An Awkward Person Meets an Awkward Matter; Yuanyang Vows Never to Take a Mate

As for Daiyu, she did not fall asleep until the fourth watch was almost over. We need not speak of her for the moment.

Now Xifeng, when Lady Xing summoned her, did not know what it was about. She quickly changed her clothes and came by carriage. Lady Xing dismissed everyone in the room and said quietly to Xifeng, “I sent for you for no other reason. There is a difficult matter. The Elder Master has entrusted it to me, and I cannot make up my mind. I want to consult you first. The Elder Master has taken a fancy to Grandmother’s Yuanyang and wants her in his room. He told me to ask Grandmother for her. I think this is a common enough thing, but I am afraid Grandmother will not give her. Have you any idea?”

Xifeng quickly said, “If you ask me, do not go and knock your head against that nail. Grandmother cannot even eat without Yuanyang. How could she part with her? Besides, in ordinary conversation Grandmother often says that the Elder Master is getting on in years, yet keeps one concubine after another in his rooms, spoiling other people’s lives. He does not take care of his health or attend to his official duties, but spends every day drinking with his concubines. When Lady Wang hears this, do you think she is pleased with the Elder Master? At such a time, you should avoid him if you can. Instead, you are going to poke a tiger in the nose with a straw. Do not be angry, madam, but I dare not go. It is plainly useless and will only bring trouble. The Elder Master is old now; if he does something improper, you ought to advise him. He is not young, when such things did not matter. Now he has a great crowd of brothers, nephews, sons, and grandsons. If he makes a scene like this, how can he face people?”

Lady Xing sneered, “In great families, it is common to have three or four concubines. Why should it be impossible for us? I have advised him, but he does not necessarily listen. Even if she is Grandmother’s favourite maid, if a grown son with a white beard and an official post wants her as a concubine, it would not be easy for Grandmother to refuse. I called you here only to discuss it, and you have already read me a lecture. Did I say you should go? Of course I will go myself. You say I do not advise him, but you do not know his temper. If I fail to persuade him, he will first be angry with me.”

Xifeng knew Lady Xing was foolish and stubborn. She only knew how to obey Jia She to protect herself, and next to that, she was greedy for money and goods. All the household affairs, great and small, were controlled by Jia She. Whenever money passed through her hands, she was extraordinarily stingy, using Jia She’s extravagance as an excuse: “I must economize in the middle so that I can make up for it.” She trusted no one, servant or child, and listened to no one. Now hearing Lady Xing speak this way, Xifeng knew she was being perverse again, and that advice would be useless. She quickly smiled and said, “What you say, madam, is perfectly right. How old am I? What do I know of weighty matters? When it comes to parents, to say nothing of a maid, even a great treasure—if not to the Elder Master, to whom should it go? How can one believe backstairs talk? I am a fool. If Master Lian ever does wrong, and the Master and Madam hate him so much they want to beat him to death at once, yet when they see him, it passes, and they still give him things they love. Now Grandmother’s treatment of the Elder Master must be the same. I say, if Grandmother is pleased today, ask for her today. I will go first and make Grandmother laugh. When you come, I will find an excuse to slip away and take the people in the room with me, so that you can speak to Grandmother alone. If she gives her, so much the better; if not, no harm, and no one will know.”

Lady Xing was pleased again and said, “My idea is not to ask Grandmother first. If Grandmother says no, the matter is dead. I mean to speak quietly to Yuanyang first. She may be shy, but if I explain it carefully, she will naturally say nothing, and it will be settled. Then I will speak to Grandmother. Even if Grandmother does not agree, she cannot withstand Yuanyang’s willingness. As the saying goes, ‘When a person wants to go, you cannot keep her.’ Then it will be all right.”

Xifeng smiled, “After all, madam, you have the wisdom. This is absolutely safe. Never mind Yuanyang—whoever she were, who would not wish to rise higher and get ahead? Who would rather be a maid and later be married to a servant boy than be half a mistress?” Lady Xing smiled, “That is exactly it. Not only Yuanyang, but any of the senior maids would be willing. You go first. Do not breathe a word. I will come after dinner.”

