Chapter 342

Inside Rong Qing Tang,

With a soft exclamation from Xiang Yun, everyone inside saw Jia Jing and Shi Ding coming from the outer room.

Everyone, with varied expressions, laughed and rose to salute; Jia Jing waved his hand, then his gaze swept over the faces of those in the hall.

He paused at Baichai, then his gaze landed on nearby Xiang Yun's face; seeing her apple‑like face rarely showing a hint of nervousness, he smiled and teased:

"Xiang Yun, why are you so restrained today? You don't seem as carefree as usual!"

Xiang Yun's face flushed instantly, going from a slightly ripe apple to fully ripe; she quickly glanced at Shi Ding beside Jia Jing and cooed in a shy, annoyed tone:

"Third Brother, you're teasing me—you're not a good person!"

Jia Jing naturally understood Xiang Yun's situation in the Shi family and her thoughts at the moment; he smiled, reached out to touch her hair bun, and spoke gently:

"I'm preparing to clear a patch of open ground in the rear garden of Dong Fu for a training field; if you have time, you can bring your little colt over to practice horsemanship."

"Also, the gifts I brought for you from the northwest this morning have arrived; I just had someone send them to your courtyard."

"After you've eaten, you can go back and see if you like them; how about it? Third Brother, am I still not a good person?"

Originally, Xiang Yun had no separate cottage in the Jia mansion; before, she always stayed as a guest,

either following Jia Mu to live in her green gauze pavilion, or staying in Daiyu's cottage; the two were close, making perfect companions!

However, after Tan Chun took charge of the household, Jia Jing instructed her to prepare a fixed cottage for Xiang Yun, not far from Daiyu's, thus ending her unsettled wandering residence in the Jia mansion.

Hearing this, Xiang Yun's face lit up with abundant smiles, and she happily said:

"Third Brother treats me the best! Thank you, Third Brother!"

After saying that, she furtively glanced at Shi Ding and Madame Niu, the corners of her mouth slightly lifting.

Beside him, Shi Ding saw Jia Jing's affectionate attitude toward Xiang Yun, his eyes flickered, and he pondered silently.

The matriarch apparently once had the idea of matching Xiang Yun with the duke, and she even mentioned it to her own lady.

But as the duke's status grew ever more exalted, the young orphaned daughter of a marquis household like Xiang Yun seemed somewhat unsuited.

Otherwise, the Jia and Shi families would be doubly allied, letting Xiang Yun succeed the matriarch as the next duchess of the Jia family, and the two families' relationship would truly be inseparable!

What a pity……

Shi Ding sighed inwardly, but kept his composure and smiled at Jia Jing, saying:

"That little Yun lass loves mischief, loves to move about; she's been a bother for the duke to look after!"

Jia Jing stepped forward slowly, and with a meaningful tone replied:

"Xiang Yun's nature is open and sincere; she possesses quite a bit of the heroic spirit of a man described as 'clear moon, bright wind, shining jade hall.'"

"Although she can be blunt and a bit childish at times, it does not hide her innocent, pure heart; I still quite like this disposition of hers!"

Although Jia Jing said this to show his regard for Xiang Yun in front of Shi Ding and Madame Niu, and to pave the way for later intervening in her marriage to Wei Ruolan, it was not merely empty talk.

Shi Xiangyun's disposition is relatively unique among the Jia ladies, and quite different from that of ordinary young women of the inner chambers.

She can, when inspired, eat large chunks of meat, and when uninhibited, swing her fists and fight,

she can occasionally dress as a man, behaving in a carefree, unrestrained manner during the day, with glances that radiate spirit; her open disposition is in no way inferior to a man's.

Among the many golden hairpins, Shi Xiangyun's background is both rich and noble, she is the eldest legitimate daughter of a marquis household.

Although her family has declined and her parents died early, losing their wealth, she does not resent herself, but maintains the façade of aristocracy.

She disregards rank and wealth, and is not bound by gender distinctions; in her interactions she is genuine, with no ulterior motive, her nature surpasses the ordinary.

What's more rare is her broad and open-mindedness; she discusses yin and yang with the maid Cui Lu without tiring, and proactively helps Xiangling learn poetry, not fearing verbosity.

In Jia Jing's heart, Shi Xiangyun is like a child who hasn't grown up; she doesn't hold onto unpleasant things, and after a nap it's as if nothing ever happened.

This disposition of hers carries a rather distinctive, carefree, unworldly charm and allure.

If viewed from a modern perspective, she might be the sort of 'wise wife' who can share weal and woe, communicate spiritually, and get along without pressure!

As Jia Jing's words of praise fell, for a moment everyone in the hall had varied expressions, and their gazes toward Xiang Yun each held a few more shades of difference.

Tan Chun whispered beside Daiyu's ear and chuckled:

"Third Brother's remarks are quite similar to what Sister Lin just praised Xiang Yun with."

Daiyu gave Tan Chun an angry glance with her starry eyes, her heart feeling ashamed and annoyed, realizing that her earlier words had been suspected by Tan Chun.

Meanwhile, Baichai's gaze toward Xiang Yun grew more solemn, ripples flickering in her almond eyes, and she felt a hint of suspicion in her heart.

Third Brother's words are merely brotherly affection for a sister, or……

And just as Xiang Yun's face showed a hint of shy redness, Jia Mu straightened from the couch, squeezed out a smile, and spoke:

"Jing'er, Ding'er, have you finished discussing affairs? Come over and sit quickly!"

Jia Jing and Shi Ding stepped forward and sat down; Shi Ding smiled and replied:

"All discussed! Speaking of which, today is the first day the Duke Jing returns; I, as nephew, ought not to have come to disturb, but……

Before Shi Ding could finish, Jia Mu laughed and interrupted:

"Relations ought to visit each other more; what's the point of saying such polite words!"

Jia Mu's attitude toward Shi Ding, her close nephew, is completely different from her attitude toward Madame Niu and Madame Xie; her words are full of unreserved affection and joy.

Shi Ding smiled and replied:

"Aunt is right! We should visit more; from now on, let Madame Niu come whenever she has free time to sit and chat with you, and also let me fulfill my filial duty as nephew!"

Shi Ding's remark instantly evoked Jia Mu's not-so-pleasant recent memory.

She pursed her lips, fell silent for a moment, glanced at the third grandson holding his teacup and drinking tea with a calm expression, and said sourly:

"Having that intention is enough; Madame Niu is the mistress of the Zhongjing Marquis's household—how could she have so much leisure to come see me, a doddering old woman? Don't let it interfere with the proper affairs of the household!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding furrowed his brows, glanced at Madame Niu sitting opposite, and felt that Jia Mu's words carried resentment.

Could it be that Madame Niu earlier misspoke and offended the matriarch? Or perhaps she unintentionally neglected her?

Thinking of this, Shi Ding's expression became somewhat displeased.

Not to mention that Jia Mu is his only aunt, who has always treated him well; Madame Niu, out of respect for his face, ought to show him some deference.

Just say that Jia Jing is here now; I hear he is famously filial.

If he harbors any misunderstanding or resentment toward me, how could I keep my post in the Twelve Regiment Camp?

Even more seriously, the position I just secured could encounter a reversal and be aborted halfway!

Thinking of this, Shi Ding's face grew stern, and he said in a low voice:

"Aunt, what nonsense are you saying? You are not only the venerable ancestor of the Jia Family, but also the senior elder of my Shi Family."

"Respecting you with filial devotion is the most important duty of our junior members of the two families; nothing outweighs filial piety!"

"Even at home, I have constantly taught Brother Ning and the others to treat you as a beloved grandmother and fulfill our filial duties, without any hint of neglect!"