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

In Rongqing Hall,

As Grandmother Jia brought up Jia Jing's marriage, everyone had different thoughts.

All eyes were fixed on Jia Jing, whose expression remained calm; no one wanted to miss his specific thoughts on the matter!

Aside from the slight change in the expressions of Madam Wang and Madam Xing, Baochai's flawless face also showed a hint of something different.

Her gaze was lowered, and her eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes.

Although her facial expression didn't change much, there was a very faint warmth behind her ears, which appeared slightly flushed in the candlelight.

The red earring on her earlobe swayed gently, and her bright eyes beneath her beautiful eyebrows held a complex and indescribable expression.

She turned her face away as if to avoid such a topic that was not suitable for a young lady to hear, while secretly watching Jia Jing's reaction with her almond-shaped eyes, and at the same time, she did not forget to observe Lin Daiyu's expression.

When Daiyu heard Grandmother Jia mention Jia Jing's marriage, she panicked.

Yan Yan's brows furrowed slightly, her bright, clear eyes fixed on the composed Jia Jing.

Her eyelashes drooped down like two small fans, concealing the anxious and flustered emotions in her eyes.

My third brother is about to get married, but my father is still far away in Yangzhou. Even if I want to, who can I ask him to?

Although I had written to my father a few days ago about how my third brother had taken good care of me, could my father understand my feelings and what I was thinking about from these few words?

Moreover, although his family had been nobles for generations and his father had achieved the third-highest rank in the imperial examination, his family had not fallen into disgrace.

Compared to those wealthy and powerful families, she was still lacking. Was she worthy of her third brother?

Countless thoughts arose in Daiyu's mind. Her slender, delicate hands gripped the handkerchief tightly, her fingertips turning white, and a slight, barely suppressed tremor ran through her.

Sister Feng, Li Wan, and the others also had varying expressions, their eyes filled with surprise or blank stares as they looked at Jia Jing, trying to find some clues from his next statement.

Unfortunately, to everyone's disappointment, Jia Jing's cold and stern face beneath his sword-like eyebrows did not change in the slightest because of Grandmother Jia's words.

He seemed oblivious to the gazes, some bright, some dim, fixed on him with a calm expression and a clear, resonant voice:

"I know what I'm doing, Madam, don't worry about it! If anyone else asks, just tell them to come find me!"

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Lady Xing, Feng Wan, the Four Spring Sisters, and Daiyu and Baochai: "???"

After waiting for so long, all I got in return was this one sentence: "Don't bother."

I won't go into details about who he'll marry or when they plan to arrange the marriage.

A hint of hesitation appeared on Grandmother Jia's aged face. She frowned, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

The other ladies, including Madam Xing and Madam Wang, still looked on with curiosity, wanting to ask Jia Jing about his detailed plans, but none of them dared to speak up easily!

Jia Jing ignored the probing gazes of the crowd, took a sip of tea, and remained silent for a moment.

It was obvious that Jia Jing had no intention of discussing his marriage with Grandmother Jia and the others in depth!

Firstly, his marriage was no longer a matter of ordinary family affection, but a political matter concerning the direction of the court.

Before he could figure out Emperor Jingsheng's intentions, he would not easily express any obvious attitude or inclination on this matter.

Secondly, at this moment, Rongqing Hall is clearly not the place to discuss this topic, and it would be pointless to talk about it with Grandmother Jia and the others!

As for Grandmother Jia's argument that it was not advisable to delay any longer, Jia Jing actually disagreed with it completely.

His attitude toward marriage was exactly the opposite of that of Grandmother Jia; he believed that this matter should not be rushed and that it was better to proceed slowly rather than hastily.

First of all, he is 21 years old now. Although he is indeed of marriageable age compared to the average person, he is by no means one of the very few people who marry late at an older age.

Nowadays, many scholars in the Han Dynasty often postpone their marriages until they have obtained the titles of Xiucai, Juren, and Jinshi.

As far as he knows,

The average age of first marriage for scholars who passed the imperial examinations in the Han Dynasty was between 22 and 24, or even later; many scholars did not get married until they were 30.

Furthermore, unlike later periods, Han society faced virtually no moral or public pressure regarding men marrying late.

On the contrary, indulging in boudoir activities too early would be seen as "lacking ambition".

At the age of twenty-one, he was granted the titles of Duke and General. People would only think that he "established his career before starting a family," which was a sign of lofty ambitions, and there was nothing wrong with that in terms of public opinion.

Therefore, saying that one has reached a certain age is a shallow view of ignorant people and is not worth refuting!

As Grandmother Jia said, it would be unacceptable for a military officer and a high-ranking official not to have a family.

The underlying meaning was that military generals often went to the battlefield and were prone to accidents, so leaving offspring early could ensure the continuation of the family line and the inheritance of titles.

But given Jia Jing's unparalleled martial prowess, this consideration is undoubtedly an unfounded worry!

Therefore, from all aspects, the matter of getting married was not as urgent or pressing as Grandmother Jia had said!

On the contrary, strengthening the military and implementing new policies are the most pressing tasks for him and the court, and these two things are destined to offend countless people!

In this context, rushing into marriage will only bring more invisible entanglements, which is clearly not a wise choice!

Of course, not being in a hurry to get married doesn't mean Jia Jing is unwilling to start a family.

It's just a matter of waiting for the right time, giving myself more time to observe, make choices, or cultivate feelings!

As night deepened and the moonlight shone like water, after a brief chat at Rongqing Hall,

Jia Jing estimated that it was already Hai Shi (9-11 PM), stood up, and said to Grandmother Jia:

"Madam, it's getting late, and I see everyone is tired. Let's call it a day!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia looked weary and glanced at the crowd who had risen with Jia Jing. After a moment of silence, she said:

"You've had a long day, and it's really not good for you to stay up too late. Go home and rest!"

Fengjie, who was standing to the side, moved her lips slightly, thinking of offering to see Jia Jing off so that she could get closer to him in private and casually mention Qin Keqing.

But before she could speak, a smile spread across Aunt Xue's fair face, her eyes flickered, and she said:

"Jing-ge'er, are you going back to the Martial Arts Academy? We're going the same way, why don't we travel together for company!"

Jia Jing nodded upon hearing this; he would still stay at the Jingwu Academy for the night.

Once Zhuque has made proper arrangements at Ningguo Mansion, it won't be too late to move there tomorrow.

Since Pear Fragrance Courtyard and Martial Arts Academy are close to each other, it didn't seem abrupt for Aunt Xue to suggest going the same way.

Baochai stood beside Aunt Xue and together they bid farewell to Grandmother Jia.

As Daiyu watched this scene, her eyes held a somewhat dim and uncertain look.

Jia Jing greeted the four sisters, Daiyu, Xing Xiuyan, Feng Wan, and others, and then left Rongqing Hall with Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and others, seeing them off.

The night was as dark as ink, so thick it was impossible to see through.

The dim yellow light emitted by the lanterns under the eaves swayed slightly in the wind, casting warm circles of light on the bluestone path.

A breeze blew in from the flower wall, carrying the sweet scent of tuberose and jasmine, gently caressing one's face.