On the day the imperial carriage set off, the sky over Jinling City was clear and cloudless.
Outside the palace, carriages and horses were all prepared, banners fluttered in the wind, and guards stood in solemn formation, creating a magnificent scene.
Emperor Yongzheng and Lin Yun boarded the imperial carriage at the very front, while Lin Daiyu was arranged to follow closely behind in an exquisite carriage.
Chunlan was specially assigned to take care of her, and Zijuan also accompanied her. The three of them rode in the same carriage, so they didn't seem lonely.
Before leaving, Yongzheng glanced at Daiyu's carriage and whispered to Lin Yun, "This girl is young, take good care of her on the journey."
Lin Yun smiled and nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already made all the arrangements."
The convoy slowly drove out of Jinling City. Daiyu looked at the receding street scene through the gauze curtain, feeling a faint sense of sorrow at parting.
She left her maternal grandmother's house in less than a year, and she wondered if her grandmother would miss her as much as she did.
Zijuan gently took her hand: "Miss, are you reluctant to part with her?"
Daiyu shook her head and said softly, "It just feels like a dream."
She glanced down at the coral bracelet on her wrist, a gift from Baoyu, her fingertips gently caressing the bright red beads as her thoughts drifted away.
Around noon, the caravan stopped at a rest stop to rest.
Xia He lifted the carriage curtain and said with a smile, "Miss Lin, Her Majesty invites you to have a meal."
Daiyu quickly straightened her clothes and followed her to the pavilion next to the imperial carriage.
Inside the pavilion, a fine meal had been laid out. Lin Yun was holding Zhao Hua and feeding her a small piece of soft cake, while Hong Yao was lying on the stone table, curiously fiddling with a small wooden horse.
Seeing Daiyu arrive, Lin Yun beckoned and said, "Yu'er, come and sit down." Daiyu stepped forward and bowed, her movements respectful but slightly stiff.
Yongzheng sat to one side, his gaze sweeping over her, and said indifferently, "No need for formalities, please feel at ease on the road."
Daiyu responded softly, but still dared not raise her head.
Lin Yun noticed her nervousness, picked up a piece of steamed perch and put it in her bowl, saying with a smile, "This is a specialty of Jiangnan, you should try it."
Daiyu thanked him softly and gracefully took a bite.
Lin Yun then ordered someone to bring over a bowl of rock sugar bird's nest soup: "You must be tired from the journey, so please nourish yourself."
Daiyu accepted it, and a warm feeling gradually arose in her heart.
These days, the Empress has been giving her a bowl of rock sugar bird's nest soup every day, and she feels increasingly better. She has even stopped taking her usual medicine for several days. The Empress is so kind to her, and she doesn't know how to repay the Imperial Concubine.
Normally, she would need to rest after walking just a few steps, so how could she endure the bumpy ride of this long journey?
A few days later, Daiyu gradually adapted to the pace of the journey. The two children also became familiar with her.
Although Zhaohua was only a little over a year old, she could already speak some short sentences. She would often toddle up to Daiyu and call out in her childish voice, "Sister Lin, hug me!" Hongyao liked to hold her hand and have her play the nine-linked rings with him.
During a break, Daiyu sat under a tree teaching Zhaohua to identify flower petals. Hongyao came over, blinked his eyes, and asked in a childish voice, "Sister Lin, can you tell stories?"
Daiyu said softly, "I know a little. What would you like to hear?"
Hongyao clapped his hands excitedly: "I want to hear the story of the big tiger!"
Daiyu chuckled and spontaneously made up a little story. The two children listened with rapt attention, and even Emperor Yongzheng paused for a moment as he passed by, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.
Lin Yun watched this scene from afar and said to the Emperor, "Yu'er gets along so well with the children."
Yongzheng nodded: "She is quiet but very patient, which makes her suitable for taking care of children."
Lin Yun teased, "Is Your Majesty praising someone or scheming against them?"
