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

Upon hearing this, Jia Jing remained silent for a moment, then thought for a moment and felt that there were some things he should tell the two of them in advance. So his expression turned serious, and he said solemnly:

"It's hard to say about the others, but you two should be more respectful when you meet, Lin Daiyu and Xue Daiyu!"

Xue Baochai has already expressed her feelings to him, and the two have become engaged. Although the formal arrangement of their relationship is still uncertain, their relationship is undeniable.

While Lin Daiyu wasn't as direct as Xue Baochai, her feelings for Xue Baochai could still be confirmed by the purse she sent and the secret report from the Imperial Guards.

Therefore, as long as he does not choose to be unfaithful, neither of these two will marry another man in the future.

Of course, faced with two beautiful, graceful, and charming young women, he might not necessarily give them the position of his principal wife, but he certainly wouldn't be unfaithful!

The reason for telling Qingwen and Xiangling at this time was that they happened to ask about it.

Secondly, as Daiyu and Baochai gradually became closer to him, this matter could not be kept from the two of them, who were his personal maids. Before long, they would inevitably find out, so there was no need to keep it a secret!

However, Jia Jing still solemnly warned him:

"Don't let this get out, lest it damage the reputation of your two younger sisters."

At this moment, Qingwen and Xiangling were completely oblivious to Jia Jing's subsequent admonitions. Their pretty faces were frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief.

God knows! They had only asked casually and never expected to get a definite answer from Jia Jing.

After all, Jia Jing was always dignified and imposing at home, and rarely talked about such topics.

To everyone's surprise, this casual question not only elicited a reply from Jia Jing, but also revealed two things...

Qingwen's pretty face was filled with barely suppressed emotion. Her combing motions slowly stopped, her lips parted, and she exclaimed in disbelief:

"My goodness! Miss Lin and Miss Bao, when did this all happen...?"

Then, as if he had suddenly realized something, his eyes filled with a look of understanding, and he sighed:

"I should have guessed... No wonder... No wonder I always felt that Master treated Miss Lin and Miss Bao differently..."

As Jia Jing's personal maid, she knew more about many things than others.

Just as Zijuan could see Jia Jing's many "special treatments" for Lin Daiyu, Qingwen, upon careful consideration, immediately felt that there were suspicious clues everywhere.

However, her third master was so good at hiding his true intentions that she had never been able to fully detect them.

After all, it's perfectly understandable for an older brother to care for his younger sister, but who knew...

Seeing that the two were both stunned, Jia Jing's expression changed slightly, and then he calmly and gently comforted them:

"You don't need to overthink it. You know what kind of people Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai are! I'm just letting you know so you're aware!"

The main purpose is to prevent a situation like in the original story, where Qingwen throws a tantrum and locks Daiyu outside the courtyard, refusing to open the door.

Of course, perhaps at that time Qingwen thought the person outside the door was Baochai...

Xiangling nodded gently, and after a moment of contemplation, a hint of joy slowly spread across her face.

Lin Daiyu was her teacher, and Xue Baochai was her original mistress. No matter which of the two became the Third Master's legal wife in the future, it would be a good thing for her!

She was initially worried that the Third Master would marry a stranger who was difficult to serve as his wife, which would make life difficult for them, the maids!

Looking back now, this result was undoubtedly the best possible outcome!

Qingwen clearly thought of this as well, and her face unconsciously brightened a little.

Although she preferred Miss Lin to Miss Bao.

After all, Miss Lin is straightforward and simple, while Miss Bao is somewhat deep and not easy to get close to.

But whether it's Miss Bao or Miss Lin, they're still much better than strangers outside!

In her opinion, Miss Lin was far more likely to become the principal wife than Miss Bao, mainly because Miss Bao's family background was far inferior to that of the Third Master...

Just as the two were lost in thought and the room fell silent, Xiao Hong's voice suddenly came from outside the door:

"Master, Miss Bao has arrived and is waiting for you in the inner hall!"

Speak of the devil and he appears!

