Red Mansion: Picking up a Lin Daiyu

Chapter 163 Xue Baochai's Weakness
Xue Baochai considers herself to be well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, and has her own ideas about the ways of the world and social interactions.

But all the plans and ideas in his mind were in vain in front of Yue Ling.

From the moment Yue Ling entered the door, the reception hall that Xue Baochai had carefully decorated became someone else's home ground.

Every word Yue Ling said gripped Xue Baochai's heartstrings, even her emotional ups and downs were affected by it, making her feel a deep sense of powerlessness for the first time.

With her head lowered, she secretly sized up Yue Ling's appearance with her peripheral vision. Thinking of the past of this peerless young man, Xue Baochai couldn't help but sigh, "After all, he is the commander-in-chief who commanded an army of 200,000 to defend the capital. I'm afraid my methods are childish and ridiculous in his eyes."

"I tried to bargain with him beforehand. How foolish of me."

After closing her eyes and taking a few deep breaths, Xue Baochai humbly asked, "Marquis Anjing, what do you mean when you say that the Xue family is too clever for their own good?"

Yue Ling put down the empty teacup and tapped the table with his fingers again.

When Xiangling was about to pour the tea, Xue Baochai took two steps forward and said to Xiangling, "Let me do it. You leave first."

Xiangling nodded, bowed to Yue Ling, and retreated back behind the screen.

Xue Baochai folded her loose sleeves, revealing a pair of white wrists, which were plump and delicate, like mutton-fat jade.

As she walked over, a fragrance mixed with the subtle scent of multiple flowers came with her.

Compared to the refreshing fragrance of Lin Daiyu, the fragrance of Xue Baochai has a lingering feeling, which makes people intoxicated and feel wonderful.

"If you like tea, I can send some for you."

Yue Ling shook his head and said, "It's just a taste of freshness. I'm still used to drinking the tea at home."

Hearing this, Xue Baochai could only smile awkwardly and bring the topic back to business. "I am now confused by the situation, I wonder if the Marquis can give me some advice?"

Yue Ling nodded and said, "Since such an incident happened to the Xue family, it is definitely wrong to try to avoid punishment and abuse power for personal gain. Do you think this is a perfect thing?"

"The only way is to let Xue Pan return to Jinling, bear the punishment he deserves, and suffer the hardships of imprisonment. Then, he can set up a memorial tablet for the Feng family, build a charity school for them, and win the forgiveness of the clan members. Feng Yuan was originally a man who loved homosexuality. When he saw Xiangling, he was just attracted by her beauty. The clan members will not get involved with the Xue family for too long."

Xue Baochai was puzzled, "How can letting my brother suffer in prison be considered a way out of this situation?"

Yue Ling explained, "First of all, your Xue family must have a correct attitude in admitting guilt and must not interfere with the judgment. This is the first point. Gaining the Feng family's forgiveness is the second point. And the key point is to give the Xue family some room for maneuver."

"That is?"

"Miss Xue, think about it, what will happen when the new emperor ascends the throne?"

Xue Baochai's eyes flickered, and she answered, "A general amnesty?"

Yue Ling took a sip of tea and said, "Xue Pan allowed Hao Nu to commit the crime, so he is responsible for it. Hao Nu is not immune either. The kidnapper also trafficked in illegal households and deliberately caused the two families to fight. He is also guilty of the same crime. As long as Xue Pan is re-sentenced, pleads guilty and accepts the punishment, when this round of government orders is issued by the state government, his crime can be pardoned, his punishment can be reduced, and he can stay in prison for a few months, and the matter will be considered closed."

"But if the Xue family doesn't want to suffer at all, after all, they accidentally killed someone, how can this be justified?"

"Besides, your brother has been spoiled since he was young. After being acquitted this time, won't he become even more spoiled? We can see a little bit of this from what happened in Cangzhou. Do you still think that not being punished is a good thing for your Xue family?"

"Xue Baochai, you are a smart person, that's all I have to say."

Xue Baochai was slightly startled.

For the Xue family, the eldest son was the only legitimate son, who had been spoiled by his mother since childhood, and this was the culprit for the current disaster. If the heir of a merchant family could not bear the responsibility, the speed of its decline would be like a waterfall.

"My Lord is right. Even if it means a few months of imprisonment, my brother will learn his lesson. Even if today's incident happened, my mother would just scold and beat him, but my brother's character will not change. In the future, it will only bring harm to the Xue family and no benefit."

Xue Baochai made up her mind and said, "Thank you for your advice, my Lord. If we had gone north, we would have been on the wrong path. My brother doesn't seek fame or fortune, and the reputation of a merchant family lies in the word 'trust'. He almost lost his own reputation."

