The Succession Struggle in the Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 123 Tu Chengyu: A Misleading Name

What Tu Chengyu could think of, Lin Ruhai, who had been working in the Yangzhou salt industry for many years, could naturally think of as well.

The reason he only thought of this problem now is probably because he hadn't considered it before.

Lin Ruhai said, "Your Highness, do you mean that they plotted to have these two sons of salt merchants offend you in order to secure a salt merchant position for themselves?"

Tu Chengyu nodded and said, "That's exactly what I was worried about, which is why I didn't react on the spot."

Lin Ruhai then realized that Tu Chengyu's good temper today was due to this reason.

Thinking about this, Lin Ruhai gained a new understanding of Tu Chengyu.

As a father, Lin Ruhai cared for his daughter Lin Daiyu no less than any other father and daughter. In fact, because he only had one daughter, Lin Ruhai cared for Lin Daiyu even more.

Therefore, ever since the imperial decree of marriage arrived from the capital, and Lin Ruhai learned that his daughter had been betrothed to Prince Su, Tu Chengyu, he spared no effort in inquiring about the whereabouts of Prince Su.

So he inquired about all the news about Prince Su from the Jia family, his colleagues, and the common people.

However, time was too short, and he was able to find out very little, but he gradually gained a vague understanding of Prince Su.

In Lin Ruhai's view, Tu Chengyu had a bad temper, was bold, loved to cause trouble, liked to show off, and because he was favored by two emperors, he did not know how to restrain himself.

If such a sharp and ambitious person doesn't change his ways in the royal family, his later years will inevitably be filled with unrest.

After learning this information, Lin Ruhai began to worry about his daughter's future life.

Therefore, after Tu Chengyu arrived, Lin Ruhai was particularly careful, lest he offend the hot-tempered Prince Su and cause trouble for his daughter in the future.

On another front, he wanted to see if Prince Su was really as he knew him to be.

However, before he could observe further, Lin Ruhai discovered from just those few words of conversation that there were significant discrepancies in the rumors about Prince Su.

First of all, it's absolutely wrong to say he lacks self-restraint. Could a prince who lacks self-restraint simply swallow his anger after being unjustly offended?

Secondly, Prince Su was indeed bold, but not in a recklessly daring way as people might think. Rather, he was bold yet meticulous, and certainly not someone who acted blindly.

Besides these discoveries that changed his opinion of Prince Su, Lin Ruhai also discovered some aspects of Prince Su that others had not mentioned.

That is, he discovered that Prince Su was not only intelligent, but also mature beyond his years.

Imagine if someone else had encountered something like this.

In a critical moment like a horse collision, could he not worry about whether he would be hit, but instead pay attention to the surrounding situation?
Such behavior is nothing short of boldness and meticulousness. It's nothing short of maturity beyond one's years.

Moreover, while observing his surroundings, he immediately spotted the person who was smirking.

From the person who was smirking, they immediately deduced that the horse collision might have been orchestrated by someone else, and made the most suitable decision on the spot.

Even adults might not be able to handle such an unexpected situation so well, let alone a child.

With this comparison, Lin Ruhai felt that there were too many untrue rumors about Prince Su.

These random thoughts flashed through Lin Ruhai's mind.

Then he continued speaking to Tu Chengyu: "After listening to Your Highness's words, I also think Your Highness's guess is correct. Today's incident of offending Your Highness was very likely planned by Yin Weixing and his son."

This Yin Weixing is the young man who was caught laughing by Tu Chengyu at the scene of the horse collision today.

Seeing that Lin Ruhai had finally been persuaded, Tu Chengyu said, "Since Lord Lin agrees with my opinion, then I will hand this matter over to Lord Lin to investigate and see if my guess is true."

The fact that Prince Su was willing to entrust him with this investigation showed his recognition and trust in him, so Lin Ruhai naturally agreed on the spot.

After finishing the matter in a few words, Tu Chengyu felt a little tired and wanted Lin Ruhai to leave.

But before he could speak, he heard Xiao Xuanzi's voice coming in from outside the door.

"Your Highness, the steward from Lord Lin's residence requests an audience."

Since he is the steward of the Lin family, he is most likely here to see Lin Ruhai.

Tu Chengyu glanced at Lin Ruhai and, seeing that he didn't intend to speak, asked on his behalf:
"Did the steward say what he wanted to see me about?"

Xiao Xuanzi answered through the door, "The steward said that salt merchant Wei Yuncai is requesting an audience with Lord Lin."

