Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 496 The Joy of the Wedding
After the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, Lin Ruhai was left to oversee the wedding banquet outside.

His colleagues enthusiastically came forward to congratulate him, and after several rounds of toasts, they got Lin Ruhai, who was not good at drinking, drunk.

After traveling through the night, Lin Ruhai, already exhausted, naturally slumped onto the table and soon began to snore.

Yue Ling strode out from the inner hall and came to toast the guests.

His first step was to approach Emperor Longyou, who was attending the first banquet, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty's presence is deeply appreciated by me."

Emperor Longyou smiled and patted Yue Ling on the shoulder, making no attempt to hide his affection for him in front of everyone.

"I should have come; it would have been a great pity if I hadn't."

Yue Ling sighed and said, "Your Majesty's health has not yet recovered, and you need to rest for a while longer."

Emperor Longyou nodded and drank the wine in his cup with Yue Ling.

Seeing this, the three princes felt as if they had been adopted, and that Yue Ling was the real prince.

"Alright, no need to worry about me. There's another one slumped over the table over there; quickly take him inside. He used to be a capable man, but now that he's old, why has he become so unreliable?"

Following the direction pointed out by Emperor Longyou, Yue Ling saw Lin Ruhai fast asleep and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Okay, thank you Your Majesty."

Walk around the tables to greet the guests and offer congratulations.

Perhaps because these people hadn't been able to get anything out of Yue Ling over the years, they were now holding their breath and kept coming after Yue Ling to offer him drinks, trying to get him drunk.

Drinking one cup after another, Yue Ling finally reached Lin Ruhai's side, his steps already somewhat unsteady.

Gently shaking Lin Ruhai's shoulder, Yue Ling sobbed, "Brother, you've finally made it. I thought you wouldn't make it in time."

After letting out a burp, Yue Ling saw that Lin Ruhai didn't seem to be waking up, so he carried him on his back and staggered into the inner chamber.

"Once you're in the capital, feel at home. No need for further words, just stay here for the night. I'll take you to your concubines now and let them look after you."

"Brother, you have no idea how beautiful the baby girls born to our two concubines are. They're three months old now, and they've really grown up. They don't cry or fuss, they just giggle, they're so adorable..."

Yue Ling, his mind filled with incessant grumbling, carried Lin Ruhai back to their room, step by step.

……

The guests enjoyed themselves immensely, and the wine flowed freely until they were halfway through their drinks.

None of those present dared to leave their seats first, because Emperor Longyou was still sitting there, seemingly very happy, chatting and laughing with others and the Empress.

Looking at the dejected Lin Ruhai and then at the triumphant Emperor Longyou, people felt as if they were in-laws.

"Yue Ling's marriage is finally settled. He can finally relax and have a son or daughter, so that his reputation will not be wasted."

Emperor Longyou took a small sip of wine and said with a smile, "By the way, a few days ago Yue Ling asked me which judge presided over the case when Tuji Khan died in prison many years ago."

"I can't remember for a moment. Does anyone remember?"

Prince Chungshun shook his head and said, "This kind of official business is something I, your humble brother, am completely inept at."

Water-soluble also shook its head.

Finally, Emperor Longyou's gaze fell on Chai Pu, but Chai Pu did not react for a moment.

Emperor Longyou asked in confusion, "It's understandable that the two of them didn't know, but you, Minister Chai, didn't know either?"

Chai Pu seemed to have just come to his senses. "Ah? This old minister's mind is as muddy as mud. I didn't hear what Your Majesty said just now. I'm afraid I'm old and frail. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Emperor Longyou patiently repeated, "I'm referring to Tuji Khan. Who investigated the case of his death in prison?"

Chai Pu nodded slightly and cupped his hands, saying, "This time I have heard it. If I am not mistaken, it should have been a joint trial by three courts, including the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Qu, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lord Sheng, and the current Censor of the Censorate, Lord Ji."

"Is there something Your Majesty wishes to know?"

"It's not that I wanted to ask," Emperor Longyou said thoughtfully. "Since two of them have already retired, and only the Censor-in-Chief is still in office, then I can only ask Yue Ling to find him."

Chai Pu's eyes, which had been squinting, suddenly opened, then returned to normal after a moment.

"It's getting late, Your Majesty should return to the palace to rest."

The Empress whispered words of advice in his ear, and Emperor Longyou nodded in agreement, "Very well, I also want to go back and rest for a while."

Emperor Longyou slowly rose, faced the audience, and said, "My dear ministers, please take care of yourselves. I will return to the palace now."

Everyone agreed, and Emperor Longyou, supported by the Empress, walked unsteadily towards the door.

