Chapter 85 Visiting the West Garden: "I can't spend Mid-Autumn Festival alone, can I?"...

Lin Daiyu was deceived!

Everyone in the Rongguo Mansion has been deceived!

Jia Baoyu hid behind a tree, his hands gripping the book cover tightly, not daring to make a sound. He tried hard to hear what the two people were saying, but they were too far apart, and he could only make out one or two words, which did not form a meaningful sentence.

Jia Baoyu watched as his Lin sister laughed with someone, then watched her get into the carriage, the two of them mounted their horses, and the group left the Rongguo Mansion together, followed by several carriages, servants, guards, and so on.

He has to go and tell the ancestor! He has to beg the ancestor to make the decision!

And Xueyan, how did Xueyan get involved with them too? Oh right, Xueyan wasn't originally part of their family. According to Zijuan, she wasn't very attentive to taking care of Lin Daiyu.

Lost in his own thoughts, Jia Baoyu continued walking towards the backyard without stopping.

What are you going to do?

Jia Zheng's angry voice rang out, and Jia Baoyu froze there as if struck by lightning.

"You worthless, unfilial son!" Jia Zheng shouted angrily. "You've only written three pages, and you can't even sit still. I really thought you came here for some fresh air. Humph! You want to go complain to your grandmother again? I won't stop you, go ahead. If you go this time, I'll never care about you again!"

Since Jia Zheng had said so, how could Jia Baoyu dare to move? He lowered his head, shrank back like a quail, and followed Jia Zheng back into the house.

However, Jia Zheng was still angry, and the words "Qixianzhai" on the plaque above the courtyard gate were still flashing in his mind. Thinking of this, he remembered Jia Baoyu's maid named Xiren.

"Qixianzhai? Is that supposed to be a study name? I was away on assignment before, so I couldn't keep an eye on you. Now that I'm back, I'll have to teach you a lesson! Someone come here—"

Three servants quickly entered from outside, standing there with their heads bowed, awaiting orders. Jia Zheng said sternly, "Go and take down the plaque outside the door, chop it up and burn it, right in front of your Master Bao."

Jia Zheng turned around, his hands behind his back, and looked at his son, who was good for nothing except for his appearance. He sneered, "If you don't want to study, then go out and watch. You can come back in when the fire is completely burned."

Jia Baoyu lowered his head and meekly said "yes," then turned and left.

At this time, Xue Baoqin and her party also arrived at the dock.

The person who brought them in was Mu Chuan's man. He looked around, found the place with the most eunuchs, handed over Mu Chuan's nameplate, and said with a smile, "Eunuch, I was sent by the Marquis of Zhongyong."

The leading eunuch took the plaque, glanced at it, and returned it, his smile even brighter than that of Mu Chuan's men.

"Ahem, a simple word would have sufficed. Most of the ships that went to Jiangnan to collect tribute were empty in the past. There was no need to trouble Eunuch Bai from the palace. Wouldn't that be too formal?"

That's right, they had to leave in three to five days. Most other government offices' ships wouldn't be able to catch up so quickly, so Mu Chuan didn't think much of it and went straight to Bai Zhong. At least the ships carrying tribute were always available.

While they were still exchanging pleasantries, Xue Ke had already recognized several familiar eunuchs.

The Xue family had the status of imperial merchants, but several heads of the family died in succession, and they couldn't find good products, so their status gradually dropped. Although they were nominally receiving government funds from the Ministry of Revenue, the Imperial Household Department was actually in charge of these imperial merchants.

Xue Ke also sent gifts to the Imperial Household Department more than once or twice, but with little effect.

He thought these eunuchs couldn't laugh.

Xue Ke quickly composed himself and took another half step forward, blocking his sister and Miss Xing.

After they finished discussing it, Mu Chuan's men led the eunuchs over to identify the person.

Unlike the eunuch Xue Ke had met before, who looked down on people, this eunuch smiled and said, "There are two more female guests? Arrange them in the rooms on the aft deck. It's windy and damp in the front, so staying in the back will at least keep the wind at bay. Bring a maid and a servant boy with you, and the rest of you can stay on the lower deck."

As the eunuch spoke, he glanced at Mu Chuan's men.

