Chapter 2: The True and Intimate Relationship Between Father and Daughter

  It was already December, the last month of the year. Although it was Jiangnan, it was also bitterly cold with a bleak landscape all along the way. Added to her own anxiety, Daiyu's illness grew worse by the day.

  The next morning, the helmsman reported to Jia Yu that they were approaching the Yangzhou dock. As New Year's was just around the corner, the commercial dock in Yangzhou was bustling with activity. The men from the grain and salt guilds were shouting slogans, carrying heavy loads on their shoulders, creating a lively scene.

  Although Zhaoyu had been following Jia Lian on his travels for many days, this was his first time in Yangzhou. He knew that the capital city was exceptionally prosperous, but he did not expect that Yangzhou would also be a rich and affluent place.

  "Wow, my second master, Yangzhou is indeed a rich and noble place!" Zhao'er couldn't help but exclaim.

  Jia Lian stood at the bow of the boat, nodding his head and saying: "Yes, this old saying is well said. Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou. This is exactly what it means! Zhao'er, go and get ready, we're about to disembark."

  The boat didn't sail for long before it turned and entered the official waterway, in front of which was the official dock. This place was much quieter than the previous one, but still quite prosperous. Which official in Yangzhou wasn't wealthy? By the end of the year, they all thought of ways to send some local specialties back home, so there were also many official boats coming and going.

  Daiyu sat by the window, gently lifted the curtain and looked outside carefully. Xueyan brought over a warm brazier that had just been heated up, "Miss, it's very windy outside, you should take care of your body first, I've already asked the boatman, we're approaching the dock now. Oh, Zi Juan is packing away the cloak you wore earlier, she'll bring it to you in a moment."

  Daiyu had to put down the curtain, suddenly thought of something and instructed: "Xueyan, you go tell Zi Juan, to pack up all the monkey fur coats, only leave that one piece of green woolen cloak worn at home in previous years."

  "Zi Juan's sister had already thought of that, those bright colors were all packed away, but Zi Juan's sister said that the light gray one looked old-fashioned, it would be better to wear the white fox fur coat given by the old lady last year."

  Daiyu shook her head, "Forget it, forget it. At this time, what's the point of worrying about what looks good or not? That white one is too plain and dull. Father is ill at the moment, although wearing something too flashy isn't good either, but wearing something too plain is also inauspicious. Go tell Xiangyun that I said to still wear that blue-gray one."

  Xueyan tried to persuade him but he wouldn't budge, so she had no choice but to go find Zijuan. The two of them discussed it and finally chose that dark grey cloak.

  As the boat docked, Lin's steward, Lin Dehai, had already come to greet them. Jia Lian was a man who paid attention to appearances and prestige, which made him compatible with Feng Jie. It seemed that birds of a feather really did flock together. However, when he saw that Lin Dehai had only brought a dozen or so young servants, he became somewhat displeased. He didn't even give them a good face, and impatiently ordered the servants to carry the trunks.

  Lin Daiyu followed Lin Ruhai for twenty years, and it was also watching Daiyu grow up. At this time, he couldn't care about Jia Er's face, but only looked forward to seeing Daiyu's boat. As soon as he saw the young lady walking over the gangway with the support of several old women, he rushed forward, bowed his head, and was about to pay his respects.

  Daiyu seemed to have a thousand words to say but couldn't express them, looking at Lin Zhongcai in front of her. Although they were master and servant, he was like an uncle to her. Seeing Lin Dehui wanting to pay his respects, she hastily told Xueyan to help him up. "Lin Zhongcai doesn't have to do this, you are a senior, it's reasonable for Daiyu to pay respects."

  Lin Guan's family choked and said: "I don't dare to trouble the young lady, the old slave has been looking forward to the stars and the moon, and finally waited for the young lady to come back, master, master..."

  Daiyu heard these intermittent words and already knew that her father was not doing well. For a moment, she was so heartbroken that she almost fainted.

  "Miss, please take care of your body, it's all my fault as an old slave, I've caused you so much heartache. Master has been thinking of you every day and has sent people to the dock to wait for you, today he found out that you're back and was overjoyed, even eating half a bowl more of rice." Lin, the housekeeper, comforted Miss while arranging for a sedan chair to take her home. The group returned to the Salt Inspector's residence in grand procession.

