Dreams of Jianghu

Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Tong learns there is a such thing as making too much money.

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

Chapter 31 – Red Chamber (31)

Jia Yuan Chun was both sad and happy when she saw her family. The room of women cried with her. Other than Mother Jia and Madam Wang, only Wang Xi Feng’s tears were real. She could not help but feel sorrow looking at the present prosperity. Sometimes, she would rather not know the future direction. If it was good for a day, she would enjoy it for a day. Right now, she was the only one awake. What did all her torment count for?

With her acting like this, You-shi could not help but look over, wondering if something was wrong with her.

Jia Yuan Chun said from her seat of honor, “I heard that Aunt’s children are living at home. How come they are not here?”

Mother Jia said, “The foreign relatives have no position and do not dare to enter. Also, Mistress Xue and her daughter as well as the miss of the Shi Family are waiting outside.”

When Jia Yuan Chun heard this, how could she not know Mother Jia’s meaning? She said, “Please, invite Aunt and the two sisters in. Send someone to invite the Lin Family cousins. We are of the same flesh, it is fine.”

Mother Jia acknowledged and there naturally were people to do this.

Lin Yu Tong and Lin Dai Yu had guessed that Jia Yuan Chun would summon them. So they had dressed properly. But they waited until the lanterns were put up and the people who came had carriages and sedans, clearly in a rush.

But when the Lin sisters arrived, the poems had been composed, the songs were sung. Lin Yu Tong was not skilled in this, and Lin Dai Yu was in no mood to outshine others. Her family background and her situation was better than all the other sisters. Her state of mind had changed as well. The two did not feel regret, just relief.

Tan Chun was still copying. Yuan Chun called the two sisters to her, inquiring about their well-being, so intimate the sisters of the Jia Family could not compare.

“Cousins, you are very good as expected,” Yuan Chun praised.

When the palace attendant warned of the time, Yuan Chun finally let the pair go.

She picked a play. Usually, it was nothing, but right now, in Wang Xi Feng’s ears, she felt that each word was a warning. The sorrows and joys and separation almost robbed her of her breath.

“…… Gentlemen who desire too much covet wealth, leading to misfortune; vile people with desires seek too much and will lose their life……”

The actress’s voice was bright, and each word stabbed Wang Xi Feng in the heart.

Lin Yu Tong did not worry about other things and just enjoyed the rare banquet in front of her. Soon, gifts from Yuan Chun came. She heard that the Lin sisters had gotten more than the Jia misses. Even though Lin Yu Yang had not come, Yuan Chun gave him the same as she did to Bao Yu.

Who in the Jia Family did not understand? She thought, even though she was now a consort, there were people she could not afford to offend, like, the Lin Family.

As to Jia Yuan Chun’s warnings again and again to not live extravagantly, likely only Wang Xi Feng heard it.

After the visit, the Jia Family could finally rest. The Lin Family kept on living as usual.

Lin Dai Yu read books, wrote poems, and then found Lin Yu Tong to judge them. Lin Yu Tong had her put away the poems for their father to return and select. Their family could publish them. Even if they were not sold, they would be good even left behind for their descendants.

This matched Lin Dai Yu’s temper and she put in even more effort. She feared that she would have used the words and examples incorrectly and would cause her descendants to laugh at her. Each time she read, she was even more careful, and she had no attention for anything else.

Other than managing the household, Lin Yu Tong put all her effort on needlework. In the last two years, she had not slacked off in her cooking. She had learned several dishes. But when she finally learned to cook them, she found her idea of saving up recipes was not practical. Most of the ingredients used were now protected animals in the future. Without the ingredients, would people want the recipes? So, she would not be slighted when eating now when she could still do so. The table of the Lin Family was always rich.

She thought there is nothing about eating better, as long as they did not waste. For example, the Jia Family would have a dozen dishes on the table each, but they would only touch a few of the dishes, and the rest were rewarded to the servants.

While the servants were also people and it was not wrong to treat them well, you could increase their wage, but not treat them like they were the masters. No wonder none of the servant girls wanted to leave. Other than the Jia Family, nowhere was such a good place.

The mood of the Jia Family was lazy like they were making up for the busy times before the end of the year.

