Chapter 203: Jia Zhen: Who Knows How I

Just as everyone in the hall was lost in their own thoughts, only the young Xiao Jiaoer, who had none of these concerns, looked at the Lin Daiyu beside him with hopeful eyes and asked:

"Miss Lin, when do you think Third Uncle will be able to return? I miss him! Hehe!"

The people in the hall were startled by the words, then turned their gazes over.

Lin Daiyu's delicate bright eyes flashed, though she did not wish to appear overly close to Jia Jing before everyone.

But faced with Xiao Jiaoer's expectant gaze, she could not bear to remain silent, and she had indeed thought about the matter.

Daiyu pursed her cherry lips and said softly:

"I estimate it will be at least three to four months. Although Third Brother has defeated the Northern Yuan army, there is still the Chaotic Evil and the False Qing coalition."

"Moreover, Third Brother went to the northwest; besides fighting, there may be other military duties."

"By this calculation, at the very least there are a few months left; at most perhaps half a year to a year."

After Daiyu finished speaking, she seemed a bit embarrassed, lowered her brows and eyes, and said nothing more.

Jia Mu saw Lin Daiyu's expression, a trace of contemplation flashing in her eyes, deep in thought.

How does Yu Er know so much about the court's affairs in the northwest? She also seems especially concerned about that wayward grandson. Could it be?

Jia Mu looked at the budding Lin Daiyu, shook her head, and dismissed her own speculation.

She comforted herself: that wayward grandson sent her to the imperial medical institute for Yu Er to recuperate, so her concern is understandable.

Jia Mu intended to pair the two Yu Er together, but she didn't want Jia Jing to spoil the plan!

Xue Baichai gave Lin Daiyu a deep glance, pursed her pink lips, and thought silently.

This Lin girl's insight into current affairs has deepened; it seems she has been working hard these days, and I must not fall behind.

Xiao Jiaoer, after hearing Lin Daiyu's words, seemed a bit disappointed and said dejectedly:

"Ah! It's still that long!"

Feng Jie saw this scene, her eyes brightened slightly, and she laughed:

"Listen, Miss Lin is becoming even more remarkable now."

"Not only does her complexion look much better, but her articulate knowledge like this, I think no ordinary man could match it."

"Next time Third Brother goes on campaign, I think we should let Miss Lin be his strategist!"

Feng Jie's words carried a hint of deeper meaning, as if testing.

Everyone who heard the teasing remark laughed lightly, only Lady Wang and Aunt Xue's expressions grew a bit cold.

A blush spread across Daiyu's face, her starry eyes beneath smoky brows flickered; she made no attempt to explain, but said embarrassedly:

"Brothers who hunt tigers together, next time Third Brother goes on campaign, let him take Lian Er Ge with him, so you can stay at home worrying; see if you still have the heart to tease me here."

Feng Jie, who could make jokes, raised an eyebrow at the words, her vermilion phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, and laughed:

"That would indeed be a great thing! Let Third Brother take Lian Er with him, so he won't be a ghost at home all day."

"Better yet, go to the battlefield with Third Brother to earn a title; I don't expect him to be granted a duke or marquis like Third Brother, but if he can get a baron or viscount, I'll burn incense in high regard."

After a round of laughter, Jia Mu finally let Tan Chun take a few sisters to select the ornaments and headpieces sent from the palace.

Only Lady Wang remained in Rong Qing Tang; Jia Mu's expression tightened as she said to Lady Wang:

"Shu Qing, go back and prepare; in a few days we will enter the palace together to give thanks, then ask the Empress for a favor to bring Yuan Chun out of the palace."

Jia Mu's words now held no room for discussion; with Jia Jing achieving another great feat and becoming ever more illustrious, under these circumstances his instructions could not be questioned.

Lady Wang clenched the Prayer Beads in her hand, her inner grief and anger nearly flooding like a river.

