Chapter 100 Najib Finds Another Concubine for the Master
After returning from Grandmother Jia's place, Lin Daiyu summoned Xueyan again: "The Earl of Zhongyong said he has found your family and restored your status. Do you want to go back? You have served me for so many years. If you want to restore your status, that is possible."
Xueyan paused for a moment before sighing, "Actually, when I accompanied you to the capital, my master said that I was afraid I would never be able to come back."
After saying this, Xueyan smiled again: "I came to serve you when I was six years old. To be honest, I've spent much more time with you than at home. Miss, would you mind if I continued to serve you?"
Lin Daiyu couldn't quite describe her feelings, but she was certainly happy. She said, "Go and tell Granny Wang. Her family has been found, and they've restored her status. If she wants to go back... she'll have to wait until I marry into the Marquis of Zhongyong's household."
Xueyan responded and went out to find Granny Wang.
When she relayed what the girl had said, Granny Wang reacted much more strongly, even her eyes reddened.
Granny Wang choked up as she said, "Back then, the master asked the two of us to accompany the young lady to the capital. Although he said we might not be able to come back, but..."
But Granny Wang never expected the Jia family to be like this.
On the surface, she and Xueyan appear to be an old woman and a young girl, but they were both handpicked by the master.
Xueyan is calm and insightful. Although she is young, she has been by the side of the girl since childhood and has met many dignitaries and nobles. She is able to make her own decisions.
Granny Wang was called the young lady's wet nurse, but she actually managed all the wet nurses. In wealthy families, there were usually at least four wet nurses, plus other servants, making a total of seven or eight. Granny Wang was in charge of all these people.
She wasn't there to serve others; she was there to manage the maids and the old women.
But to her surprise, upon meeting her, Grandmother Jia dismissed her with a single sentence: "You're too old; how can you still serve people?"
In a moment of carelessness, Wang Mama also thought that she should observe first, so Zijuan became the person in charge of the young lady's side.
Zijuan was from the Rongguo Mansion, and she knew the Jia family's unspoken rules better than Xueyan and Granny Wang.
In addition, Zijuan is indeed... She not only knows how to serve people, but she can also talk, and she dares to make decisions for the young lady, accompanying her wherever she goes.
After half a year, not to mention Xueyan, even Granny Wang had become: a clueless, incompetent, old and frail old woman who only knew how to rely on her age and come to Rongguo Mansion to live out her retirement.
Sometimes, her reputation was even worse than that of Jia Baoyu's Granny Li.
After the master died, none of the Lin family's servants and daughters survived. Wang Mama then became just like Li Mama, pretending to be a servant and wandering around all day.
"I'm going back." Granny Wang rubbed her red eyes. "Please thank the young lady for me. I have indeed failed the master's orders all these years."
Xueyan said, "It's just that it's not convenient to put her in the Rongguo Mansion. We have to wait until the young lady marries into the Zhongyong Earl's Mansion."
Granny Wang smiled and said, "We've waited all these years, what's a little longer? Please thank the young lady for me, and I'll kowtow to Lord Zhongyong again later. Sigh..."
Granny Wang sighed with a smile: "When I went to the capital, my grandson had just learned to speak. I wonder if he still remembers me."
When Xueyan returned to Lin Daiyu's room, she reported casually, "Wang Mama said she was going back. She even told me to thank Miss and to kowtow to Uncle Zhongyong. Uncle Zhongyong is such a good man."
Speaking of Mu Chuan, Lin Daiyu laughed: "Do you even need to tell me? How could I not know he's a good person?"
As April arrived, the weather grew hotter day by day, and everyone switched to wearing light clothing.
Since Jia Zheng twisted his ankle, he has been resting in Aunt Zhao's room, where Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhou, along with their maids, take care of him every day.
Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhou lived in the small east courtyard next to Madam Wang's main courtyard, and they had to pass through Madam Wang's main courtyard to get in and out.
