Chapter 507: Concubine Branch Can Inherit Title

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall, Lady Wang's Courtyard.

When Aunt Xue heard Lady Wang suddenly mention Jia Baoyu's marriage, and the kind look she gave Xue Baochai, how could she not know her sister's meaning.

But is this the time to talk about this? Is there any need to talk about this now? Yesterday, the decree was received in the Rongxi Hall. Although Aunt Xue didn't see it with her own eyes, Jia Cong inherited the title, and the Lady Rongguo Prefecture changed its master, the entire mansion seemed to have been bombed.

The content of that imperial decree was passed on by the servants of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture throughout the courtyard in less than an hour.

Jia Cong not only inherited the Lady Rongguo title, but also had the honor of one body and two titles, which made Aunt Xue's heart jump wildly. She had to say that her daughter's vision was truly poisonous, taking a fancy to such a dazzling figure.

But things didn't stop there. The Emperor's imperial decree praised Jia Cong like a flower, but stepped on Jia Baoyu like mud on his feet.

Last time Jia Baoyu offended the Retired Emperor with his words, he was already reprimanded by the Imperial Clan Court. This time, the current Emperor personally took the field and stepped on Jia Baoyu, which was also really outrageous.

This was the Emperor's golden mouth. Jia Baoyu's reputation in this life would be very difficult to turn over, just like the sentence her son once said, Jia Baoyu's reputation now stinks in the street……

Although Aunt Xue was from the four major families of Jinling, she had been a real merchant wife of the Xue family for half her life, and was best at weighing the pros and cons.

Although she doted on a pair of children, in fact, what she cared about most was her good eldest son Xue Pan, who was the legitimate bloodline of the Xue family's eldest branch, and also the most important place for a woman in her life.

Aunt Xue's most stable calculation was to use her daughter Xue Baochai's exceptional appearance to find a proud noble son-in-law, who could not only rely on her daughter for life, but also find a big backer for her son Xue Pan.

……

Now the second house of the Jia family had nothing, and Jia Baoyu's reputation was so unbearable. Would she push her daughter into the fire pit? So Aunt Xue's thoughts would never be like what Lady Wang thought, that because the two were sisters of the Wang family, she wouldn't mind Jia Baoyu's affairs.

Moreover, Aunt Xue was a daughter of the Wang family, and also a daughter-in-law of the Xue family.

If because of sisterly affection, she married her daughter to such a notorious person as Jia Baoyu, and let the Xue family leave a handle and stain, she would be poked in the spine by the Xue family members for the rest of her life.

Back then, when her daughter first saw Jia Cong in Jinling, she had already lost her heart, and had always been thinking of that boy from beginning to end, and had never liked Jia Baoyu, so there was no need to force her daughter now.

But she wouldn't say these words in front of Lady Wang. Now that her family had moved to the Love Shenjing to settle down, they still had to rely on the protection of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, so she wouldn't tear her face apart because of this.

She thought for a while and said warmly: "Sister, Jia Baoyu will only be fifteen next year, so his marriage is not urgent."

"Besides, such a big thing has happened in the mansion now, and there will be many loose ends to deal with, and your body is not feeling well."

"In my opinion, it's better to wait until this period passes, everything is straightened out, and your body is healthy, then it won't be too late to worry about Jia Baoyu's marriage."

Xue Baochai beside her heard her mother's words and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Knowing the mother is like the daughter, how could she not guess her mother's thoughts.

Lady Wang heard Aunt Xue's words and felt it made sense. Now the Lady Rongguo Prefecture had just changed its sky, and it was indeed not the time to discuss Jia Baoyu's marriage.

And today is different from the past. In the past, Jia Baoyu was the phoenix of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, and it looked like he was going to inherit the title, so Lady Wang and Aunt Xue had the psychological advantage when discussing the marriage of their children.

But now the Lady Rongguo Prefecture has changed its sky, and their second house has lost its foundation, and is even in a weak position in front of the Xue family.

