Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 369: I have plenty of ways to deal with Daddy!
"Humph."

As soon as Yue Ling opened the door, he saw Lin Daiyu standing outside the door angrily, her displeasure written all over her face, without any concealment.

Scratching his head, Yue Ling admitted that he had done something wrong, and said angrily, "I didn't mean to take advantage of Sister Lin before. It was really unintentional. Please forgive me."

Lin Daiyu pouted, tilted her head a little, and said, "In Brother Yue's eyes, am I such a fussy person?"

"They were all playing around at noon, how could I not know?"

Having said that, Lin Daiyu stepped over the threshold, walked straight into the room, sat down on the bed, and folded her arms.

Yue Ling was delighted and breathed a sigh of relief.

Since Lin Daiyu said so verbally, she must be not really angry. But with this look on her face, Yue Ling was a little confused?

It is very difficult to coax girls, and it is certainly not easy to coax Lin Daiyu.

After pouring the fragrant tea, Yue Ling came to Lin Daiyu, handed it to her and asked, "Sister Lin, what are you still upset about? Why don't you tell me and I will think of a solution for you."

After taking a big sip of water, Lin Daiyu returned the teacup and pouted, "I came here to talk to Brother Yue."

Yue Ling then sat down next to Lin Daiyu and said to her in comfort, "Okay, Sister Lin, please take your time. There is no need to rush."

"Of course it's because of my old-fashioned father. He really pissed me off!"

Lin Daiyu's words left Yue Ling dumbfounded.

He had no idea how to continue the topic, so he just kept silent and listened to Lin Daiyu continue to complain: "Daddy wouldn't let me go to the capital with Brother Yue, and wanted me to stay in Yangzhou and wait..."

Lin Daiyu was too embarrassed to speak about things like the engagement letter and the arrangements for the wedding, so she finished her words hesitantly, not mentioning a single word about why her father wanted to keep her.

Everything was going well, but suddenly Lin Daiyu had to be left behind. Yue Ling was of course reluctant in his heart, but he could not blame a father's intentions, which made Yue Ling feel a little embarrassed.

"This... Lord Lin may have his own considerations, but the final decision is up to Sister Lin. No matter what Sister Lin chooses, I will support her without hesitation."

Of course, Yue Ling would rather take Lin Daiyu away and keep her by his side.

Lin Daiyu was sulking, her chest heaving, and she was complaining in her heart.

"At this time, you still want to cite the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues and the old customs to restrain me. Why didn't you mention it when you sent me to the capital and left me there?"

"Isn't this going to drive people crazy?"

"If I leave this mansion for one day, those vixens will tear Brother Yue to pieces and eat him. When I return to the capital in disgrace, won't I become a nanny?"

Seeing Lin Daiyu holding the handkerchief tightly in her palm, as if it was deeply embedded in her flesh, Yue Ling knew that Lin Daiyu was really angry.

Yue Ling softened his tone and said earnestly, "Sister Lin, there's no need to be so angry with Lord Lin. Even if he insists on keeping you, he won't agree even if I go to plead for you. We can think of other ways when the time comes."

Lin Daiyu sneered with disdain, "Of course, I have plenty of ways to deal with Daddy!"

He lay on his back on the bed and covered his face with a handkerchief, letting the hot air he exhaled make the handkerchief rise and fall.

After all the reasons were told, Lin Daiyu was filled with resentment, but she couldn't stop.

"From the beginning to the end, Daddy has only done more harm than good. Look at what the atmosphere in this room has become. Do you want me to miss Brother Yue?"

"This is what my mother chose for me. It's not just my own willfulness. I just can't listen to my father."

"Since Dad insists on doing this, don't blame me."

"At worst, Daddy will come to the capital to look for me, and I will admit my mistake again."

Lin Daiyu just lay there, sulking, and Yue Ling shook his head helplessly.

The pink silk embroidered shoes with white soles and decorated flowers were dangling leisurely beside the bed, showing that she was unwilling to settle down.

After staring blankly for a few seconds, Yue Ling suddenly raised his hand and touched it, grabbing the ankle.

Lin Daiyu paused in her leisurely movements, struggled to sit up, and asked with wide eyes, "Brother Yue, what are you going to do?"

Yue Ling just came back to his senses. He looked at the ankle in his hand, which was as delicate as a lotus root, and then looked at Lin Daiyu who was even more shocked. He was also stunned for a moment and could not find any reason to explain.

Just now, it seemed that curiosity was at work.

For example, if a cat toy is waved in front of its eyes, the cat can't help but grab it. People sometimes also have this kind of itchy behavior, such as wanting to pinch the fruits in the supermarket. The same goes for Lin Daiyu's feet.

