Chapter 94 Hitting a Child on a Rainy Day (Part 1) "Do you have a favorite...?"

Lin Daiyu visited five households of servants in one morning. The largest household had thirty-two people, while the smallest household only had a brother and sister, who had been bought in recent years. The brother was twenty and the sister was seventeen.

Grandmother Jia then instructed her beloved granddaughter: "You need to take a few girls of marriageable age with you. It's impossible for the Earl of Zhongyong not to have maids around him. If any of them have bad intentions, you should marry them off to a young man. Also, there are the stewards in the Earl of Zhongyong's mansion. The stewards are definitely getting old, but they have sons. If you marry your maids to them, the stewards will be on your side."

Lin Daiyu didn't take it to heart at all. She had heard her third brother mention it several times: the Zhongyong Earl's family mostly had long-term labor contracts, which, strictly speaking, meant they were hired workers and not considered slaves. Their children were also commoners and not considered slaves.

As for the stewards, most of them were officials who had made meritorious contributions. The guard who taught Jia Baoyu basic skills last time was also a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Judging from his grandmother's expression, she was unaware of these things. This was understandable; Jia Baoyu was completely ignorant of officialdom and economics. He only heard what it meant for a fifth-rank official to serve as a guard in the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion.

There was no good explanation for this. Lin Daiyu simply nodded and said, "I've done a good job with Qingwen. I want to take her with me. I heard she only has one brother and one sister-in-law. She can come with them too."

Grandmother Jia had anticipated this, and immediately smiled kindly: "Indeed, there are few embroiderers in the capital with such good skills as Qingwen. Take her there and let the Earl of Zhongyong's mansion see what true refinement is."

But Qingwen wasn't part of the Rongguo Mansion's inner circle; she was a maid bought by Granny Lai. Her skill was entirely due to her amazing talent and hard work.

Besides, how could the craftsmanship of the people from the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion be lacking?

She leisurely visited five houses in the morning, and Grandmother Jia had something to say to each one, something to point out.

By noon, only about one or two out of ten people in the courtyard had seen the sights. Looking at the expectant and anxious eyes below, Grandmother Jia was satisfied.

She stood up first and said with a smile, "That's about enough for today. Let's watch it again when we have time."

When I had free time, it was gone for several days.

Lin Daiyu went boating on the lake with Miss Song, then went into the palace again, and even went out for a stroll on her own. It rained for two days after they returned, so in ten days, she only got to see the lake twice.

"The old lady is really..." Wang Xifeng squinted, unable to come up with a good word for a long time. "She's an ancestor, and she still wants to take this little bit of money from us. She even has to drag Lin Daiyu out as a shield. She's really something."

Who can argue with that?

The Rongguo Mansion was already in turmoil. The second master was dismissed from his post, the empress in the palace was confined to her quarters, and the emperor took back the large Ningguo Mansion next door, causing widespread panic.

If Grandmother Jia pulls another stunt like this, it will make things even more precarious, and wouldn't that just create more chaos?

“Grandma…” Ping’er hesitated for a moment, “She couldn’t possibly want the Rongguo Mansion to become even more chaotic, could she?”

Wang Xifeng was stunned upon hearing this. She suddenly laughed a few times, her tone tinged with resentment: "She might really think that way. The money is all in the hands of the servants. Yuanyang said last time that the old lady only has about 300,000 taels of silver left. We want the money, and she wants it too. But after giving it to Lin Daiyu as dowry, how can there be enough left to go around?"

Ping'er leaned closer and gently massaged Wang Xifeng's temples: "Second Madam, don't think about anything else for now, let's get our dowry back first."

Wang Xifeng closed her eyes and thought for a long time before saying, "I'll call Xiaohong over later. I can't go directly to see Lin Zhixiao's wife; I need her to pass on the message. I'll also go see if they have any new tea this year. Lin-meimei likes light tea, so I need a reason to go see her."

"Go and bring Sister You back."

Hearing this, Ping'er panicked: "Why bother? Wouldn't it be better to make her a mistress? Once she's brought in, she'll have a legitimate status. She just lost her child, so she must harbor resentment."

"What I want is her hatred. Our courtyard needs to be in chaos so I can escape what's going on outside."

Ping'er sighed: "Then you shouldn't go. I'll bring people to pick you up."

Wang Xifeng added, "And Sister Shan, also tell her to serve Sister You Er."

