Last time on Grafting Life: Zhou Rui’s son-in-law is arrested. Grandmother Liu comes to visit.
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Chapter 44 – Red Chamber (44)
Ping’er knew that with the eldest mistress’ smarts, people would cheat her of that silver sooner or later. She could not manage matters outside, and she did not have anyone loyal to her. Ping’er did not know why she was participating. If no money was given at all, a problem would occur soon. She frowned and said, “Who does not know this? But she does not know her own abilities. What should we do now? Missus, do not just stand there. Give me a goal so I can act.”
Wang Xi Feng laughed inside and did not even open her eyes. She said, “You coming to me is of no use at all now. I am not in charge of these matters. You find the mistress. I am useless. Can I make silver appear?”
Ping’er knew this and sighed inside. She asked, “Is the mistress able to make silver appear?”
“Maybe,” Wang Xi Feng laughed, “right now, in the residence, it is the old mistress and the mistress who are the richest. You find the mistress and press her. The mistress will have silver for you. If she does not give you silver, you can come find me again.”
Ping’er had no other solution. She looked at Wang Xi Feng for a moment, and saw that she said nothing else. She could only nod and agree. She calculated inside when she should go to ask.
Just as they were talking, a servant girl came to report that the old mistress heard that an old relative of the family came to visit, and wanted to invite the other. Impatience flashed through Wang Xi Feng’s eyes. The old mistress just wanted to find someone to show off the wealth of the family to. She laughed at this. If one was truly wealthy, they would not need to show off. Only those who were not confident would want to feel superior at this time.
“This is not good.” Wang Xi Feng’s first thought was to refuse. If she could refuse, then refuse. Grandmother Liu was a country bumpkin in the eyes of this family. “Grandmother came from the countryside, and has not seen much. Her words will cause the old mistress to laugh.”
At these words, Yuan Yang lifted the curtain and walked in with a smile. “No one will laugh at a relative. If she can make the old mistress laugh, it will be good.”
“How come you came?” Wang Xi Feng rose slightly and asked, “How come you are not serving the old mistress and came out?”
“It is not that I do not serve, but the old mistress told me to come and look at you and see if you are better now, and if you want to spend some time over there.” Yuan Yang saw Wang Xi Feng’s face was red and she was a bit more plump. She clearly did not believe the other’s excuse of feeling uncomfortable.
Wang Xi Feng sighed and leaned back on the cushions of the couch. “I feel better, but very sleepy. When eating, I can doze off while holding a spoon. I want to have fun, but my energy is not enough. I fear that I will ruin the old mistress’ fun if I go.” She had Yuan Yang sit down and said, “You tell the old mistress that when I get better, I will go to visit her.” She would not go there with her large belly to amuse others.
Yuan Yang smiled and nodded. She turned and saw Ping’er at the side and said, “You are in charge of the household, how come you have gotten worse? Go out and listen. Many of the servants are talking now. Also, some people are talking to the old mistress. I can block them once or twice, but not ten or twenty times. I say, you master and servant are able to sit still, truly.”
“I am short on energy, and have no attention for the silver. The mistress is in charge. You are all capable. If I cannot worry, I will not. You cannot push the mistress, and I cannot do it either. It is better to find Zhou Rui’s wife. She will likely be better than me. Also, she is like that at the residence right now. If you say something, even as daring as she is, she does not dare to be careless.”
This was true, Zhou Rui’s son-in-law had entered the prison and was waiting to be executed after autumn. Zhou Rui and his wife were much more low-key in the residence now. Without a son, they had no hope. They had offended people. What would happen once they got old? If they passed away, what about their daughter? So, they looked much more harmonious than before.
If they pressed Zhou Rui’s wife, she did not dare to make the decision on her own. So she would report it, and Madam Wang could no longer pretend to be ignorant.
Yuan Yang stilled and then thought of herself. With the silver short and no cash flow, the mistress likely was scheming about her.
