Chapter 280

Her decisive, forceful manner even let Jia Mu see a hint of Jia Jing in her!

Jia Mu couldn't help but sigh inwardly: No wonder that wicked grandson would let the third maiden manage the household—they're of the same ilk!

Jia Zheng stroked the short beard on his chin and nodded approvingly.

Tan Chun's words made perfect sense; he inwardly agreed!

Our third maiden's insight and talent are not inferior to a man's—she is indeed promising material!

Daiyu gave Tan Chun a deep glance, pursed her lips, and a hint of relief shone in her ink‑black bright eyes.

Third Sister has keen insight; it's rare that she isn't muddled in major affairs—Third Brother letting her manage the household is truly finding the right person!

Meanwhile, Lady Wang, her face dark, silently lowered the hand she had been holding Tan Chun's and instead rested it on Yuan Chun's hand.

The third maiden is ultimately not her birth daughter, and they are not of one mind!

Not mentioning having Jing'er help her uncle is one thing, but how could she not think of her own brother for such an important Dong Fu fief?

What is that Qiang'er even supposed to be?

A parentless nobody—does he even deserve to inherit the Dong Fu's fief?

Yuan Chun's plump, fair face now bore a faint smile, her dewy, crystal‑clear eyes glimmering.

She glanced lightly at everyone's expressions in the hall and said with a smile:

"Third Sister speaks sense! Third Brother, as a high‑ranking court official, is also the pillar of our Jia family today."

"His success or failure affects the rise and fall of hundreds or even thousands of our Jia clan; we cannot allow the slightest mistake!"

"Now the court is in turmoil, the emperor is pushing reforms and the New Policies to revive the nation."

"The Dong Fu affair has drawn the court's full attention; the emperor will certainly not tolerate it, or else it will hinder his upcoming grand plans."

"Third Brother has always understood righteousness and served the state wholeheartedly; he will certainly not intervene on behalf of the Dong Fu."

"Furthermore, I must remind the matriarch!"

"Third Brother, campaigning abroad, has endured hardships, fought bloody battles, and sacrificed his life—only then can our kin in Shenjing enjoy peace, fine clothes and food, continual rewards, and added honor."

"If we do not add to his glory, that's fine; but we must never bring him trouble or disaster."

"Otherwise, we would be foolish folk who cannot discern right from wrong or weigh importance."

Having spoken, Yuan Chun gave a meaningful glance at Lady Wang, who was no longer affectionately stroking her right hand.

Based on her recent understanding, her own mother might instead become the most destabilizing factor in the Rongguo Mansion's future.

Leaving other matters aside, her hidden resentment toward Third Brother alone is enough to stir up many unnecessary troubles!

However, as Lady Wang is her mother, she can only offer gentle advice; anything more cannot be said!

At this moment, Lady Wang was filled with dejection and resentment.

Both daughters keep thinking only about the eldest branch's bastard son, ignoring their own uncle's safety and Baoyu's future—this she simply cannot comprehend!

Her own maternal uncle and younger brother are truly her kin; that eldest branch's bastard, stubborn and obstinate, what relation does he have to her even if he were good?

How can everyone turn their elbows outward, not knowing how to support their own kin?

The eldest daughter has been in the palace so long—has her mind turned addled?

And Jia Mu, hearing Tan Chun and Yuan Chun's words, also figured out a few approaches.

She knew Jia Jia and Jia Rong likely could not escape this time, so she could only think of a solution regarding the fief.

Jia Mu silently reckoned for a while, glanced at Lady You, hesitated, then spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Since Jia'er and Rong'er cannot be saved, the Dong Fu's fief must not be lost."

"For our noble house, the fief is the lifeline; we must plan early."

"It would be best to go ahead and make preparations at the Ministry of Clan Affairs, securing a suitable heir!"

Jia Mu deliberately emphasized the words "suitable," clearly implying that Tan Chun's earlier suggestion of Jia Qiang was unsuitable!

When Jia Mu spoke, everyone's gazes in the hall subtly shifted.

The fief is quite an enticing prize!

Especially Feng Jie and Lady Wang faintly sensed Jia Mu's intent, and their expressions changed slightly.

Lady Wang glanced at Jia Zheng beside her and probed:

"Baoyu is the legitimate son, well‑behaved, clever, diligent, and filial to his elders—could he possibly inherit the Dong Fu's fief?"

Although Lady Wang knew this was somewhat improper, she couldn't help saying it—the lure of the fief was too strong!

The Xi Fu's fief is destined to be inherited by Jia Lian of the eldest branch.

Moreover, Yuan Chun and Wang Ziteng, on whom the second branch could have relied, have encountered mishaps, leaving only Jia Zheng, a low‑ranking fifth‑grade official, in the official sphere.

For future plans, Lady Wang had no choice but to set her sights on the Dong Fu's fief.

Furthermore, she saw that Jia Mu shared this mindset; if Jia Zheng could support the proposal, it might yet succeed.

When Lady Wang said this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

"Let Baoyu inherit the Dong Fu's fief?? How could that be allowed!"

Jia Zheng, in whom Lady Wang had placed high hopes, was the first to rise, his face flushed, and he vehemently objected:

"How preposterous! How could you, Baoyu's mother, speak such nonsense?"

"The fief is a ceremonial grant from the court, with strict inheritance rules; as a member of the Xi Fu, how could Baoyu inherit the Dong Fu's fief?"

Jia Zheng cares about his reputation; now Jia Jia and Jia Rong are imprisoned, their fate dire.

Being unable to rescue our own side is bad enough, yet to entertain thoughts of the Dong Fu's fief—how can he bear it!

Moreover, fief inheritance isn't arbitrary; there is no justification for the Xi Fu inheriting the Dong Fu's fief.

Lady Wang never expected Jia Zheng to be so hidebound and inflexible.

Not even speaking up for her own son would be bad enough, but to be the first to jump out and oppose left her feeling as if she might die of vexation!

This daughter is not thoughtful enough, and her husband is a blockhead—neither gives a thought to planning for the family.

I and Baoyu really have a miserable fate—how did we end up with this bunch of heartless things!

Jia Mu, after being spoken to by Jia Zheng, also had a face full of weariness; she waved her hand and said:

「Enough, enough! I'm also tired today! Let's leave it like this for now! 」

「Zheng'er, go outside and find out more about the situation; other matters can be discussed later! 」

Upon hearing Jia Mu's words, Jia Zheng immediately agreed, and the others, each with their own thoughts, scattered in twos and threes!

…………

On the eighteenth day of the sixth month of the tenth year of the Prosperous Era, in Shenjing City, at Hut Ditch Bridge.

Today is the day the northwestern army returns victorious!

At the beginning of the Chen hour,

The stone lions of Hut Ditch Bridge had just awakened from the night dew, with fine water droplets condensing on their bluish-gray backs.

The wind from the Eternal Stability River came from the west, neither hurried nor slow, sweeping over the bridge's blue stone slabs and the willow tips on both banks,

Carrying the fresh scent of water vapor and reeds, it softly brushed against people's faces.

The horizon was crab-shell blue, a few wisps of thin cloud dyed a pale gold by the morning light.