Upon hearing Xiao Xuanzi's words, Lin Ruhai took the initiative to explain: "This Wei Yuncai is the salt merchant who is quite close to me. His son is the young man among the three on horseback who almost crashed into the prince's carriage."

"I believe they probably found out about Your Highness's identity and rushed over to apologize."

Since someone was looking for Lin Ruhai, Tu Chengyu said, "Since Wei Yuncai has come on his own initiative, Lord Lin should go and meet him and see what he has to say about today's events."

Lin Ruhai was quite sensible and immediately got up to take his leave.

After Lin Ruhai left, Tu Chengyu did not let Quan Wenwei leave immediately, but wanted to keep him to ask him some questions.

Tu Chengyu asked, "Has Yang Chun not sent anyone to make contact yet?"

The Yang Chun that Tu Chengyu mentioned was none other than the assistant sent by the emperor to help Tu Chengyu investigate the grain fields in Jiangnan.

However, when leaving the capital, Tu Chengyu and Yang Chun parted ways and headed south. Tu Chengyu attracted attention openly, while Yang Chun secretly investigated.

We made an agreement when we set off.

No matter how well Yang Chun investigated, he would send someone to make contact with Tu Chengyu as soon as Tu Chengyu arrived in Jiangnan.

However, Tu Chengyu has been in the Jiangnan region for so many days, and the ancestral worship has been completed, but Yang Chun has not yet sent anyone.

If nothing else goes wrong, Tu Chengyu won't be too worried and can wait patiently.

But in Longxing County, he saved Zhuo Ru, who was almost killed.

Tu Chengyu knew that these people in Jiangnan might not know that someone was investigating them, but they were keeping a very close eye on matters concerning the grain fields.

Even if Yang Chun and his group hid in the shadows, there was still a possibility of them being discovered, so Tu Chengyu was still very worried about them.

Therefore, he left Quan Wenwei, who was in charge of liaising with Yang Chun, to ask about the situation.

Upon hearing Tu Chengyu's words, Quan Wenwei replied, "Your Highness, not yet. But Your Highness need not worry; perhaps they haven't found an opportunity to get close, which is why they haven't been able to make contact."

Tu Chengyu said, "I have to be anxious. As Mr. Quan has seen, since leaving the capital, there are few officials and gentry in this area who are easy to deal with. They are all very bold."

"Especially today, as soon as I arrived in Yangzhou, they plotted against me. It's clear that some people have reached the point of disregarding the law."

"If these people discover Yang Chun and his group, who knows what they might do."

Quan Wenwei thought about it and realized that Tu Chengyu's concerns were not unfounded. So he asked, "Since Your Highness is worried, I will send someone to Yangzhou City to send out a coded message and see if there is any response."

Tu Chengyu said, "That's exactly what I'm thinking, and this matter should be addressed sooner rather than later. You need to find a way to send out the communication signal tomorrow."

Quan Wenwei replied, “It’s not difficult to send out the coded message, but I’m worried that the Lin family may be under surveillance. If the people we send out can’t shake off the watchers, not only will we not be able to convey the prince’s message, but we may also be discovered to be the people sent by Yang Chun, which could put Yang Chun and his men in danger.”

Quan Wenwei's concerns were valid. Judging from today's situation, quite a few people in Yangzhou City knew that Tu Chengyu had arrived.

Those who are paying attention to Tu Chengyu are by no means a few, and with today's horse-ramming incident, there will definitely be people watching the Lin family's every move.

Although there may not be many people keeping watch, they will definitely focus their attention on the people Tu Chengyu brought.

The people Tu Chengyu brought were all unfamiliar faces here, and anyone even slightly familiar with the Lin family would easily recognize them.

Under such circumstances, if Tu Chengyu were to send someone to contact Yang Chun, he would inevitably be targeted by others.

Besides, given Lin Ruhai's official position, which involves too many vested interests, who could guarantee that there weren't spies sent by others within the vast Lin mansion?

Therefore, if Tu Chengyu wants to safely reconnect with Yang Chun, he needs to come up with a sufficiently safe method; otherwise, it would be better not to contact him at all.

Tu Chengyu thought for a moment and said, "It seems that I will have to step in again to distract others from your attention."

Quan Wenwei said, "If it is the prince who comes forward, that would naturally be the best."

"However, I think it's better for Your Highness to decide whether to intervene after I have someone test the waters."

Tu Chengyu asked, "How do you plan to test them?"

