The Red Mansion

Chapter 153 Last year it was Baochai, this year it's Baoqin

Xue Jin was initially shocked when she heard that Wang Ziteng had been imprisoned.

In his mind, Prince Teng was a powerful figure with great influence and the Emperor’s deep trust. He had a strong foundation in the court and would not be easily imprisoned.
After he calmed down and thought about it carefully, he realized that the matter was actually quite normal.

Last year, Wang Ziteng was demoted from Military Governor of the Capital Garrison to General, and his power was greatly reduced. Although Wang Long was only a member of a collateral branch of the Wang family, the crime he committed this time was extremely serious. He colluded with Tan Fengchi to plunder on the Grand Canal, and even joined Tan Fengchi in resisting and killing government soldiers, which would naturally implicate his main family.

Little did Xue Jin know that Jiang Nian's identity played a part in this. Jiang Nian was the grandson of the retired Emperor Jingning and the son of Emperor Taishun, and had already gained the favor of Emperor Jingning and the high regard of Emperor Taishun. Last year, Prince Teng's demotion was related to the plot to harm Jiang Nian, and this time, Wang Long's robbery of Xue Baochai's gold also contained the intention to harm Jiang Nian.

In addition, Emperor Taishun deliberately took this opportunity to punish Prince Teng.

After finishing her dinner, Jiang Nian got up to say goodbye.

Xue Jin hurriedly said, "I intend to return to Jiangning tomorrow. I wonder if I could travel with Your Excellency? The Grand Canal is not safe. If I could borrow Your Excellency's authority, the journey would be safer."

In fact, Xue Jin mainly wanted to take the opportunity to get closer to Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, but did not refuse. She simply said, "We will set off at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow. Don't be late."

Then, Jiang Nian returned to her room.

Jiang Nian stood by the window, watching the twilight deepen outside. The canal stretched out in a misty haze, the autumn wind rippling across its surface. Such a scene, which should have been delightful, stirred up a longing in his heart.

He thought to himself, "I have long realized that one manifestation of the mystery of fate is that it allows me to encounter characters from 'Dream of the Red Chamber' repeatedly, after all, this is the world of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

Last year, I met Baochai by chance on the canal and made an agreement to take her as my concubine.

"On this day this year, I have run into Baoqin again at this riverside inn. Could it be that I am also going to arrange for Baoqin to become my concubine this time?"

"Last year it was Baochai, this year it's Baoqin..."

In the room two doors down, Xue Baoqin sat facing a mirror. The mirror reflected a young girl's beautiful face, with eyebrows like distant mountains and lips like painted vermilion.

The maidservant chuckled softly from the side, "Why does the young lady seem so distracted? Could it be that you're thinking about that Lord Jiang?"

Xue Baoqin blushed slightly and said reproachfully, "Don't talk nonsense, he is... he is my brother-in-law."

But I couldn't help but recall the look my brother-in-law had given me before, a look that seemed to pierce right through me...

……

……

The next morning, as dawn broke, Jiang Nian and her group finished packing, and Xue Jin and his group were also ready.

The two groups left the inn together and headed towards the dock. A thin mist hung over the canal, willows swayed along the banks, and several egrets skimmed across the water—a scene of autumn beauty in Jiangnan.

Upon arriving at the dock, Jiang Nian and her entourage boarded two ships, while Xue Jin, along with her children and servants, boarded two other merchant ships.

Just before boarding the ship, Xue Baoqin suddenly turned around and bowed to Jiang Nian. The rising autumn sun shone on her apricot-yellow dress, and her bright, clear eyes seemed to glow like pearls and gleam like jade.

Four boats set sail from Yangzhou Prefecture, traveling down the Grand Canal to Jingkou Post Station in Zhenjiang Prefecture. From there, they turned onto the Yangtze River and headed west, passing through several riverside post stations including Longtan Post Station, Jiangdong Post Station, Longjiang Post Station, and Dasheng Post Station. Along the way, they saw vast expanses of river and sky, misty mountains, rolling rice paddies on both banks, and maple leaves just beginning to turn red. After several days of travel, they finally arrived in Jiangning on September 11th.