But as Lin Yu Yang entered the examinations, the Lin Family became tense. They did not alarm the Jia Family with this event. In Lin Yu Tong’s words, he was just trying to pass the county examinations, no need for any fuss.

Because there was a matter in the family, Lin Dai Yu could only say that she was lazy and could not visit Mother Jia. But if there were any pastries the family made, she would send a servant girl to deliver them to Mother Jia. Mother Jia would praise her to anyone she saw that no child was more considerate.

Today, Lin Yu Tong made pea cake. Lin Dai Yu felt that this was better than the ones the residence made and had Zi Juan deliver them. She instructed, “Do not talk too much. If you do, I may have to kick you out.”

This was telling Zi Juan to not speak of the Lin family matters.

Zi Juan listened with her head bowed and then left. Now, if the miss had no consideration for their past together, she would have no position. The servant girls of the Lin Family were capable, and even Xue Yan had been trained up, and was not any less capable. The only thing she had that others did not was that she had served the miss in the Jia Family for two more years.

Aunt Xue, Miss Bao, and Miss Yun were talking to the old mistress in her rooms.

Zi Juan handed the food box to a young servant girl on the side and said, “My miss heard that last night, the old mistress was not able to eat much. She said to deliver this to the old mistress and for the old mistress to eat a bit for her sake.”

Mother Jia nodded and said to Aunt Xue. “I had eaten too much so I wanted to eat less, but this child learned of it. She knows that I care for her. How can I not care for her when she is like this?”

Aunt Xue smiled and nodded.

Yuan Yang came out with the pea cake. Mother Jia did eat a piece. “It is finer than the one we usually have.”

She had Aunt Xue, Xue Bao Chai, and Shi Xiang Yun taste it.

Shi Xiang Yun ate a piece and said, “Sister Lin is very petty. This is not anything rare, she can send a few more pieces, will this impoverish her family?”

Zi Juan was immediately irritated and said with a smile, “Miss Yun is joking. The eldest miss made this with her own hands. Usually, only Miss gets to eat this. Because Miss felt hot the last few days, Eldest Miss chose the peas in season. Fearing that they are too rough to eat, she truly selected one in ten of the peas for my miss to eat. It is not that she does not bear to make more.”

Shi Xiang Yun was not convinced and wanted to speak, but Xue Bao Chai pulled her.

Mother Jia said, “It seems that whether something is good or not depends on whether someone uses care.” She seemed emotional.

Lin Dai Yu’s health had gotten better under her watch. No physician had been invited. While she looked weaker than others, she was not so sickly all the time. In the end, the person caring for her took care. The other used such care when she was hot. Even though Mother Jia did not like Lin Yu Tong, she could not say anything bad.

Zi Juan left with Mother Jia’s reward. She faintly heard a fuss start in Jia Bao Yu’s room, because of a bowl of yogurt.

She did not want to keep listening and was going to leave when she saw Qing Wen walk out.

The two started to talk at the doorway.

“Where is Sister Xi Ren, how come I don’t see her?” Zi Juan said with a smile, “There is such noise. It seems someone has to be in charge.”

Qing Wen laughed coldly. “Now is not like the past. She will not be able to control anyone. Bao Yu does not treat her like before. Otherwise, she would not have wanted to go stay at home for a few days. Our second master, you know him, he is the most soft-hearted. In a few days, he will only think of her good traits. Just this little bit of time, and he is sending someone to bring Xi Ren back. The consort from the palace rewarded yogurt, and he is keeping it for her. The old woman Li gambled away some money somewhere and got drunk, so she is making a fuss.”

Zi Juan clicked her tongue. “Many masters are unable to get a reward from the consort. But he is keeping it for Xi Ren and Granny Li is so righteous. I don’t know what to say.” This would not happen in the Lin Family.

“Your miss did not get any,” Qing Wen pursed her lips and smiled.

“Just a bowl of yogurt, nothing special.” Zi Juan took out a few pieces of dried yogurt. “Just made from cow milk. I do not know how much we wasted when we made this. We have a lot of people in the residence and there is not much for us if shared among the masters. But this milk, in the Lin Family, is really not rare. Our miss uses it to bathe.” Then she handed the bag with the dried yogurt to Qing Wen. “Dissolve this in warm water and put in some dried fruit. It is not any less than the boiled yogurt. Give it to Granny Li, and avoid making such a fuss. If you do not have any more, send someone to get more. I can decide this. The young servant girls in the courtyard just eat this like candy.”

