The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

"Oh dear! It was my cousin who got beaten up!"

Jia Jue exaggeratedly feigned surprise in front of Jia Yucun, while Liu Xianglian and Fu Shu beside him were almost bursting out laughing.

Jia Yucun, with a complicated expression, said, "Exactly...exactly..."

Jia Jue then said, "Brother Yucun, would you believe me if I told you I know who the murderer is?"

At this moment, Jia Jue had somehow produced a folding fan, opened it, and was fanning himself in a pretentious manner.

"Oh? I naturally believe what you say, brother, but I wonder..."

"Me," Jia Jue said with a smile.

"Who?"

"Me." Jia Jue gently shook the folding fan in his hand. The breeze caressed his face, making him appear even more like an otherworldly being.

"I said the murderer who beat me was me—Jia Jue."

At this point, Jia Yucun was at a loss for words.

To be honest, he had a pretty good idea of ​​who had hit Xue Pan, and was currently trying to figure out how to please the Xue family without offending the Jia family.

But then, Jia Jue actually admitted it, which stunned Jia Yucun.

Now, it's become a situation where arresting them is problematic, but not arresting them is also problematic.

Ignoring Jia Yucun's complex expression, Jia Jue continued, "There was one person at the scene—a servant boy, who could be considered the trigger for this incident, but he is already dead."

Jia Yucun said, "I understand. But the Xue family..."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "You don't need to worry about it, I'll go and talk to them myself."

Jia Yucun sighed and said, "Since that's the case, then we'll do as you say, brother."

Just as the four were talking, they heard a commotion outside. A servant rushed over and said to Jia Yucun, "Master, there is an imperial envoy waiting outside the government office with an imperial edict!"

Jia Yucun was shocked and immediately got up to have someone dress him in official robes, while ordering Jia Jue and the others to wait there.

After giving the instructions, he hurriedly left.

Before long, Jia Yucun returned and said to Jia Jue and the others with a smile, "You flatter me, Brother. His Majesty's envoy has already left."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "No problem at all, but I wonder what His Majesty sent an envoy to announce? I wonder if it would be convenient for Brother Yucun to do so?"

Jia Yucun said, "What's the point of talking about convenience or inconvenience? In fact, the content of His Majesty's imperial edict is somewhat related to you, my brother!"

"What does this have to do with me?"

Jia Jue was puzzled. "What is it?"

At that moment, Yu Cun began to explain to Jia Jue:

It turns out that the imperial edict contained two instructions. One was that His Majesty wanted to select female officials to accompany the princess in her studies, and gave Jia Yucun a list, instructing him to make sure to inform the families on the list, including the Jia, Wang, Shi, Xue, and Zhen families.

Of course, the direct descendants of the Jia, Wang, and Shi families were all in the capital, so they probably already knew about it.

The second matter is related to Japanese pirates.

It turned out that after Jia Jue encountered Japanese pirates on the road that day, he immediately sent a letter to the capital. Upon hearing this, the Jia family members quickly reported it to the imperial court.

His Majesty is known for his filial piety. Upon hearing that the items he used to pray for his mother's well-being had been stolen by Japanese pirates, he was furious and ordered an expedition to punish the thieves.

He has already ordered General Weiwu to lead a portion of the Shandong anti-Japanese forces south, and has ordered Jia Yucun to prepare all necessary provisions and supplies to fully assist General Weiwu.

"I see." Jia Jue nodded and said, "Brother Yucun, you have a heavy burden on your shoulders."

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "For the court, for His Majesty, for the people of the world, what does it matter if it's a burden weighing a thousand pounds?"

Jia Jue also smiled and said, "Brother Yucun's magnanimity is truly admirable. Since Brother Yucun now shoulders an important responsibility, we shouldn't disturb you any longer, so let's take our leave."

After saying that, he got up and left.

Jia Yucun naturally tried to persuade him to stay, but seeing that Jia Jue was determined to leave, and considering that he himself had other matters to attend to, he didn't say anything more.

