Chapter 25: A Written Covenant, Pledged as a Concubine

Seeing Aunt Xue in such distress and agitation, Xue Pan turned to Jiang Nian and said, "Brother Jiang, my family truly wishes to repay your immense kindness. Even if you asked for twenty thousand taels of silver, I would provide it. However, asking my sister to serve as a maid is simply unreasonable; it is too great an indignity for her."

Aunt Xue hurriedly added, "Master Jiang, although our Xue family holds no official rank or title, we are imperial merchants, and our ancestors once served in government. If Bao-ya were to become your maid, would that not register her as a slave? How could that be allowed! If we did that, what face would we have to pay respects to the Xue ancestors? I would have no face to meet anyone again."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nian pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking slowly to Aunt Xue: "Since the Xue family finds it so difficult, I shall take a step back. I will not require Miss Xue to be a maid. How about this: once I take a wife in the future, Miss Xue shall serve as a concubine. If you agree to this, I will personally escort you all the way to the capital. Should those water bandits return, or if we encounter others, I will ensure your safety. I will also report the recent robbery to the water station ahead; my steward is a fifth-rank Dragon Guard, so they will not dare to obstruct or trouble you. The bodies on this ship can also be settled at that station."

As he spoke, he cast a glance at the three corpses still lying on the deck. In truth, he had calculated this long ago. He knew the Xue family would never agree to let Xue Baochai be a maid, and they would likely resist even a request for her to be a concubine. By intentionally proposing the maid position first, he could "concede" to the concubine position when they were at their most desperate, thus increasing his chances of success through this feigned retreat.

Yet, Aunt Xue still looked troubled. Jiang Nian’s tone sharpened: "I have already conceded this much. If you still refuse, then the Xue family is choosing to ignore a kindness."

Aunt Xue and Xue Pan turned simultaneously toward Xue Baochai. Aunt Xue was terrified of encountering more bandits, having been shattered by the previous attack. With only four men left on the large Xue vessel, she desperately needed Jiang Nian’s protection and his help in dealing with the aftermath of the robbery. Xue Pan, ever one to value loyalty and righteousness, believed the family was obligated to repay Jiang Nian or risk being labeled ingrates. However, neither mother nor son wanted to give Baochai away as a concubine, so they looked to her instinctively, as if seeking her permission.

Seeing her mother and brother looking at her in such a state of helplessness, Xue Baochai felt a surge of shame and frustration that shattered her usual composure. Her eyes reddened, and biting her lower lip, she said to Aunt Xue in a trembling voice, "Mother, this must be my fate! You... you must agree to this Master Jiang!"

The words "Master Jiang" were punctuated with deliberate pauses, as if squeezed through gritted teeth, heavy with resentment and indignation. Aunt Xue was shocked, stunned that Baochai had actually consented. Jiang Nian immediately pressed his advantage: "Since Miss Xue is willing, what about you? Do you still refuse to agree?"

Aunt Xue felt increasingly trapped. She complained to herself, *Why did Bao-ya agree? Now that she has, it is even harder for me to decline. What is to be done? Ah! I have it—I will agree verbally for now. Once we arrive safely in the capital, we can ask Bao-ya's uncle to step in and negotiate with this Master Jiang. Surely he can be persuaded to abandon the idea of taking her as a concubine, and we can offer a large sum of money as compensation instead.*

Thinking this, Aunt Xue nodded reluctantly: "Very well, I agree. Once you take a wife, Bao-ya shall be your concubine."

Aunt Xue assumed that having said this, the matter was settled. To her dismay, Jiang Nian continued, "Very well. The Xue family is one that rewards kindness. Since that is the case, let us draw up a written agreement."

Aunt Xue was dumbfounded. Jiang Nian said in a flat tone, "After all, spoken words are not proof; a written document is best." Seeing her agitation, he added firmly, "What? Are you trying to deceive me?"

Aunt Xue flushed with embarrassment. Though she was unwilling, to back out now would be to eat her own words and lose face—something aristocratic women of this era held dear. After hesitating, she gritted her teeth and forged ahead: "Then let us draw up the document!" She thought to herself, *Even with a document, once we are in the capital, I can ask her uncle to reclaim it from this overbearing young man.*

Under the guard of He Yun, Jiang Nian walked calmly into the cabin. Aunt Xue followed, though her heart was heavy. Once brush, ink, paper, and stone were prepared, Jiang Nian had Aunt Xue personally write the agreement.

Aunt Xue was well-educated, but she had never written such a document. Filled with gloom, she did not know how to begin. Jiang Nian said calmly, "I will dictate, and you shall write." He had never written one either, but the format mattered little as long as the intent was clear.

As Jiang Nian dictated, Aunt Xue wrote:
"It is said that rituals have their fixed order and emotions their proper resting place. My daughter, Baochai, being of gentle and virtuous character and refined demeanor, is willing to become a secondary wife to Jiang Nian, to manage his household and attend to his needs. Jiang Nian, appreciating her virtue, agrees to take her as a concubine. As Jiang Nian is not yet wed, the rites of taking a concubine shall wait until after his primary marriage. My daughter shall strictly observe the duties of a concubine, respect the mistress of the house, and maintain harmony, never overstepping her bounds. Jiang Nian shall treat her with ritual propriety and kindness, ensuring she is well-cared for. Both families having pledged this, may it be a lasting bond. This document is drawn up as proof."

Once the document was finished, Jiang Nian and Aunt Xue signed as the primary parties. At Jiang Nian’s insistence, Xue Pan and He Yun signed as witnesses.

With every stroke Aunt Xue wrote, her heart grew heavier. When she signed her name, her face turned pale and her fingers trembled. She was plagued by a grim premonition: *What if, after we reach the capital, even her uncle cannot retrieve this document?*

As this was a matter of her own fate, Xue Baochai did not withdraw. She stood by, watching the entire process. When she heard Jiang Nian dictate the agreement, a mixture of shame and humiliation left her nearly unable to stand; she gripped her sleeves so tightly her knuckles turned white. When she saw her mother and brother sign their names, a sense of profound desolation washed over her, as if she had been sold. Biting her lip, she struggled to suppress her sobs, but tears flowed uncontrollably, crystal droplets falling onto her clothes, leaving dark, damp stains.

As a daughter of the Xue family, well-versed in books, intelligent, talented, and dignified, how could she have ever imagined she would fall into such a plight?

*I, Xue Baochai, am to be a concubine to another! How has it come to this? How has it come to this!*