Chapter 145: Chapter 145

Just as An Ning had predicted earlier, the collapse of the Jia Family—or rather, several old aristocratic families—came even sooner than described in the original story.

At the beginning of the year, as the newly appointed Princess Consort of Prince Xin, An Ning attended her first imperial family banquet and immediately heard news that Consort De of Fengzao Palace had vomited blood and fallen unconscious. Yet the Emperor showed not a trace of concern, not even raising an eyebrow at the eunuch who came to report, instead calmly conversing with An Ning and her husband below the dais.

Of course, most questions were directed at An Ning herself.

Nearly five years had passed since the Grand Emperor's last critical illness, but contrary to expectations of his imminent demise, the old sovereign had not only failed to decline but instead grew increasingly vigorous—clearly with many more years to live.

In recent years, not only had the Grand Emperor bestowed generous gifts, but even the current Emperor's annual rewards were substantial. Now, facing his nominal younger brother, the Emperor adopted a distinctly familial tone:

"Zhaohui has always been straightforward and sincere. Over the years, I've come to regard her as my own sister. Now that she's left home so suddenly, if any servants prove neglectful, Zhaohui mustn't hesitate to tell her elder brother..."

His manner of speaking was nearly identical to the Grand Emperor's earlier tone.

An Ning barely suppressed the twitching at the corner of her mouth.

What "neglectful servants"? The entire Prince Xin's mansion had precisely two masters. Most personnel were her original staff brought from the commandery princess mansion, while the remainder were largely sent from the palace—all exceptionally adept at reading situations and shifting allegiances.

The true target of this warning couldn't be more obvious.

It just proved that among imperial families, blood relations sometimes meant absolutely nothing...

Within her consciousness, the system silently shed sympathetic tears for the beautiful Shangguan nearby.

Tsk, how tragic for such a beauty—being treated like a live-in son-in-law in his own home was truly unprecedented.

On their return journey, observing her opponent's completely unruffled chess strategy—even showing faint delight when briefly gaining slight advantage—his jade-like features radiant...

What dazzling eyes and pearly teeth!

After appreciating the view briefly, An Ning finally set down her warm jade chess piece, propping her chin with slight curiosity:

"Speaking of today's events, doesn't my lord feel the slightest resentment?" Having known each other for some time, An Ning had grown accustomed to speaking frankly.

Her husband had always been exceptionally mild-tempered, seldom angered, as she'd learned over the years.

But to assume imperial family members lacked temperaments would be naive. An Ning knew that while her lord kept few attendants, none dared overstep boundaries—even during his most neglected periods, numerous palace staff had been casually dismissed by him.

The imperial palace was no place for pushovers.

Meeting his wife's sparkling eyes, Shangguan Mu couldn't help a soft laugh, expertly pouring warmed tea from the stove. Only when satisfied with the temperature did he slowly hand it to her, his voice as ever gentle yet retaining a youthful clarity:

"And what of A-Ning? Have you ever resented having such an idle husband who fails to bring you greater glory?"

"I think my lord's current state is already perfect!" An Ning's eyes curved in response to his faint smile.

That day's conversation remained but a minor interlude, after which their domestic life continued unchanged.

With only two masters in the mansion, they lived entirely as they pleased—playing chess at leisure, occasionally exchanging views on calligraphy, painting or music.

The Ministry of Rites' affairs being light, and her nominal husband disinclined to seek additional duties—having grown up in the palace's depths with an indifferent temperament and no troublesome friends—he naturally spent exponentially more time accompanying his wife.

Being a prince after all, despite previous neglect, his tutors from the imperial study had been truly capable.

In the months since marriage, if nothing else, An Ning's formerly weakest skill—qin music—had improved significantly.

At the very least, her appreciation level had risen several notches. Feeling his warm fingertips once more lightly covering hers as pleasant qin notes filled the air, An Ning couldn't help an inward tsk:

Truly, no matter how different men's temperaments, their innate tendency to lecture others remained utterly unchanged...

The day the Jia Family faced official confiscation, An Ning happened to be admiring Jiangnan's "Eighteen Scholars" camellias with Sister Lin.

Hearing the news, Lin Daiyu's fingers paused momentarily, seeming momentarily stunned. Yet after years together, An Ning could discern that while saddened, her expression showed little surprise.

Indeed, given the Jia Family's recent state, any perceptive observer would have noticed something amiss.

Especially after their palace pillar Consort De was hastily buried. Hadn't the Xue Family, previously clamoring about the "perfect golden match," been conspicuously silent these past months?

"I fear I must disappoint Sister's kind invitation today—these flowers shall go unappreciated!"

After this melancholy statement, Miss Lin soon took hurried leave.

Others might manage, but her elderly grandmother... and those female cousins... with years of blood ties, Lin Daiyu couldn't possibly remain completely indifferent...

"Rest assured, the Jia Family remains founding nobility. However culpable certain members, at least regarding innocent women, His Majesty isn't unduly harsh..."

Miss Lin finally relaxed slightly:

"Father said the same earlier..."

In truth, from later gossip An Ning gathered, while the Jia Family's premature collapse represented utter catastrophe for its wastrel men, it wasn't entirely without benefit for some daughters.

At least Yingchun's marriage negotiations had only reached preliminary stages without formal betrothal gifts—this incident prompting the Sun Family to immediately repudiate the engagement when questioned, vehemently denying any connection to the "criminal Jia Family."

As for the Jia matriarch—after lifelong privilege, she witnessed her family's complete ruin in her twilight years.

Though at least this lifetime, with Jia Min still living, the innocent women wouldn't be left completely destitute.

Most astonishingly, according to yamen officers conducting the confiscation, while the Jia Family appeared fabulously wealthy, what they uncovered most were pawn tickets—with insiders revealing they'd even secretly sold much ancestral land meant as clan foundation.

This left everyone aghast—for unlike ordinary property, ancestral land remained untouched even during confiscations unless involving nine-family extermination crimes, being last resorts for descendants.

"These capital elites are truly..."

Even Eldest Ya, overhearing snippets, couldn't help shaking her head—knowing even rural families prioritized acquiring land when prospering.

Yet more astounding were the Jia Family's wealthy servants. Ironically, of the several hundred thousand taels confiscated (excluding the Zhen Family's earlier private wealth), most actually came from servants' possessions...