The Red Mansion

Chapter 207 A Night of Fish and Dragon Dance (Part 2)

On the night of the Lantern Festival in Yangzhou, the most bustling place is the commercial center of Yuanmen Bridge, followed by Tianning Temple.

Tianning Temple is located outside the northern moat. Legend has it that the site was originally the villa of Xie An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, which was later converted into a temple by his son, Xie Yan, who was granted permission to do so. The temple has a history of over a thousand years and has been repaired many times. During the Daqing era, it was listed as the foremost ancient temple in Yangzhou, and Emperor Jingning once stayed here during his southern tour.

Salt merchants built villas and gardens near Tianning Temple, where they often held banquets and poetry gatherings.

Jiang Nian and his group boarded a painted boat and sailed out of the Xiao Qinhuai River, heading east along the northern moat. Before long, they suddenly saw a magnificent sight ahead, and Tianning Temple was almost in sight. The mountain gate stood tall, and the square in front of the temple and the riverside area were teeming with people, with rows of lanterns illuminating the area as if it were daytime.

As the group disembarked, they were greeted by a breathtaking panorama of Buddhist temples and palaces, their splendor seemingly reaching to the stars, their lights reflecting on the moonlit waters. From the salt merchants' villas emanated bursts of music and chanting, a strange fusion of merging with the bustling sounds of the marketplace. Furthermore, vendors selling riddles and snacks transformed this once sacred Buddhist sanctuary into a lively marketplace.

Lin Daiyu stopped to watch when she saw people guessing riddles.

Seeing her curiosity, Jiang Nian said, "Would you like to guess a riddle, Sister Lin?"

He then led her to the lantern shed, where many silk lanterns hung, each with a riddle hanging from it.

Seeing this, Shen Chuan'en quickly stepped forward: "Lord Jiang, what a refined taste you have." He then winked at Yu Zhaoying: "Zhaoying is most skilled in this art."

Lin Daiyu ignored him and looked at the riddle in Jiang Nian's hand. It read, "It has a head but no neck, its body is cold, it has wings but cannot fly, and it can walk without feet." Guess what it is.

Lin Daiyu pondered intently, her lips slightly parted, about to speak, when she heard Yu Zhaoying's sweet voice laugh: "This one is related to me, it's 'fish'!"

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Miss Yu has such a clever mind!"

Lin Daiyu gave a soft hum and then asked Jiang Nian to fetch a riddle slip. It read, "Red gate tower, white courtyard walls, inside lives a red maiden." Guess what it is.

Jiang Nian and Lin Daiyu were both deep in thought when Yu Zhaoying was the first to laugh and say, "It's 'mouth'."

Upon seeing this, Lin Daiyu twisted her handkerchief into a ball and turned to leave.

"Is Lin Daiyu giving up so easily?" Jiang Nian asked with a smile, then picked up another riddle slip. "Let's guess another one."

Lin Daiyu snorted, "Who has the patience to play this game?"

Despite saying that, his eyes couldn't help but glance at the riddle slip, which read "Raise your head to gaze at the bright moon," and the answer was a medicinal herb.

This is very simple; Jiang Nian knew it at a glance.

Lin Daiyu immediately replied, "It's 'Angelica sinensis'!"

Jiang Nian feigned surprise: "This is too difficult, how could Sister Lin possibly guess it?"

Lin Daiyu was taken aback for a moment, then realized that he was doing this on purpose, and gave him a wink.

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Nian and her group stepped into the mountain gate of Tianning Temple.

In this ancient temple, the purple smoke from the incense burner mingled with the smoke from the lanterns and fireworks everywhere. Devotees thronged the area, including wealthy merchants in fine clothes with their families, commoners in simple clothes with their children, and young ladies wearing veils, supported by their maids, offering incense and praying.

Lin Daiyu suddenly whispered to Jiang Nian, "Let's... let's light incense too." Her voice was soft, but it conveyed a sense of piety.

Seeing the expectation in her eyes, Jiang Nian nodded and said, "Sister Lin, you can pray for your father."

He then ordered Meng Xiong to buy incense and candles.

Lin Daiyu was taken aback, thinking to herself that this person actually knew what she was thinking. In fact, she had the same idea. Since she had come to the Buddha's presence tonight, she naturally wanted to sincerely pray for her father's health.

