Red Mansion Daiyu, the Rise of the Lin Family

The old woman was shocked by Jia Min's flat refusal. She didn't even let him finish his words. How could this be considered etiquette?

It's as if every word I say carries a knife!

"Mrs. Jia, could you please let me finish what I am saying?" The old woman spoke a little impolitely. She felt that she really couldn't be polite to this rude lady.

Jia Min immediately felt that she was a bit extreme, but when some people say something you don’t like to hear, you have to forget it, so it’s better not to listen.

"Don't be afraid to tell your wife that my Lin Mansion has also arranged a Mid-Autumn Festival moon-viewing event."

"I won't go to the Governor's Mansion to participate. Thank you for your wife's kindness."

The old woman looked as if she understood. "I understand! I understand! Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival of family reunion. Who doesn't get together with their family?"

"How many days has Madam Jia arranged for moon-watching at the Lin Residence?"

Jia Min thought about what this old woman meant by asking, how many days could it take?

Mid-Autumn Festival is one day, of course it’s one day.

"One day, on the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Lin Mansion arranged a moon-viewing event."

When the old woman heard this, she clapped her hands through her handkerchief and said, "Madam, that's good. The Mid-Autumn Festival Water and Land Ceremony at Daming Temple will be held from August 16 to August 21."

"When do you have time? Our lady wants you to pray and release animals together."

Jia Min felt relieved when she heard that they were not going to the governor's mansion. Then she was even more excited when she heard that they were going to a prayer meeting and a temple.

She had been feeling aggrieved about not inviting the Bodhisattva back from Hanshan Temple last time, and now was an opportunity for her to do so.

She asked hurriedly, "Can we invite Bodhisattvas to the Dharma Assembly?"

When the old woman heard this, she knew she was moved.

"Of course, the Water and Land Dharma Assembly is divided into the inner altar and the outer altar. The inner altar will also specially invite eminent monks to communicate with the Four Saints and Six Ordinary People, and the Bodhisattvas invited will be more effective."

"The outer altar performs five rituals of Yimakou to accumulate merit, purify karma, and help the deceased to be reborn."

At this point, the old woman looked at Jia Min's face and thought to herself, "Hurry up and agree!"

While drinking tea, Jia Min was thinking. She really needed this, but she didn't know if she could do it with Shi Yifang.

This would be perfect if it weren't for the Governor's Mansion.

But if someone came to me eagerly to tell me the news, and I refused and went back secretly, I would be very embarrassed if I was discovered.

"Well, who will be attending from your Governor's Office?"

If it was just Shi Yifang, I could be patient as long as there was no one else.

Unexpectedly, the old woman's words disappointed her. "Madam Jia, our new wife and Madam Fang are both going, only Madam Cheng is still in confinement, so..."

This is a bit embarrassing. Should I just say that I don’t like people with the surname Wen? Wouldn’t that make me seem too petty?

Will others ask why?

It's okay to be petty! My reputation is already so bad that I don't care.

"Well, you talk to your wife. I don't want to interact too much with other wives in the Governor's Mansion. Is it okay to only interact with your wife?"

"Or I can go by myself, and then we can pray for each other, okay?" Jia Min felt a little embarrassed to say this, but she couldn't let herself down.

Although there is no need to do this to a middle-aged woman, this middle-aged woman represents Shi Yifang after all.

This old woman is almost unable to control herself. How can you, the wife of an official, say such words?

But since others have said it, you have no right to refuse.

"Then Madam Jia, I cannot speak for you. Please allow me to report to you and then give you a reply. Is that okay?"

Jia Min thought about it and felt that it was not easy for the mother-in-law and Shi Yifang. It was all her fault. She should not make it difficult for them. So she said,

"If only your Second Madam Fang attends, I will agree to this."

The old woman took a breath and said, "I'm waiting here!"

This is an attempt to sow discord in the Governor's Office. This person looks quite kind, but he actually has a very vicious mind!

How can you express such vicious thoughts openly?

I have been in Yangzhou for decades, and I have never seen a lady like this. Every lady has to save face for each other even if she is unwilling.

If you don't like it, can't you just not look at it?

Or you can just say a few hypocritical pleasantries, and by doing so the wife won't be afraid of offending everyone on behalf of her husband.

Which lady doesn't spare no effort to build up connections and get information for her husband?

This guy is so good. I only heard that he is vicious, but I think he is stupid. He even wants to write on his face that I am a vicious person.

But even if you curse a thousand times in your heart, you still have to say nice things.

"Mrs. Jia, I understand what you mean. I will report it truthfully. I'll take my leave now."

After saying this, the old woman left the Lin Mansion and hurried back to the Governor's Mansion.

This matter was not handled well, and it must be reported to Shi Yifang immediately.

Delay will be another serious crime.

"What did you say? Did Jia Min say this herself?" Shi Yifang was holding the new clothes and trying them on Fang Zhengya.

After hearing the report from the old woman, Shi Yifang paused and stuffed the clothes onto Fang Zhengya.

"Jung-ya, can you please go back to your room?"

"Mom, I have something to deal with here."

Later, she seemed to have figured something out and felt that there was no need to drive the child away.

"Come back, no need, no need!" He called Fang Zhengya back.

"Tomorrow you go and reply to her and tell her that our Fang family's second branch will go to the Daming Temple Water and Land Dharma Assembly alone. We will not go with Madam Wen, but will only go with my cousin Jia to reminisce about the past."

After the old woman left, Shi Yifang was secretly happy. It seemed that it was just an accident last time. Could it be that she really had a grudge against the Wen family?

Or is he simply unwilling to make friends with the Governor's Office? Is this following instructions from the Censor?

This is a big deal. Isn't Lin Ruhai afraid of offending the governor?

If that's the case, I won't be lenient when I take action.

Anyway, both your parents' family and your husband's family have a grudge against you, so you can't blame me.

I went back to Mrs. Wen after a while.

It's not that I don't give you face! It's others who don't give me face.

All for the master.

The next day, Jia Min got the answer she wanted and was very happy.

He generously gave the mother-in-law some silver.

When Lin Ruhai came back that evening, Jia Min excitedly mentioned the water and land ceremony to him.

"Master! Didn't we fail to invite the Bodhisattva to Hanshan Temple last time?"

"I have another chance this time. Today, Shi Yifang sent someone to say that the Water and Land Dharma Assembly at Daming Temple will be open during the Mid-Autumn Festival."

“I thought I would take the kids there to pray for blessings!”

Lin Ruhai was frowning and thinking about something when he heard Jia Min talking about the water and land ceremony.

He seemed to have heard about the Water and Land Dharma Assembly from somewhere, but didn't take it seriously.

Now that I heard that Jia Min was going too, I thought of giving her some reminders.

"Madam! The Water and Land Dharma Assembly is crowded and chaotic, so you must pay attention to safety. In addition, I need to remind you that you should not trust the words of monks and Taoists."

Jia Min was stunned. She thought, "Don't believe it. Then what Bodhisattva should I pray to?"