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

The reason why Princess Zhenyi of Beijing came to the Jia family at this time was because she was instructed by Prince Shui Rong of Beijing to come and cultivate a good relationship and curry favor in advance.

Seeing that Jia Jing was deeply favored by the emperor and even called a minister of restoration, his rise to prominence was like the sun at its zenith.

Even Shui Rong, the Prince of Beijing, had to treat this matter with caution and engaged in diplomacy with his wife.

Princess Zhenyi of Beijing uttered these words, and the garden fell silent for a moment.

This moment was so brief, so brief that not a single petal on the rose trellis had fallen to the ground.

But this moment also felt very long, so long that everyone's heart was turned upside down.

Immediately, the garden came alive again, and everyone present showed expressions of surprise and delight.

He was just granted the title of First-Class Marquis two months ago, and now he's been... granted the title of Duke?

Although there have been rumors circulating that Jia Jing will be rewarded, the court has not yet made a final decision.

Even the people in the Jia family heard Jia Zheng say that many censors and officials in the imperial court were impeaching Jia Jing for having too many soldiers and too much power!

I never imagined that today... I would be granted the title of Duke!

This was truly wonderful news for the Jia family!

After all, no matter how special the Marquis of Champion is, he is still just a second-rank marquis.

The Duke of the State was a true first-rank nobleman, the ancestor of the Rongguo Mansion, the Duke of Rongguo. In the end, he was just a duke.

Sitting next to Aunt Xue was Baochai, wearing a honey-colored shirt and two small pearl flowers in her hair.

She was looking down at the round fan in her hand, the fan surface painted with the same Hengwu as the knee pads.

But upon hearing the news from Madam Zhen, she suddenly raised her head, and joy gradually appeared on her fair face.

Her almond-shaped eyes, which were as clear as water, gradually brightened, and the knuckles of her fingers, which were gripping the fan, turned slightly white.

Duke... my third brother has been promoted again!

My third brother was only twenty-one years old when he became a first-rank duke, truly becoming the most outstanding military hero in the Han Dynasty!

He was also bestowed with a python robe and jade belt. Only princes could wear python robes. Could this be an implication that my third brother is not far from being made a prince?

Aunt Xue sat beside Baochai, sipping her tea while constantly glancing at Zhen Shi.

He imagined how elegant and noble his daughter would look if she wore this princess's robe.

Hearing Zhen's words, she almost dropped her teacup in surprise, and a blush of surprise and joy rose on her well-maintained fair face.

So he's been granted the title of Duke? Or even a Grand General of the Second Rank?

She is no longer completely ignorant of the intricacies of official positions and titles in the imperial court; she has been listening to people from the Jia family talk about these matters these days.

She went back and asked around carefully, and learned that Shangzhuguo was the highest-ranking noble title in the Han Dynasty.

The Grand General is a military officer who can command hundreds of thousands of troops, a truly high-ranking and powerful position.

As for the title of Duke, needless to say, it represents wealth and honor that can be passed down to descendants for generations, as can be seen from the Jia family.

With such power and prestige, my dear daughter must seize this rare opportunity.

At this moment, Daiyu was sitting next to Grandmother Jia, wearing a moon-white gauze shirt with several slender bamboo stalks embroidered on the collar.

Her delicately arched eyebrows, seemingly furrowed yet not furrowed, lifted slightly, like a curtain lifted by the wind, and there was a hint of dazedness in her eyes.

So he's been granted the title of Duke?

She was someone who witnessed Jia Jing's rise to power step by step.

From that aloof young man with no official position in Rongqing Hall that day, from his words, "Today I am determined to make a difference here, and I will never return home if I cannot achieve something."

Now that she has been granted the title of Duke, she is even more honored than the old lady. Perhaps no one knows better than her how hard she has worked to achieve this.

In the past three years, there have been major battles in Liaodong against the puppet Qing dynasty and in the Northwest against the Northern Yuan and various tribes of the grasslands.

Even after returning to the capital, he never neglected his official duties, and his time at home was extremely limited.

His thoughts were also, "If it benefits the country, I will risk my life; how can I avoid it because of fortune or misfortune?"

A man like him is born to do great things and is not swayed by... matters of the heart.

Daiyu glanced at Xue Baochai and Nian Shilan, a trace of sorrow flashing in her bright eyes, which were like misty rain, and she sighed softly in her heart.

