Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Zuixianlou is an impressive three-story wooden building located in the most bustling area of ​​the south of the city.

In the private room number one, Gu Jinhong was leaning against the window, leisurely listening to the storyteller downstairs recounting recent interesting events.

"Second Master seems to be in a good mood today." Bai Yutang gently waved his folding fan. "Your reputation has spread far and wide now."

"What kind of reputation is this?" Gu Jinhong sat down opposite Bai Yutang, raised an eyebrow at the folding fan in his hand, "Aren't you cold in this freezing weather?"

"That's called integrity." Bai Yutang closed his folding fan and placed it on the table. "Those young ladies love this kind of thing."

"Have you found any leads on the person I asked you to look for?"

Seeing that Gu Jinhong was getting down to business, Bai Yutang's expression became serious: "My men have indeed found the little girl with the mole between her eyebrows that you mentioned in the Jinling area. Now that little girl is in the hands of a kidnapper, and our men are keeping an eye on her, not daring to make any rash moves."

He looked at Gu Jinhong with a strange expression: "Sometimes I really think you're incredibly shrewd. You've never even left the capital, how could you know what's happening thousands of miles away?"

"Heavenly secrets cannot be revealed." Gu Jinhong picked up his tea and took a sip. "Tell your men not to interfere, just keep an eye on things."

Xiangling has now been found. All he needs to do now is wait for the Feng Yuan case to happen, and then collect the evidence that Xue the Fool killed someone.

The four great families of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue are closely related. Wang Ziteng of the Wang family is gaining momentum thanks to his marriage alliance with the Jia family and his connections in the military with the four Wangs and eight Dukes.

The position of Military Governor of the Capital Garrison was originally intended for his elder brother, Gu Jincheng. However, due to the efforts of the Four Princes and Eight Dukes, as well as the intervention of the retired emperor, Prince Teng ended up taking the position.

Furthermore, in order to limit Emperor Yongxi's power in the capital, the retired emperor banished Gu Jincheng to the harsh and cold land of Liaodong. Emperor Yongxi had only recently ascended the throne, and even if he wanted to do something, he was powerless to do so.

Perhaps out of guilt, Emperor Yongxi granted almost every request from Li Shulan, his own sister.

A cold glint flashed in Gu Jinhong's eyes. This old grudge would have to be settled sooner or later.

……

The next day, two carriages were ready and parked in front of the Princess's residence early in the morning.

Gu Jinhong stood beside the carriage with his hands behind his back.

"Second Master, everything is ready." The steward reported to Gu Jinhong. "The two matrons are already waiting in the carriage. His Highness personally invited them from the palace yesterday. One is surnamed Zhou and the other is surnamed Sun. They are both senior members of the palace."

Gu Jinhong nodded slightly, already understanding his mother's intention: to prevent anyone from bringing up the fact that Daiyu was raised without a mother.

The governesses from the palace represented the face of the royal family. Anyone who dared to bring up Daiyu's motherless upbringing would be slapping the royal family in the face.

Even if the people in the Jia family were completely blind, they would never dare to act recklessly on this issue.

Moreover, with these two nannies in charge, the Jia family would never wrong Daiyu, and they could also shield her from many troubles that Daiyu couldn't easily handle.

Before long, Li Shulan led Daiyu out of the mansion.

Today, Daiyu wore a lake-blue jacket and only a white magnolia hairpin in her hair. Her simple and elegant attire accentuated her beautiful features and made her appear even more refined and otherworldly.

"Yu'er, remember what Aunt Lan told you." Li Shulan tidied a stray hair behind her ear. "Granny Zhou and Granny Sun are both very capable people. If there's anything you need, just tell them to do it. If anyone dares to make you feel bad, don't hold back. Just have someone send a message to the Princess's residence."

"Aunt Lan..." Daiyu's nose tingled, and she forced back her tears. She hadn't felt such warmth in a long time.

Gu Jinhong stepped forward: "Mother, rest assured, your son will ensure that Lin Daiyu is safely delivered and will not be bullied."

Daiyu bowed deeply to Li Shulan, her voice choked with emotion, "Yu'er bids farewell to Aunt Lan."

Li Shulan's eyes were also a little red. She helped her up and patted the back of her hand: "Go on."

The carriage slowly drove away from the Princess's residence, turned onto Ningrong Street, and the Rongguo Mansion came into view in the distance.

Upon arriving at the gates of the Rongguo Mansion, Gu Jinhong dismounted and glanced at the situation in front of the gates.

Unlike last time, the main gate of Rongguo Mansion was wide open this time, and two rows of servants stood respectfully with their hands at their sides. The one standing at the head was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a dark blue robe, with a shrewd look in his eyes.

Gu Jinhong mentally reviewed the list. This person should be Jia Lian, the son of Jia She, the eldest son of the Rongguo Mansion.

Just as Jia Lian was about to lead Bao Yu forward to pay his respects, he turned around and saw that Jia Bao Yu had vanished. He cursed under his breath and could only hurry forward alone, his smile warm.

"Second Master Gu, it is an honor to have you here. I am so sorry for not welcoming you properly. The old lady instructed me to wait here early this morning. Second Master, you must be tired from your journey. Please come in, please come in."

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so Gu Jinhong smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Second Master Lian, you're too kind. My mother has instructed me to ensure that Sister Lin is safely delivered to your residence. I'll trouble you to lead the way."

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Daiyu, with Xueyan's help, stepped down from the carriage.

Just as the group was about to enter, a commotion suddenly arose at the side gate of the Rongguo Mansion. A servant scrambled to Jia Lian's side, his voice low and urgent, "Second Master Lian, Second Master Bao is hiding behind that tree and dares not come out..."

Jia Lian was taken aback. He turned his head and saw, sure enough, half a bright red hem of a garment peeking out from behind the trunk of an old locust tree behind the door. No wonder he couldn't find the person; they had been hiding.

Gu Jinhong followed Jia Lian's gaze, glanced over indifferently, and chuckled.

"Second Master Lian, could that person behind the tree be your esteemed auspicious spirit? I'm an old acquaintance of his; why don't you come and greet him?"

As if hearing Gu Jinhong's words, the red hem of clothing behind the tree suddenly shrank back.

Jia Lian's expression changed slightly. He cursed Bao Yu inwardly for being so useless, but on the surface he had to force a smile: "Second Master is joking. That's just an ignorant servant boy in the manor who somehow ran to the front and disturbed you. I'll have someone chase him away right away."

Gu Jinhong didn't pursue the matter further, but simply smiled and gestured with his chin towards Jia Lian: "Let's go, don't keep your matriarch waiting."

The group passed through the main gate and walked along the covered walkway inside.

When they arrived at the entrance of Rongqing Hall, Wang Xifeng was already waiting outside with several maids.

Jia Lian finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Wang Xifeng come out to greet him: "Feng'er, Second Master Gu and Miss Lin have arrived."

Wang Xifeng greeted Gu Jinhong with a beaming smile. Gu Jinhong's ruthlessness last time had truly frightened her.

"Greetings, Second Master Gu. I was quite impolite at the Princess's residence last time; I hope you won't take it to heart."

"You're too kind, Second Madam Lian."

Wang Xifeng then looked at Daiyu and smiled warmly: "Sister Lin, the old matriarch has been talking about you ever since she returned yesterday. She sent people to inquire several times before dawn today. Now we've finally been waiting for you to come."

Daiyu curtsied and said, "Greetings, Second Sister-in-law Lian."

"Sister, please come with me. Our ancestor is waiting inside."