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

"So what if you're granted the title of Duke? It may seem like you're living a life of luxury and prosperity, but in reality, one wrong step and disaster will befall you!"

"Now even the Rongguo Mansion is implicated by him, this is going to be difficult!"

Seeing Jia Zhen's smug and gossipy attitude, Grandmother Jia glared at him and, unusually, reprimanded him in a cold voice:

"You troublesome brat, a seed of darkness in your heart, what are you so happy about?"

"You never think of anything good for your own family. If something really happens to Jing-ge, do you think you can escape responsibility?"

In her anger, Grandmother Jia disregarded all decorum and threw out Aunt Zhao's words!

Jia Zhen did not retaliate against Grandmother Jia's angry rebuke, but his expression was full of indifference!

Although the Rong and Ning families are related by blood, they are actually almost five degrees of kinship apart from the two Dukes of Rong and Ning to Jia Rong's generation.

Therefore, he was not worried at all that Jia Jing's accident would implicate the Ningguo Mansion.

"Whom are the angels here to take? Could there be a mistake? Even if Third Brother suffers minor setbacks on the Northwest front, it shouldn't affect the family!"

Daiyu frowned slightly and asked the maid who brought the news in a clear voice.

Compared to the panic of Grandmother Jia and others, Daiyu appeared much calmer.

She simply didn't believe that Jia Jing had done anything wrong that would lead the imperial court to arrest him at the Jia residence.

Because she knew very well that with Jia Jing's current status, position, and achievements, even if he suffered a few defeats,

At most, they would be demoted or stripped of their titles; there would be no serious punishment from the imperial court!

Unless... unless the third brother rebels, the imperial court would not dare to arrest or hold his family accountable!

Otherwise, it would be difficult to act rashly against a powerful border general like my third brother who commands a large army!

Even if someone dares to lay a hand on his family, the country could be overthrown in an instant, and no one can bear that responsibility!

Upon hearing this, Baochai instantly understood, glanced at Lin Daiyu with her watery almond-shaped eyes, and agreed:

"It can't be that something happened to my third brother!"

At this moment, the maid realized that her words had caused a misunderstanding, and said in a panic:

"It's not the Duke! It's not the Duke! The Imperial City Guard is here to arrest Master Bu Zhen!"

"They went to the East Mansion but couldn't find him. They heard from the people in the East Mansion that Master Zhen had come to the West Mansion, so they came looking for us."

"Snap!"

The teacup slipped from Jia Zhen's hand and fell onto the blue brick floor with a crisp sound, shattering into several pieces.

Tea spilled all over the ground, spreading into a brownish stain. Tea leaves stuck to the ground, one by one, like dead butterflies.

Jia Zhen swayed, this time his face turned pale, as if struck by lightning:

"What? You took mine?... "

The faces of Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, and Sister Feng instantly regained their color, and their previously weak bodies suddenly became strong again.

The joy on Madam Wang's face vanished in an instant. Her white dough trembled a few times, and she tightened her grip on the prayer beads.

He was secretly resentful: So they came to arrest Zhen-ge'er from the East Mansion. What a disappointment!

However, upon further reflection, a sense of joy arose in her heart.

Catching Zhen Ge'er is a good thing, considering my sister-in-law says he's not a good person either.

He acted recklessly in the Beijing garrison, arbitrarily accepting money and making promises, causing his brother a lot of trouble.

Now that he's been arrested for committing a crime, his brother has one less thing to worry about!

"You...you didn't hear me wrong? You really took mine? I didn't do anything wrong! Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

Jia Zhen could barely speak properly, but clinging to a sliver of hope, he repeatedly confirmed with the maid who had brought the news.

However, before the little girl could answer, the old woman's voice came from outside Rongqing Hall:

"Grandma, Third Miss, Second Master has arrived with an angel!"

Before he could finish speaking, Jia Zheng, looking panicked, led Xia Shouzhong and several eunuchs straight in.

Xia Shouzhong was dressed in a dark blue python robe, holding a scroll of yellow silk imperial edict in his hands. Behind him were four eunuchs with lowered heads and respectful expressions.

There were no other outsiders present, so the women of the Jia family did not avoid the area.

When Grandmother Jia saw that it was Xia Shouzhong, the eunuch serving Emperor Jingsheng, who had come in person, she quickly got off the high couch.

He and his entourage of Jia family members were about to kneel down when Xia Shouzhong swiftly stopped them.

Xia Shouzhong had a smile on his face, not at all like someone who had come to arrest someone, and he said to Grandmother Jia with a high-pitched laugh:

"Madam! No need for such formalities! His Majesty has decreed that Jia Zhen, the Third-Class General of the Ningguo Mansion, be granted this honor."

"I was originally going to the Ningguo Mansion to deliver an imperial decree, but I didn't expect him to come here and disturb the Dowager Madam. Please forgive me!"

Xia Shouzhong's attitude and tone were very friendly, and he explained the cause and effect in just a few words.

"You're too kind, Your Excellency! I wonder what offense Zhen'er has committed that has alarmed the Emperor?"

At this moment, Grandmother Jia disregarded formalities, her aged face showing a hint of urgency as she pressed for an answer.

Ultimately, two people can't be named Jia; the Rong and Ning mansions are closely related, even though Jia Zhen is somewhat unruly.

However, Grandmother Jia still wanted to find out the truth of the matter and see if she could save him!

Madam Xing, Aunt Xue, Madam You, Sister Feng, and others in the hall all looked at Xia Shouzhong with inquiring eyes.

Daiyu, Baochai, the four sisters, and others frowned, secretly pondering the possible inside story.

Compared to the cluelessness of Madam Wang, Madam Xing, and others, Daiyu, Baochai, and the four sisters had some guesses in their minds.

Unlike typical young ladies who are completely ignorant of the outside world, they are not like ordinary girls.

After Tan Chun took charge of the household affairs, these young ladies were actually the most well-informed and knowledgeable about current court politics in the Jia family.

As far as they knew, the man from the East Mansion wasn't exactly clean.

Not to mention his improper and dissolute behavior during his mourning period, spending his days frequenting brothels,

During his tenure in the Beijing Garrison, he was unrestrained and amassed a fortune, earning him a terrible reputation in the capital!

These things were not secrets at all; even Xue Pan knew about them, so they naturally heard some rumors as well.

just,

They didn't quite understand; although the things the East Mansion had done were illegal,

However, with the third elder brother still alive, the Jia family is at the height of its prestige.

Logically speaking, based on these crimes, it shouldn't have been enough for the palace to go to such lengths as to send the Grand Chancellor to personally deliver an imperial decree to arrest someone!

What worries them now is whether this matter will cause the palace to have a bad impression of their third brother, or even shake their trust in him.

While Grandmother Jia and others were still troubled by Jia Zhen's matter, these young ladies had already glimpsed the bigger picture and were considering the impact of this matter on the entire Jia family.

As for Jia Zhen at this moment, upon hearing Xia Shouzhong say that he had come to deliver an imperial edict to him, his face turned ashen, and he swayed unsteadily, barely able to stand!

A flood of guesses rushed through his mind: What had he done wrong to alarm the palace?