Chapter 64: Keqing as a Concubine?

At this moment, standing beneath the half-withered pear tree, Xue Baochai’s gaze fell gently upon Jiang Nian. Though she tried to conceal it, her eyes still betrayed a deep sense of admiration.

She admired men who strove earnestly with all their might, men who valued a career and the practical arts of governance. Seeing Jiang Nian approach his imperial examinations with such diligence, her heart could not help but grow even more fond of him.

Jiang Nian walked slowly over to Xue Baochai, but instead of speaking, he raised his head and gazed up at the half-withered pear tree. Seeing this, Xue Baochai followed suit and looked up as well.

The two of them stood side by side in the sunlight after the rain, gazing up at the pear tree together. The mottled branches and leaves were still hung with crystal-clear droplets that shimmered with a faint light, as if bearing witness to the resilience and hope of this half-withered pear tree after the wind and rain.

Xue Baochai gazed for a moment, then gently turned her head, her eyes resting upon Jiang Nian’s profile. Her look was gentle and focused, as if she were quietly savoring the lines of his face.

Sensing her gaze, Jiang Nian turned his head as well, their eyes meeting. He smiled slightly and said, "Although this pear tree is half-withered, it possesses a unique character of its own. In the sunlight after the rain, it looks all the more spirited."

Xue Baochai nodded, a brilliant smile blooming at the corners of her lips, and said in a soft voice, "I love pear trees the most. When the pear blossoms are in full bloom, their color is as white as snow; the whole tree is snow, and the entire courtyard is snow."

Jiang Nian smiled and teased, "Your skin is as white as snow, Baochai; you truly share an affinity with pear blossoms."

Xue Baochai lowered her head slightly, her face seeming to glow with a faint radiance, much like the white pear blossoms illuminated by the post-rain sunlight.

She did not reply, but merely pressed her lips together lightly, as if to hide her shyness.

Jiang Nian said, "I have already instructed someone to tend to this pear tree with great care. In time, it should flourish once more."

Xue Baochai looked up and said softly, "Only then would it be truly fitting."

At this moment, the sunlight after the rain, the half-withered pear tree, and the two figures standing side by side seemed to compose a serene and picturesque painting.

Yet Jiang Nian immediately broke this serene beauty by saying, "I am going to practice martial arts now. Meng Xiong will be entering the inner courtyard; you should withdraw to your room."

Previously in Jiangning, he had insisted on practicing martial arts for an hour every day. After moving into this small residence in the capital, because he had to diligently prepare for the imperial examinations, his daily practice time was reduced to half an hour. Originally, he practiced in the afternoon, but because he received instruction from Qu Jishan this afternoon, he had skipped it.

Xue Baochai said with concern, "You received instruction from your teacher today, Grand Master. Although the rain has cleared, the ground is still damp. Why not forgo your martial arts practice today?"

Jiang Nian, however, shook his head, his expression earnest. "It cannot be omitted. Practicing martial arts is both a way to improve my skills and a means to strengthen my body—it is a matter of great importance. If I forgo it today, I will often wish to forgo it hereafter. Practicing martial arts, much like studying books, relies on perseverance and allows for no slackness."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai felt an even greater surge of admiration in her heart. With a look of concern, she said, "Please be careful when practicing, Grand Master, and make sure you do not get hurt." With that, she turned and walked back to the west side room.

Meanwhile, Jiang Nian called Meng Xiong into the inner courtyard to practice together.

In this small residence, only the inner courtyard could barely accommodate archery, though the shooting range was very short.

Xue Baochai and Ying'er hid behind the window of the west side room, peering through the glass at the scene in the courtyard.

Seeing Jiang Nian stand with a straight posture, stretch his arms wide, draw his bow, and release the arrow, Ying'er’s bright eyes flickered. Unable to restrain herself, she whispered to Xue Baochai, "My lady, when the Grand Master practices martial arts, he possesses quite a martial and heroic aura."

Xue Baochai pressed her lips together, recalling the time she had gone to the Jiang family residence in Jiangning to offer an apology. That was the first time she had ever seen him draw a bow and shoot an arrow, and in her heart, she had thought him possessed of a certain valor. Now, standing behind the window, she felt all the more that his heroic spirit was overflowing.

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Let us now turn to Jia Zhen.

On that day, he had rushed hastily to the Qin family residence. On the surface, it was to offer condolences for Qin Ye, but in his heart, his thoughts were entirely set upon Qin Keqing. Yet he had never expected to be publicly humiliated by Jiang Nian in the mourning hall, losing all dignity. Upon learning the cause of Qin Ye’s death, a sense of dread toward Jiang Nian took root in his heart, leaving him with no choice but to depart in sullen defeat. Later on, Jia Zhen heard that the Retired Emperor, the Jingning Emperor, had issued a decree punishing Wang Ziteng, and that the Xue family's status as imperial merchants had also been stripped away. This made him even more wary of Jiang Nian.

