Chapter 293: Mrs. Xing: Having One's Own Niece Become a Consort Might Not Be Out of the Question

At Rong Qing Tang,

Shi Xiangyun, facing Jia Mu's doubt and thinking she didn't believe, hurriedly nodded hard with her little head, the red‑gold tassel at her side swaying left and right, and giggled:

"Indeed! So many people present saw it with their own eyes!"

Tan Chun glanced at Jia Mu's expression of mixed joy and worry, her gaze showing clear understanding.

Her beautiful, charming face radiated happiness, her voice carrying the coquettish, melodious tone of a girl in her tender years, and she laughed:

"Grandfather, although the Crown Prince himself held the reins for Third Brother's carriage, we also heard it from others when we returned."

"Third Brother declined the Emperor's honor; he was forced onto the imperial carriage by the Emperor's order to the inner attendants."

"Thus it can be seen that Third Brother did not overstep any propriety!"

Tan Chun's words both highlighted Jing Sheng Di's trust in Jia Jing and showed that Jia Jing remained respectfully modest, without any breach of decorum!

Beside them, Yuan Chun's beautiful, plump face also showed a faint smile, and she said:

"Madam, there is no need to worry about Third Brother; despite his youth he can achieve such great deeds, he is certainly not unaware."

"Moreover, I see the Emperor's regard for him far surpasses that for ordinary people; not only is his attitude very warm, but his conduct is also unusually kind."

"Since first seeing Third Brother's face, he has continuously held Third Brother's hand, caring for his comfort."

"I've been in the palace for years, and I've never seen the Emperor be this close to anyone else!"

Yuan Chun's tone carried a hint of sigh.

In fact, in her view, Jing Sheng Di shows no warmth toward even the harem's matriarch Zhou Huang Hou regarding Jia Jing.

Jia Mu, hearing the two's words, gently exhaled a sigh of relief, and the worry on her face lessened considerably.

She looked at the people in the hall and finally laughed heartily:

"Good! Good! Truly a vast heavenly grace! It seems Jia Jing really has earned the Emperor's favor."

"If his imperial favor never wanes, the Jia family will truly prosper in the future!"

Beside them, Aunt Xue was also startled by Feng Jie and the others' words, her expression frozen for a long while.

Even though she had long guessed that Jia Jing's triumphant return to the capital would not be a minor affair, she never expected it to be such a grand spectacle with officials paying respects, sharing the imperial carriage, and the Crown Prince driving a carriage!

The name of the Crown Prince was known even to a woman of the inner household like her.

He is the legitimate eldest son born to the Central Palace Empress, the destined Crown Prince, future emperor; she never imagined someone of such lofty status would drive Jia Jing's carriage!

Jia Jing's current power and favor in the palace are truly remarkable!

Aunt Xue's pure face showed a hint of smile, and she playfully said to Jia Mu:

"Jia Jing is so trusted by the Son of Heaven; I think on this return, he will surely be given another important task!"

"Even at his age, he has been made a First‑rank Duke; becoming a king in the future is not an extravagance—his prospects are truly boundless!"

A twenty‑one‑year‑old First‑rank Duke, with the Emperor's favor unwaning, after a few more victories, a kingly title is indeed within reach!

Taking advantage of this return, we must find a way to get our obedient daughter into his sight.

Aunt Xue silently schemed in her heart.

Although Xue Baichai told her not to interfere, Aunt Xue worries that our obedient daughter might miss this good marriage match if left unchecked, and she cannot truly do nothing!

Especially now that her own elder brother Wang Ziteng's fate is worrisome, Aunt Xue has no natal family to rely on,

She is determined to use her daughter's marriage to find a new protective patron for the Xue family and her own beloved child.

Baichai, beside them, gently pressed her glossy, full cherry lips, listened to her mother's words, her expression puzzling, a flash of urgency flashing in her eyes!

Given Third Brother's rapid promotions, the matter of being ennobled as king is probably not far off!

"If I am determined, I must not delay..."

While Xue Baichai was unsettled, she saw a pair of eyes full of meaning gaze at her, with a lively, cunning sparkle—Lin Daiyu's bright eyes!

Beside them, Mrs. Xing, hearing Aunt Xue's words, slightly paled.

She had previously only wanted her niece Xing Xiuyan to become Jia Jing's noble concubine, further tightening the bond between her and Jia Jing.

She had never considered the possibility of Jia Jing being made a king; at this moment, Aunt Xue's remark enlightened her like a sudden revelation!

"Indeed!"

With Jia Jing's current title, the step to a kingly rank is just one away!

If he is later granted a kingly title, then our niece could become a prince's consort, far better than a mere concubine!

With this connection, Jia Jing should at least grant some dignity!

Mrs. Xing, thinking this, quickly looked at her niece Xing Xiuyan beside her.

Her quiet, gentle temperament, beauty and character are all praised throughout Jia Mansion these days; becoming a consort seems not excessive!

Only her moon‑white robe, half‑worn and not new, looks somewhat out of place amid the hall's splendid embroidered splendor!

Mrs. Xing frowned, clenched her teeth inwardly, and decided to spend a fortune to provide her niece with several outfits and accessories, adding some brilliance—now is not the time to be stingy!

Of course, whatever amount of silver is spent must be recorded in advance.

If our niece truly becomes a prince's consort later, the silver spent now must be repaid by her double!

While the people in the hall had varied thoughts because of Aunt Xue's words, the only one seemingly displeased was probably Lady Wang!

Lady Wang's expression remained unchanged, but the Prayer Beads in her hand were subtly clenched tighter, her mind troubled.

Now her elder brother Wang Ziteng is still in prison, and the Wang family is seeking connections everywhere to secure his release.

Yet the illegitimate son of the main house, whom she dislikes, is becoming increasingly illustrious; people are already discussing that his kingly title is not far off!

"This is simply absurd!"

And her own younger sister, now rushing to congratulate, also seems to have taken an interest in the main house's illegitimate son.

Could it be that she disapproves of her own Baoyu and wants to match Baoyatou with that illegitimate son?

Baoyatou is dignified, virtuous, and sensible, the daughter‑in‑law she has long valued.

She originally thought that if the Nian family's maid didn't work out, she could give Baoyatou to her own Baoyu, which would also be a good match.

Now this boiled duck, it can't possibly be about to fly away, can it?

I have to say the ironic thing is,

Just as Aunt Xue treats Bao Yu as a spare, Lady Wang is also taken by Baichai as the second choice after Nian Shilan!

In this respect, the two sisters actually thought of going together!

At this moment, Jia Mu, faced with Aunt Xue's auspicious words, smiled and said in a hoarse voice:

"I hope to borrow Aunt's auspicious words! However, I dare not hope for this kingly ennoblement."

"Duke and marquis titles can still be promoted through military merit, but aspiring to be made a king involves far too many factors!"

"Since the founding of the dynasty, apart from the four non‑imperial kings granted at the start, no kingly title has been conferred for nearly a hundred years; the considerations involved are profound!"