Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Over the past two months, Nian Shilan, accompanied by several maids and nannies, frequently visited the Jia family and became quite familiar with everyone in the household.

However, today she not only came by herself, but also brought her brother, the wife of Nian Xiyao, the Vice Minister of Works, to visit the female relatives of the Jia family.

Speaking of which, the Nian family can be considered one of the top official families in the Han Dynasty.

Needless to say, Nian Gengyao commanded 100,000 border troops in Liaodong, was a first-class marquis, and held the official rank of General Pingliao, a third-rank general. He was undoubtedly a top-ranking and powerful military figure in the Han Dynasty.

Nian Gengyao's father, Nian Xialing, entered officialdom as a scribe and rose through the ranks to become the governor of Huguang.

Even after retiring in the fifth year of Jingsheng, he was still highly respected because of his family's reputation and abilities.

Last year, he was awarded the title of First-Class Marquis and Grand Tutor by the imperial court for his contributions to Liaodong, making him one of the top civil officials in the Han Dynasty.

Nian Gengyao also had an elder brother, Nian Xiyao, who also made significant achievements in his official career.

He has now risen to the rank of Vice Minister of Works, a third-rank official, and is the direct superior of Jia Zheng, the second master of the Jia family.

The existence of these three individuals demonstrates the deep roots of the Nian family in the Han Dynasty.

At this moment, Nian Xiyao is talking to Jia Zheng in his study, while his wife, Li, has brought Nian Shilan to chat with Grandmother Jia, the Lady of Rongguo.

Li's visit to the Jia family had two purposes: first, to get acquainted with the family of the Marquis of Champion, who was currently at the height of his power in the court; and second, to discuss the marriage of Nian Shilan.

With Jia Jing's powerful rise in the Han Dynasty court, from princes and dukes to civil and military officials, very few did not want to marry him.

The fact that a 21-year-old unmarried champion is such a temptation for officials with unmarried daughters in their families.

As the current head of the Nian family, Nian Gengyao has repeatedly written to his elder brother in Beijing, instructing him to do his utmost to facilitate the marriage between his sister Nian Shilan and Jia Jing.

Jia Jing's rise to power began in Liaodong, where Nian Gengyao watched him rise from a minor seventh-rank official to a second-rank Marquis in just over two years.

Nian Gengyao was well aware of Jia Jing's character and abilities, and he had taken good care of Jia Jing when they were in Liaodong.

He couldn't bear to see the talented young man he had nurtured under his nose snatched away by another company, no matter what.

It just so happens that he has a younger sister who is of marriageable age. Isn't this a match made in heaven?

It must be said that it was precisely because Nian Gengyao repeatedly spoke well of Jia Jing at the Nian family that Nian Shilan took the initiative to visit the Jia family several times.

This time, after learning that Jia Jing had won a series of victories in the Northwest and was even about to be granted the title of Duke, Nian Gengyao...

She wrote to Nian Xiyao many times, urging him to visit the Jia family more often, to improve the relationship between the two families, and to create opportunities for her younger sister.

Thus, the scene we see today, where Li Shi and Nian Xiyao accompany Nian Shilan to the Jia Mansion, came about.

The Jia family members dared not neglect the Nian family members, not to mention that Nian Gengyao had taken good care of Jia Jing in Liaodong and could be considered Jia Jing's benefactor.

For example, Nian Xiyao, the Vice Minister of Works, was also Jia Zheng's superior.

"This garden in your residence is truly beautiful; gardens of this scale are rare in the capital!"

"Look at the curtains of flowers growing on these roses and crabapples; they look like rare varieties."

Looking around at the colorful flowers planted in the Rongguo Mansion garden, Madam Li smiled and praised them to Grandmother Jia.

That wasn't just a polite remark.

Rather, the Rongguo Mansion, as a Duke's mansion built by imperial decree at the founding of the dynasty, was indeed rare in the capital city in terms of its scale, and this garden would later become part of the Grand View Garden.

