Chapter 143: Chapter 143

The eldest sister’s wedding day was scheduled for the following February.

As the only sister the Commandery Princess officially recognized, even though she was born a commoner, the noble ladies in the capital still treated her with full respect and gave generous gifts.

The Huang family from Yangzhou had even moved their entire household to the capital months in advance to prepare for the wedding, spending a fortune on purchasing a fine residence and shops in the city. They had no objection to the young couple spending most of their time in the capital afterward.

Even Madam Huang, who was usually very picky, frequently wore a smile. Especially on the eve of the wedding, she kept quiet in front of the elegant and noble madams, along with her eldest daughter-in-law, who dared not utter a word.

After the wedding, the eldest sister’s life remained unchanged, except for having a devoted husband who attended to her every need.

As for Old Physician Liang, despite An Ning’s repeated attempts to persuade him to stay, he resolutely took his grandson and returned to their hometown in Yangzhou.

The day before his departure, the normally stern physician drank a bit more than usual:

“In my lifetime, having a disciple as capable as you, An Ning, to carry on my legacy leaves me no regrets. The status of doctors has always been low, but with you as an example, not to mention other things, our lives as physicians might become somewhat easier...”

“But An Ning, remember the saying ‘Being with a lord is like being with a tiger.’ My disciple, you must diligently study from now on and never let your guard down.”

Old Physician Liang was always strict and self-disciplined. Yet, toward this often lazy disciple, he never said much but never hesitated to guide her.

Although their relationship started as a business arrangement, An Ning knew that without this old doctor’s years of protection, if replaced by someone greedy, the two sisters would never have had such smooth and worry-free years.

At the start of the new year, on this day, when An Ning was taking the pulse of the Grand Emperor as usual, she suddenly noticed signs of anger affecting his heart in recent days.

Looking at the Grand Emperor’s slightly darkened complexion, even An Ning was somewhat surprised.

The Grand Emperor was famously cautious about himself. In the past year, he had never opposed any medical advice An Ning gave and had strictly followed all prescriptions.

Though curious, An Ning was not one to pry into matters concerning the former dynasty and simply prescribed a few remedies to clear internal heat without asking further questions.

This demeanor left the Grand Emperor beside her both reassured and speechless.

But soon, An Ning learned the full story.

In April, Lin Ruhai finally completed the transition and entered the capital. Along with him came a mountain of evidence against the Zhen family from Jiangnan.

Their crimes—abusing women, collusion between officials and merchants, smuggling salt—were countless and well-documented. Even Lin Ruhai himself narrowly escaped danger on his way back to the capital.

Fortunately, the current emperor was relatively competent, and the group returned safely, but the impact was significant.

Aside from the silent tension between the former emperor and his son, it had little to do with An Ning personally. Instead, Tongzi, the system, was utterly stunned to see that, despite being in the eye of the storm, the Jia family actually dared to take the Zhen family’s possessions.

“Whoa, the Zhen family’s downfall came way earlier than expected. Could the Jia family’s end be coming early too?”

At this point, the Jia family was not yet at their last gasp, so what was the purpose of such greed?

They really dared to fish for money everywhere!

Yes, earlier than expected.

Because the Grand Emperor had retired this lifetime and willingly handed over his power, the power transition was much smoother and more efficient than the previous lifetime. Thanks to the old man’s cooperation, there was no need to exert heavy effort to rectify court affairs. This time, the crackdown on Jiangnan was even earlier.

Speaking of Jiangnan, the Zhen family was naturally the target.

Moreover, unlike others, the Zhen family had a noble consort and two sons vying for the throne, which made them especially resented by the current emperor.

Taking them down was a smooth and natural move.

This was obvious to any clear-eyed person, yet the Jia family still shamelessly threw themselves into the fray as if nothing was happening. Tongzi was dumbfounded by their stupidity.

“By the way, wasn’t Jia Min there? Didn’t she try to persuade them?”

Of course she tried. As for the outcome? Judging by the fact that Miss Lin and Madam Lin hadn’t visited the Jia family recently, the result was clear.

An Ning rolled her eyes:

“What’s so surprising? When people are short on money, they naturally grab anything they can, especially those who have been living the good life.”

An Ning also guessed that without the Lin family’s friendship and financial backing this lifetime, the Jia family’s inner household must be suffering heavy losses.

A while ago, when An Ning went out to enjoy the flowers, she overheard gossip about the family. To make money, that fierce Madam Feng even drove people to death.

Tongzi was speechless.

“At this point, can’t they just save some money? Look at the luxury of their countless servants every day, and the Grand View Garden alone requires a huge expense daily just for upkeep.”

And those palace eunuchs who extorted money, thinking that giving bribes would make them stop. But the more they give, the greedier they become.

Even Tongzi knew these facts, yet this entire family was so clueless.

At this moment, Tongzi surprisingly felt the joy of intellectual superiority.

Though reluctant to discourage her dog-like companion, An Ning couldn’t help but shake her head gently:

“Aristocratic families aren’t as simple as you think, Tongzi.”

“Cutting expenses and reducing servants? Believe me, if the Jia family truly did that, they would disappear from the capital’s upper noble ranks even faster, and worse, collapse and be completely devoured sooner!”

What some called the ignorance of the women in the family was just gossip in An Ning’s eyes. The true root of the Jia family’s decline was the men’s incompetence and lack of influence in court.

Honestly, it was obvious that Consort De was neither favored nor respected. From An Ning’s previous encounters in the palace, not to mention the masters, even ordinary palace maids hardly regarded her.

Did the experienced Jia Matriarch understand this?

Of course, she did. But what use was understanding? Apart from this card, did the Jia family have any other deterrent power?

Under the emperor’s nose, weakness would not earn mercy, only oppression.

Especially when a noble falls, it invites even more people to trample them.

“But precisely because they’re so weak, the Jia family should still survive a little longer!”

Thinking of the Grand Emperor she had just seen today, An Ning speculated in her heart.

Though she wasn’t sure they could hold on until the original story’s timeline.

Still, the Red Mansion world was somewhat cruel. After a moment’s contemplation, before going to sleep, An Ning carefully checked the jade pendant that always hung around her neck once again.

It proved that caution was indeed useful.

That night, when she was led into the labyrinth and suddenly felt dizzy, An Ning didn’t hesitate for a second, giving no chance for the person before her to react. She quickly threw the talisman in her hand...