Yue Ling smiled and shook his head, "No need to thank me, from now on in Cangzhou City, your Xue family must follow my instructions."

The development of Cangzhou cannot avoid business matters, and Yue Ling is also in need of someone to take care of it. This is his ultimate goal.

The local wealthy merchants cannot be trusted completely, and Yue Ling must have one of his subordinates to challenge them.

He could negotiate with the Xue family and use Xue Baochai, who was smart and capable. The Xuejiafeng brand, as one of the best businesses in Jinling, was exactly what Yue Ling needed.

Regardless of whether it was collusion between officials and businessmen or the analysis of the two ends of the law, Yue Ling came here to reshape Cangzhou City. Killing them all and rebuilding the business was not a bad idea.

Xue Baochai bowed and said, "As long as the Marquis rescues my brother and completes this matter, the Xue family will certainly not break their promise. The Xue family will help the Marquis to stabilize Cangzhou regardless of the cost."

Yue Ling waved his hand and said, "I have always been good to my subordinates. Since your family is working for me, I will not treat you unfairly. There is no loss, and there is still a chance to make a small profit."

Xue Baochai was startled again, "Making money? In this Cangzhou Prefecture?"

Cangzhou Prefecture is so poor, where can it make money?
Xue Baochai felt that Yue Ling was more and more unfathomable, and thought to herself, "He is proficient in military affairs and has extraordinary martial arts skills. Could it be that he is also proficient in economics? That would require a very evil person."

"I know a little bit about economics, but I don't know how the Xue family makes money in Cangzhou City. I originally wanted to persuade my mother to invest 10,000 taels to establish a relationship with Marquis Anjing, but now..."

Xue Baochai looked at Yue Ling with sparkling eyes, becoming more and more curious about this man. "Right now, I am even more looking forward to what other methods the Marquis will use."

Yue Ling had no idea what Xue Baochai was thinking. He stood up with his hands behind his back and did not answer Xue Baochai's question. Instead, he said, "Ms. Xue, I like your wisdom, intelligence, calmness, and your eyes that can see through people's hearts. However, you have a fatal weakness."

Xue Baochai was even more confused, as if she and Yue Ling were not on the same level at all.

Xue Baochai asked anxiously, "What weakness did the Marquis mention?"

Yue Ling shook his head and smiled, stretched out his thumb and index finger and pinched them, comparing them with Xue Baochai and said: "Sometimes, you lack a little courage."

Xue Baochai stood there in a daze, unable to say anything for a long time.

After saying that, Yue Ling didn't stay any longer, waved his hand, and strode out.

After Yue Ling left, Ying'er came out from behind the screen and stayed beside Xue Baochai, gasping for breath.

"Miss, this Marquis Anjing is too terrifying. His aura and pressure are far superior to those of the various family heads and prefects I have seen in Jinling."

Xue Baochai came back to her senses and answered casually, "He is the marquis who led 200,000 troops to fight behind the city and finally captured the Khan of the Northern Barbarians. He is also the first marquis of the new dynasty of His Majesty. How can he be compared with the head of any family or the prefect?"

"This is still in Cangzhou. If it were in the capital, he would be able to make things happen with a flip of his hand. Even a family like the Xue family is like sand in his eyes. I'm afraid there is no chance for them to work for him."

Ying'er said, "That may not be the case. Just now the Marquis said that he likes you, so you will at least have the opportunity to work for him."

Xue Baochai's face flushed immediately. She pulled Ying'er's arm and said, "When did you learn to tease the master? When did the Marquis ever say that he liked me?" Xue Baochai snorted, "Even if you have the ability now, why did you just shrink your head like a chick?"

Ying'er begged for mercy again, saying, "I was wrong, I was wrong, young lady, I won't do it again."

Xue Baochai let go of her hand and looked out the door, recalling Yue Ling's words just now, "Sometimes, you lack a little courage."

Xue Baochai couldn't help but sigh again.

After being enlightened by Yue Ling, she realized her own problem. It is not a bad thing to think carefully and weigh the pros and cons of all parties before doing things, but when it comes to making a decision, she does not have the courage to make a bold decision, nor the courage to take responsibility.

Lacking this fighting spirit, she ended up in prison, unable to extricate herself.

"My Lord is so good at judging people. How come he knows me so well?"

Thinking of the fact that Yue Ling could recite the recipe of Lengxiang Pills and knew all the secrets of the Xue family, Xue Baochai's cheeks turned even redder.

"Girl, girl?"

Ying'er waved her hand and swayed in front of Xue Baochai.

"Girl, what's wrong with you? Are you really attracted to the Marquis?"

