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

Jia Jing's gaze fell directly on Baochai, pausing for a moment.

Baochai was sitting quietly by the window, her face full and well-proportioned, her skin as white as jade, with a faint healthy glow.

Her almond-shaped eyes were bright and clear, as if they held autumn water. Her gaze held both the charm of a young girl and the composure beyond her years.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in green, her lips like cherries dotted with rouge, her nose straight, and her chin round and full. Her whole face was like a blooming peony, elegant and noble, with beauty beyond words.

Especially the light blush on her face, the pair of white jade pendants by her ears, and the jade hairpin in her hair that was more carefully chosen than usual.

The pink sheen on her lips added a touch of charm and allure to the understated elegance of "Hengzhijun."

"A woman adorns herself for the one who understands her," Jia Jing suddenly thought.

Upon seeing Jia Jing enter, Baochai quickly stood up and gave a slight curtsy.

"Third brother, you've come!"

There was a layer of joy and tenderness in her voice that she had never felt before.

Xiangling then tactfully withdrew and quietly closed the door behind her.

Jia Jing walked slowly towards Baochai, smiling lightly as he spoke casually:

"What are you talking about with Xiangling? They seem to be having a good chat!"

Baochai was about to answer when suddenly her delicate body trembled slightly, and her pear-like face slowly blushed.

Like the morning glow dyeing the clouds, it starts from the base of the ears, spreads up the neck little by little, and reaches the corners of the eyes.

Her usually calm and serene almond-shaped eyes were now lowered, her eyelashes casting a dappled shadow beneath them, and her breathing was a little more rapid than before, her chest rising and falling slightly.

It turned out that Jia Jing had gently taken her hand, and the palm of his hand covering the back of her hand radiated an incredibly warm sensation.

So much so that the warmth seeped into her body little by little through her fingers, like water beginning to flow beneath the ice in spring, silent yet unstoppable.

Baochai suppressed the shyness, fluster, and joy in her heart, and said in a soft, trembling voice that she herself did not realize was:

"We were just talking about the two poems my brother wrote yesterday. Xiangling doesn't quite understand the one called 'The Cold Wind'."

"I gave her a rough explanation based on my own understanding, but I don't know if it was correct!"

"My sister is very knowledgeable; what she says must be true!"

Jia Jing held Baochai's soft, slightly cool hand, feeling her shyness and looking at her delicate and beautiful appearance, and replied softly.

At the same time, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the most beautiful woman among all the beauties, Baochai, at the age of coming of age, already possessed seven or eight parts of the charm described in the saying "possessing unparalleled beauty and rare charm".

"It's kind of you to come see me so early, little sister. I've been busy with official duties lately, seeing people off every day, leaving early and returning late. It's not that I intentionally neglected you."

"Besides, it's not convenient for me to go to Rikain's place too often!"

Jia Jing took Baochai's hand and sat her down on a nearby embroidered stool, explaining to her gently.

In truth, this matter was indeed Jia Jing's oversight.

Since the night they fell in love, he hasn't gone to see Baochai even once in the past few days. Instead, he even made the young lady of the house put aside her pride and take the initiative to come to the East Mansion to find him.

I reckon Baochai went through a struggle before deciding to come today. She couldn't refuse, but she was afraid he would look down on her if she did.

It was precisely because he considered the possible concerns Baochai might have that Jia Jing took her hand as soon as he entered the room, to show his closeness and comfort her, and then gently comforted her with a word.

It must be said that this also reflects the difference in temperament between Baochai and Daiyu. Baochai is a virtuous, sensible, and understanding career-oriented partner.

If she has negative feelings, a little comforting will make it go away, and she can even reflect on whether she did something wrong!

If it were Daiyu in this situation, and Jia Jing had ignored her for so long—after they had just established a relationship, he had left her hanging for ten or fifteen days—she would probably be thinking all sorts of things:

He was probably tired, because he didn't care about me at all!

