Chapter 80 Grandmother Jia Teaches Four Virtues: "I'm getting married."
Grandmother Jia patted Lin Daiyu's hand again, her smile kind and gentle.
After all, Grandmother Jia was a noblewoman. She ate well, so her face wouldn't be too gaunt. She lived a life of luxury every day and was very fair-skinned. Her smile was also very deceptive.
“I know that marrying Zhongyong is a disservice to you. He comes from a poor family, and his parents are uncouth people.”
Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "How could it be a grievance?" Third Brother treats her so well. If she really marries Jia Baoyu, she will have a lot of elders above her. That would be a grievance.
However, she was not going to marry Jia Baoyu, so her maternal grandmother really didn't intend for her to suffer any injustice.
No wonder she was her grandmother, who claimed to love her the most.
"I know, I know everything." Grandmother Jia patted Lin Daiyu's hand tenderly. "You were just a tiny little thing when you came into this world, and now you're old enough to get married. What a pity..."
Unfortunately, she didn't say what was wrong, but changed the subject: "Where were we? Oh right, the four virtues of a woman. After talking about a woman's speech and appearance, there are also a woman's virtue and her work."
Lin Daiyu couldn't hold back and looked at her maternal grandmother in surprise. What did she mean by "having finished speaking about womanly words and appearance"?
So, a woman's words are just deceiving people, and a woman's appearance is just pretending that Xue Baoqin is more beautiful than me?
Grandmother Jia nodded: "The Four Virtues are what people expect of women. We can't believe them completely, but we can't completely disregard them either. I married into the Jia family from the Shi family and became the Duchess of the State, all thanks to these Four Virtues. Now I'll teach them all to you."
Although she only heard two of them, Lin Daiyu had only one thought: her maternal grandmother deeply believed in these four virtues, mostly because her maternal grandfather died young and she was the eldest in the family.
"Women's virtues and moral character are mainly for others to see. For example, you can give away porridge to help people or run free clinics. You need to let people see your compassion. Next is faith. Like your second aunt, she is a Buddhist."
Lin Daiyu thought for a moment and asked, "I've never seen my maternal grandmother believe in this?"
Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "I'm already a mother-in-law, I don't need this."
Lin Daiyu immediately recalled what her third brother had said before: "Religion has nothing to do with seeking truth from facts," and "In noble families, those who believe in Buddhism mostly do so for show." She also recalled her second aunt's assessment: "She is probably the most deceitful person in the Rongguo Mansion."
Lin Daiyu's face turned strange again; it was probably true that her maternal grandfather had died young. Her maternal grandmother's explanation, let alone anyone else, would certainly not fool her third brother.
But thinking about it this way, Lin Daiyu's respect for Grandmother Jia seems to have diminished somewhat.
Is the Rongguo Mansion some kind of den of dragons and tigers? She is the most senior member of the Jia family, why would she need to resort to such schemes and tricks?
Third Brother doesn't need underhanded tricks... Third Brother has the strength, so he probably uses open strategies?
"Ahem," Lin Daiyu quickly suppressed the smile that was about to burst from her face, put on an eager expression, and hesitated a little: "But the Earl of Zhongyong came back from Pingnan Town, and he personally arrested a lot of chieftains. I'm afraid he won't believe in Buddhism."
Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu realized that her maternal grandmother was inflexible, always sticking to one solution for everything, while her maternal grandfather...
Grandmother Jia thought for a moment and said, "He will believe sooner or later. The emperor governs the country with filial piety, and the royal family also has its own ancestral temple. However, if he does not believe in Buddhism, you might as well try to persuade him to believe in Taoism. You have been to Qingxu Temple. Zhang the Taoist priest is a substitute for your maternal grandfather. Everyone in the capital calls him the Old Immortal."
Lin Daiyu felt a little uncomfortable again. This substitute didn't seem to be very effective, especially since her maternal grandfather had died so young. ... She couldn't think about this anymore; after all, he was her maternal grandfather.
"Your health isn't good either," Grandmother Jia sighed. "You've only gotten better these past two years as you've grown a bit. I'll find you a substitute and arrange for you to stay at Qingxu Temple, so you can perform some rituals from time to time. I remember you were quite interested when we went to Qingxu Temple last time."
