The next day, Lin Er finished dressing up and went to the second hall to greet Ru Hai. The servant girl at the door welcomed her, saying that the masters were already discussing matters and would not be free for a while, so she told the girl not to wait.
Lin Er turned around and instructed the kitchen to prepare a sea of medicinal soup, as well as everyone's food and refreshments. Only then did he turn around and call for the chief steward to go to Leisure Cloud Temple together.
Jia Lian went to the sea to pay his respects but did not see anyone. He had an appointment with someone and was just about to go out when he saw two sedan chairs parked in the courtyard. He called out to the boy and asked,"Last night, you guys made a lot of noise, making me unable to sleep. Today, you carried two more palanquins here, but your master is going out?”
The boy bowed and replied," Replying to Second Master Jia, it's not that my master is going out. My master is busy with work every day and hasn't gone out for half a year. This is for Second Young Lady."”
Jia Lian laughed." You brat, you dare to coax me. The sedan chair in front is just a small green cloth. The one behind it looks like it's from the residence, but it doesn't have the word 'residence' on it. How does it look like a lady going out?" It must be Uncle Lin and his Chang Sui going out to do something incognito. You brat, you don't know the situation and still make wild guesses. You only said that your miss is going out. Are you really not afraid that the master will skin your mouth?”
The boy said,"Second Master's words are too much for this lowly one to accept. This lowly one dares to guarantee that Second Young Lady is going out." This green cloth was probably prepared for the chief steward.”
At this moment, Lin Er and the chief steward arrived. The chief steward was originally busy, but when he saw Jia Lian, he immediately stopped talking. When he came back, he greeted Jia Lian.
Er Lin smiled and said,"Second Brother, why are you standing here? Are you going out?"”
Jia Lian smiled and said," I haven't been here for more than ten years, and I don't understand the language here in Suzhou anymore. Once I leave the mansion, I'm blind. Although I've gone out for a walk these few days, I almost lost my way a few times." This time, I heard from the servants that Younger Sister seemed to be going out, so I rushed over to be a guard. I also followed Younger Sister to take a look at the exquisiteness of this big city of Suzhou. I hope Younger Sister doesn't mind.”As he spoke, he bowed.
Lin Er smiled." I didn't think it through. I forgot that the language of Suzhou doesn't communicate with the language of the capital. Why didn't Second Brother say so earlier? We wasted a few days of good spring." It just so happens that I'm going to the Leisure Cloud Temple to offer incense today. If Second Older Brother doesn't mind, I'll immediately ask them to prepare a suitable sedan chair.”
Jia Lian smiled and said," It's troublesome to prepare a sedan chair. Why bother? It's better to ask them to lead a horse. It's convenient for me to ride a horse all the way."”
Lin Er immediately ordered someone to lead the horse and entered the sedan chair. The Head Steward saw Jia Lian riding a horse, so he did not sit in the sedan chair and only followed beside it.
On the way out of the manor, Lin Erzi did not mention anything in the sedan chair. The chief steward followed behind Jia Lian's horse, introducing the scenery to him while telling him stories about Suzhou. The two of them chatted and laughed very happily.
After a while, they arrived at Leisure Cloud Temple. They got off the sedan chair and fell off the horse. They did not talk with the receptionist.
Lin Er was wearing a curtained hat. The little nun who led the way went to the meditation room where Aunt Jia cultivated. When she saw Aunt Jia, Aunt Jia greeted her first. The two of them sat down, and there were people who served cakes and tea.
Lin Er explained his intentions, and Aunt Jia was in tears when she heard it. Finally, she said,"When Young Lady was at home, she also saw my difficulties. I was originally a servant girl by Furen's side. When Furen was around, I could still have some comfort and freedom. When Furen passed away, a servant girl like me took over as the head of the household. Not to mention how the people outside laughed at me, even at home, many people looked down on me. However, Madam only left behind a young lady, and she was young and weak. It was only right that Master doted on her more. However, if I was not able to protect her in a short period of time, the two masters would flare up. I was actually not even worthy of face compared to a rough servant girl. Who could I tell about this grievance?”
