Transmigrated as Jane’s Ghostly Godmother - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Regarding the Future — What Do You Think of Being a Merchant?

Just as Jane would mention her past at Gateshead, Eleanor sometimes talked about her family. She had a gentle mother, a strict father, and a brother who followed every rule. Julian was six years older than Eleanor and was already gradually getting involved in the family business; having recently returned from public school, he had gone elsewhere with their father to discuss trade.

Last night, their first night at Ashford, only Mrs. Harrison had been at the dining table. Jane hadn’t thought much of it; in fact, she was somewhat relieved that only women were present so she didn’t have to feel too constrained. But Eleanor’s words meant that for tonight’s dinner, the Harrison men would also be present.

I hope this Julian isn’t like John Reed, Jane couldn’t help but think. Of course, a woman as kind as Mrs. Harrison wouldn’t raise someone that wicked. But just in case, I should be careful.

Unlike Jane, Lin Zhao was more concerned with Mr. Harrison. The trip to Madeira was likely related to him, and she wondered if he would mention more specific news at dinner.

If possible, I hope this luck continues, Lin Zhao thought. For example, if he’s specifically going there to do business with Jane’s uncle.

By the time they sat down, it was evening, and the sunset dyed the road leading to the manor in shades of crimson. As soon as the girls arrived home, Mrs. Harrison signaled that they could prepare for dinner.

The Harrison men were not in the parlor; they came from the study to the dining room only when it was time to eat.

“Good. You have done well.” After Mrs. Harrison introduced Jane and Beatrice and learned they had taken first place in the team competition at Wheelwood, Mr. Harrison gave a booming word of affirmation.

After that, he turned the conversation back to his recent work. However, he was hardly an orator; his words showed no regard for his listeners’ feelings as he used a barrage of commercial jargon. The only one who could have replied, his son, simply kept his head down and ate, not participating.

Fortunately, Lin Zhao’s hopes were not in vain.

“The world map has been fully explored; a vast market awaits excavation, and the brave shall receive returns of enormous wealth.”

“Therefore, business negotiations with Madeira are quite necessary.” Mr. Harrison was a serious man with square features, a deep furrow between his brows from long periods of frowning. “The wine industry there is flourishing. In this world, how much land remains that is not captivated by fine vintages?”

Wine. How coincidental—isn’t that exactly Jane’s uncle’s line of business? Lin Zhao sat in an empty seat, listening intently and recording every detail in her mind. It seems there’s a high probability of meeting him during this trip.

However, a new worry climbed into her heart.

Based on what the book mentions, it’s hard to judge if Jane’s uncle’s business is just starting or already established at this time. Three years from now, that letter only modestly mentioned he had ‘acquired some property.’

There was no other sound at the table besides Mr. Harrison’s commercial insights. As soon as dinner ended, the father and son returned to the study; their presence at Ashford wasn’t as overbearing as initially feared.

The girls chatted in the parlor for a while before washing up early. Today’s fun had indeed taken a toll on their energy.

The benefit of an independent guest room became apparent now. Once the door was closed, Jane could speak freely with Lin Zhao without fear of suspicion.

At this time yesterday, they had chatted casually about their impressions of Ashford. But that was irrelevant now; the atmosphere was almost the opposite. As soon as the door was shut, Jane sat straight on the edge of the bed, silent and gloomy.

“Are you worrying about Mrs. Harrison’s financial support?” Lin Zhao had considered this a lot. She hadn’t brought it up last night because she wanted Jane to have another day to think. Now, she naturally assumed this was the source of Jane’s distress.

Jane patted the spot next to her but didn’t speak, nor did she nod or shake her head. The ghost lady sat down, taking the silence as confirmation, and offered the thoughts she had prepared.

“Mrs. Harrison seems to have considered it very carefully. I don’t think you should feel too burdened. Being able to receive such help is inseparable from your own excellence.”

“Furthermore, the more knowledge and education you receive now, the more it will help you in the future. At that time, you can acquire wealth on your own and return actual gratitude to these kind people.”

