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

On August 3rd, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle!

Before dawn, lanterns in both the east and west mansions were already lit, spreading along the covered walkway, their red glow lining the path as if adorning the entire mansion with a warm border.

In front of Rongqing Hall, maids and servants came and went, their steps lighter than usual, the breeze from their skirts carrying the scent of freshly cut osmanthus blossoms.

The newly installed bamboo curtain under the eaves is half-rolled up, with colorful longevity knots about an inch long tied to the curtain hooks. When the morning breeze blows, the tassels sway together, as if countless colorful butterflies have stopped in the eaves.

As time went by, the Jia family followed the birthday banquet procedures of powerful and noble families in the Han Dynasty. First, they paid respects to their ancestors in the morning, then the younger members of the family paid their respects to their ancestors in the morning, and then they received birthday gifts from various places and received guests.

Because Jia Jing requested that the event not be held in a grand manner, the attendees were mainly relatives and close relatives from the Jia clan, namely the eight branches of the Jia family in Shenjing and the four major families, as well as Princess Zhen of Beijing and her entourage. The Zhen family and the Jia family were also very close relatives.

Others, including members of the founding family and generals under Jia Jing, were not invited, since it wasn't a birthday celebration.

However, two of the Nian family's wives were invited, mainly because the Nian family and the Jia family had been getting closer recently, and because Nian Xiyao was Jia Zheng's superior.

The male guests were received by Jia Zheng and Jia Lian in the front courtyard's flower hall, where they drank tea, chatted, and presented birthday gifts. Jia Jing, however, went to the Ministry of Personnel and would not return until the birthday banquet began at noon.

The female relatives were led directly to Rongqing Hall to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia, perform the birthday greetings, and then be accompanied by Madam Xing, Fengjie, Madam Wang, and others for conversation.

After going through this process, it was already late morning by the time all the guests had been received.

At this moment, inside Rongqing Hall,

Grandmother Jia sat high on the couch. Today, her complexion was rosy, her brows were relaxed, and she appeared even more kind and joyful than usual.

He had changed into a dark blue silk robe with eight auspicious patterns, and wore a newly made gold-threaded headband inlaid with jewels. Attended by maids such as Yuanyang, he was happily chatting with a group of people.

Seated on the left side of the hall were the four young ladies: Si Chun, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Xing Xiuyan, Nian Shilan, You Erjie, You Sanjie, and others.

Seated on the right are Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Aunt Xue, Madam You, Feng Wan, Qin Keqing, and others.

Seated next to Lady Xing and Lady Wang were Princess Zhen of Beijing, Lady Li, wife of Nian Xiyao, Lady Xie, wife of Shi Nai, Lady Niu, wife of Shi Ding, and several elderly close relatives of the Jia family.

As for the Wang family, none of them came, or rather, they couldn't come!

Actually, this wasn't the first time that people like the Zhen family, the Li family, and the Niu family had come, but it was just that not all of them had come as they had today!

After the maids served tea and snacks, Princess Zhen of Bei Jing rose first, holding a teacup, and offered a toast to Grandmother Jia from afar, smiling as she spoke:

"The old lady looks radiant today, with a healthy glow and youthful appearance despite her white hair. She seems even more energetic than us younger generations."

"It is rare for a person to live to seventy. This old lady is seventy-nine this year and will be eighty next year. Such longevity and good health are rare in the whole capital."

"And with such vigorous spirit, it's no surprise that he'll live to be eighty years old, with seven generations under one roof, surrounded by children and grandchildren. He's truly a blessed man!"

If the Zhen family's visit last time was merely to strengthen ties and reconnect the two families after Jia Jing was granted the title of First-Class Duke, then this was simply an attempt to rekindle their relationship.

At this moment, Zhen Shi's attitude towards Grandmother Jia undoubtedly carried a hint of careful flattery and obsequiousness.

The reason, of course, is that Jia Jing's power and influence in the court are increasing.

Yesterday, he was appointed as the General of the Cavalry, a second-rank official, and the Minister in charge of military affairs. What kind of power does this represent?

