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

Inside Rongqing Hall,

With a soft exclamation from Xiangyun, everyone in the hall saw Jia Jing and Shi Ding coming from the outer room.

With varying expressions, everyone smiled and rose to greet him. Jia Jing waved his hand and then glanced at the faces of everyone in the hall.

He paused at Baochai, then his gaze finally settled on Xiangyun's face, noticing a rare hint of nervousness on her apple-shaped cheeks, and teased her with a smile:

"Why is Sister Yun so reserved today? It's not like her usual carefree self!"

Xiangyun's face flushed instantly, turning from a slightly ripe apple to a ripe one. She quickly glanced at Shi Ding beside Jia Jing and said softly and coquettishly:

"My third brother made fun of me, saying I'm not a good person!"

Jia Jing, of course, understood Xiangyun's situation in the Shi family and her current thoughts. He smiled, reached out and touched her hair, and said gently:

"I plan to clear a space in the back garden of the East Mansion to use as a training ground. You can bring your pony over to practice your riding skills when you have time."

"Also, the gifts I brought for you from the Northwest arrived this morning, and I just had them delivered to your yard."

"After you finish eating, you can go back and see if you like it. How about it? Is Third Brother still a good person?"

Xiangyun originally did not have her own courtyard in the Jia family mansion; she had always lived there as a guest.

They could either live with Grandmother Jia in her green gauze-curtained room or in Daiyu's courtyard. The two were close and could keep each other company!

However, after Tan Chun took over the household management, Jia Jing instructed her to prepare a fixed courtyard for Xiang Yun, not far from Dai Yu's courtyard, which marked the end of her nomadic living situation in the Jia family.

Upon hearing this, Xiangyun's face lit up with a broad smile, and she said happily:

"My third brother is the best to me! Thank you, third brother!"

After saying that, he secretly glanced at Shi Ding and Niu Shi, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Seeing Jia Jing's intimate attitude towards Xiangyun, Shi Ding, who was standing to the side, had a flicker in his eyes and seemed to be thinking about something.

The old lady seemed to have considered arranging a marriage between Xiangyun and the Duke before, and had even mentioned it to her own wife.

However, as the Duke's status became more and more prestigious, Xiangyun, an orphan girl from a noble family who lost her father at a young age, was no longer a suitable match for him.

Otherwise, if the Jia and Shi families were to become even closer through marriage, allowing Xiangyun to succeed the old lady as the next Duchess of the Jia family, then the relationship between the two families would truly be inseparable!

Pity……

Shi Ding sighed inwardly, but outwardly remained calm as he smiled at Jia Jing:

"Yun'er is mischievous and active; I'm sorry to trouble the Duke to take care of her at the manor!"

As Jia Jing walked slowly forward, he replied meaningfully:

"Sister Yun is open-minded and straightforward, and has a bit of the heroic spirit of a man who is as clear as the moon and the breeze in the hall."

"Although she can be a bit naive and childish at times, it doesn't hide her innocent and pure heart, and I quite like that about her!"

Although Jia Jing's words were intended to show Shi Ding and Niu Shi how much he valued Xiangyun and to pave the way for his future intervention in Xiangyun and Wei Ruolan's marriage, they were not merely empty words.

Shi Xiangyun's temperament is quite unique among the sisters of the Jia family, and she is very different from ordinary young ladies.

She can eat large chunks of meat when she's in high spirits, and she can also playfully punch and spar when she gets carried away.

She can also dress as a man occasionally, and during the day she is carefree and unrestrained, with a spirited look in her eyes and an open-minded personality that is in no way inferior to that of a man!

Among all the beauties, Shi Xiangyun comes from a wealthy and noble family. She is the eldest daughter of a marquis's family.

Although his family had fallen on hard times and his parents had died young, and he was no longer wealthy, he did not wallow in self-pity or put on an empty aristocratic air.

She disregarded social status and gender distinctions, interacting with people with genuine sincerity and without any ulterior motives; her character was exceptional!

What's even more remarkable is her open-mindedness and broad-mindedness. She talked about yin and yang with her maid Cuilu without getting tired of it, and took the initiative to help Xiangling learn poetry without being afraid of being long-winded.

In Jia Jing's heart, Shi Xiangyun was like a child who never grew up. She wouldn't take unpleasant things to heart, and as long as she slept, it would be as if nothing had happened.

This personality possesses a unique and charming demeanor that is both elegant and unconventional.

From a modern perspective, she might be the kind of "virtuous wife" who can share joys and sorrows, have spiritual exchanges with others, and is easy to get along with!

As Jia Jing finished praising her, the expressions of everyone in the hall changed, and their gazes toward Xiangyun became more varied.

Tan Chun whispered with a smile in Daiyu's ear:

"Third brother's words are quite similar to what Sister Lin just said when she praised Sister Yun."

Daiyu glared at Tanchun with her bright eyes, feeling embarrassed and annoyed, knowing that Tanchun had doubted her words!

At this moment, Baochai's gaze towards Xiangyun became more serious, her almond-shaped eyes shimmering with a hint of suspicion.

Does the third brother's statement reflect only the affection an older brother has for his younger sister, or...?

Just as Xiangyun's face flushed slightly, Grandmother Jia sat up from the couch, forcing a smile, and said:

"Jing-ge'er, Ding-er, have you finished your business? Come and sit down!"

Jia Jing and Shi Ding stepped forward and sat down. Shi Ding replied with a smile:

"We've finished talking! To be honest, today is Duke Jing's first day back, and I shouldn't have come to bother you, but..."

Before Shi Ding could finish speaking, Grandmother Jia interrupted him with a smile:

"Relatives should visit each other more often, why are you saying such polite things!"

Grandmother Jia's attitude towards her nephew Shi Ding was completely different from her attitude towards Niu Shi and Xie Shi; her words were full of barely suppressed affection and joy.

Shi Ding replied with a smile:

"Aunt is right! We should visit more often. From now on, let Madam Niu come to our house whenever she has time, so she can spend more time talking with you and show her filial piety on my behalf!"

Shi Ding's words immediately stirred up Jia Mu's less-than-pleasant memories.

She moved her lips, remained silent for a moment, glanced at her third grandson who was calmly drinking tea from his teacup, and said sourly:

"It's good that you have the intention, but Madam Niu is the mistress of the Zhongjing Marquis's mansion after all. She doesn't have that much free time to come and see an old woman like me. Don't let it interfere with the important matters of the household!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Ding frowned. He glanced at Niu Shi sitting opposite him and sensed a hint of resentment in Jia Mu's words.

Could it be that Mrs. Niu said something wrong and offended the old lady? Or did she unintentionally neglect her?

Thinking of this, Shi Ding's expression became somewhat displeased.

Not to mention that Grandmother Jia was his only aunt and had always treated him well, Madam Niu should have shown him some respect out of consideration for him.

Now, Jia Jing is here in person, and I've heard that he's famously filial.

If he misunderstands or is dissatisfied with me, how can I continue to serve in the Twelfth Regiment?

Even worse, the position you just got might change and be cut short!

Thinking of this, Shi Ding's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"Aunt, what are you saying? You are not only the ancestor of the Jia family, but also a close elder of my Shi family."

"Serving you with filial piety is the most important duty for the descendants of both our families; nothing is greater than filial piety!"

"My nephew has always taught Ning and the others at home that they should treat you as their own grandmother and be filial to you, and that they should never be negligent in the slightest!"