The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 110 Night at Tianxiang Tower (Part )
June 5th.

Because they were going to break ground and offer sacrifices to the gods the next day, the lights in the Ning and Rong mansions were turned off early.

When encountering such things, fasting and bathing are common, and all participants dare not take it lightly.

Even Jia Zhen, for the first time, did not hang out with his concubines and maids. He went to bed alone just after the second watch.

Then he opened the lampshade and prepared to blow out the candle inside.

Suddenly, there was a creaking sound, and the door was pushed open heavily, causing the candlelight to flicker.

He raised his head and was about to yell, but when he caught a glimpse of the figure in front of the door, he said in surprise: "Master! Didn't you say that you would not go to the West Mansion tomorrow..."

Jia Jing's face darkened as he interrupted, "Get up quickly, don't alarm the servants, we'll talk on the way!"

Jia Zhen did not dare to delay, and quickly put on his clothes, put on his shoes and went out.

"Master! What happened?"

Jia Jing said solemnly, "Eunuch Dai has spread the news that the emperor wants to thoroughly investigate corruption in all government departments, and the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue have been directly named!"

Jia Zhen heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Father, why are you so nervous? It's not like we haven't investigated this case over the years, and it still ended up in vain."

"This time is different. The emperor summoned Lu Bing the other day and asked him to conduct a thorough investigation."

"Lu Bing?"

Before Jia Zhen could come to his senses, Jia Jing had already started walking and said, "Let's go!"

He quickly chased after him.

"Isn't he the commander of the Southern Pacification Division? Isn't it the duty of the Northern Pacification Division to supervise all officials?"

"Bullshit! The emperor told him to do it, who dares to say anything?"

After Jia Jing scolded him in a low voice, he explained: "He is different from others. Not only was he the emperor's playmate when he was young, but he also saved the emperor from a sudden fire during his southern tour. He is quite trusted by the emperor. It can be seen that he is serious this time."

"Does he really dare to investigate thoroughly? You have to know that our superior is Prince Ning."

"Stupid!" Jia Jing shouted in a low voice, "Prince Ning may not dare to investigate, but what about others?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen fell silent and followed Jia Jing towards the courtyard gate.

"Master, where are we going?"

Originally, he thought Jia Jing was taking him out of the house to discuss countermeasures with others.

Unexpectedly, it did the opposite.

"This time is different from the past. We can only sacrifice the car to save the driver. Let him die without any evidence. Let's cut off the tail at home first, so as to avoid implicating our family. Someone outside will make it look like he committed suicide out of fear of punishment."

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "It's a pity that Jiao Da is gone, otherwise, it would be much more convenient to do this kind of thing. If she..."

Before he finished speaking, Jia Zhen was already stunned. His feet seemed to have been rooted to the ground. His face turned pale and he said in a trembling voice: "Master, are you going to... do this to your wife..."

Because it was the beginning of the month and the moonlight was dim, Jia Jing could not see his expression. He turned around and looked at him, saying approvingly, "Fortunately, you were smart last time and made up that excuse for her death, so we don't have to make up a reason for her death again."

"Master!" Jia Zhen fell to his knees with a plop, begging, "A daughter who is married off is like water spilled. Even if the investigation leads to Qin Ye, as long as he is dead, it is unlikely that the investigation will lead to our house. After all, she is Rong'er's legitimate wife. Why would you do this, Master?"

"Nonsense!" Jia Jing said in a low voice, "Of course, this kind of thing must be foolproof! Lu Bing has always been a person who doesn't recognize any relatives except the emperor, so how could he miss her, his adopted daughter? What kind of place is the Jinyiwei? She is a woman, if she can't stand the scare, she won't be the only one to suffer!"

"But...but hasn't it been found yet?" Jia Zhen looked at Jia Jing cautiously and suggested, "Why not wait for a while..."

