The Red Mansion

Chapter 150 The Moon Is Very Round Tonight
For a moment, Wang Xifeng was both embarrassed and surprised.

Yuan Chun, Xue Baochai, and Lady Wang were all surprised.

Lady Wang couldn't help but ask, "Why would His Majesty issue such an edict?"

Immediately, Jiang Nian recounted Jing Qing's background in detail, as well as Emperor Taishun's decree, mentioning that Jing Qing was a virgin.

Upon hearing the words "perfectly intact," Wang Xifeng's phoenix eyes widened, and she scrutinized Jing Qing with a gaze as sharp as knives, clearly not believing the matter.

Yuan Chun sighed softly, looked at Jing Qing, and said gently, "My sister has suffered."

Although Yuan Chun was somewhat depressed, her words sounded rather sincere.

Xue Baochai was also somewhat depressed, but she also felt that given the circumstances, it was fate that Jiang Nian took Jing Qing as a concubine.

Although Madam Wang felt sorry for Jing Qing, she also felt that the matter was really inappropriate, but it was none of her business.

Wang Xifeng felt even more uneasy, but it was none of her business.

Madam Wang returned to the main topic, looking expectantly at Jiang Nian, and asked, "How are the Wang family members doing now?"

Jiang Nian picked up her teacup, blew away the foam, but didn't answer immediately.

Lady Wang was feeling depressed and kept giving Wang Xifeng meaningful glances.

Wang Xifeng pretended not to see it, and lowered her head to fiddle with the gold bracelet on her wrist—having just been humiliated by Jiang Nian, how could she possibly lower herself to beg for mercy?
Having no other choice, Madam Wang spoke up herself: "I think that apart from Wang Long from the Jiangning branch who is courting death and colluding with those bandits, everyone else in the Wang family must be innocent, especially our direct line in the capital." At this point, her voice carried a hint of pleading, "Please, for the sake of our kinship, be more lenient with the Wang family."

After saying that, he gave Yuan Chun a meaningful look.

Yuan Chun usually wouldn't interfere in Jiang Nian's official duties, but since it was her mother's request today, and seeing her mother in such a predicament, she simply echoed, "Sir, most of the Wang family members in the capital are innocent."

"Mother-in-law, please don't worry." Jiang Nian put down her teacup. "His Majesty personally decided this case and strictly ordered me not to show favoritism. But if the other members of the Wang family are truly innocent, they will not be wronged. Wang Xi is ill, but considering your kindness to me, even though he is in prison, I have ordered that a separate, clean room be prepared for him so that he will not be mistreated."

Jiang Nian deliberately did not mention Wang Zisheng and Wang Ren.

Wang Zisheng and Wang Ren were both dissolute playboys who indulged in eating, drinking, and merrymaking. Wang Zisheng had a large number of beautiful concubines and maids at home and was accustomed to frequenting brothels. Wang Ren was a regular at gambling dens. Moreover, in her previous life, Jiang Nian had a bad impression of the two men from reading the original novel and its sequel. This time, when the two were imprisoned, Jiang Nian "took care" of them.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Madam Wang sighed and said, "Since that's the case, I'll go back to the manor."

Jiang Nian tried to persuade Madam Wang to stay for dinner, but Madam Wang politely declined, saying, "No need, it's getting dark, I should go back early."

As she spoke, Madam Wang slowly rose to her feet.

Jiang Nian escorted Madam Wang to the gate of the house without speaking to Wang Xifeng at all, as if Wang Xifeng did not exist.

"Take care, mother-in-law."

After Jiang Nian finished speaking, she turned around, gave Wang Xifeng a cold glance, and then entered the house.

Wang Xifeng was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder, and she flung her sleeves and boarded the carriage.

Jiang Nian returned to the main house and asked Meng Shi to lead the servants to clean up the east wing so that Jing Qing could move in.

Recently, Jiang Nian not only bought land in the eastern suburbs to build the Jiang family's training ground, but also bought a two-courtyard house next to the Jiang family's new residence. Because the Jiang family has more and more servants, even though Jiang Nian has two houses in the eastern suburbs, the new house and the old house, they are not enough to live in them.

