Chapter 26

Lady Wang's eyes shifted, she had a few points of understanding in her heart. She smiled and said:

"Well, his uncle and aunt used to not care about it, and these past two years he's been serving in the army in Liaodong, so he hasn't had time to discuss these matters; it's just been delayed!"

"But the old lady has mentioned this matter these past days; I've heard that many noble and allied families have been intending to marry their daughters to Jia Jing, only Jia Jing wrote back saying he'd wait until he returns to the capital to talk about it."

"I think the old lady also intends to have that Shi family girl matched with Jia Jing, which would also make the Jia and Shi families even more closely related by marriage."

Xue Yima pondered for a moment and said:

"That Xiang Yun girl is not bad; she has a good temperament, is magnanimous, only her parents passed away early."

"For the old lady to have such an idea, it seems she truly values Jia Jing, this concubine-born grandson; it's just unclear who will decide Jia Jing's marriage."

"Since ancient times, marriage has been decided by parents' orders and matchmakers' words; I don't know what Jia Jing's parents think!"

Lady Wang heard this and gave a disdainful smile, saying:

"What could they possibly think! I reckon this matter mainly depends on Jia Jing's own opinion and the old lady's."

"You haven't seen Jia Jing; he's a very proper person, and now he also has such authority, so I estimate the old lady will ultimately have to respect his own opinion."

Lady Wang finished speaking, then gave Xue Yima a meaningful look and said:

"Sister, do you have any thoughts on this matter?"

Xue Yima was stared at by Lady Wang, but her expression didn't change at all; she merely gave a light smile and said:

"Hmm, someone also asked me to inquire, saying there's a daughter in their family, in her early teens, with a lovely appearance and sensible, clever..."

"Hehe, I think you'd better be cautious, sister! Jia Jing is after all on the battlefield; to put it bluntly, even a pot may crack at the rim, and a general may fall in battle. What happens later is still uncertain."

"Besides, with parents like his, a future daughter-in-law entering the door would likely have a hard time."

Lady Wang smiled and advised Xue Yima to dismiss the idea.

She clearly understood her sister's thoughts.

I suppose it's because today she saw Jia Jing's power and prestige, was stimulated, and got the idea.

"However, that Baichai girl, she also likes her quite a bit; she's well-read and reasonable, gentle and virtuous, a rare good match, and she suits our Baoyu as well."

"She's much better than that sharp-tongued Lin girl."

"Then I ought to make it clear to them, can't be hasty! Otherwise I might ruin a girl's whole life, which wouldn't be good!" Xue Yima felt a bit wary in her heart.

The two each had their own thoughts, chatting with eastern and western remarks, speaking with hidden meanings, and they got quite into the conversation.

…………

Jia Mansion Xi Lu

Feng Jie's small courtyard

Feng Jie and Jia Lian were talking, while Ping'er attended at the side.

Jia Lian lightly went to touch Feng Jie's cheek, laughing as he said:

"Now I don't have to worry about Jia Jing snatching my title, right? He earned a hereditary military rank through his own ability."

"It's much stronger than our family's nominal but empty title. People probably never even considered our family's title."

Feng Jie dodged Jia Lian's hand; these past few days Jia Lian had been fooling around outside without cleaning up, which Feng Jie discovered and caused a big scene, and they've been in a cold war for several days without speaking.

However, when the topic turned to Jia Jing's promotion and ennoblement, Feng Jie still couldn't help but speak, saying coldly:

"You know how formidable he is! They share the same father; look at him, then look at you—you don't even beg to go to the battlefield to earn a minor rank."

"If only you could put more thought into proper business and spend less time outside fooling around with those fox spirits! I just say Amitabha Buddha!"

Jia Lian paid no heed to Feng Jie's mockery, laughing as he coaxed:

"Everyone has their own fate! Jia Jing charges forward on the battlefield, while I stay home to see guests off and handle household affairs—each does their duty!"

"Besides, it's inevitable for a man out there to have some flirtatious encounters! My heart has always been thinking of you!"

Feng Jie knew you can't press a man too hard; you have to gauge the distance. Seeing Jia Lian yield, she stopped pressing step by step, and said in an unhappy tone:

"You're just fooling me!"

Then, with a hint of worry, she asked:

"You say Jia Jing has gained power now; will he hold a grudge against us? Previously, when he was bullied by those servant women in the small courtyard and had a hard time, we didn't help him."

Jia Lian heard this and said indifferently:

"Although we didn't help him, we also didn't bully him!"

"It's all because the master treated him poorly; what's that got to do with us!"

Feng Jie let out a slight sigh, thought it over, and still instructed Ping'er at the side:

"Ping'er, tomorrow take the newly arrived rose essence and give each of Xiao Jiaoer and Yingchun's rooms a bottle."

"Rose essence is a tribute sent from Jiangnan to the palace; it's extremely rare, and even with money it's hard to buy outside."

"Feng Jie herself doesn't have much either; it was Xue Yima who brought it from Jinling for her, and she's always been reluctant to drink it, using it only as a gift."

Ping'er responded with an acknowledgement, but Jia Lian asked, puzzled:

"Is this necessary? You yourself are reluctant to drink the rose essence, yet you're sending it to them? Xiao Jiaoer is just a little maid."

Feng Jie raised her willow-leaf eyebrows, smiling yet not smiling, and said:

"You wouldn't know this! Jia Jing probably values most in his heart Xiao Jiaoer, Yingchun, Tan Chun, Xichun, and Daiyu, those few!"

"Every time things are sent back from Liaodong, their shares are the most valuable aside from the old lady's. Last time they gave Xiao Jiaoer an auspicious gilt longevity lock; I estimate it's worth several hundred taels of silver."

"And they sent Yingchun a white jade chessboard, which at a glance is clearly valuable!"

"So it's all about fate! Xiao Jiaoer merely gave Jia Jing a few months of meals, yet now she not only has a backing in the mansion but also has received such a great benefit... tsk tsk!"

Feng Jie felt quite emotional.

You should know her monthly allowance in the Jia Mansion is only five taels of silver; even adding Jia Lian's and her personal maids' monthly money, it's only over twenty taels a month, over two hundred taels a year.

But Jia Jing sending Xiao Jiaoer and Yingchun a single gift is worth several hundred taels.

How could this not leave Wang Xifeng shocked and envious?

Feng Jie admitted she was a little jealous, but what she really wanted was to curry favor with Jia Jing and also gain some benefits.

Jia Lian heard Feng Jie's words and laughed, somewhat surprised.

"Jia Jing, you've made a fortune in Liaodong! As an official there, you must have received a lot of tribute, and your profits are ample."

"On the battlefield he often wins battles, seizing various supplies, war horses, weapons, and provisions; it's impossible not to become rich. I've heard that Liaodong also has abundant ginseng medicinal materials and animal pelts; I don't know if Jia Jing has any connections!"

Jia Lian fell into thought; he and Jia Jing are blood brothers, and if there really is a way to make money, he could humble himself and let Jia Jing bring him along.

After all, he had heard that Feng Ziying of the Divine Martial General's Manor and Han Qi of the Jinxiang Marquis Manor followed Jia Jing, already promoted several ranks, and are about to reach the fifth rank.

He himself does not seek an official post, nor does he have the talent for battlefield combat, but doing business, receiving and seeing off guests, that is his forte.

Feng Jie smiled, pursing her lips.

"Now you know why I wanted to get on good terms with Yingchun and the others! Jia Jing is clearly on the rise to prominence, and he's our family's brother; at this point, not maintaining the relationship would be foolish!"

Jia Lian fell into thought and said:

"Hmm, you're right; I'll calculate first."

…………