Chapter 319: Discussing a Marriage

In Rong Qing Tang,

Seeing others beg for this good thing but fail to obtain it, Jia Mu tried to avoid it but couldn't.

Yuan Chun, seated sideways on the embroidered cushion nearby, could no longer restrain herself; her gentle eyes betrayed a hint of urgency as she spoke:

"Grandmother, Elder Brother Jing serves as the elder brother at home and as a senior minister at court; his time is worth a fortune and cannot be bought!"

"Now that he is willing to personally come forward to admonish the youngsters of the mansion, what a rare opportunity this is!"

"If Baoyu could gain even a few words of advice from him, it would benefit him for a lifetime; what is there to hesitate about?"

Yuan Chun naturally knew that Jia Jing wasn't really intending to lecture Baoyu; it was just a joke!

But who would have thought that Jia Mu actually believed it, reacting so strongly, even saying that Baoyu is just a child—she's simply being foolishly overindulgent!

After advising Jia Mu with a sentence, she then turned directly to Jia Jing and earnestly said:

"Elder Brother Jing! Baoyu has indeed been spoiled beyond reason; I only learned of his situation after returning to the mansion."

"You are his elder brother; from now on, whenever he makes a mistake or proves worthless, you should hit him if hitting is due, scold him if scolding is due—just go ahead and discipline him without restraint."

"No!"

Yuan Chun hadn't finished speaking when Lady Wang, her face slightly changing, hurriedly interrupted:

How could Lady Wang feel at ease letting that stubborn, obstinate son of the eldest branch take charge of disciplining her precious son?

Even without actually doing it, just thinking about it makes Lady Wang feel as if a huge stone weighs on her heart, leaving her almost breathless.

Seeing Yuan Chun looking over with displeasure, Lady Wang suppressed her fluttering emotions and forced a smile:

"Elder Brother Jing's time is precious; there's no need to trouble him with Baoyu's affairs."

"Besides, Elder Brother Jing is a military official, while Baoyu is destined to enter the civil service through the imperial examinations and become an official."

"The difference between military and civil is great; better not to bother him."

Lady Wang's words carried a stubborn, baffling confidence; clearly she truly did not want Jia Jing to interfere in Baoyu's upbringing.

Jia Mu beside her also nodded repeatedly:

"What Baoyu's mother said is correct; Baoyu is destined to become an official."

"He and Elder Brother Jing—one civil, one military—will together glorify the Jia family! He is still young; when he grows older, he will naturally come to know the value of diligent study."

Xiang Yun, who had been gently sipping tea from her cup, couldn't help but let out a small cough upon hearing that.

It seemed the tea had gone down the wrong pipe; even her increasingly plump apple-shaped face trembled slightly.

Seeing Jia Mu and Lady Wang so clueless, Yuan Chun lowered her head slightly, her face showing a hint of sorrow, her demeanor suddenly listless.

How foolish the grandmother and the wife are—whenever Baoyu is mentioned, they act as if possessed; it's utterly baffling!

Yuan Chun opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but in the end it all turned into a long sigh.

Jia Mu also did not want to bring this up again, and quickly changed the subject:

"Elder Brother Jing, there is another matter I would rather not mention, but I must remind you of."

"You are already twenty-one; all the youngsters of your age in the mansion have long been married—you need to make plans for your marriage!"

According to Da Han law, a man may marry once he reaches sixteen years of age.

Of course, considering the current customs of aristocratic families—taking into account alliances, careers, and offspring health—the typical marriage age is around twenty.

But no matter how you say it, Jia Jing is certainly of marriageable age!

Having said that, Jia Mu saw that Jia Jing's expression was normal, with no sign of objection, and continued in a hoarse voice:

"During the days you have been away from the capital, several princesses and consorts from various princes' mansions, the matriarchs of ducal households, and the Nian family have come to our mansion more than once, their words hinting at a desire to marry into your family!"

"Moreover, there are countless other marquises' households, as well as the residences of ministers and secretaries, both military and civil officials combined!"

"You are a military official, hold a noble rank, and are a senior minister at court—yet you remain unmarried, which is simply unacceptable!"

"Furthermore, your father's… time is short, and during the mourning period children are absolutely forbidden to marry."

"If you do not settle your marriage now, then after he passes, you will lose at least four more years—you must consider this carefully!"

"Of course, I am not trying to interfere with your marriage; I merely wish to tell you that this is also a major matter and should not be delayed any further!"

When Jia Mu mentioned Jia She's limited time, her expression carried a hint of sorrow.

After all, he is her own son—having a white-haired person send off a black-haired one leaves her heart unable to fully let go.

As for why she said it would cause a delay of four years, it is because the marriage procedures of a great family are complicated.

From discussing the match, checking the eight characters, presenting betrothal gifts to the wedding, it usually takes one or two years; adding the three years of mourning makes it at least four years.

As soon as Jia Mu said this, everyone in the hall was startled, their faces changing slightly.

Jia Jing's marriage is not merely his personal affair; it is a major matter that concerns the future fate of everyone in the Jia family!

No matter whom Jia Jing finally chooses as his principal wife, it is foreseeable that,

such a duchess of the state, bearing a first-rank imperial decree title, once she arrives at the Jia mansion, will bring about a new shift in the family's circumstances, especially a change in the inner quarters' layout!

If she is difficult to get along with, then from Grandmother Jia down to the Four Springs—such young ladies-in-law—will all have their days greatly affected!

For a moment the hall fell silent; the Jia mansion's sisters all had tense expressions, their thoughts varied, as they awaited Jia Jing's response.

Lady Wang, seated below Jia Mu, paused in turning her prayer beads, and couldn't help but glance at Jia Jing with an indifferent look.

Although her face showed no change, at that moment her heart was nervously praying that Jia Jing would never choose a young lady from the Nian family.

The Nian family young lady is well-educated and courteous, of noble status, and has long been her chosen daughter-in-law for Baoyu!

With Baichai clearly already having someone else in her heart, Nian Shilan became her sole hope, and she could not allow the eldest branch's illegitimate son to snatch her away!

It must be said that Lady Wang has considerable confidence in the match between her own Baoyu and Nian Shilan!

First, whenever Nian Shilan comes to the Jia mansion, she unintentionally or intentionally praises Baoyu a couple of times in front of Jia Mu, winning Jia Mu's favor, giving Lady Wang the impression that the Nian family young lady is quite taken with her own Baoyu!

Second, Lady Wang thinks that if Jia Jing does not take Nian Shilan as his principal wife, then, relying on his close relationship with Nian Gengyao,

he could perhaps use this illegitimate son to pull strings for Baoyu, bridging the gap and facilitating a suitable match of equal standing!

With Jia Jing's influence, and the young people already having mutual affection, this should not be difficult!

Just as Lady Wang was frantically praying to the gods for protection in her heart, the Mrs. Xing beside her also showed a faint tightening of her face.

She, who hadn't dared to speak all night, now fixed a burning gaze and glanced at her own ever‑quiet, gentle niece!

At this moment, a faint pink flush hung on Xing Xiuyan's face, as if she was somewhat caught off guard by Jia Mu's sudden mention of the marriage topic.

Mrs. Xing's gaze shifted slightly, and she silently analyzed in her mind the information she had gathered from her observations all night.

In her view, Jia Jing also never lacked affection for his own niece.

The reason is that she noticed that every half‑incense‑stick interval, Jia Jing would cast his gaze toward Xing Xiuyan for a look, and occasionally nod gently!

Compared with the fact that he hadn't given his mother a proper look all night, his attitude toward Xing Xiuyan was clearly much more familiar!

Isn't this differential treatment worth pondering?