The Red Mansion

Chapter 32 How could I, Wang Ziteng, not be able to subdue him?

Compared with Jiang Nian’s old little house in the eastern suburbs, Wang Ziteng’s house in the capital is more imposing, showing the luxury and majesty of a powerful family.

According to the Daqing system, the residences of officials below the rank of duke and above the third rank were generally called "di".

Wang Ziteng was a first-rank military governor of the Beijing camp, and was not granted the title of duke or marquis. His residence was called "Wang Di".

The Wang residence, nestled in the bustling inner city of Shenjing, occupies a vast expanse of land, its gates imposing and majestic. Its vermilion lacquer doors, inlaid with copper nails, gleam with brilliance. Two stone lions stand before the gate, awe-inspiring. Inside, the mansion is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, while the back garden is dotted with pavilions and towers, creating a picturesque scene.

When Aunt Xue and her group of family members were taken from the Jiang family's small house to the Wang family's residence by the Wang family's accompaniment team, after comparing the two houses, Aunt Xue felt more and more that Wang Ziteng was capable of subduing Jiang Nian.

Before Aunt Xue left Jiangning for Beijing, she had planned to live in Rongguo Mansion after arriving in Beijing. This was because Rongguo Mansion was magnificent and could accommodate everyone in the Xue family. It was also because Rongguo Mansion was a wealthy and noble family that the Xue family could rely on. It was also convenient for bringing together Jia Baoyu and Xue Baochai.

But now, because of the concubine's promise, Aunt Xue had to change her mind and decided to stay in Wang's house temporarily. After Wang Ziteng properly handled the matter, she would move to Rongguo Mansion.

……

……

The main hall, located in the middle of the Wang residence's inner courtyard, is spacious and elegantly furnished, yet imposing. A landscape painting hangs in the center, its brushwork vigorous and majestic. Beneath the painting sits a long, carved rosewood table, and atop it rests a bronze incense burner. Curls of blue smoke and a faint sandalwood fragrance drift in the air, adding a touch of solemnity and awe.

Wang Ziteng sat alone on the armchair at the top, with a tall and majestic appearance, an upright posture, a dignified look, and an aura of majesty between his brows.

On his left sat his second wife, Yuan Wancui, lavishly dressed and adorned with pearl hairpins. Her face was dignified, exuding a sense of nobility. To his right sat Aunt Xue, looking a little reserved, her gaze scanning the room from time to time, as if weighing something. Also standing in the hall were younger members of the family, including Xue Pan, Xue Baochai, and Wang Xi.

Yuan is the surname of the Daqing royal family!
Yuan Wantui was born into a branch of the Daqing royal family. Her great-grandfather was a prince of the imperial clan, her great-great-grandfather was granted the title of Duke of Zhenguo, her grandfather was Duke of Zhenguo, and her father was Duke of Fuguo.

Yuan Wantui was not Wang Ziteng's original wife. Wang Ziteng's original wife had died of illness long ago, and he later married Yuan Wantui as his second wife.

Although Yuan Wancui's clan had long since declined, and her father had died young at the age of 24, Wang Ziteng's ability to marry such a noble clan woman as his second wife was a glimpse into his status and influence in the court.

At this moment, Xue Pan stood in a corner of the main hall, his eyes flickering, not daring to look directly at Wang Ziteng, who was sitting at the top of the table. He had always been afraid of this awe-inspiring uncle, and now he dared not even breathe.

Xue Baochai lowered her head, looking nervous. She knew her mother was going to ask Wang Ziteng to subdue Jiang Nian.

Aunt Xue had already exchanged pleasantries with Wang Ziteng and Yuan Wantcui, chatting about some family matters.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious.

Unexpectedly, Wang Ziteng suddenly spoke up, "Your arrival is quite coincidental. Just recently, the Emperor issued an edict, bestowing great favor. In addition to selecting concubines, all daughters of prominent official families can submit their names to the Ministry of Personnel for selection as attendants to the princesses and county ladies, or to serve as talented women or patron saints. Since your family is an imperial merchant affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Bao-ya-yi is also a candidate."