The group entered the main hall and saw the majestic golden statues of the Three Buddhas, flanked by eighteen Arhats with varying expressions. The hall was brightly lit by candles, which made the vermilion dot between the Buddha statues appear even more solemn.

Lin Daiyu took the three incense sticks and lit them on the ever-burning lamp, and wisps of smoke rose up.

She deliberately removed her veil, held the incense sticks high above her head with both hands, and then respectfully placed them in the incense burner. She knelt on the prayer mat and kowtowed three times. Jiang Nian watched clearly from the side and saw that her fingertips trembled slightly when she clasped her hands together, her long eyelashes lowered, and her red lips moved slightly as if she were silently reciting something. Her devout appearance made her even more charming than usual.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Yu Zhaoying suddenly said to Jiang Nian, "Lord Jiang, the divination sticks at Tianning Temple are the most accurate. Why don't we give it a try?" As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward the divination stick container.

Shen Chuan'en immediately chimed in: "Exactly! The divination slips from Tianning Temple were left by eminent monks and can foretell good or bad fortune."

Jiang Nian was about to decline, but seeing Lin Daiyu's curious expression, she said, "Alright, let's just treat it as a game."

The group arrived at the Guanyin Pavilion. Inside the pavilion was a white jade Guanyin statue, and on the table was a sandalwood fortune-telling container. The old monk guarding the fortune-telling container had white hair and beard. Upon seeing that it was Shen Chuan'en who had come in person, he hurriedly got up to greet him.

Jiang Nian shook the divination sticks, and the divination stick container made a clattering sound. Suddenly, a bamboo stick jumped out.

The old monk took the fortune slip, glanced at it, and his eyes lit up. He exclaimed in surprise, "Amitabha! I've been interpreting fortune slips here for thirty years, and this is the first time I've seen one like this! This...this fortune slip is very good, but I can't interpret it!"

Jiang Nian accepted the fortune slip, which read: "The light of the Heavenly Pivot shines upon the Jade Capital, and the Five Clouds City is hidden in the clouds. Neither immortal nor Buddha, its meaning is clear as the flow of fortune continues."

Jiang Nian was taken aback, thinking to herself, "This fortune slip seems quite accurate, it even shows my luck!" She then put the slip away and smiled at everyone, "It's just a game."

When it was Lin Daiyu's turn, she gently shook the divination tube and received the "twenty-eighth divination stick".

The old monk took out the fortune slip and read aloud: "In the warm embrace of the hibiscus-scented tent, a spring night is spent; a golden hairpin severs the Milky Way bridge. If you ask where my true love is, it is in the dim light of the morning."

Upon hearing the first sentence, Lin Daiyu immediately felt embarrassed. This was clearly a marriage fortune slip! She hurriedly hid the slip in her sleeve and stole a glance at Jiang Nian, only to see him looking at her with a half-smile, which made her ears burn even more.

Shen Chuan'en, however, received a "very bad" fortune slip, which read: "A grand banquet in a high building suddenly collapses, and a hall full of gold and jade turns to ashes. At midnight, a boat sails in the middle of the river, and when will the black wind and waves return?"

His face immediately turned ashen, and he forced a smile, saying, "This...this divination stick container is probably outdated and inaccurate..."

Yu Zhaoying's fortune slip was even stranger, the "Seventy-Seventh Fortune Slip": "Beneath the peony blossoms lie withered bones, a touch of crimson lips is poison. On the Phoenix Terrace, I recall playing the flute, which turned into green smoke and entered the underworld."

After reading the fortune slip, she nearly dropped her handkerchief, thinking to herself, "How could I have drawn such an ominous slip? If only I had Lin Daiyu's marriage fortune slip..." She couldn't help but cast a jealous glance at Lin Daiyu.

As Jiang Nian and her group left Tianning Temple, they suddenly heard shouts of "Almond tea—hot almond tea—"

Lin Daiyu had walked a long way and sweated a lot, and had also eaten candied hawthorns. Her throat was dry, and she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

The woman selling tea pushed a wheelbarrow, on which a copper kettle steamed, and the sweet aroma of almonds wafted on the breeze.

