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

In an instant, the Princess Consort of Nan'an felt her blood rushing to her head, she trembled with anger, and her vision blurred!

Grandmother Jia's expression changed slightly as she sat on the couch. Her body trembled slightly, and she breathed a sigh of relief as she moved her lips. Her aged eyes flickered as she stared intently at the ever-changing expression of the Princess of Nan'an.

At the same time, the word "confused and absurd" kept lingering in her mind!

He quickly thought to himself, "The word '昏悖' must mean 'muddled' or 'confused'."

Should!

You old fool, coming to my birthday celebration to stir up trouble, I'll have to send that wretched grandson of yours to deal with you!

Seeing that the Dowager Princess of Nan'an was trembling with anger at Jia Jing's words, her delicate brows furrowed and her heavily made-up face showing displeasure, the Princess Consort of Dongping said angrily:

"Jia Jing, although you are in power, the Dowager Princess is the widow of the late Prince of Nan'an, a high-ranking official in the court, and her title is even above yours. Don't you have any sense of respect for elders? Such disrespectful words are far too presumptuous!"

Jia Jing's expression was cold and stern as he said indifferently:

"I possess the power to control all military forces under heaven, personally granted by the Emperor. Even the late Prince of Nan'an, if he were still alive, would be subject to my control, let alone a widow!"

"Furthermore, I am wielding the Imperial Sword, acting on behalf of Heaven to carry out the important military and national affairs entrusted to me by the Emperor. How dare you women presume to discuss politics and interfere in my affairs in front of me? Aren't you just inviting humiliation upon yourselves?"

Logically speaking, the Princess Dowager of Nan'an's rank was indeed above Jia Jing's, and her status was noble.

But that's just in theory. In reality, throughout the entire Han Dynasty, apart from the emperor, no one was qualified to be more noble than Jia Jing!

Not to mention that as the Prime Minister of Military Affairs, he had the power to almost control the entire nation's military!

Even if he only takes out the Imperial Sword and the Imperial Decree, the Princess Consort of Nan'an and the Princess Consort of Dongping would have to kneel down and speak to him!

This is why many officials secretly referred to Jia Jing as being second only to the emperor or even half a ruler!

It truly has no blind spots in any aspect, and its power is boundless!

Therefore, although the task of reorganizing the army was fraught with danger, Emperor Jingsheng did give the trust he deserved!

As Jia Jing countered with his question, the Crown Princess of Dongping's face changed color, turning from pale to red, and for a moment she really didn't know how to refute him!

Or rather, while they could rely on their status to be invincible in the inner quarters, they were no match for powerful men like Jia Jing!

"Excellent! Excellent! What a ruthless, heartless, and cold-blooded Duke Jing!"

"Since you won't even give face to our two great princely mansions, then there's nothing more to say!"

"But I would also like to offer you a word of advice: you are in power now, but you will not be in power forever."

"Although I am just a woman, I have read a few history books. Throughout history, I have never seen anyone with your power and who has offended everyone in the world have a good end..."

The fake smile on the face of the Princess Consort of Nan'an was gone, replaced by a cold, livid expression.

This is an open threat and a provocation, perhaps laying the groundwork for future prophecies!

These words immediately chilled the atmosphere in Rongqing Hall, and the blatant disregard for propriety sent a shiver down everyone's spine!

What does it mean to be heartless, cold-hearted, and cruel?

What does it mean that one cannot remain in power forever?

What do you mean by "I've never seen anyone die a peaceful death"?

These words are not only accusations, but also contain elements of instigating discord between the ruler and his subjects, which is utterly rebellious!

Tan Chun's beautiful eyes were cold as she stared at the Princess Consort of Nan'an, a feeling of genuine hatred rising in her heart!

How insidious are these words of curse and coercion!

Princess Zhen of Bei Jing frowned slightly, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing. The expression on her jade-like face had vanished, and she pursed her cherry lips, her bright eyes intently observing Jia Jing's expression.

Daiyu's delicate, misty eyebrows furrowed, and her fair face was unusually frosty, her heart filled with anger!

My third brother is devoted to the country and does not show favoritism, yet he is being slandered so viciously...

Aunt Xue paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.

Madam Wang turned the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, a hint of joy hidden in her eyes.

He thought to himself: Well said, well said! He's practically spoken my mind. The eldest son of the illegitimate branch seems to be in power now, but his achievements overshadow his master. There will always be a day when he's discarded like a dog after the rabbit is killed. And then...

Before Madam Wang could finish her reverie, a deep shout echoed throughout Rongqing Hall:

"Shut up, you old hag!"

I didn't have a good reason to deal with you before, but now that you're so eager to get back at me, don't blame me for being impolite!

Jia Jing had absolutely no good feelings towards the Princess of Nan'an, because she was the culprit in the original story who sent Tan Chun to marry a foreign ruler. Why send a girl from the Jia family instead of her own daughter? What kind of good intention was that?

"You..." The Princess Consort of Nan'an stared in disbelief, her face filled with disbelief!

What kind of mother-in-law?

What's wrong?

Before she could think it through, Jia Jing said in a deep voice:

"I had already shown you some leniency because it's my grandmother's birthday today, but I never expected you to be so stubborn, acting like a senior citizen, spouting nonsense, being disrespectful to your superiors, and being utterly presumptuous!"

"You keep saying I'm heartless and will meet a bad end, then I'd like to ask you, what kind of human kindness are you talking about?"

"Is it to allow the court to continue to condone your noble families' encroachment on military farms, privately exploit military households, exploit soldiers, and embezzle their pay? Or is it to allow His Majesty to stand idly by and watch millions of military households starve and freeze to death, border soldiers go without food or pay, and military garrisons exist in name only, all to save face for your few families?"

"If this is the kind of favor you're asking, then let me be frank with you: I do not accept it, nor do I need to, because I have a conscience and a sense of justice!"

At this point, Jia Jing glanced around, seemingly moved, and continued in a lower voice:

"You who live in the inner quarters, do you know the suffering of your sovereign and father? Do you know how many days and nights His Majesty has devoted himself to the reorganization of the army and the clearing of the barren lands? Since I returned to the capital, His Majesty has asked about and thought about the suffering of the soldiers and the difficulties on the border almost every time he has summoned me for an audience."

"His Majesty has said many times that if it can enrich the country and strengthen the army, he would rather live frugally and work day and night. If the emperor is like this, then you princes, living in luxury and wealth, do not think of repaying the emperor's kindness or caring for the soldiers and civilians."

"On the contrary, for their own selfish interests, they disregard the grand plans of the court and obstruct the implementation of benevolent policies. Such behavior shows that they have long forgotten the court, forgotten their sovereign, and forgotten the countless soldiers and civilians who have suffered under their oppression!"

"What face do you have to call yourselves descendants of the founding emperor? When you get to the underworld, what face will you have to meet your ancestors who followed the founding emperor in conquering the country!"

His gaze suddenly turned cold, and his tone abruptly rose:

"As for what you just said, that offending the world will lead to a bad end, that is utterly absurd and laughable! I was fortunate enough to be selected by His Majesty from humble beginnings and entrusted with a mission during a time of crisis. Having already dedicated myself to the country, I no longer care about my personal reputation or life!"

"In order to help our sovereign achieve this unprecedented great undertaking, for the rise and fall of the nation, and for the soldiers and common people under heaven who have been exploited to the bone by you."

"Even if I am condemned by thousands, cursed by ten thousand, and infamous for eternity; even if I do not die a peaceful death; even if I am an enemy of the world and my body is shattered to pieces, what do I have to fear!"

"Someone come here!"