Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Tong considers how her presence has changed the story.
This chapter has been brought to you by me and Smash10101.
Chapter 27 – Red Chamber (27)
Lin Yu Yang naturally would not tell his sister of what he had heard when he returned home. However, he had matters on his mind and hurriedly ate. He only said that he had a lot of studying to do and went into the outer courtyard.
Lin Yu Tong thought the child had grown up and had secrets. She was slightly sad for a while.
Dai Yu smiled and stood up to return to her rooms.
Coincidentally, Mother Jia sent Yuan Yang with two plates of pastries. Dai Yu thought that she had not greeted Mother Jia today and wanted to go visit the old mistress.
“The days looked like it was going to get warm, but now it is suddenly cold. The snow is coming down. Take the fur coat with you when you go.” Lin Yu Tong urged. “The old mistress will not miss you for a day. If you go tomorrow, will the old mistress blame you? If you go now, aren’t you causing worry?”
“Sister is a nag now. Today, you told me to go walk more. Now that I listen, and am going to walk, you are worried.” Lin Dai Yu turned around and asked, “What should I do?”
“Never mind.” Lin Yu Tong choked. Ever since they got familiar, Lin Dai Yu’s clever tongue was revealed. “Leave and return early.”
“Eldest Miss, don’t worry, I am watching.” Yuan Yang smiled. “Even if it is late, the miss can just sleep overnight with the old mistress.”
It is that which I worry about. That Jia Bao Yu sleeps anywhere. She did not dare to let Dai Yu spend a night in Mother Jia’s courtyard.
Seeing her sister’s expression change, Dai Yu knew what the other feared. So she said, “I will definitely return and not stay for long. Sister, remember to have the kitchen prepare a bowl of pear jelly for me. I want to eat it when I return. It is very useful. I never cough at night after eating that.”
“I know.” Lin Yu Tong saw the two out. Then she called for Sister-in-law Ping and two grannies to go and wait outside Mother Jia’s courtyard to pick her up after.
Jia Bao Yu drank a lot of wine in Pear Fragrance Park, and was drunkenly walking back, meeting face-to-face with Dai Yu and Yuan Yang.
“My heavens, how come you are alone, it is so late,” Yuan Yang said in shock.
How was he alone? There were two grannies with him. But they knew Jia Bao Yu’s temper. He did not like grannies close to him.
Lin Dai Yu saw that Jia Bao Yu’s feet were unsteady and knew that he had drunk a lot. She also saw that his cloak was askew and said, “Where are your servants? Did they go to drink again? You habitually go seek that elder sister to play with, and listen to that elder sister the most. How come your sister does not know to care for you this time, and let you drink so much? She doesn’t know to stop you? You don’t listen to me when I lecture you. Is the wine so sweet?”
Jia Bao Yu was hurt when he saw Lin Dai Yu. “Sister has grown up now, and you have your own brother and sister. We grew up together, but now I am at the back of the line. We do not talk when we meet, and now I cannot even meet you. I am very depressed so I drank a few more cups, and has caused Sister to lecture me so. When do I listen to others? When do I not listen to Sister? I don’t have elder sisters, just a younger sister.”
Lin Dai Yu thought of the past feelings and her eyes were wet. She gripped her handkerchief and said, “What nonsense are you speaking of?” Seeing that he truly was uncomfortable, she could not help but reach out to straighten his cloak.
Yuan Yang was following and did not dare to speak. These two were both very important. Who did not know the thoughts of the old mistress. However, the eldest Lin miss intended differently. But the two grew up together, and it was not impossible.
“Sister, where are you going?” Jia Bao Yu wanted to grab Lin Dai Yu’s hand and she immediately drew back.
She smiled and said, “I have not seen the old mistress today and came to visit her.”
“It is along the way.” Jia Bao Yu smiled. “Sister, are you at ease at home? Does Eldest Sister control you?”
Lin Dai Yu saw that he was clear-minded and willing to talk properly so she said with a smile, “Of course she does? She watches me when I eat, I have to eat some meat. She watches the weather when I go out, and if my clothing is appropriate. I must return on time and there are grannies and servant girls to come for me. I can only read for a limited time because of eye strain. I cannot just sit and rest after eating. At night, before sleeping, she will send people to check more than once.”