The man was very polite: "It's all thanks to your father-in-law's arrangements. It's already quite difficult to have a boat to go back."

The eunuchs were also pondering: if they were truly close to the Earl of Zhongyong, why would they need to be so obsequious? They could simply arrange a ship. Which ministry, the Ministry of Revenue or the Ministry of War, didn't have its own ships?

It's also possible to have the palace arrange it directly.

But we can't be negligent; there's still the face of Eunuch Bai in the palace involved.

The eunuch laughed and said, "Come with me. Don't worry, I'll make sure the Earl of Zhongyong is satisfied, and even Eunuch Bai won't find any fault with me."

After everyone was settled and the ship set sail, almost an hour had passed.

Xue Ke carried a jar of Daughter's Red wine to the room of the eunuchs.

This wine was originally intended for his sister's wedding. It was made with the finest ingredients and had been buried underground for sixteen years. I wonder how it developed such a mellow and fragrant flavor.

This is a good opportunity to build relationships with the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department.

The other eunuchs were fine, but Xue Ke noticed that one of them was fair-skinned and spoke with a slight Nanjing accent, so he must be a long-term resident of Nanjing.

After his trip to the capital and having served as a shop assistant for his uncle's family for nothing for a year, Xue Ke had no intention of restoring the glory of the imperial merchants. He just wanted to build some connections for his family so they would have less to be treated poorly in the future and could better support his sister. He hoped that when they eventually broke off the engagement with the Mei family, it would be a painful blow to them.

Knock, knock, knock. Xue Ke knocked on the door and laughed loudly, "I've brought wine for you gentlemen."

In another cabin, Xue Baoqin and Xing Xiuyan sat facing each other. Xue Baoqin initially said, "My mother's favorite food is duck blood vermicelli soup. She also enjoys listening to opera and likes the color indigo."

As she was speaking, she suddenly stopped moving and glanced at Xing Xiuyan again: "From now on, you don't need to give money to the servants to buy wine."

Xing Xiuyan was also stunned, then the two looked at each other and laughed together.

"Finally, we're out of the Rongguo Mansion."

Having visited the Rongguo Mansion many times, Lin Daiyu no longer felt such sentiments. She took Mu Chuan's arm and got off the carriage. Looking at the beautiful and picturesque West Garden, she sighed, "Even the willow trees look much fresher than those in the Jia family's mansion."

Even though they were engaged, Mu Chuan still found every opportunity to criticize the Rongguo Mansion. He laughed and said, "Perhaps it's because of your mood. As Buddhism says, what you think in your heart is what you see outside. You think the Jia family is corrupt."

Lin Daiyu found his explanation quite amusing: "When did Third Brother become a Buddhist?"

“I don’t believe in Buddhism, but sometimes you can learn a lot by just flipping through a couple of pages of their scriptures.”

Lin Daiyu didn't dwell on it. She stood next to Mu Chuan and followed the eunuch who was leading the way inside. Li Chengwu followed along as well.

"It seems... most likely they are nobles?" Lin Daiyu asked softly.

The eunuch leading the way turned around and smiled, "Young lady is perceptive. The first round is for nobles and officials; the round three days later is for civil and military officials."

Lin Daiyu turned her head to look at Mu Chuan, as if asking: Why did you come to this event?

"If you like it, we can come again in three days," Mu Chuan said softly.

Lin Daiyu found it a bit cloying, but her cloying third brother was also quite fun.

The eunuch then introduced with a smile, "There are also quite a few talented young men and unmarried young women who have come."

Although it was only a half-sentence that didn't make sense, Lin Daiyu understood it. She smiled at Mu Chuan and whispered, "Is this the promising young man you were going to introduce to me?"

Mu Chuan's face darkened. He first said to the eunuch, "This is enough. There's no need for you to lead the way." After saying that, another red envelope flew into the eunuch's hand, and the eunuch left happily.

Mu Chuan then said to Li Chengwu, "You should also wander around. Before you came, your grandfather told me to make sure you met a few girls. You can decide for yourself."

Li Chengwu left with a smile, and Mu Chuan then turned his gaze to Lin Daiyu: "Which young talent have you taken a fancy to? I'll go and meet him."

