The Red Mansion

Chapter 180 Jiang Nianbaochai
Qin Keqing, carrying Ruizhu, waited under the eaves of the west wing. When she saw Jiang Nian's figure pass through the hanging flower gate, she hurriedly stepped forward and greeted him with a deep bow.

After leading Jiang Nian into the west wing, Qin Keqing gave Ruizhu a wink. Although Ruizhu left the room, she deliberately lingered by the window, pretending to tidy her skirt, but actually listening intently to what was happening inside.

After Jiang Nian sat down, Qin Keqing moved gracefully, picked up the teapot with her slender hands, and personally poured a cup of fragrant tea for her. Jiang Nian took the teacup, but her gaze lingered on Qin Keqing, and she said with a smile, "The white fox fur cloak I gave you looks even more beautiful on you than the fairies in the paintings."

Qin Keqing lightly touched the silver-gilt and jeweled butterfly hairpin in her hair with her fingertips, her eyes sparkling: "This hairpin was also a gift from you, does it not look pretty anymore?"

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Of course it's good. It's just that this crane cloak and hairpin are all thanks to you. You are so beautiful. If someone else wore them, I'm afraid they would pale in comparison."

After saying that, he took a sip of tea, but his gaze did not leave Qin Keqing's face.

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing felt as if her heart had been filled with honey. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she lowered her head, saying softly, "You've been gone for over a hundred days, and I... have been so worried about you. It's fortunate that you came to see me as soon as you returned to the capital today; otherwise, I'm afraid I would have resented you."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Nian suddenly stood up and pulled her into his arms.

"Keqing, you've lost weight," Jiang Nian said, stroking her thin shoulders.

Qin Keqing buried her face in his chest in embarrassment, the tassels on the butterfly hairpin trembling as if they were her heart pounding.

Even Ruizhu outside the window couldn't help but blush as she listened.

After a moment of tenderness, Qin Keqing suddenly lifted her face from Jiang Nian's embrace and asked, "Are you still concerned about my brother's studies?"

Jiang Nian replied, "Since you entrusted it to me, I will naturally keep it in mind."

When Qin Ye was alive, he hired a tutor for his son Qin Zhong. After Qin Ye passed away last spring, the tutor stopped coming to teach. Since then, Qin Zhong has been reviewing his old lessons at home, and when he has any questions, Qin Keqing gives him guidance.

In April of this year, Jiang Nian returned to Beijing from Shandong, and Qin Keqing asked him to arrange Qin Zhong's schooling. Jiang Nian said at the time that Qin Zhong was still young and that arrangements would be made properly in a year or two.

Actually, Jiang Nian delayed this matter mainly because he disliked Qin Zhong.

In his previous life, when he read the original novel, he disliked Qin Zhong's girlish mannerisms, his playful and pleasure-seeking nature, and he also had no respect or affection for his adopted sister, Qin Keqing. Moreover, in this life, Qin Zhong had been instigated by a distant relative last year to scheme against Qin Keqing.

However, now that Qin Keqing has brought it up again, Jiang Nian can't delay any longer for her sake.

Jiang Nian could send Qin Zhong to the Jia family's private school, but that school was a chaotic and corrupt place, and it would be ruined if Qin Zhong went there. Jiang Nian could also invite a teacher to come to the Qin family to teach him, but that would cause inconvenience to Qin Keqing, a young lady from a sheltered family, and Jiang Nian was unwilling to do so.

Jiang Nian already had a plan for how to arrange things.

At this moment, Jiang Nian introduced Qu Tai and his son Qu Jishan to Qin Keqing, and then said, "General Qu has set up the Qu family school in Shenjing East City for his children and grandchildren to study, and there are also students from other families who attend the school. I have inquired about it, and the school has strict rules. I am going to visit the Qu family tomorrow, and I will help you with the matter of your younger brother attending the school."

Upon hearing this, Qin Keqing's bright eyes immediately lit up: "Really?"

