Last time on Grafting Life: Jia Bao Yu becaomes a man.
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Chapter 26 – Red Chamber (26)
When Mother Jia came in, she knew what had happened with a look. She glanced at Wang-shi and said, “Talk properly, do not shout. If others knew, would Bao Yu have a good reputation?” She ordered She Yue who had followed Yuan Yang. “Help your master dress. So many people are standing here. Do not frighten him.”
She Yue bowed her head, acknowledging and going over, but was not as close as usual.
Mother Jia called for Madam Wang to sit with her in the main hall. She sent away all the servant girls, leaving behind only Yuan Yang and Zhou Rui’s wife.
Wang-shi heard Mother Jia’s words concerning Bao Yu’s reputation and her mind cleared up. Regardless of whether it was for the imperial examinations or getting a good marriage, one needed a good reputation.
“When men grow up, they need people to teach them adult matters. This is not something out of the ordinary.” Mother Jia comforted Madam Wang. “If you think like this, it will pass. That Xi Ren is not very pretty. Rather than kick her out, it is better to have her guard Bao Yu. Children like novel things. After the novelty passes, they will let go. In the past, I thought that Xi Ren was an honest person. Now, she seems to have some cunning. Cunning is not a bad thing, it just depends on how you use it. With such a person by Bao Yu’s side, if the other servant girls step out of line and want to advance, this Xi Ren will be the first to disagree. Her keeping watch is better than you keeping a watch on Bao Yu day and night. It spares you from controlling him and him growing apart from you. You know the child you birthed. He dislikes being controlled the most. His father wants to control him, and he is like a mouse who sees a cat when he meets his father. Do you wish Bao Yu to be the same when he sees you? I think this Xi Ren is very good. If Xi Ren is very controlling, he naturally will ignore her. If he pays attention to others, will Xi Ren stay still? Now, if his energies are not put to studying, what else can they be used for? He will experience such a matter sooner or later. Is it worth it to make such a fuss?”
Wang-shi usually looked down on Mother Jia’s teachings of her son. But the words today were appropriate. Xi Ren was not very good-looking. If she did not want to lose favor, she had to control Bao Yu. But if she controlled Bao Yu, he would dislike her. No matter what, this servant girl would lose favor. Such a girl would only be novel for a few months, and it would not greatly harm her son’s health. Thinking like this, she bowed her head and said, “Old Mistress, you are the most thoughtful. I will listen to Old Mistress.”
Yuan Yang’s heart felt cold hearing this. It was not easy being a concubine, much less just a bed warming servant girl. She would memorize all of this. In her life, upon pain of death, she would not be a concubine.
After Bao Yu dressed and came out with Xi Ren to the main hall, Xi Ren knelt down while Bao Yu said “Forebearer” with his head bowed down.
“Stand up.” Wang-shi looked at Xi Ren and called her up. “In the past, I thought you were a good one so I had you care for Bao Yu. I did not think you were so rash. What kind of reputation would spread, doing this during daytime?”
Xi Ren hurriedly kowtowed, not daring to say a word. Bao Yu’s head went even lower.
“Now that you have served your master, serve him well. There is just one thing. Bao Yu is young and this has to be measured. If something happens to his health, I will just ask you.” Wang-shi glanced at Bao Yu and cursed, “I did not cultivate my last life to have given birth to an evil creature like you.”
“All right!” Mother Jia chuckled. “Stop scaring him. In my view, Xi Ren’s monthly wage should be increased. No need to announce it to everyone, just privately get it from me.” She glanced at Yuan Yang, indicating for Yuan Yang to remember it.
“We cannot use the old mistress, it is the same coming from me,” Wang-shi hurriedly said.
Mother Jia shook her head. “No need to fight. My things will be Bao Yu’s in the future, pretend it is him getting it early.”
Wang-shi immediately felt much better. Just the old mistress’s wealth was enough for her son to live comfortably for a lifetime.
Zi Juan had run back to Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard. Just after Dai Yu finished washing and was drying her hair by the brazier, she saw Zi Juan coming in looking like this and asked, panicked, “Has something happened to Bao Yu?”
Zi Juan blushed red, opening her mouth but unable to speak.
