The Red Mansion

Chapter 151 Another Farewell
Although Jiang Nian did not formally marry Jing Qing, the two were inseparable on their wedding night.

Although Jing Qing had once fallen into the trap of working at the Qimeng Courtyard in Jiangning, she had not been tainted by the vulgarity of the world. She was well-educated, knew the rules, and dared not be negligent. Despite being tired on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, she forced herself to get up early the next morning and got up with Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Since you're not feeling well, why don't you rest a little longer?"

Jing Qing said softly, "It is my blessing that you are so considerate, sir. However, with the mistress of the house above me, I cannot disregard etiquette. How could I dare to sleep in?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian felt even more affection for him.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and there was still a hint of autumn night chill outside the window. Dewdrops clung to the leaves of the peony pond in the courtyard, reflecting the morning light and sparkling.

The two maids, Xiangling and Lüyi, were already waiting outside the east wing. Hearing the commotion inside, they tiptoed in to serve. Xiangling brought a copper basin filled with warm water, while Lüyi brought freshly made osmanthus soap. The two maids helped Jiang Nian and Jing Qing wash up.

Jing Qing's face was slightly pale from exhaustion last night, which only added to her delicate and timid appearance. Jiang Nian glanced at her and saw that her black hair was slightly disheveled, her almond eyes were half-closed, and her lips were pale. She resembled Xi Shi holding her heart, possessing a unique charm.

After washing up, Lüyi held the dressing case and helped Jingqing with her makeup.

Jing Qing sat facing the mirror, her slender fingers lightly brushing her temples. Lü Yi styled her hair into a bun, inserted a kingfisher feather hairpin at an angle, and applied a light layer of makeup to conceal her weariness.

Jiang Nian stood aside and watched. She saw that the person in the mirror had eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn water, and lips slightly parted.

Jing Qing noticed Jiang Nian's gaze in the mirror, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she whispered, "With you looking at me like that, I don't know what to do."

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "As the ancients said, 'The pleasures of the boudoir are even greater than the pleasures of painting eyebrows.'"

Jing Qing became even more shy, only lowering her head and remaining silent.

After finishing her makeup, Jing Qing changed into a traditional Chinese jacket and a skirt. Although it wasn't a fancy outfit, it accentuated her graceful figure and made her look elegant and refined.

Jing Qing said to Jiang Nian, "Master, please go ahead. I should also go and pay my respects to the mistress."

Jiang Nian nodded: "Madam has a gentle nature, so you don't need to worry."

Jing Qing was, after all, a newcomer, and it was inevitable that she would feel uneasy when she met the mistress Yuan Chun. However, after hearing Jiang Nian's words, she relaxed a bit.

Jing Qing smiled gently: "I understand."

Jiang Nian then left the east wing.

Jing Qing deliberately waited a while before going to the east side room to pay her respects to Yuan Chun.

Upon arriving at the east wing, Yuan Chun was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed). Hearing that Jing Qing had arrived, she ordered him to be invited quickly.

Jingqing entered and saw Yuanchun dressed in luxurious clothes, wearing pearl hairpins, and with a dignified face. She quickly stepped forward and bowed gracefully, saying, "Jingqing greets Grandmother."

Yuan Chun looked up and saw that Jing Qing was dressed simply and behaved respectfully. She was quite satisfied and smiled as she raised her hand and said, "Get up. From now on, we are sisters."

Jing Qing then stood up, but still dared not raise her head. She bowed her head and offered tea to Yuan Chun, then stood aside with her hands at her sides.

Yuan Chun ordered her maid Jin Chuan to offer her a seat, but Jing Qing declined repeatedly before finally sitting down with her body slightly askew.

Yuan Chun asked with a smile, "You must be tired. Are you feeling alright?"

Jing Qing replied shyly, "Thanks to Grandma, it's alright."

Yuan Chun nodded, then solemnly gave a few instructions on the rules, which Jing Qing answered humbly.

Yuan Chun saw that Jing Qing was courteous and responded appropriately, and felt that this woman was indeed extraordinary.

Yuan Chun bestowed gifts upon Jing Qing and instructed her not to hesitate to ask if she needed anything.

Jing Qing thanked him repeatedly before leaving the east wing.

Back in the east wing, Jing Qing breathed a slight sigh of relief. Lü Yi handed her hot tea and said with a smile, "Miss handled things very well in front of Madam."

