Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

Chapter 223 Well-informed?

When Deng Zecheng appeared outside the reception room, Lin Daiyu, who was anxious and restless, noticed him immediately and got up to greet him.

When she reached Deng Zechen, her legs went weak and she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Deng Zechen reacted quickly and steadied her, thus preventing an accident.

It wasn't until he met her in person that Deng Zechen realized Song He's words were too conservative. Lin Daiyu's appearance was more than just panicked and uneasy. The arm he was supporting was trembling incessantly, whether from fear or a desperate attempt to control herself, the situation was definitely not good.

"What happened? Don't rush, tell me slowly."

Normally, Lin Daiyu would have already distanced herself from the two of them, since she was usually an extremely reserved and shy girl.

She wouldn't initiate such intimate contact.

But at this moment, Lin Daiyu seemed to have grasped a lifeline. After regaining her footing, she turned around and grabbed Deng Zechen's sleeve tightly, as if she wanted to draw some strength from it to support herself.

By this time, all the color had drained from Lin Daiyu's face. Hearing his words, she stammered, "My father—he—said in his letter that he has been seriously ill for many days, and I'm afraid—his days are numbered!"

Let alone Lin Daiyu, even Deng Zechen was shocked when he heard the news.

Wasn't everything fine last time? How come you're suddenly seriously ill and don't have much time left? The letter you sent didn't mention this at all.

However, Lin Daiyu was clearly thrown into a panic by the news, and he absolutely could not afford to lose his composure at this moment.

So he patted Lin Daiyu's trembling back reassuringly, helped her sit down in a chair, and waited until she caught her breath before continuing, "Where did you get this information? Tell me everything from the beginning. I've been corresponding with Uncle Lin, how come I've never heard of this?"

This time, it was Rong Momo who accompanied Lin Daiyu. Upon hearing Deng Zechen's words, she took the initiative to explain, "I just received the letter, and I've read it myself. It is indeed Lord Lin's handwriting, and it hasn't been opened. It shouldn't be fake."

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"Where is the letter?"

Faced with Deng Zechen's question, Lin Daiyu took out an already opened letter and handed it over. Perhaps it was Deng Zechen's attitude that encouraged her, and she was no longer so flustered.

After receiving the letter, Deng Zechen discovered that it was indeed Lin Ruhai's handwriting. The letter was very brief, saying that the cold had worsened on the way to the destination, so he had to cancel the trip.

Because his health hadn't fully recovered, his condition worsened, and he felt things were going badly. He hoped to recover completely, but if not...

There was only one thing he said: Lin Daiyu should take good care of herself, and that she and Deng Zechen should take care of each other in the future.

Because the letter was so short, Deng Zechen read it in a glance, but it contained a lot of information, and after reading it, he felt it was somewhat unreal.

But I read it over and over again, afraid of missing something, but the letter only explained this one thing and there was nothing else.

How could this happen so suddenly? Everything was fine last time, wasn't it? They've exchanged letters more than once during that time, so why has Lin Ruhai never mentioned it before?

Did the messenger say anything else?

At this moment, it was Rong Momo who spoke up: "This is also very strange. The messenger was a child from the capital. I specifically sent someone to look for him before he came."

I discovered he was an orphan who had lost both parents and survived entirely on the help of relatives, friends, and neighbors. I asked him where the letter came from, but he couldn't say for sure.

Deng Zechen frowned, also sensing that something was amiss.

"How can you not explain it clearly? At least you should know who gave him the letter and what it looked like."

"This child is also pitiful. I heard that he got sick when he was very young, and he didn't have money to see a doctor. He survived by chance but became mentally disabled."

"If he's a fool, why would he deliver messages for others? Where is this child now?"

Lin Daiyu had found her pillar of support and knew that she couldn't rush things now. Seeing that Deng Zechen had the same idea as her, she hurriedly said, "I also felt that this child was not quite right, so I arranged for him to stay at the Lin residence and had people keep an eye on him."

"Okay, I'll go check on the child now and then decide what to do."

The capital city and Hubei are far apart, and the origin of this letter is highly suspicious. The only clue so far is the child who delivered the letter.

But he happens to be a fool, and all of this suggests that this matter is not simple.

After making the decision, the group left immediately, not wanting to delay for even a moment.

In a flash, Deng Zechen suddenly thought of something: Jia Lian returned to the capital because he received news of Lin Ruhai and Jia She, so could the news of Lin Ruhai's serious illness be related to this?

Did Lin Ruhai foresee the current situation?

In just a short while, the three of them arrived at the gate of the Deng residence. Just as they were about to set off, they were greeted by an unexpected person:

It was Feng Ziming, whom I hadn't seen in a long time. Last time, his kick had cost me half a year's salary, but even though the matter was temporarily put aside, His Majesty would still use him.

However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, the two still maintained no public contact.

Seeing the three of them looking anxious and about to leave, Feng Ziming quickly stopped Deng Zechen: "Where are you going?"

"I have urgent business to attend to. We can talk when I get back."

However, Feng Ziming not only did not step aside, but also brought news that Deng Zechen had to handle with great care: "No matter what urgent matter you have to deal with, you have to put it aside for now. His Majesty has issued an edict summoning you to the palace."

Feng Ziming said this not only to Deng Zechen, but also to Lin Daiyu and Rong Mama.

Even though Lin Daiyu was extremely anxious, she knew that in front of His Majesty, even the most important matters had to be put aside for the time being.

"Brother Xianyun, go ahead. He can't run away from the Lin residence. You can ask him when you come back."

After saying that, he seemed to want to force a comforting smile, but he didn't succeed in the end, and his face was full of worry.

Deng Zechen didn't know why His Majesty had suddenly summoned him at this time, but facing this being who stood at the top of power and had the power of life and death over everyone, he had no choice but to put down what he was doing first.

"Alright, you all wait for me at home. I'll go to the Lin residence as soon as I'm done here. Make sure you keep a close eye on them."

"I understand, Brother Xianyun, please go without worry."

Once Deng Zechen and Feng Ziming were seated in the carriage bound for the palace, Deng Zechen finally spoke, asking, "Do you know why His Majesty summoned me?"

Feng Ziming shook his head. "I'm just a messenger. I'm just here to report back and run an errand."

The carriage drove smoothly into the palace, and Deng Zechen, guided by the eunuch, arrived before His Majesty.

This is not the Hall of Diligent Governance. Besides His Majesty, there are several other people in the palace, and they all seem to be waiting for him.

Upon seeing Deng Zechen arrive, the young emperor didn't waste any words. He gestured to the young man beside him to hand over a memorial and said, "Minister Lin is seriously ill and may be delayed in returning to the capital. Are you aware of this?"

Deng Zechen accepted the memorial with both hands and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I have only just learned of this matter, but there are many doubts about it, and I am just about to seek verification."

"Oh? It seems there are indeed many talented and extraordinary people in the capital. Some of them even know about the outside world before I do."