Chapter 479

Nan'an Princess Consort's voice had changed, sharp with hoarseness; being dragged out, she turned her head and shouted hoarsely.

But those servant women were extremely quick; in a few steps they had her by the door threshold, and with a lift of the curtain, both person and voice vanished outside.

Only that hoarse scolding echoed in the corridor for a few moments, fading away until it could no longer be heard.

The Dongping Heir Apparent's Consort had already been terrified by this shocking scene, her face drained of color, her limbs ice-cold.

Without waiting for the servant women to approach, she herself staggered back two steps, her lips trembling as she tried to speak, but could not utter a word.

One servant woman shoved her roughly, and she stumbled out like a puppet.

After Zhu Que also led people out of the hall, Rong Qing Tang fell into an eerie silence!

At this moment, Jia Mu, seated high on the couch, withdrew her gaze from the curtain, her heart filled with mixed feelings for a moment!

How could a consort of higher rank than herself be so utterly lacking in dignity, ordered by her third grandson to be 'dragged out'?

It seems such a shocking thing has never happened in the current dynasty!

At the same time, for some unknown reason, the resentment Jia Mu harbored from being constantly scolded by Jia Jing seemed to dissipate like smoke!

As for Lady Wang, she looked expressionlessly at the youth in a python robe in the hall, her heart momentarily at a loss, frightened, and at a loss!

How arrogant! She doesn't even regard the princess consort!

Besides her fear, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if her own Baoyu wore this python robe—would he be even more stalwart and imposing?

Yuan Chun's round, jade-like face showed admiration; her younger brother Jing was forever so steadfast and upright, unyielding, both at home and abroad.

Feng Jie stared at the handsome, icy youth below, her phoenix eyes full of envy; she wished to take his place, to show her prowess before others, murmuring under her breath imitating the three words 'dragged out'.

Lady Zhen furrowed her willow-leaf brows, pursed her lips, her face grew grave; after this, she feared disturbances would arise again in Shenjing!

And Jia Jing simply sat down again, silent, sipping his tea calmly, considering the possible chain reactions this matter might provoke!

The pressure that needed to be applied has been applied; now we just need to wait to reap the results!

After a long while, the tranquility inside the hall was broken by Jia Mu; her face showed a touch of solemnity as she spoke softly:

"Jing Ge'er, handling things this way, won't there be any trouble? The mansions of the Nan'an and Dongping princes are no ordinary families."

"The Prince of Nan'an has operated in the southeast for decades, his old troops spread throughout the military; back then he campaigned against Annan and faced sea pirates, producing countless officers."

"It is said that, among the officers of the coastal guard posts in the southeast, four or five out of ten were promoted by him personally."

"Although the Prince of Dongping is on his deathbed, his son Chen Ge'er has held power in the Five Military Governor's Office for years; their influence lies mainly in the southwest, and it is said their former students and acquaintances spread across Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Guizhou."

"Today you have stripped them of their offices; once the news reaches the southeast and southwest, I fear there will be no peace."

"Moreover, the Nan'an Princess Consort we just dealt with—her maiden name is Sun, and she is related to the Grand Empress Dowager; over the years she has frequently entered the palace to pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager."

"She is a person of standing in the palace; having suffered such humiliation in our mansion today, she will surely not let it rest when she returns."

"If then the Grand Empress Dowager puts in a word before His Majesty, your affair as the overseer of military affairs will likely become difficult."

"Do you have all this in mind?"

Although Jia Mu knew her third grandson was no pushover, she still feared his youth and impulsiveness, and wanted to give him a warning!

Princess Consort of Bei Jing Lady Zhen set down her teacup, her expression grew more solemn, and she spoke softly:

Old madam's words of wisdom! Listening to our lord, the Prince of Nan'an, this person appears steady and magnanimous on the surface, but actually repays grudges; back then in the southeast he was notorious for "following prosperity, opposing extinction", and his conduct was brutal and tyrannical!