So Lady Wang had no confidence to urge her sister in the marriage of her children, and Aunt Xue's words were also reasonable, so she went down the slope.

The two sisters chatted absent-mindedly for a few words, and Aunt Xue took Xue Baochai back to the Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

……

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

As soon as the two mother and daughter entered the main hall, they saw Xue Pan walking back and forth in the room with a glowing face, looking very excited.

Aunt Xue scolded when she saw Xue Pan: "You worry-free thing, why didn't you come back all night last night? Where did you go to wander again, and didn't even send a message back, making your mother sleep uneasy all night."

Xue Pan apologized with a smile: "Mom, I was wrong, okay? I won't dare next time. Yesterday I was dragged by Feng Feng Ziying and the others to drink and party, and I couldn't come back, missing the big scene for nothing."

Xue Pan looked at his sister Xue Baochai and smiled: "I have to say that my sister has the best vision. This Cong'er is not only capable, but his luck is also scary."

"He actually made such a decent thing as one body and two titles. Sister, it's a great joy."

Xue Baochai blushed when she heard this, and frowned: "Is brother's wine still not awake? What crazy words are you saying? Cong Brother inheriting the title is his business, what great joy is it for me?"

Xue Pan laughed, and didn't take his sister's rebuttal to heart at all.

He asked Aunt Xue: "Mom, where did you and sister go just now? There are too many guests outside the Jia mansion today. Sister is a maiden, so don't be bumped into."

Aunt Xue saw her son's excited expression, and just now joked with her daughter, how could she not know the point in his heart, and thinking of the great face of that person's one body and two titles, she felt full of unwillingness and envy.

So she replied casually: "Your aunt's body is not feeling well, so I went to visit with your sister."

Xue Pan said anxiously: "Oh my mom, you really should go to Aunt's place less at this time. You don't see what the wind direction of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture is now. Take sister to walk around Cong'er more, that is the right thing to do."

"Things have reached this point, Mom, don't be muddled again. I'm worried that Aunt will drag you to toss about some gold and jade marriage again. You must not be fooled, otherwise it will harm my sister."

Aunt Xue was stunned when she heard this. Her worry-free son was actually smart for once, and after a few casual words, he actually guessed it right.

Aunt Xue said casually: "Your aunt really mentioned Jia Baoyu's marriage, saying that Jia Baoyu will be of marriageable age next year."

Xue Pan said anxiously: "I knew it would be like this, I knew it would be like this. Aunt's abacus is really loud."

"Now it's spread outside that Cong Brother has taken over the title and family business of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, and that branch of Jia Baoyu has become a side branch. According to the rules, they all have to move out of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture and live alone."

"In the future, they will have to look at Cong Brother's face to live. I originally disliked Jia Baoyu's heavenly appearance, and even the Emperor scolded him for being useless in the imperial decree. His reputation already stinks in the street."

"Why is he worthy of my sister? He doesn't understand any business. If he really marries my sister, it's likely that our Xue family will have to subsidize him in the future. That would be a shame."

……

Aunt Xue heard this and was also startled. If it weren't for her son shouting, she really wouldn't have thought of this.

Back then, the two brothers Jia She and Jia Zheng, although the eldest son Jia She inherited the title, the title property was inherited by the second son Jia Zheng.

Jia She, even if he was the inheritor of Lady Rongguo, could not live in the Rongxi Hall of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture in a dignified manner, and could only live in the eastern courtyard separated from the old garden of the Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

It can be seen how strict the clan rules of a big family are.

Jia Cong inherited the title and family business of Lady Rongguo, and he had the righteousness of imperial power, and his branch became the undisputed legitimate branch of Lady Rongguo.

Her sister's branch became a side branch. According to clan etiquette, her branch indeed had no reason to continue living in the Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

If her sister's branch moved out to live alone, they could only live on the meager ancestral property and the husband's salary, and it would be impossible to live the luxurious high-gate life as before.

