Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 237 The rumors about the Marquis are indeed true!

Xue Baochai blushed slightly after hearing this, but then she regained her composure, still with a faint smile on her lips, "Sister Lin is very sharp-tongued, so I can't get the upper hand. However, even if I get anxious, I have to rank behind Sister Lin. There's no point in getting anxious, right?"

Lin Daiyu was startled when she heard this, and after a moment she spat and said angrily, "Sister Bao, you must be familiar with me to say such shameless words."

Xue Baochai was very calm, "To be fair, if I was the first one to arrive, I would definitely not give up my seat. In this case, I will just line up at the back with peace of mind. Anyway, Sister Lin asked me to line up, so I will line up."

Lin Daiyu blushed, "When did I tell you to wait in line?"

Xue Baochai's eyes flickered, and she moved closer, and asked happily, "Could it be that Sister Lin is planning to give it up?"

Lin Daiyu glared again and quickly denied, "What are you talking about? Who wants to give in?"

Xue Baochai chuckled, "Didn't Sister Lin say that she has a brother-sister relationship with the Marquis? Isn't she thinking too much like I am?"

Lin Daiyu was so speechless after being teased by Xue Baochai that her face turned red and white.

At the beginning, Lin Daiyu picked up the fragrant tea and took a sip, then calmed down her mood and stopped talking.

Anyway, Yue Ling is her weak spot, and she is too embarrassed to admit it openly. If she is controlled by him, she will lose no matter how to debate. In this case, keeping silent is the best way to deal with it.

Seeing that Lin Daiyu did not respond, Xue Baochai continued to take the initiative and said, "Sister Lin, I am a few years older than you, so I must have seen some things. Many aristocratic families and gentry start to get engaged when they are eight years old. My second sister has even been engaged since she was a child. This is a common thing."

"And the Marquis really only treats Miss Lin as his sister now, and even treats us as children. If you don't make it clear, when will the Marquis know Miss Lin's feelings?"

"Perhaps, even the Marquis cannot discover his own feelings."

Hearing her daughter say, "Even she treats us as just children," Ying'er couldn't help but think of the screams that night and curled her lips unconsciously.

"It's fine if the young lady doesn't know. Xiangling and I didn't gossip about her behind her back. Doesn't Miss Lin know about Zijuan's affairs?"

At this time, Lin Daiyu, who was sitting opposite Xue Baochai at the table, also fell into deep thought. It was obvious that Xue Baochai's reminder was very reasonable, and she couldn't even find any excuse to justify it.

There was even her father who was making things worse and wanted to take her back. If Yue Ling agreed, she would regret it deeply.

After a while, Lin Daiyu stood up and grabbed Xue Baochai's arm, begging her, "My dear sister, please don't mention this again. It only makes people embarrassed and angry. I know you have good intentions, but this is not something we girls can do, let alone get married."

"Besides, a girl should have her own self-control. I saw that Sister Bao liked Brother Yue so much, but she didn't come forward to express her feelings. But you acted like a mother and came to teach me."

"Don't worry, we sisters will never forget your kindness. No matter what, you are still indispensable as the tea-serving maid in the room. If Sister Bao is interested, I can make a decision right away."

Ying'er chuckled when she heard this, but Xue Baochai gave her a sidelong look. She quickly put her laughter away, picked up the feather duster as if nothing had happened, and went to clean the ear room.

Xue Baochai suppressed her shame and said, "Okay, I won't say anything more. Sister, please don't humiliate me anymore. What I just said is now written off."

Both of them looked embarrassed and annoyed, then listened to the noise outside, and found it had calmed down, so they poked their heads out and walked out.

Yue Ling was seen pouring tea by himself, seemingly thinking about something.

"Brother Yue, has the eunuch in the palace left?"

Lin Daiyu sat next to Yue Ling and asked with blinking eyes.

Yue Ling came back to his senses and nodded, "Yeah, he just left."

"But what important thing did you say?"

Yue Ling shook his head. "I asked about the recent situation in Cangzhou and some other state affairs. It's nothing important."

"By the way, the Queen also asked about your recent situation, so I said a few words and asked the eunuch to pass it back."

Lin Daiyu nodded shyly.

Xue Baochai blinked her eyes, only then did she realize that Lin Daiyu was actually related to the Queen. "Then Sister Lin, this is not a matter of parents' orders or matchmaker's words. It must be the Emperor's order that cannot be disobeyed."

Thinking of this, Xue Baochai couldn't help laughing, but her smile was filled with mixed emotions and for a moment she didn't even know why she was laughing.

The room was filled with harmony, and the other maids also gathered in the hall again, only to see Chen Ju hurriedly coming back from outside the door.

"My Lord, you left in a hurry just now. I still have something to ask you."

After stepping over the threshold and looking up, he saw that the hall, which was empty just now, was now filled with six little girls. Each of them had a pretty face. The younger ones still had childishness on their faces, but they were sitting closest to Yue Ling.

