Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 287 Everything Changed Overnight
Hangzhou Provincial Government Office,

When Zhao Deyong woke up in the morning, he felt a little uneasy. His eyelids kept twitching, and he didn't know what the omen was.

After getting dressed, I sat down at the tea table and drank the Mingqian tea of ​​West Lake Longjing.

The so-called Mingqian tea refers to the first batch of tea leaves that can be picked before Qingming Festival, when the tea trees in spring have only grown tender buds.

Because the raw materials are fresh and nutritious, the price of Mingqian tea is higher than gold.

"The only major event yesterday was the arrival of Marquis Anjing in Suzhou. Could it be that something went wrong with the reception for Marquis Anjing?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Deyong became more uneasy and put the teacup down.

The Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces were like Dachang's money printing machine, continuously providing a large amount of assets to Dachang's treasury. Behind this prosperity, there was also the concerted efforts of local government offices and aristocratic families, which were able to maintain stability and allow all parties to make money.

But now, there is a bigger gap in the capital, and Emperor Longyou wants to come up with some new laws. He needs more silver, but he is unwilling to increase taxes.

The original intention may be to make the merchants suffer. After all, there are merchants everywhere in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. For the common people who have land to farm and rely on the weather for their livelihood, merchants rely more on the government for their livelihood. In this regard, the stability of the government is also the wish of the merchants.

But when the local nobles and provincial officials thought about it, they realized that a national policy of replacing rice with mulberry trees could actually benefit them, which showed their fangs.

Judging from experience, if the original team remains in the province, no matter how dark the situation in Jiangsu and Zhejiang is, no matter what means are used, it can be covered up.

But now that Marquis Anjing has arrived, it is like throwing a huge rock into a calm lake, causing the water to surge violently.

The influence of Marquis Anjing was so great that Zhao Deyong, who had been in the officialdom for decades, had to treat it with caution to ensure that there would be no mistakes from the beginning. He also sent Qian Shiyuan, the Vice-Minister of State Affairs, to be in charge.

"Master, something bad has happened!"

While Zhao Deyong was still thinking, a servant came running in breathlessly. His heart suddenly trembled, and he immediately stood up and asked, "What's wrong?"

The servant said with a sad face: "News came from Suzhou. As soon as Marquis An Jing showed up at the Canglang Gathering, he ordered the accompanying officers and soldiers to arrest Lord Qian, Master Zhen, and Master Xu, and threw them directly into the prison, awaiting their fate!"

"what?"

Zhao Deyong sat back heavily in his original seat, staring into the distance with lifeless eyes, a look of astonishment written all over his face, and he even deeply doubted his ears.

"How could this be? What crime did they commit that Marquis Anjing arrested them right in front of their eyes? Qian Shiyuan is a third-rank official. Without an imperial decree, even Marquis Anjing cannot arrest him."

Seeing his master in shock and anger, the servant knelt down in the hall tremblingly, "We didn't find out about this either. At that time, the news was blocked in Canglang Pavilion. We only know that the Marquis Anjing who came by boat was not actually Marquis Anjing. After the real Marquis Anjing came out, he went up to the pavilion and arrested everyone."

"Later, the government released a message that they wanted to give the people of Suzhou an explanation that today's disaster was all man-made."

After hearing what the servant said, Zhao Deyong had some guesses. If the person coming by boat was not Marquis Anjing, and the real Marquis Anjing had been lurking in Suzhou City for a long time, then he must have known all the bad things, and might even have evidence of their crimes, so he dared to violate procedures and arrest people.

Things had actually reached this point where they could not be reversed, something that even Zhao Deyong had not expected.

No longer as calm as before, Zhao Deyong clapped his hands on the armrests, unable to think of any solution for a moment. This was a desperate situation, and all nine of his clans would have to follow him into the dead end.

The servant obviously also realized the crisis of the situation and asked in a crying voice: "Master, what should we do now?"

Zhao Deyong closed his eyes tightly and said sternly: "What should I do? If you ask me, who should I ask?"

After a moment, Zhao Deyong took a deep breath, because he figured out one thing.

Suzhou is now in turmoil, and Japanese pirates are eyeing the sea border covetously. If he, the prime minister who has been sitting firmly in the southeast for more than a decade, is taken down, it will surely lead to chaos and there will be a danger of decline.

As long as he can continue to play his role in this position, he can still survive for a while.

After all, for the emperor, it doesn’t matter whether one is greedy or not, what matters is whether one is useful to the emperor.

