Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

(Postscript: I felt the previous chapter's description of Daiyu's inner thoughts was a bit lacking; it didn't quite capture Daiyu's reserve. I've made some revisions; those who care about details can refresh and reread.)

Lin Ruhai, supported by his maid, walked in unsteadily.

Daiyu hurriedly tried to get up, but Lin Ruhai stopped her by waving his hand. Then, with the help of a maid, Lin Ruhai carefully sat down on the stool in front of the couch.

When Daiyu saw Lin Ruhai in such a weak state, and that he still came to see her, her eyes reddened, and she cried out, "Your daughter is unfilial, causing Father worry."

Upon hearing this, Lin Ruhai felt both gratified and sorry for the man.

He looked up and glanced around at the maids in the room, then ordered, "You may all leave."

Zijuan and the others knew that Lin Ruhai had something important to say to Daiyu alone, so they did not hesitate and took their leave.

Upon seeing this, Daiyu felt a surge of nervousness, her heart pounding as she thought of something.

She didn't speak, just waited for Lin Ruhai to speak.

How are you feeling?

"I told my father that I'm much better now."

"you……"

Lin Ruhai wanted to ask why Daiyu had fainted outside his room earlier.

However, upon reflection, Lin Ruhai could guess what was going on. He thought that if he asked, his daughter would inevitably feel ashamed and embarrassed, so he kept quiet.

After a long pause, he said quietly, "Earlier, your second brother Lian was in the room and said a few things to me."

Daiyu's face suddenly turned bright red, and she abruptly turned her head away, lowering it. After a long while, she finally managed to say in a soft voice, "Tell me, tell me what...?"

Lin Ruhai had no idea what was going on. Perhaps Daiyu had overheard what he and Jia Lian had said earlier.

He sighed inwardly. He was a wise man; his daughter's reaction already revealed something.

However, this matter is of great importance and cannot be taken lightly; it is best to clarify some things.

After thinking for a while, he asked, "Yu'er, if I were to betroth you to your cousin Baoyu, would you be willing?"

Ok?

For a moment, Daiyu thought she had misheard. Shouldn't it be Lian Er Gege? How did it suddenly become Baoyu?

Turning back to stare at her father's face, and confirming that he was not mistaken, Daiyu suddenly felt sorrowful. She stared at him blankly for a long time before replying with a deathly expression, "I have already said that I will never marry in this life, and only wish to serve you until the end of your life, Father. So please do not say such things again."

Lin Ruhai sighed and asked again, "What about your second cousin Lian?"

Daiyu was suddenly stunned, and after a long while, tears finally fell from her eyes.

"Father, please don't talk nonsense. Brother Lian already has Sister Feng."

Daiyu pretended not to understand Lin Ruhai's words.

In reality, there's not much difference.

She was such a proud person, yet she was only willing to humble herself and act like an obedient little sister in front of Jia Lian.

Although she was touched by Jia Lian's feelings for her, she didn't want to incur Wang Xifeng's hatred.

During the years she spent at the Jia family mansion, although many people in the mansion slandered Wang Xifeng, she actually liked Wang Xifeng quite a bit.

Because besides Jia Lian and Grandmother Jia, Wang Xifeng was the person who took the best care of her. Although she knew that this might also be related to Jia Lian, because she had personally heard Jia Lian instruct Wang Xifeng to take good care of her.

Lin Ruhai was taken aback by Daiyu's reaction; Daiyu actually didn't want to marry Jia Lian?

He was somewhat surprised and said, "Actually, Yu'er, it's quite common for someone like your Second Brother Lian to have three wives and four concubines."

Besides, he didn't have any. As far as I know, besides Wang, there's only one other woman in his room right now.

Given Lin Ruhai's status and position, he could only find out about Ping'er's existence. As for Qingwen and Xiangling, to outsiders they were nothing more than maids.

As for Daiyu, although she knew of Qingwen and Xiangling's existence, she didn't care much about them.

She's just an ignorant little girl after all.

"Besides, I can see that your second brother Lian treats you with great sincerity."

If I entrust you to him, you will be taken care of by him, and I can leave in peace.

Lin Ruhai said.

He didn't really know why he had come to inquire about Daiyu's feelings, but instead ended up advising her.

Perhaps he just didn't want his daughter to be too shy to express herself.

Daiyu was also somewhat surprised by Lin Ruhai's attitude. She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears, and said, "Could it be that Father means for me to become Brother Lian's concubine?"

"I don't want you to suffer either. To be honest, if it were someone else, I wouldn't have agreed."

