Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 518 Master Bao's health is getting better and better!

"Steward Dai, who is this gentleman?"

The guard looked over in disbelief, but after Dai Quan glanced at him sideways, he obediently shut his mouth, clasped his hands in salute, and retreated.

Dai Quan took a deep breath, lowered his gaze to his feet, slowly put down his cane, and bent his knees.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty."

The respectful attitude of their ancestor startled the eunuchs who rushed over upon hearing the news, and they quickly knelt down behind him.

"Miss?"

Miaoyu, trailing behind the old nun, was no less shocked than the others. Gazing at her master's back, she felt a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.

When Miaoyu was young, a fortune teller told her that she would suffer many misfortunes in her life and that she needed to enter a place of spiritual cultivation and stay with someone with great fortune in order to avoid disaster. He said that even donating a substitute body would not work.

So she was raised by her master from a young age, but now that she thinks about it, her master has never mentioned anything about his earlier years to her.

Upon hearing the title "Your Majesty," Miaoyu had to re-examine her master. "Could this be the reason why Master wanted to avoid worldly affairs? Is it because he has ties to the imperial family?"

He remained impassive before the old nun, but a closer look revealed a hint of anger. He scolded, "Get up! So many years have passed, is it still necessary to put on this act of respecting superiors and inferiors? Is it for the benefit of the people in the earth?"

For some reason, Miaoyu had a feeling.

In front of this chief eunuch, the master seemed even stricter than he was with himself.

This made Miaoyu secretly tug at her master's sleeve from behind. As a nun, how could she break the precept against anger towards heretics?

The old nun, however, remained oblivious and continued her aggressive questioning, "Where is he buried?"

Steward Dai, who had been half-kneeling, finally straightened up, took a deep breath, and said, "Your Majesty, please come with this old servant."

The eunuchs all got up and followed at the back of the group. Led by Dai Quan, the group walked through a long passageway and arrived at a stone tablet.

The stone steps were free of moss, and there wasn't a single weed around. Even the trees all around were neatly trimmed, clearly indicating that someone had been cleaning and pruning them regularly.

After stepping down the steps, the old nun carried the Buddhist shrine to the altar. After setting up the incense altar, she accepted the incense offered by Dai Quan, lit it, and slowly closed her eyes, softly chanting.

Seeing this, Miaoyu also hurriedly began to perform a Buddhist ritual to mourn her deceased loved ones.

As wisps of smoke rose, Dai Quan slowly knelt down and kowtowed devoutly.

During a break in the ritual, Miaoyu couldn't help but open her eyes a crack.

From her master's back, Miaoyu could see her expression and couldn't fathom her state of mind. She only noticed her body swaying from time to time, which made Miaoyu feel heartbroken.

I wonder what burden my master carried that made her so devoted to spiritual practice for so many years, yet even today, when she comes to mourn, her emotions are still stirred.

The old nun only rose again after a full incense stick had burned out, her robes brushing past Dai Quan, but she remained silent throughout.

Dai Quan couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, please wait. This old servant has something else to ask."

Miaoyu glanced back at Dai Quan, who even needed help to get up; he looked so pitiful.

His own master also stopped upon hearing this, seemingly still struggling with his inner turmoil.

“Master? Why don’t we listen to what he has to say? Didn’t he say that we’re here today to confront the past? If we keep avoiding it, it’s no different from not coming at all…”

When Miaoyu said this, she lacked confidence and stammered.

But the old nun listened and nodded, saying, "Very well. Brother, lead the way."

"No, Your Majesty, may I speak with you somewhere else?"

Miaoyu's eyes flickered frequently; her worries had been forgotten, and she was now only interested in watching the drama unfold.

"Brother?"

……

In the blink of an eye, the group arrived at a thatched hut outside the imperial mausoleum, a temporary dwelling built with straw.

The interior was also very simple and frugal, with only tables, chairs, a long mat serving as a bed, and many books placed in the corner.

Tea was brewed outside the door and brought in by a eunuch. Dai Quan personally served it to the table.

"These teacups are all newly made and have never been used before, Your Highness, please accept them."

The old nun took a deep breath to calm herself and said, "It's been so many years since we last met, why be so hypocritical? Now that I've said what I wanted to say, I'm in a hurry to get back to the city and find lodging."

"Back to the city?"

Now it was Dai Quan's turn to be surprised. "Has Her Majesty already been in the capital for quite some time? Where is she staying now?"

The old nun glanced at her disciple behind her and said, "She's staying at the Dingguo Mansion with this good-for-nothing. She's in love with the Duke of Dingguo and refuses to leave the mansion, insisting on causing trouble there."

Miaoyu blushed, and instead of curiously eating the melon, she slowly lowered her head.

