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

It was early winter, but a noble family like the Ningguo Mansion naturally had no need to worry about the severe cold.

There was a flue built under the floor of the main hall, and outside, maids and servants constantly burned charcoal and firewood. Heat and smoke circulated through it, warming the entire floor and room of the main hall.

The entire room was not cold at all; on the contrary, it was warm and cozy.

Jia Zhen, wearing an expensive gray coat and standing on a small foot warmer, was leisurely drinking some wine.

Jia Rong walked in at this moment, stood aside, and did not dare to make a sound to disturb Jia Zhen's interest.

After a short while, Jia Zhen put down his wine cup.

He glanced sideways at Jia Rong, who had been standing respectfully in the hall for a while, and let out a contemptuous snort before asking:

"But that illegitimate son from the West Mansion has been imprisoned?"

He had Jia Rong keep an eye on what was happening in the palace, and to report immediately if Jia Jing was questioned by the emperor.

Jia Rong's legs were feeling a little weak. Hearing Jia Zhen's question, he quickly stepped forward and replied with a forced smile:

"Reporting to Master, Third Uncle did... did not...!"

Before Jia Rong could finish speaking, Jia Zhen flew into a rage and said:

"That damned little bastard! He doesn't even recognize his own relatives anymore? What kind of third uncle is he?"

Jia Rong was startled and quickly said:

"Yes! Yes! Jia Jing... Jia Jing was not punished by the emperor, on the contrary..."

Jia Rong hesitated for a moment, unsure how to phrase his words without angering Jia Zhen.

Unexpectedly, in that moment of hesitation, Jia Zhen spat a mouthful of phlegm onto his face and cursed:

"Damn little brat! Can't you even speak properly? Or have you not taken my instructions to heart and are trying to make up something to fool me?"

Jia Rong's face was covered in phlegm, but he didn't dare to wipe it away. Instead, he quickly replied:

"I wouldn't dare deceive you, sir! It's just that things have taken an unexpected turn! That brat Jia Jing hasn't been punished by the emperor!"

"On the contrary, the residences of the Marquis of Linchuan and the Marquis of Zhongqin were confiscated by the imperial court! Even the Duke of Cheng was imprisoned..."

"What?!" Jia Zhen's eyes widened in disbelief!

"You're saying that Jia Jing, that brat, killed the Marquis of Linchuan and got away with it, while the Duke of Cheng and the others who went to seek justice were imprisoned?"

Jia Zhen was so shocked that he knocked the wine cups beside him to the ground, his face showing a mixture of shock and fear.

Jia Rong said helplessly:

"Not only is Jia Jing unharmed, but I heard the emperor even promoted him to the rank of Vice Minister of War!"

Jia Zhen was stunned, his face turning extremely pale.

Is there no law? Is there no justice?

Jia Jing, that brat, openly killed a second-rank marquis of the imperial court, yet the emperor not only did not punish him but also bestowed upon him a higher rank as a sign of his trust and respect.

Am I dreaming?

Jia Zhen looked at Jia Rong suspiciously, thinking, "This little beast is still deceiving me!"

Jia Rong was terrified by Jia Zhen's gaze and quickly said:

"Your son would not dare to deceive you, Father; it is indeed the truth!"

"I personally witnessed the confiscation of the Linchuan Marquis's mansion. I heard that all the men were to be executed, the women were to be sent to the brothels, and even the head of the Linchuan Marquis was to be sent to the nine border regions."

"I find it unbelievable too, but it's truly the truth..."

Jia Zhen, filled with fear and rage, slammed his fist on the table and roared:

"Were all the generals of the Jingnan Campaign cowards? Weren't they supposed to be forcing the emperor to abdicate? Weren't they supposed to cripple or kill that brat Jia Jing this time? A bunch of useless cowards, and this is all they got? Damn it! Damn it..."

