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

at this time,

Zhuque's cold shout slowly rang out, causing Jia Rong, Lai Sheng, and the others in the hall to tremble.

Ningguo Mansion hereditary title holder

Third-Class General of Mighty Valor

The head of the eight branches of the Jia family in the capital,

He actually got slapped in the face right inside the mansion!

Jia Zhen let out a painful groan, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. He felt his teeth loosening and his head spinning!

this moment,

Jia Zhen could no longer contain his anger; a surge of humiliation and fury welled up inside him.

Although he was afraid that Jia Jing would retaliate against him, he did not expect the retaliation to come so quickly and fiercely.

Even Jia Jing, that brat, didn't lift a finger himself; he only sent his men and personal guards back, yet he dared to slap himself right there in the main hall of the Ningguo Mansion!

How dare he?

The people from the Ningguo Mansion in the hall just stared blankly, forgetting for a moment to come up and help Jia Zhen, who had fallen to the ground.

Seeing this, Jia Rong's face flushed red, and he felt a surge of joy, wishing he were the one who had struck Jia Zhen with a scabbard.

He was beaten, scolded, and insulted by Jia Zhen, and even his wife couldn't be protected. How could he not want to fight back fiercely?

This is truly gratifying!

This old bastard who has been so unruly and domineering in his mansion, finally someone can teach him a lesson!

Jia Rong felt a shiver run through his body, as if he were being electrocuted. He was willing to become Jia Jing's personal guard if he could just get a beating from his father!

Jia Zhen, clutching his swollen face, slowly rose from the ground, his eyes flashing with hatred and anger as he glared at Zhuque.

He shouted and cursed:

"You lowly soldier! How dare you hit me? I am the master of Ningguo Prefecture, a third-rank general of the imperial court, while he is just a lowly son of a concubine..."

"Snapped!"

Before Jia Zhen could finish speaking, another crisp sound echoed through the hall. Jia Zhen fell to the ground again, his other cheek visibly swollen and red.

"He dared to speak so disrespectfully to the Marquis! Drag him away and smack his mouth!"

Zhuque's face was cold as he gave a sharp command.

Then a guard came forward, grabbed Jia Zhen's arm, and tried to drag him outside to slap him.

Jia Zhen was so slapped that he saw stars. He tried to break free, but his arms felt as if they were clamped by two iron clamps, and he couldn't break free at all.

"You little beasts! Butler Lai, are you deaf and blind? Go report this to the authorities! Report this to the authorities..."

"Go to Shuntian Prefecture, go to the Imperial Clan Court, I refuse to believe no one can deal with these thugs! They're openly assaulting people, that's illegal..."

With a ferocious expression, Jia Zhen roared at Jia Rong, Lai Sheng, and the other members of the Ningguo Mansion. His swollen face and the blood at the corner of his mouth made him look like a demon!

But Jia Rong and the others dared not move at this moment, as the guards were all staring at them coldly with their hands on their sword hilts!

It was as if anyone who dared to make the slightest movement would immediately be beheaded.

Even Jia Zhen, the head of the Ningguo Mansion, was beaten like this, how could they dare to break the law!

Besides, what's the use of reporting it to the authorities?

Today, the Marquis of Linchuan was killed, and Wu Xun, the leader of the Jingnan Camp, even went to the palace to force the emperor to abdicate. Yet, the one in the Western Palace remains unharmed. What's more, he only attacked you, a general with a nominal title but no real power.

Going to report this to the authorities would be like walking into a trap!

Besides, these are just family matters of fighting between two brothers in the family. They are usually resolved by the clan meeting. Why would the imperial court interfere?

Therefore, Jia Rong, Lai Sheng, and the others dared not move or speak recklessly, let alone report to the authorities. They simply kept their heads down and pretended not to hear anything.

Zhuque then said coldly to Jia Zhen:

"You've been spreading rumors and causing trouble throughout the manor! You've been rude and disrespectful! You've insulted the Marquis! You've interfered with the clan affairs established by the Marquis, acting recklessly and courting death!"