Everyone bowed to see them off, and Prince Bei Jing, Shui Rong, slightly raised his eyebrows, a guess forming in his mind.

Emperor Longyou is probably really ill now. Although he is forcing himself to stay awake, he is not the same as before. His face is pale after sweating.

Looking at the three princes in front of her, Shui Rong felt it was time to make a choice.

When he turned around, he found that Chai Pu's expression was unpredictable.

"Your Highnesses, my colleagues, I shall take my leave now."

The eldest prince noticed that Chai Pu's complexion was not good, so he came over to his side to inquire, saying, "Is Grand Secretary Chai unwell? Perhaps we should have the imperial physician examine him."

Chai Pu's forehead was beaded with sweat, but he forced a smile and said, "No need. I must be old and frail. Today's revelry and merriment have probably taken their toll. I'll just go back and rest."

Since that was the case, the eldest prince had no reason to insist, so he summoned several servants from the Dingguo Mansion and sent a carriage to transport Chai Pu.

"Since Grand Secretary Chai is unwell, I will escort him back to his residence first. Please make yourselves at home."

After the two left together, Liu Yi smiled contemptuously and turned his gaze back to Prince Zhongshun. "Uncle, shall we go and cause a ruckus at the Duke of Dingguo's wedding night?"

Prince Zhongshun clapped his hands and laughed, "You brat, if you're not afraid of being beaten up and thrown out by the Duke of Dingguo, you're welcome to try it."

Liu Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Uncle Wang, am I really that much worse than the Duke of Dingguo?"

King Chungshun extended the tip of his little finger and said in a measured tone, "You're only as good as him in this respect."

Liu Yi took a sip of his drink and couldn't help but laugh.

"Very well, I will also return to my residence."

Only two people remained at the table. Shui Rong politely asked the Third Prince beside him, "Does Your Highness have any plans to return to your residence?"

Liu Yun's tone remained calm and even, "We are going back to the manor."

Shui Rong then said, "The Third Prince's residence is near mine, why don't we go back together?"

Liu Yun politely declined, saying, "No need."

Shui Rong nodded, not insisting, "Alright, then we'll meet again at court another day, Third Prince."

……

The inner chamber, inside the bridal chamber.

The red candles burned brightly, illuminating the room like a rosy sunset.

But it still doesn't compare to the rosy and delicate cheeks of Lin Daiyu under the red veil.

Xueyan sat at the round table, eating pastries one after another. She didn't forget Lin Daiyu and turned around to ask, "Miss, would you like some? Master is going to entertain guests at the gate. Who knows when he will be back."

"It's past noon today, and the young lady hasn't eaten. I've been with her, and I haven't eaten either. It's a pity I didn't get to eat a single bite at the wedding banquet."

Xueyan, unable to hold back her tears, let them flow from the corner of her mouth.

Lin Daiyu was speechless, thinking to herself, "You're just a maid who came with me as part of my dowry. How can you be allowed to go out to a banquet? You really don't know how lucky you are. With your position, who knows how many people are eyeing you behind your back. You're such a silly girl." She pouted and replied, "I'm not hungry. You eat. I'll wait for Brother Yue to arrive before we talk about it."

Before they could, there was a soft knock on the door.

Lin Daiyu hurriedly called Xueyan to open the door, her body tense, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Her palms, which were originally cold, gradually warmed up and became covered in fine sweat.

The ball of fabric in front of her seemed to have soaked a patch of her skirt.

"master?"

The snow goose peeked out and called out.

Finally, she was able to address Yue Ling in the same way as the other sisters in the mansion.

Regardless of other matters, Xueyan still cared a lot about this matter.

Yue Ling affectionately patted Xueyan's head and said with a smile, "Thank you for keeping Lin Meimei company. Go and rest in the side room now."

Xueyan pinched her nose and waved her hand in front of her, saying, "Master smells strongly of alcohol. He should go and wash up."

"Huh? Really?" Yue Ling awkwardly lifted the wide sleeve and took a serious sniff.

But he drank too much alcohol and felt that his sense of smell was no longer sensitive, so he couldn't smell anything at all.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lin Daiyu whispered from inside, "No need, let Brother Yue in."

Xueyan turned her head to look at her unruly daughter, stuck out her tongue, moved aside, and stopped blocking the door.

Yue Ling stepped in and almost stumbled. After regaining his balance, he smiled and said, "There is some food prepared in the side room. It is a small portion of each dish from the banquet. Go and have a taste."

Xueyan's eyes gleamed, and she jumped up and down with joy, "Master, you are the best, I like you the most."

