The Red Mansion

Chapter 58 Baochai Comes to Stay
Nothing unexpected happened while Xue Baochai was living in the Jiang family.

Although Wang Ziteng hated Jiang Nian and didn't want Xue Baochai to stay at the Jiang household, he didn't dare to stop her. Aunt Xue had already agreed to the plan, and Xue Baochai was bound to become Jiang Nian's concubine. Wang Ziteng also didn't dare to provoke Prince Zhongyi again, fearing that he would get into trouble again.

Aunt Xue specifically pleaded with Lady Wang of Rongguo Mansion to arrange a boat to take the Xue family back to Jiangning, and even assigned some servants to escort them. After all, the Xue family had encountered pirates on the Grand Canal when they came to Beijing, so they had to be extra cautious about their safety when returning to Jiangning.

March 11th is the day when the Xue family leaves Beijing.

In the morning, Aunt Xue took Xue Baochai and Xue Pan to bid farewell to Wang Ziteng and his second wife Yuan Wantui.

Aunt Xue didn't know that when she and Xue Baochai were leaving Wang's house in a carriage, a man named Jia Yucun came to Wang's house and asked Wang Ziteng for help with something urgent.

Many years ago, Jia Yucun relied on the help of Xiangling's father Zhen Shiyin to go to Beijing and pass the imperial examination. Later, he became a prefect, but was dismissed from office. He came to Yangzhou and was hired by the family of Lin Ruhai, the Imperial Censor of Salt. He became Lin Daiyu's enlightenment teacher and climbed into the Jia family with the help of Lin Ruhai's relationship.

In the late winter of the year before last, Jia Yucun and Lin Daiyu went to Beijing together.

After arriving in Beijing, Jia Yucun visited Jia Zheng at Rongguo Mansion. Jia Zheng was a great admirer of scholars and was courteous to the virtuous. He also had the good graces of his brother-in-law, Lin Ruhai. Furthermore, Jia Yucun was a man of impressive appearance, eloquent, successful in the imperial examinations, and adept at pleasing Jia Zheng. Therefore, Jia Zheng treated him favorably and recommended him to Wang Ziteng, who subsequently became his disciple.

With the help of Wang Ziteng, Jia Yucun found a vacancy to be reinstated.

And just yesterday, Jia Yucun learned the news that the position of prefect of Jiangning Prefecture was vacant.

So this morning, Jia Yucun hurried to Wang's house and asked Wang Ziteng to help arrange for him to be the prefect of Jiangning Prefecture.

……

……

Wang Ziteng was a military general. Although he did not have a deep academic foundation, he still had some literary talent.

He built a quiet and elegant study for himself in the inner house of the king's house, where he often met guests.

Outside the study, there are several tall and lush pine trees with swaying branches and leaves, shading the houses with green bricks and black tiles.

Having offended Prince Zhongyi and been demoted by the retired Emperor Jingning, Wang Ziteng has been idle at home for the past two days and is about to go to the capital to serve as a general... Under such circumstances, he is naturally in a bad mood. As for the 30,000 taels of silver he asked for from the Xue family, it is only a small comfort to him.

Even so, Wang Ziteng deliberately put on an air of superiority, composure and majesty in front of his disciple Jia Yucun.

Jia Yucun walked into the study and saw Wang Ziteng's dignified demeanor. He hurried forward and bowed, saying, "Sir, Yucun has come to see you specially."

Wang Ziteng nodded slightly and motioned Jia Yucun to sit down.

After Jia Yucun settled down, he exchanged pleasantries with Wang Ziteng, his words filled with respect and concern. He gently counseled, "Although your benefactor has been demoted, with your ability, you will surely rise again. Yucun firmly believes that your benefactor's future is bright."

Wang Ziteng's expression eased slightly, and he said calmly, "Yucun is thoughtful."

Seeing the atmosphere had eased, Jia Yucun got straight to the point. He suddenly stood up, bowed deeply to Wang Ziteng, and said earnestly, "Sir, yesterday I received news that the position of prefect of Jiangning, Jiangnan, is vacant. I dare to ask you to fill this position for me."

