The Red Mansion

Chapter 191 Strict Father Jiang Nian
The next morning, frost covered the ground, and the dawn light filtered through the curtains.

After Jiang Nian and her group finished packing, they prepared to return to the city.

The villagers gathered in the courtyard to wait. Meng Xiong called out names from the register and distributed the rewards to the men; Du Shi, unhurriedly, distributed various gifts to the women. Everyone was overjoyed to receive their rewards, and the village head, Wu, led the group to kneel and express their gratitude: "Thank you, Master and Madam, for your generous gifts!"

Jiang Nian deliberately didn't tell everyone to stand up. Standing on the steps, her expression cold and her gaze frosty, she surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice, "I have the accounts of the harvests from this estate in previous years. You must work diligently and not slack off. If next year's harvest is not as good as before, I will not let you off lightly! If there are any who are deceitful, embezzling, or secretly cheating, once discovered, they will be arrested and punished without leniency! If you are diligent and capable, I will not hesitate to reward you. You might even be promoted to the capital and serve by my side."

Having said that, his gaze shifted, fixing on Wu Zhuangtou: "Did you hear that clearly?"

Wu Zhuangtou hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Your Excellency is wise! I will do my utmost!"

Jiang Nian then looked around at everyone and said coldly, "Have you all remembered this?"

Everyone answered nervously, "We understand!"

Jiang Nianke knew that the Rongguo Mansion owned many estates, but the income was always low due to the serious embezzlement by the people on the estates. In Shunyi County, the Jiang family's estate could earn two thousand taels of silver a year if there was a good harvest and the weather was favorable, and if they were diligent in their management. However, if the people on the estate were lazy and embezzled money, the income would be greatly reduced.

He will manage the estate strictly and will not allow it to fall into disrepair, following in the footsteps of the Rongguo Mansion!

As everyone boarded the carriage, Jiang Nian, mindful of the situation, personally helped Yuan Chun onto the jeweled carriage with its jade canopy and pearl tassels. On the return journey, just as before, the couple rode in the same carriage, making it easier for them to talk.

The wheels rolled on, crushing the frost, and gradually disappeared from the village.

Jiang Nian suddenly lifted the curtain and saw that the morning mist was thick, with a few thatched huts faintly visible and the figures of farmers in the fields. She wondered what they were doing in the fields in the dead of winter.

He suddenly sighed, “Yesterday we strolled around the village, admired the winter plum blossoms, went hunting, and had a wild feast. How leisurely and elegant it was! Little did we know that the villagers toil in the fields day after day, their faces to the soil and their backs to the sky. They are hardworking people doing hard work.”

Yuan Chun was adjusting the slightly loose hairpin at her temple when she heard this. She smiled and said with a sparkle in her eyes, "Isn't that right!"

Jiang Nianfu sighed, “We are looking down from our high vantage point, only to enjoy the scenery. Little do we know that the farmers’ hardship has become an elegant embellishment, and the toil of farming has become a topic of conversation at the banquet. As for those princes and nobles, born in brocade and raised in wealthy lands, how could they know the hardship of a single grain of rice!”

The carriage fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of horses' hooves crushing the morning frost.

Yuan Chun lowered her eyes and carefully considered her husband's words, secretly agreeing with him.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian recited a poem:

"Ten miles of fields stretch as far as the eye can see, where princes and nobles vie to vie in their elegance and charm."

Who knew that the sweat from the hoe would turn into bitter sorrow in every grain of rice?
The golden goblet is warm with wine, the banquet is in full swing, the thatched cottage is dimly lit, and the spinning wheel spins leisurely.

If you ask a farmer what he wishes for, he'll say, "May Heaven ensure a bountiful harvest."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun praised, "This poem is truly remarkable. Did you compose it on the spot, sir?"

Jiang Nian nodded slightly and smiled, "It was just a fleeting thought inspired by Li Gongchui's poem 'Sympathy for the Peasants'."

