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

Yuan Chun and Tan Chun's hearts skipped a beat. They quickly got up, one helping Lady Wang to her feet and the other stopping Jia Zheng, whose face was ashen.

Lady Wang covered her cheek and let out a painful groan. Although Jia Zheng's slap was not heavy, it made her feel extremely humiliated and resentful!

So many years have passed!

This was the first time she had been beaten by Jia Zheng since she married into the Jia family!

What's more, it happened in front of so many people in the household and her sister-in-law from her maternal family!

From this day forward, her dignity as the second wife and the head of the household is completely gone!

Thinking of this, Madam Wang's eyes filled with tears, her limbs turned cold, and she said with shame and indignation:

"My lord! People always say that marriage is a major event, and it should be decided by the parents and the matchmaker! Sanya is my daughter. As her mother, can't I even make decisions for her? How can you be so heartless, disregarding our years of marriage and beating and scolding me!"

In the end, tears streamed down his face, and his expression was full of sorrow!

She no longer possessed even a trace of her usual dignified and kind noblewoman demeanor!

Tan Chun glanced at Jia Zheng with concern, moved her lips slightly, and then swallowed the words of comfort she was about to say!

Beneath Daiyu's delicate, wispy eyebrows, her bright, dark eyes held a hint of liveliness. She seemed startled and momentarily forgot to offer any words of advice.

Aunt Xue's face showed fear for a moment. She never expected that her usually refined brother-in-law would actually hit someone!

He opened his mouth, wanting to offer some advice, but then felt his elbow being tugged by his sweet little girl.

Looking back, he saw his beloved daughter's face, which was as white as a pear blossom, and he sighed inwardly, so he didn't say anything more!

At this moment, Sister Feng and Madam Xing's faces were flushed, their eyes were wide open, and they covered their mouths, unable to suppress the smiles in their eyes and brows.

In particular, Sister Feng trembled slightly all over, her body shaking uncontrollably, as if she had finally released a long-suppressed pent-up anger.

If Ping'er hadn't tugged at her sleeve from behind, signaling her to tone it down, she probably would have already burst out laughing.

Seeing this, Grandmother Jia's eyes flickered. Suppressing her surprise, she quickly stood up and sighed in a hoarse voice:

"Oh dear! What sins have I committed? What deep-seated hatred could there be between husband and wife that led to this fight? Can't we talk things out?"

Yuan Chun's face was filled with sorrow, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, and she advised in a trembling voice:

"Father, Mother is getting on in years! She may not have considered everything properly; you should talk to her nicely. How could you resort to violence!"

Jia Zheng's face flushed red, and he said angrily:

"Didn't I talk to her about it? We just had a huge scene last month. I've talked to her, I've punished her, but instead of reflecting on her mistakes and making amends, she always has to meddle in other people's business!"

"Do you think I don't know what kind of person Li Ge'er is? He's just a spoiled brat like Bao Yu, or even worse."

"It's one thing to be uneducated and unambitious, but the other day he mistreated a maid in his household, causing her to jump into a well and die. It caused quite a stir. Do you think I haven't heard about it?"

"This immoral scoundrel, you still want to marry Sanya to him? What good intentions could you possibly have?"

Madam Wang opened her mouth: "I..."

Seeing this, Jia Zheng became even angrier and said sternly:

"The capital city is in turmoil. The court is in flux, with power shifting and countless powerful families being brought down to the dust, and many prestigious clans being wiped out."

"In just this one month, hundreds of official families have been wiped out, all the men have died, and the women have been sent to the brothels. Are you blind? Can't you see this danger at all?"

"These days, so many people are watching my family. Even I, a man living outside, am filled with fear, keeping my doors closed to visitors and living a life of utmost caution, for fear of accidentally dragging my family into an abyss!"

"You, a mere woman confined to the inner quarters, are utterly ignorant of the ways of the world and the political situation at court. Instead, you're constantly stirring up trouble and defying Jing-ge'er's orders to arrange marriages everywhere, inviting disaster and trouble. Are you trying to prevent the Jia family from collapsing?"

At this moment, Lady Wang's face was pale, her limbs were cold, and her heart was trembling. She felt that Jia Zheng's words were like knives, stabbing into her heart.

I'm acting recklessly, stirring up trouble?

I have ill intentions and only want to stir up trouble.

I have brought disaster upon myself, and I fear the Jia family will not perish.

This...no, no, that's not how it is! No...

Yuan Chun, supporting Lady Wang from the side, spoke with a complex expression;

"Mother, from now on, let's listen to Father!"

If Jia Zheng's previous angry rebuke of Lady Wang for being ignorant of right and wrong and for spoiling and indulging her children could only be considered a quarrel between husband and wife over the issue of raising their children.

So this time, the merciless beating and scolding was truly an extremely severe accusation and denunciation!

It almost completely tore away Madam Wang's hypocritical facade of eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers, revealing her weak character that was both stupid and wicked hidden deep within!

Grandmother Jia sighed, her expression shifting, and said to Jia Zheng:

"Baoyu's mother was in the inner quarters and, unaware of the situation outside, it's understandable that she made a mistake in her haste!"

"As her husband, you should have just talked to her and made things clear! Good heavens, this beating and humiliation, all in front of so many people in the house, where does she think she'll put her image as the wife of the household in the future?!"

Jia Zheng sighed deeply and said:

"Mother, how can you not understand! It's one thing for her to act recklessly in the inner quarters! Even though Baoyu is spoiled by her so much, I have never hit her."

"But these things outside involve too many things and are too dangerous. They concern the lives of hundreds or even thousands of members of my Jia family and the rise and fall of our clan. They are truly a matter of life and death. We can never be too careful!"

"The court is currently experiencing a period of transition and constant infighting... allowing no room for even the slightest misstep!"

"Don't be fooled by the fact that Jing-ge'er is now in power and favored by the emperor. He faces countless open and hidden attacks every day. Many people want him dead, and many people are waiting for him to show his weakness. He is walking on thin ice."

"Why does he manage his household and clan so strictly?! Do you think he's ruthless or cowardly?"

"Actually, he knew the situation outside was dire and was worried that his enemies in the court would attack the Jia family from within, endangering the safety of the entire clan!"

"That foolish woman not only doesn't understand the current situation, but she also always has unrealistic ideas, trying to go against Jing-ge'er!"

"I can't let Jing-ge'er deal with all the conflicts outside every day, and then come home to worry about her!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia paused for a moment, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and advised:

"Zheng'er, you're exaggerating! Baoyu's mother was just confused for a moment, too worried about her children's safety. She had no intention of competing with Jing'er!"

"We're just discussing this matter for now; we haven't made a decision yet. We definitely need to ask for your and Jing'er's opinions first! Don't blame her too much!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng resolutely stated, word by word:

"Don't even mention discussing it, she can't even have that thought! The men of the Jia family aren't all dead yet, it's not her place to interfere in outside affairs!"