The family living next door had once had a high-ranking official, but after his death, their fortunes declined. Jiang Nian offered to buy the house next door at a price significantly higher than the market value, and the other party readily agreed.

After buying the adjacent two-courtyard house, He Yun, Meng Shi, and He Zhong moved there, as did other servants of the Jiang family.

Therefore, the east wing of the Jiang family's new residence is currently empty.

Perfect timing, Jing Qing can move in here.

……

……

As dusk settled, the Jiang family had already lit their lamps.

Exquisite dishes were laid out on the octagonal table.

Jiang Nian and Yuan Chun ate together, while Xue Baochai and Jing Qing did not eat with them.

After finishing her meal, Jiang Nian went straight to her study.

Yuan Chun went to the east wing to check on Jing Qing. Seeing that Jing Qing was settled, she went into the study to find her husband and asked with a smile, "I wonder what Sister Lian did to offend Master?"

Jiang Nian said that when Wang Xifeng was interrogated yesterday, Wang Xifeng gave him the cold shoulder and threw a tantrum.

Ha, in his opinion, the way to deal with a woman like Wang Xifeng is to be assertive. Only when a man is strong enough and assertive towards her can he suppress her... Jia Lian is not capable of that.

The reason he treated Madam Wang politely was because she was, after all, his mother-in-law, and he was giving Yuan Chun face.

Jiang Nian changed the subject and asked in return, "Do you blame me for taking Jing Qing as a concubine?"

“The Emperor’s will is hard to defy.” Yuan Chun lowered her head. “Besides… she is also a pitiful person.”

Yuan Chun paused for a moment and asked, "When will you and Master arrange your wedding?"

Jiang Nian said, "His Majesty not only promoted me to Second-Class Imperial Guard yesterday, but also reappointed me as Imperial Envoy. I will be going to Jiangnan on the sixteenth of August to carry out my duties. As for taking her as my concubine... let's set it for the fifteenth of August."

Yuan Chun asked in surprise: "Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"Hmm." Jiang Nian said calmly, "When I took Baochai as my concubine before, it was a proper ceremony, with relatives and friends invited to a banquet. This time, there's no need for such a ceremony; we can just have a lively gathering at home during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Yuan Chun secretly breathed a sigh of relief... After all, Jing Qing had worked as a courtesan in a brothel, so even if it was the Emperor's decree, it shouldn't be done in the same upright and proper way as when she took Xue Baochai as a concubine.

However, Yuan Chun could still tell that her master had already fallen in love with Jing Qing, otherwise he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to take Jing Qing into his family before leaving the capital.

……

……

The next day, it was August 14th.

At dusk that day, Jiang Nian was returning home after finishing his shift. As he walked to the alley entrance, he suddenly saw Peng Jizhong from the Qin family.

Peng Jizhong hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and kowtowed, then rubbed his hands and said, "Uncle Jiang, my daughter invites you in."

Jiang Nian dismounted and followed Peng Jizhong toward the Qin family.

Inside the west wing of the Qin family residence, Qin Keqing leaned against the couch, her pale face accentuated by a moon-white dress. Upon seeing Jiang Nian enter, she merely raised her eyelids before lowering her head, looking resentful.

Jiang Nian waved to Ruizhu, who reluctantly left the room.

"Keqing." Jiang Nian sat down by the couch, her voice three times gentler than usual.

Qin Keqing suddenly sat up straight: "I heard you're going to take a concubine tomorrow? How did that beauty from the brothel catch your eye, Master Jiang?" As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes reddened.

Immediately, Jiang Nian recounted Jing Qing's background to Qin Keqing in detail.

After listening, Qin Keqing sighed, "She is indeed a pitiful person! Since you are taking her in by imperial decree, I should not resent you for this, but I haven't even married into the family yet, and she has already taken the lead..."

He choked up as he spoke.

Jiang Nian stood up and stepped forward, pulling Qin Keqing into his arms, feeling her tremble slightly. He stroked Qin Keqing's hair and said softly, "Even though she married before you, in my heart, how could she possibly surpass your place? Besides, once you've finished your mourning period, you will naturally marry into the family."

That was truly what he felt.

After hearing this, Qin Keqing stopped crying and her expression improved.

