Chapter 304: Daiyu: What Red Bean Congee……

So, although Jia Jing didn't truly regard the Xing couple as his uncle and aunt in his heart, he still wanted to provide them with a worry-free livelihood!

This move also reflects Jia Jing's attitude toward arranging and settling his relatives and clansmen:

As long as they don't cause trouble, he will give them some money or find them a job to help out!

This also helps him build a reputation of being kind to relatives and friends—beneficial and costless, why not?

To put it bluntly,

With Jia Jing's current status as a first-rank duke, many matters are no longer something to be weighed against mere gold and silver or petty scheming; that would be too small-minded!

As long as they aren't those with wicked intentions who break laws and disrupt order, Jia Jing simply doesn't have the energy to bother with them!

Meanwhile, Tan Chun, hearing Jia Jing say this, knowing he had everything under control regarding household affairs, smiled and said:

"Third Brother, your wisdom shines brightly, your thoughts are thorough—though I cannot help but admire you!"

Xing Xiuyan, blushing, bowed to Jia Jing and whispered:

"Thank you, Third Brother Jia, for your concern—I feel uneasy about it!"

Yuan Chun watched this scene with a smiling gaze, her clear, water-like eyes holding a hint of complexity.

She hadn't expected that a young man of Jia Jing's age would possess such meticulous and thoughtful consideration.

Not only could he advance boldly and handle affairs with ease in the court, but in the mansion he also managed matters appropriately, decisive and wise!

He could properly arrange for relatives and friends, harboring goodwill, and also care for and protect his sisters!

Truly, he deserves to be called a hero who, at a young age, can achieve great feats that shake the world!

This made her recall Lady Wang's private slander about him—clearly nothing but prejudiced nonsense!

She even said things like the eldest branch's illegitimate son being inferior to Baoyu—utterly absurd……

After Jia Jing had settled the Xing family's affairs, he didn't neglect the others either.

He then turned his gaze to Xichun, whose eyes showed a desire to get close yet mixed with hesitation, and smiled:

"Fourth Sister, why are you acting this way? At home, have you been missing Third Brother?"

Xichun stood at the very edge today, wearing a water-green side-fastened garment, with only a silver hairpin on her head, her head slightly lowered, fingers twisting the cuff of her clothes, so nervous her joints turned pale.

She had spent too little time with Jia Jing in the mansion, and after such a long separation, she naturally felt a bit estranged, daring not to approach him as freely as before.

Until now, seeing Jia Jing approach with a familiar smile and a gentle tone,

Xichun suddenly lifted her head; her delicate face, still a bit baby-faced, showed boundless joy, her eye sockets reddened, and she flung her arms open, rushing straight into Jia Jing's embrace:

"Third Brother, you've finally come back!"

These past days, because of the Ning Guo Fu affair, Xichun's heart has been filled with worry, confusion, and sorrow,

Despite the frequent comfort from Daiyu and Xiao Jiaoer, she still felt empty inside, unable to truly settle down!

Now, seeing Jia Jing, all that unease finally burst out—she ended up slumped in his arms, wailing loudly!

Jia Jing was stunned; he naturally understood why Xichun was crying!

In just three or four months, Xichun had endured her father Jia Jing's death, her elder brother Jia Zhen and nephew Jia Rong being thrown into prison, the Dong Fu being sealed off, and a series of major upheavals—her heart must be filled with pressure and bewilderment!

Although she wasn't particularly close to Jia Jing, Jia Zhen, etc., they were still her closest blood relatives—how could she possibly feel nothing!

Compared to Yuan Chun, Yingchun, and Tan Chun, she truly has no one to rely on!

Although she now lives in Rong Guo Mansion with food and clothing provided, and has several sisters and Xiao Jiaoer showing her care,

Rong Guo Mansion is, after all, not her home—deep down she still feels a lack of belonging!

Jia Jing smiled, patting Xichun's tear-streaked little head, and comforted her gently:

"All right! Fourth Sister, you're now a grown young lady—be strong and brave; if you keep crying, people will laugh at you!"

"Xiao Jiaoer has already written to me about the Dong Fu matter—I know you're feeling upset."

"But don't be afraid—with Third Brother and a few sisters here, how could we possibly not take care of you?"

