The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Wang Xifeng hurried over, only to find she was too late; the master had already taken action.

She had arrived the quickest, while Grandmother Jia and Second Madame were still on their way.

The servants around them were already kneeling on the ground, trembling in fear.

They wanted to help protect Baoyu, but the master angrily commanded them to kneel, and they dared not disobey, helplessly watching him strike Baoyu’s backside again and again.

Seeing this, Wang Xifeng paused for a moment, quickly thinking: the master wasn’t using a stick this time but his hand, so the injury probably wouldn’t be too serious.

But now that she was here, what could she do?

Wang Xifeng anxiously stomped her foot, watching Baoyu cry, and quickly urged, “Master, take a breath. What’s going on? What did Baoyu do to upset you?” Oh, why weren’t Grandmother Jia and Second Madame here yet? She couldn’t stop the master!

As news reached the maid, Second Madame and Grandmother Jia hurried over. However, they lived at varying distances, and their states differed as well; for instance, Grandmother Jia had settled in, but she was already resting and needed time to dress.

So Second Madame arrived first, rushing to Baoyu and blocking Jia Zheng’s hand. “Master, why are you so angry? The child is still young; if you teach him well, he will learn. Why resort to beating and scolding? Aren’t you afraid of harming his health? I only have two sons, and he’s my last one; you might as well hit me instead!” Hearing this, Baoyu shrank into his mother’s embrace.

Seeing Baoyu’s bruised backside, Second Madame felt even more heartbroken.

Jia Zheng let out a huff, “Too much maternal kindness spoils the child; look at what book he’s reading!”

He forcefully threw a book on the ground, exclaiming, “This wretch even made a cover for it with quotes from Confucius!” He had hoped Baoyu was studying hard, but seeing his panicked expression upon his arrival raised his suspicions. Looking closer, anger surged within him: “At such a young age, he’s already learning to be duplicitous. What future can he possibly have?!”

Finally, Grandmother Jia arrived. Hearing it was such a trivial matter, she tapped her cane in frustration. “Did you never read such books when you were young? I didn’t impose such strict discipline on you! It’s natural for a father to teach his son, but this is your own flesh and blood, and he’s been weak since childhood. How could you be so harsh?”

“If you still want to vent your anger, just hit me.”

“Son wouldn’t dare!” Jia Zheng had anticipated this scene once they arrived, so he struck first and spoke later.

Second Madame sent someone to fetch a doctor.

Jia Zheng said, “Baoyu, I’ll come check on you in a couple of days. Rest well; it won’t hinder your studies.”

A couple of days for a check-up?

Baoyu’s tears flowed even more fiercely.

After Jia Zheng left, Grandmother Jia and Second Madame surrounded Baoyu, fussing over him. The doctor arrived, and after examining him said, “It’s just a surface injury. A few days of rest with some medicine, and he’ll be fine.”

Only then did Grandmother Jia and Second Madame feel reassured, and they inquired about the details from the maid.

Second Madame asked, “Isn’t the master out visiting friends today? Why is he back? And why has Baoyu recently taken an interest in such trivial matters?”

The maid naturally didn’t know why the master had returned at this time, but she could answer the latter question. “Today, the young master of the Lin family asked Second Master Lian about the rumor of a monk who was struck by lightning nearby. Second Master even had someone who witnessed it come and describe the scene. The young master found it very interesting.”

Not only was the young master interested, but the maids were too; it was quite an unusual event that many around were discussing.

Upon hearing this, Second Madame’s face darkened further.

Why was it the Lin family again?

First, it was that vixen Lin Daiyu, and now it was the illegitimate son Lin Chenyu. How much trouble had Baoyu faced at the hands of the Lin family? This had happened so many times!

The Lin family was truly incompatible with her and her son!

No, she had to tell her brother not to pursue any ties with the Lin family.

If a niece were to be promised to him, wouldn’t that mean endless troubles in the future?

Wang Xiluan returned home, and her mother came over to ask, “Well, did you meet him?”

She truly worried endlessly about this daughter, the only one she had, wishing she could give her the best of everything.

As for the Lin family, it seemed that the master had let slip some information, prompting her daughter to insist on meeting someone.

Wang Xiluan flushed and fell silent.

Seeing this, Wang’s mother couldn’t help but sigh; daughters grow up too fast.

—

Back at home, Chenyu recounted the details of the monk being struck by lightning to Yun Shuyao, confirming that the two individuals had escaped. After the incident became known, some officials had even questioned the bystanders, urging them to recall the event in detail, leaving a deep impression on them despite some time having passed.

Compared to the various chaotic rumors circulating outside, this version was much clearer and more specific.

Chenyu felt somewhat worried, saying, “I wonder if they’ll come back in the future.”

In his view, the monk and his disciple were not good news. They had once intruded on his home, and his father had ordered a manhunt, but there had been no progress over the years. The only silver lining was that they hadn’t caused any further trouble for the family since then.

