Chapter 111 – Qing Transmigration Tale (20)
Lin Yu Tong reached to hold her teacup. She lifted the lid of the cup and she used it to brush away the tea scum.
She was very angry inside, but she could not vent. She worried that if she blocked their road up, they would seek another path, and do something stupid. She was fine, but what if Hong Hui was involved? What to do then?
She was not a saint, she would not treat all children the same she treated Hong Hui and Hong Zhao.
She sincerely treated Hong Yun, Moyaqi, and even Hong Shi because they were just children. Regardless of how they would grow up to be, right now, they were like blank pieces of paper.
Nothing more had to be said of Hong Yun. Even Moyaqi and Hong Shi had people arranged by Si Ye around them. Li-shi was not stopped from meeting her children, but the words that would sow discord would not reach the children’s ears.
She knew Si Ye’s intentions. He feared his own children’s future would be like these brothers of his.
Feared that in the future, he would face the brothers fighting each other.
So he did all he could to have the children love each other.
Lin Yu Tong understood his wishes. If she did not have kindness for the children, Si Ye would not trust her. Without her protection, what about Hong Hui and Hong Zhao’s futures?
This was a multiple choice question she did not need to choose to know the answer.
Lin Yu Tong put down the teacup and said to Eldest Mistress, “You do not need to be in such a hurry for Xian-jie’er‘s matter. She is young. It does not have to be Hong Yun. Do not worry. I promise her a good future.”
There were many members of the imperial family, and many with iron-cap titles. These people were all good choices.
Eldest Mistress got a promise, and naturally was very happy. In their view, Si Ye was just a beile. In the future, maybe he would become a prince of first rank. The shu-son of a prince was not irreplaceable.If there were a good future, it would be very good.
Who would ever think that Hong Yun’s princess consort would be the future Second Princess Consort?
She joyfully agreed. She did not even mind that Lin Yu Tong did not keep her for a meal, and bid well with the young girl.
Lin Yu Tong’s face immediately fell. She had to tell Si Ye this, and had him go and caution the Ulanara Family so they would not do anything foolish. Regardless, they were Hong Hui’s maternal family, and it was not possible to get rid of them. No matter how distant they were, in the eyes of others, they were one. Sometimes, it was easy for people to see their conduct and think of her. When Hong Hui grew up, they would think of Hong Hui.
Lin Yu Tong would not allow this.
When Si Ye came back at night, Lin Yu Tong kept on following him and serving him and then explained the matter.
”What? You are not willing?” Si Ye raised his eyebrows in shock. “Moyaqi marrying into your paternal family is good.”
“Ye, you cannot think like this. Ye wants Hong Yun and the others to be closer to Hong Hui, I understand that. If the children of my paternal family are accomplished, I will not say these things. The only one of suitable age is Xing De. This child is not bad, but there is one thing, he is easily persuaded. I know my sister-in-law, she is one to climb up. If he marries our Moyaqi, she will hope that Moyaqi will bring the family some benefit. If Moyaqi is like Eighth Princess Consort, and has to make connections all over in order to gain relationships, even if Ye bears it, I do not bear it. Is this not harming the child? So, the marriage cannot go through. I will not agree,” Lin Yu Tong said decisively.
Si Ye leaned back in bed, and waved a fan. He asked, “Then you do not agree to the matter of your niece and Hong Yun?”
“I fear that this girl will be like her eniang, and have a heart full of ambition,” Lin Yu Tong said. “Ye, just accept you are unfortunate to have encountered such in-laws, do not have Hong Yun end up the same.”
Si Ye laughed and said, “Never encountered people who will insult their paternal family like this.”
“If my a-ma is still alive, I will not be so conflicted.” Lin Yu Tong sighed.
Feiyanggu had been the grand minister of the Imperial Household Department in charge of the Imperial Bodyguards. He had been very trusted. Otherwise, the emperor would not have remembered to give his daughter a future after his death.
Si Ye nodded. “I understand your thoughts. I will find Wuge and the others to talk. Otherwise, they will be sent to positions outside for a few years. The capital is in a important time, I will have people watch over them. Do not worry.” When it concerned Hong Hui and Hong Zhao, he would naturally take care.
