Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 431: On the day of returning home, he was harassed

"What is the legitimate thing to do?"

Xueyan held a jar of sour plum juice, pursed her lips and sucked it, then blinked her eyes and asked Lin Daiyu who was in a trance.

Hearing the noise beside her, Lin Daiyu suddenly came back to her senses. Seeing that it was Xueyan, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but in her heart she was still alert and thought, "No, no, I must not let my guard down. It's okay if it's Xueyan, but if others hear it, I don't know what they will say about me behind my back."

She had lost enough face before and had only recently regained some of it. Lin Daiyu didn't want to recall those embarrassing things again.

Looking up and down at Xueyan, whose stomach was full and still drinking plum juice, Lin Daiyu reluctantly turned her head and said, "Nothing, but how did you come here?"

Xueyan licked her lips and breathed out happily. She really couldn't get enough of the sour plum soup, especially with ice cubes.

After taking another sip and swallowing it down with a gulp, Xueyan said, "Just now I saw Master Miaoyu and Miss Xing go to the Marquis's room. Sister Zijuan asked me to inform the young lady."

"?"

Lin Daiyu frowned and was about to stand up after slamming the table, but she just bowed and sat back down quietly.

"No, I'm not in the right mind right now. If I go and Brother Yue keeps me in the room, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself, which would be bad."

Looking at the snow goose that was still tasting delicious food, Lin Daiyu sighed, "Okay, I understand. With Sister Yan'er by their side, they can't do anything too outrageous."

……

"Ms. Miaoyu, can you please get off me first? I really didn't come here to do this kind of thing with you."

Inside the house, candlelight flickered.

Yue Ling sat upright at the desk, looking at Miaoyu who was sitting on his lap in his arms. Her dimples were white with a hint of pink, and her white teeth and red lips were moistened by dew and wine, making them crystal clear, like a natural chicken blood stone. He couldn't help swallowing.

Her long legs were crossed in front of her, and her waist-length hair covered her bare shoulders, barely visible.

Miaoyu, who was not wearing a cassock or a hat, was incredibly charming.

In order to avoid causing misunderstanding, Yue Ling deliberately left Miaoyu and Xing Xiuyan in the room together, but he didn't expect that it would turn out like this.

Perhaps because of the alcohol, Miaoyu seemed not yet sober. She put her arms around Yue Ling's neck and couldn't help but use a finger to prop up his chin.

"My Lord, I know everything. Miss Keqing has often said that you like two people to be together the most. Isn't that why you left Sister Yan'er to be with you?"

"Don't worry, my Lord. Sister Yan'er is willing to do this. She just has a low self-esteem and doesn't dare to express her love."

Yue Ling raised his head woodenly and looked into the distance, completely at a loss. His hands were folded in front of him, as if they were twisted into a knot by Xing Xiuyan, and his cheeks were as red as if they had been burned by a branding iron.

Meng Lang could no longer tolerate Miaoyu, and after hearing that Yue Ling had no improper intentions, Xing Xiuyan stepped forward and pulled Miaoyu up.

When he got to the table, he randomly found a cup of tea and poured it over her head.

Miaoyu's hair was instantly wet, and drops of water appeared on her forehead, rolling down her hair.

"Sister! Wake up! You are a cultivator, how could you become like this after listening to a few rumors? You are still teaching those little maids in the temple. I can't imagine what you teach them on a daily basis!"

Miaoyu, with a piece of tea leaves on her head, was not annoyed. Instead, she was stimulated by the cold tea. Her eyes became clear again, and the aura of Qin Keqing that had just appeared on her body seemed to have disappeared completely.

What followed was that he covered his cheeks tightly, shrank his body, and squatted on the ground.

Xing Xiuyan wanted to kick her on the butt, but she held back and frowned and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong with you? Did you bump into someone?"

Miaoyu stammered, "Maybe it's because I've never drunk alcohol before..."

"I drank a little too, but I didn't lose my composure like you did. You eat vegetarian meals and read scriptures all day, but you look like this. If your master knew about this, I don't think you would be able to go back with dignity."

"The key point... the key point, recently Keqing has been bringing some articles to me, saying that she couldn't finish writing in her room, and Miss Baochai is not at home, so she asked me to read it after she finished it. I just didn't realize it..."

Xing Xiuyan was very embarrassed. She knew something about the division of labor among the ladies in the mansion. Now she had nothing to say. She stepped forward and apologized to Yue Ling, "My Lord, she spoke out of turn after drinking. I hope you can forgive her."

Yue Ling straightened his robe, shook his head and smiled, "No problem."

Xing Xiuyan was still thinking about explaining that what Miaoyu had just said was not true and that she did not have any love feelings for Yue Ling. But when Yue Ling looked up at her, as soon as their eyes met, Xing Xiuyan lowered her head shyly and opened her mouth but said nothing.

