The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 651 Arriving in time
Ever since Bao and Dai moved to the temporary princess's residence, and with the loss of their four maids—Zijuan, Xueyan, Ying'er, and Xiangling—the Grand View Garden, once a gathering place for beauties, has become even more desolate and quiet, with a sense of separation and loss, which truly makes one feel melancholy.

Jia Huan currently holds no official position and does not need to attend court every day. After the tenth day of the first lunar month, he has finished entertaining the guests and visiting the relatives, friends, and teachers he needed to visit. He is now just waiting to escort Princess Kangle to Hami for a marriage alliance after the Lantern Festival.

On the twelfth day of the first month of the eleventh year of the Qiansheng reign, Jia Huan, having nothing to do, strolled leisurely in the garden. He saw that the courtyard of Xiaoxiang Pavilion was quiet, the screens in Zhuijin Pavilion were undisturbed, and Aojing Pavilion was completely empty. He couldn't help but think that Xiangyun had been missing for two years, truly like clouds scattered over Gaotang, her whereabouts unknown.

Before they knew it, Jia Huan arrived outside Hengwu Garden. Although Baochai had been designated by Emperor Qiansheng as a maid to accompany him to the princess's residence with Daiyu, Baoqin was still living in Hengwu Garden. So there was still a master here, and it did not seem too lonely and desolate.

"Third Master!" The old woman on duty bowed respectfully upon seeing Jia Huan.

Although Jia Huan has now resigned from his post, the entire household still respects and loves him. Moreover, Jia Huan once served as the governor of Liaodong, with outstanding military achievements and a far-reaching reputation. These glories cannot be erased. Although he is currently lying low, it is hard to say whether he will make a comeback and soar to new heights one day.

Jia Huan nodded slightly and casually asked, "Is Sister Qin home?"

"Yes, I'm playing chess with the Third Miss," the old woman replied.

Jia Huan was just passing by and didn't intend to go in, but when he heard that Tan Chun was there, he strolled in and found Jia Tan Chun and Xue Bao Qin sitting cross-legged on the couch playing chess.

The two maids, Shishu and Xiaoluo, stood to the side. When they saw Jia Huan enter, they hurriedly tried to greet him, but he gestured to stop them, indicating that they should not make a fuss. Then he stood aside and quietly watched the game.

At this moment, the game was in the middle stage of a fierce battle, with both sides locked in a deep struggle. Tan Chun and Bao Qin were completely focused on the game and did not notice Jia Huan's arrival.

In the cold of the first month of the lunar calendar, a stove burned indoors, and wisps of sandalwood incense wafted from the mouth of an auspicious beast. Seventeen-year-old Jia Tanchun wore a narrow-sleeved crimson satin jacket embroidered with gold butterflies and flowers, over which was a five-colored silk embroidered dark blue and silver-fox fur coat, and a jade-green crepe skirt sprinkled with flowers. She was noble, elegant, and dazzling. Her slender waist was like a sash, her shoulders were like a knife's edge, her eyes were bright and her eyebrows were delicate, and her spirit was high. She gave people the feeling of being both noble and beautiful, as well as intelligent and capable, like a blooming rose with thorns.

On the other side, Xue Baoqin was only fourteen years old. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, and her eyes were clear as spring streams, lively and charming. When she smiled, her cheeks had shallow dimples, which were sweet and revealed a hint of cleverness.

The two women were evenly matched in chess, locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle, unable to determine a winner for the time being. At this moment, the two women finally noticed Jia Huan, who was standing aside watching the game. They were both taken aback for a moment. Tan Chun laughed and said, "Brother Huan, why did you come so late? You gave me quite a fright!"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "I've been here for a while. Seeing that Third Sister and Sister Qin are engrossed in their game, I didn't want to interrupt. You two continue your game and don't mind me."

"Let's stop playing. Let's close the game and rest up before continuing." Xue Baoqin had Xiao Luo remove the chessboard and then ordered someone to serve fragrant tea. She smiled sweetly and said, "This is maple dew tea, which was brewed this morning. This tea needs to be brewed several times to bring out its flavor. Brother Huan, you've come at just the right time."

