CHAPTER 734: CHAPTER 295: THE SWINDLER AGAIN (CONCLUSION)_3

Seeing his own father favoring Jia Cong, his inexpensive half-brother, was one thing, but what was crucial was that in front of Jia Jing, Jia Zhen would tremble with fear and always be on tenterhooks.

Because of his father’s recent behaviors, Jia Zhen didn’t dare to act recklessly as he used to.

First, he feared his father might get another whim to "discipline" him.

Second, after adopting Jia Cong, Jia Zhen was no longer the "only son" of Ningguo’s Mansion.

In Jia Zhen’s eyes, Jia Cong had stopped being an insignificant adopted son and had become a potential competitor.

It was improbable, but Jia Zhen also had to guard against the possibility that one day all of Ningguo’s Mansion would be taken away by Jia Cong!

After all, the one who now accompanies his father up close and personal was Jia Cong, and as humans are not plants or trees, as a clever and endearing child, Jia Cong might eventually grow closer to his father—

Oh dear, he dared not think about it, dared not think!

With these concerns, Jia Zhen became more and more well-behaved; he even dared not easily provoke the beautiful and coquettish sisters from the You Family.

Activities with the noble children, such as horse riding and archery, pleasure outings, and the like, were all basically put to a halt.

Jia Zhen even started to restrain his household servants, eliminating the possibility of them causing trouble for him.

In addition, Jia Zhen would make frequent trips to the Side Courtyard on the outskirts of the Capital City, completely disregarding his father’s words of "not wishing to see you."

As his father’s biological son, he absolutely could not become estranged due to a lack of contact and give Jia Cong, that little wretch, an opportunity to sneak in.

He Tiantian did not deliberately discipline Jia Zhen, but nonetheless managed to exert immense pressure on him, all the same.

Jia Zhen wasn’t foolish; his past unrestrained behavior was simply due to sheer confidence.

Now, having "Jia Jing," this living ancestor tangibly assert his presence from time to time, had quite the deterrent effect on Jia Zhen.

Additionally, the presence of Jia Cong made Jia Zhen dare not be too reckless.

Unable to resent his own father, Jia Zhen directed all his grievances towards Jia Cong.

However, before he could find a way to settle the score with Jia Cong, the latter’s error led Jia Zhen to bear the consequences.

Jia Zhen was nearly bursting with frustration!

"Perhaps there’s some misunderstanding, Brother Cong is clueless, and Grand Master will watch over him!"

What else could Jia Zhen possibly say?

He could only offer a smile, and on behalf of his thoughtless half-brother, apologize to the West Mansion.

"Ha, I see this ’father and son’ are quite in sync, one practicing Alchemy, the other blowing up mountains!"

Upon hearing the name Jia Cong, Jia She’s heart filled with revulsion, and he uttered sardonically.

He had every reason to mock the phrase "father and son"; Jia Cong was his own biological son, after all.

Yet, with a single word from Jia Jing, Jia Zhen, the clan leader, scampered to change the family registry, and there was nothing Jia She could do about it.

Jia She truly didn’t care for Jia Cong, a Concubine Son, but although he might not want him, he couldn’t stand having him snatched away!

Now, with Jia Cong recognized as Jia Jing’s son, and under Jia Jing’s indulgence, a mishap had occurred. Jia She truly wished he could burst into triumphant laughter—it was well deserved!

Jia Cong had blown up a mountain, and although it was his private property, the whole Capital City felt the tremors; it was evidently extremely dangerous.

Jia She could not believe that the court would ignore such perilous behavior!

But the subsequent events further irked Jia She.

The court did indeed inquire into the explosion at Jia’s Side Courtyard, but upon learning it was an accident caused by a child who saw his father practicing Alchemy and inadvertently created a more powerful explosives, not only was there no punishment, but rewards were given.

"Bestow three hundred acres of farmland and one hundred taels of Gold!"

Jia She: ...Has the Saint been confused by the blast?

Little did he know, Jia Cong seized the opportunity to submit all the "bomb" recipes and the improved design drawings for firearms.

With those formulas, the court’s military strength could instantly soar several levels!

Jia Cong also claimed that, while practicing Alchemy with his father, he accidentally discovered a method to refine Glazed glass, more exquisite and beautiful than those imported products.

Saint: ...

Gunpowder increased the court’s military strength, and glass could bring the Ministry of Revenue large sums of Silver Coin.

To be honest, if someone else had such contributions, the Saint would not hesitate to bestow a title or an official post.

But as for the Jia family’s Ningguo’s Mansion—

Alas, Qin Keqing hasn’t been dead for even a year.

Despite her awkward status, she was still of Royal blood.

The Royal Family won’t allow her to recognize her ancestors and return to her roots, yet they also won’t tolerate such humiliation and harm to her.

With the current Saint who is somewhat at odds with the Abdicated Crown Prince, hearing that the Jia family dared to brazenly kill the illegitimate daughter of the Abdicated Crown Prince, his first reaction was also one of anger.

Jia Yuanchun’s betrayal of Qin Keqing could be tolerated by the Saint.

But Jia Zhen’s underhand tactics made the Saint furious.

The Jia family had better atone for their sins first.

Let’s consider the gunpowder and glass as the ransom for Jia Zhen and the rest of Ningguo’s Mansion.

While some in the Jia family were still scolding Jia Cong as a calamity-bringer, he had already helped mitigate some disasters for the Jia family.

At least, the Saint would no longer use the Jia family as a "kill the chicken to scare the monkeys" example.

He Tiantian, however, didn’t care about any of these things; she focused on one point—

When Jia Cong came up with some new contraptions again, the consciousness of the Small World did not send out a warning signal.

He Tiantian’s suspended heart was relieved: Very good, my plan is indeed feasible!