After saying that, he dashed off to the side room.

Clearly, Xueyan was lying; she preferred food.

Hearing soft laughter coming from beside the bed, Yue Ling couldn't help but smile as well. He closed the doors and windows, then bolted the door and slowly walked to the bedside.

After all the sounds around her ceased, Lin Daiyu felt someone gradually approaching her, and her heart began to race rapidly, as if she could hear it pounding.

"Sister Lin, do I smell bad?"

"It's alright, Brother Yue, don't worry about these things..."

"Then I..."

A pair of large, rough hands reached under her head. Lin Daiyu's eyes widened, and she helped to press the hands down.

"Brother Yue! Didn't you see the brocade plate on the table?"

"Oh, I was drunk and didn't notice."

Yue Ling was somewhat at a loss, which made Lin Daiyu cover her mouth and chuckle.

The jade ruyi lies in the brocade tray; it is meant to be used to lift the veil, so that one may have everything one desires.

Yue Ling awkwardly took the jade from his hand and said in a low voice, "This is also my first time getting married. I'll be more experienced next time."

Lin Daiyu was taken aback at first, then snorted coldly and lightly stepped on Yue Ling's foot.

"What time is it? Why do you still have to tease me?"

Yue Ling smiled and said, "I was just worried that Miss Lin would be too nervous."

"Oh, then I really have to thank you."

Slowly lifting the veil, a stunningly beautiful and delicate face came into view.

Even without makeup, Lin Daiyu is already beautiful and refined, but now, dressed in full makeup, she is even more captivating to Yue Ling.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface. Her usually pale cheeks were flushed with a captivating rosy blush of joy and shyness, and her cherry lips were adorned with a touch of vermilion. She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet also possessed an air of delicate fragility.

With her head slightly lowered, her shyness acted like a potent medicine, completely sobering up the drunk Yue Ling.

He stared blankly, forgetting to take the next step. It was Lin Daiyu who reminded him, "Brother Yue, let's drink the nuptial wine."

"Oh, right, I have no experience..."

"Again!"

Yue Ling smiled and said, "It's because Lin Daiyu is too beautiful that she was momentarily distracted."

Lin Daiyu liked hearing this, and she swayed her waist proudly.

He handed a glass cup to Lin Daiyu, and the two intertwined their arms, awkwardly raising their cups together.

A few breaths later, they landed together, and their eyes met for the first time.

Just as Yue Ling was captivated by Lin Daiyu's beauty, Lin Daiyu's affection for Yue Ling was no less intense.

However, Yue Ling's gaze seemed even more intense, making Lin Daiyu dare not meet his eyes for long, and she couldn't help but give in again.

Yue Ling wouldn't let her hide any longer. He raised his hands and touched Lin Daiyu's cheeks, drawing her closer. He said emotionally, "Sister Lin, we will never be separated in this life, no, for all generations to come."

Lin Daiyu was full of complaints and couldn't help but want to grumble to herself. She wondered what kind of joke her brother Yue had made this time, talking about reincarnation and being a Buddhist.

But the atmosphere was just right, and it wasn't the time for jokes, so Lin Daiyu agreed, saying, "Then I will believe in Brother Yue for all eternity, and never leave him."

Yue Ling blinked and asked, "Should I still call you 'Brother Yue'?"

Lin Daiyu smiled slyly, "You haven't changed your way of addressing me, how can I possibly say it?"

"Miss?"

"Husband!"

Then, amidst the deep affection, Yue Ling gradually leaned down, and Lin Daiyu naturally stopped dodging, instead stepping forward to meet him, their lips pressed tightly together.

Their breathing gradually quickened, their jaws loosened their defenses, and they became entangled in love, remaining inseparable for a long time.

For a full quarter of an hour, Lin Daiyu's eyes were glazed over, and her body swayed rhythmically.

The intoxicating fragrance reached Yue Ling's nostrils, causing his emotions to solidify further.

……

The two were drawn into the tent, where silk curtains embroidered with twin lotus flowers hung gracefully.

But this is not the end; it is just the beginning.

Lin Daiyu gently bit her cherry lips, her eyes veiled with a misty haze as she gazed at Yue Ling, and whispered, "Please, my husband..."

This scene was so perfect that Yue Ling couldn't even dream of it. How could Yue Ling not feel his blood boiling?
But Yue Ling endured it with great restraint.

"Don't suffer alone. Your body is weak; you can't force yourself..."

Lin Daiyu raised her hand and gently rubbed Yue Ling's cheek, then smiled and said, "Husband, I am no longer that little baby who always cried and needed you to take me away."

Then...

(End of this chapter)