Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 328 Brother Yue, this is the only time, it won’t happen again!

Winter month twenty-second,
Early in the morning, Canglang Garden opened its gates and horse-drawn carriages drove out, heading straight for the outskirts of Suzhou city.

As a family of marquises with four generations of nobility, the Lin family’s ancestral temple was of course located in a Feng Shui treasured site at the foot of Xuanmu Mountain.

After walking for two hours, the weather had just warmed up a bit, and the group finally arrived at the Lin family's ancestral tomb.

Yue Ling got off the carriage first, raised the curtain of the sedan chair, took Lin Daiyu and stepped onto the footstool, then walked down steadily.

Lin Daiyu, wearing a plain white crane cloak, a plain white cotton coat with floating floral patterns underneath, and a simple bun, was not wearing any makeup. It was the first time for her to visit the Lin family's ancestral home.

Stopping to look around, there is no greenery between the mountains and forests, only bare dead branches. Jackdaws are standing on the branches and crying, which adds a sense of desolation to the trip.

The stream that runs across the road has also frozen into ice due to the cold weather, and is flashing with broken light under the warm sun.

After crossing a suspension bridge and coming to the bluestone road, you will see two stone lions on the left and right guarding the gate of the ancestral land.

The stone lions are majestic and magnificent, and are not inferior to the ones in front of Rongguo Mansion.

The Lin family's gravekeeper, who had been arranged earlier, was now waiting in the sacrificial hall, leading Lin Daiyu and her group to pay their respects.

Lin Daiyu was so sad at what she saw that tears started to well up in her eyes before she even saw her mother's tombstone.

She raised her head and glanced at Yue Ling beside her, and saw that he was also looking at her with a gentle gaze that revealed a little bit of heartache.

At that moment, Lin Daiyu felt Yue Ling gently holding her hand. The warm temperature coming over made Lin Daiyu feel at ease for some reason, and she slowly raised her head again.

"You two, please come this way."

The gravekeeper pushed open the door of a room. On the table in front of the hall filled with offerings, there was also a very simple green-glazed incense burner.

Lin Daiyu broke away from Yue Ling's hand, walked forward alone, lit the three incense sticks on the table, bowed three times towards the tablets of her ancestors, and finally inserted them into the incense burner.

The gravekeeper, who was over fifty years old, nodded slightly. He was impressed by Lin Daiyu's noble demeanor, but he couldn't help but feel sorry that the most proud branch of the Lin family had no heir. He couldn't help but worry about the rise and fall of the clan.

"The cemetery is over here, follow me."

After passing the sacrificial hall, they arrived at the Lin family cemetery. Yue Ling and others followed them in and went straight to their mother's grave.

The stone tablet is engraved with the tomb of Jia Shi, the wife of Lin Gong, who was granted the title of Tongyi Dafu by Huangchang Edict.

Lin Daiyu's steps became heavier. After the gravekeeper left, Nanny Wang and the maids came forward and began to set up the incense altar and offerings. Miaoyu brought the Buddhist shrine and scriptures and began to sit cross-legged and pray.

Yue Ling stayed by Lin Daiyu's side, holding a wreath, saying nothing, just waiting quietly for her to calm down.

Lin Daiyu was born intelligent and could remember things at an early age. Before she was six years old, she grew up under the care of her mother.

When her mother passed away, she was the most grief-stricken one. She cried until she fainted in her room many times, and her weak condition became worse.

Many years later, when she came here to see her mother again, Lin Daiyu recalled herself who had been so sad and helpless in the room, and her mother's cold body lying on the sick bed.

Lin Daiyu couldn't help shedding two tears, Yue Ling gently stroked her back.

Lin Daiyu walked forward again, wiped her tears with her sleeves, and knelt down at the foot of the altar.

"Mother, Yu'er is here to see you..."

Yue Ling also walked forward a few steps and placed the wreath in front of the tombstone.

Lin Daiyu originally couldn't bear to watch Yue Ling breaking branches to make a wreath for his mother, but she knew that it was Yue Ling's sincere heart, and he made it with his own hands, which was enough to prove how much he valued her, so she didn't say anything to stop him.

Yue Ling seemed to have seen through her inner thoughts, and he told her: "Whether it's the flower branches or anything else, you have to pinch off the top part, so that the whole cherry tree can grow better."

"Because the flower at the top will most greedily suck up all the sunlight and absorb the most nutrients, the flowers around it will not be able to bloom."

"..."

Yue Ling explained many principles of planting flowers, and Lin Daiyu finally put down the last bit of burden in her heart.

At this moment, after presenting the wreath, Yue Ling knelt beside her.