After the Jing State Duke dismissed his office this time, this resentment—he will never swallow it easily.

And there's the Eastern Plain Heir Mu Chen, with a fair, clean face, always wearing a three-part smile, yet the number of officials and officers he has toppled over the years is more than can be counted on ten fingers.

The Jing State Duke today has dealt with both of them together, and even ordered them to report and return the garrison fields within three days; they surely won't give up easily!

These words contain not only a warning, but also a hint of probing.

She knows Jia Jing is not a reckless person; since he acted this way today, he must have done it intentionally!

Jia Jing gave a slight nod, his expression still as calm as water; he only lifted his eyes to glance at Jia Mu and Zhen Shi, then spoke in a low voice:

"The Nan'an Prince's mansion and the Eastern Plain Prince's mansion have been operating in the military for many years, their followers and old acquaintances spread throughout the southeast and southwest; I am fully aware of these matters."

Immediately, he lifted his teacup, using the lid to gently stir the foam; Jia Jing's tone suddenly grew a bit heavier, carrying the sternness of one long experienced on the battlefield, and he said:

"But having connections and power is not a reason for them to oppose the state's grand plans. Even a prince who breaks the law is punished like a commoner, let alone a mansion."

"Today is merely a small warning to them; if they still do not repent, when the imperial might descends, no matter how great their power or how vast their background, they will be reduced to powder!"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Shi and the others changed expression, a cold sweat broke out on their backs, and their hearts trembled with fear!

Reduced to powder!

Such a firm and clear attitude, and an unshakable bottom line…

Jia Jing lifted his gaze to take in the various faces in the hall, as lovely as peach and plum blossoms, then turned his head to stare at the plaque of Rong Qing Tang; after a moment, his voice sounded somewhat ethereal, and he spoke slowly:

"Speaking of it is also sigh-inducing; the first-generation Prince of Nan'an and Prince of Eastern Plain were what kind of heroic figures."

"When they followed Grand Ancestor Father to conquer the realm, they risked their heads, fought bloody battles, faced death nine times out of ten; what was it for? To let the people have food to eat, and the world be at peace."

"The histories record their merits, the ancestral temple enshrines their spirit tablets; that is truly sharing the nation's weal and woe, leaving fame for a hundred generations."

"But now, passed down to their descendants, they wear fine clothes and ride angry horses, enjoy brocade and jade-like food; the heroic blood of yesteryear has long turned into worms that cling to military households and suck their blood."

"When Grand Ancestor Father conquered the realm, he killed corrupt officials and tyrannical gentry; now the descendants of those people have themselves become the new tyrants, the new pests."

"They occupy the state's fields, drink the soldiers' blood, and yet dare to openly come knocking for what they call 'decorum'—isn't that the ultimate irony?"

He paused, with a hint of sigh, then murmured:

"……Where is the victory of the northern expedition now? The road is full of pests, the sight is all decay; if in the future he fulfills his ambition to serve the nation, only by sweeping away corruption can he relieve his resentment!"

This final sentence, Jia Jing adapted it slightly, also laying groundwork for the possible reputation of wanton slaughter of meritorious officials that he and Jing Sheng Di might later incur!

To show that after dealing with these meritorious officials of the Nan'an Prince, it is absolutely not for personal gain, but rather open and aboveboard, with good intentions, for the state and the people!

As these words were spoken, a sudden gust of cold wind arose outside, blowing the door curtains, causing everyone in the hall to involuntarily change expression!

Nian Shilan stared blankly at that youth who worried for the country and the people; her jade-like, snow-white visage involuntarily showed reverence and a dazed look!

Zhen Shi's jade-like visage paused slightly, she lifted her lovely face, gazing intently; in her tranquil brows and eyes, a similar strange hue appeared.

This Jing State Duke, what noble bearing and ambition! He truly lives up to being… a remarkable figure renowned under heaven!