Seeing Jia Zhen's angry expression, Jia Rong was somewhat frightened. After thinking for a moment, he tried to comfort him:

"Father, why must we go against that brat Jia Jing? He's a vicious man, and we have no conflict of interest with him. Wouldn't it be better to just enjoy our own lives?"

Jia Zhen looked up at Jia Rong, his fierce gaze sending a chill down Jia Rong's spine. Jia Zhen angrily said:

"Did I provoke him? He reprimanded me like a servant in front of so many people at the ancestral hall, didn't you see?"

"You blind, despicable beast! How could I not retaliate for such humiliation!"

Jia Rong quietly wiped the phlegm from his face and said with a wry smile:

"But what can we do now? He holds a high position of power and is currently receiving praise from his entire clan. If he finds out what you said at the West Mansion today, I'm afraid..."

Fearing another scolding, Jia Rong didn't dare say it aloud.

Jia Zhen blushed with embarrassment, thinking back to his outrageous remarks at Rongqing Hall that day, where he said Jia Jing was guilty, scolded him for being arrogant, and threatened to stop the clan's relief efforts.

Whether out of anger or embarrassment, his eyes flickered, and he said in a weak voice:

"I'm afraid of him? I'm the head of the East Mansion, the patriarch of the Jia clan, and his elder brother. I'm afraid of him? I'll just say a few words to him; what can he do to me?"

Jia Rong knew his father well enough to see Jia Zhen's demeanor and know that he was not being honest and was probably terrified inside.

After all, Jia Jing can kill even a marquis without hesitation, so what is a mere honorary third-rank general like you!

But he dared not show any sign of it on his face. He was terrified of his father to the core, and could only speak in unison:

"Yes, yes, yes! The master is right!"

"You son of a bitch! You probably just want me to get into trouble so you can inherit this manor's title and fortune! You heartless wretch, a black-hearted monster..."

Jia Zhen vented all his anger on Jia Rong, beating him mercilessly before he finally stopped.

After a long while, Jia Zhen composed himself before asking again:

"Is there any news about Jia Jing from the West Mansion? When will he return?"

Jia Rong hurriedly replied:

"I heard they're currently reorganizing their troops at the Bashang camp and won't be returning home for a while!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen breathed a sigh of relief and gave the order:

"Go and tell your Aunt Feng to keep her servants quiet and not spread any rumors."

"I didn't go to the West Mansion today, nor did I say anything about that brat Jia Jing. Have her help me suppress this news and prevent Jia Jing from finding out!"

"I reckon this matter will be over once he returns in a while!"

Jia Rong was troubled:

"Aunt Feng can manage the servants in the household, but as for the Old Madam, Madam, and the ladies of the West Mansion, I'm afraid..."

Jia Zhen glared and said:

"The old lady won't say much! Go talk to the others one by one, even if you have to beg them, you have to get this done for me!"

"You damned beast, you're making excuses for such a small thing! If you don't get it done, I'll skin you alive!"

Jia Rong inwardly scoffed; all he did was lash out at him, and he was terrified of his third uncle as if he were his own father. But he dared not show it and quickly agreed.

"Yes, yes, yes! Don't worry, sir! I'll take care of it right away!"

After Jia Rong finished speaking, he tried to leave. The pressure from Jia Zhen was too great, and he didn't want to stay with his father for another second.

"Wait!" Jia Zhen glanced to the side and called out to Jia Rong.

"Does the master have any other instructions?" Jia Rong asked cautiously.

"Rong-ge'er, where's your wife? Why hasn't she come to serve you today?"

Jia Zhen's sunken eyes moved, as if revealing a beautiful woman as delicate as a flower.

Ever since Qin Keqing married into the East Mansion, he has lost interest in the other maids and concubines in the mansion.

Instead, he developed unusual feelings for this bright and charming daughter-in-law, and repeatedly used his father-in-law's name to have Qin Keqing come and serve him.

The more I get to know him, the harder it is to suppress this impulse.