The Red Mansion

Chapter 96 Keqing Confesses Her Love to Jiang Nian

Although the Empress Dowager made it convenient for Jiang Nian and Yuanchun to meet today, she would not let them stay together for long.

After Yuanchun bowed to Jiang Nian, made a thousand bows, and greeted her, and Jiang Nian returned the greeting, the Empress Dowager said to Jiang Nian, "You may leave."

Jiang Nian naturally would not disobey and bowed respectfully to the Empress Dowager: "I will take my leave. I respectfully wish the Empress Dowager good health."

After saying this, he slowly walked out of the hall.

After Jiang Nian left, the Empress Dowager turned to look at Yuanchun. Seeing her blushing cheeks and shy eyes, she couldn't help but smile and asked, "Yuanchun, are you satisfied with him?"

Yuanchun lowered her brows, her eyes closed, her shyness barely concealed. She said softly, "The Empress Dowager has graciously arranged this marriage for me. This is a great blessing for me, and how could I be dissatisfied?"

After saying this, her cheeks turned even redder, as if she was extremely shy.

Seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled even more broadly. She knew in her heart that Yuanchun was satisfied with Jiang Nian's appearance and temperament.

However, she quickly dropped her smile and became worried.

She was not worried that Jiang Nian would not treat Yuanchun well.

She had deeply felt the cruelty of the "Nine Sons' Struggle for the Throne" during the Jingning Dynasty, was well aware of the ruthless struggle for power in the royal family, and knew that Emperor Taishun had a mean and cruel temperament.

In her opinion, Jiang Nian, the illegitimate son of Emperor Taishun, had almost no chance of inheriting the throne. However, Jiang Nian was very talented. If he was involved in the fight for the throne in the future, he might not have a good ending. If so, Yuanchun would also have a bad ending.

Although the Empress Dowager met Jiang Nian for the first time today, she was somewhat satisfied with him. She did not want Yuanchun to have a bad ending in the future, nor did she want Jiang Nian, her commoner grandson, to have a bad ending in the future.

Thinking of this, the Empress Dowager sighed softly: "Alas!"

……

……

In the summer evening, the setting sun was sinking in the west, and the sky was covered with brocade-like clouds, illuminating the Jiang family's small house in the eastern suburbs of Shenjing City with an orange-yellow hue.

Jiang Nian and He Yun rode back on horseback, the sound of horses' hooves clattering and the sound of dust rising.

Jiang Nian had just dismounted in front of the house when he saw Peng Jizhong from the Qin family next door running over, calling out, "Uncle Jiang!"

Seeing that Peng Jizhong seemed to have something urgent to tell him, Jiang Nian stopped and waited for him to come closer.

Peng Jizhong lowered his voice and said, "Uncle Jiang, my daughter has something to discuss with you."

Jiang Nian raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded.

Immediately, Jiang Nian followed Peng Jizhong to the Qin family.

This was the first time that Jiang Nianti stepped into the Qin family wearing the official hat and uniform of a third-class guard.

Upon seeing this, the Qin family's servants were all in awe and bowed in respect.

When they entered the inner courtyard, they saw Qin Keqing and Qin Zhong, a brother and sister.

When Qin Keqing saw Jiang Nian dressed in his official uniform, looking so heroic, her eyes immediately lit up. She hurried forward, bowed, and said softly, "Greetings to Master Jiang."

Jiang Nian nodded slightly: "Miss Qin, there is no need to be so polite."

Qin Zhong, who was standing aside, was very awed and shy, not daring to look Jiang Nian in the eye.

After the greetings, Qin Keqing led Jiang Nian into Qin Ye's study.

Although Qin Ye has been dead for more than two months, his study is still preserved, and some of the things he used during his lifetime are also kept, as if silently telling the story of his owner's past.

The maid Ruizhu poured a cup of fragrant tea for Jiang Nian, the aroma of the tea was lingering and refreshing.

Qin Keqing waved her hand gently, ordering Ruizhu to leave. Although Ruizhu obeyed the order and left, she was filled with reluctance and curiosity, and kept looking back.

