Chapter 23: Aunt Xue is also embarrassed and vexed

The sky over Zaozhuang had shifted from overcast to rainy. A fine, thread-like drizzle wove a hazy curtain of mist, with droplets as delicate as needles tapping against the surface of the Grand Canal, stirring up countless ripples. Under this veil of rain, the canal appeared both profound and mysterious, like a flowing scroll or a song without words, carrying endless stories and countless memories.

Along the banks, the willow trees lowered their branches, their supple tendrils swaying gently in the rain, as if smoothing away the wrinkles of time from the ancient waterway.

At this moment, both the Jiang family’s large vessel and the Xue family’s vessel were moored at the bank. Jiang Nian, He Yun, and He Zhong disembarked from the Jiang ship, stepping across the slick riverbank toward the Xue ship. He Yun held a black cloth umbrella alone, while He Zhong respectfully held a blue cloth umbrella for Jiang Nian. Beneath it, Jiang Nian maintained a calm expression and a composed gait.

Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, and Xue Baochai stood on the deck of the Xue vessel, each attended by servants holding umbrellas. All three focused their attention on Jiang Nian and He Yun. He Yun was clad in the official uniform of a fifth-rank Dragon Guard, which stood out strikingly against the rainy backdrop, as if silently announcing the extraordinary status of his master, Jiang Nian. The three of them were filled with curiosity: exactly who was Jiang Nian?

Xue Baochai pondered to herself, "This Master Jiang is truly a mysterious figure! When we first met at the Qinhuai River, he claimed to be of no prominent lineage, yet he was on intimate terms with such a high-ranking official as the Jiangning Regional Commander. Seeing him again today, his subordinate is wearing an official uniform—what could this possibly mean?"

Seeing Jiang Nian board the vessel, Xue Pan could not help but ask first, "Why is it you?"

Jiang Nian remained as calm as water and asked indifferently, "Why do you ask?"

Xue Pan replied, "Shouldn't you be in Jiangning? How did you suddenly appear here? You even helped us deal with the river bandits. You... you haven't been following us, have you?"

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai both locked their gazes on Jiang Nian, for both mother and daughter shared the same suspicion. It was no wonder; the coincidence was simply too great. In the original story, the Xue family had not encountered river bandits on their way to the capital. In this world of the *Red Chamber*, the appearance of Jiang Nian had altered the timing of their journey, leading them into the path of the bandits. And yet, at the most critical moment, Jiang Nian had appeared to save them, deepening their connection further. This made Jiang Nian feel the mysterious and unfathomable nature of destiny.

He Yun frowned and snapped at Xue Pan, "Do not dare to slander my master! We have been preparing for our journey to the capital for many days, long before we encountered you at the Qinhuai River. How could there be any talk of following you? Besides, we are already in Zaozhuang, over a ten-day journey by water from Jiangning. If we were following you, would we have trailed you all the way here?"

He Yun was a man of imposing stature, and the fifth-rank Dragon Guard uniform made him look all the more dignified. His words carried an unquestionable authority and sound logic, instantly dispelling the doubts of Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, and Xue Baochai.

"It seems he was not following us. Could this be fate then?" Xue Baochai thought to herself while stealing a glance at Jiang Nian. As soon as the thought emerged, her cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly corrected herself internally, "No, not fate—it is more like 'enemies are destined to meet on a narrow path.' Our family rushed to the capital specifically to avoid him, yet after ten days of travel, we meet him again here, and he has even saved us from the bandits, leaving us deeply indebted..."

At this thought, Xue Baochai’s heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

"Pan'er, show some respect!" Aunt Xue scolded Xue Pan, though she herself could not suppress her curiosity. She asked He Yun, "The uniform this gentleman is wearing appears to be for a military official. May I ask what rank you hold?"

Xue Pan and Xue Baochai were both curious and turned their gazes toward He Yun. He Yun did not answer directly, looking first to Jiang Nian for permission. Jiang Nian replied on his behalf, "This is Steward He of my household, a fifth-rank Dragon Guard."

