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

Rongguo Mansion.

The Rongguo Mansion has been exceptionally lively these days.

Not only did the Wu Xun family, the founding line of the dynasty, frequently visit to offer congratulations, but the imperial palace also bestowed gifts upon them several times to show their closeness.

It can be said that in just over a month, the Jia family experienced a level of glory that had not been seen in nearly ten years since the passing of the old Duke.

Of course, the majority of visitors were the ladies from the inner quarters of families with whom the family had long-standing friendships; they came almost every day.

Their words revealed that they had a dignified and beautiful daughter or granddaughter of marriageable age, who was either sensible and well-behaved, had a generous dowry, or was beautiful and kind-hearted, and they hoped to bring them together in a happy marriage, strengthening their family ties.

Rongqing Hall

Grandmother Jia sat wearily on the high couch, with Yuanyang gently massaging her head from behind. She had just seen off several noble ladies who had come to visit.

It's probably because I'm getting old; I can't stand being around guests for long periods of time.

However, some guests were of noble status, and Grandmother Jia had to personally entertain them.

Lady Wang only holds the rank of a fifth-grade noblewoman; it would be disrespectful to ask her to host such an event.

As for Madam Xing, she was only Jia She's second wife, and her official title was only fourth rank.

Furthermore, since Madam Xing was not good at speaking, Grandmother Jia naturally wouldn't let her entertain guests.

"Well, this is great! Even the Dowager Princess of the Prince of Nan'an's residence has come to arrange a marriage for her granddaughter!"

Grandmother Jia's tired expression carried a hint of helplessness.

My grandson, a concubine's son, has truly risen to power!

Even the Dowager Princess of the Prince's Mansion wanted to arrange a marriage between their families.

In just one month, not only was his official rank promoted to the fourth rank, but his noble title was also raised to the first-class earl, which is equivalent to the third rank.

Even she, who had seen a lot of the world, was astonished by the speed of his promotion.

It can be said that among the men in the Jia family today, apart from herself, Jia Jing holds the highest official position and wields the most power!

Grandmother Jia was both happy and somewhat uneasy!

Being too successful at a young age, one doesn't know whether it's a blessing or a curse.

These days, Grandmother Jia dreams of how many Tartars Jia Jing has killed and how good news has come from the front lines!

Down the hall,

Sister Feng, Madam Wang, Madam Xing, Aunt Xue, and others sat in two rows, and at this moment they also felt a bit unreal.

Just now, they were having a friendly chat with a concubine and several duchesses, exchanging pleasantries and drinking tea.

Especially Wang Xifeng, who today wore a bright red satin jacket embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, a five-colored silk embroidered dark blue and silver-fox fur coat, and a jade-green crepe skirt sprinkled with flowers.

Adorned with a gold-threaded eight-treasure beaded hairpin, a five-phoenix hairpin with pearls hanging from the sun, and a pea-green palace sash with a double fish and rose pendant, her entire body was splendidly embroidered, making her look like a fairy princess!

She has always loved manipulating power, and today, having gained such great prestige, she couldn't stop smiling. Hearing Grandmother Jia's words, she laughed and said:

"Isn't this all thanks to your excellent management of the household, Grandma, for raising such a capable and precious grandson!"

"These past few days, every daughter of the military officer's family and the daughter of the civil official has wanted to become your granddaughter-in-law, Madam! It wouldn't be surprising if another granddaughter from the Imperial Concubine's family were to join the fray!"

Aunt Xue chuckled and chimed in:

"This is truly a blessing for the old lady! A blessing for her descendants! Not only does she have a capable grandson like Jing-ge who earns respect outside, but she also has a well-behaved grandson like Bao-yu who fulfills his filial duties by her side!"

"It's good both inside and out! This is the best of both worlds!"

Aunt Xue's words struck a chord with Grandmother Jia.

Although Jia Jing is a good man, he is not the grandson who was raised by my side since childhood, so there is a lack of affection between us.

Although Grandmother Jia was happy about Jia Jing's promotion and title, she was still secretly worried that the household would not be peaceful after Jia Jing returned home.

Putting aside everything else, just take the Lai family as an example.

Granny Lai was her dowry maid, and could be considered her most trusted confidante. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been possible for the two sons of the Lai family to become the head stewards of the Rongguo Mansion and the Ningguo Mansion respectively.

The Lai family has been in a state of panic these days. Granny Lai has come to her many times to complain. You know, before Jia Jing left, he beat Lai Da and scolded him for being a bad person.

Now that Jia Jing is gaining more and more power, who knows what will happen to them after they return to the mansion!

Other issues, such as balancing the interests of the eldest and second wives, also gave Grandmother Jia a lot of headaches.

Since Jia Jing gained increasing power, his father Jia She has become increasingly smug.

Recently, she has expressed her dissatisfaction with the second wife's family's leadership several times, and even wanted to move from the east wing to Rongxi Hall.

If it weren't for Grandmother Jia's intervention, who knows what kind of chaos would have ensued.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia was both happy and worried about Jia Jing's increasing success.

She still loves her beloved grandson Jia Baoyu the most, for he is both well-behaved and blessed.

"Baoyu's aunt speaks with such insight! I think she's a very fortunate woman!"

"Baochai is a sensible and polite girl; she won't have trouble finding a good marriage in the future! Pan-ge'er is also filial; his aunt will be blessed with a life of happiness!"

Grandmother Jia's face relaxed. She first comforted Aunt Xue with a cheerful smile, and then said happily:

"However, Baoyu has indeed made a lot of progress recently. A few days ago, Dairu came to our residence and specifically told me that Baoyu is well-behaved and sensible at the clan school, and his handwriting is excellent!"

"I think he's not only filial, but also academically gifted, sensible, and has a bright future ahead of him!"

Dai Ru is Jia Mu's younger brother-in-law, Jia Dai Ru, the brother of the late Duke Rongguo, Jia Dai Shan. He is now in charge of the Jia family's clan school and is responsible for instructing the Jia family's children in education.

"Look, look! How much the old lady dotes on Baoyu! Her mind is only on his future!"

"He would remember any good news he heard about Baoyu."

"I refuse to believe that all these grandchildren in this house are any less than Baoyu!"

Wang Xifeng pretended to be sarcastic and said with a jealous expression.

To be honest, Wang Xifeng didn't really believe Jia Dairu's words.

After all, she had heard about what the clan school was like since she was in charge of the household.

I heard it's a mess inside, with fights, gambling, and messy male-male relationships, but I haven't heard of anyone being good at studying!

After all, in all these years, apart from the deceased Jia Zhu, not a single person from the Jia family's clan school has managed to pass the imperial examination and become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

But in order to entertain her relatives and please Grandmother Jia, Wang Xifeng still pretended to be jealous.

This funny scene,

This immediately made Grandmother Jia burst into laughter.

"You shameless scoundrel, acting like this in front of your aunt, aren't you afraid she'll laugh at you?"

Wang Xifeng was always very open and uninhibited in front of Grandmother Jia, showing no sense of embarrassment whatsoever. She replied with a smile:

"Auntie isn't an outsider; she's my granddaughter-in-law's own aunt, the closest of relatives we can be. What's there to be polite about in front of her!"

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt comforted and smiled, saying:

Even so, one must not be impolite!

Aunt Xue smiled as well:

"That's how Feng'er makes you happy; that truly shows her filial piety and good manners!"