Dream of the Red Chamber: After being exiled, I went on a killing spree in Liaodong.

Jia Lian's voice trembled with excitement, "A great victory in Liaodong! The Third Master personally killed Nurhaci and his two sons! Eunuch Xia said it himself, this battle was entirely due to the Third Young Master's heroic efforts!"

Jia She's expression instantly brightened.

"really?"

"Absolutely true!" Jia Lian exclaimed, beaming. "His Majesty has already decided on the reward—a First-Class Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery! A marquis's mansion will be built on Ningrong Street, built to the same specifications as a Duke's mansion!"

"Hahahaha!" Jia She threw his head back and laughed loudly, his laughter shaking the roof tiles. "Good! What a loyal and brave Marquis! My son, Yi'er, may very well regain the title of Duke of a State in the future!"

Thinking of this, all the pent-up emotions in my heart vanished.

What Jia Baoyu? He's nothing but a pretty face who eats rouge!

What can you do if your mother is biased?

The one who will stand at the pinnacle of this imperial court in the future is my son, Jia She! He will be a marquis with the highest title and hereditary privilege!

"Go!" Jia She slammed his hand on the table. "Bring out my treasured thirty-year-old vintage!"

"Today, father and son, we won't leave until we're completely drunk!"

"Hey!" Jia Lian ran happily to get the wine, his steps as light as if he were walking on clouds.

Inside Rongqing Hall, the air was filled with the sounds of string and wind instruments, and the hall was brightly lit.

Grandmother Jia had already ordered someone to bring Shi Xiangyun over. They were sitting together chatting and laughing, and the whole courtyard was filled with joy, as if the spring breeze of the entire capital had blown into this courtyard.

"Lin girl, did you see that? Isn't Shi girl exactly the same as what I said before?"

"Second Grandma, this is called not being able to distinguish true love!"

Wang Xifeng laughed so hard she almost fell over, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Uh-huh……"

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes darting around, but when her gaze swept over Shi Xiangyun and Jia Baoyu sitting side by side, a pang of sadness suddenly welled up in her heart.

But strangely, this unease wasn't as sharp and piercing as it used to be.

She herself was unaware that this subtle change seemed to begin after she heard about the deeds of her cousin Jia Yi, who lived far away in Liaodong.

"You little shrew, Feng! I'll scratch you to death!"

Upon hearing that she was being teased in public, Shi Xiangyun immediately jumped up and pounced on Wang Xifeng.

Wang Xifeng, unwilling to be near her, slipped and retreated, her skirt fluttering like a butterfly. The two then began chasing each other around the main room, their laughter filling the air like a spring breeze.

"Hahaha!"

Grandmother Jia laughed so hard that tears almost came out, and she kept slapping her thigh while leaning on her cane.

Everyone burst into laughter. Even the usually cold and aloof Madam Wang and Li Wan couldn't help but smile for the first time.

Xichun clapped her hands excitedly, like a happy little sparrow.

Just as the room was filled with jubilation—

With a loud bang, the curtain was suddenly flung open.

Lai Da rushed in, his face flushed, his breathing rapid, and his eyes frighteningly bright.

"The old lady is overjoyed! This is a wonderful day!"

The laughter stopped abruptly. Everyone turned their heads in unison, their eyes fixed on him.

Jia Baoyu frowned, his anger rising: It's that fool Jia Yi again? Why is it that every time we're having a good time, he comes to ruin it?!

"Speak quickly." Grandmother Jia's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Lai Da took a deep breath and almost roared, "Third Master Yi! You have decisively defeated 100,000 Jin cavalry in Liaodong!"

He paused, his voice trembling, "I personally beheaded the Khan of the Later Jin, and also exterminated his two princes!"

"A decree has just arrived from the palace—Third Prince Yi is hereby conferred the title of First-Class Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery! The Emperor's favor is immense, and the entire court is in an uproar!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Yingchun's mouth was agape, almost big enough to fit a walnut. That silly older brother who always sneaked into her room to steal plum blossom pastries… had now become a young war god, commanding a large army and holding high office!