If her daughter married over like this, there would be no decency and honor, and it would be a big burden.

Jia Baoyu was also useless, and it was likely that the Xue family would have to help from time to time. The eldest branch of the Jin Ling Xue family, finding such a dissolute son-in-law, would be laughed at to death by others.

Although Aunt Xue and Lady Wang were sisters, no matter how heavy the sisterly affection was, it was not as heavy as the future and life of her own children. Moreover, her daughter didn't like Jia Baoyu……

……

Xue Pan continued to say with a crooked mouth: "Mom, you must be awake. If Aunt says anything about gold or jade, you must not pay attention."

"Listen to your son, my sister's affairs still depend on Jia Cong. It will be of great benefit to our Xue family, and I can stand up straight in the Love Shenjing in the future."

Xue Baochai beside her, who was originally listening to her brother's nonsense with a stiff scalp, blushed when she heard about her and Jia Cong, and was too embarrassed to listen any further, lifting the curtain and hiding in the inner room.

Xue Pan continued: "Mom, you don't think we can match the family status of Cong'er, don't hold onto those old thoughts, it doesn't necessarily have to be a legitimate wife……"

Aunt Xue's eyebrows stood up when she heard this, and she scolded: "You worry-free thing, the girls of the Xue family have no reason to be concubines!"

Xue Pan said unconvinced: "Mom, why did you forget what I

Xue Baochai, who had been listening to her brother's nonsense with gritted teeth, blushed when she heard him mention the matter between her and Jia Cong. Feeling too embarrassed to continue listening, she lifted the door curtain and hid in the inner chamber.

Xue Pan continued, "Mother, you don't think our family is good enough to match Jia Cong's status, but you shouldn't hold onto those old-fashioned ideas. It doesn't necessarily have to be as a primary wife...."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xue Yima's eyebrows shot up, and she scolded, "You heartless thing! I've said it before: there is no such thing as a daughter of the Xue family becoming a concubine for someone else!"

Xue Pan retorted, unconvinced, "Mother, how could you forget what I said earlier? The Empress is the Emperor's primary wife, but the Emperor's Imperial Consorts are actually just concubines."

Hearing her son spout such madness, Xue Xue Yima was startled. She couldn't help but glance outside the door before instinctively slapping Xue Pan on his large head.

She said, "You brainless creature, aren't you afraid of bringing disaster upon yourself with your words? Besides, no matter how noble Jia Cong is, can he really compare to the nobles in the palace?"

Xue Pan laughed, "I'm just making a comparison. The prestige of Jia Cong receiving two titles at once this time is immense; he really can compare to those above. Mother, are you still unclear about the contents of the imperial decree from that day?"

Xue Xue Yima frowned and said, "How could I not know the contents of the imperial decree? It has spread throughout the Jia household. Ying'er inquired about it in the garden and came back to tell me everything exactly as it was."

"It just says the Emperor values Jia Cong highly and gave him the honor of two titles, allowing him to inherit the Lady Rongguo title and its estate. From now on, he is the master of the Lady Rongguo household. Isn't that all there is to it?"

Xue Pan said anxiously, "Mother, how could you not remember the most important part of the imperial decree? Fortunately, your son had the foresight, otherwise our Xue family would have truly ruined a good opportunity."

Xue Pan took a neatly folded piece of paper from his bosom and said mysteriously, "Last night, I was drinking with Feng Feng Ziying, Chen Chen Yejun, and the others, and only this morning did I hear about Jia Cong receiving his titles."

"Feng Feng Ziying and the others wanted to see the rarity, so they spent ten taels of silver to find a connection in the Ministry of Rites to copy the contents of the imperial decree."

"I had the foresight at the time to have one of the literate girls at the tavern make a copy for me. Only after reading it carefully did I realize there is a great deal of hidden meaning in it."

Xue Pan held up the copied imperial decree and unfolded it before Xue Xue Yima like a treasure, saying, "Mother, look at the last sentence of this decree: 'Inheritance to be traced back to subsequent branches.'"

