A good child is one who has value to them.

Jia Yun's mind raced, but Zhou Yingluo's bright and spirited smile flashed before his eyes.

The marriage arranged by Grandmother Jia was undoubtedly a shortcut. If he could marry the eldest daughter of the Jia family, with Grandmother Jia's support, Jia Yun might truly be able to avoid twenty years of hard work.

However, Jia Yun was also well aware of the complexities and constraints behind this marriage alliance, and he was unwilling to betray the pure intentions of the Sanqing Temple.

Jia Yun bowed deeply again: "Grandmother, I am grateful for your kindness! However... I already have someone I love, and I really dare not delay the lives of these young ladies."

Grandmother Jia adopted a half-smile and asked, "Oh? Is it your second daughter from the martial arts master's family?"

Jia Yun's heart skipped a beat, amazed by Grandmother Jia's excellent information network, but he readily admitted, "That's right."

In her opinion, this was nothing more than a child's playful banter; could it really be taken seriously?

Grandmother Jia was neither angry nor did she say whether it was good or bad.

She simply strolled back to the couch and sat down, regaining her usual composed and dignified demeanor. She said calmly, "In that case, let's put the betrothal aside for now. You can come in and teach them for a while. You should at least give this old woman a little face, right? Don't refuse anymore."

Jia Yun tried to use the excuse that the county examination was approaching and that Jia Zheng had given the order to decline: "Grandmother, it's not that I'm making excuses, it's just that Master Zheng instructed me to focus on preparing for the exam before the county examination in February..."

"I will speak to him myself," Grandmother Jia interrupted him directly, and then offered a condition he could not refuse: "Your mother will no longer have to do those heavy jobs in the laundry room. I will let her go to the main kitchen to manage some lighter tasks, and I will also increase her monthly allowance."

Upon hearing this, Jia Yun was speechless.

This is a blatant act of goodwill and exchange, using the improvement of his mother's situation in exchange for his obedience and cooperation. Admittedly, it is also a form of threat.

If Jia Yun refuses again, he will truly be ungrateful, offending not only Grandmother Jia but also jeopardizing his mother's current stability.

Jia Yun pondered for a moment, knowing there was no room for maneuver, and could only bow and reply, "Yes, grandson obeys. Thank you, Grandmother, for your consideration for my mother."

Grandmother Jia then smiled with satisfaction and waved her hand, saying, "Alright, you can go now. Feng'er will arrange for someone to fetch you tomorrow."

Jia Yun bowed again and slowly withdrew from Grandmother Jia's room.

After Jia Yun left, the warm pavilion fell silent once again.

Grandmother Jia gazed at the swaying curtain and sighed softly, her expression revealing an undisguised weariness.

At this moment, a trusted old woman who had followed her for many years quietly walked in and massaged the old lady's legs.

Seeing that no one was around, she leaned closer and whispered, "Grandmother, just now...did you really intend to betroth Miss Lin, Miss Bao, or one of our daughters to Yun-ge?"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia chuckled and looked up at her, saying, "Why not? He also shares the surname Jia."

The old woman continued her work, her face showing anxiety: "Oh my goodness! Although he is surnamed Jia, he is from the west wing, not a true member of our lineage! Our vast family business... is it really going to be handed over to him in the future?"

"Who told you I was going to give him the family business?" Grandmother Jia glanced at her, her eyes filled with understanding and a hint of mockery.

"I'm promoting him to give him hope. But the foundation of this mansion naturally still belongs to Baoyu. If he becomes successful in the future, he will be there to assist Baoyu. If Lan'er really has that kind of fortune, he will also have to help her. As for how far Yun'er can go on his own, that depends on his own destiny."

The old woman was taken aback by this turn of events and asked in confusion, "But you just told Yun-ge that the roof beams and pillars would be supported by their new ones... Isn't this...?"

"That's just stating the facts! Nothing in the world is more important than this," Grandmother Jia interrupted her, her tone calm yet subtly meaningful. "Besides, facts are facts, and family property is family property. Letting him take charge doesn't necessarily mean handing over the entire mansion to him. His future position in this mansion depends on his own destiny."

The old woman was even more confused by this cryptic and cryptic talk: "Then why did you mention betrothing the girl? If this really happens, wouldn't he, as the son-in-law, be able to move into the mansion and interfere in its affairs?"

Grandmother Jia picked up the slightly cool tea beside her, took a sip, and said slowly and deliberately, "A betrothed girl, that's all. Who said he has to move in? If he really has the ability, he can earn his own fame and fortune, and naturally establish his own household and set up his own business."