"This time, I'm just giving you a small lesson."

"The Marquis said you must be careful with your words and actions, lest you bring trouble upon the Jia family!"

"If you dare to offend again, the Marquis will have to ask Master Jing to return, summon the clan members, hold a clan meeting, and strip you of your title and remove you from the Jia clan!"

"Drag him away and beat him severely! After the beating, lock him in the ancestral hall and make him kneel there, so he can reflect on his actions for a few days!"

Zhuque's words left Jia Zhen completely bewildered and stunned!

What is that?

If I dare to commit this offense again, a clan meeting will be held to summon my father back. In addition to my own title, will they also remove me, the clan leader, from the clan register?

Jia Zhen was furious but also a little scared. It has to be said that Zhuque's words really frightened him!

If Jia Jing were to actually ask his father to return and submit a petition to the Imperial Clan Court to replace him as the heir to the title of Ningguo Mansion, it wouldn't be impossible for him to do so.

Given Jia Jing's current power and his father's consent, the Imperial Clan Court might agree to this!

If I really lose my title, then I will naturally lose my status as the clan leader as well!

How can this be allowed?

Without the title of heir and clan leader, what right do I have to enjoy endless comforts in the Ningguo Mansion? How can I then pressure the Qin family?

Jia Zhen's expression shifted for a moment, unsure how to refute him!

But the guards didn't care what he thought; two guards dragged him out of the hall like a dead dog.

Then came a series of crackling sounds and Jia Zhen's screams, which terrified Jia Rong and the others.

…………

Rongguo Mansion.

The Rongguo Mansion was devoid of its usual joy and laughter tonight, because Grandmother Jia's headache had flared up again after being frightened by what Jia Zhen had said during the day, and it had not yet subsided.

Although Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, and others later gathered information that Jia Jing was unharmed and had even been given the title of Vice Minister of War by the emperor.

On the contrary, the Marquis of Linchuan and others were executed and their property confiscated, and even the Duke of Cheng, a top military officer, was imprisoned and questioned.

However, Grandmother Jia's mood and headaches did not improve. She thought that Jia Jing had offended so many people outside. Although he was fine this time, he had made too many enemies in the officialdom, and there would probably be all sorts of troubles in the future.

Having suffered such a great loss this time, will Wu Xun, the commander of the Jingnan Campaign, be able to let Jia Jing off the hook in the future? Will he be able to let the Rongguo Mansion off the hook?

Now the entire Jia family is probably in the eye of the storm, and if they are not careful, they will be in big trouble!

Therefore, even though Grandmother Jia knew that Jia Jing was alright, she was still quite worried.

With Grandmother Jia in a bad mood, who among the maids, servants, and women in the entire household dared to laugh loudly?

When Madam You arrived at Rongqing Hall with a pale face to deliver the news, this was the bleak scene she saw.

Whether they were masters or servants, everyone held their breath and dared not breathe loudly.

"Grandma, Grandpa Zhen, he..."

With a hint of anxiety and worry on her beautiful, mature, and charming face, Lady You stepped forward and bowed to Grandmother Jia, her voice quite sorrowful.

An old woman brought over a chair, but Madam You showed no intention of sitting down. She simply looked at Grandmother Jia, tears welling in her eyes.

Grandmother Jia glanced at her but said nothing.

But he had a guess in his heart: it was probably because Zhen-ge'er learned in the East Mansion that Jing-ge'er was alright, and was afraid that Jing-ge'er would retaliate against him for his nonsense today, so he sent You-shi to shut them up.

Grandmother Jia was dissatisfied with Jia Zhen's actions today.

Even though Jia Jing had reprimanded him at the clan meeting, that was a minor matter. How could he harbor resentment over it, or even show an attitude of hoping for something bad to happen to the other party?

Within a family, everyone prospers or suffers together; this shows a lack of understanding of priorities.