Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 169 One Lamp, Two People
The room was filled with the familiar fragrance again, which naturally relaxed Yue Ling's mood.

After tucking in the quilt for Lin Daiyu, Yue Ling sat beside her and looked at her twisted little face, which he suddenly found funny.

"Okay, thank you Sister Lin for your understanding."

Lin Daiyu turned her head to look at Yue Ling, moved her throat, but no words came out, and turned her head back.

Seeing that she still looked troubled, Yue Ling gently patted the quilt and coaxed her, "Sister Lin, if you have anything on your mind, just come and tell me. Is there anything we can't talk about?"

Hearing this, Lin Daiyu bit her lip lightly, and slowly lowered her arms that were wrapped around her body. When she looked at Yue Ling again, she opened her cherry lips and asked softly, "The girl from the Xue family can do something for Brother Yue. I also want to do something for Brother Yue."

"So, this little girl mustered up the courage to come here and sit with me?"

Thinking of this, Yue Ling couldn't help but laugh and said, "Is it because I worked in the mansion for so long that I'm not used to going out?"

For a girl as sensitive as Lin Daiyu, empty words of comfort would not be enough to stop her from having wild thoughts.

Yue Ling pondered for a moment, then thought of something and said, "However, I do have something I want to trouble Sister Lin with right now."

Lin Daiyu raised her eyebrows and said happily, "Really? What is it? If I can do it, I will definitely help Brother Yue."

Yue Ling withdrew his hand and said thoughtfully: "Sister Lin has come to Cangzhou City. Has she not sent a letter home yet?"

Lin Daiyu didn't know why Yue Ling brought up this matter, so she casually replied, "Indeed, I haven't written it yet, but I was originally planning to find some souvenirs in the city and send them together with Sister Ke'er and the others, so I was delayed."

Yue Ling said awkwardly: "It's not my home in the capital, it's Yangzhou Prefecture."

After hearing Yue Ling talk about Yangzhou Prefecture, Lin Daiyu seemed to have regained her sanity and intelligence. She rubbed her slightly red cheeks and said with all her might, "Yangzhou Prefecture, I haven't written it yet. Brother Yue, do you want me to help you send a message to Dad?"

Yue Ling nodded, not hiding anything, and said frankly: "Sister Lin has seen how poor Cangzhou City is. To make Cangzhou City rich and to make the people well fed and clothed, the first and most beneficial thing is to develop the salt industry. I have already submitted a memorial to His Majesty, and it should be no problem to get His Majesty's approval, but we are still short of talents in this area, and I am thinking of borrowing some people from Lord Lin to do official business."

Lin Daiyu had also seen the sufferings of the people in the city. Thinking of those little girls who were half-naked, Lin Daiyu's eyes couldn't help but turn red.

"Since Brother Yue has a solution, I will naturally ask for help. However, I don't know if Dad will help with this official matter."

Yue Ling thought, "Why wouldn't he help? Even if it's just a matter of public affairs, I will transfer officials to assist. Lin Ruhai has been working in Lianghuai for more than ten years. He has squeezed enough people familiar with the salt industry, and now he is suffering from a lack of ways to move up."

"When Cangzhou really develops its salt industry, Your Majesty will set up a salt transport envoy and government offices at all levels in Cangzhou. Isn't this a good job?"

"With Sister Lin's message, can Lin Ruhai still refuse this favor? For both public and private reasons, he will definitely not refuse."

Yue Ling had calculated Lin Ruhai's situation perfectly, and he was very wise.

At this moment, Yue Ling still praised Lin Daiyu's role and coaxed her, "If I ask for it, Lord Lin will probably not allow it. But if Sister Lin tells you, Lord Lin will help you even for the sake of face."

Lin Daiyu thought about it, curled her lips, and said, "Okay, then I'll give it a try."

As she spoke, Lin Daiyu lifted the quilt and went downstairs to write a letter.

Yue Ling said hurriedly: "No hurry, Sister Lin can just write it and send it to you tomorrow."

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "No, no, Brother Yue has to go out on business tomorrow, and I can't handle it by myself. I'd better write it here and send it to Brother Yue tomorrow after he has read it."

Yue Ling nodded, "That makes sense. I'll go get some writing materials."

The two sat on the same bench again, Yue Ling was grinding ink while Lin Daiyu was thinking about how to start writing.

After Yue Ling put down the inkstone, Lin Daiyu dipped some ink in it, pressed the paperweight, and slowly wrote: "Dear father: I followed General Yue from the capital to Cangzhou on May 10th. I am writing to ask about your health. I am in good health and everything is going well. I only wish you good health and smooth official business. General Yue also has something to say to you..."

