Chapter 48: Aunt Xue Moves into the Rongguo Mansion

Once upon a time, there were two brothers named Jia Yan and Jia Yuan.

Following the founding Emperor of Daqing to conquer the realm, both brothers rendered monumental services and became founding dukes among the Four Kings and Eight Dukes. Jia Yan was granted the title of Duke of Ningguo, while Jia Yuan became the Duke of Rongguo.

In the West City of Shenjing, there was a small street known as Ningrong Street. Though called a small street, it was comparable to a grand avenue. Paved with blue flagstones and devoid of commercial shops, the street was flanked by two imposing mansions of the founding dukes. To the east stood the Ningguo Mansion, and to the west stood the Rongguo Mansion. Together, the two estates were collectively referred to as the Jia Family.

At this moment, Aunt Xue arrived at Ningrong Street in her sedan chair, passing first by the grand gates of the Ningguo Mansion before arriving before the gates of the Rongguo Mansion.

Outside the gates of the Rongguo Mansion crouched two massive stone lions, looking majestic and imposing. The vermilion lacquer gates were studded with gilded copper nails, and hanging above the main entrance was a plaque inscribed with five large characters: "Imperial Decree: Built as the Rongguo Mansion."

Several guards stood watch at the entrance.

Upon learning who the visitor was, one of the guards went inside to announce her arrival and promptly returned with orders to let her pass.

Aunt Xue’s sedan chair entered the Rongguo Mansion through the western side gate.

Lady Wang stood at the inner courtyard's second gate to welcome her, accompanied by Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, Lin Daiyu, Jia Yingchun, Jia Tanchun, Jia Xichun, alongside various maidservants, matrons, and attendants.

Li Wan wore plain robes and skirts, her expression composed and her makeup understated and elegant.

Wang Xifeng possessed a slender figure, a pair of phoenix-like slanted eyes, and willow-leaf eyebrows that swept upwards. She was dressed in gorgeously embroidered and glittering attire.

Lin Daiyu looked as delicate as a weeping willow, with a pair of mist-veiled eyebrows that seemed knitted yet not, and dew-filled eyes that appeared neither joyful nor sorrowful.

Jia Yingchun had slightly full skin and a well-proportioned figure; her cheeks resembled fresh lychees, and her nose was smooth as goose fat.

Jia Tanchun had sloping shoulders, a slender waist, and a tall figure, with an egg-shaped face, fine eyes, and elegant eyebrows.

Jia Xichun was still young, with a clear, pretty face and a touch of childlike innocence between her brows.

Lady Wang and her younger sister, Aunt Xue, had not seen each other for a long time. Reunited after a prolonged separation, Lady Wang was overwhelmed with a mixture of sorrow and joy. The moment they met, she took Aunt Xue’s hands, tears welling in her eyes as she choked out, "Sister, you have finally come!"

Aunt Xue, however, forced an awkward smile in response. She could not muster genuine joy, nor did she have the heart to exchange pleasantries and tears with Lady Wang.

Entering the inner rooms, Lady Wang led Aunt Xue to sit upon the large window kang, asking gently, "Why did Bao’er not accompany you this time?"

Aunt Xue’s expression froze slightly, a trace of awkwardness crossing her brows. She lowered her voice and said to Lady Wang, "I have a confidential matter to discuss with you alone. Could you dismiss everyone else?"

Understanding her intent, Lady Wang addressed the gathering, "You may all withdraw. Leave us so we can exchange private thoughts in peace."

Li Wan, Lin Daiyu, Jia Yingchun, Jia Tanchun, Jia Xichun, and the others hurriedly and respectfully retired.

Wang Xifeng, however, arched her willow-leaf eyebrows and smiled at Aunt Xue, saying, "Aunt, what manner of secret is this, that even a niece like me cannot hear it? It is rare for you to visit, and my heart is overflowing with joy. Yet, after all, I am a niece born of a different womb; I cannot compare to a sister born of the same flesh."

Both Lady Wang and Aunt Xue were aunts to Wang Xifeng. Furthermore, Wang Xifeng was resourceful, astute, capable, and deeply favored by Lady Wang.

Lady Wang was amused by Wang Xifeng’s words, but seeing that Aunt Xue not only failed to smile but looked deeply embarrassed, she said to Xifeng, "Your aunt has a confidential matter to discuss with me. You should withdraw for now."

Only then did Wang Xifeng retract her playful smile and take her leave.

Inside the room remained only the two sisters, Lady Wang and Aunt Xue.

Without delay, Aunt Xue recounted in detail the entire affair involving the Xue family, Wang Ziteng, and Jiang Nian.

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang turned deathly pale with shock, her heart gripped by terror. She had never imagined that the Xue family could provoke such a catastrophic disaster—not only was Xue Baochai reduced to the status of a concubine, but the family's status as imperial merchants was also in jeopardy, and Wang Ziteng had been demoted from the Commander of the Capital Garrison to a regional military commander. To make matters worse, it had even cost the life of Qin Ye, a colleague and cherished friend of Jia Zheng across generations...

