The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

Yuanyang twisted a face towel from the washbasin, folded it into a strip, and held it in her left palm. She took the face towel on Jia Mu's forehead with her right hand, gently wiped the sweat off Jia Mu's face, and then placed the face towel in her left palm on Jia Mu's forehead.

Led by Mrs. Xing, all the female members of the Jia family came. Aunt Xue, Xue Baochai and Xue Baoqin were also there. The room was filled with people.

At this time, the voice of a little maid came from outside: "Miss Lin is here."

Before he could finish his words, Lin Daiyu walked in hurriedly.

Mrs. Xing, who was sitting beside the bed, stood up, and the others made way.

Lin Daiyu walked quickly to the bedside and asked Yuanyang, "How is the old lady? Where is the imperial physician? Have you called the imperial physician?"

Yuanyang replied, "Doctor Wang has already taken my pulse and said it was a case of anxiety and it's nothing serious. The kitchen is boiling medicine."

Lin Daiyu nodded and asked again, "Why did you faint again?"

Mrs. Xing spoke up: "It's Baoyu who is so outspoken and tells the old lady everything! He knows that the old lady fainted the other day and Doctor Wang specifically told her not to get upset."

Lin Daiyu understood. Yesterday, Ni Er and Kong Qingxiang both sent intelligence. There were rumors outside that since the birth of the fifth prince, the Dashun Dynasty had been plagued by disasters. When the fifth prince was one month old, the Yellow River burst its banks, and then the Central Plains fell into war. Now that he is one year old, the bad luck has had a greater impact, directly leading to the court's successive defeats. Not only did the court suffer heavy losses, but it also killed my grandfather.

The Jia family was implicated, saying that the Jia family's several prayers were not sincere and respectful to the gods, which led to the gods' dissatisfaction with Dashun and sent down heavenly punishment. Even Jia Baoyu's spiritual jade was made into a fuss!
It is not terrible for one coincidence to happen, but it is terrible for coincidences to happen one after another. The common people are naturally fearful of the gods, so they cannot help but be afraid. Now the whole capital is full of malice towards the Jia family.

Suddenly, Grandmother Jia uttered "hmm", and then her eyes slowly opened.

"Old lady!" Lin Daiyu hurriedly held her hand.

Grandmother Jia gradually saw Lin Daiyu standing by the bed: "Why are you here on such a hot day? What if you get a heat stroke?"

Lin Daiyu sat down, took the face towel handed to her by Yuanyang, and wiped the sweat off Jia's face: "I came here by carriage, and there are ice cubes to cool down, so it's okay. How do you feel, old lady?"

Grandmother Jia patted Lin Daiyu's hand and said, "Don't worry. I have experienced all kinds of storms and waves. Why would I be afraid of such a little wind?"

Lin Daiyu nodded.

Grandmother Jia: "Is there any news about your second uncle?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head.

Grandmother Jia was silent for a moment, then continued, "The rumors outside are being fanned by someone. Your Li family is well-informed. If you hear anything, don't hide it from me!"

Lin Daiyu hummed, took the brocade box from Zijuan, and said, "This is the Western white ginseng that the Nanyang delegation presented as tribute. It is just right for eating during the hottest days of summer. If the old lady eats it, the disease will soon be cured."

Grandmother Jia nodded lovingly and said, "With your filial piety, I am almost all better now."

Lin Daiyu handed the brocade box to Yuanyang and told him, "It's best to eat it early in the morning on an empty stomach."

Yuanyang took it with both hands and replied, "Yes."

Just then, Zhou Ruijia rushed in like a gust of wind.

Mrs. Xing's face darkened: "What's the matter? Why are you so flustered?"

Zhou Ruijia ran to the bed and knelt down: "Congratulations to the old lady, there is news about the master."

Grandmother Jia was surprised and delighted: "How is your master?"

Zhou Ruijia: "When the city was broken, the master escaped under the protection of the soldiers. They were the ones who saved the master in Kaifeng. The master is now gathering the defeated soldiers and waiting for the imperial court's reinforcements to counterattack Luoyang City."