Qu Tai was the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and his son Qu Jishan was a newly appointed Hanlin scholar. How could an ordinary person enter a private school of such a family background?
Seeing Jiang Nian nod with a smile, Qin Keqing was overjoyed and kissed him lightly on the cheek without thinking. Then she turned away shyly and covered her face.

Jiang Nianxin sighed inwardly, "I hope Qin Zhong can study hard and make progress after entering the Qu family school, otherwise this kid will cause Qin Keqing a lot of trouble in the future!"

After exchanging a few more private words, Jiang Nian prepared to take her leave.

Before he left, Qin Keqing suddenly tugged at his sleeve: "If Zhong'er goes to the Qu family's private school, how much tuition fee will you need?"

Jiang Nian patted her hand and smiled, "I'll take care of these."

……

……

It's night.

The candlelight flickered red in the west wing of the Jiang family's house.

Xue Baochai had just finished bathing, her long black hair still damp with moisture, draped like dark clouds over her apricot-red silk nightgown, the collar and cuffs of which were embroidered with plum blossoms in gold thread.

Ying'er suddenly saw Xue Baochai take out a box of rose rouge from her gilded vanity case and asked in surprise, "Auntie has just bathed and is about to go to bed, why does she still need to apply rouge?"

Xue Baochai remained calm and simply said, "I can't sleep anyway, so I'll just tidy up a bit." With that, she dipped her slender finger in a little rouge, gently applied it to her lips, and then pursed her lips in front of the mirror.

Ying'er thought to herself, "Not only is the young lady wearing a brightly colored nightgown tonight, but she also needs to put on makeup after her bath. Could it be that she is going to serve the master? But the master only came home today, so he must be resting in the madam's room tonight."

The innocent and naive oriole had no idea of ​​the intricacies involved.
Little did they know that Xue Baochai had long remembered Yuan Chun's menstrual period dates, and today happened to be Yuan Chun's due date. Given this, Jiang Nian might come to the West Chamber.

Sure enough, just as Xue Baochai put the rouge box back in her dressing case, Jiang Nian arrived. Ying'er hurriedly went to pour tea, but heard Jiang Nian say, "You may leave now."

After Ying'er left, Jiang Nian carefully examined Xue Baochai by candlelight. He saw that Xue Baochai's apricot-red nightgown was brightly colored, making her skin look as white as snow; her black hair was half-dry, adding to her languid appearance; and the fresh rouge on her lips looked delicate and luscious in the candlelight. He smiled and said, "What a beautiful woman, just like a bride on her wedding night."

Xue Baochai lowered her head shyly, but couldn't help but steal a glance at Jiang Nian, deliberately asking, "Master only returned home today, instead of spending time with Madam, why did you come here?"

Jiang Nian approached with a smile: "Madam is feeling unwell today, so she specifically asked me to come and find you."

Even though she knew this would happen, Xue Baochai was still so embarrassed that her face flushed red, and even the roots of her ears were tinged with rouge.

Before she could respond, Jiang Nian pulled her into his arms.

Jiang Nian felt a faint fragrance waft towards her, captivating her soul.

When Jiang Nian picked up Xue Baochai, the handkerchief in Xue Baochai's hand fluttered to the ground, just like a petal falling in the wind.

The two came to the bedside.

Jiang Nian removed Xue Baochai's embroidered shoes and stockings, revealing her slender feet, with ten delicate toes as exquisite as nail polish, shyly curled slightly.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Do you know why I love washing my feet with you?" Xue Baochai would never answer his question. But he answered himself, "Because of these jade feet, even Xi Shi herself would pale in comparison."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai was so ashamed that she buried her face in the brocade quilt.

The canopy hung low.

Suddenly, it seemed as if a wind was blowing and rain was falling.

After the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, I called Ying'er in.

When Ying'er entered, she lowered her head, then blushed. By the time she left, the candlelight in the room had been extinguished.

