Chapter 7

Indeed,

Jia Mu, seated high above, her expression darkened, and she shouted in a cold voice: "How come? Haven't you caused enough trouble? Do you insist on stirring up a storm across the city, ruining the Jia family's reputation before you'll stop?"

"What a state! As a father, you have no fatherly demeanor; as a son, you have no sonly demeanor!"

"You people can't bear to see me live a single day in peace; you insist on angering me to death, don't you?"

Jia Mu's words instantly frightened everyone in the hall, who trembled and knelt to beg forgiveness.

Jia Mu's authority in the Rong Guo Mansion far surpasses that of Jia She.

She is not only the daughter of the Marquis of Baoling, but also of noble birth.

Furthermore, she is the primary consort of the Duke of Rong Guo, holding a first-rank imperial decree, and can directly meet the empress and empress dowager.

Not only does she wield great power, but her seniority is also high.

It can be said that when she truly gets angry, even Jia She cannot withstand it.

"Jing'er, I have already understood the matter; your father's judgment was unfair. If you don't want to listen, that's fine, but will you heed my words?"

Jia Mu's expression turned grim; she paid no further attention to Jia She and the others kneeling on the ground, and only turned to Jia Jing, asking in a low voice.

Today this grandson has also opened her eyes.

He is strong-willed, appears to have some martial skill, and bears a resemblance to the former Duke of Rong Guo.

Originally I had thought to let Jia She temper his character, perhaps later cultivate him to become an aide for Baoyu.

But who would have thought that Jia She, his father, could no longer rein him in,

He is arrogant and overbearing, disrespectful to his elders, and even struck Lai Da in her presence!

You should know that the Lai family are servants brought as part of her dowry; they are her people!

What's the difference between this and striking Wang Shanbao's family in front of Madame Xing? It hurts her old face as well!

So, she no longer feels the previous fondness for Jia Jing; she only wants to send him far away, not wanting him to disturb her peaceful days.

"Grandmother is most reasonable and fair in her actions; Jing will naturally listen."

Jia Jing clasped his hands, speaking with a bit of leeway.

"Very well! I will have this matter investigated; if true, I will have the entire Wang Shanbao family's legs broken and then sold off, showing no leniency."

Jia Mu originally did not like Madame Xing, this greedy and short-sighted eldest daughter-in-law,

and since this matter was caused by her maid, she naturally punished her severely, venting the anger in her heart.

For selling off the servants of these great families, it is absolutely the harshest punishment, making them suffer more than if they were simply beaten to death.

Upon hearing this, the Wang Shanbao family rolled their eyes and fainted outright.

"Grandmother, this…"

Madame Xing wanted to speak, but Jia Mu merely gave her a dark, stern glare, causing the words on her lips to be swallowed back.

"As for you, Jing'er, although you are in the right, having struck people twice, being arrogant and overbearing, eager to fight, what sort of appearance is that?"

"You are no longer young; since you constantly invoke your ancestors and elders, I will also give you an opportunity."

"I will have your uncle recommend you to serve under Niu Boye in Liaodong; originally our Jia family followed the Grand Ancestor from the Liaodong battlefield."

"Nowadays, the Liaodong barbarians' might grows day by day, and the court has repeatedly urged our martial families to aid the nation in crisis, to set an example by sending our young men to the front lines to serve."

"Your father is useless; he stayed less than three months on the Liaodong battlefield before finding the hardship intolerable and fleeing back to the capital, which nearly cost the former Duke of Rong Guo his title."

"Later, the imperial court, mindful of our Jia family's generations of merit, reluctantly granted him the hereditary title of First-Rank Divine Warrior General."

"But this is merely an empty title in name only, without military command, no personal troops, no fief, not even a halberd can be erected before the gate—what kind of merit sharing the nation's weal and woe is that?"

When Jia Mu said this, she truly felt indignant, and her voice unusually carried a hint of sternness.

Think back to when the former Duke of Rong Guo was alive; the Rong Guo Mansion was extraordinarily splendid.

All who came and went were nobles and officials; even during festivals at court, the rewards were unceasing.

Now, without saying it has become a laughingstock of Shenjing, since Jia She inherited the title, the heads of the founding lineage's Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises rarely come calling.

During festivals, they merely have the steward send a gift; even the lady of the house seldom comes to pay a visit.

Thus, combined with Jia She's inability to rise above his mediocrity, his indulgence in pleasure after inheriting the title, and Jia Mu's advancing age, she ends up in the rear courtyard playing with her grandchildren, entertaining herself.

Facing Jia Mu's reprimand, Jia She at the side merely spat and went on his way, utterly unconcerned.

How barbaric those barbarians are!

If he hadn't been quick to run back then, the grass on his grave would now be several meters high!

Jia Mu looked at Jia She with the frustration of wishing iron could become steel, then continued:

"Now that you have some spirit, I see you ought to have a bit of martial skill; go to the battlefield to gain experience!"

"Back when the duke was alive, he often said that we should send all the young men of the family to the battlefield for a few years of training; whether they turn out heroes or clods, the battlefield will show the difference!"

"Now the young men of the family—Huan'er, Cong'er, and Lan'er—are still small; although Baoyu looks sturdy, his physique is weak, whereas you are suitable in age and ability!"

"Our Jia family still has some standing in the military; recommending you as a junior military officer of the eighth rank is no problem!"

"What do you think? I don't ask you to kill enemies and earn merit on the battlefield, but if you can stay for a few years without deserting, that would be a fine example of walking the talk!"

"Even if you could truly bring honor to the clan, afterwards having you decide the family's affairs would not be out of the question."

"If you fail, then understand that knowing is easy but acting is hard; thereafter, don't come before me, this old woman, spouting grandiose empty talk!"