The Red Mansion

Chapter 119 Jiang Nian is the Imperial Guard

That afternoon, a eunuch serving the Empress Dowager suddenly came to the Jiang family to deliver an order.

At this time, Qingwen was still kneeling under the eaves of the east ear room. When the eunuch arrived, he became Qingwen's savior.

Yuanchun had intended to have Qingwen kneel until dusk, but fearing it would be indecent for the eunuchs to see her, she ordered her to stand up and leave. Qingwen, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly withdrew and went back to her room without further mention.

Jiang Nian ordered people to set up an incense table in the main hall, and knelt down with Yuanchun to receive the greeting.

The eunuch, not holding the imperial edict, walked into the main hall, stood facing south, and announced in a loud voice, "The Empress Dowager has orally ordered: Jiang and Jia will be allowed to enter the Ningchun Hall in Changchun Garden to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow."

After saying that, he left without even drinking a cup of tea.

Jiang Nian winked at He Yun, and He Yun presented the reward. The eunuch weighed it briefly, a smile appeared on his face, and then he rode away on his horse.

Yuanchun was delighted.

In late December of last year, when she said goodbye to the Empress Dowager, she had patted her shoulder and said, "Don't cry! Can't we see each other again after you leave the palace? You're not marrying someone from another province. When I summon you in the future, you have to come in and talk to me!"

Today the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon her.

Jiang Nian smiled at Yuanchun and said, "Madam, it's only been two months since you said goodbye to the Empress Dowager. And today is only the eighth day of our wedding, and the Empress Dowager has already sent someone to summon you. This is truly rare, and it shows how much the Empress Dowager loves you."

Yuanchun was pleased with herself, but she only managed a smirk. "The Empress Dowager was simply bored and looking for someone to cheer her up. You're nothing compared to me, a pillar of talent personally appointed by the Emperor. I'm sure you'll be of great use in the future."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian thought to himself, "My father, the emperor in this life, once told me that he would arrange for me to serve in the court after my wedding. I wonder when that will be?" He didn't show any emotion on his face. He only said, "My madam will be in Changchun Garden to see you tomorrow. I need to prepare well."

……

……

The next day, February 20th.

The weather is fine.

Yuanchun got up early in the morning, dressed, and put on a dark blue jacket with a phoenix pattern and a silver-gilt headdress, dressing herself up according to the rank of a fifth-rank official.
Her hair is lightly tied with golden hairpins,
Zhai Yi Xia Pei reflects the morning glow.

In addition to Baoqin, the entourage also included Dong Liang who drove the car. Jiang Nian also specially sent He Yun to accompany him on horseback as a guard.

The group walked towards Changchun Garden.

Arriving at Ningchun Hall in Changchun Garden, Yuanchun paid her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager ordered her to stand up, then carefully scrutinized Yuanchun's complexion and said with a smile, "You look well. I suppose your newlywed life is going well."

Yuanchun immediately felt embarrassed and lowered her head and said submissively, "Thanks to the Empress Dowager's great blessing, he...he treats me well."

The voice is as soft as a mosquito or fly, which makes her look even more shy.

The Empress Dowager knew that Yuanchun was very satisfied with her new husband.

After asking a few more questions, the Empress Dowager said, "I want to hear you play the zither today."

Yuanchun said, "I haven't brought my zither yet..."

The Empress Dowager said, "We have some ready-made in Ningchun Hall."

A palace maid brought out a guqin.

Yuanchun washed her hands before stroking the strings of the zither, and the melodious sound came out.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and listened, tapping her fingers lightly on the table to indicate her response.

That day, the Empress Dowager asked Yuanchun to serve her for a while. After the break, the Empress Dowager played mahjong with Empress Wu, Concubine Liu and others, and asked Yuanchun to serve beside them.

Wu was the empress of Emperor Taishun.

Concubine Xi Liu was a concubine of Emperor Taishun, and the current fourth prince Yuan Li was born to her.

