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

At this moment, Zijuan seemed to understand Daiyu's thoughts, and said with a certainty:

"Now you know the Duke's intentions, right? The Duke instructed you and Third Miss to take good care of Xiao Jiao'er when he left the manor more than two years ago."

"She always liked to come and play in our yard, just like a little sister to the girl."

"Xiangling was also personally chosen by the Duke to study poetry under the young lady."

"Qingwen was chosen by the Duke perhaps because she had some of the qualities of a young lady."

"The head maids in the Duke's room are all close to you, young lady."

"In this respect, even if you came to our manor a hundred or a thousand times that year, it still wouldn't compare to you going to the Jingwu Academy once."

"Although the Duke's intentions were well hidden, they still didn't escape my eyes..."

Zijuan seemed to have been transformed into a detective, her eyes bright and her words eloquent and logical.

Daiyu felt much more at ease after hearing Zijuan's words and remained silent for a moment.

But a slight curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, spreading from the corner of her mouth to the bottom of her eyes, and then from the bottom of her eyes to the tip of her eyebrows.

She turned her head and stared blankly out the window.

Under the moonlight, the shadows of those bamboo stalks were reflected on the window paper, like a traditional Chinese ink painting, sparse and elegant, capturing the essence of the scene with just a few strokes.

…………

Lixiangyuan.

The night is getting darker.

A breeze blew in from the top of the Pear Blossom Courtyard wall, carrying the lingering fragrance of roses from the courtyard and the faint aroma of leftover wine from a distant banquet.

The lamplight under the eaves cast long shadows of the pear trees in the courtyard, which were then projected onto the blue brick ground, their branches casting slanted shadows.

Aunt Xue had just returned from the banquet hosted by Grandmother Jia. She changed out of the clothes she wore during the day and put on a light purple casual jacket.

He was reclining on the couch, holding a bowl of longevity noodles made by Xue Baochai herself, but he only ate a few bites before putting it down!

Her eyes were fixed on the moonlight outside the window, her gaze unfocused, as if she were lost in thought.

Baochai sat on an embroidered stool next to Aunt Xue, weaving a purse in her hands.

She didn't change her clothes; she was still wearing the same honey-colored shirt she had worn during the day.

The room was quiet for a while, then the rustling sound of Ying'er packing her things came from the outside, occasionally interspersed with a low yawn.

After a long while, Aunt Xue let out a long sigh and said with a sigh:

"Jing-ge'er... a first-class duke! I've never seen anything like this at his residence in my entire life."

As Aunt Xue spoke, she rubbed her temples with her hand, her words tinged with envy, and continued:

"The princess consort of the Prince of Beijing, the dowager consort of the Prince of Nan'an, and so many dukes, marquises, and ministers all came to give gifts and offer their congratulations."

"Even this prince and that prince sent people. I estimate that more than half of the powerful and influential people in the entire capital city came."

"Jing is only twenty-one years old. In less than a year, I have watched him go from First-Class Servant to First-Class Earl, then Third-Class Marquis, First-Class Champion Marquis, and now First-Class Duke."

"I wouldn't have believed how fast he was promoted if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

"My dear girl, how come he's so amazing?"

"If your brother were half as capable as him... or even a tenth as capable, I'd be laughing in my sleep."

Seeing those noble ladies at the Jia family banquet that evening left Aunt Xue with a lingering sense of unease.

You should know that although her family is wealthy, she does not have an official title, which is why she felt inferior to others at the banquet.

Xue Baochai paused for a moment, her bright, almond-shaped eyes narrowing slightly, and she slowly said:

"Mom, everyone has their own destiny; you can't force it!"

"Although my third brother's title rose quickly, it was earned through risking his life on the battlefield!"

One-tenth of the ability? There aren't many like that in the whole world, it's far too much to ask!

Aunt Xue sighed again and said;

"Your mother knows this all too well! But your brother is still young and his mind is not yet settled, so there's no rush for his future."