  At this time, the Yushi Fu had long since opened its main gate, and all the servants with faces came out to greet them. Seeing these things, Jia Xian's face turned somewhat unpleasant. He knew that when Lin Gu Niang arrived at the Jia Mansion in those days, she entered through a side door; how could it be compared to today's grand treatment? Those shameless acts were all done on purpose by Er Tai Tai, who said something about young girls from humble families not being allowed to enter through the main gate. That was only opened for officials of the fourth rank or higher when they came to Rong Guo Fu; how could it be made an exception for a little maid?

  The old lady is already advanced in age, and she can't take care of all these things anymore. Moreover, she will have to rely on the second house in the future, so she also turns a blind eye to the second wife's actions, just for her own happiness.

  The servants led Jia Lian to the guest room in the front yard to rest, while on this side were Lin Ruhai's two concubines, Bai Niang and Qian Niang, who took Daiyu's hand and walked towards Lin Ruhai's residence in the rear mansion.

  After Jia Min's death, Lin Ruhai lived alone in the original main house. The few concubines he had were dismissed, leaving only Bai Shi and Qian Shi. The former was a personal maid brought by Jia Min from her family, while the latter was a senior maid given by his late mother. Both of them had long lost their parents and relatives. Now that Master is heartbroken, she can only guard this vast empty house.

  Daiyu entered the outer hall, and a little maid had already taken off her outer cloak. White Niangzi handed over a hand warmer with incense burning inside. Daiyu waited for a while until she felt some warmth on her body before daring to enter the inner chamber, fearing that she might bring in cold air and disturb her father.

  The sky outside was already gloomy, Daiyu almost didn't dare to push the front door open. The more she missed him, the more she feared seeing her father. If it weren't for someone supporting her by her side, Daiyu would have collapsed to the ground long ago.

  Qian Yiniang gently pushed the door, and Daiyu saw her frail father's figure. She rushed over, crying out in a heart-wrenching voice: "Father!"

  Lin Ruhai, who was once as elegant as a sea, had long lost his former flair. The man who wore brocade robes and was the top scholar in the imperial examination now had white temples and a slightly hunched back, his body tormented by illness. Lin Ruhai, around 40 years old, looked like an old man. Daiyu's heart was filled with regret at this moment. She was enjoying her grandmother's care in the capital, while her father was lonely and unaccompanied, with no one to comfort him. As a daughter, she had no face to see her father again.

  "Yu'er, my Yu'er, I've finally waited for you." Lin Ruhai forced himself to sit up, but his heart was willing though his strength was insufficient. Daiyu hastily helped Lin Ruhai lie down, and Madame Bai ordered someone to bring over a purple sandalwood pillow. Several people knew that this father-daughter pair must have endless things to say, so they quietly retreated, closing the door behind them, returning the tranquility of the room to the two.

  Lin Ruhai knew that his days were numbered and as soon as he saw his daughter, he would carefully instruct her about his plans.

  "Yu'er, how are you doing in Beijing? How is your paternal grandmother treating you?"

  Daiyu knew that her old father was worried about her, although she had written back to him often over the past few years, there were some things that couldn't be said. Daiyu also feared that her father's heart would be weighed down by thoughts of her, worsening his illness, so she comforted him saying: "Father, don't worry, my grandmother is very good to me, treating me even more kindly than a biological granddaughter."

  Lin Ruhai listened to this and stared tightly at her daughter's eyes, afraid that she was wronged but didn't dare say it. Seeing Daiyu was indeed telling the truth, she sighed, "Ah, I believe your grandmother won't mistreat you, maybe Father is just being overly cautious!"

  Daiyu heard this and hastily asked: "Father, did you hear something that I didn't? Why are you talking like this?"

  "Yu'er, you're all grown up now, and there are some things I should tell you. Otherwise, when your father is no longer around, you'll be left in the dark!" Lin Ruhai patted Daiyu's hand, "Do you still remember if your mother ever returned to Beijing when she was alive?"

