Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 467 Devotion
There was a glimmer of crystal in her blurred eyes. After a long time, Xue Baochai took a few deep breaths and turned her head away.

The numbness in her hands and feet made her unsteady on her feet. Even without looking in the mirror, she knew her cheeks must be flushed.

Despite this, Xue Baochai didn't want to back down this time.

Holding herself up, Xue Baochai stared at Yue Ling with burning eyes and asked, "Why can she act like a good girl in front of the Marquis without restraint, while I have to be so cautious all day long?"

"Why was she entrusted with such an important task by the Marquis right after she arrived? And why did the Marquis test me in so many ways?"

"Why can't I get the reward from the Marquis despite my efforts, but she can replace me so easily after coming here?"

"Why? Why on earth is this happening? I don't understand. If I do this rashly, will you be satisfied?"

In the old days, when Xue Baochai saw Yue Ling being intimate with other girls in the mansion, she would often just be a bystander and would not pay any attention.

In particular, she once secretly saw Qin Keqing and herself having sex by chance, but there was no follow-up afterwards.

Who would have thought that seeing him getting a little closer to Xue Baoqin would cause him to make such a fuss and change his usual behavior.

If it weren't for her familiar appearance and smell, Yue Ling would not have recognized her.

After she finished speaking, the tears in Xue Baochai's eyes fell like beads from a broken string, and her body lost all strength and was on the verge of falling.

Yue Ling witnessed her crying like a pear blossom in the rain, which was more fragile and intense than ever before. He suddenly came to his senses from his shock and felt pity for her.

He was most afraid of girls crying, especially girls who loved him deeply and cried because they were hurt by him.

Knowing that any explanation would be futile at this moment, the only thing he could do was to calm Xue Baochai down. Therefore, Yue Ling did not hesitate and knocked on Xue Baochai's hand with his backhand. His movements were gentle but carried a force that could not be refused.

"Miss Bao."

Yue Ling called out in a low voice.

Xue Baochai seemed to turn her head away instinctively, perhaps because she was feeling bitter after going mad, or because she couldn't bear to see Yue Ling seeing her tearful face.

However, Yue Ling did not allow her to hide. He stroked her cheek and said to her in a soothing tone, "Don't cry anymore. How could I bear to let you suffer such injustice? How could a delicate and exquisite woman like you get stuck in such a dead end?"

Taking Xue Baochai's hand, Yue Ling slowly turned her body and held her in his arms.

Xue Baochai's body suddenly stiffened, and then it was as if all the taut strings broke. Without support, her forehead rested on Yue Ling's chest and she fell in.

Xue Baochai, who used to be smart and capable, was acting out of character. She snuggled up to Yue Ling like a little bird, sobbing softly, wetting the collar of Yue Ling's shirt.

Yue Ling raised his hand to help her gently wipe away the tears. Feeling Xue Baochai's trembling body gradually calm down, he slowly opened his mouth and said in a gentle voice: "Baoqin, of course, has her own talents. She is quick-witted, knowledgeable, and has the ability to control people that is inconsistent with her age. She is suitable for doing these things that require coordination."

"But she is she, and you are you. She can't do these careful calculations for you after all. How can you be afraid of being replaced by her?"

"Maybe I was just a little emotional today and made a fool of myself. In terms of your contribution to the mansion, you are only second to Sister Lin. Am I someone who doesn't know how to reward or punish clearly? Then how can I win the support of the troops when I lead them?"

Xue Baochai's body seemed to soften a little, and she relied more on the warmth in Yue Ling's arms. Her fingers unconsciously slipped into Yue Ling's fingers, and she gradually closed her eyes.

"I don't mean to say anything bad about the Marquis, but they can all ask for it unscrupulously, but I can't..."

Yue Ling gently blocked Xue Baochai's lips with a finger and said lightly: "They have their innocence, and you have your sophistication. It's not that I indulge them. If you can be like them and open your heart, just like today, how can I push you away?"

“It’s not their privilege.”

Xue Baochai finally raised her head slowly. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, like peaches. A few tears were still hanging on her long eyelashes, but her eyes had regained their clarity, without the indifference and despair that she had when she entered the door.

Yue Ling lowered his head, looked at her, and said, "Have you figured it out? Don't let your imagination run wild and hurt yourself in vain."

Xue Baochai nodded slightly, pursed her lips, hesitated for a while, and then slowly leaned back on Yue Ling's shoulder.

The hall fell silent, with only the sound of a burning lamp and the faint breathing of the two people being heard.

