The Red Mansion

Chapter 225 Jiang Nian Returns to the Garden, A Different Melody on the Qin

Emperor Jingning sized up Jiang Nian, secretly praising her in his heart. He then said, "Jiang Nian, considering your hard work and achievements in reforming the salt administration in Yangzhou, and more importantly, your incorruptibility and purity, I will forgive your dereliction of duty in the assassination of the fourth prince!"

Jiang Nian knelt down and kowtowed again: "Your subject thanks the Emperor Emeritus for his grace."

After he stood up, Emperor Jingning asked, "In your opinion, where should we begin investigating the assassination of the fourth prince?"

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Dai Quan, who was standing to the side. He saw that the old eunuch had his head bowed and was tightly gripping his whisk. He said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have just been granted release and am not yet clear about the details of this case. I dare not make any comments."

He knew perfectly well that there must be an inside man in this case, and that person was likely in a high position of power, perhaps even the chief eunuch Dai Quan standing before him. However, having just been released from prison, he shouldn't speak rashly.

Emperor Jingning did not press the matter further, but simply said, "Go and hand over the salt administration affairs clearly, and relinquish this post. From now on, you can focus on serving the Emperor."

Emperor Jingning knew that Emperor Taishun had issued an edict to Jiang Nian, ordering him to relinquish his control over the salt administration and become solely responsible for accompanying the emperor when he, the retired emperor, visited Yangzhou.

Jiang Nian bowed and replied, "Your subject will respectfully obey Your Majesty's decree and will certainly do his utmost to accompany you."

Emperor Jingning waved his hand: "Go."

Jiang Nian walked backward out of the palace gate.

As he turned around, he took a deep breath and strode away.

……

……

Under the bright spring sunshine, Jiang Nian returned to the Salt Institute.

He first met Lin Ruhai and Aunt Qiu at Sibingtang, and then went to the back garden, intending to return to Taohuaquanxuan.

In the back garden, peach blossoms and plum blossoms vie for beauty, butterflies dance and bees busily flit around the trees, several early orioles vie for the warm branches, and new swallows peck at the spring mud. On both sides of the blue brick path, newly sprouted orchids have already covered the tops of shoes.

As they were walking, they suddenly heard a series of light footsteps ahead. Looking up, they saw Lin Daiyu hurrying from the direction of Furong Pavilion.

Today, Lin Daiyu wore a moon-white blouse embroidered with plum blossoms, with a light blue vest over it. As she walked briskly, her hair loosened slightly, and a pearl hairpin was about to fall off.

Zijuan chased after her, lifting the hem of her skirt, calling out repeatedly, "Slow down, miss! Be careful not to fall!"

The three met.

Lin Daiyu stopped in her tracks upon seeing Jiang Nian. She then noticed that Jiang Nian's official robes were stained, her hair was loose, with a few strands of hair hanging down her forehead, and there were even stains on her face.

Lin Daiyu felt a lump in her throat, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

She hurriedly tried to cover it with a handkerchief, but the more she wiped, the more it spread.

Jiang Nian was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Where is Sister Lin in such a hurry?"

Lin Daiyu felt embarrassed. How could she admit that she had rushed to see him upon hearing of his return? She simply lowered her head and whispered, "You...you've been released?"

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and tinged with a sob.

"Thanks to the Emperor Emeritus's mercy," Jiang Nian said with a smile. "He spared me this time because of my merits in reforming the salt administration."

Zijuan interjected, "Lord Jiang, you may not know, but ever since you went to prison, our young lady has been..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by a look from Lin Daiyu, and two red clouds rose on Lin Daiyu's face.

To cover her embarrassment, Lin Daiyu pointed to Jiang Nian's sleeve and said, "It's... torn here."

Jiang Nian looked down and saw a tear in her right sleeve, caused by a snag a few days ago. Just as she was about to reply, she suddenly heard Zijuan exclaim, "Oh dear! Your pearl hairpin, Miss!"

It turned out that Lin Daiyu had left in such a hurry that the pearl hairpin in her hair had finally slipped off.