“Amitabha, it is good to have someone like this.” Jia Bao Yu said, upset. “I did not know before that Eldest Sister is so good. If I had known before that this would be good for Sister’s health, this should have started years ago. Now, seeing Sister healthy, I am very happy. How many bowls are you eating now, how long do you sleep, do you still wake up in the night, do you still cough?”
“I still eat the same, but Sister is patient. She fears for my digestion so I eat less at a meal but more meals. You eat three meals a day, I have to eat five or six. During the night, I sleep from when my head touches the pillow to morning. Yesterday, when it suddenly got cold, I coughed a bit and Sister made pear jelly for me. I immediately recovered after a bowl. Right now, I feel much lighter.”
The two talked as they walked to Mother Jia’s courtyard.
Mother Jia had not yet eaten dinner. Seeing the two come in together, she was so happy.
Hearing that the two had met on the way, she nodded. She saw that Bao Yu had drunk a lot and first sent him back to the room. She held Dai Yu’s hand and rubbed it. “You child, such a cold day, how come you came? Today, just stay overnight with Grandmother, and save yourself from the cold wind.”
Lin Dai Yu smiled. “It is not cold. As I walked over, I sweated.”
The old mistress still wanted to keep her but Yuan Yang said, “I fear that Eldest Miss Lin has sent people already.”
Some things could not be reached by rushing. The old mistress was in too much of a hurry. It is normal that the Lin family was worried after that happened with Bao Yu.
After talking for a while, Mother Jia let Lin Dai Yu leave. She sighed inside. This Lin Family was not easy to deal with.
When Jia Bao Yu returned to his own courtyard, he saw Qing Wen putting up the calligraphy he had written in the morning. Her hands were red from the cold. He hurriedly held them. “Let me warm them up.”
The pair’s hands were together. Qing Wen gasped and the two kept on looking and smiling at each other.
Ever since Xi Ren and Jia Bao Yu were discovered, there were some servant girls who could not be suppressed. In the past, she had managed to keep others down because of her virtue and good character. Others had shortcomings that she did not have. So she was always confident. Her only shortcoming was that she was not as pretty as the others. But at the start, in the eyes of the old mistress and the mistress, this was her best attribute.
With these two supporting her, she was very confident. But now, she was the one to bring shame to herself, and her character was ruined. No one respected her. Other than She Yue and a few of the quiet ones, no one was willing to listen to her.
Everyone just managed to get by out of consideration for Bao Yu.
When Dai Yu left, she saw Bao Yu and Qing Wen holding hands together. She did not greet them and left, feeling very sad inside.
Sister-in-law Ping followed Dai Yu with the others, and did not dare to speak.
When Bao Yu asked, he learned that Dai Yu had already left. He sighed and asked where Xi Ren was.
Qing Wen was not one to spare others. She said, “She is a little missus now, just lying on the bed, saying that she is not comfortable. Second Master, go look, maybe if you do, she will be comfortable.”
She did not lower her voice. Xi Ren, lying on the bed inside, naturally heard. She fisted her hands, gritted her teeth and did not make a sound. She had to endure this.
Bao Yu looked over and did not speak. He asked Qing Wen about the tofu-skinned dumplings again. Today, Jia Bao Yu had been angered by Granny Li, and he could not suppress his temper. Hearing that Granny Li ate the dish, he immediately erupted.
Xi Ren heard that Qian Xue was going to be kicked out and got up. “How about Second Master kicks us all out and changes all your servants.” She knew Bao Yu’s temperament. He liked to gather and not to depart. This was her treasure in controlling Bao Yu.
Bao Yu did not say anything when Qian Xue sneered. “Now you pretend to be virtuous. Don’t worry, no matter who is kicked out, it will not be you. We are servants, you are a missus. Don’t pretend to be a good person right now.”
Bao Yu shuddered in anger. “Never mind, I say one word, and you have countless words for me. No one is getting kicked out, you are all here, I will just leave.”
The room full of servant girls all paled and only settled down when Yuan Yang sent someone to inquire.
Sister-in-law Ping saw Dai Yu back to her courtyard before reporting to Lin Yu Tong, “…… I saw from afar, the two feel very close.”
