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

In the inner hall,

Upon hearing Jia Jing punish Lady Wang by making her copy the "Four Books for Women," Grandmother Jia's expression froze. She opened her mouth, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

After a long pause, he let out a long sigh, a hint of reluctance on his aged face, and pleaded:

"Jing-ge'er, Bao-yu's mother is still ill and can't bear this kind of shock."

"Even if you don't care about my old age, at least for the sake of your eldest sister and third sister, please let her off this time!"

Being punished by copying books may not be a particularly difficult thing, but it is still a loss of face.

As she spoke, Grandmother Jia gestured with her eyes to Yuan Chun and Tan Chun sitting beside her, hoping they would put in a good word for her!

These two girls are usually quite talkative with me, so why have they suddenly fallen silent today?

Now that your mothers have been punished, don't you feel anything? Why aren't you pleading for them?

Tan Chun, lost in thought, pretended not to notice Jia Mu's gaze.

In a sense, my third brother's statement was to stand up for me. If I were to plead for him now, wouldn't I seem too ungrateful?

Moreover, compared to trying to please the old lady and the madam, she cared more about what her third brother thought of her!

Because she knew that everything she had now came from the young man in front of her, and that only her third brother truly cared for her as his younger sister!

Otherwise, as a concubine's daughter, I don't know what kind of situation I would be in the mansion now, let alone have the right to sit here and discuss family matters!

Therefore, she knew very well which side to stand on at crucial moments!

Yuan Chun pursed her cherry lips, her face, as beautiful as a lotus flower in full bloom, pondered for a moment, and then slowly spoke:

"Jingdi! Logically speaking, it's not our place as daughters to interfere in Mother's merits, demerits, rewards, and punishments!"

"But she is currently bedridden. Could we allow her to recover fully before punishing her? This would fulfill the filial duty of my third sister and me!"

Yuan Chun's words were quite skillful; she neither said whether he should be punished nor asked Jia Jing to spare him out of consideration for her.

Out of filial piety, they requested that Jia Jing allow Lady Wang to recover her health first.

This way, it neither violates family rules nor goes against human nature!

Unlike Grandmother Jia, who always says things like, "It's because of my old age or because of my kindness."

Do they really think they're a native Beijinger who can pull strings for everything?

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression softened. He turned to look at Yuan Chun, pondered for a moment, and said:

"Managing a family is like managing an army; under family rules and clan regulations, no one can be an exception."

"But there should also be affection to bind the family together. What elder sister said is in accordance with natural law and human feelings, and it does not contradict my original intention of giving a small punishment as a warning. Wang can be allowed to rest for half a month before being punished with copying!"

Although Jia Jing agreed to Yuan Chun's request, he only granted her a half-month reprieve.

"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Jing!" Yuan Chun looked at Jia Jing with a pitiful expression, stood up and bowed to him.

Yuan Chun actually somewhat...agrees with Jia Jing's punishment of making his mother copy books!

It has to be said that even she, as the biological daughter, finds her mother's recent behavior and words quite distasteful!

Needless to say, Baoyu is completely spoiled and has no bottom line. Yesterday, they even tried to prevent him from going to school!

The things she said to her third sister before were extremely unbecoming of a stepmother and could be described as unreasonable!

Not to mention, there was the nonsense he spouted in front of the angel last time. His unrestrained and disrespectful speech could easily bring disaster upon his family!

So, copying books is not a bad thing. After all, it's not a very severe punishment, and it can also temper one's character and cultivate one's moral character!

in addition,

Yuan Chun understood that Jia Jing's actions might be intended to support Tan Chun and prevent her from being hindered in managing the household in the future. This was to maintain the authority of the young lady in charge of the household!

A household with a thousand members should be managed by one person. The more prestigious and wealthy a family is, the less likely it is that many people should be given authority. Isn't this also Jingdi's way of managing his household?

When Grandmother Jia saw Yuan Chun and Jia Jing decide on the punishment for Lady Wang in just a few words, she was stunned and her mind was filled with questions!

What does this mean?

Is this what you mean by asking me to plead for them?

What's the difference between being punished with copying now and being punished with copying half a month later?

This two-week delay will probably only make Baoyu's mother feel more tormented and distressed.

However, although Grandmother Jia felt a little reluctant, she did not plead for Lady Wang any further.

My own precious child is more important, so for now, I can only let his mother suffer a little... injustice!

Grandmother Jia moved her lips, composed herself, thought for a moment, and then spoke again in a hoarse voice:

"Jing-ge'er, now that you've punished Bao-yu's mother, do you think Bao-yu's matter is...?"

If Baoyu's mother has already been punished, does that mean Baoyu doesn't need to be punished anymore?

Jia Jing looked at Grandmother Jia, his face darkening again, and said coldly:

"Baoyu's punishment and Wang Shi's case are two separate matters! Baoyu's offense has already been clearly explained!"

"Last time, out of respect for the old lady, I only gave her ten strokes of the cane, which was already a leniency."

"This time he knowingly committed the crime and repeatedly refused to mend his ways, so his crime is more serious. He will be given thirty strokes of the cane later. After he recovers from his injuries, he will be sent to the clan school for strict supervision. He will be allowed to return to the mansion once every six months thereafter."

"Furthermore, I will inform the Second Master that from now on, when foreign guests visit, Baoyu shall not be arranged to accompany them; and when nobles or relatives hold banquets, Baoyu shall not be allowed to attend."

"His previous privileges as the eldest son have all been revoked; from now on, the second son's family will focus on cultivating Lan Ge'er!"

This time, Baoyu was severely punished. He was not only to be given thirty strokes of the cane and confined to the clan school, but also stripped of his privileges as the eldest son of his title.

The last item, in particular, is tantamount to directly dropping Jia Baoyu from the phoenix egg of the Jia family into an ordinary member, causing him to completely disappear from the Jia family's social circle.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's face instantly turned ashen, her limbs grew cold, and she said urgently:

"Jing-ge'er! This is too much! Bao-yu is still a child; he really knows he was wrong! You can't punish him so harshly!"

Grandmother Jia never expected to hear such a severe punishment plan from Jia Jing!

They've already gone to plead for him in person, what more do they want?

If you give him thirty lashes, wouldn't that be like beating your own precious son to death?

Not to mention they want to cancel Baoyu's status as the eldest son's son, that's outrageous!

Once he loses the privileges of being the eldest son, won't Baoyu lose all dignity in the household and the clan?

No matter how much his ancestor pampered and protected him, at most he could only ensure that he wouldn't be looked down upon in the inner quarters!

But what about outside?

Without the status and privileges of a legitimate son, how can he visit relatives, make friends, or arrange marriages?

Can't we just stay in the inner quarters forever?

This is far too complicated!

Jia Jing said calmly:

"My mind is made up, Madam, there's no need for further explanation. If you want any change, let Baoyu set an example for everyone to see!"

Grandmother Jia was stunned; her heart sank completely!