Chapter 2: 2. Chapter 2: Jiao Da

Chapter 2: Jiao Da

Although Shen Ning had been eating the delicacies of the Red Chamber for two days, none had been as fragrant and sweet as today’s meal.

A bowl of piping hot, emerald-green rice porridge that was a feast for the eyes, paired with rouge-colored goose breast; a bowl of savory and delicious shrimp ball and chicken skin soup; two soft, smooth, and tender tofu skin buns; and a small dumpling—it was a meal that left one immensely satisfied.

In truth, she had wanted to taste the milk-sugar japonica rice porridge as well, but her stomach simply wouldn't allow it.

Shen Ning waved her hand regretfully, signaling for the dishes to be cleared. "Let’s go for a walk in the garden to help digest the food."

Crossing the main courtyard, the adjacent area was the Huifang Garden.

This garden, which would later have one-third of its area carved out for the Prospect Garden, was no less impressive than its future iteration after three generations of management by the Jia family. The buildings within—the Tianxiang Pavilion, the Ningxi Pavilion, the Dengxian Pavilion, the Doufeng Pavilion, and others—were arranged in a picturesque manner. The living water diverted from the outer river meandered through the garden. Since the first month of the year had only just passed, the various plum blossoms planted on the rockeries were in full bloom, and one could smell their faint, wintry fragrance from afar.

Shen Ning looked up at the sun, which lacked its usual warmth, and accompanied by her two senior maids, Qingzhu and Qinglian, along with three other junior maids, she followed the bluestone path. No sooner had she stepped into Huifang Garden than she heard a commotion coming from the backyard of the Ning'an Hall, just a wall away.

"Jiao Da, you old thing, what kind of airs are you putting on with us? I, Sixth Master, am about to go out and become an official. We are all going to be officials! The mansion guards are being disbanded; you’re nothing at all."

"You little brat, you’re the one who’s nothing at all, damn you!"

Jiao Da was furious, and it seemed they had come to blows.

"Ouch!"

"Captain Jiao, Old Liu..."

"Quick! Hurry, hurry, stop them!"

"Old Liu, stop!"

"Old Liu, you can't do this!"

The sounds of fists and kicks, cries of pain, and the clamor of people trying to break up the fight made Shen Ning stop in her tracks.

She remembered the thirty mansion guards under Jiao Da. Although they were servants, they were all battle-hardened soldiers due to their daily training.

In times of war, they accompanied their masters to the battlefield; they were the most loyal group, living and dying alongside their masters.

For those who lived to the age of thirty, the Jia family would use their military connections to secure them a status.

Jiao Da had never left because he had been injured on the battlefield in his youth and never married. The Old Master had promised that the Ningguo Mansion would provide for him for the rest of his life.

Were the mansion guards being disbanded now?

*Hiss.*

Shen Ning drew a sharp breath.

It seemed the Ningguo Mansion had no use for these guards anymore, but while they couldn't be used openly, in the shadows...

"Nothing to be afraid of! What is Jiao Da, anyway?"

On the other side of the wall, Luo Laoliu, likely having gotten the worst of the scuffle, sounded slightly shrill with anger. "Relying on his seniority to boss everyone around, meddling in everything—even the Master doesn't care for him, let alone the Eldest Master. Now that the guards are being disbanded..."

"Bullshit! No one can disband the guards!"

Jiao Da, held back by the others, had eyes turned red. "I am the captain of the guards, and I haven't received any word! You, a mere guard..."

He looked at the men he had personally trained, hoping for their support, but he saw only pain and relief in their eyes. When they met his gaze, they instinctively looked away. Jiao Da’s face turned ashen. "No, it’s impossible. The Old Master... the Old Master would never agree to this. I’m going to ask the Eldest Master! I’m going to ask the Eldest Master! Let me go, I want to see the Eldest Master!"

"Hmph!"

