Chapter 153 Xue Pan is captured
With the emperor’s order, the Ningguo Mansion had a lively funeral procession.

In addition to the Nan’an Prince who guarded the southern border and the sick Beijing Prince, the heads of the four princes and eight dukes came to see the funeral in person, and even the Leshan Prince and the Yongchang Prince Consort who were on good terms with the Jia family came. There were more than a dozen large sedan chairs, thirty or forty small sedan chairs, and no less than a hundred Jia family sedan chairs and carriages. In front of them were all kinds of stewards, furnishings, and entertainments. The procession was so grand that it stretched three or four miles in a row.

After leaving Ningrong Street, there were colorful tents set up on the roadside, with banquets and music playing, all of which were offerings and sacrifices made by each family on the road.

Just before they reached the city gate, Jia Jing, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian and their colleagues and subordinates each set up offerings and offered sacrifices. They thanked them one by one, then left the city and headed straight for Tiekan Temple.

Tiekan Temple is the ancestral temple of the Jia family. It was built by Lords Ning and Rong in those days as a place for people who passed away in the capital to be deposited there and brought back to their hometowns later.

All the arrangements were made. The monks of Tiekan Temple came to receive the coffin, and they welcomed him to the temple with drums, golden cymbals, banners, and precious canopies. They also set up an incense altar in the temple, performed Buddhist ceremonies, and placed the coffin in the inner hall, with Jia Rong accompanying him in front of the coffin.

Jia Lian entertained all the relatives and friends outside, while Wang Xifeng was in charge of receiving the ladies inside.

There were eight tables in the side hall. The banquet had not yet started. Jia Jing, Jia She and Jia Zheng were sitting there with their relatives and friends, talking.

There were also those who refused to eat and left. After they had thanked everyone, Jia Lian accompanied them out of the temple.

After seeing off several colleagues and subordinates, Jia Lian returned to the side hall. He looked around, obviously looking for someone. Then he walked to Jia Baoyu and asked softly, “Where is your second brother Li?”

Jia Baoyu pointed to the concubine.

Jia Lian understood and turned to walk towards the side room.

As soon as he stepped into the side room, Jia Lian was startled.

Li Hu sat on the chair, and Jia Yun stood beside him like a boulder, motionless.

Seeing Jia Lian coming in, Jia Yun walked over quietly and lowered his voice: “Is there anything wrong, Uncle Lian?”

Jia Lian: “It’s time to eat.”

Jia Yun nodded.

Jia Lian looked at Li Hu again and saw that he was sitting upright in the chair, snoring softly.

Jia Lian smacked his lips and thought to himself, “He killed so many people and still slept so soundly. No wonder the master said he has the talent of a great general.” He walked over and poked Li Hu.

Li Hu opened his eyes suddenly: “What are you doing?”

Jia Lian raised his chin to indicate that the banquet was ready.

Li Hu yawned loudly, then took out a gold watch the size of a walnut from his bosom. He took a look and saw that the hand had pointed to 2:15 pm. He put it back in his pocket and said, “It’s getting late. I have something else to do when I go back.” Then he stood up.

Jia Lian thought for a moment and said, “Okay.” Then he yawned and said, “Let’s go out and talk to the masters.” He then extended his hand and walked out with Li Hu.

After saying a few polite words to stop Jia Jing, Jia She and others, Li Hu walked out of Tiekan Temple accompanied by Jia Lian, Jia Yun, Jia Baoyu and others.

A cool breeze blew, taking away Li Hu’s last bit of sleepiness.

Li Hu stopped there and looked up at the sky, which gradually became gloomy.

Jia Lian looked at Li Hu and said, “It’s going to rain.”

Li Hu: “It’s too early. The rain won’t fall until sunset.”

Jia Baoyu was very surprised when he heard this: “Brother Li, how did you know that?”

Jia Yun replied, “In addition to being familiar with the art of war, one must also understand astronomical phenomena, especially the weather forecast by observing the clouds. The army has a “Cloud Atlas” that specifically…”

Li Hu interrupted him and said, “Okay, that’s enough. You don’t have to rush back to the barracks. Just do the three-day soul-resting ceremony before going back.”

Jia Yun replied, “Yes.”

Li Hu said to Jia Lian again: “Just now, news came from Yuqing Palace that His Majesty is preparing to confer titles on the six palaces, and Depin is placed at the top of the list.”

Jia Lian sighed.

Li Hu smiled secretly. Madam Wang had planned and plotted, but in the end this was the result. She must be so angry that she vomited blood. There was also the matter of the villa for the imperial visit. The Rongguo Mansion now had absolutely no strength to build a villa for the imperial visit. The Ningguo Mansion had also been offended by Madam Wang, and there was no property from the Lin family to make up for it, so it had to be built. This was not only a matter of family face, but also delayed the emperor from fleecing her and brought shame to the emperor. Not only would Jia Yuanchun’s life in the palace be difficult, but the Jia family’s life would also be difficult.