Xifeng thought to herself, “Yuanyang has always been a difficult one. Even so, there is no guaranteeing she will agree. If I go first and Lady Xing comes later, and Yuanyang agrees, well and good. If she refuses, Lady Xing is suspicious by nature and may suspect I leaked the news and made her put on airs. Then, when she sees that what I said was right, her shame will turn to anger, and she will vent it on me. That would be bad. Better to go together. Whether Yuanyang agrees or not, she cannot suspect me.” She smiled and said, “Just before I came, my aunt’s household sent two cages of quail. I told them to fry them and meant to send them over in time for your dinner. When I entered the gate, I saw the boys moving a carriage. They said your carriage had a crack and had been taken away to be repaired. It would be better for you to come with me in my carriage.” Lady Xing heard this and called someone to change her clothes. Xifeng helped her dress, and the two women drove over together. Xifeng said, “If I go with you to Grandmother’s, and Grandmother asks what I am doing there, it will not be good. Better you go first. I will take off my outer clothes and come later.”

Lady Xing agreed. She went to Grandmother Jia, chatted for a while, then made an excuse to go to Lady Wang’s rooms. She went out by the back door and passed by Yuanyang’s bedroom. Yuanyang was sitting there doing needlework. Seeing Lady Xing, she quickly stood up. Lady Xing smiled, “What are you doing? Let me see. Your embroidery is better than ever.” She took the needlework and praised it. Then she put it down and looked Yuanyang up and down. Yuanyang wore a half-new lotus-pink silk jacket, a black satin sleeveless jacket with braid trim, and a pale green skirt. She had a wasp waist, a slender back, an oval face, glossy black hair, a high nose, and a few faint freckles on her cheeks. Yuanyang, seeing herself stared at, felt embarrassed and surprised. She smiled and asked, “Madam, it is neither early nor late. What have you come for?” Lady Xing gave a look, and her attendants withdrew. She sat down, took Yuanyang’s hand, and smiled, “I have come specially to congratulate you.” Yuanyang heard this and guessed two or three parts. She blushed and lowered her head, saying nothing.

Lady Xing said, “You know the Elder Master has no reliable person in his room. He wanted to buy one, but was afraid that girls from slave dealers might be unclean and have hidden defects. If bought and brought home, in a few days they would play tricks and make trouble. So he wanted to choose a maid born in the household, but there was none good enough: either looks were poor or temper was bad. If she had one good quality, she lacked another. So he has watched carefully for half a year, and among all these girls, you are the pick. In looks, conduct, gentleness, and reliability, you are complete. He means to ask Grandmother for you and take you into his room. You are not like one newly bought from outside. Once you go in, your face will be plucked, and you will be made a concubine. It is both honourable and respectable. You are ambitious. As the saying goes, ‘Gold is finally exchanged for gold.’ Who would have thought the Elder Master would set his heart on you? Now you can fulfill your long-held ambition and stop the mouths of those who dislike you. Come with me to Grandmother.”

She pulled her hand to go. Yuanyang blushed, pulled her hand back, and would not go. Lady Xing knew she was shy and said, “What is there to be shy about? You need not speak. Just follow me.” Yuanyang only lowered her head and did not move. Lady Xing said, “Can it be that you are unwilling? If you really are unwilling, you are a foolish girl. You would rather be a maid than a mistress! In two or three years, you will be married to a servant and still be a slave. If you come with us, you know my temper is good, and I am not one who cannot tolerate others. The Elder Master will treat you well. In a year or half a year, if you bear a son or daughter, you will be on the same footing as me. Anyone in the household you wish to order, who will not obey? You have a ready-made mistress’s place; if you miss this chance, you will regret it too late.” Yuanyang still lowered her head and said nothing. Lady Xing said, “You are such a bright, quick girl. Why are you so hesitant? If you have anything unsatisfactory, just tell me, and I will make sure you have your way.” Yuanyang still said nothing. Lady Xing smiled, “No doubt you have parents. You are unwilling to speak yourself for shame. You wait for them to ask you. That is reasonable. Let me go and ask them. I will have them come and ask you. If you have anything to say, tell them.” She went to Xifeng’s room.

Xifeng had already changed her clothes. Since there was no one in the room, she told Ping’er about it. Ping’er shook her head and smiled, “From what I see, this may not go well. Usually when we talk privately, judging by her ideas, she is not likely to agree. We can only try and see.” Xifeng said, “Lady Xing will surely come here to discuss. If Yuanyang agrees, well and good. If not, she will only get a rebuff, and before you all, how will she look? You tell them to fry the quail and prepare a few other dishes. We will eat. You go and stroll somewhere else. Come back when you think she has gone.” Ping’er agreed, told the women, and went off happily into the Garden.