But in a flash, Yue Ling had thought of something to say, and said with a smile: "It's already night, it's time to wash up and go to bed. I thought of letting Sister Lin soak her feet again to relax her mind."

Lin Daiyu looked at the empty ground. There was a small stool beside the bed. She responded blankly, "Then... Brother Yue, you have to go get some water first, right?"

Yue Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "Sister Lin is right. I was anxious... I'll go right away."

Seeing Yue Ling's embarrassed back as he walked out, Lin Daiyu's face slowly turned slightly red.

Yue Ling’s behavior just now really scared Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu, who was lying on the bed thinking of a solution, suddenly felt someone holding her feet.

When she looked up again, she thought Yue Ling was going to make things a fait accompli in order to force her father to take her away.

Even so, it won't be that fast to show your pregnancy...

The moment their eyes met, Lin Daiyu couldn't help but hold her breath and her heart skipped a beat.

Fortunately, Yue Ling was not so abrupt, and Lin Daiyu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yes, I have been a little too sensitive since my visit to Slender West Lake. Brother Yue is not the kind of frivolous person, otherwise I would not be here."

While thinking about this, Lin Daiyu calmly took off her embroidered shoes and silk stockings, put them both away, and stuffed them under the bed.

Looking down at her own pink and white feet, Lin Daiyu couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed again.

The two of them spent their time together and had exposed their feet many times before, but Lin Daiyu had never thought much about it before. It was only recently that she had more distracting thoughts in her mind that she felt ashamed.

Falling back on the bed, Lin Daiyu covered her face with her handkerchief again, shook her head, and turned to think about how to leave the Lin Mansion.

Not long after, Yue Ling came back and saw that Lin Daiyu had taken off her shoes and socks. For some reason, he felt a little regretful.

After testing the water temperature with his hand, Yue Ling placed the wooden barrel beside the bed and lifted Lin Daiyu's legs and put them down.

"Sister Lin, is the water temperature suitable?"

Lin Daiyu hummed lightly, as if she didn't care too much, but her toes in the bucket still bent unnaturally.

Yue Ling didn't notice anything, but kicked off his shoes and shared the wooden barrel with Lin Daiyu.

"Hey, Brother Yue, what are you doing?"

Lin Daiyu struggled to get up again, but she already felt Yue Ling's foot on hers.

This touch seemed to be more sensitive than holding hands with fingers interlocked, and Lin Daiyu couldn't help but blush.

Yue Ling smiled secretly and tilted his head to say: "I'm a little lazy today, so I took a shower with Sister Lin, which can save some water."

Lin Daiyu looked anxious and said repeatedly, "Well, that's fine. I'll wash it, and then Brother Yue can wash it. Why do we have to wash it together?"

Yue Ling blinked and asked, "But then it won't be hot." "Huh?"

Lin Daiyu twitched her lips and actually felt that what Yue Ling said made some sense.

"OK then……"

Lin Daiyu pouted and moved her feet to the side, "You are only allowed to wash your feet, but you are not allowed to do bad things."

Yue Ling pretended not to understand and asked, "Bad things? What bad things?"

Then he placed his feet on Lin Daiyu's feet.

The two struggled in the water, and Yue Ling spoke provocatively to Lin Daiyu, making her face turn red.

Lin Daiyu blushed and looked up, "Brother Yue, you are being naughty again! Have you been playing with other sisters like this, and are you teasing me now?"

Yue Ling raised his hands to prove his innocence, "That's not true. Sister Lin can't convict someone without any evidence."

After hearing Yue Ling say that this was the first time, Lin Daiyu felt relieved, "That's pretty good..."

Yue Ling turned back, sighed softly, and said indifferently: "Ah, I just don't know who will sit next to me and soak my feet if Sister Lin doesn't go back to the capital with me."

Lin Daiyu's eyes widened, and she said in disbelief: "Brother Yue, why do I feel like you are imitating my tone of voice? Then...then it's not my fault that Daddy doesn't allow it."

"Besides, there's no definite answer yet. It's as if I've been tripped up by someone and failed you."

Yue Ling laughed out loud, lifted his own foot, picked up the handkerchief and rushed to wipe Lin Daiyu's feet first: "Since Sister Lin said so, I feel relieved. Together we can achieve our goal!"

Lin Daiyu was stunned.

Although Yue Ling was tricking her, she was not unhappy at all. The two of them understood each other's minds, and Yue Ling must have been thinking about how to bring her back to the capital smoothly.

Yue Ling held Lin Daiyu's feet in his hands. They were as white and flawless as mutton-fat jade, without even the slightest trace of a mole.

The silk scarf covering her feet was no more delicate than her skin.

Perhaps because she was ticklish, Lin Daiyu curled her toes unnaturally.