Besides, having a stand-in will provide more means of transmitting messages in the future.
How can it be just interest?
If a person doesn't leave the house for years, let alone go to Qingxu Temple, even going to the cemetery... no, I really don't want to go there, it's all my third brother's fault!
Lin Daiyu chuckled twice and made up a random remark: "Last time we went to Qingxu Temple, that Taoist priest Zhang said that Baoyu was not destined to marry early."
Grandmother Jia's expression stiffened slightly. She deliberately chuckled twice and said, "I know that you and Baoyu grew up together and have a deep sibling bond. But you are cousins after all. In front of the Marquis of Zhongyong, don't call him Baoyu. Just call him cousin."
It's too late.
Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "Grandmother, don't worry. Third Brother has his own methods."
However, upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu felt both relieved and somewhat saddened.
The grandmother never mentioned the marriage agreement, which suggests that the letter her father wrote about the marriage agreement had been destroyed.
Judging from this, if it weren't for her third brother, dying of illness in the Rongguo Mansion would have been the best ending for her.
“Yes.” Grandmother Jia abruptly changed the subject. “Since he doesn’t believe in Buddhism, a large family should still have a family temple, or a nunnery, just like our family. We can keep some monks, nuns and Taoist priests, so that when we go out, we can not only have something to talk about with people, but also avoid being laughed at.”
Lin Daiyu thought about it and realized that she hadn't seen a single nun, monk, or Taoist priest at the last banquet she attended.
And last time I went to a charity sale with my third brother, there was no one in the room that was decorated like a Buddhist shrine.
During these two visits to the palace, one to the Empress's bedroom and the other to the study, there were no religious decorations whatsoever.
She nodded, which showed that nuns, Taoist priests, and monks were not necessities. If one truly believed, that was fine, but if it was fake, there was no need to bring it up.
Seeing Lin Daiyu's reaction, Grandmother Jia felt even more gratified. Although there had been a slight estrangement at the beginning, she was, after all, her beloved granddaughter who had grown up in the Rongguo Mansion. Upon hearing the news of her impending marriage, she was bound to be frightened, and in doing so, she would inevitably seek comfort from her grandmother.
After all, besides herself, who else in the Rongguo Mansion was kind to her?
"You are extremely intelligent," Grandmother Jia concluded. "You also have a stubborn streak, always thinking you are the best. But after all, there are always people better than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding. It's fine at home, since we are all your sisters, and they won't do anything to you. But you can't do that after you marry into another family. In this world, men are the most respected. You must respect the Marquis of Zhongyong and not argue with him."
Why didn't she show respect to her third brother? She's been calling him her third uncle.
Lin Daiyu quickly lowered her head, as she couldn't hide the smile on her face. If her grandmother saw it, it would be difficult to explain.
"Finally, regarding women's work, the most important thing is to be a good wife and mother, and to do needlework—" Grandmother Jia suddenly remembered Qingwen. She had borrowed Qingwen at the end of last year. Why was that?
But the two were talking at the moment, and Grandmother Jia didn't have time to think it over carefully. She said, "One person's strength is limited. I'll find you a few capable maids to accompany you later. They can help you manage the household and won't let you suffer any losses. The maids who come with you as part of your dowry must also be carefully selected."
Lin Daiyu sighed, especially about the last part about the maidservant. Her grandmother had all sorts of motives in saying all of this, but she was not doing it for her own good.
"I'm doing this for your own good," Grandmother Jia sighed. "The Lin family is finished. If I don't think about things for you, who will?"
These words may not seem like much, but they should be said by her maternal family. Her maternal grandmother was not a member of the Lin family, and the Rongguo Mansion was not her maternal family either.
When her third brother asked her, he said that the Jia family was a different family, and that the Empress had bestowed the marriage directly upon her, without mentioning the name Jia at all.
They all treated the Jia family as her temporary residence, so her grandmother's plan was bound to fail.
Just as Lin Daiyu was wondering how to reply and how to take her leave, Amber, who was guarding the door, suddenly came in: "Grandma, Miss Lin, the Marquis of Zhongyong has arrived."
Lin Daiyu laughed, but after realizing her own reaction, she became somewhat shy and quickly lowered her head so that no one could see the expression on her face.
