Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Ru Hai is to return to the capital, the Lin Famility makes to leave the Jia Family, and Lin Yu Tong gets engaged.
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Chapter 34 – Red Chamber (34)
Lin Yu Tong returned to the courtyard. Lin Yu Yang was seeing off the eunuchs from the palace. Lin Dai Yu was left behind to be surrounded. Mother Jia pulled her granddaughter to her side and said, reluctant, “Your sister has to go home, if you go home, you will add to the chaos, how about you stay and live with your sisters in the garden? You can play with them, and keep this old woman company?”
“Forebearer, you are right. I was thinking of two places in the garden that are very good. I can live in the Red Harmony Courtyard, and Sister can stay in River Bamboo Building. We will be close, and can talk frequently, it will be very good,” Jia Bao Yu immediately said happily.
Lin Dai Yu had other matters on her mind right now. Brother had gone out, and the marriage edict came. She didn’t believe that there was no relation here. Thinking of the Jinghai Count that Sister was engaged to, how could she not worry about the other’s appearance, temper and personality. She had been with her siblings for two years, and they had feelings. At the start, Sister mostly felt responsibility towards her, and it was not like how she felt towards her brother, but she had benefited greatly from the sense of responsibility. Also, over time, Sister’s heart softened. The other was more careful with her, but it was mostly because she was so sensitive, and she could not speak to her as directly as she did with Brother. But the concern was the same. Now that the other’s major matter of life was decided, how could she not be worried?
So she smiled at Mother Jia and said, “It is because of this that I should return. I can help out with matters.” She turned and said to Jia Bao Yu. “You can live in the Red Harmony Courtyard, it is very large. The River Bamboo Building is cold and small. I cannot live there with my health.”
“Damn! Damn!” Jia Bao Yu hit his forehead and said in vexation. “I just thought that if Sister were close, we could meet up, but forgot this. I think that Fragrant Rice Village is very good, good light and quiet.”
Dai Yu smiled and did not say. She said to Mother Jia, “I have to go back to settle. Grandmother, if you miss me, just send someone.” It will be up to her if she is able to come when the time came.
Mother Jia saw her stubbornness and knew that she could not win. She nodded. Lin Dai Yu bid farewell to Madam Xing and Madam Wang. She said to Li Wan, “If Lan’er wants to come visit the Lin Family, Sister-in-law, just send someone.”
Li Wan hurriedly thanked her. She had been worried about her son’s schooling.
Wang Xi Feng held Lin Dai Yu’s hand and saw her off. She said, “I do not need you to invite me, I will visit. Also, in a few days, the old mistress will want to send for you. Why act like you are not going to meet for a decade?”
Everyone laughed behind her and said, “It is true.”
When Lin Dai Yu returned to the courtyard, Lin Yu Yang had come back, his head hung as he said to Lin Yu Tong, “I should have known before he was a wolf. Back then, I should not have sought help from him.”
Lin Yu Tong waved a hand to get Dai Yu to come over and said to Lin Yu Yang, “That’s rare, what do you mean?”
“The emperor has wanted to match Sister and Wen Tian Fang for a long time now. Sister is coming of age this year, so……” Lin Yu Yang said in a low voice, “Speaking of this person, nothing is wrong with him, good appearance, good family. In terms of ability, he is not a slight for Sister, and he also does not have any servant girls or concubines.”
“Such good conditions but still not married up to now?” Lin Yu Tong said. Did he have some secret illness?
Lin Yu Yang shook his head. “This is the only pity. He does not have a good fate. He does not have parents, siblings, or any relatives at all. Such a fate. Any family who loves their daughter will not bear to marry them to him. He also looks down at the families who do not care.”
“Isn’t this harm for Sister?” Lin Dai Yu asked.
Lin Yu Tong did not care about fate. Based on fate, these three people here should all be dead.
She heard Lin Yu Yang say, “The emperor had asked Father about this. Father sent a letter saying that Sister has a queer fate, anything goes, so it is fine.”