As the game reached its climax, Yuanchun's bright eyes flickered slightly. Seeing that the Empress Dowager's hand was already fully stacked, waiting for a single five-cake, she glanced at the Empress. The Empress understood, her slender fingers pausing briefly on the cards, deliberately hesitating, "This card must be held by Concubine Xi. If I deal it out, I'm afraid it will be a disaster."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xi Liu raised her almond-shaped eyes and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, what you said is really unfair. How could I have ever hidden any cards of yours?"

The Queen pursed her lips and smiled. Dan Kou tapped the cards with her fingertips and said, "In that case, I'll have to check your cards later."

Concubine Xi Liu feigned anger and said, "Your Majesty, please investigate. But I'll send it down now. I want to see what kind of rare item it is."

The Queen then pushed a five-cake sheet in front of Concubine Liu.

Concubine Xi Liu lowered her eyes and glanced at him, then suddenly smiled and covered her lips with her hands, saying, "I don't really care about this card, but I'm afraid the Queen Mother will be able to win the grand prize soon and it will be out of control."

Upon hearing this, the Queen pretended to be panicked and hurriedly reached out to collect the cards: "Oh, I dealt the wrong card!"

The Empress Dowager laughed heartily and threw the cards on the table. "Now that they've been dealt, how can they be taken back? It's clearly you who's causing all this trouble. Who can you blame?"

The Queen sighed and smiled, then stroked her forehead and said, "I wanted to have my fortune told, but I ended up falling into a trap myself. I can't blame anyone else."

The Queen Mother pointed at her and laughed, "That's exactly what you said!"

The room was filled with swaying pearls and jades, and laughter was heard everywhere, making the place more and more lively.

……

……

At noon that day, after many days, Ren Pijiang, the second-class imperial guard, finally came to the Jiang family again to convey the emperor's order.

When Jiang Nian heard that Emperor Taishun had summoned him, he secretly rejoiced: "Most likely he wants to arrange for me to serve in the court!"

He just didn't know what arrangements Emperor Taishun would make. Would he be assigned as a third-class guard to protect Emperor Taishun or Changchun Garden?
Jiang Nian hurriedly straightened his clothes and changed into the uniform of a third-class guard. Since He Yun had gone to protect Yuanchun, he took He Zhong as his guard and followed Ren Pijiang on horseback, galloping straight to Changchun Garden.

When they arrived at Danning Residence, Jiang Nianxian waited for a while. Only after Prince Zhongyi arrived did he go inside to meet the emperor.

Emperor Taishun said to Jiang Nian, "This year I intend to vigorously rectify the salt business and crack down on smuggling. Shandong's coastal salt fields are dotted everywhere, and with convenient access to the Grand Canal and the Yellow River, smuggling salt is particularly rampant. According to secret reports, there's a big salt smuggler in Laizhou named Zhou Sankui..."

Then he told Zhou Sankui's information one by one, but the information was not very detailed.

After saying this, Emperor Taishun's eyes gleamed as he asked Jiang Nian, "If I order you to be the imperial guard, specifically to deal with the Laizhou salt smuggler Zhou Sankui, what good plan would you have?"

After Jiang Nian pondered for a while, he began to play the music in detail...

During the performance, he saw:
There is a strategy in my heart,
Beautiful words come out from the bottom of the tongue.

Emperor Taishun was not well versed in military affairs. After hearing this, he turned to Prince Zhongyi and asked, "What do you think of this strategy?"

Prince Zhongyi nodded in praise, "From what I have seen of his plan, he is taking every step carefully. However, if he follows this strategy, he will inevitably be in danger."

"How can such an assignment be without risks?" Emperor Taishun said decisively, and then announced to Jiang Nian, "In this case, I will order you to be the imperial guard, and to handle the case of Zhou Sankui, the salt smuggler from Laizhou. This matter is neither easy nor difficult. If you handle it properly, I will not hesitate to reward you with a title; if there is any mistake... you will have failed the emperor's grace!" At this point, his eyes turned stern.

Jiang Nian hurriedly kowtowed to the leader and said, "I will do my best to live up to your grace."

In reality, the case of Zhou Sankui, the Laizhou salt smuggler, was neither a major nor a difficult matter for Emperor Taishun. The fact that Emperor Taishun specifically assigned this task to Jiang Nian had a deeper meaning.

