Chapter 1278

Inside the Longshou Palace,

The teasing Emperor Hongde was covering his lips, seemingly thinking of something sad.

However, his trembling shoulders had already betrayed his current mood.

After all, he had never imagined that his trusted general would be so effective. He hadn't even started dealing with the Four Kings, Eight Dukes, and Twelve Marquises yet, and Zhang Cheng had already led troops to attack the Jia family himself!

Sitting gloomily above, the Retired Emperor looked at the returning Dai Quan and immediately asked, "What is the situation?"

"Reporting to the Retired Emperor, it was just some ignorant servants who were injured. Jia Zhen is fine, he just can't move anymore."

Looking at the Retired Emperor, Dai Quan explained tremblingly.

"Can't move? Doesn't that mean he's been crippled?"

Speaking to Dai Quan, the Retired Emperor immediately became serious.

"Retired Emperor, this old servant couldn't stop him. The Earl of Zhongwu had a saber at the time, and in the end, I changed it to a staff. Who knew Jia Zhen would fall himself..."

Looking at Emperor Hongde beside him, Dai Quan's words clearly left some face for everyone.

Looking at Dai Quan, the Retired Emperor also said with a headache, "Since that's the case, Jia Zhen won't be able to inherit the title."

Tapping the dragon throne, the Retired Emperor looked at Emperor Hongde beside him and said, "Your Majesty, how do you think we should handle this matter!"

"Reporting to Father, your son doesn't know what to do either! After all, Jia Jue is young and reckless, so it's understandable that his hand was a bit heavy. But since it was so heavy that Jia Zhen ended up like this, I think he should be severely punished!"

Looking at the Retired Emperor, Emperor Hongde narrowed his eyes, because he suddenly thought of something: since Jia Zhen was finished, couldn't his title be reclaimed early?

Thinking of this, Emperor Hongde began to probe the Retired Emperor.

Hearing Emperor Hongde's words, the Retired Emperor frowned, because he thought of Jia Yan.

As an old man, even if the Retired Emperor was nostalgic, he couldn't protect the Jia family without limits, because that would only make Emperor Hongde dislike this group of people even more.

"Thinking back to the past, how heroic Jia Yan was! But now, how have his descendants become like this!"

Speaking angrily, the Retired Emperor then looked at Emperor Hongde and said, "Tell me, what if I were to move Jia Jue into the Ningguo branch?"

"Ah?"

Staring at the Retired Emperor in shock, Emperor Hongde was dumbfounded. What kind of maneuver was this? He had never seen it before!

"Since the Ningguo Mansion's facade can no longer hold up, let's find an outstanding descendant to take charge of it!"

A smile curled at the corner of his mouth; the Retired Emperor couldn't help but feel clever.

Because this way, he could resolve the matter and let the Jia family have a facade. Presumably, Jia Jue wouldn't refuse, right!

After all, a Duke's mansion with such a long inheritance had much more foundation than his Earl of Zhongwu title!

Zhang Cheng: Oh, you're kidding me? What does the Ningguo Mansion even have?

Inside the Ningguo Mansion, the imperial physician was currently treating him.

Sitting in the courtyard, many members of the Jia clan who had rushed over were looking at Zhang Cheng with fear.

Because Jia Zhen, the head of the clan, had been crippled just like that. How could they withstand the "Triple Strike of Etiquette"!

"Brother Jue, you went too far this time!"

Looking at Jia Jue, the scholarly Jia Zheng became serious.

Hearing Jia Zheng's words, Zhang Cheng immediately said, "Uncle, did I go too far? Jia Zhen, as a big brother, actually tried to snatch my beloved. I didn't beat him to death only out of respect for our ancestors!"

Watching Zhang Cheng explain this way, everyone present felt awkward.

Because what Jia Zhen did was truly despicable. Who else would you snatch? You went to snatch Jia Jue's woman—wasn't that just looking for death?

But just then, Lady Jia arrived with a group of people.

Looking at the three sisters and Wang Xifeng accompanying her, everyone present stood up to pay their respects.

