The Good Concubine of the Qing Dynasty [Red Mansion]

Yun Shuyao left the main courtyard and returned to her own quarters. She poured herself a cup of tea and watched the tea leaves settle and float in the cup.

Jia Min had said she didn’t have much time left, and Yun Shuyao believed it.

Jia Min’s health was deteriorating.

With modern medicine being so advanced and many people still succumbing to illness, let alone in this era.

As for the deal Jia Min proposed, it was quite simple. Considering Lin Ruhai’s age and official position, if Jia Min passed away, it was indeed quite likely that he would remarry.

If he did remarry, Yun Shuyao would face a new direct superior. The temperament of this new superior and how they might treat their subordinates would be a gamble on their character.

Moreover, such situations were generally blind marriages.

Aside from a few who are flamboyant or have hidden motives, how could any daughter’s reputation be poor?

Only after marrying into the family would one truly know the nature of the person.

Furthermore, if the new spouse were to bear a legitimate son, it would shake Chenyu’s position.

Jia Min’s proposed deal was that she would make Lin Ruhai completely abandon the thought of remarrying. If that were the case, Yun Shuyao would be the highest-ranking person in the inner courtyard. It wouldn’t take long; in a few years, Chenyu would be able to marry, and at that time, the management of the household could be handed over to the new daughter-in-law, while the old lady would continue to oversee it for these few years.

In this way, Yun Shuyao would have no superiors for these years, and Chenyu wouldn’t have to face a potentially legitimate younger brother, receiving the best training possible.

In return, they would need to take care of Daiyu.

Although Daiyu had the old lady and Lin Ruhai looking after her, Jia Min was concerned about the more distant future.

She would also worry about the character of the new spouse and the possible legitimate son.

Yun Shuyao and Chenyu’s personalities were likely already observed by Jia Min.

—

In the main courtyard, Jia Min gazed out the window, lost in thought.

Jia Min wasn’t worried that her daughter Daiyu would be mistreated; the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children would be maintained.

Moreover, with the old lady and Lin Ruhai around, Daiyu’s life would not be difficult.

When her daughter married, besides the dowry provided by the Lin family, there would be Jia Min’s own gifts. Those would all belong to Daiyu, and she would never have to worry about financial issues in her life.

However, they would eventually grow old, and Daiyu would need to build strong relationships with her elder brother and the next generation’s head of the Lin family.

In the future, if Daiyu encountered any difficulties after her marriage, the Lin family would need to support her and stand by her side.

Jia Min also admitted that she had her own selfish reasons.

The fact that Lin Ruhai would not remarry would be beneficial for the Yun family, but it would also be advantageous for her.

If Lin Ruhai did not remarry, even after her death, her daughter Daiyu would still hold the highest status.

Even if Chenyu were to inherit the Lin family in the future, he would need to treat Daiyu well.

Jia Min was fairly confident that she could ensure Lin Ruhai would not remarry.

Aside from emotional reasons, many officials who went to serve in other places did not always bring their official wives with them; they often only brought concubines. The interactions of the women in the inner courtyard were not out of the question, especially with the old lady present.

Additionally, there were many women in the inner courtyard, and Lin Ruhai’s offspring had not been very successful. For the sake of the only male heir, he would have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of remarrying.

This was actually a win-win situation for both her and the Yun family.

As for the old lady… given how she cherished Chenyu, Jia Min doubted she would force Lin Ruhai to remarry.

Jia Min sighed softly, pondering other matters.

—

She had considered other solutions, but they were all ruled out. For instance, she thought about having Chenyu adopted under her name to make him a legitimate son, which would bring him closer to her daughter Daiyu. However—her mother’s previous actions had not been forgotten.

She had not forgotten.

The old lady and Lin Ruhai would not forget either.

Her mother had harbored designs on the Lin family’s offspring, with Chenyu being the primary target. Her mother had even given the money to the maid to prepare the medicine.

There is no wall that does not allow the wind to pass through.

What would Chenyu think when he learned the truth in the future?

Moreover, from her observations, the Yun family and Chenyu had a very good relationship. They trusted and depended on her a lot, whether it was Chenyu or Luo Yu.

Would Chenyu willingly accept such a name change?

Furthermore, legitimacy is legitimacy, and illegitimacy is illegitimacy.

Everyone who associates with the Lin family knows their background. What is genuine cannot be fake, and what is fake cannot be genuine.

—

Forcing someone into a situation can lead to dissatisfaction and resentment.

Her second idea was to strengthen the relationship between Chenyu and the Jia family. If there were any suitable girls from the Jia family or their relatives, it would be a good solution to marry Chenyu to one of them.

However, she had inquired and found that Lin Ruhai was not considering a marriage alliance with influential families. He planned to find a suitable bride from a family with a strong scholarly tradition.

That route was thus blocked.

After much consideration, this was the most suitable plan she could come up with.

—

Yun Shuyao took a slow sip of tea.

She could understand Jia Min’s thoughts.

As a mother, it is difficult not to worry about her daughter.

She always wants to arrange the best possible circumstances for her.

The Lin family not taking in new members would be most beneficial for Daiyu.

Then, there was Chenyu.

—

If Chenyu truly loves his sister, with the protection of the old lady and Lin Ruhai, as well as having such a brother, even without Jia Min’s care, she would still have a worry-free life.

And she, being Chenyu’s biological mother, undoubtedly has an influence on him, which is why this conversation took place today.

Jia Min advises Lin Ruhai not to remarry, and all she needs to do is not obstruct Chenyu and Daiyu’s closeness, ensuring their sibling relationship remains harmonious.

Yun Shuyao let out a long sigh.

The heart of every parent is indeed pitiable.

