Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 417 Lin Daiyu sets up family rules again

Seeing that Yue Ling spoke in a serious manner and was obviously serious, Xue Baochai was stunned and stared at Yue Ling without blinking.

Yue Ling raised his head and met the lost eyes. He asked in confusion, "Miss Xue, do you have any other opinions? Why not just say it to her face?"

Xue Baochai suddenly came to her senses and looked at Qingwen in the room. She had already started cutting clothes. Since they were not alone, she didn't know what to say. She could only say, "No, no, please go on, my lord. I'm listening."

Yue Ling nodded slightly, and then said: "At first, I wanted to do this business through the government to make it accessible to the general public, so that it could enter the homes of ordinary people and benefit thousands of households. However, according to your majesty's opinion, it would be better to make a fortune from the wealthy families in the capital first."

"Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. After all, this is not a trickle, and it can be a long-term business."

"In this case, the sales channels that your Xue family has established before will become particularly important in the sales process."

Seeing Xue Baochai still standing in front of him with some restraint, Yue Ling could not help but comfort her: "I remember when I first met Miss Xue, she argued with me with a calm and confident manner. How come she is so at a loss now? Sit down first and let me explain it to you slowly."

Xue Baochai felt like a thorn in her back and a lump in her throat. After hearing Yue Ling's words, she did not dare to relax. After bowing, she lowered her head and whispered, "Nothing. The weather has been a bit hot recently. It's cooler to stand here near the door. Lord, just tell me what you want me to do. I will do my best to help you."

Xue Baochai suddenly became stubborn, and Yue Ling could not force her, so he could only go along with her and said, "Well, if that's the case, I'll keep it short."

"I had suggested to the Xue family to launch a membership system based on Changlu Salt before. Later, the membership tickets of Feng brand were hard to come by. Even in the capital, it was hard to buy one even if the price was raised to a thousand gold coins."

“I wonder if Fengzihao is still operating this business after all these years?”

Talking about the effectiveness of this event, it can be said that it was a breakthrough success for Feng brand in the capital, which truly made Feng brand take root in the capital, and also made Xue Baochai gain enough face in front of the wives of nobles and officials. Many people came to her family for help because of this matter.

How could the imperial merchant who was in decline in the past have the style of today? Xue Baochai couldn't help but smile and said, "It's all thanks to the advice of the Marquis. This is the foundation for Fengzihao to enter the capital, and we dare not waste it. Later, although the number of members of Fengzihao was doubled, it is still in short supply."

"Of course, in order to serve these members well, Fengzihao has spared no expense in giving them preferential treatment. In addition to the 20% discount for purchasing at Fengzihao stores, the Changlu refined salt is given priority every month, and gifts are given to members at their homes during festivals."

"Whenever a member's family needs something, we will send someone to solve it as soon as possible. This has also led to members' great trust and reliance on Fengzihao."

"I heard that a few days ago, my mother took the lead in hosting a tea party in a restaurant, which was very popular among them."

"The women of each family have no fun in the mansion. It is not easy for them to have a private place outside to have fun with their friends..."

Hearing Xue Baochai's words, Yue Ling couldn't help but praise her: "Good, very good, it's worthy of your achievement."

Xue Baochai said modestly, "It was the Marquis's original proposal that was good enough, and he was able to bring out such a rare item as Changlu Salt to attract people. I dare not take credit for it."

Yue Ling shook his head and denied it, "That's not the case. It's not difficult to have an idea, but it's difficult to implement it. Just like this new law, it's not difficult to conceive of it, but it's difficult to implement it."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai raised her eyebrows slightly, and seeing that Yue Ling seemed to be in trouble and looked a little disappointed, she couldn't help feeling distressed.

"Don't worry, Lord Hou. As long as you have instructions, the Xue family will spare no effort to do it."

Just as he was thinking this, Yue Ling changed the subject and said, "So, I am planning to take advantage of this opportunity and ask you to promote this to the members of the Xue family first. This thing is private, so first promote it in a private place so that everyone can accept it. Then, with the status and reputation of these women, this trend will surely be more effective in sales."

"Miss Xue, what do you think?"

Xue Baochai was slightly startled. "My Lord, do you want me to hold a tea party in the name of Feng brand to promote this product to these ladies?"

Xue Baochai looked at Yue Ling in disbelief and couldn't help but raise her hand to point at herself.

Although she had just made up her mind to help Yue Ling, she didn't intend to help to this extent and involve herself.

