Chapter 8: Boating on the Qinhuai, First Meeting with Baochai

The weather was kind, and the next day dawned clear.

In the morning, the warm sun hung in the sky, and the blue vault was as if washed clean, clear and profound. Sunlight, like fragments of golden silk, draped over the surface of the Qinhuai River, interweaving with the water to create a flowing scroll; the rippling waves sparkled, beautiful enough to intoxicate the soul. Along the banks, the weeping willows were like mist, their soft branches swaying in the breeze, as if traced by nature’s most delicate brush. Several boats glided along the Qinhuai, weaving through the shimmering light, some moving fast, others slow.

Jiang Nian stood on the deck of one of the pleasure boats. His gaze was deep and focused, as if he wished to take in all the beauty before him. The river breeze brushed against his hair, bringing a touch of coolness that could not, however, dispel his sense of intoxication and enjoyment. Xiangling stood in attendance behind him. The master and servant seemed to blend into the scenery of the Qinhuai River, becoming a part of the landscape themselves. Inside the cabin sat He Yun and his wife, Mrs. Meng, who were eating tea snacks while admiring the view through the window; they worked diligently and faithfully, and rarely had such leisurely moments.

"Young Master, the scenery of the Qinhuai River is truly beautiful, like a painting," Xiangling exclaimed sincerely. Her voice was crisp and melodious, her excitement and joy plain to see. It was strange, for Xiangling had been abducted as a child and abused by kidnappers for seven years, yet her current disposition was positive and optimistic. Having followed Jiang Nian for only a few days, she had already opened her heart, showing a bright and cheerful nature that made her seem like a completely different person from the timid and awkward Suzhou girl who had arrived just days before.

At this moment, a magnificent pleasure boat slowly sailed toward the one Jiang Nian was on. Inside the cabin of this ornate vessel, near the window, sat two young women. One was surnamed Xue, given name Baochai. Not yet fifteen, she was exquisite—her lips red without rouge, her brows dark without paint—her skin luminous, her demeanor dignified and elegant, and her attire simple and refined. The other was also surnamed Xue, given name Baoqin. She was Baochai’s cousin, and though a few years younger, it was clear that her natural beauty surpassed even Baochai’s. Her face was ethereal and refined, as if she had gathered all the spirit of heaven and earth, making her unforgettable at a single glance.

On the deck of the magnificent boat stood a young gentleman. While not exceptionally handsome, his appearance was well above average, though his figure was slightly stout. He wore luxurious clothing, exuding an air of great wealth. This was Xue Pan, the biological brother of Xue Baochai and cousin of Xue Baoqin.

As the two boats converged on the Qinhuai, Jiang Nian, standing on the deck, caught sight of Baochai and Baoqin through the window of the Xue family boat, and the two young women saw him in return. Jiang Nian met Baochai’s gaze across the water, his eyes filled with appreciation. He thought to himself, "I wonder whose daughter she is; her appearance perfectly fits my aesthetic—she has the face of a woman who brings peace and prosperity to the realm." Baochai, however, quickly turned her head to avoid his gaze.

In this era, young ladies from prestigious, wealthy families did not easily appear before men, and Baochai was a woman of great propriety.

Soon after, Jiang Nian noticed Xue Pan standing on the deck of the Xue boat, and Xue Pan, in turn, saw him and Xiangling.

"Xue Pan!" The name immediately sprang into Jiang Nian’s mind. The Xue family was a renowned, prestigious clan in Jiangning, descendants of the Imperial Secretary Xue Gong, possessing immense wealth. The saying "The Xue family has so much snow that pearls are like dirt and gold like iron" referred to them. Xue Pan was notoriously known as the "Bully of the Idle," a man who acted on impulse, did as he pleased, and spent money like water; he was a notorious figure in the city of Jiangning. Jiang Nian recognized him only because the original owner of his body had once met him.

"To encounter Xue Pan on the Qinhuai River today... it seems highly likely that the young lady I saw in the window was indeed Xue Baochai," Jiang Nian speculated, glancing back at the window of the Xue boat. Xue Pan had also seen the original owner once, though he did not remember his name.

At this moment, Xue Pan’s eyes lit up—not because he saw Jiang Nian, but because he saw Xiangling in her maid’s attire. He found her exceptionally beautiful and perfectly to his taste.

"Stop the boat! Stop the boat at once!" Xue Pan barked urgently at his boatman, then shouted to Jiang Nian, "Hey, brother! Stop your boat, I have an urgent matter to discuss with you!"

Jiang Nian was puzzled, but he ordered his boat to halt. He was quite interested in the Xue family, especially Xue Baochai.

"Pan’er, why have you ordered the boat to stop? What is the matter?" Aunt Xue, who was sitting in the cabin with Baochai and Baoqin, heard her son’s loud command and hurried to the cabin door to ask with concern.

"Mother, I’ve run into a friend and have something to discuss with him," Xue Pan replied with a grin. Aunt Xue did not suspect anything. Baochai, however, immediately thought of the young man she had just exchanged glances with. She looked through the window toward Jiang Nian’s boat.

Both boats were now stationary on the river, the shimmering water flowing between them, though they were separated by more than ten meters. Xue Pan hurriedly commanded his boatmen to row backward, closing the distance until the two vessels were only a few feet apart, allowing him and Jiang Nian to face each other across the water. Jiang Nian remained calm, his eyes fixed deeply upon Xue Pan.

Xue Pan asked loudly, "You look familiar, brother. I believe we have met. What is your name and surname?"

Jiang Nian replied calmly, "We have indeed met, but I am not from a prestigious family; my name is not worth mentioning. May I ask what you wish to discuss, Brother Xue?"

"Not from a prestigious family? Hmm, that makes things easier," Xue Pan thought to himself, a triumphant smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He pointed at Xiangling behind Jiang Nian and asked with a smile, "Is this girl your maid?"

Jiang Nian nodded, thinking, "I accidentally intercepted Xiangling from Xue Pan, and now by chance, I’ve run into him on the Qinhuai. This fellow must have taken a fancy to her!"

Sure enough, Xue Pan immediately showed his true colors. He chuckled and said to Jiang Nian, "I have been looking for a maid for myself, and seeing yours today, I am quite fond of her. I’ve taken a shine to her at first sight. Sell her to me; name your price, even if it’s eight hundred or a thousand taels."

Jiang Nian sneered. He truly lived up to his reputation as the "Bully of the Idle"!

Xue Pan had not spoken quietly. Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Baoqin were all paying attention to the situation outside the cabin and heard everything. Aunt Xue spat, "I thought he had some proper business; he’s actually taken a fancy to someone else’s maid and is trying to buy her on the spot."

Baochai sighed softly, her brow furrowed with helplessness. "Brother is acting recklessly again."

Outside the cabin, Jiang Nian’s voice rang out in response to Xue Pan: "I just noticed a dignified and elegant young lady in your cabin. Who might she be?"

Xue Pan replied without hesitation, "There are two young ladies in my cabin. One is my sister, and the younger one is my cousin."

Jiang Nian said, "I am quite fond of your sister; I have taken a shine to her at first sight as well. Sell her to me; name your price, even if it’s two thousand taels."

Xue Pan: "..."
Aunt Xue: "..."
Baochai: "..."
Baoqin: "..."

At this moment, on the Xue family boat, Xue Pan outside the cabin and Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Baoqin inside were all stunned into silence. The waters of the Qinhuai and the river breeze seemed to freeze, brought to a standstill by this sudden and absurd farce.