Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Jinling, the Xue family's old residence.

Since Aunt Xue's family moved to the capital, the once grand and luxurious old mansion has become much quieter, with only the second branch of the Xue family's residence remaining somewhat lively.

The Xue family ancestors were only officials holding the position of Ziwei Sheren, and their status and power were inferior to those of the Jia, Wang, and Shi families from the very beginning.

However, the Ziwei Sheren was a central government official whose duties were closely related to the imperial family, and the Xue family had been imperial merchants for generations, accumulating wealth and connections over decades, making them a force to be reckoned with.

In addition, the Xue family had intermarried with the Jia, Wang, and Shi families for generations, making the four families intricately connected, sharing both prosperity and adversity.

This is why the Xue family's official rank and honors were far less than those of the three great families of Jia, Wang, and Shi, and why they were ranked among the four great families of Jinling after the Du family of Jinling was destroyed.

Even though the Zhen family of Jinling rose to prominence later and earned the reputation of "Zhen Half-City" through maritime trade, they still could not replace the Xue family as one of the four great families.

The eldest branch of the Xue family inherited the family business, which seemed stable and secure to outsiders, continuing the Xue family's wealth and status as imperial merchants. Xue Yuan, the second master of the Xue family, did not show off his talents, but he was able to find his own way.

Many years ago, by chance, I was selected by the palace to go to the frontier to search for and handle important matters. Although I was only temporarily assigned to the Guangchu Division of the Imperial Household Department, I would always meet the emperor when I came to the capital.

Outsiders were unaware of the secrets behind it, but Xue Yuan's close relatives, such as Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, knew a bit about him.

Although Xue Yuan never said a word about it, Baochai, with her keen mind, realized that this second uncle was a man of great potential, which is why she thought of seeking help from afar.

The Xue family mansion has weathered seventy years of storms, but generations of wealth have led to numerous renovations, and the interior remains magnificent, showcasing the grandeur of a wealthy family.

Due to the inheritance of the family business, the second branch of the Xue family had already purchased a superior residence ten years ago. They would only return to live there for a few days during festivals so that the whole family could reunite.

However, Aunt Xue's family moved to Shenjing, worried that leaving the ancestral home vacant for too long might cause trouble.

Moreover, since his son was a spoiled brat and incapable of inheriting the family business, he wanted to win over the second wife's family. He wrote to Xue Yuan's family, instructing them to move back to the ancestral home to live there permanently so that he could take care of the old house.

……

After the Lantern Festival in Nanjing, the weather gradually warms up, especially around noon when the sun rises higher and the sunlight is warm and inviting, creating a lazy and comfortable atmosphere.

In the main room of the second family's residence, under the south-facing glass window, there was a carved elm wood recliner. Xue Yuan was leaning back in the recliner, reading a book in his hand.

Xue Yuan's old ailment relapsed some time ago, and he was in poor health. He took herbal medicine for a long time and has now recovered. His complexion and spirits have improved a lot, and he is enjoying a leisurely time.

Beside the recliner was a tea table inlaid with mother-of-pearl and ebony, on which sat a small red clay stove, boiling water in an iron kettle, and a white porcelain tea set with colored glaze and silver rim, and an earthenware cloud-mist tea canister.

Xue Baoqin sat quietly by the tea table, washing tea and rinsing the cups. Her expression was gentle and serene, her skin as white as jade, her eyebrows and eyes like a painting. She was stunningly beautiful, and the whole room shone with brilliance.

Wearing a light blue embroidered plum blossom cross-collar long coat, with a snow fox fur vest over it, and a white ivory white embroidered long skirt, with an eight-treasure necklace and gold lock hanging on her chest, she was radiant and beautiful in the sunlight.

Once the water in the red clay iron kettle boiled, she reached out and poured the boiling water into the teacup. The premium Yunwu tea tumbled up and down, releasing its intoxicating aroma that permeated the air.

She handed one of the cups to her father, Xue Yuan, who took a small sip and smiled, "Very good." Baoqin smiled contentedly, picked up the other cup, and drank it herself. The father and daughter enjoyed themselves.

At this moment, the stewardess entered from outside and said, "Master, a fast horse has arrived outside the second gate. It says it was sent by the First Madam of Shenjing to deliver an urgent message to you."

