Chapter 332

Niu Shi came from the mansion of the Duke Zhen Guo, her own older brother is Niu Jizong!

After explaining the issue of address, Niu Shi continued:

"Master also knows that Duke Jing only returned yesterday; he originally didn't want to come so soon."

"But Duke Jing handles myriad affairs, his duties are busy; if we don't come early, hoping to see him even once would be difficult!"

"Master and Prince Bei Jing, as well as the founding martial lineages of all the dukes' and marquises' mansions, have privately agreed."

"This morning our Shi family will visit Duke Jing; this afternoon Prince Bei Jing will come; tomorrow morning the Zhen Guo Gong mansion will come; this afternoon the Li Guo Gong mansion will come."

"In this way we line up, staggered..."

"Speaking of which, our family also basks in the glory of Grandmother's natal family; otherwise today it wouldn't even be Master's turn to be the first to come visit!"

Niu Shi's rise-and-fall toned words left everyone in the hall stunned!

Lady Wang sat to Jia Mu's right, wearing a blue satin vest, a vermilion gold phoenix‑hairpin, and twirling prayer beads in her hand.

She felt that the morning's good mood from chanting Buddhism had been completely dissipated by Niu Shi's few words.

On her fair complexion a hint of resentment flashed unbidden, and she thought to herself:

"Exaggerating, saying that the main branch's concubine‑born son seems busier than the emperor himself!"

Daiyu's clear black eyes beneath her curved, smoke‑like brows flickered, and in her heart‑lake Niu Shi's phrase 'staggered' stirred ripples.

Unbidden, she recalled that snowy day when she teased Jia Jing before him; time flew, and in a blink a year had passed!

Baichai's snow‑white delicate face showed a faint smile, her watery apricot eyes rippling,

she couldn't help feeling glad she hadn't rushed this morning to seek 'Jing Lang'.

Since plighting their troth last night, her heart has surged; she stayed awake all night excited, and even now a faint blue shadow lingers under her eyes.

She had intended to go find Jia Jing as soon as she rose, without needing to say or do anything,

just quietly watch Jia Jing busy; surely it is also a scene of tranquil times and overflowing happiness!

Fortunately, hearing Jia Mu advise Xiang Yun and the others not to go disturb, she restrained herself.

Otherwise she would have delayed Jing Lang's official business, becoming that clueless person!

Thinking of this, Baichai pressed her lips together and let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Jia Mu too was greatly shaken by Niu Shi's words, and could not help but silently set down her teacup and lean against the Yin Pillow behind her.

She habitually employed her set phrasing, speaking with a touch of surprised humility:

"These words overpraise him! Although Jing Lang has been made a duke, Prince Bei Jing and the others are both respected and senior; to see him there's no need to queue!"

"He is after all a junior; you shouldn't exalt him too highly!"

"Speaking of which, Jing Lang said last night that after a few days when he's free he'll invite your several families to gather and chat!"

Jia Mu's words voiced the sentiment of most women in the hall, who thought Niu Shi had overpraised Jia Jing!

In their view, although Jia Jing's status is high and the imperial favor thick, a duke is still a duke—could it possibly outrank a commandery prince?

Niu Shi paused slightly, then smiled and said:

"Have Duke Jing invite us? We couldn't possibly afford that! We must certainly come first to pay our respects; that's propriety, not to be messed up!"

Having said that, Niu Shi continued to explain to Jia Mu:

"Grandmother, it's not that I'm flattering Duke Jing; there are court matters you don't know!"

"Just as status can't be judged by rank alone! Rank is rank, duty is duty!"

"Not to mention that Duke Jing's ducal title itself is extraordinary; just look at the three major posts he now holds—Minister of War, Senior Second Rank Grand General Who Conquers, and Military Governor of the Twelve Regiments—any one of which others could never attain in a lifetime!"

"For Duke Jing to hold these three crucial posts single‑handedly—what immense imperial favor and merit!"

