Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 485 Yue Ling's Worries

How did Emperor Longyou ascend the throne, and what were the consequences of his failure to seize the throne?

Aside from Emperor Longyou himself, probably no one knows these old stories better than Yue Ling.

As someone who has personally experienced the events and is now in charge of the new policies, it would be natural for the princes to try to win him over if they had designs on the succession.

It would be unusual for the eldest prince to visit Chai Pu first, or for Chai Pu to visit the eldest prince first.

However, the only thing facing Yue Ling now is to reform and strengthen the country.

He would not be distracted by other matters, nor would he choose to assist a second person after Emperor Longyou.

Even if the emperor and his ministers are very compatible, Yue Ling still needs to have boundaries.

After helping Liu Yi up, Yue Ling turned his back and said earnestly, "Your Highness, now that you have left the palace to establish your own government and entered the court for the first time, you should be diligent in your duties and share His Majesty's burdens."

"How long has it been since the Second Prince last saw His Majesty?"

Liu Yi's expression faltered slightly as he replied, "I haven't seen you for half a month since I left the palace."

Yue Ling turned around, frowned, and said, "Rumors are circulating in the palace that His Majesty is unwell. Why doesn't the Second Prince go to the palace to see His Majesty and serve him? Why did he come to my residence to inquire about his health first?"

Liu Yi was not stupid. He had indeed tried to visit the palace, but he was not allowed to enter and was turned away by the eunuchs.

Yue Ling could tell the answer from his face, and said, "The Second Prince is His Majesty's legitimate son. Serving him on his sickbed is his duty. How could he return in such a disheveled state just because he was driven away by eunuchs? Even if he begged repeatedly, he could not be seen. Shouldn't the Second Prince be at home fasting and praying for blessings? Why did he come to my residence so brazenly?"

Liu Yi looked terrified before he came to his senses.

Not long after leaving the palace, I have made so many mistakes.

Even if his elder brother was suspected of forming a faction, he couldn't be so paranoid as to rush to visit. He originally thought that the Duke of Dingguo's residence was celebrating a happy occasion, which would be a good excuse.

It was his temperament that prevented him from calming down.

With his hands raised above his head, Liu Yi bowed deeply, saying, "This student has learned much."

Although a mistake has been made today, the Duke of Dingguo did not show any annoyance, but rather a detached attitude, which made Liu Yi feel that his trip was not in vain.

He couldn't persuade the Duke of Dingguo to support him, and neither could anyone else, which was a good thing.

“Since you are wholeheartedly committed to reform, I will not rudely pester you any longer. Please stay, sir, and I will take my leave.”

Liu Yi, not wanting to cause any more trouble, took his leave.

Yue Ling did not see him off. Only after hearing the sound of the door turning outside did he let out a silent sigh.

After picking up the teacup that had been knocked over due to the violent movement, Yue Ling's mind gradually calmed down.

The new policy is being watched by countless eyes, and it will be a test for him.

At this time, Emperor Longyou granted the three princes permission to establish their own residences, and the new policy was also a test for the three princes.

Yue Ling could understand Liu Yi's inner thoughts, but she had already foreseen the cruel outcome.

"The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease..."

……

Everyone in the manor has been very busy lately, and with the joyous occasion of the birth of two little ones, everyone at the banquet let loose and indulged in their true nature.

Qin Keqing pulled Xue Baoqin, Yingchun, and Tanchun into a drinking contest, getting them all drunk and passed out on the table.

Fueled by the wine, the group reminisced about Shi Xiangyun, who had once drunkenly stood on the table and uttered bold pronouncements. Amidst the laughter and chatter, they fondly recalled the presence of that cheerful and bubbly girl.

The mansion was originally meant to be lively with over thirty people, but with her addition, it's going to be lively with sixty people.

As Yue Ling watched them playing and laughing, his mind kept drifting back to what had happened in the study earlier, and he seemed somewhat distracted.

After drinking for a while, Lin Daiyu urged her maids to lead the girls from their respective rooms to leave, arranged for some people to help Xueyan clean up the mess, and then went to rest in the inner room with Yue Ling.

The two had not sat side by side like tonight, soaking their feet in hot water together, for a long time.

Lin Daiyu leaned on Yue Ling's shoulder, still feeling resentful about her two younger sisters' reactions during the day.

Since her birth, her looks and talents have been beyond reproach, and no one would have ever disliked her. Who would have thought that two oddballs would appear in the mansion, and that they would be so fond of Yue Ling.

She later heard from the nanny in her aunt's room that the two little ones were so clingy to Yue Ling that they hesitated for a long time in front of their own mother, and only when they were hungry did they hide back in their mother's arms to nurse.

Where in the world is there such a person who doesn't recognize kinship?
Instead of siding with her own blood relatives, she favors outsiders. I wonder if her two concubines will be as annoyed as she is.