She is still a young lady, not even married yet. How could she have the nerve to tell other ladies about the wonderful uses of bellybands to seduce men?

Isn't it inappropriate even in the most private occasions?

"Why, why not?"

"This……"

Xue Baochai couldn't help but look up in Qingwen's direction again, not knowing whether she could hear the conversation outside clearly.

Seeing Xue Baochai's face slowly turning red, Yue Ling understood a little and said, "We can ask Keqing to help introduce the clothing in person. If you don't want to, you don't have to show up. You just need to prepare for this tea party."

Xue Baochai took a deep breath and nodded repeatedly, "That's good, that's good, thank you, my lord."

Faintly sensing that Qingwen in the room seemed to be laughing secretly, Xue Baochai could not help but lower her head and whispered, "My Lord, since there is nothing else, I will go out and plan this matter."

"Well, thank you for your help. This matter has been reviewed by the emperor, and there can be no mistakes. I will need your continued care."

There was no need for her to embarrass herself in front of everyone, and Xue Baochai certainly had nothing else to say. Moreover, Qin Keqing's romantic and dissolute nature made her more suitable for socializing in such occasions than her, and she was like a fish in water, so Xue Baochai was happy to give her the opportunity to perform.

"Okay, my lord, I'll go out first."

"Well, remember to proceed with the newspaper work at the same time, so that we can use it to create momentum when the time comes."

"Yes……"

After leaving the study, Xue Baochai covered her chest and sighed deeply.

Although she had taken on a very difficult task, she still had a helper, so she didn't have to bear all the pressure on herself.

"Since the Marquis has made up his mind to do this business, and His Majesty has approved it, and the Imperial Household Department is here to tailor clothes, then I can only redouble my efforts to make this happen."

Nodding secretly to cheer herself up, Xue Baochai walked through the corridor and returned to the second gate. She asked a servant girl, "Go to my room and find Ying'er. Ask her to come outside and tell her that I am planning to go out of the house for a few days."

"Okay, Miss Xue, wait a moment, I will go and deliver the message right away."

Not long after, the maid came back as expected, but Ying'er was not following her.

"Where is Ying'er?"

"Miss Xue, I went to the room to ask, and they said that Miss Lin was called away for something."

Xue Baochai blinked, "Sister Lin has been called away? Well, then Sister Lin will do the job first..."

……

In front of the solemn and majestic Buddhist temple is a peach blossom forest that is out of place.

Now it is deep spring, and the courtyard seems to be painted with rouge. From a distance, it looks like the morning glow falling on the earth, and when you look closer, you will realize that it is actually layers of peach blossoms.

The petals were as thin as cicada wings, trembling in the wind, just like the gauze clothes of the girls gathered here at the same time. The original Xuanmu Mountain Panxiang Temple was full of plum blossoms, and although there were only peach blossoms here, Miaoyu was quite proud of it.

But unlike the Panxiang Temple where there were few pilgrims, there were quite a lot of "pilgrims" here today, and Miaoyu couldn't understand what they were here for.

They gathered in groups of three or five in the courtyard, chattering and talking, and it didn't look like anything had happened.

Finally, the sound of copper bells ringing under the eaves was heard, startling a few sparrows, and then a girl with fresh makeup, a fairy bun, waist-length hair, and fluttering skirt came in.

Her cheeks were as bright as peach blossoms, and her eyes were revealing a chill that was captivating.

Along with the sound of footsteps, even the maids' voices of talking stopped.

Miaoyu, the host of this place, stepped forward quickly and asked, "Miss Lin, what do you want today?"

When she saw Lin Daiyu, Miaoyu always felt like there was a hurdle in her heart that she couldn't cross. She unconsciously lowered her head and bowed to her.

Lin Daiyu spoke in a cold tone, her voice spreading across the hall, "I called them here today, Master Miaoyu, just wait and see. I'll have something to tell you later."

"it is good."

Miaoyu nodded, then made a circle and followed behind Lin Daiyu, breathing a sigh of relief.

Seeing such an arrogant look, Miaoyu was really afraid that Lin Daiyu was here to cause trouble for her.

After all, she had just begun to look forward to a new life, and she didn't want to be kicked out by Lin Daiyu. Seeing what happened today, she couldn't help but be more cautious.

When Lin Daiyu arrived at the door of the hall, she faced the scattered women and said with a frown, "Everyone, come and stand in front of me!"

