If Lin Daiyu’s Parents Were Both Still Alive, What Would Her Ending Be?

After transmigrating into a book, I became the heroine’s stepmother.

The man taking a second wife was called Lin Ruhai. My stepdaughter was the Crimson Pearl Fairy, Lin Daiyu, whose fate was thinner than paper.

Looking at soft, milky little Daiyu, wasn’t this simply a raising game?!

Little Daiyu, hurry into Stepmom’s arms.

1

It had already been ten or so days since I transmigrated. I didn’t dare say too much or move carelessly, afraid the houseful of men and women, old and young, would notice something wrong with me.

So when I heard a matchmaker had come with a proposal, I, an overage leftover woman of ancient times, could hardly wait to agree.

Who cared! Marry first, talk later. Once I married over, I wouldn’t have to fear any slipups. I would just say my reputation in the women’s quarters had been made up.

In any case, I couldn’t bear the label of a spirit borrowing a corpse to return to life!

Of course, I still had to act reserved on the surface. Clutching my handkerchief, I shook my head tearfully. “Mother, I won’t marry. I want to stay beside Father and Mother and serve you for the rest of my life.”

Mother: “Enough, enough. Don’t you know how old you are? Right now, someone is still willing to take you as a second wife. In another year or two, the only offers left will be to bury you alongside them!”

Me: “All right. I’ll go.”

2

I would go on a marriage meeting, but that didn’t mean I had no standards.

If married life wouldn’t be as comfortable as staying home, I might as well pretend I fell into the water, caught a fever, and lost my mind after a serious illness… Oh, no, lost my memory.

I followed Mother to the reception hall. Outside the screen, the matchmaker’s spit flew. “The gentleman is mature, steady, and knows how to cherish a woman!”

Me: “Oh. A little old man with plenty of years on him.”

Matchmaker: “Deeply affectionate, loyal, and decent!”

Me: “Still hasn’t forgotten his white moonlight.”

Matchmaker: “There’s no talking to you. Miss, you aren’t young yourself. I’ve already brought you dozens of matches. You can’t reach the high ones and won’t take the low ones—what exactly are you after? Lord Lin is the Salt Inspection Censor. Even for a second marriage, the queue would stretch beyond Yangzhou’s city walls! And you’re still being picky?”

Me: “Wait. Who?”

Matchmaker: “Lord Lin, the Salt Inspection Censor!”

Good heavens. The number-one hidden tycoon in Dream of the Red Chamber, a diamond bachelor. Most crucially, he didn’t seem to have long to live… If I married him, wouldn’t I get there in one step: promotion, riches, and a dead husband?

I could become a titled lady, gain a vast fortune, and live freely at ease?

I covered my face with my handkerchief, hot tears filling my eyes. Heaven above, earth below! Something good had finally come around to me!

3

Of course, things couldn’t possibly be that simple. After all, I was the unlucky wretch who had missed a step going downstairs to collect takeout and transmigrated without even getting to eat it. I didn’t even deserve a background story involving revenge murder or cheating.

Although I was the Shen family’s old unmarried daughter, my parents, brothers, and sisters-in-law all doted on me. They sent people to investigate Lin Ruhai’s circumstances carefully.

Then my mother grew worried. “Lin Ruhai has learning, looks, and prospects. But I hear he was too deeply attached to his first wife and has been gloomy all these years since she died. This marriage is only because the people at the Lin clan’s ancestral hall fear that if Lin Ruhai dies, the clan will decline. They want him to take you as a second wife to bring good fortune and drive away his illness.”

My mother spoke plainly. “If not for his health, I really would want you to marry him. Lin Ruhai and his first wife had only one son, who died at two or three. Now there’s only a daughter left, and she’s been sent to her maternal grandparents’ family to be raised. In the future, all you would need to do is find her a good marriage… It truly is suitable. What a pity…”

Me: “No pity, no pity. That’s settled. I’ll marry him!”

Even if not for the man, I had to marry him for the legendary heroine Lin Daiyu!

Who wouldn’t want to see the heroine?!

4

Originally, I was going for the heroine. Thinking about it, Lin Daiyu still wasn’t very old. As long as I wasn’t too terrible a stepmother, playing a raising game would be possible.

Who wouldn’t like a clever, lively, proud little girl?

What I hadn’t expected, however, was that before meeting my little heroine, I would be drawn to her biological father, a diamond bachelor in his thirties.

Honestly, I had never quite understood why anyone liked older men. Weren’t little puppy boys appealing?

But I never, ever expected that after transmigrating into a book, I would have such a romantic encounter.

The man before me—no, on the other side of the screen—seemed to come with his own soft-light filter. His features carried a mature handsomeness and composed bearing.

Using my sleeve as cover, I wiped away my drool before revealing a dignified, gracious smile and saluting the man beyond the screen. “Lord Lin.”

The man opposite nodded slightly, his voice low. “I took the liberty of inviting Miss Shen here because I wanted to be frank with you.”

I listened seriously. “Please speak, Lord Lin.”

Lin Ruhai was quite honest. “My late wife and I were deeply attached. In the years since her death, no one has overseen the household, and matters both inside and out have fallen into some disorder. I originally had no intention of remarrying and had already sent my only daughter to her mother’s family. But in recent years, I’ve found some things amiss in that family as well and wish to bring her back to raise her by my side. However, I serve outside the home, and there is no one in the household. I fear too much interference from the clan would only make things worse. That is why I wish to marry Miss Shen as Yu’er’s stepmother, to teach her proper conduct, etiquette, and household affairs.”

Diamond Bachelor Lin went on at length. In essence, this stepmother, me, would be purely a tool, mainly for protecting his daughter.

To be honest, it hurt a little.

But… what did that have to do with me?

Thinking that this handsome middle-aged man was directly fulfilling my wish to meet the heroine, I was even quite happy and nodded repeatedly. “No problem, no problem. I think that works.”

5

Lin Ruhai was very satisfied with the Shen family’s upbringing. This made my parents feel honored too.

So although it was a second marriage for an older unmarried woman, the wedding arrangements were still very grand.

My future husband truly had money. Every betrothal gift followed the highest standard.

My parents were no slouches either. They prepared a dowry matching the quantity of his betrothal gifts.

News of the marriage naturally reached the Jia residence and my stepdaughter.

As Lin Ruhai’s only daughter, of course she had to return to witness her father’s second marriage.

I didn’t know how the little girl reacted, but the Jia household had obviously exploded into a frenzy. According to the news, Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian would personally accompany Lin Daiyu back this time.

Lin Ruhai sent someone with a message for me. He said the Jia family might have other arrangements in mind, but I shouldn’t worry. He would handle it.

Me: Tsk, tsk, tsk. Older men really knew how to flirt.

After hearing this, my mother told me, “Lord Lin is rather thoughtful. Since that’s the case, don’t behave like a lump of dough either. When the Jia family’s boat arrives, go with Lord Lin to meet them.”

Thus, with my parents’ permission, three days before the wedding, Lin Ruhai came to the Shen house to pick me up, and we went to the docks together.

6

Before the boat had even docked, I saw several people standing at its bow. At their head was a strikingly attractive young couple, like a pair of immortals.

Lin Ruhai turned slightly and murmured to me, “Those are Yu’er’s cousin and his wife, Jia Lian’s branch. Among the younger generation of the Jia household, they can manage a few things.”

Beneath my veiled hat, I nodded lightly and thought: Future husband, you’re considerate, but I may know their identities and characters better than you do.

Honestly, I did feel a little sweetness in my heart. Although this middle-aged man looked restrained and ascetic, and had recently called me over to say a great deal of coldhearted things, he was reasonably considerate in his actions.

With that, I felt even more sympathy for the Lin father and daughter—two such good people shouldn’t meet tragic deaths.

Just as I thought this, the boat docked.

A little girl emerged from the cabin. Like her father Lin Ruhai, she came with her own soft-light filter. The sight caught my breath.

Too adorable!

An idol and daughter in one. I could already foresee the happiness of my future raising-game life.

Little Daiyu, hurry into Stepmom’s arms.

7

As soon as the little girl saw her father, her eyes reddened. Yet she also keenly noticed my presence beside him.

In that instant, surprise, realization, grievance, curiosity… countless emotions flickered through her eyes, making one’s heart ache for her.

I said nothing, only handed a veiled hat to the momo beside her. “It’s windy on shore, and the sedan chairs are ready. Now that you’re back, anything you want to say can wait until home.”

Translator’s note: Momo (嬷嬷) is an older female servant or nursemaid, often a respected attendant in a household.

The momo paused, checked Daiyu’s expression, and hurriedly put the hat on her.

I was so happy inside. Aaaah! She put on the hat I gave her! Do you understand the feeling of your daughter accepting your gift?!

Wang Xifeng, shrewd as she was, smiled at the sight. “Miss Shen is so thoughtful. Lin-meimei was so eager to see Lin-gufu that she rushed to leave the boat. We didn’t remind her to put on a veiled hat either.”

Translator’s note: Meimei (妹妹) means younger sister, also used for a younger female cousin; gufu (姑父) means the husband of one’s paternal aunt.

Lin Ruhai said, “No matter. It’s only windy.”

He said nothing about a young lady of the inner quarters being exposed to unwanted attention in a place like the docks.

Only when he took little Daiyu and turned toward the sedan chair did he nod slightly at me, a trace of gratitude in his eyes.

He was busy with official duties, had many clan affairs to deal with, and no one overseeing his household. Naturally, he couldn’t think of all these little details.

Although I didn’t think showing one’s face in public was a problem, who told me to have first-rate adaptability and advance knowledge of the script?

An opportunity to farm affection points in front of the heroine and her father? Of course I wouldn’t miss it.

8

Since I hadn’t yet married into the family, it wasn’t proper for me to follow them to the Lin residence. Instead, I sent a household momo with two little maids to deliver some things.

My daughter was too thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her down. It made my heart ache.

The momo was my wet nurse, practically half a mother to me. Looking at the gifts I had prepared for little Daiyu, she seemed to find it difficult to speak.

“Miss, these things you’re sending… aren’t they rather unsuitable?”

I looked through them and saw no problem. “They’re quite suitable. Five-in-a-row, Huarong Path, a rosewood Rubik’s cube… They’re pretty good.”

Momo couldn’t take it anymore and spoke frankly. “We aren’t sending food, drinks, or medicinal pills because we fear unrest in the Lin residence and someone tampering with them. We said we would choose some ordinary playthings instead, but surely that doesn’t mean sending only these things.”

Momo truly had no way of dealing with me, the Shen family’s old unmarried daughter.

