The evil forces roaming the heavens

Chapter 1283 The Emperor Emeritus's Flash of Ingenuity!
Inside the Dragon Head Palace,

The teasing Emperor Hongde was covering his mouth, seemingly lost in thought about something sad.

However, his shrugging shoulders betrayed his true feelings.
After all, he never imagined that his trusted confidant would be so capable. Before he even started dealing with the four kings, eight dukes, and twelve marquises, Zhang Cheng had already led his troops to attack the Jia family!

Sitting gloomily above, the retired emperor looked at Dai Quan as he returned and immediately asked, "How is the situation?"

"Reporting to the Emperor Emeritus, it was just some ignorant servants who were injured. Jia Zhen is unharmed, but he is unable to move."

Looking at the retired emperor, Dai Quan began to explain with trepidation.
"Unable to move? Doesn't that mean he's crippled?"

When the Emperor Emeritus addressed Dai Quan, he immediately became serious.

"Your Majesty, even this old servant couldn't stop him. The Earl of Zhongwu had already drawn his sword, but I ended up using a cudgel instead. Who knew Jia Zhen would fall down like that?"

Looking at the Hongde Emperor beside him, Dai Quan's words were clearly meant to save face to some extent.
Looking at Dai Quan, the retired emperor said with a headache, "If that's the case, then Jia Zhen will not be able to inherit the title."

Tapping the dragon throne, the retired emperor looked at the Hongde Emperor beside him and said, "Your Majesty, what do you think should be done about this matter?"

"Your Majesty, I am at a loss for what to do! After all, Jia Jue is young and impetuous, so it is understandable that he went too far. This has caused Jia Zhen to become like this. I think he should be severely punished!"

Looking at the retired emperor, Emperor Hongde narrowed his eyes, because he suddenly thought of something: since Jia Zhen was no longer capable of ruling, wouldn't his title be revoked ahead of schedule?
With this in mind, Emperor Hongde began to test the retired emperor.
Upon hearing Emperor Hongde's words, the retired emperor frowned, for he was reminded of Jia Yan.

As an elderly man, even if the retired emperor cherished the past, he could not protect the Jia family without any reservations, because doing so would only make Emperor Hongde dislike this group of people even more.

"Thinking back to the past, how heroic Jia Yan was! But now, how have his children and grandchildren become like this!"

Angrily, the retired emperor then looked at the Hongde emperor and said, "Tell me, what if I move Jia Jue into the Ningguo Mansion lineage?"

"what?"

Staring in shock at the retired emperor, Emperor Hongde was dumbfounded, for what kind of operation was this? He had never seen anything like it before.

"Since the Ningguo Mansion can no longer maintain its reputation, let's find an outstanding descendant to take over!"

A smile crept onto his lips; the retired emperor couldn't help but feel pleased with himself for his cleverness.
This way, the matter can be resolved and the Jia family can maintain its reputation. I suppose Jia Jue wouldn't refuse!
After all, a Duke's mansion that has been passed down to this day has a much greater foundation than the Marquis of Zhongwu's!
Zhang Cheng: Oh, what a scoundrel! Does the Ningguo Mansion even have any hair?
Inside the Ningguo Mansion, the imperial physician is currently treating him.

Sitting in the courtyard, many members of the Jia family who had rushed over looked at Zhang Cheng with fear on their faces.

Because Jia Zhen, as the clan leader, could be deposed so easily, how could they withstand the "triple whammy of etiquette"?

"Jue-ge'er, you've gone too far this time!"

Looking at Jia Jue before him, Jia Zheng, whose face usually held a scholarly air, became serious.
Upon hearing Jia Zheng's words, Zhang Cheng immediately said, "Uncle, was I too harsh this time? Jia Zhen, as the eldest brother, actually stole my beloved. I didn't beat him to death only because of the ancestors' reputation!"

Everyone present felt awkward upon hearing Zhang Cheng's explanation.
Because what Jia Zhen did was truly despicable. Of all people to rob, why did he have to rob Jia Jue? Wasn't that just asking for death?

Just then, Grandmother Jia arrived with a group of people.
Looking at the three sisters who were accompanying him, as well as Wang Xifeng and others, everyone present stood up and bowed.