Jiang Nian and Qin Keqing were the only two people left in the study. Jiang Nian didn't drink his tea, but looked directly at Qin Keqing and asked, "Miss Qin, why did you come to see me today?"

Qin Keqing hesitated a little when she heard this, her cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes were filled with shyness, and her slender jade fingers gently twisted the corner of her clothes, like a crabapple bud about to bloom.

Jiang Nian stared at Qin Keqing quietly, without urging her, waiting for her to speak on her own.

The study was quiet and the atmosphere was subtle.

Qin Keqing hesitated for a moment, then shyly opened her red lips and whispered, "I've specially invited Master Jiang here today because... because I have a gift that I want to give to you personally."

After saying this, her cheeks became even redder, as if dyed by the sunset glow, and she could not hide her shyness.

Jiang Nian smiled slightly and asked, "I wonder what Miss Qin gave me as a gift?"

Qin Keqing became increasingly embarrassed and hesitated for a moment before she took something out of her body and handed it to Jiang Nian. Her delicate hands seemed to tremble slightly as she whispered, "I made this myself, especially for you."

Jiang Nian's eyes fell on the object, which turned out to be a purse!
He paused for a moment, then took the purse from Qin Keqing and looked at it carefully.

The purse is exquisitely crafted, with fine stitching and delicate patterns, clearly requiring considerable effort. The purse is filled with spices, the fragrance is refreshing and soothing. Even more striking is the embroidery of a pair of mandarin ducks, so lifelike they appear to be playing in the water.

In this era, when a girl gave a purse to a man, it meant "wear it with you and don't forget it", and it was often a way of expressing her love.

Now this purse was embroidered with mandarin ducks, and Qin Keqing gave it to him in person so shyly.

The meaning of this confession is obvious.

Jiang Nian gently held the purse in his hand and looked up at Qin Keqing. She lowered her brows and bowed her head, her cheeks flushed, and she looked so beautiful. He smiled slightly and said, "This purse is exquisite and unique, and the embroidery is extraordinary. It shows that Miss Qin is very clever and has put a lot of effort into it."

Qin Keqing whispered, "Master Jiang... do you like it?"

She didn't dare look directly at Jiang Nian. She felt her heart pounding and her breathing quickened.

Jiang Nian asked, "Miss, are you confessing your love to me?"

"ah!"

Qin Keqing couldn't help but let out a soft cry, her head almost lowered to her neck. She wanted to run away, but it was not convenient for her to do so. She cried out in her heart, "How can he be so straightforward!"

When Jiang Nian saw Qin Keqing like this, he was sure in his heart that this woman was confessing her love to him.

He thought to himself: "This woman is restless!"

Ying'er had said before that Qin Keqing had hooked up with Jiang Nian just two months after Qin Ye's death.

Recalling this, Zhi Yanzhai's critique of "Dream of the Red Chamber" states: "'Qin Keqing died of debauchery in Tianxiang Tower', the author employs historical writing. My soul has entrusted Sister Feng with two matters concerning the Jia family's afterlife. How could a person enjoying wealth and honor imagine such matters? Although these matters never occurred, their words and meaning are deeply moving and touching. For the time being, I have pardoned them and ordered Qinxi to delete the passages about 'the lost hairpin' and 'changing clothes'."

And now, just over two months after Qin Ye's death, Qin Keqing personally presented Jiang Nian with a purse to express her love for her.

Jiang Nian felt that Qin Keqing was "restless".

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Nian said solemnly to Qin Keqing, "Since you have given me the purse, from now on, you are my woman!"

Qin Keqing was overjoyed when she heard this, thinking that Jiang Nian not only accepted her confession, but also was willing to marry her.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Nian then said solemnly, "It's just that, today, the Empress Dowager summoned me and arranged a marriage for me with a female historian who is her personal attendant. Her surname is Jia and she comes from the Rongguo Mansion."

Qin Keqing was immediately frightened and looked up at Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian continued solemnly, "So I cannot marry you. After you have passed the mourning period, I will take you as my concubine."

As soon as these words came out, Qin Keqing's heart was struck by lightning, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, as if she was filled with infinite loss and grievance...

(End of this chapter)