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

In the end, one can't help but feel a lingering sense of unease. The Duke of Shanguo's Mansion and the Marquis of Pingyuan's Mansion, which had existed for over a hundred years like the Rongguo Mansion, vanished into thin air, leaving one with a sense of melancholy.

Grandmother Jia listened with trepidation, her expression changing repeatedly.

How could those three grandsons act so quickly? Although they had an imperial decree, it's not appropriate to so crudely and directly confiscate the mansions of the current cabinet ministers and dukes.

The people in the hall looked at each other in disbelief, trying to process this shocking news.

Aunt Xue, Madam Xing, and the others trembled in shock. Although they were women, they knew what a Grand Secretary of the court was and what imperial relatives were. Such a powerful and prestigious family had been raided by Jing-ge'er's order.

Characters like Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Tanchun believe that justice will prevail and retribution will be swift and decisive, and that they should act swiftly and forcefully like their third brother!

After a long silence, Grandmother Jia let out a long sigh and said in a hoarse voice:

"Jing-ge'er is still young and acts too rashly! In such a major case that involves him personally, even with evidence, he should consult the palace before making a decision!"

"That Grand Secretary Fang is no ordinary person; even I, a woman confined to the inner quarters, have heard of his reputation."

"He served as an official for thirty years and was a leading figure of the Zhejiang Party. His protégés and former subordinates were all over the court. He promoted countless officials and enjoyed a high reputation in Jiangnan."

"With such a deeply entrenched faction leader and high-ranking official, how could Jingge'er not provoke retaliation from his faction by confiscating his property and imprisoning him?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng paused for a moment, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, and said with a complicated expression:

"There's no need to worry about that. There shouldn't be any retaliation! Jing-ge'er found an account book at the Fang residence, which records all the people with whom they had business dealings!"

"According to Minister Xia, Jingge'er ordered the arrest of people according to the list and imprisoned them all. In just one hour, two officials of the Censorate were arrested."

"In addition, more than fifty officials of various ranks from the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, the Hanlin Academy, and the Court of Judicial Review have been arrested. The Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Personnel have also arrested many people. Furthermore, people have been sent from Jiangnan. In total, it is estimated that more than two hundred people will be arrested!"

"This...this time they arrested over two hundred officials? This...this capital city only has so many officials, aren't they almost empty?" Grandmother Jia asked in a surprised and hoarse voice.

The reason for using the word "again" is naturally because more than 200 officials were arrested last month in connection with the factionalism scandal.

"Yes! Is arresting so many officials at once in accordance with the law?" Aunt Xue couldn't help but ask, her fair face showing surprise.

Tan Chun frowned, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, and said in a deep voice:

"The assassination of my third brother and Grand Secretary Zhang is no small matter. Grand Secretary Zhang is the second Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and my third brother is in charge of the Twelve Battalions. They are both pillars of the state and the stability of the imperial power. This is a major case that has shaken the foundation of the court."

"And in such a major case, even two hundred people are not considered a large number! Back in the time of Emperor Taizu, when severe punishments were imposed on officials, a major case could implicate tens of thousands of people. That was truly a bloodbath with heads rolling everywhere!"

"However, not all of these two hundred-plus officials will lose their heads. Once the case is investigated, they will be dealt with according to the severity of their crimes—either death, exile, or demotion!"

Jia Zheng, with a similar expression of sighing, admonished:

"Third Sister is right! Once a major case breaks out, it will bring disaster to the family and relatives, causing rivers of blood to flow. This is no joke!"

"The capital is going through a turbulent time. Even with Jing-ge'er protecting my family, we must be extremely cautious!"

Everyone was taken aback by these words and nodded in agreement!

Grandmother Jia seemed to remember something and asked in a hoarse voice:

"The second daughter of the Duke of Shan's family was granted the title of Virtuous Consort in the palace, one of the four consorts below the Empress. I heard she is deeply favored by the Emperor. Now that her family has been raided, will she cause trouble for Jing-ge'er in the palace?"

Although the power of the empresses and concubines in this dynasty was limited and their connections with the outer court were strictly restricted!

But Grandmother Jia was very clear about women's methods. If Consort Xiande really wanted to take revenge on Jia Jing, she would have no shortage of ways to do so.

Not to mention whispering in the emperor's ear to frame or sow discord during their time in bed, even if they cried and complained in front of the empress dowager and empress in the harem and secretly made things difficult for the women of the Jia family, that would be a serious problem not to be underestimated!

Yuan Chun frowned slightly. She knew that virtuous concubine; the two of them had entered the palace together.

Although that person was not bad-looking, he was extremely petty and knew how to play the victim and act innocent!