But what do you think of your second brother Lian?

Lin Ruhai suddenly asked this question.

Daiyu remained silent for a while before replying, "Second Brother Lian is indeed a very good person; he treats me very well."

Seeing this, Lin Ruhai continued, "Your second brother Lian said that he will marry you with the respect due to a principal wife, and from now on, he will treat you as a principal wife and will not let you suffer any grievances."

Judging from his character, he is not the kind of person who speaks nonsense. I would feel very at ease entrusting you to him.

I just don't know what your feelings are.

Lin Ruhai decided to be frank and say it outright.

Lin Ruhai realized that whenever he mentioned others, Daiyu would shut him up with things like never marrying.

Only when Jia Lian was mentioned did Daiyu, though hesitant, become willing to listen to him.

So he didn't want to beat around the bush. He also didn't have much energy to waste; he had to make a decision quickly.

Upon hearing Lin Ruhai's words, Daiyu couldn't stop her tears from falling.

She hadn't expected Lin Ruhai to agree. Wasn't he so angry when Lian Er Gege proposed to her before?

Daiyu understood very well that her father valued his reputation highly.

That's why she thought her father would never grant Jia Lian's request.

This is also why she hadn't dared to reveal her thoughts to Lin Ruhai before.

She was completely unaware that her father had been planning to marry her off to Jia Baoyu since last year.

Speaking of Jia Baoyu, although he couldn't compare to Jia Lian, he was still a cousin who cared about her. Although Jia Baoyu had a bad temper, was immature, and often made her angry.

But she didn't really dislike him.

I never imagined I would marry him.

First, once she has decided on someone, she will never easily change her mind. Second, she knows that her second aunt doesn't like her very much.

That's why she didn't want to get married.

She never expected that her father would misunderstand. Her initiative to propose marriage was met with a perfunctory response, causing her father to lose face and leaving her deeply regretful and remorseful.

Therefore, she told Lin Ruhai that she would never marry, so as to eliminate the possibility of Lin Ruhai being gossiped about by others because of her.

This was an idea she had already had in mind for a while.

She could not possibly be like the mediocre women of the world, obeying their parents' orders and the matchmaker's words, marrying a stranger and then following their fate, destined to a miserable life if they were unlucky.

That was definitely not Lin Daiyu's choice.

But she had no other choice either.

She thought that if her father really abandoned her, it would be better for her to go with him. Clean and free, without any ties, that would be good enough.

But who would have thought that at this critical juncture, Lian Er Gege would actually propose marriage to his father!

The mountains and rivers seem to block the way, but then a village appears amidst the willows and flowers!

She was very happy.

What made her even more relieved was that her father actually seemed to agree!

But she is a reserved person; even if she wants something, she won't say it out loud, let alone something as important as this.

She usually waits for others to give it to her on their own initiative, and if they don't, she just lets it go.

Like her father, she carried a huge psychological burden and couldn't make up her mind.

Lin Ruhai sighed when he saw that Daiyu remained silent for a long time.

"Your mother passed away early, and I didn't have time to take good care of you, so I had to leave you with your maternal grandmother."

Over the years, I have wronged you.

Therefore, regarding this important matter of your life, your father wants to listen to your own heart.

If you feel wronged, then I will refuse your second brother Lian.

As Lin Ruhai spoke, he seemed to be getting up to leave.

Upon seeing this, Daiyu felt a sudden surge of anxiety, her blood rushed to her head, and she couldn't help but cough.

Lin Ruhai wanted to go forward and pat Daiyu's back, but because of his limited mobility, he could only reach out his hand.

Despite being so close, the father and daughter seemed as if separated by a mountain, unable to get close to each other.

Lin Ruhai felt sad; it seemed he needed a considerate person to take care of his daughter.

Fortunately, Daiyu only coughed a few times before stopping.

Seeing that her father was still looking at her, Daiyu took a deep breath and finally whispered, "The affairs of children are always decided by their parents... I will listen to my father in everything."

Before she could finish speaking, her face was already flushed red.

Not daring to face Lin Ruhai, she rolled over and lay in bed, so that Lin Ruhai would not see her face.

Lin Ruhai was stunned for a moment when he saw this, and then burst into laughter. Even his cloudy eyes suddenly became bright.

He didn't stay inside anymore, but turned and walked out the door.

Hearing her father's laughter fade into the distance, Daiyu, lying on the bed, was so ashamed that she buried herself completely in the quilt.

When Zijuan came in and found Daiyu in bed, she was shocked to find that Daiyu's body was red and burning hot, thinking that Daiyu was sick.