Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Yang follows his sister’s guidance and makes Count Jinghai’s acquaintance before they arrive in the capital.

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

Chapter 19 – Red Chamber (19)

Shi-shi comforted Jia Bao Yu. “You evil creature, such a demon star, wait for her to finish talking, listen to what happened. Lecturing someone like this is not what a man should do.”

Regardless of everything else about Jia Bao Yu, he was better than others at obeying. He snuggled with Shi-shi and then embarrassedly stood up. “I was in a rush just now and spoke nonsense, Granny, I apologize.” Then he said to Xi Ren. “Get twenty taels of silver for Granny.”

Madam Wang finally nodded. Silver was a minor matter, the key was that men had to be impressive in their conduct.

That Lai Da’s wife had crowds of servants in her own home and did not care about the twenty taels of silver. However, with these twenty taels, she managed to preserve her face. She hurriedly said with a smile, “It is the duty of the servant to be scolded by the master. Second Master, this servant cannot accept.”

Shi-shi said with a smile, “You are an elder person, you should have such face given to you.” Then she called for Yuan Yang to get the silver. “This old woman will supply Bao Yu’s twenty taels. He is young, he doesn’t have much money. Get another thirty taels for her as a reward.”

Lai Da’s wife hurriedly knelt in thanks. This truly gave her face.

Not daring to wait for her masters, Lai Da’s wife told the events of the pier to the people in the room in detail. “…… A ship full of items. The old servant thought that Uncle-in-law was returning to the capital. But upon inquiring, those are all things that the cousin misses and master uses. This old servant has seen much, but such a spectacle……” She tisked.

“This is the dignity that a noble family should have. You girls just are tolerable.” Shi-shi pointed at the three Springs and Xiang Yun. “When Min’er was at home, when she took a step, eight feet stepped with her.¹Before I was married, my procession was even greater.” Her tone was nostalgic.

This showed that each generation was worse off than the last, and each year worse than the last.

“This servant saw the one speaking with the young master of the Lin Family was a young count, this servant does not know the relationship to the Lin Family, they appear to have come to the capital together. He sent soldiers to move the boxes back to the Lin Residence. There were also servant women from Secretary Zhang’s residence who went to greet them. They appear very close.” Lai Da’s wife mentioned all the main points before leaving.

The room quieted. The three Springs, Xiang Yun and Bao Chai silently stood up, and retreated. Jia Bao Yu saw his sisters all leave, and twisted uneasily. He pouted and lowered his head, reluctantly leaving.

The room was silent for a while before Shi-shi said, “I hadn’t thought that the Lin and Zhang families were still in contact.”

A hint of confusion flashed through Wang Xi Feng’s eyes. With such a relative, why not be in contact? Seeing Mother Jia unhappy, she knew that there must be some unhappy event of the past in this. She was not curious about this. She thought, with the obsession the old mistress had with the Lin Family, she likely would not rest. They would have to go to the Lin Family to invite them. In this family, she and Second Master Lian were the long suffering people who would have to do such a thing.

It would be good if the other side gave face. But if the other did not give face and refused, what about their face?

After Second Master Lian came back from Yangzhou, he complained a lot to her. They had not treated Sister Lin well, and she had dared to tell him to go to Yangzhou.

But, by the heavens, she was not so frugal to the point of embezzling the silver for the physicians and the ginseng. How much could be used in the medicine? Also, this came from the old mistress’s personal savings, so would she do such a thing?

Likely, someone bold had switched out the good and used the bad to replace. The root of the problem was around the old mistress. Otherwise, the old mistress would not have been so quiet. She likely would have started shouting and giving beatings.

The old mistress had some heart for Sister Lin, and she likely was very angry. After a while, she would likely find an excuse to punish the people around her. She was silent now because she feared losing face.

As to the matter of seeing the physician, it could not be said they were neglectful. If anything was wrong with Bao Yu, not just physicians, even the imperial physicians² were requested. People did not even dare to neglect his servant girls. The physicians came at any time.

From this, it was possible to see who was close and not. Adding on Sister Lin was not willing to be a bother, because she was frequently ill, who would care after a long time?

The men would not think of such things. That Uncle-in-law Lin likely would not think of having people examine the pills. She feared this was the Eldest Miss of the Lin Family.

Thinking like this, this eldest miss was likely a capable person. She had such care for her di-sister. Wang Xi Feng feared that in the mind of this Uncle-in-law Lin, the other valued her more.

Shi-shi was lamenting that once people departed, the tea cooled³. Back when Min’er was still alive, the Lin and Zhang families did not interact like this. Now that she was gone, everything came out in public.

For Lin Ru Hai, the in-laws were not worth much, but they could not be allowed to be distanced like this.

“Feng-yatou⁴, have the courtyards been prepared?” Shi-shi asked.

“Yes, the Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard, the furniture is good,” Wang Xi Feng said with a smile.

Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard was a two-entry courtyard. Because it was slightly far from the courtyard that Mother Jia lived in, the masters of the Jia Family did not live there. The courtyard was just a wall away from the outside main street, and it was very convenient to open a door for entry and exit.