Counting on her fingers, Lin Daiyu felt a little bored. She turned her head to look at Yue Ling, who was still pondering without speaking, so she looked up and asked, "Brother Yue, does the Second Prince have something important to discuss with you? Is there anything that can stump you?"

Yue Ling came to his senses and stretched out his arm to touch Lin Daiyu's shoulder.

Her slender body was incredibly soft to the touch, and holding her in his arms gave Yue Ling a sense of satisfaction that words could not fully describe.

With his head lowered and his cheek resting lightly on Lin Daiyu's head, Yue Ling said, "There are many difficult things in the world, and I am not omnipotent."

Lin Daiyu blinked. Yue Ling had been clingy to her before, but most of the time it was because Yue Ling was being unruly and trying to touch her.

Today, nestled in Yue Ling's arms, she felt that his heart was very calm and he had no improper thoughts.

Therefore, it can only mean that he has really encountered some difficulties.

Lin Daiyu felt inexplicably worried. Yue Ling had never acted this way before the grand debate at the Imperial Academy, so Lin Daiyu couldn't help but ask, "Brother Yue, tell me what's wrong. Perhaps I can think of a solution?"

Yue Ling let out a soft breath, and Lin Daiyu perked up, ready to listen attentively. But then Yue Ling said, "My relationship with Lord Lin was already quite strained. First, you did it without Lord Lin's consent, and then your concubine moved into the mansion and gave birth to a daughter. After this New Year, Lord Lin will be heading north. I really don't know how to welcome him back or how to face him."

She thought it was something big, but it turned out to be such a trivial matter, which made Lin Daiyu want to roll her eyes.

"Father was being unreasonable first, how can you blame me for making my own decisions? Am I supposed to stay in Yangzhou?"

Lin Daiyu's tone was resolute, as if there was no problem at all.

But when Yue Ling looked over, and they met eyes, Lin Daiyu stammered guiltily, "I had already made a promise to the Empress that I would go to the capital to see her. How could I go back on my word?"

"Furthermore, if I hadn't gone to the capital, I don't know how the Jia family sisters would have ended up."

Yue Ling nodded repeatedly, not wanting to contradict her, "That makes sense, that makes sense."

"So, this was my own decision?"

Lin Daiyu crossed her arms and pouted, saying, "Father really doesn't know how to think about others. The birth of daughters by two concubines is no small matter. How could he let some servants make the decision? Is there such an absurd thing? Only he could do such a thing. No one else would even dare to think about it."

"Mother and daughter are safe and sound. The Lin family has gained two beautiful daughters. Father is too grateful to ask for anything more."

Yue Ling chuckled and said, "That's what Sister Lin said..."

Lin Daiyu glared and asked, "How so?"

"Then I'm even more worried."

"You!" Lin Daiyu raised her foot and gently stomped twice into Yue Ling's wooden tub.

Ripples spread out, petals were disturbed to both sides, and the two people's feet intertwined, the skin-to-skin contact making Lin Daiyu blush with embarrassment.

Her feet were very sensitive, while Yue Ling's feet had many calluses from martial arts training, which made her even itchier when scratched.

In Yue Ling's eyes, Lin Daiyu's feet were naturally the color of tender lotus roots, with pink on her toes and skin as soft and tender as a newborn baby's. Anyone who could touch them would probably be unable to resist the urge to play with them.

Just as Yue Ling bent down to put his hand into the wooden tub, Lin Daiyu hurriedly leaned back, trying to pull herself out, but ended up lying in Yue Ling's arms, splashing water all over the floor.

The person outside, who was picking up pearls, assumed that hot water was being added inside, so she naturally picked up the kettle and pushed open the door to go in.

But when she looked up, she saw the two people entangled on the bed, seemingly eager to make love, which made Baozhu freeze in place, and she hadn't recovered her senses for several breaths.

"Um, I... I thought that if Master wanted to wash again, he could just fill the kettle himself. I'll leave now..."

Baozhu's face flushed red, and she hurriedly retreated out the door.

Lin Daiyu snapped out of her daze, raised her small fist and punched Yue Ling's chest, angrily saying, "It's all your fault! You had to make a scene, and now they've misunderstood again!"

Yue Ling raised his eyes dismissively, "So what? After this holiday..."

Lin Daiyu reacted quickly, immediately raising her hand to cover Yue Ling's mouth, saying, "Don't talk nonsense! Anyway, that day hasn't come yet! Haven't we always been innocent?"

Yue Ling nodded seriously, agreeing with Lin Daiyu's words.

Lin Daiyu put her hand down and muttered, "I was just concerned about Brother Yue's worries, but I didn't speak seriously. I had to make a fool of myself and tease him. Now others will laugh at me. I wonder what rumors they will spread tomorrow."