It turned out that Jiang Nian was only sixteen years old and was already a third-class guard of the fifth rank. If he wanted to be promoted to a second-class guard of the fourth rank, he had to have a noble title.

The title of nobility generally requires military merit.

Eliminating a big salt smuggler like Zhou Sankui can be considered a military achievement.

Time has proven that Jiang Nian's suggestions last year on investigating financial deficits, improving government warehouses, comparing samples of fir wood boxes, and providing relief for the floods in Zhili have all yielded miraculous results and made great contributions.

Emperor Taishun recently felt guilty because Jiang Nian's wedding was held without his parents or relatives.

Therefore, Emperor Taishun is now going to step up his efforts to promote Jiang Nian.

I just don't know whether Jiang Nian can successfully achieve this military achievement when he goes to Laizhou?

……

……

In the afternoon, when applying for a license.

Jiang Nian rode out of Changchun Garden, his horse's hooves treading on the golden sunlight as he leisurely headed towards the city. Along the roadside, he saw willow trees swaying in the spring breeze, their leaves occasionally falling like fluttering butterflies.

After walking for less than two miles, they suddenly saw a carriage with a green canopy and pearl tassels in front of them, and a man riding beside it. Jiang Nian was sharp-eyed and recognized it as his own carriage, and the person riding beside it was He Yun.

Jiang Nian hurriedly urged his horse forward, and the horse spread its four hooves and caught up with him in a blink of an eye. Jiang Nian made a "hush" gesture to He Yun again.

"lady!"

Yuanchun was chatting with Baoqin in the carriage when she heard a familiar voice outside. She quickly lifted a corner of the embroidered curtain. In the bright sunshine, she saw Jiang Nian, dressed in his official guard uniform, riding a horse. He looked dashing and handsome, with a smile on his face. Yuanchun was surprised and delighted: "Why are you here, Master?"

Jiang Nian pulled the reins of his horse and said with a smile, "Today the emperor summoned me to Changchun Garden for an audience. I didn't expect to meet the lady by chance on my way home. It's a blessing from heaven." As he spoke, the sunlight reflected on his face, making him look even more heroic.

When Yuanchun heard this, the joy in her eyes became even brighter.

Jiang Nian added, "I've never ridden in a carriage with Madam before. The weather is clear and the scenery in the western suburbs is beautiful. Why don't we ride together and enjoy the view?"

Yuanchun understood, and her cheeks seemed to turn red as she nodded slightly.

Jiang Nian dismounted and handed the reins to He Yun. Baoqin, perched on the lap, sat down in front with the groom, Dong Liang. Jiang Nian boarded the carriage and sat side by side with Yuanchun. Though the carriage wasn't spacious, the close proximity of the two of them felt cozy. The curtains were half-rolled, and a refreshing spring breeze wafted in, bringing the fragrance of wildflowers along the roadside.

As soon as Jiang Nianfang sat down, Yuanchun couldn't help but ask, "Why did His Majesty summon you today?"

Jiang Nian didn't rush to answer, but just looked at her with a smile: "Madam, please tell me first, what did the Queen Mother say to you when she summoned you?"

Seeing him like this, Yuanchun could only say, "We just chatted about some old family matters, played the zither for a while, and waited for the Empress Dowager to rest. After the rest, I helped her wipe the dominoes." She smiled and said, "While we were doing it, I secretly signaled to the Empress Dowager, telling her to play cards that would benefit the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager won several games in a row and was so happy. The Empress Dowager was also happy, and they both gave me rewards..."

After Yuanchun finished speaking, she gently tugged at Jiang Nian's sleeve with her slender fingers and said in a coquettish tone, "I have already told you everything about the Empress Dowager's summons. It's time for you to clear up my confusion."

Seeing her like this, Jiang Nian calmed down and said seriously, "To be honest, Madam, the Emperor has entrusted me with an important mission, and I will have to leave the capital the day after tomorrow."

Yuanchun was startled, her handkerchief clenched tightly in her hand. "What kind of errand is this? How long will it take?"