Grandmother Liu was eating in the eastern room on the other side, and faintly heard the words. It was just a matter that the family had no silver. She could not help but sigh. The days of noble households were not easy either. In the end, it was all because of silver. How come it appeared to be more troublesome than in her own family?
Xiao Hong saw Grandmother Liu’s gaze and thought the other was nervous because she had been called to see the old mistress. She comforted in a low voice, “Grandmother, do not fear. I will accompany Grandmother there, do not worry.”
“Good girl, there is nothing to worry about. I just have benefited from Missus’ fortune and will enjoy this day,” Grandmother Liu smiled.
Not describing how Grandmother Liu pleased Mother Jia, at her place, Ping’er went and found Zhou Rui’s wife in the corridor, complaining, “You are enjoying yourself here, my days are not good.”
Her tone was playful, but her words were a complaint so people did not know if she was angry or not. Zhou Rui’s wife saw Ping’er and knew the cause. It was because the money that had been released this month had not been recovered. She was also panicking. The mistress had blamed her several times. But if someone died because of this, the mistress would be the first to throw her out to take on the crime. She whispered, “Miss, do not just blame me. Everyone is the same, we are all servants working for masters. What can I do? Does Second Missus not have a way at all?”
Ping’er laughed coldly. She thought, right now, her missus was even more miserly than Eldest Missus had been. Also, how come the income would enter the mistress’ wallet but the expenses would come from her missus? There was no reason for this. She put on an angry expression and said, “Sister-in-law, do not keep on refusing. This is not just my matter. I do not lack for silver, and am not in a rush. I can live, but what about others? Yuan Yang just came to find our missus. Someone was going to report to the old mistress. If the old mistress learns of this, our missus is fine because of her belly, and others cannot speak of her. I am just a servant girl with the keys, and cannot make decisions. If the old mistress asks, the mistress will likely be embarrassed. Sister-in-law, do what you do, I cannot do anything.”
Zhou Rui’s wife jumped in fright and hurriedly remembered the words. She comforted, “Good girl, in three more days, at most three days, the silver will be in hand. Everything will be good then.”
Ping’er finally stopped.
At night, Mother Jia kept Grandmother Liu overnight, wanting to tour the garden together tomorrow and have the family together.
Madam Wang returned to her rooms and heard the report from Zhou Rui’s wife. “Right now, people are saying all kinds of things. Missus, how about I go to Yuan Yang……”
Madam Wang frowned. “Can the interest really not be recovered?” If possible, she did not want to scheme about the old mistress.
Zhou Rui’s wife said, “Several families are selling their sons and daughters. It is right to pay one’s debts, but the people outside do not know what it means for the benevolent man is one who cannot become rich. I do not dare to press them too much, fearing that a villain will spread the news, and Master or the old mistress learns of this. But what to do? Our interest is just enough to satisfy the eunuchs from the palace. But the expenses of the residence. Outside, we have a lot of credit that we have not yet repaid. Even if counting the interest, where will the silver for the rest come from? We have to use the old mistress……”
“But there is no one outside who is reliable. Your son-in-law is in trouble, and if people learn that we took these things out, we cannot avoid being implicated.” Wang-shi, as a daughter-in-law in this period, was innately afraid of her mother-in-law.
“We will not appear, and just have Ping’er take care of it. We will just take the silver, give her the things and have her take care of it. I just fear that she will think it is the mistress’ dowry,” Zhou Rui’s wife added.
Madam Wang thought for a moment. “You just pass on the message. Do not touch these things. Have Yuan Yang pass them directly to Ping’er, and you just take the silver. If anything happens, it has nothing to do with us.”
Zhou Rui’s wife nodded and showed a smile. “Yes!”
The next day, Zhou Rui’s wife secretly found Yuan Yang while the masters were all in the garden. “Miss, you know the days are hard……”
Yuan Yang had a sardonic smile and snorted. She did not even lift her head. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”
Zhou Rui’s wife forced a smile and said, “Just to find some unremarkable things. Miss, you give them to Ping’er and have her trade them for silver. After the cash flow frees up and there is silver, they will be brought back.”
