Chapter 111

She really has no good way to deal with Jia Jing; scolding him for being unfilial, yet as a military commander he doesn't need such a fine reputation, and the clan all praises his benevolence, while she, an old lady, can only act alone!

As for petitions to the palace and the like, that's just talk!

She knows that once it reaches this point, whether the grandson is okay is unknown, and the Jia Mansion is basically finished!

Moreover, this grandson now commands a hundred thousand troops of Bashang Daying, holding high rank and great authority, and the palace will not easily punish him because of an old lady's words.

At the side, Aunt Xue is now watching Jia Jing "dominate the scene," regarding her sister Lady Wang's plight.

She can only say: I feel sorry, but I am powerless!

Of course, regarding Jia Jing's scolding of Lady Wang for spoiling the child, she frowned and finally thought perhaps it shouldn't involve herself.

She loves to scold Pan Ge'er, but on the surface she is still very strict!

At this moment, Jia Jing stood in the main hall, scanning the silent crowd, and again slowly spoke:

"Today Baoyu, I have decided to punish him! Hitting him is to educate him, to make him know reverence."

"He must understand that not everything can be solved by smashing a jade, and that being spoiled gives him impunity."

"Let him know that he must study and advance, be filial to his elders, love his siblings, be a proper man, and not spend his days idling in the rear quarters like this."

"If the Wang Family is dissatisfied, they may sue me; whether it's Shuntian Fu, Zongren Fu, or the palace, I will see it through!"

"I won't believe you can still claim righteousness in this!"

"Of course, if the Wang Family makes a city‑wide uproar, it harms the Jia Family's reputation."

"Then I will summon the elders for a clan meeting to discuss whether Baoyu's reckless behavior deserves punishment!"

"I fear that when I, this Marquis, am unscathed, Jia Baoyu's reputation will be ruined, and you Wang Family will be removed from the Jia Clan genealogy! Do not say I, the Marquis, did not warn you!"

When Jia Jing said that, Lady Wang and Jia Mu both turned pale.

Lady Wang's complexion turned ashen, cold sweat streaming, her earlier vigor gone!

Jia Jing's words plainly told Lady Wang, "You said I have no right to deal with Jia Baoyu, right?"

Can the clan handle it?

As long as Jia Baoyu remains a member of the Jia Clan, the clan has the authority to deal with him.

If this really escalates to clan adjudication, do you think you can stand on principle?

Regardless, Jia Baoyu's rebellion against his father is great ingratitude; you can smooth things over at home, but in the clan there is no room for your sophistry.

Given Jia Jing's current standing in the clan, a single sentence can ruin Jia Baoyu's reputation.

Even if Lady Wang dares to make a baseless complaint, he can have her removed from the Jia Family genealogy!

What does "removal from the genealogy" mean?

It means to strip you, a Wang family woman, so that even after death you cannot be interred in the Jia ancestral tomb, becoming a wandering lonely ghost!

With Jia Jing now the sole Marquis of the Jia Family, harming him harms the entire Jia clan's interests.

If Lady Wang dares to cause a city‑wide uproar over this unreasonable matter, Jia Jing has full justification to convene a clan meeting to deal with her.

Many clans have had such precedents!

There are countless cases of monks renouncing and widows returning to their natal families!

That's why Jia Jing, upon receiving his marquisate and returning home, was so amicable toward the clan; in the feudal era the clan's role was crucial!

With his status as a Marquis and his influence, plus his good reputation within the clan, he can openly push anyone aside in both Rong Guo Mansion and Ning Guo Fu!

Whether it's the senior or junior branch, whether it's Rong Guo Mansion or Ning Guo Fu, whether it's Jia Mu or Lady Wang, none can match him as an opponent!

Thus, Jia Zhen, as head of Ning Guo Fu and clan elder of the Jia Family, can order a beating at will.

Now Jia Baoyu, as the "phoenix egg" of Rong Guo Mansion, likewise receives no mercy; when they say to deal with him, they do.

Jia Mu, seeing the tense atmosphere, realized she had to intervene, and hurriedly said to smooth things over:

"Jing Ge'er, Baoyu's mother was just acting in a moment of urgency, speaking without choosing her words! It didn't have to reach this point."

"As long as our family discusses matters together, it's fine. You are the elder brother; Baoyu's misdeeds merit punishment, but could you, for my sake, spare a few lashes?"

"His constitution is weak; he can't endure twenty lashes. I think ten is enough to teach him a lesson, so he won't dare again!"

Jia Mu whispered a plea, her face showing a hint of supplication.

She knows that with Jia Jing's hardline stance, today's beating for Jia Baoyu is probably unavoidable!

She can only use Baoyu's frailty as a reason, hoping to reduce the number of lashes.

Jia Jing glanced at Jia Mu, his expression softening, and said:

"Since the old lady spoke up, this time we'll halve it, only ten lashes so he remembers!"

"If he dares to offend again, smashing that broken jade and causing unrest throughout the mansion, then we'll settle both new and old accounts; don't blame me for lacking mercy!"

"Also, Baoyu must no longer visit Miss Lin's and the other young ladies' courtyards; now that they are growing older, he must be careful not to tarnish the reputation of the sisters in the house."

The reason Jia Jing gave Jia Mu this face is that, on one hand, although Jia Baoyu is weak, incompetent, and irresponsible, his crime does not merit death.

With his personal soldiers' ferocity, a full twenty lashes would likely be fatal to Jia Baoyu.

On the other hand, it serves as a prelude to the upcoming crackdown on the servants; having given face now, there will be no mercy later!

Of course, the most important thing is that Jia Mu's earlier handling of Jia Zhen's matter was not foolish; she neither halted the clan's arrangements nor let Xiao Jiaoer be beaten, which earned Jia Jing some goodwill, and he is willing to spare her some dignity.

Jia Mu, hearing Jia Jing's words, showed a trace of delight on her face.

Jia Jing's granting her this face eased her mind a bit; after all, this old lady still holds some weight in his eyes.

She is not afraid that Jia Jing, like when he rebuked Lady Wang, will scold her for over‑indulging; that would leave her with no face left!

As for Baoyu's prohibition from Lin Daiyu and the others' courtyards, she isn't too worried; at worst they can all come to her own courtyard to frolic.

Jia Mu, in a flurry of voices, hurriedly agreed:

"Alright, alright! All according to you!"

Jia Jing then ordered his personal soldiers:

"Guards! Drag Jia Baoyu out and give him ten lashes!"

At Jia Jing's command, a personal guard stepped forward, snatched Jia Baoyu's arm, and pulled him out of Jia Mu's embrace.

"Ancestor... Ancestor, save me, Madam... Madam, save me!"

Jia Baoyu's cries for help came from the hall, but at this moment both Jia Mu and Lady Wang kept their eyes tightly closed, saying nothing.

"Ah!"

Listening to Jia Baoyu's repeated cries of anguish outside the hall, Lady Wang's face turned as white as gold paper.

Lady Wang's whole body clenched both hands, the nails sinking into the flesh, squeezing the palms until they bled, the heart already seething with the utmost hidden hatred!

Damn illegitimate son! Now you are powerful! But you will not stay powerful forever! When I find a chance later, I will definitely avenge this grievance!

Lady Wang has never been as humiliated and helpless as today.