When Yuanyang saw Lady Xing leave, she knew she must be discussing it in Xifeng’s room and that someone would come to ask her. She decided to hide. She found Hupo and said, “If Grandmother asks for me, say I am ill and have not eaten breakfast. I have gone into the Garden for a stroll and will be back.” Hupo agreed. Yuanyang went into the Garden and wandered about. She happened to meet Ping’er. Ping’er, seeing no one, smiled, “The new concubine has come!” Yuanyang blushed and said, “No wonder you are all in league to scheme against me! Just wait until I make a scene with your mistress.” Ping’er regretted her words and pulled her under a maple tree, sat on a stone, and told her everything that had happened when Xifeng went and came back. Yuanyang blushed and said coldly to Ping’er, “This is because we are friends. For example, Xiren, Hupo, Suyun, Zijuan, Caixia, Yu Chuan’er, Sheyue, Cuimo, Cuilü who went with Miss Shi, the dead Keren and Jinchuan, the departed Qianxue, and you and I—these ten or so people—since childhood, what have we not said to each other? What have we not done? Now that we are grown, each goes her own way, but my heart is as before. I do not hide things from you. Keep this in your heart, and do not tell Second Mistress: even if the Elder Master wanted me as a concubine, or if Lady Xing were to die this very moment and he came with three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts to marry me as his principal wife, I would not go.”

Ping’er was about to reply with a laugh when they heard a laugh behind the rockery: “What a shameless girl! You are not afraid of grating people’s ears.” The two were startled. They got up and looked behind the rockery. It was Xiren, who came out laughing and asked, “What is it? Tell me.” The three sat on the stone. Ping’er told Xiren what had just been said. Xiren said, “Really, by rights we should not say this, but the Elder Master is too lustful. If a girl has a flat face and proper features, he will not let her go.” Ping’er said, “If you are unwilling, I will teach you a way to settle it without trouble.” Yuanyang said, “What way? Tell me.” Ping’er smiled, “Just tell Grandmother that you have already been given to Master Lian. Then the Elder Master cannot ask for you.” Yuanyang spat, “What nonsense! You still say it! The other day your mistress said just that in jest. Who would have thought it would come true today!” Xiren smiled, “If both of them are unwilling, I will tell Grandmother to say you are already promised to Baoyu. Then the Elder Master will give up.” Yuanyang was angry, ashamed, and anxious. She scolded, “You two bitches, may you die badly! I have a difficult matter, and I treated you as decent people and told you to help me. Instead you take turns making fun of me. You think you have both got your futures settled and will be concubines. From what I see, not everything in this world goes as one wishes. You had better hold back a little. Do not be too happy too soon!” Seeing her angry, the two quickly smiled and begged, “Good sister, do not be suspicious. We have been like sisters since childhood. We only joked when no one was around. Tell us your plan, so we can be easy.” Yuanyang said, “What plan? I will simply not go.” Ping’er shook her head, “If you do not go, it may not end there. You know the Elder Master’s temper. Though you are in Grandmother’s room and he dares not do anything now, will you stay with Grandmother all your life? You must go out eventually. If you fall into his hands then, it will be worse.” Yuanyang sneered, “As long as Grandmother lives, I will not leave her. If Grandmother passes away, he will have to observe mourning for three years. No one takes a concubine before his mother has been dead three years. After three years, who knows how things will be? We will see then. Even if it comes to the worst, I will cut my hair and become a nun, or I will die. What if I never marry? I will be clean and happy.” Ping’er and Xiren laughed, “This girl has really lost all shame, saying everything that comes into her head.” Yuanyang said, “Things have come to this. What if I am ashamed for a while? If you do not believe me, just wait and see. Lady Xing just said she would go to my parents. Let her look for them in Nanjing!” Ping’er said, “Your parents are in Nanjing looking after the house. They have not come up. But they can be found eventually. Now your brother and sister-in-law are here. It is a pity you are a maid born in this household. We two are luckier, being alone here.” Yuanyang said, “What if I am a household-born maid? You cannot force a cow to drink by pressing its head down. If I am unwilling, will they kill my parents?”