"this is for you."

Jiang Nian took out a silver-plated, gold-plated butterfly hairpin inlaid with jewels. The butterfly wings were as thin as cicada wings, trembling as if about to fly away.

He had a large collection of gold, silver and jewelry at home, but after finishing his shift today, he specially bought this silver-plated, jewel-encrusted butterfly hairpin, intending to give it to Jing Qing on their wedding night tomorrow to show his sincerity.

However... he has now given this silver-gilt and jewel-encrusted butterfly hairpin to Qin Keqing, and as for Jing Qing, he will buy her one himself tomorrow.

Qin Keqing took it and examined it carefully before her anger turned to joy. Qin Keqing personally escorted Jiang Nian to the hanging flower gate. Watching Jiang Nian's departing figure, she thought to herself, "In any case, she's just a concubine who used to be a courtesan. Once I marry into the family... not to mention her, even Xue Baochai, I will destroy her status!"

……

……

August fifteen.

The weather is perfect today; the sky is clear and a gentle breeze is blowing.

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), two sumptuous tables were set up in the main hall of the Jiang family's house, and Yuan Chun led Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and all the maids, servants, and old women to take their seats. Two more sumptuous tables were set up in the outer courtyard's back room, and Jiang Nian led He Yun, Meng Xiong, and other male members of the Jiang family to take their seats.

It was both a celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival and a congratulation to Jiang Nian on taking a concubine.

After dinner, it was already dark, but the Jiang family's house was brightly lit inside and out.

A bright moon hung early on the willow branches, bathing the Jiang residence in a silvery glow.

In the study, Jiang Nian suddenly said to Yuan Chun, "I told you before that once I have mastered the guqin, I would compose a piece for you. Although I have only been learning for a short time, I have already composed this piece."

Yuan Chun was surprised: "Grandpa can actually compose music himself?"

As Jiang Nian's guqin teacher, she knows Jiang Nian's current guqin level well; it's not high enough for her to compose her own music.

“I don’t have such talent right now,” Jiang Nian chuckled. “I just had a melody in my mind, and I asked Jing Qing to compose it. Tonight, I’ll have Jing Qing play it for you, Madam.”

Yuan Chun nodded, very curious about what kind of song Jiang Nian had composed for her.

……

……

As night fell, the moon was full and the moonlight was beautiful.

The east wing of the Jiang family's new house has been decorated as a wedding room.

Jing Qing had her face opened and was made up. Dressed in a gorgeous and festive outfit, she was indeed as beautiful as Qin Keqing and had a great temperament. She was worthy of being a daughter of an official family.

She was sitting at the zither table.

Jiang Nian led Yuan Chun, Xue Baochai, Meng Shi, Feng Shi, and others to sit in a circle around Jing Qing.

"Let's begin."

Jiang Nian greeted them.

Jing Qing gently stroked the strings of her zither, and a melody of "Longing" flowed forth. At first, it was like dewdrops from a clear spring, then like a murmuring stream, and finally it transformed into endless emotions, lingering in the air.

The melody was novel, unlike the usual musical scales; it seemed as if a thousand thoughts were woven into the seven strings.

The last overtone faded away.

Yuan Chun snapped out of her reverie, a strange feeling rising in her heart. The melody was tender and poignant, yet also possessed a novel quality. She turned to gaze at Jiang Nian and said softly, "The melody composed by the master is quite unique."

"Is it still pleasant to listen to?" Jiang Nian asked with a smile.

Yuan Chun nodded: "Very good."

Jiang Nian said, "The title of the song, 'Longing,' was specially chosen by me for my wife."

Yuan Chun felt embarrassed, as there were many people gathered in the room at that moment.

Jiang Nian has been pondering repeatedly which song from her past life she should send to Yuan Chun.

He had thought about "Daughter's Love" because he felt that Yuan Chun's appearance and temperament were somewhat similar to the Queen of the Women's Kingdom in the TV series from his previous life.

He had also considered "Spring Snow in the Courtyard," but felt that this piece would be more suitable for Xue Baochai.

After much deliberation, he finally decided to use "Xiangsi," the ending theme song of "Journey to the West: The Sequel."