It's rare for Baochai to come to the East Mansion at this time!

Jia Jing pondered for a moment, then instructed Xiangling:

"Go and lead Sister Xue to the study on the west side to meet me. I'll be there in a bit!"

Although the two had already pledged their love in private, they had not yet married. For Baochai, a young lady from a respectable family, to take the initiative to come to the East Mansion was already a bold move.

Jia Jing must be mindful of her dignity, avoiding gossip in the household while ensuring she feels respected and valued. This is the way to cultivate a relationship!

From this perspective, the study on the west side is the most suitable place to meet. It can be used as a cover for "discussing politics by borrowing books" and also indicates that she has been promoted from an ordinary "younger sister" to "someone who can enter the important place of the study".

It must be said that Jia Jing had two large studies, one of which, the western study, was where he usually read, practiced calligraphy, and handled miscellaneous tasks.

The study on the east side was a secret place for handling important military and military affairs of the imperial court and the affairs of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The East Study was guarded day and night by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and no one else in the mansion was allowed to enter except for him.

Xiangling responded and turned to leave.

Qingwen quickly combed Jia Jing's hair and straightened his clothes. Her fingers were long and nimble, and when she fastened the buttons, she didn't even need to look at them. She just wiped them with her hand and fastened them.

Before long, she had efficiently dressed Jia Jing in a brand new look, and he was now dressed in a python robe and jade belt.

Jia Jing did not rush to see Baochai. Instead, he first went to the bedroom to get a few things before leisurely heading towards the study on the west side.

At this moment, in the study on the west side, agarwood incense was burning in the Boshan incense burner, and wisps of blue smoke rose slowly in the pillar of light.

Baochai sat gracefully on a chair by the window. Today she wore a honey-colored jacket with a silver fox fur half-sleeved garment over it. Her hair was styled more carefully than usual, and she wore a jade hairpin with a small peony carved on the tip.

She wore a pair of white jade pendants on her earlobes, which she didn't usually wear.

A thin layer of rouge was applied to her cheeks, so light it was almost invisible, like the morning glow brushing the edge of the clouds.

The morning light shining through the window illuminated her fair face, adding to her delicate beauty, and her cherry lips, painted with rouge, shone with a glossy sheen.

She was holding two manuscripts of poems in her hand, looking down at them carefully.

The handwriting on the poem manuscript was vigorous and powerful, with strokes as sharp as knives.

The first poem is titled "Bamboo and Rock": Clinging firmly to the green mountain, its roots firmly planted in the broken rock. A thousand blows and ten thousand strikes cannot break its strength; it stands firm against the winds from all directions.

The second poem is titled "The Howling Wind": Danger and safety do not linger in my heart, what difference is there between me and floating clouds passing through the vast sky? In the deep of night, the palace gates are quiet, the moon shines on the mountains and rivers, and the wind blows for ten thousand miles!

Both poems are excellent works, and judging from the handwriting, they are undoubtedly from the hand of the third brother.

Just as she was savoring the food, Xiangling entered carrying a food box and teapot, gently placed them on the table, curtsied, and said softly:

"Miss, Third Master got up this morning to practice martial arts and is changing his clothes. He'll be here in a bit."

"Young lady, you've come so early, you probably haven't eaten yet. Have some tea and snacks to fill your stomach first."

Having learned of Baochai's change of status from Jia Jing, Xiangling now held her in even greater respect.

Baochai raised her head, looked at Xiangling, and felt a surge of affection for her. A slight smile curved her lips as she softly said:

"No rush. Third Brother is very busy, and it was I who abruptly came to disturb you! What time did he return yesterday? I heard that the Old Madam waited for him at the East Mansion until very late but still didn't see him!"

Grandmother Jia came to the East Mansion last night, her intention being to plead for Baoyu, but unfortunately she didn't see him.

Xiangling looked at the dignified and elegant Baochai, poured her tea and arranged some snacks, and replied with a smile:

"Third Master didn't return until around 1:15 PM last night. The old lady left around 1:15 PM, so she missed him!"