This action not only shocked the people around, but also made Miaoyu, who was chanting with her eyes closed, look at her with her eyes half open.

Nanny Wang was so excited that she wanted to go forward and pull Yue Ling up, but because of her status, she dared not move an inch. She could only think secretly in her heart: "An Jinghou is such a big shot. He has already reached the rank of Second Grade. When he returns to Beijing, who knows how rich he will be. He is willing to condescend to accompany Lin Daiyu to pay homage to her mother, and even perform the etiquette of a junior. What else can I ask for?"

"The master asked me to interfere with them, but how can this be an interference? Isn't it just adding to the chaos? The love between the two is stronger than gold, and there is no other good marriage like this in the world."

Lin Daiyu also looked around with a little surprise. She paused the words she was silently reciting and stared at Yue Ling with wide eyes.

Yue Ling still had a warm smile on his face and just nodded towards Lin Daiyu.

Suddenly, as if ice and snow were melting, her heart felt warm. Lin Daiyu clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and continued to speak softly to her mother, conveying her feelings.

"Since my mother passed away, I always remember every night she stayed by my side, and every lesson she taught me. When I lost you, I was heartbroken and couldn't eat for a long time. I didn't know what the future would be like."

"Fortunately, Yu'er has found a good man. He is now kneeling in front of mother. Can mother see it?"

Lin Daiyu secretly glanced at Yue Ling and saw that he also had his eyes closed and his hands clasped together. Then she quickly came to her senses and continued to mutter.

"His surname is Yue, his given name is Ling, and he is a second-rank official, the Governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. He is two levels higher than my father, but he is only 22 years old."

"He is a great hero who once defended the capital and wiped out the Japanese pirates. Nowadays, his achievements are widely spread among the people. If mother knew about this, she would be very happy too."

"Yu'er hopes that her mother will live well over there. Because of his careful care, Yu'er is living well. Now her body is no longer weak and she doesn't need to take medicine like eating. Her mother doesn't need to worry about her anymore."

"Yu'er is lucky to be sent to him. This is the most correct thing Daddy has done. Speaking of Daddy, I hope that mother in heaven can bless Daddy to be safe and healthy."

Lin Daiyu rubbed her burning eyes and said most of her inner thoughts. She felt relieved. She sighed and said, "But I am not without worries. I don't know why my father, who originally sent me to the capital, is now against us. What do you think of this, mother?"

"I really love him and I will never marry anyone else. Will mother support me?"

Lin Daiyu's heart darkened, "If only mother could really give me an answer."

At this moment, a colorful butterfly flew out from behind the tomb, flapped its wings a few times, and then landed on the wreath in front of the tomb, as if collecting nectar.

Seeing this amazing sight, Zijuan couldn't help but exclaim, "Butterflies? This is Dongyue!"

Lin Daiyu couldn't help but open her eyes when she heard the sound, but saw the butterfly dancing again, as if it was not afraid of people, flying straight towards Lin Daiyu, and finally landing on her shoulder.

Lin Daiyu did not turn her head to look, for fear that if she made any unnecessary movement it would be startled and fly away.

In this situation, the butterfly is more like the incarnation of the mother, embodying thousands of emotions.

But Lin Daiyu only felt her cheeks being scratched a few times, and soon the butterfly flew back the same way and disappeared. This little episode frightened everyone.

After Lin Daiyu was shocked, her heart felt sweet as if she had drunk sweet spring water. "Is this mother's answer? Yu'er understands. Thank you mother, I hope everything goes well for you."

The sacrificial ceremony lasted for an hour, with chanting sutras, burning gold ingots, and sacrificial ceremonies. Everything went smoothly after that, and the group set out on their return journey.

After leaving the Lin family's ancestral land, Lin Daiyu's heavy heart finally became a little lighter. When Yue Ling held her hand again, she was able to smile calmly.

This was the husband chosen for her by her mother, not just one she chose herself.

While Yue Ling was holding her hand, she also squeezed back hard and held Yue Ling's hand.

This small gesture surprised Yue Ling a little. He looked down at the two people holding hands, and the smile on his face became even more intense.

Lin Daiyu blinked and asked, "Brother Yue, what did you say in front of my mother's grave just now?"

Yue Ling looked at Lin Daiyu's childish face and turned his head away embarrassedly. "Nothing, I'll tell you when I have a chance."

Lin Daiyu frowned slightly, "Ah? Why is this happening?"

Yue Ling asked back, "Then what did you say?"

Lin Daiyu's face turned pink and she shyly turned her head away, "Nothing..."

