Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Tong and Lin Yu Yang are officially added to the Lin Family genealogy.

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

Chapter 16 – Red Chamber (16)

There was another matter in the return to Gusu, for the two concubines to enter the ancestral cemetery of the Lin Family.

To Lin Yu Yang, being able to fulfill the two’s wishes was an important and meaningful matter. The memories of childhood had slowly faded. With his sister’s care in the last few years, he had not suffered at all. Now, he had returned to the family and been recognized. His life had been guided by his sister onto a completely different path.

He knelt behind his sister, tears streaming down. Maybe he was mourning his birth mother, or emotional about past events. In any case, his emotions could not settle down.

Lin Yu Tong was much more calm. She had not interacted with the two concubines. In the little girl’s memories, there was only the terror of losing her support. At the time, the child did not know what death was.

She sincerely kowtowed and then pulled her brother up. “All right, you have cried. They always hoped that we would be well. Be happy, and then the people of the other world will not worry. People will always have a day when they pass on, just think of it as a temporary separation.”

Lin Yu Yang sniffed and nodded.

Lin Ru Hai looked at his son and daughter and felt more guilt towards the two concubines. Their graves were well crafted. This was the only thing he could do for them.

Lin Yu Tong looked at Jia Min’s grave and thought, down there, how much are the three women fighting?

Lin Dai Yu did not come. She said she had a cold. In reality, she felt it awkward and was hiding.

There was no rule for a di-daughter to attend the transfer of a concubine’s grave, but she was embarrassed to face her sister and brother.

Lin Yu Tong could understand. She believed that the two concubines would also not be happy to see the di-daughter appear.

After the matter concluded, Lin Ru Hai took the three children back to Yangzhou. For one, the year’s end was coming up, and two was that there were still matters of government.

When they reached Yangzhou, it was already near the end of the month.

Lin Yu Yang was basically studying at home with Lin Ru Hai’s personal guidance. Lin Yu Tong was content with this. A good teacher was of enormous benefit to the student.

Lin Yu Tong was busy with the matters of the year end. There were not many relatives of the Lin Family, but gifts had to be exchanged with Lin Ru Hai’s fellows. Such matters could not be sloppy, and she was very busy.

She had called Lin Dai Yu to help, but after a few days, the other found an excuse to not come. Supposedly, she went to the library to study rare tomes. Lin Ru Hai was not unhappy about this, and was joyed to hear of it.

Maybe in his bones, he hoped that his children would have some of his knowledge and nature.

Lin Yu Yang had a clear goal in studying for the examinations. In this way, it was utilitarian. Lin Ru Hai was likely a bit disappointed.

Lin Yu Tong felt that maybe she had a bias in raising her brother. At the time, the days had been hard, and half a year’s income was not enough to buy the books needed for the examinations. Who dared to think of more?

She had vaguely mentioned it to her brother. Lin Yu Yang was very open-minded about it and comforted, “When I have scholarly honor, when can’t I cultivate my tastes?”

Lin Yu Tong did not care. Different living conditions created different personalities and desires. She was helpless against this.

She could not understand Sister Lin’s lofty nature. Sister Lin likely could not understand her commonness.

However, this did not stop the two from interacting peacefully.

The new year arrived in such an atmosphere. This was Lin Ru Hai’s most happy year. When paying worship to the ancestors, he was no longer just one person. Looking at the three children kneeling behind him, he felt that he did not fail the ancestors of the Lin Family. The Lin Family had had single sons for generations, not even an extra daughter. Right now, he only had one son, but two daughters.

His face looked red and healthy. His smile was bright. He gradually had the air of the third-ranked in the imperial examinations.

This beautiful middle-aged uncle, during the new year dinner, suddenly threw out a large bomb that caught Lin Yu Tong and Lin Yu Yang off guard.

“After the first month, this father is sending you to the capital,” Lin Ru Hai said coolly.

Lin Yu Tong thought she had misheard.

“Father, what did you say?” Lin Yu Tong unconsciously asked.

Lin Ru Hai looked at his eldest daughter and sighed. “For your safety, this father has to send you to the capital.”

Lin Yu Tong immediately knew this was related to the situation of the court and Jiangnan. She frowned and said, “Father, can you not resign?”

“This is foolish talk.” Lin Ru Hai knew that his daughter was smart and good at the affairs of life. He explained, “When one has pushed the cart halfway up the hill, they cannot let go on the way, unless they die from exhaustion, otherwise……”

“Father fears that we will become Father’s weakness,” Lin Yu Tong looked at Lin Ru Hai and said.

“Cutting off someone’s path to fortune is like killing their parents. When people are pressed, they can do anything.” Lin Ru Hai looked at his eldest daughter. “This father knows that you are capable, and can only give Yang-ge’er and Dai Yu to you.”

“Father, what about you?” Lin Yu Tong felt a bit anxious. With Lin Ru Hai present, they had protection. If he was gone, there was no one to shelter them.

He was biased, and gave Sister Lin more care, but Lin Yu Tong had to admit, in this world, both she and her brother needed this person to be alive.

Lin Yu Yang looked at Lin Ru Hai, his hands clenched. “Father, I will stay behind with you.”

Lin Dai Yu’s eyes were already red as she sobbed. She was not stupid and naturally heard the danger contained within.

Lin Ru Hai’s eyes reddened as well. His heart felt soft at how his children cared for him and his heart filled up. He comforted with a smile, “After this father’s illness this time, the emperor learned just how important this father’s position is. He sent secret guards, my safety is assured.” While he did not have freedom, he would be safe. The other things were not important.

