The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 114 First Meeting with Lin Ruhai in Yangzhou

Having spent the entire day in Jining Prefecture, Tu Chengyu seemed to have gained nothing but a lot of trouble.

However, in reality, Tu Chengyu gained quite a lot on this day.

First and foremost, he achieved his initial goal.

Tu Chengyu had two initial purposes in going to Jining to cause trouble for Lai Shangrong.

One reason was to deliberately create a commotion to draw everyone's attention to themselves, making it easier for the team secretly investigating the grain fields in Jiangnan to remain hidden.

He not only achieved his goal, but also exceeded his expectations.

The second objective was to take care of Lai Shangrong as well, thus removing the cancerous growth in the Jia family ahead of time.

This was also achieved with Lai Shangrong's death. The remaining question will have to wait until Jia Rong returns to the capital to see what measures the Jia family will take against Lai Shangrong's family before a conclusion can be reached.

Besides the two goals already achieved, Tu Chengyu has gained something additional from you.

On that very day, he successfully planted two spies in the Shandong officialdom and also learned that Japanese pirates had infiltrated the region.

With these things, the trouble he caused in Jining was no big deal in the eyes of the Emperor.

Knowing about the chaos among the officials in Jining and the rampant smuggling of salt, Tu Chengyu did not think of doing anything about it.

Because this matter is too big, and with his current strength, he simply cannot reach the depths of their affairs.

If we act rashly, we might alert the enemy.

Therefore, the next day, Tu Chengyu used the excuse that Ma Yizhen had recklessly dispatched troops and killed the fugitive Lai Shangrong.

He called Ma Yizhen over and gave him a good scolding, and also ordered him to take away Feng Dewen, who was half-dead from the beating.

Tu Chengyu released Feng Dewen in this way to do the opposite of what was intended and to confuse the other party.

Because many people have seen that Feng Dewen was arrested.

Therefore, whether Feng Dewen escapes back on his own or Tu Chengyu lets him go back, people will be suspicious.

Since he couldn't avoid being suspected no matter what he did, Tu Chengyu simply decided to be open and honest and hand the person over to Ma Yizhen to take back.

If Ma Yizhen were to speak up for Feng Dewen, it would likely dispel any doubts others might have, since they would never have imagined that these two had sided with Tu Chengyu.

After making the necessary arrangements, Tu Chengyu didn't waste any more time and set off again before noon.

After passing Jeju Island and leaving Shandong, the canal became wider and wider, and with the help of the wind, the boats became faster and faster.

Within a few days, the fleet arrived at the place where the canal meets the Yangtze River.

This place happened to be under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou, which means that Lin Ruhai served as an official here.

Although Tu Chengyu knew he would pass through Yangzhou, he originally planned to return and meet Lin Ruhai after the ancestral worship ceremony.

His plan was good, but he didn't take the actual situation into account.

If it were any other official, and the Emperor had decreed that they were not to receive Tu Chengyu, those officials would naturally be happy to have some peace and quiet and would not eagerly come over.

However, Lin Ruhai's status is different now. Ever since the emperor issued the imperial decree of marriage to the Lin family, Lin Ruhai has actually become Tu Chengyu's father-in-law.

Now that Tu Chengyu is heading south to pay respects to his ancestors, he will have to pass through Lin Ruhai's territory. Do you think Lin Ruhai can pretend not to know this?

If he were to act like any other official and not come to meet him, it would give the impression that he was already putting on airs as a prince's father-in-law even before his daughter had married him.

Perhaps it was for this reason that when Tu Chengyu arrived at the mouth of the Yangtze River and was sitting at the post station waiting to change ships, he heard Xiao Xuanzi come to report:

"Your Highness, Lord Lin, the Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou, requests an audience."

"Who?" Tu Chengyu was a little dazed when he first heard this.

After all, no officials had taken the initiative to meet him along the way, which made him unprepared for this.

Now that someone had suddenly appeared, and it was his father-in-law, he was genuinely a little taken aback.

Xiao Xuanzi, thinking Tu Chengyu hadn't heard her clearly, said again, "It is Lord Lin Ruhai who requests an audience."

Tu Chengyu realized what was happening and asked, "Did Lord Lin send a visiting card or come in person?"

Xiao Xuanzi said, "Your Highness, Lord Lin has arrived in person and is currently outside the post station."

Since they've already come all this way, Tu Chengyu naturally can't turn them away.

He said to Xiao Xuanzi, "Now that we've arrived at the post station, please invite Lord Lin in."

