Chapter 906

Ningrong Street, the Marquis’s Mansion, inner courtyard beyond the second gate.

At dawn, the morning light shone bright; the garden’s grasses and trees thrived, still veiled in a thin mist, exuding an ethereal, serene elegance.

Daiyu, accompanied by her maid Zhi Juan, walked along a garden path, her steps light and swift, her figure graceful, heading toward Yingchun’s courtyard.

She wore a pale blue embroidered robe with a trimmed collar and scattered floral patterns, paired with a white-ivory skirt pleated like plum branches, and draped in a pomegranate-red satin cloak with front clasps.

Her jet-black cloud-like hair was adorned with a blue sapphire phoenix hairpin and dangling hairpin, which swayed gently in the morning light, flashing brilliant gemstone glimmers.

Daiyu moved with nimble grace, walking quite swiftly; her satin cloak fluttered and curled in the morning breeze.

Zhi Juan, lagging slightly behind, called out: “Miss, walk slower—just at dawn, the ground’s still dewy, watch your step or you’ll slip.”

Daiyu laughed: “You think I’m still the same as before, panting if I walk fast? Now I can move quicker, so why slow down? Second sister’s probably already awake waiting.”

…

Marquis’s Mansion, Yingchun’s Courtyard.

Yingchun had risen early, just finished washing, and Shuyue, her deft and nimble maid, was combing her hair, coiling it into a bun, and fastening hairpins and flowers, arranging her ornaments.

The maid Xiujue carried a black sandalwood carved jewelry box, took out a gold phoenix hairpin adorned with clustered pearls and delicate filigree, its radiance dazzling, luxurious yet elegant and dignified.

Shuyue smiled: “Miss, this hairpin’s rare—I’ve seen you wear it only during New Year’s. Today’s no festival, why use it now?”

Xiujue laughed: “Shuyue, you’ve been here too short a time to know Miss’s ways. This hairpin was given to her by Third Young Master—not just for festivals.”

Every time Third Young Master had good fortune—passed the imperial exams, received promotion, earned noble title, or returned from imperial duty—Miss wears it.

If you see her wearing it more this year, it means Third Young Master’s fortunes are rising. Yesterday, when the elder relatives came to offer congratulations, she naturally wore it.”

Shuyue smiled: “So that’s the reason! Before I came, I always heard how fond Miss is of her brother. Third Young Master truly has luck.”

But what rank is this ‘Commander of the Campaign Against the Mongols’? Is it higher than the Director of the Firearms Bureau? Yesterday, Xiao Hong came to report—those elder relatives were all abuzz.”

…

As Shuyue finished speaking, Daiyu entered with a smile, Zhi Juan following behind.

She said: “I heard Third Brother mention this—the Regional Commander of the Campaign Against the Mongols is the Supervisor, held by Marquis Liang Chengzong; the Deputy Commander is the second-highest officer in the army.”

Third Uncle Shi is the Commander of the Campaign Against the Mongols. I heard Xiangyun say he now guards the Divine Capital, defends the Nine Gates, and commands tens of thousands of troops.”

I suppose Third Brother, as Deputy Commander, holds a similar rank. But Third Brother’s already done well enough—whether he holds high office or not doesn’t matter, as long as he’s safe.”

Daiyu walked behind Yingchun, gazing at her reflection in the mirror: Yingchun’s face glowed with radiant beauty, gentle and exquisite, the clustered pearl filigree gold phoenix hairpin on her bun shining brilliantly.

She sighed: “Second Sister, that clustered pearl filigree gold phoenix hairpin suits you perfectly. Too bad Third Brother’s not home—he’d miss seeing you look so lovely.”

Yingchun smiled: “He’s seen it plenty of times. But your words struck me right—Cong is already doing well enough. Contentment brings peace. I only wish him safety.”

Yesterday, Third Aunt Shi said Cong led only two thousand troops against tens of thousands of ragged Mongol cavalry. My heart pounded so hard, my legs turned weak.”

Others see military command as glorious, leading thousands of soldiers—but they don’t know how perilous battlefield warfare truly is. We’ve heard enough tales from Grandfather’s time.”

Our Grandfather was lucky. But back then, the old Marquis of Ningguo went to war and nearly lost his life; his loyal personal guards had to dig him out from a pile of corpses.”

Every time I think of the sword cuts on Cong’s clear armor, my heart races and I can’t sit still. We’re not with him—how many dangers has he faced?”

I’m a useless sister—I don’t want him fighting on battlefields, risking his life for glory. I’d rather he serve as a scholar-official in the Hanlin Academy, coming and going daily, that’s best.”

As they chatted, Xiangyun and Xing Xiuyan entered, saying: “Though we all think this way, Third Brother is no ordinary man—how could the family keep him confined?”

He’s not Baoyu. Even if he didn’t want to, others would draw him out. He’s destined to roam the four seas—he’s no common man, and his fate is no ordinary one.”

Daiyu couldn’t help laughing: “Xiangyun, you’ve been acting strangely lately—your words sound different, even sensible. Have you truly grown up?”

