Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Tong is ready to get rich.

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

Chapter 30 – Red Chamber (30)

Before Madam Wang came to the door, Aunt Xue took Xue Bao Chai to Rongxi Hall. Madam Wang was overjoyed. Delivered was more respectful than having to beg.

“Sister, you finally have made it through,” Aunt Xue hurriedly said after sitting down.

Madam Wang nodded and then shook her head. “While it looks good now, who knows the difficulties. I have not seen Consort in the years she has been in the palace. I do not know how she is. She now has the favor of the emperor. I just hope that her future days will be better. The only thing us people on the outside can do is support her.”

“Sister is very right.” Aunt Xue smiled and handed over a box. “Right now, we are living in the residence and it is our good fortune to have touched Consort’s good fortune. This has fifty thousand silver. Sister, accept it. This is our care for Consort.”

Madam Wang looked at the box on the table and politely smiled. Inside, she was still somewhat dissatisfied. “Everyone is very polite. A few days ago, the Lin Family said they were going to include all the stone materials needed for the park. Sister, you have delivered silver. Not to mention the Shi and Zhen families. Even Elder Brother sent someone with silver. We are very embarrassed to have alarmed so many relatives and friends.”

“We are all one family, there is nothing wrong. The ones with money contribute money, the ones with people contribute people.” Aunt Xue could hear the displeasure in her older sister’s voice. Of the relatives listed, her family was the one with the least power. Because they had the reputation of wealth, they had given more silver than the rest, but they definitely could not match the Lin Family. But could she say that the Lin Family was using a loophole? No. Her family’s property was still in Jinling so she could not offend the Lin Family. Where could the Lin Family’s hands not reach in Jiangnan. The other just had to move a finger and her family would be greatly wounded. She had been the wife of a merchant for many years and knew who they could afford to offend. She knew what was involved so she just pretended to be dumb.

Xue Bao Chai held a hand stove and sat there silently like she did not know what the pair were speaking of. No wonder they all said that Miss Bao had self-restraint.

When Wang Xi Feng came, she saw Aunt Xue and Xue Bao Chai seated. Glancing at the box on the table, she knew. However, based on her understanding of her two aunts, the one accepting the silver was dissatisfied, and the one giving the silver was unwilling.

“I didn’t expect Aunt to also be here.” Wang Xi Feng gave an exaggerated smile and sat down. “Mistress, please reward me a cup of tea to drink. It is so tiring.”

Madam Wang smiled at Aunt Xue. “Look at her, she is a mother now, but still like a monkey.” Then she called Jin Chuan in with tea.

Wang Xi Feng touched the cup and found it warm. She praised, “This servant girl is very considerate.” Then she said, “Now that the construction has started, the silver flows out like water. Mistress, I have come to ask for silver again.”

“How come you have drawn eighty thousand silver in just a few days?” Madam Wang was stunned.

“You do not know.” Wang Xi Feng counted on her fingers. “Including us, several families are building. Our consort is a noble consort, we cannot be less than a noble lady. Any good material that enters the city will be surrounded by the families and fought over. The one with the highest bid gets it. Our second master even used the Lin Family’s connections, and went through the storekeeper’s back door, asking them to save the good materials for us. Even if we have to pay some, it is better than competing with others outside. A while ago, a ship of Taihu stone came. A fight almost broke out on the pier. Mistress, you just have to send someone to inquire. They bid on the spot. One family spent twenty-three thousand to pick first. The others are fighting over the rest. In the end, Noble Lady Zhou’s family bought it using ten thousand. Our second master did not manage to get it, not wanting to spend. He just asked them to leave some for us from the next ship. We have to make a deposit of twenty thousand. We get to pick first. Don’t worry, the quality is the same.”

“Amitabha.” Aunt Xue chanted. “Lettuce are being sold for the price of jade.”

Xue Bao Chai felt hot inside. She knew business and asked, “Whose business is this?”

Wang Xi Feng thought, could I tell you this? She said with a smile, “Maybe a family who learned the news ahead of time and prepared.”

Such families were limited. If they were not imperial relatives, they were the emperor’s most trusted. So, these were people that they could not touch.

