Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 524 Lin Daiyu: Second Master Bao, please have some self-respect!
"I heard~"

After drinking a few cups of wine, Wang Xifeng's face flushed red, and she made no attempt to hide it.

"Brother, you know alchemy?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Dao was first taken aback, then flew into a rage: "Who has revealed heavenly secrets?!"

This behavior only fueled Wang Xifeng's disdain.

Keep pretending, I'll show you!

"Brother, do you really have such extraordinary abilities?"

With a flicker of her beautiful eyes, Wang Xifeng covered her mouth and chuckled, "I don't believe you~ unless you show me how."

Normally, the next thing would be for Lin Dao to be eager to show off his abilities to the beauty, especially after drinking too much.

Wang Xifeng was confident that as long as Lin Dao dared to use the tricks of the martial arts world, she would definitely be able to see through them.

We'll expose them then, give them a good scolding, and kick them out of the house.

Unexpectedly, Lin Dao's expression changed, and he picked up his wine glass.

"No."

Now it was Wang Xifeng's turn to be astonished. "Why is that?"

"Sister-in-law."

Lin Dao looked up at her, a half-smile on his face. "This kind of technique is so profound, how can it be used casually?"

"If this news gets out, everyone in the world will come looking for me."

"Brother Lin~" Wang Xifeng said with increasing disdain, "What you said is not wrong."

“But I’m your sister-in-law, so I have to see what she’s made of.”

"Besides, don't you often give your second brother Lian money?"

“That’s different.” Lin Dao waved his hand dismissively. “I have a connection with Brother Lian, and it is fate that I gave him some money to spend through alchemy.”

“Lian Erge, once he takes the money, he just spends it on entertainment. Once he's done spending it, that's it. There won't be any trouble.”

What a fart fate.

If there's any connection between her and Jia Lian, it lies with the beautiful young woman before him.

If it were any other time or space, Lin Dao wouldn't have the leisure or inclination to do these things.

But in Lin Dao's eyes, this space and time was nothing more than a world in a book, and he came here purely for leisure and entertainment.

Compared to previous occasions that focused on family, country, and the world, this one has a different flavor.

The only person he truly valued was Lin Daiyu.

After all, only Lin Daiyu was nominated by the Time-Space Gate.

Wang Xifeng naturally understood what "spending money on entertainment" meant.

He glanced at Jia Lian, who was fast asleep on the table, and felt a surge of hatred that made his teeth itch.

"Since Brother Lian has already rested."

Lin Dao put down his wine glass. "Then I'll take my leave."

“No, no, no~”

Wang Xifeng hurriedly stopped him, "Brother Lin, where are you going?"

"Having just arrived in the capital, I'll wander around a bit." Lin Dao stood up and smiled. "I'll look for a temple or inn to stay in later."

As I said before, there weren't many star-rated hotels in ancient times.

The inn was in very poor condition.

If you want to stay in a nice place, you usually go to temples or local associations.

"If that's the case."

Wang Xifeng covered her mouth and laughed, "When he sobers up and can't see his brother, he'll definitely talk badly about his sister-in-law."

"Since Brother Lin has come to your residence, you should stay here."

"Ping'er~"

She instructed her capable assistant to "arrange a room for Brother Lin."

The Rongguo Mansion naturally has side rooms and courtyards for receiving guests.

Arrangements are usually made according to the guest's status.

Wang Xifeng wanted to keep Lin Dao around for a simple reason: she wanted to expose his deception.

Lin Dao's denials only made her more convinced of the matter.

Whatever their purpose, it was undoubtedly to extinguish Jia Lian's hopes.

When Ping'er returned, Wang Xifeng instructed, "Pick a few clever maids to keep an eye on things."

"Yes~"

After closing the door, Lin Dao raised his wrist and glanced at his watch. It was almost time to contact Lin Meimei as agreed.

Take out the walkie-talkie to make contact.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

Before long, Lin Daiyu's voice came from the other side.