"I remember... Yi-ge'er's nineteenth birthday is just over ten days away," Grandmother Jia murmured, her eyes already brimming with proud tears. "Before he's even nineteen, he's already been granted the title of First-Class Marquis... How has the bloodline of my Jia family ever been disgraced?"

She had already made up her mind: this child will surely become a Duke in the future!

"What about my brother?" Madam Wang stood up abruptly, her voice tense.

How could a fool like Jia Yi be granted a marquisate? My valiant and unparalleled brother, Prince Teng, wouldn't he also be granted a fiefdom and be made a king?

"Second Madam..." Lai Da shrugged with a wry smile, "The palace news didn't mention Lord Wang... Perhaps... he didn't achieve any military merit this time?"

"Impossible!" Madam Wang blurted out, her face turning pale. "Even Jia Yi could achieve great things, but my brother—"

Before he could finish speaking, a cold, piercing gaze shot towards him from the side.

—It is Grandmother Jia.

That look in his eyes was so cold it could freeze rivers.

The air froze instantly.

"Lai Da," Grandmother Jia spoke slowly, her voice as cold as iron, "From this day forward, whoever dares to utter the word 'stupid' to describe my grandson Jia Yi within my Rongguo Mansion..."

She paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Break his legs and throw him out of the mansion."

"Yes, madam!" Lai Da's forehead was covered in sweat, and his heart was pounding.

He had served the Jia family for decades, and had never seen Grandmother Jia so furious.

Jia Baoyu, the three sisters, and Lin Daiyu all stood there stunned.

When did this kind-looking old lady acquire such a terrifying aura?

Madam Xing's eyes widened. Since marrying into the Jia family, she had never seen her mother-in-law show such a ruthless and decisive side.

Even Madam Wang was slightly lost in thought.

"And you all." Grandmother Jia's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Madam Wang's face. "Yi-ge'er's status is different now; he's no longer a child to be looked down upon."

"Yes, madam," everyone replied in unison, their tone now filled with a hint of reverence.

"Oh, right," Grandmother Jia turned to Wang Xifeng, "select a few clever maids and send them to serve Second Miss."

"Yes, Madam." Wang Xifeng replied respectfully, but her heart was filled with bitterness.

However, because Yingchun was close to Jia Yi, she was immediately elevated to a high position.

At this moment, Madam Wang suddenly remembered the instructions her elder brother, Prince Teng, had given her before his departure.

She quickly stepped forward: "Grandma, Yi-ge'er will be returning to the capital soon... He's reached the age where he should be married, so we should discuss his marriage."

"I have a niece on my mother's side, sixteen years old, beautiful and talented, with a gentle temperament, simply...like a fairy descended from heaven..."

She talked on and on, praising the Wang family woman to the skies.

Grandmother Jia listened and simply smiled faintly:

"Let's talk about it when he gets back."

His tone was gentle, yet brooked no argument.

Now, the Rongguo Mansion has two daughters of the Wang family.

If Jia Yi were to marry a girl from the Wang family, would the family in this household ultimately belong to the Jia or the Wang family?

It's such a joke that even the wind can barely move it.

Not to mention that Jia Yi's mind has been somewhat different from ordinary people since childhood. Although he is not stupid, his mind is as clear as a mountain stream, and you can see right to the bottom. If he really married a cunning and scheming woman, she would probably be completely schemed against, and people would still praise him as "virtuous and capable".

Therefore, Grandmother Jia had long made up her mind about this matter: she had to personally oversee her grandson's marriage, and in short, she had to choose!

"clear."

Madam Wang smiled gently as she sat down.

Madam Xing sat at the lower end of the table, her nails almost digging into her handkerchief. She was Jia Yi's rightful legal mother! How dare Madam Wang interfere in such an important matter?

But the other family members laughed nonchalantly, as if they had everything under control.