The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 717 The Earl

Meanwhile, Jia Huan left the Hami Royal Palace and hurried to the governor's office to receive the imperial edict, while Baochai, Daiyu, and the other ladies continued to gather around the stove, brewing tea, cutting paper snowflakes, and chatting casually. The imperial edict arriving at this time was undoubtedly good news, so Baochai and Daiyu were both relaxed and expectant, awaiting the good tidings.

Sure enough, after about two incense sticks' worth of time, Jinbao, the servant boy who served Jia Huan, came running over excitedly with good news: "Miss Lin and Miss Bao, great news! The Third Master has been granted the title of Earl of Dingyuan by the Emperor, with a stipend of 500 shi of grain, and has been bestowed with a python robe and jade belt."

"Ah!" All the maids were overjoyed. Baochai and Daiyu were also delighted and immediately ordered that Jinbao be rewarded with money for running errands.

Lin Daiyu asked, "What is Third Master doing now? When will he be back here?"

Jinbao replied, "Third Master is currently entertaining his colleagues and cannot come at the moment. I do not know when Third Master will be able to arrive."

Lin Daiyu nodded slightly in disappointment, while Xue Baochai smiled and said, "This is a great joy. Right now, the threshold of the governor's office is probably worn down by visitors. You should go back and take good care of Third Master."

"I understand," Jinbao said, bowed, and left.

Xiangling exclaimed, "Third Master Huan has actually been granted the title of Earl. He must be the first civil official in our dynasty to do so. I've never heard of such a thing before."

Daiyu laughed and said, "That's because you're ignorant. At the beginning of the Great Jin Dynasty, quite a few civil officials were granted titles for their military achievements. Of course, after the Shengping era, it became very rare. In the last sixty or seventy years, Huandi should be the first."

Xueyan said happily, "Our Third Master is really amazing. Doesn't this count as being able to govern the country with both literary and martial skills?"

Ying'er blushed and teased her, saying, "You shameless little hussy, you haven't even become a dowry maid yet, and you're already calling her 'our'."

Xueyan blushed deeply. Ever since that day when they became roommates and had physical intimacy, this maid had been completely infatuated with the Third Master. When she learned that her Third Master had been granted the title of Earl, she was naturally overjoyed. In a moment of carelessness, she blurted out something that Ying'er seized upon to tease her.

At this moment, everyone in the room, except for Ayina who was bowing her head in silence with mixed feelings, was beaming with joy.

Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu exchanged a glance and very understandingly changed the subject, because they both understood that the reason why Huan Di received such a great reward from the emperor was largely because he had successfully incorporated Hami into the territory of the Great Jin Dynasty and made great contributions to expanding the territory, but for Ayina, this was a painful memory of her homeland.

Just as the women continued chatting, an old woman rushed in, saying in a panic, "Oh no! What a big commotion! The imperial envoy is on his way here!"

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai both stood up in surprise. At this moment, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard, followed by someone shouting: "Imperial decree has arrived! Princess Ayina of Hami, receive the decree!"

“Me?” Ayina was stunned, her mouth forming an “O” shape, her face full of disbelief. The Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty had actually issued a special imperial edict to her.
At this moment, a group of Imperial Guards dressed in flying fish robes rushed into the courtyard and quickly stood on both sides. Then, a eunuch carrying an imperial decree strode in and asked in a high-pitched voice, "Where is Princess Ayina of Hami?"

Inside the house, Ayina was so nervous that she didn't know what to do. After all, she was just a fourteen-year-old girl, and she had never seen such a scene before.

"Don't be afraid, it shouldn't be a bad thing. Hurry up and go out to receive the imperial decree!" Lin Daiyu gently nudged Ayina and whispered to comfort her.

Ayina composed herself and stood up. Xue Baochai, worried that she might not know proper etiquette, had Xiangling and Ying'er help her out of the house. She gracefully knelt down in the courtyard.

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree glanced at Ayina and, seeing that she had snow-white skin and an appearance quite different from that of the Chinese, realized she was a beauty from the Western Regions. He guessed her identity and asked, "Are you Ayina, the daughter of the King of Hami?"

Ayina nodded, and the eunuch who was in charge of delivering the imperial edict then took out the edict and began to read it aloud: "By the grace of the Emperor, it is decreed that: Ayina, the orphan of the King of Hami..."

The eunuch delivering the imperial edict recited a long passage of ornate language, quoting classical texts. Although Ayina understood Chinese, she was completely bewildered. Just as she was wondering what it meant, she finally understood the last few sentences of the edict: "From this day forward, the title of Hami Kingdom is abolished, Ayina's title of Princess of Hami is revoked, and she is instead conferred the title of Princess of Yiwu County, with an annual stipend of 800 shi of grain, a grant of 20 qing of land, and the former residence of the Hami Royal Palace is returned to her as the Princess's residence. This is the imperial decree!"