Shi Xiangyun’s cheeks flushed unexpectedly: “I was just rambling—how could I speak sense? We all wish he’d stay home, but it’s useless.

One imperial decree, and he’ll be gone. Let’s stop talking nonsense—word is many guests are coming today. Grandmother will send someone to summon us soon.”

…

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Since yesterday’s court session, Chen Ruichang, the main culprit in the military supply leak, was dismissed; Chen Yi was impeached and stripped of his command as Supervisor, and Marquis Jia Cong succeeded him as Supervisor. The news spread rapidly.

The Nine Gates of the Divine Capital grew even more tightly guarded; except for military supply routes, civilians were barred from entering or leaving. No related information could escape the city.

The Qi State Duke’s Mansion received word of the court session—rumor says chaos erupted within. A servant had ridden out on horseback, but vanished before reaching the city gate.

Three days ago, Supervisor Liang Chengzong led the conscripted twenty thousand frontier troops and arrived safely at Beisan Pass to take command; the court’s campaign forces’ morale soared.

Under current circumstances, Chen Yi’s removal as Deputy Commander is now the unanimous opinion of the court—otherwise, state law and public sentiment would collapse, and justice itself would be compromised.

Even with Liang Chengzong stationed in camp, Emperor Jiazhao remained vigilant. Though Chen Ruichang was only the second grandson of the Qi State Duke, he was no longer considered a direct heir.

The heir of the Qi State Duke is General Chen Ruiwen. Even if Chen Ruichang were sentenced to death with reprieve, it wouldn’t break the Qi Duke’s bloodline—but contingencies must be considered.

Whether Chen Yi should be stripped of office and forced into retirement, or demoted or stripped of his title as punishment, remains undecided—the court has reached no conclusion.

As Deputy Commander of Beisan Pass, even with Supervisor Liang Chengzong present, Chen Yi still has many loyal officers in the army—preventive measures are essential.

Thus, before sunset yesterday, Emperor Jiazhao ordered Commander Xu Kun of the Embroidered Uniform Guard to lead five hundred men under cover of night to Yuanzhou to announce the appointment and dismissal of officers.

While the Qi State Duke’s Mansion was in despair, the Rongguo Jia family was filled with joy. After yesterday’s court session, noble relatives and elder kin came one after another to offer congratulations.

Jia Mu, upon hearing this sudden good news, was overjoyed—her grandson, so young, had risen to the rank of Deputy Commander—this was truly prestigious.

Yet she couldn’t help a quiet sigh: though Jia family had many sons, Jia Cong’s fortune surpassed them all. Baoyu and Jia Lian paled in comparison.

But this thought passed quickly; with Jia Cong’s rising power, the entire Jia family rose with him, and other young men naturally gained greater protection.

Jia Mu didn’t care how Jia Cong became Deputy Commander. When noble ladies told her he’d fought ten to one, slaughtering all around, she merely smiled and enjoyed the tale.

Noble relatives who attended yesterday’s court—Duke Niu Jizong of the Qi State, Duke Liu Fang of the Li State, and officials close to Jia Cong—sent their wives to offer congratulations.

Today, with the news spreading, even more guests will come. After all, Jia Cong, at his age, holding such a military post, is no longer merely promising—he’s extraordinary.

In official circles, people follow the wind and favor the powerful; relatives flatter and show goodwill. This has always been the way. A great household thrives when its gates are bustling.

Moreover, today’s influx of guests has another reason: according to court custom, yesterday’s imperial verbal decree appointed Jia Cong as Deputy Commander.

Since this involved a change in wartime command, and battlefield conditions shift rapidly, such appointments are always made swiftly. By court custom, the imperial edict will likely be issued today.

According to Da Zhou’s official hierarchy, as Jia Cong advances in military rank, his civil honors will rise too—and the latter’s promotion is what draws the most attention.

No matter how fierce the Campaign Against the Mongols, it will end within a year or two. Jia Cong’s civil honor rank will determine the future fortune of the Rongguo Jia family…

…………

When Yingchun, Daiyu, and the other sisters entered Rongqing Hall, only moments had passed when Lady Li of the Zhongjing Marquisate arrived to offer congratulations, pulling Xiangyun aside to chat.

She smiled at Jia Mu: “Auntie, your gate’s threshold will be worn flat in days—I’ll have to come daily. Such joyous news!”

When I left this morning, my husband told me: Third Young Master has assumed a military post, and these matters are handled urgently—there’s a good chance the imperial edict will be issued today.”

Since Third Young Master isn’t home, if the palace sends someone to announce the decree, we need a male heir to receive it. Why not send for Elder Brother soon? Someone must take charge.”

Jia Mu said: “You’re right. I’m the only elder here, surrounded by girls and daughters-in-law—we can’t properly handle imperial envoys.”

Isn’t it said Third Young Master defeated the ragged Mongols outside the city? He’s already reached the city gates—why hasn’t he come home? It would ease our worries.”