"From now on, treat Third Brother's home as your own, and continue living as a carefree Fourth Miss—okay?"

Under Jia Jing's soothing, Xichun gradually stopped crying, pursed her lips, and affectionately rubbed her cheek against his.

Afterwards, she furtively glanced at Xiao Jiaoer, recalling how the latter had threatened to add her to a painting, and couldn't help but ask in a coy, innocent tone:

"Then… Third Brother… will you treat me better than Xiao Jiaoer?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiaoer forced a slightly embarrassed smile,

but her round, big eyes first glared at Xichun, then furtively glanced at Jia Jing's face, fearing he might nod and say yes!

Jia Jing, being stared at by the two little girls, chuckled and gave a vague reply:

"Fourth Sister, in Third Brother's heart you will always be one of a kind!"

"Pah! Third Brother is truly wonderful! When I grow up, I'll also treat Third Brother well!"

Xichun planted a kiss on Jia Jing's mouth, blinked her eyes, and jumped down from his arms.

Jia Jing let out a self-deprecating laugh, then shifted his gaze to Lin Daiyu and Xue Baichai standing to one side.

Lin Daiyu wore a moon-white side-fastened garment, her head adorned with two jade hairpins— a style she doesn't usually wear— and in her hand she held a handkerchief embroidered with xiang bamboo.

Xue Baichai wore a honey-colored side-fastened garment, with small ruby pendants on her ears, holding a round fan in her hand, her hair neatly combed, and her face seemed to have a touch of rouge.

The two girls, one slender and graceful, the other full and lovely, standing together gave Jia Jing a sense of "plump swallow, thin willow."

It must be said that, although still young, their outstanding bearing is already quite remarkable!

As Lin Daiyu and Xue Baichai stood under Jia Jing's steady gaze, a faint blush rose on their smooth cheeks, and they nervously clenched the handkerchief and fan in their hands.

"Lin Sister, long time no see—have you been well at home lately?" Jia Jing said with a light smile as he greeted Lin Daiyu.

Daiyu's eyes beneath her smoky brows shone brightly, her expression paused for a moment, her lips parted slightly, and she spoke softly:

"Thank you for your concern, Third Brother—I am perfectly well at home!"

"Indeed, your complexion looks much rosier than before; although your illness has largely improved, you should still pay attention to diet and regulation—your frame still appears somewhat frail compared to ordinary people!" Jia Jing advised.

I don't know if it's my illusion, but Lin Daiyu seems to have grown a bit taller than before.

Although the frail look between her brows and eyes had disappeared, the delicate charm of a Xiang River princess about her had become much richer.

Thus it can be seen that although her illness has improved, her sentimental, melancholic nature probably hasn't changed in the slightest.

Lin Daiyu, hearing this, gave the plump Xue Baichai beside her a barely perceptible glance with her starry eyes; ripples spread across her heart, and she let out a faint "hum" like a mosquito.

Zi Juan at her side then interjected:

"Sir, only you can persuade my young lady; lately she's been eating only light red bean porridge."

"She doesn't really like the medicinal diet prescribed by Doctor Wu! However, her daily routine has improved somewhat compared to before."

Lin Daiyu, composing her beautiful appearance, her cheeks slightly flushed, glared at Zi Juan: "Is now really the time to talk about this red bean porridge?"

"It's because after the start of summer the weather is hot, my appetite isn't great, and the medicinal diet prescribed by Doctor Wu contains some meaty, strong-smelling ingredients, so I don't like to eat it!" Lin Daiyu explained softly.

Jia Jing, hearing this, furrowed his brows and said:

"Miss Lin, this is exactly the time to grow your body; you can't be picky. Doctor Wu's medicinal diet emphasizes balanced nutrition; it's a beneficial prescription for your health."

"If the summer heat is too strong, you can consume some perilla drink, sour plum soup, or mung bean soup to generate fluids and relieve heat; your diet shouldn't be too bland and tasteless."

Seeing Jia Jing's slightly stern expression, Lin Daiyu tightened her grip on the handkerchief she held and spoke softly.

"The mansion has also prepared sweet dessert bowls and jade ice lotus cakes; however, I see that Xiao Jiaoer likes them, so I've saved more for her."

Xiao Jiaoer stared blankly: "..."