Prince Bei Jing of the Red Chamber, starting from saving Qin Keqing

In those days, Daiyu had just arrived in the capital and temporarily stayed at the Jia family mansion.

The constraints of living under someone else's roof made her sigh silently every day as she looked at the winter plum blossoms in front of her window, her brows always covered with an unyielding sorrow.

When Lin Ruhai returned to Beijing and saw his daughter in such a state, he was heartbroken. So he made time every day to take her to explore the streets and alleys of the capital.

Go to Dashilan to sample various snacks, go to the bookstore to search for rare and out-of-print books, go to the temple fair to watch acrobatics and shadow puppetry, and go to the jade shop to select small trinkets.

In just a few days, the gloom on the girl's face gradually dissipated, and a lively and vibrant light rekindled in her eyes.

That day, Daiyu carried a plate of delicate plum blossom cakes into the main hall, presented it to Lin Ruhai, her cheeks flushed slightly, and softly asked:

"Father, look at the plum blossom cakes your daughter made. Do you think... the Prince will like them?"

Lin Ruhai picked up a piece and savored it carefully, his eyes full of praise: "My Yu'er's skills are getting better and better. This cake is sweet but not greasy, and it also has the fragrance of plum blossoms. The taste is superb."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's cheeks flushed even more, and she pressed on, "Then...would the Prince like these sweet pastries?"

A knowing smile flashed in Lin Ruhai's eyes as he deliberately teased her:

"My dear young lady, who was it that threw a tantrum just a few days ago because the Prince sent military books, complaining, 'Why did the Prince send such vulgar things?' And now, only a few days later, she's already thinking about what the Prince likes to eat?"

"Father, you still bring this up!"

Daiyu playfully pinched Lin Ruhai's arm, her voice tinged with shyness:

"My daughter was being foolish the other day, but who would have thought that among the military books the Prince sent, there was a copy of a Jiangnan tale of the strange and supernatural, along with his own handwritten annotations..."

As she spoke, her voice softened, but a gentle smile spread across her eyes:

"The items the Prince has sent these past few days are all things my daughter likes: jade carvings, especially the bamboo-shaped ones, are my favorite."

"The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all the Huizhou ink and Xuan paper that I usually use; even the books are not those 'female precepts and instructions' that bind women, but rather rare novels that I have been searching for but have not been able to find..."

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard and nodded slowly, his tone full of satisfaction: "Shui Rong is indeed a very thoughtful child."

"Although he is a prince, he is not ostentatious at all. He quietly found out your preferences and gave you not some rare treasures, but all things that suit your taste. It is clear that he truly cares about you."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, he is polite and knows his place. He sends Qin Zhong to deliver medicine every day, but he never inquires about your illness, for fear of hurting your self-esteem. Such thoughtfulness and consideration is truly rare."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu felt a warm glow in her heart. Her fingertips unconsciously caressed the silk handkerchief hidden in her sleeve. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she leaned closer to Lin Ruhai, whispering a suggestion:

"Father, how about... I disguise myself as a man and sneak into the Prince's mansion?"

"Just like in Suzhou, I'll dress up as the older brother and see what the prince is busy with on weekdays."

"Nonsense!"

Lin Ruhai's face darkened, and he reprimanded him sternly.

"This isn't the Lin family mansion in Suzhou; this is the capital city, right under the emperor's nose!"

"You are the daughter of the Lin family, of noble birth. If you were to disguise yourself as a man and enter or leave the Prince's residence and be discovered, it would not only tarnish my reputation but also damage the Prince's honor. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Daiyu pouted, her eyes welling with tears, after being scolded by him. She lowered her head in grievance and muttered softly:

"I just wanted to go and see... When I was in Suzhou, I often dressed up as my older brother and went out to play, and no one ever noticed..."

Seeing his daughter's aggrieved expression, Lin Ruhai's heart softened instantly, and he ultimately couldn't bear to be harsh with her.

He sighed softly, reached out and gently patted his daughter's head, his tone softening:

"Alright, alright, seeing how you look, I can't bear to refuse you."

"It's not impossible for a girl to dress as a boy, but I must accompany you."

"real?!"

Daiyu suddenly looked up, the tears in her eyes instantly vanishing, replaced by a light of surprise. She grabbed Lin Ruhai's arm and exclaimed joyfully:

"Thank you, Father! Father is the best!"

Having said that, she turned and ran impatiently towards her boudoir, her steps as light as a bird returning to its nest. "I'm going back to my room to get dressed; I must look like a real young master!"

Lin Ruhai watched his daughter's hurried departure, shook his head helplessly, but a doting smile appeared on his face.

He didn't care about what others said—he was already old and had long since become indifferent to fame. As long as his daughter was happy and could regain her cheerfulness, what did it matter if he suffered some criticism?

