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

After speaking, Grandmother Jia smiled kindly and then instructed Tan Chun and Feng Jie:

"Third Sister, Feng Sister, have someone go and find out when Jing-ge'er will return to the manor?"

"We need to make sure everything is prepared at the manor. It should be lively and presentable; we can't let him come back and criticize our gifts!"

Tan Chun nodded upon hearing this.

Feng Jie's beautiful face sparkled with a charming smile as she said:

"Grandma, please don't worry! Everything that needs to be prepared has already been prepared, and we've already sent people to wait at the palace gate."

"However, my third brother sent someone back a few days ago to say that the family should not make a big fuss or hold a grand celebration."

"How about we hold a banquet in your Rongqing Hall tonight, so the whole household can celebrate together? We can also have the opera troupe perform a few of their best plays to liven things up. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's expression froze for a moment, then she nodded and said in a hoarse voice:

"In that case, let's do as he says! He's gone to the palace's victory banquet now, and he'll probably be back quite late. It's really not good for him to stay up too late!"

…………

Inside the imperial city.

It was past noon, and the victory celebration banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had ended.

The sounds of sheng, xiao, gongs, and drums still lingered in my ears, and the warmth of the clinking cups still remained on my fingertips.

Jia Jing followed the eunuch as they passed through a series of palace gates, the sunlight streaming in from the west.

The vermilion palace walls were stained a somber dark red, and the wind blowing through the palace alleys carried a rare coolness.

The door to the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace was half-open. The eunuch stood outside the door, bowed, and then retreated to the corridor.

Jia Jing pushed open the door and entered, his boots making a dull thud as they stepped on the gold bricks.

The warm room was not large. A huge map hung on the north wall, and a rosewood bookshelf stood on the east and west sides, piled high with memorials and documents.

It is worth mentioning that on the west wall hangs a poem personally written by Emperor Jingsheng, which is the very poem written by Jia Jing!

Several memorials were spread out on the emperor's desk, the ink still wet.

A celadon teacup sat on the corner of the table, the tea soup was emerald green, and steam was rising in wisps, indicating that it had been brewed not long ago!

Emperor Jingsheng sat on the dragon throne behind his desk, having changed out of his imperial robes for the grand court assembly and into a dark blue casual robe.

To avoid making his officials feel constrained, Emperor Jingsheng, after rewarding the meritorious officials, only drank a few cups at the celebratory banquet before returning to the Qianqing Palace.

The reason Jia Jing came here at this time was because Emperor Jingsheng had summoned him to stay after the banquet, clearly intending to have a private audience with him.

Seeing Jia Jing enter, Emperor Jingsheng put down his vermilion brush, leaned back in his chair, pointed to the embroidered stool opposite him, and said gently:

"Zijie, sit down! Don't be shy!"

After bowing, Jia Jing sat down on the embroidered stool. A eunuch came in to change the tea and then quietly withdrew.

The door closed gently, leaving only the emperor and his minister in the west warm pavilion.

The cicadas outside the window chirped intermittently, but it wasn't too noisy in the afternoon.

Emperor Jingsheng looked at the handsome young man opposite him, his expression softening, and said:

"Zijie has quite a capacity for alcohol! The eunuchs said you drank quite a bit at the banquet, yet you remain sober and composed, showing no signs of drunkenness!"

Jia Jing did drink quite a bit, although given his status, no one forced him to drink.

However, he did not put on airs when faced with the congratulations and flattery from civil and military officials. He mostly drank a cup to save face.

Although each cup may not be much, the total amount adds up!

Of course, given his current superhuman physique, being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk is just commonplace for him.

Jia Jing cupped his hands and said:

"Drinking can easily lead to mistakes, and I actually don't really like it!"

Emperor Jingsheng smiled, not continuing the topic, but instead picked up a document from his desk, flipped through it, and said:

"I've summoned you here because of Jia Zhen!"

"You also know about the mutiny in the capital. This matter arose because of the corruption of Jia Zhen, the third-class general of the Ningguo Mansion who inherited the title."

"The three judicial departments have concluded the trial of this case. Jia Zhen has confessed to his crimes without reservation, and the evidence is conclusive!"

"This case had a terrible impact, resulting in the tragic deaths of more than ten high-ranking officials in the court and causing turmoil in the Beijing garrison. It has attracted widespread attention throughout the court."

"Judging from the memorials submitted by the three judicial departments, Jia Zhen is morally corrupt, incompetent, and his evil deeds are well-known. He is unworthy of being a descendant of the Ningguo family!"

