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

Niu was born into the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion, and her older brother was Niu Jizong!

After explaining the issue of address, Mr. Niu continued:

"As you know, the Duke of Jing only returned yesterday, and he originally did not intend to come in such a hurry."

"However, Duke Jing is extremely busy with official duties. If we don't come soon, it might be difficult to even see him!"

"The master has made a private arrangement with Prince Bei Jing and the founding lineage of various dukes and marquises."

"This morning, our Shi family came to visit the Duke of Jing, this afternoon the Prince of Beijing will come, tomorrow morning the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will come, and tomorrow afternoon the Duke of Li's mansion will come."

"Let's line up like this, with the seats staggered..."

"To be honest, my family owes our visit to the old lady's family; otherwise, my husband wouldn't have been the first to come and visit today!"

Niu's eloquent and rhythmic speech stunned everyone in the hall!

Lady Wang sat to the right of Grandmother Jia, wearing a blue satin jacket, a red gold phoenix hairpin, and holding Buddhist prayer beads in her hand.

I felt that the good mood I had been in since the morning was completely dissipated by Niu's few words.

A hint of resentment flashed across the pale white dough, and she thought to herself:

That's an exaggeration; it makes it sound like the eldest son of the concubine is busier than the emperor himself!

Daiyu's bright, dark eyes, beneath her arched, delicate eyebrows, flickered, and her heart was stirred by Niu Shi's words, "separated by a thread."

The image of her teasing Jia Jing on that snowy day flashed through her mind. Time flies so fast; a year has passed in the blink of an eye!

A faint smile appeared on Baochai's fair and delicate face, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with gentle waves.

I couldn't help but feel a little glad that I hadn't rushed to find "Jinglang" this morning.

Since they pledged their love last night, she has been so excited that she couldn't sleep all night, and there are still faint dark circles under her eyes.

She had planned to go find Jia Jing after getting up, without having to say or do anything.

Just watching Jia Jing busy himself must have been a peaceful and happy scene!

Fortunately, after hearing Grandmother Jia advise Xiangyun and the others not to go and disturb them, she held back.

Otherwise, it might delay Jinglang's official business and make him look like an ignorant person!

Thinking of this, Baochai pursed her cherry lips and breathed a sigh of relief.

Grandmother Jia was also greatly shocked by what Niu Shi said, and couldn't help but silently put down her teacup and lean back on the pillow.

She habitually used her standard phrase, speaking with a hint of surprise and humility:

"That's an overstatement! Although Jing-ge'er has been granted the title of Duke, Prince Bei-jing and others are both respected and senior; there's no need for them to wait in line to see him!"

"He's still a junior, so don't overpraise him!"

"Speaking of which, last night Jing-ge said he'd invite your families to get together and chat when he has some free time in a few days!"

Grandmother Jia's words represented the sentiments of most of the women in the hall, who believed that Lady Niu had overpraised Jia Jing!

In their view, although Jia Jing had a high status and enjoyed the emperor's favor, a duke was still a duke, and could he possibly be more powerful than a prince?

Niu paused slightly, then smiled and said:

"To have the Duke of Jing invite us? How could we possibly accept that! We must pay him a visit first; it's a matter of etiquette, and we can't disregard it!"

After saying that, Madam Niu continued to explain to Grandmother Jia:

"Grandma, it's not that I'm flattering Duke Jing, but there are some things about the court that you're unaware of!"

"Just like how social status can't be determined solely by titles! A title is a title, and a position is a position!"

"Not to mention that the title of Duke of Jing is extraordinary in itself, just the three important positions he currently holds—Minister of War, General of the Second Rank, and Military Governor of the Twelve Battalions—are ones that most people could never achieve in their entire lives!"

"For Duke Jing to hold three such important positions simultaneously—what immense favor and merit this is!"

"My master said that the entire court now recognizes Duke Jing as the undisputed number one meritorious official of the Han Dynasty."