While Xiao Xuanzi went out to fetch people, Tu Chengyu tidied his clothes in the room.

After all, it's your first time meeting your future father-in-law, so you don't want to leave a bad impression.

Tu Chengyu finished tidying his clothes and sat down. Not long after, Xiao Xuanzi brought Lin Ruhai in.

Tu Chengyu looked at Lin Ruhai and felt that he was slightly different from what he had imagined.

Lin Ruhai, standing before me, was of medium height and slender. His face was also thin, with a slightly yellowish complexion and a pair of very bright eyes.

Despite his serious expression, Tu Chengyu felt a sense of warmth and intimacy.

As soon as he entered, he saw Tu Chengyu clearly and immediately bowed to greet him.

Although he was Tu Chengyu's father-in-law, Tu Chengyu was, after all, a prince, so he still had to take the initiative to pay his respects.

Therefore, Tu Chengyu did not stop Lin Ruhai from paying his respects, but he did not accept it readily either. Instead, he returned the greeting as Lin Ruhai paid his respects.

In this way, both court etiquette and human ethics were fulfilled.

After exchanging greetings and sitting down, Tu Chengyu was at a loss for words.

It was also Lin Ruhai's first time meeting Tu Chengyu. He couldn't figure out Tu Chengyu's temperament and didn't know what to say.

And so, the first meeting between the father-in-law and son-in-law began in silence.

After a long while, Lin Ruhai was the first to ask, "Your Highness, was the journey smooth?"

Hearing Lin Ruhai speak first, Tu Chengyu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "The journey was quite smooth."

Lin Ruhai then asked, "Does Your Highness wish to rest at the dock before continuing your journey?"

Tu Chengyu shook his head and said, "We've been traveling slowly this way, and it's already taken too long. We can't afford to linger here any longer. We'll leave once we change boats."

Lin Ruhai replied, "I prepared a banquet to welcome Your Highness, but I didn't expect you to be in such a hurry. It's a pity that you're not comfortable."

Tu Chengyu said, "Lord Lin, there's no need for such hospitality. We can have a welcome feast after I return from the ancestral worship ceremony."

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Lin Ruhai replied, "In that case, this humble official will await Your Highness's arrival."

After chatting about these random things, the two awkwardly talked for a while longer before Lin Ruhai took his leave.

During the conversation just now, the two of them tacitly avoided mentioning anything related to salt affairs.

Firstly, since the two of them didn't have enough time to talk about those things this time, there was no need to discuss them.

Secondly, this was, after all, a post station with people coming and going; who knew if someone was eavesdropping? After leaving Tu Chengyu's place, Lin Ruhai did not immediately leave the vicinity of the dock.

Because Tu Chengyu's fleet included not only Tu Chengyu's men, but also Jia Lian and other members of the Jia family.

Jia Lian and his companions, who were traveling with Tu Chengyu, were on their way to visit Lin Daiyu. Therefore, upon arriving here, they would have to part ways with Tu Chengyu.

Lin Ruhai knew this, which is why he waited at the dock after meeting Tu Chengyu.

As the leader of the Jia family, Jia Lian naturally didn't have to do any work.

At that moment, he was standing on the dock supervising his servants as they moved things. As soon as Lin Ruhai arrived at the dock, he saw him and quickly ran over to greet him.

"Nephew Jia Lian greets Uncle."

Lin Ruhai said with a smile, "Brother Lian, there's no need for such formalities."

After exchanging greetings, Jia Lian asked curiously, "I haven't even sent anyone to inform my uncle yet, how come you've already arrived?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai did not hide it from Jia Lian and said;
"I figured you guys would be arriving in the next few days, so I've had people keeping an eye on things at the dock. I came over as soon as you arrived today."

Upon hearing this, Jia Lian understood that his uncle Lin Ruhai had sent people to guard the dock not for his own sake, but for the sake of Prince Su.

However, Jia Lian would not feel any displeasure because of these things.

He asked, "Has your uncle met with Prince Su?"

Lin Ruhai said, "I just came from Prince Su's place."

Jia Lian said, "Now that Uncle has met Prince Su, I will have them hurry up and move their things so that we can return to the city as soon as possible."

Lin Ruhai maintained a smile throughout, saying, "There's no need to rush. I brought my carriage and horses with me, so it won't take too long."

After saying this, Lin Ruhai asked again, "Lian-ge'er, the letter sent from the manor earlier said that Rong-ge'er and San-ya-tou also came this time. Where are they now?"

