Chapter 346

In Rong Qing Tang,

Because of Jia Jing's resounding words, for a moment one could hear a pin drop; all was silent.

Everyone turned their gaze to the calm-faced Jia Jing, each with their own thoughts.

In fact,

Regarding Lady Yu and Qin Keqing not needing to observe chastity and being allowed to return to their natal families and remarry, the entire Jia Mansion only Jia Jing could speak of so openly and righteously.

Others, even Jia Mu, had to consider the clan's impact and relatives' reactions, and could not lightly broach this subject!

Only Jia Jing, this present-day first-rank duke whose fame spreads under heaven and the new legendary figure of the Jia Clan,

had the qualification and standing to utter these bold words: 'Family reputation and dignity do not lie in the number of chaste widows.'

With his current status, regarding internal family affairs, he could truly do as he pleased, deciding with a single word!

On Baichai's snow-white face, like a pear blossom, there flashed a different hue, and the ruby pendant on her earlobe swayed slightly.

Beneath her beautiful brows, her almond eyes gleamed lustrously as she gazed at the dignified, clear-eyed Jia Jing, her heart stirred somewhat.

What family dignity, what chaste reputation—Jing Lang, who stands tall and self-reliant, benevolent at heart, would never found the family's name on the tears of inner-chamber women!

What manly vigor!

What's more crucial, Jing Lang is not one who boasts empty words or has ambition without talent; he is a true man who brings honor to his gate through his own deeds and establishes achievements!

With an open heart, what more is there to say! What kind of person could utter such frank and selfless words!

And he not only says this, but also does this!

This is roughly how extraordinary people do extraordinary deeds!

And only with such extraordinary spirit and ambition could he, at a young age, attain high rank and prominence, renowned throughout the realm!

Besides, Daiyu, with her ink-black eyes beneath her smoky brows, also glowed brightly at this moment, gazing foolishly at that stern-faced youth.

She understood him extremely well!

She recalled that in her own chambers, Third Brother had once said that women too need not be unable to become generals and ministers.

She had also praised the Marquis of Loyalty and Chastity as a heroine among women, a female warrior, and greatly disdained the worldly rites that confine women to the inner chambers, forbidding them to step beyond the main or second gates.

He has always held a caring affection for his sisters, and toward women of the present age he maintains an attitude of equal concern that ordinary men lack.

Even the maidservants in his quarters, he is willing to let them read and learn characters, never bullying them.

For someone as broad-minded as him, arranging things thus for Lady Yu and Qin Keqing—what's so strange about that?

However……

If I were to stand in the shoes of Lady Yu and Qin Keqing, and if Third Brother encountered trouble, I would certainly not choose to return to my natal family and remarry, nor would I choose to observe chastity; I would only follow him.

If the one you love deeply cannot be together, then living holds no delight whatsoever!

Thinking of this, Daiyu's heart leapt; she faintly felt something amiss—how could she, in a muddled way, think of such a shocking act as following one's husband in death……

Not far from Daiyu, Yuan Chun, at this moment her fair, plump peach-like face likewise bore a hint of astonishment, her gentle, tranquil eyes unblinking as she gazed upon the youth seated high above.

Even though she knew in her heart that her cousin was by no means an ordinary person, her fluctuating sentiments still stirred somewhat.

Martial valor and literary talent are indeed rare, but it is the spirit and righteousness revealed in his words and deeds that make him all the more a hero of the age!

For a moment, perhaps due to her stirred emotions, her bright, gentle face, with a hint of baby fat, flushed slightly!

In Tan Chun's bright, charming large eyes likewise shone with vivid luster; she smiled without speaking.

Third Brother once vowed in Rong Qing Tang to make his own name; now he no longer needs to use chaste widows to gain reputation for the family.

Wealth, honor, fame, and authority—he never borrows them from others!

This is the breadth and magnanimity a remarkable hero ought to have!

On Xiang Yun's apple-cheeked face also lay a look of unaware astonishment; Third Brother's words and deeds are always thus unexpected.

Besides, the several women nearby likewise had varied expressions, their feelings complex.

Mrs. Xing's eyes flashed; she had not expected Jia Jing to be so tolerant toward Lady Yu and Qin Keqing!

Whether to observe chastity or not could actually follow their wishes, without interference, let alone compulsion!

Isn't it what outsiders all say, 'Starvation is trivial, losing chastity is grave'?

If Lady Yu and Qin Keqing, such as the mistress of the Dong Fu clan and the young mistress, could return to their natal families and remarry, then could I, the eldest lady of the Xi Fu, do the same?

Knowing that the grandfather has little time left, she will soon become a widow herself!

Mrs. Xing's face stiffened slightly; a trace of contemplation flitted across her fair countenance!

Madame Xue's countenance froze; Jia Jing's remark, 'Who knows how many women's tears of blood lie behind the two words "observing chastity"?' left her with inexplicable feeling.

She herself is a widow who observed chastity; she knows all too well the bitterness and hardship behind it!

Not speaking of personal emotional lack and loneliness, merely speaking of the various external difficulties and covetousness, they are far from few!

Take her own case: since her husband's passing, she has single-handedly raised a son and daughter to adulthood.

Over these years, she had to guard against the clan seizing the family property, and also guard against the slaves and stewards below bullying the master.

She had to maintain decorum in public while dealing with potential threats in the shadows, leading a life beset with troubles inside and out, as if walking on thin ice.

Even so, this is only because her natal family's power is strong, giving her a fairly strong protective umbrella; otherwise she would only have a harder life.

According to her knowledge, in Jiangnan widows suffer atrocities such as being 'devoured alive and stripped to extinction' and 'forced to suicide', with such tragic cases emerging endlessly, never ceasing.

Many families, seeking court benefits such as exemption from labor service and chastity memorial arches, compel widows to uphold fidelity and die for their husbands.

Court officials, seeking performance records, also turn a blind eye to this; the persecution can be described as brutal.

And someone like Jia Mu, who is willing to give a lifeline to You Shi and Qin Keqing, is already considered benevolent; as for someone like Jia Jing who can allow them to return to the clan and remarry, that is extremely rare.

Therefore, regarding Jia Jing's words and actions, she deep down fully agrees, even feeling a bit of admiration.

Jing'er's temperament may sometimes be a bit stiff, but his heart is undoubtedly very kind.

If we could marry our well-behaved daughter to such a person, then in the future our Pan'er would have such a broad-minded brother-in-law, and we would truly have nothing to worry about.

Thinking of this, Auntie Xue's gaze toward Jia Jing grew a few degrees warmer and more affectionate.

The one who, like Aunt Xue, was filled with countless emotions was Li Wan.

She, a widow of many years, though she had her son Jia Lan by her side, would wake at midnight with tears soaking her lapels.

That feeling of bitterness, loneliness, helplessness and unbearable suffering stripped away all the colors and desires of a woman, understood only by her own heart!

The words "keeping chastity" are easy to say, but when does it even start…

Feng Jie's complexion shifted, and as she looked at Jia Jing's almond eyes, a puzzled, stunned expression appeared!

The third brother is actually willing to let the Qin family return to the sect and marry elsewhere? That somewhat surprised her!

She had expected he would agree with the old lady's arrangement, placing the Qin family at Ning Guo Fu, where the proximity to water makes it easy to act!

Did not expect…

Could it be that I really misunderstood him? He has no ill intentions toward the Qin family?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

The men of Jia Mansion aren't without a cat that doesn't steal fish; they must have ulterior motives!