Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 748 No good banquet
Lin Ruhai left the palace and returned to his mansion. He went straight to the inner room and saw Shuiyue holding the child and teasing him, while Fu Qiufang was lying on the bed to recuperate after giving birth.

"The master is back." Everyone hurriedly greeted him.

Lin Ruhai forced a smile and nodded, then he took his son in his arms and gently stroked him. Seeing that his son was plump and fair, with bright eyes and a nagging laugh, he felt a fatherly affection in his heart, and he kissed and teased him and could not let him go.

Fu Qiufang laughed and said, "How come Master has time to tease Erlang today?"

Lin Ruhai said casually: "The government office is relatively quiet today. By the way, the emperor has given two wet nurses and some children's things today, they will be here soon." As he spoke, he picked up the stuffed tiger next to him and joked.

Seeing that he seemed to be in a good mood, Fu Qiufang asked tentatively, "Master, my brother came to visit me the other day and brought me a lot of things. He said that he is now unemployed at home and has no future, and his family is in a difficult situation.

I heard that there were many vacancies in various places due to the recruitment of officials for the Nine Borders, so he did not dare to have any unreasonable thoughts. It would be fine if he could just go to another province and be an official with a salary to support his family. "

Lin Ruhai said: "We will discuss his affairs later. If he is lucky, he will be reinstated sooner or later. If he is unlucky, being an official may put his life in danger, so it is better not to be an official.

If the family is in financial difficulty, we still have some money, so we can give him some to get by."

Fu Qiufang pouted her lips and said coquettishly, "Master... don't you think that my brother is a student of Zheng Gong and wants him to carry on your family line? You are the official in charge of the whole country, so why can't you just give him a small part? Who can say anything?"
If my uncle becomes an official, it will be good for Erlang in the future, right?"

Seeing that the two wanted to discuss serious matters, Shuiyue hurriedly asked the two little girls to leave.

Lin Ruhai frowned slightly and said, "Do you know that he has already walked through the gates of hell? He even dared to touch Cong'er's people. Does he think his life is too long?
Do you know how the Nan'an Palace was destroyed? Even the palace was like this, let alone him? If Congge wanted to kill him, it would be like crushing an ant.

In my opinion, he should lie low for a few years and not let Congge remember him, otherwise even the Jade Emperor cannot protect him.

And you, stay away from him. He has evil intentions and is eager for quick success. I'm afraid he won't have a good ending. Don't lead Erlang astray."

Fu Qiufang didn't expect that he would be scolded instead of being able to get a job. He didn't dare to say anything more. He lowered his head and agreed, but he was very dissatisfied in his heart.

My husband is a celestial official, but my brother-in-law doesn't even have an official position. How can this be possible?
Lin Ruhai was a man of insight and could see what she was thinking. He thought that she and her son would be lonely in the future, so it would be good for her to have a brother who was an official.

Because his heart softened, he sighed and said, "I have my own arrangements for your brother. Don't worry. After this busy period, he will have a job. You and your sister will also have someone to take care of you in the future."

Fu Qiufang turned from anger to joy and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master. I am yours now and will only rely on you in the future. I don't need my brother to take care of me anymore."

Lin Ruhai shook his head and said, "Good fortune and misfortune may come to people at any time, and it is hard to predict. Besides, I feel tired these days and not as good as before. I will definitely die before you in the future. Then you can go to your brother.

When I am not around, Erlang, you must teach him strictly, make him sensible and honest, and don't go astray and ruin our family's good reputation."

Fu Qiufang was horrified when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Master, why are you saying such ominous things? It's not that serious. If you are ill, just find a famous doctor to treat you. Why worry so much?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "If you don't think about the future, you will have immediate worries. I just said a few words. You don't have to worry too much."

Fu Qiufang scolded: "Master, please stop saying these discouraging words. I am afraid that Erlang has just become a bandit. It is better for you to teach him in the future.

As the saying goes, if a child is not well educated, it is the fault of the father. Master, don't refuse. You are a third place winner in the imperial examination, and Erlang may be even better than you and become the first place winner."

Lin Ruhai smiled bitterly, looked at the young son in his arms, and said, "I will teach him, and even my colleagues in the same department will take care of him, so don't worry."

Fu Qiufang smiled and said, "Master has many students and friends all over the world, so I am naturally relieved."

Lin Ruhai put the child next to her and said, "You should take a rest. When Congge and his family come to visit in a few days, you should not come out, so as not to bring up the past and upset him."

Fu Qiufang said hurriedly: "Yes, I won't go out."

"Well, tomorrow I will invite my old friends and colleagues in Beijing to my house for a banquet." Lin Ruhai walked to the door and suddenly turned around and said.

"Ah? Why is that? Isn't Erlang's full moon banquet scheduled for next month?"

"You have made great contributions in raising Erlang for me. I would like to take this opportunity to ask my old friends to bear witness and make you my legitimate wife. With this title, it will be good for both you and Erlang." Lin Ruhai said.

