The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

After everyone escorted Baochai into the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, they all dispersed.

Jia Jue tugged at Lin Daiyu's sleeve, and Daiyu understood, so she followed him into Jia Jue's courtyard.

When the two arrived, Xiren and Yinglian had already returned.

Upon seeing this unfamiliar, beautiful young maid, Daiyu said, "Is this the new maid that Brother Jue took in in Jinling? She is indeed beautiful."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "I didn't accept her just because she's pretty."

Daiyu rolled her eyes at him and said, "Did I say I took her in because she's pretty?"

Jia Jue said helplessly, "Lin Daiyu, you have such a mouth..."

Daiyu ignored him, but instead took Yinglian's hand, asked her name, and then asked if she could read.

Yinglian replied, "I knew two characters before, but after I came to live with Master, he taught me many more. When Master was busy, Sister Musk Moon and Sister Xiren would come to teach me."

Jia Jue said, "That's perfect."

As soon as he spoke, both of them turned to look at him.

"What's so coincidental?"

Daiyu asked.

"When Yinglian was in Jinling, she fell in love with ancient poems and always dreamed of being able to write poetry like a poet. However, I neither had the talent nor the ability to teach her. But now, what a coincidence! Isn't this poetic genius standing right in front of you?"

Hearing Jia Jue say this, Yinglian blushed, and Daiyu blushed as well.

Daiyu retorted, "Pah! What do you mean you have no talent for poetry? Don't you know that the imperial examinations also require writing poetry? Besides, I'm not good at it either; it's just a mediocre piece. You're trying to make fun of me by bringing up the 'Poet Immortal'!"

As she spoke, Daiyu made a gesture as if to wave the handkerchief in her hand at them.

Jia Jue dodged slightly, then nudged Yinglian, who was standing there dumbfounded—"Why aren't you hurry up and become a disciple!"

Yinglian, upon hearing Jia Jue's words, said to Daiyu without hesitation, "Master, please accept me!"

Yinglian's actions left Daiyu stunned and speechless, unsure whether to smile wryly or not.

After a long silence, he pointed at Jia Jue and said, "You..."

Then she turned to Yinglian and said, "Don't listen to his nonsense. Although I sometimes like to complain, I dare not claim to have any masterpieces or to be a poet. I'm just using this to vent my feelings. You don't need to call me master. We're just discussing things together."

Then she turned to Jia Jue and said, "Why did you call me here? If you don't tell me, I'm going back."

Jia Jue smiled and said, "Sister, don't be in a hurry, come with me first."

As he spoke, he went into the inner room and soon came out carrying some things.

Jia Jue stood beside Daiyu and laid out these items on the table, explaining them to her one by one—

"This is Chengxintang paper, sister. Look, this paper is thin, smooth, and as clean as jade. It is produced by Chengxintang in Jinling. It is said that during the Southern Tang Dynasty, this was used by the last emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty. It is excellent for writing and ink..."

"This is ink from the Ten Bamboo Studio. It's firm, fine-textured, and a glossy black. Although it's not some famous ink from ancient times, it's still a top-quality ink even today. I'm sure you'll like it, little sister..."

"And this is it again..."

Daiyu listened quietly to Jia Jue's words, her gaze not falling on the items on the table, but rather quietly watching his profile.

She smiled quietly.

After Jia Jue finished explaining everything, Daiyu said, "You've given me so many things, how am I supposed to take them back?" As she spoke, she tilted her head and smiled.

Jia Jue then suddenly realized—"Oh dear, I was so careless, I completely forgot about that. Don't worry, sister, I'll personally deliver it to you later."

Daiyu did not reply, but instead stepped forward and said, "Look, it's all crooked."

When Jia Jue looked in the mirror, he realized that the hair ornament on his head had been slightly crooked because it had been rubbed while he was handling these things.

Daiyu said, "Come, lower your head, I'll put it on for you."

Jia Jue responded and bowed his head as instructed.

Daiyu gently removed his hair crown, then carefully gathered and tied his hair before gently putting the crown back on him.

After she finished, she took two steps back, examined it carefully, and then smiled sweetly, saying, "All done."

In the past, when Jia Jue read about phrases like "one glance could topple a city, a second glance could topple a nation," he always dismissed them, thinking that even the most beautiful woman couldn't reach that level of beauty.

However, now that Daiyu smiled, he believed it completely.

Perhaps it's not because of appearance, but because of something else.

In short, he was stunned for a moment.

Although he quickly recovered, Daiyu still caught that moment of stunned silence.

She asked, "What are you thinking about? Why are you so lost in thought?"

Jia Jue shook his head.

Daiyu then asked, "Did you bring gifts for others as well?"

Jia Jue replied, "Of course I brought it."

Daiyu said, "That's good. I was just afraid you wouldn't bring it. That would have been bad."

She added, "Did you personally deliver theirs too?"

Jia Jue said, "That's certainly not the case."

Daiyu said, "Then you don't need to personally deliver it to me. Otherwise, wouldn't you offend someone again?"

Jia Jue nodded and said, "I'll do whatever my sister says."

Daiyu tapped his forehead and smiled, "You always listen to me? I've never seen you listen to me like this before."

As they spoke, they both laughed.

Jia Jue suddenly said, "Oh right, there's something else."

Daiyu tilted her head in confusion—"There's something else?"

Jia Jue replied, "Of course."

As he spoke, Jia Jue took something out of his sleeve.

Lin Daiyu looked closely and saw that it was a letter.

Daiyu immediately knew what the so-called gift was.

"Could this be...?"

Jia Jue smiled and nodded.

Daiyu quickly took the letter, and sure enough, it was written to her by Lin Ruhai.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Daiyu couldn't help but shed tears.

How long has it been since she received a letter from her father?

It's finally here.

She even opened the sealed letter in front of Jia Jue.

The letter was written in a very simple style, which was not at all like the writing style of a third-ranked scholar.

Yet such simple writing is exceptionally moving.

The letter was simple, merely instructing Daiyu to take care of her health and not to grieve excessively.

However, it deeply moved Daiyu.

It took Daiyu a long, long time to compose herself.

She looked up at Jia Jue and said, "Thank you."

Jia Jue laughed and said, "Why bother with thanks?"

Daiyu gave a muffled "hmm," then held the letter to her chest with both hands, her head bowed, lost in thought.

Just as Jia Jue was about to speak, he heard someone outside say, "Oh, so you two were whispering to each other without inviting us!"

Hearing someone coming, Daiyu quickly hid the letter on her person, wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, and then turned around to look at the doorway.

But then Tan Chun came gracefully towards them. Seeing Daiyu, she asked, "Sister Lin, why are you crying? Did Second Brother bully you?"