Chapter Nine (Lin’s Cousin Also Has a Jade) (Part 2)

The old matriarch’s eyes brimmed with tears as she anxiously wrapped her arms around Baoyu to comfort him. “You little mischief! If you’re angry, you can scold or hit someone, but why must you smash your life’s treasure?”

Jia Baoyu, his face streaked with tears, sobbed, “If none of the girls in the family had one, that would be fine. But now, even a fairy-like cousin arrives and she doesn’t have one—yet only I do. Clearly, this isn’t a good thing.”

Shi Yi interjected with a laugh, “Baoyu, your jade is a precious thing. Not everyone can have it. Even if your cousin Lin did, it couldn’t compare to yours.”

The old matriarch coaxed him as well, “Your brother is right. Even if all your sisters had jade pendants, theirs could never match yours.”

Just then, Lady Phoenix stepped forward to persuade him, but Baoyu grew even more agitated. “What’s so precious or rare about it? It’s boring if only I have one. I’d rather smash it and be done!”

With that, he tried to seize his jade pendant again, and everyone hurried to restrain and placate him.

Shi Yi, shaking his head helplessly, drew a gold-threaded jade pendant from his pouch. He swiftly stepped forward, turning Baoyu aside, and respectfully presented the jade before the old matriarch.

He called out loudly, “Grandmother, please see if this is the jade that cousin Lin lost. I happened to find it on the road as I came.”

At his words, everyone in the room was stunned.

Jia Baoyu froze, his hysterical fit suddenly ceasing.

Lin Daiyu, who had been sitting pale and bewildered in a corner, startled at the news.

Fortunately, Lady Phoenix reacted quickly. She walked over, took the gold-threaded jade from Shi Yi’s hand, and feigned a careful examination.

Then she covered her face and laughed. “Oh my, it must be this one! Grandmother just sent me to search for it, saying we must find cousin Lin’s lost jade, even if we have to dig three feet into the ground. Who would’ve thought it would end up with Brother Yi? Cousin Lin, is this yours?”

With that, she offered the jade to Daiyu, whose face remained full of doubt. She dared neither to take it nor to reply.

Seeing this, the old matriarch beckoned, “Phoenix, bring it here for me to see.”

Lady Phoenix, smiling, handed it over.

Everyone was coming to their senses. Tanchun chimed in with a smile, “Sister Lin was just worried about this! Thank heaven it’s been found.”

She went to sit beside Daiyu, quietly offering comfort and explanation.

Now that all present understood, they took turns coaxing Baoyu in their own way.

After a long moment, Baoyu finally muttered, “Cousin Lin... actually has a jade as well?”

The old matriarch drew him back to sit on the couch, gently patting his shoulder.

She spoke soothingly, “Of course your cousin has one. That jade was left by her mother as a keepsake, but she accidentally lost it on her journey here. That’s why she didn’t mention having it. Now that it’s found, as her elder brother, you should be happy for her and stop making a fuss—quickly put yours back on, or your mother will be angry if she finds out!”

Everyone gathered round, offering kind words to comfort him until Baoyu finally returned to normal, sitting quietly with his head bowed.

Thus, the little drama came to a temporary close.

The old matriarch examined the gold-threaded jade pendant, tracing the large “Shi” engraved on its face. After a while, she sighed deeply and handed it to Daiyu. “Good child, keep this pendant safe. Don’t lose it again.”

Daiyu, now calmer, hesitated for a moment before accepting the jade and softly replied, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

The old lady smiled kindly and drew her close. “Good child, from now on, this is your home. You’ll be cared for just as well as your cousins Yingchun and the others. If you lack anything, just ask Phoenix.”

Wang Xifeng approached Daiyu, took her small hand, and said with a laugh, “Don’t worry, cousin Lin. I’ve arranged everything you might need. If there’s anything missing, just have Zijuan come and slap my mouth for dereliction of duty. I’ll hold my face up and won’t complain a word!”

Her witty remark made everyone in the hall burst out laughing.

Daiyu, amused by her frankness, couldn’t help but smile.

In that instant, the hall was filled with joy and laughter, all traces of earlier unpleasantness fading away.

Shi Yi fixed his gaze on Daiyu’s gentle, reserved smile. His thoughts were entirely renewed; the last remnants of guilt had vanished. In fact, all he felt now was an overwhelming urge to protect her—perhaps thanks to Baoyu’s recent fit of madness.

In his vague recollection of the Red Chamber, he had once found this ever-crying girl somewhat tiresome. But after this brief encounter, he realized how mistaken his old prejudices were. Baoyu’s antics, in particular, stirred Shi Yi’s empathy.

Perhaps Baoyu thought his behavior would leave a deep impression on Daiyu. But Shi Yi saw it as foolish and disrespectful. For a girl recently bereaved and far from home, such conduct could only alienate, not endear.

It might even deepen her emotional scars for some time.

As for why, in the original story, Daiyu eventually fell for Baoyu—well, it was a matter of time spent together, the romantic lead effect, and, of course, deliberate design by the author.

But now, things were different. Since Grandpa Shi was here, Baoyu could just go cool his heels elsewhere... Daiyu would be under his protection!

Shi Yi mused silently to himself.

Jia Baoyu, having come to his senses, soon reverted to his cheerful self, and was about to strike up conversation with Daiyu again.

Just then, a maid arrived with a message: the Second Master requested Baoyu’s presence at Rongxi Hall for a banquet with guests.

Fearing further trouble, the old matriarch instructed Xiren to take Baoyu to change his clothes in the Green Gauze Cabinet.

Baoyu was reluctant, clinging to his grandmother and pleading.

The old matriarch’s fondness was plain as she stroked his head, about to send a maid to reply when Shi Yi seized the chance.

He said with a smile, “Brother Bao, the Second Master has personally asked you to attend the banquet. If you don’t go, it would be discourteous, and the guests might say the Jia family’s young master lacks manners.”

His words, though blunt, were reasonable.

The old matriarch frowned; reputational matters were of utmost importance, especially to a great house like the Jia family.

Baoyu, however, knew nothing of such social niceties and remained obstinate.

“Grandmother, those guests can’t be important. There are always all sorts of idle people visiting. Why must there be distinguished guests now of all times?”

At this, Shi Yi shook his head with a wry smile—Baoyu was truly innocent.

Tanchun hesitated, wanting to persuade him, but said nothing.

Usually, it didn’t matter with idle guests, but if Jia Zheng had specifically requested Baoyu, it couldn’t be just any visitor.

The old matriarch understood this well. She spoke gently, “Enough, Baoyu, don’t make trouble. If your father hears, he’ll scold you again.”

With that, she had Xiren take Baoyu away. Hearing even his beloved grandmother say so, Baoyu had no choice but to go change his clothes and leave, head hung low.