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

Jia Jing's deep gaze fell on Baochai's beautiful face, and he said softly:

"Hengzhi is better than Hengwu. The character 'wu' is too lonely and desolate, while the character 'zhi' is elegant, gentle, and independent, which perfectly matches my sister's noble character. I like it very much!"

"Hengwu" is a kind of herb. It comes from Wang Jia's "Shiyi Ji" in the Jin Dynasty: "The emperor rested in Yanliang Room and dreamed that Lady Li gave him the fragrance of Hengwu."

Lady Li was Emperor Wu of Han's most beloved concubine. After her death, Emperor Wu missed her dearly and dreamed that she sent him fragrant herbs.

Therefore, behind the two characters "Hengwu" lies the imagery of longing, loneliness, and unfulfilled desire.

Furthermore, "Hengwu" specifically refers to a combination of two types of vine-like herbs, namely Duheng and Miwu. Their characteristics are that they are soft and creeping, clinging to other objects such as rocks or trees, and winding their way upwards.

Zhi refers to Angelica dahurica, a fragrant herb with a straight stem, symbolizing noble character.

The characters "蘅" and "芷" are often used together, symbolizing the combination of talent and virtue, and an independent and autonomous identity.

Jia Jing's words implied that he would no longer allow Baochai to be the "unrequited love" of Lady Li.

Instead, we should strive to be independent, vibrant individuals, embodying the spirit of nature and living a fulfilling life.

This is acceptance, and also a commitment!

Upon hearing this, Baochai's heart burst with joy, her fair face instantly turning bright red, and her moist almond-shaped eyes curving into crescents.

She dared not look directly into Jia Jing's deep eyes any longer, lowered her head, and slowly rested her forehead against Jia Jing's chest.

The gold thread of the python robe pressed against her forehead, cool to the touch, but beneath that coolness lay his heartbeat.

One step at a time, unhurried and unhurried, just like him.

Jia Jing's hand hovered in mid-air for a moment, then fell down and landed on her shoulder.

He didn't pull her into his arms, but simply placed her there, like a mountain resting on a plain, steady and unmoving.

A gust of wind blew by, making the grass on the wall rustle.

The moonlight was as white as frost, spreading across the bluestone slabs, onto Baochai's shoulders, and onto Jia Jing's lowered eyelashes.

The shadows of the two people were cast on the ground, one tall and one short, very close together, as if they were stuck together by the moonlight.

Baochai's tears were still flowing, silently, falling drop by drop onto Jia Jing's python robe, but at this moment the tears must have tasted sweet!

The corners of her mouth curved up, forming a very faint, subtle arc that even she herself was unaware of.

To have met such a good man in this life, what more could one ask for!

Baochai closed her eyes, her forehead pressed against Jia Jing's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and felt that all the noise in the world had faded away.

The night breeze carried the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, filling the air with its sweet aroma!

For a moment, neither of them spoke or moved.

Only the moonlight moved slowly, lengthening and shortening their shadows, like the slowest pendulum in the world.

…………

It was almost midnight when Jia Jing returned to the Jingwu Academy. The night was deep, and the academy's gate was ajar.

Jia Jing pushed open the door and entered; the scene in the courtyard was not much different from before.

The training platform and weapon racks that were originally full of items have been moved out, and the stone table and benches under the jujube tree have been covered with tarpaulin.

All other items were also neatly arranged, clearly indicating that Zhuque had already arranged for his personal guards to move the house!

Although the Rongguo Mansion will still arrange for personal guards to protect them, they will no longer be allowed to live here!

Jia Jing looked around, greeted the guards on duty, and then headed straight for the backyard.

The backyard was brightly lit, and the lanterns at the entrance cast a dim yellow light, illuminating a small patch of blue brick ground in front of the steps.

When Jia Jing pushed open the door to enter the backyard, Xiangling, Qingwen, Xiaohong, and Xiaojiao'er, who had heard the commotion, had already lifted the curtain and were waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Jia Jing enter, the young actor in the green robe was the first to let out an excited cheer:

"Third Master, you're back!"