Just then her sister-in-law came from that direction. Xiren said, “Since they could not find your parents, they must have spoken to your sister-in-law.” Yuanyang said, “That slut is a born meddler. Hearing this, would she not go and flatter them?” As she spoke, the woman came up. She smiled, “I looked everywhere for you, and here you are, girl! Come with me. I have something to say to you.” Ping’er and Xiren quickly offered her a seat. She said, “Girls, please sit. I want to speak to my sister-in-law.” Xiren and Ping’er pretended not to know and smiled, “What is so urgent? We are guessing riddles here and playing for sweets. Wait until we have guessed this one.” Yuanyang said, “What is it? Say it.” Her sister-in-law smiled, “Come with me. I will tell you there. It is good news, anyway.” Yuanyang said, “Is it what Lady Xing told you?” Her sister-in-law smiled, “Since you know, why make me say it? Come quickly. I will tell you in detail. It is a great happiness from Heaven.” Yuanyang stood up and spat hard in her sister-in-law’s face. Pointing at her, she cursed, “Get your filthy mouth out of here and be quick about it! What ‘good words’! Emperor Huizong’s hawks and Zhao Ziang’s horses are good paintings. What ‘good news’! A top scholar’s smallpox pustules full of pus—that is your good news! No wonder you have always envied families whose daughters became concubines, so that the whole family could tyrannize under her protection and become concubines themselves. Your eyes are hot with envy, so you want to send me into the fire too. If I gain favour, you will tyrannize outside and call yourselves the master’s brothers-in-law. If I lose favour and fail, you will pull in your turtle necks and leave me to live or die.” She wept as she spoke. Ping’er and Xiren held her and tried to comfort her. Her sister-in-law, unable to face them, said, “Whether you are willing or not, you can say it properly. There is no need to drag in others. As the saying goes, ‘In front of a dwarf, do not mention short words.’ You may scold me, and I dare not talk back, but these two girls have not offended you. You keep saying concubine this and concubine that. How can they face it?” Xiren and Ping’er quickly said, “Do not say that. She was not speaking of us. Do not drag us in. Have you ever heard those ladies and masters make us concubines? Besides, we two have no parents, brothers, or sisters in this household to tyrannize under our protection. She was cursing those she meant to curse. We need not take it to heart.” Yuanyang said, “She saw me curse her, and she was ashamed, with no face to cover herself, so she tried to stir you two up. Luckily you two understand. I was upset and did not distinguish, and she seized on that.” Her sister-in-law, feeling foolish, went off in a huff.

Yuanyang was still angry and cursing. Ping’er and Xiren comforted her for a while, and she stopped. Ping’er asked Xiren, “What were you hiding there for? We did not see you.” Xiren said, “I was going to Fourth Miss’s room to see our Master Bao. But I was too late; they said he had come home. I wondered why I had not met him, and was going to look for him at Miss Lin’s, but her people said he had not gone there either. I was wondering if he had gone out of the Garden when you came along. I slipped aside, and you did not see me. Then she came. I went from behind this tree to behind the rockery, and saw you two talking. You four eyes did not see me.” Before she finished, a laugh came from behind them: “Four eyes did not see you? You six eyes did not see me!” The three were startled. They turned and saw Baoyu. Xiren smiled first, “I looked everywhere for you. Where did you come from?” Baoyu smiled, “I came out from Fourth Sister’s. I saw you coming and knew you were looking for me, so I hid to tease you. I saw you go by with your head down, go into the courtyard, then come out and ask everyone. I was laughing there, waiting for you to come close so I could jump out and frighten you. Then I saw you hiding and dodging, and knew you were up to something. I peeped and saw those two, so I went around behind you. When you went out, I hid where you had hidden.” Ping’er smiled, “Let us look further back. There may be two more people.” Baoyu smiled, “There are no more.” Yuanyang knew Baoyu had heard everything. She lay on the stone pretending to be asleep. Baoyu pushed her and smiled, “The stone is cold. Let us go back to the room and sleep. Would that not be better?” He pulled Yuanyang up and invited Ping’er to come home for tea. Ping’er and Xiren both urged Yuanyang to go. Yuanyang stood up, and the four went to Happy Red Court. Baoyu had heard everything and was unhappy. He lay silently on the bed, letting the three talk and laugh outside.

