Chapter 310

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Seeing Tan Chun's Courtyard.

"You all don't know, but Third Brother Cong was so imposing today! He rode into the city on a tall steed, followed by countless cavalry guards—he truly looked like a great general."

"The armor of those cavalrymen was flashing with golden light, dazzling everyone's eyes, yet those soldiers were merely his path-clearing guards. That scene was truly rare to behold."

The sisters in the room were gathered around a person with great interest. That person was in her teens, slender, with hair as black as ink, light and agile in her movements, and a supple waist, exuding a lively and spirited air.

She wore a bright red, gold-bamboo-patterned, cross-collared long jacket over a white, subtly patterned pleated skirt, looking like a fiery, charming begonia flower. It was none other than Shi Shi Xiangyun, who had just arrived at the Jia Prefecture.

Over the past two years, Shi Xiangyun had begun to grow taller, and with her lively, active nature and cheerful, open disposition, she had become increasingly pretty and sweet.

Today, the sisters in the garden were all in high spirits.

Because news had come from outside the second gate that Jia Cong had arrived in the Divine Capital that morning, entered the city through the Xiande Gate, and was now going to the palace to see the Emperor; he would likely be home soon!

When he left, he said he would return in the warm spring of the third month, but it was already early summer by the time he returned—a full half-year had passed.

Seeing Tan Chun, however, said: "Third Brother's return isn't all good news; there is one thorny matter."

It just so happened that Shi Shi Xiangyun had been picked up by Jia Mu to stay at the Jia Prefecture for a few days. Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the garden, she began shouting to the sisters that she had seen Jia Cong at the Xiande Gate today, instantly becoming the center of everyone's attention.

Sisters like Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun had no say in such matters, but Lin Daiyu knew Jia Cong's character well—he was proud to the bone and hated being manipulated by others.

Seeing Tan Chun teased again: "Sister Yun, you are so cunning, using this method to catch a glimpse of Third Brother."

In fact, Shi Shi Xiangyun herself found it strange. For the past two years, whenever she said she wanted to stay with the Old Lady, her aunt seemed almost eager, always hurriedly packing the carriage to send her over, which was very odd.

Seeing Tan Chun suddenly laughed: "Tell the truth, you went to the Xiande Gate by carriage early in the morning—did you go to see Third Brother, and were your eyes popping out of your head?"

Among the sisters, Shi Shi Xiangyun had the best eloquence and the sharpest tongue. When she spoke, she was crisp and clear without pausing, and her descriptions were so vivid that the sisters were instantly mesmerized.

Shi Shi Xiangyun blurted out: "My carriage was parked there, and I saw it with my own eyes, hmph!"

Shi Shi Xiangyun asked curiously: "Third Brother Cong is so capable, what thorny matter could he possibly have?"

As soon as Lin Daiyu heard this, she knew Seeing Tan Chun was referring to Third Brother being adopted into the Ningguo lineage. The Old Lady had even submitted the adoption papers to the Imperial Clan Court; she feared this matter would not be peaceful.

Shi Shi Xiangyun smiled triumphantly, shaking her head as she said: "Hmph, this isn't called cunning; this is called strategy. As the saying goes, the mountain dweller has his own clever plans..."

Shi Shi Xiangyun's pretty face flushed, and she scolded angrily: "You Third Girl, come here quickly and let me tear your mouth!"

The two had a scuffle in the room, filled with crisp laughter. It took a while for Seeing Tan Chun to beg for mercy before Shi Shi Xiangyun finally stopped.

"I told my aunt I wanted to stay with the Old Lady, and my aunt was quite happy. She sent someone to tell the Old Lady, and today I left early and specifically had the carriage pass by the Xiande Gate..."

Shi Shi Xiangyun said quite triumphantly: "Yesterday I heard my second and third uncles say that Third Brother Cong had arrived at the military post fifty miles away and would enter the city through the Xiande Gate today."

"I also heard my second uncle say that Third Brother Cong performed great deeds in Liaodong and the Emperor might grant him a title. How old is Third Brother? If he can be granted a title, that would be too amazing."

"Everyone rushed over to see the spectacle. You didn't see it—those people stared at Third Brother without even blinking, their eyes almost falling to the ground. They were truly shameless, hmph!"

Seeing Tan Chun suddenly blinked and asked: "Sister Yun, how do you know that people's eyes were falling to the ground?"

Lin Daiyu asked curiously: "Sister Yun, how did you know Third Brother was returning to the city today, and that you went to the Xiande Gate early to watch the fun?"

"And another thing, there were so many young ladies and wives gathered at the Xiande Gate today, wasn't it because they heard Third Brother had performed great deeds at a young age and was very handsome?"

Lin Daiyu and Seeing Tan Chun couldn't help but giggle as they listened to Shi Xiangyun's amusing story.

