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

Lady Wang, who was standing to the side, had a rather unpleasant expression, but after hearing Grandmother Jia praise Jia Baoyu, her expression brightened.

At this moment, he also smiled and said:

"Feng'er is a good girl! She's not only filial to the old lady, but she also manages the household very well. Since we've had her help with the household affairs, I haven't had to worry about anything as much!"

Lady Wang's words were also pointed. Jia She had been making a lot of noise lately, trying to get the eldest branch of the family to move to the main hall of Rongxi Hall, and even proposing that the steward of the eldest branch of the family manage the Rongguo Mansion's business.

This undoubtedly infringed upon Madam Wang's interests, which made her very unhappy.

Therefore, Lady Wang was unlikely to have a favorable impression of Jia Jing's promotion and title.

If Jia She hadn't had such a good son, he wouldn't have dared to be so presumptuous.

Lady Wang specifically pointed out that Sister Feng was good at managing the household, which was also a reminder to Grandmother Jia not to let Jia She act recklessly.

As astute as Grandmother Jia was, she immediately understood the implied meaning and solemnly reassured the woman:

"I trust the two of you to manage the household! No one else, no matter who they are, can overstep your bounds!"

Grandmother Jia patted the couch beneath her and glared fiercely at Madam Xing, whose expression was rather unnatural.

Madam Xing harbored deep resentment.

As Jia Jing's legal mother, it was one thing for Grandmother Jia to not allow her to participate in discussions about Jia Jing's marriage.

Now, he was even reprimanded by Grandmother Jia for no reason.

She knew that the master wanted to seize control of the Rongguo Mansion, but it wasn't something she had instigated, nor did she have the ability to do so.

The master always kept his word and never let her interfere in his affairs.

She came from a humble background and didn't have the confidence to defy the master.

What can she do?

Besides, even her only personal maid, Wang Shanbao's wife, had already been expelled from the Jia household.

With no one of her own in the household to rely on, even getting a little money was extremely difficult for her, let alone having the luxury of having a steward.

Being a housekeeper isn't something that can be done with a simple word; you first need to have your own trusted confidants.

Of course, no matter how resentful Madam Xing was, she dared not vent her anger on Grandmother Jia and could only bury it deep in her heart.

"Speaking of the housekeeper! I do have something I'd like to ask the old lady and madam for their advice on!"

"Now my third brother is becoming more and more successful; he has become an official and holds a noble title."

"In the future, he will inevitably have to entertain colleagues or friends, and also accommodate his personal guards and retainers. The courtyard he used to live in is a bit too small and not suitable for him to continue living there!"

"I was thinking of getting him a different courtyard, and then assigning a few maids and servants to serve my third brother in his courtyard!"

Wang Xifeng smiled and asked Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang for instructions.

Grandmother Jia had actually considered this matter long ago.

As Jia Mu's head housekeeper, Yuanyang also gave Jia Mu a reminder.

After all, Jia Jing's previous courtyard was too small, and he didn't have a single maidservant to serve him.

Of course, we can't let Jia Jing stay in that courtyard after he comes back; that would be an insult!

Grandmother Jia pondered for a moment and said:

"This matter certainly needs to be prepared for early. Judging from the news outside, Jingge'er estimates that after this battle, he will return to the capital."

"Although he has been granted a title and the court may bestow a mansion upon him, the Ministry of Works will take time to build it. In addition, he is not yet married and his parents are still alive, so he will definitely continue to live in this mansion for the time being."

"We will definitely bring the personal guards back then; we can't leave them without a place to stay."

"In that case, isn't there a quiet courtyard next to Pear Fragrance Courtyard in the northeast corner? Let Jing-ge stay there for now."

"That was the courtyard where the old Duke used to study and practice martial arts. It was large and quiet, with more than twenty rooms in the front and back courtyards combined."

"There's a gate over there that leads to North Street, making it convenient for people to enter and exit the mansion, and also allowing Jing-ge to receive colleagues and friends."