"This is a matter of imperial secrets, so even Madam, it's inappropriate to disclose it openly." Jiang Nian gently stroked Yuanchun's hand. "At the shortest, it will take more than a month, and at the longest... I'm afraid it will take several months before he can return."

After hearing this, Yuanchun's heart suddenly tightened, and she felt:

The newly cut twin lotus flowers are just blooming,
Suddenly, news came that the migrating wild geese were about to fly far away.

Her heart was in turmoil: she was vexed at the thought of being separated from her newlywed husband, worried about the fate of his journey, and even more anxious that if he could achieve something, the separation would be worthwhile. These three thoughts, tangled together, were even more tangled than the handkerchief wrung in her hands.

Jiang Nian rolled up the curtain to enjoy the scenery, and saw the spring scenery and the distant mountains covered with dark green.

But Yuanchun lost interest in enjoying the scenery for a moment. She lowered her head and just twisted the silk handkerchief again and again.

The wheels rolled forward, rolling over the golden sunlight on the ground, and the shadow of the car seemed to be stretched out...

……

……

Let’s talk about Youshi and Jia Rong.

Last year, Jia Zhen was stripped of his title and sent to the coastal areas to serve as an atonement for his sins. The Ningguo Mansion he had built was taken back by the court.

But no one in Ningguo Mansion was implicated, and their property was not confiscated.

Jia Rong, the only son of Jia Zhen's second wife, Youshi, and his first wife, moved to a large mansion near Ningrong Street, where he lived with a group of Jia Zhen's beautiful concubines and maids.

What made Youshi depressed and worried was that since Jia Zhen was no longer in the family, Jia Rong no longer cared much about her as his stepmother. Like Jia Zhen, he was greedy for pleasure and shameless. In less than a year, he had hooked up with several of Jia Zhen's beautiful concubines and maids.

That afternoon, when Jiang Nian was meeting Emperor Taishun in Changchun Garden, Jia Rong was at home hanging out with one of Jia Zhen's beautiful concubines.

Youshi quietly came to the outside of the concubine's room, tiptoed to the window, and when she listened in, she first noticed that something absurd was happening inside, and then she heard someone talking, which was exactly:

The brocade curtain hangs low, the fragrance is faint.
The words on the mandarin duck pillow are ridiculous.

The concubine said in a delicate voice, "Master, what will we do if the master comes back and finds out about this? I'm afraid he'll beat us to death!"

Jia Rong sneered, "What are you afraid of? Do you think that old bastard can come back? Last year, the retired emperor personally issued an edict to punish him. He was stripped of his title and even the Ningguo Mansion was taken back by the court. The old bastard was then exiled to the coastal areas after receiving eighty strokes of the cane. Under these circumstances, he will most likely not come back and will die there!"

The beautiful concubine asked, "Aren't you afraid that our mistress will find out?"

Jia Rong sneered, "Who the hell is she? She's just a concubine, and she doesn't even have a prominent family. I'm the daughter of the previous wife, how can she control me? She even relies on me!"

The concubine then asked, "What if the old lady of Rong Mansion finds out?"

Jia Rong said, "Each family has its own separate household. How can that old lady interfere in the affairs of our eldest wife? From ancient times to the present day, even during the Han and Tang dynasties, people still talk about 'Dirty Tang and Stinky Han'. Which wealthy family hasn't had these romantic affairs? I wonder how many of them that old lady has seen in her lifetime! Even if she knew, she would have helped to cover it up for the sake of her reputation."

Outside the window, Youshi heard it clearly and felt a nameless anger rising up. Her soul and spirit were flying around. She pinched her ten fingers into her palms and her silver teeth were chattering.

She wished she could rush in immediately, tear Jia Rong's mouth apart, and beat the bitch to death.

But then she thought: If the incident gets out, and this family scandal is exposed, not only will she, the second wife, be ridiculed, but it might also bring disaster upon herself...

Yu Shi had no choice but to swallow her anger for the time being and tiptoe away.

His figure swayed along the way, like a candle in the wind.

Back in her room, Youshi wept bitterly at her desk. She recalled how she had wept so bitterly at Yuanchun's wedding, even more than Lady Jia and the others, because of her own miserable fate.

What should I do these days?

(End of this chapter)