Chapter 56: Night Banquet

Feng Jie laughed and said playfully:

"Grandma has been waiting all day for you, third brother, to come home for a meal. You didn't return at noon, and she's been so worried she can't eat properly!"

A burst of good‑natured chuckles rose in the hall.

Jia Jing said little, merely sitting on a nearby chair, straightening himself and speaking:

"I was attending court matters, so I returned a bit late."

Jia Mu hurriedly said:

"Official business comes first; waiting at home is a minor matter. Let's start the feast; today is perfect for the whole family to eat together merrily."

"We'll discuss other matters after the meal; Aunt Lao has been waiting for the Marquis for a long time, so let's set the banquet quickly!"

Aunt Xue, standing nearby, smiled as she examined Jia Jing, growing more fond of him.

She had expected this young man to be a military officer, likely rugged in appearance, but instead he was dignified and even three points more handsome than the other young masters of the Jia Mansion.

Especially his imposing and solemn aura, which even Jia Baoyu and the other young masters could not flatter.

He has power and a good lineage; truly a fine candidate for a son‑in‑law.

Aunt Xue, as a mother‑in‑law evaluating a son‑in‑law, grew increasingly moved.

Hearing Jia Mu speak of herself, she promptly smiled politely:

"What's the point of waiting? The Marquis is returning today, and I'm here to share some of the joy."

She then turned to Jia Jing and said:

"If the Marquis has time later, please come to my Li Xiang Courtyard for a visit. The good‑for‑nothing scion of my family has always admired your abilities; we've mentioned you several times at home and have been hoping to meet you."

Jia Jing replied in a deep voice:

"When I'm free, I'll certainly trouble you, Aunt."

Soon, the maids brought the utensils, and the hall's atmosphere surged to a climax.

Servants arranged the tables and seats, and the kitchen promptly delivered dish after dish.

Jia Jing naturally didn't dine with Jia Mu, Lady Wang and the others; he isn't Jia Baoyu, who at his age still likes to cling to his grandmother's lap.

He went to the outer hall to drink and eat with Jia Zheng, Jia Lian and the others.

Everyone repeatedly offered him wine, each face beaming with smiles and all words flattering.

After a round of drinks, the Yuanyang inside offered a toast on Jia Mu's behalf, and Jia Jing smiled lightly and drank.

Then came Li Wan, Feng Jie and others.

After two rounds of drinks and the dinner finished, they saw off the Ning Guo Mansion party and Aunt Xue's group; nearly an hour and a half had passed.

Night had fallen completely, and the Jia Mansion was lit everywhere with red lanterns.

Only Jia Mu, Jia Zheng, Lady Wang, Mrs. Xing, Feng Jie, San Chun and the other heads of the Rong Guo Mansion remained in Rong Qing Tang.

Jia Jing drank a cup of fragrant tea brought by the Yuanyang to sober up; now it was truly the time for family members to speak.

Jia Mu smiled and spoke first:

"Brother Jing, you've been away for two years, fought several battles—no serious injuries, I hope!"

Jia Jing said in a low voice:

"Thanks to the protection of the two dukes, Lai and Rongning, I've had scares but no danger. Campaigns abroad are indeed risky, but mostly involve overt swords and spears. Within Shenjing, however, overt weapons and hidden arrows require extra caution."

Jia Mu's expression froze for a moment; she felt the three grandsons' words carried hidden meaning, as if pointing at her.

Jia Jing glanced at the people in the hall, clearly intending to end this family‑reunion atmosphere.

Since his return, under Jia Mu's arrangements, everywhere has been filled with laughter and chatter.

Servants revered him, brothers and elders held him up, as if everyone around had suddenly become good people, all his own.

But he never forgot his purpose; he returned not to enjoy familial bliss, and he has no such feeling toward Jia Mu.

He came back to reorganize the clan, eliminate corruption, reshape the family ethos, making the Jia Family his own Jia Family, not a political burden.