He loved this song in his past life, but this time he only showed the melody, not the lyrics, because the lyrics weren't suitable.

Madam Meng quickly smiled and flattered, "Sir, what talent you have! I've lived this long and never heard such a beautiful tune before!"

Led by Madam Meng, the other maids and servants followed suit, some praising Jiang Nian's talent, others praising the good relationship between Jiang Nian and Yuan Chun...

At this moment, Jiang Nian smiled at Yuan Chun and said, "I have also composed a song and written lyrics for it. Please give your opinion, Madam."

Yuan Chun's eyes lit up, filled with anticipation.

Jing Qing rose from beside the zither table and sat in a reclining chair. Lü Yi presented her with a pipa, which Jing Qing took and held in her arms. Her slender fingers brushed the strings, and a clear note arose. At the same time, she parted her lips slightly and began to sing in the soft, melodious Wu dialect, her voice so sweet it seemed to drip with moisture, each word like a dewdrop:
"Green bricks and painted tiles, white horses treading on new mud, mountain flowers and banana leaves dyed red by the twilight. Raindrops fall from the eaves, wisps of smoke rise from the chimneys, where are you, so lost and restless? Searching and searching, cold and desolate, the moon sets, crows cry, the crescent moon falls into a lonely well. Scattered fragments, bits and pieces, in dreams there are flowers, in dreams there is green grass..."

Everyone was amazed.

Xue Baochai's teacup had gone cold, but she was completely unaware. She usually disliked women playing the pipa and singing, but at this moment she felt that Jing Qing's appearance while playing the pipa and singing was not frivolous at all, but rather as elegant as a lady in a painting. The line "Searching and searching, so cold and lonely" stirred up a few more sorrows in her heart.

Yuan Chun stared blankly at Jing Qing, illuminated by the candlelight—her rose-red dress accentuated her snow-white skin, and a single flower decoration on her brow shone like vermilion. Such beauty, coupled with such a song, was truly captivating.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Jiang Nian and saw that her husband's eyes were full of admiration.

The lingering sound faded away, but the women in the room seemed still immersed in it, unable to extricate themselves.

After regaining her senses, Yuan Chun said to Jiang Nian, "This song is both beautiful and unique. Did you also write the lyrics, Master?"

Jiang Nian nodded: "The lyrics are adapted from Li Qingzhao's 'Sheng Sheng Man'."

He loved the soft Wu dialect version of "Sheng Sheng Man" in his previous life, and that's why he composed it this time.

Jing Qing is indeed a talented woman with an excellent memory. She composed the tunes for "Xiang Si" and "Sheng Sheng Man" after Jiang Nian hummed them to her only three times, and she played and sang them fluently tonight.

……

……

The song ends and everyone disperses.

Jiang Nian, along with Yuan Chun and Xue Baochai, enjoyed the bright moonlight in the inner courtyard for a while before escorting Yuan Chun back to her main room. As soon as Yuan Chun entered the bedroom, she suddenly nudged him, laughing, "Go on, sir, don't delay tonight's good time." She then added, "The handkerchief is ready, don't forget..."

After saying that, she turned around and closed the door, effectively locking her husband out of the room.

Jiang Nian shook her head and chuckled softly as she walked towards the east wing.

Inside the bridal chamber, a large red brocade quilt was adorned with clusters of double happiness characters.

Jing Qing sat on the edge of the bed, twisting her clothes belt with her fingers.

Outside the window, the moon is very round.

Inside the window, the woman is very beautiful.

Clouds gathered inside the tent, and rain began to fall.

After the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Jiang Nian picked up the handkerchief and examined it closely by the lamp, while Jing Qing blushed and hid under the covers.

After confirming, Jiang Nian suddenly said to the beautiful woman in the quilt, "Tomorrow I will go to Jiangnan. When I get there, I will find Tang Jina, the military governor of Jiangning, and try to buy your mother."

"Really?" Jing Qing's face peeked out from under the quilt.

Jiang Nian stroked her loose black hair: "Now that you've come with me, I should do my best to reunite you and your daughter."

"Grandpa!"

A sweet, soft call rang out, spoken in the gentle, Wu dialect…

(End of this chapter)