Meanwhile Lady Xing asked Xifeng about Yuanyang’s parents. Xifeng replied, “Her father’s name is Jin Cai. He and his wife are in Nanjing looking after the house. They seldom come to the capital. Her brother Jin Wenxiang is now a buyer for Grandmother. Her sister-in-law is the head laundress for Grandmother.” Lady Xing sent for Jin Wenxiang’s wife and told her in detail. Jin’s wife was delighted. She went happily to find Yuanyang, expecting immediate agreement. Instead, Yuanyang gave her a tongue-lashing, and Xiren and Ping’er also said a few words. She returned ashamed and angry and told Lady Xing, “It is no use. She cursed me.” Because Xifeng was present, she did not dare mention Ping’er, only said, “Xiren also helped her scold me and said many unreasonable things I cannot repeat to my masters. You and the Elder Master had better discuss buying another. I suppose that girl has not such good fortune, and we have not such luck.” Lady Xing said, “What has Xiren to do with it? How did she know?” She asked who else was there. Jin’s wife said, “Miss Ping’er was there too.” Xifeng quickly said, “You should have slapped her and dragged her back! As soon as I left the house, she went off strolling. When I came home, I could not find a shadow of her. She must have helped say something!” Jin’s wife said, “Miss Ping’er was not right there. I saw someone far off who looked like her, but it was not clear. It was only my guess.” Xifeng ordered someone, “Go and fetch her quickly. Tell her I am home and Lady Xing is here. Ask her to come and help.” Feng’er came up and said, “Miss Lin sent someone with an invitation three or four times, and she went. As soon as you came in, I went to call her. Miss Lin said, ‘Tell your mistress I want her to talk to me.’” Xifeng let it drop, but said deliberately, “She is always bothering her. What business can she have?”

Lady Xing had no plan. After dinner she went home and told Jia She that evening. Jia She thought and immediately called Jia Lian and said, “There are still people looking after the Nanjing house, and not only one family. Send for Jin Cai at once.” Jia Lian replied, “Last time a letter came from Nanjing, Jin Cai had already become confused from phlegm. They even gave funeral money over there. I do not know whether he is dead or alive. Even if alive, he knows nothing, and it would be useless to call him. His wife is deaf.” Jia She heard this and shouted, cursing, “You low prison-fodder! Why must you know so much? Get out of my sight!” Jia Lian was frightened and withdrew. Soon Jia She called for Jin Wenxiang. Jia Lian waited in the outer study, not daring to go home or see his father. Jin Wenxiang came and was taken inside through the second gate. It was the time of five or six meals before he came out. Jia Lian did not dare ask. After a while, when he heard Jia She was asleep, he came over. That evening Xifeng told him, and he understood.

Yuanyang did not sleep all night. The next day her brother asked Grandmother Jia to let Yuanyang go home for a stroll. Grandmother agreed and told her to go. Yuanyang did not want to go, but feared Grandmother would suspect, so she went reluctantly. Her brother told her what Jia She had said, promising her honour and how she would manage the household as a concubine. Yuanyang set her teeth and refused. Her brother had no choice but to report back to Jia She. Jia She flew into a rage and said, “I told you to tell your wife to speak to her, and to say this from me: ‘Since ancient times, Chang’e has loved young men.’ She must think me old. No doubt she has her eye on the young masters. Most likely she has set her heart on Baoyu, and perhaps on Jia Lian too. If that is her wish, tell her to give it up early. If I cannot get her, who will dare take her afterwards? That is one thing. Second, she thinks Grandmother loves her and will marry her out as a principal wife. Tell her to think carefully: no matter what family she marries into, she cannot escape my hand. Unless she dies or never marries, I will admire her! Otherwise, tell her to change her mind quickly. There will be many benefits.” For every sentence Jia She spoke, Jin Wenxiang answered, “Yes.” Jia She said, “Do not try to fool me. Tomorrow I will send your mistress to ask Yuanyang again. If you have spoken and she refuses, you are not to blame. But if she agrees when asked, watch your head!”

Jin Wenxiang agreed repeatedly, withdrew, and went home. He did not wait for his wife to relay the message but told Yuanyang himself. Yuanyang was so angry she had no words. She thought and said, “Even if I were willing to go, you would have to take me to Grandmother to give my answer.” Her brother and sister-in-law thought she had changed her mind and were overjoyed. Her sister-in-law immediately took her to see Grandmother Jia.

