Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: The Lin Family leaves for Gusu.

This chapter has been brought to you by me and Smash10101.

Chapter 15 – Red Chamber (15)

Lin Yu Tong heard her brother’s explanation and there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

At the time, the siblings were still living in the nunnery. Her brother had a fever, but he was still conscious. She could not use the medicine from her space as she wanted. The water could strengthen the body, but it could not immediately lower the fever. At the time, she had panicked, fearing that the fever would ruin her brother’s mind. She had urgently wanted to go to town and find a physician to get medicine. What little silver she had was needed for the medicine, and the carriage driver was not willing to take payment later. Lin Yu Tong had panicked, and put the kitchen knife to her own neck, threatening that if the other did not go, she would die in his home. The other was not a bad person, and had never seen such a reckless person, so he took her to the town. Later, after she made money, she immediately gave the other two taels, repaying him ten times over.

However, after this incident, when the siblings moved to the village, no one dared to bully them.

The unreasonable feared the rash, the rash feared the suicidal. She probably was one who did not care for her life in the eyes of others.

Such a fearsome reputation likely could not be concealed.

Compared to Sister Lin’s inappropriateness in the Jia Family, someone like her was truly improper among ladies.

Lin Yu Tong was slightly curious how her father Lin Ru Hai would treat this, and how to take care of this matter.

In common households, there were many women who were out all day in public, forced by the circumstances!

But after several years, how many people would understand her actions were forced by the circumstances? Would this become a way for people to attack her?

Lin Yu Tong looked at Lin Dai Yu. In the end, this was a girl in her teens, who lost her mother and left her father at a young age to live in someone else’s home and did not have any freedom. The other managed to come back. If the other did not have good days in the Lin Family because of her, then it was her fault.

She seemed to have too rigorous of demands of the young girl. The two lived under the same roof. How could they not converse at all?

She would try!

When the carriage started again, Lin Yu Tong shoved sour plums in her mouth and attempted to talk with Sister Lin.

The weather, food, clothing, jewelry. These were safe topics which would not touch sensitive nerves.

Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “I heard that the weather in the north is very cold. Sister, you lived in the capital for several years, how did you feel?”

Sister Lin glanced at Lin Yu Tong and sensed the friendliness coming off her sister. She gave a small smile. “It is very cold. There were icicles outside the rooms. If not needed, I did not leave the room.”

“Father will return to the capital sooner or later. The residence in the capital has to be prepared soon. I think, if nothing else, the bed stove and ground heating is the top priority.” Lin Yu Tong said emotionally, “Right now, in Yangzhou and Gusu, I hug the stove and do not want to go out. If I go to the capital, I will suffer.”

Sister Lin glanced at Lin Yu Tong. “Sister likes to worry.”

Lin Yu Tong almost choked. Lucky that she knew this girl had no other thoughts. She smiled helplessly, “You and Yang-ge’er are both people who burrow into books and do not come out. Father is also busy. Who else can I rely on?”

Lin Dai Yu’s smile became much more sincere. The other put her and Brother together. It did not appear that this sister disliked her. Her frown disappeared.

Lin Yu Tong felt that she had gotten a better sense of this child’s temperament. She said with a smile, “Father always mentions that you are very good at studying and even Yang-ge’er cannot rival you. With me, Father is more disappointed, I only know a few characters, just enough to be literate. As to your poems and songs, let me tell you first, do not come to find me to sing or recite. If there are ledgers, I can manage, no matter how many.”

Lin Dai Yu giggled. “Sister’s personality is such that you will be able to get along with one person.”

Lin Yu Tong’s eyebrows rose. “Is there someone as common as me?”

“Pepper Feng¹. Second Brother Lian’s wife,” Lin Dai Yu explained.

“They say that this mistress is a hero in rouge. Do not try to gild your sister in gold.” Lin Yu Tong laughed. “I know her reputation.”

Lin Dai Yu said, “This sister-in-law is a very capable person. In this world, people always have to have one thing for themselves. It is easy to establish oneself with an ability no one else has. Sister’s ability means you are able to live well no matter where.”

Lin Yu Tong looked at Lin Dai Yu with some surprise. They all said that this girl had “an extra chamber in her heart.” Now it appeared the other was very knowledgeable.

The sisters kept on chatting, and were at peace along the trip.

When they reached Gusu, Lin Ru Hai had a smile on his face. He had heard the sound of the sisters’ laughter. This was what he hoped for all this time. As long as the siblings were able to interact and get along, he had nothing to worry about.

People had been sent to clean up the Gusu residence for them beforehand. The family settled in. Lin Ru Hai took Lin Yu Yang to visit the family head, likely for the matter of the two siblings being recorded into the genealogy.

The Lin Clan did not have many members, but could not be said to be dead. Lin Ru Hai was the only member of the Clan who was still an official and the family placed great importance on him. When Lin Ru Hai came with his son, not just the family head was there, even the elders were all present. This could be said to be a solemn affair.

