Last time on Grafting Life: The Lin Family Arrives at the Jia Family’s residence.
This chapter has been brought to you by me, and Smash10101.
Chapter 22 – Red Chamber (22)
Wang Xi Feng did not know if the Xue Family did not give silver, or maybe they had given it to her paternal aunt Madame Wang only.
She saw the air was tense and took over the conversation with a smile, “Oh! Who would push silver away? Old Mistress, while we do not lack for silver to use, will Uncle-in-law Lin lack for silver? Since Uncle-in-law wants to be filial to you, just give face and accept it. If others do not want it, I will call people to take it away.” Then she muttered, “Ping’er, quickly, call your second master, we are going to carry away the silver. A windfall came to us just sitting at home.”
The people in the room laughed, and the air relaxed.
Shi-shi pointed at Wang Xi Feng and said, “You are a family in poverty, take it! Take it! Your cousins have come, just take more care of them.”
This meant putting the silver in the common accounts.
Wang Xi Feng relaxed inside. The silver they had gotten before year’s end had been mostly used up after New Year’s. The two thousand silver from the Lin Family should last for a while.
Then, people talked and laughed. Lin Yu Tong talked with others as she peeked at Lin Dai Yu out of the corner of her eyes. Seeing her get together with Jia Bao Yu again, their heads together as they muttered together, she frowned.
It seemed the power of the original work was strong. She had said so many bad things about Jia Bao Yu, but she forgot just after a meeting.
She was slightly disheartened. Who wanted to take on someone else’s life?
Madam Wang would not agree to the marriage. Then she will just watch for the final result. Maybe, just sadness or she would become mature. In any case, Lin Dai Yu would not die easily with her present state of health. She would let the other do as she wished. She could not persuade the other, but cruel reality was the best teacher. One day, she would understand. As to reputation, the other did not care, wanting to break free of the conventions of the mortal world, so never mind. In any case, her own reputation was not very good, and she did not mind being affected by this sister she had gotten for free.
Why should she be the villain?
Lin Yu Yang glanced at Lin Dai Yu and his eyes narrowed. He did not make a sound. The room was full of women and he did not casually speak. He kept his eyes down and rarely looked up.
The dinner was very rich. Lin Yu Tong did not know what an imperial banquet was like, but there were sixty-six courses today, counting as half a banquet.
This was still not the highest standard of the Jia Family.
Lin Yu Tong and Lin Yu Yang had gone through hardship. They did not care about the greasiness. However, Lin Dai Yu’s taste had gotten picky after being fed by Lin Yu Tong. Usually, she got the flavor she liked, very light. Even if there was meat, it was made so that there was no oil. She really could not eat these things.
She soaked rice with tea, took a few mouthfuls and then finished.
Lin Yu Tong frowned when she saw this.
People did not speak when they were eating. After the meal, it was late.
“Today, you just got off the ship and have not yet rested. I will not keep you. Go back to the courtyard and rest.” Shi-shi arranged with a smile.
Lin Yu Tong acknowledged and walked for half an hour to reach Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard with the company of Wang Xi Feng.
The courtyard was smaller than imagined. Maybe because each person had their own courtyard in the Lin Family, the two-entry courtyard appeared cramped when the servant women all came in.
“This is not as spacious as the Lin Family, apologies Sister.” Wang Xi Feng had seen Dai Yu’s courtyard, and knew that this could not compare to the Lin Family.
“We have few family members, and are not as populous as your honored residence. This is very good. Sister-in-law, thank you for your work.” Lin Yu Tong smiled politely.
The two exchanged pleasantries and then she saw Wang Xi Feng out the door.
On the two sides were the side houses. Each sister had one each. Passing through the corridor in the middle of the courtyard were Lin Yu Yang’s rooms. Usually, there was a door. Without permission, the servant women in the inner courtyard were not allowed to go out this door.
On the other side of the door were Lin Yu Yang’s rooms. It was treated as the outer courtyard. It had the bedroom, and also a guest hall and a study. Further along was another door. Through the door, just an arrow away was the rear wall. A moderately sized door had been opened up on the wall. Outside the door was an alley with a dead-end. Usually, no one passed by. Coming out the alley was the street. After walking another hundred meters, it was the prosperous Ningrong Street.
It could be said to create calm in the noise. This was a very convenient location.
Lin Yu Tong looked over the courtyard and saw that her brother was settled in before she went to Lin Dai Yu’s courtyard.
“Later, I will have the cook make you a bowl of plain wontons. You did not eat much of the dinner today?” Lin Yu Tong asked with a smile.
“Suddenly, I am not used to it.” Lin Dai Yu had a faint smile, a bit embarrassed.
Lin Yu Tong nodded. “Rest early after you finish, you have been tired all day.”
“Sister, rest early too.” Lin Dai Yu stood to see her off.
Lin Yu Tong stopped her. “You are weak, and it is cold at night. Do not go out.” She instructed Zhi Lan and Fang Hua. “Watch over your mistress. Report immediately if something is wrong.”
The two solemnly acknowledged. Lin Yu Tong returned to her own courtyard.
“No one has lived in this courtyard before. It is called the Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard. The Xue Family lives in the Pear Fragrance Park. The miss of the Shi Family and that Second Master Bao are living in the screened sectioned rooms of Old Lady Shi,” Chun’er reported in a whisper.
She already started to scout out information.
Lin Yu Tong nodded in satisfaction.
Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard was fine. The chrysanthemum was a flower of long life. The Lin Family lacked longevity the most. The meaning was good.