Shi-shi was slightly displeased. It was too far from her, not convenient for visiting.

But Wang Xi Feng said, “Other than Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard, the other places are not suitable. The other courtyards are all within the inner courtyard. I just fear that Younger Cousin Lin will not be willing to live there.” Seeing Shi-shi look up inquiringly, she said,”Our second master visited Yangzhou and learned that Uncle Lin is very strict with Cousin Lin. Cousin Lin lived in the outer courtyard, and never enters the inner courtyard unless needed. He rarely talks with the servant women of the inner courtyard.”

Madam Wang nodded. Boys should be raised like this. But her husband only knew to beat and scold. The old mistress only knew to spoil. But if she wanted to teach, the old mistress would not allow it, fearing that Bao Yu would get too close to her. Now, he was like this. Jia Min’s daughter was one who weeped endlessly and was not likable. So unfortunate! Not as polite as the shu-daughter of the Lin Family. It appeared that this was not that Jia Min did not know how to raise children, but the old mistress who did not know how to teach.

Shi-shi did not feel the words were pleasing to hear. She frowned and said, “So young, and caring so much about this. Bookworms, so pedantic!”

“I just fear that Cousin Lin is already used to this. If Cousin Lin suddenly changes the habit, he likely will want to live more in his home. The two cousin-sisters will be worried if Cousin Lin lives alone,” Wang Xi Feng said softly.

The implication was that if you did not make this arrangement, they would not live here. The Lin Family had other relatives in the capital. That Zhang Family was Lin Ru Hai’s maternal relation, his uncle was still alive. Why couldn’t he send his children there for a year or so?

“If this is the case, then never mind.” Shi-shi nodded, barely agreeing. She said, “Go in person with the carriage to receive them. They are so young and living alone. This old woman is worried. There will be servants to pack up the things, just have them come over. The family does not lack for ordinary items. Just say that this old woman is thinking of them. If they do not come, I will go invite them in person.”

“Oh, my forebearer! You will kill them.” Wang Xi Feng stood with a smile. “Just sit and I will invite them for you. You care for your grandchildren, and me, this unlikable granddaughter-in-law has the fate of running around.”

Shi-shi finally smiled. “If you manage to invite them, of course I will like you.”

Lin Yu Tong did not care about the plans of the Jia Family. This home finally looked like a home. She had the servant girls take Sister Lin to rest while she started to manage the household. These things had to be put away. Even if they were going to live with the Jia Family and did not need to take all these things along. They would act like they were just visiting their relatives and would leave at any time. If they needed anything, they could just send someone to get it. Also, with the servants of the Lin Family coming in and out, the Jia Family likely would not be able to easily detain them.

Lin Yu Yang followed his sister’s intentions and prepared gifts for each soldier who helped. He delivered them to their homes, and did not just reward them with silver.

Treating these people as equals would frequently have unexpected results.

He then had Lin Ping order a good banquet and toasted each of them, saying, “My father is strict and does not allow me to drink. I will have the steward drink with you brothers.”

These people were very comforted seeing the Lin Family act like this. They saw that this young master was just twelve or so, still a child, so they laughed kindly and told him to do as he wished.

Sister was right. A good reputation was accumulated like this. Also, he and his sister came from hardship and would not dismiss others. These people were fighting for their families, and were much more worthy of respect than those wastrels.

When Wang Xi Feng arrived, it was a long time later. The Lin Family was busy. Lin Dai Yu had even had a nap. It was the first time she came to the Lin Family residence in the capital, but the decor inside was what she liked. She knew that her eldest sister had sent someone ahead to prepare. Right now, it was the second month and the capital was very cold, but the floor heating in the room was very warm. There were blue and white porcelain basins placed in the corners of the room that were filled with water so the room was not dry. There were also narcissus arranged in the basins that gave off fragrance and caused people to unconsciously be in a good mood.

Compared to the Jia Family, her own family was more comfortable.

Lin Yu Tong received Wang Xi Feng in the main hall. “Second Sister-in-law has come. You can see I am very busy right now. I wanted to settle down before going to visit the old mistress. I did not think to have troubled Sister-in-law to make a trip.”

Wang Xi Feng stilled. She really was lacking in knowledge. She thought that good girls were born in the Jia Family, but never expected this one to rival Bao Chai and Dai Yu in appearance. She just feared that the girls in the home could not compare to this one in terms of presence. People all said that her personality was stronger than an ordinary man, but after meeting this one, she knew that most men were not as spirited and free as this one. Her mind had been broadened!

Translator Ramblings: The money is a pretty obvious sign of how the Jia Family is very extravagant. A few years worth of wages for an ordinary person just to make up for an “insult”. Shi-shi is clinging to past glories, and she can do it because she has enough personal wealth in her dowry and her own title.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 18 – Red Chamber (18)
• Grafting Life Chapter 20 – Red Chamber (20)
• Grafting Life Chapter 21 – Red Chamber (21)

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