Yuan Yang sneered inside. So cunning. From beginning to end, they did not plan to involve themselves. If she had been tempted back then, she did not know what kind of ending was waiting for her. She thought, since the old mistress had given permission, she nodded easily. She felt that Zhou Rui’s wife jumping around like this was more and more like a clown.
Ping’er held the box of items and her hand trembled. She lowered her voice and said to Yuan Yang, “Do not do stupid things.”
Yuan Yang was happy that Ping’er knew to warn her at such a time and said, “You be careful as well. Do not let your missus sell you out.” In her eyes, Wang Xi Feng was not a kind person.
Ping’er did not speak. Right now, she was unable to advance or retreat. The pair separated. Ping’er took the items to see Wang Xi Feng.
Wang Xi Feng looked at Ping’er’s terrified face and said, “You think Yuan Yang stupid? If the old mistress did not know, she would not dare to take them out.” She then opened the box. There were three scrolls of paintings. She was not skilled in this and did not know the value. Such things would be treated as the least valuable things in the Jia Family. Otherwise, three of them would not have been taken out together. However, Wang Xi Feng had been with Lin Yu Tong for a long time and knew the value of such things if they were rare or the only copies. She could not help but be happy. She did not show it in her expression and said, “I will not touch the silver, and avoid attracting dislike.”
“I fear these things are not worth much. I will find someone and ask around,” Ping’er whispered.
“There is a shop facing the shop of Zhou Rui’s son-in-law. The price is passable, but they are trustworthy. You can go there and ask.” Wang Xi Feng seemed to casually mention. “A while ago, when I had Xiao Hong pawn my gold circlet, I went to that one. The price counts as fair. The key is that the storekeeper and our master have some ties. They were in contact back when building the garden and he is trustworthy.”
“That is good.” Ping’er sighed in relief. She had to depend on men for outside matters. If this was someone that Jia Lian knew, they were trustworthy.
Watching Ping’er leave, Wang Xi Feng sighed in relief. It finally started.
Mother Jia took Grandmother Liu to the River Bamboo Building. Right now, it was Shi Xiang Yun who was living there.
“These are the rooms of my grand niece from my paternal family,” Mother Jia saw the rooms were quite well done, and said to Grandmother Liu with a smile.
Grandmother Liu thought, the family was even supporting a grand niece. No wonder they lacked silver. She smiled and gave praise. The room was truly good. She had never seen a room like this before.
Mother Jia seemed to be still dissatisfied with the room, and mentioned changing the window screens. Grandmother Liu prayed inside. In her view, this was a waste. In ordinary families, the elders would calculate carefully, worried about their juniors, fearing that they would not live wisely and spend too much. But why here, would the old mistress be so extravagant? The subordinates would follow their superiors. The servants would be even more extravagant. Grandmother Liu thought the old mistress was the most foolish, and a muddle headed person who did not plan for the future of her sons and grandsons.
Did the old mistress not know the days were not good? How could an old person who lived so many years not know the state of the family? But she knew, and she did not think to reduce the expenses or other ways. She just played like this, and did not look like a mistress of the house at all. What kind of parents did not plan for their children and grandchildren? This old mistress seemed to live each day and did not think about how her children and grandchildren would live after she passed away.
Grandmother Liu was an honest person. She opened her mouth a few times, wanting to advise. But Xiao Hong pulled her sleeve, not wanting her to talk. She seemed to understand. This second missus, such a smart person, did not dare to speak. She would not be so rash, so she just smiled and watched.
When she refocused, she heard the miss say with a bright smile, “…… It is due to Forebearer’s pity. Otherwise, I will not be able to live such easy days.”
Mother Jia said to Grandmother Liu. “This child is to be pitied. Her parents are dead. She can only live with me. She is engaged now. I do not bear for her to do needlework, she should just play with her sisters in the garden. For our families, all this is secondary.”