Lin Yu Tong nodded and let Sister-in-law Ping leave.
She could not help but grimace. She thought of how when people got angry, they would always say “I owe you from a past life ” out of helplessness.
Maybe Lin Dai Yu was like this to Bao Yu — she owed him from a past life.
Starting today, Lin Yu Tong thought of ways to hinder Dai Yu. The method? Learning needlework from her.
Of course Lin Yu Tong wanted to learn needlework. She thought, if she had to move around from world to world, she could not do this job her entire life. People would get bored sooner or later. The wealth was secondary among the benefits of the job. She got a few extra lifetimes’ worth of time for free.
What was time? Time was money.
An extra life. If she did not use it to learn something and better herself, she would live this life for nothing.
Extra skills were not a burden.
If she learned needlework, she may not have a great business. If she just set up a web shop to sell needlework, she probably could support herself. People in ancient times were able to rely on their skills to make a living even though needlework was very common, much less in modern times when needlework was rare.
Thinking like this, she was even more sure she wanted to learn this skill.
In reality, Dai Yu’s needlework was pretty good. She was a noble miss, and only picked up the needle when she was in the mood. She was not one who always had a needle in hand.
She did her best to teach Lin Yu Tong.
“Sister is learning from me, what can you learn?” Lin Dai Yu held a book in hand and watched Lin Yu Tong clumsily work on the needlework stand. “You should hire an embroiderer to learn properly.”
“If I can learn and reach your level, then I will count my blessings. I will not dare to think of more.” Lin Yu Tong’s hands were busy and she didn’t even look up.
Dai Yu thought, Sister’s days were so difficult that she hadn’t learned the things that a girl should have learned. Thinking like this, she put even more heart into teaching.
Jia Bao Yu started to go to school, so Lin Yu Tong and Lin Dai Yu only had to time their visit to Mother Jia in order to basically not meet him at all.
The days passed as one sister taught and the other learned. Occasionally, the other sisters would come to chat and do needlework together. It was not dull.
On this day, the weather was warm. The three Springs came, and also Li Wan.
This was an infrequent guest.
Lin Yu Tong smiled and invited her in, preparing tea. “Eldest Sister-in-law, you are a rare guest. But you should frequently come to visit.”
“You girls come together to have fun. If I come, I fear that you will not be at ease.” Li Wan smiled and examined the room. She saw that it was very orderly and elegant. She could not help but praise it.
Lin Dai Yu said with a smile, “Eldest Sister-in-law, just say what you need to. You are not one to praise people like this. If you praise someone, there must be a reason. Is something the matter? Just speak. I am not a petty person, my sister is not. Your praise makes me uneasy. I fear that if you praise more, you will ask for more and I do not dare to agree.”
The words were joking, but were to the point.
Li Wan’s smile turned forced, and her face stiff.
Lin Yu Tong grimaced inside and glared at Dai Yu. “You do not joke like this. Sister-in-law, ignore her, she is more and more mischievous. She is teaching me needlework right now and will frequently act as the teacher. Who can I talk to about this? The teachers hired from outside are not as wearing as her.”
The sisters were hard and soft, one exposing while the other cleaned up, forcing the words to stay in her mouth. She could not even be angry.
Li Wan laughed. “They all say that Sister Lin has a sharp tongue. Now I have felt it for myself.”
Lin Dai Yu gave a small smile and did not speak.
Lin Yu Tong subconsciously felt that maybe Dai Yu with her sensitivity sensed Li Wan’s conduct. This person was too utilitarian, which Dai Yu did not like.
In the original work, Li Wan had just watched and stood by during what happened to Qiao-jie which proved Dai Yu was correct.
She smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, you can freely talk.”
Li Wan took a sip of tea and said, “It is for Lan’er. I heard that Cousin Lin is studying in the family school of the Zhang Family. I know it is not suitable for Lan’er to go, I just wanted to send Lan’er here after Cousin Lin comes back from school to inquire about his homework. The Lin Family has a long history and I think that Lan’er will benefit from following along.”
Studying was an important matter and a correct one.
From how Lin Dai Yu taught Xiang Ling to read poetry, she liked educated people.