If Jia Yucun had come to ask for this matter a few days earlier, Wang Ziteng would have agreed decisively.

Wang Ziteng was known for his generosity and promotion of his students, and Jia Yucun was a particularly important one. A successful imperial scholar, Jia Yucun's appointment as prefect of Jiangning would not only elevate his career, but also allow him to enter the inner circle of the imperial court. Furthermore, Jiangning was Wang Ziteng's hometown, and his appointment would benefit Wang Ziteng's connections and affairs there. Given Wang Ziteng's previous status and influence, arranging Jia Yucun's appointment as prefect of Jiangning was a simple matter.

But when Jia Yucun came to ask for this matter today, Wang Ziteng fell into deep thought.

Wang Ziteng had been punished by the Emperor Jingning, the retired emperor, and was no longer the governor of the Beijing Camp. Naturally, his status and power had been greatly reduced, and it was now difficult for him to arrange for Jia Yucun to be the prefect of Jiangning. However, difficulty did not mean that it was impossible. He believed that he could do it, but it would come at a great cost.

Wang Ziteng frowned slightly, pondered for a long time, and weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

After pondering for a while, Wang Ziteng nodded and said, "Okay, I will find a job as the prefect of Jiangning for you."

Jia Yucun was overjoyed. He had thought that Wang Ziteng, whose status and power had greatly declined, was no longer able to help him get the position of Jiangning prefect. Even if he still had the ability, he might not agree.

Jia Yucun immediately bowed deeply again and said, "Thank you so much, benefactor! Yucun will definitely remember your great kindness and will do his best to repay you in the future!"

Wang Ziteng nodded slightly, his eyes deep, as if he was thinking about something.

The study was silent for a moment, with only the smoke from the incense burner rising.

The wind outside the window gradually picked up, causing the pine leaves to sway gently.

……

……

After leaving Wang's residence, the Xue family's carriages and horses returned to Jiangning, winding their way towards Chaoyang Gate on the eastern wall of Shenjing City. After passing Chaoyang Gate, they would rush to Luhe Posthouse in Tongzhou. On the way, they would stop briefly at the Jiang family's small house in the eastern suburbs to send Xue Baochai to the Jiang family.

Today was another sunny day. The sun rose, its golden rays casting a golden glow across the dark bricks and tiles of the Jiang family's small courtyard. It also illuminated a half-dead pear tree in the inner courtyard. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, whispering of the courtyard's tranquility and peace. Under Jiang Nian's instructions, the pear tree had begun to receive careful care, and he believed it would flourish in the future.

Outside the gate of the house, two red gauze lanterns were hung. Although they were not lit, they were particularly eye-catching in the morning light.

At this time, the Xue family's carriage slowly stopped in front of the gate of the Jiang family's small house.

The carriage curtain opened, and Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue got out one after another. Xue Baochai was wearing a plain dress and a white jade hairpin on her head. Although her expression was calm, her eyes showed a hint of reluctance and uneasiness.

Jiang Nian, who was reading in his study, learned that the Xue family had arrived. He put down his book and went to the gate to greet them in person. He was dressed in a moon-white robe with a jade belt around his waist. He looked calm and walked steadily.

Seeing Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan, Jiang Nian smiled slightly and greeted them with a bow: "Mrs. Xue, Brother Xue, Miss Xue, you have worked hard on this journey."

Aunt Xue quickly returned the greeting, "Mr. Jiang, you're too polite."

Jiang Nian ushered Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan into the main hall. The furnishings were simple yet elegant. In the center stood a rosewood eight-immortal table, upon which a celadon tea set sat, the aroma of tea wafting in the air. Hanging on the wall was a landscape painting, its landscape tranquil and profound.

At the same time, Xie Jixing, the Xue family's housekeeper, led a group of servants to move Xue Baochai's luggage and belongings into the west wing of the small courtyard...

There are two watches in the second half of tonight.

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(End of this chapter)