Grandmother Liu was shocked for a moment and then nodded, “Lady is right.” Inside, she thought, when a miss was engaged, the needlework was counted in the dowry. The more needlework, the more respectful it was. With both parents gone, more needlework was more dowry. Also, the uncles and aunts would give her the fabric. She did not take the chance to do needle work and get them in her possession. Would she wait for her aunts to be like her mother when preparing her dowry and make it up for her? Grandmother Liu gave this miss from a marquis family a label of “having no plans.”
When they reached the Fragrant Herb Park, Grandmother Liu looked a few times at Xue Bao Chai. She immediately felt that this miss did not have a good life. Which girl did not like flowers? Even in the countryside, even the girls from the poorest families will have thoughts of dressing up. Even if it was just two inches of red string, they would try to make something out of it. When the wildflowers bloomed, people would put them in their hair, or take them home and let their fragrance spread through the room. Such girls looked alive. This Miss Bao, so young, but her rooms were like that of a widow. This was not a good sign.
Because Grandmother Liu knew that the Jia Family was not as prosperous as they appeared, she paid more attention. When people grew old, they had much wisdom in life, and she was able to see many details. She did not feel that the residence was very good. She felt that this pretty girl did not have a good fate. Even sitting at the banquet, she did not have much to say.
Mother Jia was bored. Yuan Yang saw Xiao Hong with Grandmother Liu and knew that this person had gotten Wang Xi Feng’s attention for some reason so she did not laugh at the other. Grandmother Liu did not embarrass herself, and did not get drunk, just did not eat very much.
After the banquet, they dispersed. Xue Bao Chai, Shi Xiang Yun and Jia Bao Yu took advantage of the wine and went to the Green Bar Nunnery.
Seeing the trio, Miao Yu welcomed them in and said, “So it is you. We will not use that terrible tea, you come with me.”
Bao Yu saw that she was pretty and had good feelings. He said with a smile, “What pain tea, do you treat guests differently?”
“Common people use common tea, are you a common person?” Miao Yu said, not looking back.
Shi Xiang Yun felt that Miao Yu was a bit arrogant. She was living in another’s family home, but she did not feel as though she was doing so. She shook her head inside.
When the tea was served, Xue Bao Chai looked at the tea set in her hand. These were treasures worth cities.
Miao Yu saw the trio’s expression and said, “I thought that you were not common people, but you turned out to be so. You just look at the tea set, and not the true taste of the tea. Pity my good water and tea.”
“What kind of tea set is this, what kind of tea?” Bao Yu asked her. Seeing that she did not answer, he said, “Before, you probably prepared tea for guests. If you sent people to send them, it is also a token of your goodwill.”
“Can just anyone use my tea? Such good things, if they are dirty, just smash and bury them.” Miao Yu glanced at Bao Yu and said, “You use the green jade bucket that my family usually uses. The water is the snow gathered from the plum blossoms last year. You are not able to taste it.”
Shi Xiang Yun did not say a thing and put down her teacup. Other people used her things, then her things would be dirty and have to be smashed. Why did she have Bao Yu use something that her family usually used? She did not mind that Bao Yu was dirty. She sneered inside, just a person who does not have clean thoughts. She stood up and said to Xue Bao Chai, “It is late, I have finished with the tea, we should go, and stop disturbing others from their cultivation.”
Bao Yu drained his tea and caused Miao Yu to say, “You drink like a cow. If you come again, I will not serve you.”
Xue Bao Chai laughed softly. The words were full of meaning. Did she mean to tell Bao Yu to come or to not come?
Leaving the nunnery, Shi Xiang Yun said, “The tea set does have some history, but right now, who will eat from the bowls that famed people used eight hundred years ago? She is just like this. Is she any more elegant than others?”
Xue Bao Chai pointed at Shi Xiang Yun and said, “You are too harsh.”
Lin Yu Tong admired the three paintings that the storekeeper bought with eight hundred silver. In reality, she did not know how to appreciate them.
She heard the storekeeper say excitedly, “This is such good business. These are works from famed artists of the previous dynasty, worth more than three thousand silver, but I spent just a few hundred to buy them.”
