The Red Mansion

Chapter 125 Returning to Beijing
This spring, in Jiang Nian's old residence, pear blossoms fell like snow, scattering and scattering, setting off the green bricks and gray tiles, giving it a somewhat serene and cool appearance; in Jiang's new residence, peonies bloomed in vibrant colors, displaying an air of nobility.

However, when it comes to the most magnificent spring flowers, Changchun Garden in the western suburbs is the place to be.

This garden was originally a royal garden, and it is now the premier garden in Daqing, bringing together famous flowers and rare plants from all over the world in one place.

In spring alone, the garden boasts twenty to thirty varieties of flowers, including pear blossoms, peonies, magnolias, crabapples, peaches, apricots, peonies, and lilacs. These flowers represent both southern and northern beauty, as well as rare varieties carefully cultivated by imperial gardeners, all vying for attention and creating a breathtaking tapestry of color. If further subdivided by flower color and shape, the number of varieties becomes even greater, with more than ten varieties of peonies alone.

Emperor Taishun's mood has recently been as warm as spring flowers.

The main reason is that good news recently came from Qinghai: Daqing quelled the rebellion of Lobsang Danjin, capturing Lobsang Danjin's mother, sister, and tens of thousands of followers. Lobsang Danjin disguised himself and fled to the Dzungar Khanate. Although the war was jointly controlled by Emperor Jingning and Emperor Taishun, Emperor Taishun was able to use this opportunity to establish his authority and consolidate his throne.

Yue Qi, a trusted military general of Emperor Taishun, though not a Grand General in this war, achieved military merits comparable to those of a Grand General. Emperor Taishun intended to promote Yue Qi to the rank of Third-Class Duke and to appoint him as Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi as soon as possible.

Just yesterday, Emperor Taishun petitioned Emperor Jingning to transfer Qu Tai, the Vice Minister of Works, to the position of Left Censor-in-Chief, and Emperor Jingning agreed.

This is a brilliant move.

Qu Tai was a trusted minister of Emperor Taishun. Although both the Vice Minister of Works and the Left Censor-in-Chief were second-rank officials, the Left Censor-in-Chief was in charge of the Censorate, which was responsible for the administration of justice and supervising all officials. With this assistance, Emperor Taishun became more and more successful in the court.

……

……

One day in late March.

It’s spring.

In the Danning Residence of Changchun Garden, Emperor Taishun sat on a Luohan bed, holding an urgent memorial, which was presented by Jiang Nian, who was in Laizhou, Shandong.

Outside the window, the shadows of flowers swayed and birds chirped, yet they could not conceal the growing chill in the emperor's eyes.

The memorial details Jiang Nian's investigation of Zhou Sankui, the salt smuggler:

First, he killed Gao Huzi and other fierce bandits outside Changyi County, staining the yellow sand with blood; then he mobilized troops from Dengzhou Town and personally led two hundred iron cavalry to raid the Longwang Temple west of Yexian County, striking like thunder.

Furthermore, a group of corrupt officials, including Cheng Tianxi, the prefect of Laizhou, Zhang Bingyi, the magistrate of Yexian, the salt transport judge, the salt tax commissioner of Yexian, and the inspector of the patrol office, were arrested.

During the trial, measures were taken to reassure the people and provide relief – stabilizing the salt industry in Laizhou and resettling the salt workers and women who had been coerced into joining the cause.

There were nearly two hundred salt workers who were coerced into joining the salt industry. There was also a group of women who were either forcibly bought by Zhou Sankui at low prices or forcibly abducted. They were scattered in Zhou Sankui's various houses. These women needed to be rescued and resettled.

In his memorial, Jiang Nian mentioned that he already possessed evidence of bribery against the officials of Dengzhou-Laizhou-Qingdao Circuit, the Assistant Salt Commissioner of Shandong Salt Transport Commission, and the Salt Commissioner of Shandong Salt Transport Commission...

After reading it, Emperor Taishun was overwhelmed with emotions, feeling a mixture of joy and anger.

