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

As dusk settled, the red lanterns under the eaves of the Prince's Mansion lit up one by one, immersing the entire mansion in a gentle festive atmosphere.

Seeing that it was getting late, Shui Rong gently supported Lin Jin, who was disguised as Daiyu, and slowly walked out of the small kitchen.

During their half-day chat, he and "Lin Jin" discussed supernatural tales and military strategy, enjoying each other's company immensely. He also gained a deeper understanding of the girl's intelligence.

In an era of strict social norms, young women were often confined to the constraints of traditional female precepts and needlework.

Yet she was able to express her own opinions on miscellaneous books, unofficial histories, military strategies, and political intrigues, demonstrating insightful understanding and an exceptional memory. Such talent and integrity are truly rare.

Or perhaps it was the military treatise I sent him a few days ago, but in such a short time, it's impossible for him to have such insight.

That's really impressive.

As soon as the two walked into the main hall, Lin Ruhai walked out from the side hall with a smile. Judging from his expression, it was clear that his discussion with Zhao Zhong about the engagement was going very smoothly.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Shui Rong, and said, "Your Highness, it is getting late, and there are still some matters to attend to at home. I will take my leave with Jin'er and return to my residence. I will visit you again another day to express my gratitude."

Since Shui Rong had already seen through the fact that "Lin Jin" was actually Daiyu in disguise, it was naturally inappropriate for him to keep the female members of the family dining at the Prince's residence. This was both to preserve the Lin family's reputation and to show respect to Daiyu, so he smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"Father-in-law, you flatter me. I had a casual chat with Brother Lin Jin today and learned that he is very knowledgeable and has unique insights into strange tales, military strategy, and other fields. The Lin family's upbringing is truly admirable."

Upon hearing this, Daiyu's cheeks flushed crimson, and her fingers, hanging by her sides, secretly tightened the white handkerchief hidden in her sleeve.

The embarrassment of being exposed in the small kitchen hadn't yet faded when the prince's words, ostensibly a compliment, were actually a joke.

She tried to appear calm and lowered her eyes, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but turn up slightly.

Seeing his daughter so overjoyed, Lin Ruhai assumed it was because she was pleased with the prince's praise, and quickly returned the greeting with humility:

"Your Highness flatters me. My son has only studied with me for a few more years and knows a little bit. How dare he compare with Your Highness's profound knowledge and learning?"

He appeared calm, but inwardly he was filled with anxiety, hoping that Shui Rong hadn't seen through his daughter's disguise.

"My father-in-law is being too modest."

Shui Rong smiled and changed the subject, "Just now, Zhao Zhong was with you in the side hall discussing the engagement dowry and ceremony details. Have they all been finalized?"

Everything is in order.

Lin Ruhai nodded, his tone full of praise, "Steward Zhao is meticulous and has arranged everything according to etiquette, even checking the seating arrangements for guests and the arrangement of ceremonial objects. Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."

"These are all family matters, why bother with such things?"

Shui Rong waved his hand, about to speak again, but Lin Ruhai bowed and took his leave first.

He always knew Shui Rong's custom of inviting guests to stay for a meal, and in the past he would always insist that they stay. But today he didn't mention it at all, and he instantly realized what was going on.

Shui Rong must have seen through his daughter's disguise, but the prince didn't expose her or offer her a meal, all to save face for the Lin family and Daiyu.

Seeing that his mind was made up, Shui Rong did not try to persuade him to stay, and said gently:

"In that case, father-in-law, please take your leave. I will not see you off any further. If there is anything amiss in the future, please just send someone to your residence to inform you."

Daiyu bowed to Lin Ruhai as she looked up, only to be met with Shui Rong's ambiguous smile. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head and followed her father into the carriage.

The carriage wheels rolled smoothly over the bluestone slabs, and Daiyu finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her fingertips, clutching her handkerchief, turned slightly white, but her heart was now resolute:

The prince had recognized her long ago; his earlier tests and jokes were all intentional.

As the carriage drove away from the Prince's residence, Shui Rong turned and returned to his study. Upon entering, he immediately gave Zhao Zhong, who was waiting nearby, a firm and resolute instruction:

"Go and have your spies in Suzhou investigate whether the Lin family in Suzhou really has a young master named Lin Jin, and whether Daiyu has an older brother."

A flicker of realization crossed Zhao Zhong's eyes. He bowed and asked, "Master, are you saying that the 'Young Master Lin Jin' who came today was actually Miss Lin in disguise?"

Shui Rong nodded and sat down, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips.