My temperament had been spoiled by everyone in the family. My first-meeting gifts for my future stepdaughter were actually just these worthless little things I had tinkered with myself.

They weren’t even worth one hairpin with an Eastern pearl!

Momo earnestly advised me, “You should at least consider Lord Lin’s face a little. And the Jia family people are there too.”

I smiled. “Momo, don’t worry. Just deliver them. Whatever happens, I’ll take responsibility!”

There were reasons I had become the Shen family’s old unmarried daughter. Momo couldn’t outargue me, so she could only steel herself and take the two little maids over with the gifts.

9

Momo didn’t return until just before dinner.

Holding a lion cat in the reception hall, I raised my brows at her. “Well? Did Miss Lin like them?”

Mother and my sisters-in-law beside me were eager too. “Xu-momo, tell us quickly.”

Momo had served the family for years and held considerable standing, so she dispensed with empty courtesies and spoke directly. “I thought Miss Lin might only pretend to like them for politeness, but who knew she truly liked them? When she got sleepy this afternoon, she was still holding that rosewood something-or-other cube and telling Lizhi and Yingtao to teach her after she woke up.”

“What about Lord Lin? Did he say anything?” Mother was more worried about Lin Ruhai’s opinion.

Xu-momo said, “No. But when Miss Lin solved the Luban lock and found Yingtao’s and Lizhi’s indenture contracts, she begged Lord Lin to let them stay, and he agreed.”

Mother first sighed with relief. “Good, good.”

Then she glared at me. “How dare you send servants before you’ve even married in? You have no sense of propriety!”

Teasing the lion cat, I brought out Diamond Bachelor as my backer. “Lord Lin told me he had dismissed everyone in the household.”

I said, “Lord Lin lived at the government office all last year. You could count his visits home on your fingers. This time, he only brought a few old servants and page boys back with him. The household servants now were all bought at short notice. Although their backgrounds are clean, they may not be convenient to use. Yingtao and Lizhi have served at my side. They’re loyal and clever, and since they’re young, they’ll naturally get along with Miss Lin.”

I explained with perfect seriousness. Since Lin Ruhai had told me about his household’s situation, naturally he didn’t intend for me to become a clay figurine after marrying over.

He had agreed to let me intervene. At the very least, I had to help him protect his daughter.

Mother and my sisters-in-law could do nothing with me but scold me.

One said, “Even if you’re sending servants, you don’t send their indentures along too. We don’t expect you to control them tightly, but you can’t leave yourself without any leverage at all.”

Another said, “Fortunately, Yingtao’s and Lizhi’s parents are old servants here, and the indentures for their whole families are in our house. We can still warn them now and then. Otherwise, if anything went wrong, wouldn’t it harm Miss Lin?”

Seeing that I didn’t talk back while being scolded and only kept holding the cat and smiling, everyone caught on. “Well, you! You thought this through beforehand, didn’t you?”

I raised my brows. “Of course.”

How could the people I gave my daughter be anything less than carefully selected?!

10

Lin Ruhai sent me a letter saying that Jia Lian and his wife had eagerly volunteered to handle preparations for the Lin household’s wedding.

Their stated reason was that Yu’er was much loved in the Jia household, and the Old Madam cherished her most of all. Yu’er’s future mother would therefore be a gunainai of their family.

Translator’s note: Gunainai (姑奶奶) can refer to a married daughter or an aunt of a family.

They even tentatively asked whether the Old Madam should take me as an adopted daughter or something of the sort.

In his letter, Lin Ruhai sneered. “I refused this, but I expect they won’t give up. If they dare bring it up again in front of you, there is no need to preserve their dignity. Simply reject it.”

Since his daughter returned, Lin Ruhai had written me more and more letters. Sometimes I received two or three in a day.

Before my reply to one letter had even gone out, another arrived.

Of course, most of what he said concerned his daughter, as well as movements within the Lin clan and by Jia Lian and his wife.

But the tone and content of the letters were clearly becoming increasingly casual.

For my part, I truly had no patience left to maintain the persona of a cautious, widely read young lady from a good family, so I gave up and replied in plain everyday language.

But Lin Ruhai’s correspondence was like sending WeChat messages at every meal, before work, and after work…

Rubbing my chin, I frowned in thought. “He can’t really be starting to like me a little, can he?”

In a story about a stepmother and stepdaughter, was it reasonable for the biological father to have this much screen time?

11

My feelings about the possibility that Lin Ruhai liked me a little were complicated.

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t pleased. But I also worried that my virtue didn’t match the position, taking over one half of what had been a model couple in my heart.

In the end, though, I decided to respect fate and enjoy the happiness of transmigrating into a book.

After all, if a diamond bachelor—single, wealthy, cultured, and handsome—could take a fancy to me, that was my good fortune.

If that fortune came my way, of course I would take it.

I had even less psychological burden about becoming Lin Daiyu’s stepmother. I simply adored the little girl.

The day after the Lin household accepted the two little maids, the girl wrote to thank me. I carefully treasured the letter in a small box.

Inside, I was delighted. This is a handwritten letter little Daiyu wrote to me! Look at that handwriting! Look at that handwriting! Look at that prose!

Mother came to look. After struggling for a long time, she said, “Miss Lin’s handwriting is good, but it’s still much less mature than Lord Lin’s… Why do you keep Lord Lin’s letters in a basket?”

I stated, “There are so many of his letters. What else would I use?”

Mother smiled at me and stroked my long hair. “You, you. Foolish people truly have their own foolish luck.”

With the Lin, Shen, and Jia families all working together, the wedding was splendidly arranged.

When my sisters-in-law sent me off, they all cried, holding my hand and telling me to come back often. “There are still several ways to play those cards you haven’t taught us!”

I liked my sisters-in-law’s personalities. Moreover, although the Shen family had an upright household culture, its rules weren’t oppressive. It was very suitable for little Daiyu’s upbringing. So I solemnly replied, “Don’t worry. Prepare plenty of silver. When I return for the customary visit, I’ll win your money!”

I would bring my daughter along too! Mother and daughter taking the field together—we would leave them without a single piece of armor!

My sisters-in-law all released my hand at once. “Ahem. How can you talk about money? How vulgar!”

12

How could talking about money be vulgar?

Money was the best thing in the world.

One wedding brought quite a profit.

As the saying went, three years as an honest prefect brought a hundred thousand taels of snow-white silver. And Lin Ruhai was the Salt Inspection Censor, connected above to the Son of Heaven and below to merchants, to say nothing of colleagues and former classmates in between.

There were far, far too many people bringing him money.

The Shens were also an established aristocratic clan. To put it boldly, we were the kind of upright scholarly family that wouldn’t fall even if the emperor did. Naturally, we had plenty of guests too.

These social gifts didn’t count as corruption; they were etiquette. Besides, even the emperor had specially sent a wedding gift to signal his attitude.

Thus, one wedding banquet filled our basins and bowls to overflowing.

I had someone summon Lin Ruhai. “Lift the veil and drink the nuptial wine with me before you go back out.”

Lin Ruhai’s steps paused, as if he were a little surprised. “Now?”

He had come to bring me snacks. Brides usually went hungry at weddings, having to wait until the groom finished entertaining the guests before entering the bridal chamber.

Lord Lin was a careful and considerate man. I was very satisfied.

But I couldn’t wait.

I nodded under my veil. “Yes.”

Hurry it up.

I wanted to see my daughter.

13

Before, my unmarried status had prevented me from freely entering the Lin house. But now we had already performed the wedding bows.

Once the veil came off, I would be Lord Lin’s wife and little Daiyu’s stepmother.

Of course I had to see my adorable little daughter immediately.

Pointing at the various boxes, baskets, and gift lists in the courtyard, I said, “I’ll keep track of the Shen family’s side. May I ask Yu’er to manage yours?”

Lin Ruhai was clearly very surprised. He turned and looked steadily at me for a long while, then seemed to make some decision and came over to take my hand.

“Since we have become husband and wife, naturally I trust you. I am at ease leaving the inner household to you. You need not entrust it to anyone else.”

I looked moved. “Husband, I understand. But Yu’er has finally come back, and here I am marrying in right away. I want her to know every matter in this residence, large and small, and understand that this will always be her home.”

“And another thing,” I said with a smile. “Although I’m no famously talented woman, I have managed a household. Yu’er is clever, but since she was away from home before, she naturally had few opportunities to manage one. There aren’t many people in our family, and we may not have many large occasions. Why not let Yu’er look over this one too?”

My words were indirect, but Lin Ruhai was intelligent and quickly understood my meaning.

—I was truly willing to accept Yu’er.

—I wanted to teach Yu’er household management.

—Yu’er was clever, but before Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng, she seemed like a protected junior. That gave a glimpse of her situation in the Jia household: although she was favored, she might not gain much education or worldly understanding.

Even Lin Ruhai, a man who didn’t show joy or anger on his face, revealed some true feeling before me.

He seemed to think of something. When he looked at me again, his gaze was even clearer and warmer, with a trace of appreciation. “Madam has considered everything thoroughly. Since that is so, let us do as Madam says.”

Wildly delighted inside, I dipped in a bow. “Thank you, Husband. Off you go.”

Let me cuddle with my daughter.

14

I sent someone to invite my daughter.

When little Daiyu arrived, she was clearly still cautious and bewildered.

At a glance, I saw the red rims of her eyes, and my heart ached. Watching Mei Nagano cry in my previous life had felt just like this.

Although her eyes and the tip of her nose were red, the little girl still greeted me with perfect propriety. “Mo… ther.”

She raised her eyes slightly, her moist, innocent gaze studying my expression.

Suppressing my inner excitement, I beckoned to her. “Good child, come here.”

Little Daiyu obediently came forward. She had even brought me gifts: shoe uppers, handkerchiefs, and sachets she had embroidered herself.

Softly and sweetly, she asked, “I didn’t know what Mother liked, so I asked Yingtao-jiejie and Lizhi-jiejie. I only made these few things. Is there anything Mother likes?”

Translator’s note: Jiejie (姐姐) means older sister, also used affectionately or respectfully for an older girl.

Like them? Like them? Of course I liked them!

My heart had melted into water. But what mattered most now was protecting the little girl’s anxious, nervous feelings.

I smiled. “Those two must have said I love running about all day and wear through a lot of shoes, right? And that I have a strange habit of using more than ten handkerchiefs a day, didn’t they?”

My daughter quietly blushed, unwilling to say anything so impolite.

But I was perfectly casual. “What they said is true. I can’t sit still. Just as well—do you see this courtyard full of gifts? I’ve dragged you over to be my helper. All right?”

