Walking out of Yangxin Palace Hall, the Jia Lian rode Ben Xiao back to the mansion.
Jia Min.
He hadn't heard this name in a long time.
The Jia Lian sighed.
Eight years ago, Grandmother Chang married Jia Xie's cousin, Zhang Yining.
Madam Zhang Junior had a gentle temperament and a bright appearance.
Within a year of marriage, she gave birth to the smart and quick-witted fourth generation eldest son of Rongguo Province, Jia Hu. Even the Jia Daishan respected her. The Shi Clan didn't object to Grandmother Chang Clan's decision to let Little Chang Clan manage the household.
However, just because the Jia Daishan didn't object didn't mean that the Shi Clan didn't object.
Not only did she object, but she also had a lot of objections!
When she heard that Grandmother Chang Clan wanted her to hand over all the keys and account books to Little Chang Clan, the Shi Clan was so angry that she tore up the handkerchief Jia Min had just embroidered for her.
She almost wanted to accuse Grandmother Chang Clan of favoritism.
Fortunately, Mama Lai, who was accompanying her to the room, was still rational. She pulled Grandmother Shi Clan aside and analyzed the situation with her.
Grandmother Chang Clan had the highest status in Rongguo Province. Master Jia Daishan was filial, and Little Chang Clan was the number one granddaughter-in-law and the future mistress of Rongguo Province. The Shi Clan had no right to stop her.
Because she, as the mistress of the household, didn't agree!
Grandmother Shi Clan wanted to say this out loud.
However, as long as Grandmother Chang Clan was still alive, Rongguo Province hadn't reached the day when she would truly be the mistress of the household.
After realizing this fact, Grandmother Shi Clan's eyes darkened.
In Rongguo Province, the Shi Clan went from having a great-granddaughter-in-law to having a daughter-in-law of their own. Even the Old Madam of the Chang Clan could not find fault with her and could only give her the power to manage the family.
She had finally become the wife of the head of the household in Rongguo Province, but the power that she had obtained was gone just like that.
The members of the Shi Clan took a deep breath.
Fine!
She could hand it over.
However, this new daughter-in-law had to learn the rules of Rongguo Province.
The Shi Clan transferred their dissatisfaction and hatred towards the Chang Clan to the Jia Xie couple and the Jia Lian.
When the Chang Clan was still around, the Shi Clan didn't go so far.
It was just that they were always making waves without any wind. They always said that they were not satisfied with the furnishings and that the servants were not comfortable using them. This made the Little Chang Clan very busy.
After the death of the Old Madam of the Chang Clan, the Shi Clan became even more arrogant.
Every day, they would check on the Little Chang Clan in the morning and at night, set rules, and serve two meals a day. Even if they were fine, they would pretend that they were not feeling well and ask the Little Chang Clan to serve them all night.
This was not enough. On one hand, she claimed that the Little Chang Clan was working too hard and sent two pretty maids to serve the Jia Xie with great fanfare. On the other hand, she secretly asked Mama Lai to spread the news that as long as the Jia Xie liked them, she would promote them to concubines.
As soon as the news spread, all the maids in the residence were in an uproar. Their fathers and mothers all dressed up for their daughters in a charming manner.
In one day, the Jia Xie met eight maids who "accidentally" fell into his arms, six maids who sang, danced, and played in the garden, four maids who specially gave him snacks and supper, and more than a dozen maids who went to the Jia Xie under various pretenses.
The Jia Xie himself was not strong-willed. He only relied on his respect and love for the Old Madam to get through the year of mourning for the Old Madam.
Although he was able to protect the Old Madam, the Shi Clan kept whispering in the Jia Daishan's ears that the Old Madam was not behaving well, that the Old Madam was playing with the maids in the study, that the Old Madam liked to wear blue silk clothes, and so on, and that the Old Madam was unfilial to the Chang Clan. In private, the Shi Clan also sent servants to act out the story of the Old Madam of the Duke's Mansion and the Coquettish Maid in front of the Jia Daishan several times. This made the Jia Daishan very angry. He did not listen to the Jia Xie's explanation and hit the Jia Xie with a stick several times. After that, he was extremely disappointed in the Jia Xie.