Jiang Nian reacted quickly, stepping forward to catch it, but accidentally touched Lin Daiyu's hand.

"Here you go." Jiang Nian handed over the pearl hairpin.

Lin Daiyu took it, her hand trembling slightly, and she failed to put the pearl hairpin back into her hair three times.

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Don't be in a hurry, Sister Lin."

Seeing this, Zijuan smiled, stepped forward to put the hairpin back on Lin Daiyu, and then tidied up Lin Daiyu's hair.

Taking advantage of this moment, Lin Daiyu quietly observed Jiang Nian. Seeing that although Jiang Nian looked haggard, she was in good spirits, which reassured her somewhat.

At this moment, the maid Xiao Nan came over. When she saw Jiang Nian's appearance, her eyes reddened, and she choked out, "My lord, you have suffered so much!"

Seeing Xiao Nan crying, Jiang Nian laughed and said, "Silly girl, why are you crying? It's only been ten days since you last bathed. Go and prepare some hot water; I want to wash off this bad luck."

Xiao Nan readily agreed and ran off to Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion to make arrangements.

Jiang Nian bid farewell to Lin Daiyu and headed towards Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion.

Soon, the bath tub was prepared in the inner room of Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion. Steam filled the air, a clean undergarment was draped on the screen, and a censer of sandalwood incense burned on the table.

Just as Jiang Nian was loosening his belt, he heard Zijuan's voice from outside: "Lord Jiang, our young lady has asked us to bring some bathing supplies."

Xiao Nan took it and saw that it contained rose-scented soap and a snow-white new handkerchief.

Jiang Nian smiled at Zijuan and said, "Please thank your young lady for me."

Zijuan hummed in agreement, glanced at Jiang Nian's untied sash, blushed, and turned to leave.

While Jiang Nian was bathing inside the screen, Xiao Nan stood outside the screen, her heart pounding like a drum. She bit her lip and suddenly went inside the screen.

Jiang Nian had removed her inner garment, revealing her strong back in the steam of the hot water.

Seeing Xiao Nan suddenly enter, Jiang Nian smiled and said, "I'm going to take a bath now, you should leave."

Xiao Nan said softly, "I...I will help you bathe, sir."

Jiang Nian was slightly taken aback. Xiao Nan was Aunt Qiu's maid, and although she had served him for two months, she had never served him anything like bathing in those two months.

At this moment, Jiang Nian saw that Xiao Nan's cheeks were flushed and her fingers were tightly twisting the hem of her clothes, yet she still insisted on standing by the tub. He understood her intention—this beautiful maid wanted to follow him for the rest of her life.

Jiang Nian was somewhat moved. He had just suffered imprisonment, and Xiao Nan, a mere maid, had done this for him without showing any disdain or embarrassment.

"It's kind of you to do this," Jiang Nian said softly, letting Xiao Nan help him into the bathtub.

Xiao Nan took the bath powder and gently rubbed her back.

As the water cooled, she added more hot water.

Suddenly, Jiang Nian said, "Your master and concubine are about to go to the capital. After you arrive, I will ask Concubine Qiu for you." As she spoke, she scooped up a handful of water to wash her face. "Are you willing?"

Xiao Nan lowered her head in embarrassment, yet her voice trembled with excitement: "I...I will follow you, Master, for the rest of my life!"

Before she finished speaking, a tear fell into the bathtub, creating a small ripple.

Jiang Nian reached out and wiped away Xiao Nan's tears. To hide his embarrassment, Xiao Nan quickly took the jasmine hair oil and combed his hair.

Her long, jet-black hair was scattered in the water, as lustrous as black jade.

Xiao Nan seemed to remember something and smiled, "The rose-scented soap that Miss sent Zijuan to deliver earlier, would you like some, sir?"

Jiang Nian nodded.

Xiao Nan smiled and said, "The young lady is concerned about the adults."

Immediately, Xiao Nan got up and fetched the rose-scented soap.