I wonder what my third brother is really thinking, and who he will ultimately choose!

Sitting opposite Daiyu, Lady Wang had a somewhat gloomy expression, and her hand holding the Buddhist prayer beads was trembling. "So this is how someone gets granted the title of Duke?"

Didn't my brother say that many censors and officials in the court were impeaching that brat?

Didn't they say that even the Grand Secretary wanted to keep that kid in check?

Isn't it said that the emperor might not be without the desire for checks and balances?

And that's it?

You should know that his Wang family ancestors only had one title of County Earl, but now that kid is already a First-Rank Duke!

After this, will there still be a place for her and Baoyu in the Rongguo Mansion?

What if that brat returns home in glory and then bullies my precious Baoyu again? What if he interferes in the affairs of my second branch of the family?

Heaven is blind! Does this mean that a good person like me, who eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist prayers, deserves to be oppressed?

The title of Duke should rightfully be bestowed upon his own precious jade!

Lady Wang's gaze fell on Yuan Chun, who was plump, beautiful, and beaming with joy, standing beside Grandmother Jia. She wondered if there was any way to reverse the decline of her second branch of the family.

As Madam Xing watched Madam Wang's distraught appearance from her side, a sense of smugness welled up inside her.

Since her "own son" gained power, her greatest joy has been seeing her sister-in-law's dejected expression time and time again.

You should know that Madam Wang used to act like a proper lady of the house and didn't take her, her sister-in-law who came from a humble background, seriously.

He would also occasionally make fun of her and would often make sarcastic remarks.

Now the tables have turned, and it's finally her turn to see Madam Wang's "ugly behavior".

Thinking of this, Madam Xing remembered that her niece, Xing Xiuyan, had already arrived at the mansion, but she was not here today because she had gone to see Master Miaoyu at the family nunnery.

My niece has indeed grown into a beautiful young lady over the years. When Jingge comes back, we should create some opportunities for the two of them to get closer.

Jing-ge'er is getting old, and with the master's days numbered, the marriage is expected to take place in the next couple of years.

If they wait until the master passes away, they absolutely cannot get married during the three-year mourning period, because Jing-ge will be too old after three years.

I heard that the old lady feels the same way. She doesn't care who Jingge marries, but the marriage must be arranged as soon as possible.

Thinking of this, Madam Xing's heart stirred slightly.

The first sound to ring out was from Grandmother Jia, her hearty and cheerful laughter echoing throughout the room.

She was indeed happy; Jia Jing had been granted the title of Duke, and the Jia family had once again welcomed their own Duke.

Instead of the past, where the family held the prestigious title of Duke but the actual heir was merely a nominal first-class general.

From now on, the Jia family will be a family of two dukes, and a family of three dukes. How illustrious this is!

Even if she were to be sent to see the late Duke and the ancestors of the Jia family immediately, she would be able to face them without shame!

Then came Li's congratulatory remarks;

"Congratulations, Madam! Your grandson has been granted the title of Duke. This is truly a joyous occasion that brings honor to our ancestors and prosperity to our family!"

Grandmother Jia used the rhetoric she had honed over the past few days and said with a smile:

"It's all thanks to Heaven's boundless grace! Congratulations!"

Li's expression froze. "Share the joy? It's not like it's a happy occasion for my family."

The old lady was quite old, and she was so happy that she became a little confused!

Li was neither pleased nor surprised by the news that Jia Jing had been granted the title of Duke.

Firstly, she already knew from her husband that Jia Jing's promotion was inevitable.

Secondly, large families like theirs actually value imperial favor and the actual power they hold.

Although the title of Duke can bring wealth and honor for generations, it is the foundation of a family's military achievements.

However, the title of "King of Marquises" is a special title that is not much different from that of a Duke!

Moreover, I've heard that the civil officials and cabinet ministers are collectively trying to suppress Jia Jing's title, estimating that it will only be a third-class duke, without much change.

Sister Feng, standing to the side, chuckled and picked up the conversation:

"Today is a good day! Not only is it my aunt's birthday, but the Princess, Madam Nian, and Miss Nian are also coming to our mansion."

"Now I've heard the news of my third brother's promotion and advancement. No wonder I heard magpies chattering under the eaves as soon as I woke up this morning; they've come to bring good news!"

As usual, Sister Feng praised five people in one sentence!