Chapter 35: Xiangling and Qingwen

The crowd looked up and saw a maid of delicate, refined beauty, with a single rouge mole between her brows, standing before Aunt Xue with a bewildered, frightened expression.

Though her looks were not stunning enough to topple a nation, every gesture exuded an innate, effortless elegance,

like a freshly blossomed water lily—fresh and graceful, unsullied by worldly dust, her temperament was truly outstanding.

Aunt Xue smiled and said:

"This maid has been at my house for a while now, and she's become even more beautiful!"

"Especially her good nature, sincere and obedient, a childlike heart—our family member had been longing for her, but I was unwilling to give her away!"

"Now is the perfect chance; I'll follow the scholars' refined customs and present her to Brother Jing as a close companion!"

Everyone, hearing this, examined Xiangling, and the more they looked, the more they thought she was fine—a truly rare good maid.

Even Lady Wang felt this maid was trustworthy, not a flirtatious temptress nor someone ignorant of the world!

Jia Mu also liked her and smiled:

"She indeed looks good, especially her clean temperament, which is pleasant!"

She is accustomed to training maids; at a glance she can discern a person's qualities.

Wang Xifeng pretended to plead:

"How could Aunt Xue not think of me when she has such a good maid? I also lack an obedient maid to handle affairs!"

Everyone present burst into hearty laughter!

Who doesn't know what kind of fiery person you are, Feng Lazi! Daring to send a maid to your room, you'd probably scold her to death!

Aunt Xue also laughed together with the crowd.

The reason she sent Xiangling to Jia Jing was also inspired by Jia Mu's arrangement of a maid for Jia Jing.

Returning the favor to strengthen ties is only one aspect.

More importantly, it was for Baichai's plan, to place an insider by Jia Jing's side in advance,

perhaps securing an advantage for Baichai's lifelong affairs.

At the same time,

Xiangling is the most trustworthy "honest person" for her; sending a scheming temptress would likely cause trouble rather than help.

Hence she quickly thought of this and said those words.

…………

Maid's quarters.

After serving Jia Mu's rest, Yuan Yang gathered with Xi Ren, Qingwen, Hu Po, She Yue and several other senior maids for a fireside chat.

In the north, the sky in the ninth lunar month was already very cold, especially with a large day‑night temperature swing, and the night chill was biting.

Even though they wore thick jackets, they still rubbed their hands and stamped their feet, unable to resist moving closer to the coals.

"The weather is too cold! This year seems colder earlier than usual," She Yue said, pulling her neck in and warming her hands over the fire.

"It looks like snow is coming! I heard that today in Shenjing City, beggars are freezing to death!" Hu Po reported the news she had heard.

A handful of teenage girls gathered, chattering, sipping tea, nibbling snacks, and sharing the rumors they had heard from inside and outside the mansion.

"Qingwen, what do you think?" Yuan Yang asked Qingwen abruptly.

"What do you mean, what I think?" Qingwen replied, a bit bewildered!

"Grandma said today she wants to transfer eight senior maids to Jing Third Uncle's courtyard; would you like to go?"

Yuan Yang, seeing Qingwen's bewildered expression, couldn't help but sigh,

In terms of looks, Qingwen was the best among them, but her temperament was a bit too careless.

Jia Mu's plan to transfer maids to Jia Jing's courtyard was such a big matter, yet she had no thoughts about it.

One must know this is currently the most powerful and promising young master in the mansion, far superior to Second Uncle Bao or Second Uncle Lian.

He is even among the most outstanding talents in the whole Shenjing City!

Haven't you seen how many powerful, wealthy families have come to the mansion seeking marriage alliances these days?

And the maids here most look forward to serving such young masters, don't they?

Especially senior maids serving in the inner chambers; if they can be taken into the household and bear a son or daughter, they'll have lifelong support!

Aunt Zhao in the mansion is a perfect example!

Since giving birth to Tan Chun and Jia Huan, who wouldn't grant her some respect?

Even if she misbehaves, Grandma and the lady must tolerate her to some extent.

Even her brother and sister‑in‑law from her family have found stable jobs in the mansion, with no worries about food and drink!

Therefore, this chance to go to Jia Jing's courtyard could even change an ordinary maid's fate!

Yuan Yang didn't even need to guess; she knew countless housewives and maids were already scheming to get onto the transfer list.

If Xi Ren, She Yue and others hadn't already secured masters, they wouldn't be asking Qingwen's opinion.

Qingwen pondered for a few seconds, still silent, when She Yue beside her said:

"Second Uncle Bao has long had his eye on Qingwen, saying he wants to find a chance to ask Grandma to bring her into his own quarters."

"Second Uncle Bao!"

Before Jing Third Uncle appeared, the Second Uncle Bao's courtyard was arguably the most coveted destination for Rong Guo Mansion's maids.

But now… Second Uncle Bao is still a bit childish!

Beside them, Hu Po internally compared Jia Jing with Jia Baoyu; in power, appearance, and prospects, Baoyu was utterly defeated!

Their only advantage was probably Grandma's favoritism!

Yet Grandma is old now! How many more years can she look after Second Uncle Bao?

Hu Po even knew that in Grandma's heart, there is also a certain apprehension—or rather, a need to respect Jing Third Uncle.

If Hu Po had a choice, she would certainly want to go to Jia Jing's courtyard.

But she didn't speak up to advise Qingwen; first, she wasn't that close to Qingwen, and second, she couldn't offend Jia Baoyu.

Xiren, standing nearby, straightened up and said:

"It's rare to have such an opportunity now! Jia Baoyu might just be acting on a whim; it may not count!"

Xiren had another thing to say: there are already enough maidservants in Jia Baoyu's courtyard, and she really doesn't want anyone else to come in!

Sheyue argued:

"But Jia Baoyu is a good person! He has never hit anyone! He is also very close to us maidservants."

The implication was that Jia Jing had beaten members of Wang Shanbao's family and Lai Da, and his temper wasn't very good!

Yuanyang shook her head, composed her expression, and said:

"Third Uncle Jia Jing's beating of Wang Shanbao's family also had cause; the matriarch has already determined that it was indeed Wang Shanbao's family's misconduct, and the matter has been settled, so no need to say more!"

"Moreover, Third Uncle Jia Jing is a hero who fought for the country; we ordinary people cannot privately judge him."

Sheyue, seeing Yuanyang being so serious, stuck out her tongue and giggled:

"I'm speaking just between us!"

She then asked Qingwen:

"Qingwen, what do you think?"

Qingwen shook her head and said:

"I'm not sure either! Both Jia Baoyu and Third Uncle Jia Jing are fine! I'll follow the matriarch's arrangement. Wherever she sends me, I'll go!"

Qingwen was sent to the Jia Mansion by the Lai family only a year ago, so she doesn't mind going to Jia Jing's courtyard.

But she had reservations: first, she had never met Jia Jing and only heard others talk about him, so he seemed distant and not as close as Jia Baoyu.

Second, Jia Jing had beaten Lai Da, and since she was sent in by the Lai family, that posed a conflict!

Yuanyang saw Qingwen's demeanor and couldn't help shaking her head.

Opportunities must always be seized by oneself; miss one now and it may never come again!

But Yuanyang didn't say much more; if Qingwen is interested, she's willing to help.

Yet Qingwen herself is indecisive; what else can she do!

The next day.

Behind the Dragon Head Palace garden.

Chenxiang Pavilion.