Chapter 429

Jia Mu furrowed her brows, took a deep breath to suppress the anger in her heart, and slowly began:

"Zhu Shi, since you all are unwilling, I think it's best not to force it! Third Sister is still young, and I would like to keep her by my side for a few more years!"

Zhu Shi didn't detect the displeasure in Jia Mu's words, put on a matriarch's bearing, and laughed,

"We are indeed unwilling! However, aside from lineage, isn't there a dowry to save face?"

Mm! Giving more dowry could barely make it work!

With those words, a low murmur of laughter immediately spread through the hall.

Baichai, Xiang Yun, Yingchun, Xichun and the others all turned their curious eyes toward the usually poised and shrewd Tan Chun, watching her reaction.

Baichai pinched her handkerchief, thinking to herself, "Insufficient lineage, let the dowry make up for it!"

If such a boon truly existed, even marrying off the Xue Family's millions of wealth, I would still be willing!

Hmm? My own mother is unwilling?

No matter, as long as the eldest brother agrees!

Tan Chun's face flushed with embarrassment at that moment, her cheeks rosy, and being spoken of her marriage affairs so disgracefully before so many people, how could she ever face herself afterward!

Originally there was no room for her to speak on her own marriage matters, but now she could not risk offending, so she hurriedly said:

"Madam, Third Brother told me that he will arrange my marriage in the future! Perhaps we should wait until he returns to discuss it!"

With those words, the discussion was instantly put on pause!

If an outsider said that, a male cousin taking charge of his younger female cousin's marriage would obviously be unreasonable!

However, since it was Jia Jing who said it, the meaning is naturally different!

Jia Mu had already abandoned the idea of marrying Tan Chun into the Wang Family; even Zhu Shi alone, a foolish matriarch, would be enough of a daughter‑in‑law, so she went along with the suggestion, saying:

"Brother Teng's daughter‑in‑law, you also heard, Jia Jing and Third Sister are extremely close, and he wants to personally handle Third Sister's marriage; otherwise, you should go ask him!"

"If he agrees, he will probably prepare a dowry of at least one hundred and twenty‑eight loads, and send Third Sister to your Wang Family in great splendor!"

Zhu Shi's smile froze; although she is greedy for wealth, she does know how fierce Jia Jing can be!

Sending her to discuss with Jia Jing, she had no courage, and could only laugh awkwardly, saying:

"Madam, you're joking! I'm not after that dowry! I'm not that shallow‑eyed…"

Jia Mu was genuinely made to laugh by Zhu Shi's irritation!

At that moment, Lady Wang's complexion carried a hint of unease as she spoke:

"Madam, my sister‑in‑law is not very articulate, but she has no ill intent."

"Third Sister was chosen by Baoyu's uncle, and marrying into the Wang Family will never wrong her!"

"Moreover, Brother Li, though a second legitimate son, is quite literary; Baoyu's uncle also values Brother Li highly, and is preparing to send him to the Imperial Academy; later he could even become an official or a magistrate!"

Lady Wang had originally decided not to speak on Tan Chun's marriage.

Because she had only recently caused a dispute between legitimate and illegitimate branches, rushing to marry Tan Chun now would be like a louse on a monk's head—obviously a malicious intention!

Some matters everyone may understand, but you simply cannot do it so openly!

So this must be the Wang Family taking the initiative to propose; as the legitimate mother, her acquiescence would seal it!

Who would have thought, my own sister‑in‑law is also foolish; the few lines of rhetoric taught to her, she had earlier delivered perfectly,

but later she took it upon herself to spout nonsense about unwillingness, dowry, shallow‑eyed, and the like!

At this moment, seeing that Zhu Shi was about to spoil the matter, she could no longer stay silent!

Jia Mu frowned and said:

"Oh? Is it someone talented? Have they already earned a title?"

If truly promising, they could later pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi; a second legitimate son would be acceptable!

Back then, didn't our own daughter marry the third‑ranked scholar?

Zhu Shi smiled and said:

"Brother Li is indeed promising! In the clan academy, the tutors all praise his calligraphy!"