It happened that Lady Wang, Aunt Xue, Li Wan, Xifeng, Baochai and the other sisters, as well as several senior stewards’ wives, were all in Grandmother Jia’s room amusing her. Yuanyang, overjoyed, pulled her sister-in-law and knelt before Grandmother Jia. She wept and spoke, telling how Lady Xing had come, how her sister-in-law had spoken in the Garden, how her brother had spoken today, and “because I refused, the Elder Master said I must be in love with Baoyu, or else I was waiting to be married out. He said I could not escape his hand even if I went to Heaven, and that he would have his revenge. I have made up my mind. Before all these people, I swear that in this life, not to mention ‘Baoyu,’ even if it were ‘Bao-gold,’ ‘Bao-silver,’ ‘Bao-heavenly-king,’ or ‘Bao-emperor,’ I will not marry anyone! Even if Grandmother forced me, I would cut my throat rather than obey. If I have any fortune, I will die before Grandmother. If not, and I am fated to beg, then after Grandmother passes away, I will not follow my parents or brother. I will either seek death or cut my hair and become a nun. If you say I am not sincere and am only putting you off with words, planning something else later, then may Heaven and Earth, the gods and ghosts, the sun and moon, look into my throat, and may my throat grow a boil, rot, and turn to pus here!” She had brought a pair of scissors in her sleeve. As she spoke, she opened her hair with her left hand and cut with her right. The women and maids rushed to stop her, but she had already cut off a lock. They saw that fortunately her hair was very thick, and the cut was not through. They quickly pinned it up. Grandmother Jia heard this and trembled with rage. She said, “I have only one reliable person left, and they must scheme after her!” Seeing Lady Wang nearby, she said to her, “So you are all deceiving me! You are filial outside but scheme against me in secret. When there is something good, you ask for it; when there is a good person, you ask for her. I have only this maid left. Because I treat her well, you cannot bear it, and you want to get her out of the way so you can manipulate me!” Lady Wang stood up quickly and dared not say a word. Aunt Xue saw that even Lady Wang was blamed and did not dare to intervene. Li Wan, hearing Yuanyang’s words, had already led the sisters out. Tanchun, being thoughtful, reflected that Lady Wang, though wronged, dared not argue; Aunt Xue was her sister and naturally could not argue; Baochai could not argue for her aunt; Li Wan, Xifeng, and Baoyu dared not argue. This was the moment for a girl. Yingchun was honest, Xichun young. Tanchun listened outside the window, then came in and smiled to Grandmother Jia, “What has this to do with Lady Wang? Think, Grandmother: if the elder brother wants to take a woman into his room, how would the younger sister-in-law know? Even if she knew, she would have to pretend not to.” Before she finished, Grandmother Jia smiled, “I am old and confused! Aunt Xue, do not laugh at me. This sister of yours is very filial to me, unlike my elder daughter-in-law, who only fears the Elder Master and merely goes through the motions before her mother-in-law. She has been wronged.” Aunt Xue only said, “Yes,” and added, “Grandmother is partial and loves the wife of your younger son more. That is natural.” Grandmother Jia said, “I am not partial!” Then she said, “Baoyu, I wrongly blamed your mother. Why did you not remind me and let your mother suffer?” Baoyu smiled, “Should I side with Mother and speak against my uncle and aunt? There is only one fault. If my mother does not admit it here, who should? I would admit it was my fault, but Grandmother would not believe me.” Grandmother Jia smiled, “That is reasonable. Go quickly and kneel to your mother. Say, ‘Do not feel wronged, Mother. Grandmother is old. For Baoyu’s sake, forgive her.’” Baoyu went over and was about to kneel and speak. Lady Wang quickly smiled and pulled him up, saying, “Get up, get up. This must not be. You cannot apologize to me for Grandmother.” Baoyu stood up. Grandmother Jia smiled again, “Xifeng did not remind me either.” Xifeng smiled, “I did not blame Grandmother, but Grandmother turns on me?” Grandmother Jia and everyone laughed, “This is strange! Let us hear this blame.” Xifeng said, “Who told Grandmother to be so good at training people? You train them like spring onions. How can people not want them? Luckily I am your grandson’s wife. If I were your grandson, I would have taken her long ago. Why wait until now?” Grandmother Jia smiled, “So it is my fault?” Xifeng smiled, “Naturally it is Grandmother’s fault.” Grandmother Jia smiled, “In that case, I do not want her either. You take her away!” Xifeng said, “Wait until I have cultivated this life and am reborn a man. Then I will take her.” Grandmother Jia smiled, “Take her and put her in Jia Lian’s room. See whether your shameless father-in-law still wants her!” Xifeng said, “Jia Lian is not worthy. He is only fit for me and Ping’er, a pair of burnt rolls, to mix with.” Everyone laughed. A maid announced, “Lady Xing has come.” Lady Wang quickly went out to meet her.