The Red Mansion

Chapter 179 Jiang Nian and the Women

No sooner had Xue Baochai left than Jiang Nian asked Xiangling to invite Jingqing.

Before long, Jingqing entered the study with her mother, Madam Du. Madam Du was wearing a worn indigo jacket, with only a silver hairpin in her hair, and she no longer looked like the elegant lady of an official's wife she once was.

"Kneel before our benefactor." Madam Du said, and then knelt down. Jing Qing followed suit.

Jiang Nianxu offered a helping hand: "There's no need for that."

But then they saw that the mother and daughter had already kowtowed.

Jing Qing's forehead hit the ground with a "thud," and when she raised her head, her eyes were already filled with tears: "Thank you, Grandpa, for your life-saving grace."

She was truly grateful. Before leaving the capital, Jiang Nian had only told her that he would contact Tang Jina, the military governor of Jiangning, to try and buy her mother. But now, Jiang Nian had not only bought the Du family, but also dozens of members of the Jing family.

After the mother and daughter got up, Jiang Nian glanced at Madam Du, then her gaze lingered on Jing Qing's face, and said, "One of the reasons your father was punished and his property confiscated was that Ding Wenhuan, the magistrate of Suzhou, deliberately delayed the verification of the accounts."

Both Du and Jing Qing were puzzled, wondering why Jiang Nian suddenly mentioned Ding Wenhuan.

Jiang Nian continued, "His Majesty has issued an edict ordering Jiangsu Governor Hong Tianpei to dismiss Ding Wenhuan from his post and investigate him!"

Jing Qing's eyes widened: "Really?"

Jiang Niansui then recounted the details in detail, mentioning that when he went to Suzhou to suppress the Luo sect, he discovered that Ding Wenhuan had accepted bribes from the Luo sect, and he submitted a memorial impeaching him.

Before Jing Qing could react, Madam Du knelt down again, tears welling in her eyes, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Jing Qing knelt down again.

In the eyes of the mother and daughter, this matter can be considered as Jiang Nian avenging Jing Yunduan!

After the two got up again, Jiang Nian said to Du Shi, "Now that you've come to our house, you'll stay by your daughter's side and work in the house as a manager."

Madam Du curtsied and said, "Sir, you have treated me so kindly. I will do my utmost to help you."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly, then turned to Du Shi and Jing Qing and said, "Today I reported to the Emperor and was rewarded with two estates. The dozens of Jing family members who came with me..." She paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over Jing Qing's fair neck, "If you and your daughter wish to keep any of them by your side, feel free to say so. The rest will either be sent to the He family next door or to the estates."

He Yun was appointed a third-class imperial guard today, making him a proper official. Jiang Nian will select some members of the Jing family to serve as servants in the He family. The rest of the Jing family members will be sent to the estate.

Jing Qing's hand, which was holding the handkerchief, suddenly tightened. A bright light flashed in her eyes, which were like autumn water, but she lowered her head even lower, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.

Jiang Nian saw this and couldn't help but smile: "Please speak freely. Since you are one of my family members, why should you hesitate over such a small matter?"

Before she could finish speaking, Jing Qing said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I only ask that Hongxia be allowed to stay. Hongxia is the maid who has served me since I was a child."

Hongxia is to Jingqing what Baoqin is to Yuanchun, and Ying'er is to Xue Baochai. As for Jingqing's current maid, Lüyi, she only came to her after Jingqing was sold into Qimeng Courtyard.

Jiang Nian nodded: "Granted. Anything else?"

Jing Qing quickly shook her head, the pearl hairpin at her temple swaying gently, her voice as soft as willow catkins in March: "One rosy cloud is enough." After saying that, she looked at Madam Du.

Jiang Nian understood and then said to Du Shi, "Pick two that you like and keep them by your side to serve you."

After thanking her for her kindness and considering it carefully, Madam Du finally chose a maid named Bai Hui.

