Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

The courtyard gate was half-open, and the faint sounds of Lin Daiyu and Xueyan talking could be heard from inside.

"Girl, this courtyard is really big, even more impressive than our home in Yangzhou."

"Home doesn't have to be big or small, as long as you feel comfortable living there."

"Does the girl feel comfortable here?"

"So far, it seems pretty good."

The girl's voice was clear and melodious. Gu Jinhong stood outside the courtyard gate, listening to the voices inside, and unconsciously slowed his pace.

Just then, a maid carrying a tea tray came out of the courtyard. She looked up and saw Gu Jinhong standing outside the gate, and was immediately startled. "Second Master, what are you doing here? Are you here to see Miss Lin?"

The talking in the courtyard stopped abruptly.

Caught eavesdropping, Gu Jinhong awkwardly touched his nose, then straightened his expression and said calmly, "You go ahead and do your work. I'll see if Miss Lin needs anything." He straightened his clothes and stepped into the courtyard.

Hearing the voices of the maids outside, Lin Daiyu knew that Gu Jinhong had arrived, and she came out to greet him with Xueyan.

"Young Master Gu." Lin Daiyu bowed to Gu Jinhong, her eyes lowered.

Gu Jinhong offered a slight gesture of support: "Miss Lin, there's no need for such formalities. I came to ask if you're comfortable living in this courtyard. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Just make yourself at home and don't stand on ceremony."

Daiyu gently shook her head: "Everything is fine, thank you for your concern, young master."

The two stood facing each other, neither knowing what to say for a moment.

Xueyan blinked anxiously beside her, wishing she could go up and say a few words for her young lady. This future son-in-law is so nice, why is her daughter so quiet and reserved?

Gu Jinhong broke the silence first: "Miss Lin..."

"Young master..."

The two spoke at the same time, then stopped at the same time.

Daiyu's face flushed red, and she lowered her head, revealing a section of her snow-white neck.

Seeing this, Gu Jinhong couldn't help but chuckle: "Miss Lin, please speak first."

Daiyu bit her lower lip lightly, raised her head and looked directly into Gu Jinhong's eyes.

"I am grateful for your protection today, young master. However... I'm afraid your actions will cause gossip. After all, I am new to the capital, and you had a falling out with the Rongguo Mansion because of me. If this gets out, it will likely damage your reputation."

"Miss Lin is overthinking it." Gu Jinhong waved his hand dismissively. "In my daily life, I only ask whether something is right or wrong, not what others think. Lord Lin has devoted himself to the salt administration for the court in Yangzhou, working tirelessly day and night. If I were to turn a blind eye to the Rongguo Mansion's disrespect towards you today, that would be a laughing stock."

"As for reputation... people can say whatever they want. Even if they say the worst things, it's not like it's going to hurt me. Don't you think it's exhausting to care too much about what others think? There will always be people who like me and people who hate me. It has nothing to do with whether I'm good or not. I firmly believe that this is not my problem, but theirs."

Daiyu stared at him blankly. The young man's gaze was open and clear, without a trace of falsehood.

"It's not my problem, it's their problem..." Daiyu murmured.

After a long while, Daiyu came to her senses, covered her mouth with her hand, and chuckled softly, "Young master is truly... magnanimous..."

"It should be 'thick-skinned,' Miss Lin, you don't need to be so tactful." Gu Jinhong laughed. "However, Miss Lin's smile is really beautiful, you should smile more often."

Having lived two lives, this was the first time Lin Daiyu had heard a man from another family speak to her so frivolously. Her face immediately turned as red as a boiled crab. She felt both ashamed and angry, thinking to herself: What a lecherous man!

……

In the Rongguo Mansion, Jia Zheng escorted Jia Yucun to the second gate, and only turned back reluctantly after the other's figure disappeared from sight.

"As expected of the person Ru Hai has high hopes for, he truly is a great talent," Jia Zheng exclaimed repeatedly. Although it was his first meeting with Jia Yucun, the man's conversation and learning greatly pleased him. He had already made up his mind that he would not let such a gem go to waste, and he was determined to lend the man a helping hand.

As he was pondering something, a burst of laughter suddenly reached his ears. Jia Zheng frowned and looked over, but when he saw who it was, his good mood vanished instantly.

"You wretched child! Instead of studying in your room, where have you been gallivanting off to again?!"

Jia Baoyu was chatting and laughing with his servant Mingyan as he returned from outside. But as soon as he entered the second gate, he heard a violent shout filled with suppressed bloodlust, and his legs immediately went weak, like an eggplant hit by frost.

"Master...Master, I didn't go fooling around, but went to the temple to fulfill a vow," Jia Baoyu explained softly.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zheng's expression softened slightly: "Since it's to fulfill a vow, then so be it. Spend more time studying proper subjects and not wasting your days among women. How can you possibly inherit the family business if you continue like this?"

"Your teachings are wise, sir. I will remember them," Jia Baoyu replied honestly, head bowed. But in his heart, he thought to himself: What inheritance do I have? In the end, I'll be living with my sisters anyway.

Seeing that his attitude was still relatively respectful, Jia Zheng snorted coldly: "Go in. Come to the study later."

Jia Baoyu secretly groaned, knowing that Jia Zheng had summoned him to the study to test his knowledge. But he couldn't concentrate on a single word of the Four Books and Five Classics; it seemed he was in for another beating. Fortunately, over the years, his backside had become quite resilient.

Just as Jia Baoyu was about to leave, he seemed to remember something and cautiously asked Jia Zheng, "Master, I heard that Lin Daiyu from Aunt Min's family arrived today. Has she been settled in?"

When Jia Baoyu asked him this, Jia Zheng suddenly remembered that his niece had arrived in the capital that day. He and Jia Yucun had been having a pleasant conversation in the study and had completely forgotten about it. But it didn't matter; with the old lady there, there was no need for him to get involved.

"Ahem. The old lady will take care of this. You are a man, don't always think about matters of the inner chambers."

"Yes."

Just then, a cry of surprise came from outside.

"Master, something terrible has happened!" Jia Zheng's retainer, Shan Pinren, rushed to Jia Zheng's side. "A terrible thing has happened at the manor!"

Jia Baoyu, who had originally planned to sneak away with Mingyan, who was huddled up like a quail, stopped in his tracks upon hearing this and pricked up his ears.

Jia Zheng frowned at Shan Pinren, who was breathing heavily, and asked, "Mr. Shan, what happened that has made you so panicked?"

"Master, the rumors are spreading everywhere that the Rongguo Mansion is mistreating its granddaughter, and it's causing quite a stir."

"What?!"

After listening to Shan Pinren recount what had happened, Jia Zheng's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He didn't say a word and strode quickly toward Rongqing Hall.

Jia Baoyu hesitated for a moment, wanting to go and see what was going on, but ultimately couldn't overcome his fear of Jia Zheng. He could only listlessly go to the courtyard to seek comfort from Xiren and the others. At the same time, he felt a little relieved; it seemed he had escaped today's test.