Chapter 348: Lin Daiyu: Does Anyone Else Have This Gift?

On the long corridor outside Rong Qing Tang,

"Third Brother, looking a bit thinner, said, 'These short few months in the Northwest, fighting over ten battles, traversing several thousand li, you should still rest and recuperate a few days after returning home!'"

Daiyu suddenly pursed her pink lips, pinching the handkerchief in her sleeve, her gaze beneath the smoky brows falling on Jia Jing's austere profile, and she said softly with a hint of concern.

Jia Jing turned his head, casting his warm gaze onto Daiyu's face.

Given Daiyu's temperament, being able to speak such intimate yet caring words surprised Jia Jing somewhat; it seemed Lin Meimei had matured considerably!

He fell silent for a moment, then smiled lightly and replied:

"…It's fine; indeed, Lin Meimei, you look noticeably stronger than before."

"Your cheeks are rosy, complexion full, and though your stride is not fleet as a flying horse, it no longer bears the frail, willow‑like delicacy of before."

"Seeing you so healthy, sister, puts my mind at ease!"

Daiyu felt a warm current rise in her heart at his words, and gently brushed a few strands of hair hanging by her ears.

Facing Jia Jing's gaze, her brows slightly lowered, she spoke softly and slowly:

"It is still thanks to Third Brother bringing the divine doctor; after months of convalescence, I truly feel my body much lighter than before."

"Before, a few steps would leave me panting; now I walk like an ordinary person; before I could not sleep soundly, now I can rest a few hours each night;"

"Previously my chest often felt tight, now my breathing is much smoother, as if an invisible burden has been lifted."

"Every day, merely listening to birdsong and insects outside the window, watching the wind, rain, and sunshine along the corridor, my mood inexplicably brightens a bit."

Daiyu used a series of parallel sentences to detail the changes in her condition, showing her profound experience.

Jia Jing nodded, looked at the radiant Daiyu, and said:

"That's good! Illness falls like a mountain, recedes like drawn silk; you still need to tend to yourself carefully."

"Eat properly each day, stroll in the courtyard when idle, curb worries, and you'll keep improving!"

While they spoke, they soon arrived at Daiyu's small courtyard.

The courtyard gate stood ajar, the characters 'Bamboo Garden' on the lintel faded in the sunlight.

A few clumps of emerald bamboo grew in the yard; the slender shoots, bent by the wind and then springing back, rustled.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, painting fine, fragmented shadows on the ground, as if someone had accidentally shattered a mirror.

Daiyu stepped forward, pushed open the ajar door, stepped aside, and whispered:

"Third Brother, come in and sit."

Jia Jing crossed the threshold, passed through the small courtyard, followed Daiyu into the main room, and sat on the chair by the window's writing desk.

The room remained unchanged; the Boshan stove burned calming incense, its blue smoke curling, mingling with the scent of medicine and ink.

A pot of jasmine sat on the windowsill, its petals white as snow, fragrance enveloping, flickering in the warm afternoon breeze.

On the desk lay several books and a stack of court reports; the topmost was the volume 'Lu Xuan Gong's Memorial', its pages yellowed from use.

Between the pages were several slips of paper, revealing a strip of light‑blue seal.

Besides the books and reports, a modestly sized, exquisitely crafted wooden box sat on the desk.

The box, made of pine, carried the dry scent of Northwestern wind‑blown sand mixed with leather.

"This must be what Third Brother just had sent over, right?"

Daiyu's lacquer‑bright eyes spotted the wooden box at a glance, a hint of delight flashing in her calm, water‑like brows.

She had just heard Jia Jing and Xiang Yun in Rong Qing Tang mention that the gifts for everyone had already been delivered to each one's courtyard.

And now the beautifully crafted wooden box likely contains the gift Third Brother brought for her!

Jia Jing smiled at the wooden box and said warmly:

"Lin Meimei, feel free to open it and see if you like it!"

On this return from the Northwest, he brought gifts for everyone in the Jia Mansion, from Jia Mu and Jia Zheng down to Xiangling and Xiao Jiaoer.

Though perhaps few and not costly, each was a token of his sincerity.

Daiyu glanced at Jia Jing, walked to the desk, bowed her head, slowly untied the fine rope on the wooden box, and lifted its lid.

Inside, the box was lined with silk brocade, atop which lay a string of multicolored agate beads.

A pouch of Northwestern dried fruits in a plain bag, and a palm‑sized, teal jade stone resembling a rose.

Daiyu first picked up the agate bracelet, noting each bead crystal‑clear, round and smooth—clearly a fine piece.

She then carefully lifted the teal jade; it was as thin as a cicada wing, emitting a faint blue glow in the sunlight.

Its shape resembled a half‑bloomed rose, petals layered intricately, strikingly beautiful.

"Third Brother, what is this?" Daiyu's star‑like eyes fixed on Jia Jing, a hint of curiosity in her gaze.

Jia Jing smiled faintly and said:

"Locals call it Desert Rose, a raw tianqing jade from the Gobi, unwithering in wind, unfading beneath sand."

"It symbolizes resilience and eternity; I chanced upon this piece on the march, thought sister might like it, so I brought it back!"

Daiyu: "..."

Her heart fluttered, both shy and delighted, her eyes flashing a mix of scorn and coyness!

Does this mean Third Brother thought of her during the march, and what does the symbolism of resilience and eternity truly imply?

Is it speaking of the feelings between them?

Third Brother is always like this, his words half‑said, shrouded like clouds and mist, hard to fathom!

Jia Jing's offhand remark, though seemingly casual, tugged at Daiyu's heartstrings, leaving her unsettled for a long while.

She wanted to ask, yet could not find the words at that moment.

Daiyu's slender jade‑like fingers brushed lightly over the rose petal—hard, cool.

She turned it over repeatedly, holding it to her chest, unable to part with it.

Suddenly, as if recalling something, her star‑like eyes flashed, her smoky brows slightly furrowed, and she whispered:

"Do the other sisters also have this gift?"

Jia Jing was startled, seeming somewhat surprised, and said:

"What did Lin Meimei say? I didn't hear clearly!"

Daiyu stamped her foot and said coquettishly:

"Third Brother is not a good person!"

Although her voice was soft, Third Brother would surely have heard it; this was deliberately teasing herself!

Jia Jing smiled slightly and said:

"Each sister has a string of agate bead bracelets and a packet of specialty dried fruits; the other gifts, however, are not exactly the same!"

Jia Jing naturally wouldn't give each sister the same gift when bringing presents; how could that show his thoughtfulness?

So he gave a basic set that everyone receives: specialty dried fruits plus agate bead bracelets, plus a customized gift varying by person.

This neither favors nor neglects anyone, treating everyone equally, and also shows the thoughtfulness and uniqueness of the gifts.

For example, what Baichai receives is a dried flower of the Tianshan snow lotus; the snow lotus can be used medicinally and is also very practical.

What Xiang Yun receives is a decorative miniature jade-carved qilin horn bow, which suits her temperament and is quite precious.

What Yingchun receives is a jade chess set; what Tan Chun receives is an inkstone made from the Tao River in Gansu, one of the Four Famous Inkstones.

What Xichun receives is a box of mineral pigments made from lapis lazuli and turquoise produced in the Western Regions.

What Yuan Chun receives is a one-of-a-kind Tang dynasty Dunhuang musical score; what Xing Xiuyan receives is a small jade carving of Hetian jade.