Because of how she looked, Dai Yu was even more panicked. As she panicked, the tears started to come down. “What happened to Bao Yu?”
Zi Juan shook her head. “Bao Yu is fine, unharmed.”
“What are you hiding from me? You can hide it today, but can you hide it tomorrow?” Lin Dai Yu’s tears came down. “Did he drop his jade again?”
Zi Juan felt even more injustice for her miss. She went closer and said, “My good miss, do not cry, it is not that. It is Bao Yu and Xi Ren getting together shamelessly, doing something which should not be seen.”
She spoke quickly and wanted to hide in a crack in the ground after she finished.
Dai Yu stilled, not knowing what she was saying at first. She took a long time to realize. Her face turned red. She tisked at Zi Juan. “Do not say such dirty things, don’t you fear dirtying my ears? What kind of person is he to you that you run over looking like this?”
Then she turned and went into the inner room.
Zhi Lan and Fang Hua looked at each other, scorn in each other’s eyes. The two moved the brazier into the inner room next to Dai Yu’s head to dry her hair. If her hair was not dried, she would have a headache.
After setting it up, the two looked and then retreated.
Zi Juan followed at this time. Seeing Dai Yu lying there with her hair loose, she did not know what her miss was thinking.
“Miss, I am wrong.” Zi Juan said in a low voice, “Bao Yu is not a good person.”
Dai Yu did not speak for a long while. “I had just thought that Sister’s words were overstating. In reality, she is right. Block Bao Yu if he comes in the future. The things of the past…… Change them.”
Zi Juan choked up. “Miss!”
“Treat Xi Ren the same as before.” Dai Yu instructed Zi Juan. “He is not anyone to me. If you make trouble for Xi Ren, people will say things. Why do that?”
“Yes!” Zi Juan responded in a low voice.
The servants of the Jia Family could say anything. Before night came, the news from Second Master Bao’s courtyard had spread all over Ningrong Street.
Lin Yu Yang had an ugly expression when he came back, giving Lin Yu Tong a fright. “What is it? Did something go wrong? Did the Zhang Family slight you? Did their servants say bad things?”
“Whose servants are like that of the Jia Family? They have no locks on their mouths.” Lin Yu Yang was red as he said in a low voice. “When I am not at home, Sister, stay far away from that Jia Bao Yu.”
“When have you ever seen me close to him?” Lin Yu Tong handed him hot soup and said, “What did you hear? The most fearsome thing in the world are people’s mouths. This saying is correct.”
“Sister knows.” Lin Yu Yang was very surprised. “Sister should listen to less of such things.”
Lin Yu Tong was amused inside but seriously nodded and agreed. “It is fine with me. I just fear…… Someone can’t figure it out.” She pointed in the direction of Dai Yu’s courtyard.
“Oh!” Lin Yu Yang sighed. “She is still young, she doesn’t understand. Let’s just wait and watch.”
Then he took out a letter which had been written by the old mistress of the Zhang Family. “Madam Zhang indicates that it will cause trouble if Sister lives in the Jia inner courtyard and suddenly visits the Zhang Family. It is better to wait until Father comes to the capital and then visit.”
Lin Yu Tong carefully read the letter and nodded. “The old madam cares for us.” Lin Yu Tong put away the letter. “My sewing is not good. In the future, I will make some food for you to take there. It will be our regard.”
Lin Yu Yang nodded. “I will listen to Sister.”
The two spoke for a while and then Lin Yu Tong sent her brother off to rest. She had Chun’er go and see if Dai Yu was alright.
She waited for a response before falling asleep at ease.
Everyone pretended to not know about Jia Bao Yu and Xi Ren. In any case, Lin Yu Tong did not see anything. Even Lin Dai Yu looked happy.
Lin Yu Tong had a new admiration for Lin Dai Yu.
On this day, Lin Yu Tong was writing to Lin Ru Hai when Chun’er came to report, “A senior from the countryside has come to visit. The door watch says that it is an aunt from the Wang Family, but she is looking for Zhou Rui’s wife. I do not know why but they came to our back door. The door watch has invited them in and temporarily settled them here. I fear these are old relatives of the Wang Family. They do not dare to be careless and promptly reported to see what to do.”
