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

Inside Rongqing Hall, the banquet had not yet begun.

The candles had been changed twice, and the light steadily shone on everyone's faces.

Grandmother Jia was reclining on the couch, quite shocked by Jia Jing's remarks about Jia Zhen and Jia Jing being removed from the family register.

To be honest, she had originally planned to discuss it with Jia Jing again to see if she could help Jia Zhen and Jia Rong a little more.

After all, the fact that the emperor spared Jia Zhen's life out of consideration for Jia Jing shows how much favor Jia Jing enjoyed at this time!

If he could step in and make some effort, he might be able to find an opportunity to rescue Jia Zhen and the other man from Qiongzhou.

It might be hard to say about Jia Zhen, but Jia Rong is only an accomplice with a minor offense, so it shouldn't be difficult for him to get a reduced sentence!

Even when the imperial court grants a general amnesty in the future, Jia Zhen may still have the opportunity to return to the capital.

Even assuming, for the worst, that Jia Zhen and his companion cannot return to the capital city immediately,

But if Jia Jing is willing to pull some strings to get someone to look after them, then the two of them should be able to live quite well in Qiongzhou.

It was precisely because of this consideration that Grandmother Jia was able to greet Jia Jing with a smile, without the anxious and restless look she had shown a few days ago regarding the Ningguo Mansion.

But to her surprise, things took an unexpected turn.

She had barely begun to speak, and before she could even plead for mercy, she was struck by the devastating news from Jia Jing that the two of them would be expelled from the register of officialdom!

This left her completely stunned, unsure of what to say next!

At this moment, Madam Xing and Madam Wang, who were standing to the side, were both greatly shocked.

For some reason, looking at the indifferent young man sitting there, a layer of cold sweat suddenly rose on my back!

The two were shocked and terrified!

What was truly shocking was Jia Jing's merciless punishment of Jia Zhen and his companion!

This was the first time in all the time that the two of them had seen and heard of a clan member being removed from the register according to clan law, especially since the person being removed was the head of the Jia clan and the heir to the title of Ningguo Mansion!

The panic stems from an unspeakable worry about their own safety!

After all, if Jia Jing could deal with Jia Zhen, the clan head, so decisively this time, he could also use clan rules to deal with these two women from the inner quarters in the future!

For women like them, what they often fear is not the laws of the court, but the clan's etiquette and family rules!

The latter is a more direct and effective form of control for them, while the law is relatively distant from them!

Unless it's a major offense like confiscating property, the imperial laws wouldn't apply to matriarchs like them.

Therefore, through Jia Jing's handling of Jia Zhen's matter, they couldn't help but think that if they committed a crime in the future, would they also suffer the same tragic fate of being punished by clan law?

At this moment, Sister Feng stared blankly at the dignified and solemn Jia Jing with her lips slightly parted, her heart filled with unease.

Is it a bit too much to expel the clan leader from the clan upon his return?

Didn't he unite the clan and bestow favors upon you when you returned home after being ennobled last time? Why has he changed his tune this time?

Could it be that Qin Keqing is retaliating against Jia Zhen and Jia Rong? Fengjie had some doubts!

Meanwhile, Yuan Chun and Tan Chun, who were in the hall, looked at Jia Jing with astonishment.

Although they had anticipated that Brother Zhen and Brother Rong of the East Mansion would likely not fare well after Jia Jing's return, they never expected to be directly expelled from the clan!

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that his third brother's strong and decisive character was quite different from that of the people in the inner quarters!

They thought Jia Jing wouldn't plead for them, but they never expected this unexpected turn of events!

Lin Daiyu's bright eyes, brimming with tears, flickered as she looked at Jia Jing, whose face was solemn.

He thought to himself: Third Brother has a strong character and has never compromised or wavered on matters of principle.

This action was likely intended to make an example of him, as the higher his status rose, the more his clan members would benefit.

Many people will probably succumb to the temptation, but he is taking precautions to prevent a repeat of what happened in the Eastern Prefecture!

Meanwhile, Xue Baochai's fair face changed slightly, her brows furrowed slightly, and her gentle gaze swept over Jia Jing's face, her heart filled with a strange surprise.

Grandmother Jia, sitting on the high couch, slowly composed herself, picked up the teacup beside her, took a small sip, and suppressed the shock in her heart.

Then, his gaze fell on Jia Jing's face, and after carefully considering his words, he advised in a hoarse voice:

"Jing-ge'er, we're all brothers of the same clan, why did it have to come to this! Zhen-ge'er and Rong-ge'er were just confused for a moment, that's why they did something wrong!"

"They are the only remaining descendants of the eldest son of the Eastern Mansion. If they are expelled from the clan, won't the Eastern Mansion be left without anyone to offer sacrifices?"

"Let them off this time, but if they offend again, punish them severely!"

Jia Zhen and Jia Rong were both raised by Grandmother Jia, and she had some affection for them. Grandmother Jia did not want to see them end up as lonely ghosts!

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing remained calm, the collar of his python robe gleaming dimly in the candlelight.

He slowly swept his gaze across the various faces in the hall, each as beautiful as a peach blossom, tapped his finger lightly on the armrest of his chair, and then said coldly:

"That's why I said earlier that the old lady's parenting of her granddaughter was commendable, but I didn't mention her parenting of her own children!"

"The old lady is kind and gentle by nature, and has always been more lenient than strict with the children in her household, indulging and spoiling them without knowing how to discipline or discipline them!"

"While such actions may teach the sisters in the family to treat others with kindness and gentleness, they also turn the sons into spoiled and dissolute young men!"

"The way men are raised outside is different from the way women are raised inside the house!"

"A man's character must not be weak, especially on major issues of right and wrong. He must firmly uphold his bottom line and not waver."

"When a man conducts himself, he should prioritize being clear-headed and strong."

"Never back down when you should stand firm, and be humble when you should yield. Stand firm on matters of principle, and be forgiving on trivial matters."

"Whether it is academic achievement or managing a household or handling affairs, these two words must be infused into it; otherwise, weakness will prevent one from accomplishing anything."

Jia Jing first pointed out the problems with Grandmother Jia's upbringing, then continued in a deep voice:

"Was Jia Zhen's downfall a moment of folly? He was used to throwing his weight around in the East Mansion, he had no respect for others, and he acted with utter recklessness! That's why he ended up like this!"

"I've sent people to teach him a lesson before, to tell him to watch his words and actions. Has he learned his lesson?"

"This time he committed a grave crime of breaking the law and violating discipline. If it weren't for my current imperial favor, he would already be dead!"

"Even if it weren't for my modest contribution, it's uncertain whether the Rongguo Mansion would have been implicated!"

"Such a grave crime, and instead of thinking about how to nip it in the bud and warn others, the old lady is still thinking about turning a blind eye and planning for the next time. She clearly doesn't understand the seriousness of the matter!"

"If we let these lawless villains off lightly this time, it would be irresponsible to the hundreds of law-abiding members of my Jia clan!"

"If we let such wicked people off lightly, how will we uphold our family traditions and maintain our clan rules in the future!"

"This crime has alarmed the emperor and shocked the court. If we let it go so easily, what will happen when they commit heinous acts and drag our Jia family into utter ruin? Wouldn't it be too late for regrets then?"

"The old lady is a woman who has seen much of the world, yet she uttered such foolish words, which truly disappoints me!"