The Red Mansion

Chapter 178 Jiang Nian Returns Home
Because there were some things to take care of, such as handing over the confiscated property, receiving the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant, and He Yun receiving the hat, robes, and waist token of a third-class imperial guard... as a result, Jiang Nian went to the palace to meet the emperor this morning, and it wasn't until the afternoon that she returned to the eastern suburbs of Shenjing with He Yun.

In the late afternoon, the Jiang family's new house was bathed in the warm winter sun, which gilded its edges.

Three servants of the Jiang family were craning their necks to look out at the door when they suddenly saw a cloud of dust rising from the intersection. They immediately shouted, "Master is back!"

The inner court received the news.

Yuan Chun wore a brocade jacket embroidered with gold butterflies, and the phoenix hairpin with pearls swayed gently with her steps. Xue Baochai followed behind Yuan Chun on the left, wearing an apricot-yellow embroidered jacket and skirt; Jing Qing followed behind Yuan Chun on the right, wearing a sky-blue embroidered jacket and skirt, with her mother, Madam Du, standing behind them. Xing Xiuyan wore a lotus-root-colored cotton-silk jacket, her head bowed as she wrung out her handkerchief.

The scene was also filled with a group of maids, servants, and old women, including Xiangling, Baoqin, Xiren, Qingwen, Jinchuan, Yuchuan, Ying'er, and Lüyi.

Just as things were in chaos, a commotion suddenly broke out in the front yard.

Jiang Nian stepped through the hanging flower gate, looking travel-worn.

Finally, the old man who had been away from home for more than three months returned!
"I'm back."

Yuan Chun hurriedly led everyone forward to greet her husband and personally took off his cloak. The brocade was shaken, raising a cloud of fine dust.

Jiang Nian's gaze swept across the faces of everyone present. Some people were even crying. He glanced at Xi Ren in the crowd, but didn't say anything immediately. His gaze finally returned to Yuan Chun's face: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Madam." His voice was a little hoarse, clearly due to exhaustion.

As Jiang Nian stepped into the main room, Xue Baochai personally served her warm tea.

Jiang Nian took a couple of sips of tea, and without having time to talk to everyone first, said to Yuan Chun, "I'll take a bath first."

"Hot water has been prepared for the old man."

Yuan Chun smiled sweetly, and then gave an order, and the maids immediately got to work.

Xiangling hurried along carrying a copper basin, a few drops of hot water spilling from it and splashing onto her apricot-colored skirt. Xiren followed behind, carrying a scented handkerchief, on which were embroidered lifelike green bamboos.

As Xiangling was helping Jiang Nian bathe, Yuanchun walked in, her face slightly flushed, and said to Xiangling, "Let me do it."

Xiangling tactfully withdrew, leaving the long-separated couple alone.

Jiang Nian closed his eyes and immersed himself in the wooden tub. The warm water covered his shoulders, and Yuan Chun's soft hands rested on his shoulders and neck, kneading them with just the right amount of force.

"You must be tired from this trip." Yuan Chun's voice was soft and gentle as she wiped her husband's back.

Jiang Nian held his wife's hand: "How is everything at home?"

Yuan Chun chuckled softly, and couldn't help but press her cheek against his damp hair: "Everything is fine..."

She suddenly stopped because Jiang Nian had turned around.

Water droplets slid down his brow bone and dripped onto the back of her hand.

Their eyes met, and no words were needed.

Yuan Chun's eyes suddenly reddened, and she quickly covered them with a handkerchief: "The water is cold, add some hot water."

After saying that, he stood up.

……

……

After taking a bath, Jiang Nian changed into an indigo-blue casual cotton robe, with a jade pendant given to her by Yuan Chun tied around her waist, and her hair still slightly damp.

Inside the study, the charcoal brazier burned brightly, dispelling the winter chill.

Jiang Nian held a celadon cup, and wisps of white tea smoke rose, blurring his features.

