1.19 Brother Rui is someone who can't hold back.

Volume One

1.19 Rui Ge’er Is One Who Cannot Hold Back

Lin Residence, Back Garden’s Warm Pavilion.

The night had deepened, and throughout the entire courtyard, except for the east wing of the main house, only this place still held a light.

In the parlor, a rather exquisite vegetarian meal remained neatly arranged on the table—long cold, yet barely disturbed, not even a single bowl or chopstick removed. Yet the host was nowhere to be seen.

In the bedroom, a pair of breathtakingly beautiful mother and daughter embraced, leaning against the headboard. Their enchanting faces bore no hint of joy; their expressive eyes, so vivid they seemed able to speak, were swollen and red like peaches. Anyone who saw them would feel a pang of pity.

“Madam, Miss!” Xue Yan urged anxiously, “You should at least eat something!”

“Foolish girl, how can we eat at this hour?” Jia Min smiled bitterly, shaking her head, signaling her to step outside. Only after the door was closed did she speak softly, “Yu’er, your health has always been fragile, and now more than ever you must take care.

Your father is gone, and many matters lie ahead. Outside, we must rely on Rui Ge’er. The household cannot also burden him too much. Fortunately, it isn’t much, and the two of us won’t delay things. There are also funeral arrangements to handle—we must first return to Suzhou.”

“Suzhou?” Lin Daiyu looked puzzled. “Mother, although I’ve long heard that we descend from the Gusu Lin family, I have never been there since childhood. It’s been so many years, and I don’t know what it’s like now. Shouldn’t we ask Brother Rui?”

“He doesn’t know either.” Jia Min smiled bitterly, gently stroking her daughter’s delicate hair. “Foolish girl, have you forgotten? He is no scion of the Gusu Lin family. Otherwise, would your father have entrusted you to him on his deathbed?”

“Mother!” Lin Daiyu blushed. “I feel Brother Rui could find out.”

“There’s no rush.” Jia Min shook her head softly. “Right now, two things are most important. First, we must properly manage the Yangzhou estate; the two of us will likely rely on it for the rest of our lives. Second, the old residence in the capital—fortunately, I already sent word some days ago to arrange its tidying.”

“Mother means to trouble our maternal family? We should indeed go see them.” Lin Daiyu recalled the news from Lin Rui. “But no matter what, we should have our own home. How could we live borrowing a place all our lives?”

“Exactly!” Jia Min nodded. “My letter has been sent for some time, asking your grandmother to arrange for someone to clean. Since your father began his official service in Yangzhou, the old house has been vacant for many years. Though guarded by longtime servants, no one can guarantee it’s entirely safe.”

“Of course.” Lin Daiyu nodded naturally.

“As for the Yangzhou estate, Brother Rui will have a hard time handling it all outside.” Jia Min continued her instructions. “After he manages everything, he will return the silver to you. Then you can take charge; after all, you’re grown now and should learn to manage the household.”

“Ah?” Lin Daiyu felt something was amiss. “What about you, Mother?”

“Foolish girl, do you think I can care for you forever?” Jia Min smiled sadly beneath her smile. “In the future, you will have Brother Rui. You must keep harmony and love between you all your lives.”

“Mother!” Lin Daiyu’s cheeks flushed as she reluctantly threw herself into her mother’s embrace.

“Enough!” Jia Min tenderly stroked her daughter’s head. “You’re sick now and have no appetite, so don’t force yourself to eat. You’ve taken medicine just now. Go rest for today. I have matters to entrust to Xue Yan, and you should have peace and quiet.”

“Mother, rest early!” Lin Daiyu nodded softly.

Jia Min helped her lie down and covered her with a brocade quilt before quietly leaving the room.

“Madam!” Upon entering the parlor, Xue Yan rose to greet her.

“Yu’er is asleep. I have something to ask you.” Jia Min motioned toward the door. “That girl is a light sleeper, as you know. Let’s not let her overhear. Let’s speak outside.”

“Yes, Madam!” Xue Yan hurriedly agreed, though a look of confusion crossed her face.

Had she been too formal just now?

---

But Jia Min had no time to entertain such thoughts. After speaking, she stepped out and soon reached the garden pavilion opposite the warm chamber. Silently, she tilted her head to gaze at the crescent moon in the sky. Her exquisite face slowly took on a look of bitter sorrow.

Xue Yan followed behind, growing increasingly nervous as she observed her expression.

“When did you promise yourself to Rui Ge’er?” After a long pause, Jia Min suddenly asked.

The already tense maid was so startled she collapsed to her knees with a thud.

“Madam, have mercy!”

“Foolish girl, if I truly wanted to punish you, why would I waste time coming all the way here?” Jia Min smiled bitterly, bending down to help her up, then pulling her close to sit side by side on the bench between the pillars. “At this point, I’m more afraid that Rui Ge’er will take it the wrong way.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Madam!” Xue Yan tried to kneel again but was held back.

“There’s no need to overthink. At this stage, you’re going to serve Yu’er anyway. What is there to worry about?” Jia Min gently stroked the maid’s hair. “Though I know you have no serious faults, you do have many little ones. I never imagined you had such boldness.”

“Madam!” Xue Yan blushed deeply, hesitating before whispering, “It’s been more than two years. Back then, Master Rui had just earned the master’s favor and was overseeing the salt workers in the office. Afraid of failure, he sent me this and that—”

“Only to you?” Jia Min gave a half-smile.

“...And to the gatekeeper’s Cai and Madam Wang as well.” Xue Yan did not dare hide the truth. “He never made me do anything, only occasionally asked for news, like whether the master and madam had arrangements, or what our young lady needed.”

