"Wait, don't let Rong'er know. Otherwise, he'll blame me for meddling," Madam Jin quickly stopped the wet nurse. Nowadays, whenever it involved Jin Rong, Madam Jin was extremely cautious, fearing she might displease him and make him dislike her even more.
"Madam, rest assured. Your servant understands and will surely not let the young master find out." The wet nurse immediately ordered someone to investigate the matter. Jin Rong was now the only heir of the Jin family. Regardless of the other party's family background or appearance, they must truly love their young master.
The young master had a difficult childhood and finally saw the light after hardships. They absolutely could not let anyone bully him again.
Minister Jin died suddenly due to excessive indulgence. When the news spread, people outside seemed unfazed. After all, many things had happened in the Jin family recently. First, the eldest son, Jin Yu, died from sudden death in his prime, and then Minister Jin died suddenly. It was not surprising.
The Jin family set up a mourning hall, but few people came to pay their respects. One reason was the matter of Prince Qi, and they feared being held grudges by the Emperor if they visited. Secondly, with Minister Jin's death, the position of Minister of Revenue would fall to someone else. Although the Jin family was wealthy, their wealth was not worth risking their lives for, especially since Jin Rong of the Jin family was not easy to deal with.
Jin Rong, clad in hemp mourning clothes, kept vigil for Master Jin. Madam Jin, worried that he would not be able to bear it, had him go out to entertain guests while she remained in the mourning hall.
The young ladies of the Jin family cried more sorrowfully than the next. Those from collateral branches, however, had other intentions. With Jin Xiao's death, the main branch had lost its patron. Jin Rong was young, and although he possessed considerable ability, some were still unconvinced. Moreover, Prince Qi had now distanced himself from the Jin family. If they wanted to seize control of the Jin family, this was the time.
"Esteemed uncles and elders, do you think that because my husband is dead, we, a widow and an orphan, are easy to bully?" Madam Jin understood their thoughts perfectly. Her expression was calm, and her tone was composed. "Don't forget, the Jin family still has me, and Rong'er. Rong'er is the young master of the Jin family, who earned his position through examinations and his own abilities."
"Eldest sister-in-law, we have no other intentions. It's just that eldest brother is gone, and Jin Rong is young. We fear he cannot support the vast Jin family and wish to help him share the burden," the second master immediately said. "Moreover, Jin Rong's status is low, and his mother was a lowly slave..."
Madam Jin suddenly swept the ever-burning lamp on the table to the ground. The lamp oil splashed onto the second master who was speaking, and the flames instantly ignited his clothes. The second master rolled on the ground in fear, while the household guards rushed forward, using their bodies to extinguish the flames for him, and the scene became chaotic.
"Eldest sister-in-law, what are you doing? Second brother spoke the truth, how could you hurt someone?"
Madam Jin sat down beside him, her posture proud. "Rong'er is my son and the young master of the Jin family. His status is noble and cannot be slandered. Although Jin Xiao is dead, my Li family is still well. If you want to harm us, mother and son, you had better think carefully if you can afford to offend my Li family!"
Everyone looked at each other, almost forgetting this point. Madam Jin was not only the mistress of the Jin family but also the eldest daughter of the Li family. The Li family had served as officials for generations and held considerable power in the imperial court. If they angered Li Chun'er, the Li family would likely not let it go.
"Eldest sister-in-law, we are all family. We only want to help," the third aunt said with a smile. "We are just afraid that Jin Rong is too young to deter those cunning people and want to help him. Why must eldest sister-in-law keep us at arm's length?"
"You, a married daughter, also want to reach out and take a share? We don't covet what your Jin family ancestors left. But who dares to touch what belongs to our main branch?" Madam Jin's eyebrows were raised in anger. She clapped her hands, and dozens of household guards poured in. They were all skilled men Madam Jin had brought from her maiden family. "Today, I'll make myself clear. Everything in the main branch belongs to Rong'er. If you want it, you'd better have the life to take it!"
"Hussy, what do you mean the main branch's property belongs to Jin Rong? This is our Jin family's property!" Second Master Jin pushed away the servant and roared angrily.
"Your Jin family?" Madam Jin scoffed. "What do you have in your Jin family? Haven't you all squandered everything in your Jin family? What we are using now is my personal savings from the Li family! Your Jin family's assets were all taken by Master Jin to appease your Prince Qi. If you want your Jin family's property, ask Prince Qi!"
Everyone was dumbfounded. Rumors outside claimed that Prince Qi was the Empress Dowager's illegitimate son, but His Majesty had suppressed any investigation. Even if they knew the truth, they could not openly ask Prince Qi for it. After all, they had defected to Prince Qi, and Prince Qi had also given them many benefits. Now that Prince Qi was in trouble, a starved camel was still larger than a horse. If they dared to confront him, given Prince Qi's unruly nature, they might be the ones to suffer!
"Eldest sister-in-law, aren't you just throwing a tantrum? Who is His Highness Prince Qi? How would we dare to ask Prince Qi?"
"What, you dare not provoke Prince Qi, but you dare to provoke my Li family?" Madam Jin said hatefully. "My husband's body has not yet turned cold, and you are already plotting to seize our main branch's family property. I tell you, it's impossible! If you dare to snatch it, I will fight to the death with you. No one will benefit!"
"Sister-in-law, you can't be so selfish. Eldest brother's property is not yours alone..."
"My husband died suddenly, and he's not without a son. Where does it fall to you to inherit the family property?" Madam Jin looked down on them. "I've said it here. If you want the Jin family's property, come and try."
Second Master Jin took two steps forward. The guards behind Madam Jin immediately drew their swords, scaring Second Master Jin into retreating. He thought Madam Jin was a weak woman, but he didn't expect her to be so resolute, even bringing Li family retainers to kill people!
"You... hussy!"
Madam Jin sneered repeatedly. "Hussy? How unusual. Normally, you call me dignified and virtuous, gentle and generous. Today, you want to seize my family property, and I refuse, so you call me a hussy. Fine, I will be a hussy and show you what a real hussy is. Guards, throw them all out!"
"Yes, Madam."
"Li Chun'er, how dare you! We are from the Jin family!"
"This is the main branch of the Jin family. I am the mistress here. I can kick out whomever I want!"
"I'd like to see how arrogant you, Li Chun'er, can be!" Second Master Jin angrily shouted. "Guards, capture this wicked woman!"
"Oh, what's going on here? Minister Jin's body has not yet turned cold, and someone is already busy bullying a widow and her orphan?" a voice called out. Those who were about to resort to violence immediately stopped and looked at the person who had entered.
The person entering was clad in armor, with a treasured sword at his waist. Although clearly a woman, no one dared to underestimate her!