Yue Ling smiled and said, "There are indeed some troublesome matters."

Lin Daiyu roused herself, sat up straight, and said, "Alright, then you can speak."

Yue Ling's expression also tightened. As the two looked at each other, Yue Ling couldn't help but laugh. "These two little rascals are too clingy. What will they be like when they grow up? Hahaha..."

"Stop pinching, it hurts..."

The two of them fell back onto the couch together, laughing and joking non-stop.

Outside the door, Ruizhu, Baozhu, and Qingwen, stacked like a human pyramid, blocked the crack in the door, listening to the sounds coming from inside.

Upon hearing Yue Ling's laughter, they all sighed helplessly.

Ruizhu clicked her tongue and said, "See, I told you, it can't be so quick. We'll definitely have to wait until the wedding day to have sex. Miss Lin is different from us. How can she lose her virginity so easily?"

Baozhu sighed, "There are still two months left..."

Ruizhu comforted her, "What's wrong with two months? We've waited all these years."

The two men's cryptic conversation left Qingwen stunned. She asked in surprise, "Have you two had sexual relations with the master?"

Ruizhu and Zhu exchanged a glance, scratched their heads, and said with great embarrassment, "We had..."

"Huh?" Qingwen read in astonishment, "Even those two who are so insignificant... I've only ever kissed the master."

"Alright, alright, you're all done, so stop looking at it and go back to rest."

Xueyan trimmed the wicks of each candlestick one by one, quite impatiently, yet seemingly used to it.

Qingwen realized that one could not judge a book by its cover in this household, and could not look down on anyone. Looking at Xueyan, although she was less beautiful than herself, her figure was far superior. She couldn't help but lean closer and ask, "Sister Xueyan, have you ever shared a bed with the master?"

Xueyan asked in confusion, "What's wrong? We shared a bed when I first arrived in the capital."

"I just went to the wrong room," Xueyan thought to herself.

Qingwen was increasingly stunned, and left the house in a daze...

……

Imperial City

Qianqing Palace
Emperor Longyou sat on the couch, solemnly turning the pages of the book.

This volume contains Western translations published by Yue Ling and is titled "The Gate to Science".

Yue Ling has outlined the knowledge in several areas, including mathematics, engineering, water conservancy, and machinery, and explained it through stories, making it a good book to enhance the interest of beginners.

Before going to bed in the evening, Emperor Longyou would casually flip through the book to absorb the latest knowledge so as not to fall behind.

In his subsequent conversations with Yue Ling, Emperor Longyou always felt that Yue Ling was describing a completely new world to him, which was very different from the present one.

Emperor Longyou certainly longed for a world where people could live in peace and prosperity without worrying about food and clothing, but he was worried that his successor would be able to maintain all of this.

After all, Daqing wasn't poor and weak from the very beginning of the country.

"His Majesty."

Xia Shouzhong carried the medicinal soup and entered the room.

What's going on outside?

Emperor Longyou's tone was very flat, making it impossible to discern whether he was happy or angry.

Setting down the medicine soup, Xia Shouzhong knelt down and said, "His Highness the First Prince received Chief Minister Chai, and His Highness the Second Prince visited the Duke of Dingguo's residence."

Xia Shouzhong secretly observed Emperor Longyou's expression.

Emperor Longyou merely narrowed his eyes and sighed, "They're certainly in a hurry."

“Yi’er is still young and inexperienced. It would be good for him to go to Yue Ling and receive some guidance from him so that he will do less foolish things in the future.”

Where is Yun'er?

Xia Shouzhong hurriedly replied, "His Highness the Third Prince only led half of the palace staff. He probably hasn't finished cleaning the residence yet. He has been staying indoors all day and has driven away all visitors."

Emperor Longyou remained silent, instead calculating silently with his fingers.

Seeing Emperor Longyou close his eyes in deep thought, Xia Shouzhong knew that Emperor Longyou did not want to ask any more questions and turned to prepare the medicinal soup.

In order not to disturb Emperor Longyou's thoughts, Xia Shouzhong tried his best to control his arm from trembling, so that the spoon would not touch the wall of the earthenware pot and make unnecessary noise.

After a long silence in the room, Emperor Longyou finally let out a soft breath, opened his eyes again, and his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

Suddenly, Emperor Longyou said in a relaxed tone, "The wedding between Yue Ling and the Lin family girl was originally scheduled for February 12th next year, right? There are less than three months left. Inform the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites to make preparations as soon as possible."

Xia Shouzhong nodded repeatedly and pressed on, "Then when will Lord Lin be transferred to the capital?"

Emperor Longyou said, "Once he has dealt with the salt affairs, he can make it in time for the wedding. Now that the canal is frozen, it will have to wait until after the New Year. You should urge the Ministry of Personnel to decide on this matter..."

(End of this chapter)