The source of Jane’s discomfort wasn’t the support, but she listened to Lin Zhao nonetheless. Jane’s trust in her had reached a level where she cooperated with every word—provided Jane agreed with the logic.

Hearing Lin Zhao’s sincere advice, Jane spoke up quietly.

“Lin, actually, the matter of staying or leaving based on grades at Wheelwood… it might not be what you thought.”

“In reality, Mrs. Reed only paid for one year. So I had to win the ‘stipend’ to exchange for the chance to stay there.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes widened slightly. Only now did she realize the immense pressure Jane had been carrying alone.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“You don’t need to apologize; I just didn’t say it.” Hearing this, Jane felt even more dejected. “You’ve already done so much for me.”

Since their very first argument, Lin Zhao hadn’t made any private decisions; she put Jane’s wishes first in everything. In her actions and conversations, Jane’s emotions and thoughts were always prioritized.

Kin, Jane thought of the word again. She didn’t know the character of the relatives she hadn’t met, but judging by the Reeds, even blood relatives might not do this much for her.

It’s very nice to be so accommodated by someone, Jane thought. But I still feel… a little sad.

She couldn’t figure out what was weighing on her heart, so she lowered her eyes and listened to Lin Zhao.

“Jane, cheer up. Think about it—you’ve already earned your first bit of money for yourself, haven’t you?” Lin Zhao saw she was still unhappy and tried her best to comfort her. “If you truly feel uncomfortable accepting Mrs. Harrison’s support, then follow your heart and refuse it.”

Lin Zhao remembered that this support plan was aimed at several parents. If Jane refused this specific offer, Lin Zhao could slip into Mrs. Victor’s office during the next meeting and “whisper in the ears” of other guests.

“I will think about it carefully. Thank you, Lin.” Jane finally gave a reaction, shaking her head slightly.

Having received a promise, Lin Zhao didn’t push further. She had something she cared about even more. She weighed her words and asked: “Jane, do you have any thoughts about what Mr. Harrison said at dinner?”

The young girl’s thoughts were pulled from her gloom back to the scene. …It was a bit dull; she had been listening absentmindedly.

“No,” Jane said truthfully.

Lin Zhao wasn’t surprised by the answer; that was exactly why she brought it up. Jane doing business with her uncle, inheriting property, and becoming an independent woman—this was the ideal situation Lin Zhao envisioned. But if Jane wasn’t interested, she had better plan some other direction of development.

“Jane, your uncle does business in Madeira. He might want to train you in that direction later.” She asked tentatively, “You might become a merchant. What do you think of that?”

Jane pursed her lips again, falling into thought. She hadn’t considered such a thing.

I know I have to leave school one day, Jane thought. But I have no idea what I want to do.

She loved reading, loved talking with her friends, and enjoyed every new day that expanded her horizons. Until a few days ago, her plan was simply to win the right to attend school next year—which was now accomplished. She really should consider more long-term matters.

In the past, she always feared that no matter where she went, people would treat her like the Reeds did. But now she knew that such behavior only came from people lacking education and breeding. She never wanted to be one of them. She wanted to speak with more people, understand their thoughts, and increase her knowledge.

“It would be very interesting, wouldn’t it?” Jane decided, looking at Lin Zhao. “In stories, they go to many places and meet many different people.” Her eyes sparkled at the imagination.

“As long as you don’t dislike it.” Lin Zhao was happy to see the light return to her eyes. “It will be much harder than this. However, the rewards it brings will be equal to your effort.”

“Do you promise?” Jane tilted her head.

Lin Zhao opened her mouth, almost giving a reflexive “yes” meant to give a child hope. But facing Jane’s trusting gaze, she changed direction.

“…Actually, I can’t promise that. But I will do my best to overcome those difficulties with you.”

Jane knew Lin Zhao was making one of those “adult” promises again. Always serious, cautious everywhere, sometimes even a bit of a wet blanket. But it was exactly these words that had brought her from Gateshead to here.

“I believe you, Lin.”