What's gratifying is that Jiang Nian acted swiftly and decisively this time, not only handling the case of Zhou Sankui, the salt smuggler of Laizhou, cleanly and efficiently, faster and better than expected, but also uncovering Yuan Tang, the mastermind behind it all—a dissident in Emperor Taishun's court. Now, with evidence in hand, it's advantageous to Emperor Taishun. The emperor's mind is like a spring garden scene, where a hundred flowers bloom in the open, while in the shadows, deep roots and complex schemes intertwine.

What enraged them was Zhou Sankui's heinous crimes; his bribery ledgers had nearly wiped out the entire Laizhou officialdom and the Shandong Salt Transport Commissioner's Office. With Shandong's administration so corrupt, had the rulers of the people turned into wolves and tigers?
"What a bunch of corrupt officials who harm the country and its people! Zhou Sankui and his entire family must be executed! As for those corrupt officials, I will also punish them severely—those who deserve to be killed will be killed, and those who deserve to have their property confiscated will be confiscated!"

Emperor Taishun tapped his knuckles on the table, making the teacup rattle softly.

"As for Yi'er, he should be granted a title, but even if he is granted a title this time, it is inconvenient for the Ningguo Mansion to bestow it upon him..."

Thinking of this, Emperor Taishun suddenly recalled something that happened yesterday.

Yesterday, the retired Emperor Jingning mentioned to him that he wanted to release Jia Zhen of the Jia family to return to the capital.

A year ago, out of indignation and to help Emperor Taishun and Prince Zhongyi investigate the embezzlement, Emperor Jingning stripped Jia Zhen of his hereditary title, had him flogged eighty times, sent him to the coastal frontier to serve as atonement, and revoked the imperial decree to build the Ningguo Mansion.

Although this punishment was in accordance with the laws of Daqing, upon closer examination of Jia Zhen's crime, it was not a major offense—the usual dissolute behavior of wealthy young men had unfortunately run into Emperor Jingning's blade.

Recently, Daqing pacified Lobsang Danjin in Qinghai, and Emperor Jingning was overjoyed. Suddenly, he thought of the Jia family and Jia Zhen. Considering his deep affection for the Jia family, he decided to release Jia Zhen from the coastal frontier. However, the hereditary title would not be returned to Jia Zhen, and the Ningguo Mansion would naturally not return him either.

……

……

Rongguo Mansion.

Inside Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia was chatting with Lady Wang and Wang Xifeng when Lin Zhixiao's wife suddenly entered with a beaming smile and reported, "Grandmother, great news! Just now, the Second Master sent someone to deliver a message saying that an imperial decree has been issued from Changchun Garden, and Master Zhen will be released from the coastal region!"

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia paused, the agarwood prayer beads she was slowly turning in her hand still. She was taken aback for a moment, then sighed, "Amitabha, the sage is indeed merciful. What Zhen-ge'er did last year was not a serious matter." She then hurriedly asked Lin Zhixiao's wife, "Since Zhen-ge'er is to be released, shouldn't the noble family and the East Mansion also be returned to Zhen-ge'er?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "They only said they would let Master Zhen come back, but they didn't say anything about returning the title and the East Mansion."

Grandmother Jia couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Ha, simply releasing the people without returning the noble title and the Ningguo Mansion won't do the Rongguo Mansion much good.

Wang Xifeng said with a smile, "Even if the title and the East Mansion are not returned, since Brother Zhen has been pardoned by the Emperor, it must be because the court remembers our family's contributions and the feelings of the Duke and the Old Madam."

Grandmother Jia was delighted to hear this.

……

……

Sister Feng's Courtyard.

Wang Xifeng rushed to Jia Lian, clapping her hands and exclaiming, "This is incredible! The Emperor has issued a decree to release Brother Zhen! Rong'er is probably going to be beaten to death by his father. All those outrageous things he's done!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jia Lian's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He was even more terrified than if he had seen a ghost.

Wang Xifeng, ever quick-witted, raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's wrong with you? Brother Zhen is back, why are you so frightened?"

Jia Lian stammered, "I...I suddenly remembered there was an urgent matter in the accounting office..." Without waiting for Wang Xifeng to ask any more questions, he turned and left, tripping over the threshold in his haste.

Wang Xifeng stared at his staggering figure, her handkerchief unconsciously clenching tighter in her hand, suspicion already creeping into her mind. She suddenly remembered Ping'er mentioning the other day that Second Master Lian had been frequently visiting Jia Rong lately…

Jia Lian walked blankly towards the outer courtyard, the image of Qinglian appearing before his eyes, her sweet "Second Master" echoing in his ears, while his heart was filled with worry about Jia Zhen's return to the capital.