"This means the Lady Rongguo title Jia Cong holds doesn't necessarily have to be inherited by a legitimate son; even a son born of a concubine can inherit it. Whichever son he favors in the future, that son will receive the Lady Rongguo title."

"I didn't understand it at first either, but Feng Feng Ziying and the others are all sons of noble families and understand these nuances best. Only after hearing them explain it did I realize this layer of meaning."

As Xue Pan said this, he looked quite smug, seemingly very satisfied with his own meticulousness and wit. He had certainly gone to great lengths to push his own sister to become someone's concubine.

Xue Xue Yima was also stunned. The contents of the imperial decree she knew had been gathered by Ying'er from the maids and matrons in the garden.

These servants of the Jia family were all shallow-sighted and mostly illiterate; they only passed on what they heard, knowing only that Jia Cong had inherited the Lady Rongguo title and become the master of the Lady Rongguo household.

As for that inconspicuous last sentence of the imperial decree, how could these servants know it? Even if they did, they wouldn't understand what it meant.

Xue Xue Yima was also a person skilled in calculation. Upon hearing her son's words, she immediately understood the implication. Her heart couldn't help but leap, and her eyes brightened slightly.

However, she was still somewhat skeptical and asked, "How is it that I've never heard of a title being inheritable by both legitimate and illegitimate sons?" Xue Pan scratched his large head and said, "I don't know too much about this, but Feng Feng Ziying and the others said that the Lord Weiyuan Count title Jia Cong holds is a top-tier hereditary title that must be inherited by the eldest legitimate son."

"In comparison, the Lady Rongguo title is a demoted title, one rank lower than the Lord Weiyuan title. Since the imperial family did not grant Jia Cong the grace of dual inheritance, the Lady Rongguo title can indeed be inherited by a son born of a concubine."

"Mother, do you understand what I said now? Jia Cong is different from others. In the future, his sons born of concubines will all have the fate of inheriting a title, making them even more noble than the legitimate sons of other families."

"Our family's status isn't enough to match his primary wife, but what does that matter? Even if she is only a secondary wife, the sons she bears could be lords in the future."

"In this world, a mother's status has always been elevated by her son. Perhaps in the future, my sister could even receive an imperial title."

"We have lived in the Jia household for two years. My sister has good relationships, is very close to the Jia sisters, and often interacts with Jia Cong. Isn't this a case of being close to the water to get the first moon?"

"With my sister's appearance and character, as long as there is nothing wrong with Jia Cong, it is impossible for him not to be moved...."

Xue Pan became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke, seemingly wishing he could sell his sister to Jia Cong as a concubine tomorrow, so that he would have a backer in the Love Shenjing and could enjoy the thrill of being a lord's brother-in-law in the future.

Seeing her son becoming increasingly outrageous, Xue Xue Yima frowned in disgust and scolded angrily, "Get out, get out! The more you talk, the more ridiculous you become!"

Seeing Xue Xue Yima's unsettled state, Xue Pan knew that his instigation had ultimately had some effect; his mother would definitely be tempted.

Xue Pan apologized to Xue Xue Yima with a smile, "Mother, don't be angry, I'll get out now. But what I said is the truth. There is no rush; Jia Cong is currently in mourning and cannot marry a wife or concubine for the time being."

"There is just one thing that is most important. Mother, you must be clear-headed and never let Aunt Wang fool you. It is important, very important."

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall.

Now that Jia Cong had become the heir to the Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongxi Hall, as the main hall of Lady Rongguo, naturally became the place where he received visiting noble guests.

Liu Hong, son of Liu Fang of the Duke of Liguo Prefecture; Ma Ang, son of Ma Shang of the Duke of Zhiguo Prefecture; Wang Wang Ziteng; and other important noble guests were all invited into Rongxi Hall for tea.

Just then, Lin Lin Zhixiao came to report that the Prince of Beijing and the Princess had arrived at the prefecture to offer their congratulations to the Count. Everyone in the hall was startled upon hearing this.