Dai Quan looked up and nodded as if he understood something. "No wonder we didn't know about the Empress's arrival in the capital. It turns out she was under the protection of the Duke of Dingguo."

"This girl has been practicing Buddhism since childhood. It would not be wrong for her to return to secular life because of her beloved. Besides, she has her eye on the Duke of Dingguo. The Duke of Dingguo is a figure who will be remembered in history. He is still young and strong. Anyone who sees him will fall in love with him and be captivated for life."

Old Ni seemed unwilling to hear this topic, and retorted sarcastically, "You're using your old, illogical excuse again. If you have something to say, say it; if not, let us go back."

Dai Quan nodded slightly and said, "Since no one knows that Your Highness has come to the capital this time, does Your Highness have no intention of returning to the palace?"

The old nun turned her head and said, "When did I ever enter the palace?"

Dai Quan looked slightly embarrassed and said in a low voice, "It was this old servant's fault..."

Old Ni's expression changed slightly, but he finally sighed and said, "Now, it's no use saying anything more."

Looking out the window, a pair of orioles perched on the willow branches, chirping merrily. The old nun said again, "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. The grudges and affections of the past are nothing more than a handful of yellow earth in the end. You no longer need to talk about owing anything."

"You obtained the power you desired, served the late emperor for your entire life, and even after your death, you remained loyal in cleaning the imperial tombs. This is your final resting place; your wishes have been fulfilled. The Dai family also prospered as a result, becoming a powerful and influential family in Jiangxi, which was also what you desired."

Dai Quan felt ashamed and said, "In the end, I have failed you."

"Don't mention it again. I'm doing quite well now. Except for this disciple, who can't walk properly when he sees a man, which is really a worry for me."

Dai Quan, however, felt that his apprentice had clear features and looked somewhat like his old friend. He was surprised to find that his temperament was also similar, and that he was a devoted lover.

The conversation grew increasingly casual, but Dai Quan abruptly changed the subject, blurting out something he had kept hidden for decades: "The prince Your Majesty gave birth to did not die young... but was sent to the palace by the late Emperor to be raised, and he is still alive today. Does Your Majesty not wish to see him?"

Upon hearing this, the old nun trembled and nearly fell off her chair.

It was Miaoyu, who was standing by his side, who reacted quickly and helped him up.

The old nun raised her head and said weakly, "Why did you hide it from me? Where is he?"

Dai Quan couldn't bear it and lowered his head, saying, "It was the late emperor who intentionally blocked the news, and this old servant had no choice but to keep it a secret. Now that the late emperor has passed away, it's better to explain it to Your Majesty."

"Speak, speak quickly!" Dai Quan sighed, "The child born to the Empress back then is none other than the current Emperor!"

Miaoyu's almond-shaped eyes widened, and her mouth opened as wide as a goose egg.

The old nun was also stunned, standing there dumbfounded, unable to recover for a long time...

……

Inside the city, at Fengxue Pavilion,

Fengxue Pavilion, now a well-known name in Beijing, is no longer just used for banquets.

Apart from the first floor, which also offered food and drink, the two floors above it were transformed into clothing stores for ladies to browse and choose from.

The first and second floors are separated from each other, with no direct route. Instead, wooden stairs are suspended from the outside, allowing direct access to the second floor, making it a unique sight in Beijing.

From Yue Ling's perspective, it's just like a modern shopping mall, combining multiple functions into one.

Nowadays, women rarely go out to spend money; only wealthy women have such leisure time.

Fengxue Pavilion originally sold undergarments, but now the Feng brand has expanded its business to include fabrics and has also started tailoring and making garments, making the business much larger than before.

On the third floor, Qingwen arrived at a small pavilion with great joy, knocked on the door, found Xue Baoqin, and gently placed the brocade box she was holding on the table.

There seemed to be something inside, making a rustling sound as the table swayed.

Xue Baoqin looked up curiously and said, "Why were you kicked out of the manor? You can just hand me over when I get back tonight."

Qingwen said shyly, "I've been looking for Miss Qin for several days, but I haven't found her even once. That's why I had no choice but to come to Fengzi House to look for you."

Xue Baoqin suddenly realized that the reason she had been appearing and disappearing mysteriously in the mansion these past few days was to avoid her sister, Xue Baochai.

Xue Baochai was furious with her and wanted to beat her up whenever they met, so she had no choice but to avoid her.

Feeling slightly apologetic, Xue Baoqin smiled sheepishly and was about to lift the lid of the brocade box when Qingwen raised her hand and pressed it down again.

"Hmm?" Xue Baoqin asked in confusion, "Isn't this the sample garment you just made? Can't I even look at it?"

With her face flushed red like a lantern, Qingwen stammered, "That's true, but I must remind you that Master mentioned these things in his spare time, and I made them according to his instructions. But later, perhaps Master was busy, and he never mentioned them again."