As soon as they saw Chen Ju walking towards the door, the little girls all stood up again. They had no choice but to bow.

"Greetings, sir." Chen Ju's foot, which was dangling from the threshold, retracted and stood outside the threshold. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Sorry to bother you, sir. I do have something to ask you."

Yue Ling nodded, "Eunuch, please come in and talk."

Chen Ju shook his head and said, "No need, no need. It can be explained in three or five sentences. When does the Marquis plan to return to the capital? His Majesty asked me to ask for an approximate number."

The question might be due to the fact that Emperor Longyou really wanted him to return to Beijing to take up his post and help him with government affairs; and also because he might be asking how many years it would take for the new policy reforms to take effect.

Yue Ling considered and answered, "It will take at least two years. Now Cangzhou has just got on the right track. If we plant rice in the new year and can be self-sufficient next year, it will be considered a small success. In another year, taxes will be paid, people will be well-off, and all industries will run smoothly. Then it will be time for me to leave."

"Also, during this period, I have to examine an official who can replace me as the governor of Cangzhou. If there is a suitable candidate in the court, Your Majesty can send him directly."

Chen Ju nodded and took note of it, then he cupped his hands and said, "Okay, Lord, take your leave."

Seeing Yue Ling was about to stand up to see him off, Chen Ju hurriedly stopped him and said, "Don't bother, don't bother. The Marquis is in the room. It's cold outside, I'll go back alone."

Chen Ju lowered the felt curtain behind him and walked out of the courtyard with his head down, saying to himself, "The rumors in the capital are indeed true. The Marquis really likes this kind of beauty. It's really hard to say."

"I thought it was fake news from the rebellion of Prince Kang's Mansion. It turns out that nothing comes without a whim. From now on, we can't completely disbelieve the rumors."

"Forget it. My godfather asked me to come because he wanted me to bring good news back to the capital and show off in front of His Majesty. I'll hide this little thing from you, Lord. Just consider it as your reward."

……

The atmosphere in the room was naturally not affected by this little episode.

When the guests from the palace came, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai were not present because they did not have the appropriate status to meet them. If they were ladies of honor from their own families, it would be normal for them to meet the palace guests together.

But if you bump into someone head-on, it would be impolite to try to avoid them.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai were naturally very polite, and the maids followed their example, and the room became peaceful.

However, for Yue Ling, the most surprising thing is that Xia Shouzhong actually adopted a godson in the palace. It seems that he has completely expelled Dai Quan's former people in the palace. I don't know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, and whether it was instructed by Emperor Longyou.

But seeing that Chen Ju is a capable person, his future achievements may not be lower than those of Dai Quan and Xia Shouzhong.

Yue Ling thought he had the ability to judge people, but matters concerning the harem were not something he should consider too much.

Sighing, Yue Ling said, "Today is the New Year's Eve, you can have fun as much as you want, but there will be no music in the government office, and we can't invite a troupe to listen to opera. You can play chess or cards, and you can have fun today. If you are short of manpower, call the servants outside to play, and I will cover all the losses."

"Only for this day."

"After today, wait until the Lantern Festival, when the Xue family's street is decorated with lanterns, I will go out with you guys then."

"Cangzhou is now in such a dilapidated state that it is hard to offer any scenery to attract outsiders to enjoy. When times get better, I will keep the Huang family's large garden. It would be a great idea to build a pavilion there to overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire city. I will take you out for a tour then."

Building a pavilion at the Huang family was originally part of Yue Ling's plan. The negative example of the Huang family would be passed down forever based on that landscape, to deter all the scoundrels with bad intentions in Cangzhou City and let them learn from the past.

After hearing Yue Ling's plan, the girls were naturally happy.

They stay in their rooms for a long time and have few opportunities to go out. They can only go out to see what the weather is like outside during temple fairs to pray for blessings and certain festivals.

Children are playful and naughty by nature, and they all want to go out and see the world. Even Lin Daiyu is no exception.

Only Xiangling hid at the outermost edge, with her head lowered, her face showing no joy or sadness.

When Yue Ling saw her, he felt a little scared when he realized that she was remembering her tragic life experience.

Yue Ling called her to his side, rubbed her head, and said earnestly: "With me, no one can harm you anymore, just play with them peacefully, understand?"

Xiangling lowered her head slightly and nodded slowly, "Got it, thank you, my Lord."

As he spoke, his eyes turned red again.

Ying Er was jealous and smacked her lips, saying, "Being pretty has its advantages. My pitiful appearance makes people feel sorry for me, but if I'm pitiful, no one will love me."

Yue Ling pulled her over with a smile, patted her on the shoulder three times, and whispered: "If you want me to love you, it's not impossible, but you have to be sensible."

Ying'er ran away with a red face, stuck out her tongue, and said, "No, no, we are going to play cards. We won't sleep tonight!"

Everyone burst into laughter again, welcoming the arrival of the new year with joy.

(End of this chapter)