Qing Wen looked at Zi Juan’s back and breathed. She said coldly, “Now is not like the past when you had to beg us. You are more and more generous.”

She turned and went back to the room. Hands on her hips, she cursed, suppressing the servant girls. Then she gave the pouch to Granny Li. “Our second master begged this for you from Miss Lin. This can be stored. Take it back home and comfort your grandson with this. It is better than this which has soured after all this time.”

Granny Li glanced at Qing Wen. “I did not expect to have judged wrong. You are a good one. The one that I thought was good is a bad one.”

A servant girl outside laughed coldly, “Right now, that person is Second Master’s heart. Disregarding those of us who only know to work all day, even Granny has to go to the back of the line now.”

Qing Wen scolded her, but the words were like oil on fire. Granny Li remembered another mark against Xi Ren.

After seeing Granny Li off, Qing Wen pulled out Qiu Wen who had been the one talking outside. “Why say such things? We do not fear matters, but you cannot keep on making trouble.”

Qiu Wen sneered. “A virtuous one just left, and another virtuous one has come. We are not thieves, but we are guarded against like we are thieves. The one who is the thief got the spoils and is even more honored now.”

Qing Wen went out, swinging the curtain, hearing the voice behind her, “if you do not agree, go be a thief. I am a clean person, do not drag me down.”

She Yue listened from the side, saying nothing. She only remembered these words, thinking that when Sister Xi Ren came back, she would tell the other.

Zi Juan came back and told Dai Yu in detail what was happening in Bao Yu’s rooms.

Lin Dai Yu looked at the book in her hand and said, “Why tell me these things? All matters in the world fear the word “fairness” the most. Trouble comes from the lack of “fairness.” Bao Yu is casual in how he acts, and does not think much. But other people will think more. The servant girls in his room only cause so many troubles because Bao Yu is biased.”

Zi Juan nodded, saying “yes” and did not dare to say more.

The days passed in waiting were especially different, but they would pass. Lin Yu Yang was going to the examination in the capital. He felt relaxed, but Lin Yu Tong was anxious.

After the examination, Lin Yu Tong acted like a good parent, not asking about how he did. She only told him to rest well, and then made all kinds of food for him.

Lin Yu Yang rested for two days at home and could not bear his sister’s concern. He took his essays and went to the Zhang Family. After returning, he said, “Great Uncle says that there is no big problem. Just a matter of ranking.”

“As long as you pass, the rank is not important.” Lin Yu Tong waved her hand, of the school of thought that sixty percent for a pass was perfect in university. No matter how well he tested, this was just the county examination. In the situation where they could not become a juren, there was no difference. While the title of linsheng was good and they would get a stipend, proving that they ranked well, Lin Yu Tong comforted, “Right now, our family does not lack for grain to eat. You have to give the spot to people who need it more, it is fine if you do not get it.”

Lin Yu Yang suddenly found that thinking like this, he had no pressure at all.

“I do not believe those scholars will glue their ranks to their foreheads.” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile, “In all of history, there are many people in the examinations, but the only one I remember is ‘Sun Shan’.”¹

Lin Dai Yu laughed when she heard this, lying on the table. “If Father hears this, he will jump in anger.”

Lin Yu Yang smiled helplessly. “As long as Sister does not feel that this brother is useless and is not disappointed.”

“I will not be disappointed. Do not be too obsessed with one thing. Do not think of the honors so highly, relax.” Lin Yu Tong fed her brother spiritual chicken soup to get him to relax.

The day the ranking came out, Lin Yu Yang went with Lin Ping to look while Lin Yu Tong anxiously sat at home.

Lin Dai Yu teased. “If you do not think of the honors so highly, you will relax.”

Lin Yu Tong was not embarrassed. “It is just nonsense to fool people. When one is part of a world with fame, there are only two kinds of people who are able to stay apart from the world. One is the people who have already gained greatly. The other is a kind who knows that no matter how much they try, it is useless.”

