The Red Mansion

Chapter 127 Return to Glory
Jia Lian has been feeling troubled lately. Firstly, Jia Zhen is about to return to the capital, and he might find out about his affair with Qinglian. Secondly, Wang Xifeng has recently learned about his affair with Qinglian and her open and subtle sarcasm has made him feel extremely uneasy.

The rain was pattering that night. Jia Lian had just returned from a tryst with a woman and, not wanting to see Wang Xifeng, went into his study and sat alone, staring blankly at the candlelight. Suddenly, Ping'er came in carrying a glass embroidered ball lamp and whispered, "Second Master, Madam invites you to come over and talk."

Jia Lian's heart sank, and he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go see Wang Xifeng.

As soon as he lifted the curtain, he saw Wang Xifeng, heavily pregnant, lounging on the kang (a heated brick bed), glancing at him sideways and sneering, "Have you been out gallivanting somewhere again? Are you afraid to see me? You've come back to the manor and are hiding in the outer study?"

Jia Lian said coldly, "Don't wrong me."

"Whether I've wronged you or not, you know it in your heart!" Wang Xifeng continued with a cold laugh, suddenly sitting up straight. "Look at Jiang Nian, and then look at yourself!"

Jia Lian forced a smile and said, "What's there to compare?"

"Not comparing?" Wang Xifeng frowned, her eyebrows arching like willow leaves. "He was only sixteen when he became an imperial envoy, and he was ordered to go out of the capital to do such important things: capture salt smugglers, deal with corrupt officials, and was even granted a title! And you? You're like a greedy cat all day long, and you even stole the slut that Brother Zhen bought!"

Jia Lian said in a deep voice, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Wang Xifeng grabbed a round fan from the kang table and smashed it on Jia Lian with a "smack," then sneered, "Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, you know it in your heart! I've investigated your affair with that slut Qinglian thoroughly! What are you pretending to be so righteous for? Wait until Brother Zhen comes back and see what you do! You have no shame, don't drag me down with you!"

Jia Lian was scolded mercilessly, but he dared not do anything to Wang Xifeng. He was already afraid of Wang Xifeng, and now that he was in the wrong, and Wang Xifeng was heavily pregnant.

Just as things were getting out of hand, a maid outside suddenly exclaimed, "The parrot in the corridor is dead!"

"I'll go take a look!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jia Lian flung his sleeves and went out. When he arrived at the corridor, he saw a green parrot frozen in its cage, which made him shudder, feeling that it was a bad omen.

Jia Lian returned to his study in the rain, drank half a pot of cold wine, and suddenly saw a figure reflected in the window—the figure seemed to be changing, sometimes Wang Xifeng, sometimes Qinglian, and sometimes Jia Zhen. The sound of the rain outside the window was not loud, but it seemed to become deafening.

This startled him sober, making him mostly sober.

……

……

The next day, it was still raining.

Jia Lian, gazing at the woven curtain of rain outside his study window, felt troubled. The argument with Wang Xifeng the previous night still echoed in his ears, and yet today he still had to deliver a congratulatory gift to Jiang Nian.

Unfortunately, she couldn't disobey Grandmother Jia's orders.

It would be more appropriate for him to deliver this gift himself; sending a servant would not be sincere enough.

Jia Lian had no choice but to order his servants to prepare carriages and horses, and personally take the congratulatory gifts to the eastern suburbs.

Upon arriving at the Jiang family's new residence, Jiang Nian personally went to the gate to greet them. Jia Lian straightened his clothes and alighted from the carriage. His male servant, Wang'er, held a magnificent oil-paper umbrella for him as he followed Jiang Nian to the main house in the inner courtyard. Although the residence was far inferior to the Rongguo Mansion, it was much better than Jiang Nian's former residence. While not very large, it was exquisitely decorated and tastefully furnished in every detail.

Upon arriving at the main room, Yuan Chun was already waiting. Jia Lian looked up and saw that Yuan Chun was wearing a traditional Chinese jacket with only a white jade hairpin in her hair. She appeared more composed than when she was at the Rongguo Mansion.

