Chapter 202: Mrs. Xing: Jing Ge'er is a filial son; he should be willing to show filial piety to me

On Rong Qing Tang, everyone in the Jia Mansion began to worry a little about Jia Jing's safety.

Senior Attendant Shangguan beside them saw the faces of the Jia Mansion ladies dim a little, and spoke to comfort them:

"Don't worry! The victory report this time does not mention Marquis Jingwu being wounded! I reckon the marquis, a fortunate person, will surely be unharmed!"

"Moreover, the Empress said, after a few days when the official northwest report returns, the court will surely bestow further honors on Marquis Jingwu! This is happy news!"

"The Empress also said, Marquis Jingwu, who labors abroad for the country, has great merit; if you have any difficulties at home, just go to the palace to find her."

"As long as it does not violate court law, she will mediate and accommodate for you!"

Yingchun and the others heard this, gently let out a breath, and the worry on their faces faded a little.

Feng Jie glanced at Lady Wang again, her eyes holding a hint of inexplicable smile.

She thought, if Lady Wang were to run to the palace now to complain about Jia Jing, she wouldn't know whether she would suffer the Empress's imperial cane!

Lin Daiyu's hand, which had been clutching her handkerchief, loosened a little; her bright, lively eyes lifted slightly, as if with some other interest.

She glanced at Xue Baichai's expression beside her, only to see Baichai also turn her head to look at her, her clear, watery almond eyes full of calm and gentle ripples.

When their eyes met, Xue Baichai gave a slight, unconcerned nod and smile, appearing dignified and grand.

But Daiyu's jet-black eyes held a hint of playfulness and a barely perceptible guard, the corner of her mouth lifting with a hint of a smile.

After exchanging a glance, they each turned their heads back, and the smiles on their faces faded a little.

After seeing Senior Attendant Shangguan off, Feng Jie's lovely face first broke into a smile as she said:

"This younger brother's talent in warfare is truly impressive! He has achieved great merit again so quickly, even prompting the Empress to send rewards—truly becoming more and more remarkable!"

"The third brother is already a marquis; if he receives another ennoblement now, wouldn't that make him a duke?"

"If that happens, he would stand on equal footing with our ancestors! Truly…… his future is limitless!"

Feng Jie's expression was full of astonishment, and as her words fell, everyone present shuddered, their faces varied, each secretly pondering.

Jia Mu's expression mixed joy with worry; she rejoiced that if that wicked grandson were made a duke, the Jia family would truly be returning to the prosperous era of their ancestors!

By then she would be the duchess, her grandson also a duke, one mansion with two dukes—its grandeur would be rare under heaven!

Her worry was naturally that as Jia Jing's power grew, she, this old woman, would have more headaches, and her words in the Rong Guo Mansion would carry even less weight.

Moreover, being young and occupying a high position, who knows whether it is blessing or disaster, and what hidden troubles it might bring to the Rong Guo Mansion.

Beside her, Mrs. Xing's face likewise stiffened slightly as she pondered what if Jia Jing truly became a duke.

As the duke's stepmother, she did not know whether she could also rise to fortune like chickens and dogs, gaining some benefit!

Mrs. Xing's thoughts now also underwent a slight shift.

Seeing Jia Jing steadily rise in rank and title, his power ever increasing, she could not help but consider her own future a little.

The patriarch was clearly losing his vigor; for her to live well in the Jia mansion in the rest of her life, she could rely only on these few distant sons!

Logically, Jia Lian being the eldest son, her livelihood should mainly depend on him.

But Feng Jie's relationship with her mother-in-law has always been bad, and she feels Jia Lian cannot be relied upon.

As for Jia Cong, needless to say, he's a complete nobody; hoping for him is even more impossible.

Only Jia Jing, although a concubine son, yet both his authority abroad and his say in the mansion are becoming ever more astonishing.

If she could grow close to Jia Jing in a mother‑son bond, then from now on in the Jia mansion she would have her way—wind when she wants wind, rain when she wants rain! Even the matriarch would have to yield to her a little.

As for her previous distant relationship with Jia Jing, Mrs. Xing considered that not a problem.

Jia Jing is a filial son; although the patriarch once treated him harshly, he still visited him several times after the patriarch's mishap, showing much concern.

Although I, his stepmother, have scolded him and been unkind, if I can change my attitude and take the initiative to be friendly, I expect Jia Jing would be willing to show filial piety toward me.

One cannot help but say that Jia Jing's display of "filial devotion" toward Jia She has led many in the household, including Mrs. Xing, to regard him as inherently good, a filial son!

But how should she show friendliness?

Mrs. Xing was thinking when she suddenly recalled that her elder brother Xing Zhong had written a few days ago, saying he would bring his niece Xing Xiuyan to the capital to seek refuge with her.

Her niece, reckoning her age, is about sixteen or seventeen, and has been gentle and quiet since childhood.

What's more, she is still unmarried; if she were matched with Jing Ge'er as an additional tie of affinity, wouldn't that be perfect!

This would not only bring her feelings closer to Jing Ge'er, but also give her niece a good marriage—two benefits in one.

Mrs. Xing thought, her eyes flickering, and unconsciously her face showed a hint of a smile.

Of course, she never thought of making her niece the principal wife—that would be unrealistic.

But her niece comes from a good family, and with this connection, becoming a concubine would pose no problem.

In the future, if she looks after her and bears a child, that too would be a fine option.

Mrs. Xing's train of thought, of course, remained unknown to anyone.

Moreover, at this moment, more than just Mrs. Xing among those present harbored the idea of forming a marriage alliance with Jia Jing.

At this moment, Aunt Xue's pale face also showed a troubled expression; she had already dispelled her former daydreams about Jia Jing.

Having seen Jia Jing recently wielding ruthless authority in the mansion, she had grown fearful and lost any thought of clinging to him.

But now, hearing that Jia Jing is to receive further promotion and rank, even to be made a duke, her heart once again stirred with ripples.

A duke!

What an exalted position!

If her good girl and Jing Ge'er were to become a match, then her Xue family would truly prosper!

Furthermore, she considered a deeper layer: Jing Ge'er, though young, is already to be made a duke—could he possibly be made a prince in the future?

That is only a step away!

If he were made a prince, then her good girl's status would no longer be an issue.

For a prince not only has a principal wife, but can also take concubines.

A concubine is not merely a mistress; she is one who receives formal investiture from the Court's Ministry of Rites and is registered in the Imperial Clan Court, thus possessing an official status.

Not only does she receive a stipend and official robes, but even her offspring can be granted titles.

Given Jing Ge'er's rapid rise to the position of top minister within just a few short years, being granted a princely title in the future is not impossible.

Such extravagant wealth, Aunt Xue truly doesn't want to miss out on.

While my mind was unsettled, a pair of watery apricot eyes gazed at me, bearing a touch of clear, gentle sheen.

It was exactly the look of the well‑behaved daughter of her household.

Aunt Xue's gaze shifted as she looked at her own radiant, captivating daughter.

She contemplated that, with her daughter's virtue, talent, and looks, it wouldn't be unreasonable to make her a concubine, even if not the principal consort.

It seems we still need to devise a plan or two!