Last time, when Sister Shan was kicked in the mouth by Wang Xifeng, not only did her flesh rot, but she also lost two teeth, which haven't healed yet. She can't even speak properly, and her face looks frightening.

However, since she had said that Second Sister You would cause trouble, and the atmosphere in Rongguo Mansion was becoming stranger day by day, Ping'er also felt that it was better to stay away, so she immediately ordered some people to go out.

After the maid brought the tea, Wang Xifeng took the things and went to Lin Daiyu's place.

Lin Daiyu had just finished her calligraphy practice for the day and was now looking at Mu Chuan's lessons.

"There has indeed been progress; they haven't fooled me." Lin Daiyu's lips curled up. She called Xueyan over and instructed, "Have someone go to the Wuyue Guild Hall and order some braised bamboo shoots to be delivered later."

Xueyan went out to give instructions, and a maidservant came over and said, "Second Madam Lian has arrived."

Lin Daiyu went to the main room and saw Wang Xifeng looking at her with a smile: "I haven't seen you for a few days, you've grown taller?"

"If I could really grow taller in a few days, that would be great." Lin Daiyu was originally quite satisfied with her height, but after going out with Mu Chuan twice, when she walked next to him, she couldn't see his face when she looked up, and when she followed behind him, she could only barely see his neck when she looked up.

Only by tilting your head back can you see the expression on his face.

Although it wasn't hard to guess what her third brother's expression was like, it would be nice if she could grow a little taller.

Wang Xifeng was just exchanging pleasantries and didn't continue the conversation. She handed over the tea leaves in her hand: "This is newly acquired tea. They say it's irrigated with spring water from Yuquan Mountain. I guess it's just a gimmick, but this tea has a fragrant aroma, a slightly bitter taste with a sweet aftertaste, so I brought some for you."

"Just call a maid. It's starting to drizzle again outside." Lin Daiyu glanced out the window. The sky wasn't dark, but that's how spring is—a light drizzle that never stops.

Wang Xifeng chuckled a few times: "Ahem, tea is just a pretext; I have a few words I'd like to say to you... I'm afraid we'll be asking your name soon, won't we?"

Lin Daiyu was indeed looking forward to getting married, but the education she received from childhood meant that when a woman said she was looking forward to getting married, it was considered ungrateful.

She lowered her head and said softly, "Last time I went to the palace, Her Majesty said it would be March 25th."

"It won't be long." Wang Xifeng chuckled inwardly. The old matriarch really was a woman who used things and then discarded them; she hadn't even known about this.

She was a decisive person to begin with, so she didn't bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point: "I see you've been picking out people these past few days. I've managed the household for so many years, and no one is better at picking people than me. But since it's your wedding, the people you choose have to be to your liking. I'll just say what I think, and you can use them if you want, or just use them to pass the time."

Lin Daiyu sat up slightly: "Sister Feng, please speak freely."

"Don't choose someone too old, especially someone who has been a servant for generations. They're used to being arrogant and domineering. If they go to the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion, they'll inevitably act like they own the place. You've only just married into the family and haven't even settled in yet. Don't get into a conflict with the Marquis of Zhongyong over something like this."

She said something different from what her maternal grandmother said. Although Lin Daiyu knew that both sides had their own plans, at least what Sister Feng said was clearly better for her.

“Sister Feng is right,” Lin Daiyu said, laughing again. “But I bet once they see the Zhongyong Marquis’s mansion with their own eyes, they won’t dare to act so arrogantly anymore.”

Wang Xifeng knew that Lin Daiyu had visited the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion several times. Hearing her say this, she laughed along. She did want to cause some trouble for the old lady, but she didn't intend to dig a pit for Lin Daiyu to fall into.

"Next, don't look for families with wet nurses. The rules of Rongguo Mansion are different from other places. No family treats wet nurses as masters. If you want to find such people, they will definitely put on airs at the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion."

Lin Daiyu chuckled twice more. Now that she was more relaxed, she asked, "Where did this rule come from?"

Wang Xifeng laughed a few times: "I don't know either. We entered the Rongguo Mansion one after the other, not even two years apart. How would I know something you don't know?"

"Anything else?" Lin Daiyu offered some snacks.

"That's all," Wang Xifeng said. "Don't choose families with too many people. If they really rebel, they'll be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, and you'll have no one to rely on."

Although Wang Xifeng spoke with a smile, her occasional sharpness made Lin Daiyu feel heartbroken.