Fu Qiufang cried with joy. Although she knew it was a matter of time, she didn't want it to happen so soon. She choked up and said, "I... I thank you for your kindness, Master. I will serve you wholeheartedly in the future, support you and raise your children, and I will not slack off."

Lin Ruhai nodded and turned away. He returned to his study and wrote furiously. He wrote dozens of letters in a row, and put a label on each letter to indicate its purpose.

Some were written to colleagues and friends, some were written to clansmen and brothers, and more were written to his son. He turned his full fatherly love into words and poured it out in his pen, teaching him how to study, how to be a person, how to make friends, how to establish himself, how to serve the king... He wished he could pass on all his life's knowledge and experience to him.

Finally, he wrote a will with great care, put it in a wooden box with all the letters, locked it, called Shuiyue, and told her: "When I am gone in the future, give this box to my aunt."

Shuiyue was shocked and asked hurriedly, "Why do you say that, Master?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not going to die immediately, I'm just preparing for a rainy day and making arrangements in advance. You are the person I trust most in the mansion, and I feel at ease leaving it to you."

Shuiyue shook her head and said, "Master, this, this is too unlucky."

Lin Ruhai waved his hand and said, "It's irrelevant. Birth, aging, illness and death are the laws of nature. You know that my health has never been good. Although I have been treated by Doctor Ye, my foundation is still not solid.

Besides, I am much older than Aunt Fu, so it is foreseeable that I will die before her. There is nothing unlucky about it. Just remember my words."

"Yes, sir." Shuiyue nodded and said, "I'll ask Doctor Ye to come and see you tomorrow."

"Okay. Thank you for your hard work." Lin Ruhai said with a smile.

Shuiyue smiled and said, "Master is so polite, just like when he first got married to Miss."

Lin Ruhai thought back to those days and said, "I miss Min'er, too."

Shuiyue has always been careful and cautious. Seeing this, she said no more and left with the gift box.

A few days later, Lin Ruhai ordered people to set up a banquet in his mansion to entertain Jia Cong and Daiyu.

Shuiyue was directing the maids to place the cups, plates and bowls, when she saw Lin Ruhai personally bringing out a pot of wine and placing it on the table. She asked curiously, "What did the master take?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "This is a secret wine given by a friend. It is even better than the Immortal Wine. I will bring it here to entertain Cong'er."

Shuiyue's eyes moved slightly, and she smiled and said, "Although the master has good intentions, I think you should not take it out. My son-in-law once said that he only likes to drink Shenxianzui and will not drink any other wine.

Besides, the son-in-law is a big boss who sells wine. If the master offers him wine from another family, it will make him suspicious. I have already prepared some good wine. The master can keep it for himself."

Lin Ruhai waved his hand and smiled, "It's okay. Does he have any feelings for me? I'm just trying something new. If he doesn't like it, I can change it."

"Okay. Then I'll ask someone to remove the prepared wine." Shuiyue said with a smile.

Soon, Jia Cong and Daiyu arrived at the Lin Mansion escorted by two teams of personal soldiers.

When Lin Ruhai heard that the carriage had arrived, he hurried out to greet them.

"Cong'er, Yu'er, why are you so late? Let's talk inside." Lin Ruhai said with a smile.

Jia Cong got off his horse, bowed and said with a smile: "Don't blame me, father-in-law. Cong wanted to come earlier, but Pin'er was so slow that I almost missed the time."

Daiyu helped Shuiyue get out of the car, blushing as she spat, "Daddy, don't listen to his nonsense. He's the one who's making trouble and wasting time. Come on, scold him." Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "In that case, Cong will punish himself with a drink later."

"You should punish yourself by drinking three cups of wine." Daiyu said with a smile.

Jia Cong glanced at Lin Ruhai and said with a smile, "Cong will accept the punishment."

Lin Ruhai twirled his beard and smiled, "Come to the table, the food and wine are ready. Let's talk while we eat."

"Father-in-law please."

After everyone sat down, Shuiyue hurriedly ordered someone to serve the meal, and then she personally held the pot to pour wine for the three people. When she walked to Jia Cong, she lightly stepped on his foot.

Jia Cong's heart moved and he became cautious.

The three of them chatted for a while, and the dishes were brought in at a flowing price, filling the table in an instant.

Lin Ruhai raised his glass and said with a smile: "I didn't expect that a son would come to my old age. I'll have to trouble you to take care of him in the future. Let's have a drink first and then we can talk."

Daiyu raised her glass and said with a smile: "Father, you are too polite. He is my brother, so how can I not take care of him?" Just as she was about to raise her glass to her lips, Jia Cong held her back.

"Wait a minute." Jia Cong said with a smile, "I heard that my father-in-law had a baby boy. Why don't you send someone to bring him to see first? It won't be too late to drink it later."

Lin Ruhai put down the cup and said with a smile, "Alright. Shuiyue, go get Erlang."

