Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Then came Jia Jing's cold, resonant question, as sharp as metal and stone:

"Are you Granny Xia?"

"It is indeed the old woman!" Old Woman Xia's face seemed to be plastered with a fawning smile.

"So fond of being a gossip! Always stirring up trouble! Drag him away and have him beaten to death!"

Jia Jing's voice grew increasingly cold, as if carrying the weight of iron and blood. The words "to be beaten to death" sent a chill down the spines of everyone in the hall.

Grandmother Jia's face showed shock mixed with a hint of panic. Why had this grandson returned at this time, and why did he seem to have ill intentions?

Madam Wang's face turned pale. Granny Xia had just informed her and received a reward, and now this eldest son of the illegitimate branch wanted to beat her to death as soon as he returned. Wasn't this just making an example of her?

Sister Feng feigned surprise, but a hint of joy flickered in her eyes.

Sanchun and the others were all overjoyed. Their third brother had returned at this time. Could it be that he had heard about what happened at the manor today?

There was another person in the hall who also felt a sense of joy and anticipation, and that was Qin Keqing.

She frequently visited the West Mansion during this period, hoping to see her powerful uncle who could control Jia Zhen again!

She searched the entire mansion, and only this uncle could save her from the misery of the East Mansion!

That beastly father-in-law of hers, with ulterior motives, had been quiet for a while because he was recuperating from his injuries, but who knew that he would relapse into his old ways these days and start plotting against her!

Qin Keqing had no other choice but to run to the West Mansion whenever she had free time, and Jia Zhen dared not chase her over there!

Unfortunately, Jia Jing was not home even after I visited more than ten times, and I only managed to find him back at the mansion today.

If her uncle doesn't come back soon, she's even considering going to the military camp outside the city to ask him for help!

The terrified voice of Granny Xia came again from the courtyard:

"My lord, this old woman has never offended you! Madam, help me... Old lady, help me... My lord is going to beat me to death..."

Then came a series of dragging sounds and Granny Xia's cries for help.

Madam Wang's face darkened as she questioned:

"Grandma, Granny Xia is a servant in Baoyu's courtyard. She's always been dutiful and dutiful. Jing-ge has no right to deal with her!"

Grandmother Jia suddenly felt a headache coming on. According to Lady Wang, Granny Xia was a servant of the second branch of the family, while Jia Jing was a young master of the first branch, so of course she had no right to deal with him!

But isn't it even more ridiculous to discuss the rules of these mansions with a Marquis of the current dynasty?

People outside have already killed a marquis, so why bother with rules when dealing with a mere servant?

Although Grandmother Jia knew that Jia Jing clearly had ill intentions, she thought it best not to meddle in the affairs of an old woman.

But having cultivated her mind and tempered her heart over the years, she softened considerably and instructed the mandarin ducks beside her:

"Yuanyang, go outside and tell them that it's almost New Year's, and we don't want anyone to die, it's bad luck. Let Jingge'er come in quickly!"

Yuanyang hurriedly walked out of Rongqing Hall, lifted the curtain, and came to the eaves. She looked at Jia Jing, whose face was cold and stern, and said:

"My lord, the old lady wants you to come in. She says it's almost New Year's, and killing someone is bad luck!"

Jia Jing turned to look at Yuanyang, but remained silent, his expression blank.

Meanwhile, the guards on the other side slapped a scabbard against Granny Xia's mouth as she shouted, instantly silencing her.

Then, they found a large stick and struck Granny Xia on the head. She immediately went limp and fell silent.

This scene made Yuanyang and Ping'er, who was following Jia Jing, feel their scalps tingle and their bodies tremble.

How long has it been since I've seen such a bloody and ruthless scene in the manor!

Even if the ladies and mistresses of the household made a serious mistake, they would only be given a beating or expelled from the mansion. They had never been subjected to such a severe beating.

Jia Jing didn't even glance at Granny Xia. In the original story, she was no good person; she was just a wicked servant who bullied the weak, and it was no wonder she was beaten to death.

Then Jia Jing walked toward Rongqing Hall with an unchanged expression. Yuanyang and Ping'er came to their senses and hurriedly followed him in.

After passing a screen depicting mountains, water, clouds, and cranes, Jia Jing stopped on a woolen carpet. The hall was warm and cozy, likely because an underfloor heating system was running.

Grandmother Jia sat at the head of the table with a sullen expression, clearly having learned the outcome of what had happened in the courtyard from Granny Xia's short, painful screams.

Madam Wang, who was sitting to one side, had a gloomy face and a hint of anger.

Sister Feng's face flushed slightly, and her eyes held a hint of joy. She knew that her third brother was not the type to suffer a loss without fighting back.

Qin Keqing looked at Jia Jing with a hint of expectation on her face.

When the three sisters, Shi Xiangyun, Xue Baochai, and others saw Jia Jing, a smile appeared on their faces.

Jia Jing glanced at everyone, paid them no heed, and walked straight into the hall to address the three sisters, Xiangyun, Baochai, and the others:

"You young ladies, please step aside!"

Sanchun and the others paused slightly, sensing that something big was about to happen at the manor today. They all retreated towards the side rooms separated by screens in the main hall.

Seeing Jia Jing's cold expression and the fact that he didn't bow upon entering, and with this kind of commotion again, Grandmother Jia's sense of unease grew stronger.

She looked at Jia Jing, who had his hand on his sword, and forced a smile, saying:

"Jing-ge'er, didn't you say you wouldn't be back for two days? Why are you back today? Have you finished your business at court?"

Jia Jing ignored Grandmother Jia's question and instead addressed the doorway:

"Come in, everyone!"

moment,

Dozens of guards with swords at their waists entered the main hall without looking to the side or showing any expression, and stood on both sides of the hall. Zhuque walked straight to stand behind Jia Jing.

This scene caused the faces of Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Madam You, Sister Feng, and others in the hall to change drastically, filled with astonishment!

Military force deployed to govern the government!

Jia Jing then slowly spoke:

"The old lady asked me why I came back. She said that the house was very lively today, and someone smashed a jade, causing a great disturbance."

"Lin Daiyu was so angry that she vomited blood, and even the Second Master vomited blood and fainted. She even said some nonsense about the sisters not being able to get close to me, isn't that right?"

Lady Wang, who could no longer contain her anger, saw that Jia Jing was clearly coming for Jia Baoyu, and spoke up:

"Jing-ge'er, don't you have any sense of respect for your elders? It's one thing to act so arrogantly in front of the old lady, but what are you doing bringing your personal guards into the inner quarters? Don't you have any manners at all?"

Jia Jing gave a cold laugh and said silently:

"Rules? You, Wang, dare to talk to me about rules? State etiquette supersedes family etiquette. When it comes to rules and hierarchy, you should stand up and bow to me now!"

Jia Jing stopped addressing his second wife as Madam Wang and instead referred to her as "Wang Shi," which shocked everyone present.

Knowing that a conflict between the first and second branches of the family was inevitable because of Jia Baoyu's matter, they all held their breath and dared not utter a word.

Lady Wang's face darkened, and she was about to speak again when Grandmother Jia slapped the couch and said angrily:

"Enough! Baoyu's mother, say no more!"