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

Wang Xifeng smiled and said:

"Third brother, are you satisfied with the girl Aunt sent? Aunt said the Pan brothers bought her from kidnappers, and there's quite a story behind it!"

"This girl is pitiful. She was kidnapped when she was a child and has been forced to do chores like washing clothes and cooking. She's often beaten and verbally abused. I don't know how much suffering she's endured over the years!"

Jia Jing nodded; he probably knew more about Xiangling's affairs than Fengjie did.

"Second sister-in-law! Leave Xiangling and Xiaohong here, but take the other maids and servants back with you!"

"I have my personal guards coming and going constantly, so it's inconvenient to leave these maids in the courtyard!" Jia Jing said calmly.

He only selected two maids, Xiao Hong and Xiang Ling, whom he knew from his previous life to be of good character or ability. From now on, they could handle some matters in the inner courtyard.

Jia Jing didn't want the other maids, partly because it was inconvenient, and partly because he didn't have the habit of having too many people take care of him.

On the other hand, he didn't trust them. He didn't know who in the Jia family or even outside the mansion had spies among these maids. How could he possibly keep them in his own courtyard and cause them trouble?

Only the personal guards he brought back from the front lines were people he could absolutely trust.

Sister Feng was surprised that Jia Jing didn't want these maids. They were all carefully selected by her, and they were beautiful and had great figures.

Of course, some of them were added because they received favors from others.

She was somewhat reluctant to be rejected by Jia Jing, and quickly said:

"Third brother! They're just maids, they only stay in the backyard, what's inconvenient about that!"

"Besides, the front yard is so big, we definitely need the cleaning ladies and maids! We can't expect you and your personal guards to do all that chores!"

Jia Jing waved his hand and said in a deep voice:

"Xiangling and Xiaohong are enough for me! I don't need so many people to serve me!"

"I'm not Baoyu, who likes to hang out with girls! Don't you only have Ping'er, your head maid, in your courtyard?"

"Take it back quickly! It's getting late, I won't see you off!"

After Jia Jing finished speaking, he ignored Feng Jie's reaction and walked towards the backyard first.

Xiangling and Xiaohong quickly followed, while the other maids and servants showed expressions of envy and resentment.

Wang Xifeng was helpless. She only had one head maid in her courtyard to prevent Jia Lian from stealing her food. Originally, she had brought four head maids with her when she married into the family.

But later, only Ping'er remained loyal, rather than her not wanting more servants.

But judging from Jia Jing's expression, he clearly didn't give her any room to argue further.

He could only console himself: at least his aunt's daughter Xiangling and the housekeeper Lin's daughter Xiaohong were accepted! Both of them owed him a favor.

The less they collect, the greater the benefit to both sides. Everything is about scarcity increasing value!

"Let's go! It's not that I'm refusing to talk to you, it's just that you're not cut out for it. Pack your things and come back with me!"

Sister Feng greeted the group of maids, servants, and others.

Jia Jing entered the bedroom in the backyard, with Xiangling following closely behind, a hint of nervousness on her face.

Xiao Hong, on the other hand, was noticeably bolder and seemed quite excited.

However, she was a second-class maid and was not qualified to enter the room to serve, so she stopped at the door.

Only Jia Jing and Xiang Ling were left to enter the room.

"By the way! Where did the little star go?" Jia Jing asked Xiangling.

Now that I'm back, Xiao Jiao'er must be my maid in the courtyard.

Why haven't I seen anyone since dinner?

Xiangling replied somewhat timidly:

"Little Jiao'er was waiting for the Marquis, but it's too late, and he's tired from playing all day, so he's already fallen asleep in his private room!"

When Jia Jing went to his room, he found the little girl already sprawled out on the bed, fast asleep, completely undisturbed by his return.

The separate room was where the maids in the master's room rested at night. If the master got up at night or wanted to drink water, the maids could serve him immediately.

Jia Jing stepped forward and tucked the blanket around Xiao Jiao'er's head before taking Xiang Ling outside.

"Are you a little afraid of me?" Jia Jing asked Xiangling, who had her head down.

"Hmm..." Xiangling nodded weakly.

Jia Jing was inherently dignified and imposing, and coupled with being in an unfamiliar environment and serving an unfamiliar master, Xiangling was naturally a little uneasy.

"Then how about I return you to your aunt?" Jia Jing asked.

Jia Jing had only made a casual remark, but to his surprise, Xiangling suddenly took two steps back, knelt down, and kowtowed to him.

She cried and said:

"Please, my lord, don't send me away! I'm willing to serve you well..."

Although Xiangling is charming and naive, she is not stupid; in fact, one could say she is quite intelligent.

She knew in her heart that since the lady had given her to the Marquis, she hoped that she could stay by the Marquis's side and serve him well.

If he were sent back, he would not only disappoint his wife's expectations, but he would also likely be blamed by the Xue family.

If the Xue family rejects me again, what will I do?

In an instant, thinking of her tragic past, Xiangling burst into tears.

Jia Jing bent down and helped her up, comforting her:

"I didn't mean to kick you out! Otherwise, so many people were chased away, why would I keep you and Xiao Hong here!"

Seeing that Xiangling was somewhat dazed, Jia Jing continued to instruct her:

"From now on, you'll stay here and keep Xiao Jiao company! I won't have many other things to tell you. Just take good care of yourself and Xiao Jiao!"

"But remember one thing: once you're in my yard, you belong to me!"

"You can't betray your own side. You can't go around blabbing about the confidential matters concerning me, understand?"

Xiangling's brows relaxed, and she obediently nodded.

"By the way, you and Xiao Hong should take these things to Miss Lin and Third Miss's courtyard."

Jia Jing rummaged through the chests in the room and found several boxes of ginseng, deer antler, and top-quality bird's nest, as well as the "Zhongni Mengdian Tie" (a calligraphy scroll) to give to Tan Chun.

"Ginseng and deer antler are for Lin Daiyu; two boxes of bird's nest are for each of the second, third, fourth, and Yun sisters; and also for the Xue family sisters. The letter is for the third sister."

Jia Jing categorized the items and explained them to Xiangling one by one.

He was afraid he would forget if he got busy, so even though it was getting late, he still had the two of them deliver it.

Xiangling called Xiaohong, who was outside the door, to come in and get the things. There were more than a dozen boxes in total, and the two of them carried them full in both hands, but fortunately the things were not heavy.

After the two left, Jia Jing first went to the front yard to chat with the guards and check on their living conditions.

They had a late-night snack together, and then arranged for people to stand guard in two shifts.

Although Shenjing is safe, we must still be vigilant.

Jia Jing then went to Zhuque's room, which was the first wing room on the left in the front courtyard.

He was processing intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard when he saw Jia Jing enter. He quickly stood up to greet him.

"My lord! You've arrived!"