Lin Yu Tong felt that Li Wan was cold because of the influence of the original work, but she could not refuse because of that. Jia Lan was still young and it was too early to say anything about him.
She nodded and said, “This is not hard. Just send someone with Lan’er.”
Li Wan hurriedly thanked and said to Dai Yu, “Even if Cousin Lin is busy, with Sister Lin’s abilities, she can teach Lan’er.”
“This is not possible.” Lin Dai Yu’s expression turned stern. She said, “I cannot be so proud any longer. Women are in the inner courtyard and our knowledge is limited. Men will be officials outside, and they have to go out to be properly educated.”
“That’s right!” Lin Yu Tong nodded. “No matter how smart women are, they are trapped in the inner courtyard all day. Our breadth of mind, our knowledge, and our vision are not sufficient. We do not dare to mislead other people. Father is very strict with us in this regard.”
Li Wan said Amitabha. “I say, the Lin Family is a scholarly family and will have a different insight. It seems that it is correct to send Lan’er here.”
Tan Chun said, “Isn’t Lan’er going to school with Second Brother everyday? If he comes back and studies, will his health permit it?”
“Do not mention going to school.” Li Wan waved her hand, not willing to say another word.
Lin Yu Tong knew that this was because she learned of the matters of the family school from Jia Lan. But this concerned Jia Bao Yu, Qin Zhong and Xue Fan. None of them were people that a widow like her could speak about.
The matter was settled and Li Wan stood up to bid farewell.
Lin Yu Tong asked her to stay. “The sisters are here. Just eat here today, why return?”
“In the Eastern Residence, Rong-ge’er‘s wife has not been feeling well. It is not convenient for me to visit, and I am sending a servant to look,” Li Wan explained.
Lin Yu Tong knew what was going on. It seemed that other people had detected the matter between Qin Ke Qing and Jia Zhen. Qin Ke Qing must be having an illness of the heart. Otherwise, how could someone who had been fine a few days ago suddenly become sick?
Especially when You-shi treated her daughter-in-law so well. Otherwise, why was she so aloof in the end?
She was thinking this when she responded to Li Wan. “We should visit.”
She heard Xi Chun laugh coldly. “People’s life and death are determined by the heavens, all will experience this.”
Everyone was stunned by the words. Lin Yu Tong felt that Xi Chun may know something.
Ying Chun did not like to speak but she said, “Okay, if you say such things, you will cause people to misunderstand.”
Xi Chun turned her head to the side and ignored everyone.
Li Wan smiled and stood up.
Lin Yu Tong thought that maybe the Jia Family’s members had all heard something about Qin Ke Qing and were just pretending to be deaf and dumb, not listening and talking about it.
After everyone left, she sent Sister-in-law Ping with two portions of medicinal ingredients, which counted as concluding the matter.
Lin Yu Tong was not worried about Qin Ke Qing’s death because based on the original work, Lin Ru Hai died after Qin Ke Qing.
Right now, Qin Ke Qing’s death was right in front of them. Then what about Lin Ru Hai? Would he be able to overcome his calamity? This concerned the future and fate of her family.
She could not let Lin Yu Yang and Lin Dai Yu sense these anxious feelings. She acted the same as usual during the day but was unable to sleep during the night.
She sent several letters to Lin Ru Hai as forewarning but this could not settle the restlessness she felt.
Lin Yu Yang knew his sister and naturally sensed her unusual mood.
Lin Dai Yu was sensitive and this could not hide from her eyes.
Pressured by the pair, Lin Yu Tong said, “I had a dream, the dream was not very good. I am just worried about Father. It is fine, maybe I am thinking too much.”
Lin Yu Yang suddenly said, “When I came back yesterday, I met guards of the Jinghai Count. From the tone of the guard, they seem to be going to Jiangnan. This means that Jinghai Count is definitely going. Right now, the only matter in Jiangnan is Yangzhou. Sister, how about I visit this count? Maybe I will get something for my inquiries. Even if we just ask him to give some care, it is good.”
Lin Yu Tong smiled bitterly. “We can only do this.”
She immediately prepared several gifts and saw Lin Yu Yang out the door.
