Chapter 438

Daiyu's figure is slender and beautiful; under her smoke-entwined brows, her ink-black starry eyes are sparkling and radiant; moonlight falls on her hands, which are as smooth as congealed fat and tender, revealing that half of her wrist wearing a string of variously colored agate beads, red and lustrous.

The maiden's pink lips parted slightly, and she spoke softly:

"It's what Xiangling told me; at first I didn't quite grasp the deeper meaning, but now, having heard of the recent changes in the court, I can somewhat understand Third Brother's broad-minded state of mind that night."

Jia Jing's expression turned solemn, and he replied in a deep voice:

"What state of mind! In this age of upheaval, even the emperor in the palace finds it hard to move; we warriors merely rely on our blades, slaughtering in the red dust, and can only contribute our clumsy strength!"

Daiyu fixed her gaze on the youth beside her and spoke softly:

"Third Brother is accomplished in both civil and military affairs, his heart holds mountains and rivers, his aspirations are lofty, he is a dragon among men; how could he be merely a warrior who relies only on clumsy strength!"

"Had it not been for joining the army during the crisis of Ji State, he would by now already be a famed minister and poet laureate known throughout the world!"

Jia Jing gave a light chuckle, thinking of the choices of Zhang Juzheng's inheritance and Zhao Yun's inheritance given by the initial system, then shook his head and said:

"Even if I were to govern the world, given my nature and my recent actions, I fear I would ultimately escape the infamy of tyrannical hegemony and wicked ministers and cruel officials! Nowadays many say I am domineering and murderous, devoid of sentiment and benevolence."

After Zhang Juzheng's death, wasn't he labeled with the crime of 'monopolizing power, disrupting governance, betraying the sovereign, and being disloyal to the state,' thus completely demoted from 'savior premier' to a guilty minister?

Looking back now, choosing the martial path initially was indeed more suited to the present situation!

Whether it's external campaigns or internal reforms, gripping the spear is of utmost importance!

Daiyu's smoke-entwined brows furrowed slightly, and she spoke softly to console:

"The current state of the court is like tigers and wolves guarding the steps; where is there room to still talk about karma and benevolence!"

"Third Brother harbors love for country and family, assists the emperor in strict governance; though his methods are somewhat iron-blooded, it is for the revival of the dynasty. Such a loyal heart that disregards personal fame will have its merits and demerits judged by posterity!"

As Daiyu, who witnessed Jia Jing's rise from a lowly commoner in plain clothes to his present fame that shakes the world and power that sways the court, she almost fully understands his achievements, talents, and character!

Thus, how could she not know that if Jia Jing did not truly harbor the heart to embrace the world, he would not now sully his name, strike harshly, offend so many civil and military officials, and place himself in danger of open swords and hidden arrows!

After all, his military achievements upon returning from the northwest are so few that they can be counted on one's fingers even if one searches through all histories.

Relying on these military achievements and authority, he could easily retire with honor, leave a name for ages, secure his family's prosperity for generations, enjoy wealth and glory himself, and there is absolutely no need to risk such impropriety by involving himself in court struggles!

Jia Jing gave a light laugh and did not choose to continue discussing this topic in depth.

He is not the type who needs much consolation; once he decides something, he will steadfastly move forward without looking back, indifferent to others' judgments and unaffected by anyone.

Jia Jing's gaze was deep, his voice like warm jade; he glanced at Daiyu and then asked:

"Just now, Miss Lin said that her maternal uncle's letter had a message to convey? What is it?"

If Lin Ruhai had something important, he should have written to me himself; why would he have Lin Daiyu relay it?

Moreover, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has received no new news from Jiangnan.

This matter seems somewhat suspicious.

Daiyu gazed at the youth whose brows and eyes held a hint of doubt; especially, beneath his handsome, heroic visage lay an eye that seemed to harbor mountains and rivers, giving rise to a strong, composed aura that made her slightly lost in thought.

Her cheeks slightly flushed, Daiyu lowered her eyes, glancing left and right, remained silent for a moment, then spoke softly:

"There's nothing much; Father merely mentioned your recent situation, Third Brother, and asked me to convey his greetings."

"I... I said that only because I wanted to ask you privately about today's ambush; I heard the assailants used a powerful crossbow laced with poison, and I truly hope you weren't hurt anywhere."

She was indeed still worried about the youth's safety before her; just now, in Rong Qing Tang with many people around, it was inconvenient to ask in detail, and she couldn't show too much anxiety.

Jia Jing's expression paused, his heart warmed slightly, and he spoke in a gentle tone:

"Rest assured, not a single hair has been harmed! I have fought my way through a hail of guns and arrows; how could I be so easily felled by a few petty brigands!"

Daiyu furrowed her smoke-entwined brows and said:

"One must not be careless! Once there is one incident, a second is hardly avoidable; from now on, when going out, one must be more vigilant, and those at home… are all worried!"

Jia Jing directed a pair of gentle eyes at Daiyu and reached out to smooth her slightly furrowed smoke-entwined brows.

