The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Chapter 71: Rules Must Not Be Abandoned

Naturally, Baoyu had no interest in studying, because he had received word early that morning that his Younger Sister Lin would be coming, which delighted him so much that he rushed to tell the three Spring sisters.

This was joyous news.

“On that day, I won’t have to go to school. Previously, Younger Sister Yun said that if Younger Sister Lin came over next time, she wanted to be invited too. I’ll go ask Old Ancestor right away to invite her over—she’ll definitely be happy.”

Hearing Jia Baoyu’s words, Tan Chun also smiled. “When has she ever come over and not been happy?”

This made sense, so Jia Baoyu said no more and happily went to find Old Ancestor. However, halfway there he turned back. “I recently discovered some rouge that’s very good. I sent some to all of you a few days ago. Have you used it? Is it good? Do you think Younger Sister Lin will like it? I also want to give some to the two Elder Sisters Lin, but unfortunately they won’t come.”

Speaking of this, Jia Baoyu revealed a regretful expression. “Perfectly good pearls, yet they insist on becoming fish eyes, losing all their spiritual essence.”

Tan Chun, fearing he would continue and say more unpleasant things, quickly changed the subject. “Second Brother, if you’re going to find Old Ancestor, you should hurry. If you’re any later, Old Ancestor will be taking her afternoon nap.”

Jia Baoyu suddenly realized: “I’ll go right now.”

Wang Second Madam was also at Grandmother Jia’s place at this time. She had come to discuss Yuan Chun’s affairs with Grandmother Jia.

Yuan Chun had sent word out again, saying she had run out of silver and asking the family to prepare some to send in.

No matter how grand and prosperous the Rong Estate was, it wasn’t a bottomless pit. What she took away at intervals was never a small sum.

It would be fine if Yuan Chun were making some progress in the palace, but she had already been in the palace for several years and was still working as a female historian in Noble Consort De’s palace.

Wang Second Madam said indignantly: “Old Ancestor, you know our Yuan Chun’s appearance and character—it must be Noble Consort De deliberately suppressing her, not letting her get ahead. If we still don’t support her, Yuan Chun will truly never have a day to rise.”

Speaking of this, Grandmother Jia couldn’t help but sigh. Yuan Chun was truly regrettable—why didn’t the Emperor discover their family’s Yuan Chun’s qualities during the initial selection?

This led them not only to go through so much trouble sending her into the palace, but also to be suppressed by Noble Consort De. If she could never see the Emperor, how could she achieve her wishes?

Now they had already given up on approaching the Crown Prince.

Noble Consort De was very careful to avoid suspicion; she wouldn’t send anyone to the Crown Prince. Therefore, the only target could be the Emperor.

Going to serve the Emperor was better than going to one of the princes. Although the Emperor was not young, he was still vigorous and strong, and princes and princesses were still being born. As long as Yuan Chun could bear a prince, it would be worthwhile.

Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia nodded: “Tell Yuan Chun to use it sparingly.”

This was agreement.

Wang Second Madam smiled. At this moment, Jia Baoyu burst in: “Old Ancestor! Madam!” He called out, then joyfully rushed to Grandmother Jia’s side. “Younger Sister Lin and the others are coming! Old Ancestor, let’s invite Younger Sister Yun over too so we can all play together.”

Grandmother Jia raised her eyebrows and agreed repeatedly: “Good, good, good… Go call her over to play together.”

Wang Second Madam frowned slightly upon hearing this. She didn’t like Daiyu, and now seeing Baoyu so happy about her coming made her even more unhappy. “Have you done your schoolwork? If not, you’d better be careful or your father will beat you.”

At the mention of this, Jia Baoyu wilted like a flower struck by frost.

Grandmother Jia felt both heartache and amusement: “You know, what your father says is sometimes right. Only after reading more books can you achieve high honors like your Elder Brother Zhu. You’re going to be a zhuangyuan in the future.”

Jia Baoyu twisted and turned in her arms like a pretzel, acting coquettishly: “Old Ancestor, studying is too tiring. Let me rest for a while…”

He was still afraid of Jia Zheng after all, so unhappily went back to get his textbook. However, as he read, another book appeared on top of his textbook—a book of supernatural tales—which he read with great interest.

——

In the blink of an eye, time passed to the date on the invitation.

Since it was a flower-viewing banquet, the feast was set up in their family’s garden.

Following proper order of seniority, after everyone had paid their respects, Grandmother Jia pulled Daiyu into her arms, calling her “my darling” repeatedly: “You heartless girl, your maternal grandmother hasn’t seen you for such a long time, yet you don’t come to see me.”

Chen Yu smiled apologetically. “The household has been busy with various matters, and besides, Grandmother cannot do without younger sister by her side.”

