Chapter 51

Feng Jie, her mouth wide open in exaggeration, exclaimed:

"This means he's about to be made a marquis! Third Brother, your promotion is really fast! According to what Grandmother said earlier, being appointed a general probably means promotion to third-rank general, right?"

"A general who commands a hundred thousand troops! Right? Third Brother is only twenty—what a limitless future!"

Jia Mu composed her expression and replied:

"Before he was just a fourth-rank official; this time, after beheading the Qing army's commander, he's likely to be promoted to junior third rank! I heard you two elders say that these days the court's grand secretaries and commandants are discussing this!"

"However, wanting to command a hundred thousand troops is no easy feat!"

"In Shenjing there are only two major garrisons: the Jingying and the Bashang Daying; the Jingying is now under Niu Boye's command!"

"The Bashang Daying has always been under the Jingnan Wuxun (War Merit of Jingnan); last time Niu Boye tried to recommend Baoyu's maternal uncle for the post of Military Governor, it didn't work out, so it's unlikely to fall to Brother Jing!"

"I think he might go to the Jingying to become a regiment commander, or first take a leadership post in the palace's Feathered Forest Army. After all, Brother Jing is still young and needs more experience."

Feng Jie laughed and said:

"It must be just as Grandmother said! Grandmother, with all her experience, understands everything."

Aunt Xue chimed in from the side:

"The old lady is indeed from a marquis's family, and now she's the Dowager Lady of Rongguo; she knows all about these military affairs!"

The hall above instantly filled with chatter and laughter around Jia Mu, the atmosphere cheerful.

And downstairs, Xiang Yun, Daiyu, San Chun and the others sat waiting for Third Brother's return.

They had thought Jia Jing wouldn't return to the capital until early next year, but his swift return surprised and delighted them as well.

Feng Jie's plump face bore a hint of thought as she asked again:

"Grandmother, won't the palace set a banquet to keep Third Brother for lunch? If he eats at noon in the palace, we'll have to wait here! Some dishes are already being prepared!"

Upon saying that, everyone turned to Jia Mu, waiting for her to clarify.

Jia Mu furrowed her brows, thought, and said:

"It shouldn't happen! I've heard the present emperor rarely lets ministers dine with him. Baoyu's maternal uncle recently returned from border patrol, went to the palace to report, and wasn't granted a feast—Brother Jing probably doesn't have that fortune yet!"

Feng Jie's slanted eyes twitched slightly, and she laughed crisply:

"Then I'll have the Hou Chu prepare as usual!"

Before her words finished, Jia Zheng walked in with a worried expression, and Jia Mu asked:

"You weren't receiving guests out front? Why are you coming here?"

Jia Zheng hesitated a moment, then spoke:

"Just now, Niu Boye left court, came to our mansion, and told me about Brother Jing's audience with the emperor!"

Seeing Jia Zheng's expression not good, Jia Mu's heart sank, and she hurriedly said:

"Did something happen? Was Brother Jing not made a marquis, or did he offend His Majesty by not knowing palace etiquette?"

When Jia Mu asked that, everyone present looked worriedly at Jia Zheng.

Today the whole household is waiting for Brother Jing; surely nothing untoward will happen!

Jia Zheng replied:

"Not at all! According to Niu Boye, the emperor has already ennobled Brother Jing as Jingwu Marquis and promoted him to junior third rank General Who Pacifies the East."

"Moreover, the emperor showed great courtesy: when Brother Jing had his audience, the emperor himself went to the gate of Qian Qing Gong to meet him, and even when Brother Jing performed his rites, the emperor descended the steps to support him."

As soon as Jia Zheng finished speaking, the atmosphere upstairs brightened again!

Tan Chun and the others exchanged glances downstairs, passing along the news.

Third Brother has been made a marquis!

Jingwu Marquis!

And he was appointed junior third rank General Who Pacifies the East!

The emperor also showed great courtesy!

Thinking of Jia Jing, in just two short years he was made a marquis and appointed a general, winning victory after victory,

Xiang Yun and Tan Chun both wore looks of longing and pride, their spirits soaring.

