The Red Mansion

Chapter 81 Baochai's shock and suspicion

He Yun left the main room, and Jiang Nian went from the study to the bedroom.

Xiangling walked lightly into the bedroom, a smile on her face as she asked softly, "Master, did you call me? Do you have any instructions?"

Jiang Nian raised his hand and pointed to a package on the Qu Chi Luohan bed, saying lightly: "These are the clothes that were just delivered. Please help me change."

He had never worn an official uniform before, and he couldn't help but want to put on the uniform to feel it.

Xiangling's eyes flashed with curiosity. She quickly approached the curved Arhat bed and asked, "Did that distinguished guest send it here just now?"

Seeing Jiang Nian nod, Xiangling became more interested. She reached out to unwrap the package and murmured, "What kind of clothes is it? Let me see."

As soon as the package was opened, Xiangling's eyes suddenly lit up and she exclaimed, "Oh my God! This... is this an official uniform?"

She looked up at Jiang Nian, her eyes full of surprise and suspicion.

Jiang Nian raised the corners of his lips slightly and said slowly, "The Thirteenth Prince asked the Emperor for permission to grant me the rank of third-class guard."

This was the statement instructed by Emperor Taishun. It must be said that it was Prince Zhongyi's request, not to mention that it was an active reward from Emperor Taishun in order to conceal the secret of his life experience.

Xiangling was even more surprised when she heard this. She covered her mouth and asked, "The emperor actually granted me an official position? What rank is this third-class guard?"

She was not familiar with the official system and did not understand the position of guard.

Jiang Nian smiled calmly and said, "Fifth rank."

Xiangling sighed softly, "Oh!" with a look of admiration as she praised him, "Master is truly remarkable! The Thirteenth Prince treats me so well!"

Jiang Nian said, "Stop talking so much and help me change my clothes."

Xiangling responded quickly and was about to take out her official uniform when she suddenly caught a glimpse of the license and badge in the package. She was shocked and didn't dare to say anything. She carefully took out her official uniform and hat and changed Jiang Nian's clothes.

During this time, her eyes moved around Jiang Nian, her expression full of admiration, and her movements were gentle, as if she was afraid of disturbing this solemn moment.

There was a large dressing mirror in the bedroom, the surface of which was as smooth as a lake. It was bought by Jiang Nian at a high price and was now in use.

Jiang Nian changed into his official uniform and matching hat and stood before the large dressing mirror. Xiangling meticulously adjusted his collar and cuffs, smoothing out every wrinkle and revealing every inch of brocade pattern.

Just at this moment, light footsteps were heard outside the bedroom, and Xue Baochai came in with Ying'er.

The day before yesterday, Ren Pijiang came to the Jiang family. Because Jiang Nian and He Yun received him with caution, Xue Baochai and Ying'er, the master and servant, were curious about who the visitor was. Xue Baochai was meticulous and speculated that this person might be related to Jiang Nian's mysterious life experience.

Today, Ren Pijiang came to the Jiang family again. Jiang Nian and He Yun still received him with caution, which made Xue Baochai and Ying'er even more curious.

Xue Baochai finally couldn't hold back any longer, and took Ying'er with her to the main room to find Jiang Nian, intending to find out Ren Pijiang's identity.

The two of them walked to Jiang Nian's bedroom door, which was ajar, with a faint light coming through. Xue Baochai raised her white hand, knocked three times, and said softly, "Master, it's me."

Jiang Nian's calm voice came from the room: "Come in."

Xue Baochai then pushed the door open and walked in, followed closely by Ying'er.

As soon as they entered the room, they both stood there in shock, their eyes fixed on Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian was seen wearing official uniform and hat, standing in front of a large dressing mirror, with an upright posture and extraordinary heroic spirit.

Compared with the official uniforms of other military officers, the official uniform worn by Jiang Nian looks both gorgeous and practical.

The uniforms of the Daqing guards differed significantly from those of other military officers in their rank insignia, decorative details, and functional design. While practical, the guards' uniforms were deliberately designed to surpass those of their peers in ornateness, creating a sense of authority and embodying the guards' special status as the emperor's closest attendants.

