Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 64 Daiyu Takes on a Disciple

Daiyu was somewhat angry that Jia Lian arbitrarily altered previous poems to create distorted verses to amuse her.

Therefore, she sat there, neither eating nor drinking, her little face puffed out, so that Jia Lian could clearly know that Lin Daiyu was very dissatisfied with him.

But in her heart, she secretly memorized Jia Lian's crooked poem. Hmph~ It even rhymes!

Jia Lian was utterly charmed by Daiyu's adorable yet haughty demeanor. Resisting the urge to tease her further, he rallied his spirits and asked, "Sister Lin, would you be interested in taking on a disciple?"

Upon hearing this, Daiyu looked over and asked, "What apprentice?"

Jia Lian then beckoned Xiangling over and said with a smile, "How about this apprentice? You know, my skills as her older brother aren't very good, and I don't want to hold her back, so I'd like to trouble you, this talented young lady, to help me teach her. What do you say?"

Xiangling felt embarrassed and quickly said, "I wouldn't dare trouble Miss Lin..."

Daiyu immediately understood Jia Lian's meaning, since she had seen him teaching Xiangling to read and write on the boat.

If it were anyone else, Daiyu would never agree; she dislikes trouble.

However, she felt sorry for Xiangling's background, and she also knew that Xiangling was a well-behaved and obedient person.

Most importantly, Jia Lian values ​​Xiangling highly, and he probably never really considered her a maid, which is why he wanted to teach her to read and write.

Since she could remember, apart from her parents, Daiyu had never owed anyone as much as Jia Lian, and she always thought of returning the favor.

Now that Jia Lian has come to her for a favor, and it's such a small matter, she was immediately tempted.

"If it's just about teaching her to recognize characters, that's not difficult, but I can't guarantee anything else."

Daiyu then became modest.

Upon seeing this, Jia Lian immediately gave Xiangling a meaningful look.

Xiangling was abducted for eight or nine years, which ruined her childhood. Only after becoming involved with Jia Lian did she come into contact with books, and it was as if she had gained a newfound intelligence, developing a deep thirst for reading. Although Jia Lian was willing to teach her to read, she knew he was very busy and didn't dare take up too much of his time, also fearing that others would say she was deliberately clinging to her master…

So she often hid in her room and studied alone, which Qingwen found ridiculous and made fun of her.

Only Jia Lian saw her and said that she was a person with wisdom, so he gave her advice and suggested that she find a master.

Unexpectedly, it was Miss Lin.

Seeing that Daiyu did not refuse, and having received a signal from Jia Lian, and remembering the principle of "a teacher for a day is a father for life," Xiangling immediately knelt down before Daiyu and said, "Thank you, Miss Lin... no, Xiangling greets Master..."

He even wanted to kowtow to Daiyu, which made Daiyu stand up in embarrassment. She said angrily, "You foolish girl, you actually believed the nonsense he said on purpose. I only agreed to teach you, but I never said I would be your master."

Although Daiyu felt that she was talented and gifted, if others knew that she, a young lady who had just finished elementary school, had started to take on apprentices and start teaching, wouldn't they laugh at her?

Just the other day, Grandmother Jia said she wanted her to go to school with Yingchun and the others.

I'm still a primary school student myself, how can I take on apprentices?

"Hahaha, Xiangling, you're making us laugh to death! Look how anxious Miss Lin is. If you keep acting like this, Miss Lin might refuse to teach you."

All the maids were amused by Xiangling.

Qingwen laughed the loudest.

Although she was a little jealous of Jia Lian's high regard for Xiangling, she didn't care much about the matter itself.

In her view, what use is reading and writing? They don't need it as servants, and they don't need it even if they become concubines.

Although she often harbored thoughts of usurping Wang Xifeng's position, she didn't aspire to be the eldest mistress, but rather to steal Jia Lian's favor. She was well aware of this; given her status, being a dignified concubine was the best she could do. She couldn't be the head housekeeper, nor was she willing to endure such a burden.

Look, we're all enjoying meat and wine in the courtyard, while Grandma Lian is probably off somewhere working herself to the bone.

With Ping'er's help, Xiangling got up and felt embarrassed when she saw everyone laughing at her.

Seeing that Daiyu seemed a little angry, he tried to explain, "Miss Lin... I..."

Daiyu wasn't truly angry, and seeing this, she composed herself. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I live in the old lady's room, and there are many people there, so it's not appropriate to call you over so often. How about this, I'll come to your room once a day to teach you for an hour. Once you've memorized all the characters, I won't need to come so frequently. I can come every three or five days to teach you, but it will only be about how to learn poetry, lyrics, and prose on your own. In this way, in a year or two, you'll be able to learn on your own."

That's all I can teach you. If you want to learn anything else, I can't teach you that.

Is this acceptable?

Daiyu's last question was directed at Jia Lian.