Sitting in his chair, Zhang Cheng showed no intention of standing up, because this time, he was the one who had been wronged!

As for why Jia Zhen wasn't killed, it was, of course, because Zhang was "merciful."

After all, death is the simplest relief; living in hell is what makes people suffer excruciating torment!

Jia Zhen not only cannot die, but he must be kept alive so that he can think every day about why he offended him! Zhang Cheng: You're heartless to kill someone, why did you kill him?
Hannibal:
Seeing the somewhat timid Jia Yingchun and Xichun, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "I've never seen these sisters before. They look unfamiliar. As their elder brother, I'm here to greet you. Brother Wei, go and give the sisters some gifts!"

"Yes, Uncle!"

Upon hearing Jia Jue's words, Jia Wei presented him with some pearls and gold coins.

Watching this scene in astonishment, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but swallow hard, because this Jue-ge'er was even richer than she had imagined!
"Did I come here today to let you see your sister? How could you do such a thing to your own brother!"

Looking angrily at Zhang Cheng, and seeing his indifferent expression, Grandmother Jia became even angrier.

Looking at Grandmother Jia, Zhang Cheng squinted and said, "Old lady, have you forgotten who was in the wrong first? Besides, since Jia Zhen dared to do this, he should be prepared to have me come knocking on his door!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Grandmother Jia was both angry and heartbroken.
Because this person is simply lawless!

"Grandma, I still think we should sever ties with our own family as soon as possible. If we can fight with our own relatives today, won't we look down on even princes and nobles in the future?"

Turning to Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang then fanned the flames.
Because she also realized that Grandmother Jia had no means to retaliate against the other party, she thought it better to take the opportunity to make a big fuss and sever ties in the name of the Jia family, so that her elder brother could keep track of the Jia family's connections in the army!

But little did Lady Wang know that the Jia family was able to contact those people because of the favors bestowed upon them by Jia Daishan!
But now, the Jia family has recommended Prince Teng to take the position, which means they have given up their military power. Moreover, no one in the next generation or two can stand up. So, since you are all surnamed Jia, why don't they choose the brave and skilled Marquis Zhongwu, Jia Jue, instead of following a member of the Wang family?
"What nonsense are you spouting, you woman? Shut up!"

Before Grandmother Jia could speak after hearing Madam Wang's words, Jia Zheng, who was standing nearby, roared in anger.

If we were to sever ties with Jia Jue and the Twelve Families of Jinling found out, then the two families surnamed Jia would truly become enemies whenever they met!

"I!"

Before Lady Wang could even speak, seemingly about to say something, Jia Zheng slapped her across the face and said, "Go back to the Buddhist hall!"

Covering her face, Madam Wang looked at Jia Zheng in disbelief, then immediately left in tears.
Looking at Grandmother Jia, Zhang Cheng said sarcastically, "Does the old lady want to sever ties with the family? I don't care!"

"What are you joking about, Jue-ge? The old lady would never think such a thing! You're overthinking it!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in front of her, Grandmother Jia was truly swallowing her anger, because how could Lady Wang say such a brainless thing?

You see, although Jia Jue crippled Jia Zhen, it was still a matter for the Jia family. But if the family ties were severed, the Jia family would lose all its last shred of face.

While everyone sat together chatting, making no mention of Jia Zhen, Zhang Cheng was teasing Jia Yingchun and the others.
Just then, Xia Shouzhong walked in and said, "Earl Jia, His Majesty summons you to court tomorrow, and Jia She will also be attending!"

Upon suddenly hearing his name called, Jia She's eyes lit up, and he quickly lowered his head, saying, "Your subject understands!"

"Please take care, Chief Eunuch Xia."

Zhang Cheng ran up to Xia Shouzhong and chatted with him for a while, then widened his eyes and asked, "Will this work?"

"You have no choice but to comply. His Majesty has already agreed, so you'd better stand up straight!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Xia Shouzhong became serious.

Watching Xia Shouzhong leave with the gifts, Zhang Cheng rubbed his head and said, "If I had known it would turn out like this, why would I have gone to Liaodong? I would have just come and killed Jia Zhen directly!"

(End of this chapter)