"I originally thought that Brother Zhen would never return to the capital, which is why I had an affair with Qinglian. What should I do now?"

Just then, a few crabapple petals were blown by the wind to Jia Lian's front.

The petals, a deep crimson like blood, seemed to foreshadow an impending storm.

While enjoying the pleasures of stealing fragrance and jade, he suddenly heard the summons of his former master.

…… ……

A large mansion near Ningrong Street was the residence of Lady You and Jia Rong.

Although this house cannot compare to the grandeur of the former Ningguo Mansion, it is still exquisitely decorated with carved beams and painted rafters.

At this moment, Madam You was reviewing account books in her inner room when she suddenly heard a servant outside loudly announce, "The old lady of the Rong family has sent someone!"

Madam You hurriedly straightened her clothes to greet them, and Lin Zhixiao's wife entered with a beaming smile, saying, "Congratulations, Madam! A decree has been issued from Changchun Garden, ordering Master Zhen to return to the capital!"

For a moment, Madam You was stunned, and two lines of clear tears rolled down her cheeks without her realizing it, just like a long-awaited rain after a drought.

Suddenly, a loud crash was heard at the door. It was Jia Rong who had accidentally knocked over the screen. He looked dumbfounded and terrified.

Seeing this, Lin Zhixiao's wife secretly laughed. She had already heard about Jia Rong's absurd behavior, and seeing Jia Rong so flustered, she wanted to stay and watch the show. However, You Shi quickly gave her a reward and sent her away.

After Lin Zhixiao's wife left, Madam You coldly observed Jia Rong, feeling both relieved and worried. She felt relieved because Jia Rong had been domineering and licentious at home, having affairs with several of Jia Zhen's concubines and maids, and showing no respect for her, his stepmother. Now that he was about to face retribution, wasn't she delighted? But then she thought, if Jia Zhen found out about her son's misdeeds, she feared…

"Rong'er, what's wrong? Your father's return is like he's going to kill you?"

Madam You deliberately covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, her words laced with sarcasm.

Jia Rong forced a smile and said, "Mother, what are you saying? I'm just... I'm just too happy." As he spoke, he felt his legs go weak and he almost knelt down. The pretty faces of Qinglian and several other beautiful concubines and maids flashed before his eyes, and he could almost hear his father's roar and feel the pain of being whipped and beaten.

Seeing his distraught appearance, Madam You sighed inwardly, "If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place." But she said aloud, "Since that's the case, hurry up and prepare a welcome feast. Your father suffered a year of hardship on the frontier, so he must be well taken care of after his return."

Jia Rong nodded and retreated. He returned to his room and collapsed onto the couch, his face ashen, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and even his lips turned bluish-purple, as if he had seen a ghost that had taken his soul.

Lady You sat alone by the window, gazing absently at the blooming crabapple trees outside. Just then, a petal drifted onto the windowsill. She gently picked it up and crushed it, the red juice staining her fingertips, much like bloodstains.

When Jia Zhen's beloved concubine, Qinglian, learned of the news, she was dressing in front of the mirror when she suddenly broke the jade hairpin in her hand. Looking at her panicked eyes in the mirror, she suddenly felt that the warm spring breeze was filled with chill.

It is:

In the past, he was foolish and indulged in debauchery; now, his soul has flown away and his spirit has been lost.

It's not that retribution won't come, it'll come eventually; father and son, sworn enemies, will inevitably meet again.

……

……

Mid April.

It is the season when "green hills and plains are covered with white clouds, and the cuckoo's cry is accompanied by misty rain."

On this day, on the official road in the eastern suburbs of Shenjing, willows were shrouded in mist, and apricot blossoms were like snow. A procession of carriages and horses came winding through the fallen petals. Upon closer inspection, it was Jiang Nian and his entourage, who had been ordered to investigate Zhou Sankui, the salt smuggler of Laizhou.

This procession of carriages and horses came from Shandong, starting from Laizhou Prefecture, passing through Changyi County, Qingzhou, Jinan, and Dezhou, leaving Shandong, and then passing through Cangzhou, Tianjin, and Tongzhou, before arriving at the eastern suburbs of the capital city.

