Chapter 59: Mother and Daughter Part Ways

Inside the main hall of the Jiang residence, Aunt Xue and Xue Pan were saying their goodbyes to Jiang Nian.

Aunt Xue felt a mixture of reluctance and anxiety in her heart. She bowed slightly, her tone earnest and sincere, "Master Jiang, my little Bao is entrusted to you from now on. I can only hope you will take good care of her."

Jiang Nian replied in a gentle voice, "Rest assured, Madam Xue. I will naturally take good care of Miss Xue with all my heart."

Aunt Xue said, "With those words from Master Jiang, I can finally set my mind at ease."

Set her mind at ease, my foot! She was anything but at ease, yet for the moment, she had no choice but to maintain such polite formalities.

Jiang Nian looked at Xue Pan, his expression turning somewhat solemn as he admonished, "Brother Xue, upon your return to Jiangning this time, you must be extremely cautious in your words and actions. Your family is no longer what it used to be; you must not stir up trouble or bring disaster upon the household."

Xue Pan wore an awkward expression. He could hardly stomach Jiang Nian's words, yet he dared not offer any retort.

Both Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai were immensely pleased to see that Jiang Nian cared enough about Xue Pan to offer such admonishments.

Just as they were speaking, Nanny Xie slowly walked into the main hall and respectfully reported to Aunt Xue, "Mistress, the young lady's luggage and belongings have all been moved into the western side chamber."

Jiang Nian smiled at Aunt Xue and said, "Since that is the case, let us all go together to take a look at the western side chamber."

Immediately, Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai, and Xue Pan accompanied Jiang Nian to the western side chamber.

They saw that the room was quite spacious and impeccably clean. It was already furnished with a carved dressing table, a rosewood bookcase, and a carved bedstead. Atop the carved dressing table even sat a sizable glass mirror.

A glass mirror of such a considerable size was by no means inexpensive.

The dressing table in Qin Keqing's room next door only held a bronze mirror; although Qin Keqing did possess a glass mirror, it was a very small one.

On the floor were piled several trunks, all containing Xue Baochai's luggage and belongings.

Jiang Nian pointed to the carved dressing table, the glass mirror, the rosewood bookcase, and the carved bedstead, saying to Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, "When you sent someone yesterday to say Miss Xue would be arriving today, I temporarily sent servants out to purchase these few items for Miss Xue's daily use."

Aunt Xue hurriedly said, "Master Jiang has gone to a great deal of trouble."

Xue Baochai executed a graceful curtsy and said, "Many thanks, Master Jiang."

Jiang Nian smiled faintly and said in a gentle voice, "As long as Miss Xue is satisfied. If anything else is lacking, simply let me know at any time, and I will have the servants procure it."

It was rare for Jiang Nian to be so thorough and thoughtful. More importantly, these arrangements reflected the high regard and deep consideration Jiang Nian held for Xue Baochai.

Naturally, the mother and daughter of the Xue family were well-pleased with this, and the unease in both of their hearts dissipated by several degrees.

Xue Baochai walked over to her luggage and belongings, carefully inspecting them to ensure everything had been brought over completely.

Following this, Jiang Nian and Xue Baochai escorted Aunt Xue and Xue Pan outside the main gates of the estate.

Sunlight spilled across the dirt road outside the gates, illuminating the Xue family's carriages and horses, casting a shimmering glow upon them that added a touch of gentle sorrow to the parting.

Aunt Xue stood beside the carriage, her gaze resting upon Xue Baochai with a tumult of emotions in her breast. On the journey here, she and Xue Baochai had shared the same carriage; in the blink of an eye, she was now to depart in a carriage all by herself, returning all the way to Jiangning, and who knew when she might see her daughter again.

Unable to suppress the bitterness in her heart any longer, Aunt Xue burst into tears, which streamed down her face.

Seeing her mother weep, Xue Baochai could no longer hold back either, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

"Mother!"

Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue embraced and wept together, their tears mingling as if they wished to pour out every ounce of reluctance and lingering affection.

Xue Pan's eyes also grew red with unshed tears. He reached out to wipe his eyes and muttered in a low voice, "The wind has gotten into my eyes!"

A moment later, Aunt Xue reluctantly boarded the carriage, while Xue Pan mounted a sturdy pack mule. The carriage and horses slowly got underway, the wheels grinding against the dirt road with a dull, heavy sound. Xue Baochai stood outside the gates, watching her mother and brother recede into the distance as her tears blurred her vision.

The morning sun grew increasingly bright, casting its golden rays upon Xue Baochai, yet failing to pierce the shadows of parting in her heart.

