Chapter 313

Rong Qing Tang,

As Mrs. Xing said a sentence, those present had varied expressions, for a moment not knowing what to say.

And Jia Mu's mood, which had just been improved a bit by Feng Jie's coaxing, suddenly worsened; she coldly stared at Mrs. Xing, wishing someone would drag her out and slap her!

If you can't speak, shut that stinking mouth; what nonsense are you spouting here?

And Jia Jing set down his teacup, his expression remaining calm and composed, as if pointing at something, he said:

"The Ning Guo Fu title isn't necessarily gone! Let's wait and see!"

Jia Mu heard this, her expression changed, a hint of surprise and joy appearing on her aged face, she hurriedly asked:

"Brother Jing, what do you mean by that?"

Jia Jing didn't hide anything, speaking frankly:

"His Majesty's grace to our Jia family is deep as the sea, remembering the merits of the former Ning Guo Duke and mine, he specially bestowed favor."

"If in the future there are outstanding descendants who have served the state from the two mansions of Rong and Ning, I will be ordered to present this to him, and he will, as appropriate, restore the stripped title."

"Jia Jing said this for two reasons: first, there's nothing secret about it, after all, restoring an ancestor's title for service to the state complies with court regulations!"

"Second, he uses the Ning Guo Fu title as a carrot dangling before Jia Mu and others, so they can look forward to it and unite more closely around him."

"One can't just punish Jia Mu and the others without giving them some sweetener!"

"You need to both strike and lure—that fits the PUA spirit!"

"Anyway, the matter of the Ning Guo Fu title—when and to whom it will be presented in the future—will remain under his control."

"This quota, he will personally manage well!"

"Jia Mu, upon hearing this, was both startled and delighted for a moment."

"Besides Baoyu, what she values most is the inheritance of the titles of the two mansions of Rong and Ning."

"Now that she learned the Ning Guo Fu title still has a chance to return to the Jia household, she is overjoyed, her aged face breaking into an uncontrollable smile like a blooming flower."

"She couldn't help but repeatedly ask Jia Jing:"

"Brother Jing, this truly gave me a surprise! Was this really spoken by the Son of Heaven himself?"

"Lady Wang's turning prayer beads in her hand also paused slightly, a hint of inexplicable color appearing in her originally gloomy eyes beneath her brows."

"If she didn't mishear, the eldest branch's son seemed to say that the descendants of the two mansions of Rong and Ning all have a chance to inherit the title?"

"Doesn't that mean Baoyu also has a chance??"

"Lady Wang automatically filtered out the two prerequisites of being outstanding and having served the state."

"After all, in her heart Baoyu is blessed! All the good things of the Jia household ought to be his!"

"But the matter of presenting this for approval is controlled by the eldest branch's son, which is somewhat improper! He is biased against his own Baoyu!"

"Lady Wang's brows slightly furrowed as she secretly pondered!"

"Tan Chun was holding her teacup, sipping tea as if nothing were happening; hearing Jia Jing's words, her lovely eyes flickered, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed."

"Facing Jia Mu's questioning, Jia Jing replied lightly:"

"His Majesty's words could be false? That would be forging an imperial edict! Old lady, why are you spouting nonsense again?"

"Jia Mu had no displeasure at Jia Jing's reproach; instead, because of his confirmation, her smile grew richer."

"She nodded with a smile, somewhat meekly:"

"Yes yes yes! Brother Jing said it, it's my foolishness!"

This submissive "obedient" attitude left everyone in the hall stunned! No longer any righteous indignation like when the old fool was just rebuked!

Jia Jing's complexion showed no change, and he continued:

"This time Jia Zhen committed such a grave mistake, the whole court watched, the Three Judicial Offices sentenced him to beheading, imprisonment and awaiting execution, yet His Majesty, under pressure, spared Jia Zhen's life."

"He even opened a loophole for the title of Ning Guo Fu; what boundless heavenly grace!"

"His Majesty's treatment of our Jia Mansion can be called benevolent to the utmost; how can we not feel profound gratitude in our hearts and sincerely repay?"

"This is precisely why I am determined to expel Jia Zhen and rectify the family's illegal conduct."

"Otherwise, if any family member again violates state law or commits disciplinary offenses, would I still have the face to beg His Majesty for leniency?"

Jia Mu, hearing this, showed a hint of embarrassment, could only grit her teeth and swallow blood, and lowered her head, saying:

"Jia Jing, you are right! He should be expelled! He should be rectified…"

The people in the hall, seeing Jia Mu's sudden shift from arrogance to humility, displayed varied expressions in an instant!

Baichai furrowed her delicate brows, seeing the scene, couldn't help but fix her gaze on Jia Jing's dignified, cold face, her clear almond eyes flashing a hint of contemplation!

Third Brother's mix of scolding and beating, first intimidation then kindness, was probably intentional!

However, given Third Brother's solemn nature, he probably wouldn't act like this; perhaps it's just a coincidence!

Daiyu's misty brows furrowed, her lacquered bright eyes stared at Jia Jing, thinking to herself:

"Third Brother must be intentional! He didn't first rectify the clan, yet as soon as he entered the mansion he made the matriarch submit obediently!"

This mindset and method are far too hard to gauge!

If in the future I become his… pillow companion, could I withstand his tactics myself?

As Daiyu stared at Jia Jing, Jia Jing seemed to notice her gaze and turned his head to look back.

Facing Jia Jing's calm gaze, Daiyu felt an inexplicable shyness rise in her heart; her bright, snow‑white face flushed slightly, and she turned her head away.

At this moment, after a pause of silence, Jia Mu could no longer hold back and asked:

"Jia Jing, since His Majesty has let you submit the Ning Guo Fu title, could Baoyu inherit it later…?"

Although Jia Mu thinks Jia Jing is unlikely to agree to Jia Baoyu inheriting the title, and Jia Zheng has firmly opposed it, Jia Mu still wants to try!

As in the original work when Jia Zheng struck Jia Baoyu, Jia Mu once advised Lady Wang with these words:

"You need not cry any more; Baoyu is still young, you cherish him, but when he grows up and becomes an official, he may not think of you as his mother. So you shouldn't dote on him now, lest you lose him later."

Of course, this passage does not mean that Jia Mu believes Jia Baoyu will be unfilial in the future.

Rather, there is meaning within the words; using the assumption that "Baoyu will be unfilial in the future" to satirize Jia Zheng's current harsh treatment of Baoyu.

Accusing him of ignoring mother-son affection, it strikes Jia Zheng's filial impiety sore point as a son, aiming to force Jia Zheng to admit fault and stop beating Baoyu.

The key is the four words "to serve as an official and govern" in this sentence; these four words may very well be Jia Mu's true hope for Baoyu!

Because Jia Mu actually knows very well that, after she passes, the second branch will certainly have to move out of the Rong Guo Mansion.

By then, what will become of her dear Baoyu? Relying on Jia Zheng is certainly unreliable, and relying on Jia Jing is out of the question.

Therefore, Jia Mu is indeed eager to arrange a good future for Baoyu while she is still alive.

Marriage is naturally one aspect; her idea is to pair the two jade children as a couple, but Lady Wang seems unwilling, and this matter still needs discussion.