The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Upon hearing the Second Madame’s words, Jia Lian quickly responded, “Madam, even if I get a position through donation, I will still handle the family matters and won’t delay them.”

Wang Xifeng agreed, “Yes, that’s the way it should be.”

Although the Second Madame was reluctant to let Jia Lian pursue a position through donation, both Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were firm in their decision.

Even if it’s a minor official position or a purely honorary one that can’t bestow titles on the main wife, having an official title would make them look better.

And even if he did get a position through donation, it wouldn’t prevent Jia Lian from continuing to help with family affairs.

Both Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng felt the same way about this. The power within the household was not something they wanted to relinquish.

Grandmother Jia also thought that having an official position sounded better. As for the money, it was not a problem for the Jia family. Even though she did not attend the Lin family’s banquet, she knew that it was probably the situation there that had provoked Wang Xifeng, making her want to pursue a position through donation upon her return.

Grandmother Jia also felt somewhat uncomfortable about this but felt powerless to stop it.

She only instructed Wang Xifeng to make sure that Sanchun and Daiyu played together and built good relationships.

In the future, she would also often invite Daiyu to stay with her, but with Old Lady Lin in the Lin family, it might not go smoothly. Therefore, it was better to have her granddaughter go over and strengthen the relationship between Daiyu and their family.

With Old Lady Jia’s decree, the matter was settled, and Jia Lian and Wang Xifeng were overjoyed.

The Second Madame looked on with some pain, but there was no way to stop it.

To get an official title through donation not only required connections but also a significant amount of money, which was not a small sum. If given to Yuan Chun, it would have been enough to set her up well in the palace for a while.

Back in her own room, the Second Madame sighed heavily. Zhou Rui, knowing her thoughts, came forward to offer comfort: “Madam, this isn’t such a big deal. If the Second Master gets an official position, it will make things smoother when representing the Jia family in the future.”

To ensure a horse grows strong and healthy, it needs good feed. Otherwise, how can it grow robust and work well?

The Second Madame sighed again without replying, then got up. She had been so upset by the day’s events that she had almost forgotten; she still needed to check on Baoyu.

When she arrived, Baoyu was joking with the maidservants. Seeing that he was fine, she felt reassured, but couldn’t help but sigh again, “Once your injury is healed, you must behave and study diligently. Don’t make your father angry again.”

As soon as he heard her mention his father, Jia Baoyu’s expression of joy vanished. He shrank back and looked very distressed, saying, “Madam, I understand.”

Upon hearing his response, Second Madam was pleased and began to show concern for his needs, asking if anything was troubling him or if he had everything he needed.

Jia Baoyu, upon hearing this, relaxed and appeared more at ease.

The official post was arranged through Wang Zitong’s connections. It was not uncommon for officials’ sons who were unremarkable in either literary or military skills to use money to secure an official title.

Before long, Jia Lian was appointed as a fifth-rank Tongzhi.

He could now be addressed as “Sir” when he went out.

On the Lin family’s side, the Wu sisters became frequent visitors. The Wu family was pleased that their daughters had become friends with the Lin family’s daughters. They not only did not hinder this friendship but also facilitated it.

The old lady also did not interfere. She believed that her granddaughters’ friendships should not be overly concerned with the background or status of their friends, as long as the friends had clean backgrounds.

Moreover, this was the first time the two sisters had returned to the capital since their birth, and the old lady was eager for them to make as many friends as possible.

In the future, they might be able to support each other.

If possible, the old lady hoped they could both marry and live in the capital, avoiding the need to travel far from home.

Being stationed in a prosperous place was one thing, but being sent to the frontier or the remote southwestern regions meant facing hardship. If they had to accompany their family members there, it would be a tough life.

The Wu sisters were both born of secondary status. The elder, Wu Jingxian, was already betrothed, while the younger, Wu Jinghui, was still waiting for a suitor.

Since the Wu family was not part of the banner system, they did not have to participate in the selection process. Marriages were decided by the elders in their family.

Due to gender differences, whenever they came, they went directly to the inner quarters. Chengyu also understood the need to avoid suspicion; whenever there were guests at home, he would stay away to prevent any accidental encounters—something he became quite aware of after attending several banquets.

By not attending, many potential “accidents” could be avoided, which saved trouble.

Daiyu, being younger, also had her own circle of friends, and they often played in two separate groups. The arrangements and preparations were handled by Yingyu and Luoyu.

While the younger generation in the capital was busy making friends, Lin Ruhai was not in a hurry.

Previously, he had been heavily courted by the Crown Prince. Now that he was in the capital, it was just as he had expected: under the Emperor’s rule, everything required careful consideration. He enjoyed the long-awaited peace and focused on observing the relationship between the Crown Prince and the eldest prince.

Lin Ruhai was not optimistic about the eldest prince. Although he had offended him by not agreeing, it was unlikely to cause any major problems in the short term.

The eldest prince was renowned for his bravery and martial prowess, a true hero of the Qing Dynasty. However, to be an emperor, exceptional martial skills were not essential.

The Crown Prince, on the other hand, had a legitimate position and was naturally in a more advantageous position morally.

Yet, he was not without his flaws.