Two months ago, when Jiang Nian left the capital, she only took Chang Ye, Qi Jianyu, Dai Shijiao, and Meng Xiong with her. For the sake of secrecy, none of them wore official robes and they left quietly.

Now that she has returned to the capital, Jiang Nian is missing Chang Ye, who has become the new prefect of Laizhou, but she has gained many more people, including Li Yanmei's family and Yu Lanxuan's family.

Li Yanmei is willing to marry Meng Xiong, and Li Zhiyi agrees to this.

Yu Lanxuan's desire to become Qi Jianyu's concubine was also permitted by Yu Zhonggong. Qi Jianyu was a fifth-rank imperial bodyguard of the third class, and was only in his early twenties with a promising future. He was also handsome and brave, and had personally saved Yu Zhonggong and Yu Lanxuan, winning Yu Lanxuan's heart. Even Yu Zhonggong, a scholar and private tutor, was willing to let his daughter become his concubine.

As for Jiang Nian, this time, several people of good character and good physical fitness were carefully selected from the salt workers and brought back to be trained as guards for the Jiang family.

"On this business trip to the capital, Meng Xiong brought back a beautiful wife, Qi Jianyu brought back a beautiful concubine, but I brought back several burly men. This is nothing like the leading man of an imperial envoy... Hmm, next time I go to the capital on business, I must bring back a beauty too!"

Jiang Nian thought to herself with amusement.

At this moment, Jiang Nian lifted the carriage curtain and saw the vermilion gate of her new house, its eaves and roof beams gleaming in the spring sun.

Jiang Nian stared at her home gate in a daze—although it was so close, because of her status as an imperial envoy, she had to report to the emperor before she could go home.

"Meng Xiong, go home and report the news first, then catch up with us."

As Jiang Nian spoke, he untied a sachet. This was Yuan Chun's personal sachet, which she had tied to his waist two months ago. Inside were a peace charm and a strand of black hair.

Jiang Nian handed the sachet to Meng Xiong, asking him to return it to Yuan Chun.

Meng Xiong accepted the order and left, his horse's hooves crushing willow catkins on the ground.

Jiang Nian straightened his official robes and led a entourage of carriages and horses towards the capital city.

At this moment, inside the Jiang family's new residence.

Yuan Chun was playing chess with Xue Baochai in the east side room when they suddenly heard a commotion outside.

Baoqin rushed in, panting, and said, "Grandma, Mengxiong is back! He said that Master has returned to the capital!"

Yuan Chun paused, her black jade chess piece in her hand. A glint flashed in her eyes, but then her eyes welled up with tears.

Yuan Chun hurriedly summoned Meng Xiong, while Xue Baochai chose to avoid him.

Xue Baochai is not like Yuan Chun. Yuan Chun is already a married woman and the mistress of the house, while Xue Baochai is still a young girl and has not yet become Jiang Nian's concubine. It is not convenient for her to meet men outside the household easily. Even if Xue Baochai becomes Jiang Nian's concubine, it is still not convenient for her to meet men outside the household easily.

Meng Xiong presented the sachet to Yuan Chun and said, "My master just passed by outside. As an imperial envoy, he needs to report to the emperor before he can return home. Please don't worry about him, Madam."

Yuan Chun took the sachet, from which she took out a peace charm and a lock of her hair, examining them closely...

Xue Baochai stood by the peony pond in the inner courtyard, looking at the peonies that had recently withered. She squatted down and picked up two remaining peony petals, now wrinkled and faded red. She sighed inwardly, "Sister Yuanchun and I are waiting for Master to return, but these peonies won't wait for us. Fortunately, it's important that he returns safely, and the flowers will bloom again next year."

Thinking of this, Xue Baochai seemed to discover that among the peonies in front of her, newly formed green buds were quietly peeking out, as if they were looking forward to Jiang Nian's return, or as if they were looking forward to the blooming of flowers next year.

It is:

The vermilion gates are locked, awaiting the return of the traveler; the fading red petals still carry the fragrance of bygone days.

It's not that Heaven doesn't cherish the flowers, it's just that the auspicious time hasn't come together.

(End of this chapter)