Although today's encounter with Emperor Jing Sheng Di let him feel the emperor's sincere heart, truly candid.

Yet politics cannot speak of personal feelings, nor can one fully trust a ruler's fleeting promises.

Jia Jing's goal has never changed; the core remains to rise in rank and obtain rewards, the system being the foundation of his livelihood.

Additionally, he constantly seeks to grasp military authority; only with command can a martial merit make one's backbone firm and words weighty.

Now in Liaodong, Qin Qiong and the Xuanjia Army are present, and he can control a portion of that military power.

Next is the command over the Bashang Daying and Jingying's two‑hundred‑thousand‑strong forces; possessing that would let him rest easy.

Of course, he isn't planning to rebel against Emperor Jing Sheng Di; if the emperor continues to trust him, he could still be a loyal minister and capable general, assisting the emperor.

He fully supports Emperor Jing Sheng Di's policies of reform, strengthening the nation, enriching the people, and purging official misconduct.

"When poor, one cultivates oneself; when prosperous, one aids the world"— his personal creed.

But times change; if the emperor later changes his mind or burns bridges, he will not be a blindly loyal subject.

In short, he is unaccustomed to letting others control his destiny.

Jia Mu smiled again and asked kindly:

"When you returned to the capital, did His Majesty say how you would be assigned? Stay in Shenjing for a post, or spend some time back at the border passes?"

Jia Mu's words were actually probing whether Jia Jing's incident of making the Duke of Zhao so angry had any lingering repercussions.

If today's matter displeased the emperor, he certainly would not assign Jia Jing a good position.

If the emperor continues to favor him, a key post would naturally be arranged, making him a confidant.

The others, such as Lady Wang, Feng Jie and the like, also looked at Jia Jing,

If Jia Jing were to leave after a while, the mansion would still be managed by them, with little change from before.

If Jia Jing takes a post in Shenjing, the power structure of the Rong Guo Mansion would inevitably shift.

It would be as if another "Jia Mu" sits above them; no one could ignore his feelings and opinions.

Tan Chun, Daiyu and the others also fixed their bright eyes on Jia Jing; they certainly did not want Third Brother, having just returned to the residence, to be sent out to battle again, making it years before they could see him.

"The Emperor said he would appoint me as the Military Governor of Bashang Daying; an imperial edict should be issued within these two days, and I expect to have to stay in Shenjing for the coming period," Jia Jing said plainly.

"What?? Military Governor of Bashang Daying?"

Jia Mu's face turned shocked.

She had not anticipated this at all.

First, Jia Jing has just offended Duke Zhao, and Bashang Daying has always been under the control of Jingnan Wuxun; how could it be handed to Jia Jing, who is only a post‑founding war merit?

Second, Jia Jing is only at the third‑rank official level, whereas the Military Governor of Bashang Daying is a senior third‑rank, still one grade higher!

She thought that even if Jia Jing stayed in the capital, the best he could be is a principal commander at Jingying, or a commander in the Imperial Guard, which would already be a good outcome!

She did not expect the Emperor to place such trust!

Entrusting the hundred‑thousand troops of Bashang Daying to Jia Jing is truly a position of great rank and authority!

If it were only a marquis's title, she would still claim she could keep Jia Jing in check to some degree!

But with such authority, it is not something that a lone matriarch of the inner residence can suppress!

Realizing this, Jia Mu knew that her days of worry had become reality, and the carefree days she once enjoyed were likely gone forever!

Beside them, Lady Wang's eyes flickered, her pure white face full of resentment,

"Military Governor of Bashang Daying?"

This is a position that even her brother Wang Ziteng never sought, yet it was snatched up by the little brother Jia Jing!

Could it be that Jia Jing, a young man who only guarded the border for two years, knows more about warfare and is more capable than her brother, who has spent many years navigating the officialdom?

That is simply impossible!

The Emperor cannot be so incompetent!