"Senior brother, it's me. Are you alright?"

"I am fine, and you?"

Lin Dao laughed, feeling a sense of déjà vu, as if he were in an English class.

That being said, if I am teaching on behalf of my master, then I am also teaching students.

However, it's obvious that Lin Dao isn't as good at dressing up as his English teacher.

After a brief exchange, they reported on their respective situations.

Next, the two arranged a time to meet.

It wasn't a date, but a meeting to practice martial arts.

Lin Daiyu possessed immense strength, but lacked any skill.

When pushed to the limit, all they can do is throw wild punches.

Lin Dao taught her some techniques to make full use of her abilities.

On the way back to the capital, every evening when the boat docked, Lin Dao would go ashore to gather information.

After confirming the information about the local tyrant, the bandits, and the pirates, he led Lin Daiyu to perform acts of chivalry.

Although Lin Daiyu was only observing, she was delighted by what she saw.

This is much more satisfying than what's written in those miscellaneous books.

Just then, a man's hoarse voice, typical of someone going through puberty, suddenly came from outside the gauze-covered curtain.

"Pinpin!"

One side of it was like the Mid-Autumn Moon, its color like the flowers of spring dawn.

As if cut by a knife, her eyebrows were like ink paintings, her nose like a hanging gall, and her eyes like autumn waves.

A young man with a golden dragon-shaped necklace and a piece of beautiful jade around his neck rushed in joyfully.

"You're finally back~"

Lin Daiyu quickly put away the walkie-talkie, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Why did you come in without saying a word, Master Bao?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu, who had been out drinking with friends and had rushed back after learning of Lin Daiyu's return, froze.

She actually called me Master Bao!?
"Master Bao" is the common name for Jia Baoyu in the Jia family.

But Lin Daiyu would call Baoyu by his name, or simply say "yours".

The change in address immediately made Jia Baoyu sensitive.

He paused for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Is Pin'er blaming me for not waiting for you at home?"

"I really didn't know you were coming back today."

"Otherwise, even if the emperor summoned me to a banquet..."

"Master Bao!" Lin Daiyu, her pretty face frosty, immediately became angry. "Don't talk nonsense!"

"Just call me 'sister,' please don't use the term 'Pin'er' again!" "Second Master Bao, please have some self-respect!"

In the Jia family, everyone called Lin Daiyu "Sister Lin" or "Miss Lin".

Only Jia Baoyu called her Pin'er, or Pinpin.

I never imagined that my trip would end like this!
Jia Baoyu is known as the "Devil King of the World" because he has a terrible temper.

Similar to those unruly children in the modern world.

Moreover, he has someone backing him up, and he's a brat who does all sorts of bad things but feels perfectly natural and hasn't done anything wrong.

He clearly sensed Lin Daiyu's indifference, gritted his teeth, and forcibly suppressed his anger.

After all, Lin Daiyu was so beautiful.

"Lin Daiyu~"

"Don't be angry, I promise I'll do it again~"

"Master Bao!" Lin Daiyu stamped her foot as she turned to the side. "Please leave!"

To barge into the home of an unmarried young woman without saying a word is undoubtedly extremely impolite.

He hadn't paid attention to it before, but now that he did, it immediately caused Jia Baoyu's fragile self-esteem to explode.

"Good good!"

Jia Baoyu also stamped his foot and said, "Whatever!"

After saying that, he turned and left angrily.

Lin Meimei looked at the hidden walkie-talkie, worried that her senior brother had overheard her earlier conversation.

A trip out broadened my horizons and perspectives.

Looking back at this troublemaker from the Rongguo Mansion, the difference between him and his senior brother is more than just a little bit.

No~
It's not a difference; there's simply no comparison.

She didn't pick up the walkie-talkie because she knew someone would come looking for her soon.

After all, the green gauze curtain where Lin Daiyu was staying at this time was actually in Grandmother Jia's room.

