Chapter 4: The Illegitimate Son Takes Two Wives (Part 2)

  Lin Ruhai re-sealed the small box and handed it to Daiyu, "This is only a part of Father's family property. The majority of it has already been given to Jin Yu. That's a total of 800,000 taels, plus some real estate deeds. I've already spoken with Jin Yu, he won't inherit under my name, but if in the future he has children, they will inherit our family line, even if they are born out of wedlock, I have agreed to it."

  "But in doing so, Father has been wronged." Daiyu sighed, her father had actually compromised to such an extent for her own sake, it was really heart-wrenching.

  Lin Ruhai fell back onto the bed, waved his hand and smiled: "Father is right about people, this older brother of yours may be young, but he's clever and talented. Firstly, he's ambitious at a young age, studying under Master Shen of Nishan Academy, who was the childhood tutor of the previous emperor and a descendant of the Dingwei Marquis family. Cough, cough... Master Shen had long stopped accepting direct disciples, content with being the head of Nishan Academy, but five years ago he took in Jinyu as his closed-door disciple. At that time, we were all gossiping about what made this child so special? It turned out he had caught Master Shen's eye. Indeed, that year he came first in the exams. I also read that article, it was really well-written."

  Lin Ruhai said too much, already somewhat exhausted, but still barely holding on. "Secondly, I think that Mr. Shen's writing is extremely good, but his personality is a bit strict, whereas Jinyu is an all-around person who gets along well with those Suzhou aristocratic young masters, and although I'm in Yangzhou, I'm also very clear about this. What's even more remarkable is that these aristocratic young masters aren't just some spoiled brats, but rather capable individuals who get along well with him. Cough, cough, thirdly, Jinyu started taking over the family business at the age of eight, and what was originally divided among my brother were only two grain shops, whereas Jinyu's maternal relatives gave his mother a silk shop and a clothing store as dowry. It's just been a few years, but now their business is booming, and everywhere in Suzhou city you can find their family's businesses."

  Daiyu was curious in her heart, although she said she was in the inner chamber, but also knew that worldly affairs were difficult and making money was a business that no one could not covet. So she couldn't help but curiously ask: "Brother is young, can it be that there's really no one who pays attention to him?"

  "How is this possible? At that time, Jinyu had not yet gone to Nishan Academy to study, but was only attached to the Lin family's ancestral hall. However, he was on good terms with the young master of the Dongping Hou Mansion in Suzhou. The Dongping Hou married one of the former emperor's seventh princesses, although she wasn't a favored one, but after all, it was still the imperial family's bloodline. Marrying into Suzhou, which is far from the capital, everyone had to give her some face. Once the young master spoke up, who would dare to offend Jinyu? However, as far as I know, the Lin family's business also has a share in the Dongping Hou Mansion." Lin Ruhai received some news about Lin Zhiyuan over the past two years and couldn't help but admire this young man. If it were himself, he feared that he wouldn't be able to achieve these things either.

  Lin Ruhai seemed a bit tired, so she closed her eyes to rest: "I once wrote many letters to your great aunt, hoping that she could help you find a good marriage in the capital. After all, at that time, it seemed like you only had relatives from the Jia family line. If you stayed in Yangzhou or returned to Suzhou, there would be no close relatives to take care of you in the future."

  Daiyu heard this and couldn't help but feel a little shy: "Why does Father say such things, I'm still young, I want to be more filial to Father for a few more years."

  Lin Ruhai felt comforted by his daughter's words, but at the same time, he couldn't help feeling an infinite sense of bitterness and sorrow. He knew that his own life was already limited, and where could he still accompany his daughter? Not to mention watching her get married in the future, even happily passing this New Year seemed like a luxury!

  "Yu'er, your father wants to make arrangements for you early. So, just listen to me. Cough, cough. I originally thought that if your maternal grandmother still remembered your mother's kindness, she would certainly find a suitable marriage for you. However, the old lady said she wanted to strengthen ties between the two families and have you marry Baoyu. I don't quite agree with this, after all, your second aunt is not a kind person, how could I let you become her daughter-in-law?"

  Just then, the white-clad maid outside the door spoke softly: "Master, Mr. Chia's second son requests to see you."

  Lin Ruhai sneered and said to Daiyu, "I thought the Jia family would send someone formidable, but it seems that this Jia Xian is also a nobody! He can't even hold back for so long, humph." Lin Ruhai had Daiyu lead in Bai Niangniang.

  The white lady is in her forties, although her youth has faded, but it can be seen that she was a beautiful woman when she was young. "Master, the people from the Jia mansion said they want to see you and are waiting outside, what do you think?"