Or: That's just how my brother is, he's so unresponsive!

Or: There's no need for this alternating good and bad moods. I understand that my brother doesn't truly care about me!

To take it to an extreme: If he doesn't come looking for me, then that person is probably dead!

In short, she might throw a tantrum and won't be so easy to appease!

Of course, it's not to say that Daiyu is inferior to Baochai, but that the two have different personalities. Daiyu is more inclined to have a spiritual partner and needs companionship, and is more pure!

"My brother is preoccupied with national affairs; how could he be delayed because of me? I understand!"

Baochai raised her bright, watery eyes and looked at Jia Jing. Their eyes met, and she softly expressed her understanding.

If Jia Jing were someone who indulged in romantic relationships, she probably wouldn't have fallen so deeply in love!

Isn't it precisely the ambitious, calm, and composed demeanor of the young man in front of her that she admires?

Jia Jing smiled and said:

"Then come over whenever you have time. I'll explain things to Xiangling and the guards here at the manor!"

Perhaps it's time to arrange something for the girls in the West Mansion to do, and also find a suitable excuse for Baochai and Daiyu to come over!

Baochai gave a barely audible "hmm," her fair cheeks flushed slightly, and nodded gently.

Jia Jing didn't continue the topic. Instead, he released Baochai's hand, took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, and chuckled:

"I haven't given my sister anything yet. This jade pendant was specially made for me. Please see if you like it!"

Although gifts had been exchanged before, those were gifts that all the sisters in the Jia family had, so they couldn't be considered a unique interest between the two of them.

Baochai was taken aback upon hearing this. She raised her plump, fair face and looked up at the jade pendant in Jia Jing's hand.

It was a piece of Hetian jade that was round in shape, with a deep and restrained color, and a circle of cloud patterns carved around the edge.

The front is carved with a half-open peony in relief, with overlapping petals. At the stamen of the peony, there is a seal script character "璟" with full strokes, which is calm and dignified.

Unable to resist reaching out to stroke the jade pendant, Baochai's heart fluttered with joy. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her back, and her plump, radiant face was filled with delight as she softly said:

"Why did my brother think of giving me this?"

She knew perfectly well what the jade pendant with the character "Jing" engraved on it represented when Jia Jing gave her!

Just like the sentiment she conveyed in the jade pendant she gave Jia Jing, which was engraved with the words "Hengzhi".

Without a doubt, this is a token of our love that we will cherish together!

Moreover, the jade pendant is warm to the touch, with a delicate texture. The peony background color is calm, dignified, rich, elegant, and understated, which perfectly matches her temperament.

The character "璟" is hidden in the soft part of the flower's stamen; such arrangements clearly show that care was taken.

This also shows that Jia Jing cares about her and has no intention of being perfunctory or ignoring her!

Jia Jing chuckled:

My sister gave me a jade pendant, so I should reciprocate with one as a keepsake. I just don't know if it will suit her taste?

Actually, I made two pieces in total. Although they differed in some details, both of them were engraved with words!

Baochai's snow-white face flushed crimson, her almond-shaped eyes lowered, unable to conceal her shyness. Her voice trembled, a mixture of joy and excitement, as she spoke:

"I like anything my brother gives me!"

Although I was embarrassed to call him Jinglang, the three words before "brother" had automatically disappeared!

As for his elder brother Xue Pan, he will naturally call him "elder brother" from now on, as he has already been treated as a separate person...

"Then I'll put it on my sister..."

Jia Jing took the jade pendant, slowly stood up, walked around behind Baochai, gently coiled up her cascading black hair, and tied it behind her white neck.

Baochai blushed and gently unbuttoned a few buttons on the front of her dress, hiding the jade pendant inside her undergarment.

The silk ribbon slid across her neck, the warm jade pressed against her collarbone, and slowly slid down to her heart.

Her eyes were lowered, and her slightly trembling eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes, revealing the turmoil in her heart.