Lin Dai Yu thought inside. “Maybe there are people who do not care for fame.”

“Sister counts as one!” Lin Yu Tong raised her eyebrows and said. Inside, she thought, if Sister Lin was born in a poor home, if she did not have clothing to cover herself and no food to fill her belly, what would she do?

As the sisters talked, a manservant reported. “Young Master passed, ranked second.”

Lin Yu Tong stood up abruptly. “Good good. Reward everyone well.”

She ordered Sister-in-law Ping to reward all the servants in the courtyard to get three months’ worth of wages. Everyone was very happy.

Lin Yu Tongsaid, “Where is he, how come he is not here?”

“Young Master returned to our home so that someone is there to receive the announcer. Also, he has to first pay tribute with incense to the ancestors.” The servant spoke well and Lin Yu Tong rewarded him.

It was right. The announcer would not come to the Jia Family.

“Sister-in-law Ping, first prepare the lucky pies. Send them to the masters of the residence.” Lin Yu Tong was very happy and did not mind people thinking that she had forgotten herself in her joy.

Even Lin Dai Yu could understand. For several years, she had struggled to make money to provide for her brother to be educated. It would be false to say that she had not hoped that he would achieve great things.

The Jia Family members received the lucky pies and then learned that Cousin Lin had passed the examinations, placing second.

But the first place was already in his thirties. How old was Lin Yu Yang? Just in his second decade. Without needing to ask, not looking at anything else, from his abilities, his future was bright.

The one who was the most shocked was Madam Wang. This child of the Lin Family was the same age as Bao Yu and even a bit younger. The other had placed so well in the examinations, and even her deceased son Zhu’er could not compare to him.

But Bao Yu was still messing around all day. In a year, he spent most of it at home without going out, playing with the servant girls. What abilities did he have? While there was a consort in the palace, Consort always said for him to study and to raise him well.

If Bao Yu was still like this and could not change, she had to consider the title. She only had this one treasure. Who could she scheme for if not him?

Mother Jia smiled and had someone accept the lucky pies. She sent someone with rewards and then she thought in silence for a while by herself. This Lin Family truly could not be touched. They had a son, and one who was very promising.

The matter of the two jades was hard to say.

Thinking for a moment, she suddenly asked Yuan Yang, “This Yang-ge’er is fourteen?”

Yuan Yang’s heart jumped. She said, “Yes, a bit younger than Second Master Bao!”

Mother Jia nodded and then shook her head. She frowned. The Lin Family would not promise Dai Yu to Bao Yu who they did not like. The girls of the family likely could not get married to Yang-ge’er. The second girl was soft, and the third one was good, but her second son was still lower rank five now. The shu-daughter of a lower rank five official would not qualify to be a second wife to the di-son of a first rank official, much less as the first wife.

Thinking about this, she could not help but feel depressed.

On the other side, Wang Xi Feng, Li Wan, the three Springs, Xue Bao Chai, and Shi Xiang Yun were going to the Lin Family to give their congratulations.

Lin Yu Tong had Sister-in-law Ping prepare a banquet for them. Wang Xi Feng and Lin Yu Tong already liked each other and the two were close after she got hints from Lin Yu Tong. Their relationship was closer than the others. Thinking that their family may truly decline in the future and she could have more times where she needed to rely on the Lin Family, Wang Xi Feng was even more friendly. Because Jia Lan would get taught by Lin Yu Yang for an hour each day in the Lin Family, Li Wan was grateful. Jia Lan told her that a day in the Lin Family was worth a fortnight in school. She felt that the Lin Family did not keep things to themselves. Ying Chun had never disagreed with anyone, Xi Chun and Dai Yu were similar, and Tan Chun based her attitude on Mother Jia and Wang-shi. The Lin Family had been generous in helping to build the garden, and Wang-shi would not treat them badly so Tan Chun’s attitude was very good. Xue Bao Chai was able to adjust with the situation. The room was full of laughter and in harmony. Only Shi Xiang Yun did not speak but the others did not care.

Soon, Jia Huan, Jia Cong and Jia Lan came to give their congratulations. Lin Yu Tong smiled and had someone call Lin Yu Yang to have him receive them.

