The Red Mansion

Chapter 130 Family Letter
It was midsummer in May, the season when pomegranate blossoms blazed brightly in the sky.

Inside the west wing of the Jiang family's house, the bamboo curtain was half-rolled up, and the sound of cicadas, carrying the summer heat, seeped into the green gauze.

Xue Baochai sat alone at her desk, holding a top-quality wolf-hair brush from Huzhou. The ink on the Xuan paper, a tribute from the Cao family of Jing County, was mottled, with only half of the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers" remaining:
"In the deep courtyard, the pomegranate blossoms gleam behind the curtains; the clouds and mist shroud the peaks; a sudden rainstorm startles the banana leaves into disarray."

The bamboo mat and pillowcase, cool and damp, have been quietly changed; the thin silk still retains a hint of sandalwood.

The brush hangs halfway between the inscriptions on the sandalwood inscription, yet it hesitates to continue.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian quietly entered the west wing and saw Xue Baochai sitting at her desk, holding a brush and frowning. She smiled and asked, "What are you writing?"

Xue Baochai was startled. Turning around and seeing Jiang Nian, she quickly stood up and said, "Why did you come in so quietly, sir? You startled me."

Jiang Nian walked to Xue Baochai's side, looked at the desk, and noticed that half a poem was written on the tribute paper from the Cao family of Jing County that he had given to Xue Baochai. He smiled and asked Xue Baochai, "Are you writing a poem?"

Xue Baochai was a little embarrassed: "I was just writing it for fun."

Jiang Nian bent down and carefully examined the half-finished poem, then said to Xue Baochai, "Why is it only half-finished?"

Xue Baochai smiled sweetly: "The other half of the poem has been difficult to continue for a long time."

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I'll continue it for you."

Xue Baochai's eyes lit up, and she nodded, saying, "It is my honor."

So, Jiang Nian bent down, picked up his brush, dipped it in the ancient Huizhou pine soot ink from the Duanxi Shuiyan Old Pit Purple Duan inkstone, and continued writing on the Cao family tribute Xuan paper in Jing County:

"The evening breeze gently caresses the seal script, a private vow is made at the bottom of the inkstone, and the autumn waters and brows turn."

If you ask where my idle feelings reside? My heart's longing is already branded with the peach blossom's seal.

Xue Baochai gazes intently, and with vigorous strokes of her pen, she not only continues the theme of the first stanza but also incorporates the current scene, depicting her love for him without repeating a single word of the scenery in the first stanza.

Xue Baochai blushed, but sincerely praised, "Sir, you received it well!"

She immediately decided to treasure this poem, "Butterfly Loves Flowers," which she and he had completed together, along with his three sets of floral stationery and three poems about willow catkins.

Jiang Nian embraced Xue Baochai and whispered softly in her ear, "I'll stay here with you again tonight."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai left his embrace, lowered her head, and gently twisted her handkerchief with her fingertips, as if pondering how to speak. After a long while, she whispered, "Master has already stayed here for three nights. He should return to his main room tonight."

Since she became a concubine, Jiang Nian had spent the last three nights in the west wing. Although they were newlyweds and deeply in love, she still had to consider the feelings of her mistress, Yuan Chun. She knew that although she was favored by Jiang Nian, she was ultimately a concubine, while Yuan Chun was the legitimate wife.

Jiang Nian stared at Xue Baochai and saw that Xue Baochai's expression was serious and not fake, which stirred something in her heart.

He had originally planned to spend the night with Yuan Chun, but upon seeing how captivating Xue Baochai was, he changed his mind. Xue Baochai's initiative in bringing it up revealed her composure and steadiness.

"You've thought of everything." Jiang Nian chuckled and reached out to hold Xue Baochai's soft hand. "Alright, then I'll go back to the main room tonight."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai smiled slightly, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes: "That's how it should be."

Jiang Nian then left the west wing.

