Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 27: Strange things to live in
Thinking of this, Jia She's heart sank. He waved to the boy at the door and ordered, "Go call the mistress and tell her there's something urgent."

The servant agreed and ran to find Mrs. Xing.

Jia She suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked, "Since Yuan'er has received the marriage certificate and is already in Yangzhou, why doesn't he go straight to the Salt Administration Office?"

Chen Siyuan's face was filled with sorrow as he bowed and replied, "First, my position is low, and it's hard for me to return home. I'm afraid I've failed my uncle Lin...who has entrusted me with this. Second, I heard that Mr. Lin, the salt commissioner, is seriously ill and has only been awake for a few moments before falling unconscious again. Third, another branch of the Lin family has taken up residence there, and this...nephew, when I presented the door, was ridiculed and driven out."

Jia She pondered this and thought it made sense. Half a month earlier, Jia Lian had written to him, saying that Lin Ruhai spent more time in a daze than in a lucid state, and when he did wake up, he couldn't even recognize people. Around that time, a member of the Lin family's other branch came after Lin Ruhai's property, arguing constantly. Daiyu was so angry that she beat the two quarrelsome members out with a stick...

At this time, Chen Siyuan continued, "Uncle Lin is so kind to me. I'm still at a loss as to what to do. I've thought about it over and over again but haven't made up my mind. That's why I've come to ask you to make the decision."

"Hmm." This made perfect sense. Jia She took the teacup and drank slowly, pondering the pros and cons of the situation, and remained silent for a moment.

He secretly gathered his strength and said nothing. Chen Siyuan stood steadily in front of the desk, observing his nose, mouth and heart.

After a long while, Jia She said again, "Since this is the case, why didn't Brother Yuan tell you earlier?"

Chen Siyuan said, "I have been looking for my uncle for the past few days but couldn't find him. It was only today that my uncle summoned me that I finally had the time to tell you about this."

Jia She choked, having actually forgotten about this. He didn't even care much for Madam Xing, let alone that idiotic cousin's son. If he hadn't been short of manpower, Jia She probably wouldn't have even remembered Chen Siyuan.

Jia She continued, "I've read the letter about this marriage, but what are Yuan'er's plans?"

Chen Siyuan bowed and said, "It's entirely up to my uncle and aunt to decide. I have no objection."

"Well……"

Upon hearing this, Jia She paused in thought. "Having complete control over everything is a good thing." Although Jia Lian hadn't explicitly stated it in his previous letter, it was estimated that Lin Ruhai must have at least a few hundred thousand taels of wealth. If he were to decide the marriage, wouldn't it be too much for him to keep a few tens of thousands of taels?
Thinking about this, Jia She's mood improved. He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Brother Yuan, please stop standing there. Sit down and talk."

Chen Siyuan agreed and moved a stool to sit down.

At this moment, there was the jingling of jewelry outside. Chen Siyuan turned around and saw Mrs. Xing coming with her maids and servants.

As soon as they entered, Mrs. Xing looked at Chen Siyuan nervously, then said to Jia She with a flattering smile, "Master, is there something you want to see me about?"

Jia Amnesty ordered, "Please all withdraw. I want to have a private chat with Madam and Yuan-ge."

The wives and maids all agreed and filed out.

Madam Xing looked at Chen Siyuan again in surprise, then moved to Jia She's side and asked nervously, "Master?"

"Well," Jia She casually handed the letter to Mrs. Xing and said, "Please read it first."

Mrs. Xing took the letter and said awkwardly, "Master is always playing tricks on me. How could I have known how to read?"

Jia She was startled, and on the point of a fit of rage with a snort, but remembering the pressing matter, he patiently said, "This is the marriage certificate Ruhai wrote to Yuan'er and Daiyu. Yuan'er just mentioned that his father is an old friend of Ruhai's."

"Ah?" Mrs. Xing was startled. She glanced at Chen Siyuan suspiciously and said, "Master, this... could this be a mistake? My cousin's husband is just a juren. How could he be related to Daiyu's father?"

Jia She glared at him and scolded him, "What a woman's view! Scholars don't always value family background when interacting with each other. Yuan'er's father and Ruhai were both successful candidates in the imperial examinations, so some friendship is not uncommon."

Mrs. Xing immediately burst into a wry smile. "Master, you're right. I'm just too inexperienced." After a pause, she frowned again and said, "But regarding this matter... what are your thoughts, Master?" Jia She had already made up his mind. "Marriage is a matter of great importance. Parents' orders and matchmaker's words are final. Ru Hai doesn't think it's a good idea. Since the marriage certificate is here, I must make the decision for my niece."