The two talked for half a night and then went to rest. But the next morning, Li-shi came, insisting on meeting Si Ye and Lin Yu Tong.
The breakfast had already been set out. Hong Yun was also present. Just to give the child face, the other could not be blocked.
“Invite the princely lady in,” Lin Yu Tong said and then said to the servant girl, “Add another set of chopsticks.”
Hong Yun immediately was uneasy.
Li-shi entered, and bowed to Si Ye and Lin Yu Tong. Hong Hui and Hong Yun bowed to Li-shi.
“Sit down, everyone.” Si Ye said to Li-shi, “You come so early in the morning, is something the matter?”
Li-shi said, “I heard Moyaqi say that the niece of Princess Consort is a good girl.” She inexplicably praised.
Lin Yu Tong said, “Shi Liu, move breakfast for Eldest A-ge and Second A-ge in the inner room.” It was better not to speak nonsense in front of the children.
Hong Hui and Hong Yun stood up. The two of them were no longer young. How could Hong Yun not know what they were speaking of?He immediately blushed.
After the two children left, Li-shi said, “This concubine thinks that the miss of the Ulanara Family is very good, and matching in age to Hong Yun.”
She actually thought this too?
Si Ye changed expression and was about to scold her. But Hong Yun was still inside. What would the child think?
Lin Yu Tong took over and said, “The child is still young, why are you in a hurry? If the girl is suitable to Hong Yun, would I not think of him? Ye and I discussed it for half the night. This is not possible.”
Li-shi flushed red and said, “Hong Yun is a good child……”
“Because he is a good child, I will not agree,” Lin Yu Tong said, “When have you seen me visit my paternal family? When people from the Ulanara Family come, do you ever see me keep them for a meal? Have I ever called for my nieces and nephews of my paternal family to visit? Have I ever called Hong Hui to go to the Ulanara Family?”
When Lin Yu Tong finished, inside, Hong Yun looked at Hong Hui. Hong Hui nodded. He had never gone to the Ulanara Family.
Li-shi looked in confusion at Lin Yu Tong. Which woman would not depend on her paternal family? The princess consort openly spoke of her disharmony with her paternal family. At this moment, she did not know what to do.
“For the matter of the children, Ye and Princess Consort will think……” Si Ye was going to keep talking. The next words would not be pleasing to hear.
Lin Yu Tong smiled and said, “Once we have a good choice, we will tell you to look. We can discuss and then decide.” Who would participate if not the birth mother? If she decided, and they did not live well, she would be blamed. Lin Yu Tong decisively stopped Si Ye’s words. She did not dare to take on the responsibility.
Her words appeared to give Li-shi a lot of face.
Li-shi curtsied. “Then I will not disturb Ye and Princess Consort from eating. Hong Shi is about to wake up and this concubine will not stay.” Then she turned to leave. She may have felt that she had been rash.
Si Ye glared at Lin Yu Tong. “You frequently interrupt Ye. You are so amazing now.”
“It is better for me to speak of the matters of home.” Lin Yu Tong moved a small soup dumpling into Si Ye’s plate. She said, “How about eating this?” Then she asked the two children in the room. “Eat quickly, and after you finish, have your a-ma to send you into the palace.”
Hong Hui shouted from inside, “It is not comfortable in the palace, Eniang. It is hot, and it does not smell good.”
There was not even a tree to get shade in there. The water was all dead. Would it feel good?
Si Ye lectured, “I grew up in the palace, how is it uncomfortable? The Imperial Household Department has shortened your ice?”
No sound came from inside.
Before going out, Hong Yun whispered, “Di–Eniang, the ice in the palace cannot be eaten.” He was full of resentment.
“Your stomach is weak to start with. Not just ice, anything iced is not allowed. Just have it cooled in the well,” Lin Yu Tong said to Hong Hui, “You watch him, do not have him eat recklessly.”
After the two children were seen off, the establishment seemed half empty.
She heard the next day, Si Ye called the men of Ulanara to the establishment. Lin Yu Tong did not care about what was said. Such matters were nothing to Si Ye.
