The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Jia Jue spoke a few more words to Jia Chi, and then left.

Then, he went to Ningguo Mansion in the east to visit Jia Dun.

Just like Jia Chi, Jia Dun also greeted Jia Jue warmly. After listening to Jia Jue's words, he made a solemn promise, saying that he would cooperate with Jia Chi to get things done perfectly.

Jia Xiao was Jia Dun's younger brother. Although he was already in his forties, he still hadn't moved out of the Ningguo Mansion. Therefore, Jia Jue took the opportunity to visit this uncle as well.

After all three had finished their visits, he returned to the residence prepared for him at the Rongguo Mansion.

At this time, Qingwen, Xiren, Sheyue and others had arranged for the maids and old women to clean up again and put everything away neatly.

Upon seeing Jia Jue enter, Musk Moon quickly served him a cup of tea.

While Jia Jue was drinking tea, Xi Ren said, "You must be tired from your journey. You should take a good rest now."

Jia Jue nodded, put down the tea, and said, "By the way, the three of you should stay in this courtyard as much as possible recently. Don't go out. If you do go out, that's fine, but never go alone."

The three of them were puzzled and asked, "What kind of logic is that?"

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Although this is inappropriate, I'm not afraid to tell you—the person in charge of this household is named Jia Chi, and the people in charge of the other household are Jia Dun and Jia Xiao. Although these three are old and not very capable, they are all lecherous. Now that they see you three with your beautiful faces, they will inevitably have some wicked thoughts. It's fine when I'm here, but I will eventually be away. Besides, I have to call them elders in name, so it's better to avoid trouble."

Qingwen sneered, her eyes filled with disdain.

Musk Moon and Xi Ren both nodded obediently.

Jia Jue then said, "It's getting late, everyone should rest first. We can do anything else tomorrow."

The maids naturally had no other objections. Just then, the Rongguo Mansion's kitchen sent over food, each dish exquisitely prepared. Jia Jue didn't set too many rules, and the group simply sat around the table and finished eating.

The next day, Jia Jue went to the residence of Liu Xianglian, Fu Shu, Chi Jian, and others and said to them, "Logically speaking, now that we have arrived in Jinling, I should host a banquet for you all. However, I am currently preoccupied with many worldly affairs, so I may have been impolite in some way. Please forgive me."

Liu Xianglian laughed and said, "Since we've become sworn brothers, we're family. Why be so formal? I know you have a lot to deal with right now, so you don't need to worry about me. I'm going to find some fun on my own."

The two chatted for a while longer before Jia Jue took his leave.

As soon as Jia Jue left the courtyard, he found Jia Chi. Jia Chi had already finished preparing the gifts to be sent to the Zhen family. Jia Jue came to ask him for the gifts and to visit the Zhen family.

Upon seeing Jia Jue arrive, Jia Chi quickly greeted him with a smile, "Brother Jue is here!"

Jia Jue nodded and asked, "I wonder if Uncle has prepared all the gifts for the Zhen family?"

Jia Chi said, "Of course. Jue-ge'er, come with me."

As he spoke, Jia Chi led Jia Jue along a winding path until they arrived at a small gate outside the Rongguo Mansion.

This small door connects to the street outside.

When Jia Jue arrived, he saw many servants standing respectfully there, and many exquisitely crafted boxes neatly arranged to the side.

Jia Jue looked out the door again.

The door was open at the moment, and a magnificent BMW could be seen parked outside.

Jia Jue walked forward, opened one of the boxes, and saw that it contained many antiques and paintings. He opened another box, and found that it contained fine silks and satins.

These things, whether they are antiques, calligraphy and paintings, or silks and satins, were all transported from the capital in the past.

Although the Jia family clan in the capital had not visited Jinling for a long time, they would still send some fine gifts during festivals.

Jia Jue was satisfied and said to Jia Chi, "Thank you for your generosity, Uncle. Once this matter is settled and the court returns in triumph, I will surely report to the old lady and have her send even better things."

Jia Chi laughed and said, "Why are you being so formal, Jue-ge? If there are no problems, Jue-ge should go now."

Jia Jue nodded, bid farewell to Jia Chi, and then went out the door, entered the ornate carriage, and ordered the servants, "Let's go."

As soon as the words were spoken, the carriage slowly began to move, and a group of servants carried heavy wooden boxes as the group headed towards the Zhen family.

-

The four most prominent families in Jinling were Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue.

These four families rose to prominence at the founding of the dynasty and, thanks to their founding merits and the tireless efforts of their descendants, have remained standing for over a hundred years.

As for the Zhen family, which Jia Jue was going to, they had only become wealthy in recent years.

Originally, the Zhen family did the same work as the Xue family, both being imperial merchants.

However, since the Xue family became imperial merchants, none of their sons had ever served as officials in the court. Upon closer examination, it turns out that since the time of the Imperial Attendant, only one member of the Xue family had ever held an official position in the court, and he has since passed away.

The Zhen family is different. Although they have the title of imperial merchants, they are determined to enter the imperial court and become officials.

When Emperor Taizu was inspecting the territory in his later years, the Zhen family, taking advantage of their status as imperial merchants, secured a job as a host.

The whole clan rejoiced, but everyone was extremely cautious, afraid of messing things up.

It was precisely because of this caution that Emperor Taizu was very satisfied with the Zhen family, and thus arranged for them to receive him on several of his inspection tours to the south.

Later, taking advantage of the Emperor Taizu's favor, the Zhen family used the title of imperial merchant to obtain an official position. From then on, the Zhen family no longer focused on business, and the clan members no longer studied accounting and business methods, but only the Four Books and Five Classics.

However, this family has never produced many exceptionally talented students.

Only a few people, though hardworking and ambitious, were of mediocre talent—and although some of them became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), they were not considered successful in officialdom.

Until the time when the retired emperor ascended the throne, the palace was selecting concubines. The Zhen family sent their eldest daughter to the palace in hopes of gaining the emperor's favor.

This young lady is none other than the Dowager Consort Zhen.

The Dowager Consort was known as "the most beautiful woman in Nanjing" in her youth, with an extremely beautiful appearance and a quiet and unambitious personality.

Despite the contrast, it captivated the heart of the emperor at that time, who became infatuated with it at first sight.

The Zhen family also rose to prominence thanks to the emperor's favor, and their power was almost on par with the four great families.

That is when the Zhen family began to rise to prominence.

Before long, Jia Jue and his party arrived at the Zhen family's door.

The Zhen residence is quite grand now.

Looking at the Zhen family's gate, Jia Jue suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu as he looked at the Rongguo Mansion.

Gently shaking his head to shake off this unknown feeling, Jia Jue then stepped down from the carriage.

Servants were already waiting at the door, and upon seeing Jia Jue, they quickly led him inside.