Xue Baochai saw Jiang Nian out of the room and watched him enter the main room before turning back to her desk and looking at the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers" that she and he had just finished together. Her heart was clear.

She knew that only in this way could she go far and achieve great things in the Jiang family...

……

……

On the afternoon of May 17th, the cicadas were chirping incessantly.

Inside the west wing of the Jiang family's house, the bamboo curtains were drawn low. Xue Baochai was sitting by the window doing needlework when she suddenly saw Ying'er exclaim in surprise, "Hey? Where did that jade hairpin with twin lotus blossoms go? Did you put it somewhere else?"

Xue Baochai was taken aback upon hearing this and quickly stopped her needlework: "After I put it on yesterday, didn't I tell you to put it in the second layer of your dressing case?"

Ying'er said anxiously, "I clearly remember putting it away, but when I opened the box now, it was nowhere to be found. And today, Xing'er has been pacing around the dressing table several times..." Her voice trailed off.

Xue Baochai paused slightly with her fingertips.

She had lived in the Jiang family for over a year and knew that Xing'er, this little maid, was timid in public but restless in private. She had even stolen Xiangling's jewelry once, but because Xiangling was kind-hearted, she didn't make things difficult for Xing'er, nor did she let Jiang Nian know. This was why she disliked Xing'er.

"Go and call her here."

Xue Baochai put down her embroidery frame, her voice still gentle, yet revealing an unyielding composure.

Ah, that jade hairpin with twin lotus blossoms is quite valuable. More importantly, it was a gift from Jiang Nianna that night. How could it be lost?

A moment later, Xing'er came in, her shoulders hunched, two dark blue braids hanging down beside her ears, her eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes: "Did Auntie call me?"

Xue Baochai didn't rush to ask questions. First, she had Ying'er pour some fragrant tea, and after slowly drinking half a cup, she asked, "Xing'er, how long have you been serving me in my room?"

“Replying to…replying to Auntie.” Xing’er twisted the hem of her clothes, “It has been exactly ten days since the seventh day of the fifth month.”

"It's impressive that you remember so clearly." Xue Baochai suddenly placed her teacup lightly on the table. "Only ten days have passed, and you've already started stealing my things?"

The crisp sound of the teacup striking the sandalwood made Xing'er tremble. She stole a glance at Xue Baochai, only to find that this usually gentle aunt's eyes were now cold and clear, just like when the mistress Yuan Chun punished the servants, which was quite unsettling.

"me……"

Before Xing'er could explain, Xue Baochai said coldly, "That hairpin was a gift from Master. Stealing it is already a crime. If you dare to argue, it will only add insult to injury. If you confess and return it, I can be lenient considering that this is the first time you have stolen from me. Otherwise, if this matter blows up, not only will you suffer, but your parents will also be implicated."

Seeing Xue Baochai's stern and imposing face, Xing'er hesitated before kneeling on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, her face streaked with tears and snot: "Auntie, spare me! I won't do it again! I was bewitched, I saw that hairpin was so exquisite... and really liked it..."

Seeing this, Xue Baochai breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought to himself that Xing'er could still be saved, yet she confessed so easily.

Otherwise, it would be troublesome for her. After all, Xing'er was a maid sent to her by Yuan Chun, and only for ten days. Xing'er's father, Dong Liang, mother, Yao Shi, and brother, Dong Feng, were all servants of the Jiang family, and none of them were bad people. If Xing'er's theft were to become a big deal, it would have a negative impact on her.

Xue Baochai asked Xing'er, "Where is the hairpin now?"

Xing'er said timidly, "Put...put it at my place."

Xing'er did not move into the west wing, but instead stayed with her parents and brother in the back room of the old Jiang family residence. Xue Baochai said, "Go and fetch the hairpin immediately."

Xing'er hummed in agreement and quickly retrieved the jade hairpin with twin lotus blossoms.