During the three years of mourning for the Old Madam, he transferred all his fatherly love to the well-behaved, sensible, and hardworking siblings, Jia Zheng and Jia Min.
A year after the mourning period, the Shi Clan took advantage of the fact that the Little Chang Clan gave birth to their second son, Jia Lian. When the Little Chang Clan was about to give birth to their second son, Jia Lian, the Shi Clan took over the housekeeper's account book and the key to the storehouse. They also asked their second daughter-in-law, the Wang Clan, to help them take care of it.
The Wang Clan was the descendant of the Wang family, which was under the control of the County Magistrate.
There was a folk song that said, "The East Sea lacked a white jade bed, so the Dragon King came to invite the King of Jinling." This King was the King of the Wang family.
As for the Jia Lian?
The Shi Clan had also thought of dealing with this "ungrateful wretch." However, even during the mourning period, the Jia Lian stayed in Wang Yi's residence all day long to avoid the various underhanded tricks of the Shi Clan.
Even when he returned to the fu to sleep at night, he would still be hugging that cold and gleaming weapon. That annoying horse would also be sleeping in front of Jia Lian's bed. Shi shi had originally planned to send two of her servant girls to Jia Lian's bed before sending people to catch them in the act, but she could not forcefully add on to Jia Lian's reputation of being an adulterer of his own mother's maidservant and a young and licentious man.
Because of this series of actions of the Shi Clan, the relationship between the Jia Xie and the Jia Lian, the Chang Clan, and the Shi Clan, Jia Zheng and Jia Min, became increasingly estranged.
The Jia Xie was fine. Every day when he went to pay his respects, he could still see Jia Zheng and his sister, Jia Min, who he hated the most, although he didn't want to see them at all.
On the other hand, the Jia Lian went to the prince's residence to study at seven in the morning and didn't return until nine in the evening. He didn't even eat dinner together. The number of times he saw Jia Zheng and Jia Min could be counted on one hand.
In the Jia Lian's memory, the young Jia Min was a delicate and weak girl who would glare at him with hatred and jealousy. When she grew up … she had a face that was somewhat similar to his. She used an arrogant expression to look down on him, a "martial artist" and a "talented girl."
They were supposed to be the closest twins in the world, but they became the most estranged relatives.
"Little brother!
Little brother! "
As soon as the Jia Lian returned to the gate of Rongguo Province, he heard a familiar funny voice shouting.
It had to be said that the Jia Xie's appearance was really good.
Even though he was already the father of two children, he had a small belly due to his lack of exercise.
However, he still maintained his elegant and charming appearance.
The Jia Xie was very excited.
It was rare for her little brother to have a day off. She must catch him and tell him all the feelings in her heart to relieve the many days of worry in his heart.
What?
You said that second brother Jia Zheng was in the mansion all day, why didn't he talk to him?
Regarding this, the Jia Xie hated evil as if it was an enemy. That hypocrite was not her little brother.
Maybe her little brother would even teach those bad guys a lesson with his enemies.
As if she was deceived by the beautiful picture in her imagination, the running figure suddenly tripped over the threshold. Her whole body flew in the direction of the Jia Lian with a fierce momentum like a hungry dog fighting for food.
The Jia Lian was calm and composed. He pulled the Huolong Lequan from Ben Xiao's saddle and held it in reverse.
Don't misunderstand!
It was not that Jia Lian finally could not endure Jia She's tormenting strength, nor was it that he finally could not endure Jia She's various amusing actions and made up his mind to pierce a large hole in Jia She's body on the long street, causing his blood to splatter three zhang, and achieve his goal.
"Brother S" achievement.
Then, under the interception of the bodyguards of Rongguo Province and the bodyguards of Ningguo Mansion who heard the news and rushed over, the Jia Xie was killed seven times in and seven times out. Corpses were everywhere and blood flowed like a river.
The long spear in the Jia Lian's hand drew a beautiful arc in the air. The end of the spear first poked the Jia Xie's forehead, and then the Jia Xie's forward body was pushed back.
Then, the one-foot-long spear was pulled gently towards the Jia Xie's small waist. The Jia Xie was forced to straighten his body and straighten his chest and stomach.
