The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Jia Jue sighed inwardly.

You made this mess yourself, so you have to make up for it yourself.

He laughed and said, "I was just kidding, why did you all take it seriously?"

Qingwen sneered, "Just kidding? It sounds like the truth. You don't need to coax us, Master. Just tell us when you're tired of looking at it, and we won't shamelessly keep it."

"Qingwen!"

Seeing that Qingwen was becoming increasingly unruly, Musk Moon called out to her.

In other words, Jia Jue was always approachable. If he were in the courtyard of other masters—such as the Madam, the Old Madam, or Sister Feng, or even in Tan Chun's courtyard, he would have been annoyed long ago.

Qingwen listened without saying anything, stood there for a while, and then went out.

Musk Moon smiled at Jia Jue and said, "Qingwen has always been a fiery temper, as you know. It's not that she's disrespectful, she just values ​​you too much."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Of course I know that. I know that's just her nature. She doesn't have any bad intentions. Otherwise, how could she have stayed in my courtyard for so long?"

Musk Moon added, "Master, please don't say such things again. Qingwen and I have served you with utmost sincerity, as heaven and earth can attest. Your words only chill our hearts."

Jia Jue sighed, "I understand, it will definitely not be possible in the future."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Wait here for a bit."

After saying that, he got up and walked out.

He returned shortly afterward, carrying two small trinkets in his hands.

Musk Moon looked at the things in Jia Jue's hand; they turned out to be two "Mohele" items.

This "Mohele" is a small toy that has existed since the Song Dynasty. It is a clay doll with an exquisite and ingenious face, and it is dressed in gorgeous clothes.

Musk Moon looked more closely and realized that the two little children's eyebrows and eyes were six or seven parts similar to her and Qingwen's.

"These two little trinkets were made beforehand, modeled after you and Qingwen. Do you like them?"

As he spoke, Jia Jue placed the two little babies in Musk Moon's hands.

Musk Moon was naturally enamored with them and deeply moved.

Jia Jue laughed and said, "I'll give you these two as an apology."

Musk Moon quickly replied, "What are you talking about, Master? We absolutely cannot accept such an apology!"

If Qingwen had said such words, Jia Jue would have thought she was being sarcastic, but since it was Sheyue who spoke, Jia Jue knew that this was indeed what she was thinking.

Among all the maids in the Jia family, Qingwen was the most special one because she had a high degree of self-respect and self-love.

Just as described in "Dream of the Red Chamber", after Jia Baoyu first entered the Land of Illusion in a dream and learned the art of lovemaking, he gradually shared it with the maids in his room.

Only Qingwen, because of her self-respect and self-love, never sold her body until her death, and until her death, her relationship with Jia Baoyu remained that of a close spiritual friend.

It can be said that only Qingwen saw herself as a complete person and retained the dignity of a human being.

This is why Jia Jue unknowingly developed feelings for Qingwen.

Her good looks were certainly one factor, but more importantly, her self-respect gave Jia Jue the feeling of facing someone from a past life.

He said to Musk Moon, "Although in name I am the so-called 'master' and you are my maids, you don't owe me anything. Why put yourselves in such a lowly position?"

Musk Moon exclaimed, "How could you say such a thing, Master? It's one thing to say it in front of us, but we absolutely cannot let anyone else hear it!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Jue could only sigh.

Musk Moon was thinking a lot – she wondered if Master Bao was influenced by the fact that he often said some crazy things.

However, she couldn't say these words aloud; she could only think them silently in her heart.

"Musk Moon," Jia Jue spoke again, handing her the two clone contracts and the piece of paper with the address written on it. "Please give these to Sword-Holder and Book-Bearer. I don't trust anyone else with them."

Musk Moon said "Eh" and was about to leave.

Jia Jue then said, "Tell them that names like 'Holding a Sword' and 'Carrying a Book' are not proper names. Let them come up with a name. I'll go there tomorrow to take a look, so it can be registered in the government's household register."

Musk Moon acknowledged and left.

When Musk Moon returned, she gave the two Mohele toys to Qingwen, and Qingwen was indeed no longer angry.

He came to serve Jia Jue as usual.

It's still a bit awkward.

Jia Jue would tease her from time to time until she calmed down.

The next day, Jia Jue went out on horseback and arrived at the place where the two men, holding a sword and carrying a book, were currently living.

Upon seeing Jia Jue arrive, the two of them habitually took his clothes from him.

Jia Jue laughed and said, "You two are now free, so there's no need for that."

Fu Shudao said, "Once you serve the master, you will be his servant for life."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "You certainly know how to talk."

After they finished speaking, the three chatted and laughed for a while before Jia Jue asked, "Yesterday I had Musk Moon pass on a message to you, saying that I wanted to give myself a grand name. What do you think about it?"

Holding his sword, he said, "My lord, I originally had a name, but I changed it after entering the manor. Please use my original name, Chen Rong."

Jia Jue nodded; this was exactly what he had expected.

Fu Shu said, "Sir, I have no father or mother. I was kidnapped by a slave trader when I was a child, and I don't even know my surname. It's difficult to give me a surname. Please, sir, give me one."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "You're lazy. You don't think for yourself and instead make me do it for you."

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Since you have no surname or given name, why not take the surname Wu? And since you are intelligent, how about calling yourself 'Cong'?"

He carried the book and said, "Thank you, sir."

He then added, "Although we have gained great fame, in private, you still ask us to carry swords and books."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "You are indeed clever."

After a few more words of conversation, Jia Jue prepared to leave, saying before he departed, "Listen carefully, you two. Now that you're living in this courtyard, you can't afford to cause trouble. Your monthly allowances are higher now, and the government is sending you paper, books, weapons, and clubs. With more money, you might be tempted to do other things. You absolutely mustn't become like those scoundrels. Remember that."

Before leaving, he added, "If I find out you're fooling around, I'll be furious."

Holding a sword and carrying a book, he naturally nodded in agreement.

Jia Jue went out, told the two of them to go back, then mounted his horse and headed towards the Rongguo Mansion.

These days were a rare period of peace for the Jia family.

Jia Jue was finally able to calm down and study properly.

The two, one carrying a sword and the other carrying books, also remembered Jia Jue's kindness and couldn't help but study and practice martial arts diligently.

Occasionally, Jia Jue would also go there to check on how the two were doing.

It seems like there won't be any problem for him to take the county exam next year with his books.

However, there will be no martial arts examination next year; it will be held the year after next.