Seeing Tan Chun originally didn't want to talk about this, but thinking that Jia Cong was back, everyone would know about it anyway.

She said: "The family wants Third Brother to be adopted into the Ningguo lineage."

Shi Shi Xiangyun looked puzzled: "Aren't adopted children usually chosen from the ordinary ones? Why would they let the most outstanding child in the family leave the prefecture to be adopted? Is the Old Lady willing?"

When leaving the Ganyang Palace, Jia Cong still felt a chill down his back.

He had been completely unaware beforehand that the Jia family would actually stir up the matter of him being adopted into Ningguo at this juncture.

When the Emperor suddenly asked, he managed to adapt to the situation in his surprise and gave the Emperor a satisfactory answer.

If he were as foolish as those people in the Jia family, stupidly willing to change his lineage and inherit the succession, he would likely be seen as worthless by the Emperor.

Perhaps he would even be granted a small title, but he would have to spend the rest of his life staying wherever it was cool.

Because with Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao's temperament, he would not use a fool whose stance was unclear.

While he was thousands of miles away and completely unaware of this matter, the Jia Prefecture had already submitted the transfer papers to the Imperial Clan Court.

They didn't take him seriously at all; he was like an object to be tossed around at will. It was truly...!

However, after the exchange in the Ganyang Palace today, he had actually reached a tacit understanding with the Emperor.

As for that ridiculous Ningguo title, from the moment the Ningguo Prefecture was raided, it had become a thing of the past forever.

The Emperor wanted to dilute the influence of the Retired Emperor and completely control the military power of the Great Zhou. Besides cultivating his own military pillars, such as Gu Guo Yankui, Shi Ding, and others.

The other thing was the continuous weakening of the old nobility, such as the Four Kings and Eight Dukes. The Ningguo title was abolished, so it was destined never to be revived; otherwise, where would the majesty of imperial power be!

Once the Ningguo title was revived, it would set a bad example for the Four Kings and Eight Dukes, who would only feel that the old nobility was precious, that they could be weakened but not killed, abolished but not decided, thus increasing their arrogance!

Jia Cong was even certain that even if someone from the Ningguo lineage was determined to join the army at the Nine Borders to perform meritorious deeds, they would likely die in the army in an unclear manner.

As long as the Emperor leaked a little bit of his intention, there would be countless people lining up to help the Emperor do this dirty work.

Jia Mu was a person of standing in the inner chambers, but regarding major political affairs, she was not much different from other mediocre women.

If they kept doing such foolish things, they would sooner or later drag the family business of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture into it...

And then there was Jia She, who was inheriting the title of Lady Rongguo. Originally, his mediocre talent was a good thing, as it could allow the Lady Rongguo Prefecture to continue its wealth for a few more years.

But he was the type who loved to play the more incompetent he was. Thinking of Jia She instigating Jia Jia Qiang to enter the firearm workshop, Jia Cong guessed that Jia She must not be resting outside either.

In his view, compared to a disaster-bringer like Jia She, Jia Lady Lian was a safer heir to the title, because besides fooling around with women, Jia Lady Lian basically didn't court death in other aspects.

After leaving the palace gate, Jia Cong rode his horse straight to the Lady Rongguo Prefecture in Juede Square.

Behind him followed a carriage loaded with Liaodong specialties sent by the Liaodong generals, as well as gifts for his sisters and Zhi Shao and the others.

He wondered how Lin Meimei's health had been over the past half-year, and whether she had been maintaining her health according to the methods he taught her.

Third Sister had originally said that when he returned, they would fly kites together in the spring breeze of the third month, but by the time he returned, it was already early summer.

Also, he hadn't played chess with Second Sister for a long time; he wondered if she was doing well now...

And those personal maids in the Qingzhi Studio—he had asked Lin Meimei and Third Sister to help look after them when he left, so everything should be fine.

When he saw the towering flying eaves of the imperially-built Lady Rongguo from a distance, a complex mix of stagnation and joy welled up in Jia Cong's heart.

Rongqing Hall.

Today, not only Jia Mu, Lady Wang, Xue Xue Yima, and others were present, but even Jia Zheng, Jia Jing, and Jia Xiao were there.

The news of Jia Cong's return to the capital today had caused quite a stir, and naturally, everyone in the Jia Prefecture knew about it.

Jia Zheng was naturally full of joy. Before Jia Cong set out, he had gifted him the Lady Rongguo ancestral Blue Rhinoceros Armor, which had now become a story similar to gifting a precious sword to a hero.

Brother Cong had gone to Liaodong and actually performed such heaven-shaking deeds, wiping out a thousand troops in one battle and sweeping away the powerful Jurchen Three Guards. Even the ancestor of Lady Rongguo in his time rarely had such a war record.