“So you made more than two thousand with this transaction,” Lin Yu Tong said with a smile.
“Not just two thousand silver, each one is worth three thousand, three of them are worth nine. If the three are sold at the same time, the price will go up because these are the works of the artist in the same period, and are very representative.” Spit flew as the storekeeper talked.
“Ah!” Lin Yu Tong laughed softly. Mother Jia likely only knew to hide them, but not the true value of these items. “Such things in the eyes of those who understand, are worth much, but in the eyes of those who do not know, they are just a painting, and a painting that is not very bright hung up. They may even feel that it is very good that the paper can be sold for so much.”
The storekeeper shook his head and said, “If the eldest and second masters of the Jia Family were involved, we would not have benefited. I am puzzled. The family is guarding against each other, isn’t this just waiting for people to sneak through?”
Lin Yu Tong laughed and said, “That is true. So, when the family is in harmony, everything goes well. If the family is not in harmony, it causes the family to fall.”
Ping’er got eight hundred silver and felt less worried. The days could be muddled through like this. She said to Wang Xi Feng, “Just a few paintings, and eight hundred silver. They are fair. When Second Master stole the painting from his father’s study, each one was worth just two hundred silver.”
Wang Xi Feng laughed inside. Giving eight hundred meant that the things were much more than eight hundred. For a moment, she wanted to take them for herself, but then her intelligence took over. Such things could not have any connection with her. Otherwise, if the residence learned of it, it would be bad. She touched her belly and said, “Quick, deliver it to the mistress to avoid her doubting you. In the future, when the silver came, do not come to my rooms, just take it directly and avoid the mistress misunderstanding and thinking that I have taken some of it.”
Ping’er nodded and turned to leave. But before she even left the courtyard, she encountered Jia Lian.
“It is this time now, and you are still going out, you are more and more wild. Your missus has a gold lump in her belly, and this master does not dare to have her serve. Now, you do not plan to serve either.” Jia Lian was annoyed. She did not know why he was unhappy again.
Ping’er followed him back to her rooms. At this time, Ping’er said, “Master, where did you go drink again?”
“I am not drunk. You harlot, what are you carrying right now? Do not think that this master does not know. Give this master two hundred to use.” Jia Lian had heard from Wang’er that Ping’er had gotten a box from Yuan Yang. He knew what was going on. So he came back in a hurry. Who would be content to let the silver pass through their hands without taking some?
“Just eight hundred silver. Master wants two hundred. My master, how will I explain the account to the mistress?” Ping’er hurriedly dodged, not daring to let Jia Lian succeed.
“You are not good now. Your heart is not to your man, whose side are you on? I do not believe that your missus did not touch it at all,” Jia Lian sneered at Ping’er.
“Second Master, your words chill the heart. Have you seen Second Missus leave the courtyard in these days? She is pregnant. Master, you are not considerate, and you even say things to hurt her heart.” Ping’er swore, “If me and my master touched any of the silver, let us not die well.”
“Never mind, if you did not, then you did not. You dare to say anything.” Jia Lian saw that Ping’er did not seem to be acting and said, “You have to give me two hundred. I saw a little shop in the east of the city, while small, it is not very expensive. With a bit more silver, I can buy it. Your missus is pregnant, if it is a boy, we will have more expenses. I have to calculate that. In any case, the items pass through your hands and I know the storekeeper. If I tell him, it will not leak. What are you afraid of? Just say six hundred. If the mistress does not believe you, tell them to ask the pawnshop. The mistresses all know to take for themselves, why are you so stupid and do not know how to take for the family? You are as stupid as your missus.”
Ping’er could not argue against such words. Thinking for a moment, she took out two hundred silver. “You said you are going to buy a shop. If I learn that you gave the silver to one of your lovers, then I will not rest.”
Jia Lian reached and jerked the silver certificate over. He said, “Nonsense! Do not meddle in the affairs of your master!”
“You heartless……” Before she could finish cursing him, Jia Lian left, causing Ping’er to cry in her rooms before she went to the front room and told Wang Xi Feng.