"Ouch!
Ouch ouch ouch! "
Although the back of the Jia Xie's head hit the ground, he covered his forehead with both hands and cried out in pain. The two bodyguards of Rongguo Province's gate who followed the first Duke Rongguo Jia Yan through life and death looked at him contemptuously.
Was it really the grandson of the general (Jia Yan) who made such a big fuss after being poked?
The two veterans looked at each other and lamented that the third generation successor of Rongguo Province was a good-for-nothing.
In the next moment, they looked at the Jia Lian on Ben Xiao's back with admiration.
A talented person, outstanding martial arts, calm in the face of trouble, with the guidance of a famous teacher (Wang Yi) and the Emperor's favor. His future is limitless. This should be the successor of Rongguo Province!
How could the Heavens not have eyes and let such a softie occupy this position!
The two veterans looked at the Jia Lian with disdain, indignant on his behalf.
Pardon.
"Hiss …" The Jia Xie sucked in a breath of cold air. He carefully put down the hand covering his forehead and took out a small, delicate glass mirror from his bosom.
Dai Quan, who regarded the Jia Lian as his own son and grandson, gave the Jia Lian some trinkets from the palace or the twelve prisons all day long, and this mirror was one of them.
The Jia Xie didn't have the demeanor of an elder brother. He acted like a shrew and shamelessly begged the Jia Lian for a long time before the Jia Lian "reluctantly" nodded his head and sent him off.
The Jia Xie only carefully looked at his beautiful face to see if he had suffered any irreparable damage. The Jia Lian, who was very sensitive to other people's gazes and auras, immediately felt the malice of the two veterans towards the Jia Xie.
He removed the smile on his face and stared at the two veterans for a few seconds with his dark eyes. His body emitted a chilly aura similar to that of Feng Zizhi. The two veterans couldn't help but shrink back. They respectfully lowered their heads and didn't dare to show even a trace of disrespect.
Other people can dislike him, don't care about him, don't appreciate him, and ignore him as a stranger. He also has no objection if they treat him as a treacherous and spoiled villain.
However, no one can look at his older brother with disdain and contempt.
In the Jia Lian's heart, the only person surnamed Jia in the family was his older brother.
"Jia!
Restrain! "
The Jia Xie gnashed his teeth. As if he didn't see the undercurrent between the Jia Lian and the two veterans, he fiercely pointed at his forehead and shouted.
On Jia Xie's powder-white forehead, there was an obvious circular red mark. Upon closer inspection, the size of the red mark was the same as the end of the Huolong Lequan that the Jia Lian was holding.
Looking at the funny appearance of the Jia Xie, the Jia Lian stifled a laugh.
After his marksmanship reached a certain level, he was able to freely wield the Huolong Lequan. He knew how much strength he should use and what effect he wanted to achieve. Everything was in his mind.
Otherwise, with his innate strength and the sixty-eight pound Huolong Lequan, he could easily blow the Jia Xie's head off. How could he still complain so energetically?
The Jia Xie, who didn't know that he had just escaped death, continued to complain endlessly.
Would the annoyed Jia Lian take the initiative to surrender and say that he did it on purpose?
Of course not.
He could only turn his head to the side and secretly laugh.
"Little Zhan Cai greets Third Master and First Master. Master invites Third Master to the study."
A familiar-looking servant walked to the side of the Jia Lian brothers and said submissively.
"Hmm?"
The Jia Lian recognized him. His eyes darkened and he stared at him unhappily.
"Slap!"
Seeing the Jia Lian's unhappy gaze, Zhan Cai remembered this young master's taboo and quickly slapped his own mouth lightly.
"Little Zhan Cai greets First Master and Third Master."
He bowed respectfully once more.
"Slap yourself. Don't stop until I tell you to."
The Jia Lian tightly pursed his lips and said coldly.
He didn't realize that at this moment, he was somewhat similar to his little bamboo horse. He was less gloomy and cold, but more robust and dignified.
"… Little Brother …" The Jia Lian didn't continue to nag like a resentful wife. He was moved and wanted to say something, but stopped.
