Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

Siqi came out of the room, seething with anger, and went straight to the tea room at the back to get some new tea.

But as soon as they reached the corridor, they heard Yuanyang talking to several of the women in charge.

Siqi wasn't one to eavesdrop, but these gossips somehow found their way into her ears.

"...The old lady has instructed that starting tomorrow, Yun-ge'er from the west corridor will come in whenever he has free time to teach the girls to write and read. Second Madam Lian has already made the arrangements, so all of you should be on your guard. Keep your mouths shut, prepare the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, and serve tea and snacks. Do not be negligent."

The wives nodded in agreement.

Yuanyang gave a few more instructions and then turned and went to Grandmother Jia's main room.

Siqi stood there, holding the empty tea tray in her hand, her heart skipped a beat—was a young man from outside coming into the inner chamber to teach?

This is something new.

As a maid, she usually didn't care much about these men's affairs. She was still unclear about whether Jia Yun under the west corridor was round or flat, but she vaguely remembered that he was a handsome and well-mannered young man.

Siqi, while chatting with the other maids, also heard that some time ago, this Yun-ge seemed to have caused some trouble outside and gained the favor of many noble people.

She was about to walk away when a thought suddenly struck her, and she remembered the girl's self-pitying appearance from earlier.

"...She's another illegitimate child, not as clever and endearing as my third sister... If she goes, she'll just sit there doing nothing, attracting unwanted attention..."

A bold and reckless thought suddenly popped into his head: This Yun-ge'er, I heard, is also from a collateral branch, and now I've actually gained some prestige.

Since he'll be coming in to teach, he'll naturally be meeting not only Master Bao and Miss Lin, but also us young ladies.

If... if this Yun-ge could, out of consideration for our clan, show our girl a little kindness, praise her a word or two, even if it's just ordinary encouragement.

Given the girl's temperament, wouldn't she be a little happier after hearing this? Would she feel that she's not entirely ignored?

Once this thought arose, it entwined itself like a vine, impossible to break free from.

Siqi knew that this idea was somewhat rash, even absurd, but looking at her young lady's submissive appearance, her heart felt like it was being fried in oil.

Even a clay figure needs a bit of temper, right? Otherwise, what's the point of living?

Siqi was willing to try anything that might bring the girl some joy or vitality.

She bit her lip, her mind made up. In any case, Yun-ge lived in the west wing, not too far from their place.

Siqi was thinking of finding an opportunity later to bring some exquisite snacks that the girl didn't usually eat or need, and use that as an excuse to go and talk to him.

There's really no need to mention the girls; just say that since he's coming to teach, please treat all the girls equally and offer them plenty of encouragement.

If he were intelligent and perceptive, he would naturally understand the meaning—how could he not know who I am, the maid in his room?

Thinking of this, Siqi felt the tightness in her chest dissipate a little. Instead of heading to the tea room, she turned around and walked back, but her steps were lighter than when she came.

She needs to go back and think carefully about what excuse to use and what to bring so that it doesn't seem out of place and that she can handle the matter properly.

Inside the window, Yingchun remained immersed in the world of the "Treatise on the Response of the Supreme Being," completely unaware that her loyal maid was secretly plotting an "adventure" that could change her fate, all for the sake of a possible word of praise for her.

Meanwhile, Jia Yun, despite experiencing some setbacks in Qinfang Garden, earned some respect through his genuine martial arts skills, his humble yet confident demeanor, and his quick wit.

Afterwards, he was pulled aside by Feng Ziying, Wu Sangui and others for a chat and drank a few cups of wine.

Everyone knew that although Jia Yun's martial arts skills were not top-notch, they were already quite outstanding among the sons of noble families. More importantly, he was only fourteen years old.

How horrifying is this?

I also heard that he had mastered that powerful spear technique in just over a month, which is enough to make people take notice.

Of course, some people had their doubts, thinking he was just a young man boasting about being a child prodigy and not entirely believing his claims about time.

Regardless, after this meeting, Jia Yun's name quietly spread among the young elites of the capital.

When he returned to the west corridor of the Rongguo Mansion, it was still early.

As Jia Yun stepped into the gate of his own courtyard, he saw his mother talking to a well-dressed maid.

Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Yuanyang, who was beside Grandmother Jia.

Yuanyang smiled before she saw him return and stood up, saying, "Second Master Yun, you're finally back. I've been waiting for you."

Jia Yun hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, inwardly surprised but outwardly showing no sign of it, only saying humbly, "I'm so sorry to have troubled Sister Yuanyang to wait so long. What brings you here today, Sister?"

Yuanyang smiled, her eyes darting around as she looked him over: "Isn't it because the old ancestor is thinking of you? I heard you were quite the big shot outside today, so she specially sent me to invite you over for a chat."

She and Jia Yun's mother were old acquaintances. In the early years, when Jia Yun's mother was struggling in the mansion, Yuanyang happened to witness injustice and spoke up for her.

Seeing Jia Yun's success, he spoke with genuine affection.

She couldn't help but tease, "It hasn't been that long since we last met, and Second Master Yun has become so capable. It's clear that he's a master of disguise."