The many farewell glances in the sea of ​​people have left an indelible mark on the girl. Standing in front of him again today is a blessing she has earned in her previous life. What else can Xing Xiuyan say?

Yue Ling had seen too many young girls being shy. Seeing that Xing Xiuyan's attitude was somewhat ambiguous, he did not pursue the matter. He coughed lightly to cover up his embarrassment and said, "I called you two here today to prepare for Sister Lin and the others to go to Rongguo Mansion tomorrow."

"The Rongguo Mansion treats Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun too poorly. They are already extremely licentious and extravagant, and hate frugality. This is against the law, and they should not be made to bear the consequences in exchange for wealth and honor. The Jia family has done such a perverse thing, and they should not be made to bear the consequences..."

"There is no need for me to explain too much. When you go to Rongguo Mansion with me, you will listen to Sister Lin's arrangements. Especially Miaoyu, you will have to assist them."

Miaoyu, who was sitting on the ground, forgot to stand up first and pointed at herself and asked, "Me?"

Yue Ling nodded slightly.

Xing Xiuyan asked, "Does the Marquis want us to stay in Rongguo Mansion temporarily? Is there any reason for this?"

"Don't worry, it's easy."

……

The next day,

The sky is clear and the morning light is dim.
The three spring girls got on the carriage together, and their faces became much paler.

Not only that, the whites of their eyes were bloodshot, as if they were still crying after returning to their rooms last night and had cried all night.

Lin Daiyu's reminder last night was deafening. Tanchun even hid the paper under the book inside her clothes and stuck it closest to her heart.

But after all, that is the family that gave birth to them and raised them, and it is not something they can just make up their mind to end in an instant. Even though everything has been unfavorable to them before, they still stick to the principle that as women, they should not do anything out of line.

The daily treatment has made them accustomed to bullying and embarrassment, and they have become numb and insensitive.

"Three girls, there's news from the room just now that Miss Lin is feeling unwell, so I'm asking you to go ahead. Miss Lin will go back with Miss Bao and the others soon."

Outside the curtain of the sedan chair, Jia Yun was passing on a message.

Tanchun and her sisters looked at each other, and saw the doubt in each other's eyes. They lifted a corner of the curtain and said, "Brother Yun, can we wait a moment? How is Sister Lin?"

Jia Yun shook his head and said, "Girls, there is no need to wait. If something unexpected happens, we don't know whether we should come earlier or later. We may need to ask a doctor to take a look later."

"Someone from Rongguo Mansion has come to urge us, so the three girls should go back first."

Perhaps it was because of their ambiguous attitude last night that Lin Daiyu was ignored today. Miss Sanchun asked herself whether they had done something wrong, so she was no longer stubborn and left the house first as Jia Yun requested.

Several sedan chairs from the Jia family slowly exited the corner gate, and a group of people appeared from the hanging flower gate. Lin Daiyu asked Xue Baochai beside her, "Sister Bao, is this appropriate? Will the sisters feel that we have neglected them and regretted it at the last minute?"

Xue Baochai looked into the distance, shook her head slightly and said, "It's okay, this is all for them. You told me about the Marquis's plan this morning, and I think we should give them some more training."

"To be honest, they should have changed a lot earlier. Otherwise, they would have fallen into the fire pit with the Jia family just as the Marquis said."

Lin Daiyu sighed and said, "Just because we didn't go with you, will the head of the Jia family make things difficult for you sisters? If that's the case, we really shouldn't care about blood ties anymore."

Xue Baochai comforted her, "Sister Lin, don't deal with them too much. You don't know how ugly human nature can be. Just wait and see. They will go back home first and will definitely be bullied..."

……

Ningrong Street was as bustling as usual.

The main gate of Rongguo Mansion was wide open, and two rows of guardsmen stood beside the stone lions, blocking the road in front of the gate, waiting quietly.

Jia Zheng and Jia She also took it very seriously and waited under the eaves with a group of housekeepers and servants.

Even though Lin Daiyu was only a junior and was invited here, and it was still a matter within the imperial court, they did not dare to be negligent in the slightest, as if it was a rehearsal for Yuanchun's visit to her parents.

After a while, the appointed time came, but no carriage arrived.

This made everyone feel a little embarrassed, and they would glance at the two masters' expressions from time to time.

The main gate is usually not opened. Even when entertaining guests, only the corner gate is opened. The main gate is only opened for important events such as receiving an imperial edict, visiting relatives, worshiping ancestors, etc. The main gate is opened today, which shows their sincerity.

Unexpectedly, the Duke Dingguo's Mansion seemed to have broken the promise.

Ningrong Street was crowded with people, and people were pointing and talking about everything they saw. Seeing this scene, if they didn't welcome people and opened the empty door, they would be ridiculed.

"Brother, are the girls from the Lin family not coming?"

