Chapter 427: Baoyu Absolutely Not

Beside them, Madam Zhu Shi, wife of Wang Ziteng, saw Jia Mu's worried expression, her eyes flickered, and recalling her prepared words, she comforted her, saying:

"You needn't worry so much, Madam; as a family of distinguished martial merit, enjoying this... prosperity means we must bear a few more risks than ordinary families."

"Not to mention Duke Jing, a pillar minister of the court, even my husband a few months ago, because of his... single‑minded dedication to the state, vigorously reforming Jingying, offended many, caused a scandal, and ended up being dismissed from office, didn't he?"

"Madam... has also lived through events; you should know that when the older generation were still alive, which year or family didn't have some incident?"

Jia Mu, hearing this, looked at Zhu Shi with a hint of surprise.

It wasn't her first encounter with her; previously Zhu Shi had always seemed as foolish as her niece‑in‑law Xie Shi, yet today she had even learned to comfort people!

However, her words sounded like a recitation, disjointed and lacking emotion.

Jia Mu furrowed her brows, puzzled yet still replied in a hoarse voice:

"You make a valid point! When the former Duke Rong and the previous Duke Rong were alive, I too witnessed and heard many things."

"Whether it was wounds on the battlefield or the heart‑pounding intrigues in the court, to put it bluntly, which year didn't we see relatives or friends mourning at a household?"

"But our Tianmo Star is different from others!"

Jia Mu then gave Jia Jing a new title, paused, and continued:

"He is too ambitious in his youth, not understanding the principle of self‑preservation and blending in with the world! His temperament is overly rigid; he cannot tolerate even a speck of sand in his eyes and leaves no leeway in his actions!"

"Look, the entire court of civil and military officials, relatives and old friends—he seems eager to offend them all!"

"In the past the court had many open and covert conflicts, but never like today—so shocking, with swords and spears clashing!"

"Others seem to wish his death! Even now, thinking of it gives me chills; it's truly too dangerous!"

Zhu Shi wore a thoughtful expression, as if recalling something, and stammered:

"Indeed! My husband also said that now in Shenjing the clouds are treacherous... cloud cover and dark currents are surging, making the city increasingly unsettled!"

"He also said that our four great families—the Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue—being of the same blood, must, in this time of upheaval, tightly unite and weather the hardships together!"

Jia Mu frowned, with a hint of caution, and said:

"The words have some truth! But we women of the inner household cannot control the major affairs of the men outside!"

"If Baoyu's uncle has any ideas, he can only go himself to consult Jia Jing!"

"Baoyu's mother should have told you as well; regarding the affairs of the mansion now, my words are of no use at all!"

Could it be that Baoyu's uncle wants to use Jia Jing's influence to regain his position? Jia Mu was somewhat suspicious.

Nevertheless, whatever the case, she now neither can, nor wants, nor dares to meddle in her own third grandson's affairs at the court!

Zhu Shi glanced at Lady Wang and smiled:

"We women cannot possibly handle the major affairs outside! But for matters within the mansion, we must still worry about them!"

"I won't hide from you, Madam; this visit to the mansion was by my husband's order, hoping... hoping to become even closer to you!"

When Zhu Shi said that, everyone in the hall instantly hardened their expressions and straightened their faces!

Feng Jie lifted her sharp phoenix eyes, expression half‑smile, half‑serious; her convoluted words sounded like a recitation, revealing that she was actually aiming to arrange a marriage with the third brother!

However, her own uncle has now been dismissed from office; trying to climb the high branch of the third brother is perhaps a foolish fantasy!

Yuan Chun, Yingchun, Tan Chun and the others felt that proposing a marriage on the day Jia Jing was attacked was untimely and inauspicious.

Even though they knew that after the attack, the clan and Madam would likely be even more eager for Third Brother (Jia Jing) to marry.

After all, if a bloodline isn't secured soon, should any accident occur, there would be no one left to inherit and mourn!

Not to mention the problem of the Duke Jing title having no heir!

For a military‑merit family, having no offspring is indeed a huge issue; without flourishing descendants, the family cannot maintain its prestige.

Thus, many generals and officers, before setting out on campaigns, even took multiple wives and concubines to ensure offspring.

But knowing what they know, they still felt the timing was inappropriate, and Third Brother already has a favorable destiny, not yet at that stage!

Meanwhile, Xue Baichai and Lin Daiyu felt a sudden thump in their hearts, clutching their handkerchiefs tightly; although they knew Jia Mu could not decide Jia Jing's marriage, they still felt an involuntary nervousness!

Jia Mu, her brows tightly knit, after Jia Jing's attack, had indeed just entertained the thought of urging him to settle down quickly!

She could ignore whom he wishes to marry, but the timing must be as soon as possible!

Otherwise, after the pardoned son departs, postponing another three years would be too late!

This is already a paramount matter concerning the clan's safety and lineage, leaving no room for willfulness!

After all, this third grandson has made too many enemies lately; no one knows if he might fall into someone's ambush any day!

"In such matters, it's not a fear of ten thousand, but the fear of that one unforeseen case!"

However, even if urging Jia Jing to marry, Jia Mu never considered the Wang Family!

Putting aside the issue of matching social status, note that now both the main and secondary branches of Rong Guo Mansion have already taken Wang Family daughters as primary wives.

It would be impossible for Jia Jing's Duke Jing household to also take a Wang Family woman as the lady of the house!

If this continues, will the Jia family in the future bear the surname Jia or Wang!

No matter how the four great families are of one blood, this reasoning doesn't hold!

Thinking of this, Jia Mu felt a deep unease and, with a composed face, said:

"If Baoyu's uncle wishes to become Jia Jing's father‑in‑law, he should speak to him himself."

"I cannot be the one to arrange Jia Jing's marriage! I also have no fear in telling you the truth."

In her agitation, Jia Mu even used an inversion rarely employed even by modern AI.

Zhu Shi's expression froze, and she glanced again at Lady Wang, hurriedly saying:

"Madam, you misunderstand! How could my family dare entertain such a fantasy! The Duke Jing's status is lofty; a girl from the Wang Family is not worthy..."

This remark instantly made Lady Wang and Aunt Xue frown in unison, and Feng Jie couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

Jia Mu, however, slightly relaxed, thinking to herself that this was Zhu Shi's usual standard!

"If not Jia Jing, then who? Could it be Baoyu?" Jia Mu speculated.

In the Jia family, aside from Jia Jing, there seemed to be only Baoyu!

But Bao Yu also can't, you know; what I've been thinking all along is that the two Yu Er should be paired!

Our son‑in‑law Ru Hai is said to be heading to the capital for a great appointment, and Yu Er's health is visibly improving day by day; a marriage like this, even with lanterns, is hard to find!

Why abandon the near to seek the far, go looking for some Wang Family girl!

Moreover, now Bao Yu's uncle has lost his official post, so Bao Yu's marriage into this family is rather unfair!

Who could have known, after hearing Jia Mu's words, Zhu Shi was startled, looked extremely flustered, and hurriedly laughed, waving a hand and said:

"No, no! Bao Yu can't, Bao Yu absolutely can't…"

Seeing Jia Mu and Lady Wang look on with displeasure, Zhu Shi thought quickly and explained:

"Bao Yu is a good child! Bao Yu is blessed! Bao Yu is the old lady's beloved, my girl lacks that fortune…"