Chapter 115: Jia Mu Grants Authority

Jia Jing's words left Jia Mu uncertain; she didn't know whether Jia Jing was deliberately exaggerating to scare her, or truly believed it.

The Jia Family, as a dukedom lineage, is not a small household; the lingering protection of three dukes shields them, and now Jia Jing, a real‑power marquis, appears—ordinary minor offenses cannot be blamed on his family.

Seeing Jia Mu's disbelief, Jia Jing explained:

"Previously, few eyes watched our family, which was fine; now my authority outside grows, and to accomplish tasks I have clashed many times with Jingnan Wuxun and officials of the Ministry of War."

"Old lady also knows that Lord Linchuan and others were killed by me; though they deserved death, Jingnan Wuxun and his peers would not think so."

"They treat me as a great enemy, waiting to seize a handle on the Jia family to bring me to death!"

"I am not afraid of acting righteously and uprightly; I fear that the two elders might be implicated, leading to dismissal, loss of office, even confiscation and execution."

"For a few law‑breaking servants, if the master is dragged in, that would be a real joke!"

"Old lady, think this through; do not provoke a disaster and regret it too late!"

When Jia Jing finished, Jia Mu was startled, could not care about her own shame, and shouted:

"Is there such danger? Can a few servants' minor offenses involve Baoyu's father?"

"In our Wuxun household, who doesn't have some troublesome matters? Isn't this how things come?"

Jia Mu's reaction stemmed from Jia Jing's words, which accurately hit the worries she had been feeling these days.

These days she ate poorly and slept poorly at home, fearing Jia Jing had made too many enemies outside, causing the whole Jia Mansion to suffer.

Jia Jing said calmly:

"Some matters, when not weighed, are not even four ounces; once weighed, even a thousand jin cannot hold them."

"If no one reports, a small matter is naturally nothing to our Wuxun family."

"But now our family stands at the wind's edge; any small ripple may trigger a great risk!"

"Thus these small matters are not small; they may become the court's political enemies' leverage against our family!"

"This is not alarmist rhetoric! Court politics are not children's play; they are life‑or‑death struggles!"

"Now the court is roiling with hidden currents; various forces vie openly and covertly, and many seek to deal with me."

"They will not only use the illegal acts of our household's servants to attack us, but may also bribe them to fabricate charges and smear us."

"Therefore, the current situation differs from before; it is absolutely necessary to discipline the servants."

"Because it is no longer a trivial matter concerning subordinates, but a matter of the entire household's survival!"

"The household must be governed by military law, strictly managing the servants, to prevent disaster before it occurs!"

"Old lady, I recall old ties, and I understand! Yet compared with the safety of the household's masters, this old feeling is light; you would not be unclear!"

Jia Mu was stunned by Jia Jing's words, and the faces of Lady Wang and others in the hall also shifted unpredictably.

To them, Jia Jing's words indeed sounded reasonable, not merely an excuse to discipline servants.

So, does that mean the household's servants must be disciplined??

After a moment, Jia Mu finally sighed, and compared with the safety of Jia Zheng, Jia Baoyu and others, the Lai family could not be anything!

"What sin have I committed to cause all these worrisome matters!"

"Brother Jing! I am now old; I do not expect anything else, only hope to enjoy a few more happy years; regarding the household's affairs, you should handle them as you see fit!"

"I will tell you this: whether you dominate the household or act fiercely outside, I will follow you."

"But remember one thing: outside, you must uphold the character of loyalty."

"As long as you keep that character, even if you err, it will not drag your uncle and Baoyu's father into trouble."

"Don't blame me for being heartless! Now your father is near death; I only have Baoyu's father left as a son."

"You and I are both stubborn; I won't argue with you. If you discipline the household's servants, I will go along."

"Whether you later become a duke or a king, hold the highest rank, we do not seek your glory; our Jia Family has long served Wuxun, and the lingering protection of several Old Dukes will benefit our line for generations."

"But we must never be burdened by you; from now on, you decide the household's affairs and bear that responsibility, never letting outside matters harm Baoyu's father and Baoyu."

"Otherwise I will never be reconciled with you!"

Jia Mu pounded the sitting mat, warning Jia Jing sternly and fiercely.

She knew that now she could not control this grandson, and ultimately this world is male‑dominated.

Women confined to the inner quarters, bound by the three obediences and four virtues, have little means to contend with men outside.

Now disciplining the household servants is linked to the court's struggles, leaving no room for this old lady to meddle arbitrarily!

Otherwise, if the children are truly dragged in, that would be sheer folly, not worth the loss!

Jia Mu can only grant power to Jia Jing, but also draws a bottom line: under no circumstance should outside affairs affect the household's masters.

Jia Mu's words left everyone in the hall stunned.

Although these words seem harsh and unfeeling, even seemingly overly cold toward Jia Jing.

In fact, everyone knows in their hearts that this is merely Jia Mu's forced attempt to save face.

Because, just as Jia Jing could not leave the Jia Mansion at first, the Jia Mansion now cannot leave Jia Jing.

If Jia Jing truly causes trouble, how could the Jia Mansion not be implicated?

To put it bluntly, if Jia Jing commits a great crime, the Jia Mansion will certainly be implicated; this blood‑line connection cannot be controlled by Jia Mu.

Thus, Jia Mu's words sound severe and cold, but their actual effect is negligible.

When trouble actually arises, what will Jia Mu use to not reconcile with Jia Jing?

It is only bluster; in fact it has no threatening effect at all.

On the contrary, the meaning of handing over authority is very clear.

Jia Mu has already stated that henceforth Jia Jing will be in charge of household matters, whether internal servant discipline or external official business, you handle as you wish.

Jia Mu's statement fully establishes the Jia Mansion's future power structure under Jia Jing, and also pronounces the doomed fate of the household's servants.

Jia Jing, hearing this, relaxed considerably, glanced at the solemn Lady Wang and others, and loudly said:

"Old lady indeed is wise! The inside and outside of the household are one entity. Raising reward and punishment, assessing merits and demerits, should not be different."