1.4 Jia Min

Volume One
1.4 Jia Min
Behind the Salt Inspector’s Office, East Wing Room.

“Why are you coming back so late?” Lin Rui sat on the edge of the bed with the maid in his arms. “I know Lin Mei has always been a light sleeper; she’s probably still tossing and turning, right? Why did your personal maid sneak out?”

“It’s because the things you sent weren’t to her taste.” Xue Yan shifted to a more comfortable position in his embrace. “Those few miscellany books were new, but you didn’t even glance through them yourself? Even as a maid, I found them distasteful. Not only are they no good for passing the time, they might even make her more annoyed.”

“Really?” Lin Rui was taken aback. “I had my men find the largest bookstore in Yangzhou city, asked the shopkeeper to bring out the latest and best-selling miscellanies—ten volumes in all—and paid for them in full. Is Lin Mei’s taste really that high?”

“You’re the one who should say that!” Xue Yan suddenly blushed, sat up, and pulled a scroll from her sleeve, tossing it into his arms without ceremony. “Is this really suitable for our young lady?”

“What kind of idle reading is... hmm—” Lin Rui was about to protest when he noticed the title “Spring Tints the Embroidered Couch” on the cover. He quickly stopped and stuffed it under the mat. “Well, maybe... forget it. Better that Lin Mei didn’t see it.”

It had to be a misunderstanding between his men and the shopkeeper, but how could he explain this?

“Luckily, Uncle Cai at the gate can’t read at all. I checked the books before handing them to the young lady; otherwise, how would you explain yourself!” Xue Yan rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Next time, you’d better look through them yourself to avoid any trouble.”

“I usually do, but I was too busy this time.” Lin Rui laughed helplessly. “Thanks for sneaking out tonight. Fortunately, it’s gotten warmer now—if it were still like last month, you might catch a cold, and I’d really worry.”

“Master, it’s not that I’m meddlesome, but these books—” Xue Yan’s tone softened as she nestled back into his arms. “It’s one thing for me, a maid, to endure it since I serve others. Though I shamelessly offered myself to you, it’s hardly worth mentioning.

But our young lady is pure as ice and jade. She even calls you ‘brother.’ Although you’re close on ordinary days, you can’t be so casual. Remember, the ‘separation between men and women’ is a rule left by the sages—absolutely not to be crossed.”

“Today was exceptionally busy with official duties; I didn’t even have time for my afternoon nap. I was careless and made a mistake.” Lin Rui had no choice but to explain again. “Thanks for coming out tonight. Although you definitely used the back doors on both our sides, it's best to be cautious.”

There was a small gate in the alley between the Salt Inspector’s Office and the Lin Mansion, as well as a back door in the mansion itself. These were originally for the convenience of the inner household servants but were rarely used and usually locked.

As Lin Daiyu’s personal maid, Xue Yan’s daytime comings and goings were one thing, but sneaking out at night was truly dangerous. If outsiders caught sight of her, the Lin family wouldn’t hesitate to kill her to protect the household’s reputation.

“Our young lady really likes those nine-linked rings, so I urged her to come here and ask you for another set. We just turned off the lights to make it look like she was asleep.” The maid rubbed gently against him, her tone hesitant. “Master... you really should let go of these thoughts!”

“What are you talking about?” Lin Rui’s tone changed.

“It’s not that I’m meddlesome, but you—” Xue Yan hesitated for a moment before nervously continuing, “Although our master and the Suzhou branch have long lost their family ties, and everyone both in Suzhou and Yangzhou knows it,

logically, this isn’t something a maid should gossip about. But there’s the old saying, ‘One stroke can’t write two Lins.’ Given how you treat our young lady—with gifts and care—surely there’s no misunderstanding, right?”

“What are you thinking?” Lin Rui chuckled helplessly. “Is it not okay for me to take care of my sister?”

“Before I served you, I thought so too...” Xue Yan’s cheeks blushed deeply. “I didn’t even consider my identity as the young lady’s personal maid. I was just shamelessly overthinking and only realized after giving my body away.

Master, our young lady is usually a little temperamental. She’s been to many great households in Yangzhou with our madam, but in all these years, very few have caught her eye. What she said at tonight’s family banquet—there aren’t even three or five outsiders who could match that.”

Lin Rui’s expression froze.

If he claimed he had no feelings for Lin Daiyu, that would be fooling no one. Having been in this world for over two years, though he had long abandoned youthful delusions like “My fate is mine, not heaven’s,” how could he truly forget her?

Yet every time he thought of Lin Mei, another beautiful figure would unconsciously rise in his heart.

“All right, stop overthinking.” No matter how much doubt stirred inside, he wouldn’t reveal it to the maid. “When I was a street orphan, I survived thanks to Uncle Lin’s care. Now that I’ve finally found my footing, shouldn’t I repay him?”

“Master, it’s not that I want to be meddlesome, but no matter how much you repay him, the ‘men and women should not have physical contact’ rule must be respected.” Xue Yan was not so easily dismissed. “I’ve served my mistress all my life and only wish the best for her... but that rule about ‘not marrying within the same surname’—you should be careful.”