Lin Yu Tong saw that the matter was finalized and asked, “I just fear that Father worries we cannot live at the residence in the capital.”

Lin Ru Hai looked at his capable eldest daughter, and then at his sobbing youngest daughter. He could not help but sigh. At times like this, his eldest daughter was more reassuring. He said, “The old mistress of the Rong Ducal Establishment sent a letter, wanting to have you stay for a while. This father feels that it is a good chance. The residence, no matter what…… At least, there are no problems with safety.”

Lin Yu Tong nodded. This was correct. Lin Ru Hai did not trust the Jia Family, but he trusted the emperor. Sending them to the capital was sending them under the eyes of the emperor. The Jia Family did not dare to do anything under the eyes of the emperor. Also, the men of the Jia Family did not have the brains to participate in major matters. They had the reputation of the four princes and the eight dukes¹ but no one would let them know of important matters.

So, compared to other places, this was the most safe.

“I will pack up the things for moving to the capital after the fifteenth.” Lin Yu Tong was never one to be sad. She always made her choices and arrangements with a wise mind. Thinking of going to the capital, she could not help but ask, “What about Yang-ge’er‘s schooling?” She did not trust in the Jia Family’s family school.

Lin Ru Hai truly had a new view of his daughter. In just this little bit of time, she thought of so much. This child was like a weed, able to grow everywhere. He did not have to worry.

“Official Zhang, Zhang Cheng, is this father’s maternal uncle, your grand uncle. Yang-ge’er will go to the Zhang Family to study,” Lin Ru Hai said, “This father has already sent the letter. This is a close family relation, nothing to be embarrassed about.”

The Lin Family had such a relative. This Official Zhang was the old Lin mistress, her grandmother’s paternal cousin. The relationship really was not far.

“Are there many interactions?” Lin Yu Tong probed. This was nothing in the gift lists.

“There is a bit of a rift between the Zhang and Jia families. When the mistress was still alive, the inner courtyards were distant,” Lin Ru Hai said vaguely.

Lin Yu Tong understood. The women were distant, meaning that the relationship between the men had not been cut off. Who knew if they had deliberately avoided Jia Min? In any case, brother and sister had grudges with Jia Min. The enemy of the enemy was a friend. As long as the Zhang Family did not reject her brother, who cared about the rift?

Lin Yu Yang nodded at his sister, indicating for her not to worry about him.

Lin Yu Tong smiled and changed the topic, talking about receiving guests during the new year.

The family only separated to go to their own rooms and rest when it was almost eleven.

When Lin Dai Yu returned to her rooms, she did not know what she was feeling. Jia Family. Was she going to go back again?

However, this time, she was not alone. She was going back with her eldest sister and brother. She was no longer alone.

But to her, was the Jia Family still the same Jia Family?

The words of her sister occasionally echoed in her ears. She truly could not view the Jia Family with the same mindset.

Bao Yu, he…… Lin Dai Yu sighed. People were like duckweed, floating with the water. Father was not in a good situation right now. Who knew what tomorrow would be like?

Xue Yan was a bit unhappy when she heard they were going back to the Jia Family.

Zi Juan had a big smile. In the Lin Family, she was restrained, and never as free as in the Jia Family.

“Amitabha, the old mistress must be missing you greatly,” Zi Juan said with a smile. “Miss, do you have to prepare the gifts for the misses and Bao Yu?”

Lin Dai Yu said lazily, “There is Sister. She is always considerate, will she overlook anyone?”

“Eldest Miss is a very capable person.” Zi Juan had learned. She no longer casually spoke ill of the Lin Family members. She said, “But the things that Miss prepares are Miss’ regard. No matter if it is a stalk of grass, a piece of paper, a painting, a handkerchief, it is all Miss’ intentions. In our family, do we weigh things with silver?”

Lin Dai Yu could not help but think of the ledgers she had seen. Her face turned red from embarrassment. She had never thought that her mother would give the Jia Family so many gifts.

They all said that the Jia Family was rich. She had seen with her own eyes how extravagantly they lived. She hadn’t thought that the Lin Family gave so much. Right now, the Jia Family was barely managing their present state. In the past, she had not understood, but after hearing her sister when managing the household, she understood what it meant that the Jia Family always sent their monthly stipend late.

She did not care much for money, and did not care about the silver given to the Jia Family. However, she could not help but worry for the future of the Jia Family. The old mistress was old, the sisters were good, and Bao Yu…… Where were their futures at?

Translator Ramblings: This story is not going into the political details of the Dream of the Red Chamber, but let’s just say it pretty much reflects on the Kangxi Emperor and the politics of the Qing Dynasty in his later years.

Burial places are pretty important, and there is significance in being buried in the family cemetery, since then the clan/family will pay worship. It’s an important step for recognition and honor.

To clarify a few things Smash noted while editing: the Jia Family has two branches, and two separate titles as Duke Rong and Duke Ning. Jia Min is from the Rong branch of the Jia Family, so they are Lin Ru Hai’s in-laws while the headship of the Jia Family is part of the Ning branch.

Zhang Zheng is technically “Lin Ru Hai’s first cousin once removed, or Lin Yu Tong’s first cousin twice removed”.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 15 – Red Chamber (15)
• Grafting Life Chapter 17 – Red Chamber (17)
• Grafting Life Chapter 18 – Red Chamber (18)