Chapter 244

Zijuan seemed to be in tune with Daiyu's thoughts at this moment, speaking with a certain conviction:

"Miss, you now understand the Duke's intentions, don't you? Xiao Jiaoer was instructed by the Duke, when he left the mansion over two years ago, to have you and Third Miss look after her more."

"She has always liked to come play in our courtyard, just like your younger sister."

"Xiangling was also personally ordered by the Duke to become your disciple and study poetry."

"It may not be unrelated that Qingwen was favored by the Duke because she bears a semblance of you."

"The several senior maidservants in the Duke's quarters are all close to you, Miss."

"Just this point alone—even if you had visited the mansion a hundred or a thousand times that year, it would still not compare to your single visit to the Jingwu Yuan."

"Although the Duke's intentions this time are hidden deep, they have not escaped my eyes……"

Zijuan assumed the air of a detective, her eyes bright, speaking coherently and logically.

Daiyu felt considerably reassured by Zijuan's words, and for a moment she said nothing.

But the corner of her mouth twitched into a slight arc, spreading from the corner of her mouth to the depths of her eyes, then from there to her brows.

She turned her head aside and gazed blankly out the window.

In the moonlight, the shadows of those few stalks of Xiang bamboo were cast upon the window paper, like an ink-wash painting, sparse and bright, with just a few strokes outlining all its charm.

…………

Li Xiang Courtyard.

The night grew deeper.

A wind blew over the wall of Li Xiang Courtyard, carrying the faint scent of roses from the garden and the lingering aroma of leftover wine from a distant banquet.

The light beneath the corridor stretched the shadow of the pear tree in the courtyard long and thin, casting it upon the gray bricks, the branches crossing askew.

Madame Xue had just returned from the banquet at Jia Mu's side, she took off her daytime outer garments and put on a lotus‑pink everyday jacket.

She lounged on the couch, holding a bowl of longevity noodles made by Baichai herself, but after only a few bites she set it down!

Her eyes rested on the moonlight outside the window, her gaze unfocused, as if she were pondering something.

Baichai sat on an embroidered stool beside Madame Xue, her hands weaving a sachet.

She had not changed her clothes, still wearing the honey‑colored shirt from the day.

The room fell quiet for a while, and from outside came the soft rustling of Ying Er tidying up, occasionally mixed with a low yawn.

After a long while, Madame Xue heaved a long sigh and said wistfully:

"Jing'er… has become a first‑rank duke! Today the spectacle at his mansion is something I have never seen in my whole life."

Madame Xue spoke while rubbing her forehead with her hand, her tone tinged with envy, and continued:

"The princess of the Bei Jing Prince's manor, the grand lady of the Nan An Commandery Prince's manor, and many dukes, marquises, and officials all came to present gifts and offer congratulations."

"Even that prince and that imperial prince sent representatives; the nobles and power‑holders of Shenjing City are estimated to have come in numbers exceeding half."

"Jing'er is only twenty‑one years old; in less than a year I have watched him rise from first‑rank son to first‑rank earl, then to third‑rank marquis, to first‑rank champion marquis, and now to first‑rank duke."

"Such a speed of promotion—if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't dare believe it."

"Dear girl, tell me how he became so formidable."

"If your brother could have even half… even one‑tenth of his ability, I would wake up laughing even in my sleep."

Seeing those noble ladies bearing imperial decrees at the Jia mansion banquet that evening left Madame Xue's heart unsettled for a long time.

Although her family is wealthy, she herself holds no imperial decree, so even just now at the banquet she felt inferior.

Baichai's needle and thread paused for a moment; her clear, water‑like almond eyes focused, and she spoke slowly:

"Mother, everyone has their own fate; this cannot be forced!"

"Third Brother may have risen quickly in rank, but this is also earned by risking his life on the battlefield!"

"One‑tenth of his ability? There aren't many like that in the whole world—this is too much to hope for!"

Madame Xue sighed again and said:

"Mother, how could I not know this principle! But your brother is still young and his character is not yet settled, so his future is not urgent for now."

