Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

The group entered through the East Gate and, after traveling for half a day, arrived at Ningrong Street, a famous street in the capital city.

The first thing that catches the eye is the two large stone lions on the north side of the street, sitting majestically in front of the three-bay gate with animal head decorations. Above the main gate is a plaque with the five large characters "Imperial Decree to Build Ningguo Mansion".

This was certainly not the group's destination.

They walked a short distance westward before finally seeing a three-room gate of the same size as the Ningguo Mansion; this was the Rongguo Mansion.

The convoy stopped in front of the Rongguo Mansion. Gu Jinhong looked at the closed gate with a furrowed brow.

Although he didn't remember the details of the novel *Dream of the Red Chamber* very clearly, he knew the general plot. It seemed that when Daiyu first entered the Rongguo Mansion, she was made to enter through a side gate. In general, this wasn't wrong, since the masters of the mansion usually entered through side gates as well.

But today was Lin Daiyu's first visit. Lin Ruhai was in charge of the salt administration in Lianghuai, controlling the economic lifeline of the entire dynasty, and was undoubtedly a confidant of the emperor. As Lin Ruhai's only daughter, and with Second Master Gu personally escorting her, how dare the Rongguo Mansion be so presumptuous? Had they gone mad?

The Rongguo Mansion servants who had followed Gu Jinhong and his group back were stunned for a moment when they saw the tightly closed gates of their own residence. When they came to their senses, their faces turned deathly pale, and their legs nearly gave way. They had completely forgotten something so important!

The servants who had been chatting and laughing in front of the gate were also stunned for a while when they saw this group of people appear. What's going on? Weren't they supposed to be picking up the old lady's granddaughter? Why is there such a big commotion?

Daiyu sat in the carriage, quietly lifting a corner of the curtain to look at the scene outside, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips. It seemed she had already foreseen this outcome.

Gu Jinhong turned his horse around and looked at the old women who were almost collapsing on the ground, a half-smile on his face.

"Your Rongguo Mansion certainly has a grand display."

Gu Jinhong pointed to the open side gate on the west side of the main gate and shouted sternly, "Could it be that Lord Lin Ruhai, the Salt Commissioner of Lianghuai, and the eldest daughter of the Rongguo Mansion, are not even worthy to enter your Rongguo Mansion's main gate on their first visit?"

Hearing Gu Jinhong's reprimand, Lin Daiyu felt a great sense of relief. She hadn't felt this way of being protected in a long time.

Upon hearing Gu Jinhong's words, the servants could no longer hold on. They collapsed to the ground, scrambling and crawling, kneeling before Gu Jinhong's horse with snot and tears streaming down their faces.

"Second Master Gu! It's a misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! The old lady must not have received the news yet." One of the old women quickly shouted to the servants who were still standing in front of the gate, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and open the gate and invite Second Master Gu and Miss Lin in. Also, quickly go and inform the old lady, the eldest master, and the second master."

Even the most foolish servants knew something terrible had happened, and they hurriedly tried to open the door, while another servant rushed in to deliver the message.

"No need. I didn't know that the rules of your Jia family were now stricter than those of the imperial palace. I dare not enter this gate!" Gu Jinhong waved his hand and refused directly. I don't care about your accusations, just put a label on me first.

Gu Jinhong ignored them and went straight to the carriage, saying to the carriage, "I wonder if Miss Lin would be willing to come aboard? My mother would surely be very happy to see you."

Lin Daiyu naturally understood the meaning behind Gu Jinhong's words. A faint blush rose to her face, and after a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement: "I will leave it to you, young master!"

Seeing that Daiyu agreed, Gu Jinhong immediately turned around and gave instructions.

"Set off for the Princess's residence. Gu An, ride quickly to the Princess's residence and tell my mother what happened."

"Yes, Second Master." Upon receiving the order, Gu An immediately spurred his horse and galloped away.

The old women's hearts nearly jumped out of their chests. They kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Second Master Gu, this is unacceptable! Now that Miss Lin has come to the capital, how can she stay elsewhere? The two gentlemen will be here soon. Please, Second Master, wait!"

Then they called out to the carriage, "Miss Lin, please say a word for us! The old lady misses you terribly and has been waiting for you to come."

Hearing the cries outside, Xueyan turned around and saw her young lady sitting calmly, and was momentarily confused about what was going on.

"Miss, aren't we going to the Rongguo Mansion?"

Lin Daiyu closed her eyes and said calmly, "Let's follow Young Master Gu's arrangements!"

……

Princess Anning, as the Emperor's most beloved younger sister, naturally has an extraordinary residence.

The Princess Anning Mansion is located in the core area of ​​the eastern city, adopting a top-level layout with three parallel roads in the middle, east and west. Its magnificence is enough to overshadow the Rong and Ning Mansions. The main gate is a five-bay vermilion gate with animal-face tin rings, and above it hangs a plaque with the imperial calligraphy of "Princess Anning Mansion".

Before Gu Jinhong even got close, he was stunned by the scene in front of the Princess's mansion. Servants were lined up in two rows waiting at the gate, while his father and mother had come out to greet him and were looking in his direction.

Gu Jinhong sighed inwardly: "This is because Mother has learned that Daiyu has been slighted by the Rongguo Mansion, and she's now standing up for her!"

Upon reaching the gate, Gu Jinhong dismounted. "Father, Mother!"

Gu Huaiyuan walked over to Gu Jinhong, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed, "Good lad, you handled things well, knowing how to protect your wife. Those snobbish people deserve a lesson. There aren't many good people in that family, especially that old lady. Back when her daughter was seriously ill, not a single person from the Rongguo Mansion went to visit her. Now she's pretending to be so kind. I've already spread the word; they'll be in big trouble."

Gu Jinhong nodded in deep agreement, "That old lady only cares about her precious child born with a jade in his mouth. She's senile now."

Princess Anning ignored the father and son and instead led her maid directly to the carriage.

"Yu'er, come down quickly so Aunt Lan can take a look!"

Daiyu never expected that Princess Anning and Marquis Duanping would personally come out to welcome her, a junior. This was the complete opposite of what happened at the Rongguo Mansion, and she was so moved that she almost burst into tears.

After calming herself down, Daiyu dared not be negligent. She got out of the carriage with Xueyan and bowed to Princess Anning and Marquis Duanping.

"Your Highness, Lord Marquis, I am truly humbled by the trouble you two elders have gone to greet me."

Gu Huaiyuan looked at his future daughter-in-law and nodded with a smile: "Don't be so formal. Why are you acting like a stranger now that we're in the capital? Just call me Uncle, like we did in Yangzhou."

“That’s right,” Princess Anning said, holding Daiyu’s hand. “Just call me Aunt Lan like before. If you’re too formal, I’ll get upset.”

Daiyu's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Uncle, Aunt Lan."

"Oh, that's right. Look how cold these little hands are. Let's not stand outside anymore, let's come inside first."

Princess Anning pulled Daiyu along and walked straight inside, leaving Gu Huaiyuan and his son Gu Jinhong standing there.

Gu Jinhong touched his nose and looked at his father. "Have I fallen out of favor?"

Gu Huaiyuan shrugged. "I'm the same way."