Daiyu blurted out, “So you’re putting me to work on the very first day?”

As soon as the words left her mouth, her little face went pale. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief, and tears appeared in her eyes.

As for me, I simply swept her a sidelong look. “What else? There are only three of us in this household. Your father handles things outside. Doesn’t that leave the inner household to you and me? Don’t think you can be lazy. I’m definitely lazier than you.”

My little heroine stared at me with wide eyes. After a long time, she blinked a few times. Tears clung to her lashes, and she quietly wiped them away with her handkerchief.

15

Life after marriage was very comfortable.

With so few people in the residence, it was even more comfortable than at the Shen house.

There were no parents-in-law or elders above me. On the first day, I slept until the sun was high.

After waking, I heard from Xu-momo that little Daiyu had quietly sent someone to check three times. She was probably trying to choose a time that wouldn’t displease me by being too late or make me look lazy by being too early.

Knowing I had always liked freedom in the household, Xu-momo boldly asked, “Madam, should Miss Lin be excused from the morning greetings?”

I scrambled up. “Certainly not. Both father and daughter are frail. Their routines and diets need a thorough adjustment.”

“What?” Xu-momo didn’t understand.

But I knew what I was doing. Several groups of people were still staying in the residence. Leaving the more distant ones aside, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng needed watching, and those old men from the Lin clan were difficult too.

All the household servants had been newly purchased. They looked honest, but still needed observation.

Only the people I brought from the Shen family could be relied on.

Therefore, I had to personally oversee Lin Ruhai’s and Lin Daiyu’s food and daily routines.

16

For my return to my natal family on the third day after the wedding, I brought little Daiyu along too.

She had spent two days playing cards with me at home. At first, she hadn’t dared let me know that she had already learned from Yingtao and Lizhi. By the end, she was pouting and trying to wriggle out of losing. “It’s all because that little minx Yingtao keeps siding with Mother that I lost.”

I laughed heartily. “No, no. A loss is a loss. Today, you still have to check another room’s gift lists.”

The little girl puffed up angrily and turned to complain to her father. Naturally, he sent her right back.

Hehe. Your father and I might not be glued together, but we were still mixing honey with oil.

After hitting a wall with her father, the little girl went back and cried again.

I went to find her. “What’s the fun in only beating me? Tomorrow I’ll take you to the Shen house to win against my sisters-in-law!”

She whipped her head around, then quickly lowered her lashes again. “You must be coaxing me. Your sisters-in-law will naturally take your side.”

I raised a finger and wagged it. “You’re wrong. You have to understand that excellent people are often lonely. Those women are always ganging up on me! They even join hands with the dealer and make me the only loser!”

The little girl didn’t react much to the second half. Instead, she murmured to herself, “Excellent people are often… lonely?”

I sat down beside her. “Yes. If you’re more capable and better than others, naturally what you hear, see, and think will differ from theirs. Other people don’t understand, so there will always be some loneliness.”

She looked thoughtful, her brows drawing together slightly, as though she were a little dazed.

I interrupted her. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, when we visit my family, you’ll help me battle them!”

The little girl smiled through her tears. “I’ve never seen a mother as mischievous as you!”

I was perfectly serious. “I used to think so too. But in the future, I expect I’ll only be a mischievous maternal grandmother. There’ll be a mother even more mischievous than me.”

With that, I turned and ran with my maids. I had just dashed out of the covered walkway when I heard the little girl give an “Aiya!” behind me and protest coyly, “Mother is bullying me again!”

17

For cards at the Shen house, I prepared a box of small silver pieces and let little Daiyu reservedly pretend to lose.

In the original book, she was very good at hiding her talents in the Jia family. Her poetry and embroidery were clearly outstanding, yet at poetry gatherings and banquets, she considered the others and refused to show them openly.

But in the Shen house, there were no such worries.

My eldest sister-in-law won money and beamed. “Good, good. Now we have the prize money for the embroiderers.”

Little Daiyu asked me curiously, “What prize money for the embroiderers?”

I smiled. “My eldest sister-in-law manages the household’s embroiderers and the embroidery workshops my sisters-in-law opened. Every year, there’s an embroidery competition. The top three receive prizes.”

Little Daiyu’s eyes brightened slightly. Like her father, she was full of curiosity and surprise.

My second sister-in-law had lost money but didn’t mind at all. “Anyway, our orchards had a good harvest this year. We’ll earn more than usual. My share is plenty. I don’t need this little bit from you!”

And so it went with everyone.

That evening, Daiyu rode in the same carriage as me. Snuggling beside me, she said softly, “I never knew other households were managed this way.”

Knowing the answer, I asked, “Didn’t you see this in the Jia household?”

I said, “The Jias have such a great family and estate. Their management ought to be even more detailed, thorough, and effective.”

Little Daiyu shook her head and sat straight. “The wealth and liveliness of the Jia and Shen families are alike. But the Jia family’s management…”

She hesitated. Clearly, her upbringing wouldn’t let her speak ill of the Jia family, yet what she had seen and heard at the Shen house today had truly stirred her curiosity.

I squeezed her tender little hand and said, “Perhaps they have their own methods, just not openly displayed.”

She shook her head. “No…”

Then she bit her lip and looked at me. “Mother, there’s something I want to tell you.”

18

I grew serious inside, knowing this was about to trigger the original book’s plot.

Little Daiyu lowered her eyes. “I shouldn’t have said these things to Mother. It’s just that although the Jia family is wealthy, I see much going out and little coming in. It doesn’t look sustainable.”

I feigned surprise. “How could that be? Your cousin and his wife seem extremely capable to me.”

Daiyu smiled bitterly. “In that entire household, only Second Lian-gege and Second Lian-saozi are capable. To be honest with Mother, with them away this time, I’m afraid the household has already fallen into chaos.”

Translator’s note: Gege (哥哥) means older brother, also used for an older male cousin; saozi (嫂子) means an older brother’s wife.

Indeed, given the Jia family’s underlying mess, whether it was Lady Wang, Yingchun, or Tanchun, taking over would be difficult.

Frowning in thought, I asked tentatively, “If that’s the case, why were your cousin and his wife willing to spend so much time accompanying you back?”

Daiyu looked hesitant. Before long, her eyes gradually reddened.

“As I see it… it’s only because the Jia family has little left to rely on. They want to use me to keep Father as their support.”

Speaking so plainly of her relatives’ calculations made the little girl both sad and guilty. Tears kept falling.

I reached out and held her. I said nothing, only gently patted her back to comfort her.

Pain was pain, but being able to discard the splendid surface and face the Jia family’s present mess was a good thing for her.

19

Although I knew the plotlines of everyone in the Jia family very well, my position made it inappropriate for me to speak.

So I simply took little Daiyu to play at the Shen house more often, letting her see how the Shens studied when they should, managed their affairs when they should, and worked together. At the same time, I quietly guided her: whether male or female cousins, one should avoid compromising familiarity.

Although I didn’t care about boys and girls not sharing a seat after age seven, it was enough if I could cut off the beginnings of this cousin marriage.

Things were going smoothly on my side. But there were still two people staying in the Lin house.

One day, Daiyu was looking at account books in my room when Lin Ruhai came in with a dark expression.

The little girl was startled. She looked anxiously at her father, then at me. Thinking her father and I had argued, she clutched my sleeve and wouldn’t let go.

Seeing Daiyu like this, Lin Ruhai’s expression loosened a little. “If only your mother had taught you earlier. It wouldn’t have led to…”

With his daughter present, Lin Ruhai didn’t continue.

Once little Daiyu returned to her courtyard, Lin Ruhai loosened his collar and said angrily, “A-Min told me long ago that the Jia family’s little demon king was no good. Now they’re actually setting their sights on Yu’er.”

Understanding, I smiled. “They couldn’t get through to you, so now they’re using Yu’er as a pretext?”

Before I married, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng had privately sounded Lin Ruhai out, wanting him to marry the concubine-born daughter of the Old Madam’s concubine-born younger sister.

Her status was somewhat low, but the tangled connections still made her one of the Old Madam’s people.

Lin Ruhai had refused outright. Knowing the Shen family saw clearly and understood things, he hadn’t hidden it from me either, but wrote to tell me early on.

Even after the wedding, Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng hadn’t abandoned the idea of planting someone beside Lin Ruhai. Although he disliked it, for the sake of old ties, he hadn’t said anything.

Who knew that today, seeing they couldn’t get anywhere with Lin Ruhai, the couple would drag Daiyu into it?

Daiyu was neither very old nor very young. And she really did have a little affection for Jia Baoyu.

It was precisely because Lin Ruhai knew this that he was especially furious.

I, however, had long been prepared. Rubbing my fists and palms, I got ready to take action against the original plot.

20

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng had already stayed in the Lin house for quite some time.

The couple was probably used to the Jia household, where everyone talked without restraint and management of the inner residence was lax. Only when they first arrived, unable to gauge Lin Ruhai’s and my temperament, had they appeared somewhat proper and cautious. Later, they completely treated this place as the Jia residence and dropped all vigilance.

I had never bothered with what they said or did. But that didn’t mean I didn’t know.

Sure enough, I had just woken from my afternoon nap and was preparing to stroll to my daughter’s courtyard to see how her Eight Brocade exercises were progressing when Xu-momo rushed in angrily.

Xu-momo drank my whole pot of rose cordial in one go before complaining in shock and anger. “That Second Master Lian and Second Mistress Lian truly have no propriety!”

I told a little maid to refill the cordial and asked Xu-momo, “What have they done now?”

Xu-momo said, “Didn’t Master say the other day to make preparations to send Second Master Lian and Second Mistress Lian back to Jinling early next month? Steward Liu is handling it. He just came to find me and said Second Mistress Lian wanted another boat prepared for our young miss!”

Now that I was married, the household had long since changed how they addressed me. “Our young miss” now meant Yu’er.

I frowned. “Who said Yu’er was going to Jinling with them?”

Xu-momo slapped her thigh. “Exactly! That’s what I told Steward Liu. But he said those two had been spreading word that the two Yus couldn’t live without each other. They’ve been apart for these few months, and letters keep coming one after another from that side. They say the young master cries and makes a fuss all day, refusing food and drink. If our miss doesn’t go back, they’re afraid…”

I flew into a rage. “Let them spew their dog farts!”

21

I went straight to Daiyu’s courtyard. Sure enough, before entering, I heard soft sobbing.

Once inside, I saw little Daiyu leaning beside the window, her face completely wet with tears.

The little face I had finally managed to fatten a bit had visibly thinned again.

Suppressing my anger, I asked, “What could possibly be worth crying like this? You’re nearly crying your eyes blind.”