"Pig brain!" Jia Jing scolded, "Let's wait until we find Qin Ye before we take action. Who can't tell that we are trying to silence him? By then, I'm afraid that not only will we not be able to clear ourselves of the matter, but we will all have to go to the Jinyiwei!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen immediately shrank his neck, his face showing fear, but he still begged, "Master! Tomorrow the West Mansion will break the ground to offer sacrifices to the gods. If something like this happens now, it would be unlucky. It would be better to wait a few days..." Jia Jing was angry and said, "Women's kindness will eventually lead to death. What difference does it make if it's a few days earlier or later? I'll tell you the truth! I received the news the day before yesterday and waited until today to take action, just to cover up the matter of the West Mansion!"

"But this..." Jia Zhen was suddenly heartbroken, "It's my son's fault!"

His implication was that he wanted to prove the affair, but in the end he didn't dare to say it out loud.

Jia Jing thought for a moment and comforted him, "Don't worry, I won't let you down in this matter."

As soon as these words were spoken, a hint of surprise flashed across Jia Zhen's face.

But before he could be happy, Jia Jing said, "Because of those rumors the year before last, Qiang'er was forced to move out. This time, it's just the right time to take advantage of it. You can make up some more rumors about her and Qiang'er in the mansion later."

He did not understand the underlying meaning of Jia Zhen's words, and thought that he really felt aggrieved, and was even more worried that the rumor of cheating would ruin his reputation.

Seeing Jia Zhen looking at him in surprise, he thought that he did not understand his meaning.

She hurriedly explained, "Qiang'er is young after all, and he is about her age, and she is pretty. Even if others hear about it, they will doubt him more than you. Even if there are still people who are suspicious, with the rumors about Qiang'er, they will only think that she is promiscuous, unfaithful to her husband, raising a younger brother-in-law, and having an affair with her father-in-law. In this way, although it will have an impact on your reputation, it won't be too big."

"Father!"

Jia Zhen knelt before Jia Jing and said in a sad voice, "Everyone in the family, whether close or distant, knows that this daughter-in-law is ten times better than Rong'er. How can any relative or elder not like her? With such a look and such a temperament, you can't find a woman like her even with a lantern. Now... now... is there really no other way?"

By the end of his speech, he was already sobbing.

In addition to sadness, I also regretted missing the opportunity.

If I had known that I would inevitably die today, why would I care about Qin's reaction?

"Of course there is a way!"

Jia Jing looked at Jia Zhen with an uncertain expression.

"Really? Tell me, Dad!"

"Take the initiative to confess your crime before His Majesty and return all the money you have earned over the years. Perhaps, based on our friendship over the years, His Majesty will show leniency to you!"

At this point, he paused and said in a deep voice, "It's just that! The mansion has spent a lot over the years. Once all the money is returned, I'm afraid that not only will the mansion's money be emptied, but the land will also have to be sold. I'm afraid that the favor that my father has earned by accompanying the emperor in practicing Taoism over the years will also be used up.

Moreover, if we take the initiative to confess, where will others be placed? The situation in the mansion in the future may be worse than it was back then, so you must think it through!"

It's not that he changed his mind, but seeing Jia Zhen's sad face, he was worried that he would not be able to bear it and ruin the whole thing.

Even ants try to survive, let alone humans?
After all, he was old, and his health was not as good as before due to the elixirs he took. He was also worried about others doing this, and was afraid that Qin Keqing would resist and he would not be able to control her.

This is also the reason why he lamented Jiao Da's absence.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen fell silent.

If it was just an ordinary way of spending money to avoid disaster, he might not hesitate. After all, he now has Zhang Yunyi's way to make money.

But he knew how much money he had spent over the years, and he was afraid that even if he sold his land outside, he might not be able to make up for it.

What made him even more timid was how the Ningguo Mansion would survive in the future once he confessed his guilt.

Seeing this, Jia Jing said, "When you were as old as Rong'er is now, you should still remember the cold stares you endured in the mansion. Do you really want to go back to the past?"

Jia Zhen shuddered, and his changeable expression gradually became gloomy.

After a long silence, a fierce look flashed across his face, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, father. I know the importance of this!"

……

(End of this chapter)