  Daiyu thought carefully, but she had no memory of it at all. "The daughter was probably still young at that time and didn't have any memories. Her mother seemed to have never returned to the capital, only preparing for the annual festivals and her grandmother's birthday gifts with great care."

  "Yes, your mother and I came to Yangzhou and never returned to Beijing again, it's because... cough cough..."

  Daiyu hastily handed over the silk handkerchief, and Lin Ruhai coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. Daiyu was greatly startled and wanted to get up to call for a doctor, but Lin Ruhai grasped her hand. "Yu'er, sit down. Your father knows his own body best; there's no need to call anyone. I have some things to tell you carefully, as in the future...in the future, I fear there will be no more opportunities."

  "Father......" Daiyu burst into tears, listening to her father's words, her heart became even more sorrowful.

  "Yu'er, your mother and I have not returned to Beijing all this time because of your second aunt."

  Daiyu was shocked, what does it have to do with her second aunt? Daiyu had always been a sensitive person, although she could see that her second aunt was not very enthusiastic about her, but she had never been short of her own shortcomings. How could she be at odds with her father and mother?

  "Your mother had thought that your second aunt was cruel and not a decent lady even when she was still in the inner chambers, so she had offended her many times when she was young. Your mother was hot-headed and competitive back then, which led to trouble. Lin Ruhai took the tea cup from his daughter and took a sip before continuing: "Yuer, you were supposed to have an older brother or sister, but your mother wasn't able to keep that child."

  "How is this possible? You and mother never mentioned it!"

  "Yes, you were too young at that time, and besides, it's not something to be proud of, how could I tell you? Your mother had written a letter to your paternal grandmother when she was pregnant, and Lai Da, the steward, brought two boats full of gifts. Your mother was very happy, and Wang Shi sent her personal maid to say that the old lady had personally made a small outer garment for a baby boy, which had been offered to the Buddha, and told your mother to put it under her pillow, saying that she would definitely give birth to a son. Your mother had doubts at first, but the other party immediately produced a letter written by your paternal grandmother, clearly stating the matter of the small garment. Your mother was no longer suspicious, and instead felt moved that her own mother had personally made clothes..."

  Lin Ruhai said that by this time, Daiyu had already guessed the general idea. This girl was exceptionally clever, although still young, but she could also understand her father's implied meaning, only to wonder who the real mastermind behind the scenes was? Was it Second Aunt? Or was it...

  No, it's impossible, she didn't dare think any further, Daiyu told herself, even if she suspected anyone else, she couldn't suspect her own grandmother!

  Lin Ruhai saw his daughter unintentionally shaking her head, and he already understood what she was thinking in her heart. As a member of the imperial family, he had gained the favor of the previous emperor and served as a salt inspector for over a decade - how could he be foolish?

  "He slowly opened his mouth and said, 'Yu'er, I know what you're thinking. At that time, when the incident happened, the doctor discovered a faint scent on this small piece of clothing. Pregnant women who smelled it would miscarry. Your mother was heartbroken at the time, but she also believed that her own mother wouldn't harm her, so it must have been done by her second sister-in-law. Because of this, your mother's vitality was severely damaged, and for several years after that, she couldn't get pregnant. Even when you were born, you were weak. Your grandmother was also heartbroken because of this incident and passed away not long after."

  Daiyu never thought that this ordinary thing would become a deadly weapon. "Father, tell me, who is it? Who is the real murderer?"

  "Alright, alright, the dead cannot be brought back to life, and we don't want to investigate further. This matter will rot in your belly for the rest of your life, and you can never mention it to anyone from the Jia family again, do you understand? I sent you to the Jia household out of necessity. After your mother passed away, your father was powerless to take care of you, and with your maternal grandparents pressing us urgently, I had no choice but to send you there. Yu'er, don't worry, your father knows that as long as I am alive for one day, you will be safe for one day. They dare not harm you because they still have their eyes on the vast wealth of the Lin family." Lin Ruhai said this with a cold smile, as if he had seen through such tricks before.

  Indeed, more than a decade ago, he was still young and inexperienced in the ways of the world, no match for the likes of the Jia family. Losing his child, he had to swallow his grief. But now that he's old, he must think of his daughter's future. Can't have her being bullied by those people after he's gone, can he?