The Red Mansion: From a Small Pawn to a Leader

The sky was gloomy and drizzling.

During the rice planting season, even if there is drizzling rain in the sky, it cannot stop the busy figures of farmers.

Three days passed in a blink of an eye. Li Hu brought Lin Daiyu to Xiangshan Villa early in the morning. Lin Daiyu had the habit of taking a nap, so Li Hu came to the newly built courtyard alone to stroll around.

Originally it was said that after the temple was completed, Lady Jia and her group of sisters would be invited to enjoy the autumn scenery, but Li Hu went out on the expedition on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Like the villa next to it, it has three courtyards and the back room has been converted into a two-story building.

At this time, Li Hu was standing in front of a window on the second floor, looking at the farmers who were busy in the rice fields in the distance.

Farming in the east and grazing in the west, rice in the south and wheat in the north. In many people's habitual cognition, rice is not a widely planted crop in the north, especially in Beijing, but there are exceptions, and Beijing West is this exception.

This place is backed by the West Mountain and has many low-lying areas. Due to the combined effects of topography and climate, rivers, precipitation and groundwater are very abundant, making it very suitable for growing rice.

In the past life, this piece of land belonged to the Manchu royal family, where imperial rice was grown exclusively for the royal family's enjoyment.

A gust of wind blew by, and dense raindrops hit Li Hu's face and body, bringing a hint of coolness.

Li Hu smiled bitterly. It had rained a lot in the capital this year. It had not been sunny since the day he came back. Fortunately, it was only Zhili that was like this, otherwise the emperor would be so worried.

Jia Lian said that in order to prevent the new wheat from sprouting and mildewing, the people in the Ministry of Revenue tried every possible means. They not only arranged for people to use fans to constantly fan the warehouse to ventilate and reduce humidity, but also sprayed vinegar on the new wheat, saying that it could greatly delay the time of sprouting and mildew.

It is not clear what the effect is, but the officials of the Ministry of Revenue are worried all day long, fearing that the new wheat will sprout and mold.

Suddenly, Li Hu's ears moved, and he continued, "If you peek at others, you will get stye."

"Bah, you're the one with stye!"

Li Hu turned around and saw that it was indeed Lin Daiyu, so he asked with a smile, "Are you awake?"

Lin Daiyu walked over to Li Hu and looked out the window: "What are you looking at?"

An idea suddenly flashed through Li Hu's mind: "Look at Xiangtaro."

Lin Daiyu was slightly startled: "Taro, where did the taro come from?"

Li Hu just looked at her and smiled.

Xiangyu, Xiangyu? Yu? Lin Daiyu was so smart that she immediately realized that Li Hu was plotting against her again. She was so angry that she gnashed her teeth, but she didn't show it.

"You're so frivolous every day. Hey, what's on your head?" Lin Daiyu asked in surprise.

Li Hu: “What is it?”

Lin Daiyu took out a handkerchief from her body and said, "Lower your head, let me take a closer look."

Li Hu lowered his head obediently.

Lin Daiyu's eyes flashed with a sly look, and she suddenly pinched Li Hu's cheeks with both hands, and scolded him with a smile: "You rotten mouth! I knew you were making up stories about me." As she said that, she twisted Li Hu so hard that he begged, "Good sister, please forgive me. I didn't mean it. I just smelled the fragrance on your body and remembered an allusion."

Lin Daiyu said with a smile: "If I don't show you the power today, you won't know how powerful I am."

Li Hu: "Are you going to let go?"

Lin Daiyu: "Don't let go, don't let go"

Li Hu: "You are the one who started this fire!"

Lin Daiyu suddenly remembered something, and hurriedly let go of his hand, and was about to run downstairs, but was hugged back by Li Hu. She immediately pretended to be pitiful and said, "Don't bully me."

Li Hu smiled: "You were being very tough just now."

Lin Daiyu blushed, put her hands on Li Hu's shoulders, and begged, "Good brother, please forgive me."

Who can refuse the sweet and soft Lin Daiyu who begs for mercy coquettishly?

Li Hu looked at her and smiled: "I can't suffer too much." Then he moved forward.

Lin Daiyu lowered her head slightly and bit her lower lip tightly: "You, you close your eyes."

Li Hu closed his eyes and smelled a faint fragrance. The two lips touched his mouth lightly and then quickly retracted.

Great! Li Hu let go of his hand with satisfaction.

Lin Daiyu straightened her clothes. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She raised her hand to hit Li Hu, but Li Hu grabbed her hand. She immediately started to act like a spoiled child, "Oh, I saw something dirty on your clothes."

