Red Chamber 3
If Ma Shi was unhappy, then A Yuan was happy.
She was someone who refused to suffer any losses. Ma Shi could be a love-struck fool, but she couldn’t be a malicious one.
Especially when that malice was directed at her.
After sarcastically mocking Ma Shi, A Yuan slept soundly that night. The next day, when she boarded the boat, her complexion was rosy and radiant, a faint smile playing on her lips. She looked less like a Candidate Maiden heading to the selection and more like someone leisurely visiting relatives.
There were other Candidate Maidens from Gusu on the same boat, but those girls were thin and pale, as if they were heading to the execution ground.
At the dock, Lin Huan seemed to suddenly be overcome with paternal affection. His eyes reddened, and his voice choked with emotion. “Once you enter Jingcheng, you must be cautious in your words and actions. Do not act impulsively as you did before. Such behavior must not happen again. Jingcheng is different from Gusu. If something happens to you, even if I could save you, it would be like trying to put out a fire from afar—too little, too late.”
He was referring to A Yuan’s threat to hang herself at the entrance of the County School.
This daughter of his had always been timid and cowardly, but who would have thought she could be so stubborn? When she made a scene, she cared for nothing. If she only harmed herself, it might be tolerable, but she had a tendency to escalate matters. Jingcheng was full of nobles and influential families. If she offended the wrong person and implicated the family, that would truly be disastrous.
Especially…
Lin Huan looked at A Yuan’s face, which resembled her deceased mother’s but was even more refined, and sighed inwardly. He wondered whether this trip to the capital would bring fortune or misfortune.
“Father’s admonitions are etched in my heart, but I also have a few words of advice for you,” A Yuan said, her smile unchanged and her posture respectful, though her words were far from pleasant.
The original host had feared paternal authority, but A Yuan was not afraid.
Her voice was soft, but her tone was laced with sarcasm. “Why my elder brother suffered unbearable stomach pain on the eve of his Linsheng examination—we both know the reason. Father, you have had countless students under your guidance, and many have brought glory to their families. I only hope you do not mistake the means for the end and bring decline upon our own family. A merchant’s daughter may be shortsighted, obsessed with wealth, but she forgets that passing down knowledge and virtue is the true foundation of a family. Even if you cherish the warmth of your household, do not forget that my elder brother, as the legitimate eldest son, is the one who should uphold the family’s honor.”
At this point, she clicked her tongue twice, her tone tinged with disdain. “…Surely, Father doesn’t still have hopes for those fools.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Huan’s face turned ashen.
“It’s getting late. You should board the boat now.”
A Yuan let out a soft, dismissive “tsk,” rolled her eyes, and turned to board the boat without the slightest bit of attachment to Lin Huan.
Lin Han, who had been standing nearby like a pillar, clasped his hands and bowed to Lin Huan. “I take my leave, Father. Take care.”
Just go!
Lin Huan stood rigidly, his heart heavy with suppressed anger, watching as his son and daughter boarded the boat.
As for the servants following behind them, he, as their father, should have given them a stern warning, but he was in no mood for it now. He simply waved his hand, letting them follow directly. He stood on the shore with his hands behind his back, watching the canal boat gradually drift away.
“Master, why must you be so distant with the young master and the young lady?” the steward Lin Fu quietly consoled.
Lin Huan sighed. “No matter how flawed Ma Shi is, she is still the mistress.”
But what of being the mistress? If the master truly resolved to stand up for the young master and the young lady, surely the mistress would not dare go too far. Now, the young master failed the Linsheng examination, and the young lady is heading to the capital for the selection—are these not the results of the master’s indulgence?
Gusu was originally a prosperous place, and Lin Fu, as the chief steward of the Lin Family, witnessed a great deal of comings and goings every day. He felt that his young lady possessed extraordinary character and appearance, and it was possible that this journey to the capital might bring her great fortune.
Lin Fu believed his master lacked insight—how could the second or third young masters uphold the prestige of the Lin Family?
In the end, it still relied on the eldest young master.
Although the master was well-read, he was not as perceptive as Lin Fu!
A Yuan was unaware of the commotion at the dock. At that moment, she was watching Lin Han, whose eyes were red like a rabbit’s, with a headache. This elder brother was excellent in every way, except he was overly emotional, shedding tears every time they met.