Xue Baochai took back her beloved mutton-fat jade twin lotus hairpin and breathed a sigh of relief. She said slowly to Xing'er, "As I said before, I will be lenient this time. I will not tell your parents, nor will I let your master and mistress know. You just need to kneel in this room for an hour to reflect on your actions."

Ying'er said anxiously, "Auntie, how can you let someone who's so dishonest off so easily...?"

“I have my reasons,” Xue Baochai interrupted, turning to gaze at Xing’er. “Only one thing—from now on, you must behave yourself and be a good maid to me. I will not be stingy with rewards. But if you steal again…” Her fingertips lightly traced the jade hairpin with twin lotus blossoms, her voice suddenly becoming stern, “I will not let you off easily!”

Xing'er felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and kowtowed repeatedly.

Xue Baochai waved her hand and said indifferently, "Kneel in the corner."

Xing'er got up, walked to the corner, and knelt down.

Xue Baochai picked up the embroidery frame again. In the sunlight streaming in from the window, the silver needle seemed to flash with a cold light. She sighed inwardly, "It's not that I'm kind-hearted, but the game of chess must be clear."

……

……

Previously, Yuan Chun had told Lady Wang that since Jiang Nian wanted to marry Xue Baochai, she should send a message to Aunt Xue in Jiangning.

Lady Wang originally intended to send a servant from the Rongguo Mansion to Jiangning, but she learned that Lai Shangrong, the son of Lai Da, the chief steward of the Rongguo Mansion, was going to Jiangning to manage his business.

Lai Shangrong was the only son of Lai Da and his wife, and the apple of his mother Lai's eye. From the moment he was born, Lai's mother knelt and begged Grandmother Jia to release him from his slave status. From then on, Lai Shangrong grew up like a young master, learning to read and write, and was pampered by the maids and servants of the Lai family, living a life of luxury. When he was twenty, the Lai family even bought him a nominal title as a county official, but he was too attached to the prosperity of the capital and afraid of hardship, so he refused to go to the capital to serve as an official. Lai's mother was also reluctant to let him leave the capital. Now, at twenty-six years old, he still hadn't been given a real position.

Although Lai Da and his wife were servants of the Rongguo Mansion, they ran a considerable business outside, even extending their business to Jiangning.

Lai Shangrong's initiative to go to Jiangning to manage his business was mainly because he was tired of staying in the capital and wanted to take the opportunity to travel around Jiangnan.

So, Lady Wang asked Lai Shangrong to deliver two letters to Aunt Xue in Jiangning: one from Xue Baochai to Aunt Xue, and the other from Lady Wang to Aunt Xue.

……

……

Now, Lai Shangrong set off from Shenjing (Beijing) and traveled south by boat from Luhe Post Station in Tongzhou, enjoying the scenery and having a wonderful time. It wasn't until early June that his boat slowly entered the Jiangning Wharf.

That day, Lai Shangrong changed into a brand-new royal blue silk brocade robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves, a mutton-fat jade pendant hanging from his waist, and a gold-leafed folding fan in his hand. He rode in a sedan chair toward the Xue family. The sedan curtain was slightly rolled up, revealing half of his smiling face—although the prosperity of Jiangning City could not compare to that of the capital, it still had its own unique charm and elegance.

Although the Xue family was not as prosperous as before, it still had vermilion gates and black tiles, and deep courtyards.

Lai Shangrong handed over his visiting card. The gatekeeper, seeing that it was someone from the Rongguo Mansion in the capital who had purchased an official position and was there to deliver a letter to Aunt Xue, dared not neglect him and hurriedly reported to Xue Pan.

Before long, Lai Shangrong heard the thud of boots, and Xue Pan strode over. Xue Pan looked even more prosperous than when he was in the capital last year. He was wearing a dark brown silk robe, and three or four embroidered pouches hung from his jade belt, presumably containing incense cakes, snuff, and the like.

"Brother Lai!" Xue Pan greeted him with a broad smile, cupping his hands in greeting. "What brings you to Jiangning?"

Although he only stayed briefly in Shenjing City last year, he had already become acquainted with Lai Shangrong.