Xue Baochai frowned slightly and said, "What kind of status does the Marquis have? With his talent and achievements, he may even be promoted to Duke in the future. My Xue family is a declining imperial merchant family. We only have an honorary title in the Ministry of Revenue. With such a huge difference in status, how can we talk about whether we are interested in him or not?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I will find needle and thread and sew your mouth shut first."

Ying'er shook her head and sighed, looking as if she was worried about something.

Not hearing any begging for mercy, Xue Baochai was also confused, "What's wrong with you? Wasn't what I said right?"

Ying Er shook her head and said, "Miss, what you said is right, but I think what the Marquis said is more correct."

Xue Baochai: “?”

Ying'er shook her head, imitating Yue Ling's movements, and said, "Girl, sometimes you still lack a little courage."

Xue Baochai was stunned for a moment, and when she came to her senses, she immediately wanted to grab Ying'er and beat her.

Ying'er quickly hid behind the screen, behind Xiangling, "Ah! Miss, I was wrong! Besides, it wasn't me who said that, it was the Marquis who said that, how could you just hit me?"

Xue Baochai was filled with shame and indignation. "Today I will definitely discipline you. Otherwise, I will have spoiled you too much!"

The little girls in the room were making a noise when there was a knock on the door outside, as well as the sound of armor rubbing against each other. Xue Baochai quickly put down her hands and sat down calmly.

"Miss Xue, the Marquis has ordered you to appear in court and confess the crimes committed by the lord."

It turned out that Yue Ling had sent a message, and Xue Baochai breathed a sigh of relief.

After a moment, Xue Baochai realized something was wrong again and repeated in astonishment, "What? Point it out in class?"

……

early in the morning,

A ray of sunlight shone on the streets of Cangzhou Prefecture, and the vermilion gate of the government office looked as red as blood.

Two stone lions guard the left and right sides of the gate. They are carved to be lifelike, with one paw on the stone ball and their eyes staring fiercely at the front, which is very intimidating.

As time passed, more and more people gathered on the street outside the government office, and it gradually became crowded.

Cangzhou Prefecture, which had been lifeless, became lively again at this moment.

This was because the people had been informed in advance that today would be the day when the most serious case in the palace in recent times, the case of a missing young child, would be tried, and the defendant was Zhao Hao, the young master of the Yunxing Escort Agency.

In the lobby, a plaque with the words "A Bright Mirror Hanging High" was placed in the center, with the prefect Pu Zheng sitting below it.

Park Jung was wearing an exquisite official robe with intricate patterns, which was in sharp contrast to the common people outside. He wore a crown on his head, had a solemn expression, stared with a pair of thick eyebrows, and casually flipped through official documents.

On the case in front of him, besides writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone, a gavel and a stick tube, there were the evidences that he had obtained. Therefore, Pu Zheng felt at ease, as he was able to resolve the chaos in the mansion before the imperial envoy arrived.

If the case remains pending until the imperial envoy arrives, he will no longer have the final say on sentencing.

Pu Zheng looked at the sundial outside the courtyard and said to the master beside him, "It's almost time, let's go to court."

"Ascension!"

The yamen runners on both sides held water and fire sticks and beat the ground rhythmically. The gate of the government office was opened and a large number of people immediately poured in.

Pu Zheng slammed the gavel and said with full energy: "There have been many cases of missing children in the city recently. After this official spared no effort to investigate, I finally found that there is a big problem with the Yunxing Escort Agency. Today, this official will give an explanation to all the elders and villagers!"

In the Yunxing Escort Agency, many people who did not participate in this escort also disguised themselves and sneaked into the gate of the yamen. At this moment, they were looking at the prefect Pu Zheng with hatred.

"Uncle, we are going to convict the young master. If he is sentenced to death, how can there be any chance of recovery?"

"Yes, Second Uncle, go find that gentleman. He said he will help us get justice."

Zhao Yuanxing, who arrived late, glanced at the hall, frowned, and said, "Okay, go and get that gentleman over here quickly."

In the court, Park Zheng slammed the gavel again, "Someone! Bring the criminal Zhao Hao into the court!"

Soon, two yamen runners came to the main hall, carrying one person on each side.

The young man named Zhao Hao was wearing shackles and handcuffs on his feet, which made a harsh sound when he dragged them on the stone tiles on the ground.

Zhao Hao's hair was disheveled and his facial expression could not be seen clearly, but his prison uniform was relatively clean, which seemed to indicate that he was not having a bad time in prison.

This immediately aroused public outrage.

The people outside shouted, "It's this evil man who killed our child. Why are you still interrogating him? Just drag him out and chop off his head!"

　First update, two more to come
　　
　
(End of this chapter)