In the dim light, Xue Baochai nestled in Jiang Nian's arms, her dark hair cascading down the pillow. Suddenly, she parted her lips and asked, "Is Master also wary of Aunt Jing's place?"

Before she could finish speaking, she buried her face in Jiang Nian's chest in embarrassment.

Jiang Nian now has one wife and two concubines. His wife, Yuan Chun, is two years older than him and should be pregnant, but there has been no good news yet. Xue Baochai is not old enough and not suitable, so Jiang Nian is deliberately keeping an eye on her. Jing Qing is one year older than Jiang Nian and should also be pregnant, but Jiang Nian is also deliberately keeping an eye on her, as it is not advisable for Jing Qing to give birth first. Jiang Nian stroked Xue Baochai's cloud-like black hair and said, "She is also being careful about that."

Xue Baochai looked up: "Why?"

Jiang Nian smiled without saying a word, which made Xue Baochai pout slightly—most of the rouge from before had been eaten away, and now her natural pinkness was showing.

Seeing the beauty's dejected expression, Jiang Nian said, "I told you before, you are not old enough to get pregnant, so we are taking precautions. In two years, even if the lady does not have good news, we will not restrict you anymore."

Xue Baochai gave a soft "Mmm," her slender fingers tracing circles on his chest, thinking to herself, "If by then the lady is still not pregnant, and I give birth first..."

Thinking of this, a secret joy welled up in my heart.

Jiang Nian put her arm around Xue Baochai's shoulder and suddenly said, "This time when I went to Jiangnan, I made a special trip to your old residence in the Xue family."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt the person in his arms tremble slightly.

Jiang Nian continued, "That courtyard was very quiet. Upon entering the courtyard, there was an old pear tree in front of you. Although it was early winter and the branches and leaves were withered, you could still imagine the pear blossoms like snow in the spring."

Xue Baochai unconsciously gripped his clothes tighter. She knew that old pear tree all too well!

“The swing under the eaves is still there.” Jiang Nian’s voice grew softer. “I heard from Baoqin that you always let her sit first and then pushed her from behind. The red paint on the ropes has faded, but it’s still very sturdy.”

Xue Baochai's eyes welled up with tears.

Jiang Nian then recounted in detail: "When I pushed open the door, I saw that the windows were bright and the furniture was as it had been before. On the small table of the embroidered couch, there was a plain silk fan, as if you had just left not long ago." As she spoke, she gently stroked Xue Baochai's hair, "I touched the bed curtains and the table, and in a daze, I seemed to see you there."

Before he could finish speaking, Xue Baochai could no longer hold back and began to sob on his shoulder, tears streaming down her cheeks. The scenery of their old residence, as he described it so vividly, seemed to come alive before her eyes. Those girlish days buried deep in her heart surged back to her at this moment.

"Why are you crying?" Jiang Nian gently wiped away her tears with her fingertips.

Xue Baochai turned her face away, and after a long while, she whispered, "It's nothing... I was just thinking about the past..."

Before he could finish speaking, another lump formed in his throat.

Jiang Nian pinched her rosy cheek and smiled, "How about I have someone hang a swing in the west wing corridor tomorrow?"

Xue Baochai shook her head: "I appreciate your kindness, sir, but..." She paused slightly, her fingertips unconsciously twisting a corner of the brocade quilt, "I am no longer the young maiden I once was. Now that I am a concubine, what kind of decorum is it for me to play on a swing in the corridor?"

Jiang Nian didn't press the matter, simply saying, "If that's the case, then so be it."

But in her heart she thought, although Xue Baochai was usually dignified and composed, didn't she have a lively nature deep down? Even a bit rebellious! She still remembered the scene in the original novel where she chased butterflies in front of the Dripping Green Pavilion, which was completely different from her usual composure, and the story of her secretly reading "The Romance of the Western Chamber." She just suppressed these traits.

That's it for now.

