Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: Silver flows through the Jia Family like water though a sieve.

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

Chapter 23 – Red Chamber (23)

Jia Bao Yu, because of the cold weather, still lived in the old mistress’ hot room, living outside while Shi Xiang Yun lived inside.

After everyone left, he was very excited, saying to Xi Ren, “I thought that our family’s daughters were the most beautiful in the world. I did not expect the eldest sister of the Lin Family to be so beautiful, but different from Sister Lin.”

Xi Ren had a warm smile but said, “Oh my master, we can talk about such things at home, but do not let her hear of this. I think Eldest Miss Lin is a very strict person and likely does not like such teasing. Second Master, it is better if you avoid her in the future.”

“Xi Ren is right.” Shi Xiang Yun’s voice came from the inner room. “Second Brother, you didn’t see that she has a difficult temper? Who would provoke her for nothing?”

“I saw it is good. She is a bit like Sister Feng.” Bao Yu praised.

Shi Xiang Yun snorted. “A new sister comes, and you throw us old sisters to the side.”

Jia Bao Yu ran into the inner room in his underclothes. He said with a smile, “What nonsense are you saying?”

Shi Xiang Yun was already in her bed and did not expect him to run in. She covered herself with the blanket and smiled. “I just spoke casually, you treat it as true?”

Her smile was so bright Bao Yu was stunned.

Xi Ren chased after him and saw Cui Luo was just watching from the side. She was a bit unhappy and pulled Bao Yu out. “Second Master, rest soon. New guests have come to the home. Tomorrow is likely going to be lively. If you wake up late, people will laugh. Do not disturb Miss’ rest.”

Bao Yu looked at Xiang Yun and reluctantly left.

Lin Yu Tong did not have a good sleep after newly arriving at the Jia Family. She decided to just go into her space. After sleeping for four hours, she felt refreshed. She organized the space, harvesting the vegetables. She saw the fruit trees she had planted in the space were growing well and nodded in satisfaction.

Now that they entered the Jia Family, her collection work could start. If she had the time, she would organize the food recipes, and draw the clothes and jewelry. Her days would not be hard.

Because she could not sleep, she got up early, and even went to make breakfast in the kitchen.

Lin Yu Yang had the habit of rising early to study. Just after reading two chapters, he saw his sister’s servant girl call him to eat.

“Yang-ge’er, after eating, go to the Zhang Family to greet Great Uncle. Also, ask about the arrangements for your studies. I will prepare gifts for the women of the Zhang Family. Just say that I want to visit the elders, but I don’t know whether they are free,” Lin Yu Tong said thoughtfully.

Because of Jia Min, the women of the two families had not been in contact for a long time. She could not just visit out of the blue and would first test the waters.

Lin Yu Yang nodded. “Yesterday, before coming, I told Lin Ping to send a note to the Zhang Family. They replied saying that I could go whenever. I think it is suitable to visit after the court session ends.”

Lin Yu Tong nodded in satisfaction. Her brother could take responsibility.

Lin Dai Yu listened as she ate. She clearly was not interested in these worldly relationships.

Lin Ping watched over the outside matters, and she had nothing to worry about for her brother. She turned and had a servant take out a box to send with Sister-in-law Ping. “Give this to Second Missus Lian. These are toys for the eldest jie’er.”

The eldest jie’er was Qiao-jie. However, Grandma Liu had not come yet and Qiao-jie was not yet her name.

Yesterday, she had given gifts following the rules. Today, this box contained the twelve zodiacs carved in jade. This was the true gift. If she wanted to live comfortably in the Jia Family, then this Wang Xi Feng was a person she had to be on good terms with. With her reporting news, it would not be easy for people to trip them up. Also, such things had been carved by the family’s jade shop.

After the jade shop was taken over by Lin Yu Tong, it had a new mission, taking in damaged jade items. The price was slightly higher than the pawnshops, but it was much cheaper than getting whole pieces of jade stone. Using the damaged jade, they were carved once again. Whether to sell or to gift to others, it was profitable. The servants were not able to take whole items out of the aristocratic families, but would try. If the items were broken and reported as damaged, the pieces would serve as an explanation.

The idea caused the jade shop’s business to be much better. If they encountered good jade, they would keep it to gift to others. These were respectful gifts. Take for example the twelve zodiacs. They were made from a shattered item where the pieces were of different sizes and shapes. The large one was carved for the ox, the smallest for the mouse, the round for the pig, the long for the snake. They were purchased for a dozen silver for so, but these items could be sold for two to three hundred silver. The jade was good jade. Also, the smallest crumbs could be used on jewelry as reward for servants.

Wang Xi Feng was very happy at getting these items.

