Chapter 63: Mournful Inquiry in Western Garden Comforts You'er

  After Lin Zhiyuan left, Daiyu only told Yanyu to take good care of the two younger ones and then returned to her room, where she collapsed onto the bed, unable to hold on any longer.

  What was originally a simple visit has turned into this?

  Or did brother make a mistake? The eldest princess was just curious about herself and asked like this.

  Daiyu shook her head, even she herself couldn't accept such persuasion. The eldest princess, the wise and elegant princess, the young master, the children born out of wedlock... and that slap... what was the eldest princess thinking?

  At this time, Daiyu felt more and more helpless as a daughter, that marriage and lifelong happiness were not things she could control.

  "Miss?" Zi Juan gently pushed open the door and softly asked from outside, "Is Miss asleep?"

  Daiyu sat up and said, "It's Zi Juan, come in."

  "Miss, take a look at this," said Xiangyun, opening the package. "This is some material that Lady Wang's servant, Ping'er, brought over this afternoon. She said it was given to her by someone in the palace and that she had specifically chosen colors that were subdued and elegant for you. She also said it was a supplement to your summer allowance."

  Daiyu now, as soon as she hears anything about "palace" or "main", gets a severe headache and doesn't want to look closely, saying: "Let's give it to Yujie for the time being, see what kind of pattern she wants to embroider or what style she wants to make, let her do it."

  "In my opinion, it would be better for the young lady to take out a piece of work and try it with Pianlan. We just asked her what she could do, and Pianlan said that she used to do needlework at home and can draw patterns." Zijuan put away things while chatting idly with Daiyu.

  Daiyu thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. This was also a good idea, to let Peilan do those household chores, she might not have the ability to do them anyway, it's better to focus on needlework, this way, the younger maids wouldn't harbor resentment towards her either.

  "Zi Juan, don't be in a hurry, I have something to ask you."

  Zi Juan saw the young lady's serious expression and didn't know what big thing had happened, so she quickly put down her work and sat on the flower stool. "Young lady, please give me any instructions."

  "Do you remember saying before that there was an older brother working at the government office?"

  Zi Juan nodded, wondering why the girl suddenly brought up this matter, but still answered honestly: "It's hard for you to remember, it was all in the past. In recent years, you haven't given me few rewards, and I didn't have a place to spend them, so I saved them up. Later, our family situation improved, my brother had a son, and my parents asked my stepmother to redeem him. Now he's running a small rice shop on South Street, which is also a legitimate business."

  Daiyu was overjoyed when she heard this, it was really a coincidence. She had been worried that if she asked someone from the Jia household to help, they would talk nonsense. Now that they were no longer servants of the Jia household, it was even better for them to make inquiries. Daiyu walked to the front of the Dabao Pavilion, took down a large chest from above, and took out a silver ingot from inside, handing it to Xiangyun.

  "Miss, what's this?"

  "Give this to your brother and ask him to do me a favor."

  Zi Juan smiled and put the silver ingot back into the box, carefully placing it on the shelf. "Miss, if you have anything to say, just give us orders. Our whole family is grateful for your kindness, not to mention doing something for you, even if our whole family has to risk life and limb for you, we won't hesitate."

  Daiyu didn't force the issue, thinking that if things worked out, she could reward her later. She told Xiangyun: "Tell your brother to find a way to ask around and see if anyone knows what's going on with the Princess's residence. Besides the princess and the young marquis, the imperial son-in-law has several other children born of concubines - what are they all doing now? Xiangyun, be sure to remember that you're only asking about trivial household matters, don't pry into secrets or make people suspicious."

  "Don't worry, miss, I understand." Zi Juan said cautiously. "Then can I go find my brother now?"

  "Don't worry, you can go to Yuanyang's place early tomorrow morning. Didn't they say they wanted to have a good gathering with you? Take this opportunity to quietly tell the knowledgeable and understanding aunt, and let your brother wait for you at the small gate in front, without letting Yujie and others know about it. If someone from the Jia Mansion sees your brother, just say..."