She was going to participate in the selection for Candidate Maiden, not to her death!
“Why did you have to say those words to Father? It only ended up displeasing him.”
The words spoken on the shore earlier were all carefully calculated for her own benefit. Lin Han was deeply moved upon hearing them, feeling that his sister was the only one in the family who truly cared for him.
A Yuan deftly pulled out a handkerchief and tossed it to Lin Han. “His displeasure is his own affair—what does it have to do with me? Right now, we are the aggrieved party, and I am a Candidate Maiden awaiting selection. Even if I speak more harshly, he wouldn’t dare do anything.”
“I’m only afraid that if you fail the selection and return home, your days will be difficult.” Lin Han hadn’t forgotten that A Yuan’s marriage was still in the hands of Ma Shi.
“Then you must strive harder, gain more influence at home, so that Father dares not disregard your opinions. In the future, you can also stand up for me.”
“You’re right!” Lin Han’s fighting spirit surged instantly. “I’ll go study right now.”
With that, he stood up, intending to return to his room and immerse himself in his books.
A Yuan quickly stopped him. “There’s no need to rush at this moment. I still have more to say.”
Lin Han sat back down.
“These past few days, there has been no news from Yangzhou. It’s likely that intercepting the registry has failed, and my participation in the palace selection is now inevitable. In that case, we should start planning for the future.”
“Go ahead, sister.”
After spending these days together, Lin Han had come to understand that his sister was someone with great depth and foresight.
In the past, such a temperament would have worried him, fearing that extreme intelligence might bring harm to herself. But now, he felt it was just right, especially since they were about to enter a place that devoured people. Having wit was far better than lacking it.
“My marriage is controlled by the mistress. If I return after failing the selection, I likely won’t be matched with a good marriage. She’ll probably find me a superficially attractive but useless husband. Rather than being controlled by the mistress, it would be better to be frank with my cousin. If he can help me rise to great heights, I will surely stand by him in the future, supporting each other between the court and the inner palace.”
“But…”
Lin Han frowned deeply upon hearing this. “This selection for Candidate Maiden came about under strange circumstances. I fear entering the palace might endanger your life.”
“After all, men are all the same. What difference does it make whether it’s the inner palace or the inner household? Besides, I have high aspirations and ambitions of my own.”
Since she had to be with a man anyway, why not be with the most powerful one in the world?
Lin Han, being a man himself, naturally understood the flaws of men. He didn’t defend them and even found his sister’s words strangely reasonable.
Since he couldn’t find any words to refute her, he simply didn’t argue.
The canal boat swayed gently from Gusu to the Yangzhou dock. Lin Fu, the chief steward of the Lin Family, had been waiting at the dock early. As soon as he saw his young master, he called for sedan chair bearers to bring a small sedan chair onto the boat. A Yuan boarded the sedan without leaving the cabin and was carried directly off the boat.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lin Fu, Lin Han led the group straight back to the Lin Family residence.
Lin Han went to the study to meet with Lin Ruhai, while A Yuan was carried directly through the second gate and led to meet Jia Min, the mistress of the Lin household.
A Yuan had not brought many servants with her, and only Qiao Xiu attended to her personally.
As it was the end of the year, although Yangzhou had not seen snow, the damp cold was still uncomfortable. Since giving birth to her eldest daughter Daiyu, Jia Min had been particularly sensitive to the cold. She had specially built a fire wall and a warm chamber in the house and was now receiving this legendary cousin-in-law there.
With just one glance, Jia Min straightened her posture.
Such a beauty truly caught the eye. She had already formed some plans in her heart, and seeing the person in the flesh only strengthened her confidence.
A Yuan stepped forward to greet her: “Sister-in-law.”
“Ah, please rise.” Jia Min personally supported A Yuan’s arm, her face beaming with a smile as her eyes swept over her repeatedly. “Truly an exceptionally beautiful woman. Your father often spoke of you in the past, and now I finally get to meet you in person.”
Lin Ruhai and Lin Han were cousins, and since Lin Ruhai was the only son in his family, Jia Min addressed Lin Han as ‘Second Uncle.’
A Yuan flushed red, feigning shyness: “You flatter me, sister-in-law.”