And, thank you for coming here.

She blinked, unable to say the words of thanks out loud. That bit of hesitation was fleeting and went unnoticed by Lin Zhao.

“I’m glad to hear that.” The ghost lady pulled back the covers, replying without looking up, “You must be tired from playing all day. Why don’t you rest early?”

Jane cooperatively slipped into bed.

“Have a good dream, Jane. Good night.”

“Good night, Lin.”

As soon as she lay in the soft bed, her eyelids drooped uncontrollably. Jane’s thoughts drifted in the silence, flying back to that vague gloom from before. But talking with Lin Zhao had made her feel much better. So she decided to stop worrying about the things she couldn’t figure out and just do as Lin Zhao said: have a good dream.

Life at Ashford didn’t change much with the return of the Harrison men. They weren’t home often, always out busy. Eleanor thought of some good ways to kill time to entertain her two guests.

They had tea parties every afternoon, sometimes joined by Mrs. Harrison. During other leisure hours, the girls did schoolwork—playing piano, drawing, or reading history. Then, on the fifth day, Beatrice suddenly suggested they prepare for the ball.

“It’s going to be a grand ball, isn’t it? We must be prepared.” She looked at Jane, her tone shifting. “Especially you, Jane. The education at Gateshead was truly terrible. I mean, regarding dance steps and such.”

Jane couldn’t argue. In social situations like that, she was usually ordered to stay in the nursery, never getting a chance to show her face, let alone practice dance steps.

Seeing her silence, a flash of panic crossed Beatrice’s eyes, and she immediately added: “I mean, Lina and I will help you learn. Don’t you dare refuse.”

“Yes! Of course!” Eleanor nodded in cooperation, pausing with a mischievous smile. “But mainly Betty; she is truly graceful when she dances, it’s hard to look away. I believe she will be a good teacher.”

“Li… Lina!” Beatrice couldn’t help but whisper.

Looking at Eleanor’s smile, Jane felt a bit guilty; the influence she had on Eleanor didn’t seem to be just “the good kind.”

Sorry, Mrs. Harrison, she apologized silently, then decisively joined her friends’ dance practice schedule.

Time flowed away like water during these activities. Jane always had a streak of ruthlessness when it came to learning; she insisted on practicing the steps Beatrice and Eleanor taught until she was no different from them. In just one week, she had mastered the basic solo dances.

Since the goal was a ball, the focus shifted to partner dancing for the next week. Entering this stage, Beatrice and Eleanor discovered another of Jane’s talents.

“Jane, being able to maintain such standard movements even against thin air… you really have a talent for dancing,” Eleanor remarked.

Beatrice watched for a long time before finally agreeing: “Gateshead really wasted too much of your time.”

Jane’s movements were natural and fluid, her steps light. Following the rhythm of the music, she executed elegant turns. When the song ended, she even performed a closing curtsey to the empty air before stopping in front of them.

“Really?” A thin layer of sweat coated her forehead, and her eyes were bright and watery. “Hearing you say that makes the practice worth it.”

Where her friends couldn’t see, Jane’s hand behind her back gave a tiny wave.

Also unseen was her dance partner. Lin Zhao was just a few steps away, catching her breath, the corners of her mouth turned up because of Jane’s gesture.

During the evenings of these past few days, they often practiced in the guest room. But unlike Jane, Lin Zhao truly had no talent for dancing; she often had to rest after a short while to prevent her limbs from getting into a fight with each other. She admitted she wasn’t a qualified partner—clumsy and with too much of a height difference—which actually forced Jane to learn how to dance on her tiptoes. It did make Jane’s dancing look much lighter.

During this moment of distraction, the girls sat down for a brief rest to enjoy their afternoon tea. Eleanor leaned her face on her hands, looking quite troubled.

“The custom dresses arrived three days ago. I wonder where Aunt Constance is now; she is already much later than expected. I truly miss her.”

Before her friends could reply, a clear voice came from outside, carrying bright joy, drawing the girls’ eyes to the door in unison.