Although Lady Wang was a devout Buddhist and appeared kind and gentle, her maids all looked at her with disdain. Previously, Aunt Zhao was very stingy with anything she wanted, including her comings and goings. But ever since Jia Zheng moved in, not only Aunt Zhao, but even the usually quiet Aunt Zhou found excuses to ask for quite a few things.
That day, Jia Zheng felt a little better, so he went out for some fresh air while leaning on his cane. As he walked along the covered corridor, he saw Jia Baoyu.
Jia Zheng was old, and he had twisted his ankle, so he didn't hit Jia Baoyu as hard as before. He only broke the skin and bled a little, unlike the last time when he was beaten until he was covered in blood.
But he could no longer go into the Grand View Garden, and there were only a few people in the outer study, so how could they take care of him? Therefore, Lady Wang left Jia Baoyu in her room so that he could rest and recover without worry.
In just over ten days, Jia Baoyu was able to go out with a cane.
The father and son's eyes met, and Jia Baoyu shuddered. He immediately wanted to run away, but his legs went weak.
Jia Zheng frowned: "You unfilial son! How dare you come out dressed so improperly! What kind of behavior is this! This courtyard is full of your mother and your concubines. Have you wasted all your time studying the classics?"
Even if those maids were under Jia Zheng's name, Jia Baoyu came out wearing his undergarments and openly flirted with his mother's maids. Jia Zheng was so angry that his lips started to tremble.
Especially with the example of Jin Chuan'er, Jia Huan's words immediately came to Jia Zheng's mind.
When the mother and maid failed to win her over, she forced the maid to jump into a well.
Jia Zheng's imposing presence grew stronger, and Jia Baoyu trembled again, wanting to defend himself but not knowing what to say.
It wasn't until Jia Zheng, leaning on his cane, trudged up to him that Jia Baoyu said, "The mistress inside told the maids to pack up their things because she thought I was taking up too much space, so I came out."
Jia Zheng sneered: "Last time I asked Xiren, you said it was the old lady who gave her the name. This time you came out without clothes on, and you said it was the madam who made you. I ask you, do you even know how old you are?"
Jia Baoyu fell silent again. He slowly followed Jia Zheng into Lady Wang's room.
"Master is here." Madam Wang hurriedly got up to greet him, and then instructed Yu Chuan'er, "Hurry up and help Master up."
Yu Chuan'er trembled slightly. The other day, Madam had said that she was meticulous and attentive to people, and asked her to serve Master in Madam's place.
But Yu Chuan'er always felt that when the mistress said she was serving, she was gritting her teeth. This was not serving at all; she wanted the master to take her away.
It's easy to guess that these past two days, Aunt Zhao and Aunt Zhou have been unruly, which angered the Madam. So, adding another maidservant to the master's room was the Madam's idea.
Yu Chuan was unwilling, but her sister was forced to jump into the well by the madam... Yu Chuan lowered her head and stepped forward, deliberately clumsily supporting Jia Zheng, hoping that the master would scold her for being stupid and let her escape this predicament.
Jia Zheng frowned, but Lady Wang didn't pay much attention. After all, if she continued to serve him as before, how could the master notice her? It was clear that Yu Chuan had taken her words to heart.
Madam Wang quickly smiled and said, "Yuchuan is usually very thoughtful, but I don't know what's wrong with her today. Perhaps she's feeling sorry for her husband."
Yu Chuan lowered her head even further. Jia Zheng was in a fit of anger and didn't take it to heart, but Jia Baoyu did hear it.
He glanced at Yu Chuan'er subconsciously, only to see her lower her head guiltily.
Jia Baoyu felt inexplicably sad. He recalled the last time Yu Chuan had treated him coldly, and he looked at his master, who was nearly sixty years old.
Jia Baoyu became angry.
