The Red Mansion

Chapter 200 He actually bullied me
Lin Daiyu was gazing at the old plum tree outside Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion when she suddenly saw two figures walking towards the pavilion. At first, she couldn't see them clearly, but she soon recognized them. The one in front was clearly Jiang Nian, dressed in the uniform of a guard and wearing a cloak, while the one behind looked like Xiao Nan, Aunt Qiu's maid.

Zijuan whispered, "Miss, Lord Jiang... Lord Jiang has arrived."

Knowing that Lin Daiyu disliked Jiang Nian, she deliberately addressed him as "Lord Jiang".

Lin Daiyu felt a surge of annoyance, her delicate eyebrows furrowing as she thought to herself, "Father said that he is my cousin's husband and also an imperial envoy, busy with official duties, and wouldn't come to my residence without reason. But... and here he is!"

snort!
Without saying a word, she turned and hurriedly walked into the Hibiscus Pavilion.

Zijuan hesitated for a moment, but seeing that Jiang Nian had approached, she had no choice but to step forward and curtsy, saying, "Greetings to Lord Jiang."

He deliberately raised his voice a few decibels so that Lin Daiyu inside the pavilion could hear him.

Jiang Nian paused, her gaze sweeping over Zijuan's shoulder before turning towards Furong Pavilion: "Did Miss Lin just go in?"

Zijuan replied with a forced smile, "Reporting to Your Excellency, the young lady... she was tired and went to rest." Before she could finish speaking, she blushed. This lie was rather clumsy. Just a moment ago, the young lady was clearly still admiring the scenery, and suddenly she hurriedly went into the pavilion. How could someone as shrewd as Lord Jiang believe her lie?

Jiang Nian didn't mind, and instead carefully examined the Hibiscus Pavilion in front of her, thinking to herself, "It is indeed suitable for Lin Daiyu to live in. I just wonder what the Xiaoxiang Pavilion in the Grand View Garden was like in the original novel?"

Turning back to look at the small lotus pond, the withered lotus leaves possess a unique charm. Their bare stems support the remaining leaves, swaying gently in the wind, creating delicate ripples on the water's surface, evoking a sense of tranquility reminiscent of the poem "Leaving withered lotus leaves to listen to the sound of rain."

Jiang Nian suddenly turned to Zijuan and said, "Please ask your young lady to come out; I have something important to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Zijuan felt quite troubled, thinking to herself, "The young lady was clearly avoiding seeing me just now, so why would she come out?" Not daring to say it outright, she could only smile apologetically and say, "Reporting to you, sir, the young lady is indeed tired and has already rested. If you have any instructions, I am willing to convey them."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how abrupt they were and quickly lowered his head.

Jiang Nian suddenly said seriously, "This matter concerns her father's illness and must be explained to her in person. If she is unwilling to come out to see me, then so be it!"

Upon hearing this, and seeing Jiang Nian's serious expression, Zijuan dared not be negligent and hurriedly said, "Lord Jiang, please wait a moment, I will go in and inform him."

He turned and entered the Hibiscus Pavilion, where he saw Lin Daiyu leaning against the green gauze window, peeking out quietly.

Zijuan stepped forward and whispered, "Miss, Lord Jiang says he has something important to tell you, concerning the master's illness. You must go out to see him."

Lin Daiyu's delicate eyebrows furrowed again, and she twisted the handkerchief in her hand repeatedly before finally sighing softly, "Since that's the case, then I'll go and see him."

Lin Daiyu tidied her hair slightly and, supported by Zijuan, slowly walked out. As soon as she stepped out of the pavilion, she felt a gaze fixed upon her and quickly lowered her head. Reaching Jiang Nian, she deliberately stopped a few steps away, refusing to come any closer.

Jiang Nian didn't rush to speak, but instead carefully observed Lin Daiyu. She was dressed in a moon-white silk jacket, with a lotus-blue crane-patterned cloak over it, and an apricot-yellow sash tied around her waist. She looked like a lotus flower with dew on its petals, pure and otherworldly. However, her lowered eyes clearly revealed a hint of impatience.

