CHAPTER 731: CHAPTER 294: THE SWINDLER AGAIN (PART 10)_3

"...Yes, remember to set up a small courtyard for Brother Cong as well, and have everything he wants ready for him!"

After He Tiantian viewed the house designs expertly drawn up by Jia Zhen, she was thoroughly pleased, making only one request before continuing with her Alchemy.

Jia Cong, Jia Cong, always Jia Cong!

Has the Grand Master really become so senile that he now regards an adopted beast as his own son?

Jia Zhen’s envy, jealousy, and hatred for Jia Cong grew ever stronger, and, as "Jia Jing’s" favoritism escalated, those negative emotions nearly materialized into something tangible!

However, despite his resentment, Jia Zhen dared not defy his father’s wishes.

In the subsequent two to three years, he grumbled secretly while obligingly fetching odd and old things for Jia Cong.

During the Lantern Festival, Jia Yuanchun made her provincial visit, marking the final splendid moment for Jia Mansion.

Both Ning and Rong Mansions were decorated with lights and colors, the whole household bustling from dawn to dusk, until Madam Jia and the other ladies, exhausted, finally awaited the arrival of the Virtuous Princess Consort.

Amidst such festivities at the Jia family, He Tiantian did not participate.

Each New Year, "Jia Jing" would return to worship the ancestors, staying until the Lantern Festival before leaving.

But this year, knowing well that Jia Yuanchun would visit during the Lantern Festival, He Tiantian, claiming a "critical moment in her cultivation" right after the New Year, rushed back to the newly built "Side Courtyard" outside the city with Jia Cong before the fifth day of the Lunar New Year even started.

"This Brother Jing has really become increasingly bizarre!"

Madam Jia was furious.

Their Jia family had produced a lady of such status as Yuan Chun, what a joyous affair enough to glorify their family name.

Yet, "Jia Jing" showed no concern at all.

Instead of using the silver allocated for constructing a Provincial Villa for Consort to establish some separate courtyard, he even deliberately absented himself on the actual day!

What on earth was he planning?

Did he genuinely believe he was about to ascend to immortality?

Those worldly familial bonds, those honors, did he renounce them all?!

Hmph, Lin Ru Hai, though merely an external son-in-law, seemed even better than Jia Jing.

Not only did he contribute money for the construction, but on the day of the Lantern Festival, he also sent Daiyu to join her sisters in welcoming the royal consort.

Madam Jia grew increasingly incredulous about Jia Jing’s absurdity. If not for considering that the East Mansion was the legitimate main branch and Jia Zhen was still the clan leader, she would have long employed her seniority to seriously reprimand "Jia Jing."

However, as angry as Madam Jia was, she also understood the importance of priorities.

And at the moment, the most crucial event for the Jia family was the royal consort’s visit; other matters could wait to be settled after the visit!

But Madam Jia had underestimated the "quirkiness" level of "Jia Jing" and Jia Cong, the father-son pair.

While Ningrong Street was brightly lit and bustling with noise, Qingxiu Courtyard on the outskirts was also buzzing with activity.

"Third Master Cong, everything is ready!"

Jia Cong’s servant, Jiao Youxin, though called a companion, was actually seven or eight years older than Jia Cong, now a boy of about twelve or thirteen.

He eagerly placed a porcelain jar on a small hill outside the courtyard as instructed by Jia Cong.

"Good, everyone back off three zhang."

Jia Cong estimated the power of the explosives and then loudly commanded.

Several servants rushed back more than ten meters.

Jia Cong then took a torch, intending to light the seal himself.

Seeing this, Jiao Youxin was terrified, his legs nearly giving way.

Though he did not know what was in the porcelain jar, seeing Third Master Cong’s cautious demeanor, he knew it must be extremely dangerous.

In Jia Zhen’s eyes, Third Master Cong might be merely an adopted younger brother.

But to Jiao Youxin, he was his master, his patron, his golden leg.

He couldn’t let Third Master Cong take such risks!

"Third Master Cong, let me do it!"

The Grand Master adored Third Master Cong so much, if something were to happen to Third Master Cong under his watch, the Grand Master would never forgive him!

Jiao Youxin would rather risk himself than let anything happen to Third Master Cong.

Thus, he snatched the torch from Jia Cong’s hand, pushed Jia Cong behind him, and resolutely approached the porcelain jar.

Oh no, to be precise, he approached a fuse extending from the jar.

The fuse was two feet long, lighting it and then running should pose no danger.

Jiao Youxin nervously approached and bent down to light it.

Sizz!

The fuse made a soft burning noise.

"Jiao Youxin, run fast!"

Jia Cong, worried about Jiao Youxin’s safety, seeing sparks fly in the dark fuse, quickly shouted.

Jiao Youxin hastily ran back with the torch in hand.

Sizz, sizz, sizz!

The fuse continued to burn.

As Jiao Youxin reached Jia Cong’s side, arriving at a safe area, the fuse burned out, successfully igniting the porcelain jar.

Boom~

A loud explosion shook the entire hill.

Such a thunderous noise, let alone startling Jiao Youxin and others causing them to fall seated on the ground, even the Capital City, over a hundred miles away, heard the disturbance...