Xue Yuan's expression shifted. He put down his teacup and quickly picked up the letter to read it. After a quick glance, his brows furrowed and his expression became unusually serious.

Seeing Xue Yuan's grim expression, Baoqin asked, "Father, what did Auntie say in her letter? Has something happened in the capital? Why does Father look so grim?"

Xue Yuan frowned and said, "Something big has happened in Shenjing. The military camps in the northern part of the Great Zhou have been occupied by the Mongol invaders. Now, Anda Khan has led a large army to invade the south and has even captured Xuanfu Town."

The imperial court investigated the cause and found that someone had leaked military secrets, which led to this disaster. Pan'er was bewitched and implicated in the case, and is now in prison.

Your aunt is having trouble dealing with this matter, so she wrote to me for help, asking me to go to the capital immediately to help Pan'er. This matter is indeed very difficult, and the Xue family is about to face a calamity.

Baochai's letter described in detail that Pan'er was impulsive and reckless, but this time it was not intentional; it was an unintentional mistake caused by being misled. However, the connection involved was quite significant.

Your uncle only has one son, Pan'er. Your aunt sent a message from afar asking for help. As his brother, how could I ignore it? This matter cannot be delayed; we must set off as soon as possible.

Baoqin's pretty face paled, and she said, "Since my cousin's mistake was unintentional, Father naturally cannot sit idly by. However, the two places are thousands of miles apart, so why would Auntie go to such lengths?"

The Earl of Jia's family holds a prestigious official rank and is said to be highly favored by the Emperor. My aunt asked him to intervene and handle the matter thoroughly; wouldn't that be much faster and more convenient than my father traveling thousands of miles?

Xue Yuan smiled wryly and said, "Your aunt and Baochai naturally understand this principle, but things are not convenient. Cong-ge'er is not in the capital, so he is too far away to help."

As Xue Yuan spoke, he handed the letter to his daughter, Baoqin. She took it and carefully read through it, muttering to herself, "So he's become the commander of the Divine Machine Battalion and has already led troops into battle..."

……

Xue Yuan said, "Normally speaking, the trial of such a major case involves a lot of complicated procedures in the three judicial departments, and it usually takes a year or two to finally conclude the case."

However, with the war between the Great Zhou and the remnants of the Mongol Empire raging, the court, wanting to eliminate the threat of spies stealing secrets, would likely investigate the case quickly and severely in order to serve as a warning to others.

I'm afraid Pan'er's situation is extremely dangerous. In such a situation, we must save him as quickly as possible, without delay. After settling business matters these two days, we will set off for the capital the day after tomorrow.

Fortunately, the family business has been reorganized and reformed, and everything is running smoothly now. With the help of Xinchunhao, and your brother managing it carefully, it's enough to handle the daily needs.

You and Young Master Mei are already engaged, and you'll soon be of marriageable age. I, your father, will be seeing you off at the end of the year anyway, so it's best to go to the capital a year early to familiarize yourself with social customs and etiquette.”

Baoqin remained silent after hearing this. She had followed her father all over the country and had always been under his protection. The thought of marrying far away in the future made her uneasy.

She had only met the young master of the Mei family twice. He seemed to be a handsome man. He had failed the imperial examination last year and was now studying hard at home, hoping to try again for success in the examination.

Young Master Mei was just over twenty years old when he passed the imperial examination and became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations). Among the sons of officials, he was considered a top-tier figure. Baoqin had no feelings of liking or disliking him, and their marriage was arranged by their parents and a matchmaker.

When her father suddenly brought up the matter of sending her off as a bride, she couldn't help but feel shy and hesitant. For some reason, she felt a strange resistance to this trip to the capital. No matter what, what's meant to happen will happen.

This trip to the capital has left me with no end in sight, and I don't know when I will be able to return to Jinling. I am truly at a loss for what to do, and I feel a sharp pain and fear. I wish I could find a place to hide.

Just as her heart was clenching with anxiety, a crack appeared in the darkness as she thought of her cousin Baochai chatting with her in the carriage outside Pear Fragrance Courtyard.

A warmth rose in her heart, but then she remembered the moment the carriage curtain was lifted, and the handsome young man with eyes like deep pools that seemed to see into her soul, like a fleeting illusion.