“Now, it seems they have their sights set on the Jia family.”

They had been spotted around the Jia household multiple times.

Even though Chenyu didn’t think highly of the Jia family, he still hoped that such people wouldn’t cause them any trouble.

Yun Shuyao nodded in agreement. “Yes.”

Then they heard about Baoyu getting beaten. Chenyu shook his head, “It’s true that they care for Baoyu, but excessive pampering isn’t always beneficial. As long as the second master is a bit gentler, some proper discipline could actually help Baoyu improve. I think the only person he truly fears in the Jia household is the second master. If that fear is gone, who knows how he would turn out.”

He was already exhibiting the traits of a spoiled youth. With some effort, there was still a chance to correct his ways.

And he did have talent.

However, whenever it came to discussing books, Baoyu would get lost in thought and clearly rejected the idea of the imperial examinations, preferring light reading. Chenyu also enjoyed such books for their ease and entertainment, but he knew what he wanted, so he only sampled them lightly.

Both of them carried heavy burdens, much like each other.

In this generation of the Jia family, it was clear that Second Master Lian wasn’t cut out for studying. He was given a nominal official position, one that was almost just a title, while the second master’s idle role was similarly meaningless. If Baoyu wished to become a wealthy gentleman in the future, it would mean two consecutive generations without any presence in the court.

A gap was forming.

Next door at Ningguo Mansion, they had finally produced a successful candidate, but he chose to become a monk.

If it weren’t for their relatives and Grandmother Jia being a noble lady, their family would have faded into obscurity.

If even he could see this clearly, the Jia family surely wouldn’t be oblivious, which is why they sent their eldest granddaughter into the palace, hoping she could secure a future. Another hope rested on Baoyu, but they couldn’t bring themselves to impose strict requirements on him, choosing instead to indulge him.

Yun Shuyao shook her head and said nothing.

She didn’t want to get involved in the Jia family’s affairs; now that she was focused on her cultivation, she especially didn’t want any entanglements with the main characters.

The male and female leads came from distinguished backgrounds, and if they truly were reincarnated for experience, then her involvement would only create trouble. She preferred to remain a bystander.

She would do what needed to be done and avoid what should not be done.

When the old lady learned that Baoyu had been beaten, she happily ate an extra bowl of rice and felt the need to take a walk to digest.

Then she recalled the matter of Wang Xiluan. The Wang family?

No matter how the other party felt, she certainly wouldn’t seek a marriage between her grandson and a daughter of the Wang family.

She had already witnessed the upbringing of the Wang daughters.

Her requirements for family background were not high; marrying off daughters to prominent families and taking wives from humble ones was acceptable, but health and education were essential.

In the time that followed, the Lin family no longer had the energy to pay attention to the Jia family, and Yingyu’s good days had arrived.

The Lin residence was decorated with red silk and adorned with red double happiness characters.

Before the auspicious day, the dowry was sent to the Xilin Jueluo family.

The betrothal gifts and bride price were standard for the public, amounting to ten thousand taels, just like her elder sister-in-law’s.

There were no complaints in this regard, and what pleased the old lady was that Dachun personally led people to catch a pair of live geese as a show of sincerity.

Moreover, although the couple was not allowed to meet before the wedding, there were still exchanges of gifts permitted under the tacit approval of their elders.

When the dowry was sent, mindful of the elder sister-in-law to maintain family harmony, they limited it to seventy sets instead of the seventy-two that had been planned.

However, all the boxes for the dowry had been enlarged and reinforced.

As the dowry was transported, many people gathered along the roadside to watch, exclaiming, “This dowry is impressive!”

There were shops, farmlands, and so many other possessions.

“I remember she’s the Lin family’s eldest daughter, right? This dowry is truly lavish; even the legitimate daughters from other families don’t have such wealth.”

“The Xilin Jueluo family is truly blessed.”

“Where did the Lin family’s wealth come from? Isn’t it because Lord Lin is in office…”

Someone knowledgeable nearby explained, “You’re quite uninformed. The Lin family has noble lineage; their ancestors were also marquises. The old lady is still a marquis’s wife, but the title has been lost since Lord Lin’s generation. He’s accomplished in his own right, having excelled in the imperial examination as a top scholar. Moreover, they’ve had an unmarried aunt in the family for many years. Each generation’s matriarch has been from an extraordinary background. The Lin family’s wealth only accumulates, with no losses; who knows how much they’ve gathered over the years?”

From this dowry alone, one could estimate it to be worth tens of thousands of taels, and the hidden savings were likely even greater.

Many families regretted not knowing the scale of the dowry; if they had known Lin Ruhai would provide such a generous dowry for a concubine, they wouldn’t have hesitated to seek marriages for their sons without considering the differences between legitimate and illegitimate children.

This led many to joke about the Fourth Prince, saying he was marrying a “golden doll.”

