Madam Wang woke up early in the morning and had just finished washing up when she saw Zhou Rui's wife rushing in, holding a letter in her hands and with a happy look on her face.

"Madam, Master Bao has sent a letter!" Zhou Rui's voice trembled slightly.

When Lady Wang heard that it was a letter from Baoyu, she was overjoyed and quickly took the letter and opened it.

However, after reading the letter, her face gradually turned pale, and her fingers began to tremble involuntarily.

"Baoyu... Baoyu is sick!" she exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes instantly.

She swayed and almost collapsed to the ground.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Rui's wife quickly stepped forward to help Madam Wang.

The letter stated that after arriving in Guangzhou, Baoyu and his party fell seriously ill due to the change in environment and had a persistent high fever.

Baochai took meticulous care of him throughout the journey, but due to overwork, she became much weaker.

Now that Baoyu's condition has improved somewhat, he has decided to set off for home, telling his elders not to worry.

Lady Wang was heartbroken and anxious, and hurriedly ordered someone to summon Yuan Chun.

Baoyu was weak from a young age, and whenever he got sick, it was excruciating.

Now I'm all alone and helpless outside, what am I going to do?

Yuan Chun had just woken up when she heard her mother's urgent summons. She dared not delay and hurriedly went to Lady Wang's courtyard.

Upon entering, one sees Madam Wang with tears streaming down her face, clutching the letter tightly in her hand.

"Mother, what happened?" Yuan Chun rushed forward and supported the swaying Madam Wang.

Madam Wang handed her the letter, her voice choked with emotion, "Your brother is ill, and he said he wanted to come back... The journey is long and arduous, how can his body withstand it? You must think of something!"

Yuan Chun took the letter, read it carefully, and frowned.

She pondered for a moment and said, "Mother, don't worry. Since Baoyu can write a letter, it means his illness is no longer serious. However, to be on the safe side, we should ask Father to ask Uncle Lin for help."

"Uncle Lin is the Governor-General of Jiangnan. If he can send an official ship to pick them up, Baoyu and Baochai will suffer less from the turbulence."

Madam Wang nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes! Go find your father quickly and tell him to go see your brother-in-law right away!"

Yuan Chun comforted her mother for a few moments, then hurried off to Jia Zheng's yamen.

Jia Zheng was reviewing official documents inside when he saw Yuan Chun enter with a grave expression. He was startled and asked, "What happened?"

Yuan Chun handed Bao Yu's letter to him and whispered, "Father, Bao Yu is ill and is currently in Guangzhou. He plans to set off to return home. Mother is worried that something might happen to him on the way, so she would like to ask you to go to Uncle Lin and see if he can send an official boat to pick him up."

After reading the letter, Jia Zheng's expression turned grim.

He stood up, paced around the room a few times, and said in a deep voice, "This unfilial son insisted on going out to study, and now look what's happened... Fine, I'll go to the Governor's Mansion now."

Yuan Chun breathed a sigh of relief: "If Father goes in person, Uncle will definitely help."

Jia Zheng nodded, changed into formal clothes, and headed straight for the Governor-General's Mansion in Jiangnan with his servant.

However, upon arriving at the Governor's Mansion, the gatekeeper informed him that Lin Ruhai was out on an inspection tour and had not yet returned.

Jia Zheng was anxious and was about to turn and leave when he heard a soft voice behind him: "Uncle?"

Jia Zheng turned around and saw Daiyu standing under the eaves, dressed in a light blue dress, which made her look as beautiful and refined as a lotus emerging from the water.

He forced a smile: "So it's Yu'er."

Daiyu stepped forward and bowed, saying gently, "Uncle, is there something urgent that you have come to visit so suddenly? Father has gone out and I'm afraid he won't be back until tonight."

Jia Zheng sighed and briefly recounted Baoyu's situation, concluding, "Baoyu is such a naive child. He's sick but still insists on traveling back. It's really worrying."

"I would like to ask your father for help to see if he can send an official ship to pick them up and reduce their suffering."

Upon hearing this, a hint of worry flashed in Daiyu's eyes, but she quickly calmed down: "Uncle, don't worry, I will tell Father as soon as he returns. He will definitely make proper arrangements."

Seeing her composure, Jia Zheng felt somewhat relieved and nodded, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble Yu'er."

Daiyu smiled slightly: "We're all family, Uncle, there's no need to be so polite."

Jia Zheng gave a few more instructions before taking his leave.

Back at the Jia residence, Lady Wang had been waiting anxiously. Upon seeing Jia Zheng return, she rushed to greet him, asking, "How did it go? Did Lin Ruhai agree?"

Jia Zheng shook his head: "He's not in the manor. But Yu'er promised to pass on the message, so there shouldn't be any problem."

Lady Wang was slightly relieved, but when she thought of Baoyu suffering on the road, she couldn't help but shed tears again: "My son, if something happens to him, how can I live..."

Yuan Chun gently comforted her from the side, "Mother, don't worry, Bao Yu is a lucky man and will surely come back safely."

Lady Wang wiped away her tears and sighed, "I hope so."

---

As night fell, Lin Ruhai returned to his residence and saw Daiyu waiting for him in the hall as soon as he entered.

"Yu'er, why aren't you resting so late?" Lin Ruhai asked, somewhat surprised.

Daiyu stepped forward and bowed, saying softly, "Father, Uncle came today and said that Baoyu fell ill in Guangzhou and is about to set off to return home. Uncle is worried that there might be another accident on the way and would like to ask you to send an official boat to pick him up."

Lin Ruhai frowned slightly: "Baoyu is sick? Is it serious?"

Daiyu shook her head: "The letter only mentioned that he was not used to the water and soil. Now that his condition has improved a little, Sister Bao has also collapsed from exhaustion from taking care of him."

Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "This is not difficult. I will arrange an official ship to pick them up along the way tomorrow."

In addition, a highly skilled doctor should be sent along, just in case.

Daiyu's eyes showed relief: "Thank you, Father."

Lin Ruhai smiled and said, "Silly child, there's no need for thanks between father and daughter. Go and rest. I'll make the arrangements first thing tomorrow morning."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!