After taking their seats, Jia Lian said some polite words of "congratulations on your conferment of a title," and then added, "The old lady remembers you very well and has specially prepared a small gift. I hope you will accept it." He then handed over the congratulatory gift.

After Yuan-chun accepted the congratulatory gift, Jia Lian said, "The old lady wants you to go back and visit her when you have time."

Yuan Chun said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Grandma." Then, she turned her gaze to Jiang Nian and asked gently, "Sir, when would be a suitable time for me to go back and visit you?"

This question made Jia Lian realize that Yuan Chun cared a lot about her husband, Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Let's go tomorrow, and bring a few more attendants."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun smiled and softly replied, "Yes."

Jia Lian saw this and felt a mix of emotions.

After chatting for a while, Jia Lian got up to take his leave. Yuan Chun saw him off to the outside of the main hall and said as she left, "Go back and give my regards to the old lady and the madam. Tell her that I will go to pay my respects at 9:00 AM tomorrow."

On the return journey in the carriage, Jia Lian gazed at the continuous drizzle outside the window, recalling Yuan Chun's respectful and submissive demeanor before Jiang Nian, and then comparing it to Wang Xifeng's shrewishness at home, he couldn't help but sigh. The raindrops pattered on the carriage roof, seemingly mocking his predicament.

As the carriage passed Ningrong Street, Jia Lian looked out the window at the deserted Ningguo Mansion and couldn't help but think of Jia Zhen and Qinglian again. His heart tightened; this matter was probably going to be difficult to resolve...

……

……

Not long after Jia Lian left, the rain still fell incessantly outside the eaves, like smoke and mist, making the stone steps slippery. Jiang Nian sat alone in her study, silently thinking about something, the door ajar. Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound outside the door. Looking up, she saw Dong Feng's mother, Yao, peeking in from outside.

Since the arrival of the matriarch Yuan Chun in the Jiang family, the rules of the inner courtyard have become increasingly strict. Although the servant Dong Feng still guards the gate, the communication within the inner courtyard is handled by women.

When Yao saw Jiang Nian raise his eyes, she quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Master, Steward Peng from the Qin family is waiting outside the second gate. He says he wants to see you."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly, stood up, straightened her clothes, and walked through the inner courtyard to the outer courtyard.

Peng Jizhong stood hunched over under the eaves of the house. When he saw Jiang Nian come out, he hurriedly bowed, but his eyes darted around and he looked furtive, like a rat stealing oil.

Jiang Nian asked, "Why are you acting so suspiciously?"

Peng Jizhong wiped the rain off his face, took two steps forward, and lowered his voice, saying, "Uncle Jiang, my daughter... cough cough, sent me to invite you over for a chat."

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly heard a woman's laughter coming from the inner courtyard. Her voice was sweet and melodious. Peng Jizhong, feeling guilty, was startled and trembled.

Seeing Peng Jizhong's demeanor, Jiang Nian chuckled inwardly, knowing that Peng Jizhong was afraid of Yuan Chun. Firstly, Peng Jizhong had once brought down the Ningguo Mansion; secondly, Peng Jizhong had come to help Qin Keqing seduce him.

Jiang Nian didn't point it out, but just smiled and said, "In that case, go back and tell your young lady that I will be there shortly."

Peng Jizhong felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He bowed and left the house, disappearing in a flash.

……

……

Qin family.

When news of Jiang Nian's return to the capital arrived the day before yesterday, Qin Keqing longed for Jiang Nian to come to the Qin family to see her. However, after waiting all day without seeing her, she finally couldn't hold back any longer and sent Peng Jizhong to invite her.

At this moment, Qin Keqing was sitting in the west wing, lost in thought, staring at her dressing mirror.

Ruizhu hurriedly lifted the curtain and entered, excitedly exclaiming, "They're here! They're here!"

Qin Keqing hurriedly tidied her temples, only to see Jiang Nian enter with a smile on her face.

