Chapter 137: He only said this one line, and you treat it as an imperial decree!

I thanked him, but he only said to let me get better quickly, and also said he would invite other famous doctors to treat me!

Is this concern for my sister, saying he wouldn't mind going into debt for my health? Or is he afraid that the favor already used would be wasted?

Third Brother always speaks like this; it sounds like ordinary reasoning, but on reflection it seems to hide something else.

But looking at his expression, it doesn't seem like there's anything...

Lin Daiyu was thinking, but her eyes accidentally met Jia Jing's.

Their eyes met; Lin Daiyu pretended to look away as usual, but inside she felt as if she had missed a beat.

Jia Jing, meanwhile, lifted the tea prepared by Zijuan, took a sip, and his expression remained calm.

Daiyu is naturally intelligent and sensitive; being ill now, her thoughts are more fragile and exposed than usual, so she felt Jia Jing's caring gestures more deeply for a moment.

Since Baoyu smashed the jade today, she has felt ever more the loneliness of living in the Jia Mansion, with no parents to protect her at critical moments and no one to rely on when trouble arises.

Jia Mu cared for her, but obviously cared more for Baoyu.

When she vomited blood, she only sighed, "Yu'er thinks too much," and showed no further concern.

Instead, she lavished concern on the unharmed Jia Baoyu, asking after his warmth and cold, then merely sent the mandarin ducks to check on him and inquire about his condition.

It seemed that her vomiting blood was, to the whole household, a trivial matter of no consequence.

Only Third Brother...

At this moment, sitting here, seeking medicine for myself, he spared no expense in calling in favors, without a word of blame, only wishing I would recover quickly.

Unfortunately... he is ultimately just my cousin.

Daiyu thought of this, pursed her lips as if offhand, and asked:

"My sister's ailment is merely an old congenital condition... Is it worth Third Brother going to such trouble?"

Jia Jing set down his teacup and glanced at Daiyu.

His gaze seemed to see through Daiyu's thoughts, and he said lightly:

"My sister is ill; as her brother, I ought to show some care—what's there to talk about whether it's worth the effort?"

Then he looked again at Daiyu's complexion and asked:

"After your acupuncture, your face really does have a bit more color; how did you find the acupuncture technique of Judge Wu's disciple earlier? Any discomfort?"

Daiyu was not entirely satisfied with Jia Jing's earlier reply; hearing this, she only said softly:

"No, the needles don't hurt at all; instead they give a cool, refreshing sensation."

"It's as if it doused the heat in my heart and lungs; the feeling of chest tightness and shortness of breath also vanished, leaving me feeling much more comfortable."

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"Good! From now on, let Judge Wu's disciple come give you acupuncture every few days, supplemented with medicine; I think your ailments will then be no problem."

"As for the psychological side, I have already ordered Baoyu not to come to your room anymore, and there will no longer be servants in the mansion gossiping behind your back."

"Now that Third Younger Sister is managing the household, surely no one will dare neglect you; you too should relax a bit and not dwell too much."

"You're a young lady; you should live more lightly and happily, take your medicine well, follow the doctor's orders—understood?"

Lin Daiyu also learned from Zijuan and Xueyan what had happened in the mansion today, including Baoyu being beaten, servants being disciplined, and Tan Chun managing the household.

She didn't really care about these matters; even Baoyu being beaten, she now hardly seemed to mind.

At this moment, hearing Jia Jing mention it, she didn't ask further, only obediently nodded and said:

"My sister will obey her brother!"

Zijuan, standing nearby, saw Daiyu's unusually obedient demeanor, and a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

You know, they have advised Daiyu countless times before to cheer up, to open her mind, and to take her medicine obediently.

But Daiyu had never listened; instead, she secretly poured the decoction they brewed into the potted plant in her room.

When something happened, she would keep it bottled up inside, then silently shed tears and spend the whole night unable to sleep.

She had never before agreed so obediently.

Zijuan glanced at Jia Jing, then at Daiyu, her expression hinting at something deeper.

"Zijuan, you must keep an eye on Lin younger sister, see that she looks after her health; from now on, if you young ladies have any worries, big or small, you may come to my courtyard to pass along a message."

"If anyone again speaks nonsense behind her back, or if she herself broods and refuses to eat or rest properly, you must also come report it to me."

Jia Jing instructed Zijuan, who stood nearby:

Zijuan, hearing this, felt more confident in her guess, her face showing a bit of joy; she made a bow and said:

"Yes, Marquis! I will certainly look after the young lady of my household; if she throws a tantrum and neglects her health, I will go and tell the Marquis!"

"Who likes to throw tantrums?!"

Daiyu, standing nearby, hearing their words, pursed her lips and gave Zijuan a coquettish scold.

Then she turned her head, as if wanting to say something to Jia Jing, but ultimately said nothing.

Only a faint smile flickered in her eyes, and a hint of sweetness she herself did not notice.

"I don't know who used to secretly dump the medicine and always cry in the middle of the night. Before I told you, you wouldn't listen, but now... anyway I'll listen to the Marquis!"

Zijuan seemed to hold great power, and she gave Lin Daiyu a mischievous smile as she said:

Daiyu's face flushed slightly; the bright eyes beneath her furrowed brows flashed, and she snapped:

"How ironic that you now listen to his words, while everything I usually say to you goes in one ear and out the other. How is it that he only says this one line, and you treat it as an imperial decree?!"

Zijuan laughed and said:

"Because the Marquis means well for the young lady, he has a heart for her... for the younger sister, so I naturally wish to heed his words; I only hope the Marquis will come to our courtyard more often."

Zijuan had originally intended to say 'a heart for the young lady,' but thought better of it and changed it to 'a heart for the younger sister.'

But Lin Daiyu, so sensitive in thought, immediately caught the unspoken meaning in her words.

Her starry eyes flashed a reproachful glance at Zijuan, her face flushing instantly, and she bit her lip as she said:

"What heart, what no heart—you're becoming more and more improper! You dare to make fun of me!"

Daiyu spoke, grabbing the Yin Pillow and making a motion to throw it at Zi Juan.

However, her arm was too weak; she missed the distant Zi Juan and instead hit Jia Jing, who sat nearby.

Daiyu's expression stiffened, and she was momentarily at a loss what to do with her hands and feet.

Jia Jing merely coughed lightly, reached out and gently drew the Yin Pillow from Daiyu's hand, returned it to its place, and said softly:

"Don't make trouble; your illness has just improved a bit, and you're causing a commotion again."

Daiyu's heart fluttered at his light touch and gentle tone; she lowered her head, not daring to cause a commotion again.

Third Brother really has become much gentler today!

He usually keeps a straight face, his expression cold, but today……

Does he treat me differently from others, or is he indulging me because I'm ill?

The room fell silent.

Zi Juan said nothing more.

Jia Jing merely gazed quietly at the bowed-headed Daiyu before him—her black hair like clouds, her jade neck slightly arched, even her ears flushed with shy shame; though she was normally spirited and sharp, she now resembled a frightened fawn, her breath softened.