The atmosphere between the two was ambiguous. When they were about to get on the carriage together, Nanny Wang hesitated again and again, and stepped forward and said, "Miss, Lord, since the sacrifice is over, I will return to Yangzhou first. It is not appropriate to stay here for a long time and disturb you."

Lin Daiyu was about to send her back, but before she could say anything, she unexpectedly brought it up herself.

Lin Daiyu suppressed her smile and said with a little regret: "Brother Yue originally said that he would take us to visit Taihu Lake after he was done with his work. Now that Mammy has left, we can't go with him."

When she heard that the two were going out, Nanny Wang didn't want to follow them even more.

"The New Year is coming soon. I am also the old maid in the mansion. I have to go back to take care of some things. I won't stay here to play with the young lady. The young lady and the aunt... If the Marquis is having fun, then this old servant will be happy too."

Lin Daiyu looked at Yue Ling, glanced at him, then turned back and nodded, "Well, it's almost the New Year, Brother Yue said he wanted to send some gifts to Dad, and Mammy happened to bring some back with him."

Nanny Wang nodded in agreement, bowed to Yue Ling, and then said goodbye and left.

Yue Ling and Lin Daiyu took a car together again and returned to Canglang Garden in the city.

Along the way, the two held hands tightly. Lin Daiyu gently leaned on Yue Ling's shoulder and slowly closed her eyes...

……

Canglang Garden,
When the carriage drove back, Jia Yun stood by the road and reported, "My Lord, a letter has been sent back from the capital."

Yue Ling raised the curtain of the sedan chair and said, "Okay."

Inside the carriage, Lin Daiyu rubbed her eyes and stood up, saying in a whimpering voice, "Brother Yue, are you going to do some work?"

Yue Ling nodded: "Yes, with His Majesty's approval, things can move forward."

Lin Daiyu nodded, "Brother Yue, go and do your work. I'll wait for you at home."

There was a wave of warmth in Yue Ling's eyes, but that made Lin Daiyu feel as if she was being burned. She shook her hands gently, but she couldn't break free easily.

Yue Ling always felt that after going through all this, their relationship would be a natural progression, and if he let Lin Daiyu leave easily at this moment, he was afraid that it would take an unknown amount of time for the relationship to develop to this point again.

Lin Daiyu also more or less understood Yue Ling's thoughts, so she had to turn her head again, with a red face of embarrassment, and forced herself to look at Yue Ling.

"Just this once, don't do it again. Brother Yue is busy with work."

Lin Daiyu stood up slightly, put her head close to Yue Ling's shoulder, put her arms around him, and hugged him tightly in her arms.

After hugging for a while, Lin Daiyu's heart seemed to be healed, but suddenly she felt as if there was something foreign under her body.

Lin Daiyu, who had been influenced by the many vixen in the room, was no longer the pure and innocent girl she used to be. She hurriedly got up and broke free from the embrace, shy and speechless, and hurriedly ran off the carriage.

"Hey, be careful, don't trip."

When the words were spoken, Lin Daiyu had already jumped off the frame lightly, quickly turned behind the screen, and disappeared. She was as agile as a rabbit and very nimble.

Yue Ling lowered his head and looked down, feeling helpless.

Outside the car window, there were a few suppressed laughs. Yue Ling frowned and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

When Jia Yun saw Lin Daiyu's fleeing appearance, he guessed that the two men and women must have done something bad in the carriage, which led to the embarrassment of the girl.

"It turns out that the master is not omniscient and omnipotent. He is not able to handle situations calmly. When facing the little girl, he is actually very anxious."

He thought so in his heart, but he didn't dare to point out Yue Ling's embarrassing things in front of him, so he could only say: "Nothing, I just thought of something happy."

Yue Ling twitched his lips and said, "Let me see the letter first."

Jia Yun took it out from his sleeve and presented it.

Yue Ling quickly read through it, a smile gradually appearing on his face, "Your Majesty's trust leaves me with nothing to be desired."

"Let's go, it's time to go to the government office to meet them."

"As ordered."

……

noon,

The yamen runners of Suzhou government were beating gongs all over the street, announcing that Marquis An Jing was personally holding a meeting with wealthy businessmen from all sides.

As soon as the news came out, it caused an uproar.

You should know that before, Marquis An Jing made all kinds of excuses and refused to see anyone.

This led to many wealthy people from Jiangsu and Zhejiang staying in Suzhou. Even in Suzhou, a place with such developed business, it was difficult to find an inn.

The news that Marquis An Jing was going to meet with everyone really made them feel relieved. After all, only when they met the people would there be room for discussion.

But when they actually met Marquis Anjing, they became even more uneasy...

(End of this chapter)