Chapter 58: Baochai Arrives to Take Up Residence

Xue Baochai's residence at the Jiang family's household proceeded without mishap. Although Wang Ziteng harbored deep resentment toward Jiang Nian and was unwilling to have Xue Baochai stay with them, he did not dare to obstruct the arrangement. Aunt Xue had already consented, and Xue Baochai was inevitably destined to become Jiang Nian's concubine. Furthermore, Wang Ziteng no longer dared to provoke Prince Zhongyi, fearing he would bring further disaster upon himself.

Aunt Xue had specifically implored Lady Wang of the Rongguo Mansion to arrange a vessel for the Xue family's return to Jiangning, and had also dispatched several servants to escort them. After all, the Xue family had encountered water bandits on the Grand Canal when they first came to the capital, so security for the journey back to Jiangning naturally required extra caution.

March the eleventh was the day the Xue family was to leave the capital.

In the morning, Aunt Xue led Xue Baochai and Xue Pan to bid farewell to Wang Ziteng and his second wife, Yuan WanCui.

Aunt Xue did not know that as she and Xue Baochai shared a carriage leaving the Wang residence, a man named Jia Yucun had arrived at the estate with urgent matters for Wang Ziteng.

Years before, Jia Yucun had relied on the assistance of Zhen Shiyin, the father of Xiangling, to pass the imperial examinations in the capital and become a prefect. Later, he was stripped of his official post and went to Yangzhou, where he was employed by the Imperial Salt Censor Lin Ruhai as Lin Daiyu's primary tutor. Through Lin Ruhai's connections, he managed to attach himself to the Jia family.

In the dead of winter the year before last, Jia Yucun had traveled to the capital in the company of Lin Daiyu.

After arriving in the capital, Jia Yucun had paid a visit to Jia Zheng at the Rongguo Mansion. Jia Zheng was extremely fond of scholars, treated men of talent with humility, and held a favorable view of him due to the recommendation of his brother-in-law Lin Ruhai. Moreover, Jia Yucun possessed a commanding appearance, spoke with elegance, had achieved success in the imperial examinations, and excelled at flattering Jia Zheng. Consequently, Jia Zheng treated him with great favor and recommended him to Wang Ziteng, whereupon Jia Yucun became Wang Ziteng's protégé.

With Wang Ziteng's assistance, Jia Yucun had secured a reinstatement awaiting a vacant post.

Just yesterday, Jia Yucun received word that the post of Prefect of Jiangning had fallen vacant.

Therefore, early this morning, Jia Yucun had hurried to the Wang residence to implore Wang Ziteng to help secure the post of Prefect of Jiangning for him.

……

Wang Ziteng, being a military general, lacked profound classical scholarship, yet he possessed some literary talent.

Within the inner quarters of his estate, he had built for himself a secluded and elegant study, where he often received guests.

Outside the study, several pine trees stood tall and verdant, their dancing branches and leaves partially concealing buildings with green tiles and dark bricks.

Having offended Prince Zhongyi and having been demoted by decree of the Retired Emperor Jingning, Wang Ziteng had spent the past two days idling at home before heading out of the capital to assume the post of regional commander... Under these circumstances, his mood was naturally poor. As for the thirty thousand taels of silver extorted from the Xue family, it offered him only modest consolation.

Even so, in front of his protégé Jia Yucun, Wang Ziteng deliberately put on an aloof, composed, and imposing demeanor.

Jia Yucun stepped into the study and, seeing Wang Ziteng's dignified air, hurriedly stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute, and said, "Patron, Yucun has come specially to pay his respects."

Wang Ziteng nodded slightly, signaling Jia Yucun to be seated.

Once seated, Jia Yucun first exchanged conventional pleasantries with Wang Ziteng, his words brimming with reverence and solicitude. He gently consoled him, saying, "Although the patron has suffered demotion, with your exceptional capabilities, you are bound to rise again. Yucun firmly believes the patron's future remains radiant."

Wang Ziteng's expression softened slightly, and he replied indifferently, "You are thoughtful, Yucun."

Seeing the atmosphere thaw, Jia Yucun smoothly transitioned to the main purpose of his visit. He abruptly stood up, bowed deeply to Wang Ziteng, and spoke with earnest sincerity: "Patron, yesterday Yucun received news that the post of Prefect of Jiangning in the south has become vacant. Yucun dares to be so bold as to implore the patron to secure this appointment for me."