That's what the old emperor was like.

"Wait."

Zhao Deyong slowly uttered a word, "Wait for the reply from the left prime minister in the capital, and then decide what to do."

The servant kowtowed and said, "Master, the matter of the Canglang Gathering has now spread out, and everyone in Hangzhou knows that something has happened. Many families have come to pay their respects today. I wonder if you will see them or not?"

Zhao Deyong took off his official uniform and hat, folded them and placed them on a brocade plate as if they were a treasure.

Then he took a few steady steps back to the inner room, saying only, "I'm sick and can't see outsiders."

……

"Ying'er, are you ashamed? How old are you and you still wet the bed?"

"Girl, you can't blame me for this, it's all Xiangling's fault."

"Why blame Xiangling? It wasn't her who peed."

"I blame her. Anyway, I blame her. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have had such a dream..."

"What dream?"

Early in the morning, the yard was already noisy and noisy, and the little girls were very energetic.

Yue Ling's brows trembled slightly, and he gradually woke up, but he unexpectedly felt a little heavy.

He pinched his eyebrows and looked down, only to see Lin Daiyu burrowed into his quilt with one arm on him, her head resting on Yue Ling's shoulder, sleeping soundly.

When she is quiet, she is like a delicate flower reflected in the water. When she is sleeping, Lin Daiyu is well-behaved and cute, which matches her age.

However, we had just agreed on three rules last night, and after just one night, one of them had already been broken.

It seems that Lin Daiyu’s sleeping posture is not that good.

"Sister Lin? It's time to get up."

Yue Ling patted Lin Daiyu's arm gently, held her wrist, and tried to pull her arm away.

Probably because she slept too late last night, Lin Daiyu was still not very energetic in the early morning. It was not until Yue Ling grabbed her wrist and her eyelashes trembled slightly that she slowly woke up.

When she turned her head and looked up, Lin Daiyu was really shocked to find that her whole body was pressed against Yue Ling.

"This, you..."

Her fingers rested on Yue Ling's chest, and Lin Daiyu immediately withdrew her arm as if she had been electrocuted.

Just when she was about to blame Yue Ling for sleeping under the same quilt with her, she found that she had crawled into Yue Ling's quilt. Her face immediately turned red and she stammered, unable to speak.

Yue Ling smiled and said, "Maybe it's a little cold at night, so you came over here. How about lighting a heater tomorrow night?"

Lin Daiyu hurried down the stairs and said, "That should be the case. Brother Yue, don't think too much about it. This is not my intention at all."

Lin Daiyu stood up shyly and went out of the bed first, but her back looked a little embarrassed in her coat, as if she was running away.

In the courtyard, led by Qin Keqing, the young girls who were supposed to be cleaning the rooms gathered under the pavilion and sat on the stone blocks to hold a meeting.

However, when the girls learned about Lin Daiyu's strict defense last night, they all felt a little dejected.

Lin Daiyu's words are absolute regarding what happens in the room. If she doesn't allow the girls to get close to Yue Ling, then no one can do anything about it.

After Xue Baochai and her group finished their work of drying the quilts in the back yard, they saw them sitting together in the courtyard and could not help but come over to ask.

"It's time for the Lord to get up. Why are you sitting outside instead of going to your room to wait for your services?"

Qin Keqing waved to the three of them and said, "Come and listen as well. It would be good if you could give some advice."

Xue Baochai walked over puzzled, but didn't know what was going on.

But Ying'er seemed to have thought of something, and she grabbed Xue Baochai's arm, shaking her head and saying, "Miss, you can't go, it's too early!"

Xue Baochai touched Ying'er's forehead and said with a helpless smile, "What's wrong with you? Are you hysterical so early in the morning? You even wet the bed last night. I think you are stupid."

"What are you talking about? Go home and have a good rest today. I'll ask Xiangling to call you after dinner."

Ying'er still said confidently: "Girl, you don't know the right and wrong of this. Listen to my advice. You can't accept it."

Xue Baochai looked at Qin Keqing who was sitting in the pavilion and waving at her, then looked at Ying'er in front of her, shook her arms and said, "Just sitting in the pavilion, what's so unacceptable about that? We haven't known each other for a long time, what's wrong with Sister Keqing?"

In Ying'er's eyes, the pavilion was like a brothel and walking into it was like falling into a bottomless pit.