Jia Zheng sat down in a chair by the window, his face stern, and said, "How old is he? Why is he still living in the inner courtyard? I think he's recovered, so I'll send him out."
Lady Wang was taken aback. Baoyu was her own son, but as soon as he could barely walk a few steps, he was taken to be raised by Grandmother Jia.
This was the longest period of time that Lady Wang had spent with Baoyu since he turned one year old.
Madam Wang frowned deeply, but she pretended to be calm and said, "What you say is true, sir. In that case, let Huan-ge'er move out too. He's almost fifteen, and it's really inappropriate for him to still be living with Aunt Zhao."
Jia Zheng nodded: "Indeed, he should be told to move out." He glanced at Yu Chuan'er, "Go and call Aunt Zhao here."
Yu Chuan'er didn't look up the whole time and went to the east courtyard to invite Aunt Zhao over.
Madam Wang said calmly, "I know you are reluctant to part with Huan'er, but he is getting old, and it is not proper for him to still live in the backyard. How about we ask him to move out?"
For the past few years, Aunt Zhao has been thinking about how to cause trouble when the master comes back. She has prepared various scenarios, tones, and answers, and has even acted them out in front of the mirror many times.
Upon hearing this, she immediately raised her head and looked at Madam Wang with delight: "Thank you, Madam. Huan'er is getting old, and the backyard is not suitable for him to live in. It's too noisy. He usually reads and writes, and I don't dare to stay in the room for fear of disturbing him."
The master has been gone for almost three years, and Huan-ge is still living in the backyard. Is this Huan-ge's fault? Is it because she doesn't want to find a courtyard for Huan-ge?
That can only mean that the wife refuses.
Aunt Zhao looked at Jia Zheng and said with a smile, "Huan'er should have his own courtyard now. There's no need for an inner or outer study. Three quiet rooms will suffice for him to study properly."
These words reminded Jia Zheng again. He glared at Jia Baoyu. He had had his own study room and inner study room since he learned to read, but had he studied properly? No!
Even if Madam Wang was stupid, she felt something was wrong. But she was unwilling to give up, so she ordered, "Call Huan'er and ask him too."
Before long, Jia Huan came over, but he wasn't very good-looking. Compared to him, Jia Zheng felt that Jia Baoyu was more handsome.
"Ahem." Jia Zheng cleared his throat and shouted sternly, "Get out of here and put your clothes on!"
Aunt Zhao lowered her head, inwardly scoffing: What is this? He once held my hand and talked to me about our relationship.
When Lady Wang repeated what she had just said, Jia Huan thanked her profusely. He had long wanted to move out. Having his own place would make everything more convenient, and he wouldn't have to cross the entire Grand View Garden to gamble with Ying'er anymore.
However, Jia Huan was close to Jia Lan, so he hesitated for a moment and then said, "Madam, Lan-ge'er should move out too. He usually lives in the Grand View Garden and doesn't dare to come out much; he always avoids people."
Jia Zheng sneered, disregarding Lady Wang's feelings, and said directly, "I was away for three years and told you to take good care of them. Is this how you took care of them? Your son and grandson, you didn't care about either of them. What have you been doing for the past three years? Chanting Amitabha Buddha?"
Madam Wang was so embarrassed she almost fainted.
Jia Zheng stood up. Jia Huan, who was usually looked down upon, was quite adept at reading people's expressions and ingratiating himself. He moved closer to Jia Zheng and said with a smile, "Father, it's just right for you to hold my shoulder."
Lady Wang subconsciously looked at Jia Baoyu, and upon seeing him, she was furious again. Why did he look like a fool?
Since Jia Zheng had given the order, a secluded courtyard was quickly found.
This courtyard, located between Jia Zheng and Jia Baoyu's outer study, was originally the residence of Zhao Mama, one of the four wet nurses of the Jia family. It was a three-courtyard compound, with the front courtyard for servants and the back courtyards for Jia Huan and Jia Lan, each having their own.
