Mother Jia Scatters Her Remaining Wealth and Shows Great Righteousness; Old Master Zheng Receives Imperial Grace as the Hereditary Office Is Restored

When Jia Zheng entered the palace, he paid his respects to the ministers of the Privy Council and to several princes. Prince Bejing said, “You have been summoned today by the Emperor’s command to be questioned.” Jia Zheng quickly knelt. The ministers asked him, “Your elder brother associated with provincial officials, used his power to oppress the people, indulged his son in gambling, and tried to seize commoners’ wives and daughters. When he failed, he drove them to death. Did you know of these things?” Jia Zheng replied, “Your humble servant, by the Emperor’s grace, was appointed Education Commissioner. After his term ended, he was put in charge of famine relief. Only last winter did I return home. Then the court assigned me to manage public works, and afterward I was sent to Jiangxi to inspect official affairs. After being impeached, I returned to the capital and again served in the Ministry of Works, not daring to idle day or night. I never paid attention to the great and small affairs of my family. I was muddled and incompetent, and failed to discipline the......