Aunt Xue knew a lot about palace affairs and immediately realized that if Xue Baochai was chosen, she would have the opportunity to rise to prominence and even have the chance to be favored by the emperor - this would be more tempting than arranging a marriage between Xue Baochai and Jia Baoyu.

However, Aunt Xue's heart was filled with mixed emotions. Finally unable to contain herself, she asked Wang Ziteng to dismiss several people, including Wang Ziteng's children, leaving only herself, Wang Ziteng, Yuan Wantcui, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan. Then she solemnly said to Wang Ziteng, "If Bao-ya-tou can be selected, it would be the best thing. But..." She paused, her tone filled with resignation, "It's not convenient for Bao-ya-tou to do so right now."

Wang Ziteng raised his eyebrows, surprise and displeasure flashing in his eyes: "Oh? What's the inconvenience?" Aunt Xue looked sad and sighed deeply, her tone full of heartache: "Bao girl...she has been promised as a concubine!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell into dead silence.

Xue Baochai lowered her head even more, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her hands tightly grasped the corners of her clothes, looking nervous and embarrassed.

Xue Pan shrank his neck and avoided looking, fearing that the fire would burn him.

Wang Ziteng's eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, and he even wondered if he had heard it wrong.

Even Yuan Wantcui was stunned, and the teacup in her hand trembled slightly.

Wang Ziteng came back to his senses, his brows furrowed, his tone filled with suppressed anger: "Did I hear wrongly? Are you saying that you have promised Bao girl to someone else as a concubine?"

Aunt Xue sighed deeply and nodded with a complicated expression: "Indeed, let me tell you the whole story..."

Then, Aunt Xue recounted the whole story in detail.

After hearing this, Wang Ziteng's face darkened, his eyes burning with anger. He slammed the table so hard that the teacups clinked. "What an arrogant young man! How dare you bully you, my niece, like this!"

He is a proud, greedy and ruthless person.

He believed that Jiang Nian had indeed shown great favor to the Xue family, and that it was reasonable for her to repay Xue Baochai with a concubine. If it were him, he would probably ask for an even greater reward...

However, he already considered the Xue family his vassal and had long been planning to use Xue Baochai's marriage to benefit himself. Moreover, he had a grudge against Tang Jina, the governor of Jiangning.

In this situation, he felt that Jiang Nian was not only bullying Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, but also provoking him, Wang Ziteng.

Wang Ziteng couldn't help but scold Aunt Xue, "You're also a fool! Are you crazy? How could you agree to this? And even personally write that stupid promise of concubinehood?"

Aunt Xue flushed crimson, overwhelmed with shame. It had been a long time since she had been scolded in such a public way, let alone in front of her children, Xue Baochai and Xue Pan. She lowered her head and weakly defended herself, "I was forced by the circumstances at the time. I had no choice..."

Wang Ziteng snorted coldly and asked, "What is the extraordinary origin of that young man named Jiang Nian?"

Aunt Xue looked embarrassed and replied in a low voice, "Although he's young, he's quite scheming and cunning, and he keeps his origins very secret. At first, I thought he came from a prominent family, and I speculated that his unknown father might be some nobleman in the capital. But... when I arrived in Beijing just now, I found that he lived in a simple house on the outskirts of the city, so I thought again that his background was not prominent."

Wang Ziteng pondered for a moment, a scorn flashing in his eyes as he said calmly, "It seems that even if he has an extraordinary background, he won't be very prominent. It's common for young people to be arrogant just to look respectable or to intimidate others."

Aunt Xue's face was bitter, and her tone was pleading: "I have to rely on you for this matter. Make Jiang Nian withdraw the engagement, and make sure everyone in his family keeps silent about it. If this matter gets out, Bao girl's reputation will be greatly damaged, and our family's reputation will also be greatly damaged. Then, Bao girl will not be able to choose, and it will be difficult for her to find a good husband."

Wang Ziteng nodded, his eyes sharp. "Yes, it must be done this way, and quickly. There is no time to waste. How many young men in Daqing today can't even subdue me? I'll go see him in person!"

(End of this chapter)