The wind swept across the small lotus pond behind Jiang Nian, rustling the withered lotus leaves.

Lin Daiyu waited for a long time without any movement, and couldn't help but raise her eyes to glance at Jiang Nian. She met Jiang Nian's ambiguous smile and was immediately filled with embarrassment and anger. She quickly lowered her head and whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "What...what do you want to say?"

Jiang Nian suddenly became solemn and said to Lin Daiyu in a deep voice, "Miss Lin, your father's illness is dangerous, and he only has a 20% chance of survival. He needs both internal and external care. In addition to medicine, he also needs to calm his mind and spirit. If you want your father to live, besides serving him the medicine with all your heart, you must also restrain yourself and not be willful. You must not let your sentimental nature affect your father's condition."

Having said that, he then asked sternly, "Have you remembered these words?"

Lin Daiyu was struck dumb, her delicate eyebrows furrowing as usual. She thought to herself, "What an impolite person! In his eyes, am I just a woman who doesn't know how to be filial and only knows how to be willful?" She glanced up and saw Jiang Nian's eyes were like torches, showing no intention of backing down.

Seeing that she didn't answer, Jiang Nian's voice deepened: "Answer me, have you remembered?"

Lin Daiyu felt a surge of grievance welling up inside her, her slender fingers twisting her handkerchief tightly. From childhood, she had been pampered by her parents, and even after living in the Rongguo Mansion in the capital, she was still doted on by Grandmother Jia, and Jia Baoyu always indulged her. She had never been subjected to such harsh questioning before. Standing by the lotus pond, she felt like a criminal being interrogated, her ears burning with shame and anger.

Zijuan was frightened by Jiang Nian, but seeing that things were not going well, she still mustered up her courage and bowed to Jiang Nian, saying, "Don't worry, Lord Jiang, my daughter is very filial and will remember this."

"I'm asking about her," Jiang Nian interrupted coldly, her gaze still fixed on Lin Daiyu. "Miss Lin, are you an unfilial daughter, or do you despise me and disdain to answer?"

Lin Daiyu's eyes were already brimming with tears, the teardrops swirling in her eyes, about to fall but not yet.

"Woo——"

A barely audible sob escaped her lips. Lin Daiyu forced back her tears, turned her head away from Jiang Nian, and cried out in her heart, "He...he actually bullied me!"

Jiang Nian snorted coldly and said to Xiao Nan, "In that case, let's go back."

He turned and left, his footsteps thumping.

But after taking only a few steps, he suddenly heard a hurried voice behind him: "I...I remember."

Jiang Nian turned her head and saw Lin Daiyu finally shed tears. The tears slid down her jade-like cheeks and dripped onto her lotus-green crane cloak, leaving dark stains. In the cold wind, her thin body trembled slightly, like a withered lotus stem in a small lotus pond.

"Just remember that." Jiang Nian's tone softened slightly. "Uncle Lin only has you as his daughter, so please take care."

After saying that, she turned and left, but a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips. She thought to herself, "Sister Lin, I'm not your cousin Baoyu!"

Upon reaching the outside of Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion, Jiang Nian suddenly approached the old plum tree, personally broke off a branch of red plum blossoms, and handed it to Xiao Nan: "Put it in a vase immediately and send it to Miss Lin at Hibiscus Pavilion."

Xiao Nan took it and saw that there were more than a dozen red plum blossoms blooming on the plum branch. After being nourished by the drizzle, they looked even more beautiful.

Lin Daiyu was quite adept at pushing and pulling!

What a coincidence, I, Jiang Nian, can do that too!

……

……

Lin Daiyu stared blankly as Jiang Nian walked away, then suddenly turned around and ran towards Furong Pavilion.

Zijuan chased after her, calling out repeatedly, "Slow down, miss, watch your step!"

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Daiyu staggered into the building.

With a "snap," the curtain to the inner room was lifted high and then fell back down. Lin Daiyu threw herself onto the embroidered bed, burying her face in the brocade quilt, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.