Mrs. Xing was confused about what Jia She meant for a moment, so she simply kept silent.

But then Jia She said, "Don't worry, Yuan'er, I will take care of this matter for you."

Chen Siyuan quickly stood up and thanked him: "Thank you, uncle."

Mrs. Xing was suddenly anxious and said hurriedly, "Master, this matter... is not appropriate, is it? Daiyu has been sent here since she was a child and raised with Baoyu by the old lady's side. Everyone in the mansion says that the old lady is trying to make the two of them a better match. If this matter is brought to the old lady, I'm afraid... I'm afraid it will not end well."

Jia She frowned and scolded, "What do you know? The old lady is only Daiyu's grandmother. How can a grandmother have the final say in such a matter as marriage?"

Mrs. Xing blinked, unsure what to do. She wondered, "Why has Master gone off on a tangent today? He's willing to take on such a thankless task? His illness doesn't matter, but the old lady doesn't like people like me, a humble family. If I get implicated, how will I survive?"
She was anxious, but didn't dare to refute.

Then Jia She continued, "But what the Madam said just now is also reasonable. This matter... must be considered in the long run. Daiyu is still young, and it will take a few more years for her to enter college, and even longer for her to marry. Brother Yuan, you might as well wait a little longer. Your uncle will give you an explanation later."

Chen Siyuan said, "After seeing this... letter, my nephew is completely lost. I don't know what to do now... How about just calling it a day? Just pretend it never happened?"

No such thing? How can this be possible?

Jia She figured it out: Lin Ruhai's fortune had passed into the Jia family, and that too was public property. At most, Jia Lian would embezzle some of it privately, but how much more could he squeeze out of it by intimidating others?

If Chen Siyuan and Daiyu were to get married, things would be different. If Daiyu's parents died, and Chen Siyuan...had a vicious stepmother, wouldn't she be able to decide on her own terms?
With this reason, it’s not too much to keep Lin Ruhai’s property in his own room first, right?
Jia She's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but say solemnly, "Nonsense! Your family and the Lin family are well-connected. Ru Hai has already written the marriage certificate, so how can this important matter of marriage be left unresolved?"

At this time, Chen Siyuan said sadly: "My nephew is afraid that he is young and of low status, and is not worthy of the sister of the Lin family."

Jia She slammed the table and said anxiously, "Why should a man worry about a low position? He only cares about fame, wealth and power... The true test will be in the imperial examination! Yes, Yuan'er's poems are very good, and I think his essays will be no bad either. So, in a few days I will find Minister Tao and have you admitted to the Imperial College."

Seeing Chen Siyuan still looking gloomy and unmoved, Jia She frowned and said, "This donation to become an official is indeed not a good idea. Well, how about I find a paternal official for Brother Yuan?"

Chen Siyuan was delighted, but with a look of fear on his face, he asked, "Uncle, is this too much trouble?"

Jia She waved his hand domineeringly and said, "They are all family relatives. Why bother with trouble? Brother Yuan, just go back and wait patiently. There will be a result within ten days."

Chen Siyuan thanked him immediately and was dismissed by Jia She. Leaving the outer study, Chen Siyuan felt a sense of alarm. That old fox, Sun Guangcheng, was a master at manipulating people's hearts. Just look at how perfectly his schemes had worked. If he wanted to plot against him in the future, it would probably be difficult.

Let’s not talk about Chen Siyuan, who was half happy and half cautious, and left with a heavy heart, and let’s talk about the study outside.

Seeing Chen Siyuan walking away, Mrs. Xing stood up and said in a panic, "Master, you are so confused. How could you agree to this so rashly? Baoyu is the apple of my eye, and Daiyu is also my dearest love. If this gets out, I'm afraid that Master will be the first to be punished!"

Jia She smiled and said, "It's just a few scoldings and criticisms. How can it compare to the Lin family's wealth of hundreds of thousands?"

Mrs. Xing looked puzzled, but then she suddenly understood: "Master, what you mean is—ah, Master is still thinking too far ahead!"

Jia She smiled and said, "There's no rush. Yes, from now on, you should visit your nephew more often. Also, don't make this matter public. Go and give the order. Anyone who dares to spread the news will be beaten with a stick and driven out of the house!"

(End of this chapter)