Chapter 60: Xiangling

Feng Jie thought for a moment, finally made up her mind, and said with a bright smile:

"Third Brother! You and Lian Er are blood brothers! As the saying goes: 'When fighting a tiger, brothers stand together; in battle, father and son fight side by side.' You two must not let your bond grow distant!"

"How about we wait until the day after tomorrow, and I, as sister‑in‑law, will host you; then I'll have your brother Lian Er talk with you about the affairs of the mansion over the past two years!"

"As long as you brothers are united, what problem in the mansion cannot be solved?"

Wang Xifeng did not state directly how to deal with the servants; although she was eager, she needed to return and discuss the matter carefully with Jia Lian.

"Please spare the hosting; I have some official business to attend to the day after tomorrow."

"If the second sister‑in‑law is willing, she could secretly audit the mansion's accounts over the years, gather evidence of these servants' corruption, and perhaps I can lend you a hand then!"

Jia Jing said ambiguously.

The servants in the mansion, he will definitely deal with them!

But now that Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng are to be the vanguard, that is even better.

Anyway, he is not in a hurry; he has already sent Zhu Que to gather detailed intelligence on the Jia Mansion.

He will wait for the right moment, then sweep the mansion clean, purging the corrupt without wronging a good person nor sparing a bad one.

Having just returned to the mansion, he prefers to stay still for now, prioritizing the court's military duties.

Feng Jie can chat casually here, treating it as an idle move to unite her with Jia Lian; later, some inner‑house matters might be more conveniently handled by Feng Jie.

Wang Xifeng did not expect Jia Jing to decline the invitation outright, nor did he give a definite answer.

Third Brother indeed remains as hard to approach as before; one must think of ways to draw the two of them closer.

However, she also knows this matter is not crucial to Jia Jing, but rather concerns her and Jia Lian's own interests.

Jia Jing is a marquis; once he establishes a family, he will have his own marquis's residence,

Now, no one in the mansion dares to be negligent; the public funds have little to do with him as an illegitimate son, so why exert effort without reward?

Wang Xifeng's thoughts shifted rapidly; her smile grew even brighter, her clear eyes flashing as she said with a laugh:

"Brother Jia Jing, your official duties are busy; let's wait for a later chance, and I'll keep an eye on the mansion's accounts."

"Then the day after tomorrow I'll first invite the second and third younger sisters, and Xiao Jiaoer; they all love the rose dew from my garden."

"The last time I managed to get a few bottles, thinking they hadn't tasted it, I gave each one a bottle; they all said it was wonderful!"

Feng Jie is showing off!

She knows that Jia Jing probably cares most about these few younger sisters in the mansion.

Now mentioning the rose dew means she's saying she hasn't neglected Yingchun and the others these past two years; she's thought of them whenever there's something good.

This sentiment, you should have it clear in your heart.

And when you left the mansion two years ago, I gave you silver; you haven't forgotten, have you!

Sure enough, Jia Jing's expression softened a few degrees, and he said:

"The servants of the Lai family are nothing but fish on a cutting board, waiting for us to decide when to eat them!"

"You should give the old lady a few more chances, so she's prepared. Let Lian Er examine the previous accounts, keep it under wraps, and once you have the proof, act!"

Wang Xifeng's heart instantly rejoiced, realizing Jia Jing had already approved the investigation of the Jia Mansion's servants; she felt she had done the right thing by catering to his wishes!

She hurriedly laughed and agreed:

"Third Brother, rest assured! Second sister‑in‑law will handle it for you perfectly!"

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"Hmm! One must also set an example with one's own body, …"

Wang Xifeng heard this, and the smile on her bright face lingered a moment,

She didn't know whether Jia Jing had learned something, or was merely giving a simple instruction.

Could it be that the matter of the dowry money was known to Third Brother?

It probably isn't!

Third Brother is back for the first day today; how could he know such a secret!

Jia Jing didn't concern himself with Feng Jie's thoughts; the two walked slowly, and after a tea's worth of time, they arrived at Jia Jing's new residence.

Jia Jing looked up along the lanterns and saw a large vermilion plaque hanging in the courtyard,

Inscribed with three bold characters: Jingwu Yuan.

The calligraphy is vigorous and unrestrained!

"Arrived—that's Third Brother's new residence! This was formerly the Duke Xianrong's training and cultivation courtyard; the plaque is said to have been proposed by the Duke himself. Third Brother, you may go in and see if it suits you!" Feng Jie smiled and said.

Jia Jing stepped inside, and his eyes instantly brightened.

The courtyard is indeed spacious; not only are there dozens of rooms at the back, but the front boasts a huge training ground, comprising a commander's platform, drill field, main gate, and banners.

On ordinary days one can practice martial arts, select commanders, and set formations; it covers about five or six mu, truly worthy of an imperial‑commissioned duke's residence.

Unfortunately, no successor has maintained this fine courtyard; the facilities appear somewhat aged, and the yard has been desolate for many years.

Upon entering the back courtyard,

The housewives and maids inside had already heard the commotion and came out, forming two rows,

Seeing Feng Jie follow Jia Jing inside, they instantly recognized the new master "Jia Jing Third Uncle", and knelt in salute, respectfully saying:

"We have seen the Marquis!"

"Rise!" Jia Jing said.

After everyone stood, Feng Jie hurried forward to introduce.

"These are the eight senior maids assigned to you: Feicui, Yun Jin, Xue Chan, Jiang Zhu, Lu Xi… as well as the second‑rank maids Xiaohong and Chun Yan…"

Feng Jie especially emphasized the next seemingly timid girl.

"This is the maid Xiangling that Aunt gave you."

Jia Jing cast a glance at Xiangling.

A slender face, a delicate appearance, especially the immaculate space between the eyebrows marked with a pink rouge, and a temperament that is fresh and elegant like a newly blossomed water lily, tender and innocent.

Upon close inspection, she also bears a few resemblances to Lin Daiyu and Qin Keqing, only a few years older than Daiyu, and has indeed grown considerably.

This is the girl who ranks first in the Twelve Hairpin Supplementary Register and is the only one with a verdict!

"The lotus stem emits fragrance; life's encounters are truly sorrowful. Since the two lands gave rise to a solitary tree, the fragrant soul returns home."

Xiangling's fate is indeed lamentable; she is truly a lady of a great family, yet was abducted by a trafficker and from then on began a tragic life.

After being bought home by Xue Pan, she enjoyed a happy period studying poetry in Grand View Garden, but ultimately was abused and tormented by Xia Jingu, dying in a difficult childbirth.

Regarding the maids in the Red Chamber, Jia Jing particularly admired Xiangling when reading the original work.

Especially in the original's "Xiangling Learns Poetry" episode, she was endowed with a special aura, causing a faint, pure fragrance to drift through Grand View Garden; although she lacks Lin Daiyu's solitary pride, she is nonetheless a fleetingly beautiful scene.

Xiangling lacks Qingwen's aloof arrogance, and also does not possess the overwhelming worldly polish.

Although she has suffered misfortunes, she remains wholly innocent, without any scheming, pure and gentle; she always faces the world with a smiling demeanor, steadfastly maintaining her gentle and devoted nature.

Wang Xifeng, standing nearby, saw Jia Jing's stare at Xiangling and her eyes turned pensively.

Inner thought: Could Brother Jia Jing have taken a liking to this maid? This maid indeed evokes my pity, and bears some resemblance to the maid Lin and niece‑in‑law Qin Keqing!