Lin Yu Tong hit her forehead. She was so busy she forgot. This person must be Grandmother Liu.
“Go in person and invite them in.” Before Lin Yu Tong returned to the Lin Family, she lived with her brother in the countryside. The families around them were like Grandmother Liu.
Lin Yu Tong had a hidden respect for people who were this old and still running around to make a living. Thinking of the parts of the story making fun of Grandmother Liu, she had not felt much when reading it back then, but now that it became real life, she did not feel very good. Such an old person who had experienced so much. What hadn’t she seen before? Didn’t she know that she was a target to be made fun of?
Just after thinking this, she felt that something was not right. This Grandmother Liu should be coming to the Jia residence at the end of the year. The book said that she came because it was winter and she could not afford things to pass the winter so she thought to come to the Jia Family. But this was after the new year.
Her wings should not be able to reach Grandmother Liu.
Before she could understand, Chun’er came in with Grandmother Liu. Grandmother Liu held the hand of a child six or seven years old. This should be Ban’er.
“Greetings to Miss.” Grandmother Liu said and was about to kneel down.
Lin Yu Tong quickly supported her. “Elder, please, do not be polite. Just sit and talk.” She helped Grandmother Liu to sit on the edge of the bed and had Chun’er bring pastries for Ban’er to eat. Xia’er brought hot tea as well.
“Senior, you traveled all this way, you must be thirsty, drink first to relieve your thirst.” Lin Yu Tong indicated for Chun’er to watch Ban’er as she talked to Grandmother Liu.
“Miss.” Grandmother Liu was unable to sit still. “This old woman came with my grandson to find a relative and somehow got in. This……”
“Elder, please sit.” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile. “You found the right place. This is the Jia Family, you are not wrong.”
Xia’er said with a smile, “This is the eldest miss of our family, our master is an official in Yangzhou. This is the paternal family of our mistress. The back door there is one for our family. After a while, we will send Grandmother over.”
Grandmother Liu was relieved now. She finally found the right place and started to eat.
Chun’er had the kitchen prepare food so that grandmother and grandson could eat. They had traveled before the sun came up and were tired, hungry and thirsty.
Lin Yu Tong deliberately asked about Grandmother Liu’s origins and then said with an expression of understanding, “So it is Grandmother Liu.”
“From how Grandmother looks, I fear your days are hard. If you had a way, you would not have come this time.” Lin Yu Tong had Chun’er take out fifty silver. “Grandmother, take this and put it away.”
Grandmother Liu refused. “How can I accept this?” She could not accept the silver of someone unrelated to them.
Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “Grandmother, you see me well-off now, but I suffered before. The common families have their hardships, but these aristocratic families also have unspeakable hardships. I do not fear Grandmother laughing at me. My brother and I grew up outside. We returned not long ago. During our hardest time, we searched for wild vegetables all over the mountain to fill our bellies. I know of Grandmother’s hardship.”
“My dear!” Grandmother Liu’s jaw dropped. “I did not know this story.” The aristocratic households had their wives and concubines. So the children suffered. She sighed, “Miss finally got the sweet after the bitter.”
“Grandmother will also have the same in the future.” Lin Yu Tong shoved the silver to her. “To me right now, this is not much. But for you, it will save your life. After a while, I will take Grandmother to meet the mistresses and missuses. You will not leave empty-handed. With the silver, Grandmother, take care of the affairs, buy some land, start a small business. No matter what, you will have income for your young grandson to go to school. An aristocratic family is not easy to reach.”
I will remember Miss’ words.” Grandmother Liu prayed inside. “I finally encountered a living saint.”
“I am not a saint, but Grandmother, you are a lucky person, always able to meet noble people,” Xia’er teased.
“You are very right. Last winter, just before winter, the family had nothing prepared. Charcoal, winter clothing, winter vegetables, nothing had been prepared. Once the weather turned cold, the family’s income was cut off. I was thinking whether to abandon this old face of mine and beg from the residence so maybe the mistresses and missuses may help us. Just as I was thinking of this, the farm of the Jinghai Count beside our village hired people to work. The men have heavy labor and the women do other jobs. We were able to fill our bellies and survive the winter, having a bit of savings left behind. But my granddaughter Qing’er fell sick, and the silver was used up so I had to come.”