Lin Yu Tong focused on child rearing. Just as she was thinking about inventing baby walkers, she discovered that Hong Zhao was able to walk on his own. First, he was on the bed, walking in circles, grannies and servant girls around the bed, and cushions all around him so he would not be hit at all.
When the boy was put on the ground, he did not dare to take a step.
Si Ye found it interesting. “This boy is very prudent.”
Nonsense!
What could be seen from such a young child?
The couple were playing with their child when Su Pei Sheng walked in and handed a note to Si Ye.
Si Ye looked at it, smiled, and then handed it to Lin Yu Tong.
“Whose family?” Lin Yu Tong took it and looked. She was stunned. The note was from the Eighth Beile Establishment. Eighth Prince was taking someone new.
“A woman from which family?” Lin Yu Tong asked.
Si Ye shook his head. “Eighth is low key in this matter. Ye did not know ahead of time. But the note only says for the brothers to go and have a celebration. He clearly does not want to make this a big affair. It likely is not some important family.”
Lin Yu Tong thought that it may the daughter of Zhang Zhi Bi who gave birth to Hong Wang, or the daughter of Mao Er Ge who birthed Eighth Prince’s daughter.
In the end, it was none of them!
It was a woman from a Wang Family. She was to be a concubine, one to be recorded in the imperial genealogy.
Lin Yu Tong checked the history materials in the pocket space. There was record of a concubine with the name Wang, and a princely lady of unknown name.
The one who had given birth to Hong Wang was an attendant Zhang-shi, and the one who birthed the daughter was the dowry woman Mao-shi.
Attendant, a bed warmer.
Dowry woman, a woman who came over as part of a dowry.
Then who did this Mao-shi belong to? Eighth Princess Consort? Or Wang-shi? Or that princely lady who had not appeared yet?
In the past, she had read many books that said that Eighth Prince was deeply in love with his wife. But when she counted, she was able to find at least five women, and he did not have any less than others.
Where did his reputation of being deep in love come from?
Since an invitation had been sent, there was no excuse for not attending. Lin Yu Tong very much did not want to go. A man was taking a concubine, and they had to go and congratulate his wife.
What kind of joy was there?
She settled down Hong Zhao and there was Granny Yuan to watch over so Lin Yu Tong and Si Ye went out.
The two families lived next to each other. Lin Yu Tong did not want to stay in the suffocating sedan. Walking over there was not far.
Si Ye examined Lin Yu Tong. White and tender skin without any flaw. On this hot day, she did not put on powder. He did not know what she had done with her eyes, her eyelashes were long and curled, causing her eyes to look even more bright and alert. Her lips were gentle, and she only had put on some lip balm, looking like pink milk jelly for someone to take a bite. Her yellow qipao wrapped around her, and caused her waist to look thin. Because Hong Zhao had not yet stopped nursing, her chest was full. The red peonies bloomed on her chest. Her sleeves were very wide, and when she raised her hand, a large section of her wrist would be exposed.
Looking like this, and she wanted to walk outside! Dream on!
“The sun is strong, sit in the sedan,” Si Ye said without any explanation and shoved Lin Yu Tong into the sedan.
The sedan went in through the main gates, and stood by the second gate. Eighth Princess Consort in a pure red qipao and welcomed her there.
“Fourth Sister-in-law has come! Ninth and Tenth Sisters-in-law are already here, I will bring Sister-in-law in,” Eighth Princess Consort said politely.
Lin Yu Tong smiled and said, “I live close, but come late. My mistake! My mistake!”
The two exchanged pleasantries and walked over. In the middle of summer, with the banquet held in the pavilion on the lake, it was relatively cool.
Tenth Princess Consort saw Lin Yu Tong and said, “Fourth Sister-in-law is more and more young. You have birthed two children, but your figure has not changed.”
“It is because of the summer that I lost weight.” Lin Yu Tong sat down. She did not order tea, just had the servant girl pour her a cup of sour plum juice that she slowly sipped.