After Jiang Nian finished bathing, Xiao Nan used the snow-white new towel that Zi Juan had given her to wipe Jiang Nian dry. Then she helped her change, dressing Jiang Nian in a dark blue martial arts outfit and tying a jade belt around her waist. Jiang Nian's heroic spirit made Xiao Nan's eyes light up, and remembering that Jiang Nian had promised to take her, she was overjoyed.

While Xiao Nan was tidying up in the inner room, Jiang Nian strolled out of Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion and admired the several peach trees that were in full bloom by Peach Blossom Spring. The petals, some deep red and some light pink, fluttered in the wind and landed on the bluestone slabs by the spring, as if they were covered with a layer of brocade.

Suddenly, a melody of a zither drifted from the direction of Furong Pavilion; it was the tune of "Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain".

Jiang Nian followed the sound and arrived at the Hibiscus Pavilion. She entered the main room and saw that the bamboo curtain in the inner room was half rolled up, revealing the figures inside.

Lin Daiyu was sitting by the window, playing the zither. Her slender fingers gently plucked the strings, and she was playing "Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain".

Zijuan burned incense to the side, and amidst the wisps of smoke, the sound of the zither flowed like a clear spring, truly melodious.

The maid Xueyan sat to the side, lost in thought.

The three of them, master and servant, did not notice Jiang Nian standing outside the curtain for a moment.

Jiang Nian stood listening for a while before gently knocking on the door.

The music inside stopped abruptly. Zijuan turned around, looked, and smiled, "Lord Jiang is here!"

Lin Daiyu rose to greet her, her face flushing before she could speak. She gave a slight curtsy without uttering a sound.

"Isn't the piece Lin Daiyu is playing 'Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain' that I composed?" Jiang Nian pointed at the zither table and deliberately smiled, "When did you learn it?"

Lin Daiyu lowered her head and fiddled with her sash, her ears turning red with embarrassment.

Zijuan interjected, "Miss already knows it, she's practiced it..."

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Daiyu gave her a glare, as was her habit, and Ziju smiled.

Seeing this, Jiang Nian deliberately sighed, "It's a pity I only heard half of it; it was like hearing celestial music, and my ears were temporarily enlightened..."

"You're making fun of me." Lin Daiyu turned her back, revealing half of her snow-white neck.

"How about you play it again, little sister?" Jiang Nian approached the zither table. "Let me have a good lesson with you."

Lin Daiyu shook her head: "It's just something I learned haphazardly, and it's not pleasing to the ear."

Jiang Nian suddenly said seriously, "Could it be that you think my composition is too crude?"

"Who complains! I'll play it!" Lin Daiyu turned around anxiously, and when she saw the smile in Jiang Nian's eyes, she realized that she had been tricked. She habitually cursed "stinky brother-in-law" in her heart.

Zijuan was secretly smiling to herself when Lin Daiyu caught her and was so embarrassed that she wanted to pinch her.

After a while, Lin Daiyu finally sat back down at the zither table, gently stretched out her jade wrist, and plucked the strings.

This time, she played with extra care.

Her slender fingers danced like butterflies on the seven strings, seemingly imbued with her full spirit, creating a breathtaking and unforgettable experience.

Jiang Nian listened intently and watched intently, and even after the music stopped, he remained immersed in it.

"You didn't play it well," Lin Daiyu said softly.

Jiang Nian laughed and said, "It's barely audible, far worse than what I play."

"You... Humph!" Lin Daiyu knew he was teasing her on purpose, but she still couldn't help feeling annoyed.

Jiang Nian suddenly ordered her two maids, Zijuan and Xueyan, to leave, saying that she had important matters to discuss with Lin Daiyu.

The two maids exchanged a glance, smiled and withdrew, looking as if it were commonplace.

Although Lin Daiyu was puzzled, she assumed that Jiang Nian wanted to discuss some important matter with her, so she sat down at the zither table and waited for Jiang Nian to speak.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Nian smiled and said, "Does Sister Lin know who I wrote 'Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain' specifically for?"

This question made Lin Daiyu's ears burn, and she twisted the handkerchief in her hand.

