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

Deng Zechen spotted Lin Ruhai from afar and turned to Lin Daiyu beside him, saying:

"Uncle is back."

Lin Daiyu's pupils trembled, and she also looked at Lin Ruhai.

Lin Daiyu quickened her pace, almost running as she approached Lin Ruhai, but when she reached him, she was at a loss for words.

Both father and daughter had reddened at this moment, and Lin Daiyu covered her mouth.

Lin Ruhai opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything. The trembling beard on his chin showed that he was not calm.

"father……"

Lin Ruhai's heart softened at Lin Daiyu's constant calling, and he responded repeatedly, "Yes!" As he spoke, he placed his hands on Lin Daiyu's sides and looked her up and down carefully.

"She's grown taller and a young lady now, but she's still crying."

"Did Father have a safe journey?"

Lin Ruhai made no mention of the hardships of the journey, saying, "It's all good, it's all good. Let's go inside first, what kind of impression would it make to stand at the entrance?"

The father and daughter walked into the house while talking, and Deng Zechen felt that they had a lot to say.

Deng Zechen clasped his hands together, raised them to his chest, and leaned forward slightly:

"It's getting late, and I still have some chores to do at home. I'll thank you another day."

Upon hearing Deng Zechen's words, Lin Ruhai seemed to recall something unpleasant, and appeared somewhat indifferent:

"Okay, you go first."

Having received Lin Ruhai's approval, Deng Zechen left without lingering.

Lin Daiyu vaguely guessed the reason for Lin Ruhai's cold attitude, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but she was too embarrassed to say anything at this time.

The father and daughter walked into the hall and sat down. Soon after, servants served them hot tea and snacks.

Lin Ruhai picked up his teacup, skimmed off the tea leaves and foam with the lid, and then took a small sip.

After drinking the hot tea, a warm feeling gradually spread throughout my body, soothing the fatigue from the long journey.

"I will go see His Majesty tomorrow and take care of the important matters first."

"I'll go to the Rongguo Mansion the day after tomorrow. Some things need to be clarified and settled."

Lin Daiyu naturally knew what Lin Ruhai was referring to. "Father, you must be tired from your journey. You should rest more. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Lin Ruhai put down his teacup and shook his head:

"I have to hurry, I'm afraid I can't stay in the capital for long."

I also need to set aside time for Zechen's coming-of-age ceremony and spend more time with you.

"My daughter has been wronged outside; I can't just let this go."

The teacup was tapped lightly on the table, making a dull sound.

No matter how sensible and mature Lin Daiyu appeared in front of outsiders, she was still just a teenage girl. Now that she had someone close to her to support her, her vague sense of grievances welled up again.

"father……"

Hearing his daughter's aggrieved "Dad," Lin Ruhai felt as if his heart had shattered into pieces.

I can't help but feel relieved that she didn't take that path of mutual destruction, otherwise who would she have to rely on in the future?

Who can she tell when she's wronged?

Who can stand up for her?

"Just stay home and wait for news from your father. He can go alone."

Lin Daiyu responded listlessly, "Mm."

The father and daughter chatted until late afternoon, when the servants below said that the meal was ready, and they stopped.

"Father, try this chicken soup." Lin Daiyu said as she ladled out a small bowl of steaming chicken soup for Lin Ruhai.

The chicken soup was golden and clear, with a rich and fragrant aroma. I wondered what kind of medicinal herbs were added, as it had a faint medicinal fragrance.

Lin Ruhai took a sip after taking the drink. "It's really good. The aroma is rich and subtle, and the taste is smooth with a sweet aftertaste."

"I'm glad you like it, Father. Ever since Brother Deng knew you were coming back, he's been searching everywhere for nourishing ingredients to send over."

This chicken soup was made with black-boned chicken, specially sent by Brother Deng.

Upon hearing Lin Daiyu's words, the chicken soup in Lin Ruhai's mouth suddenly became scalding hot, and he swallowed it all at once.

"He certainly put a lot of thought into it."

Lin Daiyu wholeheartedly agreed:

"Yes, during this time, Brother Deng has been busy at home and has never complained of being tired."

There are still six or seven old hens that have been raised for a year, and a few black-boned chickens in the backyard.

Seeing Lin Daiyu's reaction, Lin Ruhai felt that the meal was gradually losing its flavor.

You've got your eye on some young man outside!

Eat properly, and don't talk while eating or sleeping.

Lin Daiyu understood that Lin Ruhai was not truly angry, so she was relieved.

……

As dawn approached, Lin Ruhai dressed himself neatly and boarded the carriage bound for the Rongguo Mansion.

The Rongguo Mansion had naturally received Lin Ruhai's visiting card long ago, and Jia Zheng, knowing he was in the wrong, went out early to greet him.

Unexpectedly, Jia She also left the courtyard and waited outside with Jia Zheng.

Jia Zheng looked at his elder brother, who was living a life of debauchery and dissipation, and although he was somewhat surprised, he did not say anything.

Lin Ruhai's visit was not only as the eldest son-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion, but also as an official appointed by the imperial court, so the Rongguo Mansion opened its main gate.

Unlike when Lin Daiyu entered the mansion, the west gate was not opened. After all, welcoming Lin Daiyu was just a family matter, but welcoming Lin Ruhai required consideration of official etiquette.

As soon as Lin Ruhai stepped off the carriage, Jia Zheng greeted him warmly:

"It's been many years, but Ru Hai's charm remains unchanged!"

Lin Ruhai cupped his hands in greeting: "He's just an old fellow, he's lost all his former charm."

Previously, Lin Ruhai felt that Jia Zheng was humble and kind, and had inherited his grandfather's character, so he had a good relationship with him.

However, Lady Wang first verbally attacked Lin Daiyu and then hired someone to kill her, forcing Lin Ruhai to re-evaluate Jia Zheng.

Regardless of what they were thinking, on the surface, everything appeared harmonious.

The three of them walked deeper into the Rongguo Mansion. Although Jia She came out to greet them, he did not say anything.

When Lin Ruhai saw Jia She, he almost didn't recognize him. The man in front of him was hunched over and looked like he had been drained by wine and women. There was no trace of the Jia She of the past.

Although Jia She was eight or nine years older than Jia Zheng, he shouldn't be like this.

His beard and hair had turned white, his eyes were cloudy as if he had just woken up from a hangover, and he walked with unsteady steps, as if he would fall down and never get up again if he wasn't careful.

"My brother doesn't seem to be feeling well. Perhaps we should call a doctor to take a look?"

Jia She's lifeless eyes flickered as he looked at Lin Ruhai. "It's alright. I just came to see you. Now that I've seen you, I'll head back."

Without waiting for Lin Ruhai and Jia Zheng to react, he turned and left.

Lin Ruhai's understanding of Jia She mostly came from his wife, Jia Min.

Jia Min once said that she was quite close to her elder brother Jia She when she was at home. Jia She was once a spirited young man who was determined to serve the court.

However, his wife and eldest son passed away one after another, and he suffered further setbacks outside, which caused him to become despondent.

Lin Ruhai didn't know much about these things, since he had never met Jia She, the person Jia Min mentioned, in the first place.

Lin Ruhai and Jia Zheng arrived at Rongxi Hall and paid their respects to Grandmother Jia as juniors.

Grandmother Jia naturally learned from Jia Zheng that Lin Ruhai was a favorite of the Emperor. Although she wanted to repair her relationship with the Lin family as soon as possible, she did not try to force them with her status.

"Ruhai's here, please sit down. Why didn't Yu'er come with you?"