Jia Yu did not agree to stay at the Jia Mansion, instead, he found a random inn near the Jia Mansion to stay.
He did not stay at the Jia Mansion.
Night fell.
Jia Mansion.
All the masters of the Jia family, even Jia Zhen and Jia Rong from Ningguo Mansion, came to Rongguo Mansion's Rongxi Hall.
The entire Jia Mansion was brightly lit and bustling with activity.
The servants were all alert, and the young ladies were all dressed in their finest clothes.
Jia Yu did not want to go to the Jia Mansion, especially not with so many ties to the family.
This family had already fallen into decline, immersed in its past glory and unwilling to make progress.
It would be fine if they were merely unwilling to make progress, but they also wanted more, to possess more.
Jia Yu did not specifically inquire about anything, but his men discovered through clues that the Jia Mansion had close ties to Prince Jing.
This information came from a former thousand-man commander in the Imperial Army.
Among the soldiers whose Killing Value had been massively converted, there were some former high-ranking officers.
Don't underestimate a thousand-man commander. It may seem they only command 1,000 men, but this number is not small.
In some places, they were the highest military officers.
They were already worthy of being courted by others.
From these people, Jia Yu learned some secrets.
For example, the relationship between the Jia Mansion and Prince Jing.
The current heir to Prince Jing is named Shui Rong. The Prince Jing lineage has been a Wangjue (Prince) since the founding of the dynasty.
While other three non-imperial Wangjues, their titles were lowered in successive inheritances.
Only Prince Jing remained a Wangjue.
Every time the Prince Jing mansion inherited the Wangjue, there would be large-scale unrest in the northwest.
Then the heir of Prince Jing would quell these disturbances and inherit the title.
The previous few Princes Jing stayed in the northwest and never entered the capital.
But the current Prince Jing, Shui Rong, grew up in the capital and remained there after inheriting the title.
He has always wanted to return to the northwest, but how could the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor let him go back?
Both sides have been dragging their feet.
Shui Rong has been actively moving, contacting the martial nobility.
When the Supreme Emperor fell ill and passed the throne to Emperor Qian Yuan, Shui Rong's activities became even more frequent.
He had even extended his hand to the Imperial Army.
Of course, this hand was extended through the Jia family.
Of all the Five Noble Houses in the capital, the Jia family had the deepest roots in the Imperial Army.
Even though no one from the Jia family currently holds a position in the army, there are still a large number of students and relatives scattered throughout the entire Imperial Army.
They even have students and relatives in the Nine Frontiers and Jiangnan region.
Two Dukes had already laid the foundation for the Jia family's vast network of connections.
That's why Jia Yu always wanted to avoid excessive contact with the Jia family; he is a person who hates trouble.
After all the fighting and killing, he just wants to enjoy life, to enjoy the decadent days of ancient times.
But when he heard that he could see Lin Daiyu, his heart started to itch.
There are many beautiful girls in the Jia Mansion.
After much thought, he decided to go to the banquet and see for himself how beautiful Lin Daiyu, the "Jade of the Crimson Pearl," was.
He could also take the opportunity to see his "dumpling," no, his "sister-in-law."
With these thoughts in mind, Jia Yu led his guards towards the Jia Mansion.
His guards were led to a separate place for dinner.
Jia Yu arrived at Rongxi Hall. Jia Mu arranged for him to sit near her, showing her respect for him.
After Jia Yu took his seat, others followed suit.
Because it was a family banquet, there was no separation of genders as one might imagine.
But there was still a distinction between the main and the secondary.
After all, with so many people in the family, they couldn't all sit around one big round table.
As soon as Jia Yu sat down, his eyes were drawn to the exquisite dishes on the table.
At his table, there were only Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen, Wang Xifeng, Xing Xifeng, and Jia Mu who was at the head of the table.
They had all met each other when Jia Yu first entered Rongguo Mansion.
There was no need for further introductions.
There were four empty seats. It seemed those were the seats for Jia Lian and his wife, Jia Baoyu, and Daiyu.
Just looking at the dishes on the table was a feast for the eyes.
The wind carried the aroma of the dishes, making his mouth water.
This was the first time he had eaten such a lavish meal since coming to this world.
In the army, he simply ate to fill his stomach.
The palace food was also designed to quickly replenish his energy.
There were no fancy dishes like he imagined.
He never thought he would have such a feast at the Jia Mansion.
From these dishes, one could see how extravagant the Jia family lived.
The Emperor's food was always frugal, trying to save some money.
The Jia family, a fallen noble, ate better than the Emperor.
Who would be purged if not them?
"Yu'er, are you satisfied with these dishes?" Jia Mu saw Jia Yu staring at the dishes with wide eyes.
She thought to herself, "He's a country bumpkin after all. Good, he has desires, it's easier to control him."
Jia Yu said, "They are very rich. They look delicious. Old Madam, can we start eating? I skipped dinner just for this meal."
Jia Yu's words surprised everyone present. He was so blunt.
"Haha, brother Yu, you're still so straightforward." A cheerful laugh echoed, followed by a woman who appeared like a celestial being. She wore colorful and splendid garments, as if adorned with divine embroidery, with an eight-treasure hairpin in her hair and a red silk narrow jacket. Her phoenix eyes were radiant, her powdered face exuded a spring-like charm, and her beauty was beyond compare. She walked towards the main table with a handsome young man.
Wang Xifeng was dressed exceptionally beautiful, even more exquisite than her usual attire.
When she heard that Jia Yu was coming to the banquet, she spent extra time getting ready in her room, which is why she was a little late.
"Old Madam, Old Madam."
A boy, dressed in colorful clothes, with a face like a full moon and a silver collar, rushed into the hall, boisterous and excited.
"I brought the person for you!"
Daiyu sighed inwardly at the boy's words.
Although tonight's Jia Mansion was a family banquet, there was a young man among the guests who held a high position.
Baoyu's boisterous behavior made her helpless.
Baoyu wanted to run to Jia Mu's side, but then he saw a pair of angry eyes.
His nemesis, Jia Zheng!
Baoyu stood frozen, a little lost.
Daiyu walked to the main table behind him, and curtsyed to Jia Mu, "Grandmother, Uncle First, Uncle Second..."
After greeting all the elders present, she noticed a young man sitting at the main table who was taller than most of the others.
The young man's features somewhat resembled Lian Er, but he was more handsome, with a touch of heroic spirit in his handsome face.
"This is your third brother Yu, the current Imperial Army Commander!" Jia Mu proudly introduced him to Daiyu and Baoyu. "Baoyu, come and meet your third brother Yu."
"Yu'er, this is your cousin Daiyu."
"This is your brother Baoyu. In the future, you must support each other!"
Expectation filled Jia Mu's eyes.
Baoyu was born with a jade in his mouth, which allowed their Jia family to rise again.
If Baoyu had not wanted to join the army, they would have only called Jia Yu back from the estate, and Jia Yu would not have achieved his current success.
Everything Jia Yu has, is thanks to Baoyu.
This was the conclusion Jia Mu reached after consulting a fortune teller recently.
She must bring Jia Yu back to the Jia family, and then have him support Baoyu.
Baoyu is a top-notch student, and he will surely pass the imperial exam like his uncle.
With Jia Yu's support, he will surely become a high-ranking official in the future.
Thinking of this, Jia Mu became even happier...