  "Go and tell him that I'm really not feeling well, can't see guests, let him rest for a night and talk about it tomorrow. Also, thank him for sending the girl back. Oh, right, ask Lin to accompany him." Lin Ruhai said and dismissed Bai Niang. "Yuer, did you see? These people from Jia's house must have heard something about Jin Yu, so now they're a bit impatient. Alas, it seems they are determined to get our family's property!"

  Daiyu couldn't help but feel curious, could it be that when her mother married into the Lin family back then, her grandmother didn't know about this close relative of theirs either? Over the years, the two families had already stopped interacting much, could it be that from now on they would treat themselves well? Daiyu thought to here and then told her doubts to her father, Lin Ruhai was also quite helpless but still comforted his daughter with kind words.

  "Yu'er, I didn't want to resort to this unless absolutely necessary. Although I think that child is good and will definitely pass the imperial examination with honors in the future, one can never truly know a person's heart. Even after all these years of navigating the official circles, even I dare not say that I have seen through him completely. Now, I've given 800,000 taels to him, 500,000 taels to Jin Yu, and the remaining 300,000 taels will be kept for your dowry in the future, which will be stored with him for now. Although I said I couldn't see through this person, there is one thing I believe: he won't harm you for the sake of the remaining 300,000 taels. That child will definitely become an official in the future and may even surpass me. If his reputation were to be tarnished, those censors would not let him off easily."

  "So Father gambled on this move?" Daiyu finally understood her father's kindness, which was still thinking about her safety. The principle of "carrying a jade and committing a crime" was clear to Daiyu. This vast family business of the Lin family, who would not be envious? What her father worried about was that those people not only got this huge family property, but also killed themselves afterwards.

  It stands to reason that the second aunt and her own mother didn't get along well, but in the capital for the past two years, she hadn't done anything out of line. Could it be that she also had her sights set on the Lin family's assets? Otherwise, if something were to happen to herself, her father would no longer have any ties with the Lin family, and all these assets would end up in the name of the Lin family!

  Lin Ruhai gently patted his daughter's head, and Daiyu, no matter how clever she was, was only a thirteen-year-old child after all. "Yes, I'm betting on both Jinyu's character and his ambition. Such an intelligent person will only be good to you in the future, and let everyone know that he is a brother who dotes on his sister. He can put aside past grievances and treat his sister well, this is what I want. As for the Jia Mansion, it's not worth mentioning, and you don't need to go back to Beijing this time. After I leave, cough, cough, you stay in our old home in Suzhou with your brother, our family's old house has not been sold, and it has already been handed over to Jinyu. I have also done justice to my ancestors. Next year, after you two have finished mourning for a year and passed the Lunar New Year, you will go to Beijing with Jinyu to participate in the spring examination, and after your brother's coming-of-age ceremony, he will choose a good marriage for you among his colleagues. He is alone in Beijing, and with the support of a good brother-in-law, I'm sure he will be happy too. So, this person, Jinyu must have carefully selected him for you. Even if it's just for the sake of his reputation, Jinyu won't handle your marriage carelessly!"

  Daiyu heard this and could no longer hold back her emotions, bursting into loud sobs. This was unmistakably her father's dying words.

  Lin Ruhai looked at his daughter who was crying silently, but he had no strength to speak out, just quietly watching. When Jin Yu returned from Suzhou the next day, everything would be settled. He spent 30,000 taels of silver on the Lin family's clan leader to repair the Lin family ancestral temple, in order to let Jin Yu smoothly take over his property, and also to let the Lin family's clan leader supervise the direction of the 800,000 taels, which was also a reminder for Jin Yu's actions.

  At this time, let's talk about Jia Lian again. The more Jia Lian thought about it, the more anxious and uneasy he became. Who exactly was that young man? Could it be true that he was sent by the Lin family of Suzhou to compete with the Jia family for their inheritance?

  Before long, Zhao'er rushed in, panting: "Second Master, I've found out!"

  "Hurry up and say it!"

  Zhang Er ran back, sweating profusely, and suddenly collapsed to the ground. "Second Master, everyone in this Yushi Fu is very tight-lipped, I spent a lot of money to get information from Lin Fu's outer door receptionist, and it turns out that someone has indeed arrived at the Lin house. Moreover, I heard that Old Master Lin has already chosen the person to inherit his title, it's that 17 or 18-year-old young man I just told you about, Second Master, what can we do?"

  What's going on? What's happening?

  Jia Lian's mind was in a whirl at this moment. Was several tens of thousands of taels of outside wealth to be lost just like that?

  Zhao'er saw Er Ye being somewhat absent-minded, "Er Ye? Er Ye? We should make early preparations!"

  "Go and investigate again, really thoroughly this time. I want to know everything about that kid, who he is, whether he's really the adopted son of the Lin family or not. Go quickly, hurry up!"

  The author has something to say: The New Year is approaching, and I hope my new book can attract more readers! No recommendations, no collections, but I'm still writing happily. Lonely and happy!