The sky was clear and the river shimmered. In the distance, Zhongshan Mountain appeared like dark eyebrows, while nearby, the city walls stood majestically.

Standing at the bow of the boat, Jiang Nian gazed at the land of the Six Dynasties, his heart surging with emotion. When he left Jiangning last year, he was just an unknown young man; today, he returned as a second-class imperial bodyguard and an imperial envoy.

This past year or so feels like a lifetime ago.

Jiang Nian was going to see the Governor-General of Liangjiang. Xue Jin, on the other hand, was in a hurry to see his aunt, partly to report back, and partly because he thought that now that Jiang Nian had returned to Jiangning as an imperial envoy, he should have his aunt curry favor with her. This would benefit the Xue family, and perhaps even help them regain their status as imperial merchants…

After the four boats slowly docked, Xue Jin and his children came over to say goodbye. He bowed deeply to Jiang Nian and said, "We are deeply grateful for Lord Jiang's care this time."

Jiang Nian said calmly, "You're too kind."

His gaze, however, inadvertently swept over Xue Baoqin behind Xue Jin. Today, the girl was dressed in a light pink silk jacket over a lake-blue Xiang skirt, with a white jade hairpin in her hair that shone brightly in the autumn sun. She looked even more radiant than when they first met at the Night Mooring Inn.

Xue Baoqin noticed Jiang Nian's gaze. Her usually lively and cheerful personality turned somewhat shy. She lowered her head slightly, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.

Seeing this, Xue Jin hurriedly said, "Qin'er, why don't you thank the master for taking care of you along the way?"

Xue Baoqin then stepped forward and bowed gracefully, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

The sound was like a clear spring striking a rock, crisp and melodious.

Jiang Nianxu helped her up, saying, "Miss, there's no need for such formalities."

Xue Jin smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Sir, you and my brother and sister-in-law are related by marriage. If you have some free time during your visit to Jiangning, I hope you will do me the honor of visiting the Xue family for a chat."

Jiang Nian replied, "I must see her. Baochai's mother is also a member of the Wang family, and I will interrogate her as well."

Xue Jin: "..."

Xue Jin was speechless for a moment, and his expression changed several times.

At this moment, the river breeze rippled the water, and the dock was bustling with people.

Jiang Nian said no more, turned and left, leaving Xue Jin, Xue Ke, and Xue Baoqin looking at each other in bewilderment.

Xue Baoqin watched Jiang Nian's departing figure, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Xue Ke whispered, "Father, Lord Jiang actually wants to interrogate Aunt, this..."

Xue Jin waved his hand, interrupting, "It's more important to see your aunt first."

……

……

Jiang Nian and his entourage made their way to the Viceroy of Liangjiang's office.

Along the way, the streets were bustling and teeming with people. Shops lined both sides of the road, including silk shops, antique shops, teahouses, and taverns—everything one could want. The streets were teeming with people: peddlers carrying loads, wealthy merchants on horseback, and officials' wives in sedan chairs—truly a scene of Jiangning's prosperity.

After walking for a short while, they arrived at the Governor's Office. There, two stone lions crouched before the vermilion gate, baring their teeth and claws. Soldiers stood in front of the gate, each with a sword sheath at their waist.

The Viceroy of Liangjiang, Chen Bina, was reviewing official documents in the signing room when he suddenly heard that the imperial guards were requesting an audience, which puzzled him.

To avoid alerting the enemy, Chen Bina was unaware that Emperor Taishun had dispatched an imperial envoy to the south of the Yangtze River to investigate and suppress the Luo sect.

When Chen Bina met Jiang Nian and saw that he was a young man under twenty, he muttered to himself.