Several thin letters lay on the small table before her. Hearing me, her tears streamed again. “I wish I would go blind from now on. Then I wouldn’t have to read these letters anymore.”

I took them and looked. They were nothing but tooth-achingly sentimental verses: tears at the west window, a person thinner than yellow chrysanthemums, that sort of thing.

With a cold laugh, I shook the paper. “This is worth crying so much over? I could write three hundred sour poems like these in one breath. Do you believe me?”

Even those things your father wrote me were better than this.

Daiyu cried like pear blossoms in rain. “Mother, you don’t know. Baoyu… he really does what he says. If he says he hasn’t drunk a drop of water, then he truly hasn’t drunk a drop.”

Aiya, I really laughed from anger. “It’s not as though you’ve never read a book. Is that how ‘doing what you say’ is used?”

Little Daiyu stared at me blankly, as if she didn’t quite understand. A line was practically written on her bewildered face: Isn’t it?

I laughed coldly and said, “Crying as soon as you feel like crying, turning hostile as soon as you feel like it—that isn’t doing what you say. That’s throwing tantrums. That’s being a rascal. Truly doing what you say is what your father does. With the hereditary title gone, the family declining, and its members few, your father said he would support this household. So he gritted his teeth and studied hard by a cold window, placing third in the imperial examinations. Afterward, he worked diligently and faithfully at his duties. Even after your mother died and his health withered, he never broke his word and collapsed into helplessness. Why? Because he bears responsibility. Because he strives to do things beyond his ability. Because he must protect this household, and even this whole clan!”

22

Looking at Daiyu, I asked solemnly, “When your father was Baoyu’s age, he already knew he must stand upright between heaven and earth and bring honor to his family. Look at the Lin family now. That is doing what you say. Just because you won’t go back, Baoyu cries and puts pressure on everyone around him, making them all urge you to return, as if he’ll die if you don’t. Skipping two meals—is that doing what you say?”

Daiyu stared at me, stunned, as though she couldn’t accept it all at once.

I stopped there and didn’t continue talking about Jia Baoyu’s weakness and incompetence. Instead, I spoke directly about her.

“And another thing. Today, because you won’t return to the Jia residence, Baoyu cries and threatens a hunger strike. Tomorrow, your father and I can’t bear to part with you, so we cry here too and refuse a drop of water. The day after, someone else says he has admired you for ages, and if you won’t go with him, he has no wish to live… What will you do? Into how many pieces can you divide yourself?”

Now Daiyu was dumbfounded. She seemed to realize the problem.

Finally, I threw down these words: “They say the crying child gets candy. But you and Baoyu are no longer children! You’re just like your father, unwilling to make things difficult for those around you. All you get in return is others stepping over your boundaries, inch by inch, taking a mile after getting an inch. Think it through yourself!”

With that, I swept my sleeves and left.

23

Perhaps because I had never spoken so harshly to Daiyu, she actually, remarkably, stopped crying.

Yingtao and Lizhi came frequently to report on her condition. Despite the pain in my heart, I didn’t go see her.

Crying was her nature. I couldn’t stop that. I only hoped her cleverness wouldn’t go offline and that she could take my words in.

Fortunately, Yingtao and Lizhi reported that although Miss cried, she still followed my instructions to sleep early, rise early, and do the Eight Brocades three times a day. Then I was relieved.

After learning that I had scolded his daughter, Lin Ruhai wasn’t angry. Instead, he respected me even more.

He said, “If I had married you earlier, Yu’er wouldn’t have been raised this way by the Jia family.”

Lin Ruhai was furious with the Jias. Even he had heard about Daiyu and that “Fake Precious Jade” of theirs. It showed just how muddleheaded the Jia household was.

I understood the feeling. Never mind this era—even in modern times, parents wouldn’t want to hear such unrestrained gossip.

I told Lin Ruhai, “There’s no need to worry too much. Let her think for herself first. If she really can’t figure it out, doesn’t she still have us, her parents?”

Before, Lin Ruhai, a widower raising a daughter, couldn’t easily provide everything she needed, so he had sent her to her maternal family. Now that I had married in, biological or step, I was her mother too. I could certainly make this decision.

Lin Ruhai nodded and relaxed as well, only saying, “Now we’ll see whether Jia Lian and his wife play any tricks.”

24

My impression of Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng was reasonably good.

Although they had this and that problem, amid the Jia family’s mire, these two still counted as capable people.

Altogether, they had been away from the Jia household for four or five months and were now thinking of returning.

Wang Xifeng was a considerate person. Whenever she saw me, she called me “Gunainai” again and again with great warmth.

She quite seemed to mean that even if I wouldn’t become Grandmother Jia’s adopted daughter, I should still acknowledge her as my nephew’s wife.

I didn’t deliberately distance myself. I even did several business deals with her—after all, I had many shops in my dowry. Failing to earn available money would be unreasonable.

As the date of Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng’s departure approached, the couple grew increasingly agitated.

That day, Xu-momo came with a report. “The little maid in the guest courtyard says Second Master Lian and Second Mistress Lian had a fight.”

25

The maid was someone Xu-momo had placed in the guest courtyard. She reported honestly.

“Second Master Lian and Second Mistress Lian are usually careful, so we can’t find much out. But last night, they had an enormous argument! We could hear it from the courtyard.”

The maid said, “First, Second Mistress Lian got angry. She said she had persuaded and coaxed, but our miss simply wouldn’t agree. Surely she couldn’t tie our miss up and take her! Then she sneered at Second Master Lian, saying, ‘Is your Jia family such a wonderful place? How much of my own money has it swallowed over the years? Now that my dowry isn’t enough, you’ve set your sights on the Lin family, haven’t you?’”

The maid said Wang Xifeng had truly been angry and unleashed a barrage at Jia Lian. “And Baoyu—only the Old Madam treats him as a treasure. I didn’t know before leaving home. Now that I’ve seen these Lin clan boys and the younger generation of the Shen family, which one of them isn’t far better than your Baoyu?”

26

Then Wang Xifeng cried. “I have no choice. I followed a scoundrel like you and work like an ox and horse for your family. My own aunt has never said a word for me. But Daiyu is different. Before, the Lin son-in-law protected her, sending boatload after boatload of goods to the Jia family. And now, this second wife, Gunainai Shen, is a truly excellent person. She protects Daiyu like the pupil of her eye!”

The two argued at length. No matter what Jia Lian said, even invoking the Old Madam, Wang Xifeng stubbornly refused to persuade Lin Daiyu again.

27

I was very satisfied with this result. I rewarded the maid with a handful of coins and had Xu-momo invite Wang Xifeng over.

Wang Xifeng arrived quickly.

She looked sheepish when she came. She had only just argued with Jia Lian yesterday, and I was summoning her today. Anyone could tell what was going on.

Wang Xifeng was clever and spoke directly. “Our family was muddleheaded before. We thought that with Daiyu’s temperament, she would be better off in our family than another, so we entertained those ideas. But we won’t again. Meimei has her parents to look after her. It isn’t anyone else’s place to dictate things.”

Wang Xifeng amused me. “You truly are a fiery little Feng. I had already prepared what to say, but you come in and speak like that, and now I can hardly open my mouth.”

Wang Xifeng hurriedly said, “Please forgive me, Gunainai. If you have instructions, just say them.”

I spoke of nothing else. Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian were businesspeople who valued their interests, so I went directly to those interests. “Don’t blame me for asking about the Jia family… Among its younger generation, only you two are capable. A whole household is sitting and eating away the mountain. Things truly aren’t easy for you.”

As soon as I said this, Wang Xifeng’s eyes reddened. Clutching her handkerchief, she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. “Gunainai, to be honest, in all these years since I married into the Jia family, you’re the first person to see our difficulties.”

28

I said, “Since you call me Gunainai, I’ll presume upon my seniority and speak a few words to you.”

A trace of discomfort flashed in Wang Xifeng’s eyes. But she was always shrewd. Knowing I had the Shen family behind me and was now mistress of the Lin household, she wouldn’t reveal it even if she felt something.

She smiled. “For Gunainai to advise this nephew’s wife is something I couldn’t ask for enough.”

I sighed. “Everyone says you’re the cleverest person there is. But as I see it, you’re as foolish as foolish can be.”

Wang Xifeng seemed startled by my words and froze on the spot.

I asked, “Other people may not know the Jia household’s situation, but don’t you? Right now, only Second Lian and Baoyu stand out. None of the younger ones are catching up. In ability, Jia Lian is stronger than that Baoyu fellow. Originally, there would have been little question where this marquis’s household would go. If it came to you two, your years of management and financial support wouldn’t have been wasted. But look at you, foolish to this extent. Whoever coaxed you, you listened and went seeking our Daiyu for Baoyu, forcibly piling up his chances of winning. What are you after?”

29

Wang Xifeng hadn’t expected me to aim directly at who would inherit the marquis’s household. She was startled, then said, “Gunainai sees clearly. Jia Lian has no hope through the imperial examinations, so we can only hope for advancement through ancestral privilege. But this marquis’s household… Without a few things slipping from the Old Madam’s hands, the two of us couldn’t fill that enormous hole.”

Wang Xifeng didn’t conceal it from me. After all, a considerable part of the Jia household’s expenses came from Lin Ruhai.

I had personally overseen filling the boats for their return this time. There was little she could hide from me.

I said, “You know how much your Old Madam loves Baoyu. If this household comes to you in the future, she may well use her private assets to support Baoyu. How will you feed this whole family then? If the title falls to Baoyu, given your understanding of the Old Madam, will she set aside an estate specifically for you two?”

Wang Xifeng instinctively shook her head. Her expression gradually grew grave.

Only then did I say, “Don’t blame me for speaking harshly. Either way, you won’t get much good out of this. Taking or not taking this marquis’s household will both be trouble. But the one thing you absolutely shouldn’t have done was actively give Baoyu more bargaining chips!”

30

My voice and expression turned stern. “If Baoyu gains the Lin family’s support, there’ll be no place for you in this entire household. If I were you, I would abandon the idea early and make plans for myself, rather than pour all my heart’s blood into this bottomless pit!”

My words frightened Wang Xifeng. Even her usually shrewd, composed face showed some alarm.

It wasn’t that she had never thought of these things. Her private usury proved she had. But what use was a cup of water against a burning cart of firewood?

She looked up at me, somewhat lost.

I struck while the iron was hot. “I don’t mind you knowing: your Gunainai Jia never approved of Baoyu from the beginning. Now I, too, don’t want Daiyu to marry into your family. As long as you help me dispel this idea from the Jia household, I guarantee you’ll have endless business with the Lin and Shen families—open, legitimate business!”

