Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 31 Lotus Lantern

After picking one with Zijuan and Xueyan, Yue Ling put Lin Daiyu down and asked in surprise, "Sister Lin knows a lot about needlework."

Yue Ling still thought that Lin Daiyu was the daughter of a marquis who had never done housework and should not be good at needlework. Moreover, she had been in poor health since childhood, so the Lin family would not let her do any work.

Lin Daiyu was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses and forced a smile on her face, "I know a little bit. My mother told me about it when I was at home."

Lin Daiyu was born in Suzhou and grew up in Yangzhou, so it was normal for her to have some knowledge of southern silk weaving. Yue Ling did not think much about it and continued to stroll forward with the other three.

Lin Daiyu put the sachet into the small pocket of her outer coat, patted her chest lightly, and let out a breath.

It was really not easy for her to lie, and she felt her face was burning.

She raised her hand and casually grabbed the corner of Yue Ling's clothes, but she didn't catch it and instead grabbed a finger. Lin Daiyu was about to let go when a convoy came from the front and pushed Yue Ling and the other four to the side.

"Hurry up, there are too many people."

"Oh."

Lin Daiyu's small hand tightly grasped Yue Ling's index finger, and the two of them walked side by side in the night market, looking around, and bought a lot of small things.

However, when she encountered a stall that was taller than her, Lin Daiyu suppressed her curiosity and stopped looking up.

Children's interest often only lasts for a few minutes. Before they finish walking through the streets, the little girls start to feel tired.

Yue Ling found a driver and the four of them rode out of the city together.

The girls were not very interested in the dragon boat race at noon, but what they were looking forward to was the fireworks show on the riverside at night.

The three women took a rest and nap inside, while Yue Ling sat outside and drove the carriage with the driver.

After looking around, Yue Ling started talking to the driver, "Why are there so many people heading to the city at this hour?"

The driver flicked his whip and continued Yue Ling's words enthusiastically, "There have been a few rounds of dragon boat races at noon, and the wealthy families have sent their tables and all kinds of things back to the city. The rest are ordinary people. They don't have servants like other people, so they have to go back to make fire and cook. They can just watch the fireworks in their own yards, but they can't compare to the wealth of your family."

"Oh? Was the dragon boat race exciting?"

The driver laughed cheerfully, "Of course, we are just here to watch the fun. The competition between Prince Zhong's Mansion and Duke Shanguo's Mansion is really fierce. At the last moment, the winner is decided by grabbing the flag. On the dragon boat, they grab the oars and start fighting."

"I heard that both families spent a lot of money to raise this group of warriors, just to fight for this face. They have broad shoulders like tigers, and they paddle so fast that other families can't even see their tails. If the Kangwang Mansion and the Qinwang Mansion are willing to come down and have fun with the people, they can just come to the Tonghui River to compete. Whoever wins will become the emperor, hahaha."

Yue Ling also laughed along with the boatman.

If the outcome of the fight for the throne could be decided in this way, it wouldn't be a waste of money and effort.

"Isn't the backbone of the four princes and eight dukes the Jia family in the capital, which has two dukes in one family? Why is it that the Shanguo Mansion is the one to challenge this time? How are the Rong and Ning Mansions doing?"

"Eh? Sir, now that you mentioned that, I just remembered what was missing from this dragon boat race. In previous years, the Jia family always won the top few places, but this year, I don't think we did."

……

river bank,
Yue Ling chose a sparsely populated beach and spread out a mattress, placing food boxes on the table. The boxes were filled with candied fruits that the girls had made before going out and snacks that they had just bought at the night market.

In a trance, it felt like a picnic in a previous life.

The girls all sat down, selected food that suited their appetite, and enjoyed it together.

Lin Daiyu looked out over the river. A cool breeze blew over the river bank, blowing her temples apart and fluttering in the wind. She gently stroked her hair to her ears, hugged her knees, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and felt the outside world.

She had been a sickly child since she was little, and had never been out for fun like she was today. Lin Daiyu was very excited, but the more she got to this point, the calmer her face became.

She read about many scenes in poems, but she could not appreciate the beauty of the scene. It was because she had never seen it and did not have a strong imagination. Therefore, she longed for the outside world even more.

She originally thought that she was not destined to this and was doomed to be isolated from the world, but she never expected that Yue Ling would help her realize her wish and break into her world.

Lin Daiyu felt the sound of the wind, the gurgling river, and everything around her, breathing slowly, feeling relaxed and happy.

"Won't you eat something?"

Yue Ling's voice rang in her ears, and Lin Daiyu slowly opened her eyes.

"If you don't eat it, she will eat it all."

Following the direction of Yue Ling's finger, they saw Xueyan eating voraciously and accidentally choked. It was Zijuan who patted her on the back and handed her a bottle of water.

Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I have no appetite, let her eat."

Yue Ling nodded, "Okay, it would be better to go back and have some hot food."

Although there are no pre-prepared meals, additives, or gutter oil in this world, Yue Ling is still a little worried that eating food from outside will make Lin Daiyu, who has a weak spleen and stomach, sick.

Lin Daiyu's body is so fragile that she shouldn't take this risk.

"Then put this one on."

At some point, Yue Ling took a lantern in his hand. It had light pink petals, a green receptacle, and a candle in the center. It looked very beautiful even when it was not lit.

Lighting lotus lanterns during the Dragon Boat Festival is a way to mourn deceased relatives and express one's longing for one's homeland.

The Tonghui River also flows from north to south, which is perfect for Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu was very pleased with Yue Ling's thoughtfulness. She patted her butt, stood up and walked to Yue Ling, put the lotus lantern in her arms, with a smile on her face.

"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Yue!"

The two came to the river together, Yue Ling blew up the fire stick and handed it to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu, who had never had such an experience, felt it was very fresh. She carefully lit the candle in the center, and the petals gradually opened, just like a real lotus in full bloom.

Placed near shallow water, the lotus lanterns gradually float to the center area with the flow of the river, and then float to the south.

Lin Daiyu stood on the shore, staring at the lanterns intently, as if she could really connect with her mother in heaven. Lin Daiyu's heart ached and she shed two more tears.

"Mom, I'm living a good life now. Are you living well over there? Daddy is working hard every day. I hope Mom in heaven will bless Daddy and keep him healthy..."

Lin Daiyu wiped away her tears gently and looked at Yue Ling with a guilty look on her face, "I know crying is bad for your health, but I can't help it now."

Yue Ling could naturally guess what she was thinking. He squatted beside Lin Daiyu, rubbed her head, and looked south with her. "It's okay. I'll give you a special permission today. But remember to go back to your room and eat more to replenish your nutrition."

(End of this chapter)