Jia Zheng couldn't help but feel worried. Not only in front of the door, but also in the villa where the emperor came to visit his mother, there was a big scene. It took so much effort to arrange it, and he was unable to explain it before the guest came.

"Wait a little longer... Yingchun and the others will eventually come back. Her elder sister will be back home to visit her family tomorrow. Won't they come back too?"

There was some truth in this statement, and the people around him also gained some confidence. They straightened their backs and waited quietly.

After a few more minutes, a few sedan chairs came in slowly.

This sedan chair looked quite familiar. It was the one that had departed from the Jia family and sent the three young ladies to the Duke Dingguo's Mansion. Even the side of the sedan chair was carrying the Jia family's banner.

The sedan chair was heading straight for the Chuihua Gate, but no one else was seen following behind.

Logically, Lin Daiyu would definitely not come in the Jia family's sedan chair. Needless to say, this must be the return of spring, and Lin Daiyu broke her promise.

When Lin Daiyu didn't show up, Jia She's face suddenly changed, and he shouted angrily, "Stop!"

The sedan bearers were all from the Rongguo Mansion. After hearing the eldest master's shout, how could they not weaken in their legs? They immediately stopped the sedan, put it down, and looked back in a daze.

"Where else are we going to carry it to?"

The leading sedan bearer bowed respectfully and said hesitantly, "According to the rules of the mansion, the sedan chairs of female relatives must be parked inside the Chuihua Gate..."

It would have been fine if he hadn't responded, but after he did, Jia She became even more angry, as if he didn't know the rules.

"Is there a rule in the mansion for a girl to return home through the main entrance?"

The sedan bearer shuddered and said, "There is no such rule, but..."

"But what?" Jia She ordered the people beside him, "Go, close the front door, don't embarrass yourself here."

He glared at the sedan chair with bloodshot eyes and said, "You are the only ones who have come back to lose money. Why are you in such a hurry to go back inside? Come to the main hall. I have something to ask you!"

When the three sisters supported each other and stepped down from the carriage, they noticed the gazes of the servants of the Jia family and their faces felt as if they were burning.

In a wealthy family like the Jia family, the second gate is used to separate the inside and the outside. Servants outside are not allowed to enter the second gate without being summoned, and they have no chance to see the girls.

Getting the sedan chair off outside the second gate was a humiliation for these unmarried girls.

When she entered the main hall, although there was no one else there, she saw two masters with stern faces sitting at the top. Their intimidation forced Miss Sanchun to lower her head.

The stalemate lasted for a long while, and there was no intention of letting them sit down, let alone asking any questions.

Tanchun bit her lip, but couldn't bear to stand up and said, "Uncle, Sister Lin is not not coming, she just felt a little unwell when she went out, so she will be here a little later."

But at this time, Jia She was no longer in the mood to listen to Tanchun's explanation.

He first watched Jia Lian coldly, and then tore up the letter he had written to his family. How could Jia She calm down after seeing such behavior?

"Stop making excuses! You were not well received by Duke Dingguo in the mansion, so he ignored you. No wonder you dared not speak to Duke Dingguo and only tore up the letters from home. Have you ever thought that you would come back today?"

Tanchun took a deep breath and didn't look up again.

Instead, Xichun, who had always remained silent, raised her little head and retorted: "How can it be our fault? It was obviously Second Brother Lian who made the mistake first!"

"shut up!"

Jia She slammed the table heavily, knocking over the lids of the teacups beside him, which rolled around on the table.

"We are all sisters, but why is it that your eldest sister, who was able to enter the palace as a noble concubine, is still not arrogant and takes care of the family? You have lived in the Duke Dingguo's mansion for more than a month and you are not welcome. You don't care about your brother. What use are you?"

In Jia She's eyes, they were like girls whose engagements had been broken off and who had no value at all.

The leisurely and comfortable days in Duke Dingguo's mansion are gone forever. Sanchun has lost her confidence after being hit repeatedly by Jia She, and she also thinks that Lin Daiyu broke her promise.

The piece of paper on Tanchun's chest seemed to be emitting warmth, making her hope that Lin Daiyu would arrive to rescue her.

"Since the Duke doesn't like you, I will send you to the palace tomorrow! You will be serving others anyway, and you can also earn a way for the family!"

Tanchun couldn't stand it any longer. She didn't know whether Jia She said it in anger or if he really meant it. She raised her head and retorted, "Uncle, how can you treat us like this? After all, we are girls from the Jia family, not slaves! Even if we want to get married, we have to get the consent of our ancestors..."

Before he could finish his words, Jia She interrupted him and said, "How dare you disrespect your elders? You should be flogged according to the family rules. Come here!"

Yingchun suddenly stood up and protected Tanchun under her body, while Tanchun held the younger Xichun in her arms.

The three girls turned their heads and looked outside the door, but what they saw were not the servants of the Jia family.

Even Jia She and Jia Zheng couldn't help but widen their eyes...

(End of this chapter)