The ambiguous atmosphere gradually spread, and Xue Baochai's heartbeat became faster and faster.

She can't leave the man in front of her.

From the first time they met, she was captured by the man in front of her.

He gave himself a different life and the opportunity to realize her ambitions, which made the Xue family what it is today and not collapse along with the Jia family.

He saved his own life and saved his own life.

Xue Baochai could give him everything she had, even at the cost of her life.

As she thought this, Xue Baochai's breathing gradually became rapid.

After hesitating for a long time, Xue Baochai finally spoke again, "My Lord, after you marry Sister Lin, can you marry me? I don't ask for any status, let Sister Lin decide."

Yue Ling nodded slightly and increased the strength with which he held Xue Baochai, slowly kneading her soft and boneless body into his arms.

Under the eaves, in front of the corridor,
Xue Baoqin leaned on the windowsill and listened secretly to the conversation inside.

Fortunately, the hall was quiet enough for her to hear a few words intermittently. Especially when she saw the ambiguous posture between her sister and Yue Ling, Xue Baoqin knew that it was a sure thing.

Seeing their actions becoming more and more intimate, Xue Baoqin was too embarrassed to watch any longer, so she covered her eyes and slowly squatted down.

"I originally wanted my sister and the Marquis to make some progress, but I didn't expect it to happen by accident today. It's really a double happiness."

"Moreover, I didn't expect that the teasing I had done since entering the mansion would be so deeply rooted in my sister's heart, causing her to be so wary of me and react so strongly."

Rubbing her chin, Xue Baoqin nodded, "Sister is a little too jealous. If I were to join in the next step, would Sister disapprove?"

After hitting her head again, Xue Baoqin tried to make herself more sober. She said to herself, "No, I have to join this family no matter what means I use. If the Marquis can let my sister display her talents, he can also give me a chance."

"I also want to fulfill my father's long-cherished wish and form a large caravan to go to Southeast Asia to trade and restore the former glory of the second branch of the Xue family. The marriage was cancelled against my father's wishes. If I can complete this last thing, my father's spirit in heaven will rest in peace."

"Although I used the ability of the Marquis, the means were somewhat dishonorable, but isn't that what businessmen do? They will do anything to achieve their goals, right?"

Xue Baoqin smiled self-deprecatingly, but a few moans coming from the window disrupted her thoughts again.

Her face froze, and Baoqin asked in surprise, "Sister, you're not going to do that? Right here in the main hall?"

After swallowing, Xue Baoqin carefully leaned on the window frame and slowly stuck her head out.

When he saw the skirts, hairpins and robes scattered on the ground in front of the hall, his eyes widened like silver bells.

Fortunately, there was no further action. In the next second, my sister learned from somewhere and used a more embarrassing posture, kneeling on her skirt, slowly lowering her head, but raising her hands.

Xue Baoqin didn't dare to look any longer and ran away, covering her eyes.

"Can that thing be delicious?!"

……

It was the Jingsi Garden again, and again the two of them were sitting on the ground.

The difference from the last time was that this time the person pouring the tea was Chai Pu, who seemed to have been waiting for the water to dissolve in the garden for a long time.

Shui Rong arrived late, but his face was not relaxed. He changed into a robe with a very high collar that almost covered his entire neck.

It’s just that Chai Pu observed more carefully. When Shui Rong sat down, he could see a few scratches on his neck.

Without asking any unnecessary questions, Chai Pu asked, "What did your Highness learn from your visit to Duke Dingguo's mansion?"

The water-soluble temperament could not maintain the elegance of the past. After taking a sip of tea, it felt a little better.

Then, Shui Rong said, "Just as Prime Minister Chai said, Yue Ling is unpredictable. No matter how I try to persuade him, he never mentions the affairs of the court. He also hinted that I should 'do my job' and not get involved in external affairs."

"I haven't heard a single honest word from him."

Chai Pu poured another cup of tea for Shui Rong and consoled him, "That's right. Yue Ling is on guard. The prince will definitely go for nothing. However, knowing his attitude, I have a rough idea of ​​what's going on."

"After all, when King Kang started the rebellion, he just overlooked Yue Ling, which led to Yue Ling's rescue several times and ended up losing everything. How can you and I underestimate him again?"

"But..." Shui Rong had something to say, but he couldn't hold back his breath and cursed again: "This Yue Ling is really too lustful. He was intimate with his maids in front of me."

"What does Yue Ling think of me? Can't I just help him have fun?"