After draining the private money of the first and second wives and Lady Jia, the Rongguo Mansion could not afford to build this villa for the visit of relatives. Even if the Ningguo Mansion shared a part of the cost, it would still be a lot.

When the imperial decree to visit the royal family came out, Jia’s grandmother and others started to worry.

Li Hu suddenly thought of the Xue family. Tsk, Aunt Xue was worried that the Xue family’s property would be swallowed up by Wang Ziteng, so she hid in Rongguo Mansion. Now it’s delivered to her doorstep!
At this time, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came over, and everyone looked over.

A horse galloped closer and stopped in front of the temple gate. The horse was still snorting and breathing hot air.

Li Hu immediately recognized the man, who was Yuanyang’s brother Jin Wenxiang, who had been sent by Lady Jia to the Li family to deliver gifts.

Jin Wenxiang jumped off his horse and ran towards Jia Lian while shouting, “Second Master Lian!”

Jia Lian frowned: “What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?” Jin Wenxiang had already run to him and knelt down, panting: “Master Xue was taken away by the Infantry Yamen, and the Xue family pawnshop was also closed. Madam asked Second Master to go back immediately.”

Mrs. Wang was ill and couldn’t get out of bed, so she didn’t come to the funeral.

Jia Lian’s face changed: “What’s going on?”

Jia Yun, Jia Qiang and other members of the Jia family also changed their expressions, and Jia Baoyu even exclaimed in surprise.

Li Hu frowned. What was Xue Pan doing? Before he left the city, he had clearly told him not to bother and let Prince Zhongshun deal with it.

Jin Wenxiang: “Someone from Prince Zhongshun’s mansion went to the pawnshop to ask for the property deed of a restaurant, and happened to be bumped into by Master Xue. Master Xue had a bad temper, so they started arguing and then got physical.”

How shameless!
Jia Lian was shocked!
Jia Baoyu and Jia Yun were shocked!
All the Jia family members were shocked, and then a commotion broke out.

Jia Lian shouted in a low voice: “Shut up!”

The scene in front of the temple immediately became quiet.

Jia Lian looked at Jin Wenxiang: “What’s the crime?”

Li Hu nodded. Jia Lian’s question hit the nail on the head. The most important thing right now was to confirm what crime the Infantry Yamen had brought against Xue Pan and the Xue Family Pawnshop.

Jin Wenxiang swallowed his saliva and said, “It’s the bandits!”

There was immediate commotion in front of the temple.

Jia Lian frowned and was about to get angry.

Li Hu spoke: “Go and report to the master and his family.” He paused, “I’ll wait for you here.”

Jia Lian replied, “Okay.” He waved his hand and led Jin Wenxiang in.

Jia Baoyu looked at Li Hu, wanting to say something but not daring to, and gently touched Jia Yun with his arm.

Li Hu had seen it and looked at him: “Do you have anything to say?”

Jia Baoyu blushed and said hesitantly, “Although I don’t know how the Infantry Yamen got the charge of collusion with bandits, Brother Xue must have been wrongly accused. Second Brother Li, can you, can you save Brother Xue?”

Jia Yun shouted, “Second Uncle Bao!”

“You’re seeking death!” Jia Zheng’s angry voice came over.

Jia Lian walked out with Jia She and Jia Zheng.

Jia Baoyu: “Master, Master”

Jia Zheng said to Jia Baoyu: “If you keep talking nonsense, watch out for your skin!”

Jia Baoyu bowed his head: “Yes.”

Jia She glanced at Jia Zheng and said, “Look at your character.”

Now it was Jia Zheng’s turn to bow his head.

Jia She looked at Li Hu and asked, “Will you come with us?”

Li Hu: “I’m going home.”

Jia She: “Do they have evidence?”

Li Hu: “Even if I have evidence, I dare not produce it.”

The questions and answers were very concise and in perfect harmony.

“The Xue family has to spend money to avoid disaster.” Jia She made a judgment.

Li Hu nodded.

Jia She turned to Jia Lian and said, “Go ahead and make a bigger noise.” After saying that, he turned around and walked back.

Just as Jia Zheng was about to speak, Jia She’s voice came from the temple gate: “If you have any ideas, go ahead and do not embarrass Lian’er.”

Jia Zheng was startled when he heard this, then he flicked his sleeves and followed in.

Looking at Jia Zheng’s back, Li Hu shook his head and turned to Jia Lian: “Let’s go.”

Jia Lian nodded.

(End of this chapter)