Concubine Jia was originally simple and could not speak. However, she had been holding this grievance in for a long time. Once she got the opportunity, she actually spilled it out like beans. Lin Er had only taken a sip of tea, but he had missed the opportunity to comfort her.
Aunt Jia continued," At least you've come to my house and are with that person. If I can comfort her, she'll feel better. At least I'll have less shame." I have the young ladies to guide me in the matters of the family. That servant is in the way of the two young ladies and doesn't dare to talk about right and wrong. Although the other YiNiangs are not easy to get along with me, there is still a way out. A long time ago, when I heard Master say that he was going to send Young Lady to the capital, I knew that it was not good. I wiped my tears many times at night, but my words were not worth much. I could only desperately encourage myself and focus on the family matters and Master's health. At least I could survive.”
Aunt Jia wiped her tears again. Lin Er took the opportunity to say,""YiNiang is a little tough, but the housekeeper's daughters-in-law are all like this. Once you've sorted them out and established some prestige, you'll be free in the future. Why did YiNiang have to go and beg? The years were not good and the situation was chaotic. The monastery had been relatively stable these few years. If it were a few more years, there would probably be no peace. When YiNiang returned to the manor, no matter how difficult the housekeeper's affairs were, there would always be someone to rely on. She could spend the year worry-free.”
Aunt Jia sobbed," Young Lady has a good heart, why would you worry about me? It's just that the prostitutes in the manor can't bear to see me well. When I was still the housekeeper in the manor, they instigated the master to find fault with me and want to kill me. I escaped death at least and came to this quiet place, but they still won't let me off." In the past, the old master had sent people to send money and food every month. In the past two months, those prostitutes have been arrogant and cut off their money and food. Since master doesn't care about my life and death, why does young lady still come to persuade me to go back?”
Lin Er shook his head and said," YiNiang is too reckless. What kind of person is Master? You've served him for decades and you still don't understand?" He was only attentive to official matters all day long. Not to mention a concubine's offerings, even if Daiyu was missing something, he would know in detail several times. If YiNiang were to wrestle with Old Master over this, she would be cutting off her own path.”
Aunt Jia complained," I've already retreated to such a state here. If I don't eat the Lin family's rice and wear the Lin family's cloth, how can I cut off my own path?”
"YiNiang, think about it yourself. It's better for you to stay in this mountain temple than to go back." When I go back, I'll call my aunt the housekeeper. She has the money and power, so why should she be afraid of Xu and Li? In this mountain temple, what did she have to sweep the courtyard? Carrying water and chopping firewood?"
"I'm here to cultivate," said Aunt Jia."They won't ask me to do such menial work.”
"Does YiNiang really think that cultivating in the temple is just sitting around?" Lin Er shook his head and smiled. If it wasn't for the fact that YiNiang came from the Lin Manor, would YiNiang think that this good meditation room could be used by everyone? I only ask YiNiang, you haven't sent any money in the past two months, do you have anything to say?”
Aunt Jia lowered her head and did not speak. After a moment, she started crying again and said,"Since there's no place for me, why did you give birth to me? Is there no place for me to live in this world?”After saying this, she cried her heart out.
Lin Er could not persuade her and only said," I'm only here to tell you the truth today. I think you've also noticed that this folk temple is more secular. If there's no income, I'm afraid it's worse than the residence." I know that you can endure hardship, but think about it again. If the soldiers and bandits do anything in a few years, this small temple can protect you.”
Concubine Jia lowered her head and said nothing. She pinched her handkerchief and did not wipe her tears. She only said,"Young Lady treated me well and told me about the pros and cons. I am grateful. It's just that I will never return to the residence.”
Lin Er looked at her and knew that there was no chance of her turning back, so he could only leave. After all, they had been together for several years. Although they were not people who understood right and wrong, they had blood and flesh. Before they left, he did not know how to arrange for her. He only took the money and instructed the Abbey Dean to take good care of her.
The Abbey Dean received a few hundred taels and was overjoyed. He thought that the young lady of the Lin family was ignorant of the world. A few hundred taels was enough for an ordinary family to spend for a few years. She also used it to tip him. He quickly thanked her and guaranteed that YiNiang wouldn't be unhappy at all.
