Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 242: Division of Labor in the Inner House
Xia Shouzhong, who brought the message, did not stay long. He just rested for a while, asked some details, and then boarded the boat back to Beijing with a heavy heart.

The Lin residence's welcoming team, which arrived at the government office at the same time, was met with a cold reception in the room. They were too embarrassed to stay in the government office, so they followed behind the palace sedan and went to the pier to take a boat south.

Only the old man was left in the room.

After a commotion, Zijuan removed all the teacups inside and outside the room and replaced them with new ones.

After looking at the awkward atmosphere in the room, he led Xueyan to retreat to the side, leaving only Lin Daiyu and Yue Ling in the hall.

Lin Daiyu and Yue Ling sat opposite each other at the tea table and did not speak for a while.

Since the two first met in Yangzhou Prefecture, they have never been separated. The longest time they have not seen each other was during the few months of fierce fighting in the capital. Now the two are going to be separated geographically, one to the north and the other to the south.

Yue Ling's mind was in a mess and he didn't think about where to start.

Although Lin Daiyu didn't know what Xia Shouzhong and Yue Ling had said just now, she knew something had happened when she saw that the eunuchs in the palace were not as calm as usual.

After making another cup of tea for Yue Ling, Lin Daiyu slowly asked, "Brother Yue, have you been assigned a new task? Can't you come back to Beijing with me?"

Hearing Lin Daiyu's question, Yue Ling came to his senses.

"Yes, I have an errand. I have to ask Sister Lin to use my name to cover up my whereabouts and return to the capital."

Lin Daiyu looked at Yue Ling's face and blinked.

In the past three years, he has been running around for many things in Cangzhou, and his skin seems to have turned yellow from the sun.

His facial features were sharp and angular, and his face was still as heroic as ever. He looked more mature and experienced than the impression she had of Brother Yue.

After six years of living together, Lin Daiyu was reluctant to part, but she knew clearly what kind of person she was with. Brother Yue was full of this little family and was very kind to her and the maids.

But there are still countless people out there who need him.

Take Cangzhou for example, it has undergone tremendous changes before her eyes. No one can believe that Cangzhou is now as prosperous as the prefectures and counties that were still eating disaster relief grain from the imperial court four years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of disaster victims were saved because of his arrival, and tens of thousands of families were saved from destruction and regained their vitality.

This miracle happened right before her eyes. As the person closest to Yue Ling, Lin Daiyu witnessed all the details that others had never seen, and even participated in it herself.

Brother Yue is her Brother Yue, but not just that.

Perhaps at this moment, there is still a group of people waiting for him to maintain stability.

"Eunuch Xia is right. If I don't go back, I have to explain to my father. So I will go to Beijing to pay my respects to my grandfather first. If my mother is still alive, she will definitely be willing for me to go in her place."

"My grandfather treated me warmly. As a descendant, I shouldn't not go."

"This way, we can also help Brother Yue cover up his whereabouts. It's like killing three birds with one stone. So let's just do it."

Lin Daiyu really wanted to ask one more question: where was Yue Ling going, what was he going to do, and who was he going with.

But on second thought, if Yue Ling didn't tell her about such a confidential matter, she shouldn't ask about it.

Lin Daiyu was not afraid of anything else, but she was worried that after Yue Ling went out, he would meet some other girl and forget about her.

As for Yue Ling's romantic relationship, Lin Daiyu really had no doubt about the possibility.

Not to mention what she had never seen, first of all, after she left, where Xue Baochai went was something that made her worry.

Lin Daiyu bit her lip lightly and didn't ask a question, but she heard Yue Ling say, "I am worried about letting Sister Lin go to the capital alone. Besides Zijuan, they should have a companion."

"Recently, the Xue family has gradually shifted their focus to the capital. It's time for the Xue family to move to the capital. How about I let Miss Xue accompany you to the north?"

Lin Daiyu's eyes lit up, the corners of her mouth curved, and she suppressed a smile and said, "If Sister Bao were to accompany me, that would naturally be a great thing."

Seeing Lin Daiyu's joy, Yue Ling breathed a sigh of relief, secretly thinking that they really had a deep sisterly love, and then he spoke again: "Since the Jia family has a funeral, they have to go north for emotional and logical reasons. Miss Xue will not refuse."

"Jia Yun will also follow and take care of some things outside. I will ask the Yunxing Escort Agency if there are any female relatives who have learned martial arts, and let them stay in the cabin to ensure your close safety."

"After you return to the capital, His Majesty will pass on the order. You will take Keqing and the others and go south along the Grand Canal to find me. You will pass by Yangzhou on the way south, but in order to keep my whereabouts secret, I cannot let you go to see your father."

"After I finish my official duties and return to the capital, we will go together."

Lin Daiyu pretended to be regretful and said, "It's okay. These trivial matters should be ranked after Brother Yue's official business. Besides, even if we go, Dad may not be in the government office, which will delay the important business."

"Whether to go or not, we'll talk about it later."