Xue Baochai actually longed for Jiang Nian to hang a swing for her, wanting to experience the joy of the swing set again, but considering her current status, she suppressed this thought.

"Go to sleep," Jiang Nian said softly, patting Xue Baochai's back.

Xue Baochai gave a soft "hmm," but couldn't fall asleep for a long time. In the dim light, she vaguely saw the swing at her old residence in Jiangning, swaying gently in the warm spring sunshine, pear blossoms falling like snow, and the girl in the apricot-red dress smiling brightly...

……

……

The following day, around 3 PM, dark clouds gathered over the capital city, and a sudden winter rain began to fall.

The rain, though as fine as cow's hair, carried a bone-chilling cold.

Jiang Nian and Yuan Chun arrived together in a carriage.

Jiang Nian deliberately chose this time, calculating that Jia Zheng should be returning home from his shift at the Ministry of Works.

It was time for Grandmother Jia to have her evening meal. In Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, Li Wan, Lin Daiyu, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Jia Baoyu, and others were all present.

Although the place was crowded with people, it was not as lively and bustling as before. The main reason was that the shrewd and worldly-wise Wang Xifeng had been divorced.

Grandmother Jia looked around and sighed inwardly, "If Feng-ge were here, the whole room would be filled with laughter and joy by now."

But these words were difficult to say aloud, and Grandmother Jia suddenly realized that even the freshly brewed Lao Jun Mei tea in her mouth had lost its flavor.

Just as she was feeling melancholy, a servant rushed in and announced, "Old Madam, the eldest daughter and Mr. Jiang have arrived!"

Grandmother Jia quickly straightened up and repeatedly instructed them to invite her in.

Before long, Yuan Chun was welcomed into Rongqing Hall. She first paid her respects to Grandmother Jia, and then greeted Lady Xing and Lady Wang.

Grandmother Jia took Yuan Chun's hand and made her sit down close to her, stroking the back of her hand and saying, "My child, why did you have to come at this time?"

Yuan Chun smiled and said, "The old man came to pay his respects to Father, thinking that Father should be home from his duties at this time."

Grandmother Jia then inquired about Jiang Nian's mission in Jiangnan, and Yuan Chun gave a general account, also mentioning the Emperor's bestowal of two estates.

Everyone was astonished.

Yuan Chun then gave some local products from Jiangning that she had brought to Grandmother Jia, Madam Xing, Madam Wang, and others before getting to the point: "Master is hosting a family banquet tomorrow and asked me to invite the old lady and the two ladies to come and sit down, so that we can show our filial piety."

Although Grandmother Jia disliked Jiang Nian, she had to admit that Jiang Nian was indeed young and promising—not only did Emperor Taishun value her, but even the retired emperor treated her with special regard. Considering that the Rongguo Mansion had lost the retired emperor as its great backer, and that Prince Teng had fallen from power, Grandmother Jia sighed inwardly that she had to maintain some good relations with Jiang Nian.

After thinking it over, Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Since he specifically wanted to invite me, and you've gone to the trouble of inviting me, I will naturally go. But..." She looked at the rain outside the window, "I'm afraid the rain won't stop tomorrow."

Yuan Chun smiled gently, the tassels of the phoenix hairpin at her temple swaying softly: "Don't worry, Grandmother, judging from the sky, it will most likely clear up tomorrow. Even if there is some light rain, it won't matter."

Grandmother Jia nodded: "In that case, I will make a trip tomorrow."

Yuan Chun was overjoyed and invited Madam Xing and Madam Wang as well.

Madam Xing hesitated; she disliked Jiang Nian.

Madam Wang, though harboring resentment towards Jiang Nian because of the Wang family's affairs, forced a smile and said, "Now that the old lady has passed away, I will naturally stay by her side."

Grandmother Jia glanced at Madam Xing, who also forced a smile: "The eldest daughter came to invite you personally, and since you, Grandmother, are going, how could I not accompany you?"

(End of this chapter)