“Would I wrong you?” Lin Rui hadn’t paid attention to her background when he took her in; after all, in these times, a “personal maid” was just that—master and servant were not separated by any other logic.

But his indifference did not mean others felt the same.

“Master, about our young lady—” Xue Yan grew anxious.

“You must be too idle.” Lin Rui cut her off decisively.

Half an hour later—

“Master really likes to torment me.” Xue Yan threw back the embroidered quilt with a flushed face.

“Good girl. I can’t really reward you now, but at least you need a place to go, right?” Lin Rui hadn’t finished when he was lightly punched. “It’s late now. Did you remember to lock the door before coming out?”

“I want to serve you forever!” Xue Yan rolled her eyes.

“That’s good.” Lin Rui finally relaxed. “Where is our madam?”

“Madam?” Xue Yan didn’t follow his train of thought but thought for a moment before answering, “Usually, she wouldn’t have slept yet at this hour. She’d be discussing household affairs and accounts with Nurse Wang. She won’t rest until after the eleventh hour (9 p.m.).

There are few masters in our household, so naturally few servants. Besides me attending to our young lady in the back, madam usually leaves only two rough-task maids to guard the outer rooms at night. Then Nurse Wang and two older maids handle cleaning; the two concubines and their maids stay in the side rooms—no more than that.”

“Where is Uncle Lin?” Lin Rui was surprised.

“Our master always stays in the west study of the main hall, served alternately by the two concubines.” Xue Yan’s reply was unexpected. “Are you asking about madam? Master only comes to the back courtyard every fifth day; these years, I can’t even recall when he last returned.”

Lin Rui suddenly remembered how the matriarch typically ruled in the feudal era.

For some reason, he felt a secret joy.

“I asked too much.” He quickly changed the subject. “It’s late. You should go back.”

“Mm!” Xue Yan rose to gather her things.

Lin Mansion, Back Courtyard.

Well past the evening hour of the Dog, the lights in the west wing of the main hall still burned bright.

A graceful figure sat upright at a desk, tidying a few books before slowly exhaling in relief. After what seemed like a long time, she took a delicate sip from a teacup beside her, her poise elegant.

This was none other than Lady Lin, Jia Min.

“Where is Yu’er?” After a moment, she set down her cup and asked.

“I don’t know why, but the young lady turned off her lights early tonight. She must have gone to bed.” Nurse Wang looked puzzled. “Even Xue Yan didn’t make a fuss today—she was unusually obedient.”

“She probably played herself tired today. She’s always a light sleeper; I feel more at ease when she sleeps soundly.” Jia Min showed no concern, instead a hint of happiness. “It’s a pity those peaceful nights don’t come often.”

“A few days ago, Master found a tranquilizing remedy, said to have come from the palace. It seems to have taken effect today.” Nurse Wang considered before replying, “Amitabha, truly the Bodhisattva’s blessing.”

“If that’s really so, I will certainly visit Tianning Temple to offer my prayers.” Jia Min laughed it off, then opened a brocade box on the desk. “Is this what Brother Rui left at the gatehouse tonight?”

“Exactly.” Nurse Wang nodded quickly. “Isn’t Master Rui filial?”

“Twenty thousand taels—who would dare say he’s not filial?” Jia Min smiled bitterly as she closed the box. “These past two years, he’s been following Master, in charge of hundreds of salt workers. I can’t say about other matters, but as for the money, he’s probably handled quite a lot.

Our master is a scholar, ashamed to talk about profit. I never expected that Brother Rui would know so much. Luckily, when I was still a young lady at the Duke’s residence, I heard a bit about such things. Otherwise, I’d have been terrified.”

“Madam, though I can’t recall clearly, I estimate Brother Rui has sent over a hundred thousand taels in these two years.” Nurse Wang smiled. “I understand Master’s character. It’s better for us in the back courtyard to manage it properly.”

“A total of 136,000 taels.” Jia Min shook her head, locking the brocade box away in a sturdy cabinet. “Let it be saved for him, then. But there’s another matter to watch carefully—he sent books to Yu’er?”

“I don’t understand that, but I know a fair bit.” Nurse Wang looked puzzled.

“So that’s how the locked books in her room came about.” Jia Min’s expression softened with fondness. “Young ladies read a bit of light literature when idle in their chambers, but they mustn’t get too absorbed and lose themselves.”

“Madam’s words are wise. Our young lady is so clever, she wouldn’t be fooled by a few books,” Nurse Wang quickly shook her head. “Besides, since Brother Rui sent the books, she naturally examined them carefully.”

“Those men are busy with official duties; carelessness is inevitable.” Jia Min shook her head. “I think we should find time to check them ourselves, just to avoid any troublesome matters.”

“Madam is right.” Nurse Wang agreed without hesitation.

“It’s late. Go rest.” Jia Min looked toward the front courtyard, her expression complex.