She also took a glance at Jia Min. As Lin Daiyu’s mother, Jia Min was naturally a rare beauty as well. However, with age and years of striving for a son, her complexion carried a hint of illness. Though she appeared lovely, she lacked a certain vibrancy.
“It’s cold outside, come in and sit.”
Jia Min led A Yuan deeper into the warm chamber. Passing around a four-panel screen, they reached the innermost room. Inside the modestly sized chamber was a rather large kang. At that moment, a small child who had just settled down was leaning over a kang table, on which lay a book. Clearly, Jia Min had been holding the child and reading to her just moments before.
A Yuan looked at the little child with curiosity.
“This is your niece, her childhood name is Daiyu.” Jia Min affectionately stroked the small floral cap on little Daiyu’s head. Her own health was poor, so even within the warm chamber, she dared not let the child wear fewer clothes, fearing she might catch a chill.
Yet, seeing the little girl’s flushed cheeks, A Yuan knew the child was overheating.
Perhaps Lin Daiyu’s poor health stemmed from being overly bundled up as a child, much like chicks in a brooder—excessive heat hinders growth and makes them prone to illness.
Jia Min guided A Yuan to sit on the other side of the kang table and began discussing the matter of the imperial selection: “…My husband sent people chasing northward all the way, but they were delayed. By the time they reached Jingcheng, the roster had already been submitted to the Ministry of Revenue. Even with extraordinary means, it was impossible.”
Her tone was full of remorse.
A Yuan had long been mentally prepared and thus played along with Jia Min’s act. Dabbing the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, her eyes reddened, tears welling up: “You’ve gone to such trouble, sister-in-law. It seems I lack that fortune.”
“What are you saying, dear sister? You mustn’t speak of yourself that way. You, my dear, have great fortune ahead of you.”
Jia Min took A Yuan’s hand and coaxed gently: “Speaking of women under heaven, who could compare to the ladies in the palace? His Majesty is currently in the prime of youth, yearning for companionship. If one has the fortune to attend by his side, that is truly good fortune.”
A Yuan stiffened slightly, then appeared lost in thought, as if stirred by Jia Min’s words. She glanced up at Jia Min, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, making Jia Min’s heart tremble involuntarily.
Remembering the letter from her mother two days prior, Jia Min’s heart grew even more fervent.
Yuanchun was born on the first day of the Lunar New Year, a sign of great fortune. Her mother had long chosen her future path, waiting only until she came of age to enter the palace and serve the emperor. However, since her father’s passing, the family had lost its voice in the court, with only an old relative, Consort Zhen, remaining.
Her mother had originally intended to use Consort Zhen’s connections to send Yuanchun into the palace, but this was not ideal. The emperor was wary of the Retired Emperor, and even if Yuanchun entered the harem, she would likely be viewed with suspicion by His Majesty.
Who could have foreseen the sudden announcement of a nationwide selection of beauties? It was truly a case of receiving a pillow just as one was about to doze off.
Jia Min’s letter provided the Dowager with another option. She thought of paving a path to glory for Lin Yuan, so that when Yuanchun entered the palace later, she could rely on Lin Yuan’s influence to avoid the emperor’s suspicion and secure favor.
Now, having seen A Yuan’s true appearance, Jia Min’s tone grew even more sincere: “Dear girl, listen to your sister-in-law’s advice. No matter what you think in your heart, you must appear cheerful when you reach Jingcheng, lest the palace take offense and bring misfortune upon your family. If you are chosen, serve His Majesty with peace of mind. If not, return home safely. With your character and looks, even if you do not enter the palace, you will be sought after by countless families. Set your heart at ease—you will not be wronged in the end.”
Red Chamber 4
Jia Min spoke frankly, but since this was their first meeting, delving deeper would be inappropriate.
Just then, little Daiyu yawned, and Jia Min immediately shifted the topic: “Look at me, I was so taken with my sister at first sight that I forgot she must be exhausted from the long boat journey.” With that, she called her personal maid Xiuyu over: “Is the courtyard ready?”
Xiuyu curtsied slightly: “Yes, Madam. It was prepared yesterday, and this morning Sister Xiuxue even specially scented the rooms with lily incense.”
