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

Seeing Jia Mu's worried expression, Lady Zhu, the wife of Prince Teng, glanced at her and, recalling her prepared words, offered words of comfort:

"Grandma, there's no need to worry too much. Coming from a family of martial prowess, we enjoy this kind of wealth, but we also have to bear more risks than ordinary families."

"Let alone a pillar of the state like Duke Jing, even my master was dismissed from office a few months ago because he was wholeheartedly devoted to the country and vigorously reorganized the capital garrison, which offended too many people, caused a commotion, and resulted in his dismissal."

"The old lady... has seen it all, she should know that back when the older generation was still around, which family didn't have some kind of trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia glanced at Madam Zhu with some surprise.

This wasn't her first encounter with her. In the past, Zhu Shi had always struck her as a fool, just like Xie Shi, her nephew's wife. But today, she had actually learned to comfort people!

However, these words sound like a recitation, disjointed and lacking emotion.

Grandmother Jia frowned, puzzled, but still replied in a hoarse voice:

"You're right! Back when the old Duke Rong and the previous Duke Rong were alive, I saw and heard quite a lot of things."

"Whether it's being wounded on the battlefield or navigating the treacherous waters of court politics, to put it bluntly, when haven't you seen funerals held at the homes of relatives and friends?"

"But my son, the devil in the sky, is different from everyone else!"

Grandmother Jia gave Jia Jing a new title, paused, and continued:

"He achieved too much success at a young age and didn't understand the principles of self-preservation and blending in with the world! He was also too stubborn, intolerant of any wrongdoing, and left no room for compromise in his actions!"

"Look at him, he wants to offend every single official, friend, and relative he knows!"

"While there have always been many power struggles and infighting in the imperial court, none have ever reached such a horrifying level as today, with swords drawn!"

"Others probably wished he were dead! Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine; it was far too dangerous!"

Zhu looked thoughtful, as if recalling something, and stammered:

"Yes! My master also said that the capital city is now shrouded in turmoil... dark clouds and surging undercurrents, making it increasingly unsettling!"

He also said that the four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue are all of the same blood and lineage, and in this time of upheaval, we must... unite closely and overcome these difficult times together!

Grandmother Jia frowned, a hint of wariness in her eyes, and said:

"That makes sense! But we women of the inner quarters have no right to interfere in the important affairs of the men outside!"

"If Baoyu's uncle has any ideas, he can only discuss them with Jingge himself!"

"Baoyu's mother probably already told you that my words carry absolutely no weight in matters of the household these days!"

Could it be that Baoyu's uncle wants to use Jingge'er's influence to get back into his position? Grandmother Jia was somewhat suspicious.

However, regardless of the circumstances, she can neither, nor want to, nor dare to interfere in her third grandson's affairs in the imperial court!

Madam Zhu glanced at Madam Wang and smiled:

"We women can't interfere in important matters outside the home! But we still have a lot to worry about within the household!"

"I won't hide it from you, Madam. I've come to your residence on your behalf, Master, hoping... to strengthen our family ties through marriage!"

Upon hearing Zhu's words, everyone in the hall immediately straightened up and their expressions became serious!

Sister Feng raised her phoenix eyes, her expression a half-smile. Her words were roundabout and sounded like she was reciting a poem, but it turned out she was still after all trying to arrange a marriage between herself and her third brother!

However, now that his uncle has been dismissed from his post, it would be wishful thinking for him to try and climb up the social ladder by associating with his third brother!

Yuan Chun, Ying Chun, Tan Chun, and others felt that arranging marriages on the day Jia Jing was attacked was inappropriate and unlucky.

Although they knew that after the attack, the clan and the old lady would probably be even more eager to arrange a marriage for their third brother (Jingdi).

After all, if we don't leave a bloodline as soon as possible, and something unexpected happens, we won't even have someone to mourn with!

Not to mention the huge problem of having no successor for the title of Duke of Jing!

For a family of military generals, having no offspring is indeed a huge problem, or rather, a lack of offspring cannot maintain the family's prestige!

Therefore, many generals and officers would even take many wives and concubines and have children before going to war.

But even though they knew it, they still felt the timing was inappropriate, and their third brother was a lucky man, so it wasn't that time yet!

Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu felt a sudden jolt in their hearts and clenched their handkerchiefs tightly. Although they knew that Grandmother Jia couldn't make decisions for Jia Jing, they still couldn't help but feel nervous.

At this moment, Grandmother Jia frowned. After Jia Jing's attack, she had indeed thought about urging him to get married as soon as possible!

I don't care who he wants to marry, but it has to be done as soon as possible!

Otherwise, if we wait until She'er is gone, it will be too late if we postpone it for another three years!

This is a matter of paramount importance concerning the safety of the clan and the continuation of the family line; it cannot be handled recklessly!

After all, their third grandson has made too many enemies lately, and no one knows if he will fall into someone's ambush one day!

In these kinds of situations, it's better to be safe than sorry!

However, even if she wanted to urge Jia Jing to get married, Grandmother Jia never considered the Wang family!

Leaving aside the issue of social status, both the first and second branches of the Rongguo Mansion have now married daughters from the Wang family as their principal wives.

It's impossible to let Jia Jing's Duke of Jing's mansion also marry a woman from the Wang family to take charge!

If things continue like this, will the Jia family still bear the surname Jia or Wang?

No matter how closely the four major families are connected, there's no reason for this!

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia felt extremely uncomfortable and said with a sullen face:

"If Baoyu's uncle wants to be Jingge's father-in-law, he should go and talk to him himself."

"I can't arrange Jing-ge's marriage! I'm not afraid to tell you the truth."

In her excitement, Grandmother Jia even used an inverted sentence structure that is not commonly used in later generations.

Madam Zhu's expression froze for a moment, and after glancing at Madam Wang again, she hurriedly said:

"Grandma, you've misunderstood! How could my family dare to harbor such a thought! The Duke of Jing is of such high status that a girl from the Wang family is not worthy of him..."

These words immediately made Madam Wang and Aunt Xue frown, and Sister Feng couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Grandmother Jia breathed a slight sigh of relief, thinking to herself, "These are the words that Zhu Shi usually says!"

"If it's not Jing-ge'er, then who is it? Could it be Bao-yu?" Grandmother Jia guessed.

Besides Jia Jing, it seems that the only other person in the Jia family is Bao Yu!

But Baoyu couldn't do it either; he had always wanted the two Yu'er to be a pair!

I heard that my son-in-law Ruhai is going to the capital for a great purpose, and Yu'er's health is improving day by day. Such a good marriage is hard to find even with a lantern!

Why go to such lengths to find some Wang family daughter!

Besides, now that Baoyu's uncle has lost his official position, it's somewhat unfair for Baoyu to marry into this family!

Unexpectedly, upon hearing Grandmother Jia's words, Madam Zhu was startled and appeared extremely flustered. She quickly waved her hand with a smile and said:

"No, no! Baoyu won't do it, Baoyu absolutely won't do it..."

Seeing that both Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were looking at her with displeasure, Zhu quickly explained:

"Baoyu is a good boy! Baoyu is a lucky boy! Baoyu is the old lady's darling, but my daughter doesn't have that kind of luck..."