The Red Mansion

Chapter 64: Keqing as a concubine?

At this moment, Xue Baochai, standing under the half-dead pear tree, cast her gaze tenderly on Jiang Nian. Although she was trying to hide it, her eyes still revealed admiration.

She admired men who worked hard and were interested in career and economics. Seeing Jiang Nian so diligently preparing for the imperial examination, she couldn't help but feel a fondness for him.

Jiang Nian walked slowly to Xue Baochai, but did not speak. Instead, he looked up at the half-dead pear tree. Xue Baochai looked up at him as well.

The two stood side by side, in the sunlight that had just cleared after the rain, gazing up at the pear tree. Its mottled branches and leaves, still dappled with glistening water droplets, shimmered with light, as if demonstrating the tenacity and hope of this half-dead tree after the storm.

Xue Baochai stared for a while, then turned her head slightly, her eyes falling on Jiang Nian's profile, gentle and focused, as if she was carefully admiring his profile.

Jiang Nian sensed her gaze and turned, meeting her gaze. He smiled slightly and said, "Although this pear tree is half-dead, it still has a unique character. In the sunshine after the rain, it looks even more vibrant."

Xue Baochai nodded, a bright smile on her lips, and said softly, "I love pear trees the most. When the pear blossoms are in full bloom, they are as white as snow. The whole tree is covered with snow, and the whole yard is covered with snow."

Jiang Nian smiled and teased: "Baochai, your skin is white, and you are destined to be with pear blossoms."

Xue Baochai lowered her head slightly, her face glowing faintly, like sunshine after rain shining on snow-white pear blossoms.

She didn't respond, but just pursed her lips slightly, as if to hide her shyness.

Jiang Nian said, "I have ordered people to take good care of this pear tree. It will flourish in the future."

Xue Baochai raised her head and said softly, "This is better."

At this moment, the sunshine after the rain, the half-dead pear tree, and the two people standing side by side seem to form a quiet and beautiful picture.

However, Jiang Nian immediately broke the quiet beauty: "I want to practice martial arts. Meng Xiong is going to the inner courtyard. You should stay in the room."

Back in Jiangning, he practiced martial arts for an hour every day. After moving into this small house in the capital, he reduced his practice time to half an hour because he was diligently preparing for the imperial examinations. He usually practiced martial arts in the afternoon, but because he was studying with Qu Jishan this afternoon, he didn't practice.

Xue Baochai asked with concern, "Master, you are learning from the master today. Although the rain has stopped and the sky has cleared, the ground is still damp. Why not cancel your martial arts training today?"

Jiang Nian shook his head, his expression serious. "It's unavoidable. Practicing martial arts is not only about improving your skills, but also strengthening your body. It's a very important thing. If you give up today, you'll often want to give up in the future. Practicing martial arts is like studying. It requires perseverance and you can't slack off."

After hearing this, Xue Baochai felt more impressed and said with concern, "Master, please be careful when practicing martial arts so as not to hurt yourself." After saying this, she turned around and went back to the west wing.

Jiang Nian called Meng Xiong into the inner courtyard to practice martial arts together.

In this small house, only the inner courtyard is barely suitable for archery, but the range is very short.

Xue Baochai and Ying'er hid behind the window of the west wing, looking at the scene in the courtyard through the window.

Seeing Jiang Nian standing tall, arms stretched out, drawing his bow and shooting an arrow, Ying'er's eyes twinkled slightly, and she couldn't help but whisper to Xue Baochai, "Miss, the master has quite a heroic spirit when he practices martial arts."

Xue Baochai pursed her lips, recalling the time she had gone to the Jiang family in Jiangning to apologize. That was the first time she had seen him draw his bow and shoot an arrow, and she had felt a certain heroic spirit in him. Now, standing behind the window, she felt he was even more heroic.

……

...Let’s talk about Jia Zhen.

That day, he hurried to the Qin residence, ostensibly to offer condolences for Qin Ye, but truly, his heart was occupied with Qin Keqing. However, he was unexpectedly humiliated and publicly humiliated by Jiang Nian in the mourning hall. Upon learning the cause of Qin Ye's death, he developed a fear of Jiang Nian and left in anger. Later, Jia Zhen heard that the retired Emperor Jingning had issued an edict punishing Wang Ziteng and stripping the Xue family of their title of imperial merchant, further instilling his fear of Jiang Nian.