No one dared not to respond, and they all consciously stepped down the stone steps and stood there.

Even the three daughters of the Jia family and the maids beside them had no choice but to do as they were told because of their wrongdoings last night.

Seeing everyone standing in several rows, Lin Daiyu's brows relaxed slightly, she cleared her throat, and said to everyone, "We have recently moved to a new house. With this new idea, there are always some people who cannot stay still and ruin the reputation of this house."

"Now, Brother Yue is at a critical juncture, and there are many difficulties outside. Although we are staying at home, we must not cause trouble. So today I will make three rules with you all."

The girls looked at each other, then kept silent and listened attentively.

"First, without Brother Yue's permission, you are not allowed to enter private places such as the study and bedroom and disturb the peace."

As soon as the first one came out, many maids blushed and lowered their heads, full of shame.

"Secondly, you are not allowed to spread rumors in the mansion, especially those that are groundless. You are not allowed to make up lies or compete with others."

"Third, the people in the palace must be united and harmonious. If we are in danger, we must stand together. If we are in good times, we must share the music. Did you hear that clearly?"

"Clear."

Lin Daiyu's stern face relaxed and turned into a smile again, "This is good, I still like sisters who are well-behaved like this. What happened last night must have been possessed by some ghost."

"Master Miaoyu, I'll trouble you to teach them scriptures in this Buddhist hall for the next three months. Teach them the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and the Perfect Enlightenment Sutra. Especially Sister Keqing, tell her to learn and abandon worldly feelings."

"Uh... ok."

Miaoyu took on this difficult task with some reluctance.

But Xing Xiuyan below was having a hard time holding back her laughter.

Miaoyu herself is a Buddhist who is neither a monk nor a layman, yet she still wants to teach these little girls to abandon worldly thoughts. Isn't that just wishful thinking?
Miaoyu unconsciously found Xing Xiuyun in the crowd. Seeing that she seemed to be laughing at her, she couldn't help but glare at her fiercely.

Lin Daiyu's eyes were on the girls. "Of course, this is not a punishment for the sisters. I want them to learn more. Even learning a few more words is good. Maybe they can help Brother Yue in the future instead of just playing around in the room all day."

"After three months, let Master Miaoyu give a unified test to the best student. I can fulfill one of her wishes within my ability."

Hearing this, the girls cheered and jumped for joy, all of them looking eager to try.

Lin Daiyu sighed secretly, "Okay, in this way, we can finally find something for them to do. Otherwise, if more and more people come and do nothing every day, this mansion will become more and more chaotic."

"It depends on how the sisters feel about the scriptures. If you don't like the doctrine of self-cultivation, then learning music, chess, calligraphy and painting is also fine. However, according to Brother Yue's method of judging criminals, it is better to temper your temper first."

"Miss Lin?"

While she was thinking, she heard someone calling her. Lin Daiyu came back to her senses and responded, "Well, what's wrong?"

Miaoyu bowed again and asked, "When does Miss Lin plan to let them start studying the scriptures?"

Lin Daiyu said without hesitation: "Let's start from today. Set up more cushions in front of the Buddhist temple for them to kneel and chant. Start after breakfast every day and continue until lunch. In the afternoon, they can play by themselves."

Miaoyu blinked her eyes and glanced at the twenty-odd girls in front of the hall. There were indeed quite a lot of them. She couldn't help but ask, "Girls, do they all have to learn?"

"Of course, those who are absent without reason need your permission."

"My permission?"

Miaoyu suddenly felt that her sense of mission seemed to have become heavier.

"Sister Lin, if I practice well, can you really grant me a wish? Any wish?"

Lin Daiyu looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Qin Keqing who was speaking. She knew what she was going to say.

"It's all right. Even if you want to find Brother Yue, as long as he is willing, I have nothing to say."

Lin Daiyu secretly complained in her heart, "I can see that you don't have the heart to study Zen. You can't study hard on your own. Do you want Brother Yue? Just dream on."

Just when Lin Daiyu said this, not only Qin Keqing, but many girls also had their eyes shining, and they became more motivated to practice.

"Okay, Master Miaoyu, you can lead them in. I'll take care of the rest."

Miaoyu shook her head. "When I was in the temple, I also had the opportunity to preach the sutras. Now I feel even more honored to preach the sutras to the sisters. Don't worry, Miss Lin, I will teach them Buddhism carefully..."

(End of this chapter)