Jiang Nian stood beside Xue Baochai, his gaze gentle as he said softly, "Miss Xue, let us go inside."

Xue Baochai nodded lightly, wiped the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief, and turned to follow Jiang Nian back into the inner courtyard.

Xue Baochai had originally expected that after Aunt Xue and Xue Pan left, Jiang Nian would have private words to speak with her. However, upon returning to the inner courtyard with him, Jiang Nian merely instructed Xiangling, Qi'er, and Qin'er to help her unpack and arrange her luggage, while he himself retreated into his study to read.

Xue Baochai felt a mild sense of surprise. Standing at the doorway of the western side chamber, she looked toward the direction of the study, wishing to take the initiative to go and speak with Jiang Nian, yet held back by bashfulness.

In this era, many households partook of only two main meals a day—breakfast and dinner—even the grand Jia family was no exception.

The Jiang household had formerly been the same.

After Jiang Nian transmigrated, he established three formal meals a day for the household: breakfast was moved earlier, dinner pushed later, and an additional proper meal was added at midday. This change initially caused some discomfort among the servants, but they gradually grew accustomed to it.

By this time, the noon hour had arrived, and Yao the cook had prepared the midday meal, which was now laid out upon the rosewood Eight Immortals table in the main hall.

Fengshi walked slowly to the study and called out softly, "Master, the midday meal is ready."

Jiang Nian laid down the book in his hand, pondered for a moment, and instructed, "Tell Miss Xue to join me for the meal. From now on, whenever I dine, have Miss Xue join me."

Fengshi understood immediately and smiled, "Miss Xue is truly blessed!"

In the Jiang household, barring festive occasions and holidays, Jiang Nian ordinarily dined alone first; only after he finished would it be the turn of He Yun and his wife, followed by the servants.

Even in prominent and wealthy families, concubines rarely dined alongside the head of the house.

For Jiang Nian to now specifically invite Xue Baochai to dine with him was a clear manifestation of the high esteem in which he held her.

Jiang Nian had stated previously that after Xue Baochai took up residence in the Jiang family, he would have the servants treat her with the status of a young mistress.

He would not break his word.

Fengshi turned and walked to the western side chamber, where she found Xue Baochai seated before the glass dressing mirror with Ying'er attending by her side. Fengshi smiled and said, "Young lady, the master invites you to join him for the midday meal."

Xue Baochai was slightly startled. After a brief moment of reflection, she declined to stand on ceremony, nodding gently, "Thank you for your trouble, Mother Feng."

Fengshi smiled and said, "You are too polite, miss. The master has said that henceforth, whenever he dines, you are to join him. For the master to hold you in such high regard shows what great fortune is yours!"

Xue Baochai's cheeks flushed slightly with a delicate pink, and joy blossomed in her heart.

Without further ado, Xue Baochai and Ying'er proceeded to the main hall, where they found Jiang Nian already seated at the table. Several exquisite dishes were laid out, sending up an enticing aroma.

Seeing Xue Baochai enter, Jiang Nian said in a warm voice, "Miss Xue, please sit."

Again, Xue Baochai did not stand on ceremony. She offered a graceful curtsy, murmured a "Thank you, Master," and slowly seated herself. Her form of address for Jiang Nian had quietly shifted from "Master Jiang" to simply "Master."

Jiang Nian and Xue Baochai partook of the midday meal together at the rosewood Eight Immortals table.

Xiangling, Ying'er, Qi'er, Qin'er, and Fengshi stood respectfully to the side, waiting upon them.

According to the rule of silence while eating, there was only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the sounds of partaking in the meal.

Jiang Nian finished his meal quickly and in silence. Seeing him lay down his utensils, Xue Baochai, though only halfway through her own meal, hastily set her bowl and chopsticks down as well.

Qi'er presented a small tea tray with tea for rinsing the mouth, while Qin'er held out a rinsing basin for Jiang Nian to cleanse his mouth. Xiangling then offered water for handwashing, and Jiang Nian rinsed his mouth and washed his hands, executing every movement with meticulous precision.

Jiang Nian smiled gently at Xue Baochai and said, "You go ahead and finish eating. I eat quickly; do not stop on my account."

With that, he rose and walked toward the study. Xiangling hurried after him to attend to him, knowing his habit of taking tea in the study after meals.

Xue Baochai watched as Jiang Nian entered his study, a quiet sigh escaping her heart: "This master is certainly a man of refined habits."

After a brief pause, she quickly finished her own meal, followed the procedure for rinsing and handwashing, and then returned to her western side chamber, where she quietly retrieved a sheet of ornate letter paper and walked toward Jiang Nian's study...