Seeing that Lin Daiyu didn't seem to want to go back to Yangzhou, Yue Ling felt relieved and said silently: "It's not in vain that I love her. However, Sister Lin is Lin Ruhai's daughter after all, it doesn't make sense for her to always be by my side."

"If Lin Ruhai insists on having Lin Daiyu go back, at worst he can wait until he returns to Beijing to take up his post and buy a house next to my residence. We can then connect the courtyards of the two houses so that Sister Lin and I can still have contact."

“This is a good way to have the best of both worlds.”

Yue Ling has his own plans, and Lin Daiyu naturally has her own little thoughts.

"Although I am not far from the age of 15, with only three years left, Brother Yue still treats me like a child. What Sister Bao said is really right. If this continues, what will happen if Brother Yue goes out and sees a girl he likes?" "I have to make Brother Yue change his mind about me, so that I can let him go out without worry."

"Well... then what should I do..."

The room fell silent again. The two of them sat facing each other, chatting about random things until Xue Baochai came rushing over after hearing the news.

After entering the door, Xue Baochai sat down next to Lin Daiyu and looked at the two people who were still in deep thought.

When she came, she also heard some rumors and knew that someone from the palace had come to deliver the message, and that there was also a funeral in the Jia family.

This means that the current peaceful days are about to be disrupted.

Compared with her talent in business, Xue Baochai is better at judging the situation and understanding people's hearts. Seeing that both of them have their own concerns, she knows that they might be about to separate.

After Yue Ling told his plan, he asked Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu to go to Beijing together.

Xue Baochai did not hesitate and agreed immediately.

The Xue family now has completely sided with Yue Ling and is enjoying the coolness under this big tree. As long as Yue Ling gives an order, Xue Baochai will not disobey.

And it is indeed time for her to go to Beijing, and she has to examine all the businesses in the capital.

Besides, because of her sisterly bond with Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai would have no excuse not to go.

But once she went to the capital, she would probably have to face the Jia family, so Xue Baochai was a little worried for a moment.

Not long ago, Lin Daiyu told her that the Jia family had a bad reputation. Now that their two old masters had just passed away and their pillar had collapsed, the family would probably be even more doomed.

Pursing her lips, Xue Baochai said, "As the Marquis wishes, I will go back to take care of the household affairs. It so happens that my mother and brother are both heading north, so they should arrive in Cangzhou in the next two days. After that, Sister Lin and I will go to the capital together."

Yue Ling nodded slightly, "You can ride on the same boat with Sister Lin."

Xue Baochai nodded slightly, and Lin Daiyu pulled her arm up again, and the two sisters held hands.

The two girls had a good relationship, and Yue Ling was also enjoying the scenery. He then said, "Besides that, there is one more thing."

"If I were to act alone, wandering around without a fixed place to stay, my movements would be too suspicious. Anyone who pays close attention would be able to find something fishy, ​​so I want to take Xiangling with me."

"Our first stop is Gusu. We have heard about Xiangling's mother, Feng, and she is staying at the Shen family in Wu County, Gusu. There is a reason for bringing her to recognize her relatives."

The two girls looked at each other and both thought it was a good idea.

They already sympathized with Xiangling's life experience and hoped that she could be reunited with her mother as soon as possible. Moreover, Xiangling was an honest and decent person, and she and Yue Ling could take care of each other on the road, which also made them feel at ease.

Lin Daiyu nodded, "Brother Yue has thought it through, and it is right. It is a good thing that Sister Xiangling can meet her daughter while Brother Yue is traveling south."

Xue Baochai had no reason to disagree, so she said, "I'll call her in."

When Xiangling was called into the room, her head was still dizzy.

She heard from Xue Baochai that the Marquis intended to take her south to recognize his relatives. This was a good thing that she could never have even in her dreams.

How could a maidservant be so cared about by the Marquis?

"This servant has met the Marquis."

Xiangling bowed obediently, her eyes misty.

"Don't worry, Miss Xue should have told you." Yue Ling took a deep breath and said, "This trip south is not safe. Bringing you with me is also beneficial to me, not just for you. Besides, this trip is difficult. I can't take a boat to the south leisurely, but have to ride a fast horse to hurry on."

"Your little body will not be able to bear the bumpy ride. Take a good rest these days. I will set off south after I have dealt with all the trivial matters in Cangzhou."

Xiangling still kowtowed to express her gratitude, "My Lord, I will always remember your kindness in my heart."

Xue Baochai stepped forward to support him and said, "You don't have to stay busy in your room these few days. Just listen to the Marquis and cultivate yourself well."

Xiangling nodded slightly.

Lin Daiyu also had a good impression of Xiangling, and she told her: "Brother Yue has been busy while he is away from home, and you need to take good care of him."

What she meant was that she would be Yue Ling's maid and follow this path.

After hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Xiangling agreed, "Don't worry, Miss Lin. Although I am a little dull, I still understand these things clearly."

They were originally going to separate, but suddenly the atmosphere in the room was just right.

Everyone understood that the following arrangements seemed to be beneficial to everyone.

A temporary separation is also for a better reunion...

(End of this chapter)