The Red Mansion

Chapter 156 The Imperial Envoy Summons Us
Xue Jin returned to his own residence, passed through two courtyards, and went straight to the inner courtyard to find his wife, Madam Fan.

Madam Fan was doing needlework under the lamp when she saw her husband return. She quickly got up to greet him. In the candlelight, Madam Fan was dressed in a simple cotton-padded jacket. Her face was gentle and graceful. Although she was over thirty years old, she still had a charming appearance.

"Master is back." Madam Fan took Xue Jin's outer robe and said softly, "When you came back earlier, you only had a quick dinner. Are you hungry now? I'll tell the kitchen to heat up some food."

Xue Jin shook his head, signaling the maids to leave. Once only the couple remained in the room, he spoke, "There's something I need to discuss with you."

He then recounted in detail the matter of Xu's concubine.

After hearing this, Madam Fan remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "We only have this one daughter, she is the apple of our eye, and now she is to be given away as a concubine. I... I feel so heartbroken."

"How could I not feel heartbroken?" Xue Jin sighed. "But with the Xue family in such a state, if we don't rely on Lord Jiang's influence..." Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly coughed.

Seeing this, Madam Fan quickly patted Xue Jin's back, tears welling in her eyes: "Master's health is of utmost importance. Since you have made up your mind, I... I have no objection." As she spoke, she lowered her head to wipe away her tears.

Xue Jin grasped Fan's hand: "Don't worry, Lord Jiang is young and promising with a bright future. Even if Qin'er becomes a concubine, it won't be too unfair to her. Besides, she will have Baochai to look after her."

Madam Fan nodded reluctantly and forced a smile, saying, "This matter is up to you, sir. As for Qin'er, should I go and talk to her?"

Xue Jin said, "There's no need for you to go. I'll go and talk to Qin Yatou myself."

After saying that, Xue Jin left the room.

Passing through the corridor, we arrived at Xue Baoqin's boudoir and heard the sound of poetry being recited inside, clear and melodious.

“Wen Zhenyuan of Weishui, Suo Ruishi of Changshan.”

In the past, I worried about the emperor's power; now, I'm giving away the princess.

Xue Jin paused outside the door, not wanting to disturb them.

"Father?"

The recitation of poetry abruptly stopped, and Xue Baoqin's clear voice came from inside.

Xue Jin then pushed open the door and entered, seeing her daughter rising from the table to bow. She was wearing a moon-white silk jacket and an apricot-red skirt, with only a white jade hairpin in her hair, looking elegant and refined.

The room was elegantly furnished, and an open copy of "Li Yishan's Poetry Collection" lay on the table.

"Reading poetry?" Xue Jin forced a smile.

Xue Baoqin hummed in agreement, then quickly invited Xue Jin to sit down, and offered him a cup of tea with both hands: "Father, you don't look well, are you feeling unwell again?"

Xue Jin waved his hand: "It's alright." He took the teacup, pondered for a long time, dismissed the maid, and finally spoke: "I have something to discuss with you."

Xue Baoqin quickly said, "Father, please speak."

After Xue Jin finished explaining the betrothal, the room fell into complete silence.

A breeze blew in through the window, causing the candlelight to flicker and cast the shadows of the father and daughter on the wall, sometimes long, sometimes short.

To Xue Jin's surprise, Xue Baoqin did not cry, nor did she show any sign of sorrow. She simply lowered her head and twisted the hem of her clothes. After a long while, she said softly, "Daughter...daughter will leave the decision to Father."

Xue Jin was taken aback: "I promised you to be my concubine, aren't you aggrieved? Aren't you resentful towards me?"

Xue Baoqin looked up, a faint blush on her face: "Children's marriages should be decided by their parents, how could I blame my father? I... I don't think being Lord Jiang's concubine is any less than a grievance. Besides, Lord Jiang has my cousin at home, if I go there, I can be with her for the rest of my life."

She is lively and straightforward, filial to her parents, and like a sister to her cousin Xue Baochai. She has also developed some feelings for Jiang Nian.

Xue Jin was taken aback again, and a weight was lifted from her heart.