"With your uncle looking after him, giving him a boost here and there will be enough for him to enjoy for a lifetime."

"But you, dear girl… you are about to turn another year older; this lifelong matter is pressing, and I am somewhat undecided."

Madame Xue's words carried a hidden meaning; after speaking she glanced at Baichai.

Thereupon she sat up a little straighter, evidently wanting to have a heart‑to‑heart talk with her own dear girl.

Baichai's body trembled, and she did not respond.

She set the sachet she had been embroidering on her lap, lowered her head, and gazed at the sprig of mugwort on it—its stems and leaves slender and graceful, simple and pure.

After a long while, Baichai spoke softly:

"Mother, wasn't it said last time to attend to my brother's marriage first? Why are you bringing me up now? I am not in a hurry!"

Upon hearing this, Madame Xue's expression stalled for a moment, then she said softly:

"You may not be in a hurry, but I am! You haven't seen how many people are now eyeing Jing'er!"

"Not to mention the young lady from the Nian family and the sister of the Bei Jing Prince's consort; just speaking of those noble ladies bearing imperial decrees who came today to congratulate the Jia mansion—"

"Each of them is inquiring about Jing'er's marriage—some ask outright, others probe subtly."

"Just from what I have heard, there are the granddaughter of the Nan An Grand Lady, the niece of the Zhen Guo Duke's lady, and the daughter of the Zhi Guo Duke's lady."

"They all want to act as matchmakers and ally themselves with Jing'er through marriage. You say they are the most concerned with propriety—so why this time do they seem to be rushing to snatch him?"

Madame Xue's expression turned anxious! She really is a bit hurried!

Originally I had thought that if Jia Jing were later ennobled as a prince, he could have four concubine positions.

Our dear girl cannot be the principal wife; even a concubine slot is not a sure thing!

Who would have thought that seeing today so many great families eyeing Jia Jing, even the concubine slot seems to be in short supply!

If we don't hurry to secure a position now, then if the time comes and she cannot even become a concubine, it will truly be a case of wanting to cry but having no tears!

Baichai's pretty face, as white as pear blossom, twitched slightly, then she recovered and tentatively asked:

"Mother! What does my marriage have to do with Third Brother?"

"Didn't you just tell your daughter last time that our family's standing is unsuitable, that we can't climb up, and that forcing a match would only bring trouble?"

"And you also said you're afraid she'd swallow our family's assets, that we can't take that risk?"

Aunt Xue heard that, a trace of embarrassment flashing across her face, then vanishing in an instant.

She looked at Baichai, her tone carrying the seasoned, heartfelt meaning of someone who's been through it, and whispered:

"Good girl! Mother isn't hiding anything from you! Mother said that last time only because she didn't expect Jing Ge'er's title to rise so quickly!"

"If he were a marquis, our family would naturally be unable to reach him, and it would be impossible for you to become his concubine."

"But now he is already a first‑rank duke, and looking at his momentum, being granted a kingly title is very likely!"

"If Jing Ge'er becomes a prince, then he can have not only a principal consort, but also four secondary consorts."

"We can't hope for the principal consort, but for a secondary consort, given our four great families' generations of intermarriage and your own grace, talent, and beauty, Mother thinks there's great hope!"

"Moreover, a prince's secondary consort is no longer just a concubine; she is officially recognized by the Ministry of Rites and recorded by the Imperial Clan Office with a formal status."

"She not only receives salary and official attire, but even her offspring can be ennobled. That's far more prestigious than an ordinary family's principal wife!"

"Perfect, good girl, you also have feelings for Jing Ge'er! Mother thinks this is a win‑win situation!"

Baichai was left momentarily stunned by Aunt Xue's words.

She finally understood why her mother changed her mind; it turned out she had already thought so "far ahead"!

But it also sounded quite reasonable: with Third Brother now a first‑rank duke, the throne is only one step away!

If he were made a king, then indeed there could be four secondary consorts, and I…

Hm? No! She almost got led off track!

Why should I be a secondary consort? Then who becomes the principal consort?

Could it be that Lin should become the principal wife, leaving me with nothing?