Lin Yu Tong’s heart jumped. She just knew that she could not hide from an old fox like Lin Ru Hai.
“It is fine.” Lin Yu Tong smiled and said, “My fate is up to me and not the heavens.”
Lin Dai Yu looked at Lin Yu Tong and said, “But you have not met him, you do not know him.”
“I have not met him, but Father has, Yang-ge’er has and is very familiar with him. Men looking at men are more likely to be right.” Lin Yu Tong said, “Will Father and Yang-ge’er harm me?”
Lin Yu Yang breathed a sigh of relief. Inside, he cursed Wen Tian Fang. Such a person took advantage of the situation. He was no gentleman.
Sister-in-law Ping came to report, “Most of the things have been packed. A few people can stay behind to take the remainder. It is the same to bring them back tomorrow. We can go now.”
Lin Yu Tong said, “They we will go. Since we have said our farewells, then we will just go.”
She feared that Jia Bao Yu would cry and hold on toLin Dai Yu’s sleeve. If a fuss occurred, it would be ugly.
When Mother Jia heard the report from a granny of the Lin Family, the Chrysanthemum Fragrance Yard was already empty.
The sisters boarded the carriage, and Lin Yu Yang rode a horse outside, guarding them. Just as they left the alley, a procession welcomed them.
“Count!” Lin Yu Yang was a bit surprised. “How come you are here?”
Lin Yu Tong heard this and sighed in relief inside. To be able to be so proactive meant that the other anticipated their marriage, at least. Then, it should not be hard to interact with him. This was a good beginning.
Lin Dai Yu pulled the curtain of the carriage up a bit, taking a glance and then putting it back. She turned to Lin Yu Tong with a smile. “After we return, I will sketch for Sister.”
Lin Yu Tong smiled and did not speak. But she could not help but think of the youth she had seen on the pier when they came to the capital.
She heard the other say, “I thought that you may be returning to the home now, so I came to escort you and avoid people colliding with you.”
Lin Yu Yang thought, you are speaking nonsense. Who in the capital dares to rashly offend the Lin Family?
But he still thanked the other. Even knowing that his sister could hear them talk, he still went and reported this.
Lin Yu Tong said from the carriage, “Then thank you, Count.”
No bashfulness, just confidence.
Wen Tian Fang sighed in relief as well and said, “This is my duty.”
Lin Dai Yu burst into a laugh.
It had not been awkward, but with the laugh, they grew embarrassed.
Lin Yu Yang took over. “Then let’s go.”
From the Jia Family to the Lin Family, it truly was not far, just an hour by carriage.
Wen Tian Fang did not stay after seeing them back. Lin Yu Yang thought that the home was in chaos with everything having to be put away, and invited him to visit again before they separated.
Disregarding the activity of the Lin Family after they returned home, the marriage edict for Lin Yu Tong caused Xue Bao Chai to have an illness of the heart.
Lin Yu Tong was a bit younger than Xue Bao Chai and her marriage was settled. How could Xue Bao Chai not have any thoughts?
Thinking of how she did not know where she would go, when she came back to her rooms at night, she felt sad and depressed.
“My child, what is it?” Aunt Xue sighed and said, “You are better than others in all things, but your birth is not. Is a marriage edict from the emperor an honor that just any family will have? The eldest miss of the Lin Family is a shu-daughter, but a daughter of a first rank official. Also, the ancestors of the Lin Family were noble. When it came to Old Master Lin’s generation, they became scholars. Scholars, so lofty and noble. Child, you cannot compare like this.”
“I know this.” Xue Bao Chai looked down and said, “Also, I admit that I am better than others, but I do not dare to say that I am better than her.”
“How come you do not dare? The eldest miss of the Lin Family is good, but her personality is too strong. Look at Feng-yatou, you will know her future,” Aunt Xue said, “For a girl, it is better to be like my child.”
“Mother, you can just say this at home, but do not say this outside.” Xue Bao Chai blushed but turned and stopped talking.