What are these three points? They represent the blood, sweat, and tears that her housekeeper has endured over many years.

"I understand," Lin Daiyu said with a smile. She got up and took a small rosewood box from the antique shelf. "This is saffron given by the Marquis of Zhongyong. Sister Feng should know about this medicine. I drink it occasionally, and it's quite good."

"This..." Wang Xifeng was hesitant to accept it. If the tea she gave her was copper coins, then this saffron was gold.

"I can't finish it all, it would be such a waste to let it go bad."

Wang Xifeng then stopped refusing: "I don't know how to thank you enough. Although I don't manage the household these days, I can still do a couple of things. Just tell me what you need."

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Then I'll remember that."

After speaking, Lin Daiyu saw Wang Xifeng out, and Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "It's raining, don't get your shoes dirty."

"Then I won't see you off." Lin Daiyu turned and went back.

As Wang Xifeng walked past the Grand View Pavilion, she hesitated for a while, wondering whether she should go back and tell Lin Daiyu that the ginseng in the Ginseng Nourishing Pill that Madam Wang had prescribed for her earlier had been adulterated.

Otherwise, how could someone eat ginseng every day and still become less energetic and weaker?

However, Wang Xifeng wasn't entirely sure; it was actually just her guess.

During that time, the second wife always said that she didn't recognize ginseng. Others might have believed her, but both of them came from the Wang family and didn't know how to recognize ginseng.

At that time, Wang Xifeng guessed who her aunt, who was all talk and no action, was planning to harm.

The old lady had her own ginseng, and she needed ginseng to make medicine. Moreover, the only person she ate regularly was Lin Daiyu.

But there's no need to talk about it now. She's getting married soon, and she'll have no further contact with the second wife.

Most importantly, now that I've said this, how can I explain that she already knew? I can't bring myself to say those three words.

Wang Xifeng hesitated for a moment, then went back.

No sooner had she left than another person emerged from the bushes – it was Zijuan.

Zijuan always remembered what Xiren had told her: Xueyan harbored resentment towards the young lady, so she had to come and beg the young lady to let her go back. Not for any other reason than that she couldn't do without a loyal maidservant by her side.

But for some reason, the old women who used to be completely careless about the garden now seem to want to grow two more eyes to keep an eye on the main courtyard.

Zijuan came out every day, but still couldn't find an opportunity.

It was so rare for it to rain these past two days, and then Second Grandma Lian came again. She found an opportunity and hid behind trees and in the bushes, making herself look incredibly disheveled, but at least she managed to get in.

Zijuan reached behind her.

She also remembered that the girl loved rainy days the most, and would always recite "Leaving the withered lotus to listen to the sound of rain". At this time, the girl would definitely be sitting alone by the window, staring at the raindrops dripping from the eaves, and would watch for an entire afternoon.

Zijuan's face was already smiling; she was about to see Miss Lin.

Zijuan crouched low, dodging and weaving, until she reached the window: "Miss."

ah?

Where is the girl?

Voices could be heard coming from inside the house, and Zijuan crouched down in the corner again, listening carefully.

Xueyan: "Miss, you'll need to send another pair of geese in a couple of days."

The girl's voice sounded somewhat flustered: "I'll give it away then, just tell someone to take good care of it."

Xueyan's laughter came from inside the house again: "It's a good thing that the girl ordered a big shed to be built at the beginning, and that there are a total of five pairs of geese."

"Have you prepared the return gift for asking my name? Use the ice-patterned plum blossom jade tablet that Marquis Zhongyong gave me last time to write my birth date and time."

Zijuan felt dizzy and disoriented. What did this mean?

What's her name? Is the young lady going to marry into the Zhongyong Earl's family? What will happen to her? What will happen to Master Bao?

She got—

Zijuan hesitated for a moment, then lifted her skirt and ran to the front yard. She had to ask Master Bao for help!

Zijuan was holding back her emotions, and she walked quite quickly. Although the old women at the main gate and the second gate of the Grand View Garden saw her, they did not stop her.

The main reason is that these days Lin Daiyu either goes out on her own or always sends her maids out to give her orders, and the old woman has gotten used to it.

Zijuan was now focused on finding Jia Baoyu, and she seemed quite self-righteous. Who would have thought that she had secretly run away on her own?

Zijuan has already arrived at the front yard.