"I just saw an unfamiliar maidservant beside you. Who is she?" Jiang Nian suddenly asked, her gaze passing through the tea smoke as she looked at Yuan Chun sitting to the side.

Yuan Chun said softly, "Her name is Xi Ren. I got her from the Rong Mansion."

“Xiren?” Jiang Nian was taken aback, raising an eyebrow as he paused with his teacup at his lips. He was all too familiar with this name—the head maid in Jia Baoyu’s room, and the second-ranked beauty in the “Secondary Register” of the original novel.

A strange feeling crossed his mind: the threads of fate were quietly intertwining!

Seeing that his expression was strange, Yuan Chun quickly told him about Xi Ren's situation. She talked about how Xi Ren was driven away, how Xi Ren was smart and capable, how she liked Xi Ren, and how she asked the Rong Mansion for Xi Ren. However, she deliberately did not mention that she did this as a favor to Zhang Ruojin.

She observed her husband's expression. After all, Xiren had been banished for the crime of "bewitching the emperor," and she was somewhat worried that Jiang Nian would hold a grudge.

Jiang Nian smiled faintly: "You are the mistress of the house. If you want a maid, you can decide."

Having said that, he lowered his head and drank his tea, thinking to himself, "Xing Xiuyan is here, and now Xiren is here. There are more and more beauties in the house. If this continues, even if not all of the thirty-six beauties in the original novel's main register, secondary register, and supplementary register will gather in my house..."

Yuan Chun felt relieved when he agreed, and then asked about Jiang Nian's trip to Jiangnan.

Jiang Nian put down her teacup and began to explain in detail.

Although Yuan Chun had heard a general outline from He Yun yesterday, hearing Jiang Nian tell it in person still felt like listening to a legendary tale. As she listened, her gaze towards Jiang Nian grew increasingly tender.

Upon hearing that Jiang Nian had been rewarded with two estates, Yuan Chun's eyes lit up. In her view, with estates and dozens more servants, the family would have the appearance of a "grand family," and she would be even more of a mistress.

Jiang Nian then brought up the matter of the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Qin, saying, "Because you enjoy playing the qin so much, I have long wanted to give you a very fine guqin, but I have not been able to find one. This time, it is a good coincidence. When I met with the Emperor today, I specially asked His Majesty to bestow the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Qin upon me. When His Majesty asked why, I explained that it was because my wife loves the guqin very much, and His Majesty granted my request."

Yuan Chun was both surprised and touched after hearing this, but deliberately said, "How could I possibly ask His Majesty for such a trivial matter?"

Jiang Nian immediately summoned Xiangling and Baoqin, two maids, one wearing an apricot-colored vest and the other with a light green handkerchief tied around her neck, and they both curtsied at the threshold.

"Go and fetch the zither case from the main room," Jiang Nian instructed, adding, "Be careful."

Soon, Xiangling and Baoqin carried in a zither case. The case was entirely black and shiny, with gold-inlaid cloud patterns on the four corners, and the front was engraved with the four seal characters "九霄环佩" (Nine Heavens Jade Pendant), the strokes powerful and vigorous like dragons and snakes coiling.

Upon seeing it, Yuan Chun knew that this zither box was no ordinary object. Her fingertips just touched the lid of the box, but she pulled them back, showing a hint of trepidation as she approached her hometown.

"Open it and take a look," Jiang Nian said softly.

Yuan Chun took a deep breath and lifted the lid of the box—inside lay an ancient zither, its body as black as ink, gleaming with a faint purple luster, its cracks resembling plum blossoms in snow, and a piece of warm white jade inlaid on the bridge.

She couldn't help but gently stroke the strings; the tone was ancient, clear, and extraordinary.

“This really is Tang Qin!” Yuan Chun’s voice trembled.

Jiang Nian nodded: "The Lei Qin from the Tang Dynasty has been passed down for a thousand years."

While admiring the scenery, Yuan Chun suddenly remembered something: "What does Master intend to do with Miss Xing?"

Xing Xiuyan had already told Yuan Chun about her situation, but she was too embarrassed to say that Jiang Nian wanted her to stay at the Jiang family's house.

