Chapter 14: Summoning Baochai to Apologize in Person

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Xue Jin did not dare take a seat. He stood slightly bent at the waist, humbly pleading, “Our Pan is young and hot-blooded, and too reckless in his conduct. Today he actually offended Master Jiang, which was truly improper. Our family is willing to offer a sum of silver in compensation. We only beg you to show mercy, let the matter rest, and make peace with us.”

Jiang Nian gave an intentionally cold laugh, his tone stern and severe. “Xue Pan dared to gather a crowd and cause trouble at my home, intending to beat me to death and take my life. Such conduct shows utter contempt for the law, reckless audacity, and complete madness! I intend to request that Commander Tang deal with him to the full extent of the law. Even if he escapes execution, I shall see to it that he can no longer serve as an imperial merchant, and that he suffers imprisonment as well! The gang of arrogant servants he gathered must also be punished severely! Do you imagine that offering silver is enough to settle this? Besides, I am not short of money!”

Xue Jin was struck dumb with astonishment. He hurriedly said, “Master Jiang, you misunderstand. Pan truly lost his senses today and gathered people to make trouble at your door, but he absolutely had no intention of taking your life.”

Jiang Nian’s expression remained rigid. “Today on the Qinhuai River, Xue Pan loudly declared in public that he would beat me to death. Then he gathered so many arrogant servants and brought them to my home, smashing through the gates and climbing the walls. They came with such ferocity and murderous intent that, had Commander Tang not arrived with his troops in time, I fear I would already have become a wronged spirit!”

Xue Jin’s expression grew awkward, and unease stirred in his heart.

He knew all too well that if Xue Pan were convicted of such a crime, the consequences would indeed be grave.

After a brief pause, Xue Jin suddenly took out a bank draft for five thousand taels of silver and respectfully held it out before Jiang Nian.

“Master Jiang, you must understand that Pan truly had no intention of taking your life, nor does he possess the courage for such a thing. Still, he certainly offended you today. Here is a bank draft for five thousand taels. I hope you will accept it and not concern yourself further with that foolish wretch.”

Jiang Nian raised his brows slightly, his gaze falling upon the draft. He thought to himself, The Xue family really is wealthy. They offer five thousand taels at the first stroke.

Yet he made no move to take it.

Xue Jin continued, “I shall certainly have Pan’s mother discipline him strictly from this day onward. I will also ask his maternal uncle to see to his upbringing. His uncle is the Military Governor of the Metropolitan Camp, a man Pan has always feared and respected. I shall ask his maternal uncle on his father’s side to help discipline him as well. He is Jia Zheng, grandson of Duke Rong, Jia Yuan, and a man of high virtue and great renown. With all of them taking him in hand, Pan is sure to mend his ways.”

Five thousand taels of silver was an enormous fortune to ordinary people. With such a sum, a family of several members could live comfortably for the rest of their lives, provided they did not squander it.

Xue Jin had deliberately invoked Wang Ziteng, the Military Governor of the Metropolitan Camp, and Jia Zheng of the Rongguo Estate, hoping their names would intimidate Jiang Nian and make him withdraw from the matter.

Jiang Nian merely let out another cold laugh, his tone unyielding. “I know perfectly well who Xue Pan’s uncle and maternal uncle are. And what of it? Not to mention that both men are far away in the capital—even if they were both in Jiangning City at this very moment, I would not fear them. What Xue Pan has done this time is simply too outrageous. I will not settle the matter lightly, unless…”

At this point, Jiang Nian deliberately fell silent. His gaze swept across Xue Jin like a blade, as though waiting for his reply.

Hope flashed through Xue Jin’s heart. He hurriedly asked, “What would Master Jiang require before you would agree to a settlement?”

Jiang Nian deliberately lifted his teacup and gazed into it. The tea was clear and jade-green, with several leaves floating upon its surface. He gently blew them aside, then sipped his tea in silence, lost in thought.

After a while, he looked at Xue Jin with deep, unreadable eyes and asked, “Does Xue Pan have a younger sister?”

