Chapter 33: Qin Keqing, the Girl Next Door

In the eastern suburbs of the capital, Shenjing, sitting quietly beside the old, modest residence of Jiang Nian, stood another similarly weathered small house. Its blue bricks and grey tiles were etched deep with the marks of time, as if whispering tales of the vicissitudes of life.

This other house was home to a family surnamed Qin. The head of the household, Qin Ye, held the rank of an Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Construction under the Ministry of Works, a fifth-rank official post.

Qin Ye was nearing seventy. His first wife had passed away long ago, and having no biological children at the time, he had adopted a son and a daughter from the local orphanage. Later, he remarried, and his second wife bore him a son named Qin Zhong. Now, his adopted son had long since died, and his second wife had also passed away; the household consisted only of Qin Ye, his adopted daughter, his young son Qin Zhong, and a few servants.

His adopted daughter, formally known as Guanmei, with the courtesy name Keqing and the childhood name Ke'er, was just reaching womanhood. She possessed an exceptional beauty, with a graceful, willowy figure and an enchanting, vibrant charm. Her presence was like a splash of brilliant color in the otherwise drab, aging residence of the Qin family.

***

In the western wing of the Qin family's inner courtyard, the afternoon sun filtered through the window lattices, casting a bright and warm glow across the room.

Qin Keqing sat on the divan across from her young maid, Baozhu, both focused on their needlework. Her slender, jade-like fingers maneuvered a silver needle, weaving it through the embroidery frame to create exquisite patterns. Baozhu sat to the side, tidying silk threads and occasionally sharing a soft laugh with her mistress.

Suddenly, the head maid, Ruizhu, lifted the curtain and entered, her face alight with excitement. She walked up to Qin Keqing and said, "Miss, I just heard something quite novel."

Qin Keqing looked up, a spark of curiosity in her eyes, and asked softly, "What kind of news?"

Ruizhu smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Someone has moved into the empty house next door today."

Qin Keqing was slightly taken aback and said gently, "That is, indeed, a bit of a novelty."

"Isn't it?" Ruizhu continued. "It has been two years since the original owners fell from grace and had their property confiscated, hasn't it? The house has stood empty ever since, but today, someone has finally moved in!"

Young ladies of prominent official families rarely ventured outside. Although Qin Ye doted on his adopted daughter, he was a pedantic and stern man; Qin Keqing had been raised in seclusion and had rarely stepped out of the house since childhood. Consequently, her head maid, Ruizhu, had also spent much of her time confined to the old house. Thus, to this mistress and servant, the house next door being occupied after two years was truly an unusual event.

Qin Keqing set down her needlework, lightly stroking the embroidered pattern, and sighed thoughtfully, "The family that lived there before was disgraced, and now they are nowhere to be found. But such is the way of the world—people come and go, yet the house remains, and it is only natural that others would eventually move in."

Ruizhu blinked, her smile deepening, and she said with a touch of mystery, "There is more to it than that."

Seeing her expression, Qin Keqing chuckled. "Just tell me; there is no need for such suspense."

Ruizhu then laughed, "I heard that the people who moved in today consist of over a dozen members. They came from Jiangning in the south. There is only one master, a young man in his teens, surnamed Jiang. This Master Jiang has lost both his mother and his father, or perhaps his father passed away as well."

Qin Keqing sighed upon hearing this, "There are many orphans in this world; it is not so strange." She could not help but think of herself, having been adopted from the orphanage by her father, never knowing her true parents or if they were still alive.

Ruizhu, not considering Qin Keqing's own background, continued with a smile, "What is strange is that the steward of this household is a fifth-rank Dragon Guard officer. If even the steward is a fifth-rank official, that young master must be extraordinary. As for his true background, no one knows. Our servants tried to inquire, but couldn't find anything specific. Still, it is unlikely that his family background is particularly illustrious; otherwise, he wouldn't be living in such a house."

Qin Keqing’s brows flickered slightly as she pondered. "Since the Jiang family has moved in next door, etiquette dictates that we should send a congratulatory gift. Moreover, if what Ruizhu says is true and this Master Jiang has a unique status, the gift should be prepared carefully to show our sincerity. When Father returns from his duties today, I will ask him to deliver it personally to foster neighborly relations."

After relaying the news, Ruizhu turned and left. Watching her go, Qin Keqing grew curious: *Who exactly is this Master Jiang? Why would his steward be a fifth-rank official? I must ask Father to find out more when he delivers the gift.* She then refocused her thoughts, picked up her needle, and resumed her work.

***

In the Jiang family's small residence, the servants had already begun to clear out the filthy, chaotic main room. However, there was not a single bed, divan, chair, or stool to be found. Having been confiscated two years prior, the house had been stripped of all its furnishings.

Jiang Nian sat on a large camphor wood chest while He Yun stood before him, listing the items they needed to purchase: heavy furniture like beds, tables, and cabinets, as well as their evening meal, as the house was not yet fit for cooking.

He Yun then asked, "We have a family living next door. According to etiquette, we should present them with a gift to express our goodwill."

Jiang Nian asked, "What kind of family is it?"

He Yun replied, "It is a family surnamed Qin. The head of the house is named Qin Ye, an elderly official nearing seventy, currently serving as an Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Works."

A profound look flashed in Jiang Nian’s eyes. He lightly stroked his chin, appearing quite interested.

He Yun continued, "Qin Ye's first and second wives have both passed away. He currently has a young son and an unmarried adopted daughter. What gift does the Master think would be appropriate?"

Jiang Nian did not answer immediately, thinking to himself, *Fate! The neighbor is Qin Keqing! And she hasn't even married Jia Rong yet!*

Seeing Jiang Nian lost in thought, He Yun did not press the matter. Jiang Nian soon smiled faintly and said, "Since the Qin family are officials, the gift must be handled with care. Take two canisters of the fine tea we brought from the south, along with a pair of celadon vases, and send them to the house next door."

It was He Yun's turn to be stunned. "Master, surely such a heavy gift is unnecessary." Two canisters of fine tea and a pair of celadon vases were worth over two hundred taels of silver! It was only a neighborly gesture, so he was shocked by the extravagance.

Jiang Nian calmly replied, "Do as I say."

He thought to himself, *Although I have not yet met Qin Keqing, according to the descriptions in the original work, she is arguably the most beautiful of the 'Twelve Beauties of Jinling.' Perhaps only Xue Baoqin could rival her in appearance. To win such a great beauty, how could one be stingy? As for the theory from my past life that she was the daughter of the deposed Crown Prince, I find it unconvincing. Those arguments are far-fetched, and considering the circumstances of this world of 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' it is almost impossible for her to be the daughter of the deposed Crown Prince.*