Chapter 239: Madam Xing: Not Married in Vain!

In the garden pavilion,

Feng Jie, with high emotional intelligence, made a remark that praised five people at once.

She linked Jia Jing's promotion and ennoblement with Aunt Xue's birthday and the three women—Princess Zhen, Li, and Nian Shilan—coming to the mansion.

It seemed as if the good fortune of those three arriving and Aunt Xue's celebratory birthday were what made Jia Jing's promotion possible.

Aunt Xue, hearing this, let a smile appear on her fair complexion and said:

"I'm basking in the Prince's joy; this birthday will be unforgettable in this life!"

She had thought of this herself, but didn't want to voice it outright.

On her own birthday, Jia Jing is being made a duke; that certainly carries a hint of "prosperous uncle."

Her own daughter, born with pearl‑smooth jade, had previously been consulted and was said to have a "suitable child, prosperous husband" destiny.

She plotted that this point could be leveraged in the Jia Mansion later, a major advantage for her obedient daughter.

Li and Nian Shilan also felt a few degrees of pleasure from Feng Jie's words.

At that moment, Jia Mu thought of something and asked Princess Zhen in a hoarse voice:

"Princess, do you know which rank of duke Brother Jia Jing is being granted this time?"

Although all ranks are dukes, a first‑rank duke is clearly far better than a third‑rank duke.

When Jia Mu said this, everyone in the Jia Mansion stared intently at Princess Zhen of the Northern Tranquil King, their eyes eager.

Even Li and Nian Shilan perked up their ears secretly, listening in.

Princess Zhen smiled faintly and thought to herself: "You finally remembered to ask about this!"

She hadn't mentioned the rank or title earlier precisely in order to give the Northern Tranquil King a chance to show his merit now.

After all, as the Prince said, during the council at Qian Qing Gong he strongly supported Jia Jing's reward, offering advice and exerting considerable effort.

Since he contributed, it was natural to let the parties involved know that this would become future goodwill.

The Princess of the Northern Tranquil King laughed:

"Originally, based on the military merit of the Champion Marquis, he should have been granted a first‑rank dukedom."

"But the court ministers largely opposed a re‑grant; Minister Fang, Minister Xiong and others said the Champion Marquis is too young."

"They argued that the Jia family already has three dukes, wealth to the extreme, and feared there would be nothing left to grant later, using various reasons to block it."

"They said leaving room is the way to preserve blessings! Advising a third‑rank dukedom…"

Princess Zhen, unhurried, first pointed out the obstruction by Minister Fang, Minister Xiong and others, thereby highlighting the Northern Tranquil King's later willingness to step forward and "defy powerful authority."

Indeed, Jia Mu and the others showed a trace of disappointment in their expressions.

They had hoped, even if not a first‑rank duke, at least a second‑rank duke; they did not expect a third‑rank.

Most importantly, Princess Zhen also said that Jia Jing's military merit deserved a first‑rank dukedom, but it fell through because of others' obstruction.

That made people feel a bit uncomfortable.

Beside them, Shi Xiangyun could not help but whisper into Lin Daiyu's ear:

"That Minister Fang and old Minister Xiong are detestable! They must be treacherous officials!"

Lin Daiyu gave her a sideways glance, indicating she would discuss it in her chambers later and not to babble here.

Jia Mu then softened her expression, smiled, and said to the crowd:

"Jia Jing is still young; there will be many more opportunities ahead! Being made a duke this time is already excellent—it's all heavenly grace!"

Princess Zhen laughed:

"The matriarch is truly wise; no wonder people say, 'Having an elder at home is like having a treasure.'"

"It was just that His Majesty was displeased with Minister Fang's and Minister Xiong's remonstrances at the time, insisting that merit should be rewarded without diminishing a meritorious official because of age."

"His Majesty ordered the ministers to reconvene, lest the spirit of the north‑western soldiers defending the nation be chilled…"

Princess Zhen again highlighted Emperor Jing Sheng Di's contributions; anyone's merit can be claimed, but the Emperor's merit must not be taken.

Hearing this, Jia Mu hurriedly said:

"Truly, the sovereign's grace is as vast as the sea! I'll tell Jia Jing all about this when he returns."

Others also broke into smiles; they hadn't expected a turn of events, and now a second‑rank dukedom was inevitable!

Princess Zhen smiled:

"At His Majesty's request, Minister Fang and Minister Xiong proposed a new idea."

"They suggested adding grace to the Champion Marquis's father, granting both father and son a third‑rank dukedom to reward the Champion Marquis's north‑western achievements…"

"What?!" Jia Mu and the others wore delighted expressions—two third‑rank dukes?

Feng Jie, standing aside, was startled, her heart leapt, she pursed her peach‑blossom‑like glossy lips, and tightened her handkerchief a little more.

The Lord is granting a third‑rank duke?

Doesn't that mean Lian Er's future inherited title will be a duke?

Could I also have a chance to become a first‑rank duke's lady?

Though without military merit one can only inherit a noble title, with the third brother present, covertly arranging a bit of merit is no big problem!

If it truly fails, she could even send Lian Er to the north‑west frontier for a few years of border duty!

She is determined to become that duke's lady; no one can stop her!

Feng Jie's handkerchief tightened ever more, her heart already enveloped by a huge surge of joy!

Beside her, Lady Wang's face darkened sharply, and the Prayer Beads in her hand were about to be crushed into powder.

"What? One duke from the main branch isn't enough; they want two dukes?"

Will the Rong Guo Mansion still have room for their second branch after this?

That the illegitimate son becomes a duke is understandable; after all, he truly can fight, earning his rank on the battlefield, and though she is resentful, she has little criticism!

"But what right do Lian Er and you, Miss Feng, have to reap the benefits afterward?"

Feng Jie, a fallen household, also wants to be the wife of a State Duke?

Bah!

This third-class duke should go to my second branch, to Baoyu!

Lady Wang's jealous face was somewhat twisted!

I wish Feng Jie and Jia Lian would drop dead right there, so their second branch could inherit the title!

At this moment, Mrs. Xing couldn't bother to continue observing Lady Wang's expression; she too was enveloped by the enormous happiness that had fallen from the sky!

Not marrying in vain!

The old master finally got back on his feet, letting her follow and bask in the glory!

State Duke's wife, what status is that?

From now on, her Jia Xing clan will have the same standing as the Jia Shi clan!

Even after the old lady passes, I will become the new ancestor of the Rong Guo Mansion!

Just imagining the scene where she gets whatever wind she wants and whatever rain she wants makes her body tremble!

Mrs. Xing secretly resolved that after returning today, she would attend to the old master Jia She well, letting him linger a bit longer!

The old master simply cannot die now!

No matter what, we must wait for the court's ennoblement edict to arrive, wait for my title of nobility to be confirmed! Only then can the old master die honorably!

Mrs. Xing's current mood is like that of modern children whose parents have extremely high pensions, just hoping Jia She lives a few more days!

At this moment, Jia Mu, having steadied her spirit, asked the Zhen clan with some uncertainty:

"Father and son both ennobled as State Dukes—does that conform to court regulations?"

Although Jia Mu understands some general court knowledge, she doesn't really grasp the specific systems and decrees!

She knows of a family with two State Dukes, but she has indeed never seen a father and son both ennobled as dukes, let alone a father gaining a dukedom through his son's nobility.