Chapter 70: Crystal Snow, Lonely Forest

Baichai's eyebrows and eyes were slightly curved as she looked at Daiyu and Jia Jing, smiling lightly and said:

"I'll throw a brick to attract jade, first offering my own clumsiness."

"'Record of Snow': In the crystal world dust is pure, six blossoms of flying flowers dot the jade steps. Intentionally paving the roads of mountains and rivers, unintentionally monopolizing the champion of all flowers. Crystal clarity can illuminate the heavens, plain simplicity need not envy brocade moss. Wait for the Eastern Lord's command, then moistening the green fields to announce spring's arrival."

When Baichai finished reciting the poem, everyone present cheered.

Jia Jing praised, saying:

"I now understand Sister Xue's aspiration! In the crystal world and jade steps one can see the purity of snow; it reflects Sister Xue's refined and outstanding character."

"The lines 'intentionally paving the roads of mountains and rivers' and 'moistening the green fields to announce spring' reveal a desire to benefit the world; the closing couplet adapts Zhuangzi's 'the great mass carries me in form' but reverses its meaning, emphasizing the spirit of giving nourishment to the earth after ice melts, implicitly containing the philosophy of 'cherish graceful beauty, hide it by day.'"

"This poem indeed carries the essence of the lofty hermit Crystal Snow of the mountains—rare! Truly rare!"

Jia Jing's words were genuinely heartfelt praise; Baichai's poem indeed bears a hint of "when the mountain flowers bloom, it laughs among the thicket."

In particular, the lines "intentionally paving the roads of mountains and rivers, unintentionally monopolizing the champion of all flowers" and "moistening the green fields to announce spring" further embody the spirit of achievement and dedication.

It also subtly alludes to being a virtuous support, assisting one's husband in governing the world without seeking fame or profit.

Jia Jing could be certain that this poem was composed by Xue Baichai after their recent political discussion, truly worthy of the title "Lord of Fragrant Reed."

Upon hearing Jia Jing's praise, Baichai's face, as white and smooth as a pear blossom, flushed slightly with a rosy hue.

She was expressing her aspirations through poetry, yet also silently telling Jia Jing that she shares his ideals and is willing to support his ambitions.

Jia Jing's praise of her as "the lofty hermit Crystal Snow of the mountains" struck a chord in her heart; she felt that Jia Jing truly understood her.

Xue Baichai's almond eyes fixed on Jia Jing, her voice carrying a hint of tenderness as she said:

"Third Brother, you overpraise me!"

Daiyu watched the scene between the two, her bright eyes beneath the smoky brows narrowing slightly, feeling an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

This back‑and‑forth certainly signals something!

With a touch of melancholy in her heart, Daiyu gazed at the snowflakes drifting onto the eaves outside the pavilion, the scene silent and desolate,

She softly recited the poem she had composed:

"'Verses to Snow': The jade terrace's lost ornaments fall lightly into dust, scattering like Han Ying's tears over an old oath. A soul bound to a solitary wild goose lost in the distant shore; tears solidify on withered bamboo, echoing in empty pillars. Unwilling to be stained by muddy fluff, would rather melt into the jade on my palm? The ancient ice heart finally merges with water, a clear, solitary pool accompanying the bright moon."

After reciting, a few tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Jia Jing, seemingly awaiting his comment.

Jia Jing pondered, saying: "Sister Lin's poem uses snow as tears, embodying a solitary, lofty purity that refuses contamination, quite different from Sister Xue's poem."

"Sister Xue speaks of Confucian world‑saving, while Sister Lin seeks Daoist truth‑keeping! Spiritually there is a purity of 'origin pure, return pure.'"

"This poem reveals Sister Lin's character! Like a red plum standing in snow, she can be called a solitary celestial tree in a world beyond."

When Daiyu heard the lines "solitary celestial tree in a world beyond" and "origin pure, return pure," her heart trembled slightly, feeling that Jia Jing's two remarks struck her deeply.

She lifted her gaze slightly toward Jia Jing, meeting his deep eyes, and couldn't help asking:

"Third Brother says I'm Daoist, Sister Xue is Confucian, yet I don't know which school Third Brother belongs to?"