"The so‑called smoke‑entwined brows, as Guo Min's poem says, 'From afar one sees silken threads of smoke‑entwined willow,' that is, the willow‑leaf brows that are curled and not unfurled."

Seeing her solemn expression, he couldn't help but laugh and tease:

"It's rare to hear so many words of concern from Miss Lin's mouth; it makes this brother feel especially pleased!"

The name 'Lin Daiyu' is not without merit; although she usually retorts against those who deserve it,

but when the two were alone before, her remarks were not few; today, however, she is the opposite—both consoling and caring.

It is likely also because today she herself was ambushed, shaking her heart considerably, that she has changed from her usual reserved and restrained nature to openly express her fervent feelings!

Meanwhile, Daiyu's cheeks flushed slightly from Jia Jing's somewhat affectionate gesture of smoothing her brows; her heart fluttered with an unprecedented panic, her demeanor became coy, she glanced at Jia Jing with her starry eyes, and in a soft, childlike tone she unconsciously said:

"What are you saying, Third Brother? It sounds as if I usually only make unreasonable trouble and throw tantrums!"

Jia Jing laughed and said:

"On the contrary, it's not groundless bickering; Miss Lin usually understands worldly affairs yet remains unworldly, speaking from the heart without concealment or pretense, genuine and unaffected."

Indeed, women are adept at disguising themselves; just a sentence's worth, and Daiyu's speech reappears!

Daiyu, with her bare hands clutching her collar, her jade‑like cheeks flushed like rosy clouds, her heart slightly trembling, beneath her spring‑mountain dark brows, her clear, watery starry eyes fixed on Jia Jing, seeming somewhat doubtful, she asked softly:

"Understanding worldly affairs yet remaining unworldly? Genuine and unaffected? Is that really the case?"

Basically, I find these few sentences pleasing to the ear; keep talking, I still want to hear more!

Jia Jing gazed at her slightly flushed cheeks, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny but no pressure, as if he were appreciating the brushstroke just landed on a painting.

He chuckled, his voice neither high nor low:

"I have met many people: those who can speak, those who can read expressions and tones, those who make others feel like they are basking in spring breeze, as well as the virtuous, the obedient, the innocent and romantic, and also the foolish, the stupid, the wicked, and those with ill intentions."

"The more pleasant words I hear, the harder it becomes to discern which are true and which false, but you are different."

Nowadays his surroundings are filled with people of various motives; the number of flatterers and sycophants is countless, and he has already heard too many pleasing words.

Just as he once told Ping'er, what he truly wants now is the truth.

Upon hearing this, Daiyu, whose hand hidden in her sleeve clenched the edge of her clothing again, slightly turned her head, hiding her blushing profile in the darkness; the white jade earrings on her earlobes flickered, and the joy in her starry eyes could not be suppressed.

The 'those who can speak, those who can read expressions and tones' mentioned by Third Brother likely refer to Feng Ya Tou and the elder aunt.

"Who is the one who makes others feel like they are basking in spring breeze? Could it be the aunt?"

The clever one must be the little treasure girl?

The well-behaved one must be the fourth younger sister?

The innocent and carefree one must be Yun younger sister!

The foolish one is probably… the old lady!

The stupid, the bad, the ill-intentioned…

In the end, only the four words "you're different" kept turning over in my mind!

To think that in Third Brother's heart I am the one and only "different"! The deep meaning of this seems self-evident!

Seeing Jia Jing finish speaking and then fall silent, Daiyu continued to stare at him for a few glances, finally unable to hold back, she pursed her lips and tentatively said:

"Perhaps it's just that I'm a sharp-tongued nuisance that people dislike—what else could be different?!"

Jia Jing smiled, rare for him to tease with a remark, and said:

"Being sharp-tongued and talkative isn't that also being different?"

Daiyu stamped her foot, her starry eyes brimming with color as she looked at Jia Jing, half-annoyed, half-angry, she said:

"Third Brother, you really are the type to tease people like this!"

Jia Jing straightened his face and said:

"Lin sister's mind is pure and true, utmost affection and nature, clear love and hate—I have long known that!"

"Although she sometimes appears somewhat aloof and proud, this pure, unadulterated authenticity—cleansed of worldly dust—is truly a rare treasure! Remembering back then…"

Daiyu's "truth" is not ignorance of worldly affairs. On the contrary, she is worldly-wise, her thoughts meticulous; upon entering the Jia Mansion at only six or seven years old, she could read people's expressions and behave properly.

At that time, she keenly noticed her own slip of the tongue from Jia Mu's answer about studying, and then, following Jia Mu's tone, she corrected herself in front of Baoyu, saying she only knew a few characters.

When Jia Zheng offered her a seat, she assumed it was his place and firmly refused to sit, until Lady Wang repeatedly urged her onto the kang, then she sat beside Lady Wang. After the meal she immediately adjusted her habit, following local custom by rinsing her mouth as usual.

This shows she deeply understands the worldly ways of noble households, yet she still chooses to be unsophisticated and unsmooth, always preserving her true self.