Chai Pu was stunned for a moment, and then he said, "The rumors in the streets are not lies?"

"What a lie! You are even worse than that!"

"How could this be? Your Majesty is not interested in women, and the Queen is even less interested in lecherous men. He is still able to move around in the palace like this. Could it be that he is not just pretending?"

Shui Rong sneered, "Pretending? If you go visit him now, you will definitely see him having sex in front of the hall. He looks so impatient that he wants to chase me away!"

Chai Pu was slightly stunned, and then he began to think about the feasibility of the beauty trap.

Shui Rong saw his gloomy face and guessed something. He said disdainfully: "I advise you not to add unnecessary details and focus on the matter at hand. Any of the maids in his mansion is the best in the brothel, not to mention that some are even more talented and beautiful."

"Lin Ruhai, the Imperial Censor of Salt, entrusted his six-year-old daughter to him many years ago. Lin's daughter is well-known in Jiangnan and is also known for her talent, and was named the top poet."

"Lin Ruhai must have spoiled Yue Ling's taste. How could you find such a girl in such a short time? Even if you could find one, could she be younger than Lin's daughter?"

"This..." Chai Pu collected his thoughts, drank his tea, smiled, and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty is right. Let's talk about this student causing trouble in the capital."

"After thousands of students have made such a commotion, the situation will definitely get more serious in the future. Now it's not just the students in the capital. Even students from the capital's suburbs are rushing here, especially since the autumn exam is approaching. If it's delayed any further, those who boycott the exam will be able to push the situation to the next wave."

"It depends on how your majesty will respond."

Shui Rong frowned slightly, "Your Majesty's thoughts are hard to predict. I'm afraid that suspending the court now is the only way to deal with it. The country cannot do without court, especially when the capital is in such chaos. I'm afraid that before long, all officials will be concerned about your Majesty's health and when he can resume court."

"So this has to get even louder?"

"That's right. If some blood could be shed, a few people could die, and the crowd could get excited, that would be great."

When they met for the second time, they opened up to each other a lot, unlike the first time when they played dumb.

Now the two of them are certain that the other party's current goal is the same as theirs.

"As for the great scholars, has Prime Minister Chai contacted them?"

Chai Pu nodded, "The Dean of the Academy, Mei Hanlin, took the initiative to find my house and said that he wanted to find a way to punish Duke Dingguo, so I told him to go back and wait. When the time comes, Mei Hanlin will join forces with several great scholars in Jiangnan, and they will not lose to Yue Ling in debate."

"Yue Ling is indeed an outstanding martial artist, and he is even better at training and commanding troops. He is also more ruthless than the average person. But the only ability he has never shown is debate, which is what this Confucian scholar is good at."

"Your Highness should have heard that in Yangzhou Prefecture, when he was planning to open a salt factory, he even let a woman come on stage to compete. How can this be considered decent?"

Shui Rong picked up the teacup and mentioned the matter of Jiangnan Salt House, with a bit of sinisterness flashing in his eyes, "In the capital, I won't let him do whatever he wants like this again."

The two of them talked harmoniously, and Chai Pu took advantage of the situation to make another suggestion: "I have another matter that requires the prince's approval."

Shui Rong put down his teacup, looked over and said, "This king is willing to deal with Prime Minister Chai. He is much more comfortable than Yue Ling. Prime Minister Chai will speak frankly."

Chai Pu shook his head and smiled, then said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I only have a wife who has lived with me through thick and thin at home, and I am not as good as Duke Dingguo."

Stroking his beard, Chai Pu got back to business.

"It's not that I have any intention to doubt Your Highness, but Your Highness's influence is so great that it makes me applaud. If this is accomplished, how will Your Highness share the joy? How will you solidify the alliance and make it last forever?"

Shui Rong narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "According to you, what do you want to do?"

Raising his hand to dip it in tea, Chai Pu slowly wrote the word "婚" (marriage) on the table.

Shui Rong chuckled and said, "That's fine."

……

Evening meal,

The sisters gathered together again, and with the addition of the newly brought back maid from the Jia family, Sanchun was accompanied by her, creating a grand scene of sisterly reunion.

But Xue Baochai was sitting beside the table, seemingly in a trance, and did not look up.

This subtle difference was immediately noticed by Qin Keqing in the crowd. She came up to Xue Baochai, leaned over and sniffed her neck.

Xue Baochai felt something and hurriedly asked, "What are you doing?"

"There's something wrong with you!"

(End of this chapter)