Jiang Nian gently closed the zither case: "You know the character of the eldest madam of the Rong family better than I do." He glanced at Yuan Chun, "If Miss Xing is adopted by her, she probably won't have a good life. I intend to let her live in our family."

Yuan Chun pursed her lips. How could she not know Madam Xing's character? She could even foresee that if Xing Xiuyan were adopted by Madam Xing, not only would she be mistreated, but when Xing Xiuyan got older, Madam Xing might use her marriage for personal gain, and she might even be targeted by Jia She...

Yuan Chun unconsciously traced circles on the zither case with her fingertips, and looked at Jiang Nian, saying, "Since the master has spoken, then let's settle her in this way. However, we should consult with the eldest madam of the Rong family about this matter."

Jiang Nian nodded: "Send someone to the Rong residence tomorrow to invite the First Madam to our home as a guest the day after tomorrow."

He wouldn't go to the Rongguo Mansion to see Jia She and Madam Xing for something like that, and ask Madam Xing to come to the Jiang family to talk to him!

Yuan Chun pondered for a moment and said, "It seems inappropriate to invite only the First Madam and not my...my mother." Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Then let's invite both of them, and also invite the old lady. Speaking of which, the old lady has never been here before, so it's a way for you to show your filial piety."

He deliberately emphasized the word "we".

Yuan Chun's expression darkened, and she said, "The Rong family has been in trouble lately..."

Jiang Nian asked, "Is it because of the Wang family?"

Yuan Chun nodded slightly.

Jiang Nian said, "I already know something about the Wang family's affairs. Tell me about it in detail."

Immediately, Yuan Chun recounted the Wang family's affairs in detail, including those concerning Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng.

After hearing this, Jiang Nian thought to herself, "Because of my appearance, the Wang family in this Dream of the Red Chamber world has been destroyed so early! Even Wang Xifeng was divorced by Jia Lian so soon!"

Coming to her senses, Jiang Nian said to Yuan Chun, "Even so, let's still invite them. If they don't want to come, then so be it."

Yuan Chun nodded. In fact, she had long wanted to invite Grandmother Jia over, but she was afraid that Grandmother Jia would not be willing to come, and she was also afraid that Jiang Nian would not like it. If Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang were both willing to come this time, she would naturally be happy.

Jiang Nian then said, "How about this, I'll go to the Rong Mansion with you tomorrow. I'll pay my respects to my father-in-law, and you can personally invite the old lady and the two ladies."

Yuan Chun's eyes lit up: "Thank you, Uncle."

……

……

After Yuan Chun left the study, Jiang Nian ordered Xiang Ling to summon Xue Baochai.

In the west wing, Xue Baochai was applying her makeup in front of the mirror, eagerly awaiting Jiang Nian's summons. The woman in the mirror wore an apricot-yellow embroidered jacket and skirt, a gold hairpin in her hair, and pearl earrings.

During the three months Jiang Nian was away from home, she hardly dressed up at all, but today she did.

Upon seeing Xiangling enter, Xue Baochai quickly stood up from in front of the dressing table.

"Grandma, the master invites you over," Xiangling said with a smile.

Xue Baochai was secretly delighted, but forced herself to remain calm and simply hummed in agreement.

Immediately, Xue Baochai led Ying'er to the main room and arrived at the door of the study, but suddenly felt that her palms were sweaty.

She paused to straighten her clothes before stepping into the study alone. She looked up and saw Jiang Nian standing by the window, hands clasped behind his back. The slanting sunlight gilded his profile; after more than three months apart, the lines of his jaw seemed even more resolute, and his eyes, as he turned to look at her, seemed even more profound.

"Greetings to the sir!"

Xue Baochai respectfully performed a curtsy, but her throat inexplicably tightened.

She was always dignified and composed, and had not lost her composure while greeting everyone today. But now, alone with Jiang Nian, she felt a lump in her throat. She quickly lowered her head to hide it, but a tear had already fallen onto the blue brick floor, splashing up a speck of dust.