Xue Pan blurted out, "A Dragon Guard? I suppose you bought the rank?"

Aunt Xue hurriedly scolded him again, "Show some respect!"

The Xue family had once had members in official positions; they were imperial merchants and had close dealings with various nobles and officials. Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, and Xue Baochai were no strangers to the title of "Dragon Guard." They knew it was largely a nominal position, far inferior to that of an active palace guard. However, Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were more calculating than Xue Pan. Both mother and daughter thought to themselves, "Even a nominal position like a Dragon Guard is not something just anyone can buy. This Master Jiang must have an extraordinary background!" They knew such titles were usually reserved for the relatives of the imperial family, nobility, or children of the Imperial Household Department.

Fearing that further questioning might annoy Jiang Nian, Aunt Xue changed the subject, her tone sincere, "Master Jiang, your rescue of our family today is a profound favor. The entire Xue family is endlessly grateful."

With that, she performed a formal curtsy to express her gratitude. She also made a point of bowing to He Yun, believing it necessary to show respect to a fifth-rank official. Seeing her mother do so, Xue Baochai followed suit, bowing to both Jiang Nian and He Yun with elegant, dignified grace. Soon, all the women on the deck were following her lead. Xie Jixing, Li'er, and a manservant also bowed deeply to thank Jiang Nian and He Yun.

Seeing everyone else bowing, Xue Pan stood awkwardly for a moment. He scratched his head and gave a deep bow to Jiang Nian, his tone carrying a measure of sincerity, "Many thanks for the rescue today. I was muddle-headed earlier and offended you. Let us be friends from now on."

Human beings are complex creatures; even the virtuous have their flaws, and the wicked are not necessarily devoid of merit. Xue Pan’s character was multi-faceted. He was a typical hedonistic youth—arrogant, overbearing, and unlearned—yet he was deeply loyal, devoted to his mother, doting on his sister, and generous to his friends. He was simple-minded and easily deceived. Previously, he had feared and hated Jiang Nian, but having witnessed Jiang Nian’s immense capability and received such a life-saving favor, he began to admire him, even hoping to become his friend.

Jiang Nian gazed calmly at Xue Baochai but remained silent until she looked up to meet his eyes. He then turned his focus to Aunt Xue and said in an indifferent tone, "Had I not appeared in time today and had Steward He not shot two of the bandits from a distance, scaring off the rest, your Xue family would have met with disaster. Not only would your entire cargo be lost, but the men would have been killed, and the beautiful women would have likely been humiliated or met a tragic end—take Miss Xue, for instance."

At this, Jiang Nian locked eyes with Xue Baochai again. Though she knew he spoke the truth, she could not help but feel ashamed and angry, lowering her head with a soft, indignant scoff.

Jiang Nian turned back to Aunt Xue, his tone remaining flat, "And perhaps you, too, would have been humiliated. Though you are older, you are still a woman of lingering charm."

At these words, the Xue family members on the deck were stunned. Heavens, this Master Jiang was truly unrestrained! How could he say such things in public? Aunt Xue, like her daughter, lowered her head, a blush spreading across her face, as if the bashfulness of her youth had returned.

Xue Pan subconsciously glanced at his mother and felt that Jiang Nian was correct, thinking to himself, "My mother does indeed possess a 'lingering charm.'"

Aunt Xue sensed Xue Pan’s gaze and felt even more embarrassed. Unable to lash out at Jiang Nian, she glared at her son and hissed, "What are you staring at? I should dig your eyes out!"

Xue Pan: "..."

Jiang Nian continued, addressing Aunt Xue, "Since you are aware that your family owes me a great debt today, shouldn't you offer me some form of return?"

Xue Baochai’s heart tightened with a vague, ominous premonition. She felt that this Master Jiang might ask for a favor involving her...

The fine rain continued to fall like threads, weaving its hazy curtain, while the surface of the Grand Canal continued to stir with countless ripples.