Chapter 469

You Sanjie, hearing Jia Jing's gentle, approachable words to her, lifted her beautiful eyes and stared steadily at the youth clad in a python robe and jade sash, whose wealth was beyond description.

Seeing his calm complexion and deep gaze, her heart couldn't help but flutter, a vague, indescribable joy welling up within her.

A legendary figure like a young duke, being so affable and speaking golden words even to a lowly girl like her, truly lived up to the heroic figure she has admired day and night!

Originally her admiration for him stemmed only from the many stories she had heard in Shenjing city during this period and the private praises of the common folk.

And also from the gratitude after the rescue of Jinzhou city and the shock of witnessing the sea of corpses and blood outside the city, which gave rise to a distant, vague yearning.

She had once thought that a person capable of such feats must be a warrior with three heads and six arms, a voice like a great bell, and an aura of killing intent.

But today, upon seeing him, she realized he was nothing like that.

The youth before her was young and handsome; though his brows and eyes bore the chill of battlefield experience, there was not a trace of brutishness.

When he spoke, his voice was not loud, yet every word was clear, his composure as deep as a bottomless pool.

What surprised her even more was that he showed no impatience or disdain toward her reckless, unruly girlhood that even her sister scolded.

The phrase "Sister Sanjie is truly candid; what's so strange about that" might sound to others merely a polite remark,

But to her ears it was like tossing a stone into a calm heart‑lake, the ripples spreading outward endlessly.

You Sanjie, having lost her father twice since childhood and having grown up with her mother You Lao Niang, was accustomed to the coldness of human relations; the most common remarks about her were "undisciplined," "not like a proper lady," and "wild girl."

Only he, this figure who seemed to stand among the clouds, called her "truly candid."

Without exaggeration, those three words from his mouth could stay with her for a lifetime!

You Sanjie lowered her eyelids, trying to hide the unusual flutter in her heart, yet on her usually carefree pretty face a faint blush appeared, and her mouth involuntarily curved.

She suddenly felt grateful that she was wearing a pomegranate‑red armor today; though it could not match the refined elegance of the aristocratic ladies, its bright color complemented her fair skin, and should be pleasing to the eye, right?

She also regretted speaking too hastily and loudly just now, like an ill‑mannered rough girl; would he think she lacked decorum?

The Miss Xue beside him was so poised and gentle, each frown and smile perfectly timed, seeming the ideal model of a refined lady.

Thinking of this, an inexplicable, complex feeling rose in her heart.

At that moment, Jia Jing had not expected that his casual, gentle reply could stir so many ripples in the heart of a girl he was meeting for the first time.

One can only say that, given his current power and status, even sitting silently he exudes an undeniable presence, and even ordinary conversation can spark endless reverie in the opposite sex.

As a later saying goes, if you are not accomplished in youth, you won't know how proactive girls can be!

Of course, how much of that initiative is genuine and how much is feigned requires careful consideration.

When the scene grew a bit silent, You Shi, standing nearby with cautious smiles and choosing her words, suddenly asked in a soft voice:

"Duke, tomorrow is the matriarch's birthday. Keqing and I were wondering whether we should also go to bow to the matriarch and pay our respects?"

"Only… given our current status, we fear that going rashly might bring bad luck to you and the matriarch, so we dare not act on our own and would like to seek your opinion, Duke."

Jia Jing glanced at her, his tone calm, expression composed, and said in a deep voice:

"For the matriarch's birthday, you as juniors should naturally attend. Although Jia Zhen and Jia Rong have had mishaps, you as daughters‑in‑law have done nothing wrong, so you need not bear their guilt."

"In the future, whenever the two households have events during festivals, you and Keqing may attend what you wish; no need to be overly restrained."

"Tomorrow you go early, and you can also give some support to Third Sister and Second Sister‑in‑law; they are busy front and back, and have endured enough."

The leniency toward You Shi and Qin Shi stems partly from Keqing's concealed identity, and also from the tolerance expected of a new clan head.

Moreover, You Shi and Qin Shi are indeed capable individuals.