Upon hearing Lin Ruhai ask about Jia Rong and Jia Tanchun, Jia Lian immediately replied:
“Uncle, Rong’er originally came with us, but halfway there, the Prince sent him back to the capital on business.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai said, "I see. Then what about Third Sister?"

Jia Lian said, "There are many people coming and going at the dock, and it is quite inconvenient for my third sister, who is just a young girl. So I asked her to stay on the boat for now, and we will call her down after the things are loaded."

After listening to Jia Lian's words, Lin Ruhai praised him, saying, "You've thought of everything very carefully."

During their conversation, the things Jia Lian brought were quickly unloaded from the boat and loaded into the carriage brought by Lin Ruhai.

Once everything was loaded, Jia Lian sent someone to call Jia Tanchun off the boat and settle her in a carriage nearby.

However, they did not leave immediately.

Instead, they stood on the dock and waited until Tu Chengyu had changed boats and all the things were moved back to the new boat.

When Tu Chengyu came out, they said goodbye in person, watched Tu Chengyu's fleet leave, and then turned back to the city.

This was Jia Lian's second time visiting Yangzhou, and he was no longer particularly excited about it. He spent the rest of the journey chatting with Lin Ruhai in the sedan chair about the topics they had just discussed.

In another carriage, Jia Tanchun, being in this southern city for the first time, was filled with curiosity. She quietly lifted the curtains along the way, constantly looking at the scenery.

The docks outside Yangzhou were not close to the city, and it took the carriage half an hour to reach the Yangzhou Salt Administration Office.

Upon arriving at the Salt Administration Office, Lin Ruhai did not lead them through the main gate, but instead took them around a bend and led them to a side gate.

It's possible that Lin Ruhai gave instructions before leaving, as there were several servants waiting at the side gate.

As soon as they saw their carriage arrive, everyone except one maid who ran inside to announce the news gathered around to help carry the things.

Moving things was naturally the servants' job.

Lin Ruhai was only responsible for bringing Jia Lian and Jia Tanchun home.

Although Lin Ruhai's current residence is the backyard of the Salt Administration Office, it is quite large, with five courtyards in total.

The three of them entered through the side gate, walked around the front and middle courtyards, and were heading towards the back courtyard when they saw the maid who had run in earlier, followed by a little girl, hurrying over.

This little girl was petite and looked to be about the same age as Jia Tanchun.

However, he is rather thin and walks with a swaying gait.

She walked over, first bowing to Lin Ruhai, then to Jia Lian, and finally turned to look at Jia Tanchun.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai introduced her, saying, "She is the third daughter of your maternal grandmother's family, named Tan Chun."

At this point, Lin Ruhai suddenly realized that he didn't know which of the two people was older.

Lin Ruhai then asked, "Third girl, I only know that you and Daiyu were born in the same year, but I don't know which month you were born in."

Jia Tanchun was looking at Lin Daiyu when she heard this, and quickly replied, "Uncle, my niece's birthday is in March."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai said, "Daiyu is the second month, so it seems that Daiyu is the older sister and you are the younger sister."

The two girls, having learned how to address each other, greeted each other with a bow.

"I have met my third sister."

"Greetings, Sister Lin."

After exchanging greetings, Lin Ruhai led them forward until they arrived at the main hall in the backyard.

Upon arrival, Jia Lian and Jia Tanchun first paid their respects at the memorial tablet of their aunt, Jia Min.

Then, Lin Ruhai took Jia Lian to the side room to chat, while Lin Daiyu took Jia Tanchun back to her own boudoir.

These two girls are not only about the same age, but they are also cousins.

So, although they didn't have much time together, they quickly hit it off.

They shared their short-lived experiences with each other. Lin Daiyu, having grown up here, could only talk about things related to Yangzhou.

Jia Tanchun, however, was different. He had just followed Tu Chengyu from the north all the way to the south and had seen many different things.

So she told Lin Daiyu everything she had seen and heard along the way.

As a young girl who had never traveled far from home, Lin Daiyu was naturally very eager to hear what Jia Tanchun was saying.

He kept asking her questions that interested her.

Throughout the entire journey, Jia Tanchun spent most of her time with Tu Chengyu, so many of the things she said naturally involved Tu Chengyu.

Then, whenever Jia Tanchun mentioned Tu Chengyu, she would notice that Sister Lin's expression would become very unnatural.

Those bright, lively eyes would unconsciously drift away to other places.

Seeing her like this, Jia Tanchun became playful and started talking about Tu Chengyu's past.

This made Lin Daiyu blush instantly, and she didn't know where to put her hands.

(End of this chapter)