Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

As expected, the news of Consort Li's death spread to various residences in the capital that very evening.

Everyone was surprised, after all, Consort Li was fine before, how could she just disappear like that, without any prior warning?

Some well-informed people also heard that a large number of palace maids and eunuchs in Changchun Palace were executed that day, and deduced many facts from this.

Regardless of the circumstances, each household dared not neglect their duties and immediately prepared to enter the palace.

Although Consort Li was only a concubine and had never been promoted to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort, no one dared to treat her with disrespect simply because she was the birth mother of the current emperor.

After making urgent arrangements for the patrol work in the western city, Jia Lian returned to his residence to escort Grandmother Jia and others to the palace to offer condolences.

Although there were many civil and military officials and imperial consorts, the mourning process was carried out in an orderly manner. After all, the palace and the Ministry of Rites had long had familiar and complete procedures for such matters.

The fear that Jia Lian would incur Emperor Ningkang's wrath did not materialize; he didn't even get to see Emperor Ningkang that night.

After returning home late that night, Sister Feng mysteriously told Jia Lian that she felt there was more to the story behind Consort Li's death.

Look at her extremely solemn appearance; it's a mix of showing off and an announcement.

Jia Lian then asked her what the inside story was.

Sister Feng whispered, "They all say that Consort Li was actually put to death by the Emperor Emeritus..."

Jia Lian remained calm on the surface upon hearing this, but inwardly he frowned deeply.

The women that Sister Feng mentioned were clearly the ladies of other mansions.

It seems that although the palace has tried to block the news, the effect has been minimal. Even Sister Feng has heard about it, so who knows how much the news is spreading behind the scenes.

This is definitely not a good sign for him.

He naturally knew far more than Sister Feng and the others. He now knew that Consort Li had been ordered to commit suicide by the Emperor Emeritus, and that this afternoon, Emperor Ningkang had even knelt before Chonghua Hall to plead for Consort Li's life!

Clearly, the retired emperor did not show any leniency to Emperor Ningkang.

The retired emperor was Emperor Ningkang's biological father and sovereign father. The fact that Emperor Ningkang dared not do anything to the retired emperor does not mean that he did not harbor resentment.

At this time, rumors that damaged Consort Li's reputation were flying everywhere. When they reached Emperor Ningkang's ears, one can imagine how he felt.

Ironically, among these rumors, there might be some mention of his name, Lord Jia.

Putting himself in the Emperor's shoes, Jia Lian felt that if he were Emperor Ningkang, he would feel disgusted to see him.

Even knowing this, Jia Lian had no way to resolve the situation.

All he can do right now is to minimize his presence and wait for the storm to pass.

But he also knew that Sister Feng was a busybody and had a certain boldness in her nature. In the days that followed, she would also go to the palace every day to offer condolences. If she did not know the seriousness of her actions and offended Emperor Ningkang, he would inevitably be implicated.

After careful consideration, he decided to tell her everything that had happened that morning and warned her to be careful with her words and actions in the palace so as not to bring him any trouble.

Sure enough, Sister Feng, who had initially seemed to be watching the show with amusement and amusement, suddenly became frightened after hearing about the death of Consort Li and the serious relationship between her and Jia Lian.

She never imagined that, without her knowledge, Jia Lian had already experienced such a huge crisis.

So he quickly assured her, "Don't worry, how could I not know how serious this is? I promise, from now on, in the palace, I won't utter a single word, nor will I listen to a single word more than necessary; I'll act as if I'm deaf and mute!"

Jia Lian was reassured about this. As long as you explained things to Feng Jie, she could do better than anyone else.

So he ended his private conversation with Sister Feng, asked her about the arrangements for the guests at home, and then had a maid come in to help him change his clothes.

"Uncle Xing and his wife were temporarily arranged to stay in the outer courtyard of the east wing. As for Xiuyan, the old lady's idea was that they should all live in the garden so that they would have company."

I figured it would be too much trouble to clean the house now, so I arranged for her to live with Yingya.

As for Baoqin, the old lady insisted that she live in her own room, so we didn't need to worry about her.

However, my sister-in-law's aunt was about to leave when she saw that we were busy at home. But my wife said that it was rare for my sister-in-law to see people from her family in so many years, and suggested that she and her aunt have a good chat, which finally got her to stay.

So I arranged for her, along with my sister-in-law's two younger sisters, to stay in Daoxiang Village. After all, the houses there are spacious and there are plenty of rooms.

Jia Lian nodded, glancing at the maid in front of him.

Feng Jie draped Jia Lian's robe aside, turned around and saw his gaze, and couldn't help but laugh, "Second Master, are you thinking about whether she's Xiao Qinshi or Xiangling?"

Jia Lian sighed and asked, "When did Madam Qin return?"

"What, Second Master, you're still reluctant to let her go? Otherwise, I can help you call her back?"

Upon hearing this, Xiangling, who had endured two inhuman days in the East Mansion, immediately raised her head and looked at Jia Lian with a pitiful expression, which prompted Jia Lian to reach out and pat her head.