Back then, I was first appreciated and promoted by the Empress, and even when good news spread, she secretly harbored a lot of jealousy, slander, and even tried to frame me!

Thinking of this, a hint of worry appeared in Yuan Chun's eyes!

When Jingdi comes back, I'll talk to him about this and tell him to be careful!

Baochai's almond-shaped eyes also showed worry. Women understand women best, and the power of pillow talk has always been formidable.

Jia Zheng's expression was solemn as he said:

"Where is the virtuous concubine now! I heard from Minister Xia that on the day Shi Guangzhu was beheaded by Jingge'er, she went to the Emperor to plead her case, saying that Jingge'er had too much military power and was eliminating dissidents, and that he might have treacherous intentions."

"He was immediately banished to the Cold Palace by imperial decree without any mercy. This matter was not officially announced in the imperial edict, so many people in the outer court were still unaware of the news!"

"Alas... This is also the most important reason why the Shi family hates Jing-ge to the bone and participated in the assassination attempt on him today."

"Shi Guangzhu's death is a minor matter, but the fact that a concubine they had painstakingly promoted was deposed because of this is the real grudge that has severed their family's lineage!"

"However, it's foreseeable that now that the Duke of Shan's mansion has committed such a grave crime, the Virtuous Consort will likely also meet her end... with a white silk noose and poison!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall gasped in shock!

How noble is an imperial concubine?

She can be said to be one of the most esteemed women in the world, second only to the Empress Dowager and the Empress...

Even the most prestigious Duchess in the Jia family, Grandmother Jia, had to be extremely respectful and kneel down to pay her respects in front of such a person!

However, just because she spoke ill of Jia Jing in front of the emperor, she was banished to the cold palace!

This is simply too unbelievable...

If the women of the inner quarters present at the time were not entirely aware of Jia Jing's distinguished status and position outside the home...

After this incident, they understood everything!

He's truly... someone no one can afford to mess with!

Even Grandmother Jia's worries lessened considerably. She had been troubled by Jia Jing's unruly behavior and the fact that he had made even more enemies, but now she realized that she had been worrying unnecessarily!

Compared to these so-called Grand Secretaries and officials, our own family doesn't seem to be any worse off; we're not entirely incapable of putting up a fight!

Then he suddenly realized that this kind of mentality was really unacceptable. Even a good tiger can't fight off a pack of wolves. He couldn't just drift up to the sky with his third grandson!

"The Duke of Shan's mansion is finished, and even a person of such high status as the Imperial Concubine can't escape being implicated?" Sister Feng raised her eyebrows, glanced at Madam Wang, and said meaningfully:

"It's clear that when something happens to a woman's family, no married daughter will escape unscathed!"

"Second Madam just said she was afraid something might happen to Jing-ge'er, which would bring disaster to the whole household, and that she wanted to arrange marriages for her children in advance as a backup plan. Isn't that utter nonsense!"

Sister Feng was quite pleased with herself and even used a newly learned idiom!

Madam Wang's face suddenly turned pale: "..."

Bringing up marriage in front of Jia Zheng at this time is clearly an attempt to sow discord between them.

That damned Sister Feng...

Sure enough, upon hearing Fengjie's words, Jia Zheng stared intently at Madam Wang, his brows furrowed, and asked in a deep voice:

"What marriage? What accident happened to Jing-ge?"

Is Lady Wang up to something again in the mansion?

He was punished by Jing-ge just last month, doesn't he learn his lesson?

Grandmother Jia sighed and said:

"It was Baoyu's aunt who said it just now..."

"I forbid it! But Baoyu's mother thinks that Jingge'er is too dangerous outside, and just in case, she wants to arrange marriages for the eldest and third maids as a way out for them."

"However, Third Sister said that Jing-ge'er promised to personally arrange their marriages!"

Grandmother Jia recounted the matter in a few words, without mentioning Baoyu, and emphasized that she would not allow it!

Madam Wang's face paled even more. She clenched the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand. The old lady was afraid because she saw that the eldest son of the illegitimate branch of the family was powerful and short-lived. She suddenly pushed all the responsibility onto me!

Damn it...

"Snapped!"

Before Madam Wang could figure it out, she felt a sharp pain in her cheek, staggered, and almost fell to the ground, losing several of her gold hairpins.

It turned out that Jia Zheng, in a fit of rage, raised his hand and slapped Lady Wang!

"Ignorant and foolish woman! Acting recklessly! Stirring up trouble! She only wants to create chaos!"

The deep shout resounded throughout Rongqing Hall, causing everyone in the hall to tremble!