“Your miss has heart.” Wang Xi Feng had Ping’er store away the items and then politely had Sister-in-law Ping sit down.

Sister-in-law Ping sat down on a footstool and said, “Our miss said that in the family, only Eldest jie’er can play with this so it is for the miss.”

Seeing Sister-in-law Ping off, Ping’er said with a smile, “They know how to act.”

“I said so! I will not judge someone wrong. Look at the misses of the family. Eldest Miss entered the palace, it is hard to say what will happen to her in the future. Second Miss is a clay Bodhisattva.¹ Fourth Miss is young, but cold in personality. Third Miss has good hands and can speak well, but……” Wang Xi Feng shook her head.

“She just did not come out of the mistress’ belly,” Ping’er continued.

“Did the eldest miss of the Lin Family come from Aunt’s belly? They are all shu, but compare and ponder the difference.” Wang Xi Feng chuckled.

“Third Miss appears to not have confidence,” Ping’er said in a low voice.

“She has to depend on the mistress and lacks confidence.” Wang Xi Feng shook her head, as though in pity. She counted on her fingers. “The miss from the Shi Family, I can’t say if she is one who speaks without thinking or something else. The Xue miss knows it all inside, but will not speak if it does not concern her. Sister Lin is beautiful and has a clear mind and heart, but her thoughts are not on mortal matters. In the past, in our family, she had to consider many things herself. But now, she has a capable older sister and will become even more otherworldly.”

Yesterday, there was another portion attached to the gifts given to everyone. Supposedly, Dai Yu had gifted them. But at a glance, she knew that it was the eldest miss gaining face for her sister. She did not have such thoughts herself.

Wang Xi Feng had predicted it. After breakfast, Lin Dai Yu sent servant girls to deliver gifts all around. It was either a painting, brushes, or some paints. All very casual.

Lin Yu Tong did not say anything. There was no need for such care for gifts between young girls.

After Lin Dai Yu arranged this, she explained to Lin Yu Tong. “Sister, it is not that I don’t want to go to the Zhang Family, but it will be awkward if I go. Regardless if it is the Zhang Family or the Jia Family, they are related to my mother. Sister, if you have to go, just say I am ill. Brother is studying with their family, it is not good if the host is discomforted.”

Lin Yu Tong was surprised by her words. Seeing that she knew these matters, Lin Yu Tong had nothing to worry about.

The sisters idly chatted when they heard the servant girls report from outside that the misses and Second Master Bao had come together.

Lin Yu Tong did not mind Lin Dai Yu knowing her attitude towards Jia Bao Yu. She stood and said, “Invite the misses in, and tell Second Master Bao that Yang-ge’er is out, and there is no one to receive him today, so Second Master Bao is asked to not come in to sit today.”

Lin Dai Yu’s mouth dropped open. Looking at Lin Yu Tong’s strict expression, she swallowed her words.

She seemed to recall that she and Bao Yu together yesterday likely had angered Sister.

It seemed that many habits had to change.

The people outside the door were more shocked than Lin Dai Yu. This Jia Bao Yu had never been refused before.

“I did not come for Cousin Lin, but for Sister Lin. Is Sister in the room?” As he talked, he moved to walk in.

The grannies watching the door had served for many years. They were not willing to let him in. “Mistress has orders. Second Master, please do not make it difficult for us.”

Shi Xiang Yun laughed and went in with the three Chuns and Xue Bao Chai. She turned back and made a face at Jia Bao Yu. “I finally see you get refused.”

Jia Bao Yu pouted. Seeing that this granny truly was not willing to move aside, he left, looking back with every step.

“The eldest sister of the Lin Family is truly awesome to dare to stop Second Brother from entering,” Shi Xiang Yun said with a smile as she came in.

Lin Yu Tong showed puzzlement. “Why do you say so? Today, my brother is not home, it is not convenient to receive male guests. Did I offend Second Master Bao? My apologies.” She raised her voice to tell Chun’er. “Go and pick a gift. Say that I did not know that Second Master Bao was going to visit. Say that when my brother returns, he will be invited. Ask for his forgiveness. I truly did not mean to disrespect him.”

Chun’er acknowledged and turned to leave.

Since he was a man, we will use the conventions of men. There was no man in the home, no male guests would be received. If she was blamed because of this, she would not be embarrassed.

However, maybe Shi Xiang Yun’s words were an accident, or she felt that it was just a casual joke not to be taken seriously. However, it was not good to hear if it spread.

The servants of the Jia Family could say anything.

She called Chun’er to go publicly apologize so that others would know what kind of person she was.

Shi Xiang Yun heard the words and laughed out loud. “Eldest Sister Lin really cannot take a joke, this is just teasing between sisters. How come you are asking forgiveness? Second Brother is not that kind of person.”