Without further ado, Jiang Nian immediately presented all the necessary credentials upon meeting, including the royal command flag and imperial envoy's seal. Chen Bina carefully examined them before he believed the young man before him was indeed an imperial envoy, and only then did he show some respect. An imperial envoy is like the emperor himself; even as a high-ranking official as the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Chen Bina could not afford to be negligent.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian produced a handwritten edict from Emperor Taishun, straightened his clothes, and solemnly said, "His Majesty has issued a secret decree!"

After saying that, he walked to the center and stood facing south.

Chen Bina's heart skipped a beat, and he stepped forward and knelt down: "Your subject, Chen Bina, Governor-General of Liangjiang, respectfully receives Your Majesty's decree!"

Jiang Nian unfolded the imperial edict and proclaimed loudly: "Previously, I ordered you to apprehend the traitors Wang Long and Tan Fengchi. You were entrusted with the important responsibility of Governor-General of Liangjiang, yet not only did you fail to capture the traitors, but you also caused the deaths of a captain and eleven soldiers in the course of the imperial mission. You have failed in your duty as a high-ranking official in suppressing rebellion. You should be punished, but considering your past merits, I have granted you the opportunity to atone for your crimes. I hereby order you to exert all your strength to assist Imperial Envoy Jiang Nian in supervising the investigation of the Luo Sect case and to thoroughly investigate the collusion between the Wang family and the Luo Sect. If you neglect your duties again and cause any mistakes, I will punish you for both crimes without any leniency. This is my decree!"

These words were like thunder.

After Jiang Nianxuan finished speaking, Chen Bina hesitated for a moment, then kowtowed and said, "Your subject Chen Bina obeys the imperial edict and thanks you for your grace!"

After rising, Chen Bina received the imperial edict from Emperor Taishun, examined it carefully, and then looked at the young imperial envoy before him. He felt that this envoy had striking features and an extraordinary bearing; although young, he possessed an imposing presence. Thinking of the edict's mention of "banning the Luo sect" and "strictly investigating the Wang family," he felt a chill run down his spine. Prince Teng had once held a high position and was a confidant of the retired Emperor Jingning; now Emperor Taishun intended to eradicate him completely…

Jiang Nian put away her stern expression and softened her tone: "Governor, although His Majesty has reprimanded you for dereliction of duty, he has also given you a chance to make amends. I am new here and need your assistance."

Chen Bina replied, "I will do my utmost to cooperate with Your Excellency in carrying out your mission."

……

……

Let's leave aside the matter of Jiang Nian discussing matters at the Governor's Office.

Xue Jin left the dock, took a carriage with his two children, and rushed straight to the mansion where his aunt lived, without even going back to his own home first.

Aunt Xue was wearing casual clothes and doing needlework in the inner courtyard when a servant rushed in to report: "Madam, Master Jin has returned!"

Aunt Xue was startled. Her embroidery needle paused, and her heart pounded. She thought to herself, "Could it be that we've encountered river bandits again, and the gold has been stolen once more?"

Thinking this, his expression changed slightly.

No wonder she made such a fuss.

She was terrified.

Last year, when she went to Beijing, she encountered bandits on the Grand Canal, but was fortunately rescued by Jiang Nian.

Three months ago, she asked Xie Jixing to send three thousand taels of gold to Xue Baochai in the capital. However, they encountered bandits on the Grand Canal and the gold was stolen. Fortunately, Jiang Nian intervened and returned the three thousand taels of gold to Xue Baochai.

These two frights became a thorn in her side.

This time, she specially asked Xue Jin to escort two thousand taels of gold to Wang Ziteng. Less than twenty days later, Xue Jin suddenly returned. How could she not think the worst?
Xue Pan was not at home; who knows where he was off gallivanting again. Aunt Xue, filled with anxiety, hurriedly ordered her servants to invite Xue Jin into the inner quarters.

Before long, Xue Jin led Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin into the inner courtyard.

Before they could even exchange greetings, Aunt Xue asked anxiously, her voice trembling, "Why are you back so soon? Did something go wrong on the way? Did you encounter bandits again?"

Xue Jin hurriedly said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, the gold is safe and sound. It's just that we happened to meet Lord Jiang at the Yangzhou water station, and he instructed us not to send the two thousand taels of gold to your brother."