“All right, I will not!” Aunt Xue sighed. “I see that Bao Yu has a good personality and appearance, he is born in this residence and raised well. He has a few servant girls in his rooms, but it is nothing. Your aunt does not like them, and will send them off sooner or later.”
“Mother, why are you saying this?” Xue Bao Chai turned around. “If Aunt truly had such thoughts, why has she not said so directly? I just fear that Aunt cannot control the matter of Bao Yu.”
“You do not know this.” Aunt Xue smiled and said, “In the past, I would not be confident, but now, there is some chance. The eldest miss of the Lin family is going to be a countess. Could the di-daughter of the Lin Family marry lower than she did? In the past, the old mistress wanted to pair Bao Yu and Dai Yu. Because of how guarded the eldest Lin miss was, I knew it would not work so easily. Now, the old mistress’ plans will not work. The old mistress may consider Yun-yatou, but your aunt will not be willing. She is a miss from a marquis family, but she is an orphan, and it is not as practical as choosing us. I have been sisters with your aunt for half a lifetime, and understand her the most. Child, do not worry.”
“There is still the consort in the palace, I fear that Aunt will have higher hopes,” Xue Bao Chai said coolly and turned her head away.
“The consort in the palace.” Aunt Xue laughed. “You still do not understand. Is the consort really so favored? She just sent an edict for the Lin misses to live in the garden, but then the imperial edict came right after telling them to go home and prepare for the marriage. Your aunt can see that the consort is not truly in favor.”
Xue Bao Chai suddenly sat up. Today, she only focused on her discomfort, and did not think of this.
“My child, if your brother were not so bad, my child would not be slighted like this,” Aunt Xue said and became sad. Her son was not good and could not support the household. If he was a quiet one, the days could work, but he was a troublemaker that she could not control. What could she do except think of a place that could protect them? The Xue Family were relatives with the other families, but ever since her husband passed away, the business could not compare to the past, and the silver could not keep up. The other families cooled towards them. If the nephews of the Wang Family were not just as bad as Pan’er, why would she stay in the family of her elder sister, and not her paternal family? Even if her older brother was not in the capital, the family property was there.
Mother and daughter sighed and talked before resting.
Just like Aunt Xue had thought, Madam Wang was counting the beads, faster and faster. Today, the Lin Family embarrassed the consort. If the emperor truly favored the consort, he would not have done this.
Zhou Rui’s wife stood at the side, not daring to speak. Seeing that Madam Wang’s expression was worsening, she said, “Maybe just a coincidence.”
Coincidence! Who would believe that?
“Have you found out where the son of the Lin Family went after returning?” Madam Wang asked.
“He went to the Jinghai Count’s establishment,” Zhou Rui’s wife whispered.
Then it was not a coincidence at all.
“Go get the master.” Madam Wang opened her eyes and said. She had to discuss this matter with her husband. She then asked, “Where is he now?”
Zhou Rui’s wife said in a low voice, “He seems to have gone to Concubine Zhao’s rooms. Maybe I saw wrong. I will have a servant girl go ask the outer courtyard.”
Madam Wang’s hand tightened around the beads. She closed her eyes and nodded.
How could Zhou Rui’s wife be wrong about Jia Zheng being in Concubine Zhao’s rooms? She just feared that Madam Wang would not feel well.
At this time, Concubine Zhao was massaging Jia Zheng’s leg as she observed his expression. Seeing him frown, she asked in a low voice, “Master, are you in discomfort anywhere?”
“You woman, what do you know?” Jia Zheng did not even open his eyes, just motioning for her to keep going.
Concubine Zhao pouted and said, “Master, you underestimate people. How do I not know? I have to say that the Lin Family cannot be blamed for this.”
Jia Zheng suddenly opened his eyes, looking hard at Concubine Zhao. “Do not speak nonsense.”
“Let me speak, Master, and see if I make sense.” Concubine Zhao massaged his leg as she said, “Master, you always do not attend to the matters of the inner courtyard. I think that Mistress may not have told you. If you had interfered earlier, it may not have developed like this.” As she spoke, she saw that Jia Zheng did not open his eyes and stop her so she knew he was listening. She was happy and said, “That Lin Family follows etiquette. Everyone in the residence knows this. The eldest miss of the Lin Family never talks and laughs with the masters. Even this Miss Lin rarely shows up. Unless they visit to pay their morning respects, you do not see them. They act like noble misses.”
