Chapter 032
Chapter 32: The Three Young Ladies’ Observation Group Triggers a Full Manor Crackdown
The three young ladies of the second branch had just formed an “observation group,” but before they could set off, an uninvited guest blocked their way.
Su Jin E, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Personnel and Lin Yu Jiao’s closest friend, rushed in like a gust of wind. Her voice arrived before she did as she burst through the door, cheeks flushed as she caught Lin Yu Jiao’s hand: “Jiao Jiao!”
She blurted: “Your Elder Cousin, your Elder Cousin went to Fahua Temple to teach the Dharma again!”
When Su Jin E mentioned Lin Qing Xuan, her eyes shone with open admiration and longing, the bright glow of a girl with a crush. She added, proud and breathless: “I go listen on the first and the fifteenth of each month!”
But the shine in her gaze soon dimmed; she sighed with a touch of gloom: “Sadly, the Buddha’s Chosen has only the Buddhist Dharma in his heart. There is no room for ordinary girls like us.”
She came to the General’s Manor so often half for her friend Lin Yu Jiao, and half for a private wish she would not admit. She always hoped that here, even from afar, she might bump into the Buddha’s Chosen, who was as cool and distant as the moon. Yet after many visits, she had not seen even his shadow. The Heir Apparent Manor had even stricter gates, and a Noble Lady from another family like her could not get in at all.
Seeing her friend so smitten, Lin Yu Jiao had words at the tip of her tongue, but she forced them back down: [Mother warned me a thousand times: never say a word about Elder Cousin “opening his heart.”] She could only offer a dry comfort: “Fate is hard to predict.”
Su Jin E did not expect an answer and quickly switched topics, announcing with shining eyes: “Oh right! I invited you and Sister Yu Wan to go view flowers at Jade Pond Spring Garden ten days from now!”
She leaned in, acting mysterious, and whispered: “It is organized by the Third Princess. All the well known Noble Ladies in the Capital City will be there.” She patted the back of Lin Yu Jiao’s hand, cheerful and pleased: “The invitation will probably reach your manor tomorrow or the day after. I came to give you a heads up!”
After seeing off Su Jin E, who was still lost in her own little world, the three sisters stared at one another. Lin Yu Jiao broke the silence first and led her Sister and Little Sister straight to the corner gate connecting the two manors. As they walked, she lowered her voice to whisper to Lin Yu Wan: “Eldest Sister, I almost told Jin E just now. If I told her Elder Cousin has opened his heart, do you think she would have hope too?”
At that, Lin Yu Wan shot her a stern look and snapped: “Don’t you dare.” She warned in a low, grave voice: “Do not say a word. If this spreads, in less than half a day the threshold of our house will be flattened by those Noble Ladies.” Then she added, even quieter: “Did you forget? The Third Princess seems to be interested in Elder Cousin too.”
Lin Yu Jiao sucked in a sharp breath and fell silent.
Trailing behind, Lin Yu Ning suddenly straightened her small back and, imitating their Mother’s exaggerated tone, shook her head and sighed: “What a sin. Handsome men really lead people astray.”
Lin Yu Wan and Lin Yu Jiao burst into laughter, and the tense mood vanished.
Lin Yu Wan suggested, steady again: “Why don’t we go pay respects to Grandmother first and ask what is really going on?”
Lin Yu Jiao nodded at once, eager: “Yes, yes. I heard that Yao Xiao Man used to serve in Grandmother’s quarters. Somehow Elder Cousin noticed her, and after coming and going, they ended up close.”
No sooner had she finished than Lin Yu Ning jumped in to refute, looking very sure of herself: “That is not how it is.” She rattled off, full of confidence: “I heard it from my Head Maid. She asked the Second House Steward’s daughter, Xiao Tao, over at the Heir Apparent Manor. Xiao Tao said it was that shameless Yao Xiao Man who seduced Elder Cousin. She even said she is a fox spirit!”
“Lin Yu Ning!” Lin Yu Wan’s face darkened and she cut her off, scolding sharply: “Who are you keeping under you? You must manage your courtyard. What filthy talk are they feeding you all day.”
Furious, her chest rising and falling, Lin Yu Wan laid it out: “Tomorrow I will send Nanny Zhang to your courtyard to set things straight. I do not believe Elder Cousin is the type to fall for looks on a whim. If he were, with so many beauties in the Capital City, why would he wait until now.”
Lin Yu Jiao nodded again and again in support: “Eldest Sister is right. Do we not know Elder Cousin’s character by now? It must be that girl who is the problem.”
With different thoughts and words still bubbling, they kept walking and soon reached the Old Madam’s Pine Crane Hall. After greetings and bows, before the older two could speak, Lin Yu Ning could not hold back and blurted first: “Grandmother, we all know about Elder Cousin opening his heart!”
At these words, the Old Madam’s hand holding the tea bowl paused. Her kindly smile froze for a moment, then returned, though her eyes grew deeper. She set the cup down and looked at Lin Yu Wan. She called calmly: “Eldest Girl.” Lin Yu Wan answered at once: “Granddaughter here.”
The Old Madam spoke with unhurried but firm authority: “Tomorrow, find a capable Nanny to go to the third girl’s courtyard and give her people a firm warning.” She added, cool and clear: “It is time to control that mouth of hers.”
A chill pricked Lin Yu Wan’s heart, and she answered quickly: “Yes, Grandmother. I was just talking about this with Little Sister.”
Seizing the chance, she probed carefully: “But, Grandmother, the little maids have spread this through the house. Could it be true?”
Beside her, Lin Yu Jiao nodded hard, face full of curiosity.
The Old Madam glanced over her three granddaughters and suddenly smiled: “Curious, are you.” She slowly lifted her cup again and blew the foam: “I am curious too.” Then, in a light tone, she set the matter straight: “Your Elder Cousin only asked me for a maid to tend his pen and ink. How did that turn into this.”
She put the cup down with a soft sound, and her gaze turned sharp: “It seems the maids in our manor are thinking too much and their hearts are not pure.” She concluded, cool as iron: “It is time for a thorough cleanup.”
The three young ladies stared at one another, stunned. They had never thought that coming to dig for gossip would trigger a full manor wide crackdown.