"Yes." Shuiyue hurriedly gave the order.

As they were talking, a wet nurse came out carrying a baby.

Jia Cong took it and looked at it carefully with Daiyu. It was indeed a fair and lovely girl with a chubby face and a tiger-like body. He looked at Lin Ruhai and smiled, "What a phoenix boy! Your father-in-law is really a blessed man. I think he will be more handsome than Cong in the future."

Daiyu spat, "You are not modest. My brother is not like you."

As he said this, he took his younger brother in his arms and teased him, "Little brother, when you grow up, don't be like your brother-in-law and attract girls. You must be honest and behave yourself, understand?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "I am glad that my father-in-law has a successor. I wonder what plans you have for my little brother's future?"

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "I can't think that far ahead. Let's talk about the future later. I will always trouble you. I may not be able to see it."

Daiyu frowned slightly and said, "Dad...you are saying some discouraging words again. I don't like to hear them."

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Forget it. I have spoken out of turn, so I will drink two cups as punishment. How about you drink one cup with me?"

Daiyu smiled and said, "Okay." Then she picked up the cup.

Jia Cong held her down again and said with a smile, "Wait a minute, drink some wine. My father-in-law asked me to pick a name for our brother. Have you forgotten? I have been thinking hard for several days and have come up with a good one."

Daiyu put down the cup and said with a smile, "Tell me quickly, let's see what name you want to give it."

Lin Ruhai put down the cup, and although he felt something was wrong, he could only smile and said, "Brother Cong's talent is well-known all over the world, and he will definitely have a good reputation."

Jia Cong looked at him and said, "Father-in-law, what do you think of the word 'Junjie'?"

Daiyu pondered and said, "Junjie, Lin Junjie? It sounds good, but what do you think?"

Jia Cong said, "As the old saying goes, a man who knows the current affairs is a hero. I hope that I can be a man who knows the current affairs in the future, recognize the general trend of the world, and not go astray. Even if I go astray, I can stop in time. What do you think, father-in-law?"

Daiyu was a smart and thoughtful person. She heard something behind his words, but she didn't understand what he meant. She stopped talking and just lowered her head in thought.

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Brother Cong is right. The most important thing for a person is to know the current situation and have a clear mind and vision, so as not to be deceived by illusions.

Junjie, Junjie, good, good name, let’s call him Lin Junjie. It’s time to make it clear.” He ordered Shuiyue to take the child away and raised his glass again.

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Father-in-law, if His Majesty wants to kill me, do you think I should rebel or surrender?"

Lin Ruhai was stunned and asked, "Why do you say that, Cong? Has His Majesty ever intended to kill you?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I said if. After all, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The power of heaven is unpredictable. Even if Your Majesty does not want to kill me now, he may want to kill me someday in the future."

Lin Ruhai said with a smile: "Brother Cong has been through hundreds of battles and is a noble who has fought his way out of a hail of guns and arrows. He has his own opinions. Why should I interfere?"

Jia Cong then asked: "Will my father-in-law support Cong?"

"Of course." Lin Ruhai said, "Not to mention for your aunt's sake, even for Yu'er's sake, can I stay out of it?"

Daiyu was moved and said, "Dad..." She could never have imagined that her father would give up his lifelong pursuit for her.

Jia Cong laughed when he heard this and said, "Well, Cong thanks you very much, father-in-law. Just based on these words, I will definitely treat me well in the future."

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Okay, you will rise rapidly in the future, and Junjie will still need your support."

"That's natural."

"Cheers to victory." Lin Ruhai raised his glass and said with a smile.

Daiyu also raised her glass with a smile.

Seeing Shuiyue winking at him from behind Lin Ruhai, Jia Cong sighed secretly, shook his head gently, raised his hand to hold Daiyu's wrist, and said lightly: "Father-in-law, please forgive me. Cong does not want to drink today."

Daiyu was startled and looked at Jia Cong hurriedly, wondering why he suddenly turned hostile.

Lin Ruhai advised: "We are all family, so let's just have one drink and never persuade anyone again, how about that?"

Jia Cong sneered, "You can't even drink one cup."

Daiyu asked anxiously, "Brother Cong, you...are fine, what happened?"

Jia Cong held her hand and said, "Pin'er, my father-in-law has already set up the Hongmen Banquet, and he is not as stupid as Xiang Yu. How can I dare to eat it?"

Daiyu was stunned, a chill in her heart, she looked at the father-in-law and son-in-law in disbelief, and said in a trembling voice: "What do you mean? Dad, what do you mean?"

Lin Ruhai sighed, put down his glass, and asked in confusion: "Brother Cong, how did you know that?"

Jia Cong sneered and said nothing.

Lin Ruhai suddenly realized and turned back. Seeing Shuiyue's eyes avoiding him, he shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I should have thought of it earlier."

Shuiyue knelt down hurriedly without saying a word.

(End of this chapter)