So the old lady learned that Jia Baoyu had been beaten by Jia Zheng. Fortunately Grandmother Jia arrived in time to stop it, but even so, the Jia family called for an imperial physician. The entire Jia household was in an uproar, as if Jia Baoyu’s injuries were extremely serious, when in reality they were just superficial wounds.

On the contrary, Grandmother Jia felt somewhat unwell. They requested an imperial physician to examine her, and when prescribing medicine they were more cautious, telling her to avoid agitation and impatience.

Hearing this news, the old lady couldn’t suppress the smile on her face.

Grandmother Jia said she’d been angered by this farce, but the old lady actually felt she deserved some credit for it.

Shi Shi was already this upset?

There would be many more occasions for her to get angry in the future.

However, the old lady also had Doctor Zhou come check her pulse.

She also needed to take care of her own health and live long—at the very least longer than Shi Shi. With herself present to watch over her, those messy Jia family matters wouldn’t be able to entangle with their Daiyu.

Doctor Zhou checked their pulses on fixed days. When the old lady suddenly called him over, Lin Ruhai learned of it and came to inquire: “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Daiyu also looked at her with worried eyes.

She felt somewhat guilty. She was so close to grandmother, yet she hadn’t noticed anything wrong. She showed too little concern for grandmother.

Seeing her children and grandchildren’s filial piety, the old lady was naturally pleased: “It’s just that the climate here differs from the south. I wanted Doctor Zhou to see if I need a few doses of medicine for adjustment, nothing else.”

Doctor Zhou nodded with a smile in agreement: “The old lady is in excellent health.”

Speaking of which, Doctor Zhou had been with the Lin family long enough, traveling to so many places. Naturally it was tiring, and there had been unpleasant incidents too, but the Lin family simply paid too well—he couldn’t refuse.

Not long after, Yun Shuyao’s eldest brother Yun Heng came to visit with his family.

He’d married Chen Shi, his tutor’s daughter. Now they had one son and one daughter at their knees.

Their son Yun Wei was seven this year, their daughter Yun Ling three—both at their most adorably precious age.

When first visiting the old lady, seeing these two children, the old lady’s face filled with smiles. She gave each a jade pendant as a meeting gift.

The pendants were of excellent quality.

Seeing these pendants, Chen Shi looked uneasily at Yun Heng. Only after confirming her husband had no objection did she put them away.

After paying respects to the old lady, Chen Yu led them to the garden.

In the garden was a pavilion where today’s banquet was set.

For the Yun family, the Lin family was a high-ranking manor. Before coming, Chen Shi had tossed and turned sleeplessly. Today upon arrival, she found the Lin family more amiable than she’d imagined.

The courtyard was quite large. Though not the legendary carved beams and painted rafters, it wasn’t ordinary either—everywhere showing clever thought, quite Jiangnan in style.

Then she saw the beautiful woman in a lotus-colored pleated skirt. This must be her husband’s sister. Beside her, the one in a pink skirt should be the second young miss of the Lin Manor she bore.

Mother and daughter standing together looked like sisters.

Chen Shi couldn’t help glancing at the Lin family’s eldest young master before her with some envy.

She also had a son and a daughter. If in the future when they grew up they had even half their grace, she’d smile even in her dreams.

Moreover, as a woman herself, and she was even slightly older, yet her face showed no signs of it.

Her condition was even better than her own.

Chen Shi very much wanted to know how sister maintained herself. That skin looked like a young girl’s, yet her bearing had the flavor only mature women possessed. Even she as a woman was transfixed.

Looking at her brother whom she hadn’t seen in many years, Yun Shuyao sighed and teased: “Long time no see, my brother has grown into a rough man. If you don’t take care of yourself, perhaps others will think you’re my elder brother rather than younger brother.”

At these words, the somewhat sentimental emotions in Yun Heng’s heart were immediately diluted. He smiled helplessly: “Sister, what are you saying?” Luo Yu and Chen Yu were nearly adults now—could they still be the little girl and young boy of the past?

“If others truly mistake me for elder brother, that only shows sister maintains herself well. I’m a man—not maintaining myself is fine.”

Yun Shuyao smiled and shook her head: “Those words are wrong. People all judge by appearance—otherwise why is there a third-place scholar every three years? Moreover, if you dress yourself more handsomely, others will know at a glance that your virtuous wife at home cares for you well. When you and sister-in-law go out together, you can continue being praised as a heaven-made match by passersby. Otherwise standing beside sister-in-law, you’ll have to worry about feeling ashamed of your appearance.” As she spoke, she walked over and affectionately grasped Chen Shi’s hand.

Chen Shi’s face couldn’t help flushing red. These words made her face heat up, while her heart also sweetened.

She never expected… sister had such a personality.

Yun Heng was helpless: “Sister, stop teasing me.”

Yun Shuyao pulled Chen Shi to sit: “Fine, I’ll stop teasing you. Sister-in-law, we finally meet today. These must be my nephew and niece.”

Chen Shi brought the two children over: “This is your aunt, this is your Cousin Luo Yu, Cousin Chen Yu.”