Today was a lucky day; Jia Zheng wasn't watching Jia Baoyu. After all, watching a child do his homework is a hassle for anyone, and he needed some space to do his own thing.

When Jia Baoyu moved to the front courtyard, he brought two maids, Xiren and Sheyue. The adult servants couldn't stay with the maids, so there were only maids and old women doing menial tasks in the courtyard, making a total of five people.

Five people couldn't possibly serve Jia Baoyu all he needed, so while he was writing, everyone took the opportunity to rest.

Zijuan walked all the way to Jia Baoyu's window. By this time, she had calmed down a bit, but she was still a little shaken.

"Why was the Second Master's study renamed?"

Jia Baoyu hurriedly came out of the room, took Zijuan's hand, and said as his first words, "Keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear."

He pulled Zijuan to a corner and complained, "Don't even mention it, it was Master who changed it. Master said that there is a path to the mountain of books, and diligence is the way; the sea of ​​learning is boundless, and hard work is the boat, so he changed my perfectly good Qixianzhai to Qinkuzhai."

He finished speaking and then noticed that Zijuan's hair was wet: "Why didn't you use an umbrella? What if you get sick? It's really hateful. Fangguan, Qiuwen and Bihen, we used to be so close, but when I was locked up in the front yard by the master, they didn't even come to see me."

Zijuan subconsciously sensed something was wrong, but still asked, "Has Second Master seen our young lady these days?"

Jia Baoyu sighed, "Her cough has flared up, so she's staying indoors to avoid inhaling cold air."

Zijuan pulled her hand away and bit her lip: "Second Master, Miss...Miss is engaged."

After she finished speaking, she paused and added, "With Zhongyong Bo."

Jia Baoyu's eyes widened as he looked at Zijuan in disbelief: "Grandma said that the Lin family has all died out, and Sister Feng also said that from now on, Sister Lin will live in our house permanently."

Zijuan just looked at him without saying a word. Jia Baoyu staggered back two steps: "Sister Lin, Sister Lin!" He suddenly reached out and grabbed Zijuan again. "I said I would turn to ashes with her. Didn't you tell her? I said that after she died, I would become a monk. Has she forgotten all of that?"

Just as Zijuan was about to speak again, Mingyan ran in from outside. Seeing Jia Baoyu pulling Zijuan, she hurriedly came up and said, "Master is here! He just came out of the second gate. My good second master, you'd better let go of his hand quickly, or Master will beat you!"

Seeing that Jia Baoyu didn't move, Mingyan went up and pulled Zijuan away: "You hurry up and go around through the alley behind, so the master doesn't see you. Don't let the whole courtyard get punished because of this!"

Zijuan frowned, let out a heavy sigh, and walked away, turning back every few steps.

Jia Baoyu was pulled back to the study by Mingyan. Seeing that he was still in a daze, Mingyan stamped his foot and exclaimed, "Master is here! Second Master Bao, Master is here!"

Jia Baoyu shivered and became slightly more lucid.

However, due to the long delay, Jia Zheng arrived before Mingyan could leave.

With a glare, Jia Baoyu dared not relapse into his delusions.

"How come you've already started causing trouble again after I've only been gone for half a day?"

Jia Baoyu shuddered in fright, and Mingyan had to defend himself. Fortunately, their Second Master Bao was the kind of person who wouldn't argue too much with whatever he said.

"The Second Master asked me to fetch the books from upstairs. I was wondering whether to find a ladder to come in or stand on a stool."

When Jia Zheng looked up, he saw that the top shelf of the bookshelf contained Zhu Xi's books, including his collected works, poems, essays, and so on.

Although this material wasn't tested in the imperial examinations, the Four Books Annotated was written by Zhu Xi. Reading his other works can also help in understanding the Four Books Annotated.

Jia Zheng nodded in satisfaction: "You do know how to study. Don't rush to look at those things, finish reading the Four Books first. You may leave now."

Mingyan was covered in cold sweat. Knowing she had passed this time, she didn't dare to lift her head and backed out.

Jia Zheng looked at his son, who would be eighteen in less than a month. Although he had not yet reached adulthood, according to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, fifteen years old was considered the age of adulthood.

Perhaps it was the melancholy brought by the misty rain that prompted Jia Zheng to ask, "You're getting on in years, there should be two people in your house. Do you have a maid you like? I'll arrange for her to stay in your room."

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Author's note: I didn't get to play today, I'll continue tomorrow.