Chapter 372

Jia Mu listening to Jia Zheng's words was somewhat dumbfounded; she never expected Jia Zheng to know so much!

Lady Wang's complexion at this moment was somewhat gloomy; she did not know whether she was angry and confused or recalling the previous incident when Baoyu smashed the jade and Jia Huan slandered him as a domineering woman, and she spoke harshly:

"It's again Jia Huan this wicked troublemaker causing trouble! Last time it was his nonsense sowing discord between Father and Baoyu's father-son relationship."

"Now he even dares to speak ill of Baoyu in front of Father? He harbors nefarious intentions; his heart deserves death!"

"These concubine-born sons and daughters are all ungrateful white-eyed wolves; they just spread rumors and cause trouble, slandering and vilifying Baoyu..."

"Shut up, foolish woman!" Lady Wang hadn't finished speaking when Jia Zheng forcibly cut her off.

Only seeing his face dark as iron, he pointed at Lady Wang and shouted angrily:

"You just blindly blamed Tan Chun without distinguishing right from wrong, and I haven't even said anything to you, yet now you're becoming even more unreasonable!"

"Look at yourself—where is there any semblance of a mother? Where is there any dignity befitting a principal wife?"

"Unable to discern right from wrong, reversing black and white, indulging and pampering—Jia Jing's scolding of you is absolutely correct!"

"You have raised Baoyu into such a wicked troublemaker; from now on, anyone who disrupts our household will surely be you mother and son!"

"I think you should go fetch a rope; the three of us can hang ourselves together at this gate, thus avoiding future calamity for the clan and sparing our ancestors shame."

Jia Zheng's stern rebuke was undoubtedly highly impactful for Lady Wang.

Since this was not a private remark between husband and wife but a public reprimand before the entire household, it can be said that Lady Wang lost all face without exaggeration.

Especially the accusation that she "cannot discern right from wrong, reverses black and white" amounts to a fundamental denial of Lady Wang's womanly virtue and conduct.

In a world where the husband is the wife's guide, this accusation is far more serious than the earlier rebuke of Lady Wang by Jia Jing.

And the phrase "indulging and pampering" directly points to Lady Wang's "heart's knot"—Baoyu; this is not merely a disagreement over child-rearing, but directly exposes the selfish motive behind her doting.

Moreover, there's no need to mention the line "Anyone who later disrupts our household will surely be you mother and son"—that is an extremely vicious curse.

Lady Wang's vision blackened in waves as she was scolded; her kneeling form could not steady itself for a moment.

This was the first time since she married into the Jia family that Jia Zheng had so unsparingly rebuked her, and in front of so many people.

Yuan Chun hurried forward to support Lady Wang, weeping sorrowfully:

"Father, Baoyu is good-for-nothing; you may beat him, scold him—why must you also curse Mother like this!"

"Mother is nearly fifty years old, and Baoyu is her only biological son; it's natural she dotes on him, and she spoke impulsively—why insist on arguing with her!"

Tan Chun also reddened her eyes, softly advising Jia Zheng:

"Mother has always treated me and Jia Huan as her own, showing us much affection in daily life."

"Today it was merely a momentary surge of feeling; if Father blames Mother because of us, it would truly leave us daughters without face to show!"

Although Tan Chun felt a bit chilled by Lady Wang's earlier words.

but no matter what, Lady Wang is the principal mother, and she must be defended at this time!

Beside her, Daiyu, with her brows and eyes like clouds and rain, also bore a gloomy look, and she gently advised:

"Second Uncle's earnest affection, niece… I feel unworthy! But there's really no need to ruin your health over such a trifle."

Seeing that Jia Zheng and Lady Wang were about to fall into marital discord, Aunt Xue spoke up:

"Which family's child doesn't have a time of mischief? Why bother saying these heat-of-the-moment words!"

Baichai's face, as white as a pear blossom, likewise bore a hint of inexplicable sentiment, and she let out a soft sigh.

On Xiang Yun's apple-shaped face, worry could also be seen; although she is naturally frank and open-hearted,

seeing Baoyu smash the jade and stir up so much trouble, she couldn't help but feel some dissatisfaction toward her second elder brother!

Xing Xiuyan, standing to the side, watched today's dramatic ups and downs; her jade-like countenance paused slightly, her eyes flickered, and she sighed faintly in her heart.

There are plenty of struggles even in this grand household!

