Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 228: Companionship is the longest confession of love

It was noon, the autumn sun was high but not scorching, a perfect time to hold a banquet.

In the small courtyard at the back of the government office, the chrysanthemums planted by the little girls blossomed, adding more beauty to the courtyard.

Behind the flower bed, there are large floor-standing flower screens on both sides to block the breeze. Inside is a large round table with a dazzling array of delicacies.

The Xue family did not come here empty-handed to eat for free. On the contrary, when Xue Baochai knew that there was going to be a banquet, she took the initiative to take charge of the food.

She specially brought several chefs from the new Feng restaurant in Cangzhou, and they came to the kitchen in the courtyard to prepare meals for everyone.

In order to host a successful banquet, Xue Baochai put a lot of effort into it.

The dishes are all of the best choice, such as Longjing shrimp, braised shark's fin, roasted deer tendon, ham and bamboo shoot soup, etc., which are either famous dishes or royal court delicacies, and are then served on the table.

Everyone at the table was quite familiar with each other. There was no politeness or small talk. Yue Ling simply raised his glass to invite everyone.

Many little girls smiled gently and picked up the wine cups.

"I wish you all the best in the future, that you can save the people from their misery and bring happiness to the people of the world."

Xue Baochai raised her wine glass and was the first to say words of blessing.

Once she started talking, others had to talk. Ying'er, who was beside Xue Baochai, was totally unprepared and looked at her own girl in surprise, thinking that she would just drink the wine and be done with it.

"No, girl, there was no such thing planned beforehand."

The wine cup that was just about to her lips was slowly put down unconsciously. Ying'er was very conflicted and couldn't think of any flattering words for a moment.

Looking at Yue Ling again, he was looking at her with interest, as if he was expecting what they would say.

After thinking for a while, Ying'er stammered, "I wish that the Marquis will have more energy and his gun will be as powerful as a dragon!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the girls at the table laughed.

Lin Daiyu covered her mouth and said, "The spear came out like a dragon, which can be interpreted as wishing Brother Yue to be invincible when facing the enemy. What kind of wish is that for others to be full of energy?"

Compared with what Xue Baochai said, Ying'er's words were really too unliterary. Xue Baochai could not help but look at her in confusion, wondering what Ying'er was talking about.

Xiangling blushed and looked at Ying'er. Ying'er scratched the back of her head and said, "The Marquis is very busy, so he can do his job better if he has more energy. It is also a blessing for the people if the Marquis can do his job."

Zijuan's eyes were filled with resentment, "Master, you still don't have enough energy? Why don't you try? You're not the one who's tossing around!"

Ying'er sensed the sting in Zijuan's eyes, responded with a silly smile, and then lowered her head again.

Yue Ling, who was sitting among the girls, knew what she was talking about. She secretly sighed in her heart, "What happened that night left such a big shadow on her. She still remembers it even after several months."

Waving his hand, Yue Ling smiled and said, "Okay, I'll take it as your good intentions."

Xiangling stood up and bowed to Yue Ling, saying, "My Lord, I am not good at speaking and I can't say nice things, but I know that you came to Cangzhou to do good deeds."

After a pause, Xiangling continued, "When I see those abducted children, they are able to find their parents and reunite again because of the Marquis, I am deeply moved."

As Xiangling spoke, her eyes gradually turned red.

The little girls in the courtyard were all kind-hearted, and they were also infected by her and couldn't help feeling sad for her.

Zijuan handed over a clean silk handkerchief and wiped Xiangling's tears.

Xiangling thanked him and said to Yue Ling, "Your Majesty is in a good mood today. I didn't mean to disturb you. This is what I really want to say. I hope your Majesty can live a long life. Praying to the Buddha may not be helpful. Your Majesty is really saving people. He is a real god."

Seeing that the girls were about to choke up, Yue Ling really couldn't comfort them, so he hurriedly said: "Eight out of ten people are unhappy in life. Xiangling, you can sit here today, and no one will treat you harshly. It is also your good fortune after all the hard work. The same goes for you. We can gather here today, why should we be sad?"

"As for your parents' matter, I have sent people to the south to inquire about it. There will be a good result."

Xiangling gave a gift to express her gratitude, and the other girls also put their minds to it. Then Xueyan said, "I wish the Marquis has a better appetite, eats well and sleeps well. It would be even better if you share some with me when you eat!"

Yue Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry, "Okay, this family property will definitely provide you with food."

Zijuan stood up again, "Master is working hard outside, we are afraid that he will be hurt, so I hope that Master is in good health. With Master here, this family has a backbone, and we can live a peaceful life."

Yue Ling nodded and said secretly: "It seems that I have neglected her recently. She doesn't even know whether I am healthy or not. I will let her know the seriousness of this matter tonight."

Yue Ling glanced at Zijuan meaningfully and smiled faintly.

Zijuan understood what she meant, half of her face turned red in an instant, and she sat down hurriedly.

Finally, only Lin Daiyu was left beside Yue Ling. When she looked over, Lin Daiyu just smiled.

"I feel I've fallen into Sister Bao's trap. I sent my blessing to Brother Yue without saying anything beforehand, but they started it all. When it was my turn, they had already said everything in their hearts. Even if I had a thousand thoughts, what new could I say? It's really annoying." Xue Baochai saw that Lin Daiyu was not really angry, but just wanted some advantage and some foil, so she replied, "I was emotional just now and blurted it out. If it upsets you, it's my fault and I should be punished. But Sister Lin is so talented, how could she be upset over such a small matter?"

