A dirty thing?
Wang Xifeng pondered this matter in her heart. Suddenly, she remembered that the old lady had arranged for Lin Daiyu to live with her. Then she thought of Baoyu's character, and her heart trembled. No, she had to stop this. She was afraid that she could not bear the wrath of her uncle Lin.
Lin Daiyu nestled in Grandmother Jia's arms, pondering what kind of sordid matter it could be. After thinking for a long time, she concluded that it might fall on her cousin Baoyu, whom she had never met but whose reputation was not good.
A sense of resistance arose in my heart, and half of the joy I felt upon first meeting my maternal grandmother was diminished, but after all, she was my maternal grandmother.
After the crying subsided, everyone introduced themselves and sat down. A maidservant came to pour tea, and Grandmother Jia inquired about Lin Daiyu's mother's illness, how doctors were sought, and how her funeral was conducted. These questions saddened not only Lin Daiyu but also Grandmother Jia.
"Of all my children, I loved your mother the most. Now that she has left me first, I can't even see her. How can I not be heartbroken to see you now?"
As he spoke, he hugged Daiyu and began to cry sadly.
[Alas, how pitiful are the parents of this world! Their daughter went so far away, and they couldn't even see her one last time before she died. In the end, their feelings faded, faded, and in the end, it was nothing more than... Alas, self-interest blinds people's hearts.]
Lin Daiyu: Does self-interest overshadow human nature?
The three young girls following behind Wang Xifeng—Yingchun, the second daughter of the eldest branch of the Jia family in Rongguo Mansion; Tanchun, the third daughter of the second branch; and Xichun, the daughter of the Si family in Ningguo Mansion—kept their heads down the whole time, secretly trying to figure out who was speaking. After searching for a long time without finding the maid, they suddenly noticed a miniature figure, identical to the one that flashed above Lin Daiyu's stepmother's head.
Thinking they had seen some kind of monster, Sanchun lowered their heads and remained silent, their hands clenched tightly in their sleeves to forcefully conceal their unusual behavior.
She warned herself that she must not tell anyone. If it was a monster, why could she see it but no one else could? What if the monster knew that she could see it? Would it eat her?
The three sisters were increasingly confused and terrified. They dared not look at Lin Daiyu's stepmother, which made them even more disrespectful in the eyes of Grandmother Jia.
San Chun listened to the whole thing from beginning to end, and gradually calmed down. She had been with Bao Yu and had read some books about strange tales, so she knew some of the legends. She guessed that it wasn't a monster, but probably just Mrs. Lin's inner thoughts, and she slowly relaxed.
She then realized that no one else was reacting, and that it seemed only she could hear Mrs. Lin's thoughts. Panicked, she became even more afraid, wondering if she would be discovered.
If Mrs. Lin found out, would she kill her? Her straightened back bent down again.
He picked up the teacup and remained silent.
Just as she was relieved, she heard Grandmother Jia ask the Lin family girl what she was studying. The Lin family girl stood up and said, "I have been studying with my teacher for three or four years and have read all the Four Books and Five Classics."
What kind of books have you sisters studied?
Grandmother Jia said, "What's the point of reading books? As long as you can recognize a couple of characters and not be completely illiterate, that's enough."
Shen Ajiao immediately flew into a rage and stood up abruptly.
What do you mean by "what books should girls read"? You're from a wealthy family, not a nouveau riche with no foundation. If you want your family to prosper, how can girls be wise and sensible if they don't study?
How can a girl who lacks reason and wisdom manage the inner quarters of the household well? If the inner quarters are not well, how can the family prosper? If the family is not well, how can you prosper? Why should the entire clan be exterminated?
[Is this like getting soaked in the rain and then tearing someone else's umbrella?]
I'm truly speechless at you, you old fool!
"Mrs. Lin, what's wrong with you?"
Faced with Grandmother Jia's question, Shen Ajiao immediately swallowed hard. [Heh, could she say her bottom was itchy?]
Sorry, I'm just too excited!
He glanced at Lin Daiyu, then forced himself to say, "Grandma, you are Yu'er's maternal grandmother. I should respect you. You are an old lady, knowledgeable and wise."
After hearing what Shen Ajiao said, Lin Daiyu, who had just stood up, slowly sat down again and continued to listen to her mistress.
"We are merely showing off our limited skills in front of you; it's not worth mentioning."
"Haha, Mrs. Lin, you flatter me. Please sit down, please sit down. There's no need for such formalities." Grandmother Jia smiled and invited Chen Ajiao to sit down.
Shen Ajiao said, "Thank you, madam. However, I don't quite agree with your statement that it's good for girls to have some education so they won't be blind."
"Oh, what insightful opinion does Mrs. Lin have?" Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia found it intriguing, sat up straight, and looked at Chen Ajiao.
Everyone present was worried for Shen Ajiao. Shen Ajiao smiled slightly and said, "Everyone, watch closely, your sister will fight for you."
"Grandma, education isn't just about avoiding being blind. While girls may not achieve great success and have boundless futures, it can at least teach them to speak with restraint, play with moderation, act with competence, and speak with virtue, becoming thoughtful individuals."
People often say that a good mother brings prosperity to three generations. But this good mother doesn't appear out of thin air; she has received a good family education from a young age, is well-educated and reasonable, and has a broad vision. Only through this cycle can the family prosper.
Of course, there are other benefits, sisters. The most tangible benefit of education is that it opens up new paths in life. You can earn money, and with money, you can pursue a more free and fulfilling life. Sisters, we don't ask for much, we just want a carefree life!
Lin Daiyu looked at Shen Ajiao with eyes full of agreement. Madam was right. However, she had another reason for reading: it was to have something to rely on and a belief to support her when she was in distress. No one in this world is without troubles, and reading is the best antidote, so that one will not be forgotten when one dies.
Wang Xifeng felt a bitter taste in her mouth as she listened. She was illiterate and had been happy as a child, but now that she was grown up, she could only swallow her grievances. Everyone knew that she, Wang Xifeng, was a peasant with limited knowledge and experience. She was confined to her own little world and could not compare to those who were naturally cultured and refined.
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