  "Let's just say that my two aunts and cousin are getting married, and I'm being called to attend the ceremony with the young lady. We'll take a leave of absence for a couple of days and then return home. By the time my brother finds out what's going on, we'll have an excuse to go out again."

  Daiyu smiled slightly, "It's settled then, Xiangyun. Be sure to tell your brother that this matter must not be mentioned to anyone, not even your parents. He should understand and act accordingly."

  "Don't worry, miss. My brother may be a rough man, but he's not stupid and will know what to do. When I was working for the old lady, there was a Mrs. Song who was very kind and often helped us young maids buy fruit or cosmetics. I'll go see her later and quietly tell her about it, and she can find my brother. Mrs. Song is tight-lipped and won't say anything unnecessary."

  Daiyu thought for a moment, then said: "The things here are too eye-catching, and it's not good to give them to Song's mother either. I'm afraid people will be suspicious. I remember that there were some gifts in our trunk for Yuanyang and Ping'er, and it seems that there are still some left. You can pick one out, if you find something suitable, take it."

  Zi Juan smiled and said, "Who has the time to look for it? When we were in Suzhou, didn't you give me a lot of fabric, young lady? I haven't even had time to make anything with it yet. I'll take one piece to Song Mama, she's sure to be willing. I'll head back and search for it, and go over there before nightfall."

  Zi Juan rushed out of the door and ran straight to her own boudoir.

  In the courtyard, Chunxian and Xueyan were chattering away, it was unclear what they were saying. As soon as they saw Zijuan, they hastily stretched out their small hands to beckon her over.

  "Have the flowers in the yard been watered? Have the sparrows under the eaves been fed? And you two still have time to chat idly here?" Zi Juan glared at the two little maids with a bad temper.

  Xueyan has also risen one rank now. Although she doesn't dare to be presumptuous in front of Zijuan, the time they spend together is longer after all, and there are fewer worries.

  "Sister Zi Juan, isn't it that we can't do anything about it either? Xiang Shan is crying loudly in the house, and neither of us knows how to comfort her. Coincidentally, Chun Lian has gone out, so I and Chun Xian had no choice but to come out too." Xue Yan also looked slightly wronged.

  Zi Juan was taken aback, "Cried?" What's wrong with Xiang Shan? With a promotion of two ranks and increased pay, why would she cry instead of being happy?

  She was just about to speak when she saw Xiangxue and Xianglian hurrying back from fetching water, each looking listless.

  "Ah, just now you and Xiangxue were talking about the rules for Shangxian's share, those few little maidservants looked uncomfortable. We two were only sitting in the courtyard when we saw Shangxian rush out crying, asking her what was wrong but she didn't say anything, just tears streaming down her face. No choice but to bring her to our room, after all Zijuan sister did say that Shangxian should follow us and live with us first. We two tried to comfort her for half a day but it wasn't until Chunlei went over that she finally calmed down."

  Zi Juan coldly snorted in her heart, this group of young girls only knew how to bicker and be jealous, with such shallow minds, what great things could they accomplish? She asked again: "Why isn't Xiang Wei here? Did she also have a fight?"

  "Not at all," Xue Yan smiled and said, "I'm helping Pei Lan pack up her things."

  Zi Juan felt a little relieved, "I think Xiang Hui is quite good, she's calm and composed when things happen, in the future she'll be a lucky person to follow our young lady." She handed over the bundle of fabric on her hand to Xue Yan, "Good sister, help me put this in Yan Rong's place, I'm going to Pei Lan's room to take a look."

  "What are you few people doing here, not serving Lin sister? What are you talking about in the courtyard?" Suddenly, Tan Chun's voice came from the gate of the courtyard. She was accompanied by only Shifu and Xiaoqian, with a smile on her face. "Where is Lin sister?"

  "Ah, it's Third Sister," said the people who came to welcome her. "Our young lady is resting in the house." Tan Chun left behind Shi Shu, Xiao Qian and Chun Xian to keep her company, and went to Dai Yu's room herself.