Lin Daiyu stopped writing, looked at Yue Ling, and asked, "Where should I start writing next?"

Yue Ling twitched his lips, "Sister Lin, are these two sentences enough for your letter to Lord Lin?"

Lin Daiyu looked at the letter she had written again, read it through, and felt that there was nothing wrong with it. "Is there anything wrong with this?"

Yue Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "That's not the case. Sister Lin, continue writing. Start with the current situation of Cangzhou City, and then go on to the part where sea salt can be made. I'll let you write this part."

Lin Daiyu nodded, "Okay."

Seeing that Lin Daiyu's milky white pajamas were a little thin, Yue Ling stood up again, pulled a blanket from the cabinet beside him, and draped it over Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu tilted her head to look at Yue Ling who was sitting over there, and then she divided the blanket in half and gave it to Yue Ling who was also wearing pajamas.

Under the lampstand, the two sat together, shoulder to shoulder, drafting a letter together.

Because of the blanket, the two were very close to each other. Apart from the sound of the burning candles, Yue Ling could even hear Lin Daiyu's soft breathing.

"…Although there is salt industry in Cangzhou, the scale is still small and the skills are not perfect. I implore Lord Lin to select talented people to help me with the salt industry. I will treat them as treasures and treat them with courtesy and kindness. This move is for the prosperity of Cangzhou and the welfare of the people. Now the situation is urgent, so I take the liberty to make a petition…"

"Brother Yue is doing this for the people. Why should you be so presumptuous? Daddy is a man who understands the overall situation. At most, he will consider whether it complies with the regulations."

Yue Ling smiled awkwardly and said, "When writing a letter, one must be polite."

Lin Daiyu frowned, feeling that there were too many words and it was a bit long-winded.

After changing all the pronouns and rewriting it in his own tone, Lin Daiyu nodded slightly, thinking it was good.

Blowing gently on the ink, Lin Daiyu felt relieved. "She can use the Xue family's business to help Brother Yue with disaster relief. I can also ask my father to help Brother Yue develop the salt industry. This is a tie."

Yue Ling didn't see through Lin Daiyu's little thoughts. He just looked at the words on the letter, slightly distracted.

"The handwriting is elegant and floating like clouds. It is really much better than before. I think now that the title of Marquis Anjing has been confirmed, it is time to change the plaque at the door. After returning to the capital, let Sister Lin write it."

Lin Daiyu carefully folded the letter paper. Her white fingers became more red as she pressed, making them look even pinker. Perhaps she pressed too hard, and after she folded it, she rubbed her fingers, which were really cute.

When Lin Daiyu turned her head to look at Yue Ling again, she realized that they were so close to each other. It seemed that if she turned her head, her lips would touch his cheek. She was so focused on the letter that she had not noticed it.

When she thought about the kiss she had secretly given him that night, her cheeks felt like they were burning.

"Did I take some bad medicine? How dare I do something so inappropriate?"

With a thousand thoughts in her mind, when Yue Ling looked at her, Lin Daiyu lowered her head shyly.

Seeing that even the roots of Lin Daiyu's ears had turned pink, Yue Ling asked again: "Is Sister Lin feeling unwell?"

"Although the room is not cold, this dress is still a little thin for Sister Lin." Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "I'm fine."

Mustering up the courage to look at Yue Ling, Lin Daiyu asked, "Does this count as helping Brother Yue?"

Yue Ling gently rubbed Lin Daiyu's head and said with a smile: "It's more than just helping, it's a great help."

The atmosphere between the two was just right, and Xueyan knocked on the door outside, "Miss, I've packed everything, come back to sleep?"

Lin Daiyu lowered her head again and whispered to Yue Ling, "Brother Yue, I will go back first and come to see you tomorrow."

"Come tomorrow too? Xueyan will clean the house tomorrow?"

Lin Daiyu's cheeks turned even redder. She gently pushed Yue Ling and said softly, "Brother Yue, you have bad intentions."

Yue Ling nodded and said with a smile: "Go ahead, it's getting late."

There was no response from the room. Xueyan was about to knock on the door again, but Zijuan, who came quickly, grabbed her arm.

"Sister Zijuan? What's wrong?"

Zijuan didn't know how to explain, so she thought carefully and said, "The girl knows her limits and knows when to come back. It's not a good thing for you to keep urging her. I'm afraid it will disturb their conversation."

As the two little girls were talking, Lin Daiyu opened the door and walked out of the room holding a square pillow.

Looking at Xueyan, Lin Daiyu said, "She is quite agile now."