Jiang Nian sat down first, then smiled slightly at Xue Baochai and said softly, "Sit down and talk."

Xue Baochai sat down with her body slightly tilted to the side, her posture both polite and gentle.

Jiang Nian spoke first: "Today I have returned to the capital to meet the Emperor and earnestly request His Majesty to grant the Xue family the title of Imperial Merchant."

He stopped abruptly there, deliberately picking up his teacup and taking a sip.

Xue Baochai's eyes lit up, and her fingers, which were twisting her handkerchief, suddenly tightened. Seeing that Jiang Nian was deliberately keeping her in suspense, she held back for a while before finally asking, "Has His Majesty... given his permission?"

Jiang Nian put down her teacup, the porcelain hitting the wooden table with a crisp "click," and smiled, "Congratulations, your Xue family has become a royal merchant again!"

Xue Baochai was stunned.

Since following Jiang Nian last year, she had been looking forward to the day when Jiang Nian could help the Xue family regain its status as a royal merchant. Now that the day has finally come, she feels like she is dreaming.

Coming to her senses, Xue Baochai suddenly stood up and performed a perfectly executed curtsy: "Thank you for your kindness, sir." When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with light, and there was not a trace of tears left.

After she sat down again, Jiang Nian asked with a smile, "Have you read the letters your mother wrote to you?"

Xue Baochai nodded.

Jiang Nian continued with a smile, "Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

Instead of asking about the Xue family first, Xue Baochai changed the subject: "Sir, could you tell me about your business trip to Jiangnan?"

She was quite curious.

Jiang Nian then gave Xue Baochai a general account of his trip to Jiangnan on official business.

Xue Baochai listened intently, leaning forward unconsciously, her bright eyes shining, secretly praising, "A man like this is a true gentleman!"

Jiang Nian then recounted the merger of the two businesses of the Xue family, with Xue Baochai holding a 20% stake and taking charge.

Xue Baochai was secretly eager to do so, but she still lowered her eyes and spoke softly, her voice a few decibels lower than usual: "I am just a young woman, I'm afraid I can't handle such an important matter."

Jiang Nian chuckled upon hearing this, picked up an un-inked wolf-hair brush from the table, and twirled it between her fingers: "Now that the Xue family has regained its status as an imperial merchant, and you have always had economic talent, besides..." The brush paused at his fingertips, "I have your support! With you in charge of the Xue family's business, you will surely be able to revitalize the Xue family."

Xue Baochai looked up and met Jiang Nian's smiling eyes, her gaze as gentle as a spring breeze caressing a willow.

She couldn't help but be moved again. In this era, it was rare for a powerful and influential man to let his concubine manage such matters outside the home, which was enough to show how much Jiang Nian loved her.

As a result, her initial frustration at Jiang Nian taking Xue Baoqin as a concubine dissipated considerably.

"When does Master intend to..." Xue Baochai's ears burned slightly, "...take my sister into the family?"

He asked the question hesitantly, but eventually said it.

Jiang Nian toyed with the wolf-hair brush in his hand: "Let's talk about it when she comes of age." He gazed meaningfully at Xue Baochai, "There's plenty of time in the future."

Xue Baochai nodded.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Once she marries, you and your sister can stay together for life."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai was both amused and exasperated.

Jiang Nian changed the subject: "Yesterday, Xie Jixing brought back four boxes of local products from Jiangning. One box was given to you by your mother, and the other three boxes were prepared for me by your mother at my request. I was supposed to pay for them, but your mother refused. Did you see those products?"

Xue Baochai smiled gently: "I heard from Xie Jixing that I also saw the box, but since Master hasn't returned, I dare not touch it."

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Take your box of local products. I will distribute the other three boxes to people later, and I will mention that they were bought by your mother."

Xue Baochai's eyes lit up, realizing that Jiang Nian was deliberately doing her a favor.

"The old man is so thoughtful and considerate to me."

At that moment, she was moved again...

(End of this chapter)