Zijuan asked Lin Daiyu with a smile, "Are you thirsty, Miss?"

Lin Daiyu nodded.

Zijuan quickly said to Jiang Nian, "Lord Jiang, the young lady is thirsty, shall we buy some almond tea?"

Jiang Nian glanced at Lin Daiyu, who lowered her eyes. He smiled slightly and immediately led everyone to drink almond tea.

Jiang Nian personally handed a bowl to Lin Daiyu, which made Lin Daiyu feel somewhat flattered. The bowl contained milky white almond tea, with a few pine nuts floating on the surface. Lin Daiyu took it, lifted a corner of her veil, and took a small sip. The tea was warm and palatable, with the rich aroma of almonds and a hint of osmanthus, which perfectly relieved the dryness in her throat.

"Is it good?" Jiang Nian asked.

Lin Daiyu lowered her head and said softly, "It's...it's alright."

After everyone finished their almond tea, they arrived at the dock. Jiang Nian wanted to return to the Salt Bureau and didn't want to visit the Red Bridge anymore. Shen Chuan'en quickly bowed to Jiang Nian and said, "Lord Jiang, my humble abode is near the Red Bridge. Tonight, we have prepared wine, rice, and Kunqu opera. Would you do me the honor of coming?"

Jiang Nian politely declined, saying, "I'm already tired tonight, I'll bother you another day."

Shen Chuan'en glanced at Wen Zaizhang, who understood and smiled at Jiang Nian, "It's very cheap to take a painted boat there, why don't you go and have some fun, sir?"

“Miss Lin is frail; we should send her back now,” Jiang Nian said, glancing at Lin Daiyu. “If we delay any longer, Imperial Attendant Lin will blame us.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu's lips unconsciously curved into a slight smile. The lamplight illuminated half of her cheek, making that faint smile even more captivating.

Shen Chuan'en winked at Yu Zhaoying again.

Yu Zhaoying understood, and suddenly took out a piece of flowered paper from her sleeve, and presented it to Jiang Nian with both hands: "This is what I just secretly wrote. Please take a look, sir."

Jiang Nian unfolded the letter and saw that it was written in small, elegant calligraphy:

"Lord Jiang's Jade Mirror"
The banquet at Shen Garden has just begun; I wish to dance for you under the moon. If you would not despise my humble form, I would cherish this precious pearl in its box, awaiting its dust-free return.

Burn incense to await the moonlight.

伏惟
垂怜

Shadow, respectfully presented.

The note was simple: Yu Zhaoying invited Jiang Nian to a banquet at Shen Garden that night, offering to dance for her and even offering her virginity.

"A pearl in its box" is a metaphor for a virgin being still alive.

Jiang Nian closed the letter and looked at Yu Zhaoying with amusement. Under the lamplight, the woman was indeed stunningly beautiful.

However, he was not short of women. He had two beauties like Yu Zhaoying, Qin Keqing and Jing Qing, and Xue Baoqin could also be included.

He wouldn't let a woman like Yu Zhaoying affect his efforts to reform the salt administration, especially since he also had to guard against Shen Chuan'en and Yu Zhaoying plotting against him.

"I appreciate your kind offer, young lady." Jiang Nian tucked the letter into her sleeve, but said, "It's just really inconvenient."

Yu Zhaoying's smile froze, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

Shen Chuan'en was about to persuade him again when Jiang Nian bowed to him and said, "Master Shen, let's meet again another day."

After saying that, he led Lin Daiyu and the others onto the ship.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but turn around and see that Yu Zhaoying was still standing in the same place, her brocade handkerchief almost torn to shreds. She felt a sense of pleasure.

Because the pleasure boat that Wen Zaizhang had reserved was small and could only accommodate a few people, Jiang Nian boarded the boat with Lin Daiyu, Xiao Nan, Zijuan, Xueyan, and Qi Jianyu. Meng Xiong accompanied them on the shore with several personal guards and two maids from the Lin family.

As soon as the painted boat left the shore, Lin Daiyu couldn't contain her curiosity and asked in a low voice, "Could I take a look at those flowered stationery pieces?"

Jiang Nian didn't mince words, taking out a letter and handing it to her: "Lin Meimei, please read it yourself."

