Jinling Jiangnan Governor's Mansion
Lin Ruhai sat upright in his study, while a light rain fell outside the window, wetting the bluestone path.
He held a freshly opened letter in his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly.
The handwriting on the letter was neat and clear, written by the Empress herself, mentioning Daiyu's marriage—to Hongtun, the second son of Prince Yi.
He took a deep breath, the wrinkles between his brows gradually smoothed out, and a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
"Finally...it's settled." He murmured softly, gently placing the letter on the table, his fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the paper.
Over the years, despite his busy political affairs in Jiangnan, he always kept Daiyu's marriage in mind.
On the Jia family's side, although Baoyu and Daiyu were childhood sweethearts, the boy was fickle and, with Lady Wang interfering, they were by no means a good match.
Now the Empress herself is arranging a marriage for Daiyu with the eldest son of the Thirteenth Prince, a man whose social standing and future prospects are impeccable.
He picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and slowly wrote his reply on the paper:
"Your Majesty, I, Ru Hai, kowtow in gratitude for your grace. My daughter's marriage is entirely up to Your Majesty's decision. Prince Hongtun (respectfully addressed) is both talented and virtuous, which greatly comforts me. As long as Yu'er is happy, I have no objections..."
He paused here, pen tip hovering in mid-air.
He recalled Daiyu's timid appearance as a child, and now that she was getting married, he felt both gratified and somewhat reluctant.
Finally, he sighed softly and continued writing:
"Your Majesty, I am currently in Jiangnan. I wish you good health and happiness. I am grateful for your concern regarding my daughter's marriage."
He put down his pen, carefully folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and sealed it with sealing wax.
"Someone come here." He summoned his trusted servant and said solemnly, "Send this letter to the capital by fast horse and deliver it to Her Majesty the Empress."
The servant accepted the letter with both hands and respectfully withdrew.
Lin Ruhai looked out the window; the rain was like mist, blurring the distant mountain shadows.
A slight smile played on his lips as he murmured to himself, "Min'er, if you have a spirit in heaven, you can rest in peace now..."
Kunning Palace in the capital
Lin Yun leaned against the soft couch, holding Lin Ruhai's reply in her hands, her eyes full of smiles.
"Yu'er, your father has agreed." She looked up at Daiyu standing to the side, her tone light and cheerful.
Upon hearing this, Daiyu's ears turned slightly red, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around her handkerchief.
She lowered her eyes and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, godmother."
Lin Yun chuckled softly, handed the letter to the maid beside her to put away, reached out and took Daiyu's hand, patting it gently: "Hongtun is a gentle boy, and you two get along well, so this marriage couldn't be more suitable."
Daiyu smiled, a hint of shyness flashing in her eyes, but she did not refute.
Seeing this, Lin Yun understood. She turned to the nanny beside her and instructed, "Go to the storeroom and take stock of the brocades and jewelry I prepared earlier, and add some new and fashionable designs to make Yu'er's dowry."
The old woman quickly agreed, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant will take care of it right away."
Daiyu's eyes welled up with tears, and she whispered, "Godmother, I am ashamed to accept this..."
Lin Yun feigned displeasure and tapped her forehead: "Silly child, you are my goddaughter. How can your marriage be meager? Besides, although your mother's dowry is generous, you cannot refuse my sentiment."
Daiyu felt a lump in her throat and solemnly curtsied, saying, "Your subject... thanks Godmother for her kindness."
Lin Yun helped her up and said softly, "Alright, go and rest. You'll be busy in the days to come."
Daiyu nodded and left the palace.
Hall of Mental Cultivation
As Emperor Yongzheng was reviewing memorials, he heard that the Empress had sent someone to report that Lin Ruhai had agreed to Daiyu's marriage. He put down his vermilion brush and raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Lin Ruhai is quite straightforward." He chuckled and said to Su Peisheng beside him, "I was originally worried that he would hesitate because of his old relationship with the Jia family."
Su Peisheng bowed and smiled, "Your Majesty is wise. Lord Lin is a man of great principle and naturally knows which path is best for Miss Lin."
Yongzheng nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
In recent years, Lin Ruhai has implemented new policies in Jiangnan and achieved remarkable results, requiring almost no concern from the imperial court.
Emperor Yongzheng leaned back on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, a hint of a smile appearing in his eyes.
"Yun'er did an excellent job as a matchmaker this time."
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Jinling · Jia Mansion
Grandmother Jia sat in the main seat of Rongqing Hall, holding a letter written by a servant from the capital in her hand, her face gloomy.
Wang Xifeng stood aside, cautiously observing her expression, her heart filled with unease.
"Grandma, has something happened in the capital?" Wang Xifeng asked tentatively.
Grandmother Jia slammed the letter on the table and snorted coldly, "Yu'er is going to marry the second son of Prince Yi!"
Wang Xifeng's pupils contracted, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the handkerchief.
Prince Yi's second son...that's a member of the imperial family!
If Daiyu were to marry into that family, her future status would be far beyond what the Jia family could ever achieve.
She suppressed her envy and jealousy and smiled, "This is a good thing. Miss Lin has found a good match. The old lady should be happy."
Grandmother Jia sighed deeply, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "It's a good thing, but what about Baoyu..."
Before he could finish speaking, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the door.
"Let me go! I want to go find Lin Daiyu!" Baoyu's voice came from afar, tinged with tears.
Grandmother Jia's expression changed, but before she could speak, Baoyu rushed in.
His hair was disheveled, and tears welled in his eyes. He rushed to Grandmother Jia's feet, crying out, "Grandmother! You can't agree to this! Lin Daiyu is mine! How can she marry someone else?"
Grandmother Jia helped him up with a pained expression, but her tone was stern: "Nonsense! Yu'er's marriage was personally arranged by the Empress, how dare you interfere?"
Baoyu was struck dumb, collapsing to the ground and muttering, "Impossible... Sister Lin wouldn't agree..."
Upon seeing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Wang Xifeng's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
She stepped forward to help Baoyu up and said gently, "Brother Bao, Miss Lin is now the Empress's goddaughter, so her marriage is naturally decided by the Empress. You... should try to be more open-minded."
Baoyu abruptly shook off her hand and shouted hysterically, "You're all lying to me! I'm going to the capital to find Lin Daiyu!"
Grandmother Jia shouted sternly, "Guards! Take Baoyu away and confine him to his quarters for three days to let him calm down!"
Several servants rushed forward, grabbed Baoyu, and dragged him outside. Baoyu struggled, and his cries gradually faded into the distance.
The room was completely silent.
Grandmother Jia closed her eyes wearily and whispered, "What a tragedy..."
Wang Xifeng stood to the side, expressionless.
She doesn't care about any of that now; all she thinks about is how to abandon her family responsibilities and focus on selling soap.
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