"Since she's already gone back, why bother calling her back?"

Feng Jie couldn't tell if Jia Lian's tone was regretful, so she glanced at him a few more times and said with a smile, "Since the Dowager Consort has passed away, Sister-in-law Zhen is also going to the palace to pay her respects. I thought that the household there can't be no one to take care of things, so I sent her back."

In fact, although Qin Keqing was very sensible, Feng Jie still felt greatly threatened during the two days she spent there.

She had to admit that she couldn't compare to the other woman in terms of femininity.

Therefore, they used this reason to send the other party back.

Moreover, Qin Keqing was originally a trick she came up with to comfort Jia Lian.

Now that their goal has been achieved, there's no need to keep them around any longer. Sister Feng understands the principle of moderation in all things, and naturally won't let Jia Lian overeat.

Jia Lian was unaware of Feng Jie's scheme.

Qin Keqing was indeed alluring, but after not seeing his little Xiangling for two days, he found that she seemed to have grown even more adorable.

Moreover, after switching identities with Qin Keqing this time, he felt that she was not only still obedient, but also inexplicably had a more alluring demeanor.

This pleased Jia Lian greatly, so he was unsure whether the change in their identities was more of a worry or a joy.

……

As Jia Lian had predicted, someone indeed suffered misfortune because of the death of Consort Li.

First, the Imperial Guards were mobilized, arresting scholars and literati in the streets and markets. The charges were that they were making irresponsible remarks about palace affairs and defaming the reputation of nobles.

Another censor dared to speak out against Emperor Ningkang, saying that he should not punish people for their words, and that this was no less serious than the literary inquisitions of previous dynasties, and was not the behavior of a wise ruler.

This enraged Emperor Ningkang, who had the ringleader beaten to death and the rest imprisoned in the imperial jail.

This incident has undoubtedly caused widespread panic.

It was only then that everyone realized that when the emperor was angry, people could really die.

Even though Emperor Ningkang was suppressed by the retired emperor, he was still the emperor!

There were also those who didn't believe in superstition, thinking that Chonghua Palace would definitely not allow Emperor Ningkang to act willfully and recklessly, and some even secretly reported to Chonghua Palace.

However, the final result was not what they expected.

The arrested scholars and officials were not released, nor were the officials imprisoned in the imperial jail.

As a result, people inside and outside the palace became more vigilant, and no one dared to talk about it in public anymore.

On this day, after Jia Lian entered the palace to pay his respects as usual, he was finally summoned by Emperor Ningkang.

Jia Lian immediately composed himself and followed the imperial eunuch to the Southern Study.

At this time, the entire imperial palace was draped in white mourning clothes, even the Southern Study was no exception.

Emperor Ningkang was also dressed in plain clothes, with a mourning band tied around his head, but in Jia Lian's eyes, Emperor Ningkang seemed sharper than before.

After finishing his business, Emperor Ningkang looked up at Jia Lian and said, "I heard you mention arranging for the firearms battalion to undergo special training outside the city, but why haven't we heard anything about it?"

"Your Majesty, I began arranging for the troops to leave the city yesterday. However, due to the national mourning period, I dared not make a big show of it, so I arranged it in batches and did not inform Your Majesty beforehand. This is my fault."

Emperor Ningkang nodded. Jia Lian had always pleased him with his work; he was steady and meticulous, which was what he liked most.

He only thought of this matter by chance today, which is why he decided to summon Jia Lian to ask him about it.

Seeing that Jia Lian had arranged everything but hadn't had time to report to him, he quickly realized why.

As emperor, he knew all too well that some officials, eager for fame and fortune, would still want to see him even when there was nothing to do. Even officials outside the capital would often send him a memorial of greeting, whether there was a reason or not.

Jia Lian, however, had not visited him for several days, nor had he sent a single memorial.

After stretching his limbs, Emperor Ningkang stood up and walked to Jia Lian.

Seeing Jia Lian unconsciously bend his tall frame slightly, Emperor Ningkang said, "Recently, there have been many rumors circulating in the court and among the people. I wonder if you are aware of them, and what your opinion is on them."

Jia Lian looked surprised and shook his head. "I have been busy with camp affairs lately, and then the country was in mourning. I have been going back and forth between three points every day and have hardly any free time. So I have not heard anything about it."

"Is that so? Since you don't know, I will tell you."

"There are rumors circulating in the court and among the people that Consort Li was jealous of the Empress Dowager and tried to harm her, which is why she was deeply disliked by the Emperor Emeritus."

Some even say that Consort Li's death was due to her failed plot to frame the Empress Dowager, for which she was ordered to commit suicide by the Emperor Emeritus.

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian immediately knelt down and said, "This is the nonsense of an ignorant busybody; Your Majesty must not believe it."

"Oh, then tell me, is Consort Li guilty?"

When Emperor Ningkang spoke, he quietly looked at Jia Lian.

Jia Lian said, "How dare I, a mere subject, speak ill of the Empress Dowager..."