  Tan Chun stood in front of Daiyu's bookshelf, and after a while, she pulled out two or three books. "Sister Lin, where did you get these good things? I've never heard of them before." She raised the book in her hand and asked tenderly.

  Daiyu saw that they were the "Shanhe Ji" and "Haidao Lüying" she had bought in Suzhou, so she said: "What was I thinking? You like them, just take them to read. Sanmei, pour tea."

  Tan Chun didn't hesitate to put all the selected books by her side, took a sip of fragrant tea and teased: "Sister Lin is so stingy, today I came alone, you just gave me some old tea, not as good as that day."

  Daiyu laughed and scolded: "Heartless Xiangling, when have I ever treated you poorly? This was given to me by a good sister from my old home in Suzhou, it's from their family tea garden, the best quality, only three or four plants, extremely rare. Although not famous, but the taste is great. I haven't had the heart to drink it, and now that you've come, I'll brew some for you to try. See if you can detect a faint peach blossom fragrance?"

  Tanchun lifted the tea cup, took a light sniff, and indeed it was fragrant. She savored it slightly, and the tea fragrance, peach blossom fragrance, lingered in her mouth. Tanchun praised: "Indeed it's good tea. Good sister, pour some for me."

  Daiyu burst out laughing, "Just now you were blaming me, and now you're calling me good sister? This tea is only two liang, I'll just give it to you, but if second sister and fourth sister find out, it won't be good. Why don't we have them come another day and I'll invite them to drink instead?"

  Daiyu deliberately didn't mention Baochai, Tan Chun could understand, but how come not even Bao Yu was brought along? These two people used to be the best of friends, but these past two days Er Gege has been acting strangely, and doesn't even joke with the maids. Zhen Shuiyan said that every day Bao Yu only reads books in the outer study, who knows what he's looking at. When Old Madame asked him, he said he wanted to learn from Lin family's older cousin, this year he also wants to take the imperial examination and become a scholar-official, which shocked all his sisters. Second Madame heard about it and was deeply moved, whenever she meets people she praises Er Gege for being filial, knowing that he will bring glory to their family.

  Xiangling pretended not to hear Daiyu's words and put down her teacup, stating her purpose, "Lin sister and brother-in-law went to the princess's mansion early this morning and didn't even have time to tell you. The old lady's relatives from her hometown came back to Beijing a few days ago to report for duty, so the old lady wanted to invite the ladies of the Shi family to our mansion for a visit. There is a younger sister in the Shi family named Xiangyun who is very close to us sisters. The old lady also said she wants to keep her here for a while. We discussed it with Er sister and thought that you are not convenient at home now, and Lin brother-in-law is studying in Wen Shu, so it would be disturbing you both. So we told the old lady that there's no need for Lin sister and brother-in-law to go over when the Shi family comes. I'll keep Shi's younger sister Xiangyun here with me, and it will be more convenient for everyone to meet later on. What do you think, Lin sister?"

  Daiyu sincerely thanked Tan Chun, it's rare for her to think of herself like this. If the Shi family really sends someone over, the mansion will inevitably host a banquet, and if she doesn't attend, it will only lead to unnecessary gossip. "It's just that you few can think of me like this, Third Sister knows, we're just here to fulfill our filial duties to our grandmother, and eventually we'll return to our own homes. Can we really stay here forever? I just want to quietly stay by Old Madame's side for a while longer, in the future, even if I want to see you all, it won't be as carefree as now."

  "Sister Lin's difficulties are understood by Tan Chun. We sisters have been together for a few years, how could I not know what kind of person you are?"

  Tanchun and Daiyu chatted for an entire afternoon. At dinner time, Tanchun sent away the little maid Xueyan who had been sent by Grandmother Jia to fetch her, and stayed in Daiyu's courtyard to have dinner. Naturally, Lin Zhixiang avoided showing his face to avoid suspicion...

  PS: The second update is online~~~ Don't know how the click rate will be. Surprisingly, I can only see it when I get home at night.