Lin Yu Tong sighed while she understood. Wasn’t this Jinghai Count that Wen Tian Fang who came to the capital together? Was the change because of him?
This was another person who had not appeared in the book before. Lin Yu Tong noted him down even more. A person who was able to affect the plot and characters was more important than she had imagined.
Lin Yu Tong had no time to think more and refocused, carefully speaking of the second mistress Wang-shi and Wang Xi Feng. “Right now, the daughter of the Wang Family is in charge, the paternal niece of the second mistress Grandmother speaks of. You just have to flatter her.”
Grandmother Liu noted it down. As the two were about to stand, Chun’er reported that Ping’er had come.
“Such a coincidence, this Miss Ping is the steward of the second mistress.” She said in a low voice and then smiled. “Invite her in.”
Ping’er came in with a smile. She knew that the Lin Family had many rules and she did not dare to rebel here. She bowed and then dared to stand up. However, she still was shocked by the young and old persons in the room.
“What wind blew you here?” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile. “If you did not come, I was going to find your missus as well.”
“This servant does not dare to labor Eldest Miss, you can just order this servant for any matters. My missus sent me to ask. Eldest jie’er likes the cream that Eldest Miss sent over but the kitchen is unable to make it.Jie’er does not like to eat it. Our missus sent me over to see if Eldest Miss will gift some.”
“You came, so there is. If she came, then there isn’t.” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “You are a fool. She sent you here, using your face to work for her.”
Ping’er knew that this miss frequently joked with her missus and was not surprised. “She is the missus and I am the servant.”
“Tell Second Brother Lian,” Lin Yu Tong laughed. “I fear that he would want you two to switch.”
“My miss, you just keep teasing me.” Ping’er flushed and begged for mercy.
Lin Yu Tong had Chun’er retrieve a jar and said, “This is cumbersome to make, and will lose its taste if the heat is not controlled well. Add warm water and have Jie’er eat it.”
Ping’er noted it down and handed the jar to the young servant girl next to her. She asked Lin Yu Tong, “Eldest Miss just said you are going to find our missus, is something the matter?”
Lin Yu Tong finally spoke of the matter.
“So it is a family relative.” Ping’er gave an appropriate smile and said to Grandmother Liu, “You truly know where to walk, managing to enter the door of the god of wealth.”
Grandmother Liu took out the silver and said, “Even the god of wealth is not so effective. Miss, look at this. I came in, and got rich.”
Ping’er peeked out of the corner of her eyes and knew, this was fifty taels of silver.
Lin Yu Tong found it amusing inside. This Grandmother Liu was a senior and she had her smarts. She took out the silver now, and her intentions were clear. Someone who had no relation, because of the Wang Family, gave fifty silver. You, the official relatives, could not give any less.
“Since you have come so far, of course you have to see the hosts.” Ping’er said with a smile, “Grandmother, come with me.”
Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “Grandmother, go with her. Her mistress is a brisk person, do not be afraid. I will have Chun’er follow you. If her mistress neglects you, just come back with Chun’er.” She said to Ping’er. “Grandmother is old, and Ban’er is young. He and Chun’er were playing together. Have her take him along to avoid bumping into anyone else.”
Ping’er acknowledged with a smile.
Lin Yu Tong saw Grandmother Liu off at the courtyard gates. Grandmother Liu told Ban’er to kowtow to her. Lin Yu Tong helplessly accepted it. “When Grandmother leaves, I will not see you off. Grandmother, you know where the back door is. If you come to the city in the future, just come.”
Grandmother Liu replied in the affirmative and kept on saying that she had encountered a noble person.
This was a person who remembered favors. When the Jinghai Count hired her family when they fell on hard times, she remembered the favor. Now, she gave her some silver, and she would remember this.
She hoped that Wang Xi Feng would manage to willingly form this good relationship.
When Chun’er came back, Lin Yu Tong learned that Wang Xi Feng had given sixty taels of silver, hired a donkey cart and saw Grandmother Liu off.
