Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Jia Jing walked ahead of Yuanyang, gazing at the sky outside the eaves, his tone growing increasingly solemn and resolute:

"I don't seek others' understanding in my actions, I only seek to have a clear conscience."

"To rectify the household is to ensure the family's survival! To fight on the battlefield is to ensure the nation's stability."

"When the nation is in turmoil, we have no choice but to use sharp blades to cut through the rotten flesh and to save it from peril with iron and blood."

"I can bear the infamy, I can shed blood, as long as the Jia family's foundation stands, as long as the Han Dynasty's borders are peaceful, and the nation is strong..."

"Even if one day I am condemned by a thousand men, I will not have lived in vain!"

"...I would risk my life for the country, regardless of personal fortune or misfortune. You may not understand the painstaking reasons behind my decisive actions in this campaign!"

Jia Jing's expression was somewhat complicated. These words were not only meant for Yuanyang, but also a way for him to reaffirm his principles of governing his family and the country.

The reorganization of the Jia family was a minor matter, involving only a few hundred people in the entire household.

Given the current situation of the Han Dynasty, if it were to turn the tide, revitalize the nation, rectify official corruption, and reform and strengthen the country, the number of people who would die in the future would be far more than ten thousand or even a hundred thousand.

That's when the real killing will happen, with heads rolling and the world changing color.

Without an iron fist and unwavering conviction, such a great undertaking could never have been accomplished!

But if these things are not done, the world will fall into chaos, tens of millions of people will die, the land may even be submerged, people will change their surnames and clothes, and the country and the world will perish.

The same principle applies to governing a family and a country. If the family business fails to prosper and the country does not flourish, his unwavering commitment will not change in the slightest.

"I'm telling you this today not to explain anything. I just see that you have some loyalty, and since we happened to be talking about this matter, I thought I'd tell you."

"You have your duty to protect the old lady, and I have my responsibility to protect my family and country. Although our paths are different, our hearts are the same in protecting the country."

Yuanyang was deeply moved by Jia Jing's words.

Although she didn't understand everything, she could sense the generosity, the unwavering masculine spirit, and the subtle regret that no one else could comprehend in his tone.

This was a feeling she had never experienced with any of the other men in the household; for the first time, she gained a new understanding of the word "great man" in the book.

She suddenly realized that the young man before her was carrying not only the rise and fall of a family, but also the survival of a clan, and even the safety of a nation.

Yuanyang stared blankly at Jia Jing's strong profile, her heart pounding.

A complex feeling of emotion, unlike anything she had ever experienced before, welled up in Fang's heart. This feeling also included a hint of admiration that she herself might not even be aware of.

She had initially harbored some resentment towards Jia Jing for directly criticizing Grandmother Jia, but now she felt none at all, only admiration.

She knelt down again, this time bowing solemnly:

"Your Excellency's good intentions are evident to heaven and earth! This servant...this servant spoke nonsense before, talking recklessly about family matters, showing no consideration for Your Excellency's hard work. Please punish me, Your Excellency..."

Jia Jing helped her up, his tone softening:

"After you get back, take a few boxes of calming incense from my yard and light them for the old lady every night when she goes to sleep."

"These are all imperial items from the palace, which should be somewhat effective in calming the old lady's mind. She can also inform me if she has any worries on her mind."

"The old lady is getting on in years; let her spend her remaining years peacefully at Rongqing Hall with fewer worries!"

Yuanyang stood up and nodded. Seeing that Jia Jing had already walked forward without saying a word, she composed herself, her face brightening, and quickly followed.

Under the eaves, Jia Jing's back stood straight and tall like a pine tree, with the figures of Yuanyang following closely behind, forming a beautiful picture.

…………

After passing through the inner gate, we went around several artificial hills.

Before long, the two arrived at the gate of Lin Daiyu's courtyard.

Meanwhile, in the pavilion in front of Daiyu's courtyard, someone had been waiting for a long time.

"uncle!"

Qin Keqing, wrapped in a silver fox fur cloak, stood in the shadows of the pavilion.

She had been waiting here for nearly half an hour, her pretty face slightly red from the cold, her slender fingers tightly gripping the edge of her cloak.

Upon seeing Jia Jing and Yuanyang approaching, she looked somewhat apprehensive yet delighted, and called out to Jia Jing.

She was accompanied only by her two personal maids, Baozhu and Ruizhu, instead of the usual entourage of old women and servants.

Jia Jing looked up at the sound and saw Qin Keqing. He frowned slightly and asked in confusion:

"Rong-ge's daughter-in-law, what are you doing here?"

Jia Jing spoke calmly, but his eyes held a questioning look. What did it mean that she looked so happy to see him?

Jia Jing didn't think Qin Keqing was there to see Lin Daiyu. If she wanted to see her, she would have done so long ago. Besides, why would she wait here instead of going into the courtyard to see Lin Daiyu?

Upon hearing Jia Jing's question, Qin Keqing cautiously raised her eyes, her gaze shimmering with tears, and softly replied:

"My niece-in-law... has something she wants to ask her uncle."

As she spoke, she glanced again at Yuanyang beside Jia Jing.

With their keen eyes and sharp minds, Yuanyang immediately understood that Qin Keqing had something private to tell Jia Jing.

Although she felt that her niece-in-law and uncle's private conversation was improper, it was ultimately a matter between masters, and how could a mere maid like her interfere?

The mandarin ducks smiled and said:

"I'll go check on Miss Lin first. The old lady is concerned about her condition, so I'll go back and inform her as soon as possible to avoid worrying her."

After saying this, without waiting for Jia Jing and Qin Keqing to nod, Yuanyang walked into Lin Daiyu's courtyard alone.

After Yuanyang had gone far away, Qin Keqing looked at Jia Jing's tall and upright figure and spoke again:

"Uncle, could we speak in private for a moment?"

Qin Keqing spoke slowly, with a hint of inquiry, but her knuckles were already white from gripping the cloak so tightly.

Jia Jing did not answer immediately; he scrutinized the woman before him, who was hailed as the "most beautiful woman in the Dream of the Red Chamber."

Although they had met a few times before, it was always in public, so he, as a younger brother-in-law, couldn't really look his niece-in-law too closely.

Upon closer inspection, she was indeed quite attractive, with a beautiful face and graceful figure.

Her eyes and brows naturally exude a graceful charm, appearing gentle and compliant, yet possessing a unique allure unlike any other.

He looks somewhat like Xiangling, but Xiangling gives him a charming and adorable feeling.

Qin Keqing, on the other hand, possessed a captivating charm and a graceful, elegant appearance. In particular, her eyes held a hint of melancholy and pitifulness, making one instinctively want to protect and care for her.

Judging from her appearance alone, even Daiyu and Baochai lacked the charm of a mature woman compared to her.

Among all the women in the Jia family, Qin Keqing was indeed one of the most beautiful.

Jia Jing sighed inwardly: Such outstanding looks, yet lacking a matching family background and means, no wonder Jia Zhen disregarded worldly customs and insisted on having an incestuous relationship with this daughter-in-law.

Having thought of this, Jia Jing understood Qin Keqing's purpose in coming.