Chapter 311

In Rong Qing Tang,

Jia Jing sat upright in the chair, the lower hem of his python robe hanging down, casting a shadow in the candlelight.

The candlelight burned faintly, casting light on his dark and indistinct face.

Meanwhile, Jia Mu stared at Jia Jing with eyes wide in disbelief.

She never imagined that her offhand complaint would actually elicit this wicked grandson's response to reform the clan.

Jia Mu's aged face was covered with clouds of worry, and endless anxiety welled up in her heart!

One must know that reforming the clan is different from previously reforming the Rong Guo Mansion.

Although reforming the Rong Guo Mansion also punished many like the Lai family and Wu Xindeng, causing quite a commotion.

But those people, no matter what they say, are merely servants of the Jia mansion; punishing them would not cause any major negative impact or discussion.

But reforming the clan means taking action against other branches of the same clan; it's not a matter of life and death where one can do as one pleases!

Even though the Rong Guo Mansion is the core of the Jia clan and Jia Jing holds high authority, if done poorly it would easily stir up unrest among clan members and invite infamy!

Even as the elderly matriarch of both mansions, she usually shows concern for the clan members of Ningrong Street, rarely interferes in other branches' affairs, let alone undertakes reform!

It is proper for clan members to love and help each other; how could there be mutual slaughter?

Even if clan members have faults, they should be covered up and advised gently; how could one lightly resort to punitive reform?

Thinking of this, Jia Mu felt a faint headache.

Sure enough, she wasn't mistaken; as long as this wicked grandson returns, her peaceful days are gone for good.

After a moment of silence, Jia Mu gazed vacantly at the dim courtyard beyond the curtain, as if foreseeing a grim fate for some.

After long contemplation, she let out a long sigh and could not help but advise:

"The difficulties of clan relations have always been a great hardship under heaven!"

"Even when the former Duke of Rong Guo was alive, he never interfered in the affairs of other branches of the clan!"

"Among the hundreds of clan members, good and bad are inevitable; even if there are lawbreakers, state laws already bind them."

"Our household and the other branches have long been separated; moreover, with your current prominence, even if they commit minor offenses, they cannot affect us at all—why undertake this thankless task?"

"Speaking of the clan, most are your elders; seeing each other only when lowering or raising heads, doing this will only invite resentment."

Jia Mu appealed to Jia Jing with emotion and reason, hoping to persuade him to abandon the idea of reform.

The main reason is that there's no need to play the villain; even if there are a few lawless individuals among the clan,

but the Rong Guo Mansion and the other branches in Shenjing have long been separated; even if they get into trouble, it won't involve our household—why meddle in others' affairs!

According to Da Han law,

unless it is one of the grave sins of rebellion, treason, or gross impropriety among the Ten Abominations, which would implicate the clan; minor offenses never implicate kin.

Jia Mu does not believe that anyone in the clan besides Jia Jing could commit such heinous crimes!

So,

If it's merely a minor offense, the court doesn't bother; why should we take the initiative to punish them? That's not stirring up trouble for nothing, but exposing clan shame!

Faced with Jia Mu's complex expression saying, "Wicked grandson, hold back," Jia Jing furrowed his brows and spoke coldly:

"Granny, you're muddle‑headed!"

"In the clan, we share weal and woe; we are of the same breath and branch—how could we remain unscathed when kin suffer?"

"Need I say more? Isn't the recent affair with Jia Zhen a clear example?"

"He was arrested and jailed; aren't you at home worrying all day, pulling strings everywhere to save him?"

"If other clan members encounter trouble in the future and come to you for help, can you really stay out of it?"

"If we let minor faults slide now, we will only indulge this corrupt trend, breeding greater disaster later—surely we'll regret it too late!"

"Even if their misdeeds don't implicate us, isn't it still the Jia clan's reputation that suffers outside?"

"Outsiders won't comment on how they are; they'll only say that the Rong Guo and Jing Guo mansions have corrupt clan customs, filled with lawbreakers!"

"He who does not plan for ten thousand generations is not fit to plan for a moment; he who does not consider the whole situation is not fit to plan for a region."

"Granny, when considering problems you must not fixate only on the immediate patch of land, nor be shortsighted."

"Your vision must be far‑reaching, your mind hold a grand perspective. Our ancestors built this century‑long foundation through hardship; we descendants must seek eternal prosperity for the clan."

"So it's not that I enjoy reforming or meddling in other branches; I do it out of necessity for the clan's long‑term survival."

"The ancients said: 'Fortune and misfortune have no gate; they are self‑invoked.' As the pillar of the Jia family today, I must resolve to establish a pure and strict clan custom!"

"Granny, do you understand what I'm saying?"

Upon hearing Jia Jing's words, everyone in the hall showed varied expressions!

Yuan Chun, Yingchun, and Xing Xiuyan, etc., had their countenances slightly stunned, gazing blankly at the solemn and dignified Jia Jing, their hearts repeatedly echoing:

He who does not plan for ten thousand generations is not fit to plan for a moment; he who does not consider the whole situation is not fit to plan for a region.

This saying is truly excellent—it possesses far‑sighted vision in time and a grand perspective in space.

From this single sentence one can see Third Brother's breadth of mind and ambition.

Based on lofty foresight and wisdom, with penetrating and profound insight, a broad and open heart—what grandeur, what bearing!

Compared to that, the grandmother's considerations indeed appear shallow and selfish!

Tan Chun was even somewhat dazzled and enamored, believing Jia Jing truly worthy of a remarkable hero; her bright eyes filled with admiration, she spoke:

"He who does not plan for ten thousand generations is not fit to plan for a moment; he who does not consider the whole situation is not fit to plan for a region—Third Brother, your words are profound."

"Unless one possesses the talent to govern heaven and earth and understands worldly affairs, one could never utter such far‑reaching insight!"

Tan Chun did not comment on whether the clan should be reformed, for it is not proper for a young lady to meddle.

But her fervent praise of Jia Jing undoubtedly reveals her supportive stance.

Xiang Yun, too, was moved, her apple‑cheeked face showing emotion as she lightly laughed and praised:

"These words are indeed insightful; ordinary people who consider a few years ahead are wise, but Third Brother looks to ten thousand generations—what a broad and open mind!"

Xiang Yun enjoys Jia Mu's favor, and with her straightforward nature, she also doesn't worry about saying the wrong thing and being blamed by the old lady.

On Baichai's plump, fair face hung a hint of smile, and her dewy, lustrous apricot eyes glistened with flowing autumn waves.

She glanced at Daiyu not far away and spoke softly:

"These words show a lofty spirit that transcends personal gain and loss; it's clear that Third Brother is certainly not the sort who worries about gains and losses, nitpicking, but has a broad vision."

The words were spoken in an extremely low voice, so low that only a few people nearby could hear them.

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's expression tightened, her furrowed brows slightly knitted, she glanced toward Baichai as if uncertain, and felt a sense of being offended in her heart.