"He has always loved studying, is ambitious, filial, sensible, and diligent!"

"His father says he should be sent to the Imperial Academy, but he himself refuses, insisting on trying the county exam of Shuntian Prefecture next year!"

Jia Mu was stunned; why did this line sound oddly familiar?

Moreover, the Shuntian Prefecture county exam is the easiest stage of the imperial exams, right? Brother Lan seems to have already passed it this year!

That means this diligent, sensible, ambitious Brother Li hasn't even obtained the Shuai (licentiate) title

If I recall correctly, he seems to be already fifteen!

Thinking of Baoyu, Jia Mu suddenly remembered that Zhu Shi was actually echoing the flattering remarks she usually makes about Baoyu,

Jia Mu's face went black, the corner of her mouth twitched, feeling somewhat offended!

Meanwhile, the many sisters of the Jia Mansion wore strange expressions, looking at each other, barely able to suppress laughter!

"This matter is improper! We should wait for Jia Jing to return before discussing it!" Jia Mu, expressionless, clearly rejected the proposal.

"Madam, although Jia Jing is a Duke, it would still be improper for him to interfere in the marriages of children in my second branch!"

"Everyone loves their own children; we can't wait for Baoyu to decide whom he will marry before we can act?"

"Moreover, Jia Jing is not sailing smoothly abroad; just look at today's ambush—dangerous indeed!"

"Now he has so many enemies; if any mishap occurs, wouldn't the whole mansion suffer as well?"

"I think we should make more preparations, arranging future paths for these girls in the family ahead of time!"

"Not only Third Sister, but also the Eldest Sister, Baoyu and the others—I want to settle their marriages soon! They are all of marriageable age!"

"Madam, you also love Baoyu; why not understand the motherly concern I have!"

"I must say, Lady Wang, a little master of household scheming, has once again found a line of argument."

"On one hand she points out that marrying Tan Chun is not out of personal grievance, but out of love for the children; no one loves their own children more than parents."

Saying it this way, it actually makes Jia Jing look like he's meddling in his paternal cousin's marriage, acting purely out of family interest—hardly kind-hearted!

They also went through the motions of Yuan Chun and Baoyu's marriage in public, laying groundwork for the future.

On the other hand, it points out that Jia Jing has made too many enemies; he fears not the ten thousand but the one chance.

So she is eager to marry off her daughter, not wanting them to be implicated later—she has some far‑sighted consideration for the children.

As soon as Jia Mu heard Baoyu's name, her expression froze; she also had to admit that what Baoyu's mother said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Jing'er's situation is indeed perilous; throughout the court, civil and military officials alike have all been offended by him, and the number of his enemies is unknown.

One could say that in the court, aside from a few senior ministers and princes, there is no one he dares not provoke.

With such a reckless nature, if it cannot be changed, he will likely meet a bad end.

Being too rigid leads to breaking—this is an unchanging truth through the ages!

However, just as Jia Mu was lost in thought, Feng Jie raised her eyebrows and spoke coldly:

"What do you mean by saying that, Second Madam? Could it be you're dissatisfied with the Third Brother? Speaking in such a roundabout way, could it be that the Third Brother has also implicated your family?"

"Furthermore, the Third Brother is not only a duke but also the head of the Jia family; the rise and fall, safety and danger of the twenty branches of the Jia clan all rest on his shoulders."

"As long as one still acknowledges being a member of the Jia clan, he has the authority to manage everything, whether marriages, funerals, or any other matter."

"Moreover, any prearranged escape plan is a joke; if the Third Brother really meets with trouble, do you think those married‑out daughters, without their natal families, could still be steady mistresses of their households? You're dreaming!"

Since last month, when Jia Jing arranged that good position for Jia Lian, Feng Jie has gotten a taste of the benefits and has now become a loyal supporter of Jia Jing.

No matter Jia Mu's attitude, she no longer cares much about it!

But whoever dares to criticize Jia Jing in her presence is basically going against Wang Xifeng herself!!