Recalling some of the rumors he had heard about the Crown Prince, Lin Ruhai felt he did not want to align himself with either the eldest prince or the Crown Prince.

Being a loyal and pure official who was solely devoted to the Emperor was the best path.

There were too many princes.

And too many talented ones among them.

Moreover, the Emperor now appeared vigorous and strong, and no one could predict how long he would live. In this regard, Lin Ruhai thought his mother’s views were quite reasonable.

If the Emperor could live another five years, he might be eager to designate a successor. But if the Emperor could live for fifteen or twenty more years, would he still be in a rush about the succession?

The more active the individuals below are, the less tolerable it becomes for the Emperor.

That is like competing with the Emperor for power.

If the situation were as his mother had said, then the people rallying around the eldest prince and the Crown Prince…

Even the Emperor is a father.

If the situation worsens and irreversible actions are taken by either of them, he, who dotes on his bloodline, especially the Crown Prince, would certainly blame others, thinking they had corrupted the princes.

As a father himself, Lin Ruhai could understand this. If his own sons caused trouble, he would certainly be angry at their lack of discipline, but he would also blame those around them who failed to guide them back onto the right path.

And the Emperor, being both a father and an emperor, who could bear his wrath?

Who could endure his misplaced anger?

It’s a pity, though, that being in this large melting pot, the higher the position, the more directly one faces its dangers.

In the capital, with multiple forces involved, one can maintain a superficial calm, but it’s uncertain where one might end up next.

Currently, things seem somewhat better in the capital. The princes dare not be too excessive, but if he were to go outside, the situation might be different. If it were a place without the influence of the two princes, it might be manageable. However, having served as an official outside for many years, it’s time to return to the capital.

Unfortunately, it’s a case of one person per position. Unless someone leaves…

After arriving in the capital, due to its complex network of relationships, Yun Shuyao’s social engagements have significantly decreased. She now spends more time on cultivation and the spiritual mirror, and also devotes more time to flowers and plants.

She has no real say in the selection process. All she knows is that the old lady wants an exemption and is working on connections, but there is no concrete news, so it can be inferred that things are not going smoothly.

Regarding the selection process, Yun Shuyao had a premonition when she learned that the Lin family belonged to the Han Army Banner; it wouldn’t be easy to avoid.

If it cannot be avoided, then she must face it properly.

She cannot decide which family the top officials will arrange for her daughter, but once it is settled, if that family treats her daughter poorly, she has ways to handle it.

She cannot decide who the son-in-law will be, but if there are major issues with the man, Yun Shuyao can ensure her daughter remains a widow or even fake her daughter’s death and have her live under a different identity.

She is confident about this.

As long as it’s not entering the palace, everything can be managed.

Even if it means entering the palace, as long as she is strong enough, it can still be managed.

Personal strength cannot solve everything, but it can address most of the issues created by others.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ruhai received a temporary transfer order rather than a permanent one.

He will be going to Fengtian as an envoy with others. If everything goes smoothly, he should be back in two to three months; if not, he might need to stay there for about six months.

Yun Shuyao had everything packed and prepared for the trip.

The father and son will be going together this time.

Lin Ruhai wants his son to see more of the world, and Chenyu is also eager to visit other places.

He won’t be gone for long.

Even if Lin Ruhai stays there a bit longer, Chenyu will return before the New Year and then head to Suzhou to participate in the county examination.

With the only two men of the household leaving, the old lady repeatedly checked their luggage. She intended to have Dr. Zhou accompany them as well, but Lin Ruhai declined.

He was initially unwilling to leave without him, but couldn’t resist his mother’s wishes. Instead, he hired a highly paid doctor to accompany them in the capital.

This trip will not include any women, which made the old lady a bit worried about the servants’ ability to take care of them, but she did not insist.

It is said that a prince will also be accompanying them, which should be beneficial to pay more attention to.

With their departure, Lin Mansion wasn’t exactly closed to visitors, but the old lady did reduce contact with the outside world.

However, she placed no restrictions on her granddaughters’ social interactions.

Every now and then, she would ask about their social activities, especially when the house was quiet.

On this day, the green clouds in the garden had bloomed, and the three sisters discussed and decided to invite their friends to enjoy the flowers.

They sent invitations to the Wu sisters, the Zhou sisters, and the Jia sisters.

The Wu sisters were relatives of the old lady, the Zhou family were Lin Ruhai’s fellow disciples, and the Jia family were in-laws.

Upon receiving the invitations, no one declined and they arrived on time in their sedan chairs.

Sanchun was pleased when she received the invitation, but her mood soured a bit after being summoned by the old lady before leaving, who gave them several admonitions.

The old lady also asked them to invite Daiyu to stay at Jia Mansion for a while.

They had invited her before, but each time she declined.

The old lady was unhappy each time this happened, and Daiyu’s refusal was something they couldn’t force. Since Daiyu’s grandmother insisted that she must stay, they felt powerless.

They worried that if this continued with no success, the old lady might not allow them to go out anymore.

Furthermore, this time… Sanchun felt conflicted. They had also brought a guest with them this time, who was the cousin of Lian Er’s wife. Although this person was also a relative and visiting Lin Mansion wasn’t inappropriate, bringing someone without prior approval was ultimately not ideal.