"You shall order people to clean the place inside and out, replace the furnishings and utensils with new ones, and then assign eight head maids, ten junior maids and ten old women to serve it."

"As for servants and the like, there's no need to arrange them for now. Jing-ge'er has his own personal guards and retainers, so he doesn't need any more of these people."

Grandmother Jia's arrangement was not unexpected for Wang Xifeng.

Although the Jia family mansion is large, there are not many courtyards suitable for Jia Jing to live in now. Wang Xifeng originally planned to arrange for Jia Jing to live in that courtyard.

What Wang Xifeng didn't expect was that Grandmother Jia actually arranged eight senior maids and ten junior maids for Jia Jing, a treatment that almost surpassed that of Jia Baoyu.

Hearing what Grandmother Jia said, Aunt Xue's eyes also showed a hint of surprise.

She never expected that Grandmother Jia would arrange for Jia Jing to live next to Pear Fragrance Courtyard, making him her neighbor.

Originally, as Jia Jing's status and position became increasingly prestigious, she had already let go of a certain idea in her heart.

After all, compared to the daughters of dukes and even princes who have visited the Jia family in recent days, Baochai's background is indeed somewhat inferior.

Although Bao Yatou is wonderful in every way, she was born into a wealthy merchant family.

Although women generally marry into higher social classes, the difference in social standing between these families is still too great.

She couldn't possibly make Baoya a concubine, so she had no choice but to give up her wishful thinking.

But then, things took an unexpected turn.

If I really become neighbors with Jing-ge, and we have more opportunities to interact in the future, it's not impossible that things might turn out well.

Aunt Xue thought about it and decided that she should still take a chance, as this opportunity was truly rare.

She laughed:

"This is quite a rare opportunity. My Pan'er has always said that he wants to get to know Jing'er properly when he comes back. He's always admired those generals on the battlefield. Now that we're neighbors, it'll be very convenient!"

"Speaking of which, Jing-ge is a man of good manners. The last time the Feng family's son brought things to our mansion, he even went to Lixiang Courtyard to deliver some precious medicinal herbs and a sable fur coat to my family, saying that Jing-ge instructed him to ask me how I was doing."

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt a little gratified. Jia Jing's respectful treatment of Aunt Xue was a source of pride for her and Lady Wang.

After all, Aunt Xue and Jia Jing were not directly related, so whether or not to send a gift was entirely up to Jia Jing's wishes.

Grandmother Jia smiled and said:

"It must have been when Tan Chun and the other maids wrote to him that they mentioned his aunt's visit to the mansion. The young ladies often correspond with him, and they are even closer than siblings."

Grandmother Jia had no objection to the close relationship between Tan Chun, Ying Chun, Xi Chun, and Jia Jing.

After all, Yingchun was Jia Jing's younger sister, and Tanchun and the others were Jia Jing's cousins; their blood ties were naturally close.

Furthermore, when Yingchun and Tanchun get married in the future, they will also be hoping that their maternal family will have a capable brother to support them, which is a good thing for them.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia was happy to see the siblings maintain close contact and deepen their bond.

Aunt Xue chuckled softly:

"I've heard Bao Yatou mention it too; the siblings really do have a great relationship!"

"This child remembers me, his aunt, even while fighting on the front lines. As his aunt, I can't be petty and rude!"

"Since the old lady has arranged a courtyard for Jing-ge, I'd like to return the favor!"

Grandmother Jia was somewhat curious:

"What is Auntie going to give Jing-ge'er?"

Aunt Xue's words aroused the curiosity of everyone present. Although the Xue family were imperial merchants, their own business did indeed have many fine items from all over the country.

But the Jia family will have everything the Xue family has, so what new things can Aunt Xue send out?

Aunt Xue pulled out one of the maids behind her and said:

"I heard that the old lady assigned eight head maids to Jing-ge'er's courtyard, so I'll just imitate her and send a maid to Jing-ge'er."