Yun Shuyao beamed: “Truly adorable as jade and snow.”

Yun Shuyao reached out to hold her niece. The girl wasn’t shy at all—after looking at her, she stretched out her hands to be held.

Even Chen Shi was somewhat surprised. Usually her daughter wasn’t so comfortable with strangers.

It seemed this was truly blood kinship.

Yun Heng smiled: “The niece resembles her aunt. Sister, look—doesn’t Ling’er look like you?”

Yun Shuyao had naturally noticed, smiling and nodding.

Chen Shi was a very gentle woman, just like the reflection of countless women of this era.

However, from her face one could see her days were comfortable.

Her days indeed made many envious.

She’d married her father’s student, gave birth to a son with the first child, her husband’s studies went smoothly—he passed the provincial examination, then became a second-class jinshi, received an official position. She leaped to become an official’s wife, then bore a daughter, completing the auspicious “good” character.

Moreover, to this day her husband had only her by his side.

This last point—who knew how many envied it?

They spoke of being virtuous, but which woman could truly not mind?

It was just that worldly circumstances were such—they had no choice.

Chen Shi felt something about this point.

Not only her—her husband’s younger brother also hadn’t taken concubines.

They harbored feelings about sister becoming a concubine back then.

Even though sister was doing well now, that was just good luck.

If luck had been bad, forget helping elevate the Yun family—she’d have been hard-pressed to protect herself.

What she’d seen and heard today—perhaps her husband could set his mind at ease.

Chen Yu and Luo Yu looked at these two younger siblings, feeling something marvelous in their hearts. Was this bloodline?

They’d previously gone to the Jia family and met the cousins there according to propriety, feeling nothing in their hearts. But today seeing these two younger siblings they also hadn’t met before, looking at their somewhat similar features, their hearts naturally felt affection. Even their speaking voices automatically became somewhat gentler.

At this time, dishes specially prepared by the kitchen were served one by one, including sweets Yun Shuyao had specifically requested the kitchen make for the children.

Compared to the Yun family’s usual fare, this was naturally richer.

The Yun family’s days couldn’t be called delicacies from land and sea, but they lived considerably more comfortably than other minor officials—not the best, but better than many. Yun Heng: “Looks like today I can feast well.”

At this time they didn’t observe strict rules about not speaking while eating.

Yun Heng said much—some situations he’d encountered in official circles, some news he knew, and some things he thought might be useful to the Lin family. For instance, he was very concerned about Luo Yu’s upcoming imperial selection.

His niece was beautiful. Seeing this filled his heart with pride, but worry was inevitable too.

The selection was a rule. One could apply for exemption, but such exemptions generally required reasons—illness, being over age, or other causes. If there were no reasons, if one had a suitable family in mind, with sufficient imperial favor it was also possible.

But as far as he knew, in terms of deep favor, the Lin family still lacked somewhat.

Lord Lin had ability, but having served as an official outside for many years, he was too far from the court’s center. Communicating news through correspondence was one thing, but speaking of how deep imperial favor was—it was somewhat shallow.

After the meal, they switched to tea and snacks and continued chatting. When Lin Ruhai came over, it became even livelier. Afterward for some official matters they specifically went to the outer study, not even bringing Chen Yu along.

Yun Shuyao led her sister-in-law to tour the garden, then dressed up her nephew and niece.

She’d brought back many novel little items, specially prepared for them.

From a distance, Concubine Mei saw the liveliness in the garden. She couldn’t help curling her lip, then turned and left.

Yun Shuyao noticed the movement and looked over. Oh, it was her.

However, seeing she didn’t want to invite snubs, upon seeing the situation here she went back.

Concubine Mei indeed didn’t want to invite snubs. Just a minor official—nothing special about that.

With her daughter’s good looks, after the selection she’d certainly marry into a better family. Perhaps she could go to the imperial family, and if she bore imperial sons and grandsons, that would bring glory to the ancestors…

After seeing off uncle and his family, Luo Yu returned to her courtyard. Ying Yu came from next door, along with Lin Xiao and Lin Zheng—daughters of Lin clan members serving as Lin Ruhai’s advisors.

They were also Ying Yu and Luo Yu’s study companions, attending classes and playing together with good relationships.

Luo Yu: “What was taught today?”

Ying Yu: “Nanny taught us a new melody and explained a needlework technique to us…” She recounted today’s content, gave her sister the notes, then mentioned the banquet in two days: “Second sister, will you send cards to anyone?”

The Lin family having returned to the capital, the old lady naturally would invite many female family members of old friends to gather. In the future when arranging marriages for grandchildren, she’d still need them to deploy their vast network of connections.

Predictably, it would be a very lively day.

The sisters also needed to help.

Luo Yu didn’t understand why elder sister asked this.

Ying Yu smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “I didn’t ask grandmother, but the Wu family sisters will come, right?”

Luo Yu: “Grandmother should send the Wu family a card.”

Ying Yu breathed a sigh of relief: “That’s good. I wonder if they’ve settled well in the capital.”

On the road, Ying Yu had gotten along well with the Wu family sisters.