After hearing this, Jia's mother clasped her hands together and said, "Amitabha, may the Buddha bless you."

Seeing this, everyone started saying auspicious words.

Mrs. Xing muttered in a low voice: "Another hundred thousand silver coins. If it comes again, I'm afraid we'll be broke."

Everyone was shocked, and the bedroom fell silent again. Grandmother Jia's eyes were fixed on Madam Xing. She wanted to say something, but couldn't. Others who were officials could accumulate some wealth, but Jia Zheng not only didn't make a penny for his family, but also asked his family to pay him back, and once he paid 100,000 silver coins, if he did it again, Rongguo Mansion would be really poor.

Lin Daiyu looked at Grandmother Jia. She could make the decision to lend money to her, but she couldn't take the initiative to ask.

Grandmother Jia understood and patted her hands: "Grandmother, I appreciate your filial piety. But you are not married yet, so you cannot lend me this money. Ah!"

Lin Daiyu: “Yes.”

Grandmother Jia turned her gaze to Zhou Rui's wife again: "Where is your wife?"

Zhou Ruijia answered hesitantly, "Madam has been worried these past few days and has also suffered from heatstroke. When she heard that Master was fine, her anger suddenly subsided and she fell ill."

"Hum," Jia's mother said, "Go back and tell your wife not to count on me to borrow money. I know everything about your second wife's affairs. Over the past year or so, the Wang family has gradually returned 70,000 to 80,000 silver coins, and she has also received a lot of silver from other places."

Aunt Xue looked a little uncomfortable.

Grandmother Jia: "Although the banquet the other day was not a big one, each family still sent gifts, which she collected. Tell your wife that the money this time will be paid by the second wife herself."

Zhou Ruijia hesitated: "This..."

Grandmother Jia: "Go out."

Zhou Ruijia had no choice but to get up and leave.

Mrs. Xing immediately showed a gloating look.

Seeing this, Grandmother Jia sighed silently, then waved her hand and said, "You all go back. I want to talk to Miss Lin."

Everyone retreated in response.

Grandmother Jia sighed: "Your two aunts, ah, no more talk, is there any news from your father?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head.

Grandmother Jia forced a smile on her face: "Don't worry. With Tiger Brother here, we will soon be able to pacify the White Lotus Rebellion. With this achievement, your father's official position and title will be promoted by the time you get married next year."

Lin Daiyu was embarrassed: "Grandmother"

Grandmother Jia smiled and said: "According to the time, we should be not far from Jinan City."

Grandmother Jia guessed correctly. Li Hu was not far from Jinan City, but not in the north of Jinan, but in the south.

Li Hu did not go to Jinan, but led the Hetao cavalry directly to Yanzhou Prefecture.

Although he really wanted to let the White Lotus rebels destroy the Yansheng Mansion, he could not do so. The impact of this matter was too great. Not to mention the impact on the imperial court, Lin Ruhai, the governor of Shandong, would be the first to suffer. For both public and private reasons, he had to rescue Qufu.

In a blink of an eye, almost two years passed, and Li Hu led his troops to Zou County again.

Seeing the imperial reinforcements coming, the new magistrate of Zou County finally felt relieved and personally led people to deliver food and supplies.

Li Hu leaned against a big tree, eating a meat pie while looking at the official road leading to Qufu.

The big white horse lay quietly beside him.

Li Hu had already learned about the situation in Qufu from the magistrate of Zou County. The White Lotus rebels came from the neighboring Yizhou Prefecture. They first broke through the Si River east of Qufu and surrounded Qufu last night. The prefect of Yanzhou had already transferred patrol battalions from the prefectural city to defend Qufu.

At this time, a scout came riding up to Li Hu, pulled the reins, jumped off his horse, and shouted, "General, the White Lotus rebels are attacking the city!"

Li Hu stood up: "Attack!" (End of this chapter)