Zijuan followed her in and, seeing her like this, assumed she was angry with Jiang Nian. She deliberately said, "This Lord Jiang is so rude! He's supposed to be the young lady's cousin-in-law, yet he speaks so harshly. The Third Miss and the others in the Rong Mansion always praise him, but now it seems he's nowhere near as considerate as Master Bao..."

"Shut up!" Lin Daiyu suddenly looked up, her eyes red from crying, yet flashing with anger.

Zijuan immediately fell silent, sticking out her tongue. Actually, she hadn't meant what she said; she was just trying to comfort Lin Daiyu, seeing her distress. In her heart, she thought that a young man like Jiang Nian, so valiant, capable, and distinguished, was far superior to that Bao Er Ye who spent his days lingering in the inner chambers.

Lin Daiyu buried her face in the brocade quilt again and wept bitterly, her cries suppressed as if afraid of being overheard. Zijuan stood by the bed, at a loss, not knowing how to comfort her, when suddenly Xiaonan came in carrying a celadon vase. Inside the vase, a branch of red plum blossoms was in full bloom, and the petals were still adorned with crystal-clear water droplets.

"Sister Xiao Nan is here..."

Zijuan deliberately spoke up to remind her.

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Daiyu suddenly looked up, and through her tear-blurred eyes, she saw the red plum blossoms and was momentarily stunned.

Xiao Nan smiled and said, "This was folded by Lord Jiang himself. He specially instructed me to put it in a vase and send it to you, Miss." As she spoke, she glanced at Lin Daiyu and saw her sitting blankly on the edge of the bed, her tear stains still wet but she had forgotten to cry.

Zijuan realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward to take the vase: "Thank you for making this trip, sister, and thank you for your trouble, Lord Jiang."

Seeing that Lin Daiyu was still in a daze, Xiao Nan took her leave.

After Xiao Nan left, Zi Juan carried a vase to Lin Daiyu and said with a smile, "Miss, you see, Lord Jiang still knows how to care for people." As she spoke, she handed the vase to Lin Daiyu.

Lin Daiyu glared at Zijuan, but involuntarily took the vase. The plum branches were gnarled and graceful, with a dozen or so red plum blossoms in bloom. Most wonderfully, the petals still had water droplets on them, probably from the light rain earlier, which made the red plum blossoms even more delicate and beautiful, somewhat resembling her red, tear-stained eyes.

Lin Daiyu was so engrossed in watching that she unconsciously reached out and gently touched the petals. A drop of water rolled down her fingertip, feeling cool and refreshing.

Zijuan smiled to herself from the side. Seeing that Lin Daiyu's expression had softened, she said softly, "These plum blossoms are really beautiful. I think Lord Jiang specially picked the most vibrant one. This Lord Jiang is quite interesting. He was so strict just now, but now he's so considerate."

Lin Daiyu blushed and whispered, "Who cares about this gift from him! Just throw it... put it on the table."

Zijuan smiled secretly, took the vase back, and placed it on the table.

After a moment's thought, Lin Daiyu said to Zijuan, "Go and pour some tea."

Zijuan walked out of the inner room.

Lin Daiyu quickly seized the opportunity to walk to the table and lower her head to smell the plum blossom fragrance. The scent was cool and ethereal, carrying the dampness of the rain, and refreshing to the soul. For some reason, the grievances she had felt earlier seemed to dissipate somewhat with the fragrance of the plum blossoms.

The man's stern questioning voice was still fresh in my mind, yet now he's bringing such a delightful gift...

Hmm, disgusting!

……

……

Xiao Nan returned to Peach Blossom Spring Pavilion and had just finished telling Jiang Nian about Lin Daiyu's reaction when she received the red plum blossoms when she suddenly heard the sound of boots outside the door. Qi Jianyu had rushed over again.

After Jiang Nian asked Xiao Nan to leave, she called Qi Jianyu in.

"My lord," Qi Jianyu bowed and reported, "the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai and the Prefect of Yangzhou have jointly requested an audience."