Lin Daiyu smiled, revealing eight teeth: "Good Third Brother, in this West Garden, those with higher ranks than you are not as young as you, and those younger than you do not have higher ranks. Who else do you want to associate with?"

Mu Chuan was satisfied and was about to speak when Dai Quan came over.

"Lord Zhongyong," he greeted her, then asked, "Is this Miss Lin? My family is Dai Quan of the Daming Palace."

Lin Daiyu curtsied.

Dai Quan smiled and said, "The Emperor Emeritus ordered that formal attire be prepared for the two of you, which is in the side hall at the front."

Although Lin Daiyu's face didn't turn red, she became dignified and transformed into an exquisite model of elegance. Mu Chuan had never seen her like this before, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances, which earned him two eye rolls.

Mu Chuan looked away and smiled, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

As Dai Quan led the way, he said, "The Emperor Emeritus will be here soon. Your Excellency will personally thank the Emperor Emeritus in a moment."

The two followed Dai Quan to a side hall, where three embroiderers were already waiting.

Five or six pieces of cloth patterns were draped on a shelf by the window in the hall. The embroiderer brought up a ruler and measured the two of them.

Mu Chuan felt he was doing it on purpose, so he asked loudly, "How long will it take to make this wedding dress?"

Lin Daiyu's breath hitched. Dai Quan watched with a smile, waiting to tell the Emperor Emeritus that although the Marquis of Zhongyong seemed honest and loyal, he was no different from a young boy when it came to marriage.

The embroiderer thought for a moment and said, "The groom's clothes usually don't have many patterns. It mainly depends on what pattern and style the bride chooses. In any case, it can be finished in half a year."

The pressure was put on Lin Daiyu, especially since Mu Chuan said, "After all, it was a gift from the Emperor Emeritus. We can't choose the simplest one, because that would be to disappoint the Emperor Emeritus's wishes, nor can we choose the most difficult one, because that would be to disappoint my wishes."

He had barely finished speaking when he received another eye roll, and a girl blushing as she muttered, "Pah!"

After taking their measurements, the two went to choose fabric.

Mu Chuan held up the cloth and compared it to Lin Daiyu. Lin Daiyu blushed and didn't dare to look at Mu Chuan, but she still compared the cloth to him piece by piece.

"Look at me," Mu Chuan said, wishing they could get married today. "How will you know which one is suitable if you don't look at me?"

After taking measurements and choosing the fabric, you need to select the embroidery pattern, followed by buttons, belts, cloud-shaped shoulder capes, and shawls, etc.

Mu Chuan used to be completely uninterested in these things; when fabrics were presented to him, he would just glance at them. But now, perhaps because Daiyu was with him, he actually found the joy of shopping.

"And a phoenix crown," Mu Chuan said with a smile. "This is what I prepared. What kind do you like?"

Everything Lin Daiyu chose today was far beyond her imagination. In all her life, no one had ever told her what getting married was like.

This was different from what she had thought and imagined.

"I don't know." Lin Daiyu tried to be serious, but couldn't. "How can you ask me about something like this? You've already asked me to decide, what are you doing?"

Mu Chuan chuckled a few times. He really wanted to continue, but today was a garden party, and His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus were both there. Dai Quan felt that it was about time, and gestured to the embroiderer with his eyes.

The embroiderer came up with a pair of scissors and pointed them out to Lin Daiyu: "Make the first cut here. Hmm, very good, the next one is for the groom."

Lin Daiyu watched as Mu Chuan made his second cut with the scissors. Her gaze made Mu Chuan feel a sense of danger, yet it was also an alluring kind of danger.

After finishing this business, Dai Quan led them out again.

A gentle breeze blew outside, and Lin Daiyu felt a chill on her back, only then realizing that she had sweated quite a bit. She subconsciously looked at her third brother again.

He was dressed, so you couldn't tell from his clothes, except... there was a slight glint in his temples; he was nervous too.

Lin Daiyu chuckled, prompting Mu Chuan to look at her: "Nobody's telling jokes, is he?"

"Who said that?" Lin Daiyu's eyes brightened, and she smiled, "I saw Miss Song, I'm going over there. Third Brother, why don't you talk to your colleagues too, instead of spending all your time with me?"