In truth, Madam Du still harbored feelings for a former maidservant, but this maidservant had a family to support, and keeping her would mean keeping her entire family, so she was too embarrassed to ask Jiang Nian for permission.

Jiang Nian dismissed Madam Du, and after Madam Du respectfully took her leave, Jiang Nian said to Jing Qing, "Wait here for a moment, I'll go get two things." With that, she left the study.

Jing Qing stood there, wondering what was going on, when Jiang Nian returned to the study.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian handed a scroll to Jing Qing.

When Jing Qing took the painting, she noticed a faint scent of sandalwood. When she unfolded it, she was stunned as if struck by lightning—the painting clearly depicted herself playing the zither: her eyebrows like distant, verdant mountains, her fingers like newly carved jade bamboo shoots, and her robes fluttering as if in flight. In the corner of the painting were inscribed fourteen small characters in regular script: "A clear melody harmonizes with you, and the courtyard is filled with fragrant blossoms under Jing Qing's gaze."

Upon seeing the painting and the poem, Jing Qing knew that the painting was done by her former sweetheart, Shi Shao, and the poem was also written by Shi Shao. Moreover, Shi Shao's seal was also affixed to the painting.

Jing Qing's slender fingers trembled slightly, and the scroll almost slipped from her hand. When she looked up, she met Jiang Nian's deep gaze.

Seeing that Jing Qing looked dazed, Jiang Nian took out a few more pieces of stationery and handed them over.

When Jing Qing saw that these few pieces of stationery were all made of pink paper with a pattern of intertwined begonias printed on the four corners, just like the ones she used in her boudoir in the past, her heart suddenly pounded and she dared not reach out to take them.

Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Take it and have a look."

Jing Qing had no choice but to take it, her fingertips trembling slightly. She unfolded it and saw that the note read:

"As spring deepens and flowers fall, hearing your rendition of 'The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate' brings tears to my eyes..."

Turn to another page, and there it is again:

Last night I dreamt I saw you standing beneath a pear tree, smiling at me. When I awoke, all I saw was a lonely lamp and a waning moon; only then did I realize it was a dream…

Every word and phrase is filled with memories of the past, which now seem like a distant memory.

Jing Qing was both surprised and ashamed. Her face flushed red, and she dared not raise her head. She lowered her head and tightly gripped the letter paper with her slender fingers, her knuckles turning slightly white.

Jiang Nian remained silent, picked up her celadon teacup, and slowly took a sip. As the tea aroma filled the air, her gaze seemed to fall meaningfully on Jing Qing.

The room fell into complete silence.

Jing Qing finally couldn't hold back any longer and looked up, asking softly, "Master... how come you have these things?"

Jiang Nian then put down her teacup, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said, "This time I was ordered to go to Jiangnan on official business, and I went to Suzhou..."

He recounted in detail how the Shi family was convicted and their property confiscated.

Upon hearing that the Shi family had suffered such a calamity and followed in the footsteps of the Jing family, Jing Qing couldn't help but feel sad. However, she was more worried about how Jiang Nian would view her relationship with Shi Shao. So she said, "Although I had a relationship with that...that person in the past, it is all in the past. Now that I am yours, I should naturally think of you."

Seeing her anxious expression, Jiang Nian smiled slightly and said, "You don't need to worry. I don't mind this matter. These stationery scrolls are your past feelings, so it's fine to keep them as a memento."

Jing Qing felt ashamed and quickly said, "I'll burn them right now."

Jiang Nian shook her head and continued to smile, "There's no need for that. In this life, some memories, even if they are from the past, are still precious. You should keep them; it would be a shame to burn them."

Jing Qing was stunned, feeling a mix of emotions, and didn't know how to answer.

Seeing her silence, Jiang Nian continued, "Do you know that Shi Shao possesses a Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Qin?"

Jing Qing nodded and whispered, "I know."