He knew that Jiang Nian was ordered by Prince Zhongyi to help with Qin Ye's funeral.

So much so that in the next few days, he didn't dare to set foot in the Qin family again.

Qin Ye's coffin was kept at home for seven days before being buried.

It is already March 16th.

As soon as the Qin family's funeral was over, Jia Zhen could no longer suppress his strong desire for Qin Keqing.

That morning, Jia Zhen sent someone to Qin's house to summon the housekeeper Peng Jizhong.

Jia Zhen never liked reading. Ever since his father Jia Jing went to Xuanzhen Temple outside the city to practice Taoism and made him the inherited head of the Ningguo Mansion, he became the only one in charge in the Ningguo Mansion. He lived a life of extravagance and indulgence in eating, drinking and having fun all day long. He did not build a decent study for himself and often entertained guests in the hall or elsewhere.

The Ningguo Mansion's grand hall was magnificent and imposing. The floor was covered with embroidered carpets, and the tables and chairs were crafted from fine red sandalwood, intricately carved. Several pieces of antique porcelain, each glazed with a lustrous glaze, were also displayed in the hall.

At this moment, Jia Zhen was sitting on a rosewood armchair in the hall, looking arrogant. Qin's housekeeper, Peng Jizhong, stood before him, his expression respectful but also slightly uneasy.

Jia Zhen took out a banknote, shook it gently, and said in a pretentious tone, "Here are five hundred taels of silver. It's my reward to you. I have taken a fancy to your daughter and wish to take her as my concubine. Go and persuade your daughter to agree to this."

Jia Zhen then instructed Peng Jizhong on how to persuade Qin Keqing: "You must explain to her that I will treat her well. Although she is a concubine, I regard her as my wife in my heart. I will make her rich and glorious, and enjoy all the honors and favors..."

Then, Jia Zhen shook the banknotes in his hand again, staring at Peng Jizhong: "You take these five hundred taels of silver first. If this matter is successful, I will reward you with another five hundred taels, and take your slave status and bring you to my house, and let you work as a manager in my Ningguo Mansion."

Peng Jizhong's heart tightened, and he said with a bitter face, "Master Jia, my family has just finished a funeral. According to the law and etiquette, my daughters must be over the mourning period before they can get married."

Jia Zhen snorted coldly, "I was just about to tell you this. Just get your daughter to agree to be my concubine. I'll arrange a room for your daughter to meet me secretly. When her mourning period is over, I'll let her come to my house and be my concubine."

Peng Jizhong: “…”

Seeing Peng Jizhong's silence, Jia Zhen's tone became more impatient: "Why? You don't want to?"

At this moment, Peng Jizhong's heart was in turmoil, and the image of Jiang Nian echoed in his mind. Jiang Nian had instructed him to report anyone who offended Qin Keqing to Jiang Nian immediately. Moreover, Jiang Nian had mentioned Jia Zhen at that time. He also accepted the 100 taels of silver Jiang Nian gave him.

Although he feared Jia Zhen, he feared Jiang Nian even more. In his view, Jia Zhen, while powerful, was no match for Jiang Nian, who had already dealt with Ningguo Mansion's patron, Wang Ziteng. Furthermore, he had already promised Jiang Nian his allegiance, and if he broke his promise and helped Jia Zhen seduce Qin Keqing, he had no doubt he would suffer a disastrous end. That distant relative, Qin Fan, had already been imprisoned for a long time; a lesson for him!

Thinking of this, Peng Jizhong mustered up his courage and said to Jia Zhen, "Master Jia, I cannot do this. Please forgive me."

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen thought he had misheard. He had expected five hundred taels of silver to be a huge sum for Peng Jizhong. He had also promised to give him another five hundred taels after the deal was done, and to let Peng Jizhong take up a position as a manager at Ningguo Mansion. He knew Peng Jizhong would definitely agree. But Peng Jizhong decisively refused.
Jia Zhen's face suddenly turned as dark as iron...

(End of this chapter)