Jia Zheng knew who the “masters” Concubine Zhao referred to were.
In conclusion, the misses conducted themselves well, and made no mistakes.
He heard Concubine Zhao say, “Maybe, in Consort’s mind, Bao Yu is still a child like back when she entered the palace. But he has grown up. How many of the servant girls in his rooms are still girls now? He got to all of them secretly. This edict came, suddenly having an adult man living with female relatives in the same place, will the Lin Family be willing? The Lin Family is not someone who is trying to grab onto us without regard for their reputation.” She originally wanted to say that Jia Yuan Chun was stupid. How could the other not know the truths that even they, the servants, knew, and make a foolish edict and embarrassing herself, but she did not dare to say such a thing.
Jia Zheng’s anger rose. He thought, each time he asked Wang-shi, she said that Bao Yu was focusing on his studies. It was all to fool him.
Coincidentally, Zhou Rui’s wife sent a servant girl, telling him that Mistress was inviting him to discuss.
Jia Zheng suddenly stood up, flinging the curtain aside and left.
Concubine Zhao looked at the swaying curtain and snorted coldly.
Jia Huan poked his head out of the inner room and gaped, “Bao Yu is going to get another beating.”
“He deserves it!” Concubine Zhao spat at Jia Huan, “Do not talk about your mother, go read your books. If Master comes and tests you, and you fail, do not depend on me to save you.”
Jia Zheng was full of anger and walked directly into Madam Wang’s room. Seeing her still look like a bodhisattva, he felt even more dislike for her.
“Today’s matter……” Madam Wang opened.
Jia Zheng seemed to find a vent. “If not for the evil creature you birthed, would something like this have happened?”
Madam Wang choked. Could she have produced a child on her own? However, she suppressed her anger and said, “Back then, I said I would raise him, but you wanted to be filial and followed the old mistress, disagreeing. The old mistress only knows to spoil him and let him do as he wants, I cannot even speak to him. Now, Master is angry at me. I do not know who stirred up the anger. If my Zhu’er was still alive, why would I care about this evil creature. Master can just beat him to death and avoid me having to worry about him my entire life.”
Jia Zheng felt sad when Jia Zhu was mentioned. His eldest son’s early death was a pain in his heart. He sighed and said, “Never mind! It is already like this. Be more polite to the Lin Family. In the past, you did not treat the Lin Family as good as the Xue Family. You cannot blame me and the old mistress about this. Now, what is the use in your sister? What is the Lin Family like? Send a message to the palace and talk to the Consort. The edict…… Was foolish.”
Madam Wang paled and said, “I was thinking of inviting the Lin misses to go with me into the palace. Then, this will give the consort some face.”
“Foolish!” Jia Zheng pointed at Madam Wang and said, “Was the Lin Family the one to slap the consort in the face? No! It was the emperor! Put away your foolish thoughts. Do not go to the palace anymore.”
Madam Wang wiped her tears away and said, “Consort…… Won’t she have a harder time?”
“Whether or not it is hard, can we do anything?” Jia Zheng stood up. “If the consort is attentive to the emperor, she will get face.”
Then, he stood up and turned to leave.
Madam Wang looked at the swinging bead curtain and felt coldness rise inside. If the consort was favored in the palace, the outside would benefit as well. Now, she had been embarrassed, everyone was panicking for her, even the master was like this, much less other people.
Wang Xi Feng heard the report from the servant girl saying that the couple had not had a good talk. She planned to not go out in the next days to avoid being someone’s punching bag.
However, she believed even more that the family would not last for long. Thinking of this, she sighed. She knew that Jia Lian would be in Ping’er’s rooms. The two were in their honeymoon period. While Ping’er wanted to come serve her, she did not agree. If she had to watch, she would feel even worse, so why do it? She just had her daughter keep her company.
