Chapter 335: Jia Mu: Can't You Pay More Attention?

While Xie Shi listened to Jia Mu's question, she did not answer immediately; instead, she first took the tea brought by the maid and gulped down a big mouthful.

She leaned her body against the chair back, draped an arm over the armrest, and then spoke in a relaxed, unhurried manner:

"How come you say that, Grandma? Grandfather was busy until the third watch last night and was still sleeping at home; I came alone!"

Jia Mu's heart stirred slightly, and the expression on her face eased a bit.

She thought to herself: "If Nai'er didn't come, then this isn't like Ru Ding Ge'er coming to seek an official post for our third grandson."

Could it be that Xie Shi came specially to see her aunt? In that case, although she is a bit foolish, it does count as some filial devotion.

Jia Mu's smile grew a bit wider, and she comforted:

"I thought you were accompanying Nai'er to see Jing Ge'er..."

"It's hard to believe you have such filial devotion, actually coming specially to see me, this old woman!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall turned their gaze to Xie Shi.

Just like Jia Mu, several others who were familiar with Xie Shi also originally thought she had come accompanied by Shi Nai, but they hadn't expected otherwise!

Could it be that she came today especially to pay respects to the old lady and, by the way, enhance feelings?

Feng Jie's phoenix eyes blinked, and a hint of suspicion appeared on her lovely face.

Being quite familiar with Xie Shi's temperament, she could not believe that Xie Shi's visit was purely to pay respects to Jia Mu.

Anyway, regardless of why she came, I just need to widen my eyes and wait to watch the show!

Niu Shi, moreover, unhurriedly picked up the teacup on the side table, took a light sip, and her eyes revealed a playful look.

As Xie Shi's sister-in-law, the person who interacts with her most on a daily basis, knows her nature all too well.

If one said Xie Shi came for no other purpose, she simply wouldn't believe it.

She probably came for Duke Jing as well! But the head of the household didn't show himself, instead sending only a lady from the inner quarters—this is really too lacking in propriety.

Niu Shi felt cold inside, holding her tea as a detached onlooker.

"Filial devotion? Grandma, you've got it wrong! I don't have the leisure to come specially to see you."

"There are piles of affairs at the mansion; with such a large estate, one cannot do without people—several youths need to study and practice martial arts, the storehouse accounts must be balanced, and the servants below are not worry‑free…"

Facing the varied gazes of the crowd and Jia Mu's slightly relieved eyes, Xie Shi stared for a moment, a hint of doubt in her voice, and blurted out without thinking:

"Grandma, you're getting older and becoming more muddle‑headed!"

"It's not a festival or holiday—how could I possibly have come specially to see her?"

"Besides, she has so many children and grandchildren showing filial respect—what need is there for me, a niece‑in‑law from my natal family, to display any filial devotion?"

When Xie Shi said that, everyone present's faces turned a little strange!

A flicker of mockery flashed in Niu Shi's eyes—indeed, it was exactly as she had expected.

Jia Mu's face darkened slightly, her grayish brows twitching.

She thought to herself: "I shouldn't have had any expectations of this stupid niece‑in‑law; she hasn't even been through the door three sentences and already shows her true colors!"

And… where would she get the leisure to come see me! Is that something a normal mistress of the household would say?

I don't know how our Nai'er ever picked such a blockheaded, stupid wife!

She can't even utter a polite phrase—she's practically brainless compared to Xing Shi!

Jia Mu cursed Xie Shi silently in her heart, then spoke with a blank expression:

"Since you're not here to see me, this old woman, why are you, such a busy person, not attending to household affairs at the mansion but coming here instead?"

Xie Shi, oblivious to Jia Mu's change in expression and the mockery in her tone, smiled and replied:

"I didn't really want to come either! Isn't this the grandfather's order?"

"He said Jing Ge'er has returned, now holding a great official post, and the Jia family is evidently prospering again!"

"Unlike our Shi family these years… sigh!"

Jia Mu's face sank another notch, and she spoke irritably:

"What's wrong with the Shi family? With two marquises in one line, they're a respectable household even in the whole Shenjing city!"

"Sigh! That's just superficial glory—looks good but useless. What good is a marquis who can't make money?"

"Grandma, you know too—these years grandfather may have inherited a title, but he's never had any real duties."

"His younger brother is also talentless, unable to lend a hand to his elder brother, making the household's life bitter!"

"Now the several boys are growing up, and the places needing money in the household keep increasing."

"The whole family has been living off its savings, and grandfather often worries so much at night he can't sleep!" Xie Shi sighed, putting on an act.

These were the talking points Shi Nai gave her: after arriving at the Jia mansion, first cry about poverty, sell misery, then praise the Jia family's prosperity, say a few pleasant words to coax the elders.

Then, taking advantage of Jia Mu's good mood, discuss kinship relations and look for an opportunity to naturally put forward our family's requests.

Of course, Shi Nai's talking points were many; she couldn't remember them all, so she could only mix in her own understanding as she spoke.

But she didn't realize that her words directly made Niu Shi's face flush red with shame and indignation!

"What do you mean his younger brother is talentless and can't help his elder brother?"

"When the family split, the Boling Marquis Manor's property and titular assets that belonged to our branch were hardly divided at all—the bulk went to the second branch that inherited the title."

"Now you yourselves mismanage and are incompetent officials—can you still blame grandfather?"

"Besides, over these years our grandfather hasn't given you little aid!"

Jia Mu's eyes also showed displeasure—what nonsense is Xie Shi spouting in front of all these people?

"What does 'a marquis who can't make money—what kind of marquis is that?' mean? Is that something you can say out in the open?"

"Besides, although the Shi family's life is a bit tight, when does it deserve the word 'bitter'?"

"This whole act of pretending—where is any consideration for the dignity and cultivation of the marchioness of the manor?"

Jia Mu's face sank further, and she spoke in a hoarse voice:

"What good is it saying these things to me, a miserable old woman?"

Nai'er these years only knows to drink at home; he doesn't do his official duties well, doesn't manage the family business well, but keeps taking in concubines left and right.

I'm not that I haven't advised you; you also don't listen—what else can be done?

Xie Shi gave an embarrassed laugh and said:

Sir, how could you not want to seek a post that can make money! Before, didn't you have no connections or backing? You've spent a lot of silver, yet still no definite news!

Jia Mu hearing this left-and-right 'making money', really felt somewhat annoyed, and said expressionlessly:

These are the gentlemen's affairs outside; they still need to put their heart into it.

Jia Mu probably also understands Xie Shi's intention; no surprise, she's also here to seek an official post!

But these are court affairs outside; you don't need to worry about them at home—what's the use of coming to tell me?

Let's see how Ding'er and his wife are doing?

Not to mention the head of the household personally going with great courtesy to visit his own third grandson; Lady Niú, the head of the household, also constantly says 'Prince Jingguo', with proper etiquette and respectful speech.

And what about you?

Even if Nai ge'er himself doesn't come in person, that's fine, but you're still here left 'Jing ge'er', right 'making money'.

If you want to seek an official post, can't you pay a bit more attention??