The scene of last night is still vivid in my mind. Xiangling and Zijuan are both honest people, only Qin Keqing seems to have a fickle and seductive personality. If this matter is to succeed, Qin Keqing will definitely be the one taking the lead.

Unexpectedly, she was shamelessly "recruiting" here the next day, wanting more people to join.

"It's too lewd!" Ying'er pulled Xue Baochai hard, not wanting her to jump into this deep pit.

A lady from a noble family, without any status or reputation, sleeps in the same bed with another man. Does she still have any reputation? Even though Miss Lin has a close relationship with Marquis Anjing, it shouldn't be like this, right?
At that moment, Ying'er turned around and saw Lin Daiyu running out of Yue Ling's room wearing her coat.

Seeing that they were only wearing sleeping underwear, I was suddenly struck by lightning and froze in place.

"What? They were with Miss Lin? Miss Lin was also there watching, and even stayed the night?"

Seeing that everyone was outside, Lin Daiyu shyly called out, "Xueyan, come and help me wash up."

"Oh, here I come."

Ying'er saw the shyness on Lin Daiyu's face, which made her more certain of her thoughts.

It’s just that my brain was a little overloaded, and I couldn’t imagine what the scene was like for a moment.

Seeing Ying'er's silly look, Xue Baochai helplessly shook her arm away and said, "Just go back and have a good rest. We grew up together. When have I ever been mean to you?"

Afterwards, she took Xiangling with her to the sisters' tea party.

Ying'er turned around blankly and slowly moved towards the right wing, muttering, "So... I'm the one who doesn't fit in?"

Neither Xue Baochai nor Xiangling knew what was in Ying'er's mind, and Qin Keqing knew even less.

We all live together, and there are actually some people who don't like the master. But it's better this way. After all, there is one less person and one less competition.

Xue Baochai lifted her skirt, walked up the stone steps, came to the pavilion, sat opposite Qin Keqing, and couldn't help asking, "What happened? Why are you so mysterious?"

Qin Keqing whispered, "It's a big deal. Miss Lin will have to sleep with the master from now on, just like today, until daytime. So what are we, the bed-warming maids, going to do from now on?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai blushed and stood up to leave. "This is your business, not something I can listen to. I'll go back first."

Qin Keqing quickly pushed her down and said kindly, "Sister Bao is resourceful and is the wisest of the room. She is as smart as Miss Lin. Let alone whether we will always be sisters living in the same garden in the future, you should also consider our sisterhood and give us some advice today."

Xue Baochai asked shyly, "What do you want to talk about?"

Qin Keqing let go of Xue Baochai's shoulders, sat down with her, held her hand and said, "This is what's going on. Miss Lin is keeping a close eye on us. We have to think of a solution together. If this continues, we will miss the Marquis..."

Seeing Qin Keqing's shy words, Xue Baochai knew what she was talking about. She shouldn't have expressed her opinion on such things, but looking around, everyone was looking at her with burning eyes. It was difficult for her to refuse, so she had to say, "Miss Lin, you won't be guarding the Marquis' bedside every day. You don't have to make any extra preparations. As long as you serve the Marquis honestly and dutifully, how could Miss Lin not let you get close to the Marquis?"

"It's just a rule. If you really want that, who can keep an eye on you?"

"And with Sister Lin's temper, can she really punish you?"

The girls thought it made sense, but Qin Keqing still said, "Sister Bao, you didn't come last night, so you didn't know how determined Miss Lin was. She was determined not to let us go."

Xue Baochai asked in surprise: "Last night? You all went last night?"

Zijuan and Qin Keqing lowered their heads in shame, and then turned to look at Xiangling, who also lowered her head and remained silent.

Xue Baochai held her forehead helplessly and said, "Even if you are impatient, there must be a time limit. This first night is Sister Lin's anyway."

"She was just using this as an excuse to wait for you. You really don't know the order of things. You're giving Sister Lin an excuse to set the rules."

When everyone heard this, they suddenly understood.

If Lin Daiyu was really angry about them getting close to Yue Ling, she should have been angry about Zijuan and Xiangling a long time ago. Why did she get angry only last night?

But things have already happened, the rules have been set, and what the women want now is a chance to turn things around.

Qin Keqing came up behind Xue Baochai again, rubbed her shoulders, and said flatteringly: "Sister Bao, tell me, what should we do? Should we try to please Miss Lin?"

Xue Baochai said, "I just said that Sister Lin will not stay by the Marquis' side day and night. You will definitely have a chance in the future. But now that the rules have been set, there is nothing you can do. Even if you try to please Sister Lin, she will not give in."