Although the Prince of Beijing had inherited his princely title for several years, among the heads of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes, he was of a young generation, being of the same generation as Jia Cong, Jia Baoyu, and the others.

Therefore, in terms of generation, Shui Rong coming to offer congratulations to Jia Cong was understandable, but his status was extraordinary.

The Prince of Beijing was a prominent prince of a different surname in the Great Zhou. Many of the old nobles among the Four Princes and Eight Dukes had inherited demoted titles, and families like the Ning and Rong Jias, having inherited for several generations, had long since lost their Duke titles.

However, because his ancestors had made great contributions to the founding of the nation, the Prince of Beijing continued to inherit the princely title down to Shui Rong's generation, making him a person of noble status among the Four Princes and Eight Dukes.

For a dignified Prince to personally come to offer congratulations to Jia Cong, who had inherited the title of a second-class General, and to come with the Princess, was a great show of face, leaving the nobles in the hall surprised and envious.

Jia Zheng's face showed joy, as this was a matter of prestige, and he hurriedly went out of the hall with Jia Cong to welcome them.

But Jia Cong felt somewhat disapproving in his heart; he had long harbored caution toward the Prince of Beijing, Shui Rong.

Whether it was his strange covetousness toward Qin Qin Keqing in the past, or the schemes he used to cultivate a reputation while competing with Gu Guo Yankui for the position of Commander of the Nine Provinces.

All of these allowed Jia Cong to see the sinister intentions and ambition hidden beneath Shui Rong's handsome and elegant exterior.

Not to mention that Shui Rong had invited him to his residence several times to participate in various literary gatherings and banquets, making his intention to win him over very obvious.

Now, as a dignified Prince, he had personally come to the residence in full view of everyone to offer congratulations to someone who had only inherited the title of a second-class General. This gesture of showing respect to others was very well executed.

He would have such a demeanor just to let everyone see that the Prince of Beijing's residence and the Lady Rongguo Prefecture were of one mind and had a deep friendship.

It was just that if this matter reached the ears of Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao, it would likely not bring the Emperor any pleasant emotions.

This Prince of Beijing seemed to have a preference and obsession with being a "virtuous prince," but the virtuous princes Jia Cong knew from history did not seem to be simple characters.

Jia Zheng said, "Cong-ge'er, the Prince of Beijing is of noble status. It is a rare thing for him to personally come to the residence to congratulate you. Should we open a quieter side hall to entertain him, so as to show our respect?"

Jia Cong smiled inwardly. Open a quiet side hall to entertain the Prince of Beijing? Was he afraid that the current Emperor would not be suspicious of him?

He said, "Master, that is unnecessary. The Prince of Beijing has always been respectful to others, gentle and talkative. Inviting him to Rongxi Hall for tea, where he can converse with the various nobles, will be more in line with the Prince's wishes."

Jia Zheng had always trusted this nephew, and seeing him say this, he naturally had no objections and did not take the matter to heart.

Jia Cong also asked Lin Lin Zhixiao to send a message to the inner courtyard, asking Wang Wang Xifeng and Li Wan to come and welcome the Princess of Beijing, and to go together to Rongqing Hall to pay respects to Jia Mu.

The two led the Prince of Beijing, Shui Rong, into Rongxi Hall to exchange greetings with the noble sons present, and Shui Rong exchanged further words of congratulation with Jia Cong.

The atmosphere between them was warm and upright, involving no partiality, so even if it reached the ears of others, no fault could be found.

That day, Jia Baoyu had said a few words in the inner courtyard disparaging the Retired Emperor, and within a few days, it had reached the palace, showing that the Lady Rongguo Prefecture was not very peaceful. Jia Cong did not want to make such a low-level mistake either....

Lady Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Mu had been in a bad mood because of Jia Cong inheriting the title, and after hearing Guo Lin's explanation that the Lady Rongguo title would be inherited by Jia Cong's illegitimate descendants in the future, she felt even more stifled.