Grandmother Jia frowned and said in a deep voice, "This Marquis Zhongyong, who is said to be of peasant origin, really doesn't know any manners. How can he show his face to people at a time like this? Yu'er, what do you think?"
Lin Daiyu thought it was right.
He arrived in just a few words; he was clearly following behind the palace maid. He... just wanted to see me blush.
"Hmm." Lin Daiyu felt her face burning again, a different feeling from when her third brother asked her if she was willing that day.
Third brother is so annoying!
...It's not that I really dislike it.
But Lin Daiyu was unwilling to accept her grandmother's suggestion. She said softly, "Then why not call him Baoyu... He might not be up to the task. How about Lian Erge? Or perhaps my eldest and second uncles could try to persuade Zhongyong Bo?"
Grandmother Jia froze.
There are only four men in her family, and she can't rely on any of them!
Even so, Grandmother Jia still had to be stubborn, as she couldn't lose face: "After all, he comes from a farming background. His house doesn't even have a proper gate, let alone a second gate. No wonder he has no manners. How about this, Yu'er, you go and persuade him. If he continues like this, people will laugh at him."
Lin Daiyu stood up, still slightly bowing her head: "Grandmother, shall I go?"
Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Go ahead, and come back soon."
After Lin Daiyu left, Grandmother Jia glanced at Amber.
Yuanyang definitely cannot be part of the dowry. Amber has served Yu'er for a period of time and is a servant of the Rongguo Mansion. Her loyalty is not a problem, and she is capable. Apart from not being particularly outstanding in appearance, she is good in every other way.
Who else is in her room? And who is useful in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion?
Grandmother Jia squinted and began to carefully consider her options.
Lin Daiyu walked towards the front yard, initially quite quickly, but the closer she got to the front yard, the slower and smaller her steps became.
"What are you afraid of?" The weather was nice, and Mu Chuan stood in the courtyard, watching Daiyu slowly inching her way out, thoroughly enjoying the view. "What, do you think I'm going to eat you?"
Lin Daiyu glared at him, her soft and gentle demeanor quite endearing.
“I am sweet, and Third Brother doesn’t like sweets.”
It's not that we can't try something different.
Mu Chuan laughed and said, "Shall we go for a stroll? How about we offer incense to my father-in-law and mother-in-law?"
Lin Daiyu blushed at a visible speed: "What...father-in-law and mother-in-law? Third Brother is always one to push his luck."
Her voice was soft, and she didn't lift her head, so Mu Chuan could only hear that she was speaking, but he couldn't hear what she was saying.
"Let's go." Mu Chuan took it as a yes.
As he took a step forward, Lin Daiyu subconsciously followed. After a couple of steps, she burst out laughing, "My grandmother won't let me go out with you."
Mu Chuan looked at Daiyu walking beside him and asked, "So, do you want to?"
Lin Daiyu blushed and glanced at him, saying, "I'll tell you—you decide for yourself."
The two walked to the carriage. Lin Daiyu was used to riding in this carriage, so she didn't need anyone's help and got in and sat down by herself.
Before she could even settle in, Lin Daiyu felt the carriage sway twice. She instinctively grabbed the sides and saw her third brother get on.
"Third Brother, what are you doing? Didn't you ride a horse?"
Mu Chuan lied through his teeth: "It's dark in the carriage, and I'm afraid you'll be scared by yourself. As for the horse, don't worry, it will follow by itself."
The carriage started moving with a clattering sound. Lin Daiyu asked, "I see that Third Brother's horse is no ordinary horse. Has it been named yet?"
"Anyway, it won't be called Red Hare."
Lin Daiyu laughed.
Mu Chuan said seriously, "I'll call it Wei Fang. It might not be famous yet—"
"But will he become as famous as Red Hare sooner or later?"
Mu Chuan shook his head and then nodded: "We should become as famous as Red Hare at noon."
Lin Daiyu's smile never faded, and she continued, "My maternal grandmother said she would give me some formidable maids, but I always feel that Her Majesty the Empress would not agree."
Mu Chuan's expression was somewhat subtle. He said, "Alright, there are so many servants in the Rongguo Mansion, it's good to have more of them. But there's one condition: I want the whole family."