Wen Tian Fang was stunned when he heard his subordinate’s report. This young master of the Lin Family had just visited once right after coming to the capital. Now that it was said he was going to Jiangnan, the boy heard and ran over. He had good sources and could not have learned from the Jia Family. Wen Tian Fang had deliberately paid attention to the Jia Family after meeting the members of the Lin Family and he had some understanding of the family. They were young, and had to be sheltered in such a household. He felt some pity for them.
“Then invite him in,” Wen Tian Fang put down his brush and said without lifting his head.
When Lin Yu Yang entered, he was shocked for a moment. This study was not like the study of a military official at all, but very refined.
“I hadn’t expected Count to be such a well-read person,” Lin Yu Yang praised.
“Do not flatter me.” Wen Tian Fang smiled and indicated for him to sit. “You will not come if there is no matter. We count as acquaintances. Just talk. I am busy and do not have the time to receive a young friend like you.”
Lin Yu Yang chuckled. “Count, are you going to Jiangnan?”
“You are well-informed.” Wen Tian Fang said. It could not be seen if he was angry or not.
Lin Yu Yang of course would not say that your people had spilled information. He just said, “My sister has had nightmares the past two days, and is dazed and anxious. She is very worried about our father. We were thinking that maybe something has changed so……”
“You come to ask for information or for me to protect Official Lin?” Wen Tian Fang raised an eyebrow and asked. His trip to Yangzhou was not a secret. However, some of the duties were secret and could not be casually revealed. If the other had come to seek help out of anxiousness, it was too much of a coincidence.
“So long as Father is alive, if Count needs to use the Lin Family for anything, the Lin Family will not refuse.” Lin Yu Yang’s expression was solemn, so that people could not dismiss him because of his age.
Wen Tian Fang raised his eyebrows. To say such things meant that the Lin Family already saw the danger. He thought for a moment and said, “Accidents can occur. I will only say I will do my best, I cannot promise anything.”
This meant that there was danger. Lin Yu Yang breathed deeply to calm himself as much as he could. He said, “Count, please do your best. We can only leave it to the heavens. Us siblings will not dare to have any hate at all.”
Such a clever boy.
Wen Tian Fang nodded. “Then go back and wait for news. If it is fast, two months, if slow, half a year, you will get news.”
Lin Yu Yang stood, knelt down to kowtow and then left.
Wen Tian Fang raised his eyebrows. This Lin family was truly interesting.
Lin Yu Tong was worriedly waiting at home. Seeing her brother come, she had the servants leave and asked, “How did it go?”
Lin Yu Yang naturally did not dare to conceal such an important matter and told her in detail.
Lin Yu Tong calmed down. “You acted correctly. If Father is saved, any promise is worth it.” Only after coming to the Jia Family did she truly learn what it meant to have the support of the head of the family.
Take the Xue Family for example. They had all the wealth. But they had lost the pillar of the family. Their only male was not capable. Aunt Xue and Xue Bao Chai’s days could be imagined. If they left the Jia Family and set up a home outside, they could not keep the wealth they had. Just from how Xue Pan caused trouble every few days, there were all kinds of things to be used against him. Once he was caught, the wealth would flow like water. If they lived in the Jia Family, they had the protection of the Jia Family. At least, no one would purposefully make trouble to get the silver out of them.
Lin Yu Tong did not want to end up in such straits. “If he agreed immediately without thinking about it, I would be worried. If he cannot promise anything, it is the best promise.” She breathed deeply. “This is likely the most secret of all secrets. We will pretend to not know anything and do what we need him to. You go to school like usual and do not expose your tracks.”
After Lin Yu Yang left, Lin Dai Yu came in with Xue Yan. “Sister, you wanted to keep this a secret from me?”
“Not a secret from you. But I fear that you will cry and it will expose tracks,” Lin Yu Tong said with a frown.
Lin Dai Yu’s eyes filled with tears. “Am I this useless?”
Lin Yu Tong looked at her eyes. Lin Dai Yu turned her head and hurriedly wiped away her tears.
“There is danger but not to life. Do not mention this to anyone, remember, anyone!” Lin Yu Tong looked seriously at Lin Dai Yu. “Do not let anyone see anything or get any word from you. Do not forget what caused Father’s previous illness.”
Lin Dai Yu’s expression changed. “I know, Eldest Sister.”
