The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 767 Newlyweds
The morning sun shone into the courtyard, and a few early-rising wild birds flew to the windowsill, looking around, perhaps foraging for food or peeking at the beautiful spring scenery inside the room.

Inside the room, the dragon and phoenix candles had long since burned out, but the bed curtains still hung low, revealing a corner of the brocade quilt. Jia Huan had already woken up, but he didn't want to get up at all, because Lin Daiyu was still curled up in his arms like a kitten, fast asleep. Her body was soft and warm to the touch, no wonder the ancients had the line "The hot spring water washes away her delicate skin."

Lin Daiyu did indeed possess a subtle, pleasant fragrance, refreshing and delightful—perhaps the scent of the Crimson Pearl Flower. At this moment, as Jia Huan inhaled the delicate fragrance emanating from Lin Daiyu's hair, he suddenly felt a sense of disorientation. If, according to Cao Xueqin's *Dream of the Red Chamber*, Lin Daiyu was originally a celestial herb who descended to the mortal realm as a human to repay the kindness of the Divine Messenger (Da Lian Bao) with her tears, then what was he? A bug in the world of *Dream of the Red Chamber*?

Just as Jia Huan's thoughts were wandering, the person in his arms stirred and slowly raised her pretty face, like a crabapple blossom in spring slumber, exuding an indescribable charm and languid beauty, so captivating that Jia Huan's breath caught in his throat.

When their eyes met, a shy glint flashed in Lin Daiyu's beautiful eyes. She quickly lowered her head and buried her face in Jia Huan's arms. Jia Huan gently kissed Lin Daiyu's hair and said softly, "Sister Lin is awake."

Lin Daiyu gave a soft "hmm" like a mosquito's buzz, then suddenly said coquettishly, "Don't call me 'Sister Lin' anymore."

Jia Huan laughed and said, "I wonder who called out 'good brother, be gentle' all night last night, but now they won't let others call her 'sister Lin'? What kind of logic is that?"

Mentioning the absurdity of last night, Lin Daiyu blushed even more, biting the man's shoulder fiercely and saying coquettishly, "Isn't it all because you bad boy that you insisted on calling me that? Anyway... you're not allowed to call me 'sister' anymore. I'm older than you, aren't you ashamed?"

Jia Huan pulled Lin Daiyu into a tight embrace, his eyes full of affection, and said, "Does Sister Lin not want Huan'er to treat you like a younger sister? In the past, we had to take turns in terms of seniority in front of others, but now that we're in the family, we're husband and wife as one. Huan'er will call you Sister Lin, my dear sister, my darling sister!"

Lin Daiyu was both embarrassed and delighted by the address, her heart melting. She reached out a slender finger and lightly poked Jia Huan's forehead, scolding, "You really are my nemesis! Fine, call me whatever you want in private!"

Just as the young couple were enjoying their sweet moments together, someone outside suddenly shouted, "Imperial edict! Imperial edict!"

Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu were both startled, but then the voice outside the door shouted again: "When it's late at night and everyone is quiet, who knows who's listening in. Congratulations on your fortune, may you be blessed with ten thousand years of peace and prosperity! Congratulations on your fortune!"

It turned out to be the macaw squawking. Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu exchanged a glance and both burst out laughing.

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes at Jia Huan and scolded, "It's all your fault! Who did you invite to pick up the bride? And what kind of nonsense you wrote? They've all copied it."

Jia Huan chuckled to himself; he hadn't expected that the eunuch Li Jinzhong would be so "talented."

Lin Daiyu sat up, tied her hair up, and was about to get out of bed. Jia Huan looked at Lin Daiyu's languid and charming beauty, as well as her fair skin and pink neck, and his heart warmed instantly. He hugged her and wanted to sleep a little longer.

Lin Daiyu, unable to resist the man's nagging, had no choice but to lie down again. The two of them cuddled in bed for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Seeing Zijuan and the others come in with hot water and then leave, Lin Daiyu's face burned. She whispered, "Good brother, good ancestor, let's get up quickly. We still have to pay our respects to the old lady, master, and mistress. Otherwise, people will laugh at us. Besides, Sister Bao has probably been waiting for a long time."

Jia Huan then realized there were still many procedures to follow, so he quickly got out of bed and called Zijuan, Qingwen, and others to come in and serve him. Lin Daiyu immediately said with a hint of jealousy, "See? Sister Tibao is still the most effective."

Jia Huan immediately lay back down on the bed and laughed, "Getting up is not an option, not getting up is not an option either. Fine, I'll just sleep until dark and see who everyone laughs at." Lin Daiyu blushed, pinched Jia Huan a few times, and said coquettishly, "Get up, you bad boy, you just bully me."

At this moment, Zijuan, Qingwen, and Xueyan entered carrying hot water, clothes, and other items. They greeted the guests with smiles and curtsied, saying, "Good morning, Third Master and Madam! We wish you a happy marriage, a harmonious and loving relationship, and many children!"

Lin Daiyu nodded shyly, while Jia Huan laughed heartily, "Well said! Here's a reward!"

Qingwen stretched out her hand and said, "Where is the reward? Give it to me. Don't just talk the talk but don't walk the walk. You're all talk and no action."

Jia Huan laughed and said, "Of course we'll ask your grandmother. Men are in charge of external affairs and women are in charge of internal affairs, so from now on, your grandmother will be the one making the decisions at home."

"But we have two grandmothers in our family, so which one makes the decisions?" Xueyan asked.

Upon hearing this, Zijuan and Qingwen both had subtle expressions, and Jia Huan was also secretly sweating. This little vixen really knew how to bring up the most awkward topics.

Lin Daiyu, however, said with a calm expression, "I am a person who hates trouble the most. From now on, you will have to take care of the affairs of the family. Although you are my family members, if you make a mistake, you will still be disciplined by your grandmother. You must be careful and not think that just because your grandmother has a good temper and I protect you, you can do whatever you want."

Xueyan and the other maids all bowed their heads respectfully and agreed. Jia Huan was overjoyed, embraced Daiyu, kissed her sweetly, and praised, "Good wife, virtuous helpmate!"

Lin Daiyu rolled her eyes and said, "Don't be so smug. From now on, Sister Bao will be in charge of the household, and I'll only be in charge of you!"

Zijuan, Qingwen, and Xueyan laughed, and the somewhat serious atmosphere instantly dissipated, becoming relaxed and cheerful.

Next, the maids helped Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu wash and change their clothes. After they finished, Baochai and Ping'er went to the main courtyard to greet Jia Huan and Daiyu, and then went together to Jia Mu's room to pay their respects and serve tea.

After leaving Grandmother Jia's room, Jia Huan went with Daiyu and Baochai to Lady Wang's room to greet Jia Zheng and Lady Wang and offer them tea. Finally, they went to Pear Fragrance Garden to pay their respects to Aunt Xue.

It is said that Lin Daiyu had already recognized Aunt Xue as her godmother, and yesterday's departure from her marriage was a gesture of respect to Aunt Xue.

Looking at her two daughters and sons-in-law kneeling before her, kowtowing and offering tea, Aunt Xue was overjoyed. She hugged them tightly and gave Jia Huan some instructions, telling him to treat Daiyu and Chaichai well.

After leaving Pear Fragrance Garden, Jia Huan and Daiyu went to the ancestral hall to offer incense. After completing this series of procedures, it was already noon. Grandmother Jia sent someone to announce that lunch was served, and the entire family gathered for a meal in the main hall of Rongguo Mansion.

(End of this chapter)