But Jia Lian came through the curtain.
“Second Master, how come you thought of this old woman?” Wang Xi Feng did not stand up and just smiled and said, “You only see the new person smile, have you come to see if the old person is crying?”
“Nonsense.” Jia Lian came over and teased his daughter with her toy. He said, “You are the person who gave her face, now you are the person who is jealous.”
Wang Xi Feng laughed coldly and said, “Me giving her face is because of the feelings between me and her, me being jealous is because of the feelings between you and I. Is it not allowed?”
“You are always right.” Jia Lian sat down next to Wang Xi Feng and said, “The consort’s edict, many places in the garden have to be cleaned up according to her wishes. Many of the servants have come to ask me for a job. What do you think?”
“I do not care what trouble you make, I am no longer in charge of the household matters.” Wang Xi Feng calculated inside. There was not much profit in this, and she did not care.
“Qin-ge’er and Yun-ge’er, you can send who you like to manage the monks and Daoists. Master was going to let them go, but Mistress listened to someone and wants to keep them at Iron Threshold Temple. Draw the silver monthly, it is an easy job.” Jia Lian did not believe that Wang Xi Feng would not take charge.
Wang Xi Feng closed her eyes and said, “Just talk to Ping’er. In the past, you told me to take care of myself. I am going to do that now, but you come to bother me.”
Jia Lian saw her lazy and unwilling to talk and knew that she was not feeling comfortable. He said, “How about I wait on you tonight, we change it up…… Do not be so proper…… You never let go.” The more he said, the lower his voice went.
“Damn it,” Wang Xi Feng glared, “Eldest-jie’er is still here, and you are doing this. Go find her tonight. I am still thinking about the consort. Tomorrow, the old mistress will definitely ask. You do not understand such matters.”
Jia Lian finally rose with a smile and left the room.
Ping’er saw Jia Lian come back and snorted. “She chased you away and you came to find me, such an honor for me.”
“You harlot, you are more and more proud.” Jia Lian came over and pulled her close. “She does not want me, so isn’t it a benefit for us? Is face important or is…… Important?”
Ping’er spat at him. “If I am good with her, I will live in peace for a lifetime. If I am good with you, how do I benefit?”
“Never mind! All of you are so spoiled.” Jia Lian smiled and spoke of a serious matter. “I asked her, she does not want to be involved. I do not believe that she does not have a bias. If we do not follow her wish, later on, she will have much to say.”
“I know this, that Qin-ge’er‘s mother Sister-in-law Zhou was one close to her before. How about giving this good job to Qin-ge’er? As to Yun-ge’er who Master agreed, there is that job to plant trees. While not as rich, it is a job. He can earn silver right at his home, will he mind how much he makes?” Ping’er whispered. Then she said, “Master, the money you are getting from this, will I be keeping it or……”
“You are still thinking about the silver that passes through my hands. You can keep it for me, and then it will end up in her hands, you think I do not know?” Jia Lian jumped up and turned to leave. “Your idea is very good, I will listen to you.”
“Black heart!” Ping’er cursed in anger. “Who am I doing this for?”
After she finished, Jia Lian had disappeared long ago.
Ping’er thought and still took the powder off her face and took off several of the hairpins. She put on plainer clothing and went to the main room to serve.
Wang Xi Feng had gotten Eldest jie’er to sleep. Seeing Ping’er come, she knew that Jia Lian had gone out again. She said with a smile, “I thought that I was not capable and could not keep him. Now it seems that you are also not able.”
Ping’er did not dare to joke with Wang Xi Feng now. She said directly, “Even Missus cannot control him, I do not dare.” Then she told the other the arrangements for Jia Qin and Jia Yun.
Wang Xi Feng thought and did not say anything, just nodded. That Jia Qin was not very good, but it did not have much to do with her. She thought it, but did not tell Ping’er.
She just said, “Just do this, I have no bias.” Then she said, “Go back and rest. I will not keep you today. Eldest jie’er is here. Also, guard against our master coming back tonight and making trouble because no one is there to serve him.”