She and Shi Shao once played a harmonious zither; she played an ordinary zither, while Shi Shao played the Nine Heavens Jade Pendant Zither.

Jiang Nian said, "Today I met with the Emperor to report back, and I specially asked him for this zither, which I have already given to my wife. I'm telling you first so you won't be surprised when you see it."

Upon hearing this, Jing Qing's heart suddenly stirred, and she couldn't help but think, "If that zither were given to me..." As soon as this thought arose, she cursed herself for being foolish and quickly suppressed it, only lowering her head and saying meekly, "I understand." Seeing the subtle expression on her face, Jiang Nian did not point it out, but only smiled and said, "You may leave now."

Jing Qing curtsied and slowly left the study.

Jiang Nian then called Xiang Ling, who was guarding the door, in and said, "Go and invite your mother here."

Xiangling was surprised: "Why is the master calling my mother for no reason?" But she didn't ask any more questions, replied "Yes", and then moved her lotus steps out.

Before long, Xiangling led Feng Shi in.

Feng Shi bowed gracefully to Jiang Nian first and said, "What are your orders, sir?"

Jiang Nian didn't rush to answer Feng Shi's question. Instead, she carefully examined Xiang Ling. She noticed that the girl was wearing an apricot-colored vest today. Although it was just a casual outfit, it couldn't hide her delicate and intelligent air.

Jiang Nian suddenly spoke up: "Xiangling, do you still remember Gu the Cripple who kidnapped you?"

Upon hearing this, Xiangling was immediately terrified. The words "Gu the Cripple" struck her like a bolt from the blue, instantly triggering countless nightmares. Even though she had long since followed Jiang Nian, the grotesque and menacing appearance of that cripple still haunted her dreams, a shadow that could never be erased from her heart.

Feng had already heard Xiangling recount the story of the lame man in detail. Seeing Xiangling's nervousness, she quickly tugged at Xiangling's sleeve and said, "The master is asking you a question."

Xiangling then came to her senses, lowered her head, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "I...I remember."

Jiang Nian's expression suddenly turned solemn: "This time I was ordered to go to Jiangnan on official business, and I have captured that cripple Gu. He will be executed!" He then recounted the story of the cripple Gu in detail, saying that his name was Gu Xiang, originally a kidnapper who later joined the Luo Cult and fell into his hands, whereupon he was to be executed. Finally, he said to Xiang Ling: "From now on, you don't need to think about this person anymore. He can no longer cause harm."

Both Feng and Xiangling were taken aback.

Madam Feng was the first to come to her senses, her eyes filled with tears. She said, "How can my daughter and I ever repay such kindness, sir..." and then knelt down.

Xiangling also knelt down, but she couldn't say a word. She felt a tightness in her chest, and all the suffering she had endured over the years turned into two lines of clear tears that slid down her cheeks.

……

……

Jiang Nian, along with Feng Shi and Xiang Ling, walked out of the study and then joined Yuan Chun, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, Bao Qin, Xi Ren, Ying Er, Lü Yi, and others to divide up the local products of Jiangning.

Jiang Nian brought back four boxes of local products from Jiangning, all prepared by Aunt Xue. One box was for Xue Baochai, and the other three boxes were prepared by Aunt Xue at Jiang Nian's request. They were worth a lot of money, but Aunt Xue did not accept any money from Jiang Nian.

When everyone looked, they saw that the box was full of exquisite items: there was shimmering brocade, lifelike velvet flowers, soft and delicate Ning silk, as well as cured duck, preserved fruits, colorful Yuhua stones, and various kinds of stationery, all of which were exquisite items from Jiangning.

In this era, there is no online shopping or large supermarkets. Sending local products from other places to relatives and friends is a common practice and a way to express one's feelings.

Jiang Nian and Yuan Chun personally distributed the local products, and Jing Qing, Feng Shi, Xiang Ling, Bao Qin, Xi Ren, Ying Er, Lü Yi, and others each received their share and were all overjoyed and grateful.

