Chapter 201: Jia Mu: As an elder, she merely plans far ahead for her descendants, without indulging them

Jia Mu was about to lead the ladies of the Jia Mansion's inner quarters in paying respects, when that palace lady quickly stepped forward, smiling and reaching out to help Jia Mu up, saying:

"The Dowager Lady of Rongguo need not stand on ceremony! Her Majesty said, the Dowager Lady of Rongguo is of noble status and has taught her grandson well, so she may be exempt from the kowtow."

"Her Majesty also said, when you have leisure you may visit the palace for a sit; Marquis Jingwu is young and accomplished, has rendered service to the state, and she wishes to ask you for your insights on educating the younger generation."

Jia Mu's expression stalled; she asked me for advice on educating the descendants?

She gets a headache every day from that tortoise-grandson Jia Jing, wishing to drive him far away, and only after his death would she return, out of sight, out of mind—does that count as wisdom?

If she hadn't known the messenger was sent by the Empress, she would have thought these words were a veiled insult aimed at her!

Jia Mu's expression turned slightly awkward; she clearly knew this Senior Attendant, her embarrassed face showing a hint of familiarity, she forced a smile and said:

"Senior Attendant Shangguan, this old woman has no wisdom at all! I merely, as an elder, plan far ahead for the descendants and do not indulge them!"

"Descendants have their own blessings! Don't make them toil like oxen and horses! Besides, normally I just have them serve the court more and be loyal to His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, everyone present in the Jia Mansion couldn't help but chuckle!

Truly worthy of an old matriarch, that remark… is quite something!

What a far-sighted plan, no indulgence! Not a word of falsehood!

After Jia Mu finished speaking, her old face also flushed a bit; without waiting for the palace lady to continue, she laughed and asked:

"Senior Attendant Shangguan, I heard this reward from Her Majesty is because my grandson achieved merit on the front lines? I don't know the exact details."

As soon as Jia Mu's words fell, the Jia family women in the hall all turned their gazes to Senior Attendant Shangguan, wanting to hear her speak about Jia Jing's specific situation.

Senior Attendant Shangguan let her gaze sweep over the Jia Mansion ladies, pausing on Daiyu and Baichai, then her expression turned serious as she explained:

"Speaking of this, we should first congratulate the Dowager Lady of Rongguo; Marquis Jingwu sent a victorious report via carrier pigeon this morning."

"The report says that the Northern Yuan's eighty-thousand-strong army has been besieging the border town of Yu Lin Cheng these days; yesterday at dawn they breached the south gate of Yu Lin Cheng, and just as Yu Lin Cheng was about to fall in this critical moment—cough cough!"

Senior Attendant Shangguan paused at this point, seeming to have a sore throat, and gave a light cough twice.

Tan Chun's brows knit together, unable to hold back her concerned inquiry:

"Senior Attendant, could it not be that my Third Brother arrived in time, saved Yu Lin Cheng, and drove off the Northern Yuan troops?"

And beside Jia Mu, Daiyu's bright eyes flickered as she spoke softly:

"If merely holding the city, I fear…"

"... that it wouldn't merit such joy in the palace, or even rewards for the family!"

Daiyu silently added in her heart:

Senior Attendant Shangguan took in the expressions of these young ladies and the young wives with their hair done in married-woman style, even glancing at Xiao Jiaoer.

Her Majesty had her observe the character of the Jia Mansion's young ladies; she ought to take a good look.

"This Third Miss bears a heroic air; she looks like a capable and virtuous wife's helper!"

"This Miss Lin has an extraordinary demeanor, naturally spirited and elegant, appearing intelligent!"

The Senior Attendant sized them up, seeing everyone's eyes full of urgency, then continued at a leisurely pace:

"Just at the critical moment when Yu Lin Wei Cheng was in peril, Marquis Jingwu led two thousand light cavalry from Ba Shang and arrived just in time."

"At that time, after days of siege, the Northern Yuan forces still numbered over fifty thousand, while the Han Army had only two thousand."

"Nevertheless, though the enemy outnumbered us, Marquis Jingwu felt no fear; to keep Yu Lin Cheng from falling, he led his two thousand light cavalry straight into the enemy formation."