Speaking of it, these men were all ignored. Jia Huan was a gambler who had been playing with the servant girls and lost. He encountered Jia Lan who came to congratulate. Thinking of the Lin Family’s wealth, he thought he could get something so he called Jia Cong as well.

They thought that because the sister-in-law and misses were visiting, no one would receive them and likely, a valued servant girl would come to see them off. But Lin Yu Yang personally received them in the guest hall in the front, serving tea and chatting before a proper meal was set out.

“I didn’t know that Cousin was receiving guests.” Jia Huan did not think that the Lin Family would welcome him and said uneasily.

“What guests? Just us brothers and nephews eating together. The wine is just sweet wine. I can’t explain if you get drunk.”

Jia Huan and Jia Cong were startled by the attention. Jia Lan visited frequently and knew the rules of the Lin Family. They never looked down on anyone. He smiled and said, “Is it the wine that Eldest Aunt made herself?”

Lin Yu Yang said, “Yes, the taste is light, and it will not cause drunkenness.”

On this side, Li Wan heard that Lin Yu Tong was treating them so solemnly and said, “They are so young, they do not have to be received so solemnly.”

Lin Yu Tong smiled. “They are men, we cannot slight them.”

Wang Xi Feng glanced at Lin Yu Tong and grew thoughtful.

Madam Wang wanted to see how well Bao Yu was doing in his studies after learning of Lin Yu Yang. So she took Zhou Rui’s wife and went to Bao Yu’s room without disturbing anyone. She feared that the servant girls would keep secrets for Bao Yu and fool her. Each time she asked, they said that he was reading. But he could not keep on reading the same books and not progress at all. If she caught who was doing mischief, she would punish them.

Without even entering the courtyard, she heard the noise inside.

“Who is making noise?” Wang-shi‘s expression darkened.

“It is Granny Li,” Zhou Rui’s wife whispered. “The old woman likely has been angered by the servant girls.”

Someone who became Bao Yu’s wet nurse was a person that Madam Wang and Mother Jia trusted. Zhou Rui’s wife knew who to speak for.

Wang-shi nodded. “She treats Bao Yu well.”

Someone would have more feelings for a child that they helped raise.

They heard Granny Li curse, “It is daytime, and you lay on the bed like this. You fox demoness, how old is Bao Yu?”

Madam Wang’s face turned black. She asked Zhou Rui’s wife. “Who is she speaking to?”

“Likely Xi Ren,” Zhou Rui’s wife said with a smile, “Maybe there is a reason. That servant girl is not one to let people have something to hold over her.”

Cursing still kept on going inside. “…… Sooner or later, you will be matched with a servant, to avoid you all fooling Bao Yu……”

Zhou Rui’s wife saw that this was not acceptable and hurriedly spoke loudly, “You old woman, how come your temper is still so bad?”

Granny Li said, “I will abandon my face of the last few decades, make a fuss, and avoid being annoyed by this harlot.”

Xi Ren had been a bit feverish and today, she truly was uncomfortable so she had stayed in bed. But Granny Li caught her and caused this big fuss.

Wang-shi appeared, supported by Zhou Rui’s wife, giving everyone in the room a fright. In the past, while there had been trouble, the mistress had not appeared.

Granny Li asked for forgiveness, but she did not find it just. She whispered to Madam Wang, “A few years ago, it was good, ge’er was young, but now he is grown up. This Xi Ren is not in good health. I do not feel it is good. Maybe I am thinking too much. But today, I have to be on guard. If she is pregnant, what to do?”

Madam Wang stilled and nodded. “I know your heart is for Bao Yu.”

Then she examined Xi Ren. The other was looking lazy and her face a bit flushed. After two years, she had grown up and looked a bit seductive. She knew that this was not a good one, and may have seduced Bao Yu to do things at night.

She noted the matter and then lectured the servant girls in the courtyard. “Since Xi Ren is not comfortable, then rest.”

She hurriedly left the courtyard with Zhou Rui’s wife.

“Is the medicine still available?” Wang-shi said in a low voice.

Zhou Rui’s wife’s heart jumped. She whispered back, “Yes, but the medicine is strong……” One’s attitude to their husband’s concubine and their son’s concubine was different.