Jia Yun knew in his heart that news of what happened at the banquet must have been relayed back, but he didn't know whether the old lady calling him was a blessing or a curse.

He could only calmly reply, "Sister, please don't tease me. It was just a coincidence; I was simply accompanying my brothers to stretch their muscles. Don't take it seriously. I wonder what the Ancestor has summoned me for?"

Yuanyang just laughed and said, "That's great! You'll know when you get there. Come with me quickly, don't keep the old lady waiting."

Jia Yun then straightened his robes and followed Yuanyang to Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

They walked through halls and courtyards until they arrived at the main room where Grandmother Jia was located.

The room was quiet; none of the maids and servants who usually attended to them were there.

Only Grandmother Jia lay reclining on the warm couch, closing her eyes to rest, slowly twirling a string of nanmu prayer beads between her fingers.

Jia Yun dared not be negligent. He stepped forward and knelt down respectfully to pay his respects: "Grandson Jia Yun pays his respects to the Grand Ancestor."

Grandmother Jia slowly opened her eyes and quietly gazed at Jia Yun kneeling before her.

His gaze was not as kind and gentle as usual; instead, it carried a deep weariness.

The room was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense, and it was so quiet that you could hear each other breathing.

After a long while, Grandmother Jia sighed softly, "Get up, child."

Jia Yun thanked him and stood up, his hands at his sides.

Grandmother Jia looked at him and said slowly, "Yun-ge'er, look at our mansion, with its pavilions and towers, fine clothes and sumptuous food, and a multitude of maids and servants. Don't you feel that this family is large and prosperous, as stable as Mount Tai?"

Jia Yun's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously replied, "Our matriarch manages the household well, so naturally everything in the mansion is fine."

"Good?" A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Grandmother Jia's lips. "It's all fake, all empty. It looks beautiful and perfect, but it's just because it hasn't encountered a strong wind yet. If a strong wind really comes, this facade... ha, it'll probably collapse in no time."

Her gaze was distant, as if she had already seen the hidden worries behind this prosperity: "What supports this house are the beams and pillars. My old beam... is about to rot and won't last for many more years. In the future, we will have to rely on you newly grown timbers to hold up the sky."

Jia Yun was shocked. He never expected that Grandmother Jia would speak to him so frankly.

He hurriedly replied, "Grandpa, don't think such things. You will surely enjoy good health and longevity, like evergreen pines and cypresses."

Grandmother Jia waved her hand and said with a wry smile, "Of course I hope for the best, but everyone has to die eventually. I can't expect this old woman to live for a thousand years and carry this burden forever, can I? In the end, it will be your world."

She stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point: "I called you here today because I have something to tell you. Starting tomorrow, take some time each day to come to the backyard and teach Daiyu, Tanya, and Xichun how to write and read."

Jia Yun was taken aback upon hearing this. Teaching women to read? That was hardly a pleasant task.

He instinctively wanted to refuse: "Grandmother's kindness is deeply appreciated. However... there is a difference between men and women. It might be inconvenient for you to frequently enter and leave the inner chambers, and it might also cause gossip and damage the reputation of my aunts."

"It's alright. I'll take care of everything. I'm not dead yet, so it's no one else's place to gossip about this mansion! Besides, why are you calling them 'aunt'? Although they are indeed a generation older than you, calling them that makes them sound old. From now on, you can just call them 'young lady'."

Jia Yun remained silent for a moment before raising his head and looking at Grandmother Jia with a clear and honest gaze: "Grandmother, may I be so bold as to ask, what exactly is your intention in doing this?"

Jia Yun was no fool; he couldn't help but think deeply about the unusual behavior of Grandmother Jia today.

Although the Jia family was known for its scholarly traditions, the women didn't need to be overly literate; literacy and manners were sufficient. Besides, they already had female tutors; why hire a man from outside the family?

When Grandmother Jia saw that he asked so directly, she smiled instead.

She stood up, supporting herself on the edge of the couch, walked to him, looked up at the boy who was now much taller than her, and whispered, "My son, so disappointing. My grandson, so promising... Pearl, he's gone; this one who's alive..."

She paused, but ultimately didn't point out Baoyu's faults. She simply sighed, "Now that I see you, you seem like someone who is willing and able to prove himself."

Jia Yun understood, but still said, "Grandmother, you flatter me. I am still a commoner and have not yet achieved any fame or success. I am truly unworthy of such praise."

"Whether you're worthy or not is up to me." Grandmother Jia's gaze was intense. "Bringing you in to teach is also to let you spend more time with these sisters. Whichever one you find pleasing to the eye, whether it's Daiyu, Baochai, Tanchun, Xichun, or Yingchun, if you take a liking to them, I'll arrange their marriage for you, how about that?"

These words struck Jia Yun like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving his ears ringing.

He hurriedly bowed and replied almost without thinking, "Grandmother! This is absolutely unacceptable! My grandson is of a different generation from the girls, and people with the same surname cannot marry. This is against etiquette! It is absolutely unacceptable!"

"You're already beyond the fifth degree of kinship, so it doesn't matter what kind of precious seniority you have," Grandmother Jia said dismissively. "As for the prohibition against marriage between people with the same surname... as long as you agree, none of that matters."

惜春