Chapter 233: Jia Jing Promoted to First‑Rank Jing Guo Gong, Elevated to Second‑Grade Champion Grand General

Emperor Jing Sheng Di's expression was indifferent; not wishing to continue the entanglement, he decisively said:

"Since Minister Fang has nothing further to say, let this matter be settled!"

"Champion Marquis Jia Jing is promoted to First‑rank Jing Guo Gong, elevated to a Second‑grade Champion Grand General, appointed as Senior Pillar of State, and awarded a python robe and jade belt in reward for his achievements in the northwest."

Ministers: "......"

"Second‑grade Champion Grand General? Isn't it the proper Second‑grade Biaoqi Grand General?"

"The official only rose one rank; that's good news!"

"Thus, although the emperor trusts Jia Jing, he still leaves some leeway, and our words were not entirely ignored."

"As for the python robe and jade belt, they are merely honors."

"Though a bit excessive, compared with the First‑rank Jing Guo Gong title, it does not stir the ministers at all."

The ministers in the hall felt a slight joy, their faces softened, and Chief Counselor Chen Tingjing stepped forward first, bowing and saying:

"Your Majesty's enlightened light shines upon us; we are deeply humbled!"

The other ministers likewise bowed and said:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Emperor Jing Sheng Di sat upon the throne, looking down at the ministers, his face utterly calm.

The reason he did not further promote Jia Jing to the proper Second‑grade Biaoqi Grand General was not to leave room.

After all, in his mind Jia Jing is worthy of being appointed a First‑grade Grand General.

He only considered that after Jia Jing returns to the capital, the court's structure might be affected, and he could offend the senior civil and military ministers over the promotion.

In his view, among the ministers present today, apart from Prince of the North Shui Rong, no one likely supports a higher promotion for Jia Jing.

Moreover, the concerns of ministers such as Zhang Tingyu are not unfounded; they are unaware of the matters concerning the Dream Immortal minister, and naturally wish to balance things.

Since public opinion is not united and the timing is not right, forcing a promotion would only spark severe court infighting, hindering the implementation of the New Policies and other tasks.

It would be better to wait; with time, matters will smooth out and everything will fall into place.

He is not in a hurry…

When the ministers rose, Emperor Jing Sheng Di continued:

"Let us also discuss the promotions for Niu Jizong, Feng Tang, Zhang Yi, Zhou Yingyuan, and others."

"They followed Zi Jie in the northwest campaign this time, enduring hardship and earning great merit."

"According to the military merit register sent by Zi Jie, their titles should be raised one level; the ministers may speak freely…"

Niu Jizong and the others are being elevated from Count to Marquis, a significant rank advancement for martial merit, requiring discussion among senior court officials.

Rong Guo Mansion, rear garden.

The May sky was a clear, bright blue.

Spring arrives late in Shenjing, and summer comes swiftly.

Once May began, the garden's flowers bloomed in succession as if rushing to a market.

In the garden, the women of Rong Guo Mansion gathered in a pavilion, chirping like orioles and swallows, admiring flowers and playing, filling the air with laughter.

Since Jia Jing's first victory report returned to the capital and he was made a First‑rank Champion Marquis, Rong Guo Mansion has become bustling like a market.

From the four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue, to the founding lineages such as Prince of the North, Prince of South An, the Marquis of the State Niu family, the Divine Warrior General Feng family, the Lords of Li, Zhi, and Xiu, etc.

Then the Nian family, Yue family and other generals from Liaodong, the northwest, or Ba Shang Camp, as well as some civil officials, leveraged Jia Zheng's connections to flock to Rong Guo Mansion to congratulate.

They brought messages, gifts, and courted friendships, coming continuously from morning till night.

The women bearing imperial edicts were almost trampling the threshold of Jia Mansion, just to secure a good marriage alliance with the Champion Marquis.

Later, as the northwest campaigns kept winning, crushing the Northern Yuan, Shenjing trembled, and Jia Jing's elevation to Duke became inevitable.

Jia Mansion was then teeming with a constant stream of visitors of all kinds.

During that more‑than‑half‑month, it could be said that Rong Guo Mansion experienced its liveliest period in decades, its reputation surpassing even that of the late First‑rank Rong Guo Duke.

Even the servants of Jia Mansion who went out to buy things found some merchants, upon hearing they were from the Champion Marquis' household, refusing to take payment.

Later, when Tan Chun and others felt the display was too flamboyant and improper, after consulting Jia Mu and Jia Zheng,

Citing the head of the family being on campaign, they sealed the main gate of Rong Guo Mansion with an iron halberd, ceasing to receive guests; this improved the situation somewhat.

Of course, only slightly better.

Although they no longer entertained strangers, relatives, old friends, and long‑standing acquaintances could still not be turned away.

Today, because it was Auntie Xue's birthday, the whole family, after lunch,

upon Jia Mu's suggestion, went on a pleasant garden stroll to enjoy the blossoms.

Since Jia Jing of Ning Guo Mansion passed away some time ago, Rong Guo Mansion had not had such a collective celebration for a long while.

However, Jia Mu, being elderly, could not walk after a short while of admiring the scenery in the garden.

Surrounded by the maids Yuan Yang and others, she rested on a high couch that had been specially moved into the pavilion.

Seated to Jia Mu's left were Mrs. Xing, Lady Wang, Auntie Xue, Qin Keqing, and Feng Jie.

On Jia Mu's right sat San Chun, Daiyu, Baichai, and Xiang Yun, the young ladies.

Additionally, flanking Jia Mu were Jia Yuan Chun, who had recently returned from the palace, and Nian Shilan, with a smiling noble lady beside her.

Jia Yuan Chun was taken out of the palace by Jia Mu and Lady Wang in early March.

At that time, as the second northwest victory report arrived, Empress Zhou heard Jia Mu and Lady Wang's request to bring Yuan Chun home for reunion and immediately agreed.

Citing Yuan Chun's many years of service in the palace and her meritorious labor, they petitioned Emperor Jing Sheng Di to confer upon her the title of Fourth‑rank Xiang Jun.

After receiving the emperor's consent, she was also granted abundant gold, silver, silk, and brocade, and was presented with a vermilion robe, a gold‑embroidered quail‑patterned cape, allowing her to return to Jia Mansion in honor.

According to Da Han Empire law,

a princess's daughter is titled a Junzhu, with a rank equivalent to a super‑grade.

The daughter of a commandery prince is enfeoffed as a county lady, her rank equal to the first grade.

The granddaughter of a commandery prince becomes a commandery lady, her rank equal to the second grade.

The great-granddaughter of a commandery prince becomes a county lady, her rank equal to the third grade.

The great-great-granddaughter of a commandery prince becomes a village lady, her rank equal to the fourth grade.

Part of Yuan Chun's village lady title comes from her years of service to the empress as a reward.

The rest is due to Jia Jing's having earned great military merit and receiving grace, making it an honor derived from her brother.

At this moment, Yuan Chun sits somewhat composedly to the left of Jia Mu, while Nian Shilan sits to Jia Mu's right.

Nian Shilan wears a water-blue vest made of dark-patterned Hangzhou silk, embroidered with a few sprays of understated plum blossoms, the stitching fine yet inconspicuous.

Her appearance is typical of a Jiangnan woman, her face full and round, showing a hint of unworldly gentleness.

Her brows and eyes are curved, the outer corners slightly drooping; even when standing quietly, she bears a touch of pitiful fragility.

Her nose is small and straight, making her whole face look even more delicate; her lips are a light pink.

Her skin is not the pallid white of one long kept in the inner chambers, but rather radiant and bright.