"But..." Xue Baoqin suddenly asked with concern, "Will my cousin be unhappy about this?"

Xue Jin comforted her, saying, "It's alright. Your aunt said that it's not uncommon for sisters to share a husband in Daqing. Besides, Baochai is kind-hearted and has a deep sisterly bond with you, so she will surely take care of you."

Xue Baoqin nodded.

Xue Jin said no more and got up to leave.

Xue Baoqin suddenly remembered something: "Father, please wait a moment."

After saying that, she took out an embroidered pouch from her dressing case and handed it to Xue Jin: "This is a sachet that I embroidered for Father to put medicine in."

Xue Jin took the sachet and saw that it was embroidered with the words "peace and longevity". Although the stitches were immature, he knew that his daughter had put a lot of effort into it. His heart warmed and he almost shed tears. He forced a smile and said, "Good child, even if you become a concubine, your father will definitely prepare a generous dowry for you."

Xue Baoqin shook her head: "I don't want a generous dowry. I only hope that Father will take good care of himself and Mother will worry less..." Her voice choked as she said this.

Xue Jin's eyes also reddened, but she didn't want to shed tears in front of her daughter, so she quickly turned and left.

Xue Baoqin sat down at the desk, looked at the open "Collection of Poems by Li Yishan," and continued reciting the poem she hadn't finished earlier:
"The matter is similar to that of a powerful enemy, and the favor shown is to maintain harmony among our own branches."

With fortifications still standing in the four suburbs, this ceremony may never be held again.

This poem, titled "Princess Shou'an's Marriage," is a five-character regulated verse by Li Shangyin. It describes Emperor Wenzong of Tang marrying Princess Shou'an to Wang Yuankui, revealing the Tang court's policy of appeasement and marriage towards separatist warlords, and expressing sorrow for the Tang court's difficult situation.

"Even Princess Shou'an is going to be married off to a foreign land!"

Xue Baoqin couldn't help but sigh.

At this moment, the moon rises above the night sky outside the window, its clear light spilling into the courtyard, and the fragrance of an osmanthus tree wafts through the air.

……

……

Jiang Nian originally thought that Governor-General Chen Bina of Liangjiang had a lot of information about the Luo Sect, but to his dismay, Chen Bina had very little information about the Luo Sect.

Therefore, Jiang Nian did not act rashly against the Luo Sect, or even against the Wang family. Instead, she first gathered intelligence on the Luo Sect.

It rained the next day, neither too much nor too little.

The autumn rain pattered on the eaves of the Jiang residence, making a soft, pattering sound. Water dripped from the eaves in lines, washing the bluestone slabs in the courtyard until they shone.

In the morning, at Jiang Nian's summons, Zhen Yingjia, the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangning, arrived at Jiang's residence, which was also the Imperial Envoy's headquarters.

The Zhen family of Jiangning is a prominent and wealthy family.

Zhen Yingjia's grandmother was formerly Emperor Jingning's wet nurse, whom Emperor Jingning referred to as "my family's elder." Emperor Jingning made several trips to the south of the Yangtze River, and the Zhen family welcomed him four times, spending silver like water and resulting in a huge deficit.

The Imperial Household Department established the Jiangning Textile Bureau in Jiangning, which was responsible for processing silk garments and purchasing various imperial items.

The Jiangning Textile Commissioner, whose full title was Jiangning Textile Commissioner, was a trusted confidant of the emperor, despite his low rank, and was secretly responsible for collecting intelligence on the Jiangnan region.

The Zhen family of Jiangning had long held the position of Jiangning Textile Commissioner.

Ten years ago, Zhen Yingjia coveted Jiang Xuelian's beauty and attempted to forcibly take her as his own. He Yun then sought help from Fang Kexun, the military governor of Jiangning, to resolve the crisis.

Zhen Yingjia was no stranger to the Jiang residence in Jiangning, having visited it before. Today, however, he was inevitably nervous. He hadn't expected that Jiang Xuelian's son, the boy from ten years ago, would now be a second-class imperial bodyguard, and had been summoned by imperial decree to travel south of the Yangtze River.