With such a substantial dowry for the elder sister, the dowry for his secondary consort would only be more.

Although they wouldn’t directly use a woman’s dowry, who wouldn’t want a wife with a rich family background? It would ultimately benefit their descendants.

Along with the dowry, a wet nurse and maid arrived at the Xilin Jueluo family. One was there to safeguard the dowry, while the other came ahead to gather information, ensuring that their young lady wouldn’t be completely uninformed or flustered upon marrying into the Xilin Jueluo family.

As the wedding day approached, Concubine Mei became increasingly anxious and couldn’t sleep at night.

After the marriage, she wouldn’t see her daughter for a long, long time.

The thought weighed heavily on her heart, like a heavy stone pressing down, making it hard to breathe. If only she had given birth to a son; sons didn’t marry out but brought brides home.

She held Yingyu’s hand and cried, “You’re getting married, so you must be filial to your in-laws and live well with your husband. You must protect your dowry carefully; it’s substantial, and there may be shameless people who dare to approach you. Don’t agree, and don’t be afraid; the old lady is still at home, and she will stand up for you.”

“I’ve inquired about your sister-in-law; she’s a kind and gentle person. Your second sister-in-law can be a bit competitive, but don’t pay her any mind—she’s just a concubine. Your mother-in-law treats her with a mere show of affection. Just follow your elder sister-in-law and do as she does.”

“Your mother-in-law doesn’t stay in the capital often; she will return to Fengtianshi later. With your grandmother still around, there’s a layer of separation, so she likely won’t be too harsh on you.”

“You also need to keep your servants in line, showing both kindness and authority. There’s a maid by Dachun’s side; don’t hold her in too high regard, but don’t look down on her either. She’s been with your husband for some time, so there’s a bit of favoritism. You’re new here, so don’t rashly confront her. If you have a son, your position will be secure, and no matter how many women there are, they won’t shake your standing.”

“Be cautious of any underhanded tactics; be careful with your daily needs. You may not encounter such things at home, but it might be different in your husband’s family, especially with the many people and complex relationships in the Xilin Jueluo family.”

Concubine Mei wished she could impart all her knowledge to her daughter in one go.

Yingyu listened quietly, tears brimming in her eyes. She would miss her grandmother, her concubine mother, her younger sister, and everything about the Lin family.

“Aunt, I will make sure to live well in the future.”

The night before her wedding, she slept with her grandmother.

It had been a long time since she had shared a bed with her, and her grandmother gave her a booklet, which she listened to, trying to suppress her shyness.

Her grandmother also shared many insights and tips for being a good daughter-in-law.

With a calm and measured tone, her grandmother understood her reluctance and anxiety. Nothing seemed insurmountable in her words. After listening, Yingyu felt much better about her worries and had a solid, restful sleep. When she opened her eyes, it was already the day of the wedding.

People came to help her wash up, cleanse her face, dress her, and apply her makeup.

The person reciting auspicious phrases praised her non-stop, saying, “You will surely have a bright and prosperous future, perfect in every way, with many descendants…”

A man is easily swayed by beauty; with a wife like this, how could he ever look at those ordinary women?

The speaker glanced at the bride’s two younger sisters; regardless of their status, the three sisters were favored by fortune, all born with lovely appearances. It was strange, though—she had never heard much about the Lin family girls’ beauty before.

On this auspicious day, the Mei family also sent someone, specifically Concubine Mei’s younger brother.

Even though their family had been scolded by the old lady and sent back to their hometown, they still had their assets. Knowing that Yingyu was their support, they prepared a generous gift to send along with her.

On the day of the wedding, the Jia family and all those connected to the Lin family were present.

As the groom Dachun rode in on a tall horse wearing his wedding robe, he faced the closed gates of the Lin family. Chenyu, Yingyu’s younger uncle, stood at the front. It was only natural for him to face some challenges in order to win the beautiful bride.

Chenyu didn’t deliberately make things difficult; he prompted and challenged the other side, who answered all his poetry questions one by one.

The reason the Xilin Jueluo family was allied with the Lin family was that Dachun was pursuing a scholarly path.

He was now a student.

With the Lin family as his in-laws, he had guidance along this path, no longer needing to navigate it alone.

Many people had come.

Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng watched the crowd, most of whom were influential families, and felt a mix of emotions.

This was the difference between a nominal position and real power, especially considering that their son-in-law was someone favored by the emperor.

Seeing her grandson carry the eldest granddaughter into the bridal sedan chair, while her granddaughter’s husband joyfully mounted his horse to head back, the old lady couldn’t help but wipe her eyes.

Her heart felt a bit lighter.

Her eldest granddaughter was married; now she just had to wait for the good news.

The old lady believed that her granddaughter would live well.

After the wedding, everyone in the Lin family was exhausted and rested for two days before getting back to their routines.

Next, the eldest daughter would return a month later, and before that, the second daughter’s good days were about to begin.