Chapter 315

In Rong Qing Tang,

Lady Wang let out a loud cry that was almost a loss of composure, showing her opposition to Jia Huan inheriting the Ning Guo Fu title.

Obviously, compared to Jia Baoyu being unable to inherit the title, Jia Huan inheriting it was even more unacceptable to Lady Wang!

She didn't even dare to imagine,

If that wayward bastard son, Huan Ge'er, gains power, then she and Baoyu's mother will face what terrible situation in the Jia Mansion!

Moreover, Zhao Yiniang's vulgar and despicable demeanor alone could still cause three parts of trouble.

If she had a son who inherited the title, she would be so proud her tail would stick up to the sky!

Just look at the eldest branch's bastard son—since he kept gaining office and rank, our second branch in the Rong Guo Mansion has almost been bullied into what state!

Even Mrs. Xing, of humble origin, relies on having such a son, throwing her weight about and leaning on others' power, and has several times spoken rudely to her!

If Jia Huan were to inherit the title again, then not only in the Rong Guo Mansion, but even in the second branch, there would be no place for her and Baoyu's mother to stand!

So, it's fine that Baoyu cannot inherit the title, but Lady Wang will absolutely not agree to let Jia Huan inherit it!

Beside her, Tan Chun, hearing Lady Wang's resolute rejection of the possibility of Jia Huan inheriting the title, felt her heart sink.

She slightly lowered her head, unable to hide her feeling of loss.

In her heart, she naturally hoped that her younger brother Jia Huan would also have a good future!

She often paid attention to Jia Huan's studies in the clan school.

She knew that although Jia Huan's academic scores were at the bottom, he still had some talent in martial arts.

Whether in martial skills or archery, his performance was commendable, ranking among the top.

Moreover, Jia Huan has always taken Jia Jing as his role model, with great enthusiasm for martial arts and joining the army.

He often asked the guards stationed at the mansion about battlefield affairs, longing to one day gallop on the battlefield like Third Brother and achieve merit.

From this perspective, Jia Huan is very suited to a military career.

Even if he later happens to gain some military merit, inheriting the Ning Guo Fu title would not be a bad path!

After all, trying to earn a title through one's own merits is extremely difficult, whereas inheriting the ancestral title is undoubtedly twice as effective and much simpler!

So,

Just now, when Jia Jing put forward the conditions for inheriting the Ning Guo Fu title, Tan Chun thought that Jia Huan might make an effort and seize this rare opportunity!

But who would have thought, before she could even feel a moment of joy, Lady Wang had already made such a clear objection.

As Jia Huan's stepmother, if Lady Wang firmly opposes letting him inherit the title by adoption, then this matter would undoubtedly be very difficult!

The glimmer of hope that had just risen in Tan Chun's heart instantly shattered, her face showing a hint of despondency.

Meanwhile, facing Lady Wang's hysterical outburst, Jia Jing first let his gaze sweep over the faces of everyone in the hall.

Then he coldly stared at Lady Wang, emanating a strong sense of pressure.

Facing Jia Jing's icy gaze, Lady Wang's heart panicked, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her head.

She instantly realized she had been overly dramatic, and hurriedly forced an explanation:

"Da... Jing Ge'er, it's not that I don't want Huan Ge'er to inherit the Dong Fu title, but your second uncle has always liked Huan Ge'er."

"He only has two sons, Baoyu and Huan Ge'er; he probably wouldn't agree to let him inherit the Dong Fu title by adoption!"

Lady Wang's words were unreasonable and unconvincing; obviously she was just making excuses.

Jia Jing's face darkened slightly, and he said coldly:

"The matter of the Dong Fu title concerns the family's rise and fall and inheritance; it is not a private affair of one branch, but a clan responsibility."

"Who ultimately inherits it, no one can arbitrarily decide."

"It is to be decided by the clan, by this duke, after fully considering the virtue and ability of the clan's younger generation, and then making a choice conducive to the family's prosperity!"

"Anyone who dares, out of selfish motives, to obstruct the clan members' path of advancement, this duke will certainly not forgive lightly!"

"Lady Wang, do you understand?"

Jia Jing's voice rang like metal and stone, striking Lady Wang with a clear sentence.

Moreover, he used the self-designation 'this duke', meaning he spoke as the Duke of Jing Guo and the head of the Jia family, leaving no room for Lady Wang to argue or criticize!

Lady Wang faced the boundless majesty emanating from Jia Jing, her heart shaken greatly for a moment.

It was as if five thunderbolts struck her head; her body swayed, and her face turned as pale as paper.

If not for the gold bracelet maid behind her supporting her, she would have collapsed on the spot.

She lowered her head, secretly tightening the prayer beads in her sleeve, and no longer had the vigor of her earlier loud shout.

With a hint of timidity, she spoke in a low voice:

"I meant nothing else; I was just thinking of Father's... feelings, got excited for a moment, and spoke a bit loudly!"

Although Lady Wang felt extremely resentful and stifled, recalling how Madame Jia had just been repeatedly scolded, she could only lower her brows and eyes, temporarily avoiding the edge.

However, her heart was extremely unwilling; she secretly gritted her teeth and thought:

The eldest branch's bastard son now has power, and yet we avoid him; when the chance comes later, we will surely strike back fiercely!

Seeing this, Jia Mu felt both a secret joy at finally not being the only one scolded, and a mixed feeling of sorrow.

This third grandson, at the slightest disagreement he kicks up a fuss; how am I to spend my days from now on!

She let out a long sigh and comforted:

"Jing Ge'er! Baoyu's mother means no harm; she is Huan Ge'er's mother, and it is natural for a mother not to want her son to be adopted away!"

Beside her, Feng Jie, hearing this, secretly curled her lips.

This is really pulling out old wounds; it's just not wanting the bastard son to gain power, yet she's making it out to be deep mother‑son affection!

Meanwhile, Yuan Chun, sitting quietly aside, her beautiful face showed a hint of shame; she slightly lowered her lovely eyes and softly pleaded:

"Jing Di, don't be angry; mother was just momentarily upset… please spare her this once!"

She clearly understood Lady Wang's hasty statement just now, had no face to argue further for her, and simply begged Jia Jing to forgive her this time.

Although she did not approve of Lady Wang's actions in her heart,

But as a daughter, in this situation, there is naturally no justification for sitting by and doing nothing while Lady Wang is blamed!

Tan Chun at the side, her expression changed, her beautiful eyes filled with a complex color, and she said:

「Third Brother, mother is also overly worried, which leads to confusion; don't take it to heart! 」

This remark carries deep meaning!

Being overly concerned leads to confusion? Exactly what concern leads to confusion?

Obviously, the bright and generous Tan Chun is not without resentment in her heart!

Seeing that several people were advising, Jia Jing also did not continue to argue with Lady Wang.

Or perhaps, Lady Wang's status is now too low; she is no longer worth his effort to speak!

Misspeaking is still a minor matter, but if one dares to do wrong, heavenly thunder will surely descend!

Jia Jing's expression remained light; he immediately changed the subject and continued:

「A noble title is hard to come by; better to lack than to excess; Jia Zhen's case serves as a lesson! 」

「I still say that a noble title must not be given to the virtue-less! And what kind of person is truly virtuous? 」