My paternal aunt even said she would marry me off to the Marquis of Jingguo; I don't know whether I will also have to endure such rare tranquility and peace in the future!

Jia Mu, seeing the situation develop into this state, also had tears streaming from her eyes, and she spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Zheng'er, how could it be for a single evil root and calamity that we have come to this point of marital discord and household unrest!"

Jia Zheng gave a bitter smile, his expression bleak and indignant, and said:

"A wife lacking virtue, a son unfilial! Lady Wang previously uttered complaints against Jia Jing and caused quarrels with the main branch—that would have been bad enough."

"Now she treats the children with the same unfairness and obscurity; I fear she will yet stir up unknown misfortunes in the future."

"Baoyu, too, is repeatedly uncorrected, his behavior wanton. Rather than that, it would be proper for the three of us to hang ourselves now, to cut off future troubles."

Jia Zheng at this point no longer bothered to conceal the family's disgrace, laying out openly the grievances that the main branch, the second branch, and Lady Wang harbored toward Jia Jing.

These words left the bystanders' faces filled with shock.

Who would have thought that the Second Master now not only wants to beat Baoyu, but actually intends to hang himself together with Lady Wang!

Lady Wang at this moment was utterly stunned; she didn't even shed tears, truly frightened by Jia Zheng's words and his resolute attitude.

That was no longer anger, but despair and collapse born of hopelessness.

For a moment, the side chambers fell into an eerie silence.

Just then, a maid came running from outside the side chambers, stopped, and called out loudly:

"Grandmother, Second Master, Third Miss, the Marquis has sent his personal troops over!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's eyes grew colder.

Somehow finding strength, he broke free from Yuan Chun's support, grabbed a club, and rushed straight toward Baoyu:

"It must be this wicked creature disturbing Jia Jing again, letting me today take his dog's life."

"So as to spare Jia Jing the daily burden of state affairs and the worry over such a wicked troublemaker!"

Jia Mu's face changed drastically; she hurried forward to intercept him:

"The people sent by Jia Jing haven't said anything yet—how can you already demand his life! Stop quickly..."

"Let Jia Jing come to discipline him; if he deems Baoyu worthy of death, whether he strikes or kills, I will accept it!"

Jia Mu, perceptive and clear-minded, knew that if today's affair continued to unfold like this, who knows what chaos might ensue.

Not to mention whether Jia Zheng's health is good or bad, just that Jia Zheng and Lady Wang are estranged, and the great turmoil within the second branch is already no small problem.

It would be better to let Jia Jing serve as judge; even if we give Jia Baoyu a beating, letting Jia Zheng vent his anger and settle this matter would be good.

She knows her own son's temperament; hearing what he just said, she fears that what Jia Zheng worries about most right now is that Jia Jing will take a dim view of the second branch.

After all, Baoyu and Lady Wang have both been beaten or scolded by Jia Jing, and now trouble has arisen again.

If we don't air this out openly, the grudges will only deepen; how will we get along in the future?

Of course, no matter what Jia Mu says, if Jia Jing really meant to beat Jia Baoyu to death, she would certainly not be pleased!

But she also believes that Jia Jing always governs the household with a blend of leniency and strictness; Baoyu's minor offense certainly hasn't reached the point of deserving death.

Indeed,

Jia Zheng, hearing Jia Mu's words, slowed his steps, gave Jia Baoyu—who was trembling like a sifted sieve—a glance, and then instructed softly:

"Someone! Take this wicked creature out and hand it over to Jia Jing for disposal—beat him to death, no grudges!"

Afterward, Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, and the others all left the side wing and entered Rong Qing Tang.

Lady Wang was also helped out by Li Wan, while Jia Baoyu was held by the maids and matrons and led out.

Daiyu, Baichai, and the other young ladies naturally ought not go out to meet outsiders; instead, they stood behind the screen in the side wing, gazing shyly.

Meanwhile, outside Rong Qing Tang,

In the dimming twilight, the faint clinking of armor leaves grew nearer and clearer.

Soon, fifteen soldiers in black armor with embroidered spring swords at their waists filed in, their steps uniform as one.

They emitted a dull, heavy thud, striking each person's chest in the hall.

The last sliver of sunset light slanted in from the west wall, glinting on the rows of dark sword-hilt bronze ornaments like a patch of congealed frost.

Xuanwu arrived last, standing on the threshold where light and shadow met, his expression cold and hard, his voice low and solemn, saying:

"By order of the State Duke…"