All the girls nodded, thinking that what Xue Baochai said made a lot of sense.

No matter what, Miss Lin would not sleep with the master every day. If she did that, wouldn't it be like getting married?
Miss Lin talks about being self-disciplined every day, but this can’t be the way she is, right?
So as long as you wait patiently, sooner or later you will have the opportunity to have them serve you.

It’s just that Qin Keqing’s comprehension is deeper, and she seems to have realized the deeper meaning of Xue Baochai’s words.

"Yes, if you can't please Miss Lin, then please the master. I was almost done last night, but unfortunately Miss Lin came, so I had to go out."

"If it's already happened, how can I get out? Miss Lin can't come in my place, right?"

Looking at Xue Baochai, Qin Keqing's eyes showed a little more admiration.

"Why are you all sitting outside? Is breakfast ready?"

The girls looked in the direction of the voice and saw Yue Ling coming out, so they all stood up to greet him.

"Okay, sir, come and have dinner."

……

The atmosphere at today's breakfast was even stranger than last night's dinner.

The seating arrangement was the same as last night's dinner, but the girls all ate with their heads down shyly, burying their heads in their bowls and hardly speaking.

This made Xueyan feel like she was facing a formidable enemy. It was the first time that everyone was eating so seriously, so she had to eat even faster.

Yue Ling looked down casually and saw Ying'er looking at him with an ambiguous expression, as if he had done something unforgivable.

Yue Ling really felt confused.

Looking at Lin Daiyu beside him, her cheeks were rosy, she didn't say a word and was too embarrassed to look over, as if she was still paying attention to what happened this morning.

Lin Daiyu knew in her heart that she and Brother Yue were innocent, but they shared a bed and were so close to each other in the morning. How was this different from being married? If Dad knew what happened in this room, wouldn't he be so angry that he couldn't speak?
Lin Daiyu didn't dare to think too much.

She silently hinted to herself, "This is all for Brother Yue. I can't get addicted to it. I'm just a guard. Yes, for Brother Yue."

Looking at Lin Daiyu's embarrassed look, Yue Ling just found it funny.

It must be said that with Lin Daiyu sleeping next to him, he felt very peaceful in his heart and slept surprisingly well that night.

If I really fool around with the three little girls all night, it would be hard to say whether I could go to the government office normally this morning to take charge of my work.

"If Miss Lin really comes every night, that would be great, but I'm afraid she's so shy that she won't come tonight."

While I was still thinking about it, I felt someone gently caressing my thigh.

Yue Ling widened his eyes, paused with his chopsticks in his hand, and turned his head to look at Qin Keqing, who had already finished eating beside him, with her hands under the table, looking at him with seductive eyes.

Yue Ling swallowed the food in his mouth and continued to eat attentively.

But Qin Keqing's hands under the table were not at peace at all. She kept touching him wantonly, even reaching the very inner part.

Lin Daiyu was right beside her, yet she dared to be so bold. Yue Ling couldn't say much, so he could only frown and endure it.

Yue Ling frowned and thought, "This little girl is too restless."

Lin Daiyu raised her head and saw Yue Ling's unhappy expression, so she asked, "Brother Yue, are you feeling unwell?"

After all, Yue Ling is at an age of passion and enthusiasm. He can't really sleep with Lin Daiyu innocently for a few more years, right?
I'm afraid only the abbot can bear it.

Qin Keqing seemed to have won, looking at Yue Ling with curved eyebrows.

Yue Ling lowered his head, glared at Qin Keqing quietly, and said, "It's okay."

As expected, he could only keep it secret since she was secretly teasing the master. And doing this in front of Lin Daiyu made Qin Keqing even more moved. It was so exciting that her heart beat even faster.

It turns out that being a thieving cat is really so joyful.

At this moment, Qin Keqing seemed to have found a way to further improve her relationship with the master, and she could not help but look at Xue Baochai with gratitude.

Xue Baochai felt something, and when she saw Qin Keqing's burning gaze, she looked confused.

But Yue Ling still saw the entire exchange of glances.

"Last night, Qin Keqing was warned by Sister Lin, but today she not only did not restrain herself, but became even more daring. It turned out that Xue Baochai was behind this. No wonder they were not in the house this morning, but chatting outside!"

Yue Ling couldn't help but glare at Xue Baochai again.

Xue Baochai: “?”

(End of this chapter)