Lin Daiyu glanced at him by the lamplight and immediately felt her ears burn. She spat out, "What a vixen! How could she write such words? Isn't she ashamed!" Despite her words, a strange joy welled up in her heart—it turned out that he was not the kind of person who would be lustful at first sight.

Seeing her embarrassed and angry expression, Jiang Nian laughed instead: "Why does Sister Lin hate that Miss Yu so much?"

"Who...who hates her!" Lin Daiyu stamped her foot anxiously, but still clutched the letter in her hand. "I...I feel sorry for my cousin! If she knew you were out there...humph!"

Embarrassed, she turned to look out the window, gazing absently at the moon's reflection in the water.

Jiang Nian also quieted down, lost in thought.

Soon, the pleasure boat arrived at the shore where it had set off.
After disembarking, it is necessary to walk a distance to return to the Salt Institute.

At first, Lin Daiyu could barely keep up, but halfway through the journey, her legs and feet ached so much that they felt like they were filled with lead, and she couldn't move an inch.

Seeing this, Jiang Nian summoned two maids from the Lin family: "Take turns carrying your young lady on your back."

Lin Daiyu waved her hand anxiously, "No, no need..." But she was too weak and staggered before she could finish speaking. Zijuan quickly supported her and advised, "Miss, don't push yourself."

In the end, the servant had to carry him on her back.

Lin Daiyu, clinging to the servant's back, buried her face in the servant's shoulder in embarrassment, thinking to herself that she had truly lost all decorum befitting a young lady of noble birth today.

Back in the inner quarters of the Salt Bureau, Jiang Nian wanted to see Lin Ruhai immediately to discuss Wen Zaizhang's matter. Just as she turned to leave, Lin Daiyu called out to her, "Wait a moment."

Jiang Nian turned to Lin Daiyu and asked, "Is there anything else, Sister Lin?"

Lin Daiyu looked embarrassed and lowered her head, but finally raised it and stretched out a slender hand to Jiang Nian: "Give me back the fan!"

It turns out that ever since Jiang Nian took Lin Daiyu's sandalwood folding fan without permission on the pleasure boat, she has never returned it to Lin Daiyu.

Jiang Nian feigned sudden realization and deliberately started waving her sandalwood folding fan. Under the lamplight, the sandalwood fan ribs gleamed with a dark purple luster, and the water lilies with their layered petals on the fan surface were lifelike.

Instead of returning it, he laughed and said, "Tonight I treated you to candied hawthorns and almond tea, and I even showed you that letter that was supposed to be kept secret. It's only right that you return the favor with a folding fan, Lin Daiyu."

Lin Daiyu was stunned upon hearing this.

This fan was a gift from my mother, Jia Min, many years ago, and the water lilies on the fan were embroidered by my mother herself. Seeing this old item again upon returning to Yangzhou has already stirred up painful memories, so how could I bear to give it away so easily?
Seeing Lin Daiyu's predicament, Jiang Nian laughed and said, "What? Could it be that Sister Lin doesn't even want to return a gift of a fan to me? Are you such a stingy person?"

Seeing this, Zijuan couldn't help but say, "Lord Jiang, this fan..."

Lin Daiyu quickly interrupted, "Shut up."

"Never mind..." Lin Daiyu finally sighed softly, "Since you like it, then... then I'll leave it with you for now." After saying that, she blushed and hurriedly helped Zijuan walk quickly towards the inner courtyard.

Jiang Nian watched the slender figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and her folding fan waved more slowly.

The apricot-colored tassels at the bottom of the fan handle swayed gently, tracing a soft arc in the moonlight.

A strange smile appeared on Jiang Nian's lips. She then put away her fan, straightened her expression, and strode towards the Sibing Hall.

After entering the Four-Part Hall and the inner room, Jiang Nian sat on the bed and told Lin Ruhai in detail about Wen Zaizhang's suspicious behavior that night, and made her own conclusion: "This person is most likely an informant bribed by Shen Chuan'en!"

Lin Ruhai sighed, "I never imagined he would be a spy!"

Jiang Nian also sighed, thinking to herself, "Lin Ruhai really has the flaw of misjudging people!"

Fortunately, Lin Ruhai did not reveal his secrets about reforming the salt administration to anyone, including Wen Zaizhang.

(End of this chapter)