The Red Mansion

Chapter 13 The Xue Family Mother and Daughter Are Frightened

Ever since they learned that Xue Pan had led a group of servants and minions to find Jiang Nian to cause trouble, Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai became anxious and uneasy.

The mother and daughter were particularly afraid that Xue Pan would beat Jiang Nian to death and bring disaster.

Aunt Xue hurriedly sent people to stop them and tried to call Xue Pan back.

However, the person who was sent away was scolded by Xue Pan and returned in disgrace. Xue Pan insisted on his own way and insisted on causing trouble at the Jiang family.

Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were even more anxious, but they were helpless and could only pray secretly, hoping that the storm would not get out of control.

At this moment, a woman came running in in a panic, panting and reporting: "Oh no! The master has been captured by many soldiers!"

Aunt Xue's teacup trembled when she heard this, and she didn't even notice the tea spilling onto her clothes. Her eyes widened, and she asked in a trembling voice, "What did you say? Pan'er was captured by many soldiers?"

The old woman said, "Some of the servants who went with the master to cause trouble have returned and said that the master has been captured by many soldiers."

Xue Baochai was stunned, her brows furrowed tightly, and she looked worried and confused.

Aunt Xue was also confused. She said to the maid, "Master, you've gathered a crowd to cause trouble today. Even if the authorities were alerted, it should have been the yamen runners who came. How could he be arrested by so many soldiers? You must have misheard, or the servants who returned must have misspoken."

Aunt Xue immediately summoned the escaped servant and interrogated him.

After learning what had happened, Aunt Xue was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. She paced back and forth in the room, muttering to herself: "What should I do? What should I do?"

Although Xue Baochai was also anxious, she managed to remain calm and said to Aunt Xue, "Don't worry, mother. Tell the matter to uncle and ask him to find out the truth."

Although the voice was soft, it had a soothing power.

Aunt Xue nodded quickly and told the servants to go and invite Xue Jin.

Xue Jin is the uncle of Xue Pan and Xue Baochai, and the father of Xue Ke and Xue Baoqin.
Not long after, Xue Jin hurried over.

Aunt Xue hurriedly told Xue Jin the whole story.

Xue Jin frowned after hearing this: "I'll go find out what's going on first. You guys wait for news at home."

After saying that, Xue Jin turned around and left.

Inside the room, Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai sat opposite each other, both filled with worry. It was eerily quiet, as if even the air had frozen. Time passed slowly in silence, and every second seemed long.

An hour later, Xue Jin returned and hurried into the room. He looked nervous and said anxiously, "Pan'er is in big trouble this time!"

Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were already nervous, and when they heard this, they felt like they were falling into an ice cellar.

Aunt Xue's face turned pale, her eyes full of worry: "What's going on?"

Xue Jin said, "According to what I've learned, the boy Pan'er was causing trouble with today was named Jiang Nian. No one knows who his father is, so he took his mother's surname and was raised by her. His mother died of illness over two years ago, and he has no brothers or sisters. He lives alone with his servants."

After hearing this, Aunt Xue's tense expression relaxed a little. "This young man said today that he is not from a prominent family. After hearing your introduction, it should be confirmed that he is not from a prominent family."

Xue Baochai stared at Xue Jin nervously with her beautiful eyes.

Xue Jin sighed, his expression solemn. "This is a strange thing to say. This boy isn't from a prominent family, but for some reason, he's actually very close to Lord Tang, the governor of Jiangning. Today, Pan'er gathered a group of people to cause trouble at the Jiang family's house, and it was Lord Tang who personally led a large number of soldiers to arrest Pan'er. He has been imprisoned in the prison cell of the governor's office." Aunt Xue's brother, Wang Ziteng, was the governor of the Beijing camp. She knew very well that the governor of Jiangning was a high-ranking official. Her eyes widened in shock, her voice trembling slightly. "What? That boy is so close to the governor? It was the governor who personally led the soldiers to arrest Pan'er?"

Xue Baochai was also frightened and her face turned pale. Her already fair face looked even paler and her slender fingers clenched the corner of her clothes.

The mother and daughter were also surprised by Jiang Nian. They both thought that Jiang Nian was unable to resist Xue Pan, and were worried that Xue Pan would cripple or even kill Jiang Nian, but they did not expect such a reversal of result.

Xue Jin continued, "I have already asked someone to take me to see the governor, Lord Tang. Lord Tang said that Pan'er's crime this time is not a small one. If that Jiang family brother insists on pursuing the matter, he will be severely punished."

Aunt Xue was filled with anguish and sighed, "Pan'er has been causing trouble for a long time. I've tried to persuade him time and time again, but he won't listen. Now he's in big trouble! The governor wants to punish him severely. What should we do? It seems that my only choice is to ask my brother for help and mediation. My brother is the governor of the Beijing camp, so maybe he can persuade the governor of Jiangning."

Xue Jin shook his head, a look of helplessness in his eyes. "Lord Wang may not be able to persuade Lord Tang. Besides, this matter is urgent and distant water cannot quench a nearby fire. Lord Tang said that we can go and ask the young man from the Jiang family for help. If so, we will have to pay a lot of silver in compensation."

Although Aunt Xue was reluctant, as it concerned Xue Pan's safety, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and say, "We have silver, even if it's only one or two thousand taels, we have to make that Jiang family boy agree to reconcile."

Aunt Xue has always spoiled Xue Pan, and this is one of the reasons why Xue Pan became a stubborn and arrogant bully who would do anything.

Xue Jin smiled bitterly, "One or two thousand taels of silver might not be enough. Although the Jiang family's young master has no elders at home, his family is wealthy and he's close to the governor. How could he be an ordinary person? Today, Pan'er gathered a group of people and went to his house to cause trouble, banging on the door and climbing over the wall. I'm afraid he won't be willing to reconcile with one or two thousand taels of silver. However, even if it costs three or five thousand taels, as long as we can rescue Pan'er and put this matter to rest, it will be worth it. Otherwise, our position as imperial merchant might be in jeopardy, and Pan'er might even end up in jail."

Aunt Xue became increasingly alarmed as she listened. Her face turned pale, and she nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, a peaceful reconciliation is the right path. Go quickly to the Jiang family to find the boy. If reconciliation is possible, no matter how much money is offered, it will be of no use."

……

……

Jiang Niansu has the habit of taking a nap.

At noon today, Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were frightened and uneasy, feeling like they were sitting on pins and needles, Xue Pan was suffering in the prison cell of the Jiedushi Yamen, but Jiang Nian was taking a comfortable nap.

At this moment, Jiang Nian had just woken up from a nap. He felt refreshed, all the fatigue in his body was swept away, and he looked full of energy. Xiangling helped him change clothes with a gentle face.

He Yun came to the study and reported to Jiang Nian: "Master, someone from the Xue family has come. They have been here for about 25 minutes. I didn't dare disturb you because you were taking a nap."

Jiang Nian looked calm and asked, "Who is coming?"

He Yun said, "His name is Xue Jin, and he is Xue Pan's uncle."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly: "Take him to the study."

Soon, He Yun led Xue Jin to the study.

Jiang Nian sat on a carved wooden chair, slightly sideways, sipping tea while carefully looking at Xue Jin in front of him.

Xue Jin was wearing a dark blue robe, a mandarin jacket, and thick-soled cloth shoes. He was in his thirties, which should have been the prime of his life, but he was frail, with a gaunt face, sunken eye sockets, and protruding cheekbones, looking sick.

"According to the original book, this person probably only has three or four years to live!"

Jiang Nian sighed inwardly.

(End of this chapter)