With tearful eyes and a trembling voice, Aunt Xue pleaded tearfully with Lady Wang, "Sister, the Xue family is powerless to reverse this calamity, and even my elder brother can do naught. I must rely on your help to preserve our status as imperial merchants. Otherwise, the future of the Xue family is truly perilous, and I would fail my departed husband beyond redemption!"

Lady Wang furrowed her brows deeply, a look of distress on her face as she sighed, "This disaster has even startled the Retired Emperor and the reigning Emperor. My brother has been demoted on account of it and is powerless to intervene. How... how could I possibly help?"

Aunt Xue choked out, "Could your... could your husband not help either?"

Lady Wang gave a bitter, helpless smile and shook her head. "He... has no such capability."

Aunt Xue probed further, "Might we ask the Old Dowager to step in and lend assistance?"

Hearing this, Lady Wang thought to herself, "You were born into the Wang family and married into the Xue family. To now ask the Old Dowager of the Jia family to intervene in a matter of such monumental gravity is rather absurd."

Nevertheless, Lady Wang had always cared deeply for her natal family, and she shared a profound sisterly bond with Aunt Xue. Seeing her sister in such a wretched and pitiful state, she ultimately lacked the heart to refuse. With a heavy sigh, she replied, "Very well! I shall take you to see the Old Dowager. You may explain the whole origin of the matter to her yourself. As for whether she is willing or able to help, I cannot say."

Aunt Xue nodded repeatedly, hastily wiping away her tears, and followed Lady Wang toward the Dowager’s courtyard.

The Dowager’s courtyard was situated in the western section of the Rongguo Mansion’s inner quarters, serving as the daily residence of Lady Jia. Its main hall, the Rongqing Hall, spanned five bays and featured exquisitely carved beams and painted rafters. Along the covered verandas and side rooms on either side hung various cages containing colorful parrots, thrushes, and other birds.

The central bay of the Rongqing Hall was elegantly furnished. Hanging in the center was a scroll depicting pines and cranes, flanked by a couplelong couplet reading: "May your blessings be as boundless as the eastern sea's rolling waters, and your longevity as enduring as the southern mountain's unfading pines." The floor was covered with luxurious embroidered carpets, and in one corner stood a bronze incense burner from which wisps of fragrant smoke curled lazily, filling the air with a delightful perfume. The tables and stands in the hall were arranged with antiques and jade ornaments, all rare treasures that displayed an air of immense wealth and nobility.

At present, only Lady Jia, Lady Wang, and Aunt Xue were inside the hall.

Lady Jia was reclining on a couch. Though well past sixty, with silver-streaked hair and wrinkles lining her face, she remained spirited and possessed a benevolent expression. She wore a jeweled headband, a deep purple brocade robe, an outer vest embroidered with golden phoenixes, and gently turned a string of agarwood prayer beads in her hand.

Aunt Xue was presently recounting the entire affair involving the Xue family, Wang Ziteng, and Jiang Nian to Lady Jia. Her expression was desolate and sorrowful, her words filled with grief as her tears fell along with her voice.

Upon hearing the account, Lady Jia turned pale with shock, exclaiming in dismay, "Such a thing has actually happened! Such a thing has actually happened!"

Wang Ziteng’s ties to the Rongguo Mansion were exceptionally close, extending far beyond mere marriage alliances.

Years ago, it was Lady Jia’s late husband, Jia Daishan, who had recommended Wang Ziteng to serve as an imperial bodyguard to Emperor Jingning. Wang Ziteng’s subsequent rise to Commander of the Capital Garrison also relied heavily on the powerful support of the Jia family. Jia Daihua of the Ningguo Mansion had also once held the post of Commander of the Capital Garrison.

In recent years, Wang Ziteng had essentially become a pillar of support for the Jia family.

Now that Wang Ziteng had been demoted to a regional military commander, the Jia family would inevitably be affected as well.

Seeing Lady Jia’s alarm, Aunt Xue felt even more apprehensive, casting a pleading, sorrowful glance at Lady Wang as if seeking assistance.

Recognizing that the matter was extremely thorny, Lady Wang nevertheless lacked the heart to see her sister in such distress. Not daring to openly beg Lady Jia for help, she spoke tactfully, "Old Dowager, if the Xue family loses their status as imperial merchants, their plight will indeed be desperate."

Lady Jia had already perceived the underlying plea from both Lady Wang and Aunt Xue. She sighed and said, "If it were any other matter, our household might be able to lend a hand. But this calamity is no trivial affair; it has even alarmed the two Emperors, and your brother has been demoted because of it. Even our household is powerless to help!"

In truth, Lady Jia believed that given her status as a first-rank ducal lady, combined with the profound bonds of ruler and subject that her late husband Jia Daishan had shared with Emperor Jingning, she might have been able to preserve the Xue family's imperial merchant status had she swallowed her pride and implored the Retired Emperor and Emperor Jingning.

However, she had no intention of undertaking such a task...