Quan Wenwei said, "This is what I plan to do. After I have discussed it with the Prince, I will send a few people out of the Lin residence."

"They don't need to do anything after they leave; they just need to take a stroll around Yangzhou City."

"While they are turning around, they can take the opportunity to observe and see if anyone is following them."

“If no one is following us, then there is no need for Your Highness to intervene.”

"If someone is following you, it means that someone is indeed watching you, Your Highness. In that case, we need Your Highness to step in and divert their attention."

Testing the waters beforehand is indeed a good approach. Tu Chengyu strongly agreed with Quan Wenwei's suggestion, and he even thought of a suitable candidate.

He said, "Since we need to test whether anyone is following us, it may be difficult for an ordinary person to do the job. I will give you a few suitable candidates."

Quan Wenwei said, "I wonder who Your Highness intends to send to handle this matter."

Tu Chengyu said, "Old Yao and the others would be a good fit."

Old Yao and the others were all former imperial guards who had been doing intelligence gathering before following Tu Chengyu.

Sending them out to check if anyone is following them is part of their job.

Quan Wenwei was naturally very satisfied that Tu Chengyu was able to send his personal bodyguard to him.

Then, Quan Wenwei discussed some details with Tu Chengyu before going to arrange for Lao Yao and the others to get to work.

As soon as Quan Wenwei left, Tu Chengyu felt a little tired. Since there was nothing else to do, Tu Chengyu lay down on the bed to rest.

After years of arduous travel, Tu Chengyu was indeed exhausted, and he fell asleep shortly after lying down.

Tu Chengyu slept very comfortably.

He was not woken up by Xiao Xing'er until lunchtime.

This lunch was Tu Chengyu's first meal after arriving at the Lin family's house, and Lin Ruhai prepared a very lavish meal for him.

There were only Tu Chengyu and Lin Ruhai at the table, yet it was laden with more than a dozen dishes.

Hot dishes, cold dishes, and local specialties were all available, showing that Lin Ruhai had put a lot of thought into entertaining Tu Chengyu.

Faced with such enthusiasm, Tu Chengyu naturally could not let them down.

As soon as he sat down at the table, he didn't stand on ceremony at all and started eating right away with his chopsticks.

Tu Chengyu is a food enthusiast who not only loves to eat, but also has a huge appetite.

Lin Ruhai sat opposite Tu Chengyu and was pleased to see Tu Chengyu eating so heartily.

Faced with a table full of delicious food, Tu Chengyu ate until he was full.

After finishing their meal, Lin Ruhai and Tu Chengyu didn't just sit there idly.

The two strolled around the mansion to digest their food, talking about Wei Yuncai's visit to Lin Ruhai.

Tu Chengyu asked, "Did Wei Yuncai come to add you because of the incident this morning where his son hit a horse?"

Lin Ruhai said, "Your Highness guessed correctly. Wei Yuncai came here with his son to apologize to Your Highness."

"They also wanted to apologize to the prince in person, but I stopped them."

Tu Chengyu said, "You did the right thing. Did they have any explanation when they apologized?"

Lin Ruhai said, "The prince said someone was pulling the strings behind this, and he was right."

"Wei Yuncai just told me that his son offended the prince because he was deceived by someone else."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu asked, "Did he say how his son was deceived?"

Lin Ruhai said, "He did mention it. He said his son went out drinking with some people today, and someone at the table challenged his son to a horse race to see whose horse could run from the drinking place to the city outskirts the fastest."

"His son initially refused, but couldn't resist the urging of others and eventually agreed."

"If it were just a horse race, it would be normal; wealthy young men in Yangzhou often do this. But today's horse race is different in one way: the route Wei Yuncai's son took out of the city almost overlapped with the route the prince took back to the city."

Upon hearing this, Tu Chengyu said, "It seems someone is indeed plotting against me. Did they say who chose this path?"

Lin Ruhai said, "Wei Yuncai said that this road was chosen by Yin Weixing for Wei Yuncai's son."

"Moreover, Wei Yuncai's son said some rather strange things."

"He said that the horse race originally had nothing to do with Yin Weixing, but Yin Weixing insisted on going with him. Moreover, during the ride, Yin Weixing intentionally or unintentionally controlled the speed of the horse, as if he was waiting for something."

"He said the strangest place was at the turn where they met the prince. Yin Weixing, who had been controlling the horse's speed, suddenly sped up there, which caused Wei Yuncai's son's horse to lose control after the turn."

(End of this chapter)