Grandmother Jia sighed deeply. “Though that may be the reasoning, Daiyu, whenever you can spare the time, come see this old bag of bones.”

Daiyu nodded slightly without speaking. She needed her grandmother’s permission to go out, so even if she agreed to this, it would be useless. Moreover, what elder brother said was correct—the household was busy with various matters, and she had quite a bit on her hands too. It wasn’t as if she could leave whenever she wanted.

Wang Xifeng laughed. “Younger Sister Daiyu is a very busy person. Old Ancestor, don’t let her young age fool you—she’s already managing quite a few people.”

Speaking of this, Wang Xifeng’s tone inevitably carried a hint of envy.

Although Aunt had passed away early, Old Madam Lin truly had nothing but the best for Daiyu. She was only seven years old now but was already learning household management by her side. Everything she ate and used was carefully selected.

Grandmother Jia nodded and shifted her gaze to Yun Shuyao and Concubine Mei. “You’ve traveled all that distance to Yangzhou—you must be exhausted. I wonder how he is now?”

The worry on her face—who wouldn’t say she was a good mother-in-law concerned for her son-in-law?

Yun Shuyao: “Master has greatly recovered. We trouble Madam with your concern.”

Grandmother Jia asked many detailed questions about Lin Ruhai’s daily life and living conditions, then worried: “So doesn’t that mean there’s no one to care for him now?”

This question was rather sensitive. Concubine Mei knew that Concubine Yun’s status was higher than her own, so she usually let Concubine Yun do the talking. But what did Grandmother Jia mean by asking this? Could she still want to insert people around Master?

So Concubine Mei couldn’t sit still anymore. “How could that be? Master has plenty of people caring for him. Madam worries too much.”

Grandmother Jia glanced at her indifferently but didn’t continue, just let the matter pass so easily that it left Concubine Mei somewhat astonished.

That was it? Was it really just a casual question?

Yun Shuyao said nothing. She had already been refused so many times—even if she had the intention, it was useless. It was just talk. However… her gaze fell on Wang Xiluan beside Wang Second Madam.

Why was she here? Could it be that the Wang family still hadn’t given up?

Grandmother Jia: “We’re all family relatives. Let’s all chat together.” This meant men and women would chat together here without separation.

This naturally wouldn’t do. However, such words didn’t need to come from the younger generation—there were etiquette nannies to speak up. “Men and women should not sit together after age seven. The young ladies and young masters have reached the age when they should be mindful of propriety between the sexes.” She looked apologetic: “The Lin family has strict rules. If we return like this, Old Madam will surely be angry.”

The Lin family has strict rules, unlike you Jia family with no rules at all. The etiquette nanny’s vigilance was fully aroused.

Before leaving home, Old Madam had called her over and specifically instructed her to guard against Jia Baoyu. Unexpectedly… the etiquette nanny looked at the elaborately dressed Wang Xiluan. So the real intention wasn’t about the wine at all.

Grandmother Jia’s face immediately darkened. Chen Yu stepped forward: “Old Ancestor, rules must not be abandoned. For the sake of the young ladies’ reputations, we should consciously avoid suspicion. Besides, I happen to have some matters I’d like to consult Second Brother Lian about. We can simply set up a table in the outer courtyard.”

He had made his point clear. Could she still say there was no need to care about women’s reputations?

That would make the Wang family treat her as an enemy.

Chen Yu asked Jia Lian: “Cousin, I heard of something before and wanted to ask your advice. Would that be convenient?”

Jia Lian was somewhat troubled. Old Ancestor should want to keep cousin here, but could he say it wasn’t convenient?

Jia Lian forced a smile: “…Of course it’s convenient.”

Chen Yu also pulled along Jia Baoyu, who was standing beside Grandmother Jia and hadn’t included himself in the “we” he mentioned.

Chen Yu couldn’t help but sigh.

These rules—he should know them. They’d been mentioned before, but it seemed he hadn’t taken them to heart. If he continued like this when visiting other people’s homes in the future, that wouldn’t be paying a social call—it would be making enemies.

“Baoyu, where have you gotten to in your studies lately? I have a book that’s just right for you. Come with us.”

Jia Baoyu startled. “Elder Brother Lin, I’m not going. I’ll just stay here and keep Old Ancestor and them company.” Books couldn’t compare to chatting with sisters.

Chen Yu smiled slightly. “Baoyu, you’re old enough now that you should be mindful of avoiding suspicion. Besides your own sisters, there are also female cousins here.”

Jia Baoyu frowned: “Aren’t they all my sisters?”

“Alright, Baoyu, you go with your Second Brother Lian.” Grandmother Jia was indeed Grandmother Jia—her face already wore a smile. “You’re males, so you won’t have much in common with us anyway.”