31

Wang Xifeng went back. Although she hadn’t agreed on the spot and was still mentioning the Old Madam,

judging from her expression, this matter was already eight or nine tenths settled.

Talking to someone like this was easy. You offered what she wanted, and she helped accomplish what you wanted.

Sure enough, afterward, Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian caused no more trouble.

I also thoroughly filled two boats for their journey home—one officially from the Lin family to thank the Jias for looking after Daiyu, and the other as the private property of Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng.

32

As for Daiyu, although she was still listless, the child’s heart was as pure as could be. I pulled her over to eat with me and review accounts together, while the Shens repeatedly invited her to poetry gatherings and flower parties. Once busy, she had no time to lament spring and grieve over autumn.

Yingtao reported that Daiyu had prepared two chests of gifts, instructing Wang Xifeng one by one to deliver them to everyone in the Jia family.

For Jia Baoyu, there was a set of storybooks and a collection of poetry.

She had copied the poetry herself. Jiangnan valued both learning and trade. Its people were broad-minded, practical, and educated. Daiyu had attended many poetry gatherings and encountered plenty of exceptional people.

I had given her the storybooks. They told of a wastrel who ruined his family, reformed himself, and rose again.

She had prepared both a proper poetry collection and those unorthodox storybooks. Whether Jia Baoyu could understand her intentions was another matter.

33

Time passed in the blink of an eye. Under my care, the Lin father and daughter grew increasingly healthy.

Although Daiyu often resented my dragging her up early to practice the Eight Brocades and Five Animal Exercises, whatever her mouth said, her body honestly followed along.

The Shen clan was large, with many children and juniors. Every few days, there were outings of all kinds: spring excursions, climbing heights, temple visits, and more.

Lin Ruhai also established a proper school at the Lin ancestral hall, with both boys’ and girls’ classes.

34

At first, Daiyu wasn’t very willing to attend.

In the end, she and Jia Baoyu did share certain traits. She disliked the eight-legged essays of the imperial examinations, preferring leisurely, elegant writing or popular prose that broadened knowledge.

I didn’t stop her from reading these miscellaneous books. I even produced a few storybooks for her amusement now and then.

But I still encouraged her to go to school. “With such fine talent, if you only read and write poetry according to your own tastes, your horizons will remain somewhat narrow. Although you’re a young lady of the inner quarters and can’t take examinations and become an official like a man, knowing more about outside affairs will broaden both your mind and understanding.”

After enough teaching through words and example, Daiyu was less resistant than before. Leaning on the “sofa” I had made, she tilted her head and asked, “Did Mother learn those storybooks she writes from going to school too?”

Thinking of all the novels I read during my school years, I nodded very calmly. “Exactly.”

35

Daiyu obediently went to class. She was a very clever girl and didn’t display much of her talent in the classroom, only honestly acting as an observer.

After school, she brought her essays and poems back for Lin Ruhai and me to read.

Occasionally, I gave her argumentative essay topics too. Ahem, certainly not because I had suffered through too many argumentative essays as a student, but because they more readily provoked thought and discussion.

She was already perceptive. Looking at something from different angles could bring different feelings.

Gradually, the little girl stopped burrowing into dead ends so much and made some friends at school.

36

Lin Ruhai’s reputation was useful. Within just three years of the clan school’s opening, a group of students had already passed the examinations to become xiucai.

Several students Lin Ruhai personally tutored also became jinshi.

Translator’s note: Xiucai (秀才) were degree-holders from the first tier of the imperial examination system; jinshi (进士) had passed its highest metropolitan and palace stages.

Meanwhile, under my subtle influence, the Lin girls’ school gradually gained a reputation too.

Throughout Jiangnan, any household that aspired to a respectable name was willing to send its daughters to study at the Lin school.

Grandmother Jia had been right about one thing: once girls married, there weren’t many happy days left. While they were still at home, they should enjoy whatever freedom they could.

Therefore, the school taught them not only literacy, study, and thought, but also managing shops, calculating accounts, judging goods, and hosting banquets.

Every girl who came out of the Lin school had broad horizons and could grace the reception hall and manage the kitchen.

Its reputation spread wider and wider. Added to Lin Ruhai’s good performance as Salt Inspection Censor, this greatly pleased the emperor. By imperial decree, Lin Ruhai was recalled to the capital and promoted to a first-rank senior official, with a residence, fields, and property bestowed on him.

The news wasn’t unexpected, but it did worry me somewhat—once back in the capital, we would be close to the Rong and Ning households.

37

Lin Ruhai clearly shared my thoughts.

A promotion was good, but Daiyu was the Lin family’s only precious treasure. Thinking of the Jia family’s eager contact over the years, neither of us could avoid some worry.

Especially seeing Daiyu look so delighted, we were even less certain what to do.

She was so happy, and the Jia family was still her maternal family. We couldn’t stop her from going.

But after packing and boarding the boat, just as we were worrying deeply, Daiyu spoke with great joy.

“Father, Mother, the last time I took this boat, I was going to live as a guest in my grandmother’s house. I was always a little frightened inside.”

She was very happy. “This time is wonderful. I can live in our own home with Father and Mother and still go to school. I’m so glad.”

Lin Ruhai had established the Lin clan school in the capital as well.

Hearing her words, Lin Ruhai and I both relaxed a little.

The Jia family was still the same Jia family. But Daiyu was no longer the same Daiyu.

38

Returning to the capital was indeed extremely busy. Before we had even disembarked, people came by fast horses and connecting boats to deliver a whole basket of visiting cards.

Lin Ruhai, Daiyu, and I gathered together, sorting the cards into categories.

“Old Lin, you go to this one.

“The Wang family’s invitation probably needs me.

“Put off the merchants’ association for now. We’ve just arrived in the capital; we shouldn’t be too conspicuous…

“Let Daiyu go to the Mu family. Their eldest branch’s young mistress runs the household. She and Daiyu were close at school a couple of years ago.

“You go to this one.

“Our whole family will go to this one…”

And so it went for several days before we finally arranged everything before getting off the boat.

That also meant our coming days would be very busy.

39

Daiyu had grown a great deal over these years. Although she still had little tempers now and then, overall she could shoulder responsibilities well.

With her own duties, she also had to socialize. On the second day after disembarking, she took the gifts she had prepared for everyone in the Jia family and went to the Rongguo residence.

Originally, I wanted Lin Ruhai to go along, but he disagreed.

He told me, “Before, we were in Jiangnan and they were in the capital. One or two boatloads of goods a year were enough. But things are different now. Being in the same city means we should be more circumspect.”

Lin Ruhai was candid with me. “My late wife’s brother still has some lofty self-regard and can behave passably on the surface. But the Old Madam is likely to be a problem.”

40

Soon, I learned what Lin Ruhai meant by a problem.

Daiyu went early the next morning. By sunset, she still hadn’t returned.

I wondered: Was she going to stay at the Jia house?

It wasn’t that she couldn’t. But we had agreed earlier that she had many social engagements after returning. This child was always clever and sensible. Although she had a bit of a temper, she never failed in important matters.

She never broke her promises.

I sent someone to the Jia house to ask. Who knew they would meet Lizhi coming back halfway, her face urgent. “Madam, please hurry to the Jia house! They’re keeping our young miss there and won’t let her leave!”

How could that be allowed?!

I immediately sent for Lin Ruhai. “Whatever happens, we have to make this visit today.”

41

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai was indeed very displeased. “I said there wasn’t a single clearheaded person in the Jia household. What do they think this is? They dare hold Daiyu and refuse to let her come home!”

As I gathered gifts, I said, “Originally, my position made it awkward to visit the Jia house. But anyone who touches my daughter will have to answer to me!”

At once, Lin Ruhai and I took our people to the Jia residence.

Arriving there still required passing through three gates in a four-bearer sedan chair. But the Jia family gave us plenty of face: Jia Zheng and the others personally welcomed us at the entrance.

Lin Ruhai helped me out of the sedan chair. The Jia family wore a variety of expressions.

Wang Xifeng, however, had done many business deals with me over these years. Seeing me now, her laughter could practically be heard five li away.

42

Resting a hand on Wang Xifeng’s, I looked over with a smile. Even the young men from the Ningguo residence had come. Only Grandmother Jia, Baoyu, Daiyu, and the other girls were absent.

Grandmother Jia and the young ladies were one thing. They had a certain dignity to maintain.

But Baoyu was already in his teens. Even Jia Lan stood to one side, yet he was hiding in the inner residence and refusing to come out.

Grandmother Jia really spoiled Baoyu without limit.

Wang Xifeng understood my thoughts and lightly touched my hand. “Don’t worry, Gunainai. My people are watching. They won’t let Lin-meimei be put in a difficult position.”

43

Lin Ruhai went off with the Jia men, while Wang Xifeng and the others led me to the inner courtyard to pay respects to Grandmother Jia.

Before we entered, I heard a clamor inside.

A boy whose voice was breaking cried something about “I only want to be with Lin-meimei! Wherever she is, I’ll be there!” The rest was a chorus of girls and matrons coaxing him.

Grandmother Jia was beside herself. “You useless things! Hurry and stop Baoyu. How can you let him really smash that jade?!”

Beside her, Lady Wang suppressed her anger and advised, “Your Lin-meimei has her own home now. How can she stay here as she did before?”

She had barely finished before Grandmother Jia rebuffed her. “Why can’t she stay? How could a stepmother be as close as her own grandmother? Stop talking such nonsense!”

44

That was the scene I saw upon entering.

Countless charming or gentle girls clung to Baoyu, all crying together.

Baoyu pulled at his neck ring as if to take it off and throw it down.

Protected by Yingtao, Xueyan, and the others, Daiyu sheltered beside Grandmother Jia. Her eyes had already swollen like peaches from crying.

Beside her stood a poised, gracious girl whose bearing was no less than Daiyu’s. She too looked at the roomful of people with considerable embarrassment and helplessness.

I stood in the doorway and heard Wang Xifeng sigh. Then she composed herself and entered with a ringing laugh. “Aiya, my ancestors! Madam Lin and I heard such extraordinary liveliness from the Old Madam’s rooms from far away. We thought you were welcoming us. Who knew there was another fuss!”

As she spoke, she approached Baoyu. “Let me see. Who has upset our Baoyu this time?”

45

Baoyu’s eyes were red. He had evidently been crying too. “Second Saozi, you tell me. Weren’t Lin-meimei and I always the closest? Now they want to separate us. They won’t let her stay here, and they won’t let me go to the Lin house with her!”