"After a fierce battle, Marquis Jingwu finally took a commander's head and captured the flag, personally shooting to death the Northern Yuan commander Tuo Tuo Bu Hua, seizing the Northern Yuan Crown Prince Ba Ya'er, slaying over twenty thousand Northern Yuan troops, and in one battle utterly routed the Northern Yuan force of over fifty thousand."

"Thus, the Northern Yuan troops that invaded our Da Han Empire were utterly defeated, and the northwestern situation was completely reversed…"

Senior Secretary Shangguan said this, her voice also carrying a hint of admiration—two thousand defeating over fifty thousand, what valor!

Had this not come from the mouth of Empress Zhou, she would have found it hard to believe!

Marquis Jingwu truly lives up to being the pillar that upholds our Da Han Empire; no wonder even Her Majesty sings his praises incessantly, even instructing her to come to the Jia Mansion with a gentle attitude and draw closer.

And upon hearing Senior Secretary Shangguan's words, the Jia Mansion folk were all stunned.

Who would have thought that in such a short time, Jia Jing had already achieved such a splendid victory abroad.

No wonder, even the Empress sent her trusted Senior Attendant personally to deliver the grace.

Tan Chun's lovely face lit up with joy; her voice carried the charm unique to her age, yet also a heroic spirit, as she exclaimed:

"With two thousand against over fifty thousand foes, still able to slay a commander and seize the flag—my Third Brother's valor is practically unheard of since ancient times!"

Shi Xiangyun likewise stood stunned, her lovely eyes blazing; she had always aspired to be a female general like Hua Mulan, and now she exclaimed excitedly:

"Since ancient times, beheading a commander, capturing a flag, being first to scale the wall, and breaking through the formation have been called the four supreme battlefield achievements, representing the utmost bravery and crucial accomplishments of a warrior."

"My Third Brother once breached the gate of Ji Zhou Cheng, which counts as scaling the wall first; charging ahead and shattering the enemy as a vanguard in the assault he has done many times."

"Thus, my Third Brother has personally achieved all four supreme feats, his martial prowess surpassing others—he truly is a model for our generation!"

"Topics among the young ladies are scarce to begin with; having such a youthful marquis and general as a brother in the family naturally warrants extra attention."

"Therefore, regarding Jia Jing's few poems and his several battles, they have gathered information and repeatedly studied and discussed them."

"This is also why Shi Xiangyun can now easily calculate that Jia Jing has already achieved all four supreme feats."

Standing nearby, Feng Jie's beautiful visage showed a hint of contemplation.

"Second Younger Brother, in one battle he crushed a Northern Yuan force of several ten thousand; this achievement must be considerable."

"He is already a marquis; if he were promoted further, what rank would he attain? Wouldn't that be on par with the Former State Duke?"

Feng Jie's heart clenched; watching Jia Jing rise step by step, she, as his sister-in-law, had gained nothing from it.

"This made her feel miserable to the extreme, her heart as if scratched by a cat's claw."

"Not knowing what Second Younger Brother truly likes, this time, upon his return home, she will surely cater to his preferences and grow closer to him."

"Even if she cannot regain control of the household, she must also reap some benefits elsewhere, to show off Feng Laizi's capabilities!"

Yingchun's full, gentle visage differed from the others' joy; her tender, approachable eyes instead showed worry as she said:

"Third Brother, I don't know if you're wounded; the battlefield is perilous, and this time you charged ahead despite being outnumbered—please make sure you haven't suffered any harm."

As soon as Yingchun spoke, Daiyu, Baichai, Xiao Jiaoer and several others all showed a hint of worry on their faces.

Xiao Jiaoer's round, moist little face showed a hint of concern; she clasped her hands together and bowed upward, saying:

"Yes! Third Uncle must absolutely be alright. The bodhisattvas in heaven will bless Third Uncle with peace and safety; I, Xiao Jiaoer, will kowtow to you every day from now on."

Daiyu's smoke-like eyebrows furrowed, she clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand, and couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry for Jia Jing's safety.

But she couldn't show it like Xiao Jiaoer's blunt childishness; she could only silently console herself: with the peace talisman I gave him, Third Brother will surely turn danger into safety and misfortune into blessing.

Baichai's snow-white pretty face grew even paler, her watery almond eyes narrowed, and she also secretly began to pray for Jia Jing's blessing.