Lin Daiyu's eyes sparkled, "How affectionate..."

Xue Baochai's cheeks turned slightly red. When she realized that what she had said was a little wrong, she slowly lowered her head.

Lin Daiyu chuckled and looked around at the girls around her. "I originally wanted to say that I wish Brother Yue to have fewer romantic relationships, but now it seems a little unrealistic."

After all, there were six girls in the yard, including herself, and there were even three more guarding the door.

After straightening her sitting posture, Lin Daiyu stood up and said, "Then I really don't have anything to say. I can only say one thing: no matter it rains or shines, I will always accompany Brother Yue."

Lin Daiyu looked at Yue Ling with a smile, and Yue Ling also smiled and couldn't help rubbing Lin Daiyu's head.

"Then it's a deal. I will always take care of Sister Lin."

Yue Ling naturally likes such a considerate sister.

However, Yue Ling didn't take the child's words to heart. What he said about taking care of Lin Daiyu came from the bottom of his heart, but the child's words might be forgotten after he grows up.

In Yue Ling's previous life, he had a childhood sweetheart who said that she would marry him when they grew up. By the time he came back from the police academy, they already had three children.

But what Lin Daiyu said about companionship naturally surpassed all the blessings. The girls at the table all looked at the two of them with envy, in a daze.

Yue Ling turned around, raised his glass and invited them, "Meeting together is a kind of fate. On this Double Ninth Festival, I hope you can grow up happily. I won't say more. Children, let's eat."

The women also smiled, raised their glasses, and drank together.

It is a custom on Double Ninth Festival to drink chrysanthemum wine.

This wine is brewed from chrysanthemum, glutinous rice and koji. It is regarded as an "auspicious wine" for warding off disasters and praying for blessings. People drink a small cup of it on the Double Ninth Festival to pray for longevity.

It doesn't taste fishy or spicy at first, otherwise young girls wouldn't be able to drink it. It tastes cool and sweet, and the fragrance of chrysanthemum and the mellow aroma of wine make the aroma more long-lasting and mellow.

After you first smell the aroma, there is a light sweetness lingering on the tip of your tongue. This is the natural sweetness produced by the fermentation of chrysanthemum and glutinous rice. It does not have the greasy sweetness of added sugar, which complements the refreshing aroma.

Yue Ling drank it just like a beverage, but after the girls finished one glass, their faces became rosy and they looked even more charming and lovely.

Yue Ling smiled and said, "Just drink a little, don't drink too much. You are all still young, don't drink too much."

Little girls like sweet taste. Even though they are greedy, they dare not drink too much. If they get drunk and lose their composure, they will lose face.

The enamel self-pouring pot filled with chrysanthemum wine was placed in front of Yue Ling. He poured himself a few more cups to relieve his fatigue.

There aren't many concerns about chrysanthemum wine, and it won't be as bloody as deer blood wine. I just want to have a good sleep at night.

When the banquet was halfway through, there was no singing or dancing in the courtyard, nor were there any actors performing, because Yue Ling thought it was inappropriate to have music and dance in the government office.

If there is no program, then drinking table games are indispensable at the banquet.

At first, they suggested playing drinking games, but the maids all had a look of bewilderment on their faces. They had no idea how to recite a few famous lines, and if they started playing around, they would probably be punished.

After that, it evolved into everyone looking forward to writing poetry.

The poetry writing was done by Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu, and it seemed as if they were competing with each other in front of Yue Ling. The two little girls were in high spirits.

After fetching the pens, ink, paper and inkstone for them, Xue Baochai said, "I was the first to speak just now, so I'll be the first to write this time. My poems are not as good as Sister Lin's, but I'll put them in front to stimulate discussion."

Lin Daiyu laughed, "Sister Bao is teasing me again. You are not a brick, at worst you are a piece of gold."

Looking at Yue Ling again, Lin Daiyu asked, "Brother Yue, what is the topic of the poem you are reciting today?"

Yue Ling thought for a moment, then looked at the blooming chrysanthemums in the altar, and replied with a smile: "Today is the Double Ninth Festival, so I should write a poem about chrysanthemums."

Xue Baochai pondered for a moment, then wrote down the poem in one go.

"After writing poems, I play with my pen without knowing how to go crazy, how can I compete with painting. Gathering leaves to splash thousands of dots of ink, gathering flowers to dye a few traces of frost. The light and dark colors are reflected in the wind, and the fragrance of autumn is out of the wrist. Don't think I am picking them leisurely by the eastern fence, I stick them on the screen to comfort the Double Ninth Festival."

Xue Baochai wrote, and Lin Daiyu commented beside her, "Does the three words 'it's a waste of time' mean that Baojie didn't intend to compete with me?"

Lin Daiyu had a smile on her lips, and her expression became more meaningful as she looked at Xue Baochai's rosy cheeks, but Xue Baochai just lowered her head and said nothing.

Lin Daiyu continued, "'The fragrance under my wrist' is about Baojie herself, and 'Don't think I'm picking chrysanthemums casually under the eastern fence' is about the chrysanthemums that can be picked at will. Baojie's poem contains many metaphors."

(End of this chapter)