This arrangement is rather unbecoming of a master, and they are even less comfortable than some of the old women. However, Grandmother Jia said, "They are still young and this is the first time they have been away from their mother. Let them live together for now, and we will gradually tidy up their courtyards once they get used to it."
As for Granny Zhao, she was moved to the small courtyard that Zhou Rui's family originally lived in at the back.
Granny Zhao feigned sadness, but secretly chuckled to her family, "Why are we being told to move? It must be because we're going to be part of Miss Lin's dowry! Let's pack our things, throw away what needs to be thrown away, sell what needs to be sold, and then we'll be going to live a good life at the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion!"
Zhao Mama's son also laughed and said, "The Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion has been around for less than a year. There isn't a single senior old woman yet; they're just waiting for you to come."
In short, apart from Lady Wang's failed complaint and subsequent defeat at the hands of the general, and Jia Baoyu being moved to the cold outer courtyard again, the rest of the people involved were quite satisfied.
In mid-April, the two matchmakers came again.
This time it was Naji, that is, Mu Chuan who placed the birth dates of the two people in the ancestral hall of Linjia Village. Three days later, the ceremony was considered complete. On Lin Daiyu's side, the two matchmakers would send some gifts and a pair of wild geese.
Madam Wan smiled and said, "The Marquis of Zhongyong didn't come today, so please don't send someone to call him."
The very first sentence made Lin Daiyu blush.
Madam Song sighed again, saying that they were a perfect match, and that such a beautiful girl should indeed be the Earl of Zhongyong.
"What are you saying?" Madam Song laughed. "Isn't that just how young girls are? They can't say it to your face, but they always end up saying something at the last minute."
She didn't let me off the hook either.
Lin Daiyu feigned composure, but her voice, lacking confidence, betrayed her: "We're talking about serious matters."
"Seriously, seriously." The two ladies exchanged a glance, neither of them taking it seriously.
Madam Wan cleared her throat and said, "After the auspicious date is chosen, it is the betrothal ceremony, which is the sending of betrothal gifts. After that, the wedding date will be set and discussed, and then you can get married."
Lin Daiyu hesitated for a moment. Every date in this marriage was calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau at the Emperor's request. It was said that there was still a step to discuss the wedding date, but in reality, it had already been decided.
She was just too embarrassed to ask her third brother, always feeling that he was going to take the opportunity to do something.
Perhaps...
"I wonder when the wedding date will be?" Lin Daiyu's eyes darted around, almost disappearing from the Grand View Garden.
Madam Wan smiled and said, "I don't know yet, the wedding date hasn't arrived. But generally speaking, after the betrothal gifts are sent, the wedding should take place within two months at the latest."
Before Lin Daiyu could ask any further questions, Madam Song interjected, "Then when should we set the date?"
Although the two were exchanging questions and answers, their eyes were glued to Lin Daiyu's face.
Lin Daiyu knew that it wouldn't be good to lower her head, and it would be even worse to look at him. She muttered to herself, "I don't know when to hold the wedding ceremony."
The two ladies smiled broadly.
Madam Wan said, "We will send the betrothal gifts before May, set the wedding date in early June, and get married at the end of July. The Earl of Zhongyong is worried that it will be too hot for you in the summer, so the young lady will eat mooncakes at the Earl of Zhongyong's residence this Mid-Autumn Festival."
Lin Daiyu immediately thought of Yunnan ham mooncakes.
Madam Song chuckled twice, then deliberately said, "We're telling you this in private so you can prepare your clothes. After all, whether or not you need to add a cotton lining to your wedding dress depends on the weather, doesn't it?"
Well, to put it another way, these words were clearly meant to tease her.
Lin Daiyu said, "I'll accompany the two ladies to see the wild geese."
Madam Wan smiled even more happily: "No need, no need. The Marquis of Zhongyong didn't come today, so we don't need to watch the wild geese."
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