Aunt Xue was momentarily stunned: "Which Lord Jiang?"

Xue Jin sighed, "That's Baochai's husband, Lord Jiang Nian!"

"Oh my!" Aunt Xue's eyes widened, and her expression lit up with joy. "You actually met him? He... how come he's in Yangzhou?"

Seeing the maids and servants standing inside the room, Xue Jin gave them a wink.

Aunt Xue understood and waved her hand to dismiss everyone, leaving only her, Xue Jin, Xue Ke, and Xue Baoqin in the room.

After everyone had left, Xue Jinfang lowered his voice and said, "Sister-in-law, you may not know this, but Lord Jiang is here in Jiangning on imperial orders as an imperial envoy."

Aunt Xue was overjoyed again: "He's become an imperial envoy again? And he's come to Jiangning this time? Tell me all about it!"

Xue Jin then explained the details in detail.

It was mentioned that all the male members of the Wang family in Beijing had been arrested and imprisoned, and even Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng were interrogated by Jiang Nian, and Wang Ziteng was also imprisoned...

Aunt Xue's joy turned to panic; her face paled, and she murmured, "The Wang family... the Wang family is going to suffer a terrible disaster!"

Aunt Xue asked anxiously, "I'm also from the Wang family, am I going to be interrogated too?"

Xue Jin nodded: "That's what Lord Jiang said."

Aunt Xue swayed, her face turning even paler.

Xue Jin quickly comforted her, "Sister-in-law, please don't worry. Although you come from the Wang family, you are already the mistress of my Xue family, and you also have the kinship with Baochai. I don't think Lord Jiang will make things difficult for you. Lord Jiang interrogated the second mistress and second wife of Rongguo Mansion in a quiet room in Rongguo Mansion. I think he will treat you the same way."

Xue Jin continued, "Sister-in-law, this is a golden opportunity! Lord Jiang is now a second-class imperial bodyguard and has been appointed imperial envoy twice, demonstrating the Emperor's favor towards him. In my opinion, he is most likely, as we previously speculated, a descendant of some great nobleman, and very likely the Thirteenth Prince. Your family's fortunes are not what they used to be. If we could get his strong support, regaining our status as imperial merchants would be a piece of cake!"

Last year, the Xue family lost its status as a royal merchant. Over the past year, this event has caused great damage to the Xue family and has also caused Aunt Xue great distress. She has also come to a profound understanding of how important the status of a royal merchant is to the Xue family.

Upon hearing Xue Jin's words, Aunt Xue's eyes lit up with hope, and she said urgently, "But what can we use to curry favor with him? Why not give him the two thousand taels of gold that we were originally going to give to my brother?"

Xue Jin shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Sister-in-law, with his current status, power, and wealth, let alone two thousand taels of gold, even adding another two thousand taels would hardly catch his eye. Why would he wholeheartedly help with this matter for a mere two thousand taels of gold?"

Aunt Xue was speechless for a moment, and after a long while she finally said, "Then... then how should I curry favor with him?"

Xue Jin hesitated, "I haven't thought about this yet. He certainly doesn't lack ordinary gold and silver jewelry. If I want to win him over, I have to cater to his tastes."

Just like him?
What Jiang Nian likes is...

Aunt Xue recalled the matter from last year when Jiang Nian asked her to betroth Baochai to her as a concubine.

Thinking of this, Aunt Xue looked at Xue Baoqin, who was standing quietly to the side, and her gaze became meaningful...

Although Xue Baoqin was young, she was already sensible and reasonable. When she saw Aunt Xue's strange gaze, she thought of how this aunt had betrothed her cousin to Jiang Nian as a concubine last year. Thinking of this, she subconsciously took two steps toward the screen behind her.

Suddenly, a soft "thud" was heard, like the sound of a hairpin or ring falling to the ground.

Aunt Xue hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with Qin'er?"

Xue Baoqin replied softly, "It's nothing, I just knocked the hairpin off."

(End of this chapter)