Chapter 309: with translation of chapter title

In Rong Qing Tang, the banquet has not yet begun.

The candlelight had been replaced twice, and the light lay steadily on everyone's faces.

Jia Mu reclined on the couch, greatly startled by Jia Jing's words about expelling Jia Zhen and Jia Rong from the clan.

To be frank, she had actually still been thinking of discussing it further with Jia Jing, to see if she could appropriately lend Jia Zhen and Jia Rong a hand.

After all, the emperor could, for Jia Jing's sake, spare Jia Zhen's death sentence—this shows just how deep the imperial favor toward Jia Jing runs at present!

If he were to step forward and handle it, perhaps they could find a chance to rescue Jia Zhen and Jia Rong from Qiongzhou.

Jia Zhen's case may be uncertain, but Jia Rong is merely an accomplice with a light offense; seeking a reduced punishment should not be difficult!

Even when the court later issues a general pardon, Jia Zhen may still have a chance to return to the capital.

Even if, for now, Jia Zhen and Jia Rong cannot return to Shenjing,

but as long as Jia Jing is willing to use his connections to have someone look after them, then presumably they could live quite well in Qiongzhou.

It is precisely because Jia Mu had such thoughts that she could just now greet Jia Jing with a smiling face, free of the anxious, uneasy look she had borne these past days over the Ning Guo Fu matter.

But who could have guessed that events would unfold entirely contrary to her expectations?

She had barely opened her mouth to speak, not yet had a chance to plead, when she heard from Jia Jing the shocking news that the two would be expelled from the clan.

This left her stunned on the spot, unsure how to speak the words that should follow.

At that moment, Mrs. Xing and Lady Wang beside her were both greatly shaken.

For some reason, gazing at that youth sitting there with an indifferent expression, a cold sweat suddenly broke out on her back.

Both of their hearts were shocked and filled with panic.

Naturally, their shock came from Jia Jing's unsparing punishment of Jia Zhen and Jia Rong.

They, having been mistresses of Rong Guo Mansion for so long, had never before seen or heard of using clan law to expel a clansman—and the one being expelled was the Jia clan patriarch, the heir of Ning Guo Fu!

Their panic stemmed from a heightened, hard-to-articulate worry for their own safety.

After all, since Jia Jing could so decisively deal with Jia Zhen, the clan patriarch, he could likewise in the future use clan rules to deal with these two women of the inner quarters.

For women like them, what they fear is often not state law, but clan rites and family rules.

The latter is for them a more direct and effective means of control, whereas state law is relatively remote for them.

Generally, unless it is a great calamity like a confiscation of property, state law does not reach a lady of the household such as them.

Thus, through Jia Jing's handling of Jia Zhen, they cannot help but think that if they themselves were to commit a fault in the future, they might suffer the same miserable fate of being struck by clan law.

Beside her, Feng Jie stared with dazed eyes and slightly parted lips at the dignified and solemn Jia Jing, her heart unable to calm.

Coming back this time, to expel the clan patriarch from the clan register seems overly stimulating, doesn't it?

Last time, when he returned after being ennobled, didn't he unite the clan and bestow favors? How has it changed this time?

Could it be that he is doing this to strike back at Ke Qing for revenge against Jia Zhen and Jia Rong? Feng Jie harbors some suspicion.

Meanwhile, Yuan Chun and Tan Chun on the hall looked at Jia Jing with astonished faces.

Although they had anticipated that, upon Jia Jing's return, the elder brother Zhen and younger brother Rong of the Dong Fu would likely not fare well, they never imagined they would be directly expelled from the clan!

They could not help but sigh inwardly, that this Third Brother's firm and decisive manner of handling affairs differs from that of the inner-quarters folk.

At most they thought Jia Jing would not intercede for them, but they did not expect this turn of events!

Lin Daiyu's autumn-water bright eyes beneath her furrowed brows flashed, clear as water, as she gazed at Jia Jing's solemn countenance.

She silently thought: Third Brother's character is firm and unyielding; on major issues of principle he has never compromised or wavered.

This disposition perhaps also aims to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys; as his status rises, the clan members benefit.

He fears that many would succumb to temptation; thus he is guarding against the slightest signs, to prevent a recurrence of the Dong Fu affair.

Meanwhile, Xue Baichai's snow‑white complexion underwent a slight change, her brows faintly knitting, her clear‑water gaze sweeping over Jia Jing's face, her heart likewise filled with inexplicable astonishment.

Jia Mu on the high couch gradually composed her suddenly changed expression, lifted the teacup beside her and took a small sip, pressing down her inner shock.

Then she turned her gaze to Jia Jing's face, weighed her words, and advised in a hoarse voice:

"Jing'er, we are all brothers of the same clan—why go to such extremes? Zhen'er and Rong'er merely acted in a moment of confusion, thus committing a mistake."

"They are the only remaining heirs of the main branch of the Dong Fu; if they are expelled from the clan, will the Dong Fu not henceforth lack anyone to tend the ancestral sacrifices?"

"It would be better to spare them this once; if they offend again, impose a heavy penalty."

Jia Zhen and Jia Rong were both raised under Jia Mu's watch; she holds some affection for them and does not wish to see them end up as lonely wandering spirits.

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's face grew solemn, the collar of his python robe glimmering with a dark sheen in the candlelight.

His gaze slowly swept over the hall's many peach‑ and plum‑like faces, his finger lightly tapping the armrest, then he spoke coldly:

"This is precisely why I just said that the old lady's raising of granddaughters is commendable, yet I did not mention her raising of sons."

"The old lady is kind‑hearted; toward the sons of the mansion she has always shown more kindness than severity, indulging and spoiling them without restraint or discipline."

"Such conduct, while it teaches by word and deed the sisters to be warm and kind toward others, has also made the sons of the household become idle, pampered rich‑boys."

"The way of raising sons outside differs from the way of raising daughters in the inner quarters."

"A son's nature must first be unyielding; especially on major issues of principle, he must firmly hold the line, allowing no wavering."

"In handling affairs, a son must take clear strength as his foremost principle."

"When it is time to stand firm, he must never yield; when it is time to be modest, he can also lower his head. He can stand firm on major issues, and tolerate others in minor matters."

"Whether in scholarly pursuits, literary works, or managing the household, these two characters must permeate everything; otherwise, weakness and indecisiveness cannot accomplish anything."

Jia Jing first lightly pointed out the problem in the old lady's upbringing, then continued in a low voice:

"Is Jia Zhen merely a momentary confusion? He has grown accustomed to throwing his weight around in the Dong Fu, lacking reverence and acting without restraint—this is why he has come to this end."

"I have not failed to send people to admonish him, urging him to speak cautiously and act prudently—does he know repentance?"

"This time he has committed a grave crime of violating law and disorder; were it not for my current imperial favor, his life would already be forfeit."

"Even if it were not for my modest merit, whether the Rong Guo Mansion would be implicated is still unknown."

"For such a great and serious crime, the old lady does not think of guarding against the slightest signs to warn posterity; instead she still wants to cast a wide net, still wants to give a second chance—this shows she cannot tell what is important."

If we were to be lenient this time toward such lawless villains, it would be irresponsible to the hundreds of law‑abiding members of my Jia Clan!

If we are lenient toward these depraved scoundrels, how then can we ever set right my family's conduct and uphold our clan's rules!

This crime has shocked the ruler and the court; if we were to let it go so lightly, then when they later commit tenfold evils, my Jia Family would be dragged into an irredeemable abyss—wouldn't that be a regret too late!

The old lady is also a person seasoned by the world, yet she uttered such foolish words; it truly leaves me somewhat disappointed!