the sky, and swore in his heart that no matter what means the Jia family used, he would keep his title and make himself stronger, so that he would no longer be bullied and calculated at will. On the Jia family side, because of Zhou Rui's slander, a storm against Jia Changsheng was quietly brewing, and the contradictions within the family became more and more acute. All of this was like an invisible net that enveloped everyone, and the future was full of unknowns and variables.

In the exquisite and elegant study room, Jia Changsheng stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with complex and profound light. He had just sent away Zhou Rui, who had ulterior motives, and he was already clear about the conspiracy of Jia Mu and others. However, he was not without support. The mysterious system of listening to advice was his biggest trump card in this dangerous family struggle.

Jia Changsheng knew that Zhou Rui's trip was just the beginning, and the Jia family would definitely have more tricks to follow. However, his listening and persuasion system could transform the enemy's malice into his own help, which was the key to his turning the tide. Therefore, he was not afraid at this moment, but was looking forward to it, expecting the Jia family to expose more malice, so that he could gain more benefits and have more powerful capital in this fight.

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When Zhou Rui's figure completely disappeared from his sight, Jia Changsheng immediately turned around, his eyes showing determination, and he quickly summoned the confidants who had been arranged in Shenjing City. Not long after, thirty confidants filed in, all of them had solemn expressions and upright postures, and it was obvious at a glance that they were all well-trained, loyal and reliable people.

Jia Changsheng's eyes slowly swept over the crowd, his voice low but full of majesty: "Everyone, the Jia family now has ill intentions towards me and is trying to seize the viscount title bestowed on me by the emperor. Zhou Rui's coming just now was the first step of their conspiracy. I already know their plan, and I want to take advantage of their tricks, not only to keep the title, but also to make the Jia family pay the price for their actions."

Everyone clasped their fists and saluted in unison: "As long as the master commands, we will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Jia Changsheng nodded slightly and continued, "I order you to act immediately and do everything you can to arrange people to sneak into the Ning and Rong mansions. These people must act low-key, smart and intelligent, and must become the insiders of the mansions in the shortest possible time to pass on information for me so that I can keep track of the Jia family's every move at any time. Remember, you must be cautious and careful in this matter, and you must not reveal your whereabouts, otherwise not only will your lives be in danger, but I will also be in an irretrievable situation."

"Yes, master!" Thirty confidants took the order and left. Their steps were firm and swift, as if they were carrying an invisible force, about to set off a silent storm in the Ning and Rong mansions.

Jia Changsheng looked at their backs as they left, thinking to himself. He knew that this move was full of risks, but he had no choice. In this era of strict feudal ethics and complicated family power, as an illegitimate child, he was already discriminated against and excluded. If he did not fight back, he would be at the mercy of others. However, with his intelligence and courage, he made a name for himself in the outside world and was awarded the title of Viscount. He thought he could be proud of himself, but he did not expect that the greed and jealousy of the Jia family would drag him into disputes again.

Now, he can only rely on the system of listening to advice and taking advantage of the malice of the Jia family to strengthen himself. He believes that as long as he plans properly, he will be able to fight his way out of these difficulties.

In the following days, Jia Changsheng waited for news from his confidants while practicing martial arts and studying classics. He understood that in this ever-changing situation, only if he was strong could he have more say. He got up early every morning and practiced swords and guns in the courtyard. Every move was vigorous. Sweat soaked his clothes, but it could not extinguish his fighting spirit. In the afternoon, he immersed himself in the sea of ​​books, talked with ancient saints, and absorbed wisdom and strategies. He knew that in this battlefield without gunpowder smoke, wisdom and force were equally important.

And his confidants did not disappoint him. They ran around, using all kinds of connections and means, or bribed the low-ranking servants in the Ning and Rong mansions, promising them a large sum of money and a bright future, so that they would secretly help him; or arranged for clever subordinates to disguise themselves as wandering artists and craftsmen, sneak into the mansion to apply for jobs, and gradually gained the trust of the people in charge of the mansion with their excellent skills and humble attitude.

(End of this chapter)