“Who caused us to encounter such a master?” Wang Xi Feng’s expression was very calm. “But you do not need to tell me such things. It is too troublesome. Just try to persuade him.” She looked like she was not going to act.
Ping’er finally knew where the problem was. This missus’ attitude towards Second Master was clearly not right. She was a bit afraid.
Yes! She was finally afraid. Missus was not right. Ever since she became a concubine, Missus was not the same to her and Second Master.
She forced down her terror, wanting to explain. But Wang Xi Feng urged, “Go and deliver the silver. If you are late, the mistress will hear of this and come to ask for the silver. What will you do? If you do not give the silver because you have nothing, it is all right. But if you have the silver and do not give, then it is unjustified. If trouble occurs, you will be wronged.”
Ping’er finally hurried over.
Zhou Rui’s wife saw the six hundred silver and did not believe it. She said sarcastically, “Just this bit of silver?
Ping’er was not soft and said, “In the past, when pawning in Sister-in-law’s son-in-law’s shop, all paintings were two hundred silver. This is a price everyone knows. Does Sister-in-law know something else about the market?”
Zhou Rui’s wife choked. This was fatal. There were not many in the residence who had not gone to pawn things. Two hundred counted as a high price. Now, if she said anything, it would be admitting that her son-in-law had cheated others. No one in the residence was reasonable. They would turn back and make trouble for her. If she was asked to make up the shortfall, it would be a great loss. So, while clearly knowing that Ping’er’s amount was not right, she could not expose it. She could not expose it, and she had to help keep this concealed for them in front of Mistress. She forced a smile, “I just thought that the market had gotten better.”
Ping’er stopped attacking her and left.
Zhou Rui’s wife was full of hate but she had to deliver the silver to the mistress in her rooms.
“Is the amount right?” Madam Wang asked.
“Generally so. If Ping’er embezzled, it is just thirty to fifty. She probably gave them to Second Mistress. The amount is about this sum.” Zhou Rui’s wife gritted her teeth and said, “For antiques, if people who love them see them, they will buy for a thousand gold. But if the time is not right, and the buyer does not love them, then they are not worth much.” She told Madam Wang the rules of the business that she had heard from Leng Zi Xing.
Madam Wang finally gave up and accepted the silver. She said, “Tomorrow, the wages will be given.”
But the next day, the Jia Family had another matter. Mother Jia got a cold in the garden due to the wind. Wang Xi Feng prepared many things and sent Grandmother Liu off first. Hearing that the old mistress was sick, she had to step out of her courtyard to visit the old mistress. Entering the room, she heard Mother Jia say, “Right now, my sons and grandsons are all here in front of me. Only Min’er is missing. Send someone to call for Son-in-law Lin, and call for Dai Yu as well. It has been many days since I saw her and I miss her very much.”
Wang Xi Feng sighed inside. She was ill, and clearly was truly ill. Otherwise, Yuan Yang would not have made such a great fuss. She was ill, so why was she still thinking of the Lin Family? It was always the son who served his ill parents, never a son-in-law coming to serve his ill mother-in-law. The older she got, the more muddled she became. It was like that in ordinary families, much less with Uncle-in-law Lin’s present status. Why should the other come to fulfill her request?
Jia Zhen actually accepted this job, telling Jia Lian to invite others. Jia Lian did not want to accept, and seeing Wang Xi Feng come in, gave her a look.
Translator Ramblings: Yes, for normal people, not knowing what things should generally cost is really strange. However, it’s not that the women of the Jia Family are foolish. They are cut off from the outside world and they are never going out on the street to buy their own groceries, much less anything else. Second, their source of connection to the outside world are their servants, who in this case are not very trustworthy and deliberately working to defraud their employers, and their husbands are not any better.
- Grafting Life Chapter 43 – Red Chamber (43)
- Grafting Life Chapter 45 – Red Chamber (45)
- Grafting Life Chapter 46 – Red Chamber (46)
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