Jia Baoyu: “…”

No, no, no, he could.

When had he ever not had things in common with his sisters? He left with three backward glances.

Today he’d only managed to greet Younger Sister Lin—there were still so many things he hadn’t had time to say.

Jia Lian led Chen Yu, Baoyu, and the others away. Now only the womenfolk remained.

Grandmother Jia wasn’t trying to match Wang Xiluan with Chen Yu—she had merely provided a venue. In her view, matching the Wang and Lin families was far less desirable than pairing Baoyu with Daiyu. If he wanted to leave, let him leave. She was just a bit unhappy that Chen Yu had insisted on taking her Baoyu away too, but she didn’t want to make a fuss, so she said nothing.

Wang Second Madam’s composure wasn’t as good as hers. The handkerchief in her hand was gripped tightly.

She had been watching Chen Yu the whole time. He had only glanced at her niece at the beginning, then never looked in that direction again.

Did he not like what he saw?

Wang Second Madam didn’t understand why her brother would want to form a marriage alliance with the Lin family. There were so many good sons-in-law available—why did he have to set his sights on the Lin family’s son?!

Were there no more outstanding young men?

Yun Shuyao watched this scene from the side, standing there like a pillar without saying anything. Chen Yu had experienced quite a few such scenes—when visiting other homes to pay respects to elders, he would have brief encounters with the womenfolk.

Such actions weren’t always intentionally about forming marriage alliances. Rather, parents might be somewhat interested but wanted to let the children see each other first before saying more. This way, no gossip would spread either.

However, now knowing that the Wang family seemed not to have given up, they would need to be more careful going forward.

Yun Shuyao’s gaze glanced in the direction Jia Baoyu and the others had left.

Still the same as before, no changes whatsoever.

Now… they just had to rely on Chen Yu to help gather firsthand news about that monk and Taoist being struck by lightning.

Daiyu wasn’t stupid either. Xiangyun being there was fine, but with this Elder Sister Wang present too, she was unhappy, feeling in her heart that she’d been used by Grandmother.

However, she couldn’t show displeasure to Grandmother, so she decided not to talk to this Elder Sister Wang from the Wang family. After all, she was also a guest and didn’t need to host her.

She gathered together with Tan Chun and the others, exchanging the poetry manuscripts they’d accumulated during this time, as well as sachets.

They had all been learning needlework, though their progress varied, and the finished products they made also varied.

Overall, everything was quite immature.

This was also normal, given their ages.

Wang Xiluan came over. Her needlework was quite good—she could offer some guidance.

After she approached, Daiyu stopped speaking and lowered her head to concentrate on fiddling with her own sachet. But while she could do this, others couldn’t.

Especially Tan Chun.

Her legitimate mother was Madam Wang, so she had to be more enthusiastic toward this cousin.

Wang Xifeng also came over. “Oh my, such fine handiwork from you young ladies! In a few more years, I won’t be able to catch up. I wonder who will be fortunate enough to receive sachets made by you young ladies?”

Some of these sachets were clearly made for men.

Like Daiyu’s.

She smiled with pursed lips: “This one is for my father, and this one is for my maternal grandmother.”

Wang Xifeng laughed heartily: “Old Ancestor, did you hear that? This is Daiyu’s filial devotion!”

Grandmother Jia naturally heard and smiled so broadly her eyes narrowed to slits: “Good, good, good…”

Until the banquet ended, Wang Xifeng never let the atmosphere grow cold.

But she was truly tired. Returning to her own courtyard, she sat down: “Finally it’s over.”

Ping’er stood behind her, massaging her shoulders: “Madam, rest well for a while.”

At this moment, someone came running in hastily: “Second Madam, something’s happened with Second Master Bao! The master has gone over there!”

Wang Xifeng immediately stood up: “What happened? Wasn’t the master out visiting friends? How did he return so quickly?” She had been afraid something would happen and had secretly arranged for the master to go out today.

The reporting maid wore a mournful face: “Yes, the master returned from visiting friends and heard that Young Master Lin had come with some matters to consult about, so he went to Second Master Bao’s place to ask about the situation. He just happened to see Second Master Bao reading supernatural tales…”

Wang Xifeng groaned inwardly: “Does Old Ancestor know? Quick, quick, go report!”

Old Madam Lin, who had arranged for Jia Zheng to return early, kept her merits and fame deeply hidden.

Doesn’t Grandmother Jia treasure that precious jade? Every time she caused trouble, Baoyu would get beaten once. Let’s see just how much she truly treasures him!Naturally, Baoyu had no interest in studying, because he had received word early that morning that his Younger Sister Lin would be coming, which delighted him so much that he rushed to tell the three Spring sisters.