Chapter 302: Xing Xiuyan

At this moment, Yuan Chun stood at the forefront.

Although Jia Jing had never met Yuan Chun before, he still recognized her at a glance, as if a sense of familiarity lingered in his memory—probably the original host remembered her!

Yuan Chun wore an lotus‑rose colored vest, of medium height, her shoulders as if cut, her waist like tied silk.

She had an oval face, jade‑like complexion rich and moist, skin like congealed fat, flesh and bone well‑proportioned, eyebrows naturally dark, lips naturally red, and her glancing eyes carried an air of dignity and warmth.

Her whole bearing exuded a dignified, tranquil aura, like a blooming peony—angry‑free yet imposing, yet as refreshing as a spring breeze.

At the age of twenty, Yuan Chun stood among the Jia mansion's young ladies, radiating a particularly vivid, mature beauty.

And while Jia Jing was sizing up Yuan Chun, Yuan Chun was likewise sizing up her own cousin, whose reputation had long been known.

She had not never seen Jia Jing before, but that was many years ago, and her memory of him was only a vague impression.

As for the encounter at Lugou Bridge, the distance was too great to make out his features clearly.

Now, fixing her gaze, she saw the youth opposite: tall and straight‑shouldered, waist upright, face chiseled like knife and axe, sword‑brows reaching his temples, nose bridge high as a peak, thin lips slightly pursed, jawline sharply defined.

His pair of black eyes were deep as a pool; wherever his gaze fell, it was cold as frost, still as sea, imposing without anger.

Especially the dark‑red mandarin robe with crossed collar he wore added to his imposing bearing; his every move held the decisive ruthlessness of a veteran battlefield commander, yet also hinted at an unfathomable depth.

Their eyes met, and a smile flickered on Yuan Chun's face as she pondered speaking first:

"Jing‑di! It's been years—look at you, now a remarkably heroic and outstanding young talent; truly, after three days apart one must look anew."

"While I was in the palace I often heard His Majesty and the Empress say our family had produced a loyal and brave hero; I thought he merely excelled in ability, but seeing him today, his appearance is equally exceptional!"

How should one describe Jia Jing's looks?

If one merely called him handsome, that would be superficial; having inherited the physiques of Zhao, Lu, and Xiang,

his appearance is more a rugged, handsome wildness, with well‑proportioned build and a bursting‑over manly martial spirit!

Perhaps Baoyu and Daiyu's quick affection for him is inseparable from his outstanding outward qualities.

Jia Jing gazed at Yuan Chun's elegant, dignified peony‑like face, his expression slightly paused, then he smiled and said:

"Elder sister, you flatter me! I have received the sovereign's favor, risen from obscurity, and thus enjoy today's honor; as for talent and looks, they are merely average."

Jia Jing first offered the customary praise to Emperor Jing Sheng, then, with a touch of concern, asked:

"I wonder, elder sister, have you been well since returning to the mansion these past days?"

"I could not bear to see the old lady suffer the pain of being separated from her grandchildren, nor could I bear to see you, elder sister, toiling hard in the palace; I took it upon myself to bring you out of the palace gates—I wonder if you harbor any resentment in your heart!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun silently praised him, thinking no wonder he was ennobled at a young age—his words are so thorough and prudent.

Thereafter, her eyes shimmered with a watery glint, her voice round and smooth, she spoke sincerely:

"Jing‑di, your wholehearted effort I know well! Thus my heart holds only gratitude—how could there be any resentment?"

Regarding being taken out of the palace, Yuan Chun felt deep gratitude toward Jia Jing.

After all, these years she had silently endured and sacrificed for her family in the palace, leading a joyless, miserable existence!

Especially after Jia Jing attained high rank and power, she realized she had no hope of promotion—she was merely bitterly enduring each day.

Originally she thought she could see the end of her life at a glance, with no day left to return to the mansion and reunite with kin,

little did she expect that fortunes would turn, and that her cousin in the household still kept her in mind, single‑handedly advocating for her release!

What's more, thanks to Jia Jing she was even granted the title of fourth‑rank county lady by imperial decree!

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"Then that's good!"

After Jia Jing and Yuan Chun exchanged a few pleasantries, he turned his gaze to Yingchun standing behind her.

Yingchun wore an apricot‑yellow vest, her head adorned with a red‑gold pearl‑inlaid gold hairpin bestowed by the palace; this time she did not cry, merely sizing up Jia Jing from head to toe.

Jia Jing gently stroked her slender shoulders and spoke softly:

"Second younger sister, are you well at home?"

Yingchun nodded and whispered:

"Fine! It's just… I miss Third Brother!"