Madam Wang heard this and learned that there was such a thing. She pushed the silver in front of Wang Xi Feng. “This is fifty thousand, use it first.”

“Fifty thousand.” Wang Xi Feng had a conflicted expression. “Mistress, the silver may not even make a splash.”

“I understand.” Madam Wang sighed and said, “We just have to shamelessly ask our relatives again.”

The two discussed while Aunt Xue and Xue Bao Chai bid farewell.

Wang Xi Feng saw mother and daughter leave before saying, “Mistress, just give me thirty thousand to use first. You can keep the rest. I won’t need it right now.”

Madam Wang stilled and then understood. Wang Xi Feng’s words just now had been for Aunt Xue.

“You dare to commit mischief in front of me. I was just thinking how the stones could cost so much.” Madam Wang said angrily.

“I do not dare to lie about that. Many people are watching. It is true,” Wang Xi Feng said in a low voice, “But the Taihu stones come from the south. The Lin Family is in the south and gave us the base cost, with the transport cost. I do not know how much silver was saved with just this. In the future, there will be a lot of time to use goods from the south. We will save a considerable amount.” Wang Xi Feng smiled. “Compared to this, Aunt is a bit miserly.”

Madam Wang nodded. “This is true.” Her niece seemed to have changed in personality, no longer greedy when she saw silver and giving it back to her. If her niece did not give it back, she would not know. This was twenty thousand silver. Even if she did something to the accounts, she could not embezzle twenty thousand silver. She had originally been suspicious the silver was being used too quickly, but now she did not think so. She did not worry about husband and wife on the job.

Wang Xi Feng greatly hurt over the twenty thousand silver, but thinking of having a steady flow and for people to not detect what was happening, it was essential to act like this at the necessary time.

During these days, she had taken in so much silver. Not even counting what Second Master Lian got from outside, she herself got more than twenty thousand, all of it with Lin Yu Tong right now.

When Jia Lian came back, he handed Wang Xi Feng another five hundred. “I got this over the last few days. Take it.”

Wang Xi Feng smiled but inside, she wanted to scratch the other. No one knew better than her how much silver he had accepted during this time, at least three to four thousand. He only gave five hundred to her. But she thought that he could not learn of what she was doing so she laughed softly and handed the silver to Ping’er. “Take it, we have been busy and finally got something. Even if it cannot reach our wallet, it is the same in Second Master’s wallet.”

Jia Lian paused and said with a smile, “Nothing is a secret from you.” He then took out another five hundred. “Other than this, I only have a few hundred left. A man needs to have some silver when outside.”

Wang Xi Feng smiled and accepted it, handing it to Ping’er. “I was thinking that now we have silver this time, let’s secretly get some property so that it will be more convenient for us in the future. Right now, it is just us, but we have to consider for your children in the future.”

Jia Lian did not know if Wang Xi Feng’s words were sincere or just to get silver out of him. However, he still agreed. He thought she had to fool the old mistress and mistresses of the residence. It was better to give some to her and he would get some peace. He said, “Don’t worry, I will give you the silver to keep after I get it. The silver will not stay the night with me. How is that?”

The matters of outside could be kept from Lin Dai Yu but not from Lin Yu Yang.

After school, he came to ask Lin Yu Tong, “Sister, do you have a secret from me? How much silver is involved in this business?”

Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “I knew I couldn’t keep it a secret.” Then she told him in a low voice.

Lin Yu Yang frowned. “Sister, how can you be so muddle headed in this? Such a great profit. Everyone is watching. There are so many aristocrats in the capital. If you are not careful, this will cause a calamity.”

Lin Yu Tong stilled and broke into a cold sweat. She had been arrogant. Right now, it was the era of monarchy. Lin Ru Hai had been in the very rich position of salt-control censor for so many years. People were already jealous. And most of the goods for this business right now came from Jiangnan. What would happen if Lin Ru Hai was accused of taking from the people?

The more she thought, the more afraid she was. “You are right. I did not think it through. How shall we dispense the money or give up the business?”

Lin Yu Yang thought for a beat and asked, “Sister, how much did you earn recently.”

