Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

At three-quarters past dusk, in Daiyu's courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion,

Zijuan glanced at the sky, put down her work, and carried her sewing basket into the room. She passed through the screen and entered the inner room, where she saw Lin Daiyu lying half-reclined on the soft couch, staring blankly out the window, unconsciously rubbing the jade pendant that Jia Tang had given her.

Her fair, jade-like feet were bare, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her bright eyes seemed somewhat listless, and her rosy, delicate profile was so beautiful in the setting sun.

On the small table in front of him was a sheet of Xuan paper, on which was painted a meticulously detailed ink bamboo painting in the wind.

Zijuan put the sewing basket into the cabinet and went forward to collect the calligraphy in front of Lin Daiyu.

"Miss, you should get up and walk around too, or Master Yu will scold you again when he comes."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu snapped out of her daze and glared at Zijuan.

"You brat, you're still my girl, aren't you? You're always siding with him."

"Besides, I practiced for two hours this morning."

Having said that, she put her legs together, slipped on white cashmere socks and embroidered shoes, stood up, and walked towards the courtyard, asking, "Where's Xueyan? Go check if the soup in the small kitchen is ready."

"Around 1-3 PM, Qingwen came to pay her respects, but I stopped her while you were painting. She then took Xueyan to find Ruhua to play shuttlecock, and they'll be back soon."

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, recalling the first time she met Qingwen. Qingwen had followed Jia Tang gracefully, and was quite beautiful, with a slender waist, narrow shoulders, and her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to her own.

She is a beautiful woman with a clever tongue and a somewhat fiery temper. She especially loves Xueyan, the goose in her house, and wants to take her everywhere she goes.

Just then, Qingwen, with her oval face, big eyes, and graceful figure, walked in. She was talking animatedly to Xueyan, who had a round face, a petite figure, and a somewhat dazed look on her face.

Both of them had rosy complexions, some sweat on their foreheads, and were carrying large food boxes in their hands.

Upon seeing Lin Daiyu, the two quickly came over to greet her. They then went inside to place the food box and came out to the courtyard, where they chatted and laughed while waiting.

As darkness fell, a series of strong footsteps sounded outside the courtyard; it was Jia Tang leading Amber in.

Amber's life is getting better and better. Ever since Jia Tang went to the military camp, she often plays chess with Madam You or plays cards with the old lady and the others. However, she has to wait for Jia Tang at the gate of Ningguo Mansion every day at 5 pm.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jia Tang looked at the graceful Lin Daiyu before him and couldn't help but smile.

After a long period of training, her complexion improved, her face became rosy, her figure became a little fuller, and she even seemed to be taller than when I first met her.

"Has my sister been waiting long?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head, and just as she was about to reply, she heard Zijuan say from the side, "The young lady has really rested up today, lying down all afternoon."

"You brat, you're the best at tattling. I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu blushed and, in a fit of embarrassment and anger, pinched Zijuan's little face.

Zijuan giggled and ran behind Jia Tang to hide.

"Oh? My little sister still remembers what she promised me?"

"I remember, I remember. For some reason, I felt sleepy for a while today, so I took a short nap. I practiced meditation for two hours this morning."

Lin Daiyu blinked her bright eyes and said timidly in a low voice.

Jia Tang shook his head and chuckled. This girl preferred quiet to activity and loved snacks.

It's been over a month since I arrived at the Jia family mansion, and I've gained at least five pounds.

However, due to her health condition, Jia Tang persuaded her to make some agreements, stipulating that she would cultivate every morning and afternoon, practice martial arts, and move around more.

"Oh, you, what can I say to you? Little sister, your body hasn't fully developed yet, and you're naturally weak. Although you're feeling better now, you still need to exercise and move around more."

"You're going to die! What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean, 'not fully grown yet'? I'm not going to let you get away with this today."

Lin Daiyu's face flushed red, and her fair, jade-like ears gradually turned pink.

Although this person meant well, he kept saying things that were embarrassing and unbearable to others, so he reached out to twist Jia Tang's ear, which was like throwing a lamb to the slaughter.

Jia Tang raised his arm and grasped Lin Daiyu's slender, delicate, and boneless hand.

Lin Daiyu glared at him, embarrassed and annoyed, and said coquettishly, "Let go of me now, or I'll tell Grandmother."

"Go ahead and tell her, the more you tell her, the happier the old lady will be."

For the past month, Grandmother Jia had been trying her best to bring them together, and the more you talked about it, the more excited she became.

Lin Daiyu was shy, and although she blushed with embarrassment upon hearing this, she still struggled and scolded, "What a lewd scoundrel! He started touching you as soon as he arrived."

Ever since Jia Tang moved into the Jia family mansion, he has come here for dinner whenever he has free time, and for the past two weeks, he has been making unwanted advances.

Although I couldn't help but hit him every time, I was too sensitive and couldn't take it.

Jia Tang seemed not to hear him. He took Lin Daiyu's hand and led her into the inner room, letting go of her hand. He went to the offering table in front of Jia Min's memorial tablet, lit incense and placed it in the burner. After bowing, he called out, "Quickly prepare the meal, the master is hungry."

Upon hearing this, several pretty maids immediately set out the meal. One brought over a carved lacquer table, another laid out brocade cushions and mats on the soft couch, and the other two began serving the dishes.

Ham stewed with pork hock, steamed duck with fermented rice wine, wind-dried civet cat, and rouge-colored goose breast.

There was also Jia Tang's favorite dish: a pot of spicy beef tendon and a pot of braised pork knuckle, accompanied by jujube and yam cake, jade lotus leaf soup, braised chicken soup, and some pickled vegetables, which was quite a feast.

After the pretty maids had laid out the food, Jia Tang began to feast without any hesitation.

Lin Daiyu frequently served food to Jia Tang, smiling as she urged him to eat, occasionally taking a small bite herself.

About half an hour later, after everyone had rinsed their mouths and washed their hands, Zijuan brought out Yuancha tea, and everyone sat down and chatted.

"By the way, sir, my concubine asked me to pass on a message today, asking when you'd be free, saying she wants Miss Bao to send you an invitation." Amber suddenly said during the casual conversation.

Jia Tang casually replied, "What is it?"

Amber thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "It seems to be about the Imperial Household Department. I heard they're going to be removed from their positions as imperial merchants."

Jia Tang glanced at Lin Daiyu furtively and found that the girl was staring at him with a half-smile. He touched his nose and said, "When you go back later, let's stop by Pear Fragrance Courtyard."

"Oh, then we must help her out properly, after all, Sister Bao is such a kind person."

Lin Daiyu narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and spoke with a smile.

Jia Tang smiled awkwardly: "Sister, what you're saying is true. After all, we're old relatives, so I'll help if I can."

Lin Daiyu pursed her lips and said leisurely, "That's actually a fault of mine, after all, I'm a bit temperamental and not as gentle and virtuous as Sister Bao."

Jia Tang's face stiffened, and he said angrily, "Zijuan, you brat, what are you laughing at? Is it you who said those gossips?"