"My master says that now the entire court openly acknowledges Duke Jing as the Da Han Empire's foremost meritorious subject."

"Not only can he manage all military affairs, but even major state affairs involving governance—perhaps even the emperor must consult him frequently!"

"So Prince Bei Jing and my master, among others, have some court matters they're undecided on and also wish to consult him in person!"

Niu Shi's eyes flickered; actually this is only part of what Shi Ding privately told her about Jia Jing, and some even more exaggerated bits she dare not speak!

For example, Jia Jing now commands the twelve regiments' 180,000‑strong army, and is the entirety of the main force garrisoning Shenjing City—this connection is hardly trivial!

Not to mention Prince Bei Jing, who lacks real power; even the court's ministers and grandees must show him three parts of respect!

If judged solely by rank, Jia Jing's first‑rank duke may not be the highest.

But in terms of actual power and military authority, the combined martial merit of all in Shenjing City might still not match him alone.

Niu Shi's words silenced the hall for an instant, a silence so brief it was like a gust sweeping over water.

Yet everyone present felt an inexplicable weight pressing down on their hearts.

Jia Mu stared blankly; she wasn't unaware of Jia Jing's great influence, having heard many palace edicts and her sayings these days.

But the title 'the Da Han Empire's foremost meritorious subject' was truly something she had just learned, leaving her with a vague sense of awe.

Meanwhile, Feng Jie's lovely young woman's face froze slightly, her gaze sinking and focused.

She saw Niu Shi, a second‑rank honored marchioness, speaking of Jia Jing with such lowly posture, her words bordering on flattery.

She couldn't help but project herself onto others, feeling that her few 'profound' praises of Jia Jing yesterday were perhaps still a bit shallow, not fully exerted.

Formerly the praises she used for Grandmother no longer apply; from now on, no matter what, she must learn a few fresh expressions and then properly laud her third brother!

Baichai pressed her lips together, her lightly made‑up face bearing a hint of shared honor.

Hearing Niu Shi praise Jia Jing, she felt as if she herself were being praised, after all husband and wife are one.

Meanwhile Daiyu furrowed her brows, her bright eyes flickering as she watched Baichai beside her wearing that all‑morning smiling expression,

and an inexplicable suspicion and uneasy foreboding welled up in her heart.

"What is there to be happy about? The corners of her mouth are lifted, impossible to press down!"

Furthermore, Baichai's makeup and seated posture today somehow give her a vague sense of déjà vu, like Princess Bei Jing of the Zhen clan.

Could it be that she has latched onto some prince's household?

And Jia Mu, after a moment of blank stare, felt a mix of joy and heaviness; her aged face showed a complex expression as she changed the subject and said:

I don't really understand court affairs anymore! Ding'er must have come today for something, right?

Jia Mu still understood this nephew of her maiden family; she knew he never went to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason, so this time he most likely came to ask something of Jia Jing.

However, she was still pleased to see her nephew and grandson become close.

No matter what, the Shi family is also her maiden family; how could she not wish well for her maiden family?

Upon hearing this, Lady Niu glanced at Jia Mu and the many Jia family members in the hall, then smiled and said:

Since the old lady asked, I'll speak plainly!

For these years, Master has been holding an idle post at the Five Military Governor's Office; although he has been seeking connections to obtain a real military command, he has long been unable to achieve that.

Back when he served as chief commander in Datong, he blocked some people's sources of income and earned their grudge.

Now the Duke of Jingguo serves as Military Governor of the Twelve Regiment Camp, with many vacancies among the regiment commanders—exactly the time to employ people.

Master wants to go to the Twelve Regiment Camp to secure a post, lead troops, so he came to see the Duke of Jingguo to ask if he could be transferred into the Twelve Regiment Camp.

First, to serve the country; second, to become sworn brothers as close as tigers—with the Jia and Shi families having you, the old lady, they are almost as close as blood brothers.

Master also hopes to, as he once did under the Former Duke of Rongguo, share the Duke of Jingguo's burdens and render service.