Lin Yu Tong saw her so serious and was relieved. “Just be normal and pretend to not know.”
“Yes!” Lin Dai Yu gripped the handkerchief in her hand. She rejoiced very much inside. She did not dare to think if she was alone in the Jia Family right now, what would it be like. She probably would not get news on Father. Even if something happened, she would be the last to know. It would not be like now, with Brother supporting them on the outside, and Sister on the inside. She did not feel any anxiety at all. This was completely different from her past few years with the Jia Family. At least back then, no one cared what she liked to eat and if it met her tastes. People said that she was too picky with her tea and rice. It was like no one remembered that she was sickly and could not eat a lot of meat and oily foods.
“Go rest.” Lin Yu Tong instructed, “If you rest well at night, you will be alert all day.”
Lin Yu Tong was the backbone of the family. If she was stable, her siblings were fine.
The days passed like this. Spring slowly came. They put away their winter clothing and put on their spring clothes. The courtyard was red and green. Lin Yu Tong was not in the mood to admire the scenery. The days of waiting were always hard. Two months at least. Two months without news. The days kept on grinding.
When servants came to deliver baskets of fresh peaches, Lin Yu Tong suddenly realized that summer was here.
“The peach tastes very good, like honey.” Lin Dai Yu ate half and then stopped.
“Have people deliver them to the masters of the family.” Lin Yu Tong ordered Sister-in-law Ping.
Sister-in-law Ping was very reliable and meticulous. Not just Jia Huan and Jia Cong, even Concubines Zhao and Zhou and the others had a share. Not much, just a token. So, no one else in the residence ever said something such as they were too proud.
Bao Yu’s courtyard had a bigger share, and another plate was given just for Xi Ren.
Lin Yu Tong smiled after learning of this. Sister-in-law Ping was very cunning. This is attracting attention to Xi Ren. She must be feeling injustice on behalf of Dai Yu. The special attention was more powerful than cold words.
Sister-in-law Ping came back and said that they should prepare a birthday gift for the Ning Ducal Establishment. Lin Yu Tong remembered that Jia Jing’s birthday was soon. She just had Sister-in-law Ping prepare an average gift for Lin Ping to deliver, and did not do anything else.
When the day came, Wang Xi Feng came to invite them in person. Lin Yu Tong led Lin Dai Yu to the Ning Ducal Establishment to drink and watch plays.
Mother Jia did not go to Jia Jing’s birthday.
Wang Xi Feng explained with a smile, “The taste of the peaches that Eldest Sister Lin sent was so good that she ate half and has a stomach ache.”
Lin Yu Tong laughed inside and did not treat it seriously. The words were just an excuse.
Mother Jia was Jia Jing’s elder. There were no rules for elders to celebrate birthdays for their juniors. Mother Jia not coming was correct.
After no one was around, Lin Yu Tong and Wang Xi Feng talked. “Sister-in-law is so clever of tongue. The old mistress did not come, why do you blame my peaches?”
“My good sister, lower your voice.” Wang Xi Feng looked down at You-shi and muttered, “She should not have asked about this. When the time comes, she should just send over some easily digested dishes. But she asked, and how could I reply?”
“There are not many people as thoughtful as Sister-in-law. If we measure all people according to you, most of them will not qualify,” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile.
“In the past, there was Rong’er’s wife to help her and it was acceptable. Now, it is not good.” Wang Xi Feng sighed. “But such a good person is still so ill.”
“That is very true.” Lin Yu Tong made a sound of agreement. Seeing Lin Dai Yu call her, she said, “If you are missing her, go see her. I am a woman, and young, but I am a generation higher and it is not good to go into her room. You go look and tell me the situation.”
She would try to block the other from meeting Jia Rui. That person had to be punished, but did she have to ruin her own reputation to do it? That Jia Rong and Jia Qiang were not good people. This was just delivering her weakness to their hands. These people, when drunk, would say anything. Wang Xi Feng’s improper reputation likely started there.
Wang Xi Feng responded, “You go, I will come find you soon.”
It was rare for two people to manage to talk well together and have a close relationship.
Lin Dai Yu saw Lin Yu Tong return and asked, “What did Sister and Second Sister-in-law talk about?”