Jia Huan thanked her, took the tea from Xiao Luo's hand, and took a sip. He found it to be light and refreshing, leaving a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth. He nodded in praise, "It is indeed a good tea."

Jia Tanchun reached out and plucked a withered brown bamboo leaf from Jia Huan's shoulder, asking, "Brother Huan, did you come from Xiaoxiang Pavilion?"

Jia Huan nodded and said, "When I have nothing to do, I take a walk around the garden, but it's much quieter now."

The maidservant, Shishu, who was always quick to speak, immediately chimed in, "That's right. Back then, before the Second Miss got married, and when Miss Yun was still around, some got married, some went missing, some were married off for political reasons, and even Miaoyu from Longcui Nunnery said she was moving away. Everyone has gone their separate ways, and it's never as lively as it used to be."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. Tan Chun sighed, "Even a long shed built over a thousand miles, how can there be a banquet in this world that doesn't end? In the end, we'll all go our separate ways."

Xue Baoqin laughed and said, "Sister Tanchun has always been generous and cheerful. Why is she making such a sorrowful sound in the first month of the lunar year? Could it be that you are also getting married?"

"If you dare to be any more frivolous, I'll tear your little mouth apart." Jia Tanchun scolded, "Don't think you're the youngest. You'll be of marriageable age this year, and your three-year mourning period will be over soon. Be careful, your aunt might suddenly decide to find you a good husband. Who knows who will get married first?"

Baoqin laughed and said, "Don't worry, as long as Sister Bao hasn't married, it won't be my turn." After saying that, she gave Jia Huan a half-smile.

Jia Huan's handsome face flushed slightly. He had confessed his feelings to Aunt Xue that day and successfully obtained her approval. She said that as long as he brought Baochai back from Hami, she would allow him to marry Baochai as a second wife. However, this matter was only known to a limited number of people around Aunt Xue and was not announced to the outside world. Even Tan Chun did not know about it.

Seeing that Jia Huan's expression was strange, Jia Tanchun assumed that Baoqin's words had hit a nerve, so she quickly changed the subject, saying, "I heard that the new Liaodong military commissioner has signed a peace treaty with the Jurchens and exchanged Prince Qing for him."

Jia Huan nodded and said, "I heard that Prince Qing has arrived in the capital today."

Jia Tanchun said indignantly, "If it weren't for Huan-di's victory over Nurhaci in the Battle of Ningyuan, which recovered all of Liaoxi, how could we have forced the Jurchens to negotiate peace? Now that Prince Qing has returned home safely, it's all credited to Gao Di and others. It's truly infuriating!" Xue Baoqin saw that Jia Huan's expression was calm, and he didn't seem to care that his credit had been stolen. She couldn't help but admire him secretly and said with a smile, "True gold fears no fire. With Huan-gege's talent, why worry about not having his day when he roars like a tiger and soars to the heavens?"

Jia Huan quickly replied, "Sister Qin, you flatter me."

Jia Tanchun thought about it and agreed. Moreover, Huandi had disobeyed the imperial edict this time, but the emperor had only stripped him of his official position and not his academic honors. The ancestral title that her husband had inherited because of Huandi's merits had not been lost. It was clear that the emperor was still leaving room for maneuver and that Huandi would most likely be reinstated in the future.

Thinking of this, Jia Tanchun felt a little better and asked, "The marriage procession will depart on the sixteenth of the first month. Is Huan-di ready?"

"Almost there." Jia Huan nodded. He was still waiting for someone, but he didn't know if that person would arrive in time.

Jia Tanchun said with some concern, "The journey to Hami is long and difficult, and it will probably take several months to make it back and forth. Huandi, please be careful on the road and take good care of Baochai and Linjie."

"I will!" Jia Huan replied calmly, his gaze steady and firm.

Xue Baoqin's eyes flashed with a strange light as she said, "In history, Princess Wencheng's journey to Tibet took two years and three months. Although Brother Huan's trip to Hami is not as difficult as the journey to Tibet, it will probably take a year and a half to make it back and forth. I remember when my father and I went to the coast of the West Sea to buy jade, we set off from Jinling in the spring and did not return to Jinling until it was snowing heavily."