He knew that Jiang Nian had been entrusted by Prince Zhongyi to help manage Qin Ye's funeral arrangements.

Consequently, for the next several days, he did not dare to set foot in the Qin residence again.

Qin Ye's coffin remained at home for seven days of mourning before it was finally buried.

By now, it was the sixteenth day of the third month.

No sooner had the Qin family's funeral concluded than Jia Zhen's intense desire for Qin Keqing flared up once more, impossible to suppress.

On the morning of this day, Jia Zhen sent someone to the Qin residence to summon Peng Jizhong.

Jia Zhen had never liked reading. Ever since his father, Jia Jing, fled to the Xuanzhen Temple outside the city to practice Taoism, leaving Jia Zhen as the head and title-inheritor of the Ningguo Mansion, he had reigned supreme within the estate. Day in and day out, he indulged in unbridled luxury, feasting and merry-making. He never bothered to set up a proper study for himself, and when entertaining guests, he usually received them in the main hall or elsewhere.

The main hall of the Ningguo Mansion was magnificent and resplendent, carrying an extraordinary air of grandeur. The floor was covered with exquisite embroidered carpets, and the tables and chairs were all crafted from the finest red sandalwood, featuring intricate carvings. Several antique porcelain vases were displayed within the hall, their glazes smooth and lustrous.

At this moment, Jia Zhen was seated in a red sandalwood master’s armchair within the hall, his expression arrogant and haughty. Peng Jizhong, the steward of the Qin family, stood before him with a respectful demeanor that barely concealed a trace of unease.

Jia Zhen produced a banknote, shook it gently, and assumed an affected posture as he spoke. "Here are five hundred taels of silver as a reward for you. I have taken a fancy to your young lady and intend to take her as a concubine. Go and persuade her properly to consent to this matter."

Jia Zhen then instructed Peng Jizhong on how to persuade Qin Keqing. "You must make it clear to her that I will certainly treat her well. Although she will enter as a concubine, in my heart I shall regard her as a principal wife. I will grant her wealth, glory, and all the favor she could ever desire..."

Immediately afterward, Jia Zhen shook the banknote in his hand once more, fixing a piercing gaze upon Peng Jizhong. "Keep these five hundred taels for now. Once this matter is accomplished, I will reward you with another five hundred taels, and I will even have your status as a bonded servant transferred to my household, making you a steward here in my Ningguo Mansion."

Peng Jizhong’s heart tightened. With a bitter expression, he said, "Grand Master Jia, my family has just finished observing a funeral. According to both custom and propriety, our young lady must complete her period of mourning for her family before she can be married."

Jia Zhen let out a cold snort. "I was just about to speak to you regarding this. You need only have your young lady agree to become my concubine. I will arrange a residence where she may secretly meet with me in private. Once her period of mourning has passed, she can officially enter my mansion as a concubine."

Peng Jizhong: "..."

Seeing that Peng Jizhong remained silent, Jia Zhen’s tone grew somewhat impatient. "What? Are you unwilling?"

At this moment, Peng Jizhong’s heart was in turmoil, and Jiang Nian’s figure echoed vividly in his mind. Jiang Nian had explicitly instructed him that anyone, regardless of who they might be, who dared to offend Qin Keqing must be reported to Jiang Nian immediately. Furthermore, Jiang Nian had specifically mentioned Jia Zhen at the time. He had also already accepted a hundred taels of silver from Jiang Nian.

Although he feared Jia Zhen, he feared Jiang Nian even more. In his view, powerful though Jia Zhen might be, he could not compare to Jiang Nian—after all, Jiang Nian had brought down Wang Ziteng, the very pillar of support for the Ningguo Mansion. Moreover, having already given his word to Jiang Nian that he would do his utmost, he had no doubt that breaking his promise to help Jia Zhen seduce Qin Keqing would lead to a horrific end for himself. That distant relative of theirs named Qin Fan had already been thrown into prison indefinitely; that was a clear precedent right before his eyes!

Mindful of this, Peng Jizhong mustered his courage and said to Jia Zhen, "Grand Master Jia, I cannot comply with this matter. Please forgive me."

Hearing this, Jia Zhen thought he must have misheard. According to his calculations, five hundred taels of silver would be an astronomical sum to Peng Jizhong, not to mention his promise of another five hundred upon success and a steward's position in the Ningguo Mansion. Peng Jizhong should have agreed without hesitation. Yet, Peng Jizhong had actually refused outright?

Jia Zhen’s complexion instantly turned as dark and cold as iron...