Jia Min nodded in satisfaction, then turned back to A Yuan with a smile: “In that case, sister should go and rest first. Once you’ve recovered, we sisters-in-law can talk more.”
“Yes.”
A Yuan rose, softly acknowledged, and followed Xiuyu out of the warm chamber.
Jia Min watched the retreating figure through the window lattice—slender and graceful, moving with light lotus-like steps through the moon gate, led by Xiuyu toward the guest courtyard that had long been prepared. Only when the figure had completely disappeared did she sigh, feeling a pang of guilt in her heart.
Although the eunuchs traveled to the capital by canal boat, they still needed to dock for supplies along the way.
Initially, she and her husband had genuinely wanted to help Lin Han, their promising cousin. Upon learning of the situation, they immediately sent people to the capital. However, before their messengers could even leave Yangzhou City, members of the Jia clan from Jinling arrived. Surprisingly, they took the opposite approach, hoping to use Lin Ruhai’s connections to insert a distant Jia clan woman into the Candidate Maiden registry.
It turned out that the Dowager of Rongguo Mansion had long discussed with the Jinling clan elders about sending a woman into the palace.
But no one had expected that the eunuch conducting the Selection in Jiangnan Prefecture was actually a man of the Retired Emperor.
The Retired Emperor, wary of the emperor forming marital alliances with noble families, had initiated the Civil Selection. The Jia clan of Jinling, being a prominent family backed by the Ning and Rong mansions, dared not oppose the Retired Emperor and had no choice but to abandon their plans.
Yet, unwilling to give up entirely, they decided to seek Lin Ruhai’s assistance.
Lin Ruhai had been personally selected by the Retired Emperor as the Tanhua (third-place scholar) that year. Less than half a year after entering the Hanlin Academy, his father passed away, requiring three years of mourning. Just as he prepared to return to the Hanlin Academy after the mourning period, his mother also died, leading to another three years of mourning. By the time he emerged from mourning, the emperor on the throne had changed.
So… Lin Ruhai was anxious too!
He found himself in a precarious position—unfamiliar with the Retired Emperor, and distrusted by the current emperor. To make matters worse, he held the perilous post of Salt Censor.
Thus—
One moment, his mother-in-law’s plan seemed fine; the next, it became his own.
Rather than scheming to sneak a Jia woman into the palace, it would be better to send a Lin woman instead.
After all, the Lin family had few descendants and no significant clan ties, making them as clean as could be!
This was Lin Ruhai’s thought, and he discussed it openly and honestly with Lin Han, unlike Jia Min’s vague hints.
Lin Han’s eyes reddened again, but with A Yuan’s support, his emotions remained relatively stable, though his tone was unavoidably somber: “The Imperial consort selection is a state policy. If there’s no way to change it, we can only go with the flow. Still… this matter is truly distressing.”
He spoke of his family affairs: “…Father has always been biased, and my sister’s marriage is entirely in the hands of my stepmother. I worry day and night. Now, thinking about it, perhaps entering the palace might actually be better.”
As a junior, Lin Ruhai could not criticize his elders.
He simply patted Lin Han’s shoulder: “It’s best that you think this way.”
“Now that the emperor’s Imperial harem is empty, if she is selected and Receives imperial favor, there will at least be the bond of youthful companionship. Life likely won’t be too difficult.”
Lin Han rose and clasped his hands in salute toward Lin Ruhai. “On this journey, I hope elder brother will take good care of our sister.”
Lin Ruhai bent down to help Lin Han up.
With Lin Han’s approval, many matters could now be set in motion.
Yangzhou may not have much else, but it had no shortage of ‘renowned masters’ for training young ladies. However, due to their less-than-glorious backgrounds, they could only be invited discreetly for private tutoring… posture and demeanor, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, and musical instruments—a two-month intensive crash course in the arts.
The ‘well-traveled’ A Yuan clicked her tongue in amazement. “Being an emperor must be so much fun!”
She wanted to be one too!
Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiu wished she could instantly turn deaf to avoid her mistress’s ‘wild talk,’ yet her hands moved swiftly to take the pipa from the young lady’s grasp.
“Young lady is exceptionally gifted. This old tutor has nothing left to teach.” The elderly instructor dressed in dark clothing bowed respectfully, her tone humble. After all, she had received a hefty training fee. She had no idea where the master of this household had found such a prodigy—the girl learned so quickly that the instructor almost regretted not charging more!
A Yuan, wearing a thin veil, saw off the last instructor. “The courses are all finished now, right?”
Qiao Xiu nodded like a pecking chick. “All finished. The Lin family carriage is already waiting outside the second gate. We can return to the city anytime.”
To avoid exposing her identity, A Yuan had been staying at Jia Min’s estate to attend the lessons.
Now that the courses were complete, the salt certificates had been distributed, and the salt merchants’ ships were about to set sail, it was time for A Yuan to leave Yangzhou and head for Jingcheng.
For this journey to the capital, Lin Ruhai not only sent the steward Lin Fu ahead to Jingcheng to renovate the former Lin Marquis residence but also privately met with Xu Shukun, Yangzhou’s largest salt merchant, arranging for A Yuan to travel north to the capital aboard the Xu family’s salt ship.
Canal boats came and went with numerous passengers, and Lin Ruhai feared A Yuan might be jostled or inconvenienced.
As the year-end approached, canal boats gradually docked at ports to prepare for the New Year, while salt merchants’ ships began to depart. Throughout the seasons, year after year, ships stretched for miles along the Grand Canal, their lights connecting like a chain, creating a perpetually bustling scene. Even seated inside her sedan chair behind the curtain, A Yuan could hear the lively clamor from the port.
Qiao Xiu stood beside the sedan chair, bending slightly to describe the bustling activity at the port to A Yuan.
A Yuan longed to lift the window curtain and peer outside, but the dozen or so household servants dispatched by Lin Ruhai surrounded the sedan chair so tightly that she could only see their backs.
“On your journey to the capital, do not forget to pay a visit to Elder Zhang.”
“Yes.” Lin Han clasped his hands, his tone solemn.
Elder Zhang was Lin Ruhai’s examination patron from the year he passed the imperial exams. Though now retired from his official post, he still had connections throughout the court. Moreover, his youngest daughter had been the first wife of Jia She, the First-Class General of Rongguo Mansion, creating a marital tie with Lin Ruhai. Both sentiment and propriety dictated that a visit was necessary.
Of course, it was also an opportunity to discreetly gather internal information about the Imperial consort selection.
If selected, Lin Ruhai would need to prepare dowry funds for A Yuan, as well as a dowry entourage to remain in the capital for relaying messages, making preliminary arrangements for A Yuan’s life after entering the palace.
Lin Ruhai let out a sigh, his gaze drifting toward the surrounded sedan chair, his thoughts somewhat heavy.
Previously, he had never harbored ambitions of climbing the social ladder through imperial connections. But now that this decision had been made, he naturally had to strive forward. Thus, that heaviness soon dissipated, leaving behind only a strong sense of purpose.
Everyone has their own selfish motives.
Even a loving couple like Lin Ruhai and his wife had their own separate plans. Jia Min wholeheartedly hoped that A Yuan would enter the palace and serve as a stepping stone for Jia Yuanchun, while Lin Ruhai wished for A Yuan to take good care of herself. If she were selected, she should strive to win favor and give birth to a prince with the bloodline of the Lin family as soon as possible.
He, too, would work diligently at court, so that in the future, he could provide support for his cousin.
The group bid farewell to Lin Ruhai and boarded the Xu family’s large salt merchant ship. Seeing the cabin, which was nearly three times larger than that of a canal boat, A Yuan couldn’t help but sigh to Qiao Xiu, “Salt merchants truly live up to their reputation as the immensely wealthy—they are indeed extravagant.”
Qiao Xiu’s eyes were wide with amazement.
She had thought the Lin residence was already luxurious enough, but she never expected the ship’s cabin to be even more opulent than the courtyard they had previously lived in.
“The pillows and bedding on the bed and couch are all neatly arranged. Would you like to take a short nap or perhaps recline and read a book?”
Having risen before dawn to catch the boat, A Yuan was exhausted now that they had settled on board. She waved her hand and said, “I’ll sleep for a while. You can attend to your own tasks.”
“Yes,” Qiao Xiu replied crisply.
A Yuan removed her outer robe, climbed into bed, and let out a long sigh of relief only after lying down and drawing the bed curtains.
During her time at the Lin residence, she had to maintain her persona. After all, “if you want the horse to run, you must feed it grass.” Since she wanted Lin Ruhai’s support, she had to demonstrate her “value”—her talent, character, and temperament. The better she performed, the more support she would receive, and the greater her chances of staying in the palace.
After sleeping for about two hours, A Yuan slowly awoke. The nap had been so comfortable that her entire body felt as if her bones had softened. She casually threw on an outer robe, left her hair uncombed, and reclined on the couch to read. It wasn’t until evening that Lin Han finally found time to visit.
“I heard from Qiao Xiu that you slept the entire afternoon. Are you feeling unwell?” Lin Han immediately inquired about A Yuan’s health upon arriving.
“I’m perfectly fine. I just woke up too early, so I took the chance to catch up on sleep once we settled in.” A Yuan picked up a small bowl from the table and took a sip of silver ear soup. “These past two months have finally passed. Although my brother and sister-in-law treated me extremely well, it still wasn’t my own home. I always had to be mindful of my words and actions.”
Seeing her so relaxed, Lin Han couldn’t help but find it amusing. “Look at how lazy you are. How will you manage when you enter the palace later?”
Although the Imperial consort selection hadn’t yet begun, both siblings were aiming to be selected, envisioning a future where they would enter the palace and become Imperial Consorts.
“Perhaps His Majesty will favor me just as I am.”
Besides… her true intention wasn’t to compete for favor, but simply because there were many tasks in the palace.
However, that didn’t mean she wouldn’t strive for favor. The higher her status, the more people she could interact with, and the more Points she could earn.
A Yuan took a moment to glance at the System Interface and saw several question marks already appearing on the pending tasks panel. Looking at the map, all of them were located in the palace. She even suspected that the system was pretending to be idle—otherwise, why would tasks in the Imperial Palace refresh just as she confirmed her participation in the selection?
In fact, there were also tasks in the Lin residence.
One of them was to restore Lin Daiyu’s health, with a reward of 5,000 Points and ten Crimson Pearl Immortal Herbs.
A Yuan wasn’t in a hurry to accept it, as it was a long-term task she couldn’t complete anytime soon. It would be better to tackle it later when the opportunity arose, especially since there was no deadline for the task.
Lin Han saw his sister lost in thought again and sighed, then began to explain the background of Rongguo Mansion to A Yuan. He had already guessed Jia Min’s intentions and wanted to give his sister a reminder.
No matter what plans Rongguo Mansion had in mind, his sister’s most important task was to take care of herself, not to exhaust her energy for an outsider.
However, the information Lin Han could gather was only the most superficial conduct of the Ning and Rong Mansions, far less than what A Yuan knew. Yet he mentioned a key figure—the elderly master of Ningguo Mansion, Jia Jing.
“Back when Prince Yizhong plotted rebellion, Master Jing of Ningguo Mansion made the wrong bet. Fortunately, at the time, Master Jing was only a minor jinshi and had not yet been appointed to an official post. Otherwise, both Ning and Rong Mansions would have suffered greatly. Even so, he now hides away in Xuanzhen Temple as a monk, detached from worldly affairs. Because of this incident, both mansions have been sidelined in recent years. Despite their grandeur, neither mansion has a man capable of upholding the family’s reputation.” Speaking of this Master Jing, Lin Han felt somewhat speechless.
Just a minor jinshi, not even appointed to an official post, yet he meddled in the deposed crown prince’s rebellion… truly overestimating his abilities.
A Yuan glanced at him. “He wasn’t just a jinshi; he was also the head of Ningguo Mansion, holding the hereditary title of Commander of the Capital Garrison… a proud son of nobility born into privilege. He didn’t need to lift a finger to help; merely expressing his stance would have been a significant boost for Prince Yizhong.”
Lin Han fell silent. As a scholar-official, he naturally harbored resistance toward the nobility and hadn’t considered this perspective.
“However, Brother is right about one thing: the men of Ning and Rong Mansions truly cannot uphold the family’s reputation.”
A Yuan rested her chin on her hand, thinking of the final fate of the two mansions, her tone tinged with regret. “No wonder they turned their attention to women.”