Xue Jin already knew the reason for the quarrel between Xue Pan and Jiang Nian that day. Thus, although he felt somewhat uneasy when Jiang Nian brought up Xue Baochai, he was not surprised. He nodded slightly and answered truthfully, “He does.”

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Jiang Nian asked, “What is her name?”

Xue Jin replied, “Her childhood name is Baochai.”

Jiang Nian held the teacup in one hand while gently stroking its side with the other. His expression was as calm as a deep pool. Looking directly at Xue Jin, he said in an equally tranquil voice, “If you wish to settle this matter, there is only one way. Let Miss Xue come to my home and apologize to me in person—and have her bring ten thousand taels of silver.”

Xue Jin froze at once.

…

…

After meeting Jiang Nian, Xue Jin hurried back to the Xue residence.

He drew several deep breaths to steady himself, then conveyed Jiang Nian’s demands to Madam Xue and Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai’s expression immediately darkened with anger.

A young lady of respectable family did not lightly meet unrelated men outside the home, much less call upon such a man in person to apologize. Xue Baochai was especially dignified and self-possessed.

To her, being made to visit Jiang Nian and apologize was not only a blow to her reputation and chastity, but also a profound humiliation.

“How can that young master of the Jiang family be so overbearing? How could he make such an outrageous demand?”

Madam Xue trembled with fury, even her voice shaking, while anger seemed to burn in her eyes.

The room suddenly fell silent. The air was filled with an oppressive tension that seemed almost suffocating.

Spring sunlight streamed through the lattice windows and spread across the floor. Yet in the eyes of Madam Xue and Xue Baochai, it seemed less like sunlight than shadow.

Madam Xue hesitated for a long while before letting out a deep sigh. Leaning forward slightly, she gazed at Xue Baochai with helplessness in her eyes.

“Bao, for your brother’s sake, and for the sake of our Xue family, are you willing to endure this grievance?”

Xue Baochai lowered her head, both hands tightly clasped together, her fingers trembling unconsciously. Bitterness filled her heart. Her mother loved her brother more than she loved her, and he was the family’s only son. What was more, this matter concerned the future of the entire Xue family.

Xue Baochai bit her lip in distress and said softly, “If Mother orders me to go, then I will go.”

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Madam Xue’s face was clouded with sorrow, her eyes filled with guilt, and her voice laden with apology.

“Bao, I know this wounds you deeply. But your brother’s safety is now in that man’s hands, and the future of our Xue family depends upon this as well. You… you must endure it just this once. Once the matter is settled, we will leave for the capital at once and stay far away from that young master of the Jiang family forever.”

Xue Baochai lowered her eyes. Her long lashes trembled faintly, and her eyes had already grown moist, tears circling in their corners. In the end, she gave a slight nod, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

“All right. I… I will go.”

Madam Xue ordered Xue Baochai to withdraw, then said to Xue Jin, “That young master of the Jiang family already saw Bao today on the Qinhuai River. He openly said that he had taken a great liking to her at first sight and even wanted to buy her. Now he has specifically demanded that Bao visit him to apologize. I fear he may use the opportunity to behave improperly toward her.”

Xue Jin said solemnly, “I will naturally accompany Bao and remain at her side throughout.”

Madam Xue was still uneasy. After a pause, she said, “Take Ke’er as well. With one grown man and one young gentleman accompanying her, I will feel somewhat more at ease.”

…

…

That afternoon.

The sunlight was warm and bright.

The rear courtyard of the Jiang residence seemed plated in a layer of radiant gold.

As usual, Jiang Nian was practicing martial arts in the courtyard. He Ruin was instructing him with great care, while Meng Xiong stood nearby for company.

Dressed in a fitted martial outfit, Jiang Nian basked in the brilliant sunlight as he bent his bow and loosed arrows.

Just then, Yao, the wife of Dong Liang, hurried over. A trace of urgency showed on her face as she respectfully said to Jiang Nian, “Master, people from the Xue family have come again. The Xue family’s young lady has come this time as well.”

The corner of Jiang Nian’s mouth lifted. He gave a slight nod.

“Bring them here.”