Ayina trembled slightly. The name of Hami Kingdom was ultimately abolished, and from then on, there was no more Hami Kingdom.

Although this was expected, Ayina still felt bitter and empty inside, as if she had lost her soul. It wasn't until Ying'er secretly nudged her that she came back to her senses and silently kowtowed, saying, "Ayina accepts the decree and thanks the Emperor. Long live the Emperor!"

The eunuch, who had been carrying out the imperial decree, relaxed his tense old face and handed the imperial edict, official documents, and ceremonial robes to Ayina with a smile. The latter once again kowtowed to express her gratitude for the emperor's favor.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict clearly knew about Ayina's background. Now that she was all alone and there was nothing to be gained from her, he didn't ask for any reward money. After reading the imperial edict, he patted his behind and left. There was a sumptuous banquet waiting for him at the governor's office.

After the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree and the group of Imperial Guards left, the ladies, including Daiyu and Baochai, came out of the room and surrounded Ayina, congratulating her: "Congratulations, little sister Ayina."

Although the name of Hami was abolished, Emperor Qiansheng still honored Ayina with the title of Princess of Yiwu County, granting her an annual stipend of 800 shi (a unit of dry measure) and 20 qing (a unit of land measurement) of land. For Ayina, an orphan girl from a fallen kingdom, this was not a bad outcome; at least she would be able to live a life free from want.

Then, Daiyu and Baochai returned to the house with Ayina's hand. Baochai smiled and said, "Now that the Emperor has returned the Prince's Mansion to Ayina as a county princess's residence, Daiyu and I will have to move out."

Ayina quickly replied, "No need. I'd love to live with my two older sisters. Besides, it's such a big house, it would be weird for me to live alone. It would be much more fun to live with my two older sisters, unless they dislike me."

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai exchanged a smile and agreed.

Now, Jia Huan is the governor of Gansu and has been ordered to manage the Western Regions. It is unknown how long it will take for him to return to the capital. Although Daiyu and Baochai have a close relationship with Jia Huan, they have not yet been formally married. It would be inappropriate for them to move to the governor's office. Instead, they should stay in the Hami palace with Ayina. This is not a bad idea.

Next, the women continued cutting paper snowflakes and decorating the house. Before they knew it, it was completely dark, and the chill of New Year's Eve grew stronger. Even though the charcoal fire in the room was burning bright red, it was still difficult to dispel the bone-chilling cold.

Zijuan brought a white fox fur coat and draped it over Lin Daiyu, saying in a low voice, "Miss, I'm afraid Third Master Huan won't be coming tonight. Why don't we serve the meal first? Everyone is hungry."

Lin Daiyu, holding a hand warmer in her arms, shook her head and said, "Let's wait a little longer. Huan-di won't easily break his promise. Besides, if he can't come, wouldn't he send a servant to inform him?"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than an old woman hurried in from outside and reported through the curtain: "The Governor has entered through the second gate and is coming this way."

Lin Daiyu was delighted to hear this and said with a smile, "Look, here it comes."

A moment later, Jia Huan, indeed, entered, lifting the curtain with a chill in his air. He was still wearing a brand-new python robe and a jade belt, clearly having just finished a social engagement and rushed here without even having time to change. As the saying goes, "Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse." Jia Huan was already blessed with handsome features, and now, in his new python robe, jade belt, purple-gold crown, and a red and black headband tied at his eyebrows, he appeared even more striking, with his rosy lips, white teeth, and jade-like face, exuding a refined and noble air, truly extraordinary and distinguished.

Ayina was momentarily lost in thought, her cheeks flushed, and her girlish heart pounded wildly. She thought to herself, "This guy looks even better in this outfit."

"I thought the Earl wasn't coming tonight," Lin Daiyu teased, her beautiful eyes filled with joy.

As Jia Huan took off his cloak and shook it, he laughed and said, "How could that be? Even if my leg is broken, I still have to come. Otherwise, someone will be sulking again."

Lin Daiyu's pretty face flushed, and she lightly spat, "Who's sulking? It's better if you don't come; we girls can have a private chat."

"What intimate words can't I hear?" Jia Huan smiled as he handed the cloak to Xueyan, then took a cup of hot wine from Mei Xiangling and drank it all in one gulp, instantly feeling warm all over.

Ever since Jia Huan entered the room, Xue Baochai's gentle gaze had never left him. Suddenly, she asked softly, "Brother Huan, what's that on your head? Let me see."

Jia Huan lowered his head as instructed, and Xue Baochai brushed a few snowflakes off his hair ornament and said with a smile, "It's snowing outside, no wonder you feel colder and colder."

Jia Huan suddenly realized, "When I dismounted just now, I felt raindrops on my face. I thought it was raining, but it turns out it's snowing. A snowfall on New Year's Eve is quite fitting for the occasion."