Emperor Yongzheng raised an eyebrow: "My imperial concubine has learned to tease me now?"
As time went by, Daiyu gradually relaxed under the influence of Lin Yun's cheerful personality.
Lin Yun was very approachable and often invited her to drink tea and enjoy the scenery together. Occasionally, she would even give her math problems to test her.
One day, Lin Yun wrote down a problem on a piece of paper: "There are chickens and rabbits in the same cage. There are 35 heads and 94 feet. How many chickens and rabbits are there?"
After a moment's thought, Daiyu picked up her pen and wrote down the answer: "Twenty-three chickens, twelve rabbits."
Lin Yun exclaimed in surprise, "So fast? Yu'er is indeed clever!"
Emperor Yongzheng was busy reviewing memorials, but occasionally he would look up and see them huddled together discussing arithmetic problems, or hear Lin Yun telling some amusing stories that made Daiyu cover her mouth and chuckle, which pleased him.
He said to Su Peisheng, "The Imperial Concubine is lively. With her by her side, Daiyu will be more cheerful."
Su Peisheng bowed and smiled, "Your Majesty is kind and benevolent; Miss Lin is blessed."
When setting up camp at night, Lin Yun often went to Daiyu's tent to chat.
Once, Daiyu couldn't help but ask, "Why does Your Highness treat me so well?"
Lin Yun smiled and pinched her cheek: "Because I like you. Besides, your father entrusted you to me, so of course I have to take good care of you."
Daiyu's eyes reddened slightly, and she said softly, "Daiyu has nothing to repay you with."
Lin Yun waved her hand: "Silly child, what are you talking about repaying? Your peace and happiness are the best way to repay me. Besides, your father is serving the country in office, so it is not unreasonable for me to take care of his daughter."
Daiyu gradually calmed her anxiety and became more and more relaxed in front of Lin Yun and the Emperor.
Two weeks later, the convoy finally arrived outside Beijing.
From afar, banners fluttered beneath the city gates, and civil and military officials lined up to welcome them.
Emperor Yongzheng changed into a bright yellow dragon robe, his expression dignified.
Lin Yun was also dressed formally, holding the hands of the two children. Daiyu followed behind, her heart pounding.
After the convoy stopped, the Thirteenth Prince, Yinxiang, stepped forward first and said loudly, "Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty's return!" Behind him, high-ranking officials such as Zhang Tingyu, Ma Qi, and Wang Yueting, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, all knelt down in obeisance.
Emperor Yongzheng raised his hand: "All of you, rise."
His gaze swept over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Hongshi, before he said calmly, "Hongshi, is the capital still peaceful these days?"
Hongshi stepped forward and respectfully said, "Reporting to Father Emperor, everything is as usual." His gaze swept over the Imperial Concubine and Lin Daiyu, and he paused for a moment before lowering his head and blushing.
Hongshi had only seen the Imperial Concubine twice in all this time, at the New Year's Eve banquet. The girl standing next to the Imperial Concubine looked just like a mother and daughter. This must be Lin Ruhai's daughter.
Lin Yun whispered to Daiyu, "Don't be nervous, stay close to me later."
Daiyu nodded and gave Lin Yun a bright smile.
At this moment, Zhaohua suddenly broke free from Lin Yun's hand, ran to Daiyu's side, and grabbed her sleeve: "Sister Lin, let's go together!"
Daiyu was taken aback, then smiled and squatted down to straighten her clothes.
Yongzheng turned around and glanced back, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
Upon seeing this, the courtiers secretly wondered: What does it mean that the Emperor brought back a minister's daughter from this southern tour?
Could it be that the Emperor is going to hold a selection of concubines? But I heard that the Imperial Concubine brought this child back on her own initiative. What is the Imperial Concubine planning? Is she grooming a successor?
Why is it that my own daughter isn't so lucky? Looks like I'll have to cultivate a good relationship with the Imperial Concubine...
Everyone had different thoughts and tried to figure out the superior's intentions.
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