Because Jiang Nian specially did a favor for Xue Baochai, saying that these local items were all bought by Aunt Xue without charging her any money, everyone was grateful to Aunt Xue or Xue Baochai. Even Yuan Chun said to Xue Baochai, "It's hard for your mother to go to so much trouble. When I see her one day, I must thank her in person."

As everyone was distributing local products from Jiangning, they suddenly saw Meng Shi arrive in a hurry.

Yuan Chun smiled and said, "Auntie, you've come at just the right time. We're distributing the local products that Master brought back from Jiangning. They were all bought by Sister Xue's mother." As she spoke, she pointed to a portion that had already been prepared, "This was specially reserved for you. Go and take it quickly."

Meng thanked Jiang Nian, Yuan Chun, and Xue Baochai, but instead of accepting the gifts, she straightened her clothes, knelt down before Jiang Nian, and kowtowed properly.

Everyone was shocked to see this, but then they heard Madam Meng say, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. My husband was able to be promoted to a third-class guard today."

Jiang Nian stepped forward to help him up, saying, "What are you doing? Get up and talk to me."

Meng refused to get up and kowtowed again before standing up.

Yuan Chun, Xue Baochai, Jing Qing, and the others were surprised to learn that He Yun had been promoted from a fifth-rank Imperial Guard to a third-rank fifth-rank Imperial Bodyguard.

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "This is a joyous occasion. Congratulations, Aunt He!"

Yuan Chun seemed lost in thought, looked at Jiang Nian, and said softly, "In that case, from now on..."

Jiang Nian raised her hand to Yuan Chun, and then said to Meng Shi, "He Yun is now a proper fifth-rank military officer and should no longer be our steward. You are also a proper lady of the court."

Madam Meng said seriously, "What are you saying, sir? His Majesty is very considerate and has specially granted my husband exemption from duty. He just told me that even though he has been appointed as a guard, he will continue to serve you and your wife in the future."

Jiang Nian nodded; he had already discussed this matter with He Yun.

His family cannot do without He Yun and his wife, Meng.

……

……

It was already time to apply for a license plate.

The Qin family's residence is just a hundred steps away from the Jiang family's new house.

Qin Keqing was sitting alone in the west wing, holding a collection of ancient texts, but she hadn't turned a single page for a long time.

Ruizhu came in to refill the tea. Seeing her young mistress in this state, she couldn't help but smile. She knew that her young mistress had heard that Master Jiang, who had been away from the capital for more than three months, was returning to the capital today, and had fallen ill with lovesickness.

"Miss, have some tea," Ruizhu said softly.

Qin Keqing then came to her senses, but put the book on the table and sighed softly, "The articles in this book are so boring to read today."

Before she could finish speaking, Peng Jizhong's son came running in: "Miss, Aunt He is here!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing quickly got up and went out to greet her.

Meng sent Qin Keqing a lot of local products from Jiangning.
After thanking him, Qin Keqing couldn't help but ask, "How is Uncle Jiang...?"

Madam Meng smiled and said, "Master is doing well. He was on a mission and did a great job. His Majesty has rewarded him." She paused, then lowered her voice and said, "Master said he will come to see the young lady in person later."

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing's ears immediately flushed red.

Ruizhu, who was listening nearby, covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Meng took her leave.

After seeing off Madam Meng, Qin Keqing hurriedly had Ruizhu and Baozhu carefully dress her up.

Qin Keqing specially changed into a crane cloak with a begonia-colored feather gauze and a white fox fur lining, which Jiang Nian had given her before. She also specially used the silver-gilt butterfly hairpin with jewels that Jiang Nian had given her before, and asked Baozhu to guard it in the outer courtyard.

Ruizhu whispered, "Don't worry, young lady. Since Master Jiang said he would come, he definitely will..."

Before he could finish speaking, Baozhu rushed in: "Miss, Master Jiang has arrived!"

(End of this chapter)