Just then, a soft pattering sound came from the roof. Ying'er opened the window and saw white snowflakes falling silently like fairies. It was really snowing outside!
Just then, a flash of light shot into the sky and exploded into a dazzling display of fireworks in the night. Immediately following was a series of rapid hissing sounds as countless fireworks soared into the air, bursting open one after another, like blooming flowers against the backdrop of falling snow—a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

"The east wind blows through a thousand trees of blossoms at night, and scatters them like rain. The road is filled with the fragrance of precious carriages and carved horses. The sound of phoenix flutes stirs, the jade pot shines, and fish and dragons dance all night long." Jia Huan recited with a smile.

It was obvious that he had orchestrated this ingenious "fireworks show." And what New Year's Eve would be complete without fireworks?

Both Daiyu and Baochai turned to look at Jia Huan at the same time. Their two stunningly beautiful faces were so close that they made the fireworks in the sky pale in comparison.

Jia Huan's heart fluttered, and he continued reciting: "Moths and willows, golden threads, laughter and fragrance linger, I searched for him a thousand times in the crowd, and suddenly I turned around, and there he was, in the dim light."

Baochai and Daiyu blushed slightly, their hearts fluttering, and they both rolled their eyes at the man.

Jia Huan chuckled and said, "Hurry up and bring the food, I'm starving."

Daiyu asked curiously, "Didn't the Earl just finish a social engagement? Didn't you eat any food or drinks at the banquet?"

Jia Huan deliberately made a bitter face and said, "There is wine and food, but I wanted to save room to have New Year's Eve dinner with my two sisters when I got back, so I didn't dare to eat at the table. I only drank a few cups of wine."

Baochai and Daiyu found it both funny and distressing. On one hand, they scolded the person for drinking so much wine on an empty stomach, and on the other hand, they hurriedly ordered someone to bring them food.

Soon, a table was filled with steaming hot and delicious dishes, and the New Year's Eve dinner officially began.

This was the first time Jia Huan had spent New Year's Eve alone with Daiyu and Baochai since he transmigrated to this world of Dream of the Red Chamber. There were no elders around, so there was no need to worry about status or hierarchy. Master and servants sat around a table, eating, chatting, joking, playing drinking games, and having a great time.

At first, Ayina was a little nervous, but she gradually opened up and joined everyone in playing drinking games and finger-guessing. However, she was too bad at it and was always being punished. But this girl had a competitive spirit, and the more she was punished, the more energetic she became. Soon, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were rosy. In the end, she was so drunk that she passed out under the table.

“The ground is cold, Ying’er, quickly help her to the couch to lie down,” Baochai instructed.

Ying'er smiled and went to help her up, but she didn't expect that the slender Ayina was quite heavy. In addition, Ying'er had also drunk about 70-80% of her liquor and was weak and powerless. Not only did she fail to help Ayina up, but she also fell down on her own and laughed, "I can't do it anymore. Which kind sister would like to help me?"

Xiangling stepped forward to help, and the two of them supported Ayina as she walked towards the small couch. However, she stumbled and fell down, which made everyone burst into laughter.

"Let me do it!" Jia Huan smiled and stepped forward to pick up Ayina, gently placing her on the low couch and covering her with a quilt. Then he returned to his seat and continued to play drinking games with the other women.

Before we knew it, the midnight drumbeats echoed through the streets, officially marking the arrival of the first day of the Lunar New Year in the twelfth year of the Qiansheng reign. Outside the window, the snow continued to fall silently.

Xue Baochai took out a Western pocket watch, glanced at it, and said softly, "It's past midnight, everyone should leave now."

Jia Huan, already slightly tipsy, stood up upon hearing this and said, "Sister Bao, let me see you off."

Xue Baochai glanced at Jia Huan and said softly, "It's only a few steps, no need. But Huan-di, be careful on your way back. These snowflakes may not be big, but they've made the road slippery." After saying that, she left with Ying'er and Xiangling.

Jia Huan and Daiyu saw him off at the door before returning to the room. Jia Huan rubbed his hands and said, "It's so cold, and it's snowing. Maybe I shouldn't go back to the governor's office tonight and just stay here for the night."

Lin Daiyu nodded and said, "That's fine!"

Jia Huan's eyes lit up, but Lin Daiyu continued, "Go sleep on the couch in the outer room."

Jia immediately deflated and sighed, "Then I'd better go back to the yamen."

Looking at the dejected man, Lin Daiyu was both annoyed and amused. She stretched out a slender finger and gently poked Jia Huan's forehead, scolding, "You really are my nemesis. Fine, Earl, please sleep on this bed. I'll stay in Sister Bao's room for the night."

Jia Huan quickly said, "Then I'll sleep in the outer room."

Lin Daiyu chuckled softly.

(End of this chapter)