"As for the girl... once she marries into his family, she'll belong to his family. But what about the children she gives birth to?" Grandmother Jia paused meaningfully, glancing with a hint of mockery at the old woman below her, "they'll always be of our Jia family blood, won't they? If it's a boy, we can bring him back to my courtyard to raise and educate him from a young age. Wouldn't that be closer to him? More reliable?"

The old woman was stunned at first, then her eyes suddenly lit up, and she clapped her hands in sudden realization, saying, "Oh dear! How stupid I am! Ancestor, you mean... you mean... you mean to use his talent and appearance to leave an even more outstanding descendant for our lineage?"

When Grandmother Jia saw that she finally understood, a knowing yet calculating smile finally appeared on her face.

"You've finally come to your senses, you servant. You and I both know Baoyu's temperament; he's not the kind of person who can hold his own in the family. Zhu'er is gone, and Lan'er is still young; their future is uncertain. We can't just stand by and watch our branch of the family... never mind. If Jia Yun is truly capable, the child he bears will be blood-related, and raised by me. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds? It's much better than the future..." She didn't finish her sentence, but the old woman already understood the worry in her unfinished words.

The old woman, now relieved, nodded repeatedly and then lightly slapped herself in the mouth, saying with a forced smile, "I deserve it, I really deserve it! My pig-brain didn't immediately grasp the profound meaning of our ancestor!"

"What if this Yun-ge doesn't pass the exam?" After hitting him, the old woman asked again, her eyes darting around.

"Then naturally we have to send him back to the west corridor."

The old woman silently thought to herself, "This is the Duchess I know."

"Grandmother, since you've decided on this, after Yun-ge'er has been teaching the girls for a while, why not let Bao-yu and Lan-ge'er also attend classes and read books? Yun-ge'er has now gained the favor of Li Jijiu, so his learning must be quite good. Master Zheng didn't allow it before because he was afraid of delaying Yun-ge'er's studies. Now, teaching one is the same as teaching two."

"Let him take Baoyu and Lan-ge'er with him. Firstly, it will serve as an encouragement, and secondly... it will also let our Baoyu and Lan-ge'er see what it means to be a hardworking and ambitious brother. Who knows, it might even temper their temperament and inspire their ambition. Perhaps a few more scholarly talents will emerge from our household?"

Grandmother Jia was taken aback at first, but then, as if she had heard something extremely interesting, she couldn't help but chuckle and burst into laughter.

She pointed at the old woman and laughed, scolding, "You, you... I always thought you were honest, but I never expected you to be so shrewd! This idea... hahaha... it really is a good idea! Good, good! Let's wait and see!"

Now, Jia Yun, having just left Grandmother Jia's place, was lost in thought. He was walking down the covered walkway to the west when he almost bumped into someone at the entrance.

Jia Yun looked up and saw a tall maid wearing a light red silk jacket and a blue satin vest with lace trim. It was none other than Siqi from Yingchun's room.

Siqi was also surprised to meet him here. She was taken aback at first, then smiled and quickly gave a curtsy: "Second Master Yun".

Jia Yun returned the greeting: "Sister Siqi."

Siqi looked around to make sure no one was watching, then took a half-step forward, her face pleading. "Second Master Yun, I have something I shouldn't say... Tomorrow when you come to the garden to teach, if... if you see our Second Miss... she's gentle and doesn't like to talk much. If she's not quite right in anything, please be understanding. If... if you have the chance, please praise her a little, give her some confidence, and I... I'll thank you in advance!"

As she spoke, Siqi's eyes became slightly red.

Jia Yun had long known Yingchun's situation in the mansion. Recalling her usual submissive and pitiful appearance, unloved by her father and mother, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.

He knew the ending of Sun Shaozu, the "wolf of Zhongshan," in the original work.

A beautiful young lady from a noble family was ultimately tortured to death, and no one from her family truly stood up for her. It is chilling to think about.

Although Jia Yun knew that he was of low status and did not want to cause trouble, seeing Siqi's loyalty to her master and thinking of Yingchun's tragic fate, he secretly thought that it would be a good deed to take care of her in secret.

Jia Yun then solemnly replied to Siqi, "Sister, rest assured, I understand. We are all family, how could I not do my best? Second Miss is gentle and quiet, kind-hearted, and has her own merits and blessings. Although I am not talented, I will do my best and will never let Second Miss suffer any grievances. Of course, I must also thank you for coming to convey my feelings."

Siqi listened to his earnest words and not only agreed, but also showed understanding and respect for Yingchun's situation, unlike the snobbish people in the mansion.

Siqi was deeply moved, as if she had been given a reassuring pill. She thanked him repeatedly before hurrying away.