Chapter 109: Club to Death!

Then came Jia Jing's voice, cold and resonant like metal and stone, ringing out as he asked:

"Are you Xia Popo?"

"That's right, old woman!" Xia Popo's face seemed to break into a fawning smile.

"You love being a gossip! Meddlesome and tongue-wagging, hoping the world stays chaotic! Drag her out and beat her to death!"

Jia Jing's voice grew even colder, as if carrying an iron-blood tone; the two words "beat to death" in his speech made everyone inside shudder.

Jia Mu's face showed shock mixed with a hint of panic—how could this grandson return now, and he seems to have ill intentions.

Lady Wang's face flushed with anger; Xia Popo had just reported to her and earned a reward, yet this eldest-branch son returns and immediately orders her beaten to death—is this not killing a chicken to scare the monkeys?

Feng Jie put on a surprised expression, but a hint of joy flickered in her eyes.

San Chun and the others' faces lit up with surprise and joy—Third Brother has returned; perhaps he heard about today's events in the household?

Also in the hall, someone felt a bit of joy and anticipation—that was Qin Keqing.

She had been coming to the West Mansion often, hoping to see again that uncle of great powers who could subdue Jia Zhen!

She had searched everywhere in the mansion, and only this uncle could save her from the suffering of the East Mansion!

Her beastly father-in-law, harboring ill intentions, had been quiet while nursing his wounds, but now his old ways resurfaced and he began scheming against her again!

Qin Keqing had no choice; whenever she could, she ran to the West Mansion, for Jia Zhen dared not pursue her there!

Unfortunately, she had come over ten times, but Jia Jing was never home—until today, when she finally encountered him returning to the mansion.

If the uncle didn't return, she was thinking of going to the military camp outside the city to beg for his help!

In the courtyard, Xia Popo's terrified voice sounded again:

"Marquis, I haven't offended you! Madam, save me… Grandmother, save me… Marquis is going to beat me to death…"

Then came the sounds of dragging and Xia Popo's cries for help.

Lady Wang's face darkened, and she questioned:

"Grandmother, Xia Popo is a servant in Baoyu's quarters, always loyal and dutiful—Jia Jing has no authority to deal with her, right?"

Jia Mu suddenly felt a headache; according to Lady Wang, Xia Popo is a servant of the second branch, while Jia Jing is the eldest son of the first branch—of course he has no power to dispose of her!

But you, discussing household rules with a marquis of the court—isn't that even more ridiculous?

Out there, the marquis has already killed someone; dealing with a servant—what rules are still needed?

Although Jia Mu knew Jia Jing was clearly up to no good, for now it's better not to meddle in a servant's trivial affairs.

But after all these years of cultivating her mind and nature, her heart has softened considerably; she ordered the maid YuanYang beside her:

"YuanYang, go outside and say that the New Year is approaching—don't cause a death, it's inauspicious; let Jia Jing come in quickly!"

YuanYang hurried out of Rong Qing Tang, lifted the curtain to the eaves, and said to the stern-faced Jia Jing in the courtyard:

"Marquis, the grandmother lets you in, saying the New Year is near—killing someone is inauspicious!"

Jia Jing turned his head to glance at YuanYang, spoke no word, his expression solemn.

Meanwhile, the guards on the other side slapped their sword scabbards over Xia Popo's shouting mouth, and her voice cut off instantly.

Then they fetched a thick stick and struck Xia Popo on the head once; she went limp at once, silent.

Witnessing this, YuanYang and Ping'er, who stood beside Jia Jing, felt their scalps tingle and their bodies tremble.

How long has it been since such a bloody, ruthless scene was seen in the mansion!

The ladies and matriarchs who manage the mansion, even if they commit a grave fault, are at most given a beating or driven out—when have they ever faced such a harsh beating-to-death method?

Jia Jing didn't even spare Xia Popo a glance; in the original story she was nothing good, merely a wicked slave who bullied the weak—beating her to death is not unjust.

Thereafter, Jia Jing walked toward Rong Qing Tang with unchanged expression; YuanYang and Ping'er regained their senses and hurriedly followed him inside.

After passing a landscape cloud-crane screen, Jia Jing stopped on the spread wool mat; the hall was warm, presumably from heated earth ducts.

Jia Mu sat sullenly in the upper seat, evidently having learned the outcome of the courtyard incident from Xia Popo's brief screams.

Lady Wang, seated to one side, had a grim face, hinting at anger.

Feng Jie's face was slightly flushed, her eyes holding a bit of joy; she knew the third younger brother was certainly not one to suffer loss without retaliation.

Qin Keqing's face bore a hint of anticipation as she looked at Jia Jing.

San Chun, Shi Xiangyun, Baichai, and the others, upon seeing Jia Jing, showed a faint smile.

Jia Jing glanced over the crowd, paid no further attention, walked straight to the center of the hall, and said to San Chun, Xiang Yun, Baichai, and the others:

"You ladies, step aside for a moment!"

San Chun and the others' faces slightly stiffened, sensing that something major might happen in the mansion today; one by one they retreated to the side rooms partitioned by screens.

Jia Mu saw Jia Jing's stern expression; upon entering he did not perform the ritual bow, and with this show of force, her uneasy feeling grew stronger.

She looked at Jia Jing, whose waist bore a sword, and forced a smile as she said:

"Jing'er, didn't you say you'd return in two days? Why are you back today? Have you finished all your court duties?"

Jia Jing did not answer his mother's question, but instead said toward the door:

"Everyone, come in!"

In an instant,

dozens of guards with swords at their waists entered the main hall, eyes front, faces expressionless, taking positions at both sides; Zhu Que walked straight to stand behind Jia Jing.

This sight caused the faces of Jia Mu, Lady Wang, Lady Xue, Lady You, Feng Jie, and others in the hall to change abruptly, astonished beyond belief!

Troops march into the mansion!

Only then did Jia Jing slowly speak:

"Grandmother asked why I returned? I heard the mansion is bustling today—someone smashed jade, causing chaos among the chickens and dogs."

"Lin Mei Mei was so angry she vomited blood, even the Second Elder vomited blood and fainted, and still spouted nonsense about how the sisters shouldn't get close to me—is that right or not?"

Lady Wang had long been unable to contain her anger; now seeing Jia Jing clearly heading for Baoyu, she spoke:

"Jing'er, do you still have any sense of seniority? Before the grandmother, you throwing your weight around is bad enough—why bring these guards into the inner chambers? Do you have any propriety left?"

Jia Jing gave a cold smile, then said silently:

"Etiquette? You, Wang Shi, are not worthy to discuss etiquette with this marquis! State rites outweigh family rites; when discussing etiquette and hierarchy, you should now stand and pay respects to this marquis!"

Jia Jing even stopped calling the second madam Lady Wang, instead using Wang Shi, which shocked everyone present.

Knowing that today, because of Jia Baoyu's matter, a conflict between the main and second branches was inevitable, everyone held their breath and dared not say another word.

Lady Wang's face darkened; she still wanted to speak, but Jia Mu had already patted the sitting cushion and said angrily:

"Enough! You, Baoyu's mother, say less!"