"I was a little unsure, so I thought I'd take it out and make it into ready-made clothes to try and sell. If it's good, maybe it will please the master and remind him of this matter."

Xue Baoqin frowned and said, "Qingwen, you are usually a straightforward person, why are you being so long-winded today? Alright, just show me, all those shameful things you made, I've not only seen them, I've even worn them... cough cough, it's okay, let me see yours first."

Meeting Qingwen's gaze, Xue Baoqin deftly opened the brocade box, only to find that it was filled with fluffy little objects.

I reached out and picked one up; it was a cat ear with a little bell hanging from it.

Take another one; it has a small gold-plated ball and a woven fox tail at the back.

Xue Baoqin stared blankly. She had seen many scenes, but she had never seen anything like this before.

"This... this is what you call ready-to-wear clothing?"

Qingwen blinked, then said shyly, "Well, didn't we use fabric too?"

Xue Baoqin swallowed hard and said, "No, no, this must be something the Marquis likes, that's why he had you make these things. Instead of asking me, you should ask the Marquis if he still wants them, or ask Sister Keqing, she has more experience than any of you."

Changing the subject, Xue Baoqin looked Qingwen up and down and said, "No wonder you insisted on coming out to find me. If others in the manor saw such a shameful thing, who knows what they would say about you, you little vixen."

"Pah! Who's the vixen?!"

Qingwen stuck out her tongue, hugged the brocade box to her chest, and rolled her eyes.

Xue Baoqin giggled and swayed her hips, propping her head up as she teased, "I think some people are getting impatient now that Xueyan has become a concubine, and they're eager to show off."

Qingwen stomped her foot in anger and said, "I would never use my body to climb the social ladder. I clearly have the skills!"

How long can one's favor last if one uses one's looks to please another?

Xue Baoqin scoffed, "That's an old custom from the Rongguo Mansion. Is the Marquis the kind of person who would take advantage of someone and then forget about them?"

"Even if you don't use your looks to please people, when has the Marquis ever shown favoritism towards anyone? Think about it carefully. Is he closer to Zijuan than to you, or has he been cold to you all the time?"

Qingwen stood there stunned, carefully recalling what Xue Baoqin had said. Indeed, Yue Ling treated everyone equally in the room.

They never assign the most difficult tasks to anyone or deliberately give anyone a hard time. They always let people do what they can and make the most of their strengths.

Even if there were less intelligent maids, Yue Ling mostly encouraged them, and never showed any dislike for any of them.

Since there's not much difference before and after, what has she been insisting on all along?
Qingwen couldn't help but start asking herself questions, her mind a complete mess.

Seeing that he was deep in thought, Xue Baoqin smiled and comforted him, "I am willing to give myself away without reservation because I like you, Marquis. It's not to please you, Marquis."

"Huh?" Qingwen snapped out of her daze and asked, "You've already paid?"

"Oh no, I let it slip!"

Xue Baoqin, who had been beaming with pride, suddenly covered her mouth and nose, sprang to her feet, and walked out. "I'm not saying anything more. I'm busy right now, going to take care of my business. It's getting dark, you'd better hurry home."

Before she could finish speaking, Xue Baoqin had vanished, leaving Qingwen standing alone at the door.

"So, only when they are truly in love do they give themselves completely, body and soul... I never imagined that Miss Qin would go this far. What about Miss Bao...?"

Shaking her brocade box, Qingwen smiled bitterly, "I might as well give these to Miss Bao... However, cats don't seem to match Miss Bao's temperament, so I'll go back and make a dog instead."

As she was thinking this, Qingwen walked down the wooden stairs step by step.

Arriving at the street corner, just as he was about to board the carriage he had come in, he unexpectedly saw an acquaintance.

Not far away, Jia Baoyu seemed to have just finished shopping with Xia Jingui, the daughter of the Xia family. He was kneeling on the ground, acting as a footstool, so that Xia Jingui could step on him to get into the sedan chair.

When I looked up, I met my own gaze.

Seeing the smile on his face, Qingwen thought she had seen a ghost and avoided him at all costs.

But things didn't go as she wished. Jia Baoyu shook his robes and walked to the carriage window.

"Qingwen? Is this Qingwen? I am Baoyu, Second Master Bao! How have you been lately? Among so many young ladies in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, have they mistreated you or neglected you?"

Qingwen, thoroughly annoyed, lifted the sedan curtain and retorted, "My affairs are none of your concern, Master Bao. But Master Bao, since leaving the manor, you've become even more robust, more reliable than a footstool."

"You're just making my eyes dirty, so don't make my path dirty too. Get out of the way!"

The carriage slowly set off, and Baoyu stood blankly by the roadside, his lips opening and closing but ultimately unable to utter a single word.

Although the two had a past connection, they now seemed worlds apart...

(End of this chapter)