As soon as the falsehood was uttered, Jia Lian looked up at Emperor Ningkang and saw that his expression was calm, clearly indicating that he was not satisfied with his answer.

Suppressing his anxiety, he added, "As a mere official outside the palace, I have had little interaction with the Empress Dowager and therefore have no right to judge her."

However, even if I do not know the Empress Dowager, how could I not know Your Majesty?

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, He has served the Emperor Emeritus above and governed all civil and military officials below, working diligently day and night and loving the people.

Even if others are unaware of these things, how could I, as Your Majesty's trusted minister, not see them?

It is not an exaggeration of Your Majesty, but Your Majesty's benevolence, filial piety, civil administration, and military achievements surpass even those of many wise rulers throughout history!

I am deeply delighted to be able to serve a monarch like Your Majesty, and I am also fortunate and proud that our Great Wei has such a wise and virtuous ruler as Your Majesty.

His Majesty is the son of the Dowager Consort.

For this alone, the Empress Dowager has made an immeasurable contribution to the fate of our Great Wei Dynasty.

Therefore, with my limited knowledge, I truly do not know where the Empress Dowager's fault lies.

Emperor Ningkang stood silently, watching Jia Lian, whose head was held higher and higher as he spoke, feeling a mix of emotions.

Having a good understanding of Jia Lian, he was not surprised by the other party's flattery.

However, one of Jia Lian's remarks truly struck a chord with him.

Yes, even if Consort Li had a thousand faults, she was still his birth mother. How could she not be spared death?

Even a foreign official understands this principle, so why should the Emperor treat his mother and son so poorly?

Regardless of his true thoughts, Emperor Ningkang still asked, "I heard that on the day the Dowager Consort passed away, something happened in the Imperial Garden. You were there at the time. Do you know anything about it?"

Jia Lian looked flustered and immediately apologized, saying, "I dare not deceive Your Majesty. The incident in the Imperial Garden that day was truly caused by this humble servant..."

"After I met Your Majesty that day, I was summoned to the Imperial Garden by a close attendant of the Empress Dowager."

I later learned that it was not the Empress Dowager who summoned me, but Princess Zhaoyang who, under the Empress Dowager's name, summoned me to the Imperial Garden for a chat.

But the retired emperor happened to discover it.

Your Majesty is also aware that the matter between me and Princess Zhaoyang has already displeased the Emperor Emeritus.

The Emperor Emeritus was furious that day. If Princess Zhaoyang had not tried her best to take the blame before the Emperor Emeritus and pleaded for me on his behalf, I fear I would not have escaped unscathed.

What troubles me most is that I was unharmed that day, while Princess Zhaoyang lost her title as the eldest princess because of it.

Jia Lian's expression changed naturally with his words, making it impossible to detect any pretense.

If Emperor Ningkang hadn't investigated the matter thoroughly, he might have been completely deceived by Jia Lian.

He frowned and said, "Is that all?"

"Later, Princess Zhaoyang was taken away by the Empress Dowager's men, and I left the palace alone. As for what punishment the princess received from the Empress Dowager afterward, I have no idea."

Emperor Ningkang glanced at Jia Lian carefully for a moment, then turned and returned to his desk.

"I know more about your affair with Zhaoyang than anyone else."

You don't need to worry about her.

Although the Emperor Emeritus stripped her of her title as the eldest princess, she is still my most beloved princess, and I will not mistreat her.

As for you, since you are determined to restore the glory of your ancestors and shoulder the heavy responsibility entrusted to you by me, how can you be hindered by matters concerning your children?

Since you have stated that firearms are ten or even a hundred times more powerful than ordinary weapons on the battlefield, I hope to see you verify this as soon as possible.

Next, aside from the occasion of the palace mourning ceremony which you are obliged to attend without reason, you will not need to accompany the Empress Dowager to her funeral.

"After I return to the capital, I will personally visit the artillery battalion to inspect the effectiveness of your special training. I hope you will not disappoint me!"

"I obey your decree."

Jia Lian stood up, glanced at Emperor Ningkang twice, and only after confirming that he had no further instructions did he take his leave.

As he left the palace, he silently wiped away a bead of sweat from his brow.

Although there was a scare, there was no real danger.

It seems that the matter of Consort Li's death has most likely been put behind us, and he no longer needs to keep his tail between his legs and avoid Emperor Ningkang.

However, Emperor Ningkang's last words contained many hidden meanings, which he could not fully comprehend at once.

There was one thing he immediately picked up on: Emperor Ningkang wanted to personally escort Consort Li to her funeral.

That's not surprising.

Although the emperor was not allowed to leave the capital easily, it was perfectly reasonable for him to attend his birth mother's funeral.

The most important imperial tomb of the Great Wei Dynasty is located in Xiaoci County to the west, more than a hundred miles from the capital.

Based on past experience, it would take about a month for all the civil and military officials to attend a funeral and return.

So, Emperor Ningkang's return to the capital coincided with the end of his special training at the firearms battalion...

For some reason, Jia Lian always felt that Emperor Ningkang seemed to be paying more attention to the firearms battalion under his command.