To be honest, since the death of the Old Madam of the Chang Clan, his status as the heir of the Rongguo Province had plummeted.
The Shi Clan treated him as an enemy. The pretentious Jia Zheng looked down on his big brother who only knew how to eat, drink, and play. His little sister, Jia Min, was influenced by the Shi Clan and Jia Zheng. She also looked at him as if he was a pile of mud.
Compared to the Shi Clan's slander and the diligent Jia Zheng, the ruler of Rongguo Province, Jia Daishan, turned a blind eye to his idle eldest son.
Under the attitude of these big mountains above him, the servants of Rongguo Province were the best at changing sides. Naturally, their attitude towards him was much worse than before.
The little Chang Clan, the seven year old Jia Hu, and even the three year old Xiao Jia Lian, made the first branch seem small and weak. They didn't have the slightest bit of power and influence. They were powerless in this situation.
The Jia Xie was a little stupid and funny, but she wasn't stupid.
His own little brother obviously wanted to support him. How could he not be moved when he felt the long-awaited warmth in this cold and heartless big family?
However, although Zhan Cai was a servant, he was still Jia Daishan's subordinate. Moreover, his wife was the daughter of the Zhan Cai family, whose mother was the Shi Clan's right-hand man.
Now that his little brother had punished Zhan Cai, wasn't it the same as slapping his father's face?
Moreover, his mother would definitely be furious.
"Do you still need me to teach you what to do?"
The Jia Lian pressed down the Jia Xie's hand that was about to dissuade him and looked sideways at Zhan Cai.
Zhan Cai saw that the uncle's dissuasion was useless, so he didn't dare to delay any longer. He used all his strength and slapped his own mouth again and again.
In the eyes of many servants in Rongguo Province, the Jia Lian's words were even more effective than the words of the Shi Clan. They were even more effective than the words of the Jia Daishan.
Once, twice …
After four or five slaps, Zhan Cai's mouth was already red and swollen. He felt a burning sensation.
Eleven slaps, twelve slaps …
The lower half of his face was not only swollen by two or three times, but there were also traces of blood. His front teeth were also starting to loosen.
Sixteen slaps, seventeen slaps …
Zhan Cai was starting to lose his strength. His mouth turned from red and swollen to blue and purple. He lost consciousness and started to feel dizzy.
"Stop!"
At this moment, a dignified voice sternly shouted.
Zhan Cai was overjoyed. He couldn't support his weak body anymore and fainted on the ground.
During the whole process, the Jia Xie covered her face with her hands. She was scared and didn't dare to look, but there were always gaps between her fingers.
As for the Jia Lian …
He just stared at Zhan Cai's self-mutilation without blinking, and there was even some imperceptible hostility in his eyes.
Although Wang Yi and Uncle Wang had used different methods to temper the Jia Lian's temperament over the years, and the Heavenly Strategies Mental Cultivation Method and Gun Skills helped him control his temper, he was born with an honest and straightforward temperament. When a Jia Lian encountered something he didn't like or was unhappy with, he liked to solve the problem "simply".
Although he didn't fold his sleeves and do it himself, many of the children and teenagers who were beaten by the Niu Jizong were beaten by the Niu Jizong because they provoked the Jia Lian.
Moreover, over the years, Feng Zizhi, who held a lot of power, helped him clean up the mess behind the scenes. When dealing with outsiders, the Jia Lian's temperament became more and more violent.
For the Jia Lian, Zhan Cai not only represented the disdain of hundreds of servants in Rongguo Province toward the Jia Xie, but also represented the attitude of the two big mountains in Rongguo Province: the Jia Daishan and the Shi Clan toward the Jia Xie.
The Jia Lian didn't spend much time in the mansion. He couldn't spend 24 hours a day watching who was bad to his brother and his brother's family.
He could only do things that would leave a deep impression on others, so deep that they wouldn't dare to be rude to the Jia Xie's family.
"What are you doing?"
Jia Daishan looked at his younger brother, who had given him face among his colleagues, a complicated expression.
He looked at the fainted Zhan Cai on the ground. Zhan Cai's mouth was full of blood, and his bruises were very serious. There were also two blood-stained objects on the ground, which should be front teeth.