“Yes.” Wang-shi nodded. She closed her eyes and moved around the Buddhist beads, no longer speaking.

Zhou Rui’s wife understood Wang-shi‘s intentions. She bowed her head and left.

Xi Ren felt that she had escaped a calamity, and she became more soft. Bao Yu helped her to the bed. He said, “Lucky that Mistress is kind.”

An old female servant came with a bowl of medicine. Jia Bao Yu had She Yue feed her. “You rest. I will go visit Mistress.”

Then he turned and left. The days were so noisy. It was not interesting at all.

A hint of sorrow flashed through Xi Ren’s eyes. In the past, he would not have left her like this and have left first.

When Bao Yu went out, he thought that it was still early for dinner and did not know where to go.

He heard voices a long way off. The Lin Family’s banquet had finished and the members of the Jia Family were walking back.

Li Wan led Jia Lan back to her own courtyard. Wang Xi Feng had matters of the family to take care of. When she left the Lin Family, the wives of the stewards pulled her away for something.

The three Springs went to Xi Chun’s rooms to look at her paintings.

However, Xue Bao Chai, Shi Xiang Yun and their servant girls were walking together with Jia Huan and Jia Cong.

Ying’er was chatting with Jia Huan. “I won the last round, you took the money and left. Are you still a man?”

Jia Huan defended himself, “You are a liar, you saw wrong, and you come to accuse me now.”

Ying’er wanted to argue when Xue Bao Chai lectured, “What nonsense are you speaking?”

Jia Huan glanced at Xue Bao Chai and sneered inside. He thought, if you truly feel that your servant girl is not respectful enough, why did you not say so earlier, and wait until a person has been embarrassed to pretend to be a good person. This one was even more capable than Second Sister-in-law. Second Sister-in-law just appeared capable, but this one was capable at heart.”

He pulled Jia Cong and walked forward, ignoring them.

Jia Bao Yu listened for a while. They had turned the corner and were walking towards him.

Jia Huan pulled Jia Cong and greeted Jia Bao Yu, preparing to leave.

Jia Bao Yu left. “Playing dice is just for pleasure, you are serious. So serious, there is no pleasure, just do not play.”

Jia Huan’s breath was stuck in his throat. Who else was like him? Brocade clothes and jade food. Silver was nothing in his eyes. Who knew of their difficulties?

Seeing that Bao Yu was going to speak with Xue Bao Chai, he pulled Jia Cong and left.

“This brother is not as easy as Cousin Lin.” Jia Cong sniffed. “The other treats us like serious people.”

Jia Huan thought the same.

He dispiritedly went back to his rooms. Concubine Zhao saw him like this and said, “Which platform did people kick you off this time?”

Jia Huan said, “You look down at me. Today, we went to congratulate Cousin Lin. The two Lin sisters received Eldest and Second Sister-in-law and the other sisters. Cousin personally received me, Cong’er and Lan’er. He kept us for a meal, set up a good banquet, and fearing that we would get drunk, only gave us sweet wine to drink.”

“This really is……” Concubine Zhao was shocked and then said, “What do you know? That sweet wine is more valuable than that yellow liquor. The master has a jar in his study that he will not easily take out.”

Jia Huan was stunned. “This is not good. The three of us drank a small jar.”

“The Lin Family is rich and even their leg hair is thicker than our waist. They won’t care,” Concubine Zhao said.

“Don’t say that. They treat us like we are serious people. Not like the others who only treasure Bao Yu,” Jia Huan snorted.

Concubine Zhao sneered. “They are not any noble misses and young masters, just relatives who pretend to have face.”

Passing by the window, Wang Xi Feng thought, mother and son must be speaking of Xue Bao Chai.

She silently passed by and did not lecture. She thought of Lin Yu Tong’s attitude towards Jia Huan and the others, and heard Jia Huan’s opinion of the Lin Family. She seemed to understand.

No matter how badly off the other was, if you treat them kindly, they would treat you back the same way. The Lin Family did not care about a minor person like Jia Huan. But someone who said good things was better than a person who said bad things.

On the other side, Bao Yu, Xue Bao Chai and Shi Xiang Yun walked to Mother Jia’s courtyard together.