Although she knows Jia Min is overthinking, she would not obstruct Chenyu and the others from maintaining a close relationship with Daiyu.

Opposing this is unnecessary.

At first, Yun Shuyao wondered if the female protagonist might have some special attributes.

But after observing for so long, she had to admit that Daiyu was just an ordinary little girl.

If she truly were the reincarnation of a legendary divine herb, then in this reincarnation, she is completely human.

There is no trace of the divine herb’s abilities or special qualities.

This makes sense.

—

In mythology, reincarnated beings usually forget their past lives after rebirth, and only recall their former memories by chance.

So, she will not prevent her children from developing feelings for Daiyu. In the future, if Daiyu marries with a substantial part of the Lin family’s wealth, she will not mind.

The Lin family’s wealth and connections are undoubtedly considerable, but Yun Shuyao had mentally prepared for the possibility of her son’s branch of the family becoming independent from the main line.

In fact, she had even started planning some paths for her son, preparing for his future career.

Coming from a future era, she knows that understanding certain things in detail is unnecessary; knowing the result is enough to gain a significant advantage.

For instance, the next emperor after Kangxi is Yongzheng, the fourth in line, not the second prince who was designated as crown prince from a young age.

The subsequent emperor, Qianlong, is also fourth in line.

How many people wish to benefit from the dragon’s achievements?

She already knows the outcome in advance.

Moreover, her son is not a heartless person; he has affection for Jia Min, his kind stepmother.

Even if his feelings for Daiyu are not as strong as for his biological sister, they will still be significant.

Jia Min’s moments of clarity are becoming increasingly rare, and she gradually arranges her affairs.

She inventories her dowry and makes a list.

She leaves shares for the old lady, the master, Zhao Yin, and also for the Jia family.

After all, it is her maternal family and Daiyu’s maternal family.

Jia Min faces her impending death with calmness.

On the other hand, Lin Ruhai appears more sorrowful.

Every day, Lin Ruhai comes home from the yamen to accompany her, watching her grow thinner.

She is increasingly unable to eat.

Daiyu remains confused, not understanding what death is, but instinctively clings to her mother, unwilling to leave.

Since Yingyu’s arrival, everyone attends to her.

Jia Min does not drive anyone away.

—

When she had the energy, she would also teach them about the responsibilities of a matriarch.

Yingyu and Luoyu were already 11 years old and had started learning how to manage the household under the old lady’s guidance. They were being prepared for how to manage the household when they married in the future.

Jia Min’s knowledge was not entirely the same as the old lady’s. She had a deeper understanding of the complex relationships in the capital, such as those involving the royal family, palace nobles, and various high-ranking officials.

If she hadn’t taught these things, no one would have had the right to say anything. Now that she has taught them, it can only be said that Jia Min was building a good relationship.

One day, before reaching the thirty-ninth year of Kangxi’s reign, Jia Min closed her eyes forever.

The Lin family was surrounded by mourning attire.

As the legitimate mother, Jia Min’s death meant that her children had to mourn in traditional mourning clothes for three years, or more precisely, twenty-seven months.

Many people came to the funeral. The arrangements for the funeral were complex and burdensome. The old lady was overwhelmed, and not only were Yingyu and Luoyu kept busy, losing several pounds, but Yun Shuyao and Aunt Mei also became heavy laborers,too busy that they became dizzy.

The Jia family also sent people in response to the news, specifically Jia Zhu and Jia Lian.

Neither of them had married yet, but Jia Zhu was already seventeen and Jia Lian fourteen.

Jia Mu and Jia She were so affected by the news that they fell ill, and since Jia Zheng couldn’t leave, the younger generation came instead.

They arrived quickly on horseback. When Jia Zhu dismounted, he startled the servants welcoming them at the Lin residence.

His appearance was too frail, with dark shadows under his eyes, showing the depth of his sorrow over his aunt’s death.

As soon as Jia Lian arrived, he cried out, “Aunt, you left us too soon! How could you bear to leave so many people behind…”

Jia Zhu, on the other hand, silently wept.

Seeing their distress, Lin Ruhai’s haggard and emaciated face softened a bit.

The two were led to the altar, where they knelt and wept, offering incense to Jia Min. Their eyes couldn’t help but wander to the filial descendants and grandchildren kneeling beside them.

—

They saw their cousin Chenyu, who had already started to look gaunt, and then their nearly fainting cousin Daiyu.

Jia Zhu couldn’t help but feel sympathy: “Daiyu, don’t cry. Aunt is watching from the heavens, and she wouldn’t want to see you so sad. You should take care of yourself.”

Jia Lian added, “Yes, Daiyu…”

The two of them offered comforting words to Daiyu.

Daiyu now understood what death meant.

Death meant that her mother had gone to a very distant place, where she could no longer see her.

She woke up crying frequently during this time, her eyes almost swollen from the tears.

She had to be given soothing medicine to calm her down and allow her to catch her breath.

Jia Zhu and Jia Lian were led to the guest quarters by Lin Yong to rest.

Along the way, Jia Lian subtly observed the decorations in the Lin residence.

The Lin family’s funeral arrangements for their aunt were undoubtedly grand.

There were many people present.

From this, Jia Lian could see the position of his uncle here. Although the Lin family’s descendants were not numerous, many of the Lin clan members had come to help.

The Lin family’s legitimate matriarch was only the old lady. Looking at the orderly situation… Jia Lian couldn’t help but click his tongue in surprise.

His ancestor had asked him to pay attention to the old lady’s health. Although he hadn’t seen her yet, from what he could infer, the old lady seemed quite spirited.

While Jia Lian was observing, Jia Zhu was also busy, his expression serious. They had a task at hand.