The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

"Maybe not," Jia Jue said.

"Why?" Xue Baochai asked, somewhat puzzled. Perhaps she wasn't truly puzzled, but simply wanted to start a conversation.

Because life in the cabin all day long was indeed too boring.

In the past, when she was at home, she could still talk and chat with the maids.

But now that we're on the ship, the number of maids who come is limited.

As for his mother—weren't the maids she brought with her keeping her company?

"If the master is an enlightened monk, does that mean the disciple must also be an enlightened monk?"

Jia Jue asked.

"Of course not," Xue Baochai replied absentmindedly, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside the boat.

The scenery along the way was beautiful, with green willows all the way, a sight she had never seen before.

"Miaoyu could be described as a high-minded person, not a commoner, but ultimately she was not a monk."

"Is that so?"

Xue Baochai nodded.

It's clear that she has absolutely no desire to talk right now.

Perhaps coming over to talk to him was just to make myself seem less idle, or perhaps it was because I didn't want to neglect him.

Jia Jue suddenly found it somewhat interesting.

Because Baochai is usually gentle, polite, humble, and respectful, she would never be so absent-minded and casual in her conversation as she is today.

Perhaps at this moment, Xue Baochai herself did not realize how impolite her behavior was.

Let's just call it a breach of etiquette.

For a young woman like Baochai, who had always stayed in her boudoir and never ventured out, such natural scenery was naturally incredibly attractive.

However, as she looked at it, she couldn't help but think of something—

"The scenery outside is so beautiful, and the world is so full of wonders! These are things that can never be found in books!"

She thought again, "However, I may only be able to see such scenery once in a lifetime. When I was a child, I mischievously read 'The Peony Pavilion' and saw Du Liniang exclaim in amazement when she saw the garden, 'It is full of vibrant colors!' I scoffed at how exaggerated it was. But now it seems so real and relatable."

Thinking like this, her heart was filled with turmoil, and tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.

When that single tear flowed from her eye and dripped down her cheek, Xue Baochai suddenly awoke from her reverie.

She quickly wiped away the tear with the back of her hand before smiling at Jia Jue and saying, "I wonder why Brother Jue speaks of me like this?"

Jia Jue said, "She is self-righteous. What kind of monk is so self-righteous? And she is obsessed with cleanliness, gender, appearance, and status."

Xue Baochai nodded. "If that's the case, then she certainly can't be considered a highly accomplished monk, or even a monk at all. However, she must possess some talent, right?"

Jia Jue said, "Why would Sister Bao say such a thing?"

Baochai laughed and said, "If she were without talent, how could Brother Jue have called her a refined scholar?"

Jia Jue smiled.

The two continued chatting and laughing at the bow of the boat.

The journey back was exceptionally smooth.

So it didn't take long before they arrived in Yangzhou.

Yangzhou, where Lin Ruhai lived.

Here, the ship docked.

Aunt Xue and the others did not go to visit Lin Ruhai because there was no longer a true mistress in Lin Ruhai's household, only a concubine.

In Aunt Xue's view, a concubine was not qualified to entertain her.

However, if Lin Ruhai were to personally host them, it would be considered improper due to the distinction between men and women.

Therefore, Aunt Xue and Baochai simply rested on the boat, while Jia Jue and Xue Pan went to visit them.

However, now that Jia Jue is also serving as Lin Ruhai, it is visibly noticeable that he has become haggard.

Rumors circulated in Yangzhou that the Salt Commissioner, Lord Lin, was still thinking of his wife.

Since his wife passed away, his health has deteriorated day by day, and he says he has fallen ill from missing her.

But does Lin Ruhai really miss Jia Minyao that much?

There is longing, but it would never be this intense.

At most, he would only sigh deeply when he saw his deceased wife's belongings during his spare time from official duties; he would never go to such lengths.

But Jia Jue had no idea what was wrong with Lin Ruhai's health now.

Perhaps it was due to overwork that he fell ill.

Lin Ruhai met Jia Jue and Xue Pan.

He was very happy because Jia Jue was not the same as the noble sons he knew.

For Lin Ruhai, who also studied hard from a young age and came from a noble family, seeing Jia Jue was like seeing his younger self.

He had high hopes for Jia Jue, believing that with his talent, he would at least become a third-place scholar in the imperial examinations.

That's the same as him.

He has no children to this day, so when he saw Jia Jue, he couldn't help but empathize with him.

As for Xue Pan?

We weren't familiar with each other to begin with.

But Lin Ruhai still treated them with great courtesy.

He did not elevate Jia Jue and belittle Xue Pan at the banquet because he liked Jia Jue so much.

And what about Xue Pan?

I had long heard of Lin Ruhai's title of "Third Scholar".

He was initially afraid, fearing that he, being so ignorant and incompetent, would be lectured by him.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ruhai was polite and didn't make things difficult for him, which made him feel incredibly fortunate.

Just as he was about to leave, Lin Ruhai called out to Jia Jue.

At this moment, Xue Pan was thinking about running away.

I had long heard that the Eighteen Towers of Yangzhou was a famous place of pleasure and entertainment.

Although the fame of Jinling Red Wedding House has surpassed that of Yangzhou, how could Xue Pan not go to such a famous place?

So he left happily.

After Xue Pan left, Lin Ruhai pulled Jia Jue to his backyard.

He looked into Jia Jue's eyes and said, "Nephew, my Lin family is now small and has no one to rely on. After much thought, we have come to realize that we can only rely on you."

Jia Jue said, "Uncle, why are you being so serious?"

Lin Ruhai shook his head and said, "I'm not exaggerating, but I know my own body best. I'm just a candle flickering in the wind now. Even if there's a glimmer of light, it's still weak and unstable."

Jia Jue said, "Uncle, why speak such discouraging words? There are so many famous doctors in Yangzhou. Even if the Yangzhou doctors cannot cure him, there are still the imperial physicians in the capital. If you write a letter to the old lady yourself, she will surely go to the palace to seek medical treatment for you. In any case, there will be hope for a recovery!"

Lin Ruhai shook his head and said, "You don't need to persuade me. I've lived enough. Although I have no sons, I have a daughter who is intelligent and quick-witted, a thousand times better than me, which has fulfilled my regret. My family in Yangzhou, while not worth millions, is quite wealthy. My daughter is staying at the Rongguo Mansion, and I'm afraid she might be bullied. I hope you can take care of her!"

As he spoke, Lin Ruhai was about to shed tears.

Jia Jue's eyes also reddened, and he said, "Jue will certainly not fail my uncle's trust!"

Lin Ruhai continued, "It's good that you have this intention. I still have some time now. After a while, I may send a letter directly to the Rongguo Mansion, asking my daughter to see me one last time. I just hope you can come with me then, as I still have things to say to you to wish you well, is that alright?"