Chapter 375

Xuanwu's expression paused slightly, he was silent for a moment, then said in a solemn voice:

"That's hard to say! But, I think with Second Lord's strict fatherly guidance and the clan's rules and family laws restraining, it shouldn't have come to this!"

"Alright! It's getting late! Since the Grand Duke's orders have been taken care of, I will not trouble you further!"

Regarding the internal affairs of the Jia Family, Xuanwu, though clear in his mind, did not wish to speak much, let alone get involved!

Jia Zheng, upon hearing this, wore a trace of melancholy, bowed his hands and said:

"Today we troubled General Lu with a trip! As for this wretched matter of my family, I will explain it to Zi Jie in detail at tomorrow's clan assembly!"

"Farewell!" Xuanwu nodded, bowing his hands as he spoke.

Then, Jia Zheng and Jia Mu together escorted Xuanwu and the other personal guards to the gate of the small courtyard.

After seeing them leave, Jia Zheng had no desire to stay longer in Rong Qing Tang; with a complex expression and mournful eyes, he staggered alone toward the main residence!

Inside Rong Qing Tang,

Jia Mu sat back on the high couch, while Aunt Xue, Yuan Yang and several others took turns consoling her, gradually bringing her out of the shock over Baoyu's matter, and her complexion recovered a few shades.

Madam Wang, attended by Li Wan, refreshed her makeup and sat on a chair beneath the hall, but her face remained very pale, her expression unable to hide grief and resentment.

Soon, Yuan Chun, Tan Chun, Baichai, Daiyu, Xiang Yun and others from the side chambers also stepped out from behind the screen.

Jia Mu, seeing them, fixed her gaze, as if recalling something, and hurriedly asked:

"Has Baoyu's vital item been found? He took it with him when he fled the grass; it must never be lost!"

Jia Mu evidently placed great importance on the spirit-communicating Baoyu; even as Baoyu was taken away to kneel at the ancestral hall, she still remembered to inquire about the whereabouts of that object.

Yuan Chun, her snow‑white skin and jade face bearing tear stains and a downcast hue, replied softly:

"Xiren, Sheyue and a few others, along with a group of young maids, are searching! I suppose it fell into some corner!"

"But the matriarch need not worry; the side chamber is such a small space, it certainly couldn't be lost!"

Jia Mu, hearing this, sighed, fell silent for a moment, then looked at the pale‑faced, sorrowful Madam Wang and consoled:

"Baoyu's mother, you need not be too sad; today, Zheng'er, in his haste, spoke harshly, but it was not intentional!"

"He has only Baoyu as his legitimate son; it's inevitable that iron may not become steel... After a few days, I will have him make amends to you; you should not hold a grudge against him!"

Jia Mu knew Madam Wang's sorrow at this moment stemmed both from Baoyu being taken to kneel at the ancestral hall and from the loss of dignity after Jia Zheng's reprimand earlier!

"Also, Yu'er and the Third Maid, they are good as well! Being the steward is not easy for the Third Maid; it's no wonder she's at fault for this situation today."

"She is usually filial and sensible, just like the Senior Maid; in her heart she hopes for Baoyu's well‑being!" Jia Mu said again.

She added a few words to Jia Zheng, Daiyu, and Tan Chun, mainly to prevent internal discord within the second branch.

Originally the main and second branches of the mansion were already at odds; now the second branch also erupts into marital discord and legitimate/concubine disputes, which gives her a great headache.

She can only try to counsel both sides as much as possible, maintaining a surface peace; the rest must wait for a later opportunity.

Of course, she did not mention Feng Jie and Jia Huan, clearly harboring real resentment toward the two.

And Madam Wang, facing Jia Mu and the assembled crowd, could only lower her brows and comply, saying:

"The matriarch is right! My husband and I, after so many years of marriage, understand his good intentions!"

"I also erred; in a moment of anger I misspoke, which provoked my husband's wrath, but I had no malice!"

Speaking, she then turned her head toward Tan Chun and Lin Daiyu, and said:

"You two should not blame me; at my age, with only Baoyu as my son, whenever his matters arise I tend to act foolishly."

Madam Wang said so, but in her eyes toward Daiyu and Tan Chun still hid an unmistakable disdain.

Now Baoyu is taken to kneel at the ancestral hall and will be dealt with by the clan tomorrow; how could she possibly let go completely!

However, after Jia Zheng's sudden, severe rebuke just now, even if she harbored emotions, it would be hard to express them.

People are like that; although forced by circumstances to bow temporarily, unrelieved resentment only deepens.

For a while, Madam Wang could not deal with Jia Jing, nor could she control Feng Jie, and she could not confront Jia Zheng, so she could only pour all her resentment onto Daiyu and Tan Chun!

Daiyu, being so sensitive, knew Madam Wang still harbored hatred toward her; her complexion froze, she pressed her lips together, and gently replied:

"Aunt, your words are harsh!"

Tan Chun glanced at Madam Wang's slightly gloomy gaze, let out a faint sigh from her heart, and whispered:

"All the myriad mistakes are the daughter's fault! Whether mother beats or scolds, the daughter bears no complaint, only hoping mother and father's anger harms their bodies!"

As a young lady, Tan Chun, without the steward authority granted by Jia Jing, would truly have nothing to say when facing her legitimate mother, Madam Wang!

Regardless of right or wrong, regardless of her inner thoughts, where filial rites lie, she can only bow and admit fault!

Beside them, Yuan Chun, hearing this, showed a fleeting change in complexion, pressed her lips, and said softly:

"Third sister governs the household impartially; what fault is there! As the saying goes, a state with a dissenting minister does not perish, a family with a dissenting son does not fail!"

"The reason Brother Jing let you be steward is because he values your public spirit and upright, decisive character; this matter is not your fault!"

"... I only hope that after this trial Baoyu can learn from his mistakes, gain wisdom, and make progress!"

Having said that, Yuan Chun paused briefly, and advised Madam Wang:

"Mother, in the future you must never indulge Baoyu excessively; such leniency brings disaster rather than blessing..."

"I have already decided; after this matter passes, let Baoyu stay at the clan academy to study literature and practice martial arts, and not return home lightly."

"So that he does not cause any trouble at home again; when he is a few years older, arrange his marriage, let him establish a family, and gradually become steady!"

Yuan Chun's words aim to seize this opportunity to finalize Baoyu's enrollment at the clan academy, preventing any future reversals!

Of course, only Yuan Chun, the legitimate eldest daughter bearing a decree and having sacrificed for the family, could utter such words.

Madam Wang, displeased by the words, cast a glance at Yuan Chun and did not reply for a moment.

If Baoyu in her household had not this incident, he would likely have been quickly betrothed to the Nian family, soaring to success right before his eyes!

Now, being punished to kneel at the ancestral hall, it is still unknown whether this will hinder his marriage prospects when the news spreads!

In fact, it's that damned Lin maid and the unfilial Third Maid; if they didn't harbor treachery in their hearts, it wouldn't be so!

Now the two put on a façade of obedience; it's simply unreasonable!