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

Grandmother Jia frowned, took a deep breath to suppress her anger, and slowly spoke:

"Zhu, since you're all unwilling, I think it's best not to force it! Third Sister is still young, and I'd like to keep her by my side for a few more years!"

Zhu Shi, oblivious to the displeasure in Grandmother Jia's words, adopted the air of a mother-in-law and smiled:

"To be honest, I'm not entirely happy about it! But besides my birth, there's always the dowry to save face, isn't there?"

Hmm! Giving a larger dowry would be enough to make do!

Upon hearing this, a low chuckle immediately filled the hall.

Baochai, Xiangyun, Yingchun, Xichun, and others all turned their amused gazes toward Tanchun, who was usually poised and shrewd, watching her expression and reaction.

Baochai clutched her handkerchief, thinking to herself, "If my family background isn't good enough, my dowry will make up for it!"

If such a good thing were to happen, I would be willing to give up all of the Xue family's million-dollar fortune as dowry!

Hmm? Your own mother doesn't want to?

It's alright, as long as my brother agrees!

Tan Chun's face turned bright red with embarrassment. Her cheeks were flushed. In front of so many people, her marriage had been described in such an unpleasant way. How could she face herself afterward?

Normally, she had absolutely no say in matters of marriage, but at this moment, disregarding any potential offense, she quickly said:

"Grandma, my third brother told me that he'll arrange my marriage! Why don't we wait until he comes back?"

These words immediately put the discussion on hold!

If others said that, it would be unreasonable for a cousin to interfere in his cousin's marriage!

However, since it was Jia Jing who said it, it naturally has a different meaning!

Grandmother Jia had long since given up on the idea of ​​marrying Tan Chun into the Wang family. Putting aside everything else, the fact that her daughter-in-law was such a foolish mother-in-law, Zhu Shi, was enough to make her suffer. Hearing this, she went along with it, saying:

"Teng's daughter-in-law, you heard it too. Jing'er and Sanyatou are very close siblings, and he wants to personally handle Sanyatou's marriage. Why don't you go and ask him about it!"

"If he agrees, he'll probably prepare at least 128 loads of dowry, sending Third Sister to your Wang family in a grand and glorious ceremony!"

Zhu's smile froze. Although she was greedy for money, she still knew what a vicious person Jia Jing was!

She didn't dare to talk to Jia Jing, so she could only laugh awkwardly.

"Grandma, you're joking! I'm not after that dowry! I'm not that kind of person who's so easily swayed..."

Grandmother Jia was so angry at Zhu Shi that she actually laughed!

At this moment, Madam Wang spoke with a somewhat unnatural expression:

"Grandma, my sister-in-law isn't very good at talking, but she doesn't have any bad intentions."

"Third Sister was chosen by Baoyu's uncle; she will certainly not be mistreated after marrying into the Wang family!"

"Although Li Ge'er is the second son of the legitimate wife, he is quite talented in literature. Bao Yu's uncle also values ​​Li Ge'er highly and is preparing to send him to study at the Imperial Academy. Perhaps he will become an official in the future!"

Lady Wang had originally decided not to bring up Tan Chun's marriage.

Because she had just caused a dispute between the legitimate and illegitimate children not long ago, if she were to rush to marry off Tan Chun now, wouldn't that be like a louse on a monk's head, clearly indicating ill intentions?

There are some things that everyone may know in their hearts, but you just can't make it so obvious!

Therefore, this matter can only be settled if the Wang family takes the initiative to propose marriage, and she, as the legal mother, simply agrees to it!

Who knew that her sister-in-law was also stupid? She could speak so well using all those talking techniques she was taught, but...

Later on, he took it upon himself to spout nonsense about not being too willing, dowry, and being easily swayed!

Seeing that Zhu was about to ruin the whole thing, she had no choice but to speak up!

Grandmother Jia frowned and said:

"Oh? Someone talented? Has he achieved some official renown?"

If he is truly promising and can pass the imperial examination to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), then being the second son of the legitimate wife would be acceptable!

Back then, didn't my own daughter marry the third-ranked scholar?

