Chapter 26: A Heart-to-Heart Between Mother and Daughter

Jiang Nian’s figure had already vanished from the Xue family’s grand vessel.

Outside, the rain continued to fall—a dense, misty veil that blurred the world and stirred countless ripples upon the surface of the Grand Canal. Inside the cabin, Xue Baochai had ceased her weeping, though her eyes remained reddened, resembling petals dampened by the rain, carrying an air of fragility and suppressed emotion.

A deep regret had already taken root in Aunt Xue’s heart. She regretted having so readily agreed to promise her daughter as a concubine to Jiang Nian, and she regretted the written pledge she had just signed. In her mind, she began to blame herself, and then, she turned that blame toward Baochai.

With a tone of reproach, Aunt Xue said to her daughter, "Bao, why did you agree to it just now? If you hadn't spoken first, I... I might have refused. I wouldn't have promised you as a concubine to that overbearing Jiang Nian, and certainly wouldn't have signed that wretched agreement."

Baochai’s expression was melancholy. "Master Jiang was insistent that our family repay him in this manner. When I saw Mother and Brother standing there, lost and helpless, I simply didn't want to see you both suffer any longer. I thought, perhaps this is my fate. Our family owes him a debt of immense proportions; I am merely settling it for our sake. Otherwise, he would not have let the matter rest, and who knows what kind of chaos might have ensued?"

Aunt Xue looked indignant. "I regret it already. I should never have agreed, and that document is a curse. Fortunately, there is still room to maneuver. Once we arrive safely in the capital, we shall ask your uncle to intervene and negotiate with Jiang Nian. Your uncle is the Commander of the Metropolitan Garrison and is highly favored by His Majesty. Even if Jiang Nian has some mysterious and extraordinary background, your uncle will surely be able to retrieve that document and force him to abandon the idea of taking you as a concubine."

Upon hearing this, Baochai’s brows, which resembled distant, misty mountains, knitted slightly. "Mother, I fear that would be improper. He has done our family a great service; I have already agreed to the arrangement and signed the pledge. He is currently handling the aftermath of the robbery and the burials, and he is to protect us all the way to the capital. If, after we arrive safely, Mother were to ask Uncle to 'subdue' him, wouldn't that be..."

She stopped abruptly. What she wanted to say was that it would be akin to returning evil for good. Feeling that it was not right to speak such words to her mother and cause her embarrassment, she held her tongue.

Aunt Xue, however, understood her meaning perfectly and spat, "Pah! I have always said your brother was a fool, but you, my intelligent daughter, why are you acting foolish today? Agreeing to be a concubine was one thing, but why speak such nonsense now?"

Baochai was rarely scolded by her mother. Under this rebuke, she felt both awkward and ashamed, lowering her head to avoid her mother’s piercing gaze.

Aunt Xue continued to argue, "I know Jiang Nian has done us a great favor, and we ought to be grateful. But for him to demand you as a concubine is simply excessive. I intend to have your uncle speak to him reasonably. If he is a man of sense, it won't be a matter of 'subduing' him. We will offer a generous sum of money instead. If ten thousand taels of silver aren't enough to satisfy him, we will offer twenty thousand. Once he accepts such a fortune, we shall have fulfilled our debt of gratitude."

Baochai kept her head bowed and remained silent, thinking to herself, "That is exactly what 'subduing' him means!"

She did not wish to argue further, knowing her mother’s mind was set and that she believed herself to be in the right; further contention would only increase her mother's displeasure.

Aunt Xue sighed and continued, "You know well that the reason we are going to the capital is, on the surface, to settle old accounts at the Ministry, manage our businesses in the city, and visit relatives. But the more important reason is to find you a husband—someone from an aristocratic and prominent family. Since your father passed away and your brother is young, inexperienced, and lacks capability, our family is gradually declining. We can only hope that you marry well so that we may rely on your husband’s family for support."

Baochai remained silent, her head still bowed. Her mother had told her this many times before. In this era, using marriage to secure a family’s interests was common. Baochai accepted this as her fate—that her marriage was a tool for her mother to use for the benefit of the Xue family. However, she had never expected a "demon star" like Jiang Nian to suddenly emerge in her life. She viewed becoming his concubine as her sacrifice for the family, which is why she had said, "This is my fate." It was both a resigned acceptance of destiny and a silent fulfillment of her duty to her kin.

Aunt Xue went on, "Actually, there is one more thing I haven't mentioned. Your uncle and I have been considering betrothing you to your aunt’s son, Baoyu. His grandfather and father were both titled Dukes of Rongguo. Even if the Rongguo mansion isn't as glorious as it once was, it remains a powerful, aristocratic household. This trip to the capital is precisely to seek refuge with them. Although your aunt and I are sisters born of the same mother, one cannot rely on family ties alone. If you could form a union with Baoyu, our family would have much stronger support."

Baochai was shocked. She had not known that her uncle and mother had such plans.

Aunt Xue changed the subject, returning to Jiang Nian with a frustrated air. "Who would have thought we would run into an overbearing fellow like Jiang Nian? He has a mysterious and extraordinary background—most likely the son of some prominent house—and he seems capable, with an age that matches yours. If he wanted to marry you as his wife, it would be a blessing. But he only wants you as a concubine. How can that be? If that happens, all your uncle’s and my plans will have been in vain, and our family will lose face, leading only to further decline."

Baochai remained quiet, her eyes downcast as if lost in thought.

Aunt Xue said firmly, "Therefore, we must have your uncle intervene to annul this concubinage." She sighed again, gloomily, "I fear that even if it is annulled, the word will spread in the capital. Your reputation and our family’s name will be tarnished, making it difficult to find you a good husband, even Baoyu..."

Baochai could not help but sigh as well. Her mother’s words only deepened her anxiety. She worried that even if her uncle, Wang Teng, were to intervene, Jiang Nian would not easily yield. She feared what kind of storm might arise, and whether her uncle—a man she knew to be ruthless—would use extreme measures. Though she desperately wanted to be free of the concubinage, she found, deep down, that she did not wish to see Jiang Nian crushed by her uncle’s power.