After Jia Jue and his party left, Jia Yucun said to the servant beside him, "Prepare the sedan chair, let's go to the Xue residence again."

The servant beside him took the order and left.

Jia Yucun also strolled slowly toward the entrance of the government office.

When he stepped out the door, the sedan chair was already prepared outside. Sixteen servants carried a fine sedan chair, quietly waiting for Jia Yucun.

Yu Cun nodded, got into the sedan chair, and remained silent.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Xue residence again.

After the gatekeeper went in to announce his arrival, Jia Yucun was invited in.

Aunt Xue continued her conversation with Jia Yucun through the curtain, saying, "I wonder what brings Magistrate Jia here today?"

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "As the saying goes, 'No one visits the temple without a reason.' Besides, you came again after leaving the official post, so you must have something to ask of me."

Aunt Xue asked, "What is it about?"

Jia Yucun laughed and said, "Just now His Majesty's envoy came and read out the imperial edict, saying that the palace is selecting female officials to accompany the princess. All wealthy and powerful families in the country are welcome to come to the capital to participate in the selection. Of course, this is voluntary and not mandatory."

Aunt Xue then suddenly realized and said, "I see, the Prefect is very thoughtful. But I wonder what the Prefect requires?"

Jia Yucun said, "When His Majesty issued the decree, he also mentioned a second matter—that I prepare provisions and supplies for the army to cooperate with General Weiwu in his southward campaign to quell the Japanese pirates. Madam Xue comes from a noble family and is well-educated and reasonable; she is aware of the severity of the Japanese pirate threat. I'm sure you've also heard that the second young master of the Rongguo Mansion, Shangjue, encountered a group of Japanese pirates on his way south to Jinling—it seems they're now completely reckless; if they dare to plunder the Duke's fleet today, they'll probably dare to burn down Jinling tomorrow! This isn't just a matter for one family; it's a matter for the entire Yingtian Prefecture!"

Aunt Xue also sighed and said, "The prefect's words are really very reasonable. A few years ago, Japanese pirates wreaked havoc in Jiangnan. If it weren't for Lord Jia being in Nanjing at the time and being ordered to suppress the bandits, Nanjing would probably have been wiped out in blood. It's just unexpected that they would come back again in just a few decades."

Jia Yucun sighed, "This matter is truly a matter of life and death for our dynasty! I have come here to earnestly request that you, Madam, perhaps donate some money and goods to prepare for the harassment of the Japanese pirates and to boost the morale of our soldiers!"

Aunt Xue thought for a moment and said, "Of course. Although my Xue family is not a wealthy or powerful clan, we are still a middle-class family with a comfortable life. Naturally, we should do our part for the country."

Yu-cun also smiled and said, "Madam, you are truly virtuous!"

Yu-cun chatted with Aunt Xue for a few more minutes before getting up to leave—he still had to go to the Zhen family's house!

After visiting the Zhen, Jia, Wang, Shi, Feng and other prominent families, and then issuing orders to collect taxes and conscript laborers, it seems unlikely that three days will be enough to finish the task.

After Jia Yucun left, Xue Baochai emerged from the shadows and asked her aunt, "Mother, how much should we donate?"

Aunt Xue remained silent, clearly having never considered it.

Xue Baochai then said, "Mother, since we're going to donate, it can't be just one family donating; many families will have to donate. Why don't we send someone to ask the other prominent families, and we can do the same?"

Aunt Xue nodded and said, "Let's do as you wish. But daughter, there's one more thing I want to ask you."

Xue Baochai, being exceptionally intelligent, had long anticipated her mother's thoughts—the Xue family was now on the verge of decline, her eldest brother was unruly and incompetent, and although she had a capable cousin, he was ultimately not part of their household. Now that the palace was selecting female officials, even if it was just to be a princess's companion, what if the events of the late Consort Zhen were to repeat themselves? It might not be an unacceptable situation!

Xue Baochai then asked, "Does Mother want me to run for the position of female official?"