Chapter 19: A Daughter in the Family

Meanwhile, Jin'er hurried up to the embroidery tower. Not long after, a tall and elegant young woman stepped out from within—it was Miss Hu Ying'er, the unmarried granddaughter of the Hu household.

Hu Ying'er moved quickly, asking as she walked, "Jin'er, where is Grandfather now?"

"He should have returned to his chamber to change clothes. Young Master Xue has also entered the inner court; I fear they're waiting for you to meet him, Miss."

Jin'er’s legs were short, and she had to trot to keep up with Hu Ying'er.

Hu Ying'er complained as she walked, "Grandfather is too much. Xue Shishu has offended the powerful eunuchs, and others avoid him for fear of trouble. It's one thing for Grandfather to spend money to help, but now he invites the Xue family's rake into our home—he’s bringing disaster upon us!"

"Miss, you mustn't say that to the master. I think he cares quite a bit for that one," Jin'er quickly reminded her, still worried about having been chastised by Hu Zhong for forgetting her manners.

"Hmph, I want to see if he’s improved at all after all these years," Hu Ying'er said with some disdain, recalling the past.

In the main house of the rear courtyard, Hu Zhong had changed into casual clothes and was sitting by the bed with his eyes closed, waiting for his granddaughter. The sound of hurried footsteps in the room made him open his eyes slightly.

"Such lack of decorum! What sort of conduct is this?" he scolded, displeased at his granddaughter’s improper behavior.

Hu Ying'er immediately stopped, placed her hands over her waist, and bent her knees in a formal bow. "Granddaughter greets Grandfather."

"Where is your brother?" Hu Zhong asked first.

"He's catching cicadas in the back rooms. I've asked Xiaocui and the others to watch him—there's no trouble."

"Good. Since Rui has come, tell the kitchen to prepare the crabs, fish, and shrimp that were just delivered from the estate. I intend to have a few drinks." Hu Zhong, in good spirits, gave the order with a smile.

"Yes."

Hu Ying'er instructed the maid behind her to notify the kitchen. Once Jin'er had left, Hu Ying'er knelt to massage Hu Zhong’s legs and asked as she worked, "Grandfather, Rui hasn't visited in years—why did he come with you today?"

"You should address him as your elder cousin," Hu Zhong chided, glancing at his granddaughter. He sighed, "I haven't had a chance to tell you—Rui has been taken under the Superintendent’s wing and entered the Imperial Observatory. He’s always been a bit unruly and learned little from his father, so now he’s at a loss within the Observatory. With the year already half gone, I thought it best to help him catch up on his studies, otherwise he won’t pass the year-end exam."

"He’s entered the Observatory?" Hu Ying'er was surprised. Given what she knew of Xue Rui, he was a good-for-nothing spendthrift—so much so that even his own father, Xue Yuanhao, was embarrassed to mention him. Assigning him to the Imperial Observatory was less reasonable than sending her!

As she silently disdained Xue Rui, she suddenly realized something and said anxiously, "Grandfather, if the Superintendent took him in at this time, it’s likely to vent his anger. If you bring him here as well and anger the Superintendent, that could be dangerous. You've already done more than enough for him; I think it’s best not to get further involved."

"Nonsense. No matter what, I watched Rui grow up. His father is now imprisoned, and if I, as his teacher, don’t help, wouldn’t people scorn me for lacking loyalty?"

Hu Zhong grew a little angry and brushed away his granddaughter’s hands, refusing her massage.

"Grandfather may be kind, but you should think of my brother and me as well. If you were implicated and thrown into prison, how would we survive?" Hu Ying'er felt deeply wronged. She cared about her family; however much she sympathized with the Xue family, she could not risk her own for outsiders.

"Don’t worry—the situation is not so dire. Yesterday I spoke with Rui, and he understood instantly. That surprised me greatly. If you understood the subtleties, you wouldn’t worry so much."

"Then perhaps you could explain it to me, Grandfather?" Hu Ying'er’s curiosity was piqued.

"Since you wish to know, I’ll test you as well, so you see the difference between yourself and Rui." Then Hu Zhong repeated the question he had posed to Xue Rui the day before, asking her to answer.

Hu Ying'er was clever and quick-witted, far above other young women. But she had spent her days cloistered and lacked Xue Rui’s broad perspective. She could only speak to surface matters, missing the deeper implications, which Hu Zhong had to unravel and explain in detail before she understood.

"Rui’s mind is sharper than yours by far!" Hu Zhong concluded, his appraisal of his granddaughter falling short of his opinion of Xue Rui.

"That must be an exaggeration, Grandfather!" Hu Ying'er was somewhat unconvinced; she could not believe that the silly boy she’d once frightened to tears had suddenly become a seasoned and cunning courtier.

"Even so, Grandfather, you should wait and see. There’s no real danger for Xue Shishu—once he’s released, there’ll be time enough to teach Rui. Why rush now?" She put aside her misgivings and tried to persuade him gently.

Seeing her expression, Hu Zhong shook his head. "You’re still a woman, limited in your view. All I do is for you and your brother. I’m old, and who knows how many years I have left? When I’m gone, who will look after you? Xue Shishu is a man I watched grow up—he’s upright and knows gratitude. I took him as a disciple and taught him all I know; now, by helping him in his hour of need, how could he not remember my kindness? If I entrust you to him in future, I can rest easy.

"Moreover, Rui has suffered hardship and is now a changed man. I see he is intelligent and hardworking. That’s why I brought him home to make up his lessons. If he secures his place at the Observatory, and your Xue Shishu earns an official post, the favor will one day return to our family. I’ll have lived my life without regret."

"Grandfather, you’ve been ill and lack the strength to teach him yourself. If you overexert yourself, what then?" Hu Ying'er understood his intentions but was still reluctant for him to teach Xue Rui. When she herself had learned astronomy and the calendar, it had taken Hu Zhong great effort to get her started. Now, for a notorious idler like Xue Rui, it would surely cost even more.

But Hu Zhong shook his head. "I don’t intend to teach him in person. You’ve already learned enough from me. You will teach Rui, and put your knowledge to use."

"You want me to teach him?" Hu Ying'er exclaimed. Remembering Xue Rui’s reputation, she quickly declined, "Grandfather, if even Xue Shishu can’t teach him, how could I, with my meager skills? Besides, his character is questionable, and he frequents brothels. If I associate with him, my own reputation will be ruined!"

Hu Zhong had also heard about Xue Rui’s altercation with the young master of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s household in a pleasure district, where his head was cracked open. Yet, based on Xue Rui’s recent behavior, he did not seem the frivolous rake of rumor, and so Hu Zhong had not paid those stories much attention. Now, with his granddaughter’s concerns, he had to consider her opinion as well.