It's a temporary cubicle separated by green gauze curtains.

Grandmother Jia immediately became aware of the commotion.

Especially after Jia Baoyu left, his loud crying attracted everyone's attention.

Hearing Grandmother Jia's call, Lin Daiyu sighed.

After getting ready, I set off.

"You two little devils~"

I think about you every day when we're not together.

"But they always bicker as soon as they meet~"

"You guys are really going to drive me crazy!"

Grandmother Jia held her forehead and patted Jia Baoyu, who was weeping bitterly in her arms.

"Lin girl, come quickly and talk to Baoyu."

Seeing Jia Baoyu, who was so grown up, still crying in his grandmother's arms, Lin Daiyu felt only helplessness.

Such a person is really...
weak!

cowardice!

He only dares to show off in front of girls!
Think about my senior brother again.

Deep and still, as steady as a mountain!
He upheld justice and eliminated evil for the people!
Especially that confident aura, as if the world is beneath their feet.

Crying and complaining?

Lin Daiyu looked at Jia Baoyu, who was sobbing and crying, and her eyes were filled with disdain.

"Ancestor."

She first bowed, then said, "My father has given me some instructions for this trip back to Yangzhou."

As one gets older, one should naturally pay more attention to etiquette and law.

"This is a private place for women; how can a man trespass on it?"

"If my father finds out, he will definitely object."

After saying this, Lin Daiyu subconsciously straightened her back.

Her father is still alive!

With a father around, there's a strong support!

He's not some orphan who lost his father!

Thinking of this, Lin Daiyu thought of her senior brother again.

If it weren't for my senior brother's help, I would be now...
I can never repay the kindness of saving my father.

Grandmother Jia was stunned.

The Lin Daiyu before my eyes was so unfamiliar.

She was like a completely different person from the cautious Lin Daiyu who kept everything bottled up inside.

Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear: the man's father is still alive.

With Lin Ruhai around, who would dare to be rude to her?

Even when it comes to marriage and family relationships, the father is still the most important person.

Grandmother Jia intended to bring Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu together.

The reason is simple: Lin Daiyu's status was too high.

For Jia Baoyu, who was only the second son of the second wife, marrying Lin Daiyu would be the best insurance.

The Lin family was a family of marquises for four generations.

Lin Ruhai was a third-ranked scholar appointed by the emperor and became one of the emperor's trusted ministers.

Given her status, she would be more than qualified to enter the palace as a concubine.

If she were to join a noble family, she would inevitably become the matriarch of the household.

Only the eldest son who inherits the family business is eligible to marry her.

As for Jia Baoyu.

Despite being highly favored in the Jia family, in reality, he was utterly worthless in terms of etiquette and social standing.

Everything in the Rongguo Mansion, in essence, belongs to the eldest son's branch of the family.

Titles and family fortunes.

Currently, they are being pressured by Grandmother Jia's emphasis on filial piety, and there's nothing they can do about it.

But once she dies, the second wife will be immediately kicked out.

As for everything belonging to the second wife, it should have belonged to Jia Zhu.

Even if Jia Zhu is dead, he still has a son.

At most, Jia Baoyu will only inherit some of the family property.

This is why, among so many noble families in the capital, none of them mentioned the reason for marrying their daughters to Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu's current status and position are abnormal, all stemming from Grandmother Jia's favoritism.

Once Grandmother Jia dies, she will immediately revert to her original state.

Knowing all this, Grandmother Jia was determined to have Lin Daiyu marry into a lower social class.

In this way, Jia Baoyu's future can be considered secure.

But apart from Grandmother Jia, Jia Baoyu himself didn't understand.

Even Jia Baoyu's father didn't understand.

Even Jia Baoyu's mother, Lady Wang, still harbored resentment over the sordid struggles she had with Jia Min when she married into the Jia family, and sought revenge against Lin Daiyu.

It forcefully killed the talisman, pushing the entire Jia family into the abyss!

(End of this chapter)