Chapter 203: Fragrant Heart, Steeped in Booklore

In Lin Daiyu's chamber, Hearing Zi Juan brought in a cup of hot tea and added a piece of Ningshen incense to the incense burner.

On the desk lay Siwu books; Lin Daiyu was intently flipping through them, marking and annotating with her brush.

Today she wore a white silk tunic with a bamboo-leaf upright collar and asymmetrical front, a pale purple skirt embroidered with plum blossoms, her long hair simply coiled into a bun—elegant, refined, and heartbreakingly lovely.

Hearing Zi Juan said, "Miss, you've been reading for an hour already. Be careful not to strain your eyes—take a rest."

Just then, a voice came from the doorway: "Sister, when did you start studying so hard? What books are you reading?"

Lin Daiyu looked up and saw Jia Baoyu; she smiled: "Just some idle books. Didn't your uncle make you review your lessons today?"

At these words, Jia Baoyu's face fell.

Since learning that Jia Cong had locked himself away to study for the autumn examinations, Jia Zheng had shown no favor to Jia Baoyu; though he continually urged him to study, Jia Baoyu made no real progress.

In truth, Jia Zheng had nearly given up on him, yet he never relaxed his demands—every day, when Jia Baoyu went to Rongxi Hall to pay respects, Jia Zheng would demand an account of his studies, making Jia Baoyu's life a torment.

Hearing Zi Juan added from the side: "Miss has always read, but never with such intensity these past two days. I've warned her not to ruin her eyes, but she won't listen."

On the nearby paper were excerpts copied from key passages of the books—she had borrowed texts meant for his policy essay foundation and studied them with such meticulous care.

Lin Daiyu smiled: "I'm just bored. I saw Third Brother has so many books to read, so I picked these few. With these annotations and excerpts, he'll find them easier to understand."

She then feigned a need for a short nap, asking Jia Baoyu to come another day. Just then, Xi Ren arrived to fetch Jia Baoyu, saying Lady Wang wished to speak with him; only then did Lin Daiyu breathe easier.

"Why isn't Third Brother studying at home? Why come to my room to idle?"

She didn't realize that Jia Cong's recent intense studying had filled even Lin Daiyu's thoughts with books; seeing Jia Baoyu, the words slipped out unbidden.

Over these years, Lin Lin Meimei had seemed unchanged, yet the topics they could discuss with ease had vanished, leaving them increasingly distant. Thinking of this, Jia Baoyu felt a pain so sharp he could hardly breathe.

He had just heard from the courtiers that his father was napping in Mengpo Study, so he relaxed and came to Lin Daiyu's room to chat—only for her to immediately bring up the very subject he wished to avoid.

Jia Cong smiled: "One can't study twelve hours a day—even immortals would collapse. Rest and labor must be balanced; one must step out, stretch, and clear the mind."

Jia Baoyu only hoped Jia Cong would swiftly pass the autumn and spring examinations, stop pretending to study at home, and finally free him from this torment.

He himself loved reading wild histories, biographical compendiums, and playful operas—hated practical studies above all.

He couldn't help but praise: "Sister, you're truly born for books. Had you been born a man, who among us would dare compete for scholarly glory?"

Jia Baoyu noticed several books on Lin Daiyu's desk—unlike her usual fare—texts on military strategy, historical treatises, and agricultural manuals. He felt uneasy.

"Sister borrowed a few books yesterday—how have you found them?"

How could such a refined, elegant girl take interest in officialdom and practical affairs? These were no books for delicate young ladies—they would sully her rare grace and brilliance. He felt a quiet disappointment.

Lin Daiyu remained unaware, had Xueyan serve tea, and they exchanged a few idle words—soon the conversation grew dull. Jia Baoyu hesitated to leave; Lin Daiyu only wanted to finish the remaining pages.

Jia Cong stepped to the desk and saw every page marked in vermilion ink—delicate, elegant script, pleasing to the eye; the annotations pierced straight to the heart of the matter, sharp and precise.

As he continued reading the remaining pages, footsteps sounded outside. Lin Daiyu's brow slightly furrowed—then softened into a smile when she saw who it was.

Lin Daiyu smiled and pointed to the desk: "Take a look yourself."