Today, guests were filling the house. Fortunately, the outside guests were all men, and the female relatives who came were juniors from the Shi family and the eight branches of the Love Shenjing. Jia Mu met a few of them perfunctorily and then claimed illness, resting in the back hall.

Hearing Lin Lin Zhixiao's wife come in to pass on the message that the Princess of Beijing had entered the second gate to visit the Old Lady, Jia Mu did not dare to be negligent. She had Sister Yuanyang help her tidy up her appearance and entered Rongqing Hall to receive the noble guest.

She also asked Sister Yuanyang to invite Lady Wang to come and accompany the guest. Although Jia Cong was now the master of Lady Rongguo, the female relatives in the prefecture still respected Jia Mu and Lady Wang.

With the Princess of the Prince's residence visiting, having only Jia Mu to respond would be somewhat thin. As for Lady Xing, her rank was not low, but she had always been ignored by Jia Mu.

After Jia Mu and Lady Wang entered the hall for a while, they saw Wang Wang Xifeng and Li Wan leading the clear, beautiful, and graceful Princess of Beijing into Rongqing Hall.

The second daughter of the Zhen family had been married to Shui Rong for several years and knew that her husband valued Jia Cong highly. In her eyes, the Zhen, Shui, and Jia families were all old hereditary noble families, and their honor and disgrace were all linked.

Since the Prince had such intentions, as the Princess of the Prince's residence, helping to draw closer to and win over the Jia family was her duty as a consort, not to mention that the Zhen and Jia families had been old relatives for generations.

The Princess of Beijing, the second daughter of the Zhen family, and the Lady Rongguo Prefecture were considered to have frequent interactions. Every year for Jia Mu's birthday, she would come to the prefecture to offer congratulations as a junior of the Zhen family. She did not pride herself on her noble status as a Princess and was highly praised by Jia Mu.

Because of this, Jia Mu often praised the second daughter of the Zhen family for being excellent and not arrogant when interacting with old relatives, and spoke of how close the two families were.

The Princess of Beijing saw that Jia Mu's expression was tired and her spirit was low, and that she could not hide her worry and annoyance between her brows.

According to common sense, Jia Cong inheriting the title by imperial decree from the palace should have been a great joyous occasion. That Jia Mu did not have a joyful expression but was instead worried looked very strange.

Because of the marriage between her cousin Zhen Zhen Fangqing and Jia Cong, the Princess of Beijing paid more attention to the inner courtyard affairs of Jia Mu than in the past. She was clear about the subtle relationship between Jia Cong and the Lady Rongguo Prefecture and guessed somewhat why Jia Mu was in this state.

She smiled and said, "Old Lady, this is a great joy. Jia Cong's ability is known to all under heaven. Now that he has two titles at once and holds the Lady Rongguo title, he will surely be able to ensure the Lady Rongguo family business remains prosperous for a long time."

"The Old Lady is getting on in years and should take good care of her health; the good days are still ahead."

Lady Wang heard this Princess also coming to flatter Jia Cong, and her illness not yet gone, she felt even more depressed. She only felt that the world was unfair; the legitimate bloodline of the second branch was actually treated as nothing, and everyone only had eyes for that illegitimate son.

Jia Mu smiled and said, "I am very grateful for the Princess personally coming to visit. Recently, many accidents have happened in the Jia family, which has made our old relatives laugh. I am old and really can't handle it anymore."

"Fortunately, now that Cong-ge'er has inherited the title, the family business left by our ancestors has finally landed, and we can be at peace for a while."

The Princess of Beijing naturally understood the accidents Jia Mu spoke of, which were nothing more than Jia She's death, Jia Lady Lian's conviction, and so on. For a moment, she was also reminded of her own family's affairs by Jia Mu's words.

She said, "Old Lady, please set your heart at ease. Great families like ours are linked to the winds and clouds, and sometimes there will always be ups and downs. Not to mention your prefecture's affairs, the Zhen family has not been peaceful this past year either."