Luo Laoliu snorted heavily through his nose. "Does the Eldest Master even know who you are? Don't you know the situation in the mansion? Or are you just trapped in this house and want to ruin the future of us brothers and our children too?"

According to past precedent, not only would he receive a severance package, but his children would also be released from servitude.

Moreover, as long as those sent by the Jia family to the military performed well, they would usually be promoted to acting squad leaders or squad leaders within half a year.

That meant a ninth-rank or junior eighth-rank official position.

For him, that was a way to bring honor to his ancestors and provide for his descendants.

As long as his children were ambitious, they would have a foundation, whether they pursued a military or civil path.

"Hmph, let me be blunt: Steward Lai Da has already pointed out a path for me—the Patrol Battalion."

The Patrol Battalion was the most lucrative post; it was worth the gifts he had sent to Steward Lai.

"That bastard Lai Sheng..."

"Say that again?!"

Lai Sheng’s languid voice drifted over from the other side of the wall. "Jiao Da, in this mansion, I am the steward and you are the captain of the guards. But I am still the steward, while you... heh, you won't be the captain in a few days."

"You're full of it! I want to see the Eldest Master!" Jiao Da struggled violently. "Let me go! I want to see the Eldest Master!"

"The Eldest Master isn't home!"

Lai Sheng brushed some non-existent dust off his sleeves, clearly satisfied with the men holding Jiao Da. "Alright, tie him up and throw him in the stables. When the Eldest Master returns..."

He was about to say he would wait for the Eldest Master to deal with him when the side gate was pushed open.

"Mistress?!"

Seeing who it was, Lai Sheng hurriedly bowed.

If he was like that, how could the others dare to be negligent?

"Release him."

Shen Ning waved her hand, wasting no words.

"Mistress!"

As everyone let go, Jiao Da fell to his knees. "Mistress, please, you must persuade the Eldest Master! The mansion guards cannot be disbanded! They were formed by the Old Master himself. If the Old Master knew..."

"Rest assured, the guards will not be disbanded."

Shen Ning turned slightly to avoid the old man's kowtow. "Those who have reached the age will naturally be given a path by the mansion. Lai Sheng, how many have reached the age this year?"

"Replying to the Mistress, Luo Liu, Huo Qi, and Zhou Bo have all reached the age."

Lai Sheng bowed even lower.

"You are Luo Liu?"

"Yes! This servant... this servant is Luo Liu." Sweat beaded on Luo Liu's forehead, his mind racing. "Luo Liu thanks the Mistress for her grace." He didn't know how much the Mistress had heard, but he had seen her move to avoid Jiao Da’s kowtow.

Although he was the one who had been beaten, he had managed to land a punch on Jiao Da’s temple, which was already swelling.

"..."

Shen Ning said nothing, looking at Luo Liu calmly until his legs began to tremble. Only then did she speak slowly: "Jiao Da... he is essentially your master, isn't he?"

"...Yes!"

Luo Liu’s voice trembled.

He had been selected into the mansion at twelve and had followed Jiao Da ever since, learning martial arts while taking turns with his brothers to guard the mansion.

In that sense, Jiao Da was indeed his master.

"Lai Sheng, do you know how to deal with a guard who commits an offense against his superior?"

"Offending a superior is punishable by forty military lashes."

The mansion guards were different from ordinary servants; they were governed by military law. But forty lashes could easily be fatal.

"Very well! It’s in your hands. Everything shall follow the old precedent: for every man who leaves, a new one shall be selected."

After giving her instructions to Lai Sheng, Shen Ning turned to Jiao Da, who was about to speak, and signaled for the men to help him up. "Jiao Da, in a few days, you will be a master again. You must take good care of yourself."

"Yes!"

Jiao Da’s eyes filled with tears. "This servant will certainly take good care of himself and watch over this home for the Old Master and for you."

The guards were in an awkward position, and he had been worried about them being dismissed, which was why he had exploded at Luo Liu’s words.

Now, it was settled. Since the Mistress said the old precedent would be followed, it would certainly be followed.