"With your uncle around, he can mentor him in the future, and that will be enough for him to enjoy for the rest of his life!"

"But you, my dear... you're another year older now, and this important matter of your life is fast approaching. I'm having some trouble making a decision!"

Aunt Xue's words had a hidden meaning, and she glanced at Xue Baochai after she finished speaking.

He then straightened his body slightly, clearly wanting to have a heart-to-heart talk with his beloved daughter.

Xue Baochai trembled and did not reply.

She placed the purse she was embroidering on her lap, lowered her head, and looked at the succulent plant on the purse, its branches and leaves delicate and elegant.

After a long silence, Xue Baochai whispered:

"Mom, didn't we say last time we should focus on my brother's marriage? Why are you bringing me up again? I'm not in a hurry!"

Aunt Xue paused for a moment upon hearing this, then suddenly said in a low voice:

"You're not worried, but I am! You have no idea how many people are eyeing Jing-ge'er right now!"

"Leaving aside the girl from the Nian family and the younger sister from the Princess of Bei Jing's family, let's talk about the ladies of noble birth who came to the Jia family to celebrate today."

"They're all asking about Jing-ge'er's marriage! Some are asking openly, while others are subtly probing."

"Among those I heard were the granddaughter of the Princess of Nan'an, the niece of the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo, and the daughter of the wife of the Duke of Zhiguo."

"They all want to ask someone to act as matchmaker and arrange a marriage between them and Jing-ge'er. Aren't they supposed to be the most respectable people? Why are they acting like they're trying to steal him away this time!"

Aunt Xue looked anxious! She was genuinely worried!

I had originally thought that if Jia Jing were to be made a prince in the future, he would have four concubines.

If my own precious daughter can't become the principal wife, then becoming a concubine is a sure thing!

Who would have thought that seeing so many wealthy families eyeing Jia Jing today, it seems there aren't enough concubines to go around!

We should hurry up and secure a position. If we can't even become a concubine, we'll be devastated!

Baochai's fair, pear-like face froze slightly for a moment, then she reacted and tentatively asked:

"Mom! What does my marriage have to do with my third brother?"

"Didn't you tell your daughter last time that our family's social status wasn't right for us, that we couldn't possibly be good enough for her, and that forcing ourselves on her would only cause us trouble?"

"You said you were afraid he'd take over our family business, and you couldn't afford the risk?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue's face showed a hint of embarrassment, which vanished in an instant.

She looked at Xue Baochai, her tone carrying a sense of sage wisdom and unspoken trust, and whispered:

"My dear child! I won't lie to you! When I said that last time, I didn't expect Jing-ge's title to be promoted so quickly!"

"If he were a marquis, our family would naturally be too high up to be associated with him, and we would never allow you to be his concubine."

"But now that he's already a first-class duke, judging by his momentum, there's a very good chance he'll be made a prince!"

"If Jingge becomes a prince, he can not only have one principal wife, but also four concubines."

"We can't count on the principal wife, but as for a concubine, with the generations of intermarriage between our four great families and your good looks and talent, I think we still have a good chance!"

"Furthermore, the prince's concubines are no longer considered concubines, but rather are officially recognized and registered by the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Clan Court."

"Not only do they receive a salary and official robes, but even their children can be granted titles. Isn't that far more prestigious than the principal wife of an ordinary family!"

"Perfect timing! My dear, you also have feelings for Jing-ge! Doesn't this seem like the best of both worlds?"

Xue Baochai was taken aback by what Aunt Xue said.

Only then did she realize why her mother had changed her mind; she had actually considered things so "far ahead"!

However, it seems to make a lot of sense. With his current title of First-Class Duke, his third brother is only one step away from being made a king!

If he were granted the title of king, he could indeed have four concubines, and himself...

Huh? No! She almost got led astray!

Why should she be a concubine? Then who should be the principal wife?

Does he want Lin to be his legal wife, making her superior to him?