With more than a hundred taels of silver, a great sum to a farmer family, they would be able to get several more acres of land and live well.
Lin Dai Yu heard the story and came to ask, “So it is relatives of the second mistress, how come they found us?”
“The people who watch the doors all have their eyes on top of their heads. Will they point the way? There are many alleys and maybe she made a wrong turn. It is fate that she came to our door. We do not look for that bit of silver. For them, it saves the lives of their entire family, and can even change their fate. Think of it as charity.” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “Maybe I have lived hard days so I don’t bear to see seniors in hardship.”
Lin Dai Yu nodded and listened.
As the sisters spoke, they heard a servant girl say that Zhou Rui’s wife had come.
Lin Yu Tong thought, this was the classic gifting of palace flowers.
Zhou Rui’s wife had discovered the matter of Bao Yu due to Lin Yu Tong’s reminder. She had been praised by Madam Wang for working hard and been rewarded. This time, when she came, she had a rare smile on her face.
She greeted them and explained the reason for her presence.
Lin Yu Tong saw the smile on Zhou Rui’s wife’s face. She thought, maybe the timeline was thrown into disorder again. Zhou Rui’s son-in-law Leng Zi Xing’s trial may have already happened. She thought of the original work. Before Sister Lin received the palace flowers, Zhou Rui’s wife received news that her son-in-law was the subject of a criminal case. Who would be in a good mood upon learning such news? But because of Lin Dai Yu’s words, she had been very angry, and she said many bad things about Lin Dai Yu to other people.
Therefore, she smiled and asked first, ” Sister-in-law, are you and your family well?”
“How can we not be!” Zhou Rui’s wife said with a smile, “My son-in-law is not stupid and our days are manageable.”
Lin Yu Tong knew and invited Zhou Rui’s wife to sit before saying, “Mistress Xue is too polite.”
Zhou Rui’s wife of course wanted to gain face for the Wang Family. She opened the box. There were four palace flowers lying there.
“Is this for us sisters, or do the other sisters have these?” Lin Dai Yu looked at the half-empty box and asked.
“The three misses, Second Missus, and you two misses. Two for each. These are for you,” Zhou Rui’s wife said.
“No wonder!” Lin Dai Yu sneered and was about to speak.
Lin Yu Tong took over.”What’s wrong with you?” She glared at Lin Dai Yu and smiled at Zhou Rui’s wife. “Ignore her, she is having a temper with me.”
Zhou Rui’s wife did not know if this was true so she smiled. “Is there a story here?”
“Of course there is a story.” Lin Yu Tong beckoned with a hand and called Chun’er over. “Bring it here, have Sister-in-law Zhou judge.”
Chun’er smiled and turned, coming with a tray covered in all kinds of flowers. A basket was half filled with fresh petals.
“Dear, with such weather, where did these fresh flowers come from?” Zhou Rui’s wife marveled.
“They come from the flower rooms of our home. The steward delivers them every day. Originally, they are not anything special, and I have people take the petals off to use for baths for us sisters. But Sister always thought that these were dry petals. Today, seeing me strip the flower, she became very sad. She is a person who will cry if a flower withers, and cannot bear to see this. She is willing to bury the flowers rather than have them be used. I said a few words to her, and now, Sister-in-law has delivered fake flowers. She must think that we have talked beforehand, and you come to criticize her.” Lin Yu Tong waved a hand for Chun’er to retreat.
Zhou Rui’s wife sighed. So many fresh flowers, if they had not been cut off, and were sold in pots, each one would be worth several dozen taels of silver. The Lin Family cut them down every day for their misses to use in their baths. Amitabha, she learned something new. Never mind this. There was also someone who did not know how hard making a living was and was willing to bury them rather than use them. Oh dear, such a spoiled miss.
She heard Lin Yu Tong say, “I don’t care about these flowers, but I have to correct her personality. She cannot always cry when seeing a flower.”
Zhou Rui’s wife thought, she just had too much free time. It would be fixed if she starved for a few meals.