The reason Jia Lian had Xiangling become Daiyu's apprentice was not only to teach her manners and etiquette, but more importantly, to build another layer of connections for Xiangling.

Xiangling is so weak, anyone could bully her!

In comparison, Qingwen was much stronger. Not only was she strong-willed, but she was also given to Grandmother Jia by Granny Lai, giving her some background with Grandmother Jia and the Lai family, the head steward. Unless Lady Wang intervened personally, most people couldn't really do anything to her.

But now that Qingwen is with him, there is no longer a conflict of interest between her and Lady Wang. Lady Wang will only bother with a little girl like her when she's had too much to do. Therefore, Jia Lian is not worried that Qingwen will suffer any losses in the mansion.

Xiangling is the only one who is delicate and fragile. It's alright with him around, but he's really worried if he has to go on a long trip in the future and can't take Xiangling with him.

As Jia Mu's beloved granddaughter, it would be better for Daiyu to get closer to Xiangling so that Xiangling could take care of her.

Hearing that Daiyu didn't want to call Xiangling to Rongqing Hall, it was clear that she didn't want to trouble everyone and disturb Grandmother Jia and the others. However, it would be a good thing if Daiyu could come every day in the future; with such a beautiful and talented teacher, he would even like to audit her classes.

Then he smiled and said, "Sister Lin's arrangement is gradual and reasonable, truly a model of a great teacher. I believe that with your guidance, she will definitely become a great student, much better than following a half-baked teacher like me."

Xiangling, from now on you must prepare tea for your master every day. I went to great lengths to find such a good teacher for you. If she runs away, there will be no more like her.

Xiangling quickly agreed.

Daiyu gave a soft snort. How could her brother, as her brother, be so shameless as to flatter his sister all the time?

After finishing this matter, everyone sat down to eat hot pot again. However, Xiangling refused to go back to cook. Instead, she stood obediently beside Daiyu, serving her food and pouring her wine. Clearly, she had taken Jia Lian's words to heart and wanted to win over her good teacher.

Jia Lian found it quite amusing to see that Daiyu was clearly not used to Xiangling's service, but was too embarrassed to refuse.

"Hey, I heard you guys were doing this in the yard. A bunch of unruly little hussies, you didn't even wait for me, you started eating first."

Wang Xifeng led a group of people up the back corridor in a hurry. When she saw a group of maids drinking and making merry in the courtyard, she knew that Jia Lian was indulging them, but she still scolded them half-jokingly.

However, as she approached and saw Daiyu, her expression immediately changed: "Oh, this is a rare guest! When did you arrive?"

Daiyu rose to greet Wang Xifeng, saying, "Second Sister-in-law Lian."

Wang Xifeng quickly took Daiyu's hand, saying, "Don't take it to heart. I didn't see you just now; I was scolding them."

Daiyu smiled shyly. She naturally understood what was going on and wouldn't care about such a thing.

The maids, who were originally enjoying their meal, were intimidated by Feng Jie's usual power. Despite Jia Lian's prior order, they all put down their bowls and chopsticks and stood in a row, including Qingwen.

Jia Lian was left the only one sitting, and he also saw Wang Xifeng's invisible intimidating power. "I sent someone to call you before, but you insisted on hiding in the back and refused to come out. Do you want all of us to go hungry just for your sake?"

Wang Xifeng immediately abandoned Daiyu, pointed at Jia Lian's forehead, but Jia Lian brushed it aside. "You heartless wretch! I've been busy all day, all for these trivial matters of your family! I'm exhausted, while you're enjoying yourself at home. Instead of remembering my kindness, you're leading the way in criticizing me."

With your beloved Lin Daiyu right here, shall we ask her to be our judge?

Daiyu couldn't be bothered to watch the couple flirting, so she curtsied and said, "I've finished eating, and it's getting late, so I'll head back now."

Wang Xifeng hurriedly said, "Why are you leaving as soon as I get back? It's not too late to sit a little longer."

Daiyu refused, so Wang Xifeng had no choice but to send her away.

When she returned and saw the maids still standing there, she knew she might have spoiled Jia Lian's mood, so she smiled and said, "You've already eaten half of it. Waiting now doesn't seem like you're showing me any respect. Don't stand there, bring me a set of bowls and chopsticks, and you can all go and eat."

"Hehe, thank you, Second Grandma."

Ping'er had already prepared bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups for Feng Jie, and seeing this, the other maids felt at ease and continued their preparations.

Jia Lian then smiled at Wang Xifeng.

"Just keep spoiling them!"

Wang Xifeng scolded Jia Lian, took a sip of wine and found it was yellow wine, then said, "Ping'er, bring up a pot of warm wine that your second master brought from the south. It's freezing cold here, I need a sip of strong wine to warm myself up."

Jia Lian sat upright above, quietly watching Wang Xifeng.

As expected, the forthright and cheerful Sister Feng has a unique and heroic air about her.