Last time on Grafting Life: Lin Yu Tong comes of age. Shi Xiang Yun’s engagement is broken.
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Chapter 48 – Red Chamber (48)
Sitting opposite Mother Jia was the wife of the Boling Marquis Shi Nai and the wife of the Zhongjing Marquis Shi Ding.
“Old Mistress, you are an old aunt of the Shi Family. As juniors, we respect you, but in the end, why are you the one to step on the face of the Shi Family first?” Shi Nai’s wife’s tone was full of scorn. Who was the one to see Shi Xiang Yun and say “pitiful” each time? Heavens, how was the girl pitiful? Just because they inherited her father’s title, the entire family feared that others would say they mistreated Yun-yatou and took great care with her. Thinking that the girl did not have parents, she had to be selective with the husband’s family. If she was better than others, she would be able to establish herself in her husband’s home. When a girl was young, she could play, but when eleven or so, she had to start learning needlework properly. Yun-yatou was a playful one, and could not sit. If she was not forced, she would not practice. After a few days, she complained to everyone that she was being forced to do needlework. But, heavens, all the women in the world had to do this. Why did she not see that her own daughters did this as well? The old mistress liked to hear such things. Whenever Xiang Yun did needlework, the old mistress would bring the girl to the Jia Family. But was the Jia Family really that good? She did not know what Yun-yatou was thinking. If she did needlework in the family, she said she suffered. But if she did needlework for Bao Yu in the Jia Family, she was willing. Who did not know that Jia Bao Yu had over twenty servant girls? Did he lack clothing to wear? A personal servant girl of his was able to order her to work. She, an aunt who tried to plan for her, did not get a good reputation. While some of her motivation was for reputation, she also benefited. But if the other truly did not accept the goodwill, then it could only be like this. In the end, this was not her child. She had done what she should. If the other wanted to make trouble, no one could stop her.
Just as she finished, Shi Ding’s wife took over, “While the saying goes that a married daughter is tossed out like the water and you are first the old mistress of the Jia Family before the old aunt of the Shi Family, you cannot just criticize the Shi Family for the Jia Family. In the end, it is your fault.” While she and her sister-in-law were frequently at odds, both of their interests had been damaged this time. Both had daughters. A daughter of the Shi Family lost her reputation and had her marriage broken off. Her daughter had been looking for a match, and failed. How could she not be angry? The old mistress always said that their family was not good to Xiang Yun. How were they not good? They hired famed teachers for her as well. Otherwise, how could she have such literary skills? Was she born with those? The old mistress said to bring her to teach her how to be a wife and daughter-in-law. Who was she implying that did not know how to be a daughter-in-law? Her own parents-in-law had passed away early, and while she had not served them a long time, one could not say that she and her sister-in-law were not good daughters-in-law. Back when the in-laws had been alive, they had never said such a thing. If you took her and taught her well, never mind. But you were so foolish and raised a good miss along with the family’s treasure. The Shi Family did not even get a letter. Other than Cui Lu who the old mistress gave to Shi Xiang Yun, the rest of the servants were from the Shi Family. But she did not like even one of them, and guarded against them. If she left the home, she would only take Cui Lu. Her family was the last to know of the matter. How ironic was this?
The marriage with the Wei Family had been carefully picked. The family was not attention catching in the capital, but still managed. The family had a hereditary title. While Wei Ruo Lan would not inherit, the other had good character and good public reputation. He was also very handsome. The only shortcoming was that he would be living alone after the family was split up. He would become a cadet branch of the Wei Family. To others, this may be a bad thing, but for Shi Xiang Yun, it was very good. It would avoid people living together and comparing with each other. Her family knew themselves. After the marriage, they could not help much. Being able to set her up for her life was already very good. They would have no elders to serve. Husband and wife would live their own days. They had the property the Wei Family would give, and the dowry from the Shi Family. If Wei Ruo Lan was not a wastrel, they would not have great wealth in their life, but a rich life that no one could control.
She may have many selfish intentions, like her own reputation and wanting to get rid of the trouble. But she had truly chosen a good marriage for a lifetime. Now, after this fuss, the marriage with the Wei Family would be ended. Who would want a miss who had an engagement broken off because of reputation? Would she have to marry a farmer?
The sisters-in-law exchanged a look. No matter what, they had to move the blame today. Their masters had gotten their new positions and would leave the capital soon. No one knew when they would come back. They would consider their daughters’ marriages after they settled in their new home. It would be far away from the capital, and news would not spread so easily. But the family could not have a daughter that could not be married. No one was willing to take her on as a responsibility for a lifetime.