Lin Yu Tong looked at the flowers in the box and had a bitter expression. “The flowers are very good, but us sisters never wear such things. We do not put these bright things on our heads.” She pointed at the flowers in the box. “It is a pity to give them as rewards to servant girls. Apologies to Mistress Xue. Sister-in-law, you have a daughter. Take this home. You can wear them in your own home, where other people cannot see.”
Zhou Rui’s wife looked at the box of flowers, and then the living true flowers next to them. The flowers that had looked so good before, when compared to the real ones, appeared much lesser.
She hurriedly closed the box. “I do not dare.”
“How so? Our courtyard is far, and it took a lot of trouble to walk so far.” Lin Yu Tong looked very understanding.
Zhou Rui’s wife became embarrassed. Her having her family’s misses pick first was already rude. The other did not pick at her mistake and rewarded them to her.
In the end, the misses of noble families were not the same.
She took the box and joyfully left.
After she left, Lin Dai Yu laughed and fell down on the couch saying that her stomach hurt. “Sister got these flowers just for bathing?”
“I do not bear! They are to make flower cakes.” Lin Yu Tong did not conceal it from her. “I have to use some effort to make pastries for the Zhang Family. When I am done, you will send some to the old mistress and the sisters. There is a portion for the Xue Family, just because of their regard in giving us palace flowers.”
“I was saying, with Sister’s miserliness, you would not use such good flowers for me to bathe.” Lin Dai Yu called out Lin Yu Tong for her miserly nature.
The miser Lin Yu Tong was not angry at all. “The dew is the essence of the flower. These fresh flowers are just decoration and have no use at all.” Then she said, “Wait until I have finished the pastries and then I will send them to you.”
There would be some petals which could not be used for pastries or had flaws.
Lin Dai Yu thought of this and smiled. This sister was truly frugal.
“Sister, why don’t you let me speak? We live in their home and only qualify to pick from their scraps?” Lin Dai Yu snorted.
“This is not useless, we rewarded people with them. As to this, why be angry, it is not anything good. If you got them, you would not use them. There is no need to blame Zhou Rui’s wife for such useless things. What do you want to do?” Lin Yu Tong said softly.
“Is it better to be as smooth in conduct as you, Sister?” Lin Dai Yu disagreed.
“People cannot do as they please when living in the world.” Lin Yu Tong smiled. “Thinking carefully is no detriment to you.”
The sisters had different personalities, so they stopped.
When the flower pastries were made, Lin Yu Tong sent servant girls to deliver them and took Dai Yu to visit Pear Fragrance Park.
“In the future, you should walk about each day. If you walk more, you will have a better appetite. Each day, you have to walk a quarter of an hour after meals,”. Lin Yu Tong instructed Lin Dai Yu.
Lin Dai Yu did not refuse. The feeling of being managed was unfamiliar but not objectionable.
The pair walked into Pear Fragrance Park. Aunt Xue welcomed them warmly. When Lin Yu Tong presented the pastries, Aunt Xue immediately smiled. “Just a few flowers, and you sisters made the trip, you are too polite, and you even brought the pastries.”
Lin Yu Tong said, “These are not anything good, we made them.”
Lin Dai Yu was too impatient to listen to the two exchange pleasantries and said, “Where is Sister Bao, how come she isn’t here? I heard that she was not well, is she better?”
Zhou Rui’s wife likely had told everyone about the matter of Xue Bao Chai’s Cold Incense Pills all over the residence. That was why Lin Dai Yu was asking.
“No big problems, she is just resting inside, you can go in and see her. Bao Yu is also there.” Aunt Xu said and eagerly let the two walk in.
Lin Dai Yu lifted the curtain and saw Xue Bao Chai untying her robe and taking out the gold chain around her neck. She also saw Bao Yu looking dazedly at Bao Chai’s neck and blushed.
Right now, she did not know whether to leave or go in.
Lin Yu Tong looked like she saw nothing and put down the curtain before saying, ” Miss Xue, we are coming in.”
“It is the eldest Lin sister, please, come in.” It was Xue Bao Chai’s voice.
Lin Yu Tong pulled Lin Dai Yu to wait outside for a while, giving her time to arrange her clothing before going in.
Lin Dai Yu kept on standing behind Lin Yu Tong with her head down, and did not make a sound.