Lin Yu Tong put up two fingers. Lin Yu Yang was shocked. “Two hundred thousand…… How many days has it been?”

Lin Yu Tong felt that it was a hot potato. “It does not count what has been given to Wang Xi Feng and the thirty thousand remainder.”

Lin Yu Yang stood up and said, “Sister, give me the two hundred thousand, I am going out.”

“To do what?” Lin Yu Tong asked.

“To find the Jinghai Count and ask him to go into the palace to request an audience with the emperor. We can only make this money for one person,” Lin Yu Yang lowered his voice. “Sister, do not be reluctant.”

Lin Yu Tong’s eyes lit up. This was a good chance to show their loyalty. They would throw away the hot potato in their hand and increase positive feelings. She no longer hesitated. “Spending money can buy peace, and also a future. I will not be reluctant.”

So she entered the room, but took the box out from her space. “Two hundred thousand whole. In the future, we will deliver more as it comes.”

Lin Yu Yang nodded. “Sister, do not worry and just wait.”

Lin Yu Yang took the box and went directly to the establishment of the Jinghai Count. Ever since Lin Ru Hai made it out of the bog of Yangzhou, Lin Yu Yang and Wen Tian Fang visited even more frequently. This time, while he came later, no one in the residence was surprised.

“How come you came at this time?” Wen Tian Fang smiled. “Have you eaten yet?”

Lin Yu Yang grimaced. “There is something that I need Count to help give ideas.”

“Oh!” Wen Tian Fang laughed and said, “You only come to my door if there is a matter.”

Lin Yu Yang put the box in his arms on the table and then smiled embarrassedly. Then he explained the matter in a low voice to Wen Tian Fang.

Wen Tian Fang’s eyebrows went up. “I am curious how your sister learned of the visits. I didn’t know of it beforehand.”

Lin Yu Yang sighed and said, “It is a coincidence. The start of the matter is to earn the money of the Jia Family.”

“The Jia Family was building a park?” Wen Tian Fang asked.

“You do not know. Even the stewards of the Jia Family have gardens. The Rong Ducal Establishment is large, but they are a military family, and when it was first built, it was vast, but is not elegant according to the present style. Also, the Jia Family is very complex. The second missus in charge of the household needs a clear excuse to take money out of the common accounts for herself. No matter what the Jia Family builds, there will be a way for her family to be in charge. But, just as the second missus was going to get the family sorted out, the consort was elevated. With the excuse of the consort, the park will not be small. Sister had them prepare a lot, but did not think that the emperor would announce a visit back to the paternal family. This is not just a matter of scale, but several families together. So the silver came in. My sister and the second missus of the Jia Family are the most close together, and she wanted to help the other, and earn some pocket money. Of course, she also intends to make trouble for the Jia Family. She did not expect the matter to develop into this. I do not know what to say. Sister didn’t dare to tell anyone. She is unable to sleep at night and I saw. This silver is hot.” Lin Yu Yang pushed the silver forward, looking like he was afraid to touch it.

Wen Tian Fang did not believe all of it but could not figure out what was wrong. He thought of the emperor having a headache over the snow calamity in the north and thought, the silver came at the right time.

He was not courteous and took the box, saying, “Come with me to the palace.”

Lin Yu Yang sighed in relief inside. This was good.

The emperor saw that Wen Tian Fang came into the palace at night with a little tail. And the little tail was Lin Ru Hai’s son. So he laughed and said, “How come you came together?”

The emperor knew that Wen Tian Fang had a bit of a relationship with the Lin Family. Wen Tian Fang explained Lin Yu Tong’s original intentions and the many coincidences and put down the two hundred thousand.

“This Lin daughter has some luck with money,” the emperor said coolly.

People could not judge whether he was angry or not.

Lin Yu Yang knelt down and kowtowed. He said, “This boy is only two months younger than my sister, but Sister raised me. From the age of seven, Sister walked the streets and alleys with a jar of pickled vegetables. Relying on this, us siblings did not starve or freeze to death, and managed to buy some property, supporting this boy to go to school. Later, our father took us back home and our days became good. We finally saw what extravagance is. How can she not be moved by the silver, but she is anxious about having it.”