Although Jia Mu had anticipated this outcome, as long as it wasn't settled she still felt a bit worried; now that it's truly settled, she also feels relieved.

She then snapped at Jia Zheng:

"What's with your worried look, rushing to the back yard just to tease this old woman?"

Jia Zheng hurriedly said:

"Not that the son would dare! But Niu Boye said that Brother Jing had a slight disagreement with the Duke of Zhao in Qian Qing Dian..."

Before Jia Zheng could finish, Jia Mu exclaimed in surprise:

"The Duke of Zhao? How did Brother Jing, just returned, get into a conflict with him?"

"He is the Right Commandant of the Five Military Governor's Office, high-ranking and powerful, deeply trusted by the Retired Emperor, and moreover the leader of the Jingnan lineage of military merit!"

Present were Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing, Aunt Xue, and Lady You, all frowning.

As the mistresses of the household, they often interact with the families of external military officials, and they also know that this Duke of Zhao is no easy opponent!

Not to mention his duke title, just as the Right Commandant of the Five Military Governor's Office, he stands among the foremost figures in the entire Da Han Empire's military merit.

If Brother Jing has run afoul of such a figure, surely no trouble will ensue!

Lady Wang frowned and said:

"I heard from Baoyu's maternal uncle that the Duke of Zhao has the merit of saving the Retired Emperor's carriage; the Retired Emperor trusts him greatly, often summons him to the palace for discussions, and has bestowed many favors—he is not someone to provoke!"

Jia Mu, of course, knows all this, but she is steadier than Lady Wang and the others, and said:

"Over what matter did Brother Jing clash with the Duke of Zhao? If it's just a minor spat, being fellow officials, there's no need to worry too much!"

"Our founding lineage and the Jingnan lineage of military merit have never gotten along! I reckon Brother Jing, just returned to the capital, couldn't have stirred up any major trouble!"

Although Jia Mu appeared composed, inside she was already secretly worried: this bastard grandson, I know he's no peaceful sort—having just returned, he's offended a powerful duke; who knows what further trouble he'll stir up!

After all, he's young, suddenly attained a high position, can't keep his composure, and doesn't know how to stay low-key and cautious!

"A minor conflict? ！"

Jia Zheng's expression was somewhat strange; he hemmed and hawed, opening his mouth but not knowing how to put it properly!

Jia Mu's face sank, her heart gave a jolt, and she said:

"How could it be? In the Hall of Heavenly Purity, in the Emperor's presence, could Jing Ge'er possibly have beaten Duke Zhao？"

Jia Mu couldn't quite understand; before the Emperor, even the biggest conflict is merely a quarrel of words,

This is common among officials; what's so strange about it?

My own son isn't an ignorant fool who's never seen the world; why is he acting like this?

Even if they really came to blows, there would be palace eunuchs to break it up—what's there that can't be spoken plainly!

Jia Zheng met Jia Mu's gaze and simply spoke plainly;

"He didn't actually hit him; he just gave Duke Zhao a severe scolding…"

Jia Mu said in frustration:

"You've been a fifth‑rank official for ages—arguing and scolding in court, is that even worth mentioning？"

"And you come running to my courtyard with your mind all over the place—what nonsense! I think you're not as composed as Jing Ge'er！"

Being scolded in front of the children, Jia Zheng also found it hard to save face, lowering his head and replying:

"Scuffles aren't a big deal, but Jing Ge'er scolded Duke Zhao so severely he vomited blood and fainted; the Duke is still being rescued by the imperial physician！"

"Ah…" Jia Mu was startled by the words.

He vomited blood from the scolding? And he's still being rescued??

What on earth is going on?

Her thoughts were in a tangle she couldn't sort out!

If Jia Zheng weren't usually steady and reliable, not given to joking, she would surely think someone was teasing her!

Just from a verbal spat, could it make a duke vomit blood?

Isn't that just a fantasy?

Is it really such a big deal?

The Duke Zhao's psychological resilience is surely too weak!

He couldn't be faking it, could he?

Countless thoughts flashed through Jia Mu's mind in an instant.