It was good if there was nothing suitable to say. Lin Yu Tong sighed in relief and went to exchange greetings.
Jia Bao Yu’s eyes lit up when he saw the sisters, but after Lin Yu Tong blocked his view several times, he didn’t dare to go forward. He wanted to be close to Lin Dai Yu, but right now she was behind Lin Yu Tong, not taking a step away and not even looking up.
He could only guiltily play with the gold chain in his hand.
Lin Yu Tong ignored him and just talked with Xue Bao Chai. “Are you better now?”
“A bit, it was not some serious illness to start with, but I troubled you to make the trip.” Xue Bao Chai was about to call Ying’er to serve tea when she heard Ying’er say, “Second Master, am I not right? Isn’t this a pair?”
The voice was very abrupt and hard for the Lin sisters to not hear.
“Ying’er, go pour tea, do not speak nonsense,” Xue Bao Chai lectured.
Lin Yu Tong found it interesting. First, it was Xue Bao Chai asking to see Jia Bao Yu’s jade and then her servant girl said that it was a pair with the gold chain. This lured Jia Bao Yu’s curiosity so he wanted to see the gold chain, creating the incident of undressing. Now, once again saying that this was a pair and arousing Xue Bao Chai’s scolding, it was hard for Lin Yu Tong to not think more about it.
Maybe her thoughts were dark. But when she thought about it, how come she felt that this was done on purpose?
Lin Dai Yu looked up at Bao Yu. She saw the other was holding the lock, muttering, so she looked down again.
Lin Yu Tong acted like she did not know what they were talking about and said a few more words before standing up and bidding farewell. Aunt Xue asked them to stay for a meal but Lin Yu Tong did not accept. “Aunt Xue asking us to stay for a meal is something we should not refuse. But my brother will come back in the afternoon, and he will be lonely if us sisters are not there.”
“This is nothing, just send someone to get him,” Aunt Xue said.
“The family is all women, it is not convenient.” She bid farewell after saying this.
Aunt Xue immediately flushed red. The family was all women so a boy of that age did not enter. But Jia Bao Yu was in her daughter’s bedroom.
In the past, one could say that they were young and did not know. But the matter of Jia Bao Yu and Xi Ren was known all over a few days ago. He had a bed servant, so he knew the matters between men and women, he was no longer a child.
But what other choice did they have with their family situation?
Lin Dai Yu returned with Lin Yu Tong to Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard, and went back to her own rooms.
Lin Yu Tong did not stop her. She had to think more about these matters.
Lin Yu Yang came back earlier than usual from the Zhang Family and wandered around Ningrong Street. When he saw pretty things, he would buy them for his sisters.
Today, he saw a boy who had very fine flower baskets at his stall and went over to look.
Then he heard people talking about the school of the Jia Family.
“Just get with him and the silver will come.” The one who spoke was not old, having the voice of a youth.
The other said, “That person looks like one who forgets the old for the new……”
“He is an idiot. Just fool him to get silver. That is real. Who cares about his future days?” The first one spoke again. “With silver, you can have a small business, it is better than fawning and begging others like you do now. Who knows what will happen after a few years. The servants of Second Master Lian are not clean. That Qin…… Fawns over Second Master Bao and does shameful things.”
Lin Yu Yang did not understand what it was at the start. His manservant was older and explained in a whisper. The eldest miss had ordered that, no matter how good or bad the affairs were outside, he had to tell the young master to avoid the young master being raised like a fool and getting deceived.
Lin Yu Yang heard this and his face turned black. He cursed, “So shameless.” He stood up and turned to leave.
The boy selling baskets shouted, “Young Master, buy two.”
The manservant brought two, put down the money and left.
The first thing Lin Yu Yang did after returning was write a letter to Lin Ru Hai. This Jia Family only had worse and even worse.
Translator Ramblings: Granny Liu’s visit is very famous and used as a common saying. See the Wikipedia page on her significance as a character.
- Grafting Life Chapter 25 – Red Chamber (25)
- Grafting Life Chapter 27 – Red Chamber (27)
- Grafting Life Chapter 28 – Red Chamber (28)
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