Even after so long, it remains etched in my heart. Now, it suddenly resurfaces, and I feel a tremor of shame. I instinctively close my bright eyes, my brows furrow slightly, trying to dispel the demons, but I cannot calm them down.

……

Xue Yuan said, "Baochai mentioned in her letter that Manager Qu of Xinchun Shop was originally Cong'er's martial arts teacher. She must be concerned about Cong'er's recent situation."

Baochai wrote two extra pages of letter paper for us to pass on to Manager Qu. It described Cong-ge'er's daily affairs; Baochai is worldly-wise and truly meticulous in her work.

As Xue Yuan spoke, he pulled out two sheets of paper and said, "Baoqin, go find Granny Jiang. She frequents Xinchun Shop. Ask her to pass these two pages of paper to Manager Qu."

Baoqin was as if she were in a dream when her father's words startled her awake. Her pretty face flushed slightly. She took the two pages of letter and hurriedly turned to leave, afraid that her father would see through her act.

When they reached the covered walkway outside the door and were bathed in the warm spring sunshine, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As they strolled along, they curiously examined the letter.

She was so shocked by her father's words that she only read the gist of the matter when she read the letter and didn't pay attention to it. Baochai had attached a few pages of letters, which she just happened not to read carefully.

Now that she knew it was about Jia Cong, she couldn't help but be curious. She walked a little away from the main house, found a porch, sat down, and picked up the letter in her hand to read.

The paper bore the handwriting of her cousin Baochai, neat, beautiful, and elegant. The spring breeze stirred her hair, making it dance and sway, like ripples on a still lake.

Baochai's letters mostly describe daily life, overflowing with delicate and gentle words. Baoqin read them with increasing fascination, as if various scenes were unfolding before her eyes, as if she could vividly recall them...

Hongxiu's Jade Mirror:

My sister's family suffered a misfortune, so she sent a letter inviting my uncle to the capital to mediate. He was able to take over the family business in Nanjing and bring prosperity to the family. I am deeply grateful and will never forget him.

I know that you, my sister, have been deeply grateful for my teachings and guidance. I have benefited greatly from your instruction. Although we are separated by a thousand miles, I am sure you must be thinking of me. Therefore, I have taken the liberty of recounting some family matters for your perusal.

Last year, Yu Zhang passed the imperial examination with flying colors, achieving the second-highest rank in the first class and being appointed as a fifth-rank lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. His literary talent and refined manners made him famous throughout the capital, a rare achievement among his peers. Having achieved great success in the imperial examinations, he has somewhat relaxed his studies of classical texts, but he still keeps a book in his hand, mostly military strategy books. He often studies maps and landscapes, his heart filled with thoughts of his country and his hometown.

The sisters chatted idly in the garden, composed poems together, drank wine and made flower-themed toasts, never forgetting to support their younger brother, treating their relatives and elders with kindness, focusing on supervising the manufacture of national treasures, and often returning home under the stars and moon.

Every day at sunset, or on the morning of a day off, he would diligently practice his swordsmanship on the south slope of the mansion. Although he was already proficient in both literature and martial arts, he never slacked off in his diligence. His achievements were not due to luck...

……

The Xue family's inner courtyard is secluded and tranquil, with lush flowers and trees, creating a beautiful scene. The harsh winter has passed, and Nanjing is gradually warming up. The spring sun is warm, and some spring blossoms have already appeared on the branches.

Bathed in sunlight, the shadows of the slanting branches shifted, gradually covering her slender figure, concealing the blush on her cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes, and the fleeting thoughts in her mind—she was exceptionally charming and captivating.

Baoqin carefully read the letter, her eyes sparkling. The image that had been churning in her heart seemed to be engraved more clearly. She got up but did not go to find Granny Jiang.

She turned and went back to her boudoir. Her maid, Luo'er, was dozing at the door. She pushed her awake and laughed, "What a lazy girl! Sleepy in the middle of the day. Go grind the ink for me."

Luo'er picked up the snail and quickly walked to the desk. She deftly moistened the brush and ink, and saw her daughter place several sheets of paper on the table. She then took out a few blank sheets of paper.