“From now on, you should call her Auntie.” Jing Qing sighed softly. “Grandma’s kindness is my good fortune. I only hope that you will be careful and do not go astray in the future.”

Luyi said, "With such good manners, Auntie, it's no wonder that Grandpa and Grandma cherish her." Jing Qing smiled slightly but didn't say much, sipping her tea as if lost in thought.

Although she had only known Jiang Nian for a few days, they had already consummated their marriage, which gave her a good understanding of him. She felt fortunate that even though she had become a concubine, she had been with such a virtuous and capable man. And the mistress of the house was a virtuous and filial woman.

Her father, Jing Yunduan, the former prefect of Suzhou, had his sentence commuted from death sentence to exile with Jiang Nian's help. Her father was in good health and had once been an honest and benevolent official, so it was unlikely that he would die easily in exile.

Her mother was still a maid in the household of Tang Jina, the military governor of Jiangning. Jiang Nian had promised her that she would find Tang Jina and try to buy her mother. If this succeeded, she and her mother could be reunited.

Thinking of this, Jing Qing couldn't help but feel happy.

She hadn't felt this joyful feeling in a long time.

"Meeting you, sir, is truly my good fortune; you are my lucky star." Jing Qing sighed inwardly. "If... if I could reunite with my father in the future, that would be even more of a blessing."

Immediately afterwards, Jing Qing couldn't help but think of the man she had admired when she was a young lady in her boudoir.

Strangely, when she thought of her beloved yesterday, she still felt quite nostalgic and sad.

Thinking back on it now, the longing and sadness seem to have lessened considerably...

As Jing Qing was thinking, a maid suddenly came over to remind her, "Master and Madam, it's time for breakfast."

Jing Qing quickly got up and went to the main room with Lü Yi.

Breakfast was laid out in the main hall. Jiang Nian and Yuan Chun took their seats, while Xue Baochai and Jing Qing, the two concubines, stood to the side, and Xiang Ling, Bao Qin, and other maids served them on both sides.

The Jiang family has always been particular about their breakfasts, lunch, and dinner. Since Jiang Nian was leaving the capital after breakfast today, Yuan Chun instructed them to make this breakfast even more elaborate, with about ten dishes, rice porridge, and a plate of freshly steamed osmanthus sugar cakes, steaming hot and fragrant.

Jiang Nian also broke the rule of not talking while eating today, chatting casually with Yuan Chun during the meal.

Yuan Chun said gently, "Master, we don't know when you will return from this trip to the capital. You must take good care of yourself and not overexert yourself."

Jiang Nian nodded and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Hearing this from the side, Xue Baochai smiled and said, "With Steward He accompanying you on your journey, Master, you will surely have a smooth trip."

Seeing that Xue Baochai had spoken, Jing Qing said softly, "Master is blessed with good fortune and will surely return in triumph soon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian smiled slightly and said, "Thank you for your kind words."

After the meal, the maids cleared away the bowls and plates and served fragrant tea. Jiang Nian took a sip, then stood up and said, "It's getting late, I should get going."

Yuan Chun also stood up and said, "I'll see you out, sir."

It was already the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the autumn sun was rising, and its golden rays shone brightly, illuminating the Jiang family's residence.

Jiang Nian changed into the uniform of a second-class guard, looking incredibly dashing.

Yuan Chun, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and other female relatives saw them off to the outside of the hanging flower gate, where Jiang Nian told them to stop.

Yuan Chun couldn't help but add, "Master, please take good care of yourself on your journey."

Jiang Nian said gently, "I entrust all matters at home to you, Madam."

Yuan Chun nodded, tears welling in her eyes, but she forced herself to hold them back and said only, "Go and come back soon."

Jiang Nian and He Yun left the house together.

Last time, Jiang Nian went to Shandong as an imperial envoy to deal with the salt smuggler Zhou Sankui, accompanied by Meng Xiong. This time, he brought He Yun with him. With Yuan Chun in charge at home and Meng Xiong by his side, he felt at ease.

Yuan Chun is virtuous and filial, and Emperor Taishun has decreed that Jing Qing be treated well, so Jing Qing should be safe.

If the mistress of the house were Wang Xifeng, even with the emperor's decree, Jing Qing's life would not be easy after Jiang Nian left the capital, and she might even be killed.

(End of this chapter)