After Eighth Princess Consort left, Ninth Princess Consort came over and said, “Eighth Prince was so sudden, no forewarning at all. Why so sudden? Eighth Sister-in-law has two catties of powder on her face. She probably had very bad days recently.”
“Other people did not know, did Ninth Prince not know?” Lin Yu Tong said. “These men get together and will just keep secrets from the women. They likely all know the matters outside.”
Ninth Princess Consort said, “Then you wrongly accuse our ye. He truly does not know. Just now, Eighth Sister-in-law blamed me, saying that I hid it so well. Heavens, how would I know of this?”
Lin Yu Tong did not linger on this and asked, “Do you know which family is she from? Eighth Prince has never had anyone who has status.”
“They say it is the niece of a retainer of Eighth Prince, surname Wang. Unknown,” Ninth Princess Consort said, “I see that Eighth Sister-in-law is very stunned.”
Just as they were talking, Eighth Princess Consort came with Third and Fifth Princess Consort, and then she left.
After a while, these princess consorts all got together. Of course, everyone other than the crown princess and the eldest princess consort, they were all here.
Regardless of the time, when women got together, their eternal topic of conversation was gossip. Now, there were more of them to gossip about the eighth couple.
In these years, who had not admired Eighth Princess Consort. Which of them had not been tormented by the princely ladies? The ones who had children were the princely ladies. The ones who got favor were the princely ladies. The ones that the men remembered were still the princely ladies.
The princess consorts were just tragedies. Other than managing the household and managing the little wives of the men, they had nothing else to do. Was not Lin Yu Tong’s original the same?
But Eighth Prince only had servant girls other than Eighth Princess Consort. What were servant girls? They were people who no one cared about if they were beaten to death.
But a princely lady was not the same.
When the Manchu came through, they were polygamous. Back then, the princely ladies had more power than now. While they had been sinicized, their power was not insignificant. They were still masters.
If these princely ladies made trouble, people were helpless against them.
Lin Yu Tong sighed inwardly. Women never asked for much. Eighth Prince had a pile of women, but if he did not give them status, in everyone’s eyes, he was rare and very good to Eighth Princess Consort.
Just as they were talking, on the other side of the lake, it was possible to make out talking. Eighth Princess Consort said with a smile, “Such a hot day, only this place is cool. We are each on the ends, and no one will disturb the other.”
Lin Yu Tong turned to look. Si Ye was leaning on the banisters by the lake and talking to Thirteenth Prince.
The women lowered their volume.
Suddenly, she heard Fourteen say loudly, “Eighth Brother! You should have been like this a long time ago. Not for anything else, but your children, you should have someone new.”
Eighth Princess Consort’s face fell down.
Fourteenth Princess Consort covered her face with a handkerchief. Whether or not they had children had nothing to do with us. Why were you talking? My dear ye, you cannot offend people like this. She forced a smile and said, “Eighth Sister-in-law, my ye is drunk and speaking nonsense, do not keep it on your mind.”
The little person in her heart right now wanted to tear Fourteen into pieces. You enjoy talking, but now I have to apologize to her here. You have one on the right and one on the left. You urge people to be like you. What is wrong with you? Next time you want a woman, see if I will easily agree?
Eighth Princess Consort smiled rigidly, “No matter! Fourteenth Brother is always direct. Who would mind?”
Just as she finished, Fourteen spoke again, “Eighth Brother, not that I am criticizing you, you just spoil Eighth Sister-in-law so much. You cannot indulge women like that. Look at your younger sister-in-law, is Ye‘s princess consort not taught well? When Ye wants the daughter of a family, she will definitely get her to marry in. Women should be like this.”
Lin Yu Tong thought, Fourteen was just asking for a beating.
Right now, she did not dare to look at Fourteenth Princess Consort’s face. She saw the other’s hand clench around the teacup, her teeth gritting like in the next moment, she would be able to throw the teacup across the lake at Fourteen’s head.
- Grafting Life Chapter 110 – Qing Transmigration Tale (19)
- Grafting Life Chapter 112 – Qing Transmigration Tale (21)
- Grafting Life Chapter 113 – Qing Transmigration Tale (22)
Tell me something