Ever since she heard the song "Longing," she secretly hoped that Jiang Nian would compose a song just for her. Later, when she heard "Singing of Yangzhou in the Misty Rain," the melody, with its lingering sentiments, seemed to express all the emotions amidst the misty rain of Yangzhou, making her heart flutter. She wanted to ask if the song was written for her, but she was too shy, and afraid of being presumptuous and making a fool of herself. Zijuan, on the other hand, believed that the song was written by Jiang Nian for her. Although she scolded him playfully, her heart was as sweet as if she had drunk honey.

The fact that Jiang Nian is asking this question clearly implies that the song "Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain" was indeed written specifically for her.

Lin Daiyu was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head and just stared at the strings of the zither.

Jiang Nian said softly, "This piece of music was specially composed for you!"

"Why are you bringing this up out of the blue!" Lin Daiyu tried to remain calm, but her voice was barely audible. She deliberately put on a stern face, but when she caught a glimpse of Jiang Nian's smiling lips, she felt even more flustered.

Jiang Nian stood up and said, "I just wanted my sister to know about this. I have important matters to discuss with my uncle, so I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he actually turned to leave.

"Wait a minute!" Lin Daiyu blurted out, but immediately regretted it, so embarrassed that she almost buried her face in her sleeves.

Jiang Nian turned her head in front of the curtain, a meaningful smile appearing on her lips.

Lin Daiyu mustered her courage, stood up, and looked at Jiang Nian, but her voice was barely audible: "You... besides Sister Yuan Chun, who else have you sent your own compositions to?"

"So far..." Jiang Nian pondered for a moment, "I've only given it to three people. One is my wife, one is a concubine, and the other is you, Lin Daiyu."

To date, apart from "Acacia" which he presented to Yuan Chun, he has only written "Slowly, Slowly" for Jing Qing, and then "Singing in the Rain in Yangzhou" for Lin Daiyu.

In fact, he had planned to write "Spring Snow in the Courtyard" for Xue Baochai this spring, but he ended up staying in Yangzhou and missed the opportunity to watch the pear blossoms fall and the spring snow fall with Xue Baochai.

After saying this, Jiang Nian left with a smile, leaving Lin Daiyu standing there stunned.

"A wife, a concubine, and then there's me... and the song 'Singing of Yangzhou in the Rain' seems to subtly conceal tender feelings..."

At this thought, Lin Daiyu's cheeks flushed, and "Singing of Yangzhou in the Misty Rain" took on a unique charm...

She hurriedly grabbed the embroidered pillow to cover her face. The twin lotus flowers embroidered on the pillow seemed to come alive at that moment, burning her face with their intensity.

Suddenly, she moved the embroidered pillow aside, gave a soft "humph," and muttered, "This shameless..."

Before she could finish speaking, she bit her lip.

Just then, Zijuan peeked in and saw Lin Daiyu with flushed cheeks, hugging an embroidered pillow in a daze. She asked curiously, "Miss, what important matter did Lord Jiang talk to you about just now? Why are you so lost in thought?"

Lin Daiyu was startled, and the embroidered pillow flew out of her hand, hitting Zijuan on the shoulder.

"Mind your own business!" Lin Daiyu feigned anger, turning her back to him, her ears turning as red as agate.

Zijuan was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "Could it be that Lord Jiang has bullied you again, Miss? How despicable! He's been imprisoned for so long, and only just been released today, and he's already provoking you again. Please wait here, Miss, I'll go and confront him right now! Even if he's an official of the court, he has no right to bully people like this!"

"You brat!" Lin Daiyu stood up to pinch Zijuan's mouth. "You're talking nonsense even more!"

Zijuan nimbly dodged, and the two of them burst into laughter and playful banter.

Lin Daiyu gave chase, but her frail body prevented her from keeping up with Zijuan.

Upon seeing Xueyan enter, Lin Daiyu grabbed Xueyan and pinched her lip.

Xueyan asked in bewilderment, "Why did you pinch my mouth out of the blue?"

Lin Daiyu said, "I wanted to pinch Zijuan's mouth, but I couldn't catch her, so you'll have to take the blame for her!"

Zijuan chuckled.

Xue Yan: "..."

(End of this chapter)