Wang Xifeng hurriedly soothed him. “It’s not that we won’t let Lin-meimei stay. Her father and mother are both here, and she has a home of her own.”

Then she quickly introduced everyone.

I gave the Old Madam a white-jade Buddha statue, and Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, and the other girls bracelets of Eastern pearls.

Seeing me, the Old Madam naturally cried for her own daughter too.

I smiled inwardly. This old lady was truly accustomed to being coaxed and worshiped in her household. The older she got, the more childish she became, without a shred of etiquette.

Whether considering the Shen family or the Lin family, sighing over Jia Min’s early death in front of me was rather unseemly.

But Grandmother Jia’s behavior didn’t surprise me. I took my handkerchief and squeezed out two tears to accompany her. Sure enough, Wang Xifeng came to rescue the situation.

46

Only after a spell of chaos did things finally quiet down.

Seeing me was like seeing a savior for Daiyu. She hurried to my side and wouldn’t move half a step away.

She was now a girl accustomed to the world.

When she first came to the Jia household, she had thought that the Rongguo residence must have strict rules, so she had followed its conventions in every movement, meal, and cup of tea.

When Grandmother Jia had her live in the gauze-screened sleeping alcove, little more than a partitioned compartment, she hadn’t known whether it was proper and simply moved in.

But now, among her close friends were daughters of upright scholars, officials, wealthy merchants, and skilled craftsmen. She could already distinguish right from wrong.

Daiyu leaned beside my ear and said, “There would originally be no harm in staying with Grandmother a few days. But Baoyu still freely enters the rooms of all the older and younger girls. It’s really rather inconvenient.”

She found it somewhat difficult to say. “Never mind Yingchun and Tanchun—even the rooms of Baochai-jiejie and Xiangyun-meimei, who are staying as guests, are places he can enter whenever he likes.”

I thought: Not just enter whenever he likes. He can stay whenever he likes too. Which one doesn’t he touch or get close to?

47

I was very glad Daiyu could now judge right and wrong and make her own choices.

Grandmother Jia did love Daiyu, and Daiyu was willing to stay a few days to keep her maternal grandmother company.

But knowing that Baoyu, no longer young, still mixed freely in the inner quarters made her unwilling.

“Even Qian-jiejie’s house doesn’t disregard propriety like this.”

Miss Qian was also Daiyu’s schoolmate and friend from the Lin clan school. Her family ran an apothecary business. In matters of life and death, they didn’t place rules first, but in everyday life, they would never allow an outside man to enter the inner residence privately.

I patted Daiyu’s hand, indicating that I understood.

Never mind them now—even in the twenty-first century, I didn’t like other people wandering into and out of my room.

Just as we were saying this, Grandmother Jia spoke from the seat of honor.

48

“My A-Min died young, leaving only this one girl. As her maternal grandmother, naturally I must cherish her a little more.”

Grandmother Jia spoke with grave earnestness. “Besides, a girl has only a few good years. After marriage, she loses her freedom. I know your rules are strict, so I thought she could stay here and relax a little.”

I smiled. “Of course the Old Madam cherishes Daiyu. But Daiyu has schoolwork at home and responsibilities in the clan school. If everyone didn’t depend on her, her father and I wouldn’t dare come specially to ask her back.”

Grandmother Jia frowned unhappily. “It’s enough for a girl to recognize a few characters. Why learn so much? It will only turn her wooden. Isn’t my perfectly good grandson like this because his father has criticized and beaten him too much over his lessons…”

I didn’t want to hear Grandmother Jia’s line of reasoning. Wang Xifeng came forward to smooth things over. “Aiya, my old ancestor, have you forgotten? Lin-meimei’s mother, our own Gunainai, was exceptionally learned back then. The people at the Lin school respect Gunainai too. That’s why they want Lin-meimei there!”

There was no such thing. But Wang Xifeng knew I didn’t mind Jia Min, so she borrowed that excuse.

Sure enough, hearing that the Lin clan school valued Jia Min and that Daiyu was involved in its affairs, Grandmother Jia and the others changed their thoughts and attitudes again.

49

Originally, the Old Madam was quite unhappy to see me. But once she heard that I was taking Daiyu back because she had been given responsibilities, she stopped making a fuss.

Wang Xifeng sighed with relief and hurriedly coaxed the Old Madam into letting her go.

Seeing this, I thought: Sure enough, there was no true senility here. She merely used muddleheadedness as a pretext to pursue her own interests.

When Baoyu saw everyone change their tune, he immediately refused to accept it and came directly over to seize Daiyu.

But Daiyu was long past being someone he could approach or behave presumptuously with whenever he wished.

The instant he rushed forward, Yingtao stepped in front of her.

I didn’t even see how Yingtao stopped him, but Baoyu couldn’t advance another inch.

Furious, I looked at Wang Xifeng and the others. “I never imagined the Jia family treated guests this way! Rushing up to strike someone at the slightest disagreement?! Here in the capital, beneath the Son of Heaven’s feet, someone dares detain a court minister’s family and even use violence. What magnificent propriety!”

Baoyu froze and stammered, “I… no, I-I didn’t. I didn’t mean to be violent with Lin-meimei…”

But Wang Xifeng had already grasped my meaning with remarkable speed. She personally blocked Baoyu and said anxiously, “Aiya, my Second Master Bao! It’s one thing for you to throw things and strike out at us sisters. How can you do it to Lin-meimei too!”

Baoyu panicked, even forgetting to cry as he hurried to explain.

But when Daiyu looked at him, only disappointment remained in her eyes.

50

Using Baoyu’s frenzy and violence as the reason, I brought Daiyu out.

Lin Ruhai received word and quickly concluded his pleasantries and discussion with Jia Zheng and the others, joining us mother and daughter.

On the journey, the three of us shared a carriage. Both their expressions were rather poor.

After we got home, Lin Ruhai called Daiyu into his study.

Under my guidance, he never hid matters large or small from her. Daiyu was clever. Letting her know more was better than keeping things from her.

Lin Ruhai spoke frankly. “We can no longer associate with the Jia family.”

Daiyu was stunned for a moment. Although today’s reunion hadn’t been pleasant, she hadn’t expected anything this serious.

Instinctively, she looked at me. Drinking tea to one side, I nodded slightly. “Listen to your father.”

Lin Ruhai said, “Yuanchun has been promoted three ranks in succession at the palace and has now been made an imperial consort. It doesn’t look like a good thing to me. It seems they’re raising her high to destroy her. Today, in my conversation with Jia Zheng and the others, I clearly indicated that they must be cautious. But Jia Zheng thought nothing of it. He only said he hoped I would honor them by visiting the garden they’ve newly built. There was no shortage of pride in his words.”

51

Once Lin Ruhai described the day’s events, Daiyu immediately understood.

She had lived in the Jia house for a year or two and knew its extravagance and finances perfectly well.

That wasn’t praise of her abilities. The Jia household simply had too few rules: all rewards and allowances, from top to bottom, were openly known, while income was scarce.

Daiyu frowned slightly. “Even if all Grandmother’s private property were taken out, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be enough to build this garden.”

The implication was that the Jia family must have used Yuanchun’s promotion to imperial consort as a reason to raise money outside.

If people gave willingly in exchange for benefits, that was one thing. But if they were unwilling… it was a monstrous crime on the Jia family’s part!

52

After Lin Ruhai said this, Daiyu’s expression shook. She murmured, “Then the Old Madam, Baoyu, and the others…”

Lin Ruhai shook his head. “The entire Jia family is muddleheaded. Only Jia Zheng appears lofty from the outside, but that is merely because he has failed to prosper in officialdom and doesn’t understand its many workings. He can only strive for a reputation for lofty principles.”

Speaking of this, Lin Ruhai sighed too. Originally, Baoyu’s generation had included Jia Zhu, clever from childhood and exceptionally learned. He passed the provincial examination young, married Li Wan, and gained the esteem of the Li family, whose head was Chancellor of the Directorate of Education. He should have become the head of the Jia household in the next generation.

Unfortunately, his fate was poor, and he died early. Now, Jia Lian, Jia Huan, and Jia Baoyu—not one was useful.

Jia Lian had some skill in business, but no hope in the imperial examinations.

Daiyu was already sensitive and prone to worry. After hearing her father, sorrow and despair filled her brow.

Grand Prospect Garden had been built. Even if it wasn’t yet called Grand Prospect Garden, such an enormous, luxurious complex stood there. The evidence of the Jia family’s crimes was already in place.

Only after they finished speaking did I slowly say, “There may still be a chance to turn things around.”

53

Lin Ruhai looked toward me. A small light appeared in Daiyu’s eyes too. “Mother, do you have a way to resolve my maternal family’s difficulties?”

I thought, then said, “The Jia family has reached this point. Escaping the predicament completely is impossible. But if we only want to save the people, there are still ways to consider.”

Hearing this, Lin Ruhai shook his head lightly. “Others may not appreciate it.”

I smiled. “What do I need other people’s gratitude for? I only want Daiyu to be happy.”

Lin Ruhai was slightly taken aback and glanced at Daiyu. The child had thought deeply since she was little. Eight or nine days out of ten, she wore a face full of worry.

Over these years with me, she had visibly become more lively and cheerful. Although traces of sorrow remained, she no longer routinely cried until her body withered.

After a long while, Lin Ruhai gently covered my hand. “With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask? You always think of Yu’er a little more than I do.”

Ever since Lin Ruhai spoke of the great disaster facing the Jia family, Daiyu had lost all vitality and smiles. A withering sorrow had rapidly climbed over the little girl’s brows and into her heart.

Lin Ruhai only thought the Jia family had harmed her during those two years, yet now she was still worrying for them so deeply.

Only I knew that this was Daiyu’s destiny as the heroine.

I wasn’t trying to save the Jia family. I was trying to save Daiyu.

54

Over the next few days, Daiyu rarely visited the Jia house. But Baoyu showed no concern for propriety and actually followed her to our home.

I was in charge of the Lin household now. Two out of three times, I made him eat a closed-door soup.

However his fate and Daiyu’s were entangled was one matter. As Daiyu’s stepmother, I wouldn’t make things convenient for him to pester her.

Helpless, Jia Baoyu left these words: “I thought Gunainai Shen had the grace of an immortal and was different from others. Even after marriage, she hadn’t become a pearl covered in dust and turned into a fish eye. Who knew Gunainai Shen understood nothing of my affection for Lin-meimei?”

I laughed from anger and passed those words directly to Lin Ruhai. Afterward, I heard that Lin Ruhai had thoroughly humiliated Jia Zheng at court.