The day quickly arrived.

This day was a rest day, which was why Lin Ruhai could invite people who had time to come.

He hadn’t yet been assigned an official position. Most others held positions—except for rest days, how could they spare time to come?

It must be said, though the banquet’s theme wasn’t food but flower appreciation, the Lin family’s dishes truly made eyes light up.

Capital dishes were there, as were dishes from other regions. Compared to what could be called monotonous dishes in the capital, today there were many fresh ones, some unheard of and unseen before.

For instance, small cakes and double-skin milk were very popular among the female guests.

If not inappropriate, people would ask for recipes.

The Lin family came from literati background and befriended mainly literati.

Here were Lin Ruhai’s examination sponsors, his fellow graduates, classmates, and fellow provincials. As soon as someone passed the jinshi examination, they gained many relationships they could interact with.

So the Jia family people were somewhat out of place here.

Today Wang Xifeng came, along with the Three Springs.

Of the two madams, one was unwell, the other had to care for Baoyu—neither came.

Daiyu had also sent cards to several young ladies.

Though she hadn’t talked much with the young ladies that day, Daiyu was deeply impressed by her several cousins. Taking this opportunity, she sent cards inviting them to come play.

Daiyu was today’s hostess, responsible for entertaining a group of companions around her age.

This made Ying Chun, Tan Chun, and Xi Chun all somewhat amazed.

She looked physically weak, her speaking voice not loud, yet she could receive all guests properly without any chaos. Truly impressive.

Ying Chun was fine, but Tan Chun watched with shining eyes.

Also attending today’s banquet were the two Wu family sisters encountered on the journey to the capital.

Traveling together to the capital, plus being relatives, they’d also received the old lady’s card. Here seeing so many people—high officials’ female family members they ordinarily had no way to access—their faces showed uncontrollable envy.

Under Ying Yu and Luo Yu’s hospitality, they played pitch-pot together and appreciated flowers together.

Then composing some poetry and painting pictures—time slipped away unknowingly.

Wang Xifeng didn’t pay attention to the children’s area. Looking at the crowd of imperially conferred women in the rear courtyard, she felt bitterness in her mouth.

Among those here, except for unmarried young ladies, far too many of the other women held imperial conferments. As someone without such status, she felt uncomfortable throughout.

After the eldest master passed away, Jia Lian could indeed inherit the title, but how long would that take?

Moreover, what would inheriting accomplish? Now it was a first-rank general. When Jia Lian inherited it would become third-rank, right? Unless he accomplished some incredible merit, the title couldn’t be elevated.

This was very difficult.

Beyond her discomfort, Wang Xifeng once again deeply realized the Lin family’s path differed from the Jia family’s.

The path the old Duke had wanted to take was precisely this one.

Only pity… he didn’t succeed.

The Lin family’s decor lacked the Jia family’s carved beams and painted rafters, the prevailing extravagant air, yet it most suited literati tastes.

Moreover, today’s banquet was nominally a flower appreciation banquet, appreciating blooming chrysanthemums—also a popular hobby among literati.

The old lady had people bring out that black chrysanthemum. Those who loved chrysanthemums couldn’t help but like it.

This banquet ended perfectly.

It announced that the Lin Manor had returned to the capital, rejoined social circles, and let people know the Lin family now had marriageable children. If suitable matches existed, they could start planning.

Returning home, Wang Xifeng vented by throwing things around the room for quite a while.

Ping’er had everyone else leave, keeping only herself.

Only after Wang Xifeng vented enough did she plop down. Today she’d truly invited snubs. Much of what many people said, she couldn’t understand. She couldn’t show ignorance either. Usually eloquent, today she’d barely said anything.

Also… she wanted an imperial conferment too.

When Jia Lian returned, Wang Xifeng looked at him coldly. His age wasn’t too great—picking up books again wasn’t impossible. But as soon as she raised this topic, Jia Lian fled, yanking open the curtain and running: “My good Second Mistress, you’re trying to kill me!”

Wang Xifeng was furious, crying to Ping’er: “Look at him! What man doesn’t think of bringing honor to wife and children through his achievements? He’s fine—only thinking of his own pleasure!”

Jia Lian also felt his life was bitter. Who had he provoked? The tigress at home managing him and not letting him find other women was one thing—he could secretly satisfy his cravings. But now she also wanted him to study?

He didn’t have that aptitude.

The Lin family?

The Lin family was different—they came from scholarly background with that talent. But his ancestors wielded swords and spears.

Forcing himself to study, he couldn’t absorb it. Moreover, Elder Brother Zhu had literally studied himself to death. With that lesson right before his eyes, he hadn’t lived enough yet.

With that spare time, he might as well purchase an official position.

Thinking this, he turned back. When Wang Xifeng heard him mention this, she wiped the tears from her face and actually agreed: “We’ll discuss this with the old ancestress tomorrow.”

When Second Lady Wang heard Jia Lian wanted to purchase an official position, her brow twitched: “Lian’er, what can be purchased is only a minor position. How could it compare to the Duke Manor’s reputation? Moreover, with so many household matters, we can’t do without you.”