Chapter 336: Jing Brother Is My Da Han Empire's First Power Minister

Xie couldn't at all grasp the deeper meaning in Jia Mu's words, and laughed:

"The old lady is right; in these days, without effort nothing can succeed! Isn't it that just as Jing just returned, Lord had me come over?"

"Speaking of it, Jing really has good luck, handsome, and has caught the emperor's eye!"

"Now he's already a first‑rank duke and commands the authority over twelve regiment camps with over a hundred thousand troops and horses."

"Lord told me privately that outside everyone is saying Jing is the Da Han Empire's number one power minister!"

"Young man, truly remarkable; his future will be vast, the old lady is truly fortunate…"

Before Xie could finish, she saw Jia Mu's dark and sharp gaze shooting straight at her, and the others in the hall also changed color dramatically.

First power minister? A vast future ahead?

Can such words be spoken so casually?

Even someone without any political sensitivity shouldn't utter such words!

Are you here to seek office? Or to sow discord between ruler and minister, harming an entire family?

If the emperor were to hear this, could it be tolerated?

Jia Mu's face was clouded with darkness; she almost wished someone would push Xie out and smash her foul mouth.

Such words that offend imperial authority, even if heard from others, should be firmly stopped and one should submit a petition to atone; let alone a family member flaunting them.

This foolish woman probably thinks she has said something clever.

Daiyu's smoky brows were tightly furrowed, her jade complexion held frost!

【7】 Baichai also clenched her handkerchief, her apricot eyes full of displeasure.

Baichai also clenched her handkerchief, her almond eyes full of displeasure.

This Xie, in front of everyone, spouted such nonsense.

Again talking about good luck, handsome looks, catching the emperor's eye, as if Jing's rise wasn't due to merit.

Again, calling him the first power minister is such overstepping; is this truly ignorance or ulterior motive?

Meanwhile, Lady Wang's gaze lingered, silently pondering.

The talk of a power minister had even been said by her own sister‑in‑law, warning that the illegitimate son of the main branch, though flourishing now, might meet an uncertain fate later!

Since ancient times, powerful ministers often meet tragic ends: lightly, they ruin themselves and their reputation; severely, their whole clan suffers.

She must think of a way, lest the main branch's illegitimate son mess up and drag trouble onto her own family!

Mrs. Xing's eyes held a hint of mockery; she had thought she could no longer speak, yet this Xie proved superior.

Even she knows some words must never be spoken, especially those involving the emperor himself; disaster from the mouth is no empty saying.

This Xie is truly foolish!

Under Jia Mu's sharp gaze, Xie suddenly realized that private words shouldn't be aired publicly, and hurried to backtrack:

"I meant no other intent; I was just praising Jing's prowess…"

Xie felt a bit uneasy under Jia Mu's stare, but she was accustomed to it, so the feeling quickly faded; she smiled lightly and said softly.

Jia Mu didn't want to argue further; some words only grew darker the more they were described, so she couldn't dwell on them and shifted the topic, saying:

"What exactly did Nai send you to do? Are you trying to find a flaw in Jing?"

Jia Mu had no intention of circling with Xie any longer, fearing she might utter more nonsense!

Xie smiled and flattered, saying:

"One must admit the old lady is clever! Over seventy and her mind is still sharp…"

Jia Mu's expression on her face had completely vanished.

Seeing Jia Mu silent, Xie continued on her own:

"Old lady, isn't Jing currently being heavily employed by the palace?"

"Lord said Jing can even lend a hand to the distant Lord Niu of the Niu family and Lord Feng of the Feng family, let alone his own kin!"

"Think of it: the Lord Niu and Lord Feng were originally of little talent; for many years, a first‑rank earl couldn't advance."

"Only after following Jing's luck could they be ennobled as marquis, appointed as the main commander of the northwestern frontier town, wielding great authority."

"In terms of ability and kinship, Lord is no worse than them; shouldn't Jing also help his own uncle!"

Xie kept saying, and even dragged Niu Jizong and Feng Tang into it, instantly darkening the Niu family's faces!

Talking about ability and kinship, she could say anything without restraint.

Her own brother Niu Jizong had fought on many battlefields, served as Left Deputy Governor of the Five Military Governor's Office, and was a key general heavily relied upon by the Son of Heaven!

If not for some mishap in the previous generation that demoted the ancestral dukedom, he wouldn't have remained a first‑rank earl for so many years!

What about his second uncle?

Besides mixing with the former Rong State to earn some military merit and inheriting the ancestral Marquis of Baoling, where does he have any share in the nation or family?

These years at the mansion he has indulged in endless pleasure and licentiousness, acting wildly—a complete dandy demeanor!

He still has the nerve to speak of ability here! Does he have no self‑awareness at all?

Moreover, regarding kinship, given this relationship, the Duke of Zhen's residence and the Rong residence have been allied for generations,

In the court, her own brother has spoken to Duke Jing many times, clearly far stronger than her second uncle's side!

As far as she knows, her second uncle may have the title of uncle, but has never truly been close to Duke Jing in the slightest.

Duke Jing was originally an illegitimate son, unvalued at home, let alone among relatives!

Such an uncle who received no favor in the past dares to brag about it?

The Niu family's expression flickered repeatedly; they wanted to refute Xie's baseless claims but ultimately held their tongues.

Today is Lord's important day for seeking office; better not cause any extra complications!

Moreover, quarreling with a fool like Xie would only lower the family's standing; truly unnecessary!

At this moment, Jia Mu was extremely fed up with Xie.

From the moment she entered until now, she couldn't recall how many foolish words Xie had said; none of them were sensible.

She had thought that the Xing family woman from a humble household was already stupid enough, but she never expected the Xie family woman to be even worse!

Apart from that painted face, inside she's just a big fool!

How can someone be so ignorant!

Jia Mu glanced at Xie, then at Mrs. Xing, and stole a look at Lady Wang; her heart was filled with worry.

She secretly resolved that she must find a virtuous, well-educated wife for her own Baoyu.

On the path of selecting daughters-in-law and nieces' wives, she has already endured more than enough lessons!

Jia Mu rubbed her forehead, suppressing her displeasure, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

Since it's about seeking an official post, let Na'er go talk to Jing'er himself; this is a matter between the gentlemen outside.

If it's appropriate and within his authority, I imagine Jing'er would be willing to help.

Jia Mu spoke politely on the surface, but in her heart she was not optimistic about her nephew Shi Na.

Compared to Shi Ding, Shi Na is far inferior in both ability and character!

Even her own aunt looks down on him; if her third grandson merely scolds him a little when they meet, that counts as giving face to this old lady.

Xie heard this and laughed, saying:

Isn't that exactly the reason? The master originally intended to come in person, but he was too busy last night and woke up this morning still hung over!

I thought it wasn't a big deal, so I came over to talk to the old lady!

The master's meaning is, could Jing'er recommend him for that… what's it called… middle army officer in the Twelve Regiment Camp?

Besides, the several young masters in the family are also grown up now, especially Jin'er, the eldest legitimate son, who will inherit the title in the future.

Why not have Jing'er arrange for them to join the Twelve Regiment Camp as colonels, so they can gain some military merit, and later perhaps inherit a military rank; even if it's a rank without power it won't yield much silver, but it's still better than a nominal noble rank!