Her nails were like ten pearls with a light pink tint, but she seemed to be putting them away out of embarrassment.

Even without looking up, Yue Ling could tell that Lin Daiyu's face must be flushed at this moment.

After wiping away every drop of water, Yue Ling thought again and again and finally pinched it lightly.

Between the two of them, he has to be more proactive, otherwise does he have to wait for Lin Daiyu to take the initiative?
That was too unbelievable. Yue Ling could never dream of such a dream.

As expected, Lin Daiyu quickly pulled back her foot, staring with shame and anger, "Brother Yue! You!"

Lin Daiyu pouted and immediately snatched the handkerchief from Yue Ling's hand, pointed at the bed and said, "Go inside!"

Yue Ling couldn't help laughing, "Sister Lin, I was wrong. I won't do this again..."

Lin Daiyu suppressed her shame and pointed at the bed, "Come in quickly, I don't believe your lies!"

Yue Ling shook his head regretfully, unable to appreciate this treasure of nature any longer. He dried his feet and got into bed.

"We almost kissed that night, but even today, even if I pinched her feet, Sister Lin is still too shy to do it. It seems that we still need a better atmosphere to make Sister Lin accept more intimate actions."

Yue Ling felt like he was guarding a mountain of gold but couldn't take a single piece of it.

"Okay, let's go to bed. You are not allowed to sleep next to me tonight."

"What if you move around at night?"

"I won't!"

……

After several days, spring came, flowers bloomed, and the ice on the river melted. It was time to take a boat back north.

Lin Mansion Main Hall,

Lin Ruhai and Yue Ling sat opposite each other and chatted about salt affairs.

"I handed over the case to His Majesty, and his comments were good. I feel ashamed to accept them. There are still many problems in the salt administration. His Majesty said that he had sent you a letter asking you to think about the way to reform the law. Have you thought of it?"

"We can't be too radical, or we'll affect the interests of the salt merchants, but we can't be too lenient, or else the reform will be ignored and no one will care."

"Judging from the tone of your Majesty, I'm sure you'll be asked some questions when you enter the capital."

Yue Ling nodded and said, "I have been doing some trivial work in the government office recently. While reading the case files, I have thought of some possible ways to find the answer."

"The reason why salt prices remain high is essentially because of the profits of these salt merchants. From the general merchant to the market merchant and the transport merchant, merchants are involved in every link, so it is inevitable that they will compete for profits and exclude those who are different from them."

"First, they seize power with low prices, then raise prices to pursue profits. This is a common tactic."

"The government should set the price, and the salt permits should be changed to salt tickets, which can be sold to all merchants, not just the salt merchants who have inherited the salt business from generation to generation."

"Of course, this is our ultimate goal. We didn't end up in this situation with just one blow. We still need a process of appeasement."

What Yue Ling meant was actually to introduce the role of the market so that salt merchants would not form a monopoly and arbitrarily set prices to exploit the people.

Such reforms will require a period of pain, and taxes may be reduced. After all, reforms always come at a price.

Lin Howe had been deeply involved in salt administration for decades. Even if he had never studied microeconomics or macroeconomics, he knew that what Yue Ling mentioned was the key point. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Indeed, it is a very sharp point. Since you have a plan in mind, I don't need to say too much. You just need to be more precise in your words when you meet His Majesty."

Yue Ling nodded repeatedly.

Glancing out at the sky, Lin Ruhai asked again, "When will the ship sail today?"

Yue Ling replied: "Today at noon."

After saying this, Yue Ling continued, "Brother, I have something to ask..."

Before he could finish his words, Lin Ruhai immediately raised his hand to interrupt him, "Wait a minute! If you want to take Yu'er away, you can't do that! I've already explained it clearly. Before you get married, you two can't meet each other. You can't break the rules!"

"Besides, you haven't even signed the three letters and six engagements yet, and you want to take Yu'er away again? How can that be possible!"

Suddenly, a female voice came from outside the hall, knocking on the door and greeting, "Greetings, Lord Lin, the Marquis has prepared the betrothal gifts and is outside the hall."

Lin Ruhai was startled when he heard this, and stared at Yue Ling and said, "Why, you still want to force me, to seize my daughter? Take them all away, and we'll talk about it after the marriage certificate is signed."

Yue Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "It's not too late to make it now."

Lin Ruhai stood up and swung his sleeves. "How can you be so abrupt when it comes to such a big event?"

Xue Baochai said again: "Master Lin, why don't you take a look before you draw any conclusions."

"No need to look any further! Take your luggage away quickly! How could I be bribed by your money?"

Yue Ling and Xue Baochai looked at each other and shook their heads...

(End of this chapter)