Last time on Grafting Life: Wang Xi Feng has a son.
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Chapter 54 – Red Chamber (54)
Lin Yu Tong did not know which dowager consort was which. Lin Yu Tong did not know if the dowager consort from the Jiangnan Zhen Family was the same as this one. Lin Yu Tong had no effort to spare for this, because based on the rules, Lin Ru Hai had to go to mourn as well. It was very cold, and he had to kneel and cry. It was a lot of suffering.
Along with the servant girls, they worked through the night and made some “kneel-EZ.” They stuffed thick new cotton inside and wrapped a layer of leather outside to protect against the cold and the damp. Even Wen Tian Fang got a pair that Lin Yu Yang delivered to him.
Wen Tian Fang had a bad expression. Because of this funeral, the marriage had to be delayed again. The aristocrats had to go through one year of mourning. The marriage would be delayed until next year. It was a wonder if he would be in a good mood. When he saw what Lin Yu Yang delivered, his mood improved.
“My sister says to wear it inside, and do not let people see. Otherwise, if this leads to an accusation of disrespect, it will not be good,” Lin Yu Yang warned.
“I see.” Wen Tian Fang was also worried about Lin Yu Yang. “In the future, do not stay outside. When you get out of school, just hurry home. I will have people stand guard nearby. Father-in-law and I will be busy, and cannot attend to the home. Be careful, or someone might take the opportunity to make trouble.”
“Brother-in-law, do not worry, there is me.” Lin Yu Yang did not stay. “I know you are busy, I won’t stay.”
Wen Tian Fang nodded, and sent a guard to see Lin Yu Yang back to the Lin Family.
The Jia Family counted as aristocrats, and the entire family had to go mourn. Because Wang Xi Feng had just given birth, she stayed behind to look over the residence. Wang Xi Feng refused with the excuse that she was not well. Jia Zhen used the opportunity to report that You-shi had also given birth, and had to stay behind to take care of the two establishments.
Wang Xi Feng hugged her son and sighed. His first month was the new year, his hundred days was national mourning. He really did not have good luck. Born in an aristocratic family, before he would get to enjoy it, the family would decline. He was truly unlucky.
She did not want to take charge of the matters of the home. She did not understand Madam Wang. She gave the household over to Li Wan, Tan Chun and Xue Bao Chai.
Li Wan was the eldest missus of the family. While widowed, she had a son, and it was normal for her to take charge. Tan Chun was a miss of the family. It was a duty for a daughter to manage the household when at home. But what about this Xue Bao Chai? Even Second Missus Lian stopped being in charge, but she did not retreat.
Ping’er sat facing Wang Xi Feng and whispered, “Right now, the servants are saying many ugly things. I don’t know what Miss Bao wants.”
“She put too much in, and she is not willing to not get a result,” Wang Xi Feng sighed. “Right now, no one will say anything, but after Yun-yatou‘s matter, her reputation is worse. Her birth is a bit low, and she counts as sixteen now. There is another year of mourning. When the time comes, she will be seventeen. She will be an old miss. What kind of marriage she will have? Our mistress cheated the Xue Family out of a lot of silver. Now, everyone knows that the family is not able to repay it. The Xue Family is not one to let people have the silver for nothing. If she does not hold onto Bao Yu, she will just be a concubine. But she is able to contain herself. If this were Sister Lin, she would be worn to death by this.”
Ping’er sighed and said, “You speak of others. Our second miss is delayed, it truly is……”
Before they finished, Xiao Hong ran in and said, “Missus, it is not good, Master Jing has passed away.”
“What?” Ping’er jumped in fright. “Calamities come together.”
“You just say that Second Miss will be old after delaying a year, but now that Master Jing has passed, it is another three years of mourning. The match is still unknown. If a marriage will be discussed after three years, it will delay another year. She will be twenty then.” Wang Xi Feng sighed. “Such sin which harms others.”
Ping’er and Xiao Hong knew that Wang Xi Feng was speaking of no one else except the old mistress and the mistress. They agreed inside. A good girl only had so many years of youth, and was used up by these imaginary reasons. What was this except sin?
“The matters of the Ning Ducal Establishment have nothing to do with us. Isn’t You-shi guarding there. We will not add to the chaos. Send someone to ask,” Wang Xi Feng said casually.
When Lin Yu Tong received the sad news, she suddenly remembered this event. Jia Jing passed away at this time. It was also this time that Jia Lian got together with Second Sister You. She told Lin Yu Yang to visit for Jia Jing’s funeral, and would have the steward deliver the funeral money. This was easy to take care of. But the matter of Jia Lian and Second Sister You. She wondered if she should tell Wang Xi Feng. Then she thought, right now, Wang Xi Feng had just given birth to a new son for Jia Lian. There probably would not be a secret marriage with Second Sister You again. Even if there was a secret marriage, Wang Xi Feng would not do anything stupid. It was better to not interfere too much with a husband and wife. If she interfered too much, more and more people would detect her secrets. Do not underestimate anyone’s intelligence.