Daiyu, hearing this, her ink-black eyes beneath her furrowed brows froze, then suddenly lifted as she stared blankly at the young man beside her, her teeth gently biting her cherry lips as she whispered:

"How was it back then?"

Jia Jing said:

"Back then, I had Xiangling become your disciple because I sensed the warmth and goodwill hidden in your heart, unlike others—you would surely teach her wholeheartedly, imparting all your knowledge."

Not only Xiangling, but also Zijuan, Xiao Jiaoer and others—Daiyu's "truth" first shows in her attitude toward those around her.

Her relationship with Zijuan had long surpassed master and servant, becoming like that of intimate sisters; Zijuan could advise her as she would a little sister, and Daiyu not only wouldn't resent it, she would earnestly listen.

Only this heartfelt sincerity could finally earn Zijuan's guard of "undivided loyalty, lifelong companionship".

Especially toward those she considers her own, she neither pretends nor flatters, and her joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all show on her face.

Such a person may have a little temper and even cause friction at first, but over time there's no doubt they will make others feel completely at ease and reassured.

It must be said, the two words "sincerity" as a personal virtue sometimes truly outweigh thousands of sweet words.

Daiyu froze for a moment, then turned her head aside; moonlight fell on her cheek as a thin layer of silver-white.

The corner of her mouth twitched slightly, then quickly settled; her voice carried a deliberate flatness, yet could not hide the softness underneath:

"Back then, I even thought Third Brother deliberately wanted me to gain the reputation of 'being good at teaching'." She said, lifting her eyes to glance at him; her gaze held a hint of annoyance, a hint of smile, and a brightness she couldn't conceal.

"Now it's turned into you having the discerning eye to recognize people?" Before the words even faded, she turned her face away, her face full of delight, as if afraid he'd see the redness at her ears.

Pure-minded!? Utmost affection and nature!? Clear love and hate!?

Third Brother truly is my confidant; although we've barely met, he sees me through and through!

Jia Jing looked at the girl beneath her furrowed brows, her starry eyes shy yet joyful, and chuckled:

"You should smile more, little sister! Just as you said earlier, praise and criticism have their own seasons—this is excellent."

"But do you know why there is praise and criticism? It's because everyone has different eyes—some see you as an orchid, others as a blade of grass."

"Orchids have their fragrance, grasses their toughness. If the world had only one kind of gaze, history would be left with only one color."

"Little sister, you don't need to care how others see you or gossip behind your back! Look at this garden: peonies grow beside thorns, lotuses root in mud, yet peonies still bloom and lotuses stay pure."

"Just be your own kind; those who appreciate flowers will come. If you constantly try to please everyone, that's truly making life hard for yourself."

Daiyu, hearing this, felt a jolt in her heart; beneath her furrowed brows, her ink-black eyes, deeply moved, looked at the young man beside her, and she could no longer keep her voice from trembling:

"Third Brother…… but…… where is the one who knows flowers……?"

Her voice was too low to hear, her heart pounding, her lovely face flushed crimson like a rosy glow, spreading all the way to her earlobes!

Having said that, she darted off like a gust of wind, quick-stepping as if to leave.

The night wind poured in from outside the corridor, fluttering the strands of hair at her temples, then drifted down; the moonlight between them trembled slightly in the breeze, as if something unseen were slowly approaching.

At the end of the long corridor lies a small courtyard, where a few clumps of green bamboo are planted, casting fine, scattered shadows in the moonlight.

When the wind passes, the bamboo leaves rub against each other, making a soft rustling, as if someone were whispering.

The water in the pond reflects the moonlight, shimmering with a faint silver-white glow; several lotus leaves lie still on the surface, utterly motionless.

The shadow of the old osmanthus tree by the pond falls on the water, broken and gathered by the ripples—unrelated to wind or moon, yet it seems to tell the heartfelt thoughts of someone's children.

Jia Jing smiled, his voice low, carrying a hint of the night breeze's chill, and cautioned:

"Go slow! This path is a bit dark—watch your step."

As he spoke, he had already quickened his pace a few steps to catch up, slightly turning his body as if unintentionally yielding half a step.

The moonlight stretched his shadow long, falling beside her feet, perfectly blocking the darkest patch of blue-gray bricks ahead.

Just as Daiyu was about to speak, her delicate frame trembled; a hint of shyness and panic welled up in her dark eyes.

Simply because the hand she had hidden in her sleeve had already fallen into a warm palm.

That palm was dry and warm, the warmth of another person that even armor could not block, making her momentarily reluctant to let go.

Daiyu's breath hitched, her delicate frame shivered, her cheeks flushed completely red, her fingertips involuntarily curled—yet she did not pull back; that instant of hesitation was like moonlight breaking through clouds, half-light, half-dark, wanting to speak but holding back.

Moonlight fell on her trembling eyelashes, as if someone had gently plucked a string of her heart.

The two walked side by side on the azure stone road dappled with moonlight, their shadows stretched and overlapped in the night wind, like two bamboo stalks standing side by side, roots tangled underground, yet each growing quietly.