"Zijie, what do you think is the best way for me to deal with Jia Zhen and his son Jia Rong?"

Emperor Jingsheng's eyes were filled with inquiry. Although he knew that Jia Jing had taught Jia Zhen a lesson, he guessed that Jia Jing did not have a good impression of him either.

However, since Jia Zhen was the patriarch of the Jia clan and the heir to the title of Ningguo Mansion, Emperor Jingsheng still wanted to ask Jia Jing's opinion before making a decision.

This is also out of respect for Jia Jing, as they don't want to put him in a difficult position!

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"Although Jia Zhen and I are of the same clan, the law of the land comes first, and kinship comes second."

"Now that Your Majesty wishes to reform Wu Xun, the laws of the state should not be violated because of one person. Please make a fair judgment!"

Although the three judicial departments have concluded their investigation into Jia Zhen's case, it does not mean that Emperor Jingsheng cannot change the final punishment.

As for Wu Xun, whether it's a light or heavy honor depends more on Emperor Jingsheng's wishes.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Jingsheng's eyes upon hearing Jia Jing's answer, and he said in a deep voice:

"According to the laws of the imperial court, Jia Zhen's crime warrants stripping him of his title and ordering him to die. Although his son Jia Rong is not the principal offender, he has also committed many evil deeds and, according to the law, should also be exiled!"

"The three judicial departments advised me that Jia Zhen should be sentenced to death with a reprieve, stripped of his title, and Jia Rong exiled three thousand li! This is to set an example!"

Jia Jing was slightly taken aback upon hearing this!

A death sentence with reprieve, exile for three thousand miles, and stripping of one's title—that's a truly severe punishment!

In fact, given Jia Zhen's status as the heir to the title of Ningguo Mansion, unless he committed a heinous crime like the Ten Evils or other heinous crimes, he could have used his title to offset his crime, and he wouldn't have been sentenced to such a severe punishment!

Jia Jing guessed that the reason why the three judicial departments imposed such a severe punishment might not be without his influence!

After all, those civil officials had always been wary of his power and wanted to impeach him, but Emperor Jingsheng had suppressed their anger. Now, they naturally vented their anger on Jia Zhen!

Who could blame him when Jia Zhen was both the head of the Jia clan and his cousin?

It's even estimated that some civil officials are already waiting for him to plead with the palace on behalf of Jia Zhen, so they can impeach him for bending the law for personal gain!

Civil officials have always used such methods to kill and destroy people's spirits; they mostly employ underhanded schemes!

However, since Jia Jing was the one who ignited this whole affair involving Jia Zhen, how could he possibly complain that the court's punishment was too severe!

Jia Jing's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice:

"Jia Zhen and Jia Rong both deserved their fate. I had warned them before to be careful with their words and actions, but they clearly didn't take my advice to heart!"

"Now that this has caused such chaos, what can I do? Your Majesty, please do not worry about me; handle the matter as you see fit!"

"This severe punishment of Jia Zhen and his accomplice will also serve as a model for the court's subsequent crackdown on Wu Xun!"

After Jia Jing finished speaking, a hint of sorrow appeared on his face, and his tone seemed quite reluctant to let go!

In this era, there is a saying that relatives should cover for each other!

Even if Jia Jing disliked Jia Zhen, he couldn't openly ignore his affairs and remain indifferent! Otherwise, people would inevitably think he was too heartless!

When Emperor Jingsheng saw that Jia Jing truly had no ulterior motives, although he felt reluctant, he was still thinking about the court's purge of Wu Xun, which made him feel even more comforted.

He thought for a moment and said:

"My dear minister, you are so selfless; how could I possibly put you in a difficult position?"

"If Jia Zhen and his son are punished so severely, I fear you will be branded as someone who doesn't care about family ties!"

"If you return to your residence, I'm afraid you won't be able to face your grandmother and relatives."

Jia Jing paused, surprised that his actions seemed to have made Emperor Jingsheng consider letting Jia Zhen go. He quickly said:

"Since ancient times, loyalty to the emperor and filial piety have been difficult to reconcile! Since I have chosen to be loyal to Your Majesty and the court, how can I say that I am in a dilemma!"

"Your Majesty, please prioritize the greater good and do not allow the laws and regulations of the court to be violated for the sake of one person, thus incurring criticism from both the court and the public. Otherwise, I would truly have no place to hide my shame!"