The emperor nodded. This is true. A child who was poor from young would be moved seeing so much silver. But she also knew that she could not have the silver. This was a very honest person. Lin Ru Hai’s two children were very lucky people, able to peacefully be born in such a situation, grow up well, and successfully return to the Lin Family without having grown up the wrong way. What was luck if not this?

So he glanced at Wen Tian Fang. He valued this subject very much, but he was not a person with much luck. He lost his father, his mother, and all his close relatives. He truly was a lone star.

Wen Tian Fang grimaced. Last life, he had died early. He did not want to mention his luck.

The emperor looked at Lin Yu Yang and suddenly asked, “How old are you now?”

“Emperor, this boy is thirteen,” Lin Yu Yang answered, confused.

“So next year, you will be fourteen,” the emperor added.

Lin Yu Yang nodded. He was even more puzzled.

The emperor looked at Wen Tian Fang. “You will be nineteen next year.”

Wen Tian Fang’s mind moved and he understood the emperor’s intentions. He was between laughter and tears but confirmed.

The emperor smiled and said, “Then just do the business as you should.”

Lin Yu Yang relaxed inside. There was permission for the Lin Family to keep going, but the silver had to be turned over. So he said, “This boy will find Count if there is anything.” In other words, he would give the silver over to Wen Tian Fang for him to pass on.

The emperor nodded. “Then go, Zhen will not keep you for a meal.”

The two left the palace and Lin Yu Yang started to understand. The emperor was not asking about his age, but his elder sister’s. He had said that his sister was two months older than him. Then he asked about the Jinghai Count’s age. The meaning was clear, match making. But Father was in Jiangnan right now so this was not mentioned.

Wen Tian Fang had been alone and unmarried in his last lifetime. It was the first time someone mentioned marriage to him in this life. They all said he had a hard life so he had no hopes.

But if there was someone whose fate was matching to his, who was willing to be alone?

Seeing Lin Yu Yang look at him in examination, he felt a thread of nervousness.

“I won’t go with Count to your residence. My sister is still waiting.” Lin Yu Yang was displeased. This time, they suffered a great loss. They lost the money, and also a person.

It would have been fine if there were no thoughts, but if there were, it could not be stopped. Otherwise, there would not be a saying as “do not fear the thieves stealing, but that they think of you.”

“You are burning the bridge after crossing, boy.” Wen Tian Fang looked at this person who was very likely to be his brother-in-law.

“My sister is waiting for me.” Lin Yu Yang’s face darkened. He looked up and down. The other was worthy in appearance.

Lin Yu Tong was anxious at home. Hearing that Lin Yu Yang had returned, she hurriedly went out.

“How is it?” Lin Yu Tong asked urgently.

“Good.” Lin Yu Yang said simply.

Other people did not know what riddle the two were guessing, but Lin Yu Tong sighed in relief inside.

“Eat first, you must be hungry.” Lin Yu Tong pulled her brother back into the room. “Today, it is stewed ham hock, very delicious.”

Lin Yu Yang made a sound of acknowledgment. Nothing that Sister made did not match his taste.

After eating, Lin Yu Yang explained simply, but did not mention the age question and kept secret the fact the emperor wanted to match-make. First, the emperor had not spoken openly. Second, Father was not present. Third, he feared that his sister would think too much.

Seeing Lin Yu Tong relieved, Lin Yu Yang ordered Lin Ping to find a trustworthy person to pass a message to Lin Ru Hai with the emperor’s intentions.

Lin Yu Tong did not know of all this. She just kept on managing the business. With someone protecting her from above, she did not worry at all about people thinking of her.

It was the beginning of summer by the time the park was built.

After costs, she had eighty thousand left over. She worked so hard, and only got fifty thousand. The storekeeper and the other workers split thirty thousand, while Wang Xi Feng got sixty thousand.

But thinking of how the emperor had gotten more than a million silver, and that he would view Lin Ru Hai and her brother favorably, she felt it was worth it.

During this time, the emperor had summoned Lin Yu Yang twice. Whether it was because Lin Ru Hai was doing well in his position or because of the silver, Lin Yu Tong was satisfied.