Lin Daiyu was unaware of the situation, but based on her understanding of her third brother, she knew he was up to no good: "What does Third Brother want the servants of the Jia family for? They are all quite unruly, they value money more than anything, and they are good at shirking their duties. Don't let them corrupt the atmosphere of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion."
“No problem,” Mu Chuan said seriously. “Who can withstand a knife from Granny Shen? But I need them for no other reason than that Pingnan Town is always short of people.”
"You!" Lin Daiyu said reproachfully.
Mu Chuan cleared his throat and said earnestly, "You don't know, the Zhou family went to Pingnan Town. Because they ate well in their early years, they were stronger than others. With a little training, they became stronger than others. Among the laborers in Pingnan Town, the Zhou family was considered a prominent family."
Lin Daiyu tilted her head slightly to look at him: "Then I really want it?"
"Of course." Mu Chuan nodded and said, "We need young ones, and lots of them. You can pick a group first. Whether they're old or not isn't important; what's important is that they're physically strong."
Lin Daiyu suddenly laughed: "Grandmother also told me to respect you. I can't guarantee I'll do anything else, but I will respect you—Third Uncle, tell me, have I respected you or not?"
She shrank back as she spoke.
Mu Chuan laughed helplessly: "Where can you hide in such a small place?"
"I never thought she would actually marry into the Marquis of Zhongyong's household." Xue Baochai's expression was strange, and her tone was even stranger.
Although the news hadn't spread yet, the Xue family was willing to spend money and had their own sources of information.
Before Wang Xifeng and Yuanyang could even notify half of the people, Xue Baochai had already received a message from Aunt Xue and returned to the small courtyard where Aunt Xue was staying.
Aunt Xue sighed, "I thought she was unlucky. Your aunt even said she would bring misfortune to her father, mother, and brother. I never imagined she would have such a good life."
Xue Baochai's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again: "The Empress bestows a marriage upon us, so it doesn't matter who she's supposed to be cursed."
"She's getting married, and to a first-class earl. She'll need at least eight maids and eight servants. See if our people have a chance to get in, or if we start spending money now, it should be in time."
As soon as Aunt Xue said this, Xue Baochai suddenly burst into tears: "How come she is so lucky, while my life is so bitter?"
She had been competing with Lin Daiyu openly and secretly for many years, but she never imagined it would end like this.
From the very beginning, the servants of the Jia family said that she was open-minded and that Lin Daiyu was aloof and self-important. In this respect, she wins.
In terms of physique, she was much better than Lin Daiyu.
It's a contest of who wins the heart of the leader. Although the old lady likes her a little more, how many more years can the old lady live? Besides, the old lady's words are gradually losing their influence.
The imperial concubine in the palace liked her even more, and most importantly, Baoyu's mother liked her.
In addition, she was also more talented than Lin Daiyu many times.
Compared to family background, Lin Daiyu was the daughter of a high-ranking official, but that official is dead, and the Lin family's ancestral titles have long been lost. There are only a few families better off than her.
Although Baoyu prefers Lin Daiyu, when has Baoyu ever kept his word?
Just when she was about to win, a loyal and brave man suddenly appeared, ignoring everyone except Lin Daiyu.
She had actually left the Rongguo Mansion.
When Xue Baochai thought of this, she felt no joy at all; only sadness.
Aunt Xue patted her gently, comforting her, "There's still a long road ahead. Just because she's doing well now doesn't mean she'll be in the future. You know what happened to her mother. She seemed like a perfect son-in-law, but what happened? Her whole family died, leaving her all alone. She lived as a dependent for over a decade, and now she's just repeating her mother's path."
Xue Baochai then stopped crying.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law." Mu Chuan held up incense in his hand, his voice not very loud, but Lin Daiyu could hear him clearly in the quiet hall.
"How did you get to my father-in-law and mother-in-law?" Lin Daiyu blushed as she listened to her third brother continue.
"I will definitely take good care of Daiyu from now on and not let her suffer any grievances."
Mu Chuan offered incense and then looked at Lin Daiyu.
Holding incense in her hand, Lin Daiyu managed to utter only one sentence after a long pause: "Father, Mother, I—am going to get married."
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