Lai Shangrong returned the greeting and said with a smile, "Brother Xue, how have you been? I've come south to take care of some business, and I've brought two letters home for your family." He then took out a brocade package and presented it with both hands, "One letter is from the Second Madam of the Rong family, and the other is from your younger sister."

Xue Pan took the brocade package and eagerly opened it for a look.

He was quite curious about what the two letters said, so he led Lai Shangrong to the front hall for tea and waited, while he personally went into the inner courtyard to hand the two letters to Aunt Xue.

Aunt Xue's hands trembled as she opened Xue Baochai's letter. It was filled with delicate, small regular script, densely packed across more than three pages. As she read, her eyes reddened: "My child..."

I felt both sad and surprised.

Only then did they learn that on the sixth day of the previous month, Jiang Nian had officially taken Xue Baochai as his concubine. It turned out that a month had already passed.

Aunt Xue already knew that Jiang Nian had been awarded the title of Third-Class Imperial Guard and had married Yuan Chun.

Only now, through a letter, did she learn that Jiang Nian had recently been granted the title of Yunqiwei and appointed as an imperial bodyguard for his meritorious service as an imperial envoy.

Xue Pan was too lazy to read the letter himself, and there were some parts he couldn't understand, so he asked his aunt Xue to tell him the contents of the letter.

After hearing this, Xue Pan laughed and said, "See! What did I tell you? That Brother Jiang is truly capable. Even if you become his concubine, you won't feel wronged!"

Xue Pan then went to the outer residence to see Lai Shangrong, and pulled Lai Shangrong aside, saying, "Good brother, you must have a drink with me today! I'll take you to a fine restaurant on the banks of the Qinhuai River right now!"

Lai Shangrong feigned reluctance: "How could this be..."

"Of course! Why not!" Xue Pan patted Lai Shangrong on the shoulder. "Do you know what the second mistress of the Rong family said in her letter to my sister? My brother-in-law is now a favorite of the emperor, a bodyguard, and has been granted the title of Yunqiwei! You brought this good news, so I will naturally invite you to a banquet."

Lai Shangrong sneered inwardly, thinking that his sister was nothing more than a concubine.

Xue Pan suddenly sighed, "It would be even better if my sister were my brother-in-law's legal wife."

Lai Shangrong's eyes darted around, and he smiled, "Isn't that right? Although she's a concubine, she's ten times more noble than an ordinary concubine. Guard Jiang specially and openly married her, and I've heard he treats her extremely well."

Upon hearing this, Xue Pan was delighted and immediately pulled Lai Shangrong toward the finest restaurant on the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Meanwhile, Aunt Xue was pondering something in the inner courtyard...

Before his death, Xue Baochai's father specially left her a dowry of 100,000 taels of silver.

Before leaving the capital last year, Aunt Xue told Xue Baochai that the Xue family was not as prosperous as before and had tarnished its reputation as a royal merchant, so it was necessary to be frugal in its spending. Aunt Xue first gave Xue Baochai 20,000 taels of silver, promising to give her another 30,000 taels when Jiang Nian formally took Xue Baochai as a concubine.

Aunt Xue had not forgotten this matter.

However, more than a year later, the Xue family is now in a much worse state than last year. Business is increasingly strained, and all the brokers, managers, and employees in various provinces are becoming more cunning and deceitful.

Aunt Xue is now pondering whether or not to give Xue Baochai another 30,000 taels of silver.
After some deliberation, Aunt Xue decided to give Xue Baochai the promised 30,000 taels of silver.

Originally, Xue Baochai's father left her a dowry of 100,000 taels of silver, but Aunt Xue only promised to give her 50,000 taels, which was already half of what she was promised.

Aunt Xue believed that the promised 50,000 taels of silver should not be less than that, especially since Jiang Nian was young and promising with a bright future, and she was counting on Jiang Nian and Xue Baochai to help the Xue family...

(End of this chapter)