Lin Yu Tong did not respond and invited the misses to sit down with a smile.

These misses were truly beautiful in their own ways. While they were young, they had beauty.

“Eldest Sister, what are you busy with?” Xue Bao Chai said with a smile, “We feared disturbing you with our visit.”

“Miss Xue is too polite.” Lin Yu Tong nodded at Xue Bao Chai. As for calling each other sister, never mind. She said, “Just matters of the family, very trivial, nothing important.”

Tan Chun looked with surprise at Lin Yu Tong. Not giving the Xue Family face to this degree. She envied the other.

Xue Bao Chai was not bad, she was very good, but were her sisters any less? They were told to learn Sister Bao’s dignity and reliability all the time. She, a noble miss, could not compare to a miss from a family of imperial merchants. She could not help but feel resentment.

It was rare for someone to come and not give anyone face. She felt some empathy with this person.

Lin Dai Yu heard this and knew her sister’s attitude towards Sister Bao. She sighed inside and did not speak.

Xue Bao Chai’s expression did not change and she responded, “This is right. Family matters are like this. I just fear that Frowny is inpatient with such common matters.”

Lin Dai Yu’s expression changed. She thought of how her sister mentioned her nickname and why other people did not call her that while only Sister Bao did so.

Lin Yu Tong showed a puzzled expression. “Who is Frowny?”

She looked with confusion at the other misses like she truly did not know.

Xue Bao Chai immediately froze.

Shi Xiang Yun was quick of tongue. After examining the decor in the rooms, she took over the conversation. “There is a story behind this, it is pardonable that Eldest Sister Lin does not know.”

She was about to keep going when Lin Dai Yu interrupted. “Never mind that, just a joke from childhood. Others forgot, but you all remember. Sister Bao, do not call me that anymore. If Father knows, he will not let it go easily. It is fine if he lectures me, but I fear he will write to Uncle and people will suffer beatings.”

She cleverly mentioned Lin Ru Hai. Lin Yu Tong nodded in satisfaction like she was no longer curious and stopped asking.

Xue Bao Chai was very embarrassed.

At this time, Xi Chun spoke, “I see some paint on the table. Elder Sister, you like painting?”

“Not painting, just sketching some jewelry and clothing. I have free time. I don’t like poems and songs. Only these things can help pass the time.” Lin Yu Tong did not conceal her own shortcomings. In the Jia Family, all the misses knew how to compose poetry. Even that Xiang Ling could write a few phrases. She would mention this early on so that when the time came, she would not be made a fool of.

“Sister does not know how to write poetry?” Shi Xiang Yun was shocked. “Yesterday night, Second Brother and I were talking about a poetry society. Now, will there be one person less?”

“I just fear that Sister Lin is being humble.” Xue Bao Chai said with a smile. “How can you take it seriously?”

Lin Dai Yu knew her elder sister’s situation and said, “My sister is not being humble. She is not skilled in this. My father said that everyone’s talents are different. He did not force us sisters to study the same things.”

Xue Bao Chai was always conceited and looked with shock at Lin Yu Tong. “So that’s how it is.”

Lin Yu Tong laughed. “I can’t compose poetry, but I still have the ability to judge your works.”

Tan Chun clapped and smiled. “Now, we even have a judge. How can we not set up a society?”

They gathered together to discuss setting up a society, and Lin Yu Tong sighed in relief.

On the other side, Chun’er took gifts and directly found Xi Ren. She directly expressed the apology. “We really did not know that Second Master Bao wanted to enter. Otherwise, no matter what, our young master would not have left today.”

Xi Ren knew that the other likely did not know the temperament of this master and misunderstood. She did not explain and said, “You are too polite. It is my fault for not telling you in advance.”

The two politely bid farewell. Xi Ren gave the gift to She Yue to store. “I will mention this to Mistress. They have just arrived, we shall not be rude.”

She Yue made a sound of acknowledgement. Inside, she thought, this eldest miss of the Lin Family was a pedantic one.

Madam Wang heard Xi Ren’s report and actually nodded with satisfaction. “This should be the case. In the future, you will have to inquire on behalf of Bao Yu before going to visit. Do not be so rude like today.”

A girl who did not pull her son to learn bad habits was a good girl in Madam Wang’s opinion.

Lin Yu Tong did not know that she had gotten higher in Wang-shi‘s opinion.

Translator Ramblings: I have no idea how serious people took propriety or not, but I do think that the rules are less strict for relatives. Lin Yu Tong is essentially using the rules to keep Jia Bao Yu as far away as possible, but no one can say anything because she is being proper.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 22 – Red Chamber (22)
• Grafting Life Chapter 24 – Red Chamber (24)
• Grafting Life Chapter 25 – Red Chamber (25)