Mother Jia had not heard such unpleasant things for many years, and her face dropped. She said, “The Wei Family is muddle headed. They cannot just break the engagement because they heard some things. They must have had other thoughts and used this matter as an excuse. When you talked about the engagement back then, I did not agree. Now, it appears I was right. This has harmed Yun-yatou.”
The two sisters-in-law almost fainted in anger. People could not blame the victim like this.
Shi Nai’s wife said, “Old Mistress, do not say this. Your only granddaughter does not visit you now. Why, do you not know? Isn’t it because Official Lin looks down on your etiquette and does not permit his daughters to come? Our masters are not as confident as Official Lin, and cares that you are his aunt, and felt assured leaving his niece with you to raise. Was the etiquette of the Shi Family like this back when you were a girl in the Shi Family? Our marquis establishment never had such rules. So, now, you speak badly of the Wei Family, like you are in the right. Do you not fear that when you pass away, when you see my in-laws, my brother-in-law and sister, they will not forgive you?” This was acting like they were going to break all ties.
Yuan Yang was frightened when watching from the side. She could clearly feel that the old mistress’ hand was trembling. The old mistress had her own selfish thoughts, but she did not have malicious intent. The old mistress also felt badly about the matter of the Eldest Miss Shi, but who would believe that?
“Why do the misses of the Lin Family not live with the old mistress? Why do they not allow the Jia Family’s sons to enter the gates? Old Mistress, do you not know at all? Can you truly say with a clear conscience that you have acted for the good Yun-yatou?” Shi Ding’s wife mocked.
Of course it was not for Yun-yatou. But other than her, who else could control Bao Yu’s heart? Would she really have to use the Xue family’s girl to control Bao Yu? Bao Chai was good, but she was from a merchant family, and had a bad brother. She could not be Bao Yu’s wife. But this girl was too smart. Bao Yu was an obsessive person. In the past, his thoughts had all been on Dai Yu and she had been happy to see that. The Lin Family’s days were prospering. If Bao Yu grabbed onto the Lin Family, he would be secure his entire life. But Lin Ru Hai’s attitude was very clear. He did not mention it at all. The eldest miss ofLin Family turned Dai Yu for the worst, and separated her. Right now, her granddaughter did not come to visit. The Xue mother and daughter schemed all this time. Originally, she had not wanted Xue Bao Chai to live in the garden, but this was the consort’s edict. Other people could disobey the consort, but her family could not. But in the garden, only Bao Chai was from a relative’s family. At such a close range, the Xue Family’s plan would succeed sooner or later. Adding on Wang-shi was in a hurry to gather money for the palace, if the Xue Family paid the price, Wang-shi would give in. But Yun-yatou had feelings for Bao Yu since young. With her in the middle, she could maneuver. But who expected such a thing to occur?
She had watched Yun-yatou grow up. How could she not care at all? She had just not thought of it.
“How about this old woman goes and talks to the Wei Family?” Mother Jia controlled her temper and softened.
The sisters-in-law laughed. Who did you think you were? Still the duchess of the past? She had two sons and many grandsons, but none of them were accomplished. Who would give you face? The only son-in-law who was capable ignored you.
Shi Xiang Yun had said something wrong and Lin Ru Hai tormented the Shi Family for half a year, and people were not even able to speak of the pain. The two masters had not had an easy time. They did not know what Lin Ru Hai had planned in the transfer this time. If he really cared about this mother-in-law, he would not have tormented the Shi Family like this.
You go visit, who recognizes you? Also, even if you go, what would you say? You cannot say it is reasonable to sit and live together with a man not of the family who already had servant girls. They knew without saying that she would say that Bao Yu was a good child, and loved his sisters. He would not dare to do anything bad.
If she said such nonsense, the family would kick her out.
Shi Ding’s wife said, “Old Mistress, do not say things you know are not possible. It is still you, who ruined Yun-yatou‘s reputation, who will be responsible. Does the old mistress look down on a miss of the Shi Family?”
“How could that be?” Shi Nai’s wife said. “In terms of blood, this is the old mistress’ grand niece. In terms of upbringing, the old mistress raised her from a child. How can the old mistress not be satisfied?”
Mother Jia’s expression changed. Before she could speak, Wang-shi lifted the curtain and walked in. “Not possible! Our Bao Yu is engaged.”
When did this happen?
Mother Jia looked in shock at Madam Wang and thought of a possibility.
Madam Wang looked anxiously at Mother Jia and said, “No matter what…… It is better than a miss who had her engagement broken.”
The Shi sisters-in-law immediately changed expressions……
Translator Ramblings: The Shi wives are really fed up, as they deservedly should be.
- Grafting Life Chapter 47 – Red Chamber (47)
- Grafting Life Chapter 49 – Red Chamber (49)
- Grafting Life Chapter 50 – Red Chamber (50)
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