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

Although a fourth-rank general was not considered a high-ranking official position for her, Jia Jing's favor with the emperor was truly rare.

For an ordinary fourth-rank official, there was no need for Xia Shouzhong, the chief eunuch by the emperor's side, to personally deliver the imperial edict.

For the Wu Xun family, the emperor's favor was extremely important.

What Grandmother Jia never expected was that, even at over seventy years old and as the wife of a first-rank duke, she could still benefit from her grandson's fame.

The emperor praised her in an imperial edict for her excellent teaching and guidance of her grandchildren, and also bestowed upon her clothing and imperial food from the palace.

Although she could obtain these things, could the emperor's gifts be the same as those she bought herself?

The rewards conveyed the emperor's approval and appreciation.

When you wear these clothes and eat this food, is it really a normal taste?

This is the glory of the Jia family!

Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, and others knelt on the ground, all of them deeply shocked.

They hadn't expected Jia Jing to be granted the titles of Fourth-Rank General and First-Class Viscount. Just moments before, Grandmother Jia had said in Rongqing Hall that he would at most be granted the title of Fifth-Rank Official!

Of course, they didn't mean to mock Grandmother Jia for guessing wrong; it was just that it was indeed unexpected.

With just over 10,000 soldiers, they managed to kill 30,000 enemies—that's incredibly brave!

Grandmother Jia tremblingly accepted the imperial edict from Xia Shouzhong, stood up, and thanked him again.

At this moment, Jia Lian took the opportunity to slip Xia Shouzhong a red envelope. Jia Lian was in charge of these kinds of external etiquette, and he was very good at it.

Xia Shouzhong naturally wouldn't refuse. Jia Jing was now favored by the emperor, and he also wanted to maintain a good relationship with the Jia family.

Only after accepting money are they considered family. You know, he might not even appreciate the filial piety offered by ordinary people.

Seeing Xia Shouzhong's friendly attitude, Grandmother Jia took the opportunity to ask:

"Minister, why has His Majesty bestowed such great favor upon us this time? My grandson is only twenty years old, yet he has already been promoted to the fourth-rank position of Yao Zhonglang General. This truly makes this old woman feel overwhelmed!"

"Madam, there is no need to be alarmed! Your grandson has repeatedly distinguished himself on the Liaodong battlefield, and His Majesty has long been aware of his achievements!"

"This time, they decisively defeated 50,000 Qing troops, beheaded the Qing general Fei Yanggu, and annihilated countless enemies, greatly pleasing the Emperor!"

"This commendation was decided by several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, Lord Niu, Duke Zhao, and others. Duke Zhao only suggested a promotion of one rank, but Lord Niu argued for it based on reason, and with the advice of Grand Secretary Zhang and others, the final reward was finally decided."

"Your grandson is indeed exceptionally brave and valiant; His Majesty has high expectations for your household! The old lady should know this!"

Xia Shouzhong told Grandmother Jia about the discussions on bestowing titles at Qianqing Palace yesterday, pointing out Niu Jizong's help and the Duke of Zhao's obstruction.

This move was also intended to unite the founding lineage more closely around Emperor Jingsheng and to create a check and balance with the lineage of Wu Xun who led the Jingnan Campaign.

The last sentence was particularly meaningful, especially as he glanced intently at Jia She beside him.

Grandmother Jia seemed to be deep in thought.

Xia Shouzhong didn't linger; he drank a cup of tea and left!

After delivering the imperial edict to the ancestral hall, everyone in the Jia family went about their own business.

…………

In the afternoon.

After having dinner at Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Aunt Xue thought about the scene of the Jia family receiving the imperial edict during the day, and the power and wealth they displayed. She had some thoughts in her mind.

She then took Tongxi and several maids and walked to her sister Madam Wang's courtyard to digest her food.

Baochai, on the other hand, went to play chess and chat with Daiyu, the three sisters, and others.