Ruizhu poured tea for Jiang Nian, then stood aside, looking like she was about to watch a good show. Seeing this, Qin Keqing gave Ruizhu a wink: "Go to the kitchen and look after the lotus seed soup."

Ruizhu pursed her lips. There was no lotus seed soup being cooked in the kitchen at this moment. Knowing that Qin Keqing was deliberately asking her to leave, she reluctantly left the west wing room, making sure to close the door tightly before leaving.

Thus, only Jiang Nian and Qin Keqing remained in the west wing.

"He came back the day before yesterday, but he didn't come to see me..." Qin Keqing twisted her handkerchief, her eyes filled with a hint of resentment. Her voice was so soft it could drip water, just like raindrops falling from the eaves outside the window.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I was planning to come see you today, but it just so happens that you sent Steward Peng to see me instead."

"Really?" Qin Keqing looked up abruptly, her eyes shining brightly. Seeing Jiang Nian nod, she suddenly blushed, turned around, and took out an exquisitely crafted moon-white long gown from the wardrobe.

"I made this especially for you, it took a lot of effort!" she said, blushing. "Look at these stitches, aren't they better than the shoes and purses I made for you before? I even learned needlework specifically to make this for you."

Hearing this, Jiang Nian couldn't help but feel touched and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble."

Qin Keqing unfolded her moon-white long gown: "Put it on and let me see."

Seeing Jiang Nian nod, she actually took the initiative to unbutton his clothes. During this process, her slender fingernails accidentally scratched his Adam's apple, but she did not back down and stubbornly insisted on continuing to help him change.

Jiang Nian looked down at the whorl on the top of her head and smelled the fragrance of jasmine hair oil mixed with rouge and face powder.

When Qin Keqing tied the jade belt around her waist, her fingers trembled slightly, and it took her three attempts to tie it properly.

She took two steps back and said, "Turn around so I can see."

Seeing Jiang Nian twirling, her eyes were filled with satisfaction. The moon-white robe fit Jiang Nian perfectly, every inch of it fitting him astonishingly, and it seemed to make Jiang Nian even more handsome.

"Let me help you change your clothes. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to go back wearing this long gown."

As she spoke, Qin Keqing helped Jiang Nian change her clothes.

Rain falls outside the window, making a soft, pattering sound.

Qin Keqing's fingertips lingered on the collar of her moon-white robe, where the words "Peace" were subtly embroidered. She deliberately didn't tell him herself, preferring to let him discover it on his own...

It is:

With meticulous stitches and deep affection, I tailor a white cloud-like garment for you.

It's not that the Heavenly Weaver is a skilled weaver, but rather that my heart is filled with my beloved.

Ruizhu was eavesdropping outside the window. Listening to the rustling sounds inside and looking at the window blurred by the rain, she felt that the April rain made her heart feel damp.

……

……

Jiang Nian returned to the Jiang family's new residence from the Qin family. She had changed out of the moon-white long gown given to her by Qin Keqing and was still wearing the indigo straight robe she had worn when she went out.

As soon as they entered the second gate, they saw Yuan Chun standing under the eaves, her slender fingers gently twisting her handkerchief, gazing absently at the rain curtain under the eaves—it was unclear whether she was truly enjoying the rain or waiting for something else.

Seeing Jiang Nian enter, Yuan Chun glanced at the package he was carrying, a faint smile playing on her lips, and said, "Master is back?" She spoke so casually, without asking where he had been, as if she already knew, and without asking what was in the package.

Jiang Nian simply nodded in agreement, without saying anything more, and had no intention of telling Yuan Chun about his affair with Qin Keqing right now.

In fact, Yuan Chun knew that Jiang Nian had just gone to the Qin family, and based on what she had heard about Jiang Nian and Qin Keqing, she deduced that Jiang Nian and Qin Keqing might have fallen in love.

In her view, this was normal; men like Jiang Nian would inevitably have several concubines in the future. The men in her maternal family, the Rongguo Mansion, all had two wives before marriage.

She had never met Qin Keqing, but she had heard that Qin Keqing was extremely beautiful, and she wondered when she could meet her...

