Chapter 466: Baoyu: What to Do About the Maternal Uncle's Nieces?

After hearing Lady Wang's words, Baoyu's face showed surprise; with difficulty he withdrew his gaze from the gold bracelet and blurted out:

"How could such a thing happen? The maternal uncle's nieces……wouldn't they also be implicated? Their whole lives……wouldn't they be ruined?"

"Just now I was thinking I could get closer to my maternal uncle's nieces in the future, but now it seems that's gone too!"

Lady Wang had been full of resentment ready to burst out, but upon hearing the phrase "maternal uncle's nieces," she felt her breath catch in her throat, unable to go up or down.

She widened her eyes and stared straight at Baoyu, looking at that full-moon face, full of innocence, bearing concern; for a moment she didn't know what to say.

"Is this about whether they'll be implicated? Your maternal uncle is about to face extreme punishment!!"

Her lips moved several times; Lady Wang finally managed to squeeze out a few words from between her teeth:

"Your maternal uncle is going to be flayed and exposed to the elements, you……don't you have anything else to say?"

Baoyu sighed and said:

"My maternal uncle gave away silver; now that the matter has come to light, that is his fate……but it's a pity about the women in the household. I don't know whose hands they'll fall into……"

"In my opinion, we can't interfere with the maternal uncle's affair; Madam, you should prepare some silver, so that if the maternal uncle's nieces encounter misfortune, we could redeem and buy them back—they are all fine young women……"

Lady Wang felt her head go "Boom!" as gold stars burst before her eyes, a buzzing rang in her ears, as if someone had struck a bell inside her head; all color drained from her face, and then came a wave of dizziness……

…………

Meanwhile, after leaving Rong Qing Tang, Xue's aunt couldn't set her mind at ease regarding Wang Ziteng's safety; she brought Baichai to Dong Fu, hoping to seek news from Jia Jing.

But Jia Jing hardly has time to see her now; the newly established Bureau of Military Affairs has many departments, offices, organizational structures, personnel, etc., all needing his attention, not to mention……

All military affairs across the realm require his personal oversight; many urgent military matters cannot be delayed even a moment!

So Xue's aunt sat in Dong Fu for an hour but still couldn't see Jia Jing's face; she had to rush back to think of another plan, leaving Xue Baichai alone in Dong Fu to keep waiting, saying she'd return when there was news.

Thus time flew; Xue Baichai waited another hour or more until evening, when Jia Jing finally finished his business and met her.

Since Baichai came this time in public, Jia Jing considered her reputation and did not choose to talk indoors; instead he took her, riding the evening breeze, to stroll and admire the scenery along Hui Fang Yuan in Dong Fu.

Here we must say, the rear garden of Dong Fu is now completely different from before.

Previously, when Jia Zhen was in charge, the garden was exquisite and delicate, with winding corridors, waterside pavilions, artificial hills draped in vines, each step a scene, everywhere revealing the refined elegance of aristocratic families.

But now it is much more open; Jia Jing had the garden remade half park, half drill ground, with a straight path running from the rear gate of the main hall deep into the garden.

Along the sides are not ordinary flowers and trees, but rows of ancient pines and cypresses, over a hundred years old, with twisted trunks and dense shade blocking the sun, appearing somewhat tranquil in the sunset.

On the stone-paved path, two figures walked slowly side by side; the dusk stretched their shadows long, casting them on the pond water, which rippled gently.

Jia Jing walked half a step ahead, occasionally turning his head, his gaze falling on Baichai.

Baichai today still wore the morning's honey-colored robe, over which she had draped a half-worn sable-fur half-sleeve; only a few simple intertwining lotus motifs were embroidered at the collar, with no other decoration.

"I've kept you waiting, little sister; this office has just been established, many matters require my decision, and tomorrow is the grandmother's birthday banquet, which demands half a day, so I've been busy!"

Amid the girl's bashfulness, Jia Jing pulled her exceedingly soft little hand and explained gently.

Baichai had been lowering her head slightly, thinking her own thoughts, when she suddenly felt the warmth from his hand; her heart leapt, a flush rose to her temples, making her appear even more lush and charming; she pursed her cherry lips and hurriedly said:

"I came at an inconvenient time; I knew brother would surely be busy today and shouldn't disturb him……"

Regarding Wang Ziteng's matter, Jia Jing didn't bring it up, and she didn't feel comfortable mentioning it either.

Jia Jing smiled and said:

"Between us there's no need for such formality; we haven't seen each other in nearly a month, and I often think of you, little sister!"

Hearing Jia Jing say that, Baichai's nose tingled; beneath her delicate eyebrows, mist gathered in her watery almond eyes, as if tears were about to fall!

In fact, as Jia Jing's power and influence grew daily, Baichai, while sharing in the honor, might not be free of feelings of inferiority.

Especially since she confessed her feelings, she has always been the one to initiate visits to Jia Jing, and this time he left her waiting for over two hours, making it inevitable that she would harbor some self-doubt!

Although she knows Jia Jing is truly busy with state affairs, she still wonders how much she matters to him!

At this moment, hearing Jia Jing's tender words expressing his thoughts of her, feelings of joy, shyness, calmness, and various emotions naturally welled up.

Seeing a glint of tears in Xue Baichai's eye corners, Jia Jing involuntarily paused his steps, gazing at the lush, lovely maiden, and asked questioningly:

"Little sister, what's wrong? Could it be that you resent me for not coming to see you lately?"

Baichai gently shook her head; her pear-blossom-white jade face took on a faint blush, her almond eyes gleaming like autumn water, a tear trembled on her lashes and slowly rolled down.

She lowered her eyelids, her voice soft as a evening breeze brushing the pond surface:

"How could I resent brother? I merely……sometimes feel as if I'm dreaming, unaware of how many lifetimes of merit earned this blessing, to receive brother's……care and protection!"

Back when we were in Jinling, who could have imagined today! Although our status isn't settled, we at least have someone to rely on!

Jia Jing reached out, his fingertip lightly resting on Baichai's eye corner to wipe away the tear about to fall; his calloused fingertip gave a rough warmth against her tender skin, feeling her soft, plump cheeks, and he spoke softly:

"What blessing or not! From now on don't speak those self‑belittling words; I'm fortunate to have a sister like you as a capable helper!"

Come to think of it, it's strange—how many times has Baichai cried in front of him?

Last time at the gate of Li Xiang Courtyard she was also pear blossoms with rain, tearful eyes, almost like Daiyu's temperament!

No, that's not right—Daiyu seems never to have cried in front of him even once!

Upon hearing those words, Baichai's heart gave a jolt; the self‑deprecation and doubt that had lingered all day were brushed away by this sentence, like a warm wind scattering the last wisps of mist on the pond.

She said nothing more, merely stepping forward lightly, drawing her body close, her two fair, plump arms encircling Jia Jing's waist, burying her face in his chest.

That motion at first retained a hint of probing shyness, but once she made contact, her arms tightened.

"Brother doesn't like to hear it, so I won't say it anymore!"

Her voice came from Jia Jing's chest, muffled and soft, with a touch of rare coquettishness and obedience, like the last soft thunder under the eaves after the storm.