Lin Daiyu hurried towards the willows by the river. Willows, after all, inevitably produce catkins.

She had just walked over and was calling out "Miss Song" when she heard Miss Song sneeze.

Song Qingfu covered her face with her handkerchief, turned around, and looked Lin Daiyu up and down: "Miss Lin."

Her voice sounded a bit pretentious, and her attitude was somewhat arrogant, but she meant no harm. This Lin Daiyu was very good at discerning people.

She also called out in a melodious tone, "Miss Song... and Miss Song."

Two young women surnamed Song stood on either side of her, saying, "Calling me 'Miss Song' is too formal."

"Pure lotus, pure water lily".

"Daiyu".

Lin Daiyu laughed again. This was wonderful. No one called her Pin'er anymore, no one called her Lin Yatou. She was just the proper Daiyu.

The way you call someone by their name won't sound overly intimate, nor will it feel distant.

"This is my first time here. What are some things worth seeing in Xiyuan?"

The two Miss Songs exchanged a glance, and Song Qingfu said, "Actually, they are all good, but everyone has different preferences. I'll take you to see the famous places first, maybe we'll like the same things."

“I love taking a boat trip on the lake,” Song Qinglian said.

Mu Chuan had already greeted everyone and walked up to the emperor.

"Qiao Yue has arrived," the emperor said with a smile, but he wasn't in a very good mood, since the fact that the retired emperor had ordered formal attire to be made for the two of them couldn't be kept from the emperor.

Mu Chuan wiped his sweat and sighed, "These people surrounded Your Majesty so tightly that I had to go through countless hardships to get to Your Majesty's side."

The emperor burst into laughter: "Who dares to block Qiao Yue's path?"

Mu Chuan took another step forward and stood next to the emperor, whispering, "Your Majesty, the ceremonial robes will be ready in four or five months. Your Majesty cannot let me spend the Mid-Autumn Festival alone, can you?"

"Qiao Yue is too impatient."

"The Emperor Emeritus has arrived."

The emperor's voice and the eunuch's loud shouts rang out at the same time. Mu Chuan looked ahead and saw the retired emperor standing at the bow of the ship, which was slowly approaching.

Not only the emperor, but also the nobles around him became serious and prepared to get up to greet him.

In fact, in the past year or two, the retired emperor has rarely appeared in public with the emperor, probably thinking that there can only be one ruler.

Mu Chuan immediately said, "Your Majesty, do not move. I will go and lure the Emperor Emeritus away."

The emperor was taken aback. Mu Chuan took two steps and walked over. The emperor lowered his outstretched hand, his smile vanished, and watched Mu Chuan jump onto the boat.

So far away, the emperor certainly couldn't hear what he was saying. Mu Chuan bowed to the retired emperor and said solemnly, "Although I am no longer destined to be the retired emperor's general, I request that the retired emperor allow me to row the boat for the retired emperor."

One sentence was enough to stir the Emperor Emeritus’s heart, and he shouted, “Bring the oars!”

In fact, for such a large ship, the poles and oars only serve to stabilize it when it docks and to help it set sail, but Mu Chuan is incredibly strong.

The retired emperor stood at the bow of the ship and soon felt the ship pause and move in sync with Mu Chuan's movements.

The retired emperor fell silent. His son was more than capable of maintaining the status quo, but had no ambition to expand the territory. How could such a general, following him, possibly make a name for himself in history?

The emperor on the shore also fell silent. After the retired emperor's boat turned a corner and disappeared from sight, the emperor recalled the date that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau had sent last time. It was all calculated according to the birth dates of Qiao Yue and Miss Lin. He and the empress had initially set the betrothal ceremony for the fifth day of the fourth month.

However, if the betrothal ceremony is held on the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, the bride cannot enter the house before the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month.

The Emperor instructed Quan Furen: "I remember the auspicious day sent by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. The nearest one is the seventh day of the third month. Go and tell the Empress that the betrothal ceremony will be held on this day."

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Author's Note: Xue Baoqin and Xing Xiuyan have officially left the story. These two are no longer in the Department of Ill-fated Women, so their ending is quite good.

It will make a brief appearance in a side story next time.