Chapter Eight: Lin Also Has a Jade! (1)

“Sister, do you have a courtesy name?”

Daiyu was momentarily taken aback by the question. She shook her head and replied softly, “I do not have one.”

Shi Yi’s eyes lit up at her answer. Seizing the opportunity, he stepped forward and interjected, “Since Sister Lin lacks a courtesy name, what a coincidence! How about I bestow one upon you?”

His words, spoken with an air of mismatched gravity, immediately provoked the ladies into stifled laughter, while Daiyu’s beautiful eyes widened with curiosity.

Jia Baoyu glanced at him, leapt down from the couch, and mocked, “You barely know all your characters and yet dare to talk of naming others? Such shameless boasting.”

Grandmother Jia joined in the laughter and said, “You little monkey, best finish reciting all those primers your father assigned before you try to play learned. Don’t make your sisters laugh at you.” With that, she drew Baoyu back onto the couch and cradled him fondly once more.

Shi Yi paid no mind to Baoyu’s broad face. He simply bowed to Grandmother Jia and said with a gentle smile, “Grandmother, you wrong your grandson. Hearing that Sister Lin has no courtesy name, a sudden inspiration struck me—a most fitting word, ‘Pining’, which I think suits her beautifully.”

Confusion now turned to the others.

Tan Chun could not help but ask with a laugh, “Then, Brother Yi, is there any literary source or reference for this?”

Shi Yi scratched his head and, puffing out his chest, explained in a manner both earnest and comical, “Third Sister, this name came to me during my time confined at home. I once read in the ‘Comprehensive Study of Ancient and Modern Figures’ that in the West, there is a stone called ‘dai’...”

He had not finished before Baoyu’s expression changed. He blurted out, “Such a flimsy story?”

No sooner had he spoken than he frowned and quickly interrupted, “If you want to recite texts, do it outside. Who wants to hear this groundless drivel?”

He cut off Tan Chun before she could retort in jest.

Shi Yi’s brow furrowed, a spark of irritation kindling within him. He fixed Baoyu with a cold, contemptuous stare and sneered, “Baoyu, that’s unjust. How can you dismiss outright what you haven’t read? There are countless books in the world; reading is like this, and so is being a person. Just because you dislike officialdom and statecraft, should I declare your views wrong? No one is perfect. As the saying goes, there are talents in every trade, and each pursues his own path—it is no fault. Heed honest advice, even if it stings. If you don’t know the truth, comment less; if it’s beyond your knowledge, speak less.”

“You... I...” Baoyu was dumbstruck by the retort, his mouth working but no words emerging, unable to muster a single rebuttal.

The three sisters stared in amazement, then looked at Shi Yi with newfound respect. Was this truly the same Brother Yi they’d always known, so articulate and reasoned? Daiyu’s bright eyes shimmered, and she covered her face with her embroidered handkerchief, stealing glances at him, her heart filling with even more curiosity.

The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy; all eyes turned to Shi Yi. He awkwardly rubbed the bridge of his nose, unsure whether to stand or sit.

Grandmother Jia, displeased, waved her hand and said, “Enough. This is becoming unruly. Bestowing courtesy names is the prerogative of elders, not a game for you two to play.”

Wang Xifeng rose and glanced at the pair, then smiled in support of Grandmother Jia. “Grandmother is right. Baoyu is still young and thoughtless. Brother Yi, you mustn’t join in his mischief.” She surreptitiously tugged at his sleeve.

Shi Yi smiled helplessly. Seeing Baoyu humbled, he felt a bit of satisfaction and said no more, instead sitting down beside Sister Feng.

“Bah.” Baoyu’s face flushed red. He turned away and said to Daiyu, “Sister, pay no mind to him. Let’s talk among ourselves.”

At these words, Daiyu hesitated, then lifted her eyes for a fleeting glance, only to meet Shi Yi’s gaze and a playful wink. Her cheeks reddened, and she quickly looked down again.

Baoyu, oblivious, found his earlier thoughts scattered, but after a moment, tried to find another topic. “Sister Lin, do you have a jade?”

Before she could answer, he took the beautiful jade hanging from his neck, placed it in his palm, and offered it for her to see.

Daiyu dared not take it. She glanced at it briefly, then averted her gaze. She was, of course, aware that Baoyu possessed a jade; she simply did not understand why he was making a show of it.

She gave no reply, only shook her head slightly.

The sisters were puzzled and looked on curiously.

Only Grandmother Jia understood. She hugged Baoyu’s shoulders and said gently, “Put it away. That jade was born with you—how could your sister have one?”

This was indeed the truth; Baoyu was born with the jade in his mouth, a fact known to all in the household.

Tan Chun, ever perceptive, seemed to discern Baoyu’s motives and said, “Brother Bao’s jade is a rare treasure—not everyone can have such a thing.”

She was merely helping Grandmother smooth things over. The others found her words reasonable, and Daiyu nodded along as well.

Shi Yi privately found it amusing—Baoyu’s intentions were obvious; he was not truly seeking any explanation.

In such circumstances, it was best not to offer advice. One might as well simply shove the jade back into his clothes with a stern look—would he dare act out again?

Baoyu was, after all, a child at heart. The more you coddled him, the more he would act up. Though Tan Chun’s words were well-meaning, they inadvertently gave Baoyu the very excuse he sought to make a scene.

As Shi Yi was musing, Baoyu, hearing Tan Chun’s remarks and seeing Daiyu’s silent agreement, suddenly looked crestfallen. “So none of my sisters have one, and only I do?” he muttered, staring blankly at the jade in his hand.

His mood was like a World Cup match where a goal is suddenly scored—a rush of overwhelming emotion.

All were briefly taken aback by his words. Grandmother Jia’s heart skipped a beat, and before she could reach out to stop him, it was already too late.

In a flash, Baoyu was seized by a fit of madness. He leapt from the couch, snatched the jade from his neck, and cried, “What use is this rare thing, if it sets people apart? They say it’s spiritual—what nonsense! I want none of it!” He raised his arm, about to smash it to the ground.

“Baoyu!”

Everyone gasped in horror.

Fortunately, Shi Yi had anticipated this and had been watching Baoyu closely. With quick reflexes, he stepped forward, seized Baoyu’s wrist, and immobilized him, saying with a mocking smile, “This is your lifeblood. If you break it, whose fault will it be? Daiyu has just arrived, and you put on such a show—are you trying to assert your authority in front of her?”

Baoyu’s body trembled. He turned to look at the frightened Daiyu.

Shi Yi pressed on, “Don’t lose your temper and scare your cousin. If you need to vent, take a few swings at me—what good is it to bully your own sister?”

“I... I didn’t!” Baoyu faltered, his grip on the jade loosening.

Shi Yi, seizing the opportunity, deftly retrieved the jade from Baoyu’s hand and handed it to Sister Feng.

Wang Xifeng took it, examined it briefly, then passed it to Grandmother Jia with a laugh. “Don’t worry, Grandmother. This jade is a gift from the heavens—no matter how you try, you couldn’t break it.”