Baichai, hearing this, also looked at Jia Jing; although the question came from Daiyu, she too wanted the answer.

Jia Jing smiled and said:

"I am both Confucian and Daoist. In deeds I share Sister Xue's aspirations; in character I admire Sister Lin's genuine spirit. Sister Xue possesses talent of living knowledge, Sister Lin has the nature of celestial insight! Both are excellent!"

After finishing, Jia Jing recited the poem he had written:

"'Verses to Snow': When six bursts of flying flowers enter the doorway, I sit and watch the green bamboo turn into jade branches. Now it is good to ascend a high tower and look, covering all the evil paths of the world."

This poem's title resembles Lin Daiyu's, and its sentiment is akin to Xue Baichai's.

Both Xue and Lin use snow as a metaphor for tears or aspirations, but Jia Jing's piece directly expresses his heartfelt thoughts.

Appreciating snow without being limited to it, he thinks of the common people and clear governance; the line "covering all the evil paths of the world" aims to cleanse all dangers and injustices.

Xue Baichai, after listening, looked at the outstanding Jia Jing and praised:

"Excellent outlook, excellent structure! The final line elevates from personal aesthetic to a grand ambition of benefiting the world and securing the people! Third Brother truly lives up to being a high minister of the state, never forgetting to worry about the nation and its people!"

Lin Daiyu fixed her gaze on Jia Jing and Xue Baichai, the light in her eyes dimming slightly,

The two have become kindred spirits, making herself feel redundant!

Third Brother's impression shifts from distant to near; after all, I met him two years ago, hmph!

Daiyu's thoughts, under Baichai's influence, unknowingly began to change.

Beside her, Xiangling was also carefully pondering the three poems of Baichai, Daiyu, and Jia Jing, and for some reason she still liked Lin Daiyu's the most.

Third Uncle and Miss Baichai's are fine, yet they fail to resonate with her.

Instead, Miss Lin's poem reminded her of her own tumultuous past.

"Hey! Third Brother, this courtyard is bustling!"

Just as the scene fell into silence and everyone's thoughts diverged,

a familiar laughing voice came from the back‑yard gate; the sound arrived before the person.

When the resplendent Wang Xifeng, dressed in colorful embroidered splendor, approached with her maidservants and handmaids, Daiyu first joked:

"I always say this person is the most annoying; wherever there's a bustle, she must be there, even though no one invited her!"

Lin Daiyu and Feng Jie are quite familiar, which is why they can joke like this.

Feng Jie, hearing Daiyu's words, was not annoyed; instead she glanced at Baichai, then at Daiyu and Jia Jing, and laughed:

"I finally managed to get some winter worm summer grass sent from outside, thinking of Miss Lin's recent poor health, I sent her a bit."

"But when I went to her courtyard I found she had come to you, hurriedly arriving at your place, and the result was that I couldn't deliver it properly, and people even drove it away in annoyance; this life truly can't be endured…"

Wang Xifeng, who knows Lin Daiyu's temperament well, after that speech left Lin Daiyu both embarrassed and ashamed, tears nearly spilling.

Wang Xifeng understood Lin Daiyu's temperament very well; after a few words, Lin Daiyu felt both ashamed and embarrassed, her tears almost falling.

"Second sister‑in‑law, stop joking with Miss Lin; if Miss Lin weren't close to you, she wouldn't speak to you like this. If she truly disliked someone, she wouldn't bother to engage! You've clearly figured out her temperament!"

"Guests are welcome, come sit! Today we have some grilled meat and hot pot; Sister Xue brought some venison and Marinated Goose Foot and Duck Delicacy, you should try it too."

Anyone who comes is a guest—come sit down! Today we happen to have some grilled meat and hot pot to eat; Sister Xue brought some venison and Marinated Goose Foot and Duck Delicacy—you should come try it too.

At that moment, on one side of the pavilion, Xiaohong, Ying Er, and Zijuan, who had been happily eating, saw Wang Xifeng arrive; they all put down their bowls and chopsticks and stood in a line, showing that Feng Jie was still very imposing before the maids as usual.