Not long after the father and daughter returned to the manor, the steward hurriedly stepped forward to report: "Master, Young Master Qin Zhong from the Prince of Beijing's manor has come again. The medicinal herbs he brought have been placed in the storeroom. He has come to report to you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai sighed softly again: "I understand, I'll go take a look right away."

He walked towards the warehouse, feeling both warmth and a touch of helplessness.

Shui Rong is a good child in every way, except that he is too meticulous and too extravagant.

Daiyu's illness was unusual, and the medicinal materials she needed were already expensive. Yet he sent them to her every day without fail, and every single one of the medicinal materials was of the highest quality and priceless.

Such expenses, in just a few days, have probably already cost tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Pushing open the warehouse door, rows of exquisite wooden boxes were neatly arranged.

Lin Ruhai casually opened one of them, and inside lay a Tian Shan snow lotus of exceptional quality. Its petals were translucent white, and its fragrance was clear and lingering, clearly a priceless treasure.

"This child is really willing to give..."

Lin Ruhai murmured to himself, his eyes filled with relief—Shui Rong's concern for Daiyu was by no means feigned; this subtle and gentle affection reassured him more than any expensive gift.

"Daddy, I'm all dressed up!"

A clear but deliberately low male voice came from inside the storeroom, and Daiyu skipped and hopped into it.

She wore a light blue brocade robe embroidered with lotus flowers, with a jade belt around her waist. Her long hair was styled into a jade crown, and her face was lightly powdered, which concealed her feminine beauty.

The thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl had not yet fully developed. After binding her chest, her figure became even more upright, and her eyebrows and eyes were handsome and lively. She really looked like a gentle and refined young master from a noble family, a fairy child who had just stepped out of a painting.

Lin Ruhai turned around and looked at him, his eyes full of approval. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Not bad, not bad. Even if an acquaintance saw you dressed like this, they might not be able to recognize that you are a woman."

He paused, then solemnly instructed, "Remember, once you arrive at the Prince's residence, you will be Lin Jin, Daiyu's brother. Behave with decorum and don't give yourself away."

"Daughter, I'll remember!"

Daiyu nodded vigorously, her gaze immediately falling on the wooden boxes in the storeroom. Curious, she stepped forward, casually opened one, and her eyes widened in shock upon seeing the rare medicinal herbs inside.

"Father, are all of these... gifts from the Prince?"

"Yes, he sends them to us every day."

Lin Ruhai nodded, his tone tinged with emotion:

"He was unaware of your illness, so he sent you different kinds of nourishing, high-quality medicinal herbs every day, hoping to help you recover. You should remember this kindness."

Daiyu held the medicinal herbs in her hands, her nose tingled slightly, and her eyes instantly reddened.

She never imagined that someone would care about her so quietly, carefully protect her self-esteem, and think of her in everything.

"Alright, stop being so emotional, or you'll give yourself away if you cry again."

Lin Ruhai gently patted her shoulder, his tone mild, "Quickly take the plum blossom cakes you made yourself, let's go to the Prince of Beijing's residence now."

Daiyu quickly wiped her eyes, nodded, and replied, "Mm!" She then turned and hurried to fetch the pastries.

Before long, he boarded the carriage with Lin Ruhai and they slowly drove towards the Prince of Beijing's residence.

At this time, the Prince of Beijing's mansion was already a scene of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

Shui Rong was standing in the courtyard, gently directing the servants to sweep the yard. The corridor was covered with vermilion lanterns, and the winter plum blossoms in the corner of the yard were blooming proudly in the cold wind, their fragrance filling the air.

Zhao Zhong, accompanied by several servants, carefully moved the precious books and calligraphy and paintings out of the study to air them out. The sunlight shone on the yellowed pages, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere.

"Your Highness, the family-related documents that need to be processed in the south have been prepared and placed on your desk in your study."

Qin Zhong strode forward, bowed, and reported, "The medicines and clothing you need to take on your trip south have also been packed and are ready for your final inspection."

Shui Rong nodded slightly, her tone calm: "Understood. Go to the storeroom and see if the medicinal herbs sent to the Lin family today have been delivered."

"Your Highness, it was sent over early this morning. Qin Zhong personally oversaw its placement, and Lord Lin even had the steward come out to express his gratitude," Zhao Zhong replied respectfully.

Shui Rong hummed in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the busy servants in the courtyard, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.

As the year draws to a close, the situation in the capital is turbulent, but the peaceful and lively atmosphere in the mansion is quite rare.

He brushed the snow off his shoulder and was about to turn back to his study when the butler rushed in to report:

"Your Highness, Lord Lin has arrived with a young gentleman and they are currently waiting outside the mansion gate."

"Father-in-law?" A hint of surprise flashed in Shui Rong's eyes, then he smiled knowingly and raised his hand, saying, "Please come in quickly."

He pondered to himself that Lin Ruhai's sudden visit must be about Daiyu's marriage, but he wondered who the young man beside him was.