Ping’er nodded and left.
The second morning, Mother Jia sent people to escort Shi Xiang Yun back. “Return tomorrow to live for a few days, then Forebearer will bring you back.”
Shi Xiang Yun had not slept well at anytime. She thought that this matter likely had grown serious. Especially when the consort called for the Lin sisters to live in the garden, for Sister Bao to live in the garden, but not her. She felt that she had no face to keep staying here, and consented with her head down.
The Lin Family did not know what the Jia Family had arranged.
Lin Yu Tong asked about the matters of the household and settled after everything was ready. She sat in the room and did not know what to do.
Lin Yu Yang said, “I am going to school. The stewed food that Sister made last time is very good. How about Sister makes some more, and in the afternoon, send some to me?”
“That’s good.” Lin Yu Tong nodded and agreed. People who had been to school would bring tasty food to school.
Lin Yu Yang happily left.
Lin Yu Tong was busy for the morning cooking food. She had people take two food boxes, fearing there was not enough to share.
Lin Yu Yang would not bear for other people to eat his sister’s food and took the food boxes to the Jinghai Count.
He felt that it was necessary for this count to know the best parts of his sister.
Wen Tian Fang drank a few cups of wine with his younger brother-in-law as they ate the stewed meat. He received countless lectures and then he personally delivered his tipsy brother-in-law back home.
Lin Yu Tong was irritated when she learned of this. People could not be so proactive. This brother of hers was not always reliable.
If Lin Ru Hai was here, not stewed meat, he may not even let the other in the door.
This was because he was young.
Later, Wen Tian Fang sent people with some deliveries. Maybe a pot of flowers, a book, or pastries from outside. The things were not expensive, but Lin Yu Tong felt more comfortable.
Two more days passed. The Jia Family sent people over, saying that Xue Bao Chai was inviting the sisters to drink.
Lin Yu Tong was thinking of going to visit the Zhang Family these days, and had no time for the Jia Family.
Lin Dai Yu opened her mouth. She knew that her sister would not let her go alone and swallowed her words.
Xue Bao Chai’s party today was naturally not as lively as the one previously. The Lin Family did not come, Shi Xiang Yun had been sent home, and there were only the three Jia sisters, Li Wan, Bao Yu. In the past, Wang Xi Feng did not come because she was too busy. Now that she was not in charge of the household, she had free time. She thought that she would enjoy each day as long as it lasted so she gave face and came.
During this, they could not avoid mentioning the matter of the Lin Family.
“Such a major matter, the Lin Family should celebrate,” Xue Bao Chai looked at Wang Xi Feng and asked with a smile.
Wang Xi Feng knew that Xue Bao Chai was probing her and said, “Uncle-in-law Lin is very angry, and not in the mood to celebrate. Marrying a daughter is not like marrying a son. He does not bear for it to occur.” She laughed. “Not long after Eldest Sister Lin went back home, she came to the capital. Father and daughter were not together for very long. Right now, Uncle Lin is in Jiangnan, but now his daughter is about to become someone else’s. How can he not feel any regret? You are young, when you grow up, have families, have children, you will understand these feelings.”
Li Wan took up, “Now that she has a daughter, she knows these feelings.”
Wang Xi Feng shot her a look. “Eldest Sister-in-law, you come to show off your son again. You can show off in front of others, but you have to do it in front of me?”
Li Wan shot back, “Husband and wife together, you can get as many as you want.”
Wang Xi Feng sighed, “You know where Eldest Brother is. He cannot run. I do not know where my family’s is.”
“Do not say such nonsense.” Li Wan was sad for a moment. This was not good for unmarried girls to listen to so she changed the topic. “Do you know the background of this Jinghai Count?”
Xue Bao Chai smiled and said, “I heard from my brother. In the past, he was near the shore of the south sea, while far from the capital, it is free there. He has the benefit of being near the water and very rich. Adding on that the members of the Wen family had decreased in number, this one heir inherited all the family property and is very wealthy.”