……

……

The next day, the sky was clear and blue, the haze of the previous day had long since dissipated, and even the water that had accumulated in front of the steps had dried up, leaving only a few damp spots that reflected the rising sun and shimmered with a faint golden light.

As Yuan Chun rose early to dress, she carefully applied makeup before the mirror, choosing a silk dress embroidered with butterflies and flowers. She adorned her hair with a kingfisher feather hairpin and pearl earrings, exuding both nobility and elegance. Her maid, Qingwen, standing beside her with a rouge box, smiled and said, "Madam, you look radiant today." Yuan Chun smiled back.

After having breakfast, Yuan Chun bid farewell to Jiang Nian and took a carriage to the Rongguo Mansion.

At the Rongguo Mansion, Wang Xifeng, accompanied by Lin Daiyu, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, and others, went out to greet Yuanchun, chatting and laughing all the way as they led her into Rongqing Hall. When Grandmother Jia saw Yuanchun enter, she stood up excitedly. After Yuanchun performed her greetings, she embraced her tightly, stroking Yuanchun's shoulders and saying, "My child!"

Grandmother Jia held Yuan Chun's hand and carefully examined her. She noticed that Yuan Chun's hair was slightly damp, her almond-shaped eyes were full of spring, and her eyes and brows were filled with undisguised joy. She looked even more charming than when she was at home. Grandmother Jia couldn't help but say with satisfaction, "Your complexion looks even better than before you got married."

Wang Xifeng, unable to contain herself, laughed and said, "Grandmother, hold your praises! Tell us first, how exactly did Master Jiang obtain the title of Yunqiwei? We're all very curious!"

Yuan Chun humbly replied, "It was nothing more than a minor task I performed for His Majesty." Though she said this, a glint of light flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up slightly.

As Yuan Chun recounted Jiang Nian's investigation of the salt smuggler Zhou Sankui, everyone in the room listened intently. When she spoke of the bandit suppression outside Changyi City, Ying Chun gasped softly, covering her mouth in surprise; when she mentioned leading two hundred cavalrymen to raid the Dragon King Temple, Li Wan unconsciously clenched her handkerchief; when she spoke of the arrest and investigation of many corrupt officials, even Lady Wang couldn't help but nod and sigh, thinking that her son-in-law was indeed young and promising; and when Yuan Chun briefly mentioned the group of women who had been forcibly bought and abducted by Zhou Sankui, Lin Daiyu quickly lowered her head, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes, as if she didn't want to hear such a tragic story.

Tan Chun listened quietly to the side, secretly thinking, "My eldest sister is so lucky to have married!"

……

……

Because she had something to say to Lady Wang alone, Yuan Chun specially accompanied Lady Wang to the three side rooms on the east side of Rongxi Hall—this was Lady Wang's daily residence and place of business.

A maidservant carried a lacquered tea tray. Yuan Chun took the teacup with its clear blue glaze, sipped the fragrant tea, and suddenly asked Madam Wang, "Will Mother send someone to Jiangning to deliver a message soon?"

Madam Wang was taken aback: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Yuan Chun lightly traced the rim of her teacup with her fingertip, then lowered her eyes and said, "He's planning to take Xue's sister into his family next month, and he's thinking of sending a message to his aunt."

Madam Wang didn't feel awkward at all when she heard these words.

In her view, it was normal for Jiang Nianlian to take a concubine since he didn't even have a wife in his room yet.

She had already accepted Xue Baochai as Jiang Nian's concubine. The matter had been settled for over a year, and she knew that Jiang Nian had a bright future. Moreover, her eldest daughter, Yuan Chun, was Jiang Nian's wife. Therefore, she felt that even if Xue Baochai became Jiang Nian's concubine, it wouldn't be too humiliating for Xue Baochai.

Thinking this, Madam Wang said, "There haven't been any letters to the south recently. However, since your sister Xue is about to marry into the family, it is indeed necessary to send a message to your aunt. I can send someone to Jiangning, and we must have something to send along, so we can send it together."

(End of this chapter)