"Besides her, there was no one else. Just now, in the small kitchen, I tested her on the annotations of the rare book I gave her, and she blurted them out, revealing all the flaws."

"If the Lin family truly has a young master named Lin Jin, then my plans to move south to Jiangsu and Zhejiang will need to be reconsidered; if it is Daiyu in disguise, then there is no need to worry."

"This servant understands. This matter will be investigated discreetly, and I will report back to Master first thing tomorrow morning." Zhao Zhong bowed and agreed, then turned to leave.

"Remember, don't tell anyone," Shui Rong added.

He and Zhao Zhong had been master and servant for many years, and they were of one mind with each other. There was never any suspicion between them. Zhao Zhong was reliable in his work, and he always trusted him.

On the other side, the Lin family's carriage slowly made its way through the streets and alleys. Daiyu finally couldn't contain herself any longer and pouted as she tugged at Lin Ruhai's sleeve.

Her eyes and brows were full of coquettishness and embarrassment as she gently poked the car wall with her fingertips and muttered:

"Father, the Prince must have seen through my disguise as Lin Jin!"

"He deliberately tested my knowledge of those books in the small kitchen. In my excitement, I recited all the annotations on the rare book he gave me, and that's when I was exposed. He was just deliberately bullying me, a young girl!"

As she spoke, the blush on her cheeks had not yet faded. Recalling how flustered she had been in front of Shui Rong, she was so ashamed that she couldn't lift her head.

Lin Ruhai stroked his beard, suppressing a laugh; his shoulders trembled slightly. After a long while, he finally chuckled:

"My Yu'er, do you think Shui Rong is just an ordinary spoiled member of the royal family?"

"He is the most intelligent of all the Princes of Da Yin, with a mind as meticulous as a hair. Your little tricks will naturally not fool him."

"Has it come to a head this time?"

"Father is laughing at me!"

Daiyu playfully shook his sleeve, then curiously pressed on, "Father, you chatted with Steward Zhao for a long time in the side hall today, but it was just trivial matters about the engagement. Why did it take so long?"

Lin Ruhai paused, subconsciously touching the tip of his nose, his eyes flickered slightly, and he mumbled a reply:

"It was just checking the details of the betrothal gifts and the ceremony. Butler Zhao is meticulous and considers everything repeatedly, which took some time."

This statement was half true and half false; in reality, the conversation in the side hall was far more complex than just the engagement.

Rewind to an hour earlier, in a side hall of the Prince of Beijing's residence.

Lin Ruhai and Zhao Zhong finalized all the engagement details, took a short break with their teacups, and casually chuckled:

"Steward Zhao has served the Prince for many years and knows his character best. I wonder if Rong-ge'er has mentioned my daughter while he's in the manor?"

Zhao Zhong was Shui Rong's confidant and knew the prince's feelings for Daiyu. Seeing Lin Ruhai's earnest question, he bowed and smiled, saying:

"Lord Lin, you may not know this, but my master cherishes Miss Lin dearly."

"The first thing I do every morning is to ask Miss Lin if she is well;

"The medicinal herbs, jade ornaments, and books sent were all personally selected by the master. Even the bamboo-shaped jade pendant and the copy of Jiangnan Tales of the Strange were specially sent to Jiangnan to find them."

He paused, then lowered his voice and joked:

"To be honest, my master is an extremely sentimental and jealous person."

"A few days ago, the Crown Prince wrote a poem for Miss Lin. The master then secretly used this opportunity to support the King of Qin and the King of Zhao to counterbalance the Crown Prince, and he couldn't stand any other man showing any interest in Miss Lin."

Zhao Zhong's words were straightforward and sincere, and Lin Ruhai understood immediately—Shui Rong's concern for Daiyu had long surpassed the power struggles of a marriage alliance; it revealed a genuine and heartfelt affection.

Pulling his thoughts back to the carriage, Lin Ruhai looked at his daughter beside him, who was still complaining to herself, and sighed softly in his heart.

Having served as an official for many years, he naturally knew that Shui Rong's support for the Prince of Qin and the Prince of Zhao, his checks and balances on the Crown Prince, and his strategic moves in the south were all driven by the political situation at court and had little to do with Daiyu.

Ke Shui Rong's indulgence of his confidant's expression of jealousy was clearly a way of revealing his true feelings to Zhao Zhong through Zhao Zhong's words:

He truly cherished Daiyu and would not tolerate anyone else coveting her.

It was truly a cruel twist of fate that his own sensitive and sickly daughter became the reason for Shui Rong to confess his feelings.