"Initially, because my third sister was a young lady of the boudoir, although she was very capable, she had not yet been married off, and my mother could not bear to have her show her face every day, so she let my brother help manage the family business."

"But I never expected that my brother's ability was not as good as my third sister's, and as a result, many issues arose, and in the end, even...."

As the Princess of Beijing said this, her beautiful eyes could not help but turn red. Jia Mu hurriedly offered a few words of comfort from the side.

Although the Love Shenjing and Jin Ling were thousands of miles apart, the major families of Jin Ling followed the Founding Emperor in the uprising and later moved to the Love Shenjing with him. However, each family had branches remaining in Jin Ling, and information between the two places was transmitted smoothly.

Major events like the death of the heir of the Zhen family's main branch in Jin Ling and the Zhen family's shops being suspected of private manufacture of firearms had long since reached the Love Shenjing. As the Old Ancestor of the Jia family, Jia Mu was naturally very clear about this matter.

The Princess of Beijing said again, "Based on this matter, I have also come to understand that for a large family of descendants, regardless of whether they are male or female, legitimate or illegitimate, as long as they are capable and proper, let them manage affairs."

"Only in this way can we dispel misfortune and welcome good fortune, and only then is it the way for a family business to last long."

"The Old Lady at home in Jin Ling has also spoken, and the Zhen family business will be managed by my third sister from now on. We will find another way after she is married off. This is also in accordance with this principle...."

When Jia Mu heard the Princess of Beijing's words, she was also somewhat touched. Although she doted on Jia Baoyu, she was not completely muddled.

If one were to discuss the ability to handle outside affairs, that boy from the East Prefecture was much stronger than her Jia Baoyu and Lady Lian'er. If the family business fell into his hands, perhaps it could truly be preserved for a long time.

It was just that Jia Mu had been biased for a lifetime, and the idea of legitimate versus illegitimate was deeply rooted in her heart. Although she understood the logic somewhat, she still felt indescribably awkward about Jia Cong taking over the entire family business.

Lady Wang heard the Princess of Beijing's words and secretly hated that this Princess was so meddlesome, as her words were all elevating that boy from the East Prefecture.

Could it be that she had not yet given up on the idea of the marriage she had arranged for her sister, thinking of bringing up the old matter in the future, marrying her sister into the Jia family, and letting the Zhen family girl take advantage of the situation to manage the Jia family's property....

The Princess of Beijing chatted with Jia Mu about family matters again and offered congratulations once more. Outside, a message came that the Prince had returned to the residence, so the Princess of Beijing took her leave of Jia Mu. Jia Mu had Lady Wang and the others personally see her out to the second gate.

Lady Wang saw off the Princess of Beijing and returned to Rongqing Hall, heavy with thoughts. Today, whether it was her own sister Xue Xue Yima or the Princess of Beijing just now.

They spoke of Jia Cong inheriting the title as if it were a matter of course, making Lady Wang feel even more terrified and indignant.

After entering the hall, she thought about it over and over and couldn't help but say to Jia Mu, "Old Lady, now that Cong-ge'er has inherited the title and manages the household, he is infinitely glorious, but Jia Baoyu has ruined his reputation because of the imperial decree from the palace. How will he live in the future?"

"The Old Lady is the Old Ancestor of the family. You are not only Cong-ge'er's biological grandmother, but you have also cherished Jia Baoyu for a lifetime. Only the Old Lady can set the rules for such a major matter."

"I don't expect anything else, but I ask the Old Lady to give Jia Baoyu a way to live."

After Lady Wang finished speaking, she was already wiping away tears with a handkerchief, and with her sickly appearance, she was somewhat pitiful. When Jia Mu heard this, her expression sank slightly.

Wang Wang Xifeng, standing below, secretly thought that things were not good. The Aunt had finally reached her limit, and Cong the Third was going to have trouble now. (End of chapter)