Lin Daiyu's cheeks flushed: "Quick, pour Third Brother some tea."

Jia Cong was moved—he suddenly understood why Lin Daiyu borrowed these books: she meant to spare him effort.

He spoke gently: "Sister, don't worry. There's still half a year until the autumn exams—plenty of time. Don't tire yourself over this."

Jia Cong noticed a pale green crystal square bottle on Lin Daiyu's desk—the very East Japan Water Jade perfume sold at Xiuniang's perfume shop.

The East Japan Water Jade perfume was beautifully crafted; he'd wanted to gift some to the girls in the garden, but had never gotten around to it.

He asked curiously: "How did you come by this?"

Lin Daiyu replied: "It was brought from outside by Zhen Elder Brother of the Eastern House. You Sister-in-Law gave two bottles to Grandmother for amusement; Grandmother gave one each to me and Jia Baoyu."

"It's odd, though—this perfume is meant for women. Only women buy it. Yet Zhen Elder Brother, a man, somehow got hold of it."

Lin Daiyu's careless remark made Jia Cong's heart leap.

…

When Jia Cong returned to Qingzhi Studio, it was just after the hour of Wei. He entered his study to begin his afternoon studies.

But Zhen Ying Lady Lian was nowhere to be seen. He asked: "Where is Zhen Ying Lady Lian?"

Liu Wuer replied: "I was tied up just now, so I sent her to deliver osmanthus persimmon cakes to Miss Bao."

Jia Cong's heart sank—he sensed something was wrong.

He had never told Liu Wuer or the others about Zhen Ying Lady Lian's past with Xue Pan. He had rescued her in time; since the incident never occurred, there was no need to speak of it.

Since the Xue family moved into the adjacent Lixiang Courtyard, Xue Pan, as an outsider, entered only through the street-facing gate and never stepped into the Jia family's inner quarters.

This was the strict custom of noble households—no matter how dissolute Xue Pan was, he would never dare violate it; if he did, Jia Zheng, as his uncle-by-marriage, would kill him without a soul daring to speak against it.

Yet Jia Cong remained vigilant. After all, Xue Pan had once seen Zhen Ying Lady Lian—and it was precisely because he tried to forcibly buy her that he killed Feng Yuan and caused such a scandal.

So he never let Zhen Ying Lady Lian go near Lixiang Courtyard, fearing a confrontation with Xue Pan. He himself rarely went there either—Xue Pan, a troublemaker, was simply unbearable to look at.

Thinking of this, he could no longer sit still—he rose and hurried to Lixiang Courtyard.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he heard Xue Pan's loud, arrogant voice: "You're Su Yun, aren't you? I've been searching for you. How did you end up here? Clearly, fate has brought us together."

Jia Cong's heart sank—he knew trouble had come.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian's frightened voice mingled with Xue Baochai's irritated rebuke: "Brother, what are you doing? Step away! She's Third Brother's maid!"

Jia Cong burst through the gate and saw Xue Baochai standing protectively before Zhen Ying Lady Lian, while a tray of osmanthus persimmon cakes lay overturned on the ground.

Seeing Jia Cong appear so suddenly, Xue Baochai's face turned deathly pale—her brother, seeing his maid's beauty, had spoken such mad words. Had she not intervened… the consequences…

That he had witnessed this scene—how could she ever face him again? Xue Baochai was so humiliated and furious she wanted to weep, wished she could vanish into a crack. Her brother was utterly reckless.

Zhen Ying Lady Lian, seeing Jia Cong, cried out in relief: "Young Master!" and rushed to hide behind him, too terrified to even glance at Xue Pan.

Jia Cong felt Zhen Ying Lady Lian's hand trembling as she clutched his robe—his heart turned icy.

Back then, when Zhen Ying Lady Lian was in Guo Lao Er's hands, she feared being sold every day. Now, seeing Xue Pan—the man who tried to buy her by force—how could she not be terrified?

Xue Pan glared with bulging eyes: "No wonder I couldn't find her back then—you schemed and stole her away! You made both me and Feng Yuan look like fools!"

Xue Baochai's face changed as well—she now understood: Zhen Ying Lady Lian was the very maid her brother had fought over. How had she ended up in Third Brother's quarters?

(End of Chapter)