Chapter 104: Wang Ziteng Seeks Advancement

Behind Rongxi Hall, Lady Wang's small courtyard.

As the New Year approaches, household affairs are numerous; Lady Wang recently went to Jia Mu's courtyard to pay her respects and then returned to her own small courtyard to handle domestic matters.

She either arranges for people to deliver New Year gifts to relatives and friends, or receives the stewards, attendants, and wives from other households who come to present New Year gifts.

As long as the visitor is not of very high status, she meets them herself; Jia Mu does not wish to be bothered with that.

At this moment, Lady Wang is meeting Wang Ziteng's wife, Zhu Shi; the two sisters‑in‑law sip tea and chat, attended by a few maids.

Lady Wang sees Zhu Shi dressed in a dark‑red mink‑velvet coat, over a black embroidered double‑breasted jacket, with silver‑thread edging on the collar and cuffs, looking solemn yet noble.

She wears a silk‑velvet hair crown studded with pearls, a jade hairpin in her hair, the whole ensemble exuding elegance.

She smiles lightly and says:

"Sister‑in‑law, you look a few years younger than me; today's attire is gracefully elegant and fits you perfectly!"

Zhu Shi, praised by Lady Wang, shows a hint of pleasure on her face, looks at Lady Wang's outfit, and laughs:

"I'm already in my early forties; I'm not like a young girl fussing over this. Your attire is a bit more plain. I have a few new ones; I'll have someone send them to you later."

Lady Wang wears a peach‑red coat embroidered with a hundred characters of silk and silver mouse pattern, a bright‑green skirt with gold‑colored embroidered silk, and over it a teal satin gray‑mouse jacket.

As an elder in the household, she always dresses for practicality and kindness, avoiding the flamboyance of young ladies.

These days, with arrivals and departures, she has been dressing more lavishly than usual, but her complexion does not look very good.

Lady Wang does not follow that thread, but instead smiles lightly and asks:

"Sister‑in‑law, did the New Year gifts that I asked the Zhou Rui family to send to the mansion arrive yesterday?"

"How is your brother doing lately? Is he still satisfied with his position in the Ministry of War? I've been busy with a heap of household matters, and haven't seen him for a while!"

Lady Wang has recently begun to manage the household herself, mainly competing covertly with the main branch.

Zhu Shi hears this, sighs, lifts her teacup and takes a shallow sip, shaking her head and saying:

"The New Year gifts have arrived! It was a bother for you. Your brother has been quite troubled in the Ministry of War by that Jing brother of yours!"

"The two have been quarrelling incessantly over military rations and pay. Your brother disregards protocol, demanding the Ministry of War allocate the full amount of provisions, not a single cent less."

"Since ancient times, the Ministry of War has always skimmed a few percent of the provisions for officials' profit. With him doing this, how can your brother explain himself to his colleagues in the Ministry?"

"They even think our two families are related; your brother, for his own family's sake, takes more than his share without regard!"

"Your brother has only recently taken office in the Ministry of War, yet this incident has already left a bad impression among his peers; won't he be constantly criticized in the department thereafter?"

"This matter has kept him in a bad mood for two months, his face perpetually solemn."

"And a few days ago, after returning from Bashang Daying, he even smashed several antique bottles at home, claiming that your brother Jia Jing scolded him before the Emperor for not understanding military affairs!"

Lady Wang's face darkens at the words; Jia Jing's treatment of Wang Ziteng is clearly a snub to her.

She says coldly:

"Your brother is a third‑rank Minister of War, has served as Military Governor of Jingying, and has patrolled the borders; he is highly knowledgeable in military matters. How can that illegitimate son dare accuse him of ignorance?"

"He's only held office for a few years, yet he dares such reckless impudence?"

Lady Wang has never liked Jia Jing, and now she feels even more disgust; her words are full of resentment.

Zhu Shi's expression hardens; hearing the dissatisfaction in Lady Wang's tone, she echoes:

"Who says it isn't? In fact, your brother is that bastard's senior, yet he dares such arrogance! Truly a child who, once favored, becomes reckless!"

"But he is currently in the Emperor's favor! Your brother can only step back three steps and refrain from confronting him for now!"

"However, your brother said that the bastard, being so young, knows no restraint; in conduct and deeds he leaves no room for compromise."

"Seeing the blaze cooking oil may not be a good sign. I fear it will sooner or later be settled, with no good outcome."

Lady Wang's expression softens a bit, and she smiles lightly:

"I think so too! He's always heard cursing the duke and killing the marquis outside; he doesn't seem a fortunate person!"

"Now he can rely on the Emperor's favor and the lingering prestige of the Jia ancestors, to act lawlessly for a while!"

"But the Emperor cannot keep favoring him forever; I only hope that one day his downfall comes, so it won't involve me or Bao Yu!"

Zhu Shi smiles:

"That won't happen! You are the second branch, separated by a layer from them! Moreover, as long as your brother lives, you won't get into trouble!"

"But your brother is also in a difficult spot now, sigh…"

Zhu Shi pauses at this point, her jade‑like complexion hesitates, about to speak but stops.

Lady Wang, seeing this, quickly asks:

"Sister‑in‑law, is there something you wish to say? Among our family, is there anything we can't speak openly?"

Zhu Shi begins:

"Here's the matter: a while ago, didn't the Emperor take your brother and others to inspect Jingying and Bashang Daying?"

"Your brother reported that the Emperor was very dissatisfied with the reorganization of Jingying, and after returning to the palace, harshly criticized Military Governor Niu Boye of Jingying."

"He said Niu Boye only cared about camaraderie among the founding lineage's war merits, neglecting the nation's grand plans. He stripped him of the Military Governor post, assigning him to focus on duties at the Five Military Governor's Office."

"The Emperor seems intent on finding another capable minister to reorganize Jingying, and later spoke with your brother, asking his view on the matter."

"Your brother thinks the Emperor may want him to reorganize Jingying; now the Minister of War is near retirement, and both your brother and another Minister of War have a chance to advance further."

"If he can accomplish the Jingying reorganization and earn merit, your brother's chance of promotion will increase greatly…"

When Zhu Shi says this, Lady Wang's eyes brighten, a hint of joy flashing across her fair complexion, and she laughs:

"If your brother can become Grand Marshal of the Ministry of War, his entry into the cabinet won't be far off; thereafter he could become a top minister—what a wonderful prospect!"

"Even if he only becomes Minister of War, that is a second‑rank senior official, higher than the bastard of the main branch who is a third‑rank marquis of the second‑rank class!"

But a moment later, Lady Wang worries:

"Reorganizing Jingying must be difficult! That bastard of the main branch, when reorganizing Bashang Daying, killed a marquis and offended the Jingnan Wuxun completely!"

"All ranks in Jingying are war merits of the founding lineage; can they agree to the reorganization?"

Lady Wang had deliberately inquired about matters at Bashang Daying, not out of concern for Jia Jing, but to know herself and the enemy, ensuring victory in a hundred battles.