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

She really didn't know what to do with Jia Jing. She scolded him for being unfilial, but as a military marquis, he didn't need such a good reputation. Besides, everyone in the clan praised him for his benevolence and righteousness. As an old woman, she couldn't do anything alone!

As for the excuse of going to the palace to file a complaint, that's just talk!

She knew that if things really came to this, she didn't know if her grandson would be alright, but the Jia family was basically finished!

Moreover, this grandson now commands 100,000 troops in the Ba Shang camp, holding a high position and great power. The palace will not easily punish him because of what an old woman like me said.

Aunt Xue, who was standing to the side, was watching Jia Jing "dominate the entire room" and was concerned about the fate of her sister, Lady Wang.

All she could say was: I sympathize with you, but there's nothing I can do!

Of course, when Jia Jing scolded Lady Wang for spoiling her children, she frowned, but ultimately decided that she shouldn't be mentioned.

He scolded Pan Ge'er with love, and on the surface he was still very strict!

At this moment, Jia Jing stood in the main hall, surveyed the silent crowd, and slowly spoke again:

"I'm determined to teach Baoyu a lesson today! I'm beating him to educate him and teach him to respect others."

"I know that not everything can be solved by smashing jade, nor can everything be solved by being spoiled and taking things for granted."

"Let him know that he should study hard, be filial to his elders, and love his siblings. What kind of man is he if he spends all his time lounging around in the inner quarters?"

"If Lady Wang is dissatisfied with this matter, she can certainly sue me, whether it's the Shuntian Prefecture, the Imperial Clan Court, or the Palace. I will fight to the bitter end!"

"I refuse to believe you're in the right!"

"Of course, if Wang makes a big fuss, it will be detrimental to the reputation of my Jia family."

"Then I will convene a clan meeting of elders to discuss this matter and whether Baoyu's dissolute behavior warrants a beating!"

"I fear that I will suffer no loss whatsoever, but Jia Baoyu will be utterly disgraced, and you, Wang, will be removed from the Jia family genealogy! Do not say I did not warn you!"

Upon hearing Jia Jing's words, both Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia's expressions changed drastically.

Madam Wang's face turned ashen, and she was covered in cold sweat, having lost all her previous imposing manner!

Jia Jing's words were a clear message to Lady Wang: Didn't you say I had no right to punish Jia Baoyu?

Can the clan handle that?

As long as Jia Baoyu remains a member of the Jia clan, the clan has the right to dispose of him.

If this matter really escalates to the point of being handled by the clan, do you think you can stand up for yourself?

Regardless of the circumstances, Jia Baoyu's act of angering his father as a son is a great act of filial impiety. You might be able to gloss over such a big deal at home, but once you're in the clan, there's no room for you to argue.

Given Jia Jing's current prestige within the clan, a single word from him could ruin Jia Baoyu's reputation.

Even if Lady Wang dares to make a fuss and file a complaint, he can make sure she is removed from the Jia family genealogy!

What does it mean to be removed from the list?

Even if I divorce you, this woman of the Wang family, I'll make sure you can't be buried in the Jia family's ancestral grave after you die, and you'll become a lonely ghost!

Given Jia Jing's current status as the only marquis in the Jia family, harming him would be tantamount to harming the interests of the entire Jia clan.

If Lady Wang dared to make such a fuss over this unreasonable matter, Jia Jing would have every reason to convene a clan meeting to deal with her.

Many families have had such precedents!

There are countless wives who have become nuns or returned to their parents' homes after marriage!

This is also why Jia Jing became friendly with his clan as soon as he returned home after being enfeoffed as a marquis; in feudal times, the role of the clan was extremely important!

With his status and power as a marquis, coupled with his good reputation within the clan, he could openly and forcefully overthrow anyone in the Rong and Ning mansions!

Regardless of the first or second branch of the family, regardless of the Rongguo Mansion or Ningguo Mansion, regardless of whether it is Grandmother Jia or Lady Wang, none of them are worthy to be his opponent!

Therefore, as the head of Ningguo Mansion and the head of the Jia family, Jia Zhen could beat people whenever he wanted.

Even now, as the phoenix egg of the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Baoyu is still treated without any mercy, and he can be dealt with at will!

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the hall, Grandmother Jia knew she had no choice but to intervene, so she quickly spoke up to smooth things over:

"Jing-ge'er, Bao-yu's mother was just in a moment of panic and spoke without thinking! It didn't come to this."

"We're family, so we can discuss things together. You're the elder brother, and it's right for you to punish Baoyu for what he did wrong. But could you please give him a lighter beating for my sake?"

"He's too weak to withstand twenty strokes of the cane. I think ten strokes will teach him a lesson, and he won't do it again!"

Grandmother Jia pleaded in a low voice, her face showing a hint of entreaty.

She knew that with Jia Jing's tough attitude, Jia Baoyu probably couldn't escape a beating today!

The only excuse they could use was that Baoyu was physically weak, hoping that he would be beaten less.

Jia Jing glanced at Grandmother Jia, his expression softening, and said:

"Since the old lady spoke up, we'll spare him half this time, and just give him ten lashes to teach him a lesson!"

"If you dare to do it again, smashing that piece of junk jade and causing chaos in the household, then we'll settle all the old scores together, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Also, Baoyu is not allowed to go to Lin Daiyu's and the other girls' courtyards anymore. They are getting older now, so we must be careful about the impact and not tarnish the reputation of the girls in the family."

The reason Jia Jing gave Grandmother Jia this face was partly because although Jia Baoyu was weak, incompetent, and irresponsible, he did not deserve to die.

Given the ruthlessness of his personal guards, if they were to give Jia Baoyu twenty solid lashes, it might very well kill him.

On the other hand, it was to lay the groundwork for the subsequent rectification of the lackeys. If face was given at this point, there would be no room for leniency in what followed!

Of course, the most important thing is that Grandmother Jia handled the Jia Zhen matter well. She neither made Jia Zhen stop the clan's arrangements nor let the young actor be beaten, which gave Jia Jing some goodwill, and Jia Jing was willing to give her some face.

Upon hearing Jia Jing's words, Grandmother Jia showed a hint of joy on her face.

The fact that Jia Jing gave her this face made her feel somewhat relieved, knowing that she, as an old lady, still held some weight in Jia Jing's heart.

She was certainly not afraid that Jia Jing would scold her for spoiling her too much, just like he scolded Lady Wang. That would be utterly humiliating!

As for Jia Baoyu not being able to go to Lin Daiyu's and others' courtyards in the future, she wasn't too worried about it. At worst, she could just let them all come to her courtyard to play.

Grandmother Jia readily agreed.

"Alright, alright! Whatever you say!"

Jia Jing then instructed his personal guards:

"Guards! Drag Jia Baoyu out and give him ten lashes!"

At Jia Jing's command, a guard stepped forward, grabbed Jia Baoyu's arm, and pulled him out of Grandmother Jia's arms.

"Grandmother...Grandmother, save me! Madam...Madam, save me!"

Cries for help came from Jia Baoyu in the hall, but both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang kept their eyes closed and remained silent.

"what!"

Hearing Jia Baoyu's screams outside the hall, Lady Wang's face turned ashen.

His hands were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh, drawing blood from his palms. He was filled with extreme hatred!

Damn illegitimate son! You're powerful now! But you won't stay powerful forever! I'll get my revenge when I get the chance!

Lady Wang had never felt so humiliated and helpless as she did today.