Immediately, he took a few quick steps and ran to Jia Jing's side.

Xiangling, Qingwen, and Xiaohong, equally excited, quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Jia Jing in unison.

"Congratulations on your triumphant return, Your Excellency!"

Jia Jing smiled slightly and glanced at the three of them.

Xiangling was on the left, wearing a light blue jacket over a moon-white vest. Her hair was neatly combed, and a white magnolia hairpin adorned her temple. She was graceful and elegant.

His eyes were clear and bright, like a mountain stream flowing over stones, and he exuded a scholarly air.

Qingwen is on the right, wearing a moon-white nightgown and a blue satin vest, with a slender waist and narrow shoulders.

The girlish innocence in her eyes and brows has faded somewhat, and her figure has become somewhat alluring!

Xiao Hong followed behind, her clothes light and clean, quiet and still.

They were all young girls in their prime, with striking good looks and quite pleasing to the eye!

"Get up, everyone!"

Jia Jing waved his hand, then led the group straight to the main house.

Xiangling, Qingwen, and Xiaojiao'er naturally followed in Jia Jing's footsteps.

"Third Master, why are you so late? I was getting sleepy waiting for you!" the young actor asked in a clear voice.

"Hmm! I had something to do and came back late. Why don't you go to sleep if you're tired?" Jia Jing said with a smile.

The little boy placed his small hand into Jia Jing's large hand, his eyes shining like two stars, and said happily:

"I'm a big kid now! It's Grandpa's first day back, of course I have to wait for him! Hehe!"

Jia Jing, holding the little boy's hand, turned to look at Qingwen and Xiangling and asked:

"How have you been at home lately?"

Xiangling's clear eyes lingered on Jia Jing's face for a moment before quickly looking down, and she said softly:

"All is well. The Third Miss often sends people to inquire, and the Second Mistress also frequently sends Sister Ping'er to deliver things."

"And Miss Lin and Miss Bao also come to chat often."

Qingwen, standing to the side, looked Jia Jing up and down, seemingly checking for injuries, and said in a sweet voice:

"Now that the master has been granted the title of Duke, we maids have naturally risen in status as well. We're even more respectable than Sister Yuanyang in the old lady's room now, and no one dares to neglect us!"

At this point, Qingwen paused, then lowered her head and said:

"I'm just a little worried about Grandpa's safety while I'm at home!"

Jia Jing smiled upon hearing this. After not seeing each other for several months, Qingwen and Xiangling's attitude towards him had not become distant at all, but rather even closer.

He was actually quite aware of the situation between the two at home.

Qingwen's statement that she was more dignified than Yuanyang was not entirely unfounded!

In the past, the three major figures in the Rongguo Mansion's maidservant circle were Ping, Xi, and Yuan!

Then the second tier consists of the chief maids in the young ladies' rooms, such as Zijuan and Shishu!

The third tier consists of ordinary first-class maids such as Musk Moon.

The status of maids was undoubtedly closely related to that of their masters.

Yuanyang is Grandmother Jia's chief maid, Xiren is responsible for serving the mansion's "lifeblood" Jia Baoyu, and Ping'er is the capable assistant to the housekeeper Wang Xifeng.

They were all first-class head maids; although they were servants, their status was second only to the young masters and ladies of the various households.

She was far beyond the reach of ordinary maids, and therefore often received treatment in the Jia family that far exceeded her status.

However, since Jia Jing rose to prominence, the power structure among the maids in the Jia family has also changed.

Although Ping Xiyuan was still the top maid in the Jia family, two people quietly rose above her: Xiangling and Qingwen.

As Jia Jing's top maids, Xiangling and Qingwen will eventually become his "roommates." Although they don't have much power for the time being, their status is already extraordinary!

Therefore, the landscape of the maids in the Jia family has quietly transformed into a "two superpowers and many strong players" situation!