Chapter 476: Do You Not Know What Womanly Virtue Is?

Rong Qing Tang,

Nan An Tai Fei saw Jia Mu's strange expression as if fearing they would flee, her expression stiffened,

She had also heard rumors of Jia Jing's cold face and heart, strong temperament, and difficulty in dealing with, but having been a princess consort and dowager princess for over fifty years, even the empress had to give her some face, what grand scene had she not seen?

She did not believe Jia Jing would dare not show her three parts of respect!

After all, Jia Zi Jie is merely a duke's title, while our Nan An Wang Fu is a hereditary princely mansion, something Jia Zi Jie may never be able to reach in his lifetime,

Even saying something unpleasant, if the horse's stirrup breaks, his life could be lost at any moment!

For a moment, everyone in the hall had varied expressions, no one spoke, instead falling into an inexplicable silence,

Soon, a maid outside reported:

"Grandmother, the Duke has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, those inside the hall with varied expressions could not help but raise their heads and look toward the curtain,

Only to see the curtain lifted by a maid, revealing a youth with a calm expression, tall and slender, wearing a python robe with a sword at his waist, guided by mandarin ducks, slowly walking into the hall!

"Jing'er, have you just returned from the magistrate's office?" Jia Mu called out first, her voice sounding much more affectionate than usual,

Jia Jing rarely bowed to Jia Mu, his expression showing neither joy nor anger, he said in a deep voice:

"I have just rushed back from the magistrate's office to wish you longevity, may you enjoy boundless fortune and long life, may pine and cypress remain evergreen!"

Jia Mu hurriedly echoed with a hoarse laugh:

"Good, good, good!"

This was probably the first time in years she had heard kind words from Jia Jing's mouth, and she instantly felt both honored and startled,

At this moment, Nan An Tai Fei glanced at the youth, smiling falsely and said:

"This must be Jing'er? Indeed, a remarkable talent, imposing and profound!"

Meanwhile, Bei Jing Wang Fei, Niu Shi, Li Shi, Nian Shi Lan, and others seeing Jia Jing for the first time also stared fixedly at this legendary figure famed throughout the world!

Bei Jing Wang Fei Zhen Shi's beautiful face unconsciously revealed a hint of astonishment!

She had once seen Jia Jing from afar at the Lugou Bridge, but at that distance she only saw a blurry tall figure, his features not clearly visible,

Now, focusing her gaze, she saw Jia Jing tall and broad-shouldered, waist straight, face like a knife-cut axe-carved, sword eyebrows reaching the temples, nose bridge high and prominent like a peak, thin lips slightly pursed, jawline sharply defined,

A pair of black eyes deep as a pool, wherever his gaze fell, cold as frost, tranquil as the sea, imposing without anger,

Especially his python robe with a dark red base and crossed collar enhanced his imposing demeanor, his gestures bearing the decisive ruthlessness of a battlefield veteran, yet also hinting at unfathomable intent,

Handsome with a wild air, upon closer inspection he seemed even superior to her own prince!

Zhen Shi could not help but sigh inwardly,

How biased heaven is!

To grant him unparalleled martial strategy, and also such outstanding appearance!

Nian Shi Lan's plump, beautiful oval face lifted slightly, her lustrous, water-like eyes gazing,

Her eyes lingered on the youth's stern, composed face, unable to look away, somehow feeling she could never see enough!

This is the very person my second brother often writes about, wishing to arrange a marriage with me?

Perhaps……there is nothing wrong with that!

Suddenly, this talented and virtuous maiden, realizing the occasion was improper, hastily lowered her gaze, fearing others would notice her oddness!

In fact, at this moment, whether it be the hairpin wearers or the Four Springs, Feng Wan, Ke Qing, or even Xiang Yun, they were all watching—who would pay attention to Nian Shi Lan?

Feng Jie's face flushed, her eyes held a hint of anticipation; she best understood Jia Jing's temperament, and now awaited to see him give Nan An Tai Fei a taste of his might!

After Jia Jing took his seat with a calm expression, Jia Mu pointed to the crowd and introduced him:

"Jing'er, this is Bei Jing Wang Fei, this is Nan An Tai Fei, this is Dong Ping Shi Zi Fei, this is Zhong Jing Hou Fu Ren, this is Nian Shi Lang Fu Ren..."

Jia Jing nodded to each in turn; besides Nan An Tai Fei, Bei Jing Wang Fei and the others rose and performed a bow!

After the greetings, Jia Mu's expression stiffened as she continued:

"Bei Jing Wang Fei and the others have come to wish me longevity! Nan An Tai Fei and Dong Ping Shi Zi Fei came not only to wish me longevity, but also to seek you regarding some matter!"

Upon Jia Mu mentioning her, Nan An Tai Fei responded:

"Jing'er, I came today first to wish your grandmother longevity, secondly to put forth this old face and ask on behalf of several old acquaintances in the capital for a word."

"Yesterday your Ministry of Military Affairs issued several military orders demanding the clearing of certain garrison fields, with a deadline for return, overdue leading to confiscation of property and loss of title—this sweeping measure has thrown the founding meritorious officials of the capital into panic."

"Having lived to this age, in the past the late Old Duke often visited, our two families have shared over a hundred years of friendship; today I simply ask: regarding this garrison field clearance, can there be some leniency?"

"You handle affairs efficiently, everyone knows, but some families have fields passed down for generations—who can clearly tell whether they are garrison fields or ancestral property?"

"If you press too hard, those who know will say you are impartial and strict; those who do not will claim the Jia family has risen and will use us old acquaintances as sacrificial offerings to the flag!"

Dong Ping Shi Zi Fei also followed suit:

"Not bad! The martial officers of the Guard Post are fine enough; our founding martial lineage's over-a-century-old camaraderie is different—some courtesy should be shown!"

This is essentially negotiating terms or probing Jia Jing's attitude and bottom line!

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression remained bland; he had already learned from the mandarin ducks about the earlier events in Rong Qing Tang and guessed the intentions of Nan An Tai Fei and Dong Ping Shi Zi Fei.

Nan An Wang's side secretly plotted to burn the garrison field registers, submit memorials, and spread rumors, while this side sent inner relatives to probe and apply pressure—nothing more than lacking the resolve to fight to the death, wanting to carve meat with a dull knife!

It seems we must press harder!

Thinking thus, Jia Jing lowered his eyelids and slowly spoke:

"Do you not know that reopening garrison fields is clearly stated in His Majesty's edict yesterday? Do you not know that training the army is a major state plan? To speak of leniency and courtesy in this way—is it contempt for the sovereign or a desire to oppose the court?"

Having said that, not giving them a chance to rebut, his voice grew colder, he shouted:

"Today, out of respect for my grandmother's birthday banquet, I will not further engage with your ignorant and absurd remarks; I hope you will reflect and restrain yourselves."

"Even the empress in the palace does not meddle in state affairs—what status do you hold, do you not know what womanly virtue is?"

Having just been given two hats by Jia Jing and preparing to argue with him, Nan An Tai Fei heard his stern shout, as if her throat were suddenly gripped, her aged face flushed red!

She could scarcely believe what she had heard!

Ignorant and foolish?

Does not know what womanly virtue is?

Is this talking to oneself?

Since she became the Grand Princess Consort of Prince Nan'an's manor, over ten years have passed; the utmost concern has always been maintaining decorum. Even when she has disagreements with others, it's usually just exchanging veiled barbs—never has she been openly rebuked to her face like this!

This brat is so arrogant!