What satisfied Lin Yu Tong even more was the silver she kept was not in certificates, but ingots. She stored them in her space. Regardless of whether she used them in this life or the next trip, it was very convenient.

She felt peace of mind.

The park was built, but Lin Yu Tong had lost weight, with Wang Xi Feng even more so.

On this day, Wang Xi Feng came over to discuss what to do with the silver.

Lin Yu Tong said, “I think you should buy some more farmland and ask others to look over it.”

“How much money is that?” Wang Xi Feng scorned. But then she said, “But your ideas are familiar. Someone else told me this too.”

Of course it was Qin Ke Qing. The words of a dead person were sometimes more useful than the words of a living person. Now that she recalled it, the other would likely think more.

So she said, “If it is like that, it will be a person close to you who said this.”

Wang Xi Feng was shocked. A light flashed through her mind. The night that Qin Ke Qing passed away, she had a dream. Now, it matched the “very happy occasion” of the dream. Then she thought of the “an instant of prosperity, a time of joy” and “as prosperity, there must be a decline.”

Her heart sped up, and her blood raced.

The warnings from a dead person were so similar to Lin Yu Tong’s hints.

If the words of a dead person were not trustworthy, then Lin Yu Tong must have a source of information to learn about the visits to the paternal homes ahead of time. She may know other things. Otherwise, no one would have spoken of misfortune on a happy day.

If the other was not sincere to her, they likely would not be hinting things to her.

“Is there a solution?” Wang Xi Feng asked urgently.

Lin Yu Tong looked down and Wang Xi Feng understood, paling. She said, “There is still some time, allow me to make arrangements.”

Lin Yu Tong nodded minutely. “Your hands have to be clean. Otherwise, not even a god can save you.”

Wang Xi Feng stood up and bowed. “Sister has saved my life.”

Lin Yu Tong stopped her and said, “Do more good and make more connections. Maybe you can use them in the future.”

Wang Xi Feng bid farewell and left with a dazed expression.

Lin Yu Tong sighed. She was still soft-hearted. She could only help like this.

Lin Dai Yu came out of the inner room, her eyes red. “Thank you, Sister, you have helped the Jia Family.”

With the thousand of silver that Feng-jie’er saved, they would be able to buy a lot of land. The people in the family would not end up homeless or in bad places.

Lin Yu Tong smiled and didn’t speak. People could not escape their crimes. She had to give a chance to those who were innocent.

Putting aside this matter, she would do her best to enjoy this brief prosperity.

On this day, Lin Yu Yang was resting. Jia Zheng came with a request out of the blue, saying they were going to visit the garden together.

Lin Yu Yang had been summoned by the emperor several times. The Jia Family naturally started to value him more.

Before leaving, Lin Yu Tong said, “If you encounter Jia Bao Yu, be modest. Second Master wants to show off his son using the excuse of testing him. Do not steal the attention.”

“I am never good with poetry. Sister, you really know how to praise me.” Lin Yu Yang smiled and did not care. “I will just go to see the scenery and relax.”

After seeing Lin Yu Yang leave, Lin Dai Yu said, “Bao Yu may not go. He always fears Second Uncle when seeing him. Also, one of his good friends just passed away and he is grieving.”

Lin Yu Tong thought that this was likely the death of Qin Zhong and said. “People may pass away, just do your best. How can he grieve? Won’t his servants comfort him? You do not have to worry.”

When Lin Yu Yang came back, he sighed, “That Bao Yu has more creativity than others in poetry. I cannot compare. If that second master does not insist that he has to go through the examinations, maybe after many years, he will be a master of poetry. Many famed scholars are like that. Why insist on only that one path?”

Lin Yu Tong just smiled at the words. If this Jia Bao Yu was in the Lin Family, with Lin Ru Hai’s personality, he likely could raise a very carefree famed scholar.

However, Lin Dai Yu noted the words down. Soon, she stood up and said she was going to visit the old mistress.

Lin Yu Tong rarely went unless necessary. Seeing that Lin Dai Yu was going to go, she just told the servant girls to take care. When she heard Lin Yu Yang speak of the scenery in the garden, she actually wanted to go.