"When I was young, I also liked these flowers and plants. When the old Duke was on official business, he would bring back some rare seeds for me."

"Over time, this garden of flowers came to be, but there aren't many rare varieties."

"I'm getting old and don't like to move around much these days, so I rarely come to this garden to admire the flowers."

"Today is also his aunt's birthday, so he thought he would come to the garden with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters."

With a hint of reminiscence on her aged face, Grandmother Jia was clearly thinking of the late Duke Rongguo, Jia Daishan.

"So today is Mrs. Xue's birthday! I had no idea. My apologies!"

Li smiled apologetically at Aunt Xue, but did nothing else.

Given her status as a third-rank imperial consort, she didn't need to be overly polite to Aunt Xue.

She had only been there a short time and had already exchanged greetings with Aunt Xue and the others, but she was still unaware of the details of today's garden tour.

Aunt Xue dared not be negligent in the face of Li's politeness, and quickly got up and curtsied in return, feeling overjoyed.

This Lady Li is the wife of the Vice Minister of Works, a proper imperial consort, yet she treats her so kindly. She must really be benefiting from the Jia family's influence!

And this young lady from the Nian family, it seems she's here for Jing-ge'er.

If the two families get together, I might even become her daughter's sister-in-law. I can't leave her with any bad impressions!

After Jia Jing was granted the title of Marquis of Champion, Aunt Xue began to think about bringing her beloved daughter Baochai and Jia Jing together.

Of course, she also knew that being a legal wife was difficult.

However, you can cultivate a relationship first and reserve the position of a concubine.

Meanwhile, Madam Wang, who was standing next to Aunt Xue, was holding Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, her eyes fixed on Nian Shilan, and she liked her more and more as she looked at her.

Lan, the girl from the family, seems gentle and virtuous. In the last few times we've met, she's also been very kind and understanding.

His father held a very high position in the court, and his two elder brothers were also important officials. His family background was noble, making him a good match for his son, Baoyu…

Moreover, his elder brother is his master's superior. If the two families were to become related by marriage, his master's career might even advance.

Although Lady Wang knew that Nian Shilan was after Jia Jing, the two of them weren't officially together yet, were they?

So many men have come to propose marriage these days, but there can only be one wife. Who knows what kind of woman that stubborn man in the first wife likes?

If the two of them can't be together, my own Baoyu is just as good...

While Lady Wang was lost in thought, Grandmother Jia and Madam Li had resumed their casual conversation.

With a smile on her face, Grandmother Jia asked Li Shi:

"I wonder how Madam Nian is doing these days? I last saw her at the grand banquet in the palace at the beginning of the year!"

Lady Nian was the mother of Nian Gengyao and Nian Shilan, and the first wife of Nian Xialing. Like Grandmother Jia, she was also a first-rank imperial consort.

However, the two families were not very familiar with each other in the past, so Grandmother Jia did not interact with her much.

However, ever since Jia Jing rose to prominence, and with Jia Zheng and Nian Xiyao both serving in the Ministry of Works...

In the past two years, during palace ceremonies on holidays, the two would greet each other and chat for a few words.

Upon hearing Grandmother Jia mention her mother-in-law, Li's smile faded slightly, and she sighed, saying:

"I fell ill since the beginning of spring. Fortunately, it was nothing serious, but I'm still a bit weak and have been resting at home these days!"

"Did you consult the imperial physician? I also had some headaches at the beginning of the year. Later, Wu Qian, a doctor from the Imperial Hospital, came to examine me and gave me acupuncture for a few days, which made me feel much better."

"His medical skills are superb! My granddaughter had a congenital illness from birth, but after his treatment, she has fully recovered in the past few months!"

Grandmother Jia looked quite concerned and recommended Wu Qian, a judge from the Imperial Medical Academy, to Li Shi, using herself and Lin Daiyu as examples.