The early autumn in the capital was already a bit chilly, but in Madam Wang's room, a maid was burning charcoal, so it was naturally not cold.

Madam Wang, dressed only in a dim yellow casual dress, sat around the table chatting with Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue began by saying:

"This is the first time I've ever seen such a majestic scene of an imperial edict being proclaimed. Such etiquette and pomp are something that our humble families can't possibly afford."

"Young Master Jing is so young, yet he has already been granted a high-ranking official position of the fourth rank and bestowed with a title that will bring him wealth and honor for generations. He is truly a remarkable young man!"

Aunt Xue's eyes held a hint of envy, but her face was all smiles.

Since the death of their patriarch, the Xue family has not received an imperial edict for many years.

Even when she was a young lady in the Wang family, she rarely saw the scene of the palace eunuch personally coming to deliver an imperial decree.

When Madam Wang heard Aunt Xue mention Jia Jing, she frowned slightly.

She didn't have any ill feelings towards Jia Jing; on the contrary, because Jia Jing, Jia She, and Madam Xing didn't get along, she was happy to watch the drama unfold between the eldest son's family.

Even if Jia Jing's official career is successful, it won't harm the interests of her second wife's family.

Although the first and second wives lived together in Rongguo Mansion, they were essentially already in a state of separation.

Both sides basically went their separate ways, nothing major happened, and Jia She wouldn't leave the east wing.

The property in the Rongguo Mansion was left by the old Duke, although it has not yet been divided.

But once Grandmother Jia passes away and the inheritance is clearly divided, they will no longer live together as they do now.

As for the claim that the second wife wanted the Rongguo Mansion and the first wife's title, that's just a joke.

Both titles and mansions are granted property by the imperial court and are subject to a strict inheritance system; they cannot be divided however you wish in private.

Lady Wang never intended to compete with the eldest son's family for the title and the Rongguo Mansion. Her reliance was always on Yuan Chun in the palace and her brother, Prince Teng, from her maternal family.

The conflict between the eldest son and the first wife was mainly about wanting a larger share of the family property left by the old Duke and Grandmother Jia, so as to leave more for Jia Baoyu!

Therefore, Jia Jing and Lady Wang did not have any direct conflict of interest.

Madam Wang then smiled and said:

"Yes, Jing-ge is a capable person! He used to be unassuming, but I never expected him to have such good fortune."

"Those two from the eldest son's family have always mistreated Jing-ge since he was little. When he comes back, things will get interesting for them!"

"I heard from Master that Baoyu's eldest uncle sent people to Liaodong on business, but Jing'er chased them all back, and the two sides had a very bad falling out!"

Madam Wang looked on as if she were watching someone else's drama unfold.

Aunt Xue didn't want to talk about that at the moment. She picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and spoke again:

"I didn't have much contact with Baoyu's uncle, but his aunt was indeed a bit... how should I put it? A bit mercenary..."

Aunt Xue had dealt with Madam Xing a few times and indeed felt that Madam Xing was somewhat too concerned with gold and silver, and was rather shallow.

Madam Wang nodded:

"After all, they come from a humble family, so they're easily swayed. His uncle is the same way; last time, he almost caused a death over a few antique fans..."

Lady Wang chuckled as she recounted to Aunt Xue the scene that unfolded two years prior at Rongqing Hall: how Jia Jing had beaten Wang Shanbao's wife, and how Jia She and Lady Xing had confronted Jia Jing...

Aunt Xue was stunned when she heard this, never expecting that there was such a reason why Jia Jing went to join the army.

He paused for a moment.

Aunt Xue sighed:

"With parents like these, Jing-ge'er's outstanding qualities are all the more remarkable!"

"If my son Pan'er had even half of his abilities, I'd be burning incense and praying to Buddha!"

Then, changing the subject, she asked casually:

"Oh, right! I heard that Jing-ge is only twenty years old and still unmarried, is that right?"