Dai Yu heard the laughter and voices when she came to Mother Jia’s rooms.

Because they had learned that Jia Bao Yu had performed well facing Jia Zheng’s questions, they were happy and the room was celebrating.

Shi Xiang Yun had come this time, but they had not met yet. So she first went to the other girl’s room. But when she lifted the curtain, she saw Shi Xiang Yun pull Jia Bao Yu’s arm. “Did you let someone else take the pouch I made for you?”

Jia Bao Yu searched around and did not find it. He said, “Maybe I did not wear it today. Why are you wronging me?”

But Shi Xiang Yun had quick hands. She pulled up Bao Yu’s shirt, and revealed a fine pouch.

Dai Yu looked and knew that this was one she had given Bao Yu a long time ago. She hadn’t expected him to treasure it so, and had many feelings.

Shi Xiang Yun saw it and immediately examined it to see if it was her work. She was angry and got scissors, about to cut up the half-done pouch she was embroidering.

“Sister, what are you doing?” Jia Bao Yu was startled and asked, stopping her.

“Other people are noble misses and have important officials as fathers, their own brothers and sisters. But I am an orphan, I am not as noble as others, and my things are not as noble as theirs.” Shi Xiang Yun cried as she spoke.

“If you want to criticize, just criticize me, what are you doing blaming others? If others hear, they……” Jia Bao Yu hurriedly stopped.

“Say what, say that I am petty?” Shi Xiang Yun sneered. “You do not speak of her, and now you speak of me. I naturally am not as good as her.”

Dai Yu did not know whether to enter or not when she saw Xi Ren come over with a pouch. It was the one that Shi Xiang Yun had made for Bao Yu. Xi Ren saw Dai Yu and curtsied before hurriedly going in. She said, “Miss Yun, this is my fault, I did not give it to Second Master to put on today.”

Shi Xiang Yun saw it and she had treated the other unjustly. Before she could speak, Bao Yu threw the pouch over. “If you want to cut, cut this one as well.” Then he turned to leave. But when he did, he and Dai Yu met up.

Dai Yu smiled. “How come you two are fighting again?” Then she took the pouch from Shi Xiang Yun’s hands. “Such good skill? If no one wants it, I will take it to spare it being cut up. It is a waste of something good, and also their regard.”

Jia Bao Yu and Shi Xiang Yun both tried to take it. Bao Yu had faster hands and grabbed it. He shoved it away. “When have I ever given away things that the sisters gave me?”

Shi Xiang Yun did not speak but glared at Lin Dai Yu. “You are always one to talk. When did you learn to eavesdrop?”

Lin Dai Yu smiled, not angry. When she looked at Xiang Yun, it was like looking at her past self. She said, “Just now, I heard the old mistress was looking for Bao Yu and came along the way.”

Shi Xiang Yun finally gave up.

Entering Mother Jia’s room, Shi Xiang Yun said, “Just now, Sister Lin said that Forebearer is looking for Second Brother, is something the matter?”

“Nothing, I thought he was in your room. Lin-yatou, you are also here?” Mother Jia looked behind Shi Xiang Yun and saw Dai Yu smiling.

“Just when I entered the yard, I heard Grandmother looking for Bao Yu. I did not see him on the way here, and thought that he would be in the courtyard, probably in Yun-yatou‘s room so I made a trip for Grandmother.” Lin Dai Yu sat down on a bench at the side.

Mother Jia praised her, but Shi Xiang Yun thought, so she had not lied, and did not come to eavesdrop.

Lin Dai Yu originally wanted to tell Mother Jia and Bao Yu the things that Lin Yu Yang had said, but did not expect that everyone’s thoughts were not on this.

She heard Yuan Yang say, “…… Twelve young actresses were brought and settled in Pear Fragrance Park. Lucky that Aunt Xue moved to the northeast corner because of the construction…… Mistress sent people to invite a nun. She is of aristocratic birth, called Miao Yu…… Also purchased were……”

Lin Dai Yu listened to this and found it boring. So she stood up and silently left.

When she returned home, she heard her sister telling the servants to juice the watermelon to put into the well.