Zhu smiled and said:

"Li Ge'er is quite promising! At the clan school, even the teachers praise his beautiful handwriting!"

"She has always loved reading, is ambitious, filial, sensible, and hardworking!"

"His father said he wanted to send him to the Imperial Academy, but he disagreed and insisted on trying the county-level examination in Shuntian Prefecture next year!"

Grandmother Jia was stunned. Why did this line of reasoning seem so familiar?

And isn't the county-level examination in Shuntian Prefecture the easiest part of the imperial examination? It seems that Lan-ge'er has already passed it this year!

In other words, this diligent, sensible, and ambitious Li Ge'er didn't even have the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations).

If I remember correctly, he seems to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, about the same age as Baoyu!

Thinking of Baoyu, Grandmother Jia suddenly remembered that what Zhu Shi said was exactly what she usually said to others when she praised Baoyu.

Grandmother Jia was speechless, her lips twitching as she felt somewhat offended!

The Jia family sisters standing nearby had strange expressions on their faces, looking at each other and finding it hard not to laugh!

"This is not appropriate! Let's wait until Jing-ge'er returns before discussing it!" Grandmother Jia stated her refusal clearly, without any expression on her face.

"Grandma, although Jing-ge is a Duke, it's not proper for him to interfere in the marriages of my second wife's children!"

"Everyone loves their own child. We can't expect Baoyu to decide who he marries in the future, can we?"

"And Jing-ge'er isn't having an easy time out there these days. Just look at today's attack—it's dangerous!"

"He has so many enemies now. If something were to happen to him, wouldn't his entire household suffer as a result?"

"I think we should make more preparations and arrange futures for these girls in the family in advance!"

"Not only San Ya, but also Da Ya and Bao Yu, I want to get them all engaged soon! They're all of age!"

"Grandma, you love Baoyu too, why don't you understand my good intentions as his mother!"

It has to be said that Madam Wang, a master of domestic power struggles, has found yet another excuse.

On the one hand, it is pointed out that she married Tan Chun not out of personal resentment, but out of love for her child. No one loves their own children more than parents.

This makes it seem as if Jia Jing's interference in his cousin's marriage was entirely for the sake of family interests, and not out of any good intentions!

At the same time, the marriage between Yuan Chun and Bao Yu was publicly announced as a formality, laying the groundwork for the future.

On the other hand, it was pointed out that Jia Jing has made too many enemies now, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Therefore, she was in a hurry to marry off her daughters because she didn't want them to be implicated in the future, which showed that she was thinking far ahead for her children!

When Grandmother Jia heard about Baoyu, her expression froze, and she had to admit that what Baoyu's mother said didn't seem to be unreasonable!

Jingge'er's situation is indeed dangerous. He has offended every civil and military official in the court and has countless enemies!

It can be said that apart from a few Grand Secretaries and princes, there is no one in the imperial court that he dares not provoke!

If this reckless nature cannot be changed, he may not have a good ending in the future!

Too much rigidity leads to breakage! This is an age-old truth!

However, just as Grandmother Jia was deep in thought, Sister Feng raised her slanted eyebrows and said in a cold voice:

"What does Second Madam mean by that? Is she perhaps dissatisfied with Third Brother? Such a sarcastic remark... could it be that Third Brother has implicated your family?"

"Furthermore, my third brother is not only a Duke, but also the head of the Jia family. The rise and fall, safety and well-being of the twenty branches of the Jia family rest on his shoulders."

"As long as they still consider themselves members of the Jia clan, he has the right to interfere, whether it's weddings, funerals, or anything else!"

"Besides, any talk of arranging a way out in advance is a joke. If something really happens to my third brother, do you think these married girls, without their maternal families, can still live peacefully as the heads of their households? Keep dreaming!"

Since Jia Jing arranged such a good job for Jia Lian last month, Feng Jie has tasted a bit of the sweetness and has now completely become a loyal supporter of Jia Jing.

She no longer cared much about Grandmother Jia's attitude!

But anyone who dares to speak ill of Jia Jing in front of her is going against Wang Xifeng!