Then she copied it word by word, a smile on her lips, her expression focused. But Xiao Luo couldn't read and didn't know what Bao Qin was writing. She just tilted her head and stared blankly at it.

After Baoqin finished copying the letter and glanced through it with satisfaction, she saw Xiaolu staring at her with wide eyes and a confused expression. She laughed and said, "What are you daydreaming about? Call Aunt Jiang over. I have something to say."

When Xiaoluo went out to call for help, Baoqin dried the copied letter, carefully folded it, and put it into her purse. She couldn't help but smile, her face flushing.

……

Jinling City, Dazaimen, Xinchunhao Jiangnan Main Store.

Since the Zhen family of Jinling was convicted and their property confiscated last year, Zhen Fangqing, the second son of the Zhen family, has disappeared without a trace. Zhen Bancheng, who was once famous in Jinling, seems to have vanished overnight.

It was as if this renowned and prestigious family had never appeared in Jinling again, just like the Du family of Jinling sixteen years ago, whose rise was swift and whose fall was sudden.

After the Zhen family was uprooted from Jinling, many gaps were left on the Jiangnan trade routes, which immediately attracted the attention and covetousness of major merchants, but Xinchun Company became the ultimate winner.

In the process of seizing the gaps in trade routes, Xinchun Company demonstrated extraordinary acumen. They seemed to have the ability to foresee the future and were always able to seize opportunities faster than others.

Some of the defeated big merchants even complained that Xinchun Company must have a powerful backer, and the connection between Xinchun Company and the Jia family once again became a hot topic.

But none of this could stop the rise of the trade route. From the end of last year to the beginning of this year, Xinchunhao's business in the six prefectures of Jiangnan has increased by 30% to 40% according to outsiders.

Moreover, in the past year, the Xinchun has quietly built a secure overseas trade route, and a large number of Xinchun products have been sold to countries in the southeast and distant seas.

There are even rumors circulating that a descendant of a royal family from a certain island in the east has been a businessman for generations, is incredibly wealthy, has extensive trade routes, and possesses a vast network of connections and a fleet of ships.

The Xinchun Ship was able to establish a secure sea route overseas by forming a business alliance with overseas dignitaries, allowing it to export a large number of its own products to various countries. However, rumors are just rumors.

Many wealthy merchants secretly searched for clues to find out the origins of this overseas dignitary, hoping to seize trade routes from Xin Chunhai and ultimately gain a share of the profits.

Despite many people racking their brains and spending large sums of money to search for this overseas tycoon, his background remained a mystery, and the matter eventually came to nothing.

Although these people were jealous of Xinchunhao's booming business, they only dared to make small moves in secret, because they were afraid of its hidden power and would never dare to openly offend Xinchunhao.

Because Xinchun Company was not only a royal merchant of the Imperial Household Department, but also backed by Jia Cong, the Earl of Weiyuan, who was appointed a Hanlin Academician for passing the imperial examination, he was a rising star in the court with both civil and military advantages.

Not to mention that the Jia family was originally a prominent clan in Jiangnan, with twelve branches in Jinling, where many members held official positions in various government offices in the secondary capital. Their potential connections in Jiangnan should not be underestimated.

Jia Yucun, the prefect of Jinling, was related to the Rongguo Jia family. Shi Nai, the newly appointed vice minister of the Ministry of War in the secondary capital, was also related to the Jia family in the capital by marriage. It was said that Jia Cong had old friends in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.

Xin Chun Hao even has connections within the Imperial Guard. Behind this trading company are numerous powerful forces. Although Nanjing is a melting pot of all sorts of people, no one would dare to provoke Xin Chun Hao.

……

Therefore, since its establishment, Dazaimen Jiangnan Main Store has remained peaceful and undisturbed.

Despite the increasing prosperity of the business, the place remained unchanged, without any relocation, expansion, or renovation, and continued to operate discreetly as always.

In the elegant room on the second floor of the shop, Qu Hongxiu was dressed in a blue dress and gown. She had a pretty face, a slender waist, a graceful figure, bright eyes, and a wise and reserved demeanor.

She was intently reading the letter that Granny Jiang had given her. Standing beside her was Ke Qing, whose eyebrows were as dark as ink, whose skin was as white as snow, and whose eyes were as clear as autumn water.

