Chapter 400

In the inner hall,

Hearing Jia Jing order Lady Wang to copy the 'Female Four Books', Jia Mu's expression stalled, she opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know what to say.

After a moment, she let out a long sigh, a hint of reluctance on her aged face, and pleaded:

"Jing'er, Baoyu's mother is still ill; she really can't take this kind of stimulation."

"If you won't do it for my old face, then do it for the sake of your elder sister and Third Sister—let her off this once!"

Although being punished to copy books isn't really a hardship, it still damages one's dignity.

Jia Mu said while using her gaze to signal Yuan Chun and Tan Chun sitting beside her, hoping they would help say a few kind words!

"These two girls are usually quite eloquent when speaking to me—why have they suddenly fallen silent today?"

"Now that your mothers have both been punished, don't you feel even a little moved? Why don't you speak up and plead for them?"

Tan Chun, off to the side, was lost in thought, pretending not to see Jia Mu's gaze.

"In a sense, Third Brother's stance is him speaking up for me; if I were to plead now, wouldn't that show I'm utterly clueless about what's good for me?"

Moreover, compared to trying to curry favor in front of the old lady and the matriarch, she cares more about Third Brother's opinion of her!

Because she knows full well that everything she has now comes from the young man before her, and only Third Brother truly treats her younger sister with sincerity!

Otherwise, as a concubine-born daughter, she wouldn't even know her situation in the mansion now, let alone have the qualifications to sit here discussing family matters!

So, at the critical moment, she knows clearly which side to take!

And Yuan Chun pressed her cherry lips, her lotus-like face as beautiful as rosy clouds and moonlight, pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke:

"Jia Jing! By rights, rewarding or punishing our mother is not something we daughters should meddle in!"

"Besides, she is now ill in bed; allowing her to recuperate before punishment would also be a filial act from me and my third younger sister!"

Yuan Chun's remarks were quite tactful; she didn't say whether punishment was warranted, nor did she ask Jia Jing to spare her out of respect for her.

She simply asked, out of filial piety, that Jia Jing first allow Lady Wang to recuperate.

This way, it neither violates family law nor goes against human sentiment!

Unlike Jia Mu, who constantly throws around 'for my old face' or 'for my thin face' as excuses.

Do they really think they're an old Beijing local, able to get by on connections for everything?

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression eased slightly; he turned his gaze to Yuan Chun, pondered for a moment, then said:

"Managing a household is like managing an army; under family law and clan rules, no one can be an exception."

"But the household should also be bound by affection; what the elder sister said conforms to heaven's principle and human feelings, and it doesn't spoil my intention of a minor punishment to prevent a major one. I can allow Lady Wang to rest for half a month before the copying punishment!"

Although Jia Jing agreed to Yuan Chun's plea, he only granted a half-month reprieve.

"Thank you for your leniency, Jia Jing!" Yuan Chun's eyes glistened; she rose and gave Jia Jing a salute.

As for Jia Jing making their mother copy texts, Yuan Chun actually felt somewhat… in agreement!

It must be said, even as her own biological daughter, she found her mother's recent words and deeds repeatedly improper, and could hardly bear to watch!

There's no need to mention Jia Baoyu's case—he is completely overindulged without limit, with no bottom line; yesterday he even tried to stop him from going to school!

The things he previously said to his third younger sister also utterly violated the propriety of a principal mother; they can be called unreasonable!

Moreover, there was his previous rash talk before the angel—so unrestrained in speech, lacking any reverence—that could easily bring great disaster upon the household!

So making him copy texts is actually quite good; after all, it's not too heavy a punishment, and it can temper his mind and cultivate his… virtue!

Furthermore,

Yuan Chun also understood that Jia Jing's move might be intended to back up Tan Chun, so that her household management wouldn't be hampered later; this is upholding the authority of the household manager's daughter!

A household of thousands, yet only one person in charge. The more prestigious the family, the less it can afford multiple orders—this is none other than Jia Jing's way of managing a household!

Meanwhile, Jia Mu stood aside, watching Yuan Chun and Jia Jing settle the punishment for Lady Wang in just a few words; her expression froze, her mind filling with question marks.

How is this to be said?

Is this what you mean by pleading for mercy?

What's the difference between imposing the copying punishment now and imposing it after half a month?

With this half-month delay, I fear it will only make Lady Wang's heart more tormented and unbearable!

However, although Jia Mu felt somewhat reluctant in her heart, she did not intercede for Lady Wang again.

After all, Jia Baoyu is more important; for now she can only let his mother suffer a bit of… injustice!

Jia Mu opened and closed her lips, weighed her thoughts, then spoke again in a hoarse voice:

"Jia Jing, now that you've also punished Jia Baoyu's mother, do you think Jia Baoyu's matter might then be…?"

"Having punished Jia Baoyu's mother, does that mean we no longer need to punish Jia Baoyu?"

Jia Jing looked toward Jia Mu, his face involuntarily sinking again, and he said coldly:

"Punishing Jia Baoyu and punishing Lady Wang are two different matters! Jia Baoyu's offense has just been made quite clear!"

"Last time, out of respect for the granny, I only gave him ten strokes and already spared him once."

"This time, knowing full well he persists in his errors despite repeated teaching, his guilt is increased by one degree; I will strike him thirty strokes later, and after his wounds heal, send him to the clan school under strict supervision, allowing him to return to the mansion only once every half year."

"Furthermore, I will inform the Second Elder Lord that henceforth, when outside guests visit, no arrangements are to be made for Jia Baoyu to accompany them; nor is he to be brought to banquets at the mansions of dukes, marquises, and senior relatives."

"All of his previous treatment as the heir apparent will be cancelled; from now on, the second branch will focus on nurturing Lan-ge'er!"

"Now the punishment for Jia Baoyu has become severe: not only will he receive thirty strokes and be confined to the clan school, but his status as heir apparent will also be revoked."

"Especially the last point, which is tantamount to directly knocking Jia Baoyu down from the phoenix egg of the Jia Mansion to an ordinary offspring, letting him vanish completely from the Jia Mansion's social circle."

Upon hearing this, Jia Mu's face instantly turned as pale as paper, her limbs gradually growing cold, and she exclaimed anxiously:

"Jia Jing! This is too much, isn't it? Jia Baoyu is still a child; he truly knows his mistake! You can't punish him so harshly!"

Jia Mu never expected to hear such a severe punishment plan from Jia Jing's mouth!

She herself had personally come to plead for mercy; what more could be done?

Striking him thirty strokes—wouldn't that be beating Jia Baoyu to death!

Not to mention they still want to cancel Bao Yu's legitimate‑son privileges—how could that be!

Once he loses the legitimate‑son status, Bao Yu will have no dignity left in the household or the clan!

Even if I, the old ancestor, dote on and protect him as much as possible, at most I can only guarantee he won't be looked down upon inside the inner residence!

But what about outside?

Without the identity and privileges of a legitimate son, how can he visit relatives, make friends, or claim kinship?

He can't spend his whole life just lurking in the inner residence, can he?

The ramifications here are simply too great!

Jia Jing said calmly:

"My mind is made up; the old lady need not say more. If a change is desired, let Bao Yu show everyone what he can do himself!"

Jia Mu was stunned, and her heart truly went half cold!