Yuan Chun looked on with admiration and said softly, "Sir, you are now famous and honored, yet you still have such a compassionate heart for farmers. It is truly rare!" There was something else she didn't say: If you are truly a descendant of a dragon or a phoenix, then this is even more remarkable!
After a slight pause, she added, "This poem is both elegant and profound; you must remember it, sir."

Jiang Nian smiled and took her hand: "Don't worry, Madam. I have a very good memory. I will write it down on paper when we get home, and I will not forget it."

……

……

In the eastern suburbs of Shenjing, at the Qin family residence.

It was the dead of winter, and icicles hung from the eaves, casting faint shadows and scattering scattered light on the ground.

In the west wing, the air was filled with the warm fragrance of incense. Qin Keqing leaned against an embroidered pillow, holding a volume of "New Songs from the Jade Terrace" in her hands, but remained motionless for half a day without turning a single page.

Ruizhu was threading a needle, embroidering a sachet in the shape of a begonia flower. Suddenly, she felt her fingertips pause; the stitches had become tangled. Looking up, she saw the young lady lost in thought again, and couldn't help but smile inwardly, knowing that the young lady must have fallen into her usual lovesickness again!
Just as she was pondering this, she suddenly heard the sound of boots clattering down the corridor. Peng Jizhong came in and reported, "Miss, Master Jiang has returned from the estate."

Qin Keqing unconsciously tightened her grip on the book, and after a long pause, she said softly, "Go and invite Master Jiang over."

These words were spoken very softly, as if afraid of disturbing the rising smoke from the incense burner.

Peng Jizhong responded and left, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Ruizhu glanced over and saw that her young lady's cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyes were sparkling, and the book had already slipped onto her lap without her noticing.

……

……

Meanwhile, back at the Jiang family home, Jiang Nian had only been home for a quarter of an hour. After changing into casual clothes and having just copied down the poem "A New Song of Pity for the Farmers," she was discussing family matters with Yuan Chun in the study.

The study door was open.

Suddenly, they saw Feng walk to the door, hesitating as if he wanted to go in, just standing there by the door.

Jiang Nian looked up and asked, "Is something the matter?"

Feng seemed a little flustered and said meekly, "Reporting to Master, Steward Peng from the Qin family has arrived."

Jiang Nian unconsciously turned to Yuan Chun, only to see that Yuan Chun's lips were slightly upturned and her eyes held a hint of teasing.

Before Jiang Nian could speak, Yuan Chun gracefully stood up, smoothed the wrinkles in her clothes, and said softly, "Since he's here, I'll excuse myself."

Having said that, she left the study, her skirt brushing against the threshold.

Jiang Nian straightened his clothes and went out the second gate to see Peng Jizhong. When Peng Jizhong saw him, he hurriedly bowed and said in a low voice, "My young lady invites Master Jiang to come over."

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, then said, "Go back and report to them. Tell them I will be there shortly."

After Peng Jizhong left, Jiang Nian returned to the inner room, where she saw Yuan Chun tidying her hair in front of a glass mirror. The person reflected in the mirror had a serene expression, like a still autumn lake, without a ripple.

Jiang Nian walked up behind her, leaned close to her ear, and said softly, "Miss Qin called me over, I suppose she has something to discuss with me, I'll be right back."

Yuan Chun looked at him in the mirror, her lips slightly raised, forming a perfectly timed smile: "Master, please go ahead." She paused for a moment, then added, "She lives alone and feels lonely; she should go out more often." Her words were impeccable, as if she were speaking from the heart.

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow and smiled, then turned and left the room.

In truth, how could Yuan Chun be without resentment regarding the affair between Jiang Nian and Qin Keqing? The downfall of the Ningguo Mansion was inextricably linked to Qin Keqing; even the downfall of Prince Teng was related to the Qin family. And Qin Keqing, still in her twenty-seven-month mourning period, was already secretly having an affair with Jiang Nian.