At this moment, He Yun entered Jiang Nian's study and reported, "My lord, Zhen Yingjia, the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangning, has arrived."

Jiang Nian straightened her clothes and said, "Let him in."

Before long, a middle-aged man dressed in official robes entered with a bow. He had a fair complexion and a well-trimmed short beard; he was none other than Zhen Yingjia, the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangning.

Jiang Nian disliked Zhen Yingjia, but she didn't show it on her face and stood up to greet him.

"Zhen Yingjia, Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangning, pays his respects to His Majesty the Imperial Envoy."

Zhen Yingjia bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly.

Taking the opportunity, Jiang Nian coldly looked down at Zhen Yingjia. Based on the original owner's memories, she thought of the arrogant Master Zhen who wanted to forcibly take Jiang Xuelian ten years ago, now bowing to her so timidly.

After giving him a cold look, Jiang Niancai offered a helping hand and said politely, "Minister Zhen, please rise and sit down to talk."

In Daqing, "Ministry" was the title for the governor.

Although the Jiangning Imperial Textile Commissioner was not of high rank, his status was comparable to that of a provincial governor, and he also oversaw the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau. If he were to be addressed with respect, he would be called "Minister of Imperial Textiles".

Jiang Nian wasn't some immature teenager; although she disliked Zhen Yingjia, she wouldn't show it openly. After all, Zhen Yingjia was of noble birth, and the Zhen family of Jiangning was under the protection of the retired Emperor Jingning.

Zhen Yingjia had expected Jiang Nian to give him a cold shoulder and embarrass him during today's meeting. But seeing Jiang Nian's friendly and polite demeanor, he felt a little more at ease.

After Zhen Yingjia sat down and accepted the tea, he stole a glance at the young imperial envoy before him. He saw Jiang Nian, dressed in the uniform of a guard, with striking features and an imposing presence. Perhaps feeling guilty, Zhen Yingjia vaguely sensed a resemblance between Jiang Nian and Jiang Xuelian from years past.

Recalling the past, Zhen Yingjia felt a prickling sensation in his back, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions. Ten years ago, he thought Jiang Xuelian was within his grasp, but who knew that she would be blocked by Fang Kexun, the then military governor of Jiangning. Now, the tables have turned, and Jiang Nian, who is only sixteen years old, has become the imperial envoy in front of him.

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhen Yingjia decided to take the initiative to bring up the matter from ten years ago and resolve it face to face to avoid being held a grudge by this promising favorite of the emperor. So he said respectfully, "This humble official is ashamed. I offended your mother ten years ago. I hope Your Excellency will forgive me."

Jiang Nian forced a smile: "I was still young ten years ago, and I can't remember this matter clearly. Minister Zhen doesn't need to take it to heart."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yingjia felt even more relieved.

Jiang Nian then cut to the chase: "This time I am on a mission ordered by imperial decree, which is closely related to the Luo Sect. Does Minister Zhen have any important intelligence to provide? If so, I will ask the Emperor for credit for you when I return to the capital."

Zhen Yingjia sighed, "I dare not lie to Your Excellency, my knowledge of the Luo Sect is limited."

That's the truth. He really didn't have any important information, otherwise he would have honestly reported it to Jiang Nian in order to curry favor with the current Emperor Taishun.

Jiang Nian asked Zhen Yingjia to recount what he knew, and then said, "Please have Minister Zhen secretly gather information about the Luo Sect and provide it to this Imperial Envoy as soon as possible."

"We will do our utmost!"

Zhen Yingjia responded respectfully.

Seeing that Jiang Nian had already served tea, Zhen Yingjia understood and immediately took his leave, backing out of the study. As he walked towards the gate, the autumn rain lashed his face, icy cold, yet he felt much warmer than when he had come in.

……

……

As the autumn rain drizzled, Zhen Yingjia had just stepped out of the Jiang residence and was about to board his sedan chair when he suddenly saw a small sedan chair with a blue curtain and a horse-drawn carriage approaching in the rain. The curtain of the sedan chair was slightly lifted, revealing half of Aunt Xue's face, and their eyes met.