Xue Baochai was so shocked that she was speechless for a moment.

Seeing Xue Baochai's face full of shock, Jiang Nian raised the corners of his lips slightly and asked, "What are you standing there for?"

Xue Baochai, waking from a dream, took two steps forward, her eyes darting as she surveyed Jiang Nian. She couldn't help but ask, "Master, why...why are you wearing your official uniform?" Jiang Nian replied slowly, "The Thirteenth Prince has requested permission from the Emperor to grant me the rank of fifth-rank, third-class guard."

After hearing this, Xue Baochai's eyes became even more shocked.

She was familiar with the position of palace guard, as her uncle Wang Ziteng was a guard.

She was shocked and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Too much has happened!"

Xue Baochai was originally very concerned about the results of Jiang Nian's Shuntian Prefecture provincial examination, hoping that she would pass. However, when Jiang Nian told her that she had failed, Xue Baochai, though outwardly calm and comforting, felt disappointed.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Jiang Nian transformed himself into a third-class guard of the fifth rank.

This kind of encounter is really amazing.

Xue Baochai, who has always been dignified and elegant, couldn't help but reveal a kind of fangirl obsession at this moment. Her face was filled with admiration, and her eyes were shining as if stars were twinkling.

Ying'er exclaimed, "Master, you look so heroic and majestic in this official uniform!"

Jiang Nian smiled faintly, feeling pleased.

Xue Baochai asked, "What is your connection with the Thirteenth Prince? The Thirteenth Prince treats you so well that he has even asked His Majesty to grant him the title of Imperial Guard!"

Jiang Nian said perfunctorily: "Very close."

Xue Baochai: “…”

She knew Jiang Nian didn't want to reveal this matter, so she had to give up.

However, after a pause, she couldn't help but ask, "Did that distinguished guest just now send this official uniform? Who is he?"

Jiang Nian hesitated for a moment, then answered frankly, "He is a second-class guard in front of the emperor."

When these words were spoken, Xue Baochai, Ying'er and Xiangling all opened their eyes wide, shocked beyond words.

It turned out that he was a royal guard and a close minister to the emperor!
Xue Baochai's thoughts turned, and she suddenly felt that this matter made sense. Since the emperor had personally bestowed the position of third-class guard, it was natural that someone in the imperial court should come to announce the decree.

"No wonder Master, Housekeeper He, and Madam He treated me so cautiously both times. It turns out the imperial guards came to issue an imperial decree!"

Xue Baochai suddenly understood, and her doubts were slightly relieved.

Xue Baochai was about to explore further when she saw two servants, Qi'er and Qin'er, approach the bedroom door. Seeing Jiang Nian dressed in his official uniform and hat, looking so heroic, Qi'er and Qin'er were stunned and couldn't help but ask curiously. After learning the reason, they praised him repeatedly, their voices full of admiration.

Then, Meng and Feng came one after another.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, Xue Baochai felt it was inconvenient to pry into Jiang Nian's secret for the time being, so she took Ying'er and left, returning to the west wing.

"Miss, this is truly bizarre! My master has suddenly become an official, and a palace guard at that! This kind of fate is truly unbelievable..."

Ying'er exclaimed in amazement.

Xue Baochai sat in front of the dressing mirror, silent and full of thoughts.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, as if she had realized something. She thought to herself, "Could it be that this master is the son of the Thirteenth Prince, who was living among the common people? If not, why would the Thirteenth Prince treat this master with such kindness, even asking His Majesty to grant him an official position?"

This thought stirred Xue Baochai's heart once again. Although she knew it was unbelievable, upon closer examination, it made sense. If they weren't blood relatives, why would the Thirteenth Prince be so caring towards Jiang Nian?
Oh, she actually suspected that Jiang Nian was Prince Zhongyi's illegitimate son...

When Emperor Taishun worked in the warm room of Danningju, he often sat on a Luohan bed instead of a couch. This has been corrected.

There is a difference between the Luohan bed and the couch. If you are interested, you can check the information.

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(End of this chapter)