Chapter 395: Only when it is extremely pale does one know the flower is even more gorgeous

Jia Jing's gaze fell directly onto Baichai and paused for a moment.

Only Baichai was seen sitting quietly by the window, her jade-like countenance plump and even, her skin white as jade, exuding a faint healthy glow.

A pair of bright, clear almond eyes, as if holding autumn water, in her glances showing both the charm of a young girl and a composure beyond her years.

Her eyebrows like distant mountains holding green, lips like cherry dots of vermilion, nose bridge straight, jaw round and full, her whole face like a blooming peony, graceful and splendid, exquisite beyond words.

Especially the light rouge on her face, the pair of white jade pendants at her ears, and the hairpin of green jade on her bun, more carefully chosen than usual,

and the pinkish luster on her lips made the "Xianzhijun" of the saying "Only when it is extremely pale does one know the flower is even more gorgeous" all the more charming and alluring.

"A woman beautifies herself for one who knows her," Jia Jing suddenly thought.

Upon seeing Jia Jing enter, Baichai hastily rose and gave a slight bow.

"Third Brother, you've come!"

Her voice held a layer of joy and tenderness never felt before.

Xiangling, sensing the situation, quietly withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

Jia Jing walked over to Baichai at a leisurely pace, smiling as he said casually:

"What were you and Xiangling talking about? You seem to have been chatting happily!"

Baichai was about to answer when her delicate body trembled slightly, her face like a pear blossom slowly turning red,

like dawn clouds dyed, the red began at her ears, crept up her neck bit by bit, and reached the corners of her eyes.

Her usual calm, water-like almond eyes now drooped, lashes casting a fine shadow beneath, her breathing a little quicker than before, accompanied by a faint rise and fall of her chest.

It turned out that Jia Jing had gently taken her hand, the palm covering the back of her hand exuding an intensely warm heat,

so that the warmth even seeped bit by bit through her fingertips into her body, like water beginning to flow beneath the spring ice, silent yet unstoppable.

Baichai suppressed her shyness, nervousness, and joy, her voice carrying a soft, trembling undertone she herself did not notice as she said:

"We were just… talking about the two poems you wrote yesterday, Brother; Xiangling doesn't quite understand the poem 'Cold Wind'."

"I roughly explained it to her according to my own thoughts, not knowing if I was right or not!"

"Younger sister, your vast knowledge ensures whatever you say is good!"

Jia Jing held Baichai's soft, cool little hand, feeling her shyness, seeing her delicate, flower-like grace, and replied softly:

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, for as the foremost among the golden hairpin ladies and at the age of her coming‑of‑age, Baichai already possessed about seventy‑to‑eighty percent of the elegance described in the phrase "bearing unmatched beauty, possessing rare handsome grace."

"It's hard on you to come see me so early; I've been busy with official duties, receiving and seeing off guests each day, rising early and returning late, not that I meant to neglect you."

"Besides, it's not convenient for me to go over to the Li Xiang Courtyard often!"

Jia Jing took Baichai's hand and sat with her on a nearby embroidered stool, explaining gently:

Speaking of which, this lapse is indeed Jia Jing's oversight.

Since that night they plighted their troth, these days he had not once gone to see Baichai, but instead let the young ladies of the inner chambers come to the Dong Fu to seek him, setting aside their reserve.

It seems Baichai's decision to come today came after an inner struggle—she felt she must come, yet feared that if she did he might look down on her.

And precisely because he considered Baichai might harbor such worries, Jia Jing, upon entering, took her hand to show closeness and comfort, then immediately spoke soothingly.

One must admit, this also shows the difference between Baichai and Daiyu's personalities—Baichai is a virtuous, sensible, understanding, career‑oriented partner.

If she has emotions, a little comfort is enough to let them pass; indeed she herself could even go back and reflect on whether she had done something wrong.

If it were Daiyu instead, after Jia Jing's long silence despite their recent confirmation of feelings, then leaving her hanging for ten days or half a month, she would surely be thinking in a chaotic jumble:

"He must be tired of me, otherwise he wouldn't be so indifferent!"