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow slightly: "Oh?" She thought to herself, "Shen Chuan'en, the head of the salt industry in Yangzhou, has only been gone for a short while, and now these two officials from Yangzhou are here again. Are they both in such a hurry?" But she didn't show it on her face. She just said calmly, "Reply to them the same way you replied to Shen Chuan'en before!" She also specifically instructed, "Your attitude must still be better."

Qi Jianyu accepted the order and left.

Xiao Nan came out and saw Jiang Nian deep in thought. She said softly, "Would you like some more tea, sir? Some people say that tea brewed with Peach Blossom Spring water is best brewed a second time."

Jiang Nian snapped out of her reverie and saw Xiao Nan with her eyes lowered, looking obedient. Suddenly, she recalled Lin Daiyu's tears falling like pearls earlier, and couldn't help but smile slightly: "Alright."

Xiao Nan smiled and busied herself pouring water into the teacup.

Jiang Nian took the teacup, sipped the tea, and sighed inwardly, "Shen Chuan'en, the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, the Prefect of Yangzhou... the waters of the Yangzhou Salt Administration are much deeper than those of Peach Blossom Spring! I'm not in a hurry, but they're all getting anxious. It seems I need to find out the situation as soon as possible!"

……

……

After Jiang Nian had dinner with Ren Pijiang, Dai Shijiao, Qi Jianyu, Zou Jianyuan, Meng Xiong and others, it was already dusk.

Lanterns have been lit throughout the saltworks, including glass lanterns, ram's horn lanterns, and even lanterns that seem to die from exhaustion...

Jiang Nian arrived at Sibingtang alone. At that time, the servants in Sibingtang were having their meal, and the hall was quiet.

Jiang Nian lifted the soft blue satin curtain of the inner room and saw Lin Daiyu sitting by the bed, holding a Ding kiln white porcelain bowl, carefully feeding Lin Ruhai soup. Lin Ruhai leaned against the headboard, his face pale, but he seemed to be in slightly better spirits than during the day.

Lin Daiyu suddenly sensed someone entering. She looked up and saw Jiang Nian. Her ears immediately burned, and she quickly lowered her head, secretly annoyed: "I... I have been serving my father since I was a child. I didn't come here because of what you said..." But she was too embarrassed to say these words out loud.

Jiang Nian stepped forward and smiled at Lin Daiyu, saying, "Sister Lin is so filial to her uncle!"

These words sounded like mockery to Lin Daiyu, who couldn't help but let out a soft "humph." Suddenly noticing her father's gaze falling upon her, she had no choice but to rise and give Jiang Nian a quick curtsy, as if trying to conceal something.

Lin Ruhai said weakly, "Lord Jiang, is there something you wish to discuss with me at this hour?"

Jiang Nian smiled and said, "There is indeed something to discuss. We can talk about it after Sister Lin has finished serving Uncle her meal."

"I've already used it, there's no need to use it again." Lin Ruhai said, and then tried to send Lin Daiyu, Zijuan and the others away.

Jiang Nian said, "Health is of utmost importance. A sick person should pay even more attention to their diet. I would be too embarrassed to discuss important matters if we don't finish this bowl of soup." As she spoke, her gaze fell on Lin Daiyu's face.

Seeing his insistence, Lin Ruhai had no choice but to nod in agreement.

Lin Daiyu felt increasingly uncomfortable under Jiang Nian's gaze. Her hand trembled slightly as she quickly fed her father the soup and then took her leave.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Nian suddenly said, "Sister Lin, please stay. Everyone else, please leave."

Lin Daiyu was taken aback, feeling completely bewildered. She thought to herself, "Why do you want me to stay when you're discussing important matters with Father?" But she didn't dare to ask aloud. She stood by the bed with her head down, twisting the handkerchief in her hand, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai said to Lin Daiyu, "Yu'er, you may stay here."

After Zijuan and the others left, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat eerie.

Lin Ruhai leaned against the headboard, Jiang Nian sat in front of the bed, and Lin Daiyu stood blankly to the side...

(End of this chapter)