Had this request been made a few days earlier, Wang Ziteng would have agreed decisively.

Wang Ziteng had never been sparing in his favors and promotions toward his disciples, and Jia Yucun was a protégé he valued greatly. Since Jia Yucun was a jinshi through the imperial examinations, serving as the Prefect of Jiangning would not only elevate his official career a step further, but would also make it easier for him to enter the core of the imperial court. Furthermore, Jiangning was Wang Ziteng's hometown; having Jia Yucun serve as prefect there would greatly benefit Wang Ziteng's personal connections and affairs in Jiangning.

Given Wang Ziteng's former status and power, arranging for Jia Yucun to hold that post would have been a trivial matter.

Yet, because Jia Yucun came with this request today, Wang Ziteng fell into deep contemplation.

Having been disciplined by imperial decree under the Retired Emperor Jingning and no longer serving as the Commander of the Capital Garrison, Wang Ziteng's status and authority had drastically diminished. Consequently, it had become difficult for him to secure the Jiangning prefecture post for Jia Yucun. However, difficulty did not mean impossibility; he believed he could still accomplish it, albeit at a heavy cost.

Wang Ziteng furrowed his brow slightly, meditating for a long while as he weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

At length, Wang Ziteng nodded. "Very well, I shall secure the post of Prefect of Jiangning for you."

Jia Yucun was overjoyed. He had assumed that Wang Ziteng, with his drastically reduced status and power, no longer possessed the ability to secure the post for him, and even if he still had the capacity, he might not have been willing to agree.

Jia Yucun immediately bowed deeply once more. "Many thanks, Patron! Yucun will forever engrave your immense kindness upon his heart and will strive to repay it to the utmost in the future!"

Wang Ziteng nodded faintly, his gaze deep and profound as though pondering something.

Silence briefly settled over the study, broken only by the thin wisps of smoke curling upward from the incense burner.

Outside the window, the wind began to rise, rustling the pine needles into gentle motion.

……

The Xue family's procession of carriages, having departed the Wang estate, wound its way toward the Chaoyang Gate on the eastern wall of Shenjing. Once through the Chaoyang Gate, they would head toward the Lu River Post Station in Tongzhou, pausing briefly along the way at the Jiang family's small residence in the eastern suburb, for Xue Baochai was to be delivered into the Jiang household.

Today remained clear and sunny. The morning sun was rising, casting its golden brilliance upon the green tiles and dark bricks of the Jiang family's small courtyard, and illuminating a half-withered pear tree in the inner yard. Its leaves trembled slightly in the breeze, emitting a faint rustling sound as if softly whispering of the courtyard's peace and serenity. At Jiang's behest, meticulous care had begun to be lavished upon this pear tree, and it was believed it would flourish in days to come.

Outside the residence gates hung two red gauze lanterns. Unlit though they were, they appeared striking in the morning light.

At this moment, the Xue family's carriages slowly came to a halt before the gates of the Jiang residence.

The carriage curtains were lifted, and Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue descended in turn. Xue Baochai wore a plain dress, adorned with a single white jade hairpin. Though her expression appeared calm, her eyes faintly betrayed reluctance and unease.

Jiang Nian, who had been reading in his study upon learning of the Xue family's arrival, laid down his book and came out personally to greet them at the gates. Dressed in a moon-white robe with a light green jade belt tied around his waist, his demeanor was composed and his stride steady.

Catching sight of Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan, Jiang Nian smiled faintly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Madam Xue, Brother Xue, Miss Xue, your journey has been arduous."

Aunt Xue hastily returned the salute. "You are too courteous, Master Jiang."

Jiang Nian ushered Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan into the main hall. The interior was simply yet elegantly furnished. At the center stood a purple sandalwood Eight Immortals table, upon which rested a set of celadon tea utensils, sending up wisps of fragrant steam. Hanging on the wall was a landscape painting depicting serene waters and distant mountains, evoking a profound and tranquil mood.

Meanwhile, Xie Jiuxing, the steward of the Xue family, led a group of servants in carrying Xue Baochai's luggage and belongings one by one into the west wing of the small residence.