Chapter 325

Jia Jing turned his head to glance at that pale, delicate face lit by the bright moonlight; her bearing was virtuous and gentle, her apricot eyes bright, showing a serious inquiring look.

He couldn't help but sigh and say:

"Among the countless gold-and-purple officials, who can govern the state? A few hairpins and sashes can keep the house in order!"

"If Miss Xue were a man, without even speaking of passing the exams and entering office, just accomplishing something, at least reviving the family business would not be difficult!"

"Xue Baichai's talent and insight this time are indeed quite outstanding!"

"Compared to Feng Jie, who only knows how to threaten and lure, Xue Baichai not only has the insight to integrate learning with worldly affairs, but also the calm to govern emotions with reason, and furthermore, the discernment to judge people and matters."

"And the Xue family's decline is not from external threats, but from within the walls."

"Their father died early, Xue Pan is muddle-headed, and no one in the clan can uphold the household; seeing that the master family has no one, the provincial trade offices take advantage to cheat, and the capital's business gradually dwindles."

"This is not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity."

"Such a great merchant household actually has not a single capable male to manage affairs; although the sister has talent, she is unwilling to show it—that is the root of the illness."

"Given Xue Baichai's young age, with such character and insight, if she were a man, inheriting the family business would be easy, and reviving the Xue family would also be quite possible!"

"Upon hearing Jia Jing's words of praise, Baichai's heart fluttered, and joy inevitably welled up inside!"

"This is precisely what Jia Jing personally said: 'Who among the countless gold-and-purple officials can govern the state? A few hairpins and sashes can keep the house in order!'"

"Such praise does not come from an unknown nobody, but from the personal approval of a first-rank duke of the current court; its weight can be imagined!"

"At least... Miss Lin has probably never received such praise!"

"At the same time, Baichai also gained two other important pieces of information from Jia Jing's remarks:"

"First, Third Brother really has the idea of temporarily delaying the marriage engagement, which is favorable for her, because then she still has a chance to compete!"

"Second, Third Brother is not optimistic about his own older brother, believing he cannot revive the family business!"

"Of course, this... is indisputable!"

"Baichai fell silent for a moment, looking at Jia Jing's stern and solemn face, then suddenly smiled,"

"Her curved eyelashes trembled slightly, and she spoke softly:"

"\"It's just showing off before an expert... To hear these words from Third Brother is already enough to comfort a lifetime! \""

"Jia Jing chuckled and said:"

"\"How old are you, and you already say it's enough to comfort a lifetime? Your life is still long! \""

"Baichai raised her eyes to meet Jia Jing's calm gaze, and spoke softly:"

"\"Although life is long, it's hard to encounter another outstanding person like Third Brother! \""

"Upon saying this, although she corrected herself, it still somewhat implicitly expressed her feelings!"

"Hearing this, Jia Jing's heart stirred slightly; he couldn't help but gaze at her moist, bright eyes, as if he could catch the vague, lingering affection hidden within."

"Jia Jing fell silent, and the two walked without speaking along the long stone path of Rong Guo Mansion."

"Under the moonlight, in the night breeze, accompanied by the croaking of frogs and chirping of insects, a tall and a petite figure walked slowly."

"Behind them, the maid Ying Er, smiling with anticipation, carried a lantern and followed not too far nor too near!"

"Soon, the gate of Li Xiang Courtyard was not far ahead."

"The lantern had already been lit; its dim yellow light swayed slightly in the night breeze, causing the characters \"Li Xiang Courtyard\" on the lintel to flicker between bright and dark."

"Baichai's steps slowed, slowing to the point of almost stopping."

"She knew that upon reaching the gate, tonight's beauty would end."

"And some words, if not spoken today, if spoken later, one would not know what year or month it would be!"

"Baichai hesitated, then slowly stopped her steps."

"Jia Jing walked a few steps, noticed that the footsteps behind had ceased, also stopped, and turned around."

"Baichai stood in the moonlight's shadow, her honey-colored outer robe almost blending into the night."

"Her face was lit by the lantern's glow, half light and half shadow, her contours soft as a meticulous painting."

"Her gaze lowered, her eyelashes trembling slightly, like a butterfly fluttering its wings."

"Her fingers clenched and unclenched in her sleeve, again and again; after several hesitations, she finally took something out of her sleeve and gripped it in her hand."

"\"Third Brother, we have arrived; thank you for seeing me off! \" Baichai said in a soft voice, her cheeks flushed like sunset, head lowered."

"Jia Jing glanced at her hand, furrowed his brows slightly, and said:"

"\"No need for courtesy; if there's nothing else, I'll head back! \""

"As Jia Jing spoke, he was about to turn and head toward Jingwu Yuan."

"Xue Baichai's moist apricot eyes blinked, she lifted her head, wanted to speak but held back, finally could not help but call out:"

"\"Third Brother, wait... I... \""

"Baichai took out a piece of jade tablet from her white handkerchief and handed it over, her apricot eyes glistening like water, she pursed her lips slightly and spoke softly:"

"\"Third Brother, this... please take it. \""

"As Baichai handed over the jade tablet, her fingers trembled slightly."

"She said nothing, merely holding the jade tablet between them, head lowered, not daring to look at Jia Jing."

"Moonlight fell on her side profile, illuminating a faint red on her earlobe."

"Jia Jing received the jade tablet; his fingertips touched hers for only an instant."

"Baichai's hand felt as if scalded, she withdrew it, but her body did not move."

"She stood there, eyes lowered, eyelashes trembling like a butterfly in the wind, her breathing slightly quickened,"

"Her spine was straight as a rod... a straightness unique to Baichai, neither bowing her head nor bending her waist."

"Jia Jing lifted his head, using the moonlight to examine the jade tablet in his palm."

"He saw that the jade tablet had a warm, smooth texture and a solemn color; it was fine Hetian jade."

No extra carvings, only two characters were engraved on the front…… 'Fragrant Orchid'

The characters are in seal script, the lines round and smooth; one can see the engraver's skill is excellent.

A strand of pale cyan silk passes through the top of the jade tablet, its end tied in an exquisite concentric knot.

"Fragrant orchid." Jia Jing's expression paused slightly, he murmured the words softly, his voice tinged with a hint of doubt.

Fragrant weed changed to fragrant orchid — just one character different, yet the meaning is completely different!

Baichai gave an "mm," gathered her courage, and spoke softly:

"It's something I brought back from Jinling last year — not anything precious, just… I felt it was warm and smooth, and engraved with the two characters 'fragrant orchid,' so it's a keepsake."

"Third Brother often travels abroad, carrying it with him — I suppose… as a token of my heart."

As she spoke, her voice gradually faded to inaudibility.

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing finally understood completely!

He never expected that on the very first day of returning to the mansion, Baichai would confess her feelings to him.

If one were to say that her earlier uncharacteristic makeup, wearing earrings, initiating conversation, and just now's vague reference to a 'lover' were still merely hazy, leaving some room for doubt.

But now this jade tablet engraved with the two characters 'fragrant orchid' clearly reveals her heart!

In this context, declarations of love between men and women are not usually spoken outright,

nor will they directly throw themselves into each other's arms; instead they exchange love tokens that subtly convey affection.

Like the knee pads and peace buckles with a myriad-character knot that Baichai and Daiyu gave earlier — though handmade, they could still be explained as a sister's affection for her brother.

But this jade tablet engraved with the two characters 'fragrant orchid' is clearly different.