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

After thinking for a moment, Sister Feng finally made up her mind and said with a smile:

"Third brother! You and Lian'er are blood brothers! As the saying goes, 'Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war side by side.' You two mustn't let your relationship grow distant!"

"How about we wait until the day after tomorrow? Your sister-in-law will treat you to a meal, and then your second brother Lian can have a good chat with you about what's happened at home these past two years!"

"As long as you brothers work together, what problems in this household can't be solved?"

Wang Xifeng did not directly say how to deal with the servants. Although she was very interested, she still needed to go back and discuss it with Jia Lian.

"Please, no need to host me! I have some official business to attend to the day after tomorrow."

"If you're so inclined, Second Sister-in-law, you could secretly investigate the household accounts over the years and gather evidence of these servants' embezzlement and misconduct. Perhaps I can lend you a hand then!"

Jia Jing gave an ambiguous answer.

He definitely had to deal with the servants in the manor!

But now that Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng are taking the lead, it couldn't be better.

Anyway, he wasn't in a hurry; he had already sent Zhuque to gather detailed intelligence on the Jia family.

When the time is right, we will thoroughly clean up the mansion, removing all evil and promoting good, ensuring that no good person is wronged and no bad person is let off the hook.

Now that we have just returned to the manor, it is better to remain still for now and focus on the military affairs of the court.

We can chat casually with Sister Feng; it's a small, albeit casual, move. By uniting her with Jia Lian, it might be more convenient for Sister Feng to handle matters within the inner quarters in the future.

Wang Xifeng was surprised that Jia Jing directly rejected the invitation without giving a definite answer.

As expected, my third brother is still as unapproachable as ever. I need to think of another way to get closer to him.

However, she also knew that this matter was not important to Jia Jing, but rather concerned her and Jia Lian's vital interests.

Jia Jing is a marquis; after he gets married, he will have his own marquis's mansion.

Now that no one in the household dares to neglect him, and the money in the public treasury has little to do with him as a son of a concubine, why bother with something that won't please him!

Wang Xifeng's mind raced, but her smile only deepened. Her bright eyes flickered, and she said with a smile:

"Brother Jing is very busy with official duties, so let's invite him again when there is a chance in the future. I will keep an eye on the accounts at your residence."

"Then the day after tomorrow, I'll invite my second and third sisters, as well as Xiao Jiao'er. They really love drinking the rose dew from my yard."

"Last time I finally managed to get a few bottles, and since they hadn't tried them before, I gave one to each of them. They all said it was great!"

Sister Feng is trying to take credit!

She knew that Jia Jing was probably most concerned about his younger sisters in the mansion.

By mentioning sending rose petals now, he's implying that he hasn't mistreated Yingchun and the others these past two years, and that he always thinks of them when he has something good.

You should be aware of this situation.

And when you left the manor two years ago, I gave you some money, you haven't forgotten that, have you?

Sure enough, Jia Jing's expression softened a bit, and he said:

"These servants of the Lai family are nothing but fish on a chopping board; they only need to wait for us to want to eat them!"

"Give the old lady a few more warnings, so she's prepared. Have Brother Lian check the past accounts, but don't make a fuss. Get the evidence before you act!"

Wang Xifeng was overjoyed, knowing that Jia Jing had already agreed to investigate the servants of the Jia family, and that she had done the right thing by catering to his preferences!

He hurriedly smiled and agreed:

"Don't worry, Third Brother! Second Sister-in-law will handle everything perfectly for you!"

Jia Jing nodded and said:

"Yes! We should set a good example ourselves and not do things we shouldn't do!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's bright smile faltered.

She didn't know if Jia Jing knew something or if he was just giving her a simple instruction.

Could it be that my third brother found out about the loan sharking?

I don't think so!

My third brother is only back for the first time today, how could he know such a secret thing!

Jia Jing didn't care what Feng Jie thought. The two walked slowly together, and in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived at Jia Jing's new residence.

Jia Jing looked up following the lantern and saw a large vermilion plaque hanging in the courtyard.

The sign reads: Jingwu Academy.

His brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, and unconventional!

"We've arrived! This is Third Brother's new residence! This is the courtyard where the late Duke Rong used to practice martial arts and recuperate. It is said that the plaque was also inscribed by the late Duke Rong. Third Brother, you can go in and see if it suits you!" Sister Feng smiled and said.

Jia Jing walked in, and his eyes lit up immediately.

This courtyard is quite large. Not only are there dozens of rooms in the back, but there is also a huge training ground in front, consisting of a command platform, a training ground, a gate, a commander's flag, and other facilities.

It can be used for military drills, general mobilization, and battle formations. It covers an area of ​​about five or six acres and is truly worthy of being a royal mansion built by imperial decree.

Unfortunately, this wonderful courtyard has no successor, the facilities look somewhat outdated, and the courtyard has been deserted for many years.

Once inside the backyard,

The old women and maids inside had already come out upon hearing the noise and stood in two rows.

Seeing Fengjie follow Jia Jing in, they immediately recognized him as their new master, "Third Master Jing," and knelt down to pay their respects, saying:

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

"Get up!" Jia Jing said.

After everyone stood up, Sister Feng hurriedly stepped forward to introduce them.

"These are the eight head maids assigned to you: Emerald, Cloud Brocade, Snow Cicada, Crimson Pearl, and Lu Xi... as well as the second-class maids, Little Red and Spring Swallow..."

Sister Feng especially emphasized the next girl who looked timid.

"This is the maid Xiangling that your aunt gave you."

Jia Jing glanced at Xiang Ling.

With a slender face and delicate features, especially a pink rouge mark between her white eyebrows, she possessed a fresh, elegant, and innocent charm, like a newly blossoming water chestnut.

Upon closer inspection, she bears some resemblance to Lin Daiyu and Qin Keqing, only she is a few years older than Daiyu and has matured considerably.

This is the girl who ranks first in the secondary register of the Twelve Beauties and is the only one with a judgment poem!

"The lotus root and stem exude fragrance, yet its life's experiences are truly heartbreaking. Since a solitary tree grew in two different places, its fragrant soul has returned to its homeland."

Xiangling's fate is truly lamentable. She was a genuine young lady from a wealthy family, but she was abducted by human traffickers, and from then on, she began a tragic life.

After being bought by Xue Pan, she had a period of happiness learning poetry in the Grand View Garden, but was eventually abused and tormented by Xia Jingui, and died in childbirth.

Of all the maids in *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Jia Jing particularly admired Xiangling when reading the original novel.

Especially in the chapter "Xiangling Learns Poetry" in the original work, she was endowed with a special charm, causing a very clear and subtle fragrance to linger in the Grand View Garden. Although she did not have the aloofness and arrogance of Lin Daiyu, she was still a beautiful sight with a fleeting beauty.

Xiangling lacked Qingwen's aloofness and arrogance, and also lacked Xiren's worldly wisdom and sophistication.

Although she suffered misfortune and hardship, she remained innocent, guileless, pure, and gentle. She always faced everything in the world with a smile, steadfastly maintaining her gentle and devoted character.

Seeing Jia Jing staring at Xiang Ling, Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered thoughtfully.

He thought to himself: Could it be that Brother Jing has taken a fancy to this girl? This girl is indeed pitiful to behold, and she bears some resemblance to Lin Daiyu and his niece-in-law, Qin Keqing!