Li Hu was so angry that he laughed. This girl had learned to lie with open eyes.

Suddenly, a deep thunder with a long tail sound came from the depths of the sky. Then there was a terrifying thunder explosion, as if it was right above her head. Lin Daiyu shuddered all over and quickly hid in Li Hu's arms.

Li Hu smiled and said, "You're one year older, but still so timid." Lin Daiyu snorted and buried her head tightly in Li Hu's chest.

Another earth-shattering roar of thunder rolled across the roof.

Li Hu hugged Lin Daiyu tightly with one hand and patted her back gently with the other hand. He looked out the window and said, "It rained first and then the thunderstorm became even bigger. After this heavy rain, the sky will clear up."

Before he finished speaking, the sound of rain like waves of pine trees came from the east to the west, and the whole small building was instantly submerged in the curtain-like rain.

Lin Daiyu carefully poked her head out from Li Hu's arms and said, "Ah, it's raining so hard, how are we going to get back?"

Li Hu: "Don't worry, Zijuan will definitely come and deliver the oil coat."

Before he could finish his words, Zijuan's voice came from downstairs: "Second Master, Miss..."

Li Hu smiled and said, "Speak of the devil, and he will appear."

Lin Daiyu burst out laughing, and suddenly there was a loud thunder, which frightened her so much that she quickly buried her head in Li Hu's arms.

The footsteps on the stairs became louder and louder. Zijuan, wearing an oilskin, came up, holding two oilskins in her arms.

Li Hu took an oil coat from Zijuan and put it on Lin Daiyu, then he put it on himself and half-knelt down.

Lin Daiyu giggled and then fell on Li Hu's back.

Li Hu carried Lin Daiyu on his back and walked downstairs, saying, "The rain has stopped, I will take you to hunt rabbits."

A deafening roar of thunder also rolled over the roof of the upper study.

The imperial desk was piled high with memorials, and Emperor Yongchang was reviewing them with his hands moving non-stop.

There was another bright flash of lightning, followed by a loud thunderclap, which seemed to have exploded just outside the temple gate!

Emperor Yongchang's hand trembled, and a drop of thick vermilion ink fell on the memorial.

Emperor Yongchang frowned, put down his brush, took the silk cloth handed to him by Dai Quan, and carefully printed the red ink.

Dai Quan handed over a bowl of tea and said softly, "Your Majesty, have some tea and take a break."

Emperor Yongchang hummed, took the bowl of tea and drank a few sips before putting it down. Then he stood up and walked to the window, looking at the endless rain outside.

In the distance, shouts of "Fire! The Daming Palace is on fire" were heard one after another.

Emperor Yongchang trembled violently and ran out of the palace at a rapid pace.

Dai Quan's eyes flashed, and he ran out immediately, shouting: "Your Majesty, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold!"

Emperor Yongchang walked out facing the strong wind. The shouting became clearer. His face changed suddenly and he was about to rush out.

Dai Quan hurriedly stopped him and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is not in Daming Palace. If he is burned, then let him be. Your body is more important."

Emperor Yongchang was anxious: "The second son is in the Daming Palace!"

Dai Quan pretended to be surprised: "Second, Second Prince"

Emperor Yongchang pushed him away and rushed into the rain.

Dai Quan was stunned for a moment, then he chased after him: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty"

The queen was obviously in a good mood, as she was sitting in her bedroom playing with her hands.

There was a sound of footsteps and the eunuch in charge hurried in.

The eunuch in charge said: "My Lady, My Lady, the Second Prince is not dead. He has been hiding in the Daming Palace."

The queen quietly picked up a chess piece and placed it gently on the chessboard, then she said, "Go on."

The eunuch in charge said: "It is said that the fire was caused by lightning. The Second Prince was rescued and is fine, but he was fainted by the thick smoke. I also heard that the door of the side hall where the Second Prince lived was locked from the outside. If the Emperor had not arrived in time..." He shook his head.

The queen stopped the chess piece in her hand and asked, "Is the emperor okay?"

The eunuch in charge said: "It shouldn't be a problem if it gets wet in the rain."

The Queen glanced at him and said: "The Emperor's health is the foundation of Dashun. Go to the Imperial Hospital and ask for confirmation. Also, tell the eunuch in charge of the Concubine Shu's palace about this matter and ask him to notify the Third Prince to come to the palace immediately to visit him and ask about his well-being."

The eunuch in charge said, “Yes.” He answered and walked out quickly.

The Queen's fingers tightly grasped the chess piece, then she closed her eyes and dropped the chess piece heavily onto the chessboard. (End of this chapter)