Chapter 55

Jia Jing fell silent for a moment, then said:

"Lin Meimei, it's been two years since we last saw you; you look a bit frail! Do you still eat normally?"

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips, hadn't spoken yet, and Zi Juan at her side said:

"Since the start of autumn, miss, your health hasn't been great! You eat less; these days you only have one meal a day, and just half a bowl."

Lin Daiyu, annoyed, said to Zi Juan:

"Why do you have to open your mouth? Third Brother has come back from afar—what are you saying this for?"

She then turned to Jia Jing to explain:

"I was born frail, but it's nothing to worry about!"

Jia Jing thought for a moment, then said:

"You still need to take good care of yourself! I still have some old ginseng and deer antler at my place; when I have time, I'll have someone bring them to you."

"But medicinal supplements aren't as good as dietary ones; long-term use of tonics isn't good for the body either!"

"I suggest Lin Meimei eat some congee or bird's nest and other easily digestible foods; health classics say, 'Eating a bowl of congee on an empty stomach each day can expel the old and bring in the new, promote fluid production and strengthen the stomach—its benefits are not trivial.'"

"Likewise, the poet Lu Fangweng of the former dynasty wrote: 'Everyone studies longevity, yet they don't realize longevity is right before them. I have obtained the simple method of Wanqiu; just by eating congee I can become an immortal.' Lu Fangweng lived over eighty years, which is still very beneficial in this regard."

"If Lin Meimei can't eat rice, she can drink a small bowl of congee each day; it can generate essence and qi, nourish stomach qi, aid digestion, and preserve nutrition!"

"Once her health improves a bit, she can take a walk after meals each day, exercise her body, reduce worries—this will surely be excellent for her health!"

In this world, Lu You exists; when Xiangling studied poetry, Daiyu once commented that Lu Fangweng's poetry is unsuitable for beginners to learn.

Although this world's historical background differs, many of the same figures still exist, though their experiences may deviate.

For example, the Champion Marquis became Huo Qubing of the Xia dynasty.

Of course, many figures do not exist.

Lin Daiyu felt somewhat moved by Jia Jing's careful advice; in the Jia mansion, hardly anyone still cared so much about her health!

She had originally thought that, unlike Yingchun and the others, she wasn't Third Brother's biological sister or cousin, so she shouldn't be that important to him.

She hadn't expected Third Brother to show such concern for her instead, even speaking to her the most.

Jia Jing then walked over to Xue Baichai; Baichai's gaze was a bit unusual, not because she had any thoughts about Jia Jing.

Rather, it was because what Jia Jing had just said to Lin Daiyu matched her own understanding of the way of health preservation.

She also believed Lin Meimei should take less medicine and rely on dietary supplements instead, but she hadn't yet found a chance to discuss it in detail with Lin Meimei.

She has always been the type to conceal her wisdom and appear simple; unless she's close to someone, she won't readily open her heart, even to good advice.

She hadn't expected that Jia Jing, besides being extraordinarily martial, being ennobled and appointed a general at a young age, and having decent literary talent, would also have such profound insight into other life principles.

Originally, the fact that Jia Jing could rise from the status of a concubine's son through sheer determination and ambition already made Xue Baichai very curious, even causing her to look at him anew.

Because Xue Baichai herself originally held the life creed of "borrowing the wind's strength to send me soaring to the blue clouds," one could say Jia Jing's life path is exactly the road of her dreams.

This is the convergence of worldview and values!

So, upon hearing Jia Jing's advice to Lin Daiyu again, their views once again aligned, causing her to develop a faint, hazy affection for Jia Jing from their first meeting.

At this moment, Jia Jing also looked toward Xue Baichai; in chapter twenty-six of the original work, during the longevity banquet where all flowers vied for spring, Baichai drew her flower slip: the peony.

The annotation reads: 'Outshining all flowers.'

Although this was their first meeting, Jia Jing felt this evaluation was truly deserved.

Compared to Lin Daiyu's lively grace, Xue Baichai is like a peony—poised and dignified,

also possessing alluring charm; her delicate beauty contrasts sharply with Lin Daiyu's frail loveliness, displaying a kind of lush, splendid beauty.

Her eyes are like water apricots, her lips red and moist, her skin smooth and jade-like, her manners composed and graceful, revealing the steadiness and poise of a lady from a noble household.

At that moment, Xue Baichai saw Jia Jing approaching, a hint of shyness appearing on her snow‑white pretty face, and she gave a careful yet enthusiastic bow, saying:

"Lord!"

Jia Jing gave a slight smile and said:

"This must be the Xue Family's younger sister! It's actually the first time I've seen her; we're all relatives, no need for formalities!"

"I should be a few years older than you; you and Lin Sister and the others can just call me Third Brother!"

Baichai, upon hearing this, her almond eyes gleaming, lowered her head and called out:

"Third Brother!"

Jia Jing said no more, then walked toward Shi Xiangyun and said:

"Sister Yun, have you been well all along?"

Shi Xiangyun, brisk and generous, straightforward and open‑hearted, stepped forward and patted the snow‑flake fish‑scale armor on Jia Jing, and said:

"Very well! I must also thank Third Brother for constantly sending me gifts."

"Third Brother, wearing this armor looks truly heroic and extraordinary; when you have time, lend it to me so I can try it on—I also want to be a great general!"

Jia Jing laughed heartily and said:

"If you wear this, it'll be too big for you; later Third Brother will find a set of women's armor for you."

After speaking, Jia Jing nodded in greeting to Qin Keqing, Li Wan and others behind, and, amid the crowd's embrace, walked into Rong Qing Tang.

Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing, Lady Wang, Auntie Xue and others were already standing before their respective seats.

Seeing Jia Jing enter clad in armor, Auntie Xue, Lady You and others first gave Jia Jing a polite bow.

Although they are elders of Jia Jing, the kinship is rather distant, so they still must afford the current Lord a degree of respect.

Jia Jing returned the courtesy.

This was their second time coming to Rong Qing Tang, and they felt rather emotional!

Compared with the last time when they were high‑spirited, now they must rely on verbal sparring to retreat unscathed.

Now, they simply stand quietly in the hall, saying nothing, yet no one dares to ignore or slight them.

A true gentleman must not go a day without power!

Jia Jing dispelled the various emotions and distracting thoughts in his heart, gazing at Jia Mu above.

Today Jia Mu wore a dull-yellow splendid robe, a phoenix hairpin on her head, a golden forehead band; an aura of wealth and nobility rushed at her as she gazed at the calm-faced youth below, her expression rather complex.

Jia Jing bowed and performed the salute:

"Grandson pays respects to grandmother!"

Jia Mu hurriedly laughed and said:

"Good, good, it's fine that you've returned! The young man is capable, says what he does and does what he says; after two years of guarding the frontier and waging war, he is now ennobled as a marquis and appointed a general, bringing glory to the family; everyone in the household feels delighted for you."

Jia Jing said lightly: "I have only minor achievements; at least I have not disgraced the ancestral prestige."

Jia Mu's mouth twitched; it was still the familiar tone—opening with talk of ancestral prestige, perhaps she was indirectly scolding.

But Jia Mu also couldn't say much more at this moment; many matters had to wait until outsiders left, then the family could discuss behind closed doors.

Thus, Jia Mu smiled and said to Feng Jie beside her:

"Hurry up! Prepare the feast! Jing'er has rushed back to the capital after a hard journey; he must be tired! He also ate at the palace at noon, so he's probably hungry now!"