When the Lin members saw Lin Yu Yang’s appearance, they had no questions. So similar to Lin Ru Hai. How could there be such a coincidence?

There was no obstacle to entering the genealogy, but there was trouble when it came to Lin Yu Tong.

“A girl who was seen in public harms the Lin Family’s reputation. How about recording her under another branch of the family? This way, people will pay less attention to her. Then, if she resides with you as a foster, there will be no gossip. Later, when it comes to her marriage, with your care, even if it will not be a noble family, an ordinary family will not be a slight for a shu-daughter,” the family head said.

Before Lin Ru Hai could speak, Lin Yu Yang stood up. What nonsense was this? Without his sister being out in public, he would have starved to death long ago, or died from sickness. Now, the other was arguing this with him. Was the genealogy of the Lin Family so precious? If Sister was not recorded, he would not be as well. He did not believe that with his hard work, he wouldn’t be able to find a perfect marriage for his sister. Even if he could not, he would just support his sister. His sister was able to support him, and so he would support his sister in turn.

Thinking of this, his eyes turned red, his hands clenched. He wanted to turn and leave.

Lin Ru Hai saw his son like this and knew that this was developing in a bad way. Before Lin Yu Yang spoke out of turn, he hurriedly said, “Family Head, you worry too much. I have a grasp on the matter of Yu Tong. This is not something that can be kept secret if desired. The people who want to know will know. There is nothing to hide. In these years, the children were slighted. It is the fault of this father. Now, with me here, if I am unable to protect my daughter, I should just die here. Also, I do not feel that there is anything to criticize about Yu Tong. I will not want those picky families. I do not believe that there are no families with keen eyes who will understand. The Lin Family is a scholarly family, but the marriage does not have to be within the scholarly families. I married the daughter of a noble military family.²In the future, I will find a military family for Yu Tong. As long as they are of good character and he is able, and the family is simple and not too particular, it is fine. She is a capable person, she has the support of me and her brother, no one will look down at her, she will live well.”

After Lin Ru Hai said this, he saw his son’s expression relax, and felt more steady. Seeing the family head hesitate, he said directly, “I already thought about adding five hundred acres of land for the family. The income will support the members of the family to study for the examinations. I will support the good students.” In any case, his son had no helpers. A lone tree could not make a forest. This was something he had already planned for, and mentioning it now would shoot two birds with one arrow.

The old family head still had not spoken when the elders agreed. Where would they find something this good? The father and the brother did not care about the reputation, so why would they care? In the present times, it was so hard to raise a scholar! Not to mention farmers, even some minor landlords could not save up much grain.³

Everyone agreed. The old family head also had sons and grandsons, and would not have his descendants affected by this trifle. He had thought that this would be for Lin Ru Hai’s good, and not expected that the other was not in favor so he took the opportunity to step back.

As a result, the names of the siblings finally landed on the Lin Family’s genealogy.

Father and son tacitly agreed not to mention this to Lin Yu Tong. While they did not speak, Steward Lin would not keep this a secret. He felt that there was still a barrier between Master and the Eldest Miss. Master’s actions now would have some benefit towards repairing the relationship between father and daughter.

Lin Yu Tong had some complex feelings. In this strange world, the protection from another person did not feel bad. To her, marrying someone was not a burden. If there was anyone suitable, she would marry, if not, fine.

But if someone else would be affected, Lin Yu Tong felt that she had to take more care and treat this seriously.

Zi Juan heard from some of the servant women how Lin Ru Hai protected Lin Yu Tong and came back to tell Lin Dai Yu of the matter. “Eldest Miss is pitiful. However, my words back then still make sense. Interacting like this…… will harm Miss’ reputation.”

“Stop talking!” Lin Dai Yu’s face flushed. “Never mind other people speaking nonsense, how come you are as well? The people of the world see reputation, but will one starve to death for reputation? The people of the world are confused, but I am not! Do not say such nonsense.”

Zi Juan flushed red. It was the first time she met such harsh words from Lin Dai Yu.

Lin Yu Tong was right outside the door and coincidentally heard the two’s talk. At this moment, she felt complicated……

Translator Ramblings: Modern times do not really have “clan law” but for a long time in ancient China, this was the original government system, with the emperor/king being the “son of heaven”, with the greatest power, and his descendants having lower levels of power and smaller regions to rule (ie fiefs). The “main” branch of a clan, the patriarch, has special powers over other cadet branches, such as managing the clan wealth, arranging and overseeing marriages and deaths of its members, and punishing its members. The inheritance is based on blood (di son inherits first) and branches are “split off” once they are too distantly related.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 14 – Red Chamber (14)
• Grafting Life Chapter 16 – Red Chamber (16)
• Grafting Life Chapter 17 – Red Chamber (17)

Liked it? Take a second to support Dreams of Jianghu on Patreon!