But under Jia Mu's piercing gaze, after a moment, she could only nod mechanically.

When the situation is worse than a person, how can one not bow the head!

But this matter... we'll see how it goes!

……………

Ning Guo Fu.

In early spring, the sky was still cold.

In the courtyard of Ning Guo Fu, the old plum tree had shed all its blossoms; its branches were bare, rattling in the wind.

Sunlight was present, lazily shining on the paper windows, bringing in a hint of warmth.

In the main hall,

Jia Zhen lay slouched on the couch in disheveled clothes, wearing only a stone‑blue silk jacket with the collar open, revealing the snow‑white inner shirt.

In his hand he clutched a rhinoceros‑horn cup; the liquid inside was golden, a secret brew called "Jade Liquid" newly released by the recently opened Jing‑size merchant house in Shenjing.

The wine claims to be "ancient divine brewing, recreating golden syrup and jade wine," and although it is extremely pricey, it is said to be worth a coin per sip.

Yet its unique taste quickly made it a sensation in Shenjing, with demand far outstripping supply.

Jia Zhen had also struggled to obtain some from elsewhere.

"I don't even know who opened this Jing‑size merchant house; lately it's all wine and glassware, just fresh novelties, selling like crazy, the silver flowing in to the brim!"

A flash of greed passed through Jia Zhen's eyes.

At Jia Zhen's side, two concubines sat on his left and right, drinking with him.

The one on the left was named Pei Feng, wearing a peach‑red jacket.

The one on the right was Xie Luan, dressed in a spring‑green armor, holding a pipa, plucking it intermittently, sounding plaintive and lamenting.

"Sir, I heard their merchant house also launched makeup mirrors and hand mirrors, all with rosewood frames inlaid with tortoiseshell and gems."

"They even gave it the elegant name 'Lotus Reflecting the Moon', far better than the blurry bronze mirrors; I like it and wanted to buy one."

"But it's too expensive; even the smallest is only a few inches across and costs hundreds of taels of silver…"

Pei Feng giggled as she continued, her words full of helplessness and yearning.

Jia Zhen, listening, could not help but appreciate the refined sentiment; he took a sip of Jade Liquid, then pinched Pei Feng's pretty face lightly and laughed:

"If you serve me well, I'll buy one for you later."

Pei Feng shyly spat, twisted her body to dodge, but didn't really dodge; instead she leaned into his embrace again.

Seeing this, Xie Luan beside him stopped playing the pipa, filled Jia Zhen's wine cup, and with her fair hand brought it to his lips, speaking in a soft, coquettish voice:

"Master, I also want one!"

"These past days you've been bedridden; every day I have served you, playing the pipa for you to listen. You cannot forget my efforts!"

Jia Zhen heard this, and his face stiffened.

Recalling recent events, his heart filled with resentment that was hard to appease!

Who would have thought that the esteemed head of the Jia family, master of Ning Guo Fu, and third-rank Wei Lie General, would have spent over a month during the festive period lying in bed?

No! It should be said that he has spent the past six months in bed!

Ever since the concubine-born son of the main branch returned to the capital, he hasn't gotten out of bed!

His father, having heard some rumor from somewhere, seemed to know of his improper intentions toward the Qin family.

Earlier this year, when he returned home, they bound him and gave him a beating without explanation, even saying they would strip him of his title, which terrified him terribly.

After not caring about affairs for over a decade, his sudden return throwing his weight around like this was completely unexpected.

Fortunately, that old coot is on his last legs!

A few days ago, someone from the Mystic Truth Temple came to deliver news, saying to prepare the household for his funeral!

A flicker of pleasure crossed Jia Zhen's stiffened face; once that old coot dies, no one will be able to restrain him!

Thinking of this, the sunken eyes of Jia Zhen once again filled with the image of Qin Keqing's charming, affectionate face, bright and lovely as a flower.

This time, again no one can stop him from tasting the Qin clan's fragrance!