In reality, Jia Lian had met Second Sister You. He had both a virtuous wife and a beautiful concubine, but Wang Xi Feng was nursing her child and had no attention for him. Ping’er was busy with various matters. Adding on that she was not as warm to him after the matter of Bao Er’s wife, when he saw such a beauty, how could he not be tempted?
However, to Jia Rong urging him to marry Second Sister You, he did not agree.
“Does Uncle fear Aunt?” Jia Rong said with a smile.
“What do you know?” Jia Lian lectured. “Disregarding how virtuous your aunt is right now, it is okay to let her know of this. But I will not have a secondary wife. The children born will be a problem. Not for anything else, I have to consider for your brother.”
“Brother Gui is still nursing right now, Uncle is thinking too far ahead,” Jia Rong said with a smile.
Jia Lian shook his head and did not explain. He said, “If she wants to follow me, I will set up a residence for her outside. If she is not willing, then I will not force her.” Then he sighed and said with pity, “No matter how beautiful the woman is, she is not as important as the son.”
Jia Rong changed expression at this. He thought of his father Jia Zhen and his deceased wife Qin Ke Qing. In Jia Zhen’s mind, his son was not as important as the beauty. Encountering a father who thought for his son, he felt some admiration and said, “It would be good if Uncle were my father.”
“Nonsense, if your father hears your words, he will beat you again.” Jia Lian knew the sickness of Jia Rong’s heart. He had some sympathy towards his nephew who was not much younger than him. His own father was a muddle headed one, but was someone who was measured. Except for the servant girls who came to him, he only ever had thoughts about Yuan Yang. His thoughts regarding Yuan Yang were mostly because she was in charge of the old mistress’ saving. Compared to Jia Zhen, he counted as a measured scoundrel.
“If Uncle wants Second Aunt, I will talk to Uncle and help you.” Jia Rong laughed and said, “If Uncle has care, do not let Aunt know, otherwise, she may take this nephew’s skin.”
“Do not worry. If your aunt is not having her stay-in, I do not want her to worry, if I just tell her, she may even bring her into the home for me.” Jia Lian was a bit proud of Wang Xi Feng’s virtuousness.
Jia Rong was not willing. He still wanted to have some fun when Jia Lian was not there. He said with a smile, “It is not as free as outside. It is also the mourning period right now. Uncle will likely have to wait if you want her immediately. If this nephew does this for you, I guarantee it will be quick.”
Jia Lian thought of Second Sister You’s charm and felt hot. “Okay! You deal with it. If willing, then willing. I will not force her. I cannot give her a status right now. After the mourning period, if she is willing, I will tell your aunt and take her into the home.”
Second Sister You saw Jia Rong talk shamelessly and said angrily, “Who does he think he is, what does he treat me as? Anyone who wants to go can go. I will not.”
Jia Rong looked at Second Sister You and swallowed. He said, “Second Aunt, it is fine if you go. After two years, when the mourning period passes, you can go be the second missus. Isn’t that good? My aunt is a virtuous person. Right now, her servant girl has been elevated to a concubine and placed on top of her being in charge of the household. Second Aunt is Mother’s sister. The two families have marital relations. Ping’er’s status as a servant girl cannot compare to you. The slight right now is nothing. Second Uncle Lian said such a thing, it means that he wants to live with you. He originally wanted to come to the door and propose after the mourning period was over. But this nephew thinks this is good news. We need to get it done when the heat is there. Men are very fickle. Tomorrow, he may encounter someone younger. Then what about Second Aunt? Three years is not a short time. A woman’s youth is limited. Isn’t that true?”
Mother You listened for a while and asked, “That Second Missus Lian is truly virtuous?”
“This, you ask around the residence. In these years, it was always Concubine Ping in charge of the household. This concubine is very capable. Last year, Concubine Ping learned of one of Uncle’s lovers. What do you think happened?” Jia Rong asked with a smile.
“What happened?” Second Sister You could not help but ask.
Jia Rong saw that Second Sister You was tempted and said, “Concubine Ping tore her clothes off, and pulled her around the residence. That night, she hung herself. It was my second aunt who gave the funeral silver. Second Aunt, you have to be on guard with this concubine. In these years, Second Uncle is to be pitied. He only had this concubine. You just think of this as caring for my second uncle.”
Second Sister You spat at Jia Rong but did not speak, her face a bit red……
Translator Ramblings: Jia Jing managed to pass the imperial examinations. While he married, he later decides to become a Daoist and make pills. The Dream of the Red Chamber doesn’t involve him as much as his son Jia Zhen (famous for his affair with his daughter in law). Jia Jing left his title as duke and all the responsibilities as leader of the Jia Clan to his son. His death was directly caused by consuming pills and getting poisoned. Not a very good death all in all.
- Grafting Life Chapter 53 – Red Chamber (53)
- Grafting Life Chapter Chapter 55 – Red Chamber (55)
- Grafting Life Chapter 56 – Red Chamber (56)
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