How Jia Zheng disciplined Jia Baoyu after returning home wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

After that, however, Jia Baoyu did learn a little. He stopped coming to the Lin residence and instead went to seek schooling at the Lin clan school.

Whether he truly wanted to study or only pretended to, only he knew.

55

Daiyu held responsibilities at the Lin clan school. Every year, Lin Ruhai contributed large sums to support the younger Lins’ education, and he also admitted some students from poor families.

I entrusted all the many accounts involved to Daiyu.

First, her talent was outstanding. Others couldn’t easily fool her. She could clearly distinguish genuine learning from an embroidered pillow with nothing inside.

Second, it let her see the world’s hardships. For some people, merely living wasn’t easy. All they sought was enough food and the chance to live uprightly in this world. Others wore fine clothes and ate delicacies, yet achieved nothing and still pointed fingers and criticized everything.

Yingtao, Lizhi, Xueyan, and the others stayed beside Daiyu. Even those who couldn’t read learned a few characters, and they occasionally recounted her words.

“Today, Second Master Bao said some sour things again. He said it would be good if he could always read and write poetry with Miss like this. He didn’t want her to become confined by mundane affairs like other women in the future and turn unbearably vulgar.

“Miss got angry when she heard that. She said women became vulgar because, after marriage, they had to worry about the inner household. Someone had to know how to arrange every great and small matter and balance income and expenses.

“She said Second Master Bao thought women became commonplace after marriage because the men of that household couldn’t support it. Why did he consider Second Mistress Lian different from ordinary women? Naturally, because she could earn money, instead of having to worry about feeding the whole family while also preserving a man’s face.

“Even so, Second Master Bao still often called Second Mistress Lian vulgar, knowing only gold and silver and contributing nothing but money even to poetry gatherings.

“Miss gave Second Master Bao a thorough talking-to, then cried herself. She used several poor students from the clan school as examples. She said it wasn’t that they lacked a backbone; it was that the northwest wind had chilled their bones. She demanded to know: if the people worrying on Second Master Bao’s behalf died one day, could he hold things up?”

56

I felt wonderfully satisfied hearing this. “Her years of experience at the clan school haven’t been wasted.”

Yingtao pressed her lips together and smiled. “Second Master Bao didn’t even finish lessons today. He only stared at Miss and said she had changed, then ran home as if fleeing.”

I scoffed. “Whenever something doesn’t suit him, he runs home. Let’s see where he goes when one day there’s no home to run to.”

Still, speaking of Baoyu as a person, it wasn’t as if he had no strengths at all.

At the very least, his skin was thick enough.

Daiyu had only just scolded him the day before, and the next day he came again, trailing behind her with an aggrieved expression but never moving a step away.

Seeing that he wasn’t completely beyond saving, Daiyu couldn’t help feeling sad again. “Whatever else he does, he always listens to me.”

So she slowly taught Baoyu what I had told her, little by little.

57

Meanwhile, I summoned Wang Xifeng too.

Over these years, through the business that slipped between my fingers to her, Wang Xifeng had accumulated plenty of private assets.

She spoke frankly to me as well. “I listened to Guma and stopped stubbornly trying to handle everything in the household. If expenses couldn’t be covered, I said so in front of everyone. At first, the Old Madam and Madam were furious, blaming me for being mercenary and suspecting me of lining my own pockets. Once I handed over the account books together with the keys, household management went from Second Madam to First Madam, then to Tanchun and those girls. Even Brother Zhu’s widow tried once. In the end, it fell to Yuanyang, who serves the Old Madam.”

Translator’s note: Guma (姑妈) means paternal aunt; Wang Xifeng now uses it familiarly for the narrator.

I knew that girl Yuanyang. In Dream of the Red Chamber, she was one of the few maids with a good character, great ability, and strong self-respect. Unlike those with a maid’s body and a young lady’s heart, she was an efficient person.

58

Hearing this, I smiled. “That must have been hard on Yuanyang.”

“Exactly.” Wang Xifeng couldn’t have agreed more. “Fortunately, the Old Madam believes everything Yuanyang says. Now the whole household, even the Old Madam, knows that spending exceeds income.”

In the end, everyone was willing to hand household management back to Wang Xifeng, but she no longer wanted to take it.

Smiling now, Wang Xifeng had something of the sharpness and boldness she had possessed when Daiyu first entered the residence. “I won’t say I have a great deal now, but I have enough capital to keep my Qiaojie safe and comfortable for her whole life.”

Looking at her, I mercilessly pierced her beautiful dream. “That depends on the Jia family not doing anything that gets their heads cut off.”

59

Wang Xifeng’s expression changed drastically. “Guma, these words…”

My expression was solemn. “When have I ever lied?”

Wang Xifeng had risen in shock. Doing business with me, she naturally knew my character. Now, unable to stand steadily, she fell back into the chair behind her.

“How… how has it come to this? Consort Yuan is still in the palace!” she exclaimed softly, unable to believe it.

I shook my head. “I’m afraid that is the source.”

Wang Xifeng stared at me with wide eyes for a long while. Then, with a thump, she dropped to her knees. “Guma, to tell you the truth, there’s already another one in my belly… For Qiaojie and this child, I have to live!”

60

I helped her up. “Pregnancy is good news. But are you truly willing to give up everything for these two children? Including the noble household, title, future prospects, and property?”

Wang Xifeng scarcely hesitated. “The household and title have long had nothing to do with us. As for prospects and property, we have to be alive to earn them. Guma, please save me!”

I nodded. “It’s good that you can think this way. Then what I tell you next, you must do even if it means cutting flesh and gouging out your heart.”

“Whatever Guma instructs.” Wang Xifeng agreed at once.

“Good. The first step is to donate that garden.”

What?

Even though Wang Xifeng had prepared to sacrifice everything, she hadn’t expected my first cut to be aimed directly at the garden.

61

First, Daiyu admonished Baoyu. Then I guided Wang Xifeng and Jia Lian.

Naturally, Lin Ruhai had to follow suit. After several rounds of his alternating cold and warm treatment, Jia Zheng finally couldn’t bear it anymore. He arranged a feast and invited Lin Ruhai, hoping to reconcile.

Even if he didn’t understand why Lin Ruhai was treating him this way, he could only steel himself, endure it, and swallow his pride.

Seeing that he still knew how to lower his head, rather than treat lofty principles as his life, Lin Ruhai felt somewhat relieved. “At least he isn’t an utterly unreasoning block of dead wood.”

The banquet that day was held outside, but at my restaurant, with no one nearby. Apart from the two of them, only I knew what they said that night.

62

After Jia Zheng returned home that day, he didn’t attend court the next morning. Only on the third day did he dress properly and go.

As soon as he reached court, Jia Zheng submitted a memorial to the emperor. He said Grand Prospect Garden was complete and awaited Consort Yuan’s homecoming visit. He also stated that afterward, the garden would be donated in the palace’s name for the common people to visit and enjoy.

Jia Zheng was, after all, a literary man and had skill in writing. He earnestly recited a rhapsody praising the emperor’s benevolence and the age of peace and prosperity. “Your Majesty’s gracious permission for Consort Yuan to visit her family brings glory not only to the Jia household, but also manifests Your Majesty’s heavenly favor. This subject is grateful to the depths of his being and hopes all under heaven will know Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

I didn’t know what the emperor thought, but Lin Ruhai said he approved the request and even praised Jia Zheng for “sharing joy with the people.”

63

And through the emperor’s words, Jia Zheng gradually woke up—if the emperor had no dissatisfaction with the Jia family, how could he so lightly agree to the outright donation of a project that cost so much?

Whether this was grace or punishment was plain to see.

From then on, Jia Zheng no longer dared doubt Lin Ruhai’s words. He simply followed them swiftly.

Originally, he worried there might be obstacles within the Jia family. Who knew the entire household would agree?

One of the troublemakers, Baoyu, volunteered. “I have achieved nothing in the imperial examinations. In the past, I cared only for pleasure, an ignorant wastrel. From now on, I wish only to be a commoner and remain to look after the garden.”

Amid Jia Zheng’s delighted surprise came a wave of exhaustion—this son was beyond saving. Although he had worried about how to persuade his son to abandon the examinations, when the time actually came, seeing Jia Baoyu give them up even faster than he did still left a knot in his chest.

Meanwhile, Jia Baoyu was overjoyed. That very day, he found Daiyu to thank her. “Father really agreed! Lin-meimei treats me best. Knowing I dislike the examinations, you helped me solve it once and for all. Father can’t scold me anymore, and Mother can’t force me either.”

Daiyu looked at Baoyu with a hundred mixed feelings.

But whatever the method, the goal had been achieved.

64

After Jia Baoyu abandoned the examinations, Jia Zheng naturally had Jia Huan give them up too.

Jia Huan, however, didn’t know the inside story. He only thought Jia Baoyu’s uselessness had dragged him down to be buried alongside him. He would never be able to take the examinations again. So he came to hate Jia Baoyu ten times more than before.

Someone also went to persuade the Old Madam, saying only that Baoyu didn’t like studying, and they couldn’t let Jia Huan, a concubine’s son, climb over his head. They might as well all stop studying.

The Old Madam, muddleheaded as ever, couldn’t bear hearing that Baoyu was inferior to anyone. She agreed at once.

Only Li Wan was different. She came from a scholarly family. Wang Xifeng joined forces with Yuanyang to obtain permission for her to return to her natal home.

Li Wan also stated, “I will remain faithful to Master Zhu all my life. I only hope to let Lan’er study with my father.”

65

At this point, even the final obstacle, Lady Wang, had to agree. She couldn’t understand why Jia Zheng was suddenly behaving as foolishly as the Old Madam, simply letting Baoyu abandon the examinations.

But she ordinarily had no standing at all before this mother and son. Now that the Old Madam and Jia Zheng had both spoken, however unwilling she was, she could only accept it.

Thus, although she originally hadn’t wanted Li Wan to return to her family, once she heard it was the only way for Jia Zhu’s sole surviving bloodline to study and take the examinations, she could only agree.

In the Ning residence, Jia Rong, Jia Qiang, and the others had never aspired to learning and were even worse than those in the Rong residence. So they agreed without any difficulty, even gaining a reputation for filial conduct and obedience to their elders along the way.

66

The Jia family’s actions caused an uproar in the capital. Before even using the enormously expensive garden, they announced they would donate it as the “Garden of All the People.” At the same time, the younger Jias abandoned the imperial examinations one after another, cutting off their own official careers.

Before long, word spread that they were giving up even the titles granted through ancestral privilege.

Countless changes happened in succession, all before Yuanchun’s homecoming visit.

The Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue families reacted differently. Although the Jias were the most muddleheaded, that confusion had its benefits. Everyone had their own thoughts, but in the end, different paths led to the same destination, and all accepted it.

Wang Xifeng went back to tell the Wang family. “I’ve said all I can today. Whether you understand or not, simply do it. If you don’t, don’t go begging at anyone’s door in the future. Every family is the same—we can scarcely save ourselves!”

The Shi family had already declined considerably. Even Shi Xiangyun only had a little breathing room thanks to the Old Madam’s standing in the Jia house.

Seeing even the Jias take such action, the two Shi marquises swiftly sold their private property and volunteered for military garrison service, entrusting only Shi Xiangyun to the Old Madam.

As for the Xue family, that young girl, barely two years older than Daiyu, already showed signs of a household head’s bearing.

Noticing how desperately the Jia family wanted to avoid any connection to imperial power, she understood—using the Jias as a stepping-stone into the palace was no longer possible.

67

Daiyu also told me, “Bao-jiejie is capable. In the past, merely because she was a woman, her uncles and brothers looked down on her. Seeing me now manage the clan school, estates, and shops, she knows girls can accomplish a thing or two as well. So she has abandoned that idea. She only asked me to approach Mother and see whether you could give her some help.”

My good daughter was pleading before me for a close friend. Naturally, there was nothing I wouldn’t agree to.

I recalled the verse in the original book:

“Jia is no sham: white jade for halls and gold for horses.

“The Epang Palace, three hundred li wide, cannot house one Shi family of Jinling.

“When the Eastern Sea lacks a white-jade bed, the Dragon King calls upon the Wangs of Jinling.

“In a plentiful year, what great snow: pearls like earth and gold like iron.”

Translator’s note: The final line plays on Xue (薛), which sounds like xue3 (雪), “snow”; Jia (贾) also sounds like jia3 (假), “false” or “sham.” The verse describes the four families’ extravagant wealth.

It had been the height of splendor, yet in the end, they lost their ambitions amid riches and rank.

I told Daiyu, “Only ask her this: the Xue family has no hope of entering the palace now. If I want her to abandon the title of imperial merchant too, can she bear to give it up?”

68

Less than two days after Daiyu went, Xue Baochai personally came to see me, bringing her answer. “Without breaking, nothing new can stand. Rely on a mountain, and it falls; rely on a person, and they run. Only now do I understand that relying on anyone else is inferior to relying on myself. Since we must break, better to break completely.”

I looked at the young girl below me. This child’s resolve was firmer than Daiyu’s.

Although Daiyu had grown clearer-minded under my teaching, Xue Baochai had always been more practical.

In her heart, she wasn’t satisfied with Baoyu. But under the Xue family’s circumstances at that time, only marrying him could protect her widowed mother and weak brother.

Now that she understood, there was nothing she couldn’t bear to give up.

As for the title of imperial merchant, whoever wanted it could take it. In a struggle between merchants and officials, the merchants were always the weaker side. Better to let go completely and preserve more instead.

Since she understood so clearly, I was at ease. With another clearheaded sister beside her, even after Lin Ruhai and I were gone, Daiyu would have her own support.

69

The imperial homecoming visit arrived as scheduled. At Jia Zheng’s and Wang Xifeng’s insistent invitation, Daiyu and I attended too.

Yuanchun was splendidly adorned, but deep worry lay between her brows. Before leaving, she held Jia Zheng’s and Lady Wang’s hands and said, “Father has saved my life. I only hope the family understands what is at stake and lives less extravagantly.”

Lady Wang’s tears flowed, and Jia Zheng kept agreeing. “Of course we won’t. Of course we won’t.”

Yuanchun returned to the palace. The Jias continued disposing of their property. In truth, there hadn’t been much to begin with. When Wang Xifeng managed the household, they had already relied on the Old Madam’s storerooms to get by.

Afterward, Grand Prospect Garden was indeed donated as the Garden of All the People, earning considerable praise among the public.

Only an empty shell of the Jia family remained, but in the end, even that couldn’t avert Yuanchun’s fate.

That autumn, Yuanchun died of illness in the palace. The emperor specially permitted the Jia family to return to Jinling for mourning.

Lin Ruhai gave Jia Zheng one last piece of advice. “Retire to your hometown. There is no need to return to the capital again.”

I didn’t know whether Jia Zheng agreed. But the Old Madam truly couldn’t hold on. Not long after Consort Yuan’s funeral, she passed away, and the Jia household observed three years of mourning.

Sure enough, the Old Madam left all her private assets to Baoyu. Jia Lian, Wang Xifeng, and the others had long expected this and weren’t angry.

Besides, Baoyu truly didn’t care about gold and silver. He simply handed the keys back to Wang Xifeng. “Let Feng-jiejie manage the household.”

Afterward, Jia Jing and Jia She died one after another. As if fated, three years followed another three years. Once the younger Jias reached Jinling, they truly never left again.

Having seen more of the world, Wang Xifeng also extinguished her greed. She took out all the Old Madam’s wealth, bought two mountains, and established a quiet retreat. Everyone lived up in the mountains.

70

During this period, Daiyu, Baochai, Li Wan, who had returned to her natal family, and Shi Xiangyun, who had married out, visited from time to time.

Daiyu returned and told me, “First Madam is young. After the mourning period ended, she remarried. Second Madam has always eaten vegetarian food and recited Buddhist scriptures. Before, some of it may have been helplessness, but now she seems truly devoted. The sisters are well too. The Sun family originally sought a marriage for Sun Shaozu, but then First Master died, and Yingchun-jiejie had to observe mourning. The Suns couldn’t wait, so they stopped pursuing it… This year, several students at the clan school who know the Sun family said that Sun Shaozu isn’t human. He beat several women in his rooms to death, one after another. Fortunately, Second Jiejie didn’t marry him. Feng-jiejie’s thoughts are on the shops below the mountain, so all affairs up there are entrusted to Tanchun. Who knew she would be so formidable? She manages everything in perfect order, tight as an iron barrel. Even several scoundrels from the Ning residence are terrified when they see her and behave themselves.”

71

Over these years, Jia Qiang, Jia Rong, and Jia Huan married or remarried in turn. With little family wealth, there were no longer endless waves of restless people coming after it, and they each settled down.

Seeing them behave, Wang Xifeng was generous too, distributing the shops the Old Madam had left, one household at a time.

Behave well on the mountain, and you received a shop to manage below.

Continue doing well below, and you received another.

In this way, the younger Jias actually settled down to manage affairs. Although they still didn’t like studying, their conversations were about operating and managing shops, with less idle resentment.

Even Jia Huan, who had hated Baoyu to the heavens, felt comfortable now that his own biological older sister managed both mountains.

Besides, Baoyu didn’t love money and didn’t understand mundane affairs, but he truly did have some talent for learning.

He couldn’t write eight-legged essays, but he was reasonably good at poetry and verse. Once Jia Zheng stopped interfering with his “miscellaneous reading,” he actually became a junior teacher at the Lin clan school.

Usually, he taught poetry to beginners. In his spare time, he even picked up a pen and wrote storybooks himself.

72

Daiyu often brought them to read. “Mother, Baoyu’s stories really aren’t worse than yours.”

I thought: Of course. Wasn’t this very “Baoyu” the author of Dream of the Red Chamber?

Even with several turns through time and space, a person in a book and a person’s book… this was still his destiny.

Daiyu arranged for people to print them, and they sold quite well. Everyone knew “Master Xueqin” had extraordinary talent and that his books contained countless deeper meanings.

After writing short biographies for many characters, Jia Baoyu gradually shed some arrogance and gained more detachment.

On Daiyu’s wedding day, he came to see her off. A moon-white robe made him look a little slimmer. Looking at her, he said, “Lin-meimei, before or after marriage, you will always be a true pearl, never covered in dust.”

73

Daiyu married my natal family’s sister-in-law’s nephew, from the Xie family, a renowned hereditary official clan of Qinghe. They were distinguished and refined without losing their integrity. Specializing in Mohist learning, they had considerable practical expertise, and every member of the younger generation was outstanding.

This match hadn’t even been arranged by us parents and elders. While studying letter paper, Daiyu learned that the Xie family’s craftsmanship was exceptional and went there to learn.

After half a year studying with the Xies, she was escorted home by their young son, Xie Jinyan.

The young man and woman had feelings for each other. After Lin Ruhai and I considered and investigated from many angles, the marriage was naturally settled.

A year later, Baochai and the Shen family’s fourth son escorted the bridal boats all the way to Qinghe. She had already been married into the Shen family for two years. Now the Xues no longer held the title of imperial merchant, but no one dared look down on the Shen family’s Fourth Young Mistress.

74

Before boarding, Daiyu made three deep kowtows to me and her father. The young man of the Xie family bowed along with her. “Please be at ease, Father and Mother. Jinyan will give everything to love and protect Yu’er.”

I gestured to help them rise and smiled. “Jinyan is thoughtful. As it happens, I have something to tell you. Zhen’er and Han’er have reached school age too. Your father and I have discussed sending them to the Xie school, to keep them from running wild at the Lin clan school.”

Daiyu was delighted. “Mother, truly?”

Lin Ruhai smiled. “I’ve already submitted a memorial requesting an inspection tour of the south. Before long, I will also be heading to Qinghe.”

75

Although we couldn’t stay in Qinghe all the time, we would probably be in the surrounding region for the next three years, not too far away.

This was a decision we had made together. Lin Ruhai had reached the highest station a subject could hold, almost below one man and above ten thousand. The current emperor valued him greatly.

But just because the emperor treated him intimately, we couldn’t forget our position. So, after repeated promotions, Lin Ruhai used Daiyu’s wedding as an excuse, insisting he was too worried to do anything but follow her to Qinghe.

The emperor was so angry he cursed him openly. But with Lin Ruhai’s mind made up, he could only agree, with the promise that after three years, Lin Ruhai would return to handle maritime shipping properly for him.

76

Half a year after Daiyu married, our whole family moved to Qinghe.

When we saw her again, Daiyu’s face glowed. With her arm through Xie Jinyan’s, she welcomed us at the docks.

After setting up a separate household, Baochai and the Shen family’s fourth son also chose to move to Qinghe. The two sisters joined forces to open a girls’ school and a women’s textile factory. The Xie, Lin, and Shen families together founded a women’s waterborne martial establishment, the beginnings of a female naval force.

“In the future, Father will be responsible for maritime shipping. We want to contribute too.”

Stroking his beard, Lin Ruhai laughed heartily. “Excellent, excellent.”

Then Daiyu came toward me and linked her arm through mine.

“Mother, let’s go home.”

(End)