"Not to mention military affairs, he can manage everything, and even matters of state involving politics, His Majesty will probably have to consult with him frequently!"

"Therefore, Prince Bei Jing and my master are currently unsure about some matters concerning the court and would like to consult him in person!"

Niu's eyes flickered. In fact, this was only part of what Shi Ding had told her privately about Jia Jing. There were some more exaggerated things that she couldn't say out loud!

For example, Jia Jing now commands 180,000 troops in 12 battalions, which are the main force guarding the capital. The relationship between them is no ordinary matter!

Let alone Prince Bei Jing, a prince with little real power, even the high-ranking officials and ministers of the court all had to show him some respect!

If judged solely by peerage, Jia Jing, a first-class duke, might not be the highest-ranking.

But in terms of real power and military authority, all the military merits in the capital city combined probably couldn't compare to him alone.

Niu's words silenced the room for a moment, a silence so brief it was like a gust of wind brushing across the water.

But everyone present felt a strange, heavy weight pressing down on their hearts.

Grandmother Jia was taken aback. She was well aware of Jia Jing's great power and influence, and had heard many of the noble ladies of the inner quarters mention it to her these days.

But this title of "the greatest meritorious official of the Han Dynasty" was something she was learning about for the first time, and she felt quite impressed and awestruck.

Meanwhile, the beautiful young woman next to Sister Feng paused slightly, her gaze becoming serious.

She watched as Lady Niu, a second-rank noblewoman, lowered her posture so much when talking about Jia Jing, and her words were so flattering that they bordered on fawning.

She couldn't help but put herself in his shoes, feeling that her "profound" praise of Jia Jing yesterday was ultimately somewhat shallow and hadn't been fully expressed.

The words I used to use to praise the old lady are no longer suitable. I must learn a few new words after I get back today so I can give my third brother a good compliment!

Baochai pursed her full, moist lips, her lightly made-up face showing a hint of pride.

Hearing Niu Shi praise Jia Jing, she felt as if she herself was being praised, after all, husband and wife are one.

Daiyu, standing to the side, frowned slightly, her bright eyes flickering as she watched Baochai beside her, who had maintained a beaming smile all morning.

A sense of doubt and foreboding welled up in her heart for no apparent reason.

What's making him so happy? He can't stop smiling!

Furthermore, Bao'er's makeup and sitting posture today give her a vague sense of déjà vu of Princess Zhen, the wife of Prince Bei Jing.

Could it be that she's managed to latch onto some prince?

After a moment of stunned silence, Grandmother Jia, with a mixture of joy and sorrow in her heart and a complex expression on her aged face, changed the subject:

"I don't really understand matters of the court anymore! Ding'er, you must have come here today for something, right?"

Grandmother Jia knew her nephew from her maternal family well, knowing that he was the type to only come to the temple when he needed something. This time, he probably came because he wanted something from Jia Jing.

However, she was still happy to see her nephew and grandson getting so close.

No matter what, the Shi family is her maternal family, so how could she not hope for the best for her maternal family!

Upon hearing this, Madam Niu glanced at Grandmother Jia and the many members of the Jia family in the hall, and smiled:

"Since the old lady asked, I answered directly!"

"For years, the master has held a sinecure in the Five Armies Commandery. Although he has been trying to find someone to pull strings and secure a powerful military post, he has been unable to achieve his goal."

"Back when he was the commander-in-chief in Datong, he blocked some people's path to wealth, and they held a grudge against him..."

"Now that Duke Jing is serving as the military governor of the Twelve Battalions, there are still many vacancies for the commanders of the various battalions under his command. It is precisely the time when people are needed."

"My lord is interested in finding a position in the Twelfth Regiment and leading troops, so he came to see Duke Jing to see if he could be transferred to the Twelfth Regiment."

"Firstly, it's for the country's benefit; secondly, it's like brothers fighting tigers together. With you, Madam, in charge, the Jia and Shi families are practically brothers."

"The master also hopes to share the burden and serve the Duke of Jing, just as he did under the Duke of Rong before."