Keqing needs no further explanation; one can see from the original text how, after her death, she appeared in a dream to Feng Jie and said those words.

Although later generations often label You Shi as the timid, indecisive "saw‑mouth gourd," honestly she does possess some ability to handle affairs and is kind to others.

In the original, she once, on Jia Mu's order, organized Wang Xifeng's birthday; not only did she make the banquet "very lively," but she also secretly returned the contribution money of Ping'er, Yuanyang, and Concubine Zhou and Concubine Zhao, saying, "You pitied us; where did this spare money come from? Feng Yatou will know, and I will take responsibility."

After Jia Jingbao's death, she alone handled the funeral affairs, locked the Taoist priest for interrogation, personally selected the auspicious day for the coffin, managing everything with clear order; even when Jia Zhen rushed back, he could not stop praising her.

However, You Shi came from a modest family, her natal clan had no influence, and after her father remarried, the step‑mother You Lao Niang was unkind to her; she was also a secondary wife of Ning Guo Fu rather than the principal spouse, so under the patriarchal system her status was naturally lower than the primary wife, and she had no children, lacking voice in an era that valued mothers for their sons.

Moreover, Jia Zhen was a debauched playboy, and the atmosphere of Ning Guo Fu was corrupt from top to bottom; as the nominal matriarch she held no real power, so even her abilities could not be exercised.

You Shi, upon hearing this, felt the heavy stone in her heart finally drop, her eyes slightly moist, she quickly bowed and, with a hint of choking in her voice, said:

"Thank you, Duke, for your consideration. I will go early tomorrow and will not betray your trust."

Keqing lifted her delicate head, pursed her pink lips, and her gaze at Jia Jing softened further; she also bowed and said gently, "Thank you, Uncle."

You Sanjie, listening nearby, saw Jia Jing's gentle attitude toward her sister and Keqing, and her courage grew a few more steps.

She stepped half a pace forward, tilting her face as radiant as peach blossoms, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Jia Jing, and asked with a light, crisp laugh:

"Duke, what about me? Can my second sister and I also go? I heard the Xi Fu matriarch is compassionate toward the poor and weak, and I would like to pay her birthday respects!"

You Shi was startled, quickly reached to pull her sleeve, lowered her voice and scolded, "Third sister! How can you all go…"

If she were still the matriarch of Ning Guo Fu, taking two younger sisters to the matriarch's birthday banquet would be acceptable, but now it was not convenient!

Jia Jing, upon hearing this, kept a calm expression, met You Sanjie's expectant gaze, thought for a moment and said:

"The matriarch always enjoys lively gatherings and seeing young women. Since you are relatives, joining the merriment is fine!"

It's merely adding two more pairs of chopsticks; there's no need to refuse!

You Sanjie, hearing this, instantly blossomed a brilliant smile and said crisply:

"Thank you, Duke!"

While saying that, she felt a simple thank you wasn't enough, so she imitated Keqing's earlier manner, bowing properly, though with a larger gesture, causing the silver sachet at her waist to jingle for a while.

You Erjie's beautiful face also showed a smile; she hurriedly followed her sister, lowered her head and whispered a thank you.

Jia Jing gave a slight nod, said no more, and turned his head to glance at Baichai, who had been silent beside him.

Baichai understood, gave a light smile, stepped forward two paces toward You Shi and Keqing, bowed, and said gently:

"It's getting late, Grand Aunt You and Sister Qin, please take your time strolling; we will take our leave now."

She then turned to You Erjie and You Sanjie, smiled and nodded, as a greeting.

Jia Jing lifted his eyes, glanced at several people, said to You Shi and the others, "Return early to rest," then crossed his arms, turned, and walked along the pond‑side path toward the pine‑cypress forest.

Baichai followed at his side, lagging a half step, still maintaining her composed and dignified bearing.

The two people's shadows were stretched long by the lantern light at the eaves, cast upon the pond surface, swaying gently with the ripples a few times before disappearing into the shadows of the pine and cypress.

Madam Yu watched those two backs disappear, then turned around, exhaled lightly, and instead of continuing her walk, led Qin Keqing and the two sisters back along the pond's edge at a leisurely pace.

