Chapter 9: San Chun and Daiyu

And in front of the hall,

After Jia Jing left, Jia She and Mrs. Xing took Wang Shanbao's household and also left.

At this point, Feng Jie asked Jia Mu:

How could the ancestors treat little Jing so leniently…

Especially since Jia Jing hit Lai Da, who is Jia Mu's trusted aide, Jia Baoyu and she both have to show him some respect.

Jia Mu was truly weary at this point, she sighed without speaking, just waved her hand to signal Feng Jie to ask Lady Wang.

Lady Wang, seeing this, explained:

"You don't know; the mansion is currently handling Yuan Chun's affair in the palace. We must not cause trouble, lest we lose the big for the small."

"I heard that the emperor himself is also very concerned about the frontline war, inquiring daily about the border situation; at this point, if the mansion has a descendant who volunteers for military service, Yuan Chun in the palace will also gain some dignity."

Feng Jie then suddenly realized!

It turns out it's for Yuan Chun; if she could gain some favor in the rear palace,

The Jia family could also prosper along with it; compared to this, trivial household matters naturally should be set aside.

Jia Mu then said:

"I think little Jing indeed has some of the Old Duke's martial spirit! First give him a path to see; if he accomplishes something, it would also be good for the whole Jia family."

"If he is ungrateful, reckless, ignorant of hierarchy, and confuses the lines of legitimacy, then later we can still beat him."

As for Jia Jing, Jia Mu does not like him; she now prefers Jia Baoyu, this obedient, fortunate grandson.

But Jia Mu also cannot help but admit that Jia Jing has some martial spirit; he is material for a military commander.

If he can achieve good development, it would also be a good thing for the Jia Mansion.

Besides, no matter how you say it, Jia Jing is her grandson; the blood relation is there.

She still hopes Jia Jing will amount to something; she is willing to give him a chance, as long as he doesn't cause trouble outside that implicates the Jia Mansion.

After all, the Jia family is a top martial lineage that stands on military merit; it's really unacceptable that there isn't a single notable general in official circles.

We can't possibly give all the ancestors' connections to Wang Ziteng of the Wang family! This is something she is extremely unwilling to do!

Feng Jie suddenly felt she had learned a bit more of the ancestors' stewardship technique.

……

Jia Jing's small courtyard,

Jia Jing was packing his belongings; actually there wasn't much to pack, mostly some clothes, a few books he had acquired, and the silver totaled less than ten taels.

As an unfavored concubine-born son, with parents who are greedy for wealth and servants who are corrupt, it's strange that he managed to save any silver!

Although there is a monthly stipend, after layers of extortion, what reaches him is only enough for daily living.

Jia She has never rewarded him with even a single tael of silver, and Jia Mu has rarely given any.

At present, the only one by his side is Xiao Jiaoer, whose eyes are red and swollen.

Xiao Jiaoer cried like a tearful person; she had finally made a friend in the mansion and couldn't bear to see Third Uncle leave.

Once he leaves, they might not see each other for several years.

"Xiao Jiaoer, don't cry! Third Uncle, I'll be back in two years; I'll often write you letters when I'm away, don't worry!"

"Go back quickly! If someone sees you being so close to me, Steward Lai and Wang Shanbao's household might make things difficult for you later."

"From now on, when you have nothing to do, come less often to the eastern courtyard; just stay in the ancestors' courtyard, understand?"

Jia Jing gently wiped Xiao Jiaoer's tears and patted her tender shoulder.

Xiao Jiaoer was the first true friend Jia Jing made in this world; during the three months after he arrived, feeling lost, she brought him much joy, reducing his loneliness as a person from another world.

Jia Jing still cares deeply for her!

"Third Uncle! Are you really leaving? Will I never see you again? I also want to go with you, okay?"

"Don't look down on me because I'm small; I can do lots of work! I can wash Third Uncle's clothes and fold his blankets, help him hang curtains, and I don't eat much…"

Xiao Jiaoer, with red eyes, pleaded pitifully.

After all, she is just a four- or five-year-old child; these days she has felt a warmth from Jia Jing she never had before, and truly cannot bear to leave him.

Jia Jing hugged Xiao Jiaoer and said: "Third Uncle also wants to bring Xiao Jiaoer, but this time Third Uncle is going out to fight in a war, which is very dangerous."

"After Third Uncle settles down outside for a few days, I'll write letters and send gifts to Xiao Jiaoer, okay?"

Jia Jing naturally won't bring Xiao Jiaoer now; after all, once he leaves the mansion he must head straight to the battlefield—where could he bring a child!

Although he claims to have Zhao Yun's martial prowess, Xiao Jiaoer is no A Dou! He could not bring her charging seven times in and out of the enemy camp!

"Stay well-behaved in the mansion; when you have nothing to do, go play more often at Miss Lin's or Third Miss's courtyard—they're also good people…"

Before Jia Jing could finish speaking, a clear laugh cut him off:

"Hehe… It turns out that in Third Brother's eyes, I and Elder Sister Lin are actually good; I'm truly flattered!"

Only see the door pushed open as Lin Daiyu and San Chun entered, accompanied by maidservants,

Each holding a small bundle.

"Third Brother!"

Xiao Xichun was the first to call out, showing a mouthful of tiny teeth, very cute.

Jia Jing glanced at the several women before him,

Lin Daiyu is fresh and elegant, her eyes bright and lively like polished black jade, her bearing possessing a transcendent spiritual aura.

Yingchun's skin is slightly plump, she is gentle and silent, giving a sense of approachability; at this moment her eyes show a hint of worry.

Tan Chun has handsome eyes and delicate eyebrows, an oval face, and a lively gaze; the words Jia Jing just spoke were exactly what she had received.

Jia Jing was slightly startled, then hurriedly ushered the several people into the room.

Jia Jing's room is extremely small—apart from a bed, there is only a square table for meals and a desk for reading and writing; there aren't even a few stools, so when several people entered at once it felt rather cramped.

Yingchun and Tan Chun sat beside the square table,

Lin Daiyu, however, did not sit like the others; after thinking for a moment, she walked to the desk where Jia Jing had placed his brush, ink, and books, and naturally sat down.

Her eyes, however, fell straight onto the slightly yellowed paper on Jia Jing's desk.