In the future, when people talked about this battle, they would naturally mention the story of him gifting his ancestral armor before Brother Cong set out. Thinking of this, Jia Zheng was overjoyed—this child was a credit to the family!

However, seeing the appearance of Jia Jing and Jia Xiao, who were present, Jia Zheng couldn't help but frown.

For Jia Jing and Jia Xiao, they were even more concerned about Jia Cong's return to the capital than the people of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

Because Jia Mu had already submitted the papers for Jia Cong to transfer his lineage and inherit the succession to the Imperial Clan Court.

With Jia Cong inheriting the Ningguo lineage, only the final step remained. How could Jia Jing and Jia Xiao not be nervous?

They had already heard that Jia Cong did not return directly to the prefecture today, but went to the palace to see the Emperor first.

They were worried that Jia Cong might be granted a title by the Emperor on the spot during his audience. If that were the case, it would be difficult for Jia Cong to inherit the Ningguo succession.

Whether it was Jia Jing or Jia Xiao, for them, whether Jia Cong was granted a title was secondary; what was important was that he could inherit the Ningguo succession and be granted the Ningguo title.

Only in this way could Jia Jing's ambition to restore the Ningguo title be truly realized, and Jia Xiao and his ilk would have the Ningguo title as a big tree to devour and enjoy.

As for restoring the glory of the ancestors' achievements or the Ning and Rong lineages being of one breath and one branch, Jia Jing might still have some belief in this, but to Jia Xiao and his ilk, these were just ghost stories to cover their shame.

When the news of Jia Cong's return to the prefecture came from outside the second gate, everyone in Rongqing Hall was invigorated. Jia Mu hurriedly sent someone to summon Jia Cong to come in for questioning.

When Jia Cong entered Rongqing Hall, everyone saw that he had been away for half a year, and his face had gained an air of wind and frost.

His fair skin had become slightly darker, reflecting a shallow bronze color, and he had become much leaner, though he had grown quite a bit taller. It seemed he had suffered no small amount of hardship fighting in Liaodong for half a year.

Seeing Jia Cong wearing the Blue Rhinoceros Armor, Jia Zheng's gaze became increasingly warm, and he said: "Brother Cong, you have been away for half a year, performed meritorious deeds for the country, and returned safely. This is truly wonderful."

Jia Cong smiled slightly: "Thank you, Master, for your concern. Speaking of which, I must thank you for gifting me this Blue Rhinoceros Armor; it saved my life on the battlefield, otherwise, I might not have been able to return."

Jia Zheng was shocked to hear this and stepped forward to examine it carefully, discovering a deep knife mark on the Blue Rhinoceros Armor, located on the chest and abdomen.

With lingering fear, he said: "It was truly that dangerous. Swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. It is fortunate that I gave you the Blue Rhinoceros Armor; it is truly a great stroke of luck!"

Lady Wang, standing to the side, looked at Jia Cong with flickering eyes: This boy's life is truly tough, but fortunately, he is going to be adopted into Ningguo, so he won't be in the way anymore.

Jia Mu looked at Jia Cong very seriously for a few moments, sighing slightly in her heart, and said: "You have returned safely; that is the best thing possible."

"I called you here today to discuss an important matter, which is also of great benefit to you. Jing-ge and I have discussed it, and we want you to be adopted into his lineage to inherit the succession."

"This way, you can change from a concubine-born to a legitimate-born, becoming the legitimate son of the Ningguo Prefecture's main lineage. In the future, you will still be the head of Ningguo. Now that you have military merit, there is hope for the restoration of the Ningguo title, and in the future, Ningguo will all be your family business."

Jia Mu's words sounded quite tempting. Lady Wang, standing to the side, felt a bit jealous—my Jia Baoyu cannot even be the head of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, yet this boy has already gotten ahead!

Jia Zheng had originally been reluctant to let Jia Cong be adopted into Ningguo, but after hearing Jia Mu's words, Jia Cong could thereby change from a concubine-born to a legitimate-born and could independently govern Ningguo in the future.

This was a great thing for Brother Cong; he would no longer have to carry the name of a concubine-born son, so he was willing in his heart.

At this moment, everyone in the hall, regardless of their mindset, felt that Jia Cong would definitely agree to this matter. In their view, this was clearly a tremendous benefit.

Even Jia Jing, who had always lacked confidence in Jia Cong inheriting the succession, relaxed his spirit at this moment, thinking that the Old Lady was still the experienced one; a few words had made the opportunity clear.

No concubine-born son of any family could resist such temptation. Thinking of this, Jia Jing couldn't help but stroke his beard, regaining the demeanor of a worldly enlightened person, smiling and waiting for Jia Cong to agree.

But he heard Jia Cong, standing in the lower position, say clearly: "Old Lady, this matter must absolutely not be done!"

(End of chapter)