Chapter 33

Rong Guo Mansion - original term: Rong Guo Mansion

Jia Mansion - Jia Mansion

Not only did the martial families of the founding lineage frequently come to pay their respects, but even the imperial palace several times bestowed favors to show closeness.

It can be said that, in just over a month, the Jia Mansion experienced a glory it had not seen for nearly ten years since the Old Duke's passing.

Of course, the majority of visitors were still the ladies from the inner quarters of families closely acquainted with the Jia, who came almost every day.

In their talk they hinted that their families had marriageable daughters or granddaughters who were dignified and beautiful, or sensible and well-behaved, or with generous dowries, or beautiful and kind-hearted, hoping to secure a good match and become even more closely related by marriage.

Mrs. Xing - Mrs. Xing

Jia Mu sat wearily on the upper bed, with Yuanyang gently massaging her head from behind; she had just seen off several visiting families bearing imperial decrees.

After all, she's getting older, and she can't bear to entertain guests for long.

But some guests were of high rank, and Jia Mu had no choice but to receive them personally.

Lady Wang only held a fifth-rank title, so having her receive guests would be somewhat disrespectful.

As for Mrs. Xing, she is merely Jia She's concubine wife, and her title is only fourth-rank.

Moreover, Mrs. Xing cannot speak, so Jia Mu naturally would not let her receive guests.

"Well, even the senior princess of the Nan'an Prince's mansion has come to propose a marriage for her granddaughter!"

Jia Mu's weary expression carried a hint of helplessness.

Jing Ge'er - Jing Ge'er

Even the senior princess of the Prince's mansion was thinking of coming to form a marital alliance.

In just a month, not only was his office raised to the fourth rank, upper grade, but his title was also promoted to a first-class earl, which, by rank, equals the third rank, upper grade.

Even someone as worldly as she was could not help but click her tongue at the speed of this promotion.

It can be said that, now the Jia Mansion, aside from herself, among the gentlemen outside, Jia Jing holds the highest office and greatest power.

First-class Earl - First-class Earl

Third Rank - Third Rank

These days, Jia Mu dreams of how many Tatars Jia Jing has slain, and of victorious reports arriving from the front!

Duchess - Duchess

Feng Jie, Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing, Aunt Xue, and the others sat in two rows; at this moment they also felt somewhat unreal.

Just a moment ago, they had been happily chatting and drinking tea with a senior princess and several duchesses.

Wang Xifeng today wore a narrow-sleeved jacket of wide red satin embroidered with gold thread and a hundred butterflies weaving through flowers, a five-colored carved silk jacket trimmed with stone-green sable, and a wide crepe skirt scattered with Feicui flowers,

On her head she wore a golden-thread eight-jeweled coiled hairpin bun, a morning-sun five-phoenix pendant hairpin, and a bean-green palace-cord double-fish mandarin duck rose pendant; her whole body was resplendent with colorful embroidery, resembling a celestial fairy princess!

She always loved to manipulate power and influence; today, having gained such grandeur, she could not stop smiling, and laughing she said in response to Jia Mu's words:

"This is not to blame you, old lady, for managing the household well and raising a talented precious grandson!"

"These days, who among the daughters of martial families and the young ladies of official households would not want to become your granddaughter-in-law, old lady? Adding another granddaughter from a princess's household is no surprise!"

Aunt Xue laughed and replied:

"This also shows that the old matriarch is blessed! Her blessings cover her descendants! Not only does she have a grandson like Jia Jing who can earn honor outside, but also a well‑behaved grandson like Baoyu who practices filial piety by her side!"

"Both inside and outside are good! This is the perfect balance!"

Aunt Xue's words touched Jia Mu's heart.

Jia Jing is fine, but he was never raised with them from childhood, so the feeling is a bit less.

Moreover, although Jia Mu is pleased about Jia Jing's promotion and ennoblement, deep down she secretly worries that after Jia Jing returns to the mansion, the household will not be at peace.

Putting aside other matters, take the Lai family for example,

Lai Grandma is her accompanying marriage maid; she can be called the inner confidante, otherwise the two Lai sons wouldn't have become the chief stewards of Rong Guo Mansion and Ning Guo Fu respectively.

These days the Lai family has been very anxious; Lai Grandma has repeatedly come to her to complain. It should be known that before Jia Jing left, he had struck Lai Da and even scolded him as not a good fellow.

Now Jia Jing is gaining more power, and when he returns to the mansion, they have no idea how he'll deal with them!

Other issues, such as the balance between the main and second branches, also give Jia Mu a great headache.

Since Jia Jing has become more influential, Jia She, that old man, has also grown increasingly smug,

Recently he has voiced dissatisfaction with the head of the second branch several times, even wanting to move from the Eastern Crossing Courtyard to Rong Xi Hall.

If Jia Mu hadn't suppressed him, who knows what chaos would have ensued.

Therefore, Jia Mu feels half glad and half troubled by Jia Jing's increasing success.

She still loves her well‑behaved grandson Baoyu the most; he is both obedient and blessed.

"Baoyu, his aunt's words are truly insightful! I think the aunt is also blessed!"

"Baichai, that maid is sensible and courteous; later it won't be hard to find a good marriage match! Pan brother is also filial, so later the aunt will also enjoy a blessed fate!"

Jia Mu's expression relaxed; first she cheerfully comforted Aunt Xue, then she said happily:

"However, Baoyu has indeed improved a lot lately; a few days ago Dai Ru came to the mansion and specifically told me that Baoyu is well‑behaved and sensible in the clan school, and his calligraphy is good!"

"I think he is not only filial, but also reads well, is sensible and understanding; his future prospects are far ahead!"

Dai Ru is Jia Mu's younger brother‑in‑law, Jia Dai Ru, brother of the former First Duke of Rong Guo, Jia Dai Shan; now he heads the Jia family's clan school, responsible for the elementary education of the Jia offspring.

"Look, look, everyone look, how much the old matriarch dotes on Baoyu; her whole mind is only on his future!"

"Whenever she hears any good news about Baoyu, she firmly keeps it in her heart."

"I just can't believe that among all the grandchildren in this house, any of them could be worse than Baoyu!"

Wang Xifeng pretended to speak sourly, with a face full of resentment, and said:

To be honest, Wang Xifeng does not really believe Jia Dai Ru's words,

After all, regarding the clan school, she runs the household and has heard some rumors.

She heard that inside it is a foul, smoky mess, with fights, gambling, chaotic same‑sex relationships, but no one is said to study well!

After all, in these years, aside from the deceased Jia Zhu, the Jia Mansion's clan school hasn't even managed to produce a scholar.

But to please Jia Mu with colorful garments and make her happy, Wang Xifeng still deliberately acted jealous.

This amusing scene,

It instantly made Jia Mu burst into loud laughter.

"You mischievous good-for-nothing, behaving like this in front of your aunt—aren't you afraid of making her a laughingstock?"

Wang Xifeng, who always behaves freely in front of Jia Mu and feels no shame, replied with a smile:

"Your aunt isn't an outsider; she's the paternal aunt of your daughter-in-law, a relative as close as can be—what need is there to stand on ceremony before her?"

Hearing this, Jia Mu felt comforted in her heart and laughed:

"Even so, one must not lose propriety!"

Lady Xue also laughed and said:

"If Miss Feng can make you happy like this, that's true filial piety and propriety!"