However, now, Yuan Chun thought that Jiang Nian was no ordinary young man, and that he might be a son of the emperor, so what did such a romantic affair matter?
Yuan Chun had already made her plans: the most important thing right now was to secure her position as the matriarch of the Jiang family. Once Jiang Nian's career flourished, her status would naturally rise accordingly; if Jiang Nian was truly of royal blood and would one day be recognized as a prince, she would undoubtedly enjoy the honor of being a princess. As for the throne… she dared not even think about it. According to the Daqing royal family's system, and given Emperor Taishun's temperament, even if Jiang Nian were truly a prince, there was absolutely no reason for him to succeed to the throne.

Suddenly, she remembered an important matter—if she wanted to secure her position, she needed to give birth to a son as soon as possible. Thinking of this, Yuan Chun's slender fingers unconsciously touched her flat belly, and she sighed inwardly, "When will this belly finally show any signs of life?"

The beauty in the mirror had a slightly dimmed gaze, and a barely perceptible trace of sorrow flickered between her carefully drawn brows depicting distant mountains.

……

……

A biting north wind swept through the alley, its chill penetrating to the bone.

As Jiang Nian arrived at the Qin residence, she had just stepped through the hanging flower gate when she saw a graceful figure standing under the eaves of the west wing—Qin Keqing, wearing a moon-white satin cloak with fur trim, and Ruizhu standing beside her.

Upon seeing Jiang Nian, the two hurriedly stepped forward to greet her. Qin Keqing's almond-shaped eyes flashed, like a stone thrown into a cold pool, creating ripples that quickly returned to calm.

"It's windy outside, come inside quickly."

Qin Keqing spoke in a neutral tone, leading Jiang Nian into the west wing.

Ruizhu lifted the felt curtain, and Jiang Nian immediately felt a warm fragrance waft towards her, mixed with the refreshing scent of agarwood and a faint, sweet, powdery fragrance.

Ruizhu poured a cup of fragrant tea and handed it to Jiang Nian. Qin Keqing glanced at her, and the maid obediently withdrew, but as always, she hid outside the window to eavesdrop.

"I heard you took all the women to the estate yesterday?" Qin Keqing held her handkerchief, her slender fingernails leaving crescent-shaped marks on the plain silk, then bit her lip. "Was it fun?"

Jiang Nian knew that she was secretly jealous, so she suddenly stepped forward, pulled her slender waist into her arms, and whispered in her ear, "I originally wanted to take you with me, but you are still in mourning and have not yet been married. After you are married, I will take you to the farm for a visit."

His warm breath made Qin Keqing's ears burn, but she broke free from his embrace, turned her back, and twisted her handkerchief, saying, "Who cares about these things!" Her voice carried three parts coquettishness and seven parts grievance.

Jiang Nian suddenly noticed a copy of "New Songs from the Jade Terrace" on the desk. She casually flipped to the bookmark and saw the poem "The Peacock Flies Southeast". She noticed that the lines "You should be a rock, and I should be a reed" were marked.

Seeing this, Qin Keqing rushed to snatch it, but Jiang Nian grabbed her soft hand instead: "I will be the rock, and you will be the reed..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Keqing blushed and pulled her hand away, scolding, "Stop talking such frivolous things!" Then she suddenly became serious and asked, "I have invited you here three times. Has your mistress at home been displeased because of this?"

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "She didn't. When I came today, she said that you live alone and feel lonely, and that you should come and visit more often."

Qin Keqing smiled faintly: "This is the demeanor of a matriarch of a family."

Unable to resist any longer, she parted her lips and asked about the day's visit to the farm.

Jiang Nian then recounted the events of visiting the manor to admire the winter plum blossoms, hunting, and enjoying a wild feast.

Qin Keqing was captivated by what she heard. For a woman like her who usually stayed secluded in her boudoir, a trip to the Jiang family's estate was a novel and interesting experience.

When Jiang Nian brought up the promise to travel together after she married into the family, this time she simply lowered her head and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Suddenly, Qin Keqing changed the subject, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, and said, "Actually, the main reason I invited you here today is about Zhong'er."

After saying this, he recounted in detail how Qin Zhong had been repeatedly punished at the Qu family's private school.