Xueyan took Lin Daiyu's arm and said angrily, "Miss, I was wrong. I won't say anything more in the future."

Having helped Yue Ling, Lin Daiyu was in a good mood and no longer had her previous worries. She tapped Xueyan's forehead and forgave her.

"Okay, let's go to bed together."

Glancing at Zijuan again, Lin Daiyu frowned and reminded him, "Brother Yue has been very tired lately."

Zijuan blushed and lowered her head and replied, "Yes, yes, I understand."

Afterwards, Lin Daiyu took Xueyan away, and Zijuan pushed the door and walked in.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Yue Ling standing beside the bed, pulling at the wrinkled quilt. Zijuan closed the door, walked up to him and asked, "Master, let me do it."

Yue Ling clapped his hands and said, "No need, it's just a small matter."

Sitting beside the couch, Yue Ling glanced at Zijuan who was still standing there, and couldn't help but asked with a smile: "Why don't you go to sleep? Do you want to sleep with me?"

Zijuan covered her chest and took a step back. "No, no, I was waiting to see if the master had any other errands. Since the master is fine, I'll go inside and sleep."

After saying that, Zijuan fled in panic.

Seeing that the little girl who had just teased him ran away in shame, Yue Ling shook his head and smiled, then went back to the tent to rest.

The brocade quilt still carried the scent of Lin Daiyu. Yue Ling slowly closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

……

The moon and stars are scarce,

The cold wind swept through the desolate streets of Cangzhou City, causing the homeless refugees to huddle together.

Three or five ragged beggars leaned against a white wall and fell asleep in each other's arms.

The mansion across the wall belongs to the Huang family, the richest family in the city. At this moment, the lights are on in the back hall of the Huang family, and the scene is full of decadence and extravagance.

The sufferings of the people in the city had nothing to do with them, and the rich businessmen's drinking and having fun were not affected at all.

The hall was decorated with extreme luxury. The sandalwood tables and chairs gave off a faint fragrance. The table was filled with delicacies. The glass cups in everyone's hands were filled with rich wine, which reflected amber light under the lampstand.

The roasted venison on the plate was tender and tasty, and the exquisite desserts were made into various flower shapes. Beside each pot-bellied man, there were several beautiful concubines in silk and gauze clothes serving him. Their hands were not honestly placed in the arms of these concubines, playing with them at will for fun.

The hall was filled with lascivious music and dancers swayed their skirts to the tune.

After the song ended, Huang Wenhua, the head of the Huang family on the stage clapped his hands, the dancers dispersed, and he started discussing the matter with the people below the stage.

"Everyone, have you received the ultimatum from the imperial envoy?"

There was a burst of laughter from the audience, and everyone said they had received it.

Huang Wenhua also laughed, "This imperial envoy is quite famous. He is Yue Ling, the most popular commander in the capital. He may be good at fighting, but he is too immature in dealing with people. In this city, who gets enough food and who gets warm clothes is just a matter of a word from us."

"If we cooperate, he can achieve some political achievements, which is good for both of us. But he doesn't know what's good for us, and we don't want to curry favor with him."

As soon as Huang Wenhua spoke, someone immediately echoed him.

"Ninety percent of the city's commercial goods are in our hands. We would rather hold them and not sell them than give them to Yue Ling to help the people. What can he do? Can he perform magic tricks and make food appear out of thin air?"

The crowd burst into laughter again.

There were also some who were worried about the direction of the situation. "Master Huang, I heard that Yue Ling acted swiftly and decisively and had already arrested the prefect and the magistrate. The magistrate, Lord Ji, has close ties with us. What if he gives us away?"

Huang Wenhua took a sip of wine and said frankly, "We just had some financial dealings with him. Can we punish him with death or confiscate his property? Those evil things he did have nothing to do with us."

"I plan to go with everyone tomorrow to test Yue Ling's attitude. It's not that we can't give him a way out. We can gather 3,000 kilograms of food to help him through the difficult times. But if he pushes his luck, we have to teach him that we are not easy to control!"

"As far as I know, the court has long been dissatisfied with Yue Ling's appointment. I have written another letter and sent it to the capital to the important figures in the court. Soon, Yue Ling will be impeached in the court. If Your Majesty considers the stability of the court, he will definitely let Yue Ling return to the capital."

"As long as we stand united, Yue Ling can't do anything to us!"

Someone immediately echoed, "That's right! The connections we have accumulated over the years are not to be trifled with!"

The compliments continued, and after a while, the sound of stringed instruments began to play again in the hall...

　The National Day holiday is here. I wish you all a happy holiday and all the best.

　　Friends who have travel plans, please pay attention to safety~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)