Chapter 150: They Are Not the Same

Jia Jing stood up, walked down from the hall, and came before the several people.

First he opened the small box that Zijuan had passed over; inside lay a cyan peace jade button, the jade warm and smooth, strung with a red cord tied into a swastika knot, quite plain.

Jia Jing picked it up, examined it for a moment, then said thoughtfully:

"This jade looks… rather old!"

Zijuan carefully studied Jia Jing's expression, then pursed her lips and lowered her head to say:

"This is something my young lady brought from Jiangnan; it was given by the master to keep her safe."

"The young lady said she doesn't need it at the manor, and since the Marquis often fights abroad, she wanted to pray for his safety! The cord on it was also woven by her own hands."

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, placed the peace button into his sleeve, and said warmly:

"Little Lin means well! Go tell Little Lin that I have accepted the gift, let her rest and recover properly; I have urgent military affairs these days and must return to camp tomorrow, so I fear I won't have time to visit her again!"

"If she has any matter, she should go find Third Sister, or wait until I return and then tell me."

Seeing Jia Jing accept the peace button, Zijuan's eyes flashed with a hint of joy, and she smiled as she said:

"Marquis, rest assured! I will look after my young lady well!"

"By the way, my young lady also said to have me fetch some court gazettes and capital reports for her to read when she has leisure."

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing's expression turned solemn; he immediately walked back to the desk, took out a stack of court gazettes and capital reports.

After a moment's thought, he also took a book from the desk, held it in hand, went down from the hall, and handed both to Zijuan, saying:

"These are the most recent court gazettes and capital reports; first give them to Little Lin."

"If new ones arrive later, I will have Xiangling bring them to Little Lin."

"Also take this copy of Lu Xuan Gong's Memorials back with you; it is a model work on governance from the previous dynasty, containing my annotations—if Little Lin is interested, she may read it."

"If she finds it hard to get through, just set it aside. However, you must remind Little Lin that her illness is not yet healed; she should prioritize recovery, not read too much each day, for overtaxing the mind is not good."

Zijuan received the books and reports, agreeing to each request.

After finishing his talk with Zijuan, Jia Jing turned to the item Ying Er had passed over: a knee guard, with fine stitching, embroidered with sweet violet.

Jia Jing took the knee guard and carefully examined the sprig of sweet violet embroidered on it.

In the flash of his thoughts, Jia Jing had already guessed Xue Baichai's intention; he lifted his eyes to Ying Er and said in the same warm tone:

"Little Xue's embroidery is extraordinary; how thoughtful!"

Afterwards, he likewise took a book from the desk and handed it to Ying Er, saying:

"Take this Yan Family Instructions back with you; if Little Xue is interested, she may read it, for it is a model work on managing a household, and every chapter bears my annotations."

"Tell Little Xue that if she has any questions she doesn't understand, she can come ask me when I am at home."

Ying Er carefully took it, her eyes flickering; lovely yet tinged with doubt, she did not understand why Jia Jing gave Zijuan one book and her another.

She sensed there might be some intention behind it, but she dared not ask, so she could only nod her head slightly.

Her soft, clear beautiful eyes bore a hint of seriousness as she replied gently:

"I understand, Marquis!"

Jia Jing's face was calm, and he spoke softly:

"Hmm, if you're all right, go back now! Be careful on the road at this late hour."

"Marquis, rest assured, there are attendant women accompanying us."

After Ying Er and Zijuan took their leave, Xiaohong, standing nearby, voiced the doubt in her heart:

"Marquis, why are the books you gave the two young ladies different?"

Jia Jing walked back to the desk, sat down, lifted his teacup and took a sip, then said pensively:

"Because they are not the same."

Xiaohong still didn't quite understand and asked:

"In what way are they not the same?"

Jia Jing did not answer, but said meaningfully:

"You will know in the future!"

Xiaohong pursed her lips, her eyes thoughtful.

……

The night was deep, the moon like a hook, slung across the sky.

Inside the magnificent West Warm Pavilion of Qian Qing Gong in the imperial city, lights blazed, the charcoal fire burned brightly, yet it could not dispel the chill of the winter night.

Memorials piled up like mountains on the imperial desk; Jing Sheng Di sat behind the desk, at this moment holding a memorial that Jia Jing had delivered that evening:

"Memorial on Rectifying Household Affairs and Requesting Disposal of Lai Shangrong"

Jing Sheng Di has now made it a habit to read Jia Jing's memorials every day.

Since Jia Jing returned to the capital, regardless of major or minor matters, he basically submits a daily report; sometimes, when he has doubts in his thoughts, he also writes a memorial to seek Jing Sheng Di's advice.

Jing Sheng Di does not stint in instructing this trusted minister of his.

Although daily affairs are busy, whenever Jia Jing's memorial arrives, he examines it promptly and each time returns an imperial vermilion reply.

At this moment he held Jia Jing's memorial, reading it word by word seriously; occasionally his brow twitched slightly, occasionally the corner of his mouth lifted imperceptibly.

Xia Shouzhong stood with head lowered to one side; seeing Jing Sheng Di's demeanor, he dared not breathe loudly, yet his heart grew ever more astonished at the favor Jia Jing enjoyed.

Only he knew that Jing Sheng Di is an extremely stern person, who rarely shows any emotion even in private before the princes and empress.

But each day, as soon as he looks at Jia Jing's memorial, Jing Sheng Di's expression shows a bit of pleasure, quite unlike his usual self.

In the hall the only sounds were the occasional crackle of bursting lamp flames and Jing Sheng Di's occasional cough.

Gradually the time approached the third watch.

Jing Sheng Di finally closed the memorial and set it upon the desk.

He did not lift his head; on his firm, stern countenance a hint of contemplation appeared, and then he asked softly:

Has any news from the Imperial City Office about the daytime affairs at the Jia Mansion?

Xia Shouzhong stepped forward half a pace and whispered:

Your Majesty! The Imperial City Office has already reported news: this day, at the Jia Mansion, first the Second Master Jia Zheng's second son Jia Baoyu and Lin Ruhai's only daughter quarreled.

Lin Ruhai's only daughter, enraged, vomited blood; then Jia Zheng, upon hearing the news, tried to staff‑punish his son, but was stopped by the Jia Family matriarch and the second wife; Jia Zheng, his anger striking his heart, spat blood and fainted.

Marquis Jingwu, learning the household was unsettled, after returning home beat Jia Baoyu and summoned all the mansion's servants, stating he would apply military law to the family to correct its conduct.

Those among them who broke the law, abused seniority, or deceived superiors were either beaten to death or sold off; a batch was dealt with. The matriarch Jia Shishi saw it from beginning to end and said nothing more.

Jing Sheng Di gave a hum and said:

Some time ago, I and Minister Jia discussed Lin Ruhai's matter; Lin Ruhai contributed to the nation at the cost of his own life, and his only daughter is in the capital, so the court should give her proper attention.

Minister Jia probably acted because of this matter. Note it down: tomorrow send some fine palace medicines to Lin Ruhai's daughter.