It turns out that Qin Zhong was frequently punished by his teachers after enrolling in the Qu family's private school. The first time he was punished, Qin Zhong complained to Qin Keqing, and he complained twice more, but Qin Keqing held back, too embarrassed to tell Jiang Nian. Yesterday, Qin Zhong was punished again, his hands swollen from the beating, and he complained to Qin Keqing once more, threatening to refuse to go to school.

At this point, Qin Keqing choked up and threw herself into Jiang Nian's arms, tears streaming down her face: "I know you're busy, and you already went to a lot of trouble to help Zhong'er with his school enrollment. But... I have no parents or relatives, just this one younger brother."

Tears soaked Jiang Nian's front, and the person in his arms trembled slightly, like a willow in the wind.

Jiang Nian gently stroked her shoulder and said, "Your younger brother is not ambitious. He is fond of pleasure and does not study hard. He should be disciplined. I specifically spoke with Qu Zongxian before and asked the tutor to discipline him strictly. If you really hope he will become successful, you must not be soft-hearted and indulge him. A woman's kindness will only harm him."

Seeing Qin Keqing's tearful eyes, he said sternly, "Today I will discipline him on your behalf. You just watch from the side and must not say anything to protect him."

Qin Keqing bit her cherry lips and finally nodded slightly.

Jiang Nian then ordered Ruizhu to summon Qin Zhong.

Qin Zhong, fearing Jiang Nian, hesitated for a long time before finally moving into the west wing. He was dressed in a light green silk jacket, his neck hunched, and upon seeing Jiang Nian, he looked like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Your Majesty!"

Jiang Nian's sharp shout startled Qin Keqing.

Qin Zhong looked at his sister in bewilderment, while Qin Keqing turned her gaze to Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian shouted sternly again, "Kneel down now!"

Although Qin Zhong was full of resentment, he was ultimately afraid of Jiang Nian's power and had no choice but to kneel down on the ground in a wronged manner.

Jiang Nian said sternly, "What an ungrateful wretch! Your sister went to great lengths for you, begging and pleading to get you into the Qu family school. And what do you do? You don't study hard, you get punished every few days, and you still have the nerve to complain? You even dare to make a fuss about not going to school! Let me make this clear to you today: if you dare not study hard at school again, I'll send you to the countryside to farm! If you can't even grow crops well, you might as well become a beggar and beg for food on the streets! Anyway, someone like you, you can't succeed in studying, and you'll probably have a hard time farming!"

These words made Qin Zhong turn ashen-faced, and even Qin Keqing felt a chill run down her spine.

Qin Keqing finally couldn't help but call out softly, "Uncle Jiang..." Seeing Jiang Nian's sharp gaze sweep over her, she could only bite her cherry lips and swallow the rest of her words.

Jiang Nianfu stared intently at Qin Zhong and said in a deep voice, "Don't think that just because I'm not your elder, I can't control you. You must remember what I'm saying today, so you won't regret it later... Now go."

Every word was as cold as ice, and each drop resonated deeply.

Qin Zhong was filled with fear, but also resentment. He had no choice but to reluctantly get up and leave.

The room fell silent for a moment, except for the soft rustling sound of Qin Keqing wiping away her tears with her handkerchief.

Jiang Nian's tone suddenly softened: "Do you resent me?"

Qin Keqing shook her head: "I know that Master is doing this for his own good. This child does need to be disciplined." Her voice was still choked with emotion, but she had regained some clarity.

She suddenly realized that Jiang Nian was only a few years older than Qin Zhong, yet he had acted like a strict father when he scolded him just now… Thinking of this, her ears burned. She also thought that if she married him and had a son, Jiang Nian would surely be just as strict… That would be even better, so that her child would be successful in the future…

These thoughts flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but forget her shyness, so she took the initiative to give Jiang Nian a kiss.

The two exchanged some more intimate words before Jiang Nian took her leave.

After seeing Jiang Nian off, Qin Keqing returned to her room, picked up the book "New Songs from the Jade Terrace" from the table, turned to the bookmark, and looked at the two lines she had marked: "You should be a rock, and I should be a reed." They seemed to have taken on a different meaning...

(End of this chapter)