“This child,” Jia Min sighed softly, “though she seems uneducated, where did she learn such household schemes?” She continued with a sigh, “I always knew Yu’er was mischievous and had secretly taken many things. I knew it was his doing but thought it was handled by Cai.”

“Actually, Master Rui left it at the gatehouse, and I went to get it.” Xue Yan cautiously explained.

“You rogue, really acting as matchmaker, huh?” Jia Min smacked her twice with no ill intent.

“I was only following... um, orders—” Xue Yan’s voice grew quieter.

“Enough, continue.” Jia Min could already guess where the trouble lay.

“On the third day of the eleventh month, two years ago, it was very cold.” Xue Yan’s cheeks reddened further as she spoke. “I had something to ask Master Rui’s help with, so in the afternoon, while Madam was resting, I went to the rear office and saw him exercising with a stone weight. Despite the freezing cold, he was bare-chested and sweating profusely. I was so worried I went over to persuade him, but... well, looking at Master... um, I dare not dirty Madam’s ears.”

“You little rascal!” Jia Min showed no embarrassment, only helplessness.

She slid her delicate hand downward, causing the maid to faintly tilt her head in shyness, but she quickly recovered.

“Madam!” Xue Yan was at a loss, blushing.

“Enough.” Jia Min shook her head resignedly. “Rui Ge’er is one who cannot hold back. Yu’er’s health is poor. Since they’ve already agreed, you’ll eventually have to grant him a proper status. But before that, you must stop any scandal from arising.”

“Yes!” Xue Yan was momentarily dazed, then nodded her head rapidly like a pecking chicken.

Jia Min said no more, smiling as she embraced the maid and headed back to the warm pavilion.

Just before entering, she stopped, gazing northward with a hint of nostalgia.

The capital city, Rongguo Mansion, Grandmother Jia’s courtyard.

The three family flower halls were filled with laughter and joy. Over a dozen young women, daughters-in-law, and maids sat or stood together, chatting and laughing like the ringing of silver bells. On the central couch, Grandmother Jia held Jia Baoyu in her arms, her right hand clutching several letters, reading them with great delight.

---

“Ancestor, is there some happy news?” Wang Xifeng asked at the right moment.

“Isn’t it from your aunt sending it?” Grandmother Jia handed over the letters with a beaming smile.

“Ancestor, are you teasing me for being illiterate?” Wang Xifeng pouted in mock anger.

Laughter in the flower hall grew louder.

She was not illiterate, just disliked reading since childhood; thus, she knew little but was good with numbers.

“Sister Feng, Aunt said in her letter that she will soon come to the capital with Uncle. But the old family home has been vacant for years, so she worries it’s inconvenient and asks Ancestor to arrange for it to be cleaned.” Jia Baoyu kindly helped explain. “If you ask me, why bother tidying such an old house?”

“Oh dear, you say it lightly. How can anyone live in a house that’s not cleaned?” Wang Xifeng teased. “Or do you expect to bring everything here to our mansion? Anyway, this chore falls to Lian’er, and he’s just looking for an excuse to slack off!”

“What’s wrong with that?” Jia Baoyu said matter-of-factly. “Aunt only has one younger sister. We have many sisters here. Bringing them all together to play would be fine. It’s just a matter of arranging a courtyard. What’s the big deal?”

“The letter also says Miss Lin will arrive in the capital first and stay a few days with the old housekeeper. That’s no problem.” No one expected Grandmother Jia’s tone to suddenly grow cold. “But when your aunt arrives, there might be inconveniences. Since the house needs tidying, Sister Feng?”

“Rest assured, Ancestor, I’ll have Lian’er arrange it.” Wang Xifeng’s face was full of joy.

“That’s good!” Grandmother Jia nodded faintly.

Everyone in the hall noticed her coldness and fell silent.

“Ancestor just said Miss Lin will come early?” Li Wan, seated quietly in the west guest seat, suddenly spoke. “She’s just a young girl; isn’t it inappropriate? Should the mansion make some arrangements?”

“Your aunt’s letter said that Lin’s nephew will also arrive early, and Miss Lin will come with him.” Grandmother Jia’s tone grew even colder. “According to your father (Jia Zheng), he’s doing well in Yangzhou. Surely he won’t fail at such a matter.”

“Ancestor is right.” Seeing this, Li Wan lowered her head and said no more.

“Relatives coming over must be entertained properly.” Grandmother Jia suddenly smiled. “Sister Feng, explain clearly to Lian’er—your aunt’s temper is straightforward. If things are done poorly, I won’t hit anyone, but she won’t be polite.”

“Oh dear, with Ancestor’s orders, I doubt Lian’er won’t do his best!” Wang Xifeng’s expert social grace shone through. Her smile could melt ice. “But this Lin family’s... Rui Ge’er, right? Did Aunt say anything about him in the letter?”

“After all, he is part of the Lin family. He must be properly entertained.” Grandmother Jia’s tone made everyone understand the source of her dissatisfaction. “Sister Feng, don’t forget to tell your father (Jia She) too, so he can find time to attend to it.”

“Ancestor, rest assured!” Wang Xifeng quickly nodded.

No one in the hall dared speak further.

Jia She rarely left the East Wing courtyard, let alone appear to receive guests.

Grandmother’s arranging for him to handle this made everyone sense something was amiss.

“Ancestor, will Miss Lin be allowed to stay and play?” Only Jia Baoyu remained excited.

“Of course!” Grandmother Jia smiled and nodded.