"Xue Jin greets Minister Zhen." Xue Jin had already alighted from the carriage and stepped forward to bow to Zhen Yingjia. He was dressed in a dark blue robe and, despite the rain, maintained the demeanor of a Confucian merchant.

Through the gauze curtain, Aunt Xue, inside the sedan chair, saw that even Master Zhen Yingjia of the Zhen family was braving the rain to come and pay his respects to Jiang Nian. She exclaimed that Jiang Nian was truly remarkable! Then she thought of her good-for-nothing son, Xue Pan, who was clearly the same age as Jiang Nian but only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun all day long. A pang of sadness rose in her heart, and she couldn't help but sigh softly.

The rain was fine and dense, and Zhen Yingjia hurriedly took his leave.

Aunt Xue and Xue Jin were led into the house, and He Yun personally led the way through the courtyard to the study.

Jiang Nian looked Xue Yima up and down and saw that she had changed into a sky-blue brocade jacket with gold embroidery today, and only a gold-inlaid jade Guanyin hairpin in her hair. She still looked dignified and respectable.

Aunt Xue also stole a glance at Jiang Nian. She saw that Jiang Nian was dressed in the uniform of a guard and sat at the head of the table. Although he was young, he had an imposing presence. Compared to yesterday, he seemed to have even more official air about him today.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Aunt Xue said, "We have decided to agree to the two conditions that Lord Jiang proposed yesterday."

Jiang Nian was secretly delighted, but kept her expression calm and simply nodded: "That's good."

Immediately, Jiang Nian had Xue Jin write down the agreement to allow her to become a concubine. Both Jiang Nian and Xue Jin signed their names as signatories. At Jiang Nian's request, Aunt Xue also signed her name as a witness.

Aunt Xue couldn't help but sigh again. Last year, on the Xue family's large boat on the Grand Canal, she had personally written down Xue Baochai's betrothal agreement and signed it as the signatory. Later, in order to reclaim this agreement, she had asked Prince Teng to deal with Jiang Nian, which brought trouble upon herself and caused the Xue family to lose their status as imperial merchants. And today, she had witnessed Xue Jin writing down Xue Baoqin's betrothal agreement and signing it as a witness.

The world is ever-changing!
With the agreement finalized, Jiang Nian carefully put it away and suddenly asked Xue Jin, "Does Miss Qin know about this?"

Xue Jin quickly replied, "My daughter already knows and has no objections."

Jiang Nian nodded, his gaze turning to the door. Outside, a fine drizzle shrouded the courtyard in a misty haze. He suddenly recalled a similar rainy day last year when he persuaded Aunt Xue to give Xue Baochai to him as a concubine on the Grand Canal…

……

……

At noon, the autumn rain temporarily stopped.

Jiang Nian took a half-hour nap, and when she woke up, it started to drizzle again. Water dripped from the eaves like pearls, hitting the steps below, the sound reaching her ears.

At that moment, he was leaning against the window in his study watching the rain when He Yun suddenly came to report: "Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jiangning, has arrived."

Jiang Nian smiled slightly: "Let him in."

Before long, Jia Yucun stepped inside. He was a man of imposing stature, with a heroic air about him, unlike an ordinary civil official, but rather with the demeanor of a scholar-general.

"Jia Yucun, Prefect of Jiangning, pays his respects to His Excellency the Imperial Envoy."

Jia Yucun bowed deeply, his voice loud yet respectful.

Actually, he was nervous to see Jiang Nian today because he was Wang Ziteng's disciple, and he knew that Jiang Nian had a grudge against Wang Ziteng.

Jiang Nianxin also disliked this person, but she still didn't show it.

“No need for such formalities, Master Jia.” Jiang Nianxu offered a helping hand.

After Jia Yucun sat down, he smiled and said, "I am on good terms with Lord Zheng of the Rongguo Mansion. I have not yet offered my congratulations to the Imperial Envoy and Lord Zheng's daughter on their happy marriage."

Clearly, this was a deliberate attempt to get closer to him; he deliberately avoided mentioning Wang Ziteng and instead brought up Jia Zheng.

Jiang Nian sneered inwardly, but forced a smile on her face: "You're too kind, Master Jia."

(End of this chapter)