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

A career in government is an even more important aspect.

It's simply a matter of choosing between politics and the military.

It was impossible for Jia Baoyu to join the army; it was too dangerous.

The only option was politics. If it weren't for Jia Jing, this outlier, the Jia family would have already been shifting its development path from military to civil.

Therefore, becoming an official and a high-ranking official was Jia Mu's true expectation for Jia Baoyu's political career!

However, Grandmother Jia has recently begun to realize that the path of studying is not easy.

Putting aside everything else, Jia Baoyu himself didn't really like it.

These days, every time Jia Baoyu returns from the clan school, he looks sullen and even begs Grandmother Jia many times that he doesn't want to go to the clan school anymore!

Grandmother Jia naturally didn't want to see her precious grandson unhappy, so she was already thinking about whether she could find another way for Jia Baoyu!

Ultimately, after much consideration, Grandmother Jia concluded that nothing was more suitable than a noble title to ensure Jia Baoyu's carefree and wealthy life!

This is also why she was so insistent on having Jia Baoyu inherit the title of Ningguo Mansion; there was simply no other choice for Jia Baoyu in the future!

When Grandmother Jia proposed to Jia Jing that Baoyu should inherit the title, everyone in the hall turned their attention to Jia Jing.

Lady Wang unconsciously clenched the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, wishing she could go to Jia Jing's side, press his head down, and make him agree!

With Prince Teng losing power and Yuan Chun returning to her household, Lady Wang actually hoped that her second branch of the family could inherit the title even more than Grandmother Jia!

Otherwise, the second wife really had no other way out!

It's impossible for the second branch of the family to have to move out of Rongguo Mansion and live with that group of impoverished relatives on Ningrong Street after Grandmother Jia passes away!

Just imagining that scene fills her with terror.

If things really come to that, wouldn't she, as the second wife, have any face left? She might as well be dead!

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Jia Jing said calmly:

"The title of Ningguo Prefecture must never be given to a person of no virtue!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang, who had been eagerly anticipating the event, changed drastically.

Madam Wang's face instantly darkened, and she even cracked one of the prayer beads in her hand, her heart filled with rage:

How did my precious jade become a person without virtue?

That damned illegitimate son! Not only is he unwilling to grant a title, but he also slanders his own son Baoyu's reputation like this. He's utterly heartless!

Grandmother Jia's expression also darkened slightly, her aged face carrying a hint of coldness, and she said angrily:

"Jing-ge'er, why don't you explain yourself more clearly!"

Given Jia Jing's current status, the words he speaks are not child's play.

His single word, "a person without virtue," could directly ruin Jia Baoyu's reputation!

Grandmother Jia would never allow such a thing to happen.

If Jia Jing cannot provide a reasonable explanation, Grandmother Jia is prepared to make him take back his words, even if it means tearing off the mask of civility!

Everyone else also looked at Jia Jing, wondering what Jia Baoyu had done to earn such a bad review from Jia Jing!

Only Daiyu, Tanchun, and Baochai looked thoughtful!

Jia Jing frowned, completely unmoved by the unpleasant expressions on the faces of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.

He looked around and then focused his gaze on Lin Daiyu, with a hint of testing in his eyes:

"Sister Lin, you have always been intelligent. Tell me, why did Baoyu become a person of no virtue after inheriting the title of the East Mansion?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Daiyu.

Xue Baochai secretly clenched her handkerchief, her plump, fair face becoming slightly serious, the words "always intelligent" echoing in her mind.

Daiyu, surrounded by gazes, lowered her eyes, feeling a mixture of shyness and joy.

Her third brother specifically mentioned her name and praised her for her intelligence.

This isn't an evaluation everyone receives; it's praise unique to her!

Daiyu's mind raced, and she quickly came to a decision. She raised her eyes and whispered:

"Third Brother didn't mean that Second Brother Bao is a person without virtue, but rather that if Second Brother Bao inherits the title, he will become a person without virtue!"

When Daiyu said this, Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were filled with confusion. What difference did it make?

Xiangyun's eyes brightened slightly, her apple-shaped face filled with understanding, and she clapped her hands, saying:

"I see! I understand! I understand!"

"If Brother Ai wants to inherit the title of the East Mansion, he must be adopted into the East Mansion and become Master Jing's son."

"But Brother Ai is the Second Master's only legitimate son. If he abandons his parents for a title, wouldn't he be a person without virtue!"

Xiangyun's words made the people present, including Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Aunt Xue, and Sister Feng, seem to be deep in thought!

As the matriarch of both households, Grandmother Jia was probably aware of this matter.

But she held onto a sliver of hope, thinking that perhaps she could find a way to pull some strings at the Imperial Clan Court!

Lin Daiyu pursed her pink lips and continued:

"Sister Yun is right! According to the patriarchal system of our Great Han Dynasty, it is clearly stipulated that if a hereditary title has no son, a nephew of the same generation and lineage may inherit it."

"In other words, if Bao Erge wants to legally inherit the title of Dongfu, the only way within the framework of the patriarchal clan system is to first be adopted into Dongfu."

"Only in this way can I completely erase the stigma of being the 'son of the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion,' become a 'fatherless' member of the Ningguo Mansion, and then 'inherit' the title that rightfully belongs to the East Mansion lineage."

"As Bao Erge is the only legitimate son of his second maternal uncle, it's not appropriate for him to be adopted out for the sake of a title, otherwise his reputation would be ruined!"

Daiyu further explained Xiangyun's words, while also demonstrating her understanding of the laws of the Han Dynasty!

Baochai gave Daiyu a deep look, her gaze intense, and thought to herself:

Lin Yatou's knowledge has become increasingly profound; she has even begun to study the patriarchal clan system. What is she planning to do?

Grandmother Jia's expression was not good, and she asked Jia Jing, still unwilling to give up:

"Jing-ge'er, can you think of a way? Is it really impossible for Bao-yu to inherit the title of the East Mansion?"

The method Grandmother Jia used here naturally refers to operating in secrecy.

Jia Jing smiled.

Of course there are ways. In feudal times, imperial power was always supreme. Even if legal methods didn't work, there were still privileges. How could there be absolutely no way?

For example, as long as the Ningguo Mansion is made extinct, and then Emperor Jingsheng issues an edict that Baoyu can inherit the title from both families, he will naturally be able to inherit the title without being adopted!

But this is extremely difficult to do!

Jia Baoyu is not Jia Jing's son, so why would Jia Jing go to such great lengths for him?

Faced with Grandmother Jia's question, Jia Jing decisively shook his head and said:

"The succession of titles follows a strict patriarchal system; it cannot be privately bestowed!"

"The title of Ningguo Mansion must either be inherited by a member of the Ningguo Mansion clan, or if a member of the Rongguo Mansion wants to inherit it, it can only be inherited by a son born out of wedlock, such as Cong-ge'er or Huan-ge'er..."

Upon hearing Jia Jing's words, Grandmother Jia's expression instantly darkened, and her face fell.

Meanwhile, a deeper meaning surfaced in Tan Chun's beautiful eyes!

When Madam Wang heard the name "Huan-ge'er," she instinctively called out:

"Huan-ge'er must never inherit the title!"