Chapter 140: Chapter 140

"Sister seems so surprised. Do you think I've come at an inconvenient time?"

Seeing the familiar demeanor, An Ning couldn't help but chuckle. "Since it's you visiting, any time would be perfectly fine."

After instructing servants to store all the gifts in the treasury, the group chatted merrily as they entered the mansion. An Ning's commandery princess mansion was originally converted from the residence of a particularly favored princess of this dynasty. The estate not only covered vast grounds with exquisite carvings and paintings everywhere, but An Ning had also ordered several renovations during her months of residence, adding numerous favorite artificial hills, strange rocks, and exotic flowers.

Turning past the winding corridor, they were greeted by the murmuring sound of flowing water. On the lake floated a painted boat nearly as tall as a person.

Walking through, Chen Daya and the others found themselves hardly daring to breathe, especially since most of the mansion's current maids were former palace attendants, each displaying impeccable manners and natural grace in their every movement.

Old Physician Liang, being advanced in years and unable to endure long journeys, had his mind set at ease after seeing his apprentice living well, and soon retired with his grandson to rest.

Only when the three sisters were left alone in the room did An Ning push a plate of freshly made plum blossom jade dragon pastries toward them and ask with a smile:

"By the way, I haven't asked why you've come to the capital now, sister. Is it because of Commissioner Lin?"

As it turned out, the Lin family had received the imperial edict only a few days later than Daya's group. That the Lins could arrive faster only proved that official families could always mobilize resources beyond what merchants could match.

Yet seeing the faint worry in young Miss Lin's eyes, An Ning understood that Commissioner Lin must be preparing for a decisive move. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent his wife and daughter to the capital so early.

But even the Jiangnan salt administration was being relinquished—it seemed the former emperor was indeed thoroughly abdicating his power.

Indeed, if there were only a year or two left, given the Grand Emperor's temperament, he might have struggled to retain control. But ten years... The new emperor clearly wasn't incompetent, and as his reign continued, he would inevitably consolidate complete authority. Unable to expend energy himself, rather than being gradually eroded, it was better to retreat early and secure a peaceful twilight.

Yet this retreat, while beneficial for some, might not be so for others.

An Ning thought of Consort De, who had repeatedly sought audiences on various pretexts recently, and that intelligent, gracious Madam Lin.

One might say the Jia family's intelligence for generations had all been concentrated in its womenfolk.

But since Lin Daiyu had come to the capital, she must have visited the Jia residence with Madam Lin first. Thinking this, An Ning suddenly grew curious: "Speaking of which, sister, have you encountered anything interesting since arriving in the capital?"

Like "I've seen this sister somewhere before," or jade-smashing perhaps?

Having been friends for years, Lin Daiyu only needed to see that expression to know this person was undoubtedly looking forward to some drama.

Unable to resist rolling her eyes at someone, Miss Lin unusually gave in to the urge to vent:

"I suppose sister has already heard. During this visit, grandmother and all my cousins each had their merits—except for that cousin of mine..."

The young Miss Lin snorted lightly, her eyes showing distinct disdain. "Even the monkey leaping to heaven in storybooks couldn't rival his antics!"

Oh~ Understood. So the jade must have been smashed again.

Only this time, with his mother present, the aftermath probably wasn't so easily smoothed over. Thinking this, An Ning curiously poked her system.

"Hehehe, host, you've asked the right one this time!"

In her consciousness, the system was uncharacteristically proud—it had recorded everything from start to finish! It just knew its host would love this drama.

After more laughter, the moment Lin Daiyu left, An Ning couldn't wait to open the video.

Sure enough, when the Jia family's precious heir started discussing courtesy names and "having met before," Jia Min's face had already darkened. But as the wife of the Salt Inspection Commissioner for years, Madam Lin's composure was impeccable; even angry, others—especially Baoyu—could hardly tell.

When the jade-smashing occurred, before the crowd could gather to comfort their precious heir, Jia Min had already risen abruptly, taken her daughter, and left with all her attendants.

At that, the Dowager could no longer focus on her darling grandson. Jia Zheng nearly tied up his unlucky son for a beating afterward. Lady Wang again threatened suicide, weeping about her deceased son Jia Zhu...

In short, the Jia household had been quite lively over this incident!

"Tsk, it's a shame host doesn't enjoy socializing, or you'd have so much more entertainment!"

The system said regretfully.

Given how the Jia servants couldn't keep secrets—three leaks per sentence—news spread through the noble circle almost as events happened.

But this wasn't unusual among nobility. After generations since the dynasty's founding, most martial noble families had rather lax discipline, except for scholarly clans like the Lins.

Yet none were quite as disorderly and drama-prone as the Jia family. No wonder noblewomen loved listening to their gossip.

Since it was others' drama, An Ning only heard bits, unlike the news Daya brought.

"Elder Sister, you mean those Chen family people actually came looking for you?"

"Quite bold of them!"

Remembering everything that had happened to the young girl in her past life, An Ning's gaze turned cold.

Daya unconsciously pressed her lips together, her teeth clenched:

"Actually, shortly after you came to the capital, father already came to me, saying cousin... no, that scoundrel Chen Dalang had passed the county exams and was preparing for the provincial exams, demanding I provide money..."

Recalling how he'd droned on about how cousin would support them after becoming a provincial graduate, Daya nearly ground her teeth to dust.

Support? By selling them off again?

At that time, with no news from her sister, Daya had been frantic and gave them no quarter, harshly scolding them before using the neighboring Lin family as a threat to finally drive them away.

Originally, Daya hadn't wanted to trouble her sister with this, but now things were different. With her younger sister a commandery princess, how could those Chen family wolves pass up such benefits?

What about her sister's reputation?

The thought made Daya hate even more.

What sin had she and her sister committed to deserve such a heartless father?

"Right, there's still that Chen family..." Reminded by Daya, the system suddenly recalled this issue and anxiously slapped its thigh:

"Argh, why didn't I think of this earlier? We should've dealt with them back in Yangzhou."

Back then, with the Lin family around, handling a peasant family wouldn't have been easy. Unlike now in the capital, where any incident under public scrutiny—given her host's medical skills—would invite suspicion.

Even before their arrival, the system was already running in circles.

Really... completely unnecessary.

"Actually, isn't their timing perfect now?"