She sat next to Qu Hongxiu as she read the letter. Her hair was as black as ink, and she wore a red phoenix hairpin with gold accents, which shone brightly in the afternoon sunlight.

Qu Hongxiu smiled and said, "This Miss Xue is quite thoughtful. She doesn't know that we are thousands of miles away from Brother Cong, but we have secret messengers. She will know about the events in the capital within three days."

However, we really don't know anything about Congdi's daily household chores. It seems he's quite diligent and hasn't been lazy. I'll have to praise him next time I see him.

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "He's no longer a child. Why would you need to praise him, Sister Xiu? He might even have to coax you in return. Cong-di is the best at coaxing people."

Qu Hongxiu seemed to have thought of something, and a blush rose on her pretty face. Looking at the elegant handwriting on the letter, she suddenly said, "Keqing, don't you think there's something strange about this letter?"

Qin Keqing took the letter and glanced at it. Suddenly, she smiled, but did not say anything. She said with a smile, "Is there anything strange about it? Miss Xue is worldly-wise and has great respect for you as her teacher."

Qu Hongxiu frowned and said, "Brother Cong, have you ever called me 'Master' since you were a child? Am I that old? This letter is full of words and seems to contain affection. Isn't that suspicious?"

You said this Miss Xue might have been provoked by Cong's brother. The letter seems so full of affection, it's hard to believe that this little rascal has been up to his old tricks again.

……

Seeing Qu Hongxiu's disgusted expression, Qin Keqing couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Sister Xiu, who dares to say you're old? You're only a few years older than Cong, so you're quite respectable."

Qu Hongxiu asked, "Qing, when you were in the Jia family, did you see this Miss Xue? What did she look like? How old was she? What was her temperament and manners like? Was she a good match for Cong?"

These powerful families love to form alliances through marriage. We've heard countless stories about it in Nanjing—things like "protective charms for officials," the "Four Great Families of Nanjing," where "if one falls, all fall; if one prospers, all prosper"—the tricks are endless.

Keqing suppressed a smile and said, "When I was in the Jia family, Miss Xue hadn't arrived yet, so naturally I hadn't met her. But judging from her handwriting and literary talent, she must be an extraordinary person."

Qu Hongxiu smiled faintly and said, "I knew it would be like this. Brother Cong has too many suitors. He always encounters extraordinary people. Even if he doesn't provoke them, they will provoke him."

Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "Sister Xiu, you can rest assured this time. I know Cong's personality. I reckon he has never offended Miss Xue."

Qu Hongxiu's bright eyes lit up, and she asked with great interest, "How do you know?"

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "You've known Cong for longer than I have. Has he ever mentioned Miss Xue to you?"

Qu Hongxiu pondered for a moment and said, "He often mentions his older sister Yingchun, as well as his third cousin, his fourth daughter Xichun, and Miss Lin from Suzhou as well."

But he never mentioned Miss Xue. Even during our casual conversations when he was in Jinling on business, he always mentioned his sisters, but never this Miss Xue.

Qin Keqing smiled and said, "Sister Xiu, the kinship ties of noble families are more complicated than those of ordinary families. Miss Xue is called my cousin, but she is actually related to the second branch of the family by marriage. In fact, she has no relation to Congdi."

It seems that Congdi distinguished between close and distant relatives in his heart. When he moved around the family and mansion, he was bound by etiquette and rules. He and his sisters were childhood sweethearts, so he was naturally more distant from this Miss Xue.

He's a sentimental and nostalgic person. If he had feelings for someone, he would definitely bring it up in casual conversation. Since he hasn't mentioned it, he probably hasn't given it much thought, and naturally, he hasn't provoked anyone.

Qu Hongxiu laughed and said, "Keqing, you don't use all your clever brain to think about these things, do you?"

Qin Keqing sighed, “He’s busy with exams and official careers all day long, and I can’t see him more than a few times a year. If I don’t think about these things, what else can I think about?”

Although Congdi did not provoke Miss Xue, Xiujie was not wrong. Just by looking at this letter, it was clear that Miss Xue seemed to have developed feelings for him.

However, given Cong's current status, the imperial court has many rules to follow. Although the Xue family is wealthy, they have been merchants for generations, and their fortunes are likely to be shattered... (End of Chapter)