Although Xue Baoqin was young, she had traveled all over the country with her father to do business since she was a child, so she was quite knowledgeable.

Just then, Qingwen gracefully walked in from outside. This beautiful maid was already the most outstanding among all the maids in the Jia family. After being pampered by Jia Huan, she was now even more beautiful and charming. Every frown and smile was full of charm. She was truly a beauty that was one in a thousand.

"Third Master, a message just came from outside that a soldier named Man Gui has come to the gate of the mansion requesting an audience," Qingwen said.

Jia Huan exclaimed with delight, "Good lad, you've finally made it! Third sister, Qin sister, please excuse me!"

Jia Tanchun nodded and said, "Huan-di, go ahead. Important matters are at hand!"

Jia Huan left Hengwu Garden and headed straight for the main road of the Jia Mansion. However, when he arrived at Rongxi Hall, he did not see anyone. Upon asking, he learned that Man Gui was still kneeling outside the door and refused to come in.

A look of surprise flashed across Jia Huan's eyes. He hurriedly walked out of the mansion and saw a burly man kneeling on the cold steps. The man was shirtless and carrying a bundle of thorns on his back. His skin was pierced and bleeding profusely. It was none other than the guerrilla general Man Gui.

Man Gui is only eighteen years old this year, but he has a rugged appearance and looks much older than his actual age. After two years in the army, he's almost as big as Tie Hu. His facial features are resolute, and his gaze is firm. This man who has been on the battlefield is indeed extraordinary. He exudes a fierce aura, like a wild Siberian tiger. Even now, kneeling in the howling wind with a bare chest and a bundle of thorns, he still has an imposing presence that keeps strangers at bay.

Now, that brat Man Gui, upon seeing Jia Huan, immediately bowed deeply and said in a voice as loud as thunder, "This guilty man, Man Gui, begs for forgiveness from Your Excellency, the Governor!"

Jia Huan was both amused and exasperated, and scolded, "What are you up to, kid? You're good for nothing, and bad for nothing, yet you're trying to humbly apologize like someone carrying thorns on your back?"

Man Gui, his face full of shame, said, "Before the Governor went to the capital to present the prisoners, he strictly ordered that no one should cross the river to attack without authorization. However, I was greedy for merit and disobeyed the Governor's military order, which led to a disastrous defeat. I beg the Governor to punish me!"

Jia Huan was slightly moved. Although Man Gui was reckless, he was courageous and sincere. So he drew his dagger, stepped forward, and cut the rope. The bundle of thorns that Man Gui was carrying fell to the ground.

Jia Huan sheathed his dagger and said sternly, "Get up. I have already resigned from my post, and even if you are guilty, it is not my place to punish you. However, military law is as firm as a mountain. If you were still in the army, I would definitely execute you without mercy, otherwise I would be letting down the brothers who died or were wounded!"

Man Gui lowered his head in shame. Jia Huan ordered someone to bring a fur coat for him to wear, then led him into the mansion and personally treated the wound on his back. He then ordered someone to take him away and make proper arrangements for him.

Man Gui was originally promoted from humble beginnings by Jia Huan. After being dismissed from his post some time ago, he had been imprisoned awaiting punishment, thinking he was doomed to die. However, he was suddenly released recently and received a notice to go to the capital to serve Jia Huan. He was overjoyed, as if he had been given a new lease on life. He immediately set off for the capital, relying on his own two feet, braving wind and snow, eating dew and drinking the wind, and finally arrived before Jia Huan set off for the west.

Although Man Gui was reckless and impulsive, he was not stupid at all. He naturally understood that he had been spared because Jia Huan had helped him behind the scenes, so he was filled with gratitude. When Jia Huan personally applied medicine to treat his wounds, this seven-foot-tall burly man was even more moved beyond words.

At this moment, let alone protecting Jia Huan to Hami, he wouldn't even flinch if asked to go through fire and water.

(End of this chapter)