“Even so, his fate is too hard,” Tan Chun said.
“It is true.” Xue Bao Chai said. “He may have been unmarried all these years because of that.”
Wang Xi Feng did not like to hear such things. Someone was having a good marriage, did there have to be a flaw? What reason was this? Also, she was hoping that Lin Yu Tong would be well now. In the future, Lin Yu Tong may have to help her out greatly. Also, the two had always been on good terms. What did they mean by saying such things about Lin Yu Tong in front of her?
“You do not know that.” Wang Xi Feng said with a smile, “For a marriage decreed by the emperor, it is not possible unless the Directorate of Astronomy match their fates. If the marriage was decreed, it must be fine.”
Tan Chun stopped talking. Xue Bao Chai smiled and poured another round of wine. Bao Yu sighed that there was one less good girl.
Everyone ignored his nonsense, drank some more and the party ended.
Leaving, using the wine as an excuse, Wang Xi Feng spat at Li Wan, “The Lin Family has helped Lan’er so much, and now other people speak of them, you do not say anything. People will look down on you. I think, if you have difficulties in the future, no one will dare to help you.”
Li Wan flushed red and said uneasily, “I do not believe that a person as clever as you cannot see who Third Miss and Miss Bao are feeling unjust for. What can someone in my situation say? If Mistress learns of this later, what will happen to me? Just a few words from them will not affect the Lin Family. They do not miss my words of protection.”
Wang Xi Feng sneered at her. “So me and Mistress are less close?”
Then she ignored Li Wan. She thought, in the future, she had to lessen her interactions with this person. She could use others, but others could not use her. Like this, no one would stay with her for long.
Li Wan felt bitter inside and thought, the mistress is your paternal aunt but to me, she is the mother-in-law. The mistress already disliked her and Lan’er, she could not have the other dislike them more. Wasn’t it that they were blaming the Lin Family because the consort had been embarrassed? If she said something, what would it mean? If she was on the side of the Lin Family, what would the mistress think? She did not follow the third miss and Miss Bao because Lan’er was cared for by the Lin Family.
After today, for some reason, the rumor that “Eldest Miss Lin was not valued by Uncle-in-law Lin so she was used for a marriage alliance” spread among the servants of the Jia Family, and grew even more nasty.
Wang Xi Feng sneered inside. They really were so reckless. They dared to talk about a marriage decreed by the emperor.
Zi Juan came with Dai Yu’s orders to deliver pastries to Mother Jia. When she came out, Yuan Yang pulled her to the side and told her in a whisper. “I am confused hearing this, I do not know if it is appropriate.”
Zi Juan changed expression and she spat, “Who is gossiping?” She said with a smile, “I have followed my miss and know the matters of the Lin Family. The emperor had intentions about the marriage of the eldest miss a long time ago, but delayed because Eldest Miss was not of age. Do you know why the count was willing to wait and did not marry someone else? It is because a fate like hers is hard to find. It is a very good match so he waited until Eldest Miss came of age before going to the palace and requesting the marriage. How come in our family servant’s mouth, it is because she is not good? If this spreads out, doubting the imperial edict will end up with heads cut off.”
“Now, you are more and more on the side of the Lin Family.” Yuan Yang said, “This is right, you follow your master, you should think on behalf of your master. Miss Lin is someone who cares. From her attitude toward you during these years, I just knew. You can ask for your contract and then cleanly leave.”
Zi Juan nodded. “I have nothing to miss. My parents died early. The sister from my stepmother has nothing to do with me.”
The pair spoke for a while before Yuan Yang saw Zi Juan out.
Zi Juan did not dare to keep this a secret and told all this to Lin Dai Yu. Lin Dai Yu was angry, such a matter could not be explained openly. The more she thought, the more angry she was.
When Mother Jia heard what Yuan Yang had learned, she had thoughts inside.
- Grafting Life Chapter 33 – Red Chamber (33)
- Grafting Life Chapter 35 – Red Chamber (35)
- Grafting Life Chapter 36 – Red Chamber (36)
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