He heard Xue Bao Chai say, “Today, we congratulated Cousin Lin. You were the only person missing out of all of us.”

Jia Bao Yu said, “I wanted to go, it has been many days since I met Sister Lin. But the eldest sister of the Lin Family is so pedantic, and will not allow me to come with you sisters. She will have Cousin Lin come out to receive me. There is nothing bad to say of Cousin Lin, he is very good in all aspects. But I cannot endure him speaking of essays. Today, I will send someone with gifts. We just cannot talk together.”

“Then you have to study more.” Xue Bao Chai said with a smile, “Now that the brother of the Lin Family has passed, Uncle will ask about your studies. It is good if you work hard for a few days.”

Jia Bao Yu did not like these words. He frowned and was about to speak when he heard Shi Xiang Yun say, “The Lin Family will do what they like, and we will live our own days.”

If it was in the past, she would not say such things and would follow Xue Bao Chai, speaking of the official career. But while they were all staying in the Jia Family, the Lin Family appeared much higher than others, and she did not like them.

Xue Bao Chai was interrupted by Shi Xiang Yun but she was not angry. She just pressed her lips together and smiled.

Jia Bao Yu seemed to have met someone who understood him very well. He said, “Sister knows me.”

Shi Xiang Yun snorted. “You have many sisters, I don’t know who you speak of.”

Jia Bao Yu smiled and said, “Sister is sister, but you tease.”

“I fear that while you remember this sister, the sister does not remember you. You know that you are a young master of a noble house, but that one probably can only see the sons and grandsons of princes,” Shi Xiang Yun slanted a look at Bao Yu.

“Your words are even more nonsensical now.” Jia Bao Yu found that the words were disrespectful and said, “You were not like this before.”

Shi Xiang Yun turned around to leave. “I am just like I was before. In any case, I am just an orphan, unable to care for others who rise with water.”

Jia Bao Yu hurriedly followed and said, “All right, I spoke wrong. Why do you get angry so easily, you never were so angry before.”

“You only allow her to be angry, and not me……”

Xue Bao Chai watched the two leave and was thoughtful. She turned around and went to Rongxi Hall.

“My child, how come you came now?” Madam Wang held Xue Bao Chai’s hand and had her sit by her side.

“Today, we went to the Lin Family to congratulate them, and I had two cups of sweet wine which went to my head. I just strolled around, thinking of how Aunt must be thinking of Brother Bao Yu so I came to visit.” Xue Bao Chai smiled primly, appearing considerate and close.

Madam Wang rubbed Xue Bao Chai’s hand and sighed, “Only you understand my efforts.”

“I just told him to study a few pages to avoid Uncle being angry after testing him.” Xue Bao Chai shook her head and said, “I think he heard some of it.”

Madam Wang nodded. “Only you are able to persuade him.” She then asked, “Why did the evil creature not come together with you?”

“Just as we were talking,” Xue Bao Chai smiled helplessly, “Yun-yatou interrupted, and I did not finish before being diverted. The two got angry over some words again. However, Aunt, do not worry. One is angry, the other soothes the anger. They will be fine after talking. Right now, they are more and more childish.”

Madam Wang heard this and knew that Shi Xiang Yun was the one. As a mother, who wanted to see their son soothing others? At this time, she felt even more dislike.

Editor’s ramblings: Hello readers, I hope you enjoyed another long chapter. I’d like to hear your opinions on the chapter recaps. I’ve been trying to keep them short, generally one sentence, and only about one thing. This often ends up being something that happened towards the end of the chapter due to the fact that I write the recap immediately after editing the full chapter. So here’s my question: should I write longer, more detailed recaps, or should I keep them short? Please let me know in the comments.

Translator Ramblings: Passing the exams is to be admired, especially when someone does it at a very young age. Someone probably calculated the average age, but the common cliche is for old men who have repeatedly tried and failed to pass the exams. Age counts for a lot and also what your spot is if you are near the top. Generally, the top spots get the highest initial positions, and that helps with future promotions.

Table of Contents

• Grafting Life Chapter 30 – Red Chamber (30)
• Grafting Life Chapter 32 – Red Chamber (32)
• Grafting Life Chapter 33 – Red Chamber (33)