“Just worried about Rong’er’s wife’s illness. She has been ill for many days.” Lin Yu Tong casually said.
“Beauties are born under unlucky stars.” Lin Dai Yu sighed. From her expression, she looked very melancholy and sympathetic.
“Nonsense.” Lin Yu Tong laughed. “As long as you can keep yourself steady, you will not die early.”
Soon, Wang Xi Feng came out, her head bowed. Her eyes appeared red. She likely had cried.
“She does not look good, and said unlucky things.” Wang Xi Feng sighed, and was slightly sad.
Lin Yu Tong saw that there were many people here and said to Lin Dai Yu, “I will go walk around with Second Sister-in-law, you go with the sisters, do not run around. There are many people outside, do not collide with them.” Then she instructed the servant girls, “You are not allowed to take a step away from your miss.
Lin Dai Yu nodded. “I know, do not keep on controlling me.”
Lin Yu Tong ignored her discontent, and left with Wang Xi Feng.
“Do you have something to say?” Wang Xi Feng was a clever person and immediately saw there were secret things to be said.
Lin Yu Tong saw that the surroundings were relatively empty and the servant girls were following from afar. She lowered her voice and said, “One of my family’s servant girls inquired in the yard and heard that one of the masters of the Jia Family was speaking nonsense about Sister-in-law. He appeared to be drunk. I fear that you will suffer if you go out. If this is targeting you, no matter how capable you are, you are a woman. It is not good if this spreads.”
“Whoever has such rottenness inside, I will force him out.” Wang Xi Feng glared, fierce.
“I am afraid of this temper of yours.” Lin Yu Tong said, “If you want to deal with such a person, you can do it in many ways. You have a good head, but why, at such a key time, are you so direct? You are not educated, but haven’t you heard the saying, “a ruler not careful in action will lose his subjects, a subject not careful in conduct will lose their life, matters not kept secret will become calamities.” Concerning one’s reputation, the “secret” is the most important part. From beginning to end, you cannot be involved in this.”
Wang Xi Feng suppressed the anger she felt and suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Yes, if Lin Yu Tong had not stopped her, even if she did not sort this person out today, after a few days, she would have sent someone to do it.
But what about after? This would become something that other people held over her. The people of the world would not say that such a man is dirty, just that the woman was indecent.
“Good sister! I don’t know what to say,” Wang Xi Feng said, “Don’t worry, I will remember your words.”
After a few days, Lin Yu Tong heard Sister-in-law Ping say, “That day in the park, there was an embarrassment. There is one of the Jia men, called Jia Rui, who offended a young wife from the rear street. The young wife is married to one of the Jia cadet branches. Yesterday, she came for the birthday party and went for a stroll around the park, but they collided together. The young wife is not a proper one. The two somehow got together and then got caught by that wife’s husband. He has several brothers and they beat up that Jia Rui. They also went to the family, wanting Jia Dai Ru to pay silver. They are fighting now. I don’t know how it will be resolved.”
Lin Yu Tong breathed out. As expected, this was Wang Xi Feng’s method, clean, brisk, and without a trace. She just didn’t know what method Wang Xi Feng used to get Jia Rui to recognize the wrong person.
Later, she heard Wang Xi Feng say, “That one is not good to start with. If her husband’s family did not have many brothers and she didn’t dare and others did not dare to provoke her, her reputation would have spread long ago. That day, I called her to talk a bit, and accidentally spilled tea on her. So, I apologized with a set of good clothing and jewelry that she changed into immediately. She is very similar in figure to me, and when she dressed up, she was very beautiful. I had a servant girl lead her to pass by the courtyard. Even if that Jia Rui did not mistake her, he encountered one easy to get, so he could not stop himself. I did not have to do anything else, just let them go on.”
Editor’s ramblings: is it just me, or do the last couple chapters feel long? Maybe I just need to stop editing right before bed.
Translator Ramblings: Smash is correct because this chapter is ~6000 words.
I’m not sure if there’s a “how to be a feudal lord for dummies” book but Jia Bao Yu definitely did not read it.
- Grafting Life Chapter 26 – Red Chamber (26)
- Grafting Life Chapter 28 – Red Chamber (28)
- Grafting Life Chapter 29 – Red Chamber (29)
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