According to what Prince Bei Jing had told her in private, he was the most powerful person in the court, surpassing even the prime ministers of ancient times, and could even be called a "half-ruler".

Given such a powerful and influential person, how could Lady Zhen, even as the Princess Consort of Beijing, not lower her stance?

Or perhaps the Prince of Bei Jing and the Zhen family had already given her numerous instructions on how to act!

As soon as Madam Zhen finished speaking, Madam Li, Nian Xiyao's wife, took over the conversation, smiled, and said:

"Your Highness is absolutely right! Who in the entire capital doesn't envy the old lady's good fortune? Putting aside everything else, just look at all the young masters and ladies in the household—aren't they all outstanding?"

"In terms of civil affairs, the Second Master of your household is strict in managing the family; in terms of military affairs, the Duke of Jing is renowned throughout the world. Who in the entire court doesn't give him a thumbs up? This is the blessing accumulated by the old lady, protecting the family and ensuring its prosperity for generations to come."

"And the young ladies in the manor are all so beautiful, like tender shoots, knowledgeable, reasonable, and intelligent. This is all thanks to the old lady's excellent upbringing, which brings her lasting blessings."

Li didn't mention Jia Baoyu, the phoenix egg of the Jia family, at all this time, perhaps because she knew something!

Upon hearing Li's words, Madam Wang, who was sitting regally to the side with a somewhat haggard appearance, paused, her slightly darkened fingers that were fiddled with her prayer beads.

Knowing that Madam Li frequently visits the mansion, she must know something that has happened inside, which is why she didn't praise Baoyu this time!

Then, a thought suddenly flashed through my mind: what does it mean that the Second Master is strict in managing his household?

Is he implying that she has been beaten and scolded several times?

What kind of strict household management is this? This is clearly a clueless idiot who can't even tell the inside from the outside!

As the saying goes, those who mistreat their wives will never accumulate wealth. Sooner or later, those in the Jia family who have been bullying him will face retribution!

Because Shi Ding's wife, Lady Niu, was the niece-in-law of Jia Mu's maternal family, she spoke with even greater intimacy, smiling as she replied:

"The old lady's good fortune is something that has benefited the entire Shi family."

"My master often says that the old lady is a golden phoenix that flew out of our Shi family. Now she has many children and grandchildren in the Jia family, and they are all filial. She is truly the most blessed and long-lived woman in the world."

"You must take good care of yourself. When your eldest daughter, second daughter, third daughter, and fourth daughter all get married, they'll give you ten or eight great-grandchildren—that will be truly lively!"

"It's not just me praising you, but your household is so prosperous and harmonious that even the old man in the painting would be envious of you."

"You are the centenarian of both the Jia and Shi families. Living to 120 is the minimum, and 160 wouldn't be unusual!"

Niu's brother, Niu Jizong, and her husband, Shi Ding, are now benefiting from Jia Jing's influence. One is a commander of a town in the Northwest, and the other is a middle-ranking officer in the Twelfth Regiment. Naturally, they speak more pleasantly and softly, making Grandmother Jia beam with joy.

However, Xie, Shi Nai's wife, was not so happy to hear this. The last time she came to Rongqing Hall to beg for an official position, she left happily, thinking that everything had been settled.

Unexpectedly, after returning home, instead of receiving news of an official appointment, he was met with a furious outburst from his brother-in-law.

Not only was the master scolded, but his sister-in-law was also punished by being confined to her room for more than a month to reflect on her mistakes. If it weren't for the birthday celebration today, she might not have been able to come out!

Not to mention that his own brother Xie Jing not only didn't benefit from the 12th Regiment, but was also dismissed from his post.

How could these incidents not fill her with resentment?

At this moment, Niu Shi said that the entire Shi family had benefited, while the eldest branch of the family hadn't gotten a single centenary. Wasn't that a sarcastic remark?

Xie's face immediately darkened, and he gave a strange, ambiguous laugh:

"You're so good at saying nice things to flatter people. If you lived to be 160, you'd be a monster!"