After walking about ten steps, Yu Erjie, who had been huddled behind Madam Yu, suddenly let out a soft sigh, raised her hand to pat her chest, her voice soft and fine, as if afraid the wind would scatter it:

"I finally got to see you today… truly worthy of the fame-under-heaven Champion Marquis, State Duke Jing. Such bearing, such dignity—standing before him, I dare not even breathe loudly, let alone speak."

Yu Sanjie heard this and burst out laughing with a "pfft", teasing:

"Second Sister is always like this—meek and obedient in public, not daring to lift her head, yet behind her back she immediately starts sighing emotionally."

"Just now in front of the Duke, you kept your head so low it was almost buried in your collar, a show of restrained shyness and pitiful fragility—clearly all an act!"

Yu Erjie, teased like that, instantly had two red clouds bloom on her fair face, and mustering courage she retorted:

"Are you like that? A crazy girl who dares to blurt out anything—'Immortal Descended from the Stars', 'the great hero who upholds the heavens and earth of the Great Han', even uttering nonsense like 'seeing the living'!"

"With not a shred of maidenly reserve, people would think we're from a lowly family, ignorant of propriety."

"Though that's what she said, Yu Erjie actually still admired her sister's courage deep down!"

"The Duke himself said it—I'm just being genuine!"

Yu Sanjie lifted her chin, the vermilion gold pearl-holding dangling hairpin at her side flashing specks of light in the lantern glow, her eyes like clear autumn water shimmering, the corners of her mouth turned up high, her voice full of pride as she said coquettishly:

"Besides, what did I say wrong? You didn't see that day outside Yu Lin Cheng, the scene of mountains of corpses and seas of blood—I still often dream of it now! Everything I said is true; the Duke didn't blame me, yet you blame me."

Yu Erjie, rarely having the upper hand, wasn't about to let her off easily, covering her mouth as she laughed:

"Yes, yes, yes, truly genuine, truly genuine indeed—your eyeballs are practically hanging on the Duke; I've seen from just now till now, you haven't moved your gaze off him."

"Even after they left you're still tiptoeing to watch, not afraid your neck will stretch out and never retract."

Yu Sanjie, poked like that, her face as lovely as peach and plum blossoms flushed red instantly, and she reached out to twist Yu Erjie's mouth:

"What nonsense are you spouting! Who's got their eyeballs hanging on him? I'm admiring him! Do you understand admiration? Who in the northwest doesn't admire the Duke? It's you who overthinks, dragging everything onto that!"

The two chased and dodged each other along the pondside path, laughing and tumbling together, their waist-hung silver sachets jingling nonstop, adding a bit of liveliness to the quiet dusk.

Qin Keqing watched from the side, frowning slightly, her expression changing, her gaze somewhat complex, yet she did not interject.

Madam Yu shook her head, the corner of her mouth bearing a hint of helpless smile, letting them frolic for a moment before she called out:

"Enough, enough, how old are you, still acting like children! Let the night‑watch maids see, and later they'll gossip about you!"

Only then did Yu Sanjie release her grip, walking back to Madam Yu's side, her face still flushed from the earlier laughter and tussle.

She walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped smiling, gazing thoughtfully toward the pine and cypress grove, lowering her voice to ask:

"Elder sister, what do you say… that Miss Bao just now… what is her relationship with the Duke?"

She paused, as if weighing her words, then spoke softly:

"Although she didn't say a word, nor make any intimate gesture, I still feel her relationship with the Duke is not ordinary!"

It must be said, women's sensitivity to certain matters is keen—especially someone like Yu Sanjie, thoughtful and clever, unafraid and undaunted, always able to catch hidden meaning from details.

Upon hearing this, Yu Erjie also put aside her playful thoughts, nodded lightly, and echoed in a soft voice:

"I feel it too! Although the Miss Xue stayed quiet and composed the whole time, her gaze kept fixed on the Duke, especially that undisguisable look in her eyes… not like that of ordinary relatives or siblings!"