As for the Xue Family’s Pear Fragrance Park, she really did not want to think about it. The book described it like this, the place where Duke Rong rested in his old age, small and fine, just a dozen rooms or so.
Small and fine, just a dozen rooms or so. It was not enough for even her family’s servants to live in.
Lin Yu Tong thought, Xue Bao Chai only had one servant girl. Was it because of where they lived? Otherwise, the Xue Family could afford to buy a servant girl.
Also, Lin Yu Tong could not understand why, if it was the place Duke Rong lived in his old age, after being used for relatives to live in, it was given to actresses to live in when they were building the Grand View Garden, and at the end, it became the place where Second Sister You’s coffin rested!
Such unfilial offspring! The territory of the forebearer was degraded like this. If this was any other family, such a place would be left for the head of the family or the members who were studying.
There were several meanings of Pear Fragrance Courtyard in the original work. One was that it was the place where Bao Yu was enlightened. They said that the meaning implied it was a theater, meaning that a person’s life was like a play. They also said that the “pear” was the same sound as “depart” meaning a tragedy.
Regardless of what people said, they were not the ones living there! Who cared?
However, Lin Yu Tong was shocked that Shi Xiang Yun had replaced Lin Dai Yu to live in the screened rooms. This Shi-shi truly was relentless in ruining people!
After Wang Xi Feng returned to her rooms, Ping’er welcomed her and helped her take off her fur jacket. She washed up before having a meal served. “Missus, eat something.”
The daughters-in-law of the Jia Family had a hard time. When other people were eating, they had to watch. Only now did they have the time to eat.
Wang Xi Feng sat on the bed. “It is so tiring. Did you not see, that is a person difficult to deal with.”
“Whoever she is, she can’t be better than Missus,” Ping’er said with a smile.
“That is nonsense! Not just a bit better than me, that one is one who can go all out. I can’t compare.” Wang Xi Feng sighed.
Ping’er smiled and changed the topic. “Two thousand silver, all for the common account. Mistress sent Zhou Rui’s wife to the account room, probably to get silver.”
Wang Xi Feng nodded. “Likely to prepare for the people coming from the palace. By the count of days, they should be coming to get silver. Which time isn’t it three to five hundred silver before they are willing to leave? They came right after the Lantern Festival, I gave two hundred. They did not look happy. This time, without five hundred, I fear they will not let go.”
“What do you mean they will not let go if not five hundred silver?” Jia Lian’s voice came from outside. He lifted the curtain and walked in. “Do not mind, no matter who it is. Eldest Old Master just spoke, saying that he wants a painting, and demands eight hundred. I had to hurry to get silver.”
Wang Xi Feng put down her chopsticks. “Two thousand just came into the account. The mistress will need at least one thousand, Eldest Old Master needs eight hundred. So there are just two hundred left in the account. Tomorrow, it is not enough for Master and the guests to have a meal. How can we live?”
“Then you say who to give to and who to not. Eldest Old Master may have only remembered because he saw Mistress drawing silver. If you refuse today, it will not be a minor matter.” Jia Lian sat down on the edge of the bed. “Who cares about tomorrow? Save some silver, it will be enough to use. Also, the Lin Family gave silver, the Xue Family will be embarrassed to live here for free. They will likely deliver silver tomorrow, and you will have enough.”
Wang Xi Feng sighed. “Never mind, you do as you please.”
Jia Lian stood up. “I will not return tonight, Eldest Brother sent Rong’er to invite me, saying that he invited an eunuch of the palace to drink. I have to go.”
“Bah! What eunuch?” Wang Xi Feng scolded. “Just some rouge he got from somewhere to pretend.”
Jia Lian kept on walking away. “I have no silver, no woman will want me for free, you worry too much.”
Then he swept out the door, causing Wang Xi Feng to smash the dishes in anger.
Jia Lian went to the accounts and drew out eight hundred silver, sending Jia She six hundred.
He kept two hundred and took Wang’er to find Jia Zhen and Jia Rong.
Zhou Rui’s wife showed the silver to Madam Wang. “Mistress, one thousand whole. This Lin Family is very generous.”
Wang-shi nodded. “That Eunuch Xia is likely coming in the next few days. Keep five hundred outside, and put away the rest, we will not need it now.”
Zhou Rui’s wife acknowledged and asked, “Aunt sent someone to ask whether to put the silver into the common accounts or for Mistress to accept it this time.”
Wang-shi stopped counting the prayer beads. “Bring it here. If it is outside, it will not last with the daily expenses and will be drawn away. It is good for me to have it first.”
“If Second Missus asks, what should I say?” Zhou Rui’s wife asked.
“Just say that Eldest Miss needs it for expenses in the palace, I am in a hurry to use it and took it first.” Wang-shi started to recite prayers again, counting the beads.
Zhou Rui’s wife responded and turned to work.
Translator Ramblings: Smash was very surprised by the 66 courses of food. This is another extravagance of the Jia Family, in that 66 courses is a lot of food, but also one of ego considering the significance of the number. The Comprehensive Manchu–Han Banquet is said to be invented in the Qing Dynasty, and would have at least 108 dishes at minimum. The Imperial Banquet takes place over 3 days, and have 320 dishes, generally held for important occasions like the emperor’s birthday, funerals, foreign visits. So it is quite ridiculous for the Jia Family to hold a half banquet for just merely welcoming their relatives, of which none are part of the imperial family, or notable officials.
- Grafting Life Chapter 21 – Red Chamber (21)
- Grafting Life Chapter 23 – Red Chamber (23)
- Grafting Life Chapter 24 – Red Chamber (24)
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