Sitting in his chair, Zhang Cheng had no intention of standing up, because this time, he was the victim!

As for why he didn't kill Jia Zhen, that was naturally because Zhang Mouren was "merciful."

After all, death was the simplest release. Living in hell was what allowed one to enjoy heart-wrenching torture!

Jia Zhen couldn't just die; he had to be kept alive so he could think every day about why he had offended him! Zhang Cheng: If you don't kill the heart, why kill the person?

Hannibal:...

Looking at the somewhat timid Jia Yingchun and Xichun, Zhang Cheng smiled and said, "I've never met these sisters before; you look unfamiliar. Greetings, sisters. Brother Wei, go and give the sisters some gifts!"

"Yes, Uncle!"

Hearing Jia Jue's words, Jia Wei presented some pearls and gold beans.

Looking at this scene in surprise, Wang Xifeng couldn't help but swallow her saliva, because this Brother Jue was even wealthier than she had imagined!

"Did you come here today to see your sisters? How could you do such a thing to your own big brother!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng angrily, Lady Jia became even more furious at his indifferent expression.

Looking at Lady Jia, Zhang Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "Old Madam, have you forgotten who was in the wrong first? Besides, since Jia Zhen dared to do such a thing, he should have been prepared for me to come knocking!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng say this, Lady Jia felt a heartache of anger.

Because this was simply a lawless person!

"Old Madam, I still think we should sever ties as soon as possible. If he can beat his own kin today, won't he disregard even the nobility in the future!"

Speaking to Lady Jia, Lady Wang fanned the flames.

Because she could see that Lady Jia had no way to counter him. It would be better to take this opportunity to make a scene and sever ties in the name of the Jia family, so that her big brother could control the Jia family's connections in the military!

But how could Lady Wang know that the Jia family's ability to contact those people was due to the grace left by Jia Dashan!

But now, the Jia family's support of Wang Ziteng meant they had abandoned their military authority, and for the next generation or two, no one would be able to stand up. Since that was the case, you were all surnamed Jia; why wouldn't they choose the brave and battle-hardened Earl of Zhongwu, Jia Jue, instead of following you, a Wang family member?

"What are you, a woman, babbling about? Shut your mouth!"

Hearing Lady Wang's words, before Lady Jia could speak, Jia Zheng roared.

Because if they severed ties with Jia Jue and the twelve branches of Jin Ling found out, then from now on, the two families surnamed Jia would truly be enemies upon meeting!

"I!"

Seeming to want to say something, before Lady Wang could speak, Jia Zheng slapped her across the face and said, "Get back to the Buddha hall!"

Covering her face, Lady Wang looked at Jia Zheng in disbelief and left crying.

Looking at Lady Jia, Zhang Cheng teased, "Does the Old Madam want to sever ties? I don't mind at all!"

"What kind of joke is Brother Jue making? How could the Old Madam have such an idea! You're overthinking it!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Lady Jia was truly swallowing her broken teeth. How could Lady Wang say such a brainless thing?

One must know that although Jia Jue had crippled Jia Zhen, this was, after all, a matter within the Jia family. But if they severed ties, the Jia family would lose their last shred of dignity in the outside world.

And just as everyone was chatting together without mentioning Jia Zhen, Zhang Cheng was teasing Jia Yingchun and the others.

But just then, Xia Shouzhong walked in and said, "Earl Jia, the Emperor wants you to attend court tomorrow, and Jia She will go too!"

Suddenly hearing his name, Jia She's eyes flashed with light, and he hurriedly lowered his head, saying, "This subject understands!"

"Grand Eunuch Xia, walk slowly, walk slowly..."

Running forward, Zhang Cheng chatted with Xia Shouzhong for a long time, then widened his eyes and said, "Will this work?"

"It has to work. The Emperor has already agreed. You must stand tall!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Xia Shouzhong became serious.

And watching Xia Shouzhong leave with the gifts, Zhang Cheng rubbed his head and said, "If I had known this, why did I go to Liaodong? Couldn't I have just come here and killed Jia Zhen directly?"

(End of this chapter)