"The two words 'affection'—Yu Erjie couldn't bring herself to say them!"

Qin Keqing lifted her eyes to glance at Madam Yu, frowned slightly, and slowed her steps a little.

She actually harbored a guess in her heart—no matter what, it's unusual for two people to be alone together this late!

Madam Yu stopped walking, turned around, and swept her gaze over the three young women's faces one by one.

The lantern light from the side fell on her face, cutting that accustomed gentle countenance into light and shadow, for a moment lending it the gravity of a matriarch. She furrowed her brows and solemnly admonished:

"No matter what their relationship is, nothing you saw or heard here today may be spoken of outside. Remember that?"

Such matters, whether they exist or not, are not for them to meddle in, let alone be casually discussed.

Yu Sanjie was stunned by her solemn tone, then replied seriously:

"Elder sister, rest assured—I'm not stupid. I wouldn't dare spread word of the Duke's affairs even if you lent me ten courages."

Having said that, she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, her gaze lingering wistfully on the pine and cypress grove, her voice much lower than before, tinged with a melancholy she herself might not even notice,

"I just didn't expect that Miss Xue would have such fortune to catch the Duke's eye. I observed her carefully just now—her overall bearing, figure, and appearance are dignified and graceful……"

Yu Erjie took up the thread, her bright eyes beneath lovely brows flickering as she pondered:

"Miss Xue's looks are indeed excellent, but I heard Mother say the Xue family are merely imperial merchants, not truly noble high gates—given her status, she probably couldn't be the Duke's principal wife."

Speaking of which, over these past months Madam Yu has already figured out the situation of the Rongning Two Mansions, especially the gentlemen, who constantly keep watch on news—their intent goes without saying!

Thus, Yu Erjie also has a basic understanding of the people within the mansion.

She paused, then lowered her voice further, as if talking to herself yet seeming to carry deep meaning:

"But coming back to it, for a man like the Duke, if one could gain even a fraction of his true affection, being a concubine and bearing a son or daughter would already mean reliance and a chance to rise in the second half of life."

Madam Yu listened, fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly, her tone carrying the insight and sentiment of one who has been through it:

"Miss Xue truly has good fortune! Outside, everyone says the Duke is destined to be ennobled as a prince."

"By court regulations, a prince's consort also holds a rank and receives an imperial decree. Just think—a first‑rank decree is something countless officials' wives could never achieve in a lifetime. If she really reaches that step, the Xue family will have climbed onto a high branch."

She said this with deep meaning, her gaze lingering on Yu Erjie and Yu Sanjie's faces for a moment before shifting away.

How could she not understand her two sisters' thoughts?

The Third Sister, since coming to the capital from the northwest, has constantly had 'Champion Marquis' on her lips; the Second Sister doesn't say it aloud, but her earlier words also betray a hidden longing.

Or put another way, in Shenjing City, how many young ladies and brides could resist the charm of that young man just now?

Frankly, she actually also hopes this works out—otherwise she wouldn't let her two daughters constantly run to the Dong Fu!

If either of her sisters could catch Jia Jing's eye, she as their elder sister would have truly secured her footing in the Dong Fu, no longer living in constant anxiety of being thrown out one day.

But these words need not be spelled out now; moreover, the young man just now didn't even glance much at the Second or Third Sisters, instead, as he was leaving, he glanced at the Qin lady……

The night wind blew through the pine and cypress grove, carrying the distinctive fresh‑bitter scent of pine needles, brushing coolly against the face.

Madam Yu gathered her thoughts, tugged at the half‑sleeve draped over her shoulders, and stepped forward, the other three following in turn.

Only You Sanjie fell behind at last, her steps neither hurried nor slow, but her mind had already drifted to an unknown place.

She quietly turned back and cast another glance toward the pine‑cypress grove; there it was already a heavy darkness, only the rustling of pine waves and the few lanterns on the pond surface, shattered by the night wind, flickering dimly, as if they were someone's secret thoughts.

……

The next day, Rong Guo Mansion was festooned with lanterns and ribbons everywhere, stages were erected, banquet tables prepared, and the hustle began early in the morning!