Jia Jing chuckled; that Yingchun could express her longing so frankly was no small feat!

Seizing the moment while Jia Jing spoke, Yingchun brought forward the elegantly orchid‑like Xing Xiuyan standing behind her and introduced her softly:

"Third Brother, this is my maternal aunt's cousin Xing Xiuyan! She just arrived from the southern province a few days ago!"

Yingchun by nature is not fond of speaking; she is skilled at chess, inwardly refined but inept with words.

However, when she first arrived here, Mrs. Xing repeatedly urged her not to forget to introduce Jia Jing to her own cousin.

Moreover, since Xing Xiuyan is a relative of the main branch, she now broke her habit and said a few words to Jia Jing.

Jia Jing had actually already guessed Xing Xiuyan's identity; he knew everything about the household like the back of his hand.

Apart from Yuan Chun, the only newcomer he had not yet met was this cousin, Xing Xiuyan.

The unfamiliar young lady appearing here now—who else could she be but her!

Borrowing the afterglow of the setting sun, Jia Jing glanced at Xing Xiuyan,

seeing only that the girl had a slender, pale face, delicate features, slightly prominent cheekbones, and a fair complexion tinged with a hint of simplicity.

Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters; her gaze was aloof yet tranquil, as if she were a carefree cloud‑wandering crane that eats no earthly fire.

Her figure was tall and slender, like a willow swaying in the breeze; her every movement bore an otherworldly detachment free of dust, making beholders forget the mundane.

Facing Jia Jing's deep, clear gaze, Xing Xiuyan's tranquil heart‑lake could not help but ripple faintly.

As if scorched by his gaze, she lowered her eyelids and whispered:

"Jing‑third brother!"

Xing Xiuyan knew Mrs. Xing's intention to match her with the person before her, so even though she was normally aloof, her heart could not help but feel a flutter of panic!

Jia Jing's expression flickered; he thought to himself, today he had unlocked several new forms of address.

Daiyu and the others call him Third Brother, Xiao Jiaoer calls him Third Uncle, Yuan Chun calls him Jing‑di, and now Xing Xiuyan also calls him Jing‑third brother!

He immediately fixed his gaze on the girl before him.

As for Xing Xiuyan, Jia Jing's evaluation of her is that she is austere and self-possessed, simple and upright, peaceful and warm-hearted, clear and transcendent.

Although she is not described in much detail in the original work, her personality traits are shown very distinctly, and her character also possesses quite extraordinary qualities.

Among the young ladies of the Grand View Garden, she is the poorest, and moreover she came here as a dependent,

But she does not pursue vanity, does not blame heaven and others, does nothing that harms her integrity, lives contentedly and at ease, and is extremely like an orchid silently sending forth fragrance in the Grand View Garden.

Whether it is Wang Xifeng, Ping'er, Tan Chun, Baichai, or Miaoyu and others, their evaluations of her are relatively positive.

Feng Jie, upon first seeing Xing Xiuyan, originally held a prejudice due to Mrs. Xing's connection,

but gradually discovered that she 'is not like Mrs. Xing and her parents at all, but is extremely warm-hearted and lovable,' and thus came to cherish her all the more.

Ping'er, seeing that her winter clothing was thin, voluntarily gave her Wang Xifeng's old feather gauze cloak, which shows that her character is respected by others.

In some respects, the personalities of Xing Xiuyan and Xue Baichai are somewhat similar.

Both are dignified and steady, going with the times, and both have a good reputation in worldly social relations.

However, there are also differences: Baichai can endure wealth, while Xiuyan can maintain poverty;

Baichai relies on her wealth and status to bestow small favors to win people's hearts, while Xiuyan, despite her lowly station, does not feel inferior; her graceful and proper bearing makes people cherish her;

Baichai has scheming and strategy, while Xiuyan is calm and natural; Baichai displays cultivated traditional morality, whereas Xiuyan radiates the spirit of traditional philosophy.

One is rich, the other poor; one is worthy, the other elegant—like peony and orchid.

In Jia Jing's view, if an ordinary family were to take a wife, Xing Xiuyan could be called an excellent match!

At this moment, facing Xing Xiuyan's slightly nervous expression, Jia Jing chuckled and said:

"Cousin Xiuyan not only has a somewhat transcendent aura, but this name also carries a touch of the atmosphere of a mountain hermit."

"'Xiu' means mountain caves and peaks; 'yan' means vapors and mist. These two characters 'Xiuyan' evoke blue mountains faintly visible, clouds and mist drifting—truly a picture of returning to simplicity and authenticity. Such a pure and unadorned name is rather rare!"