Lin Yu Tong saw Lin Dai Yu return and said, “Why didn’t you wait until the sun came down to come back? Such a hot day, really. Wash first, change. You can only have warm tea, do not be greedy for the cold.”

Lin Dai Yu acknowledged and did not find it bothersome. She felt at peace.

The Jia Family was busy all the way to the end of the tenth month before they finally finished with the Grand View Garden. All of the furnishings were perfect.

The Xue Family had put in a lot of silver to buy these things. Wang Xi Feng had said this, and it would not be wrong.

Also, there were many antiques with the mark of the Lin family, along with calligraphy scrolls and paintings. They had been brought out and many people were embarrassed. Things with the mark of the Lin family came from the Lin Family’s personal stores. To be able to appear in the Jia Family meant only one thing. The daughter of the Jia Family, Jia Min had moved them back to her paternal family.

If they truly did not have the silver to buy more things, based on Lin Ru Hai’s present rank, they would not dare to openly display such things.

The Jia Family was embarrassed, and Lin Dai Yu felt she had no face to see her siblings.

Lin Yu Tong felt sad, but Lin Yu Yang’s face darkened.

His grandparents likely had chosen blindly to pick Jia Min for their son.

Regardless, the Grand View Garden was decorated. So Jia Zheng sent a memorandum to receive Yuan Chun for a visit. The date was settled on the Lantern Festival.

The Jia Family entered a new round of busy.

The days passed like this. During the construction of a park, Lin Yu Tong grew up into a young woman, and Lin Yu Yang looked like a young man.

The Jia Family were busy while the Lin Family lived their own days, watching the Jia Family on the side.

On this day, the three were gathered together, talking.

“Teacher says that I can participate in the examinations. But I don’t know if I am going back south or staying in the capital,” Lin Yu Yang said, holding a cup of tea.

“How so?” Lin Yu Tong asked.

“Based on the rules, I should return south, but Father’s position is very special, and I should avoid the examination,” Lin Yu Yang explained.

Lin Yu Tong nodded. This was out of fear that an official’s children would go through the examinations in the territory they were in charge of, so the examiners would be biased. As a result, people had to avoid this place.

“What about Uncle, what does he think?” Lin Yu Tong asked.

“Stay in the capital,” Lin Yu Yang said. In reality, he wanted to take the chance to go out.

Lin Yu Tong sighed in relief. “This is good. I will be worried if you return to the south alone. When it is safe, you can go everywhere in the world. Just be patient.”

It was nearly the end of the year, and the people from the palace came to look at the place, and set things up.

When it was the fifteenth of the first month, the Jia Family started to get busy starting at midnight.

Mother Jia saw that the members of the Lin Family had not arrived and hurriedly asked, “Make sure they do not miss the time.”

Wang Xi Feng said with a smile, “Eldest Sister Lin sent someone to tell me. The rules of the palace are strict. They are relatives. They do not dare to come if not summoned. The Lin Family likely has not gotten up yet.”

Mother Jia thought for a moment. “That makes sense.”

But Aunt Xue, Xue Bao Chai, and Shi Xiang Yun were embarrassed.

When Lin Dai Yu got up, she heard the noise outside and hurriedly went to Lin Yu Tong’s room. Seeing Lin Yu Tong, she said, “There is no precise time, the old and the young are all waiting there. Today is not warm. They cannot eat, cannot drink. I fear that the old mistress cannot endure it, the others are alright.”

“The old mistress is happy, she is not uncomfortable at all.” Lin Yu Tong handed over a bowl of thick carp soup. “Drink it.”

“No wonder Sister did not go to watch.” Lin Dai Yu took a sip. “There is just a hard duty.”

“The true spectacle is at night.” Lin Yu Tong smiled. “Just rest well and conserve your energy. We will be following along at night.”

With Lin Ru Hai’s present status, it would be a wonder if Yuan Chun did not want to see them.

Translator Ramblings: “Graft” according to Merriam Webster, is “the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways”. This chapter really shows that.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 29 – Red Chamber (29)
• Grafting Life Chapter 31 – Red Chamber (31)
• Grafting Life Chapter 32 – Red Chamber (32)