"Or: Brother is just like this, actually so neglectful of people!"

"Or: There's no need for this hot‑and‑cold attitude; I understand all too well that Brother's heart ultimately has no place for me!"

"Or, taken to an extreme: if he doesn't come to see me, that person must be dead!"

"In short, she's likely to throw a little tantrum, and won't be easily soothed!"

Of course, this is not to say Daiyu is inferior to Baichai; merely that their temperaments differ—Daiyu leans toward a spiritual companion, needing companionship, and is more pure in that regard.

"Brother, you're preoccupied with state affairs; how could you be delayed because of me? I understand completely!"

Baichai lifted her clear, watery eyes, looked at Jia Jing, their gazes meeting, and softly expressed her understanding.

If Jia Jing were someone indulged in private affection, she probably wouldn't have fallen so deeply for him!

Isn't it precisely his enterprising, calm and composed demeanor that she admires?

Jia Jing smiled and said:

"If you have free time later, just come by yourself; I'll let Xiangling and the palace guards know about this place!"

"Perhaps we should consider giving the young ladies of the West Fu something to do, also providing a suitable pretext for Baichai and Daiyu to come over!"

Baichai gave a faint, mosquito‑like "hum," her fair cheeks growing warm, and she lightly nodded.

Jia Jing no longer lingered on the topic, but released Baichai's hand, took out a green jade tablet from his sleeve, and smiled as he said:

"I haven't given you anything yet; this green jade tablet I had specially made—see if you like it!"

"Before, I had given gifts, but those were things all the sisters of the Jia Mansion received, so they naturally don't count as something unique between us."

Upon hearing this, Baichai blinked, lifted her plump, fair face, and looked up at the jade pendant in Jia Jing's hand.

It was a piece of Hetian green jade, round as a whole, its color deep and restrained, with a circle of cloud patterns carved around the edge.

On the front, a half‑opened peony is raised in relief, its petals layered, and at the peony's stamens is engraved a seal‑script "Jing" character, the strokes full and steady, solemn and grand.

Unable to resist, she reached out to touch the tablet; her heart leapt with joy, her dark hair flowing like a waterfall, her glance slightly askance, her plump, bright face full of delight as she whispered:

"Brother, what made you think of giving me this?"

Jia Jing giving her this green jade tablet engraved with the character "Jing" obviously meant something, and she understood it perfectly!

Just as the jade tablet she gave Jia Jing, engraved with the two characters "Xianzh," carried her feelings.

Without a doubt, this is a token of mutual guardianship… a love‑pledge object!

Moreover, the tablet warms to the touch, its texture fine and smooth, the peony base color steady and grand, wealthy and dignified without ostentation—perfectly matching her temperament.

The character "Jing" is hidden in the soft part of the flower's stamen; such arrangements clearly show thoughtfulness.

This likewise shows that Jia Jing holds her in their heart, with no perfunctory neglect!

Jia Jing smiled lightly and said:

"My younger sister gave me a green jade token; I ought to return a token to her as a keepsake. I wonder if it will be to her liking?"

In fact I made two of them; although the details differ, both are engraved.

Baichai's snow‑white face flushed pink, her autumn‑water apricot eyes lowered, and in her barely concealed shy voice a hint of both delight and excitement trembled as she said:

"As long as it's from my brother, I… like it!"

Though embarrassed to call him Jing‑lang, the three characters before "brother" have already vanished on their own!

As for her actual older brother Xue Pan, she will naturally call him big brother from now on; the distinction has already been made…!

"Then let me put it on for you, sister…!"

Jia Jing took the jade token, rose slowly, walked around to Baichai's back, gently gathered her waterfall‑like dark hair, and tied it behind her pristine neck.

Baichai, blushing, gently unfastened a few fabric buttons at the front of her robe and slipped the jade token into her inner garment,

the silk strap slid over her throat, the warm jade pressed against her collarbone, and slowly glided to her chest.

She lowered her eyelids, her slightly trembling lashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes, revealing the unrest within her heart.