When Lin Er came down the mountain, the chief steward saw the number of people and shed tears. He tried to persuade Lin Er, saying,""Young Lady is kind-hearted, to be able to come here to persuade her is already doing her best.”
Lin Er nodded and ordered the sedan chair to be lifted. The chief steward led the way and did not speak to Jia Lian along the way. He only asked another boy to serve him.
Jia Lian followed them to the temple, donated some incense, and then led them to the back mountain of the temple to see the scenery. It was only an hour. He wondered why Lin Er, a girl, didn't burn incense in the temple but went to the meditation room with a pretty female monk, but he couldn't find out.
The palanquin swayed down the mountain, passing through the streets and alleys, and finally arrived at the Water Transport Yard.
The chief steward stepped forward and handed over the invitation from the Lin Manor. When Jia Lian saw this, he was surprised. Why did Uncle Lin abandon him and send Lin Er, a girl, to visit the water transport?
The code gang accepted the post and replied after a while, saying,"The steward is not feeling well today, I'm afraid he can't meet guests. Please go back first. After a few days, my steward will go to the residence to apologize.”
The Chief Steward kept the invitation and returned to the side of the palanquin.""Let Young Lady know that Old Master once sent an invitation to the Cao Gang and that Cao Gang also replied like this. Even though Young Lady came today and also sent Old Master's invitation, he still didn't accept it and didn't have the slightest intention to soften and resolve it.”
Lin Er lifted the curtain and saw that the yard was vast. The door was red and green. The door was six to seven meters wide. There were two pairs of lions in front of the door. There were black flags on both sides. He had never seen such an imposing sight.
Jia Lian rode over and said,"This is a rough place for the Cao Ma Gang. Why did you let your younger sister come here? I'm afraid it's not appropriate." Why don't we go back first today and ask the grandaunt to set up an official system tomorrow to pay a visit. I think he won't dare to refuse.”
Lin Er smiled." Second Brother is so anxious. It's not a big deal. How can I trouble uncle?" Presumably, his master was sick and thought that it was his uncle outside the door. It was not good to receive him as an ill person, so he declined the invitation. Second Brother, don't be anxious. Let me change my invitation first.”As he spoke, he took out a piece of incense paper from his sleeve and handed it to the chief steward, instructing him to call the door and submit the invitation.
The chief steward sent another invitation, and soon the door was opened. A muscular old man with white hair and a charming lady with a head full of pearls and jade came out to welcome them. The old man's voice was like a bell as he shouted,"Where is my little niece? Quickly let this old man see her.”
Jia Lian didn't know Xiao Lin's tricks and only thought that Xiao Lin really had relatives in the Cao Gang. He was shocked. On the other hand, the Head Steward was at a loss. At least he was more steady.
Lin Er took off his hat and came out of the sedan chair. He bowed to the old man and beautiful woman.
The beautiful woman said," You don't know me. You can just call me Aunt Jiao. I've often heard that you're not like those women in the boudoir. I didn't expect you to be so forthright. After what happened to your sister, you didn't even need to cover your face when you went out. Wouldn't you make your parents worry?”
Lin Er smiled and said,"Aunt Jiao's teachings are right. I'll understand in the future."”
As a result, the Lin Manor group entered the yard gang in confusion. Jia Lian was treated as an escort and was arranged to drink tea in the side hall like the chief steward. Jia Lian pulled the chief steward back and asked in a low voice,""I only know that Second Younger Sister is from an official family, but how could there be such a family?”
After all, the chief steward had dealt with internal and external matters with Ru Hai before, and knew that the government gangs were like ten-thousand-year-old vines, often